Chapter 72: The Angel and the Doll (2/2)

Rather than slamming, she was just giving him a little headbutt, and it did not hurt.

“…Please do not laugh.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. You are laughing at how childish I am.”

“I’m not laughing at that. I just find you cute.”

“…Are you not laughing at me?”

“Ah.”

Ah busted. Amane tried to pass it off by laughing. Mahiru started slapping Amane’s thighs, and Amane patted her head to coax her.

Finally, Mahiru calmed down. Amane made sure not to let the cat out of the bag as he laughed.

“…It feels like you are making fun of me.”

“You are thinking too much.”

“…I shall let you off today.”

Mahiru continued to pout unhappily. Amane did not point out how her face and words were completely different.

He looked at the kitten on her lap and the bunny in her clutches, and thought, some fusion we have here. He patted her for a while, and then, she lifted her face.

Her reddened cheeks showed no change, but her eyes looked displeased in a manner different from before.

“…I have always received things from you.”

It appeared she was worried about receiving too much.

“I’m giving them to you out of my own will. You don’t have you worry.”

“But I have received many things from you. Gifts, concern, warmth, mood, everything.”

“It’s just a gift from me. You don’t have to worry.”

Amane did not hope to be repaid, and only did so to make Mahiru happy.

It might sound like Mahiru’s happiness would be his reward, but ultimately, he did so out of his own satisfaction and hopes. There was nothing Mahiru needed to worry about.

It appeared Mahiru was still worried about receiving too much from Amane.

Instead, Amane had received too much care from her, and no amount of gratitude from him would suffice.

“I wish to give you something back.”

“You’re really stubborn…well, if you insist, I can accept it.”

“I can give you anything, as long as it is what I can do.”

Amane disliked this suggestion, for he felt she could do anything. Naturally however, he could not ask her to do something overboard.

Yet if he did not ask for anything, Mahiru would be devastated.

“How about pudding?”

So Amane happily suggested something she would not be burdened with.

“…Pudding, is it?”

“A pudding with lots of eggs. I want to try some from you.”

“Is it not to save money?”

“No way. I want it because it’s your pudding.”

Amane was not particularly fond of sweets, but custard was an exception.

He liked pudding, and cream puffs with custard cream. Anything made by Mahiru would surely be delicious.

Of course, he would desire to eat the handmade cooking of a girl he likes.

Once he made this earnest request, Mahiru looked up at him, and nodded.

“…I shall do so on the next rest day. More eggs, and harder, I suppose?”

“Yes.”

“I shall make delicious pudding, definitely.”

“You don’t have to be so pumped up.”

“I want to do this.”

“I see.”

For some reason, Mahiru showed some meaningless motivation and determination. Amane did not think she needed to be so determined, but he had nothing to complain about since he could have some delicious pudding.

He patted her head again, wanting to cheer her on. Mahiru apprehensively hid her lips behind the bunny head.