Chapter 141: Stroll and Encounter (2/2)

“Hm? Well, you’re pretty, and you attracted lots of people.”

“It is pointless to attract those stares though.”

“What about me?”

“…I shall let you look however you want, you know?”

Mahiru smiled teasingly, “I’ll have a good look at home.” and Amane too smiled back as he held her hand, and led her into the park.

The park was relatively big, and had more scenes of nature. It is a place for the people living nearby to rest.

The children were in a large sand pit, shrieking and playing sand. Some were queuing for the slide next to the jungle gym. Their parents were looking at them at the nearby benches, or playing with them.

Both of them smiled heartily once they saw this comforting daily sight.

“They are all so energetic.”

“We don’t have that much energy to run around like that.”

“But you dislike running to begin with.”

“I’m fine with that, but it’s just that I’m forced to run at a certain speed.”

Some hated sports not because they disliked keeping their bodies limber, but that they disliked having others look at them, or to be forced to exercise.

Amane was one such person who preferred to exercise freely alone. He hated sports, but not exercise.

“Will you play with those children?”

“I’ll be seen as suspicious, right? I won’t leave you aside, Mahiru. Look, you’re wearing a dress, and you can’t run or squat, right?”

“Yes…but I think they have it good. I never got to play like that before…”

I used to play in the garden alone, she quietly muttered, and Amane held her little hand once again.

“…We can’t really play now. So…if there’s a chance in the future.”

“Eh? Y-yes…?”

It appeared Mahiru did not really understand. Amane felt it was a pity, and yet at the same time, thought it was fine for her not to realize.

He intended to mention it once they graduated from high school, so it was fine for her not to notice what he said, and to slowly consider about setting up a family.

He had a feeling she probably would not refuse.

He smiled, befuddling Mahiru who tilted her head in confusion, and gently held her hand as they strolled through the park.

He tried to ensure that they were under the shade, and they saw the blooming flowers in the flowerbeds, enjoyed the refreshing breeze blowing through the trees, and enjoyed a very leisurely time

As they had walked quite a bit, Amane stopped at a vending machine to buy some drinks, resting at the nearby shade.

“But honestly, you’re already used to my place, Mahiru.”

He had a gulp, sighed, and asked her, whose caramel-colored eyes blinked at this sudden question, before she relaxed.

“Yes, I am grateful.”

“You’re more used to it than me.”

“I-is that so?”

“You’re completely used to it. It’s like your first home.”

Mahiru had completely found herself at home with the Fujimiyas, was heavily doted, and it would not be out of place to say she was one of the Fujimiyas. Of course, all three members of the flavor doted on her.

Amane aside, his parents really doted on her like their own daughter, and she seemed very relieved.

“Do you have fun at my house?”

“Yes, everything feels enjoyable at your house. Shuuto-san and Shihoko-san really took care of me.”

“Yeah, better than me.”

“Do not pout now, Amane-kun.”

“I’m not. I have you.”

“…Yes.”

Amane hoped for Mahiru to be part of the Fujimiyas. Even though he might feel abandoned, he was happy that his family would gladly accept Mahiru.

In any case, he was fine with having Mahiru. Obviously, Mahiru would always return to him, so it was fine for his parents to care for her. He felt a little conflicted that their time together would be reduced however.

She seemed a little bashful upon hearing Amane’s words, and stuck her forehead onto his elbow, hiding her face. He found that gesture adorable, and intended to pat her head.

“…Fujimiya?”

Amane heard this voice, and stopped his hand from patting her head.

He recovered to find a presence nearby. Neither of them had noticed anyone approaching them, as they had enjoyed themselves.

He stopped, put his hand down, and turned towards the voice…to find a boy causing him some strange sense of nostalgia.