Chapter 227: Aoba / You Just Get Outta Here (2/2)

「Umm, Aoba, you really don’t――」

「I know. My mothers are always like that after all」

「Yeah……」

「They’re not angry at all, and they don’t even care. If anything, they might actually be saying they want to have Mother-sama make us something delicious again and have us all eat together. At least, that’s what I think」

「I’m……really jealous」

There wasn’t even any need to explain about their intentions until the last minute- that was how close they were.

「Yeah. The closest person to Mother……would probably be Kohaku-san, I think? With how she gets along with people, and her atmosphere and whatnot」

「I feel like Nazuna-san is also close to Kohaku-san, in the sense that she has ulterior motives hidden within」

「Mama, huh……I dunno. I also feel like she’s just as she appears」

「I think by the point that you, their daughter is that vague about it, something’s up」

The two of them walked alongside each other in the residential area.

In direct proportion to their lively conversation, their pace was also becoming lighter.

「By the way, are Mio-san’s wounds alright？」

Taiyou suddenly remembered it.

Mio, who had accompanied them to Juunishima the other time, had swiftly covered for Aoba, suffering wounds, withdrawing.

As to what happened afterward, he wasn’t sure. The specifics had never been made clear, though he had heard she was fine.

So he was concerned about that, checking with Aoba.

「Yeah, I made sure to confirm Mother-sama’s status. She’s the kind of person to put on airs and not say what the case actually is, so I cheated a bit and got information」

「Cheated？」

「Cheated」

Aoba parroted back.

He had wanted to ask her just what that was, but she didn’t seem to want to talk――tell him.

It was enough for Taiyou to know that at the very least she was fine. No point forcibly asking.

「Come to think of it……when I came to know you, it was already past Mother’s Day, wasn’t it」

「Eh？」

「When’s Mio-san’s birthday？」

「Umm……9/28」

「Oh, well that’s soon. I’m glad it hasn’t passed. If I’d passed that one up, I’d have to do something for Christmas, which is a tricky subject」

「What do you mean do something……」

Aoba’s face showed that she vaguely understood, but still wanted to confirm.

「Let’s celebrate her birthday together. Also as thanks」

「As thanks？」

「Thanks for her protecting you aboard that ship」

「That’s……but she would have anyway」

「Yeah, of course」

太Taiyou said, cutting through Aoba as he stood still, speaking to her as he peered straight into her eyes.

「But right now, you’re my wife. I want to give her thanks for protecting my wife」

「Ah……」

Aoba’s face burst red.

「……Thanks, Natsuno-kun」

And she spoke with a smile.

「I think Mother-sama will get angry, but don’t mind that, okay?」

「I’m prepared for her to make unpleasant faces」

「It’d be great if that were all……」

「Just what is Mio-san like for her daughter to say such things……」

「I mean, she’s Mother-sama after all」

「Makes sense」

A smile broke out of Aoba’s mouth as she said that.

It was the first natural, cheerful smile he had seen since they had left the Miyagi residence.

It was a different……vector from the smile she would make as a member of the Taiyou Natsuno household, but nevertheless, a smile that wouldn’t lose to it either.

Taiyou decided once he had seen that.

「Aoba」

「Hm？」

「Go back to your house」

He said as he put his hands on her shoulders, spinning her back to the path they had traversed.

「N-Natsuno-kun？」

「Spend time with your mothers today. And tomorrow you’d better not come back here and go to school from there, alright?」

「B-But……」

「See ya at school tomorrow」

He pushed Aoba’s back, sending her away.

Aoba slightly hesitated, but at last nodded, walking off to the Miyagi residence……her own house.

After seeing her off, Taiyou turned on his heels, starting to walk.

There was probably no one at Taiyou Castle, but it was going to be a bright day.