“You two are going out today, right?”
It was morning and the four of them were sitting together at the
breakfast table when Shihoko asked them as if suddenly remembering.
Seeing the smiles plastered on the faces of Shihoko and Shuuto,
Amane understood that telling them his plans was a mistake.
They simply mentioned, “It must be boring staying at home the entire
time,” seemingly not teasing him.
“Well, we aren’t going anywhere special, just a walk around.”
“I haven’t ventured out yet, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Over the last three days, apart from shopping with Shuuto on the first
day, Mahiru has been at home. It wasn’t only because Amane’s parents
entertaining her, but it also wasn’t easy for her to walk around unfamiliar
areas.
Amane presumed his parents would take her out, but they leisurely
relaxed at home instead. He felt that he should at least show Mahiru around.
“We only have some parks and supermarkets nearby anyway. It’ll be
different closer to the city, do you want to look around there?”
“No, I just to walk with Amane-kun. As long as we’re walking
together, that alone makes me very happy.”
“…Is that so?”
Amane already knew that Mahiru wasn’t excited to tour the local area
specifically. She looked forward to going out and spending time with
Amane, which warmed his heart.
Just from her expression, he knew that Mahiru just wanted to be with
him. Blushing and embarrassed, Amane shifted his gaze downwards.
“How should I say this, these two are already more than lovers, aren’t
they?”
“They look just like us when we were young.”
“No, Shihoko wasn’t as calm as Shiina-san back then, remember?”
“Oh, so strict.”
“Although Shihoko was very cute like that.”
“My goodness~”
Seeing Shihoko’s shyness and Shuuto naturally praising her, Amane
brushed them aside. Thinking ‘these two are going at it so early in the
morning,’ he started eating Shihoko’s omelet.
The omelet tasted good, but Amane thought Mahiru’s dish was better.
The biggest reason was simply that it was made by Mahiru, not because his
mom was bad at cooking. Amane completely fell in love with Mahiru’s
cooking and ended up finding faults with Shihoko’s dishes as a result.
Amane looked at her while thinking about asking Mahiru to help make
breakfast next time, and found Mahiru looking at his parents with longing,
envy, and a trace of shame in her eyes.
Amane roughly understood what she was thinking, and became a little
embarrassed.
(…I really can’t do that stuff just yet)
He thought that, but in reality, Amane also wanted to form the kind of
intimacy depicted in Mahiru’s heart. Even so, he still couldn’t say it out
loud to Mahiru herself just yet.
Once more, he secretly blushed as he gazed at his affectionate parents
and imagined a certain special day in the future.
✧₊✦₊✧
“Then, let’s go.”
A while after his parents went out to work, Amane said to Mahiru,
who was sitting on the sofa.
Although it was still morning, Amane didn’t plan to take her far but to
just walk around how they liked, so it wasn’t a problem that it was nearly
noon. Mahiru planned to cook pasta with bacon and egg sauce at lunchtime,
so he won’t stay out for too long.
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“We don’t need to bring anything for a walk… next time we head out
we should go downtown.”
“…Then, is that a date?”
“Indeed it is. Today’s a rest day.”
A sudden date plan would be troublesome for women to prepare for, so
Amane really did just want to walk around today. Thinking about the
definition of a ‘date’, their walk now was also a date, but there would be a
difference in how serious they’d prepare for the two different outings.
Now that he had the opportunity, Amane wanted to spend an entire day
out with her, but he’d settle for a casual stroll outside for today.
Mahiru was overjoyed about their next date, beaming cheerfully with a
sweet smile.
“I look forward to our date”
“Alright. I’ll do the date plan, so you can look forward to it.”
“I can go anywhere with you, Amane-kun.”
“I know, but since we’re here, it’s better to pick some places we can
have fun.”
Mahiru herself said that she’d be satisfied just being beside him, and
this was evident from her expression. But even so, Amane hoped to make
her truly happy as her boyfriend.
“Anyway, that’s next week. Let’s take a walk now.”
“Um”
After Amane stretched out his hand, Mahiru took it naturally.
This made Amane a little embarrassed, and he lightly smiled to hide it
before walking out of the house with Mahiru’s hand.
Although he hadn’t gone home for about a year, he didn’t notice
anything different from before. Amane felt nostalgic as they walked along a
familiar road.
While doing so, the two also held hands. Whenever a female student
on vacation passed by, they’d look at Mahiru enviously. Amane thought it
was a little funny, so he laughed.
This proved how beautiful Mahiru was which was a good thing, but
since she attracted so many stares Amane felt a little bewildered.
“What are you laughing at, Amane-kun?”
“Huh? Since you’re so beautiful, you always attract a lot of people.”
“It’s useless for me to attract other people’s attention.”
“What if it’s me?”
“…Then you can look in any way you want, you know?”
Mahiru laughed mischievously. Amane smiled and said, “Then I’ll
take a good look back at home,” and took her hand while leading her into
the park.
This park was relatively large and had a lot of natural scenery. It was a
good place for people nearby to spend time and relax.
Some children were shouting and playing in a big sandpit nearby, and
some were lining up to go down the slide next to the climbing frame. Their
parents either watched them on a nearby bench or played with them.
Both of them smiled tenderly after seeing this soothing daily scene.
“Everyone looks so very energetic.”
“We aren’t as energetic, we can’t run around like they are.”
“Amane-kun doesn’t like running in the first place, right?”
“No, I’m fine with running. I just hate being forced to run at a
prescribed speed in gym class.”
There are always some who dislike physical education classes, but
don’t dislike exercising. They just don’t like being watched or being forced
to exercise in a certain way. Amane was one of these people, preferring to
exercise freely by himself. He doesn’t like physical education, but he
doesn’t dislike sports itself all that much.
“Then would you play with those kids?”
“I’d look like some suspicious person. Also, I won’t leave you out,
Mahiru. You’re wearing a skirt, so you can’t run or crouch down.”
“Yeah… but stuff like this is really nice. I never played like that when
I was a kid…”
Mahiru quietly added that she used to play alone in her courtyard, so
Amane tightly held her petite hand again.
“…We can’t play like that right now. So… If there’s a chance for us to
do this in the future, then…”
“Huh? Is that… so?”
Mahiru didn’t seem to understand what he was getting at. Amane felt a
little pitiful, but at the same time thought it was fine if she didn’t catch on.
Once they graduated from high school Amane planned to talk it out
with her, so for now it was fine if she didn’t realize, it would be better for
her to slowly ease into thinking about family planning.
Amane felt that Mahiru wouldn’t refuse him.
He smiled and bluffed through the confused Mahiru, and gently held
her hand as they wandered through the park.
Amane walked slowly within the shade of trees as much as he could,
looking at flowers blooming in the nearby flower beds, and feeling a
refreshing breeze blowing from between the trees. They spent their time
together leisurely.
A neighboring wife near his childhood home noticed him and
remarked, “Wow, it’s the son of the Fujimiya’s from way back then-”, and
gave them her blessings with a soft smile. Not feeling unpleasant about it,
Amane was only left restless.
After walking quite far, the two of them bought some drinks from the
vending machine and took a rest on a bench in the shade.
“Thinking about it Mahiru, you’ve already made yourself pretty
comfortable in my house.”
After taking a breather by drinking a sports drink, Amane asked
Mahiru. In response to its sudden mention, her caramel-colored eyes
blinked in surprise before relaxing.
“Yeah, I am very grateful.”
“You’re more used to it than I am.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, definitely. It’s like it was your hometown too”
Mahiru was very comfortable with the Fujimiya family and was
excessively doted on, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that she had already
become one of the Fujimiyas. Of course, it was the entire family that loved
her and spoiled her heavily.
Beyond Amane, his parents loved Mahiru as if she were their own
daughter, and she seemed very grateful for that.
“Are you having a good time at my house?”
“Mm. It’s very amusing being in your house, and I was delighted.
Shuuto-san and Shihoko-san do treat me very well.”
“Yes, better than me”
“Amane-kun, don’t be jealous.”
“I’m not. You’re here with me now, after all.”
“…Mm”
Amane eventually hoped that Mahiru would become part of the
Fujimiya family. Leaving Amane’s treatment aside, he would be happy for
Mahiru to be accepted so lovingly by his family.
Amane was fine as long as Mahiru was here. It was obvious that she
would eventually return to Amane’s arms, so he didn’t mind others like his
mom taking care of her. Although he felt complicated about having less
time to spend with her, after they returned home he could have Mahiru all to
himself.
Mahiru seemed shy hearing Amane’s words and leaned her forehead
against his arm to hide her face. Amane thought she was being extremely
cute, and wanted to pat her head.
“…Fujimiya?”
Hearing this, Amane froze.
Naturally, Amane was focusing on Mahiru. Since they were talking
happily together, they didn’t notice anyone approaching.
(That’s right. Since I’m back home now, I might bump into one of
‘them’)
In the past, Amane didn’t even want to think about these people. After
he left his hometown Amane cut ties with them, but it wasn’t impossible to
run into one of them now that he was back to visit.
Deep in a corner of his heart, Amane had a feeling that he might meet
him.
The reason he could leave behind his anxiety and endure was thanks to
the presence of Mahiru.
Amane exhaled, put his hands down, and turned himself in the
direction of the familiar voice.
“It really is you, Fujimiya. I didn’t realize it was you at first until I
heard your name”
Amane’s former friend, Tojo, was looking at him. His appearance
hadn’t changed much since junior high.
Amane was the opposite. Over the past two years, his looks and
temperament had changed drastically. Right now, Amane had dressed well
since he was going outside, so Tojo couldn’t recognize him easily.
Although he publicized his relationship with Mahiru, Amane knew it
wouldn’t be easy for his past acquaintances to equate his past self with how
he was now. Because of that, he wasn’t confused by Tojo’s reaction.
As if mimicking Itsuki, Tojo wore a similarly frivolous-looking smile.
The difference, however, was that Itsuki’s looked humorous, while Tojo’s
looked mischievous.
Noticing Amane’s lack of reaction, Tojo frowned unhappily, then
sneered.
“Fujimiya, long time no see.”
“Same here.”
“So you left your hometown? Are you back for good now?”
“I’m only visiting for summer vacation. It’s good to see you so
energetic.”
Amane’s answered him more ordinarily than he expected, looking
slightly surprised but nonetheless unwavering.
Amane’s heart had long been sorted out.
They both lived in the local area, and it was normal for Tojo to show
up here. Besides that though, it was just a coincidence. Amane was only
having a temporary visit, so to him, Tojo was an unrelated bystander.
Recalling the past, Amane previously felt that there was uneasiness in
his heart, but now that he has the warmth of Mahiru next to him, his
anxiousness had long since disappeared.
“What’s with the girl, you bluff her or something?”
“Of course not. She’s my girlfriend”
“Huh?”
Tojo looked at Mahiru with the same gaze that she had of him. Hearing
the word ‘girlfriend,’ Tojo looked at them unpleasantly.
Tojo would occasionally show such an expression back when he was
on good terms with Amane, but now Amane understood why that was the
case.
He would only show that expression when someone else had
something he didn’t.
“You even have women in your life now. You’re so capable, even
though you were so cute back when you were a crybaby. But look at you
now, you’ve grown.”
Although Tojo said that with a teasing smile, Amane didn’t think
anything of it. Amane originally thought that he’d be more hurt. In reality,
though, there was nothing he wanted to say. It felt like the passing breeze,
there was no pain at all. What he was worried about however was the lovely
girl sitting next to him. He was wary that Mahiru might’ve been angered by
Tojo’s taunting words.
Amane glanced at Mahiru, who was blinking.
Then she smiled.
He had seen many of Mahiru’s various smiles, but Amane, even after
being by her side for so long, had never before seen such an expression - it
was different from her smile at the sports festival, and different from the
smiles she only shows to Amane. Her smile right now held no emotion
behind it.
Amane didn’t know if he could feel at ease seeing such a smile, and
was actually disturbed by Mahiru’s reaction. Then, Tojo smiled
triumphantly.
“Did you know? He’s a little better now, but back then he used to be
teased for looking like a girl, almost to the point of making him cry.”
“That really takes me back.”
His malicious words didn’t make Amane react at all.
First off, Mahiru was holding his hand beside him, and more
importantly, after meeting Tojo Amane merely thought of him as just
another ordinary person.
Previously, Tojo had the better personality and physique. Cheerful and
lively, Tojo would often express his own opinions, and attracted many
friends.
Amane used to be afraid of receiving malice from someone better than
him. Amane also suffered later from his harassment and then betrayal.
But now, Amane was calm. It wasn’t as if he felt absolutely nothing,
but Amane now looked back on the past exactly how it was; the past. Even
when he thought about what happened, Amane wouldn’t tremble like he
used to.
Dissatisfied with Amane’s lackluster reaction, Tojo’s face turned
slightly red, his eyes suddenly becoming sharper.
“Look at you keeping your cool, eh… just what do you value from this
guy, ‘girlfriend’? He’s got no merits apart from his wealthy family
background. You know how much of a coward he used to be?”
Tojo turned to face her, but Mahiru’s composed smile remained
unchanged.
“Amane-kun already told me everything. Although I still haven’t seen
how adorable he was…”
“It scares me that you want to see those. I don’t have any, though.”
“Hehe, unfortunately, I’ve actually seen them already.”
Mahiru added with a whisper, “so adorable,” and Amane couldn’t help
but look at her with dissatisfaction. For just a moment, she showed her real
smile but immediately reverted to the smile she uses as the angel.
Tojo froze seeing Mahiru’s fleeting smile. Amane smirked.
“I don’t care what you have to say. After all, that’s just what you think.
Unlike before, I have nothing to say to you, and I believe my lovely partner
will never change her mind, no matter what you say about me.”
Amane was no longer afraid of Tojo because he had a partner who
loved and supported him dearly. Amane’s issues were now a thing of the
past, and his wounds had long since healed.
The girl beside him is the person he loved the most, he had nothing to
be afraid of anymore.
“Our history has long since passed for me, Tojo.”
(That’s why, no matter what he says now, it won’t affect me one bit)
Amane calmly looked at Tojo, conveying those words. Amane’s
indifference to him made Tojo anxious, and he raised his eyebrows. Just
before he continued, however, Mahiru spoke up first.
“…Speaking of which, you just asked where I find value in him,
right?”
She stood next to Amane, straightened her back, and stared at Tojo.
Tojo flinched in the face of her overwhelming seriousness.
Mahiru froze the atmosphere around them. Extremely calm, she
silently aimed her clear and level-headed eyes toward Tojo.
“Do you only look for money when choosing your friends? To you, is
money really the only thing they could offer? If you carry yourself this way
for much longer, you will never get what you want, nor will you get
satisfaction. ”
“What…”
“Even with money, I was never truly satisfied… I never once worried
about money, but my heart remained cold and desolate.”
Mahiru put her hands on her chest and whispered quietly, which
tugged Amane’s heart.
Mahiru’s family was well off, wealthy enough to hire a housekeeper,
even. Most things she owned were also of high quality. She once said that
the only thing her parents did give her was money.
Therefore, Mahiru didn’t take the value of money seriously. She
valued the warmth of human emotion much more so.
Amane wasn’t bothered by Tojo but was distressed when he thought
about Mahiru’s situation. The reason for that was that Amane had already
forgotten about Tojo.
“After meeting Amane-kun, I felt true happiness fill my heart for the
very first time… it wasn’t his money, it wasn’t his appearance, but it was
his tender-hearted personality that I valued in him above everything else. I
would never use superficial aspects like that to determine his value.”
After declaring so unwaveringly, Mahiru neither pitied Tojo nor
dismissed him, only calmly observing him.
“If monetary value is all you see, that’s fine. I won’t deny other
people’s values, as long as Amane-kun understands that in my heart, I value
him above everything else.”
As she turned towards Amane, her angelic smile was replaced by her
real smile, serene and radiant.
Just that alone, was enough for Amane.
“Mahiru, let’s leave it there…”
“But…”
“It’s okay, I’ll feel too embarrassed by it… but I’m also very happy.
Let’s continue when it’s just the two of us.”
“…Mm.”
If he didn’t stop her, Mahiru undoubtedly would’ve started listing off
all of Amane’s strong points.
If that happened, Tojo would end up seeing Mahiru’s pure and
innocent smile, and that bothered Amane. To him, Tojo was already a
stranger - he had nothing to do with him anymore.
“Thanks.”
After whispering softly, Amane walked over to Mahiru and shielded
her.
Once again, Amane felt that everything between him and Tojo was of
no importance. Back then, Tojo appeared dazzling, towering, but also
terrifying. After growing a significant amount since then, Amane wasn’t
bothered by people like Tojo anymore.
(I don’t think anything of him anymore. I’m much more confident now
than I used to be, even if he tries to intimidate me now just like before, it
would change nothing)
When Amane stated that he thought of Tojo as something of the past,
he meant it. Even after meeting him again, he felt nothing.
The Amane now was calm. Back when he left his hometown and was
afraid of seeing Tojo, he couldn’t imagine himself being so composed.
Mahiru sensed Amane’s intentions and didn’t stop him.
(I should finish things up here)
Whether it was the past that Amane tried to run from, his memories of
Tojo that caused it, or the scene of Amane’s weak and wounded self, all of
it would now be forgotten. All of it.
In a certain sense, one could call this fate. After having just improved
himself, their reunion simply gave Amane a chance to part with the past.
Contrary to Amane’s composure, Tojo–now looking rather
embarrassed–was waiting for Amane to continue.
Seeing Tojo act like that, Amane smiled faintly.
“I’m actually very grateful to you. You took advantage of me. We
severed our relationship, yes. But thanks to that, I was able to find my own
happiness, and that was salvation to me.”
Amane wasn’t intending to complain at him.
He was definitely injured mentally and suffered for it, but now he
regarded it as an experience. It was precisely because he experienced it that
he grew to become who he was now.
He liked his new self, it was because of everything he endured he was
able to meet Mahiru and build a relationship with her.
“So, looking at how things ended up, I can say it was a good thing I
met you. Since I ended up meeting Mahiru, I think everything worked out
in the end. Thanks to being hurt, I’ve matured. I’ve obtained things precious
to me thanks to overcoming the hardships you put me through.”
In that sense, Tojo and the rest of his former friends played an
important role in the encounter between Amane and Mahiru.
But that’s the only meaning they had.
“Thank you… I won’t get along with you again, and there’s nothing
left to be said, so we’re done here.”
A word of gratitude that also served as a farewell to the past.
Amane had no intention to get along with him again. They attended
differing schools, lived in different provinces, and both led different lives.
Both of them had long since been strangers.
Hearing Amane’s heartfelt words, Tojo was frozen as if struck by
lightning. Amane turned his back to him.
The scar left by Tojo had now disappeared.
“Then Mahiru, let’s head back.”
“Mm.”
Once Amane took her hand, Mahiru showed a touch of shyness.
Mahiru followed Amane’s lead and promptly began ignoring Tojo,
only looking at Amane.
Seeing how Mahiru acted, Amane smiled wryly and left the park
without looking back, abandoning any interest he had in his former friends.
✧₊✦₊✧
That night, Amane lay in bed and closed his eyes, embracing his want
to sleep. He just lied there, sleep never arriving.
Usually, Amane slept rather quickly, but only today he just couldn’t
succumb to it. He was peculiarly lively and restless.
Amane wondered why and thought the reason lay in his encounter with
Tojo earlier.
Though a former friend and one of the causes of Amane’s mental
scars, in Amane’s heart, the shivers and grievances caused by him had long
since disappeared.
After their encounter, Amane felt relieved and even a little emotional.
He realized how much he matured after meeting Mahiru and how
much she supported him, making him feel accomplished.
(…My father’s advice was right on point, I’m glad I left my hometown)
If he stayed, he might not have been able to overcome his past scars,
nor would he have matured. It’s possible he would be living while enduring
his pain in self-deception.
It was all thanks to Mahiru and Itsuki. Amane was full of gratitude and
because of them, he could live in comfort.
But if he kept thinking about it he wouldn’t fall asleep, so Amane got
up for some fresh air. Intending to clear out his mind, he put on his slippers
and headed for the balcony.
A gust of moist air blew in once he opened the window, giving him
some discomfort as he got used to his air-conditioned room. It kept him
cool from the hot midsummer nights, even while he slept.
Regardless, the outside air was refreshing; with no artificial lights
nearby, the beautiful stars could be seen in all their glory. It was enough to
pass the time and relieve boredom before he could fall asleep.
Amane leaned against the railing, enjoying the tranquil scenery and
luminescent starlight. Suddenly, a sound could be heard from the window.
Not coming from Amane’s room, but instead from the neighboring
room connected by the balcony. Amane looked over and saw Mahiru
wearing her nightgown dress, half-poking her body out of the window to
look at him.
“…Mahiru, you’re still awake?”
Amane wasn’t expecting Mahiru to still be awake.
Mahiru usually slept before midnight, and with the date already having
changed, Amane didn’t think she’d still be awake, much less coming out
onto the terrace like this.
“I can’t sleep… Amane-kun, you’re still awake too.”
“Well yeah… so much happened today after all.”
“…Yes.”
While walking to the balcony, Mahiru lowered her eyes slightly in
response to ‘much happened.’ Amane smiled at her and said, “Ah, I wasn’t
talking about that.”
“I wasn’t worrying about it, you know? I was thinking more about how
much I’ve grown, I guess.”
Mahiru’s momentary worry was unnecessary.
Amane no longer had any thoughts about Tojo; he just perceived the
changes in himself. He wouldn’t even imagine Tojo’s face anymore, not
being threatened by him any longer.
Hearing Amane saying so with such a smile, Mahiru was relieved and
showed him a small smile of her own.
“Ufufu… you’ve become strong and mature now, Amane-kun. Since
middle school, you must have grown a lot too.”
“Yeah. I’ve grown about 20cm, at least.”
“That’s a lot.”
“Yeah.”
Amane changed. Not only in height but more importantly in his
feelings and perspectives.
Looking back, Amane used to be an unflattering, nonchalant, and
arrogant boy. After all, because of those people, he couldn’t deny his
unapproachable demeanor.
Amane felt that he was calmer and more composed than before.
The reason for his calmness lay in the girl he loved the most.
“As you said, Amane-kun, you’ve definitely grown, both physically
and mentally.”
“…Yes.”
“Are you more confident?”
“Mm.”
“That’s good. Even if you weren’t, I would still support you, Amane-
kun.”
“I’m grateful, I really am.”
Mahiru smiled gently and leaned against the railing to gaze at the night
sky, giving Amane an intense urge to shower her with affection.
Mahiru looked up and smiled at herself, the same way she smiles at
Amane. With Amane by her side, she would continue to support and
encourage him. She hoped to be with Amane. She was such a rare and
precious kind of person, and Amane loved her and was elated that she
stayed beside him.
“…Say, Mahiru?”
“Hm?”
“…I want to touch you.”
“Huh?”
Hearing his sudden words, Mahiru turned towards Amane.
She was mostly shocked and surprised. Amane felt ashamed but had
no intention of correcting himself. Instead, he firmly gazed into Mahiru’s
eyes, which were shaking in confusion.
“…I want to touch you just a little, can’t I?”
Amane really wanted to touch her.
He wanted to feel the warmth of Mahiru who loved and supported him,
and he wanted to embrace the fact that she was by his side.
Because of Amane’s straight gaze, Mahiru’s caramel eyes shook, and
then they hung down shyly.
“…It’s not impossible…”
Hearing these soft words, Amane felt even more warmth in his heart.
Once he realized she had accepted, he stretched his hand out to
Mahiru.
Wondering whether he should hug her on the balcony, he caressed the
palm of her hand instead.
Amane took her delicate hand that had been supporting him, and
guided Mahiru to follow him. He led her into his room.
Since it was so late, Amane silently closed his window and had Mahiru
sit on his bed.
It was the only place to sit, as there was no sofa. As soon as he sat
down, Mahiru froze and looked at him stiffly, which made him chuckle.
“I won’t do anything.”
“Good, good.”
“Were you looking forward to it?”
“H-how is that possible?”
“When you say that, I feel quite complicated as a man…”
“Eh-?”
“Just kidding… I only want to touch you.”
Amane didn’t intend to do what Mahiru was on guard against, not even
for a moment. He wanted to wait until she was completely ready, and didn’t
want to force himself on her.
After Mahiru relaxed her body, Amane slowly wrapped his hands
around her back, and Mahiru did the same.
Feeling his heart overflowing with a warm sensation, he focused on
her familiar fragrant scent, and it gave him an indescribable sense of
happiness. Feeling her compassion and love, he wanted to dote on her as
much as he could, hugging Mahiru happily.
Within his arms, Mahiru wriggled comfortably.
Although not verbalizing how happy she was, seeing her mouth
forming a soothed smile and the satisfied aura she released, Mahiru felt the
same way as Amane.
(…I really love her)
Deep down in his heart, that feeling made him feel hot but extremely
happy, which gradually increased his excitement.
Amane thought he couldn’t love her any more than he already did, but
his feelings became deeper and deeper, and would now never disappear.
Maybe just like his parents, their love for each other would continue to
grow into a soothing, gentle, yet dazzling form that would never vanish.
Amane loved her from the bottom of his heart, and would never waver
when asserting it.
With his unstoppable emotions, Amane lifted Mahiru’s chin naturally
with his hands, and his lips overlapped with Mahiru’s with a damp smile.
The caramel eyes in front of him blinked a few times.
Immediately afterward, a dull pain came from his forehead. Surprised,
Amane moved his face away.
Now it was Amane who was blinking in surprise. The sensation was
likely from Mahiru, her eyes swimming around in a panic and she was
clearly muddled.
“…That hurts.”
“I-I’m sorry, I was just surprised…”
“No, it’s okay, I’m to blame for doing it so suddenly… I’m sorry.”
Amane knew that she instinctively bumped her head since she was
frightened. Besides, he kissed her without permission. It was no wonder she
reacted like that.
Amane was remorseful seeing Mahiru’s response, thinking he should
have waited a little longer, but Mahiru shriveled and looked around timidly.
“I-It’s not that I hate it. I really was just taken aback. Um… please…,
please do it again. This time, I’ll be okay.”
Her voice was trembling, but she closed her eyes and raised her chin,
embracing it. Seeing this, Amane smiled slightly and snatched Mahiru’s lips
yet again.
Before, Amane had no time to savor it since Mahiru headbutted him,
but this time because she was ready, Amane was able to enjoy it properly.
Her lips were moist and softer than his own.
He was worried about making Mahiru feel uncomfortable if his lips
were too dry, but she seemed to be enjoying it. Amane gently nibbled on
her lip, and Mahiru wriggled her body, arousing Amane’s desire to spoil her
even more.
They separated for a moment, but Mahiru looked too adorable and this
fractured Amane’s patience. He returned to Mahiru’s lips once more.
Amane heard a quiet “Mm~” sound, unsure whether she was
protesting or just surprised, but once he pecked her lips again, her voice
quietened.
There was the sound of swallowing, embellished by kissing.
So adorable. Amane narrowed his eyes, and kissed her lightly again
and again, before embracing her petite body.
After touching their lips several times, Amane moved his mouth away
instead and Mahiru buried her face in Amane’s shoulder.
“…You didn’t say you would do it several times.”
“You don’t want to?”
“N-no, I didn’t have a chance to ready myself… umm, I’m
embarrassed.”
Mahiru murmured softly, “Well, it’s our first time,” but Amane’s heart
bolted as he imagined a different meaning in her words.
“…Is it really your first time, Amane-kun? You’re more composed
than I am.”
“How could I be calm… I just want to kiss Mahiru so much that I’m
not thinking about anything else, so I might’ve been a little forceful…”
“Y-you weren’t, I didn’t hate it… if I know it’s coming, I can handle
it… even if… we do it a little more.”
Even Amane was born a man. after seeing Mahiru gaze up at him so
adorably, there was no way he could hold back.
He kissed Mahiru on her lips again, but this time at her pace, not going
past the point of touching their lips.
Instead, Amane held the back of Mahiru’s head with his palm, holding
onto her tightly.
As if savoring each other’s lips, the couple slightly staggered their
faces and continued kissing. Amane’s heart was beating almost to the point
of bursting.
“…Fufu.”
Between the kisses, Mahiru giggled slightly, then leaned her hand on
Amane’s chest and stood up to face him.
“…Before I liked Amane-kun, I didn’t think there was any meaning in
kissing. Now, I know that those who express their love like this are truly
happy.”
“…Then, are you happy?”
“Mm.”
“…Me too.”
“Fufu, We’re the same.”
Mahiru flashed a carefree yet bashful smile. Amane tastes her sweet
lips once more, and her body shivered.
Amane noticed her reluctance and pulled his lips away. Mahiru
comforted him and giggled.
“You’re so warm, Amane-kun.”
“…Are you cold?”
“Well, the air-conditioner doesn’t seem to have turned off yet…”
The air-conditioning was set to run longer on hot days. Amane usually
had an alarm switch it off a few hours after he fell asleep, but Mahiru was
bound to be cold with it still on.
Mahiru’s nightgown was a short-sleeved dress, it was no wonder she
was cold having her arms exposed.
“Would you like me to warm you up?”
“Oh, and just how do you plan on doing that?”
Amane asked jokingly, and Mahiru played along.
“What do you want me to do?”
“What do you think I want you to do?”
“What do you want?”
“Take a guess.”
“…I won’t let you escape.”
“Hmph, I won’t lose this time”
“Sure, this is what I’ll do to you then, Mahiru-san.”
Amane embraced her and tenderly rolled onto the bed.
Mahiru’s flaxen hair fluttered within his arms, and her caramel-coated
eyes widened in surprise.
Amane kissed her cold cheek, and covered the two of them with a big
blanket from beside him. Mahiru, noticing the situation, leaned her face
against his chest softly.
“With this, both of us will be warm.”
“…Mm.”
“There’s also an extra service of an arm pillow.”
“Want it?” Amane asked and stretched out his arm. Mahiru smiled
tenderly and courteously laid her head on his arm.
‘Her face is so close,’ Amane thought and smiled, Mahiru’s grin
turning a little mischievous in response.
“What’s the price for the extra services?”
“Limited time discount just for Mahiru, tomorrow I’d like omelet for
breakfast.”
“Then I shall lie down.”
“You already are.”
Smiling softly at each other, Amane wrapped his other arm around her
back, and closed his eyes.
On the night of the sports festival, Mahiru was about to sleep as she
exhaled slowly, trying to calm down the excitement that still lingered in her
heart.
“…It feels like a dream.”
This mutter seemed to blend with her breath. She put her hand before
her chest, and felt it was heavier and beating faster than before. It was not
because she could not calm down, but that it was beating out of excitement.
Mahiru had finally established an intimate relationship with Amane,
whom she had loved for a long time, and they were finally dating.
It was the first time in Mahiru’s sixteen years of life that she had
experienced a boy-girl relationship, and the first time she had ever liked
someone. She felt everything that transpired in this dream was like a
daydream that she was wishful for.
After all, she was dealing with the cautious, gentlemanly—to
summarize, timidly Amane.
Once she realized her feelings for him, Mahiru tried so hard to conquer
him, but he never responded; or to be precise, he was unwilling to be
honest. Amane had definitely raised his defenses, thinking in his self-
deprecative ways that he was no match for her.
Mahiru herself was no fool, and she started to recognize Amane’s
feelings for her, but she was not confident until he was willing to express
his feelings clearly.
Ultimately, it was Mahiru who was too impatient and decided to take a
step forward, but the result was ideal. They had realized their feelings for
each other and started dating, their relationship clear for all to see.
(Now we can remain together openly in school)
After all, she had been openly intimate with him before everyone, and
every student would have noticed Mahiru and Amane’s relationship.
Even at school, she always wanted to be with Amane. Amane used to
be worried about how others viewed her, but surely they would be able to
spend time together leisurely.
(…I will never leave him)
Mahiru did not intend to hand Amane over to anyone, and had no
intention of leaving him until he got frustrated. She realized that she was
someone this possessive, but it was to be expected, since she found
someone she was so fond of, and wanted to grow old with him.
Her heart had a surge of joy just thinking about the coming days, and
she was ticklish yet bashful. Nobody else was looking, but Mahiru had the
urge to hug the teddy bear next to her, burying her face in it.
Just the thought of walking side by side with Amane left her
embarrassed yet joyous. She truly believed that Amane would never let go
of her hand.
Mahiru pictured in her mind a world of dazzling happiness that she
had never imagined. She gently closed her eyes and went to sleep, wanting
to experience that blissful scene as soon as possible.
After she began dating Amane, Mahiru often wondered why this man
had not been popular so far.
It might be her own bias, but while Amane was not shockingly
handsome, he looked rather decent. He might be on the skinnier side, but he
was tall, and many clothing really suited his tall and thin body. His clear
voice was not too deep, and the gentle voice he would use when speaking to
Mahiru sometimes had the destructive power to weaken her whole body.
Amane’s strengths were not simply about the aforementioned physical
features, but most importantly, what was within him.
He was a little too cautious not just about interacting with women, but
also about making friends, but once he opened up his heart to someone, he
will be very kind, considerate, and honest. He might appear a little aloof,
but he was gentle and generous, a poised gentleman. His gentlemanly side
could sometimes make Mahiru feel anxious and uneasy, but that would be
his good point, basically.
He was someone who, if known better, would have seen his good
points, but he himself said he was not popular.
Indeed, Mahiru had been with him for more than half a year and had
never seen him being wooed or sought after. At most, he would only
interact a few times when going out. The girls at school hardly looked at
him, which struck Mahiru as odd.
(…Amane-kun is obviously such a great person)
Mahiru glanced aside and muttered silently under her breath.
The two were sitting next to each other. Amane finished his homework
and began to study for classes, while Mahiru looked at his calm and serious
expression, feeling rather emotional. Amane’s focused side face looked
very earnest, and Mahiru was unwittingly mesmerized.
Amane reluctantly pinned up his brow with a flower pattern hairpin
that Mahiru brought for him, as his bangs covered his eyes. It made him
look cute at first glance, but the contrast was great.
“…You just laughed at my hair. Do you still find it funny?”
Mahiru gazed at the face of the one she loved, and her face bloomed
into a smile. Amane, who noticed the stare, grumbled somewhat unhappily.
Only his girlfriend, Mahiru, understood this emotion was an act of
pampering based on his trust.
“Not so. I was wondering why you were popular before.”
“Why all of a sudden? Are you belittling or praising me?”
“I was praising you. You are so outstanding. Why has nobody noticed
you? ”
Given Amane’s disposition and appearance, there should be some who
would want to approach and desire him. Mahiru just could not understand
why there were no attempts at all.
Amane probably felt Mahiru was just having biased thoughts, “That’s
just you looking at me through a tinted lens.” He murmured, and then
sighed.
“Eh, even if I’m like you said, it’s probably because I always lower my
head, I guess? I don’t really want to interact with others, and if I remain on
guard, others can’t tell what kind of person I am inside. I never really
thought about having others understand me.”
It was not a good habit of his to belittle himself, but Amane’s words
did have merit.
His charm was not about his appearance, but from within. He may
appear aloof and quiet, and others’ perceptions of him may be skewed as a
result.
“…On one hand, I find it a pity, but on the other hand, I feel glad that I
can have you for myself when others do not know about you. I feel
conflicted.”
“Well, you just need to be the only one to know my inner self…I hope
you’re the only one who does..”
“…Yes.”
Of course, Mahiru wants everyone around Amane to know his good
qualities, but he has a softness inside him that only she needed to know. She
was the only one who had to know.
“…I just want to be popular with you.”
“Oh, you’re already popular. Everyone in my mind finds you very,
very popular.”
“That’s great.”
Amane giggled in bemusement, and Mahiru did too, tilting her head
aside and leaning onto Amane next to her.
“… Amane-kun, you have grown a little taller since the beginning of
the semester, no?”
Amane was helping Mahiru with dinner in the kitchen when he heard
her say so next to him,
“Why do you say that suddenly?”
“No, I feel that there is a bigger height difference when we stand
together.”
“That’s probably because you got shorter, Mahiru… ow, ow, I was
joking, I’m sorry”
Amane wanted to joke, but Mahiru headbutted him while washing her
hands, and he could only apologize.
It seemed Mahiru was discreetly concerned about it. Amane
remembered her lamenting that she could wear more mature clothing if she
was a little taller.
“I think I probably grew about 1cm or so… I guess the main reason is
that my back’s upright though.”
“You used to have no confidence after all, Amane-kun. Your back was
not slouching, but you do seem to arch a little.”
“Well, I’ve really changed from that time, I’ve gained a little more
muscle, and my posture is different. It’s true that people look bigger when
they have confidence.”
“…You have changed in many ways, Amane-kun, but I am still the
same. I have not grown.”
Mahiru said, while sighing, that aside from physically, it seemed that
she had not noticed quite the change in her mental state.
“You’ve changed quite a bit, Mahiru. For example, you’re smiling
more naturally than I do, and you show more emotion. You basically treat
others hoping that nobody can catch you, but I caught you.”
“How have you not grown?” Amane smiled. Mahiru looked up at him,
and then narrowed her eyes a little sheepishly.
“…Amane-kun, you’ve really become more mature and poised.”
“That’s for sure. I need to be better to be a match for you, Mahiru.”
“Are you saying it is a pity to be my boyfriend, you know?”
“No way, you’re a great girl.”
She may have a sharp tongue, but Mahiru was a young girl who was
smart and gentle, considerate and compassionate, honest and polite.
Furthermore, she had a lovely appearance, and hardly anyone would have a
belittling opinion of her.
Perhaps the upright compliment made Mahiru shy, for her face flushed
a little. At this time, Amane had just washed his hands and could not stroke
her hair, so he put his jaw on Mahiru’s hair swirl, which was another kind
of touch.
But Mahiru seemed to dislike it, and Amane found her jabbing him
with her elbow. Rather than expressing her dissatisfaction, perhaps she was
feeling a little ticklish.
“…So.”
“Hmm?”
“Mahiru, you’re worried about your height, but I think this is fine. I
can easily wrap you in my whole arms.”
Amane could not embrace Mahiru tightly, but if he could, he would
really do so—though Mahiru would reproach him, saying “We are cooking
now.”
This whisper caused Mahiru’s body to shake, and then Amane felt her
weight as she gently leaned onto him.
“…If that is the case, I shall be content with my height.”
Amane quietly snickered once he heard her satisfied murmur, and
made sure not to touch Mahiru with his wet palms, as he hugged her gently.
“…What’s there to look at now?”
Amane could not resist the urge to ask Mahiru. He pushed aside the
table in his living room and used the space to train his muscles, while
Mahiru was looking down at him.
It was a rest day, and Amane had planned to go for a run a little further
away, but it so happened to rain, so he had to train at home. For some
reason, he somehow got Mahiru’s attention.
Mahiru entered while he was training. Usually, Amane would be
working out in his room, and he hardly showed her this sight. Ever since
she entered the room, Mahiru had been watching Amane intently.
The stare from Mahiru, who was sitting beside him, really made
Amane a little embarrassed. He shot a glance at Mahiru while training his
abs, and Mahiru nodded quietly and replied:
“I like to see you working hard, Amane-kun. You look cool…”
“The way I look, now… while training, definitely, doesn’t look cool,
right?”
Amane continued to exercise, and while he was not completely out of
breath, he was breathing hard, and he did not really think he was cool in any
way, but “It is really great…” Mahiru insisted so.
Perhaps it was her love filter in action, given that he was called cool
even when drenched in sweat… Amane thought to himself. However, he
himself also felt that if Mahiru put in effort for beauty, the sweaty look must
be attractive when he was working hard, and they might have something in
common.
There was no reason for Amane to deny Mahiru on such matters, so
since she felt he looked good, he should assume so, so he thought. An he
intended to focus on his muscle training—“Amane-kun looks good when he
looks to be in pain, too,”—only to end up relaxing the moment he heard
Mahiru’s whisper.
The reason for being that his lover, Mahiru-san, suddenly gave him a
puzzled look.
“…So you have a sadistic streak now, Mahiru?”
“Eh, n-no, I do not mean that! Erm well, the look of endurance on your
face, is erm, a little alluring, Amane-kun.”
“Then you should have changed the way you said that so that it
wouldn’t be easily misunderstood…”
Otherwise, Amane would really assume that Mahiru has ‘such an’
interest.
The misunderstood Mahiru was in a panic, and while Amane was lying
helplessly on the mat, she kept staring at Amane’s face flusteredly in a
panic, “It is not like that” and kept clarifying so.
“I think you should be a little self-conscious too, Amane-kun. You
look very attractive!”
“No, I don’t think these words apply to me.”
“Yes, you do. Please be more confident.”
“Even if I do, I only belong to you, Mahiru. Nobody is ever going to
see me like this.”
“…So Amane-kun, are you planning to show this side to someone
other than me?”
Mahiru whispered with dissatisfaction. Amane could only smile wryly
and pat her cheek.
“I don’t plan to. You’re the one saying so, Mahiru, so I just want to
deny it… but if you say so, I’ll take it as praise to be happy over and accept
it.”
Mahiru’s fetish certainly seemed strange, but since she said it was
good, perhaps he should assume so—so Amane convinced himself as he
continued to smile and caress Mahiru’s cheek, but unexpectedly, her body
shook violently.
“…Amane-kun, you really have no self-awareness at all.”
“What self-consciousness?”
“The self-awareness at such moments.”
Mahiru said in a pouty tone, and put her head close to Amane’s chest.
No matter how much Amane tried to repel her, saying that he reeked of
sweat, she continued to lean on him for quite a while.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Amane return with Mahiru-chan and
Amane this summer~.”
Shihoko looked at the calendar and felt it once again—her proud son
and daughter (tentative) were coming home. She spoke to Shuuto, not
hiding the elation on her face.
Shihoko was worried and anxious about the decision to send her son,
who was still in high school, alone to a whole new place to heal the
emotional scars from back in middle school. Once she learned that Amane
had an incredibly cute and reliable neighbor, all her worries disappeared.
She felt that it was great of him that he could stay alone with and have such
an intimate relationship with Mahiru.
In Shihoko’s opinion, Mahiru was calm and gentle, honest and polite,
and the ideal girl. Shihoko was surprised that her son would meet another
person, such a cute girl like that, but she was relieved that Amane had
revealed his true feelings for Mahiru and that he could trust others.
“Yes, it is indeed a joy to have a lovely son and a lovely daughter-in-
law candidate back home.”
“Oh dear, Amane will be shy and angry if he hears that.”
“You’re the only one here, Shihoko-san, and aren’t you more excited
than I am?”
Shihoko could not refute it when Shuuto mentioned so.
Shihoko could not bear any more children, and she had always wanted
to have a daughter, so it would be nice for her to have a child like Mahiru as
part of the family.
However, she was certain that her joy was not because she wanted a
daughter, but because Mahiru was gentle, sweet, and loving. She
understood and respected Amane’s feelings, and cherished and loved him.
Amane would feel relaxed whenever he was with Mahiru, and this was
obvious whenever Shihoko had contact with Mahiru.
“It’d be nice if she really wants to marry him. But I don’t think high
school students think that far ahead, no?”
“Not necessarily, Amane will probably swear to cherish Mahiru for the
rest of her life or something.”
Shuuto and Shihoko were so blunt as Amane was not present. But if
Amane was here, he would have stopped his parents with a red face and a
shout.
“Will they have already started dating by the time they come over?”
“Who knows, if Amane had been more forthright, it probably would
have been fine.”
“He’s not honest after all. Everyone around him can tell.”
“My my, kids these days never pay attention to their surroundings.
Didn’t we used to be like that too?”
Shihoko and Shuuto met and started dating only after they entered
college, but they also got married when they were in college, so it was quite
a quick one. Thus, they really were not in a position to comment on Amane
and Mahiru. Back then, Shihoko fell in love with Shuuto at first sight, and
one could say it was inevitable. It seemed Shuuto was the same, and after
being married for almost two decades, they were still head over heels for
each other.
Perhaps Amane and Mahiru would also become such a couple too, and
as parents, the two started their imaginations. They couldn't comment
directly on such fantasies because they might be gossip to the people
involved.
“I wish Amane and Shiina-san could live a happy life.”
“Well, Amane’s so like you, Shuuto-san, and once he falls in love, he
won’t be able to help himself. He’ll definitely be happy, and make Mahiru-
chan happy.”
Rather than a hunch, Shihoko’s whisper was more akin to a conviction.
“It’s Amane after all. He’s scarily devoted once he makes up his
mind,” Shuuto replied with a smile.
✧₊✦₊✧
“Achoo!!”
“Amane-kun, did you catch a cold? I did tell you many times that you
should not be eating so much ice cream and exposing your belly…”
“I thought I paid attention to that… I’ll go brew something hot. Do
you want anything, Mahiru?”
“I am not thirsty yet… achoo.”
“Looks like you caught a cold too. I better brew you a cup of tea.”
Thank you very much for picking up this book.
I’m the author, Saeki. This is the fifth volume of the Angel Next Door,
are you satisfied with it?
In short, this volume starts with the interaction between our two main
characters, but the change in their relationship doesn’t mean that drastic
change will ensue. In this volume, those two are only gradually shortening
the distance between them.
If Amane-kun suddenly becomes the type of guy to go on the
offensive, I’m afraid that would be a complete change in his personality. I
think it’s still more Amane-kun’s style to act like he was written here. But
even Amane-kun is growing out of his timidness, you can praise him for
that.
As an angel and a little devil, Mahiru was still embarrassed by Amane-
kun due her lack of experience. There will probably be many opportunities
to appreciate innocent Mahiru in the future. I’m looking forward to the
beautiful illustrations of Hanekoto-san (はねこと) to depict Mahiru in such
scenes.
Speaking of illustrations, as usual the illustrations done by Hanekoto-
san are great. Isn’t Mahiru just too cute???
The cover of this volume is a refreshing illustration that fits the season
its being sold in, and I really want to frame it for decoration. How about a
copy of the original painting?
Also, Amane-kun is so handsome, why did he think he was unpopular
before…? I really want to ask him about that. It’s thanks to Hanekoto-san
that he’s so handsome, and it couldn’t be better!
I’m also looking forward to the illustrations for books I’ll publish in
the future. There are many scenes I want to see drawn…
Finally, thank you all for your support.
The responsible editors who worked hard during the publication
process of this work, the editors of the GA library, the sales department, the
proofreaders, the teachers, the printing department, and the readers who
picked up the book, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll see you in the next volume. Will there be the next volume, though?
Perhaps.
Thank you all for reading to the end!