At the elementary school I transferred to, there was a silver-haired girl who was treated as an outcast, so I continued to harass her. - Ririka's POV part 2
Several years later, I confessed ‘I love you’ while spending time with him, who had helped me when I was treated as an outcast in elementary school, next to his three white-eyed gaze.
But Soichi still saw right through me.
“You can hold it if you’re afraid, okay?”
He was quick to act cool like this.
Hey, Soichi.
If you’re so kind to me, I’ll fall in love with you more and more, you know?
Do you know? How I feel holding your hand.
Ah, I wonder if he can feel it through my fingertips.
This overflowing of feelings for him.
“…..Soichi?”
“What? You want me to let you go?”
“…….u-un. I want to stay like this today.”
“I see. Then have it your way.”
Then I kept holding his hand.
After that, I continued holding his hand.
Even after watching the movie.
Even after brushing my teeth.
Even after coming to Soichi’s room.
It was the first time I entered Soichi’s room because we always played in the living room.
Tonight, my mother-in-law told me to sleep with him in this room.
He seemed to have listened to my request, and the only futon he had laid out was the one he usually used.
“……..Isn’t it cramped after all?”
“You think so? I don’t mind staying like this.”
“…I’ll go ask Nii-chan to borrow it for a bit.”
With that, he went to my brother-in-law in the next room, but came back in less than a minute.
“How did it go?”
“He was really pissed at me. He told me to go to bed as soon as possible because it’s not an experience I’ll ever have in my life.”
Good job, brother-in-law!
“Lately, my brother seems to be kind of lethargic. He has been muttering things like, 『My little brother is getting ahead of me in many ways』, every now and then.”
Scratching his head, Soichi reluctantly returned to the futon.
Then, I immediately held his hand.
“……you still want to continue?”
“Umm, yeah. I’m still scared of ……, see, you know, those figures and stuff.”
I pointed to the figures lined up in the room.
They looked like villains in a common heroic story.
“Hm…? Kukuku, what is it, Ririka? Do you understand how good they are?”
“Uh-huh. Very scary, but cool!”
“ I know right? You’ve got a pretty good eye.”
Soichi was in a good mood at once.
I know how it feels to be praised for something you like.
That’s why, when I looked around the shelves to get a better understanding, I noticed that there were other enemy figures called thieves and monsters on display.
…… Come to think of it, Soichi often used villainous characters in his games.
I wonder if there was a reason for this.
“Nee, Souichi, do you like evil stuff like that?”
“Yeah. They’re cool. They live by their beliefs. I admire them.”
“Hmmm… Soichi wants to be like that?”
“Yep”
“That’s why I like villains.”
“It’s not that I like villains. It’s just that they’re called that because ‘evil’ was forced upon them.”
Souichi’s tone grew stronger, and I instinctively looked at his face.
He had a serious look on his face that even I, who had been around him all my life, was not used to seeing.
“The aliens in the video my brother showed me a long time ago, they didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted to get along with humans, but I was persecuted for my appearance, and the only way to survive was to fight, and in the end they were defeated by a hero as a ‘villain’.”
“…….”
“If only everyone understood aliens, we could’ve gotten along. Then my brother told me, 『Soichi, you should be a cool person like that.』From that moment on, I decided I’d be someone who could be on their side.”
“…..I see.”
So that’s why Soichi saved me back then
He found me without judging me by my story and without looking away.
……Thank you.
I am very happy.
“Taking a cue from Nii-chan who often wears an eye patch and chants magic chants, and I’m trying to understand how these guys feel by becoming the monsters ……Ririka, are you listening?”
“…huh. Sorry, I wasn’t listening.”
“I’m talking about something I’m grateful for… Well, whatever. I’m sleepy too, so I’m going to sleep.”
“Un, Good night.”
“…..Night.”
He then turned his back to me.
Still, he must be a natural softy, as he still held my hand.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
He took me by my hand and I have seen the back of my hero many times.
I Gently pulled him closer.
I was able to make fun memories, sleep next to the person I loved, and receive so much happiness that I couldn’t return to Soichi.
“Soichi…….Did you fall asleep already?”
What came back was a gentle sigh of sleep.
He had a calm and gentle expression when peered over the top.
Looks like he really went to bed.
My heart is beating so fast……
“Mouu……Soichi’s an idiot.”
But, hey.
“I love you”
After saying that, I kissed him on the cheek.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Hehe… This brings back memories.”
“Mama? What are you looking at?”
“Hmmm…maybe an old picture of Mom and Dad. The one from when I was a little girl like Ichika.”
“It’s true! Papa and Mama are so small!”
“Right? Mom liked Dad from this moment on.”
“Ichika loves Papa too!”
“EhhーWhat about Mama?”
“I love Mama too!”
“KyaーKawaii. That’s our girl! Hmm, Papa?” (TL: cute)
“……No, get ready. I’ve been the only one moving my hands this whole time.”
“Oh, look, look, Ichika. Daddy’s sulking!”
“’Well, I’ll give you a hug too, Papa. Gyuuu!” (TL: squeeze!)
“Ah, Ichika. You’re the only one who can heal me. Mama used to listen to me all the time…”
“Ara~ ? Did Papa say something?”
“………Ichika. Can you help Papa? Bring me that toy over there.”
“Okay! Hey, Papa. We are moving to a new house, right?”
“That’s right. When a family grows to four people… this place will become too small.”
“Fufu. Papa, you’re too excited..”
“……”
“Mama. What’s our new home like?”
“I’m sure you’ll be surprised. After all, it’s a really beautiful, big house! You’re looking forward to it too, right, Ichika?”
“Unn!”
“There, there. In that case, bring a toy from your room too, Ichika. Give it to Papa.”
“Okay”
“Nee, Soichi.”
“…I miss being called that. What is it, Ririka?”
“I love you”