I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 26: Aira, Aeon, and the Squeezing

Ryoma and Aira, having left the buffet restaurant, headed straight for the Aeon shopping mall in front of them.

“The next stop is Aeon,” Aira suddenly declared.

Since it was a holiday, the store was bustling with families and couples.

The crowd was so dense that it wouldn’t have been surprising if friends got separated and lost.

With no particular destination in mind, the two walked along, adjusting their pace to match that of the lovey-dovey couple in front of them.

“I couldn’t eat dessert because of a certain someone…”

“I-I said I was sorry…”

“I was planning to have two soft-serve ice creams, almond tofu, shortcake, and sweet potato, you know?”

Aira had returned from the restroom when there were less than 30 minutes left.

Just as they had finished eating the large amount of food still left on their plates, the 100-minute time limit ran out.

As a result, Aira didn’t get to eat dessert and was now sulking. Still, the fact that she hadn’t chosen to abandon the food she had taken in favor of dessert was admirable.

“I don’t waste food” — she had said, and she had stuck to her principles.

“…Wait, so you still have room for more?”

“Of course… So take responsibility for the dessert… Onii-chan.”

“W-Wait, are you telling me to pay for everything you just listed?”

“You’re the one who said that and made me have to go to the restroom… That’s why I lost time…”

Ryoma wanted to press the issue. Just what exactly had he said?

What had offended Aira so much? The mystery remained unsolved.

But right now, the atmosphere wasn’t one where he could bring it up.

“A-At least… can’t you cut down on one of the things you just mentioned?”

He hadn’t said it out loud, but the buffet restaurant bill had been entirely on him.

Of course, Aira hadn’t forced him—Ryoma had simply come to his own conclusion that “as the older brother, it’s only natural to pay.”

(It’s not like I paid because I wanted to get back on her good side or anything…! No, wait, this isn’t the time for dumb thoughts like that!)

Still clueless about why Aira was upset, Ryoma found himself spiraling into a strange mindset.

Ryoma had no complaints or regrets about paying, but he had hoped for at least a little compromise on this demand. He had already spent 4,000 yen today.

After spending that much money, it was only natural to feel a little more cautious about opening his wallet.

“Just one… please…”

“No.”

“You really won’t budge…?”

“No.”

“Are you absolutely sure?”

“Mm.”

“…”

Ryoma, utterly defeated.

He had tried to persist without upsetting Aira, but he caught a glimpse of her unwavering determination—this was something she wouldn’t compromise on. There was no choice but to give in.

“F-Fine… I’ll pay for it, so let’s call it even.”

“…It’s a promise, okay?”

“Yeah, a promise.”

A conversation they had already had not too long ago… Ryoma couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being completely manipulated.

Meanwhile, Aira’s face had been slightly flushed for a while now. She was covering the lower half of her face with her scarf as if trying to hide it.

Even with the scarf partially obscuring her, her well-defined features couldn’t be concealed. She had been drawing quite a few stares.

“…O-Onii-chan.”

“…What is it?”

“About earlier… I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t bothered by it at all.”

Aira, completely unfazed by the attention she was receiving, had an impressively quick ability to shift her mood. Ryoma followed up right away to reassure her, but then something unexpected happened.

“S-So… Here, as a sign that we made up…”

What Aira held out was a flawless, delicate hand adorned with black nail polish.

“Let’s hold hands.”

“…Huh?”

Still covering her face up to her nose with the scarf, Aira averted her gaze and moved her hand even closer.

(You’ve got to be kidding me…)

Warning bells went off in Ryoma’s mind.

If anyone he knew spotted him holding hands with Aira inside this Aeon mall—especially if Himeko’s friends, Ami and Fuko, saw them—it would be bad.

At the same time, rejecting this ‘sign of reconciliation’ would be just as bad.

There was no escape for Ryoma.

And because there was no escape, the only option left was to do what would make Aira happiest in this moment.

“…If you planned this from the start, I won’t forgive you.”

“Who knows?”

Aira’s playful tone made Ryoma sigh. But in the end, he firmly took her hand.

Her skin was smooth and slightly cool to the touch. Her fingers were so delicate that it felt like they might break if he squeezed too hard.

“Y-Your hand is… really big, huh… Onii-chan.”

“That’s just how it is for guys.”

“And… it’s all rough and bumpy. Kind of gross, honestly.”

“You just turned half the male population against you with that.”

This was the first time Ryoma had ever held Aira’s hand, just like how earlier at the buffet, it was the first time she had linked arms with him.

“…Wait a sec, Onii-chan. You’re totally used to holding hands with girls, aren’t you? It’s kinda bothering me.”

“Of course not.”

He wasn’t lying.

The only reason he seemed so composed was thanks to his experience from acting as a fake boyfriend.

Just like when he held Himeko’s hand, he was only putting on an act.

But now wasn’t the time to let his inexperience show.

As Aira’s older brother, it would be embarrassing to get flustered over something as simple as holding hands.

“…Then, Onii-chan. Give me your scarf.”

“That came out of nowhere… Also, what do you mean then? Did you think holding hands meant you’d get my scarf too?”

“Mm, just a little. Like… a seduction tactic?”

Their linked hands swayed like a pendulum as they walked, with Aira adding just a bit of force, as if she was enjoying it.

Her black nail polish caught the light, gleaming brightly—almost as if reflecting her emotions.

“Sorry to disappoint, but no amount of money will get you this scarf. And I’m definitely not giving it up just because of some ‘seduction tactic’. Give it up.”

“That’s a total lie. Even if flirting doesn’t work, money definitely would. You’re all about money, Onii-chan.”

“I already told you, didn’t I? This scarf was a gift from my sister. Something chosen specifically for me is something I could never give away. That goes for friends, too—if someone picked something out for me with my feelings in mind, no amount of money could ever top that.”

A child’s thank-you letter to their parents—just a simple piece of paper, but if it was written with heartfelt intentions, it could become a lifelong treasure.

That letter had no monetary value, yet to the recipient, it was priceless.

“So, if someone offered you a billion yen, you’d still say no?”

“…Nah, if someone offered a billion, I’d definitely be tempted.”

“HAA!? That’s the worst! You totally ruined the nice moment just now!”

“Well, that’s how it is. If you don’t have a billion yen, you’re not getting this scarf.”

“…I see. That’s very like you.”

“Like me?”

“Nope, nothing~”

Aira turned her face away slightly, a small chuckle escaping her lips.

(Honestly, Onii-chan and his usual jokes…)

There was no way an ordinary scarf, one owned by a regular person, would ever be worth a billion yen. And of course, Ryoma knew that too. That’s why he’d said it.

In the end, he had zero intention of giving it away.

“Then, can I at least keep wearing it until we get to my place?”

“Yeah, that much is fine. But you better give it back.”

“I will. Thanks, Onii-chan.”

It wasn’t just any scarf that Aira wanted—it was this scarf. She wanted it badly. But she held back. She was able to.

Because Ryoma’s words had resonated with her: ‘If someone picked something out for me with my feelings in mind, no amount of money could ever top that.’

“Hey, Onii-chan. Earlier, we agreed that you’d buy me dessert, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Can I change my request? There’s something else I want you to buy me instead.”

“…If it’s more expensive than dessert, I’ll have to think about it.”

“Don’t worry, it’s about half the price.”

“In that case, fine.”

And so, still holding Ryoma’s hand, Aira changed direction toward their new destination.

All the while, as they walked, she gently squeezed his hand, adjusting her grip as if testing its feel—just like back at the buffet.

And just like before, both her ears were tinged red.