I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 43: She Seeks Nothing More Than to Be Lovingly Spoiled.

She Seeks Nothing More Than to Be Lovingly Spoiled.

—After finishing their parfaits at the café and on the way home, Tsubame seemed to be in an unusually good mood. Even after parting ways with Shirao and Se-chan, she continued to wear a gentle smile.

That said, there was one thing weighing on my mind.

“Tsubame, what are your plans for Golden Week?”

—Se-chan had asked this just as we were parting, wondering if we could hang out during the holiday.

But it seemed that Tsubame’s schedule was packed with work. She said she needed a bit of time to think about it, and Se-chan had kindly told her, “Don’t push yourself, okay? But if you find time—even the day before or on the day itself—just let us know, and we’ll make it work!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Tsubame quietly voiced her thoughts.

“…I’m torn. I want to ask my manager, but…”

“But?”

“My manager’s been really busy lately, so replies to emails have been slow. I think it’d be faster to talk in person tomorrow.”

“Really?”

I hadn’t heard that before and instinctively asked again. Tsubame nodded.

“Is this a particularly busy time of year or something?”

Just a casual question—perhaps curiosity more than anything.

But the moment the words left my mouth, I saw the light drain from Tsubame’s eyes.

“…I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I’m sorry.”

I apologized immediately, realizing too late I’d stepped on a landmine—something I shouldn’t have touched. But the words were already spoken, and there was no taking them back.

I bit my lip, clenched my fists, telling myself to stop—internally scolding myself.

I was about to change the subject when Tsubame continued.

“This is something my manager told me to leave to her. If I told you, Shigure-kun, you’d probably try to do something about it… But right now, I don’t want to rely on you.”

“…I don’t fully understand, but I get it. I won’t pry any further.”

I didn’t know the full story, but it was enough to understand she didn’t want to talk. Trying to solve everything myself would just be overbearing.

Judging from how she phrased it, Amamizu-san was probably handling the issue.

Even so… I had likely reminded Tsubame of something unpleasant. I truly regretted that.

As that feeling of remorse filled me—

Tsubame held out her hand.

“Hold my hand.”

“…Your hand?”

“Yeah. It helps me calm down when you do.”

Surprised, I looked at her. Her eyes still seemed dim, but the corners of her lips were faintly lifted.

“Okay.”

She was trying to be considerate. That thought warmed my heart—and brought a sense of joy.

Because it meant she was truly looking at me.

When I took her offered hand, she squeezed back firmly.

“Let’s go, Shigure-kun.”

“…Yeah, let’s go.”

Led by Tsubame’s hand, we began to walk. When I looked into her eyes again, color and light had returned.

I’ll reflect on what just happened. I won’t make that careless mistake again. But at the same time—I realized Tsubame was learning to manage her stress better.

Little by little, she was showing more of her true self. Meeting with Se-chan and the others likely helped with that.

And that made me truly happy.

***

“How did this even happen…?”

After getting home and washing up, I expected us to relax in the living room. It hadn’t become a routine yet, but I assumed today would follow that pattern.

However, here we were. I was lying on my bed, with Tsubame curled up in my arms.

The reason?

“…Didn’t I say I was going to be clingy today?”

“…I mean, yeah, you did. But… do we really need to be lying on the bed? Couldn’t we have just stayed in the living room?”

“Did you want to cuddle in the living room, Shigure-kun?”

“T-That phrasing is a bit misleading, Tsubame-san.”

She nuzzled her cheek into my chest and then hit me with a mischievous upward glance. Her cheeks were tinged pink, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Tsubame’s smile was truly—dangerous for my heart. A little—no, extremely—too cute.

“Shigure-kun.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Can you… pet my head?”

At her request, I silently reached out and placed my hand on her head.

…Every time I do this, I wonder if I’m doing it right. I never really know. I mean, I’ve never exactly learned how to pet a girl’s head properly. And some people don’t like being touched by the opposite sex.

But gradually, through Tsubame’s reactions, I was beginning to figure out what worked.

“Nnh…”

“S-Sorry, was that ticklish?”

“No, it feels nice. Keep going.”

When she flinched, I almost pulled away, but she caught my hand and pressed it back to her head.

Just as she asked, I continued. Tsubame closed her eyes and nuzzled her face into my neck contentedly… then suddenly, she leaned back just a little and stared intently at my neck.

Wondering what was going on, I looked at her—and my eyes met those night-sky eyes of hers.

Tsubame gave a small, mischievous smile.

It was the look of someone plotting something—and before I could even call her name, she buried her face again. But this time, something was different.

“Amu.”

“T-Tsubame?”

She nibbled at a button on my shirt—and began unfastening them with just her lips.

Completely frozen in shock, I watched as she undid one, then two, then three buttons… and stopped.

Satisfied, she pressed her face into the exposed part of my chest, over the fabric of my undershirt.

“This way, I feel even closer to you, Shigure-kun. I like it.”

“O-Oh…”

“I love hearing your heartbeat. It makes me feel like I’m really close to you.”

Then, she looked up at me again with that irresistible gaze.

“…Wanna try it too?”

“N-No, I’m good. Really.”

“Okay. But if you ever want to, just say so.”

If I did that, it’d mean burying my face in her chest—which would be a visual catastrophe, and my self-control wouldn’t survive it.

I gave a sheepish nod in response.

Still… even though we didn’t have P.E. today, it was embarrassing to be in this state. But if Tsubame was enjoying herself, then I guess it was fine.

For about ten minutes, I watched her nuzzle against my chest. I thought it might go on for an hour… until suddenly, she looked up at me again, her gaze focused.

“What is it?”

“…You’re being so sweet to me. I was wondering if it’s really okay to indulge this much.”

Her words made me smile.

It was a little late to be saying that—but still, I was glad to hear it.

“Of course. I want to spoil you.”

It made me happy when Tsubame relied on me. When she looked happy, that alone was enough for me.

Besides—

“I know how hard you work—and how hard you’ve worked. I might not know everything, but I know enough. So, I’m happy you’re letting yourself lean on me now.”

“Then… if I’ve used up all the sweetness from everything I’ve been through, does that mean I can’t rely on you anymore?”

“No, I don’t think that’ll ever change. I know you’re still trying your best, even in ways I can’t see. …Besides, the real reason is what I said earlier.”

“Okay. Then I’ll lean on you as much as I want.”

“Yeah, I want you to.”

Tsubame nodded and reached out her hands. I wondered what she was doing—and then she gently cupped my cheeks.

“Like this, just like we used to.”

“…Like this?”

“Yeah, just like that.”

I let go of my embrace and, recalling old memories, placed my hands on her cheeks. Soft and warm—her cheeks were delightfully squishy.

Tsubame had a great figure, but she wasn’t overly thin. Her cheeks had a wonderful softness to them. Not just her cheeks, really—wait, stop. Don’t go there.

“Does it hurt?”

“Nope. Your hands are warm, and it feels nice.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As I gently stroked her cheeks, Tsubame closed her eyes contentedly, occasionally letting out a small, happy murmur.

…She’s just way too cute. It’s overwhelming.

That thought crossed my mind—and suddenly, I remembered what she once told me.

“C-Cute.”

“…!”

I said it out loud—because I knew it made her happy. Even if I wasn’t used to saying it, I managed.

“…Fufu.”

She let out a soft laugh, her breath tickling my wrist.

Then, her hands moved from my cheeks to my wrist, and she rubbed her face against my hand.

“Say it more.”

“…C-Cute.”

“Mmm… fufu.”

This time, her breath brushed against my palm—warm and teasing. …Wait a second.

“…?”

I froze, and Tsubame tilted her head ever so slightly.

She was using my hand like a mask, her face half-hidden—but still breathtakingly beautiful.

But… her lips were—just as I realized it—

“Amu.”

A soft, warm pressure closed around part of my palm.

“T-Tsubame!?”

“Mmm…”

Startled, I tried to pull back—but she held my wrist tightly, playfully nibbling at my palm.

Then—something wet and warm traced across it.

“Tsubame… that tickles.”

“Hehe. Too bad your hand doesn’t taste like anything. You did wash it, right?”

For a moment, uncertainty flickered in her eyes—but it quickly faded, replaced by that mischievous gleam once more.

She let go of my hand—only to move even closer again.

Just like earlier—toward my neck—and once again, I realized too late.

“Good… a little salty. It tastes like you, Shigure-kun.”

A tingling pleasure ran down my neck, making escape impossible.

Joyfully, delightedly, Tsubame buried her face in my neck once more.

Heat rose to my head. My thoughts dulled and went blank—except for one feeling that grew stronger with each second.

“…Tsubame.”

All I could do was call her name. Letting go of her was not an option.

I never intended to, but now I understood—on a deeper level—that I couldn’t. And more than that, that I didn’t want to.

And so, what I thought would be just a short moment…

Ended up lasting until the sun had set and it was time for dinner—Tsubame remained in my arms all that while.