I’m an Introvert, but After Taking Care of the School’s Most Beautiful Girl Who Lives in an Apartment When She Was Sick, She Became Attached to Me and Started Inviting Me Over to Her Place! - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

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“Thanks for today and for coming all the way here.”

“No, not at all. Thank you for having me over. I feel like I’ve kind of gotten used to horror movies.”

At the entryway, bathed in the crimson light spilling in from outside, Kaon quietly expressed her gratitude to the back of Sorato as he adjusted the toes of his shoes. 

“I had fun.”

He added, shaking his head lightly as he spoke. His voice was slightly hoarse, giving a glimpse of just how much he must have strained it over the past few hours. Nearly two hours had passed since their brief tea time with cake. By the time they finished watching the horror movie, the sun outside had begun to set, and the long hand of the clock had started pointing toward “6.” The time they wished would last longer slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the moment of parting.

“Well then, I’ll be heading—”

“Um…! So, you know? That is… No. Never mind, it’s nothing!”

Just as Sorato placed his hand on the doorknob and tried to say his goodbye, Kaon hurriedly spoke up, cutting him off. However, her behavior was far removed from her usual confident self. She tightly gripped the hem of her gray hoodie with her fingertips, her gaze fixed only on the marble floor. Seeing how she looked hesitant yet desperately trying to say something, Sorato sensed what was going on. His blank, questioning expression softened into a gentle smile.

“May I come again sometime?”

“Huh…?”

At those unexpected words that slipped from Sorato’s mouth, Kaon—who had been looking down—widened her eyes and lifted her face.

“Ah! No—I mean! If it’s a bother, I won’t come again, but… Uum, I was thinking that next time I’d like you to try cake from a proper shop.”

“It’s n-not a bother at all! Come again… Please come again!”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Then I’ll come again one day.”

“Definitely! It’s a promise, okay?!”

“Haha. Yes, it’s a promise. Well then, thank you for having me.”

Seeing Kaon leaning toward him eagerly, Sorato let out a thin, dry laugh. This time, he firmly took hold of the front door and gently pushed it open with just a little force. As he turned back and lightly waved goodbye, she watched his retreating back with a bright smile, as if all her worries had vanished.

…Click.

“Maybe next time, I’ll buy even more cake for her…”

As the front door slowly closed with a sound, he lingered for a while, letting himself sink into the view of the city glowing under the setting sun. It had only been a convenience store cake, but she had eaten it with her cheeks stuffed full, as if it were a high-end dessert. Knowing there would be a “next time,” something faintly warm—like the flame of a candle—quietly began to light inside Sorato’s heart, and Kaon’s adorably clingy smile replayed over and over in his mind.

And then…

“Wha—haaa!? What was with her…!? I was focusing on the movie, and she suddenly bonked her head against me! Bonk! She totally did that!? Ugh… My heart can’t take this…”

Naturally, his thoughts drifted back to the moment during the movie when she had gently rested her head on his shoulder. His heart had leapt like it was about to explode, and his cheeks had grown impossibly hot. The pleasant scent from her neatly kept silver hair had been so intoxicating it nearly made him dizzy, threatening to blow his reason away.

Huh? Is this what being an older brother feels like? Or is Kanau the weird one? Is that actually normal behavior for a younger sister? Well, Kanau does have a bit of a strong personality and doesn’t cling so honestly, so does that mean Natsuki-san is more like a “proper little sister”? And wait, why am I even naturally thinking of Natsuki-san as my little sister in the first place—

“…Damn it. What is this…?”

Her smile was burned into his mind and refused to let go. Maybe learning about all her different sides and the gap between her at school and how she was here had gotten to him. He found himself wanting to know more about the new sides of her that she showed him.

Is it okay to expect something next… Next time? She did say “again,” didn’t she…?

The words she spoke at the doorway as they parted. There had been no lie in her smile or her voice. He wanted to believe it wasn’t just flattery. He wanted to see her smile more, laugh together, and learn about the sides of her she never showed at school. Even though they had just said goodbye, there was already a part of him aching to return to that space again.

Ping♪

“…Hm?”

Kanau: “You’re still not home yet~? (☝︎ ՞ਊ ՞)☝︎ I’m hungry, so I want you to hurry back, okay?? Oh, and donuts! Get the strawberry ones, please (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)”

“What, it’s Kanau… Oh right. It’s almost six already. I’d better hurry up and buy the donuts and head home…”

Pulled out of that drifting dreamlike haze by his sister’s message, Sorato was brought back to reality as the cool night air brushed against him. He could easily picture his sister throwing a tantrum and flailing around in her room, and naturally, his steps toward home grew quicker. He pressed down firmly on his still-pounding heart.

Just what is the true nature of this uncontrollable exhilaration?

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