Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess

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I Reincarnated As A Trash Prince

Episode 311: Toward Tomorrow.

We left the café and continued our rounds through the remaining classrooms. As expected, there were no major issues, and our patrol for the day wrapped up smoothly.

After that, those of us on the student council still had reports and other matters to handle, so we couldn’t head home just yet. Yuzuki-senpai and Hayato returned to their club activities.

That left the rest of us with no choice but to part ways here. It was a little bittersweet…

“Well then, we’ll head home now. There’s still tomorrow, after all.”

Nishikawa-san would naturally be taking her car, and Tachikawa-san and Yuuji decided to ride with her. They’d originally planned to take the train, but when Nishikawa-san offered, they accepted without hesitation.

“Today was so much fun! Sigh… I wish my school would open the festival to the public too…”

“Well, that’s probably impossible. The only silver lining is that our schedules don’t overlap.”

Yuuji and Tachikawa-san’s high school doesn’t allow general admission to its cultural festival. Only family, alumni, and a limited group are permitted, so the scale stays modest by default.

Ironically, that very restriction meant their festival dates didn’t clash with ours—pure luck in the end.

“If we’re talking about that, my school hasn’t even held a proper festival yet…”

“Eh, really!?”

“It’s only recently been established through the merger. Events like that are still in the future.”

From what I heard, Nishikawa-san’s school doesn’t even have a fully functioning student council yet, so real events probably won’t start until next year. Thinking about it, the current third-years there might have it a little rough…

“Well, who knows what next year will bring, but if we do hold one, I’d personally like to shift the dates for my own enjoyment. I’d love to invite everyone.”

“Ah, I’d really like to visit Nishikawa-san’s school too!”

“Me too!”

Of course, I didn’t have to say it out loud—everyone felt the same. One look at their faces made that clear.

Ding-dong-ding-dong

“Yahhooo~ It’s Minamin here~! Sigh… Why do the fun times always fly by so fast? Sadly, today’s broadcast has reached its end~”

Even through the speakers, Fukazawa-san’s voice lacked its usual boundless cheer. There was a touch of melancholy, a hint of wistfulness.

“But tomorrow’s still coming! So rest up tonight, and tomorrow we’ll go all out… I mean, do our very best!! With that, Rinka Festival Day One is officially over! Great work, everyone~!”

Clap clap clap clap!!!!

Our group, the people around us, probably everyone still in the school… all enveloped in ceaseless applause and cheers as the enjoyable first day of the festival drew to a close.

A faint sense of loneliness lingered, but the anticipation of tomorrow quickly washed it away.

“Shall we head home then? See you tomorrow…”

“Later~”

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, Natsumi-san.”

“Don’t put extra pressure on me!!”

Everyone’s laughter rang out warmly. I couldn’t help thinking how wonderful it would be if every day could feel this ordinary and happy.

And so, an incredibly fun day finally came to an end.

But for me, in every sense of the word, the real main event starts tomorrow.

I’m fully aware I’m about to attempt something outrageous, yet strangely, I feel no anxiety at all.

Because this is… for me and for us.

Ding-dong-ding-dong

“Ah—sorry, forgot. Quick business notice to today’s hopeless couple who caused all kinds of trouble again. …Even Buddha only forgives three times, you know? That’s all~”

Ding-dong-ding-dong

“““… … …”””

Sorry…

“…Somehow, today felt really long.”

After dinner and a bath, with nothing left but sleep, I finally felt like I could truly relax.

We’d been on the move since morning with a packed schedule, so maybe that’s why it seemed especially drawn out.

“Yes, but I think this is the first school event that’s felt so fulfilling for me. Last year I just went through the motions and it was over before I knew it.”

“Same here—this is the first time I’ve felt this attached to a school event. But I’m sorry, Sara-san… You must be exhausted too, and yet you still made dinner…”

I’d told her it was fine to do takeout or something simple for once, but she insisted she was okay and prepared dinner like always.

I was happy about it, of course, but still…

“Fufu… Precisely because I’m tired today. Making Kazunari-san happy is what gives me energy.”

Squeeze…

Stroke stroke…

As she said such heartwarming things, Sara-san tightened her embrace just a little. Her hand gently stroked my head.

To explain our current position: we were lying in bed, and I was being thoroughly pampered by Sara-san.

I’d asked if there was anything I could do since she must be tired, but then she suddenly pulled me close, pushed me down—or rather, before I knew it, we ended up like this.

I’m perfectly fine with it, though…

“Fufu… Being like this melts all the day’s fatigue away.”

“…If that’s the case, then I’m glad.”

“I’m truly satisfied just holding you like this. And I’m happy that you want to do things for me too.”

Truthfully, if someone asked what specific thing I could do for Sara-san, I’d be ashamed to admit nothing immediately comes to mind.

I could let her be spoiled, sure, but…

In Sara-san’s case, it’s more the other way around…

“Kazunari-san?”

“Yes… mmph…”

Chu…

She suddenly called my name. When I lifted my face from the heavenly softness—

Sara-san’s lips pressed against mine without warning.

“Mmm…”

Chu…

Five seconds… ten… She didn’t pull away. The suddenness made my head spin for a moment, but only briefly. Even if Sara-san usually takes the lead, I at least wanted to show I could respond actively…

So I leaned in just a little from my side.

“Fufu…”

A small, delighted sound escaped her as our lips met. Her arms wrapped around my head, locking our faces in place. Now I couldn’t pull back or escape… completely at her mercy.

“Kazunari-san… one more time… mm…”

Chu…

This time, with my head held, our lips pressed deeper than before. The softness of Sara-san’s lips, the sensations flooding in—my heart raced, overflowing with emotions…

Of course, the deepest feeling was pure happiness. Honestly, I just wanted to stay silent and accept it all.

But… well… as a guy, a certain alarm was ringing in my head, warning that going further would be dangerous…

In other words, just passively accepting was starting to feel like a problem in various ways…

“…Kazunari-san.”

“…Sara-san.”

When our lips finally parted, Sara-san’s eyes seemed to reflect a swirl of emotions toward me… which made it impossible for me to look away. Staring at each other from this close usually would’ve embarrassed me into breaking eye contact immediately.

But today… right now… I felt like I was being drawn into the beauty of her eyes…

“…I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself…”

“No, I’m happy being like this with you too, Sara-san.”

“Yes. Kazunari-san… come here…”

She loosened the arm holding my head and guided my face back to her chest, just like before. I didn’t resist—in fact, I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face there willingly.

Haa… Being like this really calms me… truly.

“Fufu… Good boy, Kazunari-san.”

Stroke stroke…

Sensing I’d fully surrendered to being spoiled, Sara-san’s voice overflowed with joy. I already knew, but… yeah, she prefers when I’m the one clinging to her.

“Tomorrow will be busy too, so shall we sleep now?”

“Yes…”

I suspected that had been the plan from the start… but I didn’t mind. Even though it happens every day, this time spent clinging to Sara-san until I grow sleepy is irreplaceable—happy, blissful time for me.

Click…

Sara-san turned off the light with the bedside remote, then lifted the blanket behind her with one hand. She could’ve done it easier by letting me go for a second, but she refused to release me even for a moment… Of course, pointing that out would be tactless, so I stayed quiet.

“Fufu… So warm.”

“If anyone’s warm, it’s you, Sara-san.”

Heading into winter, the nights had started feeling chilly even if the days were still mild.

Since we slept pressed together, one comforter was enough for now. But soon we’d probably need the heavier winter one.

“Kazunari-san… thank you for the cat plushie.”

“No need. I’m glad you like it. But honestly, why not bring the others too…?”

On Sara-san’s vanity now sat the new cat plushie that joined the family today.

Personally, I thought she should just bring all the ones still at the Satsukawa house, but she said they’d get in the way.

“I believe the day will come when I can welcome them back… so for now, I’ve left them in their care.”

“…Yeah. I’ll do my best too.”

I said it without really knowing what “doing my best” specifically meant. It just slipped out—some instinctive feeling that it was my role to make that happen somehow.

“Yes… let’s do our best together.”

“Yeah… together…”

Stroke stroke…

Sara-san didn’t elaborate on what exactly we’d be working hard at… but somehow, it felt like she was talking about our future.

“By the way, you said you used that big plushie as a dakimakura with Tachikawa-san…”

“Yes. Honestly, there were times I slept hugging it at home.”

“I figured. There were several big ones by your bed too, right?”

“Yes, those were especially nice to hold…”

So the ones there were the elite selection… But imagining Sara-san sleeping while cuddling plushies… it’s almost too cute. The moe power might be overwhelming…

“But now… I no longer need a dakimakura…”

Squeeze…

Mugu…

Her right arm tightened slightly around my head, pressing my face deeper into paradise. Her left arm pushed against my back, pulling us even closer…

“Fufu… Kazunari-san’s hugging comfort is heavenly♪”

“…I’m the one in heaven.”

No way I could actually say that out loud, though.

“It’ll get colder from now on… so let’s stay warm and cozy like this every day.”

“Yeah… this really is warm…”

Stroke stroke…

Wrapped in Sara-san’s endless gentleness, my heart pounding from her sweet voice… such blissful days…

I’d heard the phrase “too happy it’s scary,” but I never imagined I’d actually experience it.

“Sara-san…”

I wasn’t actually afraid, but I instinctively hugged her back tighter, clinging with everything I had. When I do this, Sara-san always gets happy and holds me even closer.

Feeling her real warmth, enveloped in happiness… it’s okay. This happiness isn’t a dream.

“Fufu… Such a spoiled boy♪”

“…Is that bad?”

“…No. Spoil yourself more… more… on me… my dear.”

“…Yes.”

Her voice was so sweet it made my heart race uncontrollably. It pounded so hard I worried even the neighbors might hear.

Yet strangely, despite the racing, that earlier “as a guy, this is dangerous” alarm… had somehow faded.

Maybe Sara-san’s boundless kindness was enveloping even the urges trying to sprout inside me. A romantic thought like that crossed my mind.

If that’s the case… I can probably let myself be spoiled without worry…

♪～♪～

Then Sara-san began to hum softly, almost like a lullaby to soothe me. Gentle, comforting.

In time with the rhythm, she slowly stroked my head while patting my back—pat… pat…

The sheer comfort gradually, but surely, calmed my frantic heartbeat.

“…Kazunari-san… thank you.”

“…Sara-san?”

“With this, I’ve received the strength… the courage to get through tomorrow.”

“Uh…?”

Tomorrow is an important day for me—for Sara-san, and for removing at least some of the obstacles between us. But for her, it’s probably not a day she looks forward to.

So her words… they sounded like she’d gained the energy to endure that day.

“As long as you’re by my side, Kazunari-san, there’s nothing in the world I fear. I won’t blindly believe today’s tarot result, but to seize our happy future…”

“…Yeah. For our future.”

For a second I panicked, wondering if she’d figured out my plan from her oddly meaningful tone… but it didn’t seem like that.

Perhaps she’s just feeling some anxiety about tomorrow’s miss contest in her own way.

But… as Sara-san said, even if “future” is a bit grandiose, tomorrow is crucial—for our school life, and for easing at least some of Sara-san’s worries.

That’s exactly why I’m going to go all out and make a huge scene.

The old me would never have even considered something so audacious, but now I can shrug and call it “no big deal.”

For Sara-san’s sake, this really is nothing—absolutely nothing at all.

***

Sara’s POV.

“…Kazunari-san?”

“…Zzz… zzz…”

“Fufu… already asleep…”

Stroke stroke…

Pat… pat…

While gently stroking the head of the innocently sleeping, truly adorable Kazunari-san… I pull him just a little closer so he won’t feel cramped. Matching the rhythm of his heartbeat, I pat his back—pat… pat…—so he can sleep peacefully.

He always gets sleepy so quickly when I do this… fufu.

Feeling his breath, gazing at that cute sleeping face as the day ends. There’s no greater happiness…

“…My dear.”

I came up with this way of addressing him on the spur of the moment, partly out of rivalry with Mother. But now… it carries truly special feelings for me.

Because… this is the word a wife uses for her husband.

I’m fully aware how heavy my feelings must seem when I call him that.

But when I think of Kazunari-san, the emotions overflow—I can’t hold them back, can’t stop them.

He’s so dear to me… so precious… Kazunari-san is so incredibly precious…

No matter what anyone says about going overboard, I have no intention of changing how I express my love. If he ever found it bothersome, I’d stop immediately…

But right now, I know he’s happy with it, and accepting me makes him happy too.

In that case, I have no reason to hold back.

Besides, Kazunari-san has begun walking the path for my—our—future. Then it’s my role to support him with everything I have and heal him like this.

…Saying it that way might make it sound like a sense of duty.

But in the end, it’s simply because I want to do these things for him… call it justification if you like.

This brings me immense happiness too… so it’s more like killing four birds with one stone.

“…Sara…san…”

“Yes… I’m right here…”

Squeeze…

When I tighten my embrace a little at his sleep-talking, he nuzzles against me in response… haa… he really is too cute♪

Seeing him like this makes me want to kiss him again.

But doing that would wake him… so instead, gently on the forehead.

Chu…

Squirm squirm…

Perhaps finding it ticklish, he burrows deeper into my chest… fufu, now I’m the one being tickled♪

…Truly happy.

I want to stay like this with him forever.

But I should sleep soon too…

“It’s finally tomorrow…”

Tomorrow is the final day of Rinka Festival.

And the day of the miss contest.

I have zero intention of putting on a pleasant face for the rabble, so the result doesn’t matter to me. Whoever wins— that girl whose name I forget, or anyone else—can do as they please.

Something like that holds no value for me whatsoever.

But… the price for dragging me onto that stage will be paid in full.

The only regret is that it might inconvenience Kazunari-san… but surely he’ll forgive me?

This is all for our future school life—and to ensure no foolish malice ever turns toward him again…

I no longer need the convenient title of “aloof” anymore.

“My dear…”

With the warmth of Kazunari-san sleeping against my chest, and this overwhelming love, there is nothing left to fear. No hesitation.

I will never again show the pathetic side of myself I once did.

For Kazunari-san’s sake… from now on, into the future, no matter what happens.

Stroke stroke…

“…N…”

“Good night, my dear.”