The Villainous Uncle in the Adult Game Gets Unusually High Praise from the Heroines - Chapter 9

“Hey, Take-san~”

Kasha kasha

Well, actually, there wasn’t really that kind of sound. If anything, it was more like a piron piron.

As I sat on the bed taking numerous photos of my hands with my smartphone, I called out to Take-san, who was fiddling with his tablet.

“Why are you taking pictures of your hands?”

“Oh, it’s for reference when drawing illustrations. Looking at actual pictures is really the best way, you know.”

“I see.”

“By the way, Take-san. There’s something that’s been bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“Tendo-san… Sakurako-san’s family, they’ve passed away, right?”

“Did you hear it from her?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I decided not to mention that I was the one who asked. It was an insensitive question, and I’d definitely get scolded if I admitted to asking it. Besides, I couldn’t afford to lower his opinion of me here.

…I didn’t want Take-san, my benefactor and supporter, to dislike me.

That’s all it was, yeah.

“So I was thinking, Sakurako-san hasn’t really changed her attitude much, has she?”

“Hmm?”

“Well, you know. She must’ve been shocked, but how should I say it… she doesn’t really show that kind of atmosphere. That’s why at school, nobody has any idea that her family has gone through something like that.”

“It feels wrong to talk about her when she’s not here, but I think she’s actually quite affected by it. Though I’m not sure regarding the part about not showing it…”

“Could it be because she’s with someone close to her?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing Take-san’s puzzled expression, I understood that he didn’t get it. I smiled wryly in response.

“I think Sakurako-san trusts you quite a lot, Take-san. That’s why I think she shows her vulnerable, true self to you.”

“Is that so?”

“So, um…”

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

Take-san showed a slightly worried expression at my troubled demeanor. That’s not fair, making that kind of face.

It was cheating.

“A-anyway. Since Sakurako-san is the type to hide her emotions and not show them openly, I just wanted to tell you to properly watch out for her.”

“That… yeah, I understand.”

“Also, Take-san, don’t push yourself too hard either.”

“Me? With what?”

“Mmh, you know. You just became Sakurako-san’s guardian, right? So I’m worried you might overdo it by trying too hard. You seem like that type of person.”

“I’m not really that kind of person, but… thanks for the advice.” He smiled gently. 

Ah, damn it.

That was unfair too. Showing such a kind smile… not even my parents made that kind of expression for me recently.

It made me feel special, making me misunderstand that I was someone special to him.

Ah, but…

Since I couldn’t be honest, I deliberately put on a mischievous smile to suppress my racing heart, stood up, crossed the room, and…

Plop

“Hm?”

“Hehe~”

I settled myself between his knees.

“…What are you doing, Tomoe-chan?”

“What do you mean, Take-san? There’s a cute girl right next to you, so you should react more adorably. Look, snuggle snuggle~”

I pressed the back of my head against his chest.

This was bad.

Th-this was extremely bad.

What am I doing?

Get back to your senses, me!

But with my cheeks flushing, finding no opportunity to retreat, I continued pressing my head against him and—

“…”

“…? Take-s—”

Before I could worry about Take-san’s sudden silence, my body was lifted into the air. Take-san had grabbed my waist and forcefully lifted me up, then he gently dropped me onto the bed.

He laid me down.

I blinked in surprise.

His face came very close.

No way.

No way.

What was happening…!

I hugged myself tightly and squeezed my eyes shut—

“…?”

And after waiting for what felt like forever without “that” or “this” happening, I thought “huh?” and opened my eyes.

Peshi

“Ow!”

Pain on my forehead. I understood what he did: a forehead flick. Take-san had flicked my forehead.

“Wh-what was that for!”

“That was punishment for doing something foolish,” he said with a slightly stern expression.

“Stop trying to seduce men like that, even if you’re close to them.”

“Ugh…”

No way.

It wasn’t “like” that…

But this didn’t seem like the proper situation to say that. And my cheeks, which had heated up from the misunderstanding, gradually cooled down.

“…”

I silently stood up, passed by his side, and—

“I want to be alone for a while to reflect…”

As I was about to leave the room, something occurred to me and I turned back.

“Hey, Take-san.”

“What is it?”

“What if… just what if. What if I had ‘those kinds of feelings’ and acted on them?”

“Well, let’s see…”

He appeared to think for a moment.

Then, “In that case, I’d respond seriously without making light of it.”

“I see— Wait!”

Zu

He closed the distance in one breath. Before I knew it, his face was close again. Whispering near my ear, Take-san said, “…Because it would make me happy if you honestly told me you liked me.”

“~~~~!!!!”

My face heated up again.

I understood the true meaning of his words, because I understood!

“I-I’m going to get some water!”

I hastily retreated. I rushed down the stairs, even forgetting to close the door with a bang.

“Geez, geez!”

Adults were really unfair!