When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade. - Chapter 60

After school, I waited for Ayano with my smartphone in hand at my classroom’s shoe locker to walk home together.

“Sorry! I was submitting a handout to the teacher, so I got delayed.”

Ayano came running, bowing apologetically with her hands clasped together, and approached me.

It wasn’t like I had waited for a very long time, so I didn’t mind at all, but there was something that caught my attention.

It was the fact that she had her hair down in the morning, but now, after school, she had tied it up.

“Ayano-san, you changed your hairstyle.”

“Yeah, during gym class, it’s better to tie it up.”

“Oh, I see. It looks really good on you.”

“W-What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

“Oh, nothing. I just said what I was thinking.”

“…Thank you.”

Though Ayano said “thank you,” she lowered her face and walked away.

I quickly followed after her, but she didn’t turn to look at me.

“Ayano, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Don’t lie, you’re clearly in a bad mood.”

“I-I’m not. I just got flustered because you suddenly complimented me, and I didn’t know how to react!”

She turned around with a quick spin, looking at me while trembling, her voice quivering.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but find her adorable.

At school, she’s like an honors student, but knowing this side of her that only I know gives me an overwhelming sense of superiority.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?” Ayano said as she approached me with an intense gaze.

Her gaze was almost intimidating, staring me down.

“No, no, I’m not making fun of you.”

“Hmm… Well, okay then.”

She responded, and I was relieved when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. If Ayano had come just one step closer, I might have ended up hugging her.

If I were to suddenly do something like that, she might not look me in the eyes again, and that would be troublesome.

Honestly, it’s disappointing, but there’s nothing I can do.

Suppressing my desires, I walked alongside Ayano.

***

“Huh? Natsuno?”

Ayano said that and looked towards the park. As the evening gradually grew darker, it was becoming a bit difficult to see faces clearly, but it was definitely Natsuno.

It’s not completely dark, but since Natsuno is still an elementary school student, Ayano is probably worried.

“Big sis! Welcome back!”

“Yeah, I’m home… Wait, seriously!? How long are you planning to play? It’s already getting dark!”

“Aww, but we’re about to get to the good part!”

Ayano wants Natsuno to come home, while Natsuno wants to keep playing. This seems like a scenario from a TV show.

【Elder Sister Who Wants Her Younger Sister to Go Home vs. Younger Sister Who Wants to Keep Playing】

Something like that would likely exist. As I watched the sisters, I thought about it.

“Yuusei-kun, why are you smiling?”

“Well, when I see you two, I just can’t get bored.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means it’s heartwarming. I’m complimenting you.”

Ayano’s expression towards me softened. Not just towards me, but also towards Natsuno, she seemed more gentle.

“Natsuno, how about we do this another time? Your other friends have already gone home, right?”

“Ugh, fine…”

Natsuno didn’t seem completely convinced, but Ayano managed to persuade her somehow, and the decision was made to go home.

Then, Natsuno approached me with a sleepy expression, swaying back and forth.

“Kuroda~ piggyback~”

“Seriously…”

I said in an exasperated voice, and Natsuno already seemed half-asleep, as if in a dream.

Did going home translate to getting to sleep directly? Natsuno was already making sleeping sounds.

Then Ayano lightly tapped Natsuno on the forehead.

“Hey, walk by yourself.”

“Okay…”

Though she mumbled a bit, Natsuno held Ayano’s hand and walked. As I walked alongside the two of them, Natsuno unconsciously grabbed my hand.

I found myself thinking that this was also a good situation.

“Oh, it’s Dad’s car.”

Suddenly, Natsuno hid behind me. I didn’t understand what was going on.

“What’s… wrong?”

I sent a silent signal to Ayano, asking for help. Ayano chuckled and

“Natsuno doesn’t really like our stepdad, or at least, that’s how it seems. I’m trying to manage things well, but…”

“Come to think of it, your last name changed, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

Ayano had a somewhat sad expression. I didn’t press further.

If I had asked, would Ayano have told me? As I escorted Ayano to her home, I kept thinking about that.

“Thanks! Thanks for walking me home.”

“No problem. Well then, good night.”

“Yeah, good night.”

Ayano waved at me while carrying Natsuno on her back. In my mind, I couldn’t help but be bothered by the expression from earlier when her stepdad was mentioned.

“Who are you?”

Suddenly, from behind, I felt like I was being questioned in a slightly lower voice. When I turned around, a person in their 40s with a cold expression was standing there.

“Uh, I’m Kuroda!”

“Kuroda…san. Were you acquaintances with Natsuno?”

“Oh! I’m… well, haha…”

I said that and quickly left the scene, almost fleeing.

I wasn’t sure if that person was glaring at me specifically or if that was just their usual expression, but one thing I did understand:

They were incredibly, incredibly intimidating.