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 67

Afterward, since Mimura kept insisting over and over again that he wanted to hang out, we ended up going out with the usual group of friends.

It was a rather pitiful Christmas Eve with just three guys.

However, there was a certain enjoyment that comes with being just guys. No need to be considerate, and overall, it felt much more relaxing.

Even after hanging out, Mimura earnestly said, “Let’s hang out on Christmas too.” Souta and I firmly declined.

“That’s how it went.”

“Wow, sounds like you had fun.”

“What were doing on Christmas Eve, Ayano-san?”

“Well, you know, the usual? It was just like any other day for me.”

Ayano said, “It seems like you had a good time, Yusei-kun. I’m kind of jealous.”

“Just enjoy today, okay? You’re such a dolt.”

“Geez! You’re going overboard with the insults! But yeah, you’re right. Let’s have fun today!”

Saying that, Ayano showed me a beaming smile. Her cuteness made me unconsciously pinch her cheek.

“H-Hey!?”

“Oh, just, um… it was soft.”

“I don’t need your feedback!”

Blushing, she turned her face away, not in an angry way, but perhaps out of embarrassment.

Though not explicitly said, I guess as a guy, wanting to touch your girlfriend’s cheek is a natural impulse.

Then, Ayano caught my cheek between her thumb and index finger and gently tugged.

“There, I returned the favor.”

“Enjoy touching guys?”

“Sh-Shut up!”

She playfully swatted my head. Looking at Ayano, I noticed her cheeks turning a rosy shade.

Seeming to notice that I was watching, she lifted her scarf up to cover her face.

***

Ayano and I arrived at a shopping mall not too far from where we were walking.

The building, which hadn’t changed much since I was a child, brought a sense of comfort.

We were in a clothing store within the mall. While I didn’t frequent it often, I recognized some of the shop assistants to some extent.

“Something like this would look good on you!”

“Oh, yeah, it might.”

Ayano picked out clothes that she thought would suit me and showed them to me.

Looking at the price tags, I realized I didn’t have enough money in my wallet today, so I had to give up on purchasing them.

“Don’t be so down about it.”

Ayano tried to console me by saying that I could always come back, but I wasn’t sure if I’d feel the same way the next day.

Thinking about how even if my feelings stayed the same, the items might be sold out or not fit properly, I found myself lost in thought. Yet, Ayano seemed to be on a mission, moving forward as if to say there was no time to spare.

“Come on, Yuusei-kun, hurry up!”

She waved her hand vigorously in my direction, urging me on.

It wasn’t the usual Ayano I saw at school; her demeanor resembled that of a child frolicking at an amusement park.

***

After thoroughly enjoying ourselves at the shopping mall, we headed to the café Ayano had mentioned.

“I think it’s here.”

As we entered, I felt the café had a very calm atmosphere.

“I’m going for the pancakes!”

“I’ll have the blended coffee and a sandwich.”

After placing our orders, more customers started to come in. Some other customers had entered the café when we did, but it seemed like we had timed it well.

If we had arrived a little later, we might have ended up waiting for quite some time.

As expected, the café was popular, and it quickly filled up. The clientele included couples, women, and even stylish gentlemen.

Indeed, I thought to myself that I’d even want to come here alone sometime.

“Look! These pancakes are so cute!”

“Does it have a bear face on it?”

“Yeah, it’s a bear.”

Watching Ayano’s eyes sparkle as she looked at the pancakes, I couldn’t help but think that she was even cuter.

“But really, will that be enough for you?”

“That’s not a good thing to say if you’re talking to a girl.”

“Sorry. But…”

“It’s okay! Probably.”

I heard her say “probably” under her breath at the end, but it should be fine, right? I started to worry a little.

Sometimes, I couldn’t help but think that I might be overly protective of Ayano.

“There were various things that happened, huh?”

While sipping her cappuccino, which she had ordered along with the pancakes, Ayano started talking.

“I’m glad you noticed me, and now we’re in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. I never would’ve thought about that a year ago.”

“Yeah.”

She dropped a bomb with the line, “I knew, though,” and it hit me hard.

“It could have ended as one-sided love for me.”

“If that were the case, it’s all thanks to Natsuno. If she hadn’t gotten lost, I wouldn’t have met you.”

“Yeah… when I get home today, I’ll give Natsuno a big hug!”

Ayano looked incredibly happy. Her smiling face as she savored the pancakes was adorable.

Seeing her like that, I found myself smiling too.

“Spreading the smile virus, huh?”

“Isn’t it a bit harsh to call someone a virus?!”

“Being with Ayano never gets boring. It’s like… your emotions are so vivid, your ups and downs are clear.”

“Hmm, I don’t feel like I’m being complimented.”

With a frown on her face, Ayano continued eating her pancakes and spreading her smiles around.

Watching that, I might not have been grinning ear to ear, but I was definitely wearing a smirk.

Even the customers and the café staff around us seemed to be catching the “smile virus,” sending smiles our way.

I thought to myself, “Spreading the smile virus, huh.”