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 85

“My face is hot. It’s because I know Ayano said something like that. I look in the mirror and think I have to somehow tighten up this slackened face…

But time won’t wait.

“Yuusei, let’s go!”

“Y-Yeah.”

My mom is calling me loudly. I can’t really delay any longer. I put on my coat and opened the front door.

At that moment, an incredibly cold wind attacks my whole body.

“Ugh, it’s so cold…”

Normally, just this cold wouldn’t make me think I have to go to the New Year’s shrine visit.

But this time, it’s different. I realize that my face is hot because of what Ayano said earlier.

Well, maybe it’s just as well…

“Wow, it’s really cold, huh?”

Ayano, dressed in a kimono, says that as she heads towards my mom’s car with a little jog. It’s a fresh look because I’m not used to seeing her like this. It can’t be helped; she always shines, but today, she seems to shine even more.

“Ayano!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“You look beautiful.”

“Oh, thank you…”

Ayano fidgets a bit. I wonder if she’s happy to be complimented so straightforwardly.

“You two, get in the car already!”

“We’re getting in now!”

With that, Ayano flashes me a smiling face. Just seeing that smile makes my chest feel warm.

“Let’s go, Yuusei-kun.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I say that and follow Ayano. My face is probably still relaxed, but after seeing that smile, I don’t really care.

“Damn…”

I mutter under my breath.

***

We arrived at the nearest shrine from our home after being shaken in my mom’s car for a few tens of minutes. Ayano and I got off first, followed by Natsuno.

“Huh? Mom and sis aren’t you guys getting off?”

“Yeah, we’ll join later, so go ahead.”

Saying that, Mom and my older sister wave from inside the car. If they tell us to go ahead, there’s no choice but for the three of us to head to the shrine.

“Yay!”

“Natsuno, it’s not a festival…”

“That’s right, we came here to pray…”

We knew it would be crowded when we passed by the side of the shrine, but this long line…

“Hehe, you look really unhappy.”

“Well, I’m not a fan of waiting in line.”

“It might be boring if you’re alone, but I’m here today, right?”

“That’s… true, but…”

“Natsuno’s here too!!”

Ayano and I were talking together, so Natsuno jumps up and down while making a strong appeal that she’s here too.

“Haha, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be boring.”

Saying that, I ruffled Natsuno’s head.

“Huh? Yuusei?”

I turned my face to the rear with a clouded expression upon hearing that familiar voice.

“What’s up, Mimura?”

“You’re alone?”

“Don’t you see her?”

I didn’t want to make it too obvious, but I looked toward Ayano, who was beside me.

“She… she’s beautiful.”

“Right?”

“I’m really envious…”

Saying that, Mimura lined up behind us.

“Why are you standing behind us?”

“Huh? I want to make a wish to the gods too.”

“But normally, you’d read the room and give us some privacy.”

“Well, well… it’s more fun with more people.”

“That may be true, but…”

Ayano said that, but I’m not convinced. I had been looking forward to spending some quality time with her…

“Cheer up, I’m disappointed too.”

“Huh, really?”

“Why would I lie?”

Well, it seems like Ayano is also disappointed, so I decided in my mind to give Mimura a hard time.

“Oh? Shirakawa-san?”

I heard a familiar voie calling Ayano. It was the person I least wanted to meet right now.

“Shirasaka-kun is here too!”

“Yeah, with some friends though.”

“I see.”

Ayano said that and glanced at me briefly. It felt like she was asking if the conversation with Shirasaka was enough. It was so brief that I thought maybe they should talk a bit more.

“Um, Shirakawa-san.”

“What is it, Shirasaka-kun?”

“We’ve met here, so how about we explore together afterward?”

Even if we say “explore,” there’s not much to do here… I didn’t say it out loud, but I really wanted to.

“Oh, that sounds great! I’m in favor of it!”

One of Shirasaka’s friends enthusiastically agreed with Shirasaka’s suggestion.

“Hey…”

“Sorry. I’m here with my boyfriend today, so I’ll be exploring with him. Can’t we all explore together?”

Saying that, Ayano apologized to Shirasaka and the others, folding her hands together. I must have felt relieved that Ayano turned them down. The anxiety I had just a moment ago disappeared instantly.

“Relieved?”

With a mischievous smile, Ayano peered into my face. I didn’t want to say it directly for some reason, so I told her indirectly that I felt relieved.

“The uneasiness has disappeared.”

“Hahaha! What’s that supposed to mean?”

Saying that, Ayano laughed. I like this smile of hers. It’s such a lovely smile that I feel like I don’t want to show it to anyone else.

It would be great if Shirasaka could take a hint and step back at this point…