Chapter 804. Kiyohara Ai / That’s wrong

「 Uuuu, uuuu, I-I…. 」

AI-san starts to cry, but.

「 Okay, stop crying. You’re just making everyone gloomy, stop 」

Yomi said. Ai-san’s tears stopped.

「 ????!!!! 」

Ai-san herself is confused with what’s happening.

「 There’s nothing to be afraid or crying about. But in this girl’s case, just a small push would fill up her mind and she’d start crying automatically and stop thinking. It has become a habit for her 」

Luna reports as she reads Ai-san’s mind.

「 Living as a cute girl has become deeply ingrained in her 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 Your hair is beautiful, do you comb it yourself every day? 」

Katsuko-nee asks Ai-san with a smile.

「 T-That, t-this, auuu 」

「 Her mother does it for her. Every day, her mother would wake her up, bring some change of clothes, then comb her hair 」

Luna continues to speak out Ai-san’s answer in her thoughts.

「 I thought so. You don’t make your own meals, and you’ve never washed your own clothes either 」

Katsuko-nee continues to ask.

「 That’s, uhm, uuuu 」

「 She never did. Her mother’s the one taking care of her everything since she was born 」

「 I knew it 」

Katsuko-nee, what did you discover?

「 This girl looks cute, doesn’t she? 」

Katsuko-nee tells me.

「 Yeah, well, I do think so, yes 」

Ai-san looks good for sure.

She looks like a girl that you want to protect.

「 Hey, Dear. Why do you think cute girls are cute? 」

「 Huh? 」

That’s…

「 Well, that question has fundamental factors of style, looks, and the basic appearance, but that’s not it 」

Isn’t the condition just about having a beautiful look since birth?

「 There are girls who aren’t cute at all, even though they have good looks and style, and are beautiful on the outside 」

Oh, those people do exist. Right.

Beauty and cuteness are similar, but…

They’re never equal.

「 Simply put, the cuteness of the person changes depending on how much affection is invested in them 」

Katsuko-nee?

「 I think that’s the most fearsome ability of humans. Humans can pour their love on things they like, love, feel empathy for, and that subject would become cuter and cuter 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 Okay, let’s go with pets, for example. Wild animals that aren’t kept by humans will not look cute at a glance. They live in a world where it’s always life-or-death situations. Their head is only filled with how to survive and how to eat. If they fail, it’s the end of their species. That said, animals have short sex that they can’t compare to humans. Did you know that? 」

「 No 」

I shake my head.

「 The male inserting to the female vagina and ejaculating. 」 That’s all. I mean, it’s dangerous for them to copulate while at risk of attacks from other enemies. Therefore, animals don’t take a lot of time in sex unless they’re some of the unique insects 」

I see.

「 No other creature on the planet take their time in sex except humans. While at it, most of the females among the living creatures don’t feel pleasure from sex. A male with strong sexual desire would suddenly attack, insert his genital, and ejaculate instantly. There’s no time for pleasure 」

「 I see 」

Kana-senpai listens to Katsuko-nee’s lesson.

「 By the way, most of the animals do it from behind. Dogs, monkeys, and horses, for example. The males go for the butt of the female. No other living creature do it like humans, where you face each other in missionary position 」

Yeah, I’ve never seen animals do it in missionary position.

「 Oh, that’s a good lesson. Did you not know about it, Ai? 」

Kana-senpai talks to Ai-san.

「 N-No, uhm, Ai, that kind of talk, uhm… 」

「 She seems interested in sex 」

Luna reads her thoughts.

「 N-No…I-I…!! 」

Ai-san looked down and blushed.

「 Let’s return to the topic. They say that pets do look like their owners, right? Animals becoming human-like. In the end, that’s because the owner pours their love for the pet. They care for the pet, and so the pet’s look changes. It’s features as well. Pets become cute with love 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 Affection takes time. You invest a lot of time and effort into what you own. Naturally, it also takes a lot of money. Money is the fruits of labor, after all. Then, the subject of your affection would change. That means, becoming cuter 」

Is that so?

「 It doesn’t apply to just pets. For any objects, house, tools, even cars, when people have something they like, they pour their affection to it, and anything filled with affection becomes cuter. It’s no longer just a functional and easy to use. It hides cuteness, as well. That applies to all objects that are loved 」

「 Oh, I get that. When I go to antique stores and find something that was treasured a lot, you can feel that it was loved. And those that weren’t used that much wasn’t as cute as they should be 」

Kana-senpai said.

「 That’s the power of humans. They turn what they love to something cute 」

Katsuko-nee looks at Ai-san.

「 If it works on pets, then humans pouring their affection on another human makes that person cute as well 」

Humans.

「 It’s true with children. Taking your time and pouring your love to a child makes them cuter than those who didn’t receive much 」

That’s…

「 It’s inevitable. This is a problem of time and labor. No matter how much the parent loves their child, if they don’t take their time to pour their love to the child, then the child won’t be cuter than how they look like 」

A child that’s not loved enough will lack in cuteness, is that it?

「 On the other hand, a child with somewhat inferior foundation poured with lots of love, and they took their time, the child grows to become cuter than ordinary 」

Oh, there’s definitely those that don’t have the good looks but are charming enough.

Those who aren’t that beautiful in photos yet popular with the boys.

「 If you take your time, then you’ll need to be with the child every day to pour your love to them. And once you pile up that trust and ease of mind, the child becomes cuter. If the child thinks that they’re always loved and protected no matter what happened, they’d feel at ease. See? That kind of ease of mind is what’s essential 」

Nei hugs Yomi and Luna.

「 Oh, I get that. Yomi-chan and Luna-chan are becoming cuter since receiving Yo-chan’s love! 」

Then.

「 Oh, that includes you too Nei-chan 」

Katsuko-nee smiled.

「 What? 」

「 Nei-chan’s that beautiful yet scary girl back then, but now, you’re gorgeous and cute! 」

「 Hanya? 」

Nei’s definitely cute.

「 That’s correct. I think so too, Nei’s getting cuter and cuter every day 」

「 Edie-chan too 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 Yes, me too. I’m aware of that. Thanks to all the love, I’ve become cuter than before. Of course, it will happen. I am loved after all 」

「 Wow, I want to say that too 」

Kana-senpai laughed.

「 Eeh? But it’ll come soon to you Kana-chan. Yo-chan’s love is neverending 」

Nei smiled.

「 Now then, returning our focus on Ai-san… 」

Katsuko-nee said. Everyone looked at Ai-san.

「 Ah, uuuuu 」

Ai-san, who’s sitting on the bed, starts to tremble.

「 This girl is a model for the child raised by the family, especially the mother, filled with love. And that’s why she’s so cute 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 I-I, Ai, I am not that cute, so… 」

「 No, you do think you are. This girl knows that she’s cute 」

Luna continues to read her thoughts.

「 After all, your mother always says “Ai’s so cute, you’re cute today as well” every day while combing your hair in front of the mirror ever since you were young 」

「 Uuuuuu 」

Ai-san glared at Luna.

It’s the first time she showed a strong emotion to another person.

「 I see. That means Ai knows that she’s cute, and so when she looks troubled, she waits for someone to help her, right? 」

Kana-senpai said. Ai-san…

「 T-That’s…n-not it, I-I 」

「 But, isn’t that what you always do? And that’s why when Nei-san and I helped you out in this case, kicked Shindou away, you never thanked us, did you? You’re a cute girl, and so you think that it’s normal for people to help you out, is that right, Ai?! 」

「 Uuuu, S-Sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! 」

Ai-san’s at her wits’ end.

However.

「 And her “Sorry” is just her giving up on her thoughts. When someone speaks aggressively to her, she’ll only say “Sorry,” and then the storm would be over, that’s what she thinks 」

Luna reads.

In short, it’s not coming from her heart.

She’s only saying that for her convenience.

「 Oh, I see. 」

「 What’s up, Luna? 」

Did she find something in Ai-san’s heart?

「 This girl’s mother is a strong-willed woman. Therefore, in kindergarten, when anything happens to her, her mother would shout at the one that caused trouble, and things settle 」

I see.

「 And, since she always does that, her mother’s thought to be the troublemaker instead, and so she’s always looking down nowadays 」

So she couldn’t make friends?

「 Anyway, this girl’s mother is a powerful one due to her job. Therefore, the other children don’t complain to their mothers, and the school teacher is troubled in one way or another, so, it didn’t develop to bullying 」

Oh, it’s a mother that’s too noisy at PTA meetings…

If they bully her, it’ll become troublesome.

「 But, in middle school, she couldn’t let her mother intervene… 」

Well, yeah.

The parent and the school’s relationship is different in elementary.

「 And she didn’t want her mother to know the children in middle school either 」

I see.

She didn’t want her mother to go to school after and getting involved.

「 Therefore, she looked for seniors in school that’s like her mother that she can depend on and will protect her 」

Depend, protect?

「 Uuuuuu…Uuuuuu 」

Ai-san trembles in fear.

「 Children raised with lots of love don’t always become someone who pours their love to others 」

Katsuko-nee said.

「 This girl, for example, she’s always under her parent or someone else’s protection, and it has become normal for her, and so she still thinks of needing someone to protect her 」

I see.

She’s been under her mother’s protection even in elementary school, but…

In middle school, it’s embarrassing for her that her mother intervenes, and so she stops her mother from stepping in.

Therefore, she looked for someone to protect her, replacing her mother.

「 I see, and that’s why she came to me this time 」

Kana-senpai sighed.

「 T-That’s not it, I-I, uhm 」

「 Don’t say anything. Or should I say that you should stop making that timid face 」

「 Uuuuuu 」

「 If you ask me, that kind of face is much more problematic. Ai’s cute, and yet, why do you always look so troubled? Your eyebrows are always kissing each other. You’ll get wrinkles this young!! 」

「 Auuuu 」

Ai-san continues to groan.

「 Showing yourself cowering, that you don’t have any hostility, and then asking people like Kana-chan, the famous people to protect you. That’s how you’ve always been, right? Ai-chan 」

Nei said in amazement.

「 Despite that, you don’t say thanks to those people who help you. That cute face looking troubled had gotten through them always, until now 」

Katsuko-nee smiled.

「 It’s just that you’ve been lucky so far. Just like the Judo club guy from earlier, your “I’m troubled” look in your face won’t work on everyone 」

Katsuko-nee’s right.

Ai-san’s way of life is approaching people with the look saying: “I’m in trouble. Please get the hint. Please understand.”

And if facing a defect which can’t guess the emotions of other people like that Shindou from earlier,

Then, it won’t work.

「 Besides, the other party is an idiot, and so everyone tried to help Ai, but… 」

Kana-senpai.

「 If it’s a good looking guy who fell for Ai, then they might take an interest, and push you two together. Or maybe, a somewhat average looking but an honest boy. The boys would ally to him. Our club likes that kind of thing 」

Oh, a somewhat imbalanced couple but interesting enough to watch.

Women in the sports club like those.

「 Ah, I-I, I have someone I-I like 」

Ai-san said.

「 Oh? Who? Is it someone I know? 」

Kana-senpai asks.

「 T-That’s, I-I don’t want to say it, I-I… 」

「 Luna-chan, tell us 」

Nei smiled.

「 Nii-san? 」

Luna looked at me.

I guess she thinks that she shouldn’t tell everyone who Ai-san likes.

「 Don’t mind it. Tell us, Luna-chan. This is a necessity for Ai-san 」

Katsuko-nee tells Luna.

「 Luna, Katsuko-nee’s right 」

I said. Luna nods.

「 Hmmm 」

She peeks at Ai-san’s face.

「 P-Please don’t say it 」

Ai-san panics, looking at Luna, but…

As soon as they look at each other’s eyes, Luna reads into her heart.

「 Oh, I see it. It’s a guy from the tennis club. The name is Tsuji-san 」

「 Tsuji? The second-year guy? 」

Kana-senpai’s surprised.

「 Yes. Err, this girl thought that Tsuji-senpai is cool, and so she entered the tennis club herself 」

「 Uuuu…aaaaa 」

Ai-san groans.

「 But, Tsuji has a girlfriend! 」

Huh?

「 Furthermore, they’re dating for three years already, they’re head-over-heels for each other. The girl has a slightly dented nose, but she’s not ugly at all. Her mouth is the bad part about her, though. She eats a lot of food during lunch. But her smile’s cute. She laughs like that Sengoku military commander. Takeda Ayako’s her name, but we call her Shingen 」

Is that really a woman?

「 Anyway, you can’t break them up that easy! They get along so well. Tsuji also likes Sengoku military commanders 」

No, no, that’s no the problem.

「 Eh, wait, you intend to NTR Tsuji away from Shingen? 」

「 Uuu, uuuuuuuu 」

「 She doesn’t think that way 」

「 Huh, what? Maybe you want to spread some rumors about Shingen and have Tsuji hate her? 」

「 Uuuuuuu 」

Ai-san shakes her head.

「 She doesn’t think that way either 」

「 I mean, if you don’t do anything absurd, Tsuji will never become your boyfriend 」

Then.

Luna reads into the mind of the silent Ai-san.

「 Err, she’s only waiting for Tsuji-san to break up with his girlfriend 」

「 I said this earlier, but they won’t break up that easily, the girl’s Shingen, you know! 」

「 But, she’ll wait for them to break up. Then… 」

Luna continues to read.

「 She’ll only wait for Tsuji to notice her feelings then ask to date her 」

Huh?

「 No, I mean, Tsuji doesn’t know your feelings at all 」

「 Uuuuuu…U-Uhm 」

「 But, Kana-san discovered her emotions right now, and so… 」

「 Me? 」

Kana-senpai makes a dumbfounded face.

「 No, sure, I now know that Ai likes Tsuji, but what about it? 」

「 Err, U-Uhm, that… 」

「 Therefore, Kana-san would help Tsuji-san and his girlfriend break up, then mediate to match Tsuji and her. That’s what she’s thinking 」

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

「 She’s thorough at leaving everything to others! 」

As expected, even Nei’s speechless.

「 You really can’t do anything, can you? 」

Kana-senpai looks fed up.

「 I mean, Tsuji and Ai never had any contact. I never saw you two talk to each other 」

「 T-That’s 」

「 She always watches him from afar 」

Luna replied.

「 Well, I don’t care about it anymore, what part of Tsuji do you like, Ai? 」

「 Uuu!!! 」

「 On how he’s kind 」

「 Huh? When did Tsuji show his kindness to you? 」

「 Uuu, uuuuuu 」

「 Err, his face 」

Face?

「 His face looks kind 」

You mean?

「 Oh, she only liked him because of his face. I get it now! Aaah!!! 」

Kana-senpai snapped.

「 Ai! That’s not love!!!! That’s never love!!!! 」

「 Auuuuuu! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!! 」

Ai-san shut off her heart again…