CH 34

Touma-kun Gathers His Courage

Translated by AmaLynne

A week had passed since that pool day.

We hadn’t seen each other since then.

It was simply the Obon vacation, and we were both busy.

I had been busy with my family, visiting my paternal grandparents’ house, and working part-time.

Aya’s father had returned home, too, and they were spending time together as a family.

I thought about saying hello to her, but Aya stopped me.

Father, he said he wouldn’t be able to go home.

Everything’s out of my hands.

Therefore, I told Aya to put her family first.

I told her that it was an irreplaceable time for her and…

Aya understood that.

I really have a good girlfriend.

◆◇◆◇◆

I drove my motorcycle and arrived at Aya’s house.

「Touma-kun! Long time no see!」

「Aya, it’s been a while. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.」

「…But, I was lonely. I couldn’t see Touma-kun…」

「T-That’s…the same for me. But you were able to be filial to your family, weren’t you?」

「Ehehe, thank goodness. Yeah! Father was so happy and said, You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?」

「Ummm…I’d like to do it right, but it just doesn’t work that way, does it?」

「Yes, I’m sorry. I like that kind of thing about Touma-kun…」

「The family situation is different for each person. Then, let’s go.」

「Yes!」

Aya looks used to it and gets on the back of the bike and puts on her helmet.

「All right, hold on tight, okay?」

「Yes! But is it okay? Touma-kun dropped me off and picked me up…」

「Don’t worry about it. I’m only doing it because I want to. Besides, it’s a long way around no matter what, and it costs money.」

Aya is out of the regular schedule at my local station, and she has to take the bus to get there.

And the time it takes is 30 minutes each way.

With a motorcycle, I can get here in about 10 minutes.

It’s not hard to get there and back.

「B-But Touma-kun, too, has been paying for gas…he’s been paying a lot of money…I think I should do a part-time job, too.」

「Hmm…well, if you are concerned about it, we should think about it… Okay, let’s talk about that.」

At any rate, we get on the bike and head to my place.

Today, it’s called a home date.

Aya wished she could go again.

I wonder if I’ll be able to keep my mind together.

Well, my sister is home, so I should be fine.

◆◇◆◇◆

That’s what I thought…

「Huh? She’s not here?」

「What? Gone?」

「He bicycle gone. Come in, for now.」

This is going to test my patience…!

「J-Just the two of us…! S-Sorry to bother you!」

I enter the house and head for the living room.

I don’t think I’ll be able to be rational in my room.

Change of plans.

「Huh? You want to be in the living room today?」

「Well, there’s no one here. We can do it here, too, because we have a game console. Here, over there.」

So, we’re going to play games today.

「Wow! Really!? Can I see it?」

「Yeah, you can.」

「Thank you!」

With a happy expression on her face, she starts to look at all the things.

While admiring her cute smile, I headed for the kitchen.

Then, I thought I’d offer her some tea…

「Hmm? There’s some kind of note…What!?」

「What’s wrong? Touma-kun!」

「No, no! Nothing! I just almost dropped my glass!」

「T-That’s all right, then…」

「Yes, it’s all right. Just leave it there.」

That bastard…what does she mean?

My sister’s note said.

「Brother! I’m going out because my friend invited me! Don’t push her down! Kissing is allowed! ~Bye from your lovely sister~」

But now I know why she’s not here.

You’ve been looking out for me…As usual, you’re a capable little sister.

Kiss…I’ll keep it in mind.

At any rate, I made some tea and went back to Aya’s place.

After all this time, I feel like I’m getting into it. ……

She is wearing a red miniskirt and a simple U-shaped white T-shirt that fits her perfectly …….

I’m not sure what to expect.

Also…I think her hair, which is straight down, looks shiny…

…And I feel something is wrong…No way.

「Aya…maybe you got a haircut?」

「…You noticed…! I’m so happy!」

That was close!

「No, I just think your hair looks kind of nice. It’s a little, I don’t know, different length.」

「Ehehe, I see. I went to the hairdresser yesterday!」

「I see what you mean. Yeah, it’s pretty.」

「T-Thanks…but Touma-kun, what do you like…?」

「I would say that everything looks good on you, but I guess that’s not entirely true. Hmmm…old-fashioned, but I don’t think I’d want you to dye it. And I like long hair originally. Also, I like your ponytail.」

「I-Is that so…yeah, ok! I don’t want to dye it either. I see, that’s good…I’ve been growing it out for a long time…ehehe.」

I can’t, she’s too cute……!

「A-Anyway, do you want to play a game?」

「Huh? Yes, I do! I want to play this!」

It’s a game with zombies and two players.

「Oh, that. Great.」

We boot up the game and sit down on the couch side by side.

◆◇◆◇◆

*Dah dah dah dah dah…! ! ! ! ! !*

The sound of gunfire echoes through the living room.

「I-It’s coming! What do we do?」

「I’ll take care of it! Stay away from my girl!」

「Oh, my God! I beat them all!」

「Ha! Suck on that!」

After that, both of us continued to enjoy playing games together…

◆◇◆◇◆

「Aah! That was fun!」

「Well, it’s nice to play with two people once in a while.」

Learn more

Pause

Unmute

「I’m glad you protected me in the game, too. And besides, my girl is…」

「Ah, I’m sorry. Did I say that wrong?」

「No! I-I was so happy! I mean, I was nervous…」

I’m the nervous one!

Aya’s cheeks are flushed and she’s fidgeting.

Is this an opportunity?

It’s my first time, so I’m not sure…

All right! Me! Be brave!

「A―…Aya, I like you.」

「Eh?」

「I like you and I want to take care of you.」

「Y-Yes…but I…」

「Wait a minute. Still…I don’t think I can control my feelings anymore.」

「Touma-kun…?」

「If you don’t like it, shake it off.」

I place both hands on Aya’s shoulders.

「Ah…」

Aya slowly closes her eyes.

I slowly approach her and kiss her as gently as I can…

And when I slowly let go…a tear spills from Aya’s eye.

「I-I’m happy…I’ve always wanted to do it…but I thought if I said it myself…you’ll think I was being immodest…or that I was the only one who wanted to do it.」

「Aya…」

I can’t stand it, and I slowly hugged her and kissed her again…

「Ah……mm……」

Aya also accepted it…

I see…It seemed to be right after all.

Something beyond male desire is swirling inside of me…

Perhaps…this is what it means to love…