CH 30

The study session went off without a problem and almost two weeks have passed. Friday evening.

Finally, the day after tomorrow is the performance concert of Japanese dance.

To be precise, it is a two-day performance on Saturday and Sunday. There seemed to be a large number of performers, so Nagi’s performance was on Sunday…..and she was the last performer.

Nagi had to go with her family to see the performance on Saturday. That’s why she came today.

By the way, tea ceremony and flower arrangement activities are closed for the rest of the week.

“Are you nervous?　……No, it’s normal to be nervous.”

Today. Nagi’s expression has been somewhat stiff for the past week. Of course she is.

Even I get nervous when I do school presentations.  ……To perform in front of hundreds and thousands of people. Of course she’s nervous. And she’s the last performer.

“Yes. It’s embarrassing, but I’m a little nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. The fact that you are nervous is a proof that you have worked hard for it.”

When I said that, Nagi smiled. A little awkward smile.

“Thank you very much. I’m glad to hear you say so.”

Just like that, Nagi let out a long breath. ……I guess she can’t calm down.

Is there anything I can do?

I crossed my arms and thought about it. I found an idea.

“Nagi. Come here for a minute.”

“……? Yes, I understand.”

The place where I took Nagi to is…..bedroom.

“Eh, uh? Souta kun?”

“Nagi. I’ll do what I did before.”

“You’ll do that thing you did before…..?”

I nodded to Nagi’s words and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Come on, Nagi. Come here.”

I said to Nagi and she sat down next to me. Her face looks a little expectant……but she still seems to be nervous.

“I-is it really okay?”

“It’s okay… it’s too late for that. Look, Nagi.”

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that she usually jumps in with pleasure……,but she would certainly lies down happily.

After tapping her thigh lightly, Nagi timidly lay down. …… es. Sideways. Not on her back, but on her side.

“…..Can you spoil me a little?”

“Yeah, of course.”

It’s okay at least for today. Thinking that, I nodded.

With a puff, she buried her face in my body.

My body froze. From my eyebrows to the tips of my toes, I was frozen.

I let out a sigh.

I put my hand on her head while turning my hot face upward.

“Ehehe…….”

Along with the small laughter, the force of pressing her face against me became stronger.

“Souta kun’s scent is very calming. It’s my favorite scent.”

“……I see.”

A little. No, it’s quite embarrassing. I thought it would be good if Nagi was happy, so I kept patting her head.

As I did so, Nagi’s breathing became normal. When I looked down at her, I saw her eyelids repeatedly closing and opening.

“You still have time today. You should sleep when you can.”

“Fwiw….,yes, that’s right. ……Um, Souta kun.”

“What is it?”

Nagi floated her hand and placed it near my chest.

“I want you to hold my hand.”

Ba-dump. The momentum of my heart, which had been beating fast, increased.

“Do you sleep better that way?”

“Fwaah……please.”

“I understand.”

I gently put my hand close to Nagi’s and she squeezed it.

“It’s warm.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

I smiled at Nagi who was smiling at me. I watched as her eyelids closed.

“Good night, Souta kun.”

“Yeah, good night, Nagi.”

With those words, Nagi fell asleep this time. Although she was asleep, she did not let go of my hand.

She really looks like a little child.

I brushed the hair on her cheek up to her ear, and then she let out a ticklish sound.

“….She’s really cute.”

I couldn’t help but say it out loud. I immediately closed my mouth, but apparently Nagi didn’t hear me this time.

With relief at that. I patted her head and she started smiling while she slept.

I wonder if she’s being reserved with her family or what.

Because she’s an adopted child, ……no. That kind of thinking is disrespectful to Nagi.

Is she simply reserved to her family, regardless of whether she is adopted or not? …..As I recall, Nagi has been trying not to show her true self. That may also be an influence. She is more pampered than usual.

In addition to that, she has been practicing more Japanese dance this week. She must have been tired.

And the phone calls she makes at night. Usually it’s like a call where Nagi is so sleepy that she falls asleep, but lately she usually hangs up after watching the time. She might not be able to sleep after that.

“At least sleep well  here. ….They said that sleep before the show is important.”

While looking at Nagi who was mumbling  out her voice, she smiled. I suddenly realized.

Me. I can’t live without Nagi anymore.

Food is the most prominent. Lately, I have packed lunch on weekdays. On weekends, Nagi cooks or prepares food for me. …Actually, it’s become something I look forward to every day.

And on the study side, if there’s something I don’t understand, she explains it very clearly. 

……It’s not only these two. She also supports me mentally.

When Nagi is by my side, I feel strangely at ease. Now, being alone….is lonely.

I don’t even want to go back to those daily life

Hm?

Am I falling in love with Nagi?

The moment I realized this fact, my face became burning hot.

“……Wait, wait, calm down. It might be a bit hasty.”

That’s right. Let’s try what Eiji said the other day.

[What’s it like to fall in love with someone?]

I asked Eiji the other day. That’s he said

[Oh. There are a lot of things. For example.]

[You find yourself thinking about that person.]

……Applied. Recently, after Nagi left, I wanted to talk with her. I think about her all the time.

[You find yourself following her with your eyes.]

This also applies. Or rather, this has been the case from the beginning.

[you want to be with her all the time].

……Again..

[you can’t help but be touched by her every gesture].

That is true.

[You feel a strong desire to do something to help her.]

True.

[And this is too much……for some of us. It certainly doesn’t apply to me either. …..It would be heartbreaking if the other person was befriending another man.]

As I came to realize. I was holding my own chest.

Oh, this. I really–

“……Souta kun? What’s wrong?”

I removed my hand from my chest and looked at Nagi.

“No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

I put my hand back to Nagi’s head. Nagi, who had been in a daze, closed her eyelids immediately and fell asleep.

After watching it, I took a long breath.

I wonder if I should have realized it now.

Am I glad to realize it?

Nagi’s phobia of men is slowly getting better. What if I tell Nagi how I feel right now?

…..I don’t know what will happen.

I’m sure Nagi doesn’t hate me. But I don’t know if she…..likes me.

No, I want to  think that she….likes me.

As I thought before, Nagi is very close to me. …..So close that she sleep defenselessly on my lap like this.

But isn’t that just because she trusts me because I’m her friend…..?

If I tell her that I like her…..that trust will be broken.

Oh, no. I can’t think straight.

I looked down at her. My eyes met with the blue gaze staring at me, and my shoulders jumped.

“…Souta kun?”

“N-Nagi. Are you awake? You can still sleep.”

At my words, however, Nagi shook her head.

“I just woke up, but Souta kun seemed to be thinking about something. ……Is something wrong?”

“……No, it’s nothing. Never mind.”

I shook my head. I can’t discuss this with Nagi.

It’s been decided.

I patted Nagi’s head and held her hand. Nagi smiled and squeezed my hand back.

Even if Nagi doesn’t like me. I just have to make her.

I need to sort out my mind a little.

I’ll definitely come up with an answer soon.