The cultural festival at Amane's school was not fully opened to the public; it was limited only to family and friends. They had to request for an invitation,
Of course, there was a limited number of tickets per person.
This measure was simply because it had not been peaceful recently, and there were incidents of visitors being violent in school. A student's safety was priority, even though it was a festival, and thus the decision.
"I do not have anyone I can invite."
It was after dinner, and Mahiru flatly muttered as she looked at the invitation list distributed by the school.
She was dubbed the Angel, adored by the masses, but she hardly went out to make friends. Even in middle school, she had no one she could call an intimate friend.
The other option besides friends was her parents; her father aside, she definitely would never invite her mother. Truth be told, she came to the conclusion that there was no one she could invite, simply because she was unwilling to invite her parents.
"I do not have anyone on close terms that I can invite out, so this has nothing to do with me. The people I am better terms with are all at school, so you do not have to worry."
"Same here...ah wait, mom's going to yap a lot if I don't mention this..."
"Will Shihoko-san and Shuuto-san be attending too?"
"I hid it from them last year, and got yapped at for so long."
Shihoko made quite a ridiculous fuss when she found out.
Given her personality, she would definitely go all out on the skinship with Amane, even in public, and it would be embarrassing for him to have a clingy mother even in high school. Also, he did not want to let others see how lovey-dovey his parents were.
'It's the cultural festival soon', it seemed she remembered about it this year as she sent this message. She was definitely asking for tickets.
"I reminded them not to be so open about that before inviting them."
"Ah-ahaha."
Mahiru too knew full well how Shihoko and Shuuto would flirt openly, and gave a wry smile.
"Hmm, I'll be inviting them. It's quite some distance from my hometown to here, and I don't really have anyone I'm on really good terms with."
"I see."
Even when recovered, the old ailments could flare up again. It was akin to tying a bomb onto the waist. She could not work, and could not get careless.
"She is staying with her daughter and son-in-law. I do not wish to call her over because I am worried about her. There are not many places for her to rest in school, and she does stay far away. I really cannot bring myself to have her make a trip here."
"I see. That's a pity."
"Yes."
It was obvious from Mahiru's face that she really admired the housemaker.
Amane too wanted to meet the person who shaped Mahiru's living ability and personality, to thank her. It was unlikely to happen however due to health issues.
"I find it a pity too that I can't greet the person who took care of you. Maybe I should give her a holler in the future?"
"Eh, gr-greet?"
"Yes. She is like your mother, right?"
"...Yes."
"Then I should pay her a visit."
Amane had basically declared to Mahiru's father that he would take her in, and was recognized for that. He should also pay attention to the mother who took care of her.
Mahiru herself was under the great care of the housekeeper, who went far beyond her duties to love Mahiru. It would be rude to the magnanimous person to sweep away the daughter without informing her.
"We'll think about it in the future then. It's rude to make a sudden visit, so let's get the chance to write a letter...Mahiru?"
"N-nothing."
"Doesn't feel like it from your face."
"It is is nothing."
Mahiru stuffed her favorite cushion onto Amane's face, blocking his sights,goodness me,and he chuckled as he let her be.
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