Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330649941556887/episodes/16817330663577639429
The sound of flipping books echoed in the room.
At the same time, her blue, oceanic eyes move from top to bottom.
Occasionally, she would stop moving, as if thinking. She stared at the words and put her hand on her chin.
[I’ve been buying more and more books lately that I haven’t read yet]
Those words were the start of a conversation.
Of course I like our time together. To my delight, Nagi thinks so too.
But I also value my alone time and hobbies. I told her that I wanted her to read without worrying about me.
I thought she would read alone in her room, but Nagi started reading in the living room.
As for me, it doesn’t matter what she reads
I did some light housework while Nagi was reading, and when I came back, she tapped me next to her with her hand, so here I am next to her.
“……”
Nagi continues reading silently. However, her hair seems to be growing a little longer and her bangs are getting in the way. She changed her position several times, trying to let her hair flow behind her.
I thought for a while and looked at the desk……there it was. black hairpin.
I had rarely seen it used since we came here, but I heard she used it a lot at home. Especially when reading books.
I think she probably forgot about it today and couldn’t take her eyes and hands off the book as she was reading.
I was about to call out to her, but then I reconsidered, thinking that if this was a good moment, I would end up distracting her.
When I was shown this hairpin, I only saw her put it on once.
….Can I do it? No. Let’s try it while I look it up.
I’ll hold the hairpin while I look it up on my phone.
Nagi’s bangs. I gently lay my finger on the center of it. No response. She must be concentrating that much.
Let’s see. Twist the hair from here. I see. So take it to the back in line with the flow of the hair.
If I fasten it from the back with this….I could do it. Now I just need to pull the side of the bangs to the ear.
Done. Maybe it’s a big deal.—
“……”
Nagi was still reading a book. She was concentrating.
She also has big bangs. The impression had already changed considerably.
The forehead, which is usually hidden, became apparent. It’s not that she is doing anything wrong. I was just trying to make it easier for Nagi to read the book.
And yet. What is it? What is this feeling?
I keep staring at Nagi, while holding my chest, which is getting restless. Staring.
I wonder how many minutes have passed. The sound of the clock ticking, the sound of Nagi turning the page, and the sound of my heartbeat.
“……Phew.”
Nagi let out a small breath and looked up.
“Thank you. It’s a really nice place……..? Souta kun?”
I found myself looking away from Nagi.
Calm down. Calm down.
“W-what’s wrong? Perhaps it’s not good that I’ve been ignoring you for a while”
“No, no. I knew you were focused on the book.”
After getting a little confused. A small voice squeezed out from my throat as I thought about it.
“Well, when you raise your bangs, the atmosphere changes. It’s cute.”
“……!”
I always think Nagi is lovely and beautiful. I even put it into words as much as I can.
But if the atmosphere changes, it becomes so difficult to say.
Her face is awfully hot. I don’t want to make the excuse that I turned up the heat too much.
Nagi looked at me and let out a small smile.
“Is that so?”
“N-Nagi? The book.”
“I got to the end of the book. It’s all right.”
Nagi places the book between the tables. She gently placed her beautiful white palm on my cheek.
We can make eye contact. Nagi’s face was right in front of mine—
“Fufu”
She looked so happy.
“I’m so happy.”
She said so herself and put her hand that was on my cheek to her own cheek.
“Although it may be a coincidence, Souta kun gave me a hairstyle that Souta kun thinks is cute. There’s no reason I can’t be happy about it.”
Nagi’s eyes lit up with a warm and gentle light. Her hand rubbed her cheeks to hide the loosening of her cheeks.
At that moment, Nagi’s eyebrows twitched.
“Ah, I’ve got an idea.”
The hand went into her pocket and took out a certain thing.
It’s a blue hair tie, just like Nagi’s eyes.
“Let me touch your hair.”
“Y-yeah.”
Nagi touched my bangs and I felt a slight tugging sensation.
“Okay, it’s done.”
Nagi nodded in satisfaction.
I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture.
“We’re matching !”
I was reflected there—my bangs were tied up with a hair tie.
“Let’s take a moment to take a picture together ! Hikaru chan also taught me how to take selfies !”
How’s that? I nod at the eyes that ask me, and do as I’m asked and take a picture of the two of us.
“Look, Souta kun, we’re matching !”
She looked happy. Nagi is smiling really happily.
My heart is beating fast and strong. My face is getting hotter and hotter.
And unlike usual, my face is not hidden at all. Even my forehead must be reddening.
Nagi looked at me again and gave me a small smile.
“We’re matching, you know. Souta kun.”
Her face comes closer. I felt a warm, soft touch enveloping my body.
But it was only for a moment.
“Ah, it’s a little hard to hear and feel…..in this state, isn’t it?”
I tilted my head, not knowing what she was talking about. Nagi put her hands behind her back.
I heard a sound as if something was removed.
“N-Nagi?”
“You’ll understand better this way.”
Nagi’s words were like a mumble. It reached my ears.
I turned away from it, but deep down inside, an evil feeling was growing in my heart. I forced myself to meditate.
My emotions were screaming, [What am I doing now?].
The sound of clothes rustling in my ears echoed in my head, and I felt that the time was very long.
And then, abruptly, the time came to an end.
“……”
I felt a hand on my back, and I felt a pull.
“Souta kun”
I opened my eyes as my name was being called. There was a face in front of me.
And–I could feel my heart beating strong and fast. From the depths of softness.
“We’re together. I’m also full of excitement. Actually, it started when Souta kun touched my hair.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t mind it and it didn’t bother me.”
She pressed her forehead to mine. Normally it would hit my hair too, but now we have both hair up so it doesn’t hit me.
“Besides, I have an idea.”
“Idea?”
“Yes.”
Nagi has finally left—and maybe I’m being rude to her by saying that. I don’t feel bad or anything like that. It’s just that my spirit was very worn out.
I turned away from the white thing on her lap and concentrated on her raised hand.
“I have a favor to ask of you, Souta kun.”
Nagi said to me, her long hair that reached her back in a bun. Her eyes were fixed on me.
“I want you to set my hair.”
The words were delivered abruptly.
I could only gulp, as the honorifics had been forgotten.
“H-hair?”
“-Yeah. I want you to try out different hairstyles and find one that Souta kun likes.”
Nagi smiled gently at me.
“B-but. Um, I’ve never done anything like that.”
“Fufu. Even though Souta kun was the one who did this?”
Nagi’s eyes look up. It is obvious that it is the pin that holds her bangs in place.
“Souta kun touched me–it made me happy.”
“……”
My heart is shaken rapidly. It seemed like something was going to happen.
I took a deep breath――but every time I took a deep breath, the sweet scent of flowers tickled my nostrils and my brain.
I was getting dizzy, not knowing if I was breathing too much or not enough oxygen.
Nagi’s hand pressed against my forehead.
Little by little, the warmth of her hand reminded me of how to breathe.
“……Nagi.”
She looked at me with concern in her eyes, but with a hint of happiness in them.
“Well, that, that’s still a little hard for me. I’m too happy.”
“Fufu I see. I tried it too, but it felt really weird. If you try to do it intentionally.”
I look at Nagi, who never breaks a smile. I thought for a moment and said the words that came to mind.
“Nagi, aren’t you getting cuter day by day?”
“….Fwueh?”
“I don’t know what to say. But I think so.”
It’s not my imagination.
Because this has never happened before.
Nagi’s cuteness makes me forget how to breathe. Not figuratively, but for a few seconds. No, I forgot how to breathe for tens of seconds.
“I-is that so?”
Nagi’s cheeks turn red like apples. I don’t want anyone to see this expression. I even want to keep it to myself.
“L-let’s get back to the topic.”
If things continue like this, I risk being swallowed up by my swelling emotions.
She probably doesn’t have that intention, and if I get swallowed up by what’s rising from the depths of my heart…I feel like Nagi would be able to take it all in. No, let’s leave that aside for now.
“About the hair thing. If it’s okay with Nagi, I’d like to give it a go.”
“……!”
“I like to touch Nagi’s hair. But it’s more than that.”
I reached out my hand and touched her bangs. Be gentle so it doesn’t fall apart.
“I thought it would be fun. Being able to change Nagi’s hairstyle is something I’d like to see if I can see a different side of Nagi.”
“Yes !”
Of course, I like the usual Nagi.
“Then let’s try it tomorrow !”
“Yeah.”
I thought this is one of the advantages of living together, and my cheeks relaxed.
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