Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093092067930254/episodes/16818093094358877402
“Hey, darling. Let’s hold hands.”
At the supermarket on the way home from the school. Hoshirobe holds out her hand to me as I’m going home to buy some groceries. Hoshirobe smiled happily as she held out one of her free hands.
My hands are full because one of them is holding the shopping basket. It is a little difficult to move, but if Hoshirobe seems happy, it is okay.
“What do you want to eat today?”
“Well, I’m a little tired, so I want something with a strong flavor.”
“Then I’ll have gingerbread. Come on, let’s go.”
Pulling Hoshirobe by the hand, I headed for the meat section. I have to keep an eye on the special sale section along the way. One of the tips for living alone is to be frugal.
“……fufu”
“What’s up? Did you find anything interesting?”
“No, it’s just that we’re really like a married couple, shopping together. It’s not bad to be able to experience the not-so-distant future.”
“Don’t joke. I’m going to finish my shopping quickly before my acquaintances find out about it.”
Hoshirobe, who was holding my hand, looked happy from start to finish. If I had told the me of a few years ago that I would be able to see her with a smile on her face, I’m sure I would have been truly surprised.
I am honestly surprised that I was able to break down her iron mask so much, as if she had lived up to her name. It was something that both made me happy and made me feel regretful that I could not turn back, and my heart could not calm down.
“Hey darling, can I kiss you?”
“Are you a kiss freak?”
▼▽
[…I heard he’s found someone he likes]
She muttered with an emotionless expression.
She should have been so happy that her wish had finally come true and she was able to date her beloved senior, but seeing her in despair made me shudder and at the same time I was reminded of the cruelty of the world and the fleeting nature of youth.
Although I didn’t understand it at the time, I understand it painfully now. Being rejected by the person you love and being saddled with the person you love is not a pleasant thing. All the experiences and sacrifices you have made in order to achieve that happiness are being ignored. It would have been impossible to understand.
At the time, I just wanted to encourage her, and I remember I did my best to speak words of encouragement to her to hold her back as she was about to fly away if I didn’t hold on to her. The irony is that it may now be a curse.
“I borrowed your shower, darling. What’s wrong with your daze?”
I was fishing around in the memory cupboard for a bit when Hoshirobe, who had just finished taking a shower, came up behind me and hugged me. She rested her chin on my shoulder and asked me how I was doing.
“Hoshirobe, I’m cooking. Sit down and be quiet.”
“It’s okay, just a little. Suuuu…darling smells nice.”
I heard a sniffing sound from around my neck. At the same time, I could smell the faint scent of shampoo. It didn’t bother me much when I was wearing it, but I couldn’t help but feel like it smelled even better when Hoshirobe was using it. Could there really be such a big difference between men and women?
I ask Hoshirobe to sit down and I serve the ginger yaki I just finished. Hoshirobe’s plate is a large serving. I offer it to Hoshirobe, who is waiting for it, along with the white rice, and I sit down and join
“”Itadakimasu.””
I take a bite of the ginger yaki. The aroma of ginger spreading in my mouth and the umami of pork that comes with a thump. I guess I did well.
When I raise my eyes to Hoshirobe, I see that she is still moving her chopsticks to her mouth without stopping. From the smiling expression on her face, it looks like it suits her palate.
“Fufu, darling’s cooking is delicious… I want to eat it every day… Ah, this is a marriage proposal.”
“I’ll politely decline. I mean, what’s with that ‘darling’ thing? It makes me feel awkward…”
“Eeeh~? It’s nice to feel like I’m the only one. You can call me “my honey” too.”
“I’ll politely decline that too. What happened to your gyaru character? You were really getting into it.”
“I want to be honest with myself in front of my darling. Understand that.”
Turning away slightly, Hoshirobe muttered shyly. That very teasing appearance directly attacked my heart.
My heart jumped out of my chest and began to pulse violently. I was so surprised that I thought she was cute that I involuntarily let my gaze wander through the air.
“…… darling, are you embarrassed? You’re aware of me. I’m so happy”
“S-Shut up. Who’s that..”
“I’m being honest with you, so you should be honest with me too. I don’t have to be the best, just keep me by your side.”
This girl is trying to depend on me whenever she gets the chance. There’s no room for complacency.
In order to return the atmosphere, which had begun to move in a suspicious direction, to normal, and to settle things with the past, I calmed down and asked her a question.
“…… Hey, Hoshirobe. Do you remember what I said to you on that day when you were rejected by senpai?”
“…… ah.”
Hoshirobe’s voice is vague as to whether she remembers or not. I waited for her next words.
Hoshirobe said as if she was trying to squeeze out a word.
“What is it ……?”
“You can’t remember. …… I’ve lost money worrying about unnecessary things.’”
“…Did I do something to make you worry?”
“…I met Guren at the welcoming party. He said that maybe my words had made you who you are now, and it made me a little worried. …It’s no laughing matter if a casual remark tells you the reason you’re trapped in the past.”
“…It’s my own fault that I dyed my hair like this and changed my character. I’m not doing it because of you, darlin’. However, if you care about it, it’s not so bad if it’s your fault.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her reply, as usual. I had always encouraged her, but I never thought that the time would come when I would be encouraged by Hoshirobe.
“I’m worried about you too. …Are you stuck in the past? Are you living in the present?”
Hoshirobe’s question made me think a little. My past, as I thought about it, reminded me of my home. I was not sure if I had escaped from the curse of the past.
Maybe I should face it once to break the curse.
“…… sounds fishy.”
“I see. It’s not good to be stuck in the past. You used to say that, didn’t you darling? If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it.”
“That’s very encouraging. You’re a good girl. For now, please behave yourself.”
“Then, do you want to kiss me?”
“No, I won’t…”
I was just about to say that when Hoshirobe’s face came right in front of me. I was hit by a surprise blow, and I stopped moving in shock.
“Fufu, thank you for the food. We’ll continue after we finish eating, okay?”
I spent a while in agony in the afterglow of the kiss
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !