Chapter 25: Mom’s ideas is terrifying.

Translator: Soafp

Tl: i accidentally put 26 before 25 mb

---

“Towa-kun,…… I love you, I really love you”

I wryly smile at Ayana who is rubbing her forehead against my chest. When we’re alone, Ayana often clings to me like this. She seems to be holding back in public, but when we’re at each other’s houses like now, she lets loose.

“You’re a spoiled brat, really.”

“It’s limited to Towa-kun. Besides, ……, I’m marking my existence to you more and more!”

“Marking? You’re not a dog.”

“I can be a dog if Towa-kun wants me to be a dog.　Wan♪”

..Not good, the destructive force feels like it’s about to open some strange door. And in times like this, Ayana’s sharpness can be a bit troublesome. She’s sensitive to my slightest movements or emotions. In other words, she noticed that my heart was moved by the dog’s imitation just now.

She smirked a little and now took a cat-like stance, holding her hands in front of her head.

“Or do you prefer cats instead? Ny~an♪”

With a wink, she threw me that question, and I found myself seriously pondering over it. To me, dogs and cats are both adorable creatures, and I have no preference over one or the other. But when Ayana, who is already cute and beautiful, makes such animal noises and movements, it stirs something inside of me as a man.

In her four-legged position, she made a provocative expression, and I lightly tickled her chin with my hand.

“Good girl, good girl.”

You know, that’s what I often do to cats.

“Hmm…purrr♪”

…Are you really a cat?

It’s no wonder that a mischievous thought sprouted in me when I saw Ayana enjoying the chin tickling. However, just then, my phone rang, interrupting us. So I had to let go of Ayana for now. She looked disappointedly at my retreating hand and then leaned forward again, as if to ask for more attention.

“…Mom?”

Using all my energy to focus on the call and ignoring Ayana’s affectionate posture, I answered the phone.

“Hello?”

[Hi, sorry for calling you all of a sudden.]

“It’s okay. What’s up?”

[I’m on my way back now, is Ayana-chan nearby?]

“Yeah, Ayana is….”

“??”

I reply to my mother while staring at Ayana, who blinks her eyes at the mention of her name.

“She is right beside me”

“….Hoho, did I happen to call at a bad time?”

“I see. Well, let’s talk about it when I get home. After all, there will be “one more person” there.”

“What do you mean by one more person?”

What do you mean, one person? Mom’s words continue as I have no idea what she is talking about.

[We’re having shabu-shabu today, so can you wash the pot and serve it?　Tell Ayana to eat it with us. See you later.]

“Wait, what are—“

　The phone rang off.

　Mom, who sometimes makes outlandish suggestions, did so again today.

“What’s wrong?”

　I told Ayana exactly what my mother had told me.

“Shabu-shabu? …… is fine with me, but I’ll have to tell my mother.”

　Apparently, she wasn’t going to refuse.

　She tried to call Seina-san, but she couldn’t get through, so she decided to use a message to tell her.

“That should work.”

“I’m sorry for the suddenness.”

It’s totally fine. Mom’s gotten a lot nicer lately, so I’m sure she won’t get mad at me.”

“Yeah…….”

　I’ve seen her a few times since then, but she’s changed so much that I’m not sure if she’s really the same person as the Seina-san of the past. When I visit her, she often gives me sweets such as juice and cakes. Moreover, not only cakes, but cookies and other sweets are said to be Seina-san’s homemade.

“My mother seems really happy when Towa-kun comes to visit us,…… so sometimes I think it’s convenient for her, but now that I know that she was suffering, I think I can forgive her.”

“…I see.”

Although the words were directed towards Towa-kun, it was also a curse that continued to bind Ayana. However, because I had overcome my own past, it had become something Ayana could also overcome. It was because Ayana had said she would move forward with me that she probably didn’t care about it anymore.

But…what concerned me a little was…

“Suffering?”

“…Ah.”

I wonder what Ayana meant by saying that Seina-san was suffering.

Ayana seemed flustered, her eyes swimming. Should she say it or not…Well, I wasn’t trying to pry. So for now, I’ll let this go and if she sorts out her thoughts, she can tell me later.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to say it. Let me know when you’ve gathered your thoughts.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Alright, let’s end this topic for now.

It’s been a while since Mom called, but…oh? I hear the sound of a car coming home. It seems my mother has returned.

“I’m home~!”

Her energetic voice could be heard from here.

Ayana and I headed to the entrance to greet my mother, and were surprised by the unexpected visitor.

“G-good evening Towa-kun. Hello, Ayana.”

Following my mother, standing there was none other than Seina-san.

Even though Seina-san and I have reconciled, I’m sure there are still some lingering feelings between Mom and Seina-san. And yet, how is it …… that they are together?

“I just happened to meet her while shopping. And I thought it was a good opportunity to invite her over.”

I wonder what’s going on. As someone who knows my mother’s extravagance, it’s not surprising. But from the look on Seina-san’s face, she was probably brought here against her will…haa.

“Hey, Mom.”

“What?”

“I’ll give you a lecture later.”

“?!”

Thus, dinner at our house with Ayana, my mother, Seina-san, and I was suddenly decided.