V3Ch4: Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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After a little while, Mom and Seina-san revived, and the lively shabu-shabu party resumed. Needless to say, both Mom and Seina-san, despite dabbling in the shabu-shabu, didn’t stop their alcohol intake… the rest is self-explanatory.

“…Munyaa”

“Suu… Suu…”

Both mothers lay on the table as if collapsing. They had eaten quite a bit and drank just as much alcohol, so it was only natural for them to end up like this. Especially considering that despite already drinking quite a bit when she clung to me earlier, Seina-san’s continued intake of alcohol was incredible.

“I guess Mom will have a hangover tomorrow.”

“Maybe… And they made quite a mess.”

Well, hosting a shabu-shabu party would naturally lead to this kind of situation.

“Mom and Seina-san… they’re beyond saving now, so let’s clean up ourselves.”

“Got it.”

So, we started cleaning up, trying not to wake up Mom and Seina-san.

“…It was fun.”

Yeah… Tonight’s dinner was more enjoyable than usual. Usually, it’s just Mom and me having dinner together, occasionally joined by Ayana. So, having just the four of us isn’t that unusual, but it’s been a while since it was as lively as today.

“Towa-kun.”

“What?”

“You look a bit lonely, you know?”

…Yare yare (Good grief), Ayana really knows me well.

“I guess I am… It wasn’t often that it got that noisy.”

“Me too. Even when it’s just you, me, and Akemi-san, it’s not as loud.”

While the three of us can get loud too, it’s not as much as today.

“But, watching the two of them drunk was fun.”

“Fufu, me too. And seeing Mom get drunk like that, I feel a bit relieved.”

“…And you, Ayana.”

“Yes?”

“Was today… a good day for you?”

The answer to that question was obvious.

Even so, I wanted to hear it from Ayana herself. So, I asked her, and she looked at me, smiled, and nodded.

“It was more than just great… It was a day that made me realize I’ve been wishing for this moment for a long time.”

“I see… Haha, that’s good to hear.”

“…………”

Ayana stopped speaking and paused from washing the dishes.

“Ayana?”

She dried her hands with a towel and then suddenly came around behind me, wrapping her arms around me.

It made washing the dishes a bit awkward, but I didn’t mind. If she wanted to hold me like this, I’d let her.

“Towa-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“…Thank you.”

“Ou.”

I wonder what she’s thanking me for… I have too many guesses, but I guess I don’t need to ask. It’s just something that I know.”

“Towa-kun, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I love you so, so much.”

“Ah… I guess I feel the same.”

“Say it properly with words.”

“You’re such a spoiled princess.”

“But you think I’m cute, right, Towa-kun?”

“I mean, yeah.”

I firmly affirmed that. In response, her arms tightened around me even more, putting a bit more pressure on my stomach, but not enough to be uncomfortable.

“For me, for you, for Mom and Seina-san… If today was a good day for all of us, then I’m happy.”

As I was about to resume washing the dishes, I caught Mom observing us. Our eyes met, and she quickly averted her gaze.

“What are you doing, Mom?”

“Eh!?”

“Ahaha, busted, huh…”

Mom laughed awkwardly.

“How long have you been awake?”

“I swear! It was just a moment ago!”

“Akemi-san…”

“Ayana-chan, don’t give me that look! I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose!”

No no, that’s not very convincing, is it?

But, given the circumstances, it’s not surprising she was watching, and I can’t blame her since I thought she was still asleep.

“Mou, what is going on~…”

Due to the slight commotion, Seina-san also woke up. However, she seemed a bit dazed and, after briefly staring at us, promptly fell back asleep.

“Anyway…we are going to cleaning up.”

“Yeah, Mom, please just stay put.”

“Y~es!”

“Acting like a child…”

As I teased Mom, we resumed cleaning up, and with Ayana’s help, we finished quickly.

“Impressive as always, Ayana. You’re fast and accurate.”

“Fufu… This is all part of my bride training. I’ve been doing it happily, reminding myself that I need to be a bride worthy of you, Towa-kun.”

Please don’t suddenly say embarrassing things like that… Especially not with Mom watching and smiling… Yes, yes, we get it, just enjoy watching us!

“Towa’s charm strikes again♪”

“Oh?”

“…Sorry.”

“Oh! Akemi-san succumbs to Towa-kun’s greatness!”

“Ayana seems to be having so much fun!”

Their smiles never fade… They never fade, but it’s so exhausting!!

Despite being stared at by Mom with a smile the whole time, Ayana and I completed the chores. Then, I lifted up the sleeping Seina-san.

“Heave-ho.”

It’s what you’d call the princess carry.

Whether this was the best option or not, I figured it would be easier for me to carry her than for the ladies… However, I can’t help but wonder why Ayana and Mom look so envious as they watch me carrying Seina-san.

“I’m jealous…”

“Towa’s princess carry… I’m envious.”

“…………”

Seina-san will be sleeping in Mom’s room.

Due to the sudden turn of events, we haven’t had a chance to clean the other rooms, and we can’t exactly have guests, especially Seina-san’s mother, sleeping on the living room sofa. Let me handle this.

Upon entering the room, Mom was already preparing the futon. Since the sheets were freshly washed, Seina-san should have no problem sleeping.

“Fue~… I’m going to bed too… zzz…”

“….Eh? You’re already asleep?”

“Zzz… zzz…”

Just as I thought Mom had laid Seina-san down to sleep, Mom herself, with lightning speed, had fallen asleep.

“Isn’t that a bit too fast…”

“Truly a divine skill…”

Using the term ‘divine skill’ for something like this isn’t quite appropriate, Ayana.

Without even taking a bath, both Mom and Seina-san had fallen asleep. Well, considering they didn’t change clothes, there’s nothing to be done about it, but… It’s quite a lesson to see the fate of those swallowed up by alcohol.

“Hey, Ayana.”

“Yes?”

“When we grow up and start drinking, let’s be careful, okay?”

“Fufu… Sure thing♪”

We still have a few more years until we reach the legal drinking age of twenty. But just imagining the day when I can drink with this precious and beloved girl… Haha.

“What’s up?”

“I was just imagining drinking with you, Ayana. I wonder if we’ll still be as lovey-dovey even when we’re that age.”

“Of course we will!”

In Ayana’s mind, our relationship is a given.

“There’s nothing else to do now, right?”

“Yeah. All that’s left is to take a bath and go to bed.”

“In that case, let’s bathe together? Let’s wash each other♪”

“Got it.”

Even suggesting bathing together, she’s truly something. My girlfriend and future wife, isn’t she adorable!

“Towa-kun, you’re grinning.”

“I was thinking about you.”

“Then think about me even more♪”

Yes, with that smile directed at me, once again, I couldn’t help but think she’s cute.

Afterward, we bathed together, and even though it’s a place for washing, it’s inevitable that we’ll end up sweating a little.

“Aah… Feels refreshing.”

“It was nice in more ways than one♪”

Ah… Yeah, you’re right.

We’re still far from feeling like our night is over. In fact, Ayana and I are both completely satisfied with today.

“Fuwaa…”

“Feeling sleepy?”

Ayana nodded and slowly lay down on the bed. Even though she was looking at me, her eyelids seemed to be closing, and she looked very sleepy.

“Want to sleep?”

“No, I don’t want to sleep without Towa-kun’s warmth.”

Her words and the way she said them are incredibly cute, but she’s already closing her eyes.

“Zzz… Zzz…”

“You’re falling asleep already?”

It’s as fast as Mom a moment ago!

I watched Ayana’s sleeping face for a while, but gradually, I started feeling sleepy too, so I guess I’ll go to sleep.

As I slipped into bed to avoid waking Ayana, she clung to me as if I were the perfect pillow.

“Ehehe.”

Ayana giggled mischievously as she pressed her face against my neck, gently licking it with her tongue.

With her legs intertwined with mine, she effectively blocked any escape route, showing her intent to continue licking me as she pleased.

“Ayana?”

“……”

“You’re awake, aren’t you?”

“Ara, caught me, huh?”

But her acting skills were impressive, considering I thought she was completely asleep. Opening her eyes, she smiled sweetly… but then quickly closed them again, looking sleepy.

“Well… I’ve reached my limit. I’m really, really sleepy.”

“Oh, seriously?”

“Yes… I tried to stay awake just to tease you, but I can’t do it anymore.”

With that, about thirty seconds later, Ayana began to breathe deeply, indicating that she had finally fallen asleep for real.

“So many things happened today… Goodnight, Ayana.”

Of course, there was no response. As I lay there, embraced by Ayana’s peaceful sleeping breaths, I closed my eyes, cherishing her presence and feeling the joy she brought me throughout the day.

---

“….Fue, this tea tastes delicious.”

It wasn’t morning when I woke up, just a regular late-night awakening. Since I felt a bit thirsty, I decided to escape from Ayana’s embrace and ended up here in the living room, drinking tea.

“It wasn’t a dream after all… haha.”

Recalling today’s events, even though it’s technically yesterday now, brings a smile to my face.

Just as I was quietly reflecting on things, I heard some noise coming from the hallway, causing me to tense up.

“….What’s going on?”

I chuckled at the thought that the noise could only have been Ayana, Mom, or Seina-san since no one else was around.

I considered the possibility that Ayana had come downstairs from the second floor after realizing I wasn’t there, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Seina-san, is that you?”

“Oh, Towa-kun…?”

As she peeked her head out from the hallway, there stood Seina-san.

Was she coming back from the bathroom? Well, it’s not something you ask a lady, but encountering each other like this late at night does feel a bit awkward. How should I continue this conversation?

It almost feels like a rehearsed encounter, like when I visited Ayana’s house… But this time, Seina-san initiated the conversation.

“So, you’re awake too, Towa-kun?”

“Yeah… I got a bit thirsty.”

“I see. I woke up because I needed to use the restroom.”

“Heh, I see.”

“When I woke up, I was momentarily confused about where I was. But then I saw Akemi’s face… and I remembered.”

Ah, she means Mom…

Come to think of it, both Mom and Seina-san started calling each other by their names at some point… Hearing it again, it makes me really happy that they’ve become close.

“I’m really happy that Mom and Seina-san have become friends.”

“I’m surprised at how easily I’ve come to accept Akemi. Though, I feel like she’s accepted me just as much.”

“Isn’t that because of Seina-san’s personality?”

“Please stop. Even you know how awful my personality can be, Towa-kun.”

“Please refrain from making self-deprecating jokes…”

“Sorry. Talking to you just makes me happy.”

As uncomfortable as it is to hear her self-deprecation, I can’t help but be amused by it.

“Are you not thirsty, Seina-san? How about some tea together?”

“Is it alright? In that case, I’ll have a cup.”

“Yes, I am back!”

“Fufu, what’s that supposed to mean?”

I poured barley tea into a cup and handed it to Seina-san who was giggling.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Taking the cup, Seina-san proceeded to drink it all in one go.

“That’s a nice drink.”

I feel like I could gaze at it for a while, especially with the stars around.

“Beautiful… isn’t it?”

Is there some hidden meaning in those words…?

When our eyes met as I glanced at her, Seina-san smiled innocently, seeming pleased that her mischief had succeeded. But her smile was so much like Ayana’s.

(…She really does have a beautiful smile. At this point, that once intimidating expression seems almost rare.)

Or perhaps it was when she was almost scolded in the city? She seems like a completely different person then… But when I interact with her like this, I realize – this is the real Seina-san.

“Towa-kun?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for today. I’ll tell Ayana again tomorrow, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had such a happy and enjoyable day.”

“Haha, if you say that, it makes me happy too.”

More than anything, receiving such words from her is happiness for me.

I’ve said this time and time again, but it was a chance encounter brought about by my mother…well, in a sense, you could say it was inevitable, but I can only thank my mother for this.

“I’d like… to spend time like this again.”

“We can do this anytime. Please come over whenever you want.”

Hearing this, Seina-san blinked her eyes, placed a hand on her eye area, and turned her face away.

I waited for her to calm down without saying anything and, finally, when she raised her face again, I continued.

“If I hadn’t done anything, I wouldn’t have had the chance to talk to Seina-san like this, and our relationship would have stayed bad. That’s why I’m really happy that we could understand each other like this… I’m internally patting myself on the back, thinking, ‘Good job, me.'”

“Did you really want to get along with me that much?”

“Of course!”

“You’re… you’re so insistent…”

I want her to understand just how determined I was… Well, if it meant we wouldn’t get involved with each other, that would have been fine too, I guess. But I was also a bit scared about that.

“Can I hold onto your arm for a bit?”

“Eh?”

“Is that a no?”

“Um… it’s fine, I guess.”

With a puzzled expression, she nodded, and at that moment, Seina-san hugged my arm.

It felt like she was hugging me tightly to her chest, and an incredibly happy sensation gently enveloped me.

Seina-san nodded with a curious expression and said,

“You seem like a reliable young man. I can understand why Ayana would be so captivated by you.”

“Can I be confident about that?”

“Being by Ayana’s side, you’re like a pillar of confidence. I hope you continue to progress towards marriage.”

“Marriage…”

While I thought it might be too early for that, imagining such a future is just what guys do sometimes. I also occasionally wonder what Ayana would look like in a wedding dress.

“In that case, Towa-kun will become my son.”

“Ayana would be my mother’s daughter.”

“It’s a win-win situation!”

“You seem really happy.”

“I am, I’m ecstatic! Aah, I can’t wait for that day to come!”

Although it’s still a few years away, I mentioned that I’d like it to happen someday. As we continued to gaze at the stars for what seemed like an eternity, I reflected on how precious and happy this moment was.

(Life can take different directions with just one action… that’s what life is about. But it’s also possible to push forward towards the best future you desire. It’s not always about hardship and difficulty… you can also seize a happy future for yourself.)

Thinking about the future, I feel like there’s still so much ahead… I can say with confidence that there definitely is.

While I don’t like to be too confident about such things, I can confidently say that I’m ready for whatever comes my way.

“Ye~s… so I actually became friends with Akemi. That girl who used to be called ‘Yasha of Third Street’ or ‘Yasha Princess’ back then.” [TL: Yasha = Buddhist guardian deities sometimes depicted as demonic warriors]

“…What kind of menacing nickname is that?”

“That’s what they called her in high school. Quite the nickname, don’t you think?”

“My mother… she was called ‘Yasha’? or ‘Yasha Princess’?”

“Ara, you hadn’t heard?”

“I hadn’t… Ayana probably doesn’t know about that nickname either.”

“Maybe it was better not to mention it…”

Yeah, maybe.

Did I really want to know…?

“It sounds interesting, so why not ask her? About being called ‘Yasha of Third Street.'”

“I hope she won’t cry.”

“She might cry from embarrassment.”

I thought about not doing that, but now I had a topic to make fun of her, and it would be fun to ask her about it by surprise.

“…..Suu!”

“What?”

I quickly turned my gaze behind me.

At times like this, I feel like Ayana is standing right behind me, so I turned around, but she wasn’t there, which was a relief.

When I told Seina-san about this, she burst into laughter, holding her stomach as if she found it incredibly amusing.

“Hahaha! I can’t believe that… but it’s so funny because it could totally be true!”

“Yeah, right? …Suu!”

“Suu!”

I even had the feeling that someone might overhear us when we were talking about it!?

Thinking that, I turned my gaze again, but this time Seina-san did the same, seeming to find it amusing.

“Ayana isn’t here, right?”

“No, she’s not.”

With that, we laughed together, and it was time to go to bed.

“Well then, Towa-kun, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

As we parted ways, Seina-san stopped and asked me something.

“Hey, Towa-kun… do I really smell that bad of aging?”

“…………….”

Ayana, I’m really concerned about what you have done.