Chapter 106: I wish I could

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Translator: Soafp

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The time was just before 7 p.m.

It was a complete change from an hour ago.

“Prepare yourself!”

“CLANK CLANK CLANK (super cringey introverted cyborg).”

“Take that!!”

“CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK (full endurance mode).”

There was Kanon-chan, full of energy, now actively “attacking” me (things had escalated).

“You can't attack, huh?”

“Uhh… (confused).”

Apparently, just being the victim wasn't enough to satisfy her anymore. But come on, there's no way I could attack a five-year-old.

…Am I stuck? No—wait—

“—Behold, my ultimate Moonwalk technique! (makes no sense).”

“Waaah!!”

“Huh?”

“Kyaa kyaaa.”

I was just trying to intimidate her a little with my moves, but… she's absolutely loving it.

I can't believe it's this entertaining for her.

“Now that I think about it—”

Dancing isn't exclusive to humans. Birds, for instance, sway their bodies while singing to attract mates.

Yes—that's it. Every living thing has the rhythm of dance flowing through their veins. To dance is to live (as per my personal bible: “The Art of Dance” │ selected quote).

Wait a second. Doesn't that make it sound like I'm trying to attract her? (creepy).

Help, police!

“Do more, do more!”

“At your service… (salutes with respect).”

Well, anyway, it's great that Kanon-chan's having fun.

Though, it kind of feels like she's literally making me dance for her amusement (laughs).

“Icchi-Nii, is there something funny?”

“Oh, sorry about that.”

Dance time! (giving in to the chaos).

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[Momo PoV]

“—Good evening!”

“Welcome. You're late.”

“Yeah, I was chatting with my mom for a bit.”

8 p.m.

After eating dinner with my family, I headed over to Ayanon's place. I ended up arriving a little late.

I wonder if Icchi's still here—oh, there's his shoes. He's still around.

“I already ate, though…”

“That's fine! I ate at home, too.”

“Good. Then no problem.”

“Yeah! I didn't do my homework, though!”

“Fufu, I figured as much.”

“Huh? Let's do it together later, okay?”

Walking from the entrance to the living room with Ayanon, the familiar smell of the Kisaragi household was comforting. I've been coming here since middle school.

Now that I think about it, has anyone besides me ever come over as Ayanon's friend?

When I think about it, Icchi is amazing—

“—So!”

“W-What's up with you all of a sudden?”

“Where's Icchi?”

“Oh, Toumachi-kun? He's in the bedroom.”

“What?”

I didn't see him in the living room, so he was upstairs.

“Just the two of them?”

“Of course. Mom's coming home much later.”

“…Are you sure that's okay?”

I mean, I don't think Icchi's into little kids, but can he really keep his cool with that much cuteness in front of him?

I know I couldn't.

“Stop stomping around.”

“B-but still!”

I hurried up the slightly steep stairs to that room.

“Wait, what?”

Inside the tatami-floored room, there was a single futon laid out—and there they were, quietly sleeping side by side.

“Kanon-chan and… Icchi?”

“Yeah, they're sleeping together. It's getting late, and he looked pretty tired.”

“Sleeping, huh. But, wait… that position…”

Icchi was just sleeping normally, but Kanon-chan was cuddling his head tightly with both arms, like she was wrapping her whole body around a precious gemstone.

“Uhh… ahh…”

Meanwhile, Icchi's breathing? Sounded kind of strained, though… but still.

“That's not okay!”

“Eh?”

“Look, look! Icchi's face is pressing into Kanon-chan's soft tummy!”

“Fufu, don't worry. I know he's not ‘that kind' of guy.”

“…But still.”

“They get along so well, don't they?”

“…Yeah.”

I hate this. Looking at Kanon-chan like that, I can't help but feel a bit uneasy.

Why am I feeling this way toward a five-year-old?

…I wish I could do that with Icchi, too—

“Hey, hey, Momo, wait a second!”

This isn't about having any inappropriate feelings.

I'm just waking him up from this situation.

It's not like I want to touch him or anything.

“……”

Quietly, without making a sound, I approached him and crouched down.

The scent here is different from the familiar smell of my own home.

His face, peacefully breathing in his sleep.

“Wake up~…”

As gently as I could, softly.

Secretly hoping he wouldn’t wake up.

“……”

I placed my hand on his slightly broad back and shoulder.

Just touching that warmth made my heart pound loudly.

“Come on, wake up~…”

Even knowing this, I couldn't stop.

I wanted to see him closer. Even though my breath might wake him up.

Leaning in as close as possible, I whispered in his ear, trying to keep my voice small.

“……”

His rainbow-colored hair.

Not just his ear, but his closed eyes, nose, lips—everything about him was so close right now.

That realization made me feel unbearably embarrassed.

“…Rainbow…!”

“Ugh!”

“!”

At that moment, still asleep, Kanon-chan hugged Icchi even tighter.

His head moved away.

Even though he was so close, it felt like he was slipping further away, like he was leaving me behind.

“……”

“Hey, Momo?”

“It's nothing. Looks like he won't wake up for a while, so let's do our homework~.”

“Huh? Yeah, they've been playing together for quite some time, so he's probably exhausted.”

“…I see.”

Suppressing the surge of emotions, I started to descend the stairs.

Ugh, I hate this.

It's just Kanon-chan. Why am I getting so irritated?

This isn't just about being childish.

In the first place… Icchi is just a friend.

These feelings are weird… and yet—

“Ah! I think I dropped my phone in the room earlier.”

“Huh?”

“Go ahead to the living room without me!”

“What are you even doing…?”

“A-ahaha~.”

I turned on my heel and headed back to the bedroom.

I tried to stay calm, but my hands and feet were trembling.

“……”

I lied without thinking.

I'm the worst.

But I couldn't stop myself.

“I… I want to…”

If Kanon-chan can hold him like that, then… I should be allowed to hug Icchi, too.

Just a light hug between friends. It's just a friendly gesture. So, surely—

“—Huh!?”

“…Momo? You're here.”

“Oh, uh, yeah…”

“Good morning!”

“G-good morning…”

I quietly entered the bedroom.

Upon arriving, Kanon-chan’s voice reached me, pulling me back to my senses in an instant.

“Icchi-Nii is still sleeping, so shhh!”

“O-okay. Sorry…”

When I stepped in, there he was.

Resting his rainbow-colored head on Kanon-chan's lap.

“Ah… Polo… was… upper class… but now… just…”

Unlike before.

He looked so comfortable, even talking in his sleep.

“Rainbow Icchi-Nii~♪”

And right in front of me.

Watching Kanon-chan stroke his hair was too much to bear.

“…Icchi, you idiot…”

Quietly, so he wouldn't hear.

I let out the frustration I had been holding back.