Chapter 133: At the Kisaragi family home

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Translator: Soafp

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“E-excuse me for intruding…”

“You were just here a moment ago~.”

“Fufu, you’re so funny, Toumachi-kun.”

“…Yeah…”

The time was just before 10 PM. 

Kanon-chan was fast asleep, with no signs of waking up anytime soon.

While I was standing in the doorway, contemplating whether or not I could take off my shoes while still carrying her on my back, Kisaragi-san kindly took Kanon-chan from me.

“Well then, see you next time (sound effect game)—”

“Icchi-nii…”

“!?”

Just as I reached for the door, a small, warm hand lightly touched my neck.

“Ugh (dead).”

“Huh?”

“Oh no!”

Someone was grabbing the back of my shirt, tightening it around my neck. I didn't need to look to know it was Kanon-chan.

“Ugh…”

“Kanon! Stop that!”

Please stop pulling! This is terrifying (seriously). 

Isn't she asleep? Does she have some kind of third eye?

Sixth sense? 

But Kanon-chan is only five years old (laughs).

“Grgh (my neck's getting tighter).”

“Icchi!”

I'm so sorry!

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“Kanon-chan was out like a light, huh.”

“Well, it's already late. She'd hit her limit when we were chasing after Toumachi-kun.”

“Haha~.”

I was already starting to get used to being in Kisaragi-san’s home. 

We sat down in the living room, relaxing in the chairs.

After the whole incident, Kanon-chan brushed her teeth while nodding off (adorable). Then, she went straight to bed. 

Kids really do fall asleep in an instant, like they just run out of battery.

The way she hugged her pillow like a koala while sleeping was particularly memorable. Honestly, if you framed a picture of that and put it in a world expo with the title World Peace, no one would question it.

“So! The day has finally come~.”

“It could have been any day, really.”

“Well, it’s my first time staying over at a friend’s house… I never really thought it was an option… Besides, I live close by… (introvert combo).”

“Eh?”

“I always felt bad making you go home so late, Toumachi-kun.”

…Well, it's sad, but in their minds, I'm not exactly a guy. 

More like some kind of fairy. Given my hair color, it makes sense (self-praise). 

In a way, I’ve earned their trust.

I guess I should be happy about that.

If you think about it, staying over at a friend's house was like a dream for me. Actually, I'd forgotten it was even possible. 

…Also—

[—”Are you really okay on your own?”—]

My little sister's voice echoed in my mind. 

Spending a night under the same roof with someone else—it hadn't happened since I was in middle school with my family. 

If I could go back in time and tell my middle-school self about this situation, he'd probably be like, “Huh? What kind of delusional fantasy game are you playing? (cringe).”

Who would’ve thought this would happen, just before my family was due to return?

“Are you sure about this, Kisaragi-san?”

“! O-of course it's fine!”

“Then, I'll stay until morning. Thanks for having me.”

“Yes. I'm sure Kanon will be happy.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

She smiled, and that smile didn't seem to hold any falsehood.

If that's the case, then refusing her kindness would just be… rude.

“…Hmmm…”

“(Panic)”

“You didn't ask for my permission.”

“I'm sorry, I'll leave right now (quick exit).”

“Nooo, that's not what I meant! Stay! Please stay!”

“This is technically my house though…”

“Ugh…”

Kisaragi-san looked a bit troubled. 

All thanks to Hatsune-san's teasing (seriously).

“Oh, right! Since you’re here, I'll make some tea.”

“I brought snacks too~.”

“No need, really (nervous).”

“We always do this when Momo's around. Don't worry about it.”

“Yeah, don't worry~.”

“Alright (it's impossible not to worry).”

“?”

As the two of them headed into the kitchen, I was left sitting at the table, watching their backs.

It was already 10 PM, but I wasn't alone in the house.

[—”Don't worry about it, Icchi-Nii. This is just something I want to do.”—]

I still couldn't fully grasp the reality of the situation. It all felt like a dream, yet at the same time, it triggered memories of long ago.

“Icchi?”

I must have been staring blankly at the ceiling for a while. 

Before I knew it, her voice brought me back to reality, and I looked up.

“!”

“Haha~ I went ahead and changed.”

Standing there was Hatsune-san, no longer wearing the school uniform she had on earlier. 

Instead, she was dressed in a loose-fitting nightgown, a soft white color with a hint of pink. It looked incredibly comfortable.

“?”

“Ah…”

She was standing close—so close that I could almost feel the texture of the fabric without even touching it. 

It was just a nightgown, something totally normal for going to bed, but it caught me off guard.

My heart… I wasn’t sure if it could handle this. 

I was scared of what I might do. 

This warmth in my body—it wasn't just from the early summer heat.

“Ugh…”

The dream-like haze I'd been in snapped away, and harsh reality came crashing back over me. 

I needed to get a grip. I was about to spend the night in the same house as a girl.

She wasn't family.

What had I been thinking? 

It was far too late to back out now, and I couldn't just suddenly leave. 

So if I was going to make it through this night unscathed, I needed a plan.

“?”

“H-hey!”

I had to buy time and calm down. 

There was no way I'd get through tonight without a clear head.

“As I thought! I-I'll just go grab my own pajamas from home!”

The first step was getting a blast of cold night air to cool off.