Chapter 56: Aroma and Secret Base

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Translator: Soafp

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……I look at my phone.

Checking the day, it’s definitely Sunday.

I've prepared for this day.

I've stored away the ant farm kit (still without inhabitants) and the bottle ship (my “soul”) in the closet.

With deodorizing and cleaning, the daily curry smell and scattered trash are all cleared out.

I've refolded and cleaned the ten paper cranes at the entrance (Do I need these?)(I do).

I've bought various drinks as well.

I think my house probably has the world's most varied selection of natural mineral water (not that it matters).

As for food… it seems Momo and the others will be taking care of that.

“……Good smell (native)”

And this aroma diffuser.

Girls apparently like nice scents.

I’ve ordered a variety of fragrances (mainly fruity).

“Perfect” is what it seems—oh, I haven't had enough sleep, but I'll manage with spirit.

—Ping!

“!”

Momo: “I'm at X× Station now!”

Toumachi: “I'll come pick you up.”

Even though I thought that, my hands are still shaking.

I feel like I've prepared, but I still haven't managed the crucial mental aspect.

What if they dislike me? What if they're put off? — I keep thinking about it.

First-time friends.

First-time study group.

First-time guests.

For an introvert like me, this event has a difficulty level that’s too high.

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I go to pick them up.

It's a five-minute walk. The rent for this place, being so close to the station, was not told to me by my family.

It must be expensive, but I'll make good use of it now.

“Eh, this is Icchi's house!?”

“…A-amazing.”

“It's so expensive!!”

We've arrived at my fortress (thanks, Mom and Dad).

Of course, Kanon-chan is now in her usual spot on my back.

It seems Kisaragi-san's parents are busy with work… so she couldn't be left alone at home and came along today.

I knew about this since Friday.

I hope it’s okay (anxiety).

“…Zzzz”

She's already asleep.

Yeah, her back is warm… (suspicious).

“Are Icchi's parents rich?”

“They work overseas.”

“That's amazing.”

“Eh, so is it a private event?”

“Yeah, it is…”

I realize I hadn’t mentioned it.

Usually, parents are at home, especially on Sundays.

“I wanted to see Icchi's mom~”

“She’s just normal.”

“…Really?”

“That’s a bit rude, Momo.”

“Her hair color is normal.”

We pass through the apartment building’s security gate with the three of them. We enter the elevator.

I mention it just in case they look at my hair (as a deterrent).

By the way, I haven't reported the rainbow colors yet.

I could mention it, but it might cause problems if they needed to urgently return.

If they ask who I am, it would hurt. But showing it to my sister might be amusing.

“…Alright, we've arrived.”

We chat in the elevator and finally reach my home.

Ah. I'm getting nervous.

—Click.

“…?”

“W-what is this…”

“(Speechless)”

The plan was for my cute paper crane brothers to greet us at the entrance.

—But.

“The origami is… all wrinkled…?”

Momo mutters.

Yes—the diffuser I set up next to the cranes to give a nice scent at the entrance.

It has been spraying on the cranes, making the paper soften (immediately understood).

“—(Turning off the diffuser)”

“…Is this okay?”

“It's fine (cutting in)”

Ahhhhh!!!

Why did it turn out like this!

My… cute cranes

“P-please come in…”

“Excuse us~”

“We're coming in.”

For now, I'll leave the cranes to dry.

I invite them into the living room.

“Oh, it smells nice!”

“Yeah.”

The aroma I had been burning is finally doing its job.

…It was also there in the entrance just now.

“Well then, please just put your bags anywhere.”

“Okay!”

“Study, h-hmm… (mechanical)”

“Yeah.”

“Ahaha, Icchi's so awkward~”

“W-Well, Kanon-chan, should I bring a futon from the bedroom and set it up for you?”

“Sorry, that would be really helpful. I'll help too.”

“Thanks (formal).”

Is this right? My actions.

I'm so nervous I can't tell anymore.

“…Here it is.”

“Got it… okay.”

Kisaragi-san and I go to the bedroom to bring out the futon. I carry the base futon. She carries the cover futon.

It seems like Momo is watching intensely.

…Wait, is it a crime to let high school girls into the bedroom…?

“…Hey, hey, what's that black box over there?”

“That's a storage closet (big lie).”

“It's an unusual storage closet…”

Yes.

I couldn't hide my secret base (despair).

I also couldn't move its contents at all (end of the world).

That room is full of my clumsy creative works.

And traces of my study efforts from the night before.

If they find that, it would be more than just embarrassing.

In other words.

There's a huge sense of discomfort, but I mustn't worry about it!