Chapter: 39. What Expression Should I Use to Face Him?
As Nagino got closer to the Shiki Pavilion, her heartbeat gradually quickened.
“What kind of expression should I use to meet Kanade-kun?”
Conflicted thoughts continued to swirl in her mind.
In her previous persona of being innocent and carefree, when she first became aware that this world possessed extraordinary powers, and that she was also an extraordinary ability user, what reaction would be appropriate when facing her childhood friend who had concealed this fact from her?
On the other hand.
—Has he confessed to me?
Every time Nagino slightly recalled the scene from her time in the hospital, Kanade’s words would echo in her mind, lingering for a long time.
Although she didn’t know what feelings Kanade had when he said those words at that time.
But without a doubt, it was a confession… right?
“No, no… it seems like…”
Using her extraordinary memory, Nagino reflected carefully on what Kanade had said back then—
Thump thump.
Really, my heartbeat is so loud!
Calm down and focus, I have important things to deal with!
As Nagino forced herself to recall the scene from that time, a layer of shy red gradually spread across her beautiful face.
Even in the dimly lit car, Ayato could see it clearly.
Seeing his sister react this way, Ayato immediately understood what was on her mind.
The way her thick thighs were rubbing against each other was the best proof.
“Oh no!?” Just as Ayato was about to call out to the “love-struck girl” Nagino, unexpectedly, she was the one who let out a strange cry first.
“B-Brother, what’s wrong? Why did you suddenly shout out like that?”
A startled Ayato asked.
“Ah, no, it’s nothing, really…” Was it because she was in a place where she could truly relax? Nagino felt that she couldn’t hide her thoughts as well as usual.
After dodging Ayato’s question, Nagino fell back into deep thought.
—Kanade-kun… didn’t confess!?
After carefully recalling everything that had happened, Nagino realized that Kanade hadn’t really made a “confession” in the true sense.
—Although he said he liked her, and even claimed to love her…
He never actually said things like “I hope to be in a relationship with you” or “Nagino, would you be my girlfriend?”
No, but… he did express his desire for her to be his wife and mentioned marriage…
—But, still, it would be better to take it slow, right!?
—Suddenly wanting her to be his wife… at least they should think about the names for the children first… Ah, no!
—They should really discuss how many kids they want first… No, no! What am I thinking!?
“Brother!?” Ayato stared in shock as Nagino suddenly began banging her head against the front seat.
—If they really do have kids, I would have to give birth…
—Me?! Give birth?! Is this for real!?
“Brother!? You’ll provoke Komachi, it’s dangerous, so stop it quickly!”
Seeing Nagino screaming as she seemed ready to steam up from her head while desperately hitting the front seat, Ayato rushed over to stop her.
“What’s wrong, brother?” With the faint light from the streetlights outside the car, Ayato noticed Nagino’s cute face, which resembled a lustful cat, and his curiosity was piqued.
“If you have any troubles, you can tell me~” Ayato unconsciously used a gentle tone, as if he were a mother seeing her daughter troubled for the first time by the love between a man and a woman.
At that moment, when Nagino’s mind was a mess, she inadvertently fell into Ayato’s trap—
“Speaking of which… has Ayato ever been confessed to by a boy?”
Hooked!
“Well, maybe five or six times?” Ayato thought for a moment. While she was stunningly beautiful, being the daughter of the famous Amano Family created an invisible thick wall, preventing most people from having the courage to confess to her.
“In a week?”
“Huh? No, I meant in total…”
“Ah, I thought Ayato, like me, got confessed to five or six times in a week…”
W-What’s going on? Why do I suddenly feel jealous and competitive towards my own brother?!
Nagino sighed as she looked at Ayato, and a sense of rivalry unexpectedly bubbled up within her.
However, through Nagino’s question, Ayato successfully understood that his sister was currently troubled over being confessed to by Tsukimi-senpai in front of her bed—
“What a series of direct and embarrassing confessions that makes even an observer like me feel shy~”
“…Wait… Ayato, where did you start eavesdropping?” Nagino suddenly became aware of a discrepancy and immediately cooled down from her flustered state.
“How rude! It was because Tsukimi-senpai spoke too loudly.”
“So—where did you start listening—”
Snapping back to reality, Nagino, bright red in the face, grabbed Ayato’s shoulders with both hands.
“Brother, calm down! I actually didn’t hear much—”
“Really, really!?”
“Yeah, um, it probably began with ‘Even if it’s just for a moment… Nagino—will you be my wife?'”
“—Then you really heard everything, didn’t you?!” Tears welling in her eyes, Nagino shook Ayato while exclaiming in embarrassment.
“Are you a child?! Are you acting like a wild child?!”
By the time the car stopped in front of the Shiki Pavilion, the pair of siblings, or rather, sisters finally calmed down.
The price being that Ayato’s hair had become disheveled from Nagino’s shaking.
Unable to think of a good approach, Nagino intended to treat Kanade with the same attitude as before. However, upon getting out of the car, she locked eyes with Kanade, who was sitting alone on the steps of the Shiki Pavilion in the cold wind.
In that moment when their gazes met.
Thump.
Nagino felt her heartbeat become noisy once again.
“Nagino—!”
Seeing Nagino, Kanade rushed toward her, almost stumbling as he stood up due to his excitement. He barely managed to balance himself, eager to reach Nagino without losing a second.
No matter what had happened.
There was always someone who was so impatient, always looking forward to your return.
“I’m back.” Nagino couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat as she revealed a radiant smile and softly spoke.
“…Yeah, welcome back.”
Seeing the gentle smile on the girl in front of him, Kanade was momentarily taken aback before breaking into a reassuring smile himself and taking a step closer to embrace her fragile body against the cold wind.
“I’m sorry, is it a bit chilly for you now?” After holding Nagino tight, Kanade realized her body was incredibly warm, which was due to the fact that he had been exposed to the cold wind all night.
Just as he instinctively wanted to loosen his grip, Nagino fiercely wrapped her arms around him again.
“No, Kanade-kun… you’re very warm, incredibly… warm.”
Nagino rested her chin on Kanade’s shoulder, murmuring softly.
