CH 44

“What do you think? About the appearance?”

“Yeah, great. …..It has the same taste and crunchiness. Very tasty.:

Nagi’s fried chicken was very nostalgic and delicious. Even though I say it’s nostalgic, it’s something my mother used to make when she came here.

Still, good food is good food. I could eat this karaage for a week straight and not get tired of it.

“Oh, wow. It feels like fried food from a restaurant. Yum !”

“I know. It’s delicious. It’s the fried food you eat at restaurants.”

“What’s that……well, it’s not that I don’t understand.”

Laughing at Eiji’s typical conversation, they continue to eat. It should have been a considerable amount even if it was divided among five people, but before I knew it, it was gone.

“Seriously–it was really tasty, Nagi.”

“Fufu. I’m glad to hear that.”

I even ended up having a second portion. She got up and tried to pick up the plate.

“I’ll help you.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re a guest here, so please take your time.”

“Oh, then, I’ll help you.:

“Nagi made it for me, too. So it’s all right.”

“Because it’s my job to clean up.”

“……I understand.”

Nagi told me so, so it can’t be helped. As the two of us were putting the plates together, Nishizawa looked at us with a grin.

“Well, looking at the two of you like this. You two really look like a married couple.”

I stopped my hand from picking up the plate. Nagi did the same, and I heard the clinking and clashing of plates.

“Oooh, I know. When I went to my uncle’s house where he got married when I was a little girl, he had that kind of mood.”

“D-don’t tease me. Both of you.”

“I’m being serious. Don’t you think so, Hikarun?”

“Well. Yeah. But I don’t understand the distance between them. I thought they were a couple, but suddenly they became like a middle-aged couple.”

I felt my face getting hotter and hotter. I looked at Nagi……

“E-ehehe. Really?”

She was smiling and loosening her cheeks sloppily. Once she put the plate down and hid her face so that the three of them couldn’t see it. I could see that she was happy even though she was embarrassed.

Nagi put the plates together in a good mood and went to the kitchen first.

“… Take it easy, you three.”

I told Nishizawa and the others who were grinning at me, and followed Nagi to the kitchen.

“T-the plate. Please put them over here.”

“Oh, okay.”

I put the plate down and tried to step back, thinking that I would be in the way. Nagi stopped me.

Nagi put down the plate in her hand and looked at me.

“…..I was so happy.”

“From Nishizawa and the others’ words?”

“That too, of course. But……I’m not a guest, I’m one who welcomes them. I was so happy.”

Nagi’s cheeks moved. Even though there’s no need to do anything, it is probably because her cheeks are about to relax.

“…..I see. Hey, Nagi. Can I have a moment?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Wait here for a minute.”

I left Nagi in the kitchen and went back to my room.

Then, he took out something from the back of the drawer.

I went back to Nagi. Nagi was wiping her hands with a towel.

“I’m sorry to take up your time.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, what’s wrong?”

“Well…there’s something I want to give to you, Nagi. Give me your hand.”

Nagi tilted her head and put her palm up.

I placed the key in the palm of her hand.

“What is this?”

“The key to my apartment. It’s the spare. When you come to my room, and I’m not there…. I wanted to give it to you.”

My face was hot. But when I saw Nagi happily waiting for her words, I didn’t want to look away.

No, if I don’t put it into words, it won’t be understood.

I stare at Nagi. When I look at Nagi’s happy face….she relaxed.

“I’m already your fiance, Nagi, and we’re like family–no, we are a family. So, I want you to accept it. ……Nagi, you also told me earlier. From now on, I want you to be the one who greets me.”

I have already handed it over, but I will take confirmation.

Nagi squeezed it. ……She held the key with both hands, and held it to her chest as if it was very important.

“Of course !”

Nagi smiled happily. And then, staring at the key that she held so carefully. She kept smiling and laughing.

“Actually.”

I was staring at such a cute Nagi. Nagi made eye contact with me.

“It’s…. It’s my first time holding a key. Usually, the driver will pick me up and take me home. Basically, I have a maid at home. So I don’t need it.”

“I see.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m so happy. Very.”

With a smile. Her eyes smile softly.

“I’ll take good care of it.”

“……Yeah.”

The words made me happy. I put my hand on her head without thinking. Nagi happily accepted my hand.

……It took us a while to wash the dishes.

◆◆◆

Then we watched various movies at Eiji’s request.

Eiji and Nishizawa seem to watch a lot of movies and said it would be a waste for us who don’t watch many.

Eiji told us that he had a subscription to a subscription service. We decided to watch a movie because we had a cable that could output a smartphone to a TV, which I had bought for some reason.

It’s safe to start watching famous foreign films. After all, they are so famous that even I could enjoy them.

Nagi and Hayama also seemed to enjoy watching the movies, which was a good thing.

Hayama was originally acquainted only with Nagi in this group. She became familiar with us. Or rather. Eiji and Nishizawa got along quite well with her, probably because they were good communicators to begin with.

The second movie is also interesting. ……But. I found myself looking at Nagi.

The expression on Nagi’s face as she watched the movie was serious. …Because it was beautiful.

Suddenly our eyes meet. She smiled and put her hands together.

…No, this. It looks like Eiji and the others will find out.

However, Eiji and the others did not particularly butt in. We finished watching the movie.

As it was, Eiji was looking for the next movie. …..

“I like this one. It’s a horror movie. Is it impossible?”

“……Horror movie, huh. I’ve never seen it, so I can’t say anything about it. How about you two?”

“I’m fine with it.”

“I”m…not quite sure. The reason is the same as Souta kun’s.”

I thought about Nagi’s words for a while.

I wonder if she will be okay. …..She was scared of the haunted house after all.

But I stopped thinking when I saw the expression on Nagi’s face.

That expression was full of curiosity. …..I wonder if it’s something like seeing something scary.

Now that I think about it, I think that Nagi also enjoyed the haunted house.

So we decided to watch a horror movie.

…..However.

“S-Souta kun. Can I hold your hand?”

“……You already did.”

It was  a scene where a person is suddenly attacked in the first move. Apparently, the opponent is not a ghost, but a weird monster.

So Nagi was quite scared. She didn’t seem to notice that she was holding my right hand tightly.

“I-I see……may I come a little bit closer?”

“Yeah, you can.”

Nagi leaned her shoulder against me. Nagi’s face is right next to mine.

I stayed still. Nagi was looking at me. Our gazes are intertwined, and my heart makes a sickening sound even though it’s a time like this.

“Souta kun. ……Please give me your other hand.

“……? L-like this?”

I put out my hand. Nagi took my hand away.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

She passed her left hand through my lap. She took my left hand with her. With her other hand, she was holding my right hand.

Both of my hands were held by Nagi’s small hand. My heart was beating fast.

“I-I’m fine now….I’m not so scared anymore.”

I’m not really in the mood for movies anymore…..but if Nagi can have fun, I force my mind away from it.

Eiji looked at us in amazement.

“She’s not an ice princess, she’s a sugar candy princess.”

He muttered.

◆◆◆

After that. After watching the movie, in the evening we ordered pizza and ate it with the five of us.

It was already night.

“Then I think it’s time for us to leave.”

“I guess so. I have to go to bed.”

“Maybe I should too.”

Right. I’ve got school tomorrow, and the two of us are staying up all night.

“Oh, okay.”

“I’ll see you off.”

None of the three of them had brought much luggage. Each of them carried their own luggage, So Nagi and I saw them off at the entrance.

“Well then. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah… Thank you very much, Eiji. Nishizawa and Hayama too. I’m not sure if I’d be able to do it without you. I was quite empowered, and without you two, I wouldn’t have been able to go to Nagi’s house even if I’d thought of it.”

Following me. Nagi also bowed deeply.

“I did a very terrible thing to Souta kun. I have caused many, many troubles to all of you. I’m sorry. …..Thank you very much for your kindness.”

Regret and remorse. ……And words mixed with gratitude.

Eiji and the others nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. You’re welcome. Please keep on taking care of Souta for me.”

“Same ! I feel like I could have gotten to know Nagirin better. Don’t be too uptight !”

“….You’re welcome. I don’t want to make things awkward for you two when you’ve made such good friends.”

Nagi raised her head and nodded her head with a smile.

“Yes ! Thank you very much !”

I’m glad. ….To be with Nagi like this again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh. See you tomorrow.”

“See you. I’m coming to play with Eiji again.”

“Me too. See you at school tomorrow, Nagi.”

“Yes ! See you tomorrow !”

Then, I waved to the three of them and saw them off. Until I couldn’t see them anymore.

After returning to my room with Nagi–I realized.

“…..I saw them off as if it was a matter of course. When are you going home, Nagi?”

Yes. I had forgotten about Nagi. ……No, it’s wrong to say that I had forgotten exactly.

I didn’t feel any discomfort with Nagi being next to me.

Nagi’s shoulders jumped when she heard my words. She looked at me.

“… Um. I have a favor to ask of you.”

Her face was red. My eyes are just a little bit blurry. It was probably due to nervousness.

I nodded my head to release the tension as much as possible.

“Yeah. Tell me anything.”

I said so. Nagi looked me in the eye.

“Today. I want to sleep over at Souta kun’s house.”

That’s what she said.

I couldn’t understand for a moment. I froze.