Chapter 23 I Was Cheered Up By

I Was Cheered Up By

The time I spent with Ichika was always cheerful and lively.

The topics of conversation were always trivial things. We talked about her school, her studies, and her hobbies, not the kind of things that would make you laugh.

But the corners of my mouth quivered because she seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself. This is partly because she never complains or speaks ill of anyone, and partly because of her personality.

Itsumi Ichika was a happy and innocent person.

When I talked to her, I felt a sense of purity, as if my heart was being washed away.

“…Oh, it was so late.”

And then I realized that it was after 7 o’clock in the evening.

It must’ve been two hours. I was surprised to see how much time had passed since I had been on the sofa in the living room.

“Ugh…I really wanted to play some games. By the way, do you have a game console, Takumi-nii?”

“No, I don’t have one.”

“Really? Then I’ll bring it tomorrow…What shall we play together~”

The conversation seemed to continue, but I guess she was aware of the time. The topic of the game soon ended.

“If I don’t go home soon…mom will worry.”

“That’s right. Dinner is almost ready, right?”

“Yes…but I wish I had more time to chat with Takumi-nii.”

The fact that she seems to regret leaving me means that she enjoyed her time in this house as well.

(Thank God…I was able to cheer her up a bit, huh?)

Because of Takeshi and Kaori, Ichika was pretty upset yesterday.

But when I saw her after one night, she looked much better.

As an older person, maybe I could help her a little.

Phew, that’s good…I felt relieved and got up from the sofa to take her home.

But she still didn’t get up and stared at me intently.

“Takumi-nii…you look a bit brighter than yesterday.”

“Really?”

Well, I certainly feel better than yesterday.

It’s probably thanks to Hana-san healing me.

And of course, it was also thanks to…this girl.

“Yesterday, you forced yourself to be cheerful in front of me, right? But it seemed like it was painful…Yeah. Today was great!”

… apparently, she saw through it.

Since I’m older, I’m unconsciously a little hard on her, and I don’t want to worry her.

But yes…Ichika is no longer a child.

She is sensitive to my changes, too. Besides, it seems like she pretended not to know yesterday.

“Thanks to…Chika-chan for cheering me up.”

I thought I would cheer her up today.

According to that goal, I think she was cheered up a bit.

But I think I was more energetic than she was.

That’s how lively and fun it was to chat with her.

When I am with Hana-san, she heals me a lot and makes me comfortable.

And with Ichika, I feel energetic.

In other words, I was saved by both of them in different ways.

“Well, see you tomorrow! Bye, Takumi-nii.”

“Yeah. See you tomorrow…I’ll wait for you, Chika-chan.”

Then I waved her off.

Ichika will come to this house again tomorrow. And when she leaves, Hana-san will come too, as if to replace her.

I don’t feel lonely anymore.

I have an ally who knows me.

Hana-san and Ichika are there for me.

So I don’t have to feel lonely anymore.

“…Good!”

I uttered a voice to cheer myself up.

I’m no longer trembling weakly.

At this rate, I’m sure I’ll be fine when I go to school tomorrow.

Even if I run into Takeshi and Kaori, I’m sure I’ll be able to keep my composure.

Believing this, I decided to go to bed early after eating the dinner Hana-san prepared for me——