Angel's Admiration

"please"

　Even though they were his parents, they were guests, so it was natural to entertain them, but Midday insisted that he serve tea, so Zhou left it to her.

　I never thought that the tea set and black tea that Mahiru had brought for himself would be useful in a place like this.

　Their parents were smiling calmly as they sat on the sofa where Shu and Mahiru usually sat together.

"Oh, thank you, Mahiru-chan. You're getting used to it."

"Y-yes."

"Actually, you have to do it all the time, right?"

　Probably, when Zhou brews it, it seems that only the bitterness of the tea will be taken out, so I'm doing it directly in the middle of the day, but Shihoko has a slightly amazed face.

"No, because I wanted to..."

"Well, if Shuu comes around, I'll adjust the temperature of the water to be appropriate, so it can't be helped."

　That's understandable, but it's a little irritating to have that pointed out.

　However, since I can't object, I remain quiet and get Shihoko's big smile.

"Now that I think about it, Shuu, you've started to properly call Mahiru-chan by her name."

　Both Shu and Mahiru stiffen at the sudden point.

　I didn't notice because I called her naturally, but when I met my mother before, Zhou didn't call Midday by name, and Midday called Zhou awkwardly.

　Now they call each other naturally without stuttering, so of course they would suspect that it was Shihoko.

"... it's fine"

"I think it's good. It's good that we get along so well."

　Zhou felt his cheeks tremble at Shihoko, who simply looked at him with a really bright smile without daring to pursue it unnecessarily.

　Maybe it would have been better if they still teased me. At times like this, Shihoko is definitely having fun making up things about their relationship in her head.

"Shihoko-san, don't tease Zhou too much."

　However, Shooto is the one who stops him there.

"It's Shihoko-san's bad habit. Don't poke her too much."

"Yes, I'm sorry, but I can't help it."

　Shihoko listens to what Shooto says without hesitation, so as a son who gets swayed around, I'm grateful.

"But it's nice to see my son getting along with a pretty girl."

"I'm worried that Shihoko-san's bad habits will get out of control."

"Oh, Shooto-san will stop you, right?"

"I think it would be better to fix it if you're aware of it, but I've come to like that side of Shihoko, so I can't help it."

"Well...Shooto-san."

　It's good that they stopped, but Zhou doesn't hide his sigh as his parents subtly create a world for the two of them this time.

　Basically, Shooto is a common-sense person, but because he tends to unconsciously care for his wife, he sometimes creates an atmosphere that keeps others away.

　Fortunately, he only shows it in front of his family, and there's no such blatant atmosphere outside, but since this is Zhou's house, he may have relaxed.

　From my son's point of view, being on good terms with each other no matter how old you are is a good thing for a happy marriage, but I want him to be able to show that to me as well.

　At that point, Zhou didn't want to interrupt, so he gave up, sat down on the chair he had brought from the dining room, and took a deep breath again.

　Even in the middle of the day, I sit on the chair prepared next to it and quietly watch the surroundings.

"...Your parents are on good terms, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Well, it's not like that outside, but it's like that at home."

"is that so"

　When Mahiru answered with a bitter smile, she narrowed her eyes and looked at Shihoko and Shooto.

　The expression on his face wasn't one of discomfort; rather, it was the one you get when you see something dazzling.

　His eyes were filled with admiration and envy, as if he were looking at something precious.

　I reached out my hand unintentionally to the midday figure that was watching me with a faint smile that could be said to be ephemeral――.

"Oh, Zhou, what's wrong?"

　Hearing Shihoko's voice, who seemed to have returned to the real world, he immediately withdrew his hand.

"What's wrong, I can't stand it. Mothers are in the world of two people, so we can't stand it."

"Oh, are you jealous?"

"I don't envy you in the slightest. I think you should do that at home."

　Apparently, he didn't notice that he was holding Midday's hand. Perhaps she didn't notice it in the middle of the day as well, she smiled wryly at Zhou's words.

　I don't know why I reached out.

　But somehow... I didn't want to be alone that midday, so I thought.

　Since it's already back to normal noon, Zhou feels slightly relieved and returns to his usual buddha face so as not to be enlightened.

"So, were the mothers satisfied with their son's face?"

"I was more satisfied with seeing Mahiru-chan than Zhou…"

"Hey"

"I'm only half joking. I haven't fulfilled my purpose yet."

"the purpose?"

　I definitely thought it was for New Year's greetings and midday greetings, but it seems that Shihoko had other purposes.

"Zhou Tatsu hasn't been to Hatsumode yet, has he?"

"I was going to go after people calmed down."

"Right? Midday didn't go either. I heard it in the message."

"yes"

"I thought so, so I brought a kimono."

　Apparently, Shihoko wanted to go to noon and New Year's visit.

　With a big smile on his face, Zhou sighed for the first time today knowing why he brought such a large package.

　Shihoko likes cute things, and she likes the act of dressing up people, so she probably doesn't want to miss out on an opportunity like this.

　As far as Shuu remembers, there were several kimonos at home, so it seems that she brought them with her.

"It was my dream to dress my daughter in a kimono and go to the first shrine visit of the New Year… I thought that Mahiru-chan would look good on you."

"Your mother just wants to play dress-up dolls, right?"

"That's not true, right? But it's a big deal that I want Mahiru to wear it."

　Shihoko is right when she confidently says, "Because it looks really good on you."

　Or rather, there doesn't seem to be any clothes that don't look good in the middle of the day.

　As far as Shuu could see, she wore boyish clothes, elegant clothes like a young lady, and even girly clothes with lots of frills and lace, but they all suited her well. It seems that beautiful girls don't choose what to wear.

　The kimono will probably look great on you too.

　Since Shihoko is the only son of the Fujimiya family, she seems to have wanted to dress up her daughter, so she can't pass up this chance.

"... Well, if you say midday is good, why don't you wear it?"

"Why are you assuming that Zhou won't come?"

"No, it would be a problem if I went out in the middle of the day and the school guys found out."

　If it's just the middle of the day with my parents, I'm sure my family will see me even if I go to Hatsumode, so there's no problem.

　The problem is when Zhou joins it.

　If anyone in the same grade saw the visibly lackluster Amane visiting the shrine alongside Mahiru, I could predict that the end of the winter break would turn into a hellish scene of outrage.

　As expected, I don't want to go to Hatsumode to take that risk.

"Is it okay if I don't find out?"

"Well, I guess that's true, but it's normal for me to find out...No, Mom, I don't think so."

"Fufu, you brought a lot of things for times like this, you know?"

"What time is it?"

　Kimonos, undergarments, props, and other things related to kimonos seemed like a lot of luggage, but it seems like she brought even more to play around with.

"Shooto-san is quite enthusiastic too."

"Dad..."

"It's a great opportunity, so I think it's fine. As for me, it's an annual event, so if possible, I'd like to go with you."

　That being said, it's hard to say no.

　Shihoko is making this offer because of Shooto's intention of valuing the relationship between their families, and I feel bad about rejecting that.

"But come on."

"Don't worry, trust your mother.

"You're saying that the original me is uncool."

"Of course, he looks like Shooto-san, so it's not that he's uncool, but his hairstyle and atmosphere are unsophisticated. I guess you could call him gloomy."

"noisy"

　I'm aware that I look unfashionable, but since I like to dress like this, I don't want to be criticized.

"If I set it up, I could see it pretty well, but if I went around it, it would be a pain..."

"It's none of your business"

"It's a waste. Hey Mahiru-chan, Mahiru-chan would also like to see how neatly she looks, right?"

"picture?"

　Mahiru was visibly taken aback by the sudden conversation.

　I wish she didn't push Mahiru too hard, but Shihoko approached her without hesitation.

"If Zhou dresses up, I think Mahiru-chan will also look at it. Even though you look like this, Zhou's face is relatively good, isn't it? His personality isn't straightforward, but he's a gentleman like Shooto-san. I think so."

"Eh, uh… I-I see…?"

"Don't you want to go to New Year's visit together?"

"I-I want to go, though."

"Hey don't betray me"

　If possible, he would have thought about the worst and dismissed it, but Mahiru glanced at Shuu, who had rushed in.

"... If you don't like Zhou-kun, that's fine."

　Shush, a slightly dejected voice lowered the ends of his eyebrows, and Shuu suddenly choked.

　He seems to be hiding it, but he clearly looks disappointed. It's not that this is something to show off, but that it just leaked out naturally.

　I felt extremely guilty when I saw her eyes lowered, her long eyelashes gently swaying.

　Shihoko gave a blaming look, saying, "I made you sad, Mahiru-chan."

　Doesn't this make it seem like he's bullying Mahiru?

"...OK"

　I had no choice but to give up after seeing that kind of face.