The day after Valentine's Day

"Fujimiya, you were very helpful yesterday."

　When Shu went to school the next day, Kadowaki spoke to him so naturally that he couldn't help but freeze.

　Even though we had a small interaction yesterday, I didn't expect him to go out of his way to thank me for something like that.

　Kadowaki was smiling with a friendly and cheerful expression, which was different from when he was surrounded by girls, and while Amane was talking to him, he was getting glances from the people around him, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

　I'm not good at getting attention from the beginning, so I'm still timid even if I'm looking at this kind of curiosity.

"Oh, that's fine. It must have been hard."

"Well..."

　Kadowaki looked far away, so Zhou also sympathized, saying, "I guess it's hard to be a popular man."

　Personally, even though he is aware that he is popular, he does not try to boast about it. That's probably why everyone around her likes her, and even the jealous boys don't really hate her.

　Perhaps the politeness of going out of your way to thank him for something like that is also why he is liked.

"Anyway, you were very helpful. I wanted to say thank you."

"It's okay, we're both there when we're in trouble."

　It's not like I was being kind to you because I wanted to show you my kindness, and it's not like I should be grateful.

　I laughed lightly and said, "Don't worry about it," and Kadowaki laughed a little, feeling a little relieved.

　The girls around him rippled at his genuine smile, so Shuu couldn't help but smile a little, telling him to only smile like that towards women.

"What did you do to Yuta?"

　After Kadowaki leaves, Itsuki, who seems to have been watching the situation, calls out to him.

　Yuta is Kadowaki's name. Itsuki is relatively close to all of her classmates and seems to be a good mood maker, so of course she talks to Kadowaki as well.

　As for Zhou, he often feels admiration and bewilderment that such a man is acting as his friend.

"Eh, I just handed over the shopping bag I stocked at Kadowaki who was at a loss for how much chocolate there was..."

"Oh. It was more than I expected. It's a sweet guy."

　Itsuki, who was sitting next to him looking at the huge amount of chocolate and the girl's kindness, seemed to be convinced by Shu's explanation and let out a wry smile mixed with pity.

　It was the impression of the two that it would be difficult to bring home with that much, so it is no wonder that Zhou helped.

　As for Zhou, it's just a little kindness, so it's not enough to be thanked.

"Well, that's all. It's not a big deal."

"It's kind of like you.... But well, you always have a plastic bag... isn't it something that's ingrained in your household? When I saw an advertisement for a supermarket on my smartphone, I thought it was a housewife."

"He's a man. Well, I guess it's someone's influence..."

　Should I say it's definitely due to midday, or should I say it's because of it?

　Since the food cost is split between the two of us, we check online advertisements to see if it would be better to get it as cheaply as possible, and we also suggest things that can be made from cheap things in the advertisement. To Itsuki, it would seem that it was too much for the household.

　Rather, I may be doing something more like a housewife than my husband. Although I leave the cooking to midday.

"It's nice to have a family partner."

"It's not like I'm your partner. ...How about Chitose?"

"Tch? Well, yeah. As long as you don't come up with some novel idea, well...I guess it's not impossible."

"Does he have to do something outrageous?"

"... isn't that kind of cute too?"

"Hey don't look away"

　For better or worse, Chitose is both stimulating and moody.

　Under normal circumstances, she seems to be able to do housework as well as a typical high school girl, but when she feels the urge to play or her mood changes, she does all kinds of things.

"Well, it seems that they will do it properly once they get married."

"How long will it take for your father to approve..."

　Itsuki's father, who is unusually strict these days when it comes to dating, is not happy with Chitose, so it seems like they are dating with the intention of getting married, which doesn't suit Itsuki's father.

　On the other hand, Chitose's parents always seem to welcome Itsuki, so I was a little surprised that it wasn't usually the other way around.

"Well, I'll take the time to convince you once you're an adult. Don't you want to see your grandson's face?"

　He can't listen to his father if he keeps doing this, and while he shrugs his shoulders artificially, his eyes are serious and it seems he won't hesitate to fight.

　I can always tell that she loves Chitose that much, so I support her while thinking that it's amazing that she's thinking about getting married since she was a high school student.

"...Well, I think you probably won't give up until they give up, so do your best."

"Okay. Do your best too."

"What?"

"So with that person... huh?"

"... I'm not on that kind of relationship with him."

　When I turned away, I heard Itsuki's soft laughter.