How to Address
"Now then, see you, you two."
"Thanks, man. You're a big help."
"See you."
It was now dinner time, so Minato and Airi left Momose's house after saying their goodbyes.
It seemed that Kazuma was going to stay with Momose a little longer, and they both saw Minato and Airi off.
From here on, it would be time for them to be lovers. Minato was not wild enough to go into that.
They walked slowly in the evening. Even though it was approaching summer, it was cool and comfortable at this time of day.
Although it was nice to study quietly, it was also not so bad to study in a large group. It was a fulfilling time.
The purpose of this study session was not only to study, but also to deepen the friendship between Airi and Momose, but how was it on Airi's end?
"Ninomiya, did you have fun today?"
"Yes, it wasn't much in terms of my own study, but it was very, very fun." (T/N: * sugoku, sugoku tanoshikattadesu. Cuter in Japanese, right?)
Airi's face broke into a smile as if she was really enjoying herself. Looking at her face, the study session was probably a great success.
It was true that Airi didn't do well in terms of her studies, but with her intelligence, she shouldn't have any problem with the final exam.
He was sure it was a good experience for her, after all, she had never had good friendships before. Minato hoped that they would get along even better from now on.
"That's good to hear. Momose has been tangling with you a lot. Are you okay?"
"…I know she doesn't mean any harm, but I can't get used to that kind of feeling from Shiori-san…"
Airi smiled wryly. But it really wasn't an unpleasant feeling, she just wasn't used to that kind of contact.
"I'm sorry for what I've done." Minato chuckled, and Airi took on a reproachful tone.
"Rather, does Kujo-senpai, who sacrificed me, say that?"
"I'm sorry. That was the only way I could motivate Momose."
"I understand, but… It's really a lot of work."
Although she didn't dislike it, she must have been very tired. Airi exhaled a sigh and blamed Minato.
She was tired because of the sacrifice Minato had made on her, so he had no choice but to accept Airi's blame.
"I'm sorry. But Momose will probably make more contact with you, so you'd better get used to it as soon as possible."
"…I'll do my best."
"Take it easy."
"Yes."
There was almost nothing Minato could do about Momose's behavior.
If anything, he should keep a close eye on them to make sure that Airi was not forcing herself with Momose. However, he knew that Momose was not the kind of girl who would force herself on Airi, so he did not worry about it too seriously.
Airi replied to Minato's words with a voice that was half happy and half anxious. After that, the conversation was cut off.
They walked in silence for a while, but suddenly Airi spoke up.
"Should I change the way I call you, Kujo-senpai?"
"You don't have to worry about it, that was just a joke from Momose."
"…What would you like to be called, Kujo-senpai?"
"You can call me whatever you want."
"What would you like to be called?"
He tried to convince her, but it was no use. Just like before, she must be asking for Minato's opinion.
So in order to convey his true feelings, he spoke honestly.
"I believe that you should only call someone by their first name if you are really close to them. Someone who is a family or a lover."
"We're a family, aren't we?"
"That's true. But Ninomiya doesn't like to call a man by his first name or to be called by her first name. You looked uncomfortable just a while ago."
"It's not that I didn't like it… It was just embarrassing."
It could be said that there would be no problem as they were indeed family. Minato blamed Momose for having forced Airi, but she was just embarrassed.
She must have had plenty already when she called Minato 'stepbrother'. Minato smiled, thinking it was just like the pure Airi.
"You don't have to change it if you're embarrassed."
"…Are you really that uncomfortable with the idea of me calling you by your first name?"
Airi's voice sank as she walked next to him. It seemed that Minato was not too convincing and gave her the wrong idea.
"It's not that I don't like it… I'm just embarrassed."
" Fufu , you're the same as me, aren't you? If so, we're both embarrassed. Then, if I call you by your first name, will you do it too, Kujo-senpai?"
"You don't have to force yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself. Here I go."
"Oi."
Bringing up an absurd theory, Airi took a deep breath without listening to Minato's interruption. And then–
"Minato-san."
While he listened to the sounds of life around him, the clear and lovely voice reached Minato's ears as if it were the only one in the world.
It was just a name. Kazuma and Momose called him that too. And yet, for some reason, when Airi called him, his heart tingled sweetly. He didn't know why it tingled so much.
"I've already said it. It's Minato-san's turn next."
When Minato was unable to say anything due to the tingling in his chest, Airi went straight to asking Minato to do the same.
She seemed to fully intend to call him by his first name, and the sweet sound of 'Minato-san' tickled Minato's nerves.
"You know what, Ninomiya–"
"That's not it, right? It's not Ninomiya. Now then, come on."
"No, but–"
"…I'll call you stepbrother if you're too stubborn."
Airi threatened to change her way of calling him to an even more terrifying one.
"Well, that's a little…"
"Please, don't make excuses at this point."
"…All right. Just to confirm, you don't mind, do you?"
"Of course. Why would I ask for it if I don't like it?"
When Minato confirmed this, she chuckled saying, "Why are you saying this now?"
He knew he couldn't run away now that he'd gone this far, so he made up his mind and opened his mouth.
"Airi."
He had jokingly said it once on the first day he met Airi, but he never thought he would have to say it again.
Silence enveloped the two of them. Thinking that he had made a mistake, he tried to look at Airi's face, but she turned her head away from him with great force.
"Um, I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd hate it that much."
"No, I didn't hate it."
"But you're looking away."
"This is… I didn't hate it, but please don't look over here for a while."
"Are you sure you're okay with this? Can I call you by your name?"
"Yes, so one more time, please repeat it."
"…Airi."
He didn't know why he had to call her by her name again, but he hoped it would put her in a better mood.
At the next moment, she started to hold her cheeks with both hands.
"…Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, I'm fine."
"Alright then."
Minato decided that he should leave it alone, not wanting to upset her by poking her.
The atmosphere was kind of weird and there was nothing to talk about, but he didn't feel awkward even if it was a quiet time.
After a while, Airi took her hand away from her cheek. She seemed to have calmed down.
"Let's try not to call each other outside."
"Of course not. I don't want to be the subject of conversation."
"Then it's our secret."
Minato thought that he already had his own secrets and that more name-calling secrets wouldn't change anything, but Airi seemed different and was in a strangely good mood.
With light steps, Airi suddenly moved ahead of Minato. Just as he wondered what was going on, she spun around and looked back at Minato. (T/N: Wouldn't this be a good volume cover!?!? Not that there would be any…)
Even though it was dimly lit by the darkness of the evening, he could tell that her expression was a beautiful smile, as if she were a blooming flower.
"I hope you'll continue to take care of me, Minato-san!"