Unspoken Affection

After talking with Kazuma and Takumi for quite some time, it was evening since school was in session only until noon today.

When the gathering was over, Takumi said, "Let's play again sometime," so the three of them would probably go out together in the near future.

That said, Minato didn't feel bad about it at all.

Kazuma, needless to say, was aware of Minato's personality, and Takumi knew the boundaries of what Minato did not want to be intruded upon.

He didn't like to hang out with a lot of people, but with three people, it would be no problem.

Thinking back on what a good time he had today, he had a small smile on his face on his way home.

"I'm home."

"Welcome back…"

When he returned home, he was greeted, but Airi didn't come to the door to welcome him, nor was there any energy in her usual bell-rolling voice.

Half in doubt, half in understanding, he went to the living room to find her slumped over.

He hadn't seen her like that for almost the entire summer vacation, but he had seen it before.

He thought that the reason for this state then and today would be the same, so he washed his hands and sat down beside her for the time being.

Then, she immediately put her head on Minato's lap.

"Minato~san~, I'm already tired~…"

"Yes, yes. Good job."

He stroked Airi's head affectionately and without hesitation.

Although she didn't express it in words, her straightforward attitude of wanting to be spoiled because she was tired warmed his heart.

She relaxed her body and let out a weary voice.

"The way they said it may be different, but everyone asked, 'What kind of relationship do you have with the second year senpai?' It was really tough…"

"I guess that's to be expected. So what did you say in response?"

"…A very dear friend, I said."

As she said this, Airi looked up at Minato from his lap, her face slightly discontented. She was probably sulking about not being able to call Minato her 'precious person,' as she always told him.

Minato chuckled, thinking that although he had expected her not to drop any bombshells that would suggest a lovers' relationship, that statement alone would be enough of a problem.

However, he didn't intend to blame her, and since it was Minato who made her say that, he apologized honestly.

"Sorry, I just wish I looked a little better."

"I'm not blaming you whether your face is good or bad, and I'm convinced that this situation is due to both of us. I just didn't expect to be questioned this much. …To begin with, everyone knows that Minato-san and I have known each other since before the summer vacation."

"Still, I guess they never expected me and Airi to become intimate. 'Ninomiya-san, everyone's idol, is now close with Minato who is a pathetic senior, even though he's Momose's childhood friend!' It sounds like a big scandal, doesn't it?"

Although Minato understood Airi's point and thought it would be best if everyone agreed that he was just an acquaintance of Momose's, reality was not so sweet.

Minato had thought about this many times, and as Airi knew, even if the parties involved were doing well, there were areas where third parties would criticize them.

When he jokingly said it like an idol scandal, Airi blatantly frowned.

"…There's already too much going on."

"Don't hold back with me."

"Who is everyone's idol? I don't want people to admire me, and I don't want to look like this."

"I know. I know that best."

"Besides, it's not right for Minato-san to criticize his own appearance."

"I know, I know, it's just a stranger's opinion of me, and I'm not going to be put off by it. You don't mind me looking like this, do you?"

"Of course. I like you this way."

Airi smiled pleasantly and lightly squeezed the hand opposite the one stroking her head.

This warmth made him realize once again that he could withstand all malice in her presence.

"Speaking of which, did Airi talk to the girls we met when we went shopping?"

When he suddenly asked what was on his mind, Airi, who had been wringing Minato's hand, froze.

He remembered those girls well. They tried to protect Airi and for that, they turned on Minato.

He believed that perhaps the girls also talked to Airi today, but judging from her attitude, it probably didn't end too well.

"We talked, or rather I was teased… I was totally exposed at that point, it was so embarrassing."

"Airi's mask was completely off in front of those kids, so it's a good thing there was no malice this time."

Now that he thought about it, it was probably jealousy.

It wasn't that he was trying to flirt with a girl he had never met before, but Airi was unconvinced and easily showed her ground.

Perhaps at that moment, the girls became aware of Airi's feelings. However, judging from that reaction, he didn't think it would be that much of a problem.

When he consoled her that he was glad they didn't direct their malice at him like they had before, she looked at Minato apologetically.

"That's true, and I do appreciate it, because Shiori and the others helped me sort out some of the people who were crowding me today. However, I might go play with them after school because of that. I'm really sorry…"

"Why are you apologizing? Just go."

He had no intention of tying Airi down, no matter how close they were to each other.

If anything, she had no need for friends until now. If this was a chance for her to change her mind, he would be very happy.

So he hoped she wouldn't be bothered by being unable to do the housework. Because it was only done out of Airi's generosity, and wasn't an obligation.

When he smiled to reassure her, her face clouded over more and more.

"But I won't be able to do the housework."

"Leave the housework to me, there's no reason why it absolutely has to be Airi who does it. …Though I may not sound convincing when I say that."

"No, I'll do it. I'll do it because I want to please you."

"…I feel like I haven't said thanks for that, should I say it?"

He didn't expect Airi to value housework that much.

When he said that from now on he would thank her not only for the evening meal and bath, but also for the other housework, she smiled and uttered,

"I'm happy just to have you by my side, Minato-san. So I'll do the housework, and I won't go out to play every day. …But I might ask you to do the shopping more than before."

"That's no big deal. You can count on me more."

"I already depend on you enough. Thank you very much."

"No, it should be who says that. And, for the record–"

"'You don't have to force yourself to go out and play,' right? Fufu , I know you were going to say that. It's okay, please don't worry."

Minato's words were interrupted. With a gentle smile on her face, she was able to fully grasp what he wanted to say.

He had said it so many times before that she must have understood the quirk.

If so, Minato shouldn't pester her any further.

"Alright."

"By the way, was Minato-san okay?"

Now that the conversation on Airi's side had settled down, she was now concerned about Minato's situation.

"There was no fuss about it, it was anticlimactic."

He wasn't lying, but he wasn't telling the truth either.

Airi didn't need to know that there might be trouble in the future.

However, she seemed to have grasped, albeit faintly, what Minato was hiding. She lowered her eyebrows and looked up at Minato with concern.

"You haven't forgotten our promise, have you? When we suffer, we suffer together, okay?"

"…Sorry about that."

" Mou , Minato-san shouldn't be too kind. As punishment, you will have to spoil me plenty today."

"Yes, sir."

It was likely that she intentionally inflicted something that could not be called a punishment so that Minato would not have to feel self-conscious about it.

Thinking that it was Airi who was being kind, he continued to stroke her head until it was time for dinner.