Chapter 16 - Sigh

"Good morning, Yukishiro."

"Good morning, Mikiya."

"You look kind of tired."

"Really?"

Maybe it was because I had a bit of a struggle with Eri-chan before I left home…

About 30 minutes ago.

"No~ Don't go! Yukishiro-Onii-san, stay with me!"

She grabbed my sleeve and shook her head. I knew she didn't want me to go to school.

"I'm sorry, I'll play with you a lot when I get back."

"Really? Would you do anything for me?"

"Y-Yeah. I'll do anything for you."

"Promise?"

When she complained with tears in her eyes, I had no choice but to nod and promised to leave immediately.

Hah… I just want to hurry home and shower Eri-chan with affection.

"Yukishiro, your face looks sloppy."

"Eh? Ah, it can't be helped."

"Can't be helped…?"

"It's nothing."

"…Nothing, huh…?"

I don't mind if Mikiya finds out, but I'd prefer not to talk about it if possible.

"Look, class is about to start, go back to your seat."

"…Suspicious."

"Get going already."

"Fine, fine."

Though suspicious, he obediently returned to his seat.

…I dread after school.

This may be the first time that I have ever felt pain at the end of a class. Usually I wish it would end sooner.

After the teacher's kind words, the short homeroom was over and it was time to leave the school…

Let's get this over with.

I walked out of the school gate and went to the place where I always met up with her.

"Oh, Yukishiro. Hehe. After school ended, I came here right away because I was looking forward to it."

"Ah, is that so?"

During our relationship, even the behaviors that I thought were cute didn't seem to matter now.

I just want to get this over with and play with Eri-chan. That's all I wanted.

"Then, let's go."

"Yeah, let's get on with it."

I went ahead of her, not caring how fast she walked.

With a surprised look on her face, she followed behind.

It was about a 10-minute walk.

We got to her house and sat opposite each other.

"Hang on, I'll get you a drink."

"I don't want it, let's talk quickly."

"Eh, ah, yes."

She looked sad for a moment, but quickly recovered and looked into my eyes.

"Um… Yukishiro…"

"..."

"Well, um…"

"….What?"

"H-How about we start over?"

… Sigh …