Chapter 6 - Insecure

"Um, Eri-chan?"

"What?"

"Are you really going to sleep with me?"

"Yes."

Eri-chan nodded her head cutely.

The reason why this is happening is that it all started with a comment by Eri-chan.

When I came out of the bath.

"Yukishiro-Onii-san."

"Hmm?"

"Let's sleep together?"

"T-That's…"

"You don't want to?"

"Yukishiro-kun, can you sleep with Eri?"

"Are you sure, Miho-san?"

"I would be happier if Eri and Yukishiro-kun are on good terms."

It didn't feel like it was on the level of being on good terms with each other, but I felt like I was gradually being swept away by the moderate but persistent attacks from Eri-chan and Miho-san.

"Hey, Yukishiro-Onii-san."

"Hmm? What?"

"It's nothing."

Eri-chan is smiling happily. Eri-chan is so adorable that I can't help but pat her on the head.

"I love how it feels when Yukishiro-Onii-san strokes me, it's so pleasant."

"You like it that much?"

"Yes, because I can feel Yukishiro-Onii-san's kindness."

"I-Is that so?"

"Yes… Can I hug you, Yukishiro-Onii-san?"

"Sure."

Eri-chan hugged me tightly.

Looking at Eri-chan again, she's really cute.

Long, translucent black hair, a petite and easy-to-hug body, big eyes, and a beautiful voice.

How lucky I am to be hugged by such a girl.

"I'm so lucky."

"Why?"

"Because I get to be with such a kind, handsome, and perfect person. What kind of good karma did I accumulate in my past life?"

"You're exaggerating. It's not like I'm perfect."

"I'm not! At least to me, Yukishiro-Onii-san is perfect."

She hugged me even tighter.

She's so cute.

I gently hugged her back.

"Hoooo. This is the best."

She let out a meltingly sweet voice and came to me seeking affection.

"Eri-chan is a spoiled child."

"I'm not spoiled."

"I wonder if it's true."

"It's true!"

Then she nuzzled her face into my neck.

"Hey, Yukishiro-Onii-san."

"Hmm?"

"Will Yukishiro-Onii-san ever leave me?"

She looked at me with worried eyes.

This girl is insecure.

Memories of her father's disappearance and of being bullied will always remain in Eri-chan's memory.

However…

"I will never leave."

I said with a smile so that I can blow away those fears, so that I can paint over them with happy memories.

"Thank you, Yukishiro-Onii-san."

"Yes, you can always count on me."

"…I…ve…you…"

"Hmm? What?"

"It's nothing."

She then hid under the futon to hide her face.