My Feelings For Him Who Is Kind
"I'm home."
After the gym festival, she returned home and called out to the empty six-and-a-half-mat room.
She knew there would be no answer, but she simply couldn't be bothered.
Putting down her luggage, she laid down in the living room to rest. She didn't want to be seen as sloppy when she was with him, so she kept it all together, well at least for now.
She felt sad that she couldn't feel his warmth, but at the same time, she felt relieved by the smell of him that filled the room.
"I've changed…"
She thought to herself. It's only been about two months, but she had changed a lot since she started living with him.
To be honest, she didn't have any expectations for living together with him at first. In fact, she even cried the day before the entrance ceremony, thinking that this was where she would end up giving him her body.
If you think about it, there's no way you'd ever live with a man you've never met before.
However, disobeying her father was not an option for her.
Although she certainly wanted to get away from her father, if she had to choose between him and a stranger, she would still prefer her father.
–But he was not the person she thought he was.
If she spent a week in a room with him, he would surely show his true colors, but he was safe to be around, and trustworthy.
After a month, she trusted him.
And just now, she indulged him behind the school building.
She thought no one would ever see her for herself, but he and he alone did.
'Don't say no one sees Ninomiya, because I do, I'm looking at you. You're kind, you're strong, but you're also a little bit out of your element.'
To be honest, she thought that phrase was the one that ignited something inside her. As soon as someone she trusted said those words to her, she clearly became aware of her own feelings.
A warm and very big feeling, and for the first time, she knew what to call this feeling.
"Love."
This happened after only about two months of spending time together.
She thought to herself that she was a foolish woman, but for her, it was extremely enjoyable, comforting, and fulfilling.
She surrendered herself to the oncoming drowsiness, hoping that her life would continue to be like this.
●●●●●
A very pleasant sensation brought her back to consciousness. She thought she was just going to rest for a little while, but she seemed to have fallen asleep.
She could feel a warm body heat and soothing smell nearby. She didn't expect to be petted by him. She didn't feel a single bit of disgust. In fact, his hands were so comfortable, she wanted him to keep doing it.
"Ninomiya, are you awake?"
"..."
She pretended to be asleep, but since he always woke her up gently, she could guess that he knew right away that she was only pretending to be asleep.
The sensation of his hand leaving her head felt so lonely that she couldn't help but squeal.
"Ah…"
She felt him chuckle as she wondered what to do, but he resumed petting her.
Pretending not to notice made her happy. And she took advantage of his kindness.
"Thank you so much for everything. I'm so tired from being so careful at school, but at home, you do almost all the chores for me. I know this is the only way I can express my gratitude, but I really appreciate everything you do for me."
"…No, that's not true. I'm the one who should be thanking you."
She couldn't help but react to him thanking her while petting her head.
She was the one who should thank him. He gave her a place to stay. He watched over her. "Thank you very much" is not enough.
"Oi…"
She heard his questioning voice, and his stroking hand stopped.
With the intention of wanting him to pet herself more, she opened her eyes and stared at him, and he resumed.
Really, how sweet is he? – She thought to herself.
"I haven't done anything to be thanked by Ninomiya."
"Even if Kujo-senpai thinks so, I'm grateful. I have a warm house, I have someone who sincerely cares about me, and that's all I need to be happy."
"I'm just doing what I think is right."
"That may be true for senpai, but not for me. Also, thank you so much for the after-school matter."
She couldn't tell him how much his words had saved her, and he would never know the magnitude of her gratitude.
"I just gave you my opinion, it didn't change anything."
"But it did. I said I felt a little better at the time, but the truth is that I felt a lot better. It was the first time someone told me to be selfish."
"You're too kind."
She was not as kind as he said she was.
She hated men. All they cared about was treating her like an object.
She hated women, too. They judged her only by her looks.
She still felt the same way. However, she could clearly say that he was different.
"That's not true. I don't like boys who stare at me, and I don't like girls who take notice of my appearance and approach me to elevate their status."
"That's a given."
"But I accept Kujo-senpai, you know. I trust you."
"Is that so… Thank you."
He was long past the point of being one of those 'I only accept people I approve of' people.
He saved her in the back of the school building. And now, she was being spoiled by him.
Thinking that he would surely give her the words she wanted to hear, her cunning mind spun such words,
"I'm not alone, am I?"
"No."
"Senpai is watching over me, right?"
"Yeah."
"…I'm so happy."
She wasn't alone, he was watching over her. That fact warmed her heart.
Her desire was getting bigger and bigger. She wondered if he'd forgive her if she asked for a little more.
"Hey, senpai, can you pet my head some more?"
"Yeah, as much as you want."
" Fufu , thank you very much."
As he listened to her selfishness, she was reminded once again of his kindness.
She wanted him to keep doing it forever, but the sound of her stomach interfered.
"I'm hungry. Let's have dinner."
It was a shame to have him stop, but her selfishness was over.
She wondered if she asked him again someday, would he pet her?
Although she had high hopes, now was not the time for that. She had fallen asleep and hadn't prepared for anything.
"…Speaking of which, I had fallen asleep and haven't prepared dinner or a bath yet. I'm sorry senpai, I'll get ready right away!"
"Calm down. For now, just like before, you prepare the dinner and I'll prepare the bath, okay?"
"…Yes."
He pet her once more in impatience. His kindness in not being angry with her sunk into her heart.
She wanted this life to continue. Hopefully, forever.
●●●●●
He had resisted until a few minutes ago, but finally he fell asleep. She breathed a sigh of relief as she listened to him sleep.
Even though he was tired after the sports festival and his part-time job, he still cared for her as he listened to her wish to massage him.
He was really a kind man, because he kept sleeping on the floor and never complained a single bit.
Of course, she knew that even if he bought a futon, he wouldn't have enough space to spread it out, and because of his personality, he wouldn't sleep with her either.
When he woke up, she was going to tell him as a punishment, but he would probably refuse anyway.
He stroked her head earlier, and she wanted to thank him for it… Well, she also wanted to touch it.
His black hair, even though he didn't take any special care of it, was so smooth that she could keep touching it forever.
To everyone's eyes, his appearance would be ordinary. She thought so too.
But what about that?
She loved his soft smile, his gentle voice that cared for her, and everything about him that always gave her a peaceful air.
Thinking that he was asleep, he wouldn't be able to hear it, so she opened her mouth to say,
"Kujo Minato-san, I love you."