Sulky Look

It was a day after they went shopping with Kazuma and Momose. When he came back from his part-time job, Airi looked strangely tired.

In the morning, she didn't seem to be feeling particularly ill, so maybe something had happened at school.

"You don't look well today, what's wrong?"

"I knew it, someone had seen me going out yesterday. My classmates were asking me about it."

Minato asked her after finishing dinner, and she replied in an exhausted voice.

There was a possibility that someone would see her, and it seemed that she was indeed seen. She herself looked gorgeous, so it was inevitable that she would catch someone's eye.

Although there were a lot of other Japanese people in the mall, anyone who knew Airi would immediately recognize her as a silver-haired, beautiful girl.

Minato smiled, feeling sorry for Airi, who no matter how she tried, would always be noticed by others.

"Thank you for your hard work. What about Momose?"

"I was surrounded, so she came to my aid. Shiori-san first explained the situation, but–"

"Let me guess, most of them were saying stuff like 'Next time, let's go with me', right?"

"…Yes."

"By the way, were there many of them?"

It was something that could have been predicted from the start, but there seemed to be more people than Airi had imagined, and she gave a reluctant look when Minato asked her the question.

"It was much more than I imagined. And not just girls, but boys as well."

"You went out with Kazuma and me, so you should be able to go out with other guys too, right?"

"That's right. But I turned them all down."

It appeared that they were very enthusiastic about inviting her. Surely, if the fact that Airi went out with a guy was brought up, there would be people who would think they had a chance.

Airi raised her eyebrows in disgust, perhaps remembering the scene.

"I have the right to choose who I go out with. I don't want to be with someone who approaches me with an ulterior motive."

"Really, nice work hanging out there. I'm sorry I couldn't help you."

"No, it's okay. Shiori-san helped me."

It was probably because of Momose's desperate follow-up, Airi smiled bitterly with a mixture of happiness.

"So, were there any good girls who were willing to go out with you without any ulterior motives?"

There seemed to be a lot of girls as well as boys talking to her, and Minato would be happy if this would encourage Airi to make some friends and start playing outside.

It was not that he felt awkward staying at home with her, but as a high school girl, he thought it would be good for her to go out more.

It was just Minato's desire, and he himself would rather stay home than force himself to go out, so it was ultimately up to Airi to decide.

"I really don't know, there were just too many people. For now, Shiori-san and Kujo-senpai are enough."

If Minato were to speak, it would be impossible to find a person who would treat Airi without malice out of so many people.

Besides, she was strangely concerned about Minato and the others. There was no reason why Minato and the others should be given the priority, so Minato wanted Airi not to hold back.

"It's nice of you to say so, but you don't have to worry about us, okay? You don't have to turn them down just because of housework."

"In the first place, you know I don't like to be around a lot of people, don't you? I'll decide what's important to me."

While Minato was wondering if his words were not convincing enough, Airi turned her head.

Minato had no right to tie Airi down, nor did he intend to disregard her choice.

But it must have been mentally difficult for her to keep refusing so many people's invitations, so Minato thought he should do what he could to help her.

That said, he didn't know what he could do to help, so he brought up the word 'housework'.

"I guess you're right. But really, don't overdo it. You don't have to look good for everyone."

"Yes, I know. So, what happened to you, Kujo-senpai?"

"Me? I was asked a few questions, but nothing too particular."

Some of his classmates asked Minato about it, and when he said that he met Airi through Momose, everyone went to Kazuma.

Kazuma seemed to be having a hard time. Minato looked at him, thinking it was only natural to go and ask him as he was the person closest to Momose.

When he told everyone that nothing had happened, he stared at Minato as hard as he could.

"I think it's unfair that I'm tired and senpai isn't, even though we went out together."

"I guess it comes down to whether or not you're the one at the center of the conversation and how you look."

The reaction of the people around were of course completely different towards Airi, who was the person in question, and towards Minato, who was just a childhood friend of Momose.

There was no need to compare between a beautiful girl and a normal high school boy.

In the first place, the feeling everyone felt was just a little jealousy, but they all thought that Minato was just benefiting off Momose and Kazuma.

"I'm not convinced."

"Even if you say that…"

Airi made a musing face as she hugged the cushion.

Although he was often glared at, Minato had never seen her sulk.

She seemed to be trying to put her grumpiness on display, but the combination of her gestures and expressions made her look more adorable.

(So she can make this kind of face too, huh…)

It wasn't fair that she could look good in that kind of look too. As Minato thought this, he wondered what he should do next.

She was probably not really angry and she was just letting his emotions out on Minato.

Minato was glad that she was honestly sharing her emotion with him, but apparently, it showed on his face, so Airi raised her eyebrows and stared at him again.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm sorry. As an apology, is there anything you want me to do for you? Within my capability, of course."

He didn't want to make Airi's mood any worse than it already was, so he tried to put her in a good mood by apologizing.

This was the only way he could follow up, but it was better than doing nothing. In the first place, there was the assumption that Airi would not make absurd demands.

As he was optimistically thinking that he would be fine, Airi gave him a nasty look. For some reason, he began to have a bad feeling about this.

"Then please come over here."

"…Okay."

"And I want you to have a seat beside me."

"Yeah. Is this okay?"

" Yes. Then, if you'll excuse me."

"Oi."

Airi leaned her shoulder on Minato's. He could feel the warmth of her shoulder and her smell because of the close proximity.

He didn't shift his position when Airi leaned on him, but his heart started to beat faster as he felt her presence so closely.

It was probably because he was too tired that he let his guard down.

"Don't be so defenseless."

"It's okay. It's because you're Kujo-senpai."

"Hah~ Suit yourself."

"Yes, I'll do as I please."

Although Minato said it as if he was trying to push her away, Airi didn't seem to mind at all and relaxed even more, being completely at ease.

With her confidence in Minato's attitude that he would never do anything, it seemed silly to pay any more heed, so he continued to snuggle up with Airi until she was satisfied.