To My Dearest, Who Has Accepted All of Me

"Uh-huh…"

Apparently, I had fallen asleep.

He hugged me even though I was crying so hard and let my emotions get the better of me.

I knew I should apologize to him first, but I didn't want to leave his warm arms.

"Good morning."

"…Good morning. I'm sorry, I was so distraught."

"Don't worry about it. Just let it out once in a while. Feeling better now?"

"Yes, thank you."

He took all the pain out of me. I can't thank him enough.

I didn't want to let go of this warmth, and selfishness came out of my mouth.

"Um… Can I be selfish, please?"

"Yeah. Sure."

"Can I get a pat on the head?"

"Okay."

"…Nnn."

Manly hands that were different from mine. Warm hands that cared for me. The feeling of his hand stroking my head felt so good, it made me happy, and I wanted more, I wanted him to be with me more and more.

I stared at the face of the man I love and said my request.

"Minato-san, I have a favor to ask."

"Say whatever you want."

"Please don't leave me alone."

"I wouldn't leave someone I live with alone. Besides, didn't I tell you before that you're not alone?"

"That's not what I meant. Please stay by my side so that I don't become a doll again. I don't have to be a doll when I'm by your side, do I?"

"Of course, I'll stay by your side if you want me to. If it's okay with you, I can spoil you and you can be vulnerable with me."

Although I was confident that he would give me the words I wanted, I didn't expect him to say that much.

He always spoiled me with his words. His kindness almost made it impossible for me to leave him.

But is it really okay? Will he stay with me forever if I want him to? Will I be allowed to be spoiled more, to be touched more, to rely on him more?

I've been spoiled by him enough even now. I think it would be too much trouble for him if I go any further.

"…Is that okay? I'll ask to be spoiled a lot, you know?"

"I'll spoil you all you want."

"I'm sure I'll ask a lot of reckless things, but if you don't like it, please tell me."

I wasn't trying to push him or make him do something he didn't want to do. I didn't want him to have a hard time.

As I was thinking of this, he wrapped me in his gentle words.

"All right, I'll tell you when I don't like it. Is that all you're asking?"

"Then, please let me stay here a little longer."

"It's no big deal."

He said it was okay. Then I should be honest with myself. I want to be pampered a lot. I want to rely on him a lot.

Ever since I became aware of my feelings for him on the day of the sports festival, those feelings have been growing inside me.

I love him for his willingness to accept my selfishness.

As I was enjoying his hands, his stomach rumbled.

It was much later than usual because I had fallen asleep after a long day of crying.

I was hungry too, and I guess we were both disturbed by the sound of his stomach.

" Fufu , we do this all the time, don't we?"

"I'm sorry. This is getting awkward."

"It's just like us, isn't it? Well then, let's have dinner."

I'm sure I can continue this wonderful life with him.

When I thought about this, even the distance between us now that we were no longer in a sweet atmosphere seemed lovely.

After dinner and bath, I wanted to be spoiled by him.

He had already given me his permission, and I wasn't going to hold back anymore. I knew that he would accept me.

When I put my back to him, I heard his confused voice.

"Airi, what's wrong?"

"I just wanted to do this. Is it no good?"

"…Well, it's okay."

I couldn't see his face, but he must have that troubled look that I like.

I felt like a bad girl for liking to see his troubled face, but I couldn't stop enjoying it.

I want him to be troubled by me more, to be more conscious of me. Is it strange to think so?

Although he looked troubled, he really didn't seem to mind, and he would eventually forgive me for my behavior. It's because of this that I'm getting carried away.

"Let's go to bed, Minato-san."

As I was sticking with him over our backs, I started to feel sleepy, so I tried to nudge him to sleep.

It took a lot of energy to cry, and I didn't sleep in his arms for very long, so I felt exhausted.

I looked at him, cursing my own body for being so selfish that I couldn't get rid of my fatigue by being caressed by him.

I thought for sure he would be willing, but he seemed to have something on his mind.

I wanted him not to ignore me, I wanted him to see me more. Why couldn't he see me?

"Ignoring me? I'll cry. I'm going to cry."

"All right, all right. I'm sure you're tired today. Let's go to bed early."

"Yes."

In spite of my selfishness, he smiled bitterly, but he didn't really look displeased.

I want to touch him more, I want to be with him all the time.

As we clung to each other until we were just about to get into the futon, he asked me curiously.

"Hey, Airi, aren't you too close?"

"I can be spoiled, can't I? You said you'd be there for me."

"…I did say that."

"Then it's fine, isn't it? …But if you really don't like it, just let me know, okay?"

"…I got it."

He gave me permission, and I didn't hesitate, but I didn't intend to tie him down.

When I told him what I meant by that, he let out a sigh and said, "Can't be helped," and he indulged me.

My feelings of love for him grew stronger and stronger, and I got under the covers to stare at his back, which was against me.

His body was different from mine, not too skinny or fat, but well-muscled and masculine.

He was only a bit taller than most men, but his body was still bigger than mine.

Although I had touched him many times during the massage, I reached for his back, wanting to touch him again now.

He then questioned me, having not expected me to do such a thing.

"Wh-What are you doing?"

"Minato-san's back is so big, isn't it?"

As I realized once again how big his back was, he tried to stop me.

"Stop it, it tickles."

"Please answer my question if you want me to stop."

I knew that if I said it this way, he would answer me.

I admit it was cunning, sly, and bad, but I still wanted to hear it.

"…What?"

"Minato-san, do you like me?"

"!!! Wh-What are you talking about!?"

"You told me when I was crying. You said you liked me inside and out."

"Ah..."

Until today, he had rarely complimented me on my appearance.

I knew he was conscious of me because I could feel his eyes glancing at me, but I thought he might not like my appearance.

That's why I was so happy when he called me a 'beautiful girl' at the beginning of the summer vacation. I even tried my best to suppress my grin.

The only thing he complimented me on was my smell.

To be honest, his scent was more soothing and better than mine, but I didn't feel bad about the compliment.

Also, I had never really cared about it before, but after knowing he liked the way I smelled, I started to pay attention to it.

And today, he told me that he liked my appearance.

When other people compliment me on my appearance, I just cringe, but when he said it, it warmed my heart.

When I asked him with faint hope that maybe he likes me too, he froze.

"How about it?"

I wondered if my appearance was to his liking, or if he was just saying that to comfort me.

He's not a liar, so I'm sure he likes me a little, but is it as a member of the opposite sex, or is it just in admiration?

I patted him on the back and urged him to hurry up and tell me, when finally, I heard his gentle voice.

"I said that because I didn't want Airi to cry."

"So it was a lie?"

"No comment, please."

I got a little annoyed by his iridescent answer, saying it wasn't a lie, but it wasn't true either.

Then I would blackmail him to become more aware of me. I am sure he wouldn't say "No" or "Stop".

"…Then it can't be helped. I'll forgive you today. Instead, please don't stop what I'm about to do. …Does it hurt?"

"No, it doesn't hurt. I think it tickles a little."

To thank him for accepting everything about me, I traced his back with a 'thank you' mixed with my love for him, and he shivered as he laughed.

He seemed to have understood me well, so I removed my hands from his back, this time sticking my head to him, and putting my hands around his waist.

As I wandered around, wondering where his hand was, a warm, firm hand grabbed mine. I love that he understands my intentions without me having to say a word.

I don't know how much time has passed, probably quite a bit. However, now my eyes are so bright, even though I was so sleepy before I got under the covers.

I couldn't get enough of feeling the warmth and heartbeat from his hands and back, and then his heartbeat calmed down.

I slid my hand out of his and ran my fingers down his back again.

I knew that if I pressed too hard, it would wake him up, so I tried to be gentle and careful.

It was only three words. Just the word 'I love you.'

What am I doing?

My cheeks heated up as I realized my ridiculous action.

I wondered if one day I would be able to express my feelings for him.

After the sports festival, I became aware of it, and my feelings grew bigger and bigger every day.

And today, he knew everything about me and accepted me on top of that.

To be honest, I don't care if anyone else looks at me coldly, or how much I'm criticized, as long as he's here for me.

But what about him? Especially since he and I look so different, he would be concerned about that.

I know it doesn't really matter deep down, but that's just what I think alone, and I'm sure it'd cause him trouble.

If he were to like me, I wonder if he would think, 'I don't care if anyone criticizes me.'

However, he probably sees me as an important person, or he wouldn't be consoling me like he did after the sports festival and today.

But I don't know whether this 'important person' is someone he loves kindly or as a member of the opposite sex.

Therefore, I should pester him more, approach him, and be spoiled by him.

I hope that I can stay with him until he becomes fully aware of me as the opposite sex, and beyond that, I hope I can still be with him.

Prepare yourself, Minato-san.

I love him. I really love him. My dearest, I'll make you love me too.

So… Airi's perspective is supposed to be in first person. So chapter 21.5/extra 1 is actually mistranslated. I'm not going to fix it as I have this principle that what's done is done. You may argue that I'm just being lazy, I will not deny nor confirm that.

Also, since this is in first-person, I edited this while looking at other peoples' translations. I'm pretty sure there's bound to be some mistakes here and there, but bury those mistakes with Airi's cuteness…? Lol. I have not much experience editing in first-person, so bear with it~~