Cultural Festival: The Second Day

It was now the second day of the cultural festival. Amane and the others had shifts in the afternoon, so they were free in the morning.

"It's been a while since I've visited my alma mater, but it's the same as I remember. It's been remodeled, but the atmosphere hasn't changed."

Seeing Shuuto for the first time in summer, he smiled and stood in front of the entrance, looking up at the school building as he murmured, "Not since the entrance ceremony, I believe," and Shihoko, who stood nearby—or rather, right next to him—smiled peacefully in the same way.

It was a familiar sight to Amane, but the fact that they were as close as ever and still garnered attention from those around them made him want to distance himself and pose as an unrelated person—though, of course, Mahiru was clinging to his arm to stop him. The warm gaze from her caramel eyes was implying, 'Please give up,' so Amane couldn't go through with it.

"…Hey, do we have to go around with you guys?"

"Oh, it's been a few months since you've said that. You're a bad boy." "People don't go around with their parents these days."

"That's not true… Ah, I guess this is a rebellious act of defiance against walking around with a parent as a teenager."

"It's not that I don't like it… it's just that you two really stand out."

There was no doubt that they garnered attention. Any biases aside, his parents had the air and atmosphere of a young, well-matched couple. There weren't many mature couples who went around flirting as much as they did.

Amane was concerned that if his classmates saw them, they would probably tease him about it later. Foreseeing this, he didn't want to go with them. However, Mahiru was the opposite. Her parents had never participated in a school event with her before and she seemed to want to stroll around with his parents, likely happy that Shihoko and Shuuto had come to visit. Knowing Mahiru's background, Amane felt guilty thinking about rejecting her simple wish, and if such a thing made her happy, he thought he should endure it himself—it would still be embarrassing, however.

"…We stand out? I think you two stand out enough already."

Shihoko murmured, keeping Amane and Mahiru huddled together in her field of vision as she kept on smiling. He could tell that she found it heartwarming and urged him to do it more, and Amane's cheeks almost scrunched up in response.

"…Even so, between students and parents, parents will stand out more." "Well, that's true, but it doesn't change the fact that you two attract attention too. And you, you're showing off by flirting, aren't you?"

"I'm not trying to do that… Anyway, you're going to the refreshment stalls, right? We've got a shift starting at noon, so if you're going to go around, make it fast."

"Oh, you're coming with us?"

"To make sure things don't get out of hand."

"I'm not sure about that. It's possible that you two are even more passionate, you know? Right, Shuuto-san?"

"Ahaha, you're right."

Amane clutched his forehead and sighed softly at Shuuto, who never retracted his gentle smile. Unlike Shihoko, he wasn't teasing him, so he couldn't strongly refuse or deny what he said. Amane was off-kilter, so he didn't retaliate or say anything back.

"…Anyway, where do you want to go?"

"Let's see. We'll be able to see Amane and the others working in the afternoon, right? Aside from that, I'd like to see a shop that sells handmade goods. There were pamphlets about handicrafts clubs."

"I just have to show you there, right?"

For the time being, it was best to fulfill her request quickly. Staying there would only draw unwanted attention, so in the end, Amane wrapped his arms around Mahiru's back as she gazed at the compromised Amane with a smile and gave her a light push to urge her into the school building.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Your parents are really close, aren't they? They're just like you, Fujimiya-kun."

Ayaka, now serving as a salesgirl, let out a small chuckle at the sight of his parents looking at the handmade goods of her handicraft club. They were expressing their close relationship through their body language while doing so.

Amane didn't know much about his classmate's club, but apparently, Ayaka belonged to the handicrafts club, and it appeared they showed up at the time of day that overlapped with her shift.

"Kido, I assumed you were the manager of some sports club…"

Amane subtly kept his distance from his parents and gazed at Ayaka wearing an apron. He inferred that it was likely a handmade product.

Knowing her, who so broadly proclaimed her love for muscles, he'd assumed she was the manager of a sports club or the like. He thought she would be trying to grab chances to steal glances at the boys with muscles and was surprised to see her as part of the handicraft club.

"Worshiping a boy's muscles is perfectly legal, you see. But unfortunately, I'm doing solo activities out here. Besides, Sou-chan's going to sulk if I do that."

"Kayano will?"

"He doesn't think it's a big deal to watch people doing physical training like on TV or in pictures, but he told me to at least stop grinning at the students."

"I feel like that's him worrying about your reputation rather than a display of his jealousy, Kido."

He probably wouldn't want anyone else to see a cute girl being so captivated by their muscles and looking like she was about to drool at them. Especially if it was his own girlfriend.

However, Ayaka, who seemed dissatisfied with Amane's assessment, puffed out her cheeks.

"How rude. I'll have you know even I'm picky about who I'll grin at."

"Half-baked muscles just don't cut it," Ayaka didn't deny the act itself, and she put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.

"Well, the reason I'm in the handicrafts club is because Dad begged me to be more feminine… Well, the deciding factor was that I can make Sou-chan's clothes by hand, and on top of that, I can take measurements myself."

"Damn, you're pretty hardcore…"

"D-Don't run off. Y-you know, if you strip and let Shiina-san take your measurements, I think she'd be able to make you some clothes herself."

"Please don't instill some strange fetish in Mahiru."

As it were, Mahiru was so embarrassed by seeing Amane naked that she rarely wanted him to even take his shirt off. Things would get problematic if she developed a muscle fetish like Ayaka's.

Without hiding his exasperation, he gazed at Ayaka, who looked disappointed for an unknown reason, and Mahiru–who had been browsing the merchandise with his parents–came over and tilted her head, baffled.

"I couldn't hear clearly. What were you talking about?"

"Huh? Just about how you'd be over the moon if Fujimiya-kun stripped," Ayaka answered.

"That's obviously not true. Right, Mahiru?" "I-I don't think… that's true?"

"Why's your denial so weak!?"

Amane predicted that she would aggressively deny it with a blush on her face, but she seemed quite hesitant. Amane couldn't hide his surprise.

"Huh? Because I taught Shiina-san how good muscles are?"

"Please don't do anything unnecessary. You don't need to teach Mahiru any weird knowledge."

"I was just talking about how great muscles are, and I don't want you to call the beauty of the human body weird knowledge. I think it's rude to say that after all the hard work they put into honing their body."

"Ah, yeah, I'm sorry."

Ayaka lectured him more seriously than he was expecting and reflexively apologized.

"…But what will I do if Mahiru awakens to that?" "Just strip?"

"Not happening."

It was clear as day that Mahiru would swiftly hit her limit and boil over if he did that, so Amane didn't plan to strip anytime soon. If he did, Mahiru wouldn't be able to look him in the eye for quite a while.

"It's not like anyone wants to see me naked," he said, looking at Ayaka with half-closed eyes. She herself didn't seem the least bit guilty as she smiled and muttered, "Shiina-san would want to see it, though."

Mahiru was vigorously shaking her head with a red face in protest. It was likely one of Ayaka's delusions in an attempt to increase her fetishist companions.

"Pshew." Mahiru's lips trembled as she murmured, "I've only thought a little about such shameful things."

Amane pondered that she was thinking a little too much about it. But if he poked fun at her, Mahiru would zip her mouth for a while, so he decided not to press his luck. Mahiru's words likely arose from an interest in her lover. Amane wanted to believe that it wasn't coming from a place of fetishism like Ayaka.

"Oh my, looks like you're having fun chatting over here."

As he was thinking about how to soothe the bright red Mahiru, Shihoko and Shuuto approached them with their signature relaxed smiles, apparently having bought something they fancied.

Ayaka blinked, perhaps caught off guard by their sudden approach, and straightened her posture and smiled outward. It was an elegant smile, devoid of the slightest hint of her sloppy muscle-chasing grin from moments earlier, and Amane froze at the gap in her attitude and mannerism. It was only natural.

"Oh, you're Fujimiya-kun's parents, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Kido Ayaka, Fujimiya-kun and Shiina-san's classmate."

"Thank you very much. I am Fujimiya Shuuto. This is my wife, Shihoko."

When Shuuto introduced himself and Shihoko, Ayaka then bowed her head with a smile. Amane couldn't help but be amused by how fast she changed gears.

"What were you talking about?" "…Mostly about Kido's hobbies."

Amane averted his eyes as Shuuto asked. It was then returned to Shihoko, who was taken aback and full of interest.

"Oh, what kind of hobby do you have?"

"Let's see, observing people… you could say? Basically, I like watching people work hard, and I enjoy rooting for them."

She wasn't lying about observing people. She wasn't lying about rooting for people who work hard and put the effort in, either. It wasn't at all accurate, though.

"By the way, what do you think of our Amane from your point of view, Kido-san? Is he working hard?"

"Let's see… I think he's doing his best. But I haven't been talking to him for long, so I still don't know much about Fujimiya-kun…"

Amane felt like she was definitely talking about his muscles, but he had no intention of charging in to question her in front of his parents. It would be unbearable for him if he jumped in unnecessarily.

Mahiru seemed to understand that, too, as she remained silent. Amane felt like she was poisoned by Ayaka as she was stealthily touching his stomach while his parents were distracted by the conversation. He reproached her and tugged on her hand, saying, "Wait until we're home." Mahiru, who seemed to be aware of what she was doing in public, quickly blushed.

"From what I see, Fujimiya-kun always looks happiest when he's with Shiina-san, and I can tell he's doing his best, so it makes me want to watch them from up close."

"Oh, those two are getting along well at school, too?"

"Yes, very much so. Enough for me to question what I'm seeing." "Hey, Kido, please don't say anything weird."

"Oh, come on. It's not weird, and it's the truth. I always think you two make a good couple, you know?"

Perhaps in retaliation for treating her fixation on muscles as weird knowledge, Ayaka praised them with a mischievous smile plastered on her face–one different than the one she directed at his parents. Shuuto and Shihoko smiled happily at her words.

Just thinking about how in his parent's minds, they imagined him flirting with Mahiru even in class made him want to escape straight away. Amane, who was aware that his face was as red as Mahiru's earlier, glared at Ayaka after she said something she shouldn't have, but Ayaka feigned ignorance.

"I'm glad everyone in the class approves of you." "Shut up."

Shuuto was truly happy and said so with a calm smile, so Amane pouted and turned away from him knowing that he couldn't run.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Amane-kun, your face looks dead…" "I wonder why…"

After leaving the handicraft club's area, Shuuto and Shihoko started walking through the school with Amane and Mahiru leisurely following behind them. Mahiru kept close, not giving him the chance to escape.

Amane masked his sulking but gazed at his parent's backs with an unmotivated expression as they enjoyed themselves.

Their gazes hurt.

He was with his parents, who were standing out, so he could feel everyone's gazes piercing right through him. It wasn't like Amane had particularly enjoyed attracting attention lately, either, but he was getting used to it by spending time as Mahiru's boyfriend. But this time, the stares were of a different kind. They weren't born from jealousy or malice, but curiosity. Their faces were known, so they were looking their way with even more amusement.

Amane simply trudged behind them tiredly watching the sight of his parents flirting in front of him as they went to visit another mock store. Puzzled, Mahiru lowered her eyes as she watched him.

"If you dislike it that much, then we can split up from them…"

"It's not that I don't like it, it's just… it's embarrassing to see my own family acting like this…"

"…You say that, but I think you're pretty similar to Shuuto-san, Amane-kun." "In what way?"

"Lately, Amane-kun's been acting like, how should I put it… unconsciously giving off a possessive aura like you're saying 'I'm her boyfriend…'"

"You naturally take my hand and hold my shoulders, don't you?" Mahiru pursed her lips slightly as a pale crimson color fell across her cheeks, and Amane did the same, unable to say anything back in response. They weren't flirting excessively when in public, but they were doing light physical contact as lovers would to keep each other in check, but that didn't seem to bother her. Mahiru didn't seem to mind, but rather she was just embarrassed.

"…Honestly. Y-You can be so bold, but, um… it makes my heart race too much. I'm glad you're more confident now, Amane-kun but now I can't help but be flustered by it." Mahiru explained. "Even so, I'm getting conscious of so many strange things… B-But I've noticed you're still a bit reserved when it comes to certain things, too."

"Hey, you didn't need to say that last part." Amane retorted. "But…"

"I really wonder how you see me."

He wanted to hold his head in his hands, wondering if even Mahiru still thought he was a loser, but well, it had been four months since they'd started dating, and they hadn't done anything more than kissing, so maybe he could be called just that.

They already had an understanding of each other, and Mahiru should understand that it was a choice he made because he wants to treasure her. However, he was dissatisfied that it was considered a standard for him.

"Sorry for being so shy."

"I-I'm not blaming you. Um, I know you're taking it slow because you care about me. But you're too considerate of me, and you put yourself off until later… so I thought it might be painful."

Mahiru may have been an amateur to love and less knowledgeable than Amane when it came to relationships with men, but she seemed to know about the physiological phenomena unique to men, and she was worried about him when they spent time together. She knew how Amane felt, and on top of that, she understood that Amane wouldn't do anything because he respected her and didn't want to force her into anything, which was why she'd come up with words of concern for him.

From Amane's point of view, it was embarrassing for that to be noticed, and he was painfully aware of his inexperience in not being able to hold himself back, but Mahiru was happy that he didn't take it as something to be hated.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't painful. As long as you're happy, Mahiru, then I'm happy, too… and I still don't think I'll rush things now either."

"…If you're happy, then please realize that I'm happy too." Mahiru said, confirming her feelings,

"And that's why it's better for you to be happy."

"You're going around in circles!" Mahiru poked him in the side with her fingertips in dissatisfaction, but his feelings didn't waver. He smiled softly once he saw Mahiru's sulking face, but then she pouted even more, so he tried to calm her down with his fingers.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Mahiru." "…I can't handle that part of you, Amane-kun." "Well, not much I can do about that."

Mahiru headbutted his arm as Amane implied he had no intention of yielding with feelings of exasperation, slight irritation, joy, and an indescribable emotion that surrounded them. Despite that, she wasn't angry.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"You understand how cute Mahiru-chan is, don't you?"

"Well, of course. Mahirun was always so charming… But the more I learn about her, the cuter she gets."

"Don't mix these two specimens together. It's too dangerous."

Amane let out a grand sigh before Shihoko and Chitose, who had hit it off thanks to their fondness for Mahiru despite just meeting for the first time. Since Itsuki and Chitose had the same shift as Amane today, they were free to do as they pleased in the morning, but since they happened to run into each other, he had no choice but to introduce his parents. But that was where the problem lay.

Chitose had been acting docile at first, but after Shihoko had started doting on Mahiru, she couldn't hold herself back and joined in instead. Looking at them from that perspective, the two of them really got along well.

The result of which left Mahiru blushing and trembling after being complimented here and there by the pair of them. Her caramel-colored eyes, oozing with shame, looked at Amane as if begging for assistance, but there was no way he could outplay their fervor and excitement, so he let them do as they pleased for the time being, and the lost men in the group gathered together.

"Thank you for taking care of our Amane." "Not at all."

"…Ugh."

"What's wrong with our 'Amane-kun,' here? You're not gonna deny it?"

"It's true that you're taking care of me. Though whether or not you'll stick your nose in my business is a different matter."

Sometimes it really was none of his business, but Itsuki was usually helping him out and taking care of him in his own way. Amane did feel indebted to him, and even if he didn't say it often, he was grateful for it every day. If it weren't for Itsuki, his relationship with Mahiru wouldn't have progressed as far as it did, and one could say that he was one of the key figures supporting their relationship along with Chitose.

Amane was grateful, so he couldn't deny Shuuto's words, but for some reason, Itsuki averted his eyes.

"You're so honest when it comes to that sort of thing."

"Are you picking a fight with me because I'm usually so twisted?"

"So that's how you'll take it. That means you're aware that you're twisted?" "Shut it."

"You little rascal," Amane slapped him on the back but held back as he wasn't being serious. He noticed Itsuki grinning at him as he looked his way. Shuuto smiled as he observed their interactions and Amane turned away, unable to bear it any longer. Then, he went on to express his smile with words.

"Well, Amane can be somewhat twisted. A little dishonest, but also straightforward, and he's pretty easy to understand."

"He's always been like this, our Amane. It's been hard for him to get close friends, but I'm glad you're a friend who understands him."

"Not at all. I'm glad we became friends."

"…You can talk about that somewhere without me."

"Well, you see…"

"You're right. I'll have to send a message later…"

He preferred to have them talk somewhere he couldn't hear, but now they were planning to exchange their contact information. Amane could feel a headache creeping up on him. He had a feeling they were going to report to each other in secret and he'd prefer for them not to do so. The thing is, even if he stopped Itsuki and his father here, he had no doubt that Chitose and his mother would collude and do something about it, so there was no point in trying to stop them, either.

Either way, Mahiru and I are gonna be teased.

It was probably because of their affection as a friend and parent, but it was still unbearable for the one involved. He averted his gaze, thinking he'd warn her later – Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Daiki, whom he'd seen the day before. He was Itsuki's guardian, so it wouldn't be strange for him to attend both days of the festival, but he didn't call out to him.

The man looked bewildered, wearing a troubled expression from a distance. He was looking in Itsuki's direction, evidently curious about his son.

"Amane, what are you…"

Noticing that Amane was frozen stiff, Itsuki turned to look in the same direction, but his handsome face swiftly stiffened. He knew they weren't on good terms, but even if it was flattery, he couldn't continue acting like that as his friend.

When he looked at Itsuki, wondering what to do, his lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but didn't form any cognizable words, and Itsuki turned his back away from his father. He went over to Chitose, who was still excited and chuckled.

"Chi, let's go buy some food, okay? If we don't line up soon, we'll be hungry this afternoon."

"Eh, I don't wanna do that. Serving customers is a battle of stamina. Ah, sorry, we'll be going now."

"Oh, really? I'm planning on going to the café this afternoon, so I'll be counting on you then."

"Yes, I'll be looking forward to it."

Chitose bent her waist and bowed politely as Itsuki ever so slightly urged her to leave. Itsuki was aware of the solemn changes in Chitose's expressions when confronted by Daiki and likely acted in consideration of that. Even so, Amane felt like he was being too obvious about it in front of Daiki.

How did it come to this…?

Amane sighed softly at the scene of his friend treating his father like thin air. "…Sorry for the trouble."

Watching Itsuki and Chitose leave, Daiki, who had been watching them from afar, approached them wearing a wry smile. Even Amane couldn't stand to be there, and he felt bad about it, but he couldn't get too involved in their problems, so he saw Itsuki and Chitose off as they left.

Shihoko noticed Daiki approaching and made her way over, accompanied by Mahiru.

"Oh, if it isn't Itsuki's father. The boy we just encountered," Shuuto noted. "Pleased to meet you," Shihoko greeted. "Itsuki-kun has been taking care of our son."

"Not at all, I should be the one saying that…"

Seeing his parents and Daiki introduce themselves with the usual exchange of formality left Amane feeling rather awkward.

"…Ah, um, Daiki-san. Just then…"

"I was expecting as much. I've been quite harsh on her, it's understandable that Itsuki would try to distance her."

Daiki stated it matter-of-factly and seemed to have accepted it or given up, not showing any hint of sorrow. Shuuto and Shihoko frowned worriedly as they realized the rift between Daiki and his son's girlfriend, Chitose. Amane once told his parents about a friend whose love wasn't acknowledged by his parents, and it must have come back to them. Daiki didn't seem to mind his parents' expressions, and after gazing upward while remembering the scene from earlier, he smiled a little.

"Still, Shiina-san, you're quite close to Fujimiya-kun's parents. I'm surprised to see you like that."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"Well, she's my future daughter. She doesn't need to be this way, but I want to dote on her."

It was natural that Mahiru would get along well with Amane's parents due to their personalities and the fact that they had long accepted Mahiru as part of the Fujimiya family. She was to become their future daughter, and Shihoko and Shuuto treated her as such. Amane thought that Shihoko was being rather daring with her choice of words… but refrained from saying it out loud. Shihoko didn't back down and carried on boldly. He assumed it was deliberate and had an idea of what she intended. Shuuto showed no signs of stopping her, either.

Mahiru blushed at Shihoko's declaration of love, devoid of any flattery, it was a declaration of pure and genuine love. Late to react, Daiki widened his eyes in surprise and let out a bitter smile.

"Well, I suppose you two have nothing to be dissatisfied with. Given who it is." "You're right. She's the one my son chose. I trust in his eyes, and when we saw Mahiru-chan, we felt like she could take care of our son."

Amane was subtly dissatisfied that he was being entrusted to Mahiru, and not the other way around, but he couldn't complain since he knew how much she took care of him.

"I'm envious of you. I can't do the same with my foolish son." "You don't have faith in your son?"

"He's not as sensible as your son. Mine's still a mere fledgling."

"Oh, I don't think so. From what I've heard from Amane, he's a kind and caring boy who can often be very considerate."

"That's…"

As Daiki hesitated, Shihoko gave him a quiet smile. She probably felt something as a fellow parent as she usually wouldn't meddle in others' affairs too much, but this time she wasn't holding anything back.

Seeing Itsuki escaping from his father was likely what sparked her change of heart, and it was all for the sake of his girlfriend standing by his side.

"As a parent, I understand that you have your own thoughts on the person they choose, but… children will object if you suppress their will too much. Since he's grown up to be such a wonderful child, I believe the proper role of an adult here is to have faith in his choice and watch over them."

Shihoko smiled at Daiki as she said so, and he made a sour face in response. Not from a place of disgust, however, but rather because she had hit him in a sore spot.

Seeing Shihoko's refusal to carry on any further, Shuuto and Amane kept up a faint but dry smile.

"Well, it's not something that we, who just met you, should be proud of saying… but if you try to stop your child from walking down the path he is carving out for himself, the child will not accept you. It's one thing if your child is clearly going down the wrong path, but that is not the case."

Shuuto tightened his grip and observed Daiki, showing the same smile as Shihoko. Amane scratched his cheek and sighed softly. Amane didn't think it was his place to interfere too much. But for better or worse, Daiki understood that he himself was a stubborn man, and he knew that what Amane's parents saw and what he saw were different.

If Daiki knew that Chitose wasn't a bad person, then his decisions were confirmed to be based solely on differences in perception and demand.

"Daiki-san, let me say something too. Um, Daiki-san… I don't think you like Chitose too much, but… she's definitely not a bad person. Lately, she's been agonizing over how to get you to acknowledge her, and she's been working even harder than before. I can't tell you to accept her, but… please take a good look at her."

Daiki had a tolerance level that was hard to overcome, and with that, Chitose herself may not be able to do much about it. She wasn't exceptionally dumb, and she was someone who could read the mood when it mattered most. She was often also considerate of others and their position.

If he had to put his finger on it, their turmoil stemmed from his difference in ideals, and Amane didn't want that to be the sole reason for Itsuki's father to completely deny Chitose. He spoke his mind hesitantly and awkwardly averted his gaze once finished, but Daiki's eyes widened slightly.

"…I understand that Fujimiya-kun thinks highly of my son and that he places his trust in her. I am also aware of the effort my son exerts. And the fact that children should not be bound by the shackles of their parents' will. However…"

"However?"

"…I don't think she has influenced my son in a positive way. Even if you have been positively influenced by that son of mine, my assessment of her will not change. I want you to understand that."

Amane's words, so to speak, were influenced by Itsuki's feelings and not from his own personal standpoint. It wasn't something that considered Daiki's position or feelings on the matter. Amane also understood that the words of an outsider like himself wouldn't be enough to make him waver, but… the fact that he'd been rejected head-on, albeit softly, made his heart ache subtly.

I knew it wasn't something I should stick my nose into, but even so…

This was a problem between Daiki and Chitose, and there was no telling what Daiki truly thought about her. Unless he peeked deep into his heart, there was no way for him to know why Chitose was someone he couldn't accept.

"There is no need for you to worry, Fujimiya-kun. I do not intend to eliminate her. However, I have my own thoughts on the matter, and I do not approve of her.

Please understand that."

"…That was impudent of me."

"There's no need for that, I'm glad my son has made friends like you. You appear to be genuinely worried about him."

Daiki didn't look offended; he simply smiled faintly, but with a hint of bitterness. With calm eyes, he then reaffirmed his gaze on Amane and his parents.

"Putting me aside, I would like you to continue to be friends with my son."

Lightly bowing his head, Daiki declared so in a firm and stiff voice before swiftly making his way to the exit, leaving them baffled in the process.

Left behind, Amane understood that Daiki had his own way of thinking and let out a sigh bundled with a feeling akin to disappointment, dismay, or loneliness.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"…You're usually so curt with Akazawa-san and Chitose-san, but you always stand up for them in situations like that."

After eating lunch, they parted ways with their parents, and after changing clothes to prepare for their afternoon shift, Amane and Mahiru were spending time in the waiting room twenty minutes before they needed to work.

"…Well, we're friends."

"You're not being honest, are you?" "Shut up. I'm honest with you, Mahiru."

"I don't know if I should call it honest or direct… But sometimes you make me so surprised that it makes my heart race."

"I'm glad your heart's beating so fast." "Geez."

Appealing that she wasn't disappointed, but that it couldn't be helped, Mahiru patted him on the shoulder, to which Amane shrugged and replied: "Well, I won't do anything too obvious when they can see what I'm doing, the pair of them would be overly considerate. Besides, I understand what Daiki-san is trying to say."

"What do you mean?"

"Hmm… Their house is pretty luxurious. I'm sure you've never been there, Mahiru, but they've got a small mansion."

"A mansion…?"

"That's right, a mansion. It's the pure Japanese type, too."

Amane was surprised when he was invited to hang out for the first time. Even Amane thought his house was spacious, but it was no match for a luxurious Japanese abode with detached houses, ponds and bridges, and a well-maintained garden. Itsuki himself seemed somewhat embarrassed, saying, "It's an old-fashioned house, right?" But for Amane, it was less old-fashioned and more historical, and he thought of it as a well-kept and splendid house.

"Well, that's the kind of family he comes from. Apparently, he has an older brother, so he's the one who will take over the family, but that doesn't change the fact that he's the second son of the Akazawas."

"…I see."

"Well, Itsuki's argument is that he's the second son and won't inherit the family, so he should let him do as he pleases. He keeps saying he doesn't want his parents to restrict his relationship."

He could understand what Itsuki was saying, and he could understand why he didn't want his parents to decide since he was old enough to think for himself.

From what Amane heard Daiki say earlier, he couldn't sense that he was refusing Chitose due to her lineage, or because Itsuki had changed for the worse after dating Chitose. He felt like there was a different deciding factor preventing him from accepting Chitose. He wouldn't know what exactly it was unless he were to ask him directly, but he could understand why Daiki didn't seem to want to tell him.

Well, even with that, Amane had no intention of siding with Daiki, who wouldn't listen to the wishes of the people involved.

"I'm sure Daiki-san has his own reasons, but from my point of view, forcing them to split would only cause backlash and conflict, and the better course of action would be to let them get closer. That's thinking in terms of their future, and their feelings as well."

"Well, I might be able to say this precisely because I'm not involved." Amane tightened his grip and shrugged, and Mahiru stared at him, before lowering her head.

"…I'm a little jealous of Akazawa-san."

"Jealous?" Hearing something he hadn't expected at all, Amane's eyes naturally widened in surprise.

Mahiru prefaced her words with a troubled smile before continuing, "It may be a little imprudent of me," and gently spun her words as she sighed.

"Of course, I don't think this is an easy situation for them. Even so, his father is interfering because he cares about his son's future, doesn't he? I can't deny that he is forcing his ideals on them in the process… but that doesn't change the fact that it comes from a place of parental love."

Hearing Mahiru say the words 'parental love,' Amane braced his body in a way that she wouldn't notice.

"Ah, there's no need to worry about me."

Appearing to notice Amane's worry, she smiled faintly and lowered her eyes, twiddling with the ends of her flowing hair and wrapping it around her fingers.

"I don't have much to say about my parents at the moment, but from the point of view of someone like me, who didn't have any familial bonds to rely on, I'm envious. Even if they reach out now, I don't think I'll ever take their hand."

"I already consider our bond irreparable," she added softly, swirling her hair once more in a circle-like motion.

Noticing her unconscious display of tension and aversion, Amane didn't pursue her gestures too deeply and removed the untidy pieces of hair caught in her fingers, gently stroking her white cheeks.

Mahiru's gaze darted upward. Aware of her somewhat wavering gaze as she looked up at him, Amane didn't dare to point it out. He smiled at her, quietly.

"Well, my parents are there for you, Mahiru, so you can experience all the wonders of familial love. If anything, my parents would say you're too good for me."

For the Fujimiya family, Mahiru was practically their daughter now. If she so wanted, she could be loved and doted on more than Amane, their biological son, and this was especially true as his parents had realized that Mahiru was starved for love. They would treat her just that much more endearingly.

Mahiru, whose eyes fluttered at Amane's words, slowly began to relax as if his words had deeply sunk in and convinced her.

"…Hehe, that's not true. You're wonderful, Amane-kun."

"Thanks for that… You don't have to worry so much about it. You're loved by us, after all."

"Yes."

Mahiru shyly leaned in next to him, and Amane accepted her with a faint smile and quietly sidled up to her for a little while.