My classmates were at my house. The sudden liveliness clearly delighted Airi; she was hugging everyone in turn, her face beaming with joy. Watching my little sister like that filled me with a sense of warmth. I was glad I’d decided to invite them over after all.
"Airi-chan, it’s Takaaki. Ta-ka-a-ki."
"Takaki!"
"Ahaha! She said Takaki! It’s Takaki-kun, okay?"
"I-I said Takaaki!"
Everyone was picking Airi up and trying to get her to memorize their names. They rarely had a chance to meet her like this... I suppose they’d be thrilled if they happened to run into her in public and she actually remembered who they were.
"She’s so cute! I’m taking her home with me!"
"Wait, n-no you’re not!"
"Then I’ll take Aichi instead!"
"What are you even saying..."
I used both hands to fend off Kei as she tried to squirm her way toward me. When she persisted, I simply squeezed her cheeks. Her cute, sun-kissed face puckered up like an octopus, and I couldn't help but let out a little snort of laughter.
"Ta-ka-a-ki!"
"Ta, ta... Takaaki!"
"That’s it! Takaaki!"
"Takaaki!"
"Oh! She finally got everyone!"
"Amazing, amazing!"
Starting with Sasaki-kun and going through the rest, Airi successfully memorized all their names. Everyone swarmed her with praise. As I watched her squealing with delight, Airi caught sight of Okamoto-san—who had come along with Shirai-san—and her smile faltered. Ah, that look... she’d forgotten the name.
"...Fueh."
"Airi, come here."
"Okay..."
When I called her, Airi came trotting over to me. I picked her up and stroked her head, and she narrowed her eyes contentedly. Yes, she was precious. No matter what happened, I would protect this child.
"See? Everyone was shouting their names at once, so Airi-chan got confused!"
"Maybe we should stop for now."
"Even her worried face is adorable..."
"Hey."
I suppose she couldn't handle any more. Not counting Kei, there were four people here. I wouldn't be able to keep that many names straight if everyone introduced themselves at once, either. When Kei and I first met, I’d been approached by a whole group from the Volleyball Club, but since she’d given her name first, I was able to remember her immediately. It had been the same the first time she came to my house... Kei might just be naturally good at those kinds of things.
"You remembered so many names, Airi."
"Yeah...!"
"Guh..."
Seeing Airi’s brilliant smile, Okamoto-san practically collapsed. She made a show of weeping over how "precious" it was, while Shirai-san gave her a wry smile, asking what she was doing. I remembered having a similar reaction to Airi’s angelic smile before...
"...Ah..."
The weight in my arms increased. Kei let out a soft exclamation as she looked at Airi. She’d fallen asleep. It made sense; she’d played so hard today that it was only natural for her to tire out early.
Once I’d tucked Airi into a safe spot to nap, the gathering came to an end. I saw everyone off at the front door.
"Thanks for today, Natsukawa."
"Airi-chan was even cuter in person than in her photos!"
"Fufu, naturally."
"Aichi is cute too!"
"I’m tired of hearing that from you."
Everyone offered their thoughts one by one. It was only to be expected; no one could look at Airi and not feel a surge of affection. Resisting it would be the height of folly... and I was the one who got to watch her sleeping face after this!
"Ah, but it might be tough to bring other people over for a while, huh?"
"...Eh?"
"We probably pushed her to her limit just trying to remember our names."
"Yeah, we were the first four. Even if Natsukawa-san says it's okay, Airi-chan might be overextending herself."
That was true. Airi had been trying her absolute best ever since Shirai-san first introduced herself. If I brought more kids over right now, her poor head might just explode. They were all really thinking about Airi’s well-being...
"...Oh,"
"Hmm...?"
"...Th-thank you..."
"Nngh—! Aichi—!!"
"Kya... W-wait, stop!"
When was the last time I’d expressed gratitude to someone who wasn't family? Despite the embarrassment, I’d managed to get the words out, and a beaming Kei immediately lunged at me.
"So cute...! You’re so cute, Aichi!"
"K-Kei...!?"
"......Whoa."
"Wait, stop! Sasaki-kun, don't look! You shouldn't look at this!"
"Wh-what do you mean 'this'!?"
As I struggled to peel Kei off me, Okamoto-san and the others were trying to shield Sasaki-kun’s eyes. Apparently, we looked quite strange to outsiders right now. Realizing that, I shoved Kei away with even more force.
"Honestly...! What has gotten into you!?"
"S-sorry... I just couldn't hold it back anymore..."
"Hold what back!?"
"M-my libido."
"What are you even saying..."
I was grateful, but that didn't give her license to do whatever she wanted. Seriously... where did she think she was burying her face?
As we chatted at the entrance, the sky began to turn a deep red. It was the start of summer. For the sun to be this low already... a considerable amount of time must have passed.
"Airi loves lively company. I’m sure she’ll eventually say she wants to see you all again, so let’s wait until then."
"Yes...! We get to see her again!"
"Hey, Shiori and the others are supposed to be next, right?"
"Eeeh?"
They began bickering over Airi. But it wasn't a mean-spirited argument... Even as someone who tends to get defensive, I found myself watching them with a gentle feeling in my heart.
However, that feeling vanished in an instant when Airi appeared, having woken up.
"—Mmm... Takaaki..."
"!"
"Eh...? Airi-chan?"
Emerging from the open doorway, Airi stumbled out and clung to the leg of Sasaki-kun, who was just about to leave. She looked exactly like a little sister acting spoiled with her older brother.
"Ahaha... Come to think of it, Sasaki-kun really is an older brother, isn't he?"
"Won't your little sister be jealous?"
"Yuki had a cute phase like this once, too..."
"Hey! That’s terrible! You should say 'she’s still cute'! I feel sorry for your sister!"
With the practiced air of a big brother, Sasaki-kun gently stroked Airi’s head. Airi accepted it with a blissful expression, looking like she might drift off again right there.
"......Come here, Airi."
"Mmm...? Big sis...?"
When I called her name, Airi trotted back to me, still half-asleep. I picked her up, and this time she fully surrendered her weight to me. Children fall asleep so fast. The thought that I was the one Airi trusted most in the world eased that strange, prickly feeling in my chest just a little.
"......Aichi?"
"...She’s out. I’m sorry about that, Sasaki-kun."
"No, it’s fine. It’s been a while since my sister was that small, so it was nostalgic."
"I see..."
And so, the visit truly concluded. Everyone waved with smiles as they headed home. After waving back a few times, I turned a cold gaze to my side.
"...Aren't you leaving?"
"Ehehe... Aichi, maybe you could let me stay the night today—"
"Go home."
"Che."
She was as opportunistic as ever.
She was still in her school uniform and didn't have a change of clothes. I could have lent her something, but if she said the size was... too baggy or something, I’d be annoyed, so no. If a tall, athletic girl said something like that to me, I’d consider a hunger strike. Besides, she probably didn't actually intend to stay.
Once I’d seen Kei off, I went back inside. It wasn't dinner time yet, so I couldn't let Airi sleep indefinitely. I sat down on the living room sofa and leaned her gently against me, which caused Airi to blink her eyes open.
"Muu...?"
"There now, Airi."
"Oh, did your friends head home?"
"Yeah."
My mother, who was busy in the kitchen, looked over at us with a fond smile. She seemed genuinely happy, likely because I rarely invited friends over. That warm, knowing gaze of hers was directed more at me than at Airi. It was... quite embarrassing.
As I sat there feeling awkward, Airi asked me a question with a curious tilt of her head.
"...What about Takaaki...?"
"Airi."
"Fueh."
For some reason, my voice came out completely devoid of emotion. I didn't even understand why myself. To Airi, it must have sounded like I was scolding her; she looked at me with a sudden, anxious expression. Panicking, I pulled her onto my lap and hugged her to show I wasn't angry.
Realizing that she wasn't in trouble, Airi looked up at me blankly and leaned her head against my chest.
"Airi, did you have fun?"
"Yeah! It was fun...!"
"I see. That’s good."
The movement of being shifted around had woken her up completely; her voice regained its energy. Children really were amazing—they tired easily, but their recovery was just as fast. I began to worry if she’d be able to sleep tonight.
"Airi. Do you remember everyone?"
"Yeah! I remember!"
"I see... Who do you remember best?"
"Takaaki!"
"I see. Um, you know...?"
You know...? What was I... what was I trying to say?
It shouldn't matter. Sasaki-kun really is an older brother. He was very kind to Airi. That was exactly why she’d taken to him enough to cling to his leg like that. There was nothing strange about it.
‘You remembered so many names.’
‘We were the first four.’
‘We probably pushed her to her limit—’
"......"
Airi had enjoyed herself in her own way and worked hard to remember everyone. It was a fresh experience for her, a precious memory that would stay with her for years. Being fussed over by kind older sisters and an older brother... it was a happy occasion that could only have a positive influence on her.
And yet... why?
Why was there this murky, unsettled feeling deep in my chest?
"Airi."
"Yeah?"
"Don't... go hugging other people too much, okay?"
"Okaay."
I think I managed to say it with a gentle smile and a soft voice. I also knew there was probably no need to say it at all. But if I didn't, I felt like I wouldn't be able to settle down.
"Airi, listen?"
"Hmm?"
What was I thinking? This was weird. This wasn't like me. After all, I should have hated the idea. He would definitely be a bad influence on Airi. That was why I’d decided I would never, ever let them meet. I should have been planning to keep it that way from here on out—
"—One more... do you think you can remember one more person?"
"Eeeh?"