"Saa~joo~!"
"Airi-chan, hold on a second. Let me wipe off the sweat first."
"I’m not really one to talk, but shouldn't you just come in? The AC is running."
"Is it okay, Natsukawa?"
"Eh? Oh, y-yes, of course."
Sajocchi fended off Ai-chan as she tried to leap at him and stepped into Aichi’s house. His outfit for the day consisted of a navy button-down shirt and loose ankle pants... Wait, isn't that actually a pretty decent look? It might be because of his part-time job, but he doesn't look like someone who’s just been lounging around all day.
"Sajocchi, did you actually dress up for once?"
"I’m always stylish, you know."
"What is this guy even saying?"
I retorted reflexively since he’d said it without even glancing my way. Seriously, what kind of brain do you need to have to come back with a line like that? He had a perfectly deadpan expression; he just blurted it out without a second thought. His "normal" speed must be way past the limit.
"Saa~joo~!"
"Whoa, you’re as energetic as ever, Airi-chan."
"Your head isn't weird anymore~!"
"Why are you so mad about it?"
Ai-chan dove at Sajocchi now that he’d finished wiping his face. Apparently, the fact that his hair was no longer a messy blend of brown and black felt wrong to her. Sajocchi looked troubled as she tugged relentlessly at his waist, and he reached out to pinch and fan out her twin-tails.
"Now your head is the weird one."
"Yaaah!"
Ai-chan shook her head with a whoosh to break free from Sajocchi’s grip. Oh? Sajocchi is actually playing around with her like that? Since she’s Aichi’s sister, I expected him to be super gentle—like he was handling a fragile angel—or to just be his usual creepy self.
"Muuu... Ei!"
"Ow, ow, ow. If you keep that up, Ai-chan, you’re not getting any snacks."
"Yaaah!"
It was a back-and-forth between the aggressive Ai-chan and the slightly more cunning Sajocchi. It ended with Ai-chan clinging to him because she didn't want to miss out on the treats. Saying he was only joking, Sajocchi gave her a little pat on the head.
Hmm...? Is Sajocchi a bit tired...? Was it really that hot outside?
I got the feeling that the usual goofy side of Sajocchi was lying low today. As I narrowed my eyes, observing him, Aichi suddenly looked up as if she’d been snapped out of a trance and started looking around restlessly. Come to think of it, she’d been frozen in place for a while.
"S-Sorry... I was a little distracted."
"Eh, ah, no... D-Don’t you go worryin’ ‘bout it, okay?"
"Why the Hakata dialect...?"
I take it back. This jittery display from Sajocchi... yep, same as always. His voice was already going up an octave.
I mean, it’s way too obvious—he’s clearly thrilled because he got a glimpse of Aichi’s "Older Sister Mode." Me too, you jerk! Aichi is so cute; my internal Aichi-meter is being recharged.
"Well, then... please, come in?"
"O-Oh... Excuse me."
"’Scuse me!"
"Airi, you live here!"
Ai-chan mimicked Sajocchi’s polite greeting. It was adorable, but for some reason, Aichi didn't find it amusing and firmly corrected her. It’s true that she sounded like she was Sajocchi’s little sister just now. Apparently, that’s an important distinction for Aichi; she peeled Ai-chan off Sajocchi.
To my surprise, Sajocchi actually straightened his shoes after stepping up into the entryway. He’s surprisingly well-mannered... I never see that side of him at school, so I never would have guessed.
"Ashida. Thanks for the bag."
"Yeah, you really bought a ton, didn't you?"
"This much... didn't it cost a lot?"
"Nah, cheap snacks aren't that expensive. Don’t worry about it."
"O-Okay..."
I led Sajocchi into the living room. He walked in with a look that said, "Wait, is this the place?" and peered around the room as if it were all very novel to him. Ai-chan, seemingly delighted by Sajocchi’s arrival, was pointlessly tugging on his pants.
"...It’s so cool in here."
"That’s your first impression?"
"Snacks! I want to eat snacks!"
"Geez, wait a second, Airi."
Sajocchi, whose stamina seemed unusually depleted, along with Airi and Aichi. To me, it was a fascinating combination. It was actually surprising that Sajocchi didn't seem as nervous as I’d expected. I thought he’d be a total wreck. If anything, he seemed like he was constantly on edge about something else. There aren't any ghosts here, you know.
Aichi headed to the kitchen with the treats Sajocchi had brought. Ai-chan followed her, clearly looking forward to the haul. Then, Sajocchi approached me with a timid look on his face.
"U-Um, hey, Ashida. Are her parents showing up after this, by any chance...?"
"Her dad is at work, and her mom is working her part-time job too."
"Oh."
He was blatantly relieved. Ah, so that’s what it was.
Sajocchi relaxed and began to gaze at Aichi and Ai-chan with a silly grin. What is it with this guy? He looked like a traveler in the desert receiving the blessing of rain. He was watching them as if he were being deeply healed. Isn't his worship of Aichi a bit much? I wonder if I look like that to him too?
"Sajocchi? Don’t you have something to say to us?"
"? Ah... right, I forgot."
"That kind of thing is important!"
He’s meeting girls on a day off; even if his main goal is Ai-chan, he needs to act like a proper guy! For the record, I chose my clothes assuming I’d be meeting a boy! Even if it’s just Sajocchi, I don't slack off on my fashion!
Sajocchi turned around and started inspecting my outfit. Since we were standing close, he looked me over thoroughly from the feet up—wait, h-hey, Sajocchi? Being stared at that intently is a bit... what do I call it? Embarrassing?
"Your legs are super beautiful."
"I’m gonna punch you."
"You threw a kick?!"
Pervert. That’s not a fashion critique. He should have said if it suited me or not, or specifically what part was cute. And what’s with him dodging it so nimbly? Well, I guess it’s better than him not complimenting me at all, but—
"No, no, Ashida, those short pants... if you leave your legs exposed like that, my eyes are going to go there instead of your clothes. It’s impossible not to look."
"Bare Leg Kick!"
"Was that a punch?!"
Sajocchi dodged with a quick backstep. Why is he guarding his head so perfectly? Why does his movement look so refined? It’s true I wear short pants to take advantage of my height, but it’s the way he says it.
"Ah, but in that sense, you’re really playing to your strengths. You’ve got good fashion sense, Ashida."
"Gunu-nu-nu...!"
That’s not it!!!
Who asked for an analysis?! I’m glad for the praise, but at least act a little flustered or something! I bet you aren't even interested in me! They’re bare legs! Bare legs! If you just took the kick, you could have touched them! With your face!
"Boom!"
"Guh."
Suddenly, Sajocchi vanished from my sight. When I looked, Sajocchi was flat on the sofa with Ai-chan on top of him. Sajocchi was blinking, seemingly not understanding what had just happened. That’s what you get for looking at a girl’s weird parts! Serves you right, Sajocchi!
"Wait, h-hey... what are you doing?"
"Pro-wrestling with Sajocchi."
"What are you doing?!"
Since Aichi had come back in a panic, I decided to mess with her. Aichi’s face went totally red. She definitely imagined something weird, didn't she? Heh! I did that on purpose!
While that was happening, Ai-chan, still on top of Sajocchi, started raining down little pokes and punches. Apparently, she’d come to help out, pretending to be a hero.
"Airi, stop! No snacks for you!"
"It’s fine, it’s fine, Natsukawa. She just wants to play."
"Eh, b-but..."
"Uryu-ryu-ryu-ryu—"
"Kyahahahaha!!"
Sajocchi actually stopped Aichi from scolding her. It seemed he was intent on totally spoiling Ai-chan. Huh, come to think of it, I’m almost jealous of Sajocchi for being the target of so much attention from her. Aichi had started watching them with an envious look too.
Sajocchi retaliated against Ai-chan. Ai-chan was delighted. I’d thought tickle attacks were a bit immature, so I hadn't tried them, but since Ai-chan was so happy, I guess it’s fine. Aichi was just fidgeting, seemingly not knowing what to do with herself.
...Wait a minute? Didn't I tell Aichi that I "came to get some of Ai-chan’s energy"? I haven't done that at all!
"Wait just a second!"
"Whoa?!"
"!?"
Sajocchi and Ai-chan both opened their eyes wide in surprise. Heh heh heh. I’m not letting Sajocchi have all of Ai-chan’s energy! It’s my turn next!
"Ai-chan! Punch me too!"
"Fueh?"
"What are you even saying?"
I spread my arms wide, ready to receive Ai-chan’s energy at any moment. Come on! Ai-chan! Give me a reward tackle!
"............Huh?"
I waited for her to come act spoiled, but Ai-chan didn't move. Still sitting on Sajocchi’s stomach, she looked back and forth between me and Aichi, looking flustered. What? You can act spoiled with me too, you know?
"Because you’re big sister’s friend..."
I almost cried.
Oh my god, isn't Ai-chan just too good of a girl? I was so moved that I didn't even care about the "What about me...?" look on Sajocchi’s face. Ai-chan, my energy has been replenished... I feel like I could do three days of club activities without sleeping now. Aichi looked incredibly happy too—or rather, she had a very tender expression. She was probably even happier than I was.
"Ai-chan! Let’s eat snacks!"
"! Snacks!"
"Guf."
And for a girl like that, a reward!
Aichi had put out a large plate piled with snacks. To a child, it must have looked like a mountain of treasure; Ai-chan bounced off Sajocchi’s stomach and landed right in front of the table. Actually, it looked pretty attractive to me after club activities too... Ah, sweets...
"U-Um... are you okay, Wataru?"
"Ah, I’m fine, I’m fine."
"I’ll give Airi a talking-to later—"
"I told you, it’s fine. I’m probably the only one she can crash into like this besides me or Iiboshi-san, right?"
"Yeah... wait? Iiboshi-san is—"
As I watched Ai-chan’s face light up while she munched on a cookie with both hands, I heard the sound of Aichi approaching the still-sprawled-out Sajocchi at the edge of the sofa. Their voices sounded all lovey-dovey. Hey, hey? This was turning into an interesting development! I don't usually see Aichi in "Older Sister Mode" and Sajocchi together like this!
Sajocchi! This is your chance to clear your name!
"Hey, Sajocchi? Don’t you have anything to say to Aichi~?"
Sajocchi still hadn't said anything about Aichi being in her casual clothes. As a gentleman, it’s a golden rule never to miss a chance for a kind word to a girl! ...Wait, oh? Come to think of it, Aichi isn't dressed particularly stylishly today. From Aichi’s perspective, maybe she didn't want to be noticed...
"Hmm..."
"Eh, w-what is it...?"
Muttering an "I see," Sajocchi looked up at Aichi. Suddenly finding herself the center of his attention, Aichi shot a bewildered glance toward me. Sorry, Aichi, I might have messed up. Knowing Sajocchi, he might say something tactless again. You’d better say something clever, okay?
"————…… (Gulp)"
"Sajocchi."
Sajocchi.
Saliva — The liquid that naturally occurs in the mouth when one sees or imagines something delicious or sour, or when one feels unwell, excited, or nervous.