Sajocchi had finally managed to pull himself together enough to maintain a facade of normalcy. Judging by how he was focusing entirely on doting on Ai-chan, he’d clearly realized that seeking help from me was a lost cause. I suppose for him, Aichi is a far greater threat than a toddler.
As for Aichi, she gathered up our empty glasses, including mine, and went to refill them. Seeing her play the perfect host just made me grin even more. I couldn’t stop smiling, and my finger was glued to the shutter button of my phone.
"……Hey, knock it off."
"Sorry, sorry!"
He grumbled with a pout, apparently fed up with me pointing my camera at him. Even so, the hand he used to pat the sleeping Airi-chan’s back remained incredibly gentle. Maybe I should have taken a video instead...
"I thought she’d just fallen asleep, but looking at the clock, it’s been a while," he noted.
"Ah, you’re right. There’s a big difference between three and four o'clock."
"The evening vibes really hit all at once."
Come to think of it, the glaring sun outside had taken on a distinctly yellowish hue. It was a sign that the day was winding down. Even the light hitting Airi-chan’s cheeks seemed a little different now.
"Um, could you wake Airi? If she sleeps too much now, she won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Hm? Oh, sure."
Aichi, having returned, asked Sajocchi to wake the little one. He turned his attention back to Airi-chan and started gently shaking her.
"Come on, Airi-chan, wakey-wakey~"
"……Mngh……"
"You won't be able to sleep tonight if you don't get up~"
"……"
"Wait, is this one of those high-difficulty wake-ups?"
"Might be."
Sajocchi looked at me, starting to look a bit troubled. He had an expression that said things weren't going according to plan. When he turned to Aichi for help, she gave a wry smile and said, "Honestly, you..." as she approached him.
"Here, give her to me."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
Aichi reached into Sajocchi's personal space to gather up the little girl. It was a pretty intimate move, even if they were just passing a child back and forth. I don’t think Sajocchi should be so self-conscious at a time like this, but... boy, look at your face.
"Efuh."
Aichi peeled Airi-chan away—the girl was clutching Sajocchi's clothes—and adjusted her hold. She was surprisingly forceful about it, which made Airi-chan let out a cute little sound. Sajocchi looked a bit reluctant to let go, which was another great expression for my collection. Honestly, I should have recorded everything that happened today.
Aichi then sat Airi-chan down in a chair at the dining table behind her. It had armrests, so it wasn't dangerous... I think?
"Is that okay?"
"This chair is hard. She'll find it uncomfortable enough to wake up soon."
"That's a very Aichi Family solution."
"What is the 'Aichi Family' even supposed to mean?"
Whether it was because of the immediate discomfort or not, Airi-chan began to squirm on the hard chair while letting out a dissatisfied groan. I see; that definitely seemed like a natural way to wake someone up.
"I guess I’ll head home once Airi-chan is awake."
"Yeah. It feels a bit lonely to say goodbye while she’s still asleep."
"Ah... um."
It was surprising that Sajocchi was the one to suggest leaving, but it really was about that time. If we stayed any longer, we’d just end up not wanting to leave at all, and it’s not like today is the last time we'll ever hang out!
"Um... thank you, both of you."
"Don't worry about it! Can I stay over next time?"
"I-Is that okay...?"
"Eh? Yeah. Actually, I’d love for you to let me stay over. Just a thought."
Sleeping together surrounded by Aichi and Airi-chan would be the absolute best, wouldn't it? It's basically my life's ambition. I wish Aichi wouldn't be so reserved with me, but she's just so considerate. She's a bit too mature compared to everyone else. We're still high school girls, you know?
"You want to stay over too, Sajocchi?"
"I’d drop dead."
"No, you wouldn't."
Is it really that serious for him? I know he likes Aichi, but I wonder what that sensation is actually like. I might want to experience that level of intensity once myself. Though, he doesn't have to be that on guard; it's not like it's actually going to happen. Besides, what does he mean, he'd "die"?
He still had a look on his face like he couldn't believe he was even inside Aichi's house. He'd been acting weird all day. It was hilarious to watch from the sidelines, but since Aichi is the one reaching out to him, I wish he'd man up a little bit more.
"Well, anyway... if you feel like you're about to lose to Airi-chan's energy, let me know. I’ll come back and be her toy again."
"Y-You don't have to be her toy."
"I'm used to it with Nee-chan."
"Pfft... what is that even supposed to mean?"
Ah!? She laughed! Aichi actually laughed at Sajocchi's words. Usually, she just looks exasperated... well, she probably is right now, too! But it felt rare. Also, I noticed this during the group chat, but Aichi really seems to enjoy hearing about the dynamic between Sajocchi and his older sister.
"───Mngh…… Onee-chan……"
"Oh."
"Ah! Airi-chan's awake."
Just as Aichi predicted, Airi-chan was squirming uncomfortably on the dining chair. Having finally opened her eyes, she clearly called out for Aichi.
I wasn't letting this chance slip away.
"I’m going in!"
"Ah! Kei!"
Airi-chan reached her hand out into the air, looking for Aichi with sleepy eyes. It was too pitiful; I had to be the one to put her at ease.
"Airi-chaan!!"
"Nyeh!?"
I scooped her up in a high-energy hug! She was super surprised. Maybe I was a bit too forceful...? I had to make sure she didn't cry.
"It's me! It's Kei-chan!"
"Onee-chan..."
"Geez, Kei..."
"Here we go, up-we-go!"
"Hey, you're getting too excited."
Huh? Did I overdo it? Airi-chan looked like she was having fun—oh wait, she's just staring blankly. I might have been a bit too hyped up. It was probably just me with this crazy energy. After all, I hadn't been able to play with Airi-chan at all during the second half of the visit...
"One last squeeze."
"Mngh..."
I hugged her tight, though not enough to hurt her. Aaahhh...! This is the life! The softness of a child... it's addictive. It's incredibly cute how she grabs onto my clothes. I was so jealous of Sajocchi for this!
"I guess I was stealing your thunder?"
"She used to be stuck to me the whole time before..."
"I bet."
That's right, that's right! I was being a good friend and letting Sajocchi have a turn with Airi-chan! From now on, I won't hold back. I'm going to monopolize her until I've fully recharged my Aichi and Ai-chan energy! I love them so much!
While I was lost in my own world, Sajocchi wandered over and met Airi-chan's eyes.
"Bye-bye, Airi-chan. See you again sometime."
"Fweh...?"
Ah, he was just saying goodbye. For a second, I thought he was coming to steal her back from me. It's a bit late for this observation, but Sajocchi doesn't get that weird, high-engine energy with Airi-chan like he does with Aichi. She’s definitely cute, but I guess he knows where to draw the line? Well, if he acted with the kid the way he acts with Aichi, that would be a whole different problem.
"Sajocchi, isn't it a bit early?"
"…………No, look, it'd be awkward if her parents came home."
"Scaredy-cat."
"Shut up."
The reason he whispered for our retreat was more pathetic than I expected. I really wish he could have seen Aichi's face behind him when he said goodbye to Airi-chan. She looked a little lonely. I wonder if she'll make that face when I leave, too?
"Mngh, Sajoo."
"Hmm?"
"Uuuu..."
"See ya."
Airi-chan reached her hand out toward Sajocchi. She didn't use words, but she was expressing her dissatisfaction with a lonely little groan. Sajocchi shook that tiny hand and said goodbye once more. I couldn't see her face clearly since I was the one holding her, but I'm sure she looked genuinely sad to see him go.
"Well then, Natsukawa, I had a good time."
"Yeah... um, sorry, okay? Making you come over right after your shift..."
"No, no, it wasn't that big of a deal."
"But, you know? About that girl at work—"
"Ah... right. It's a 'punishment,' after all. It's awkward as it is now, so I'll do something about it tomorrow."
"I see... Then it'll be fine."
The two of them smiled and exchanged parting words. I set Airi-chan down on the sofa and started getting my things ready. I wanted to avoid making it look like Sajocchi was the only one rushing out. Besides, if I stayed any longer, I wouldn't want to go home, either.
I followed Sajocchi to the entrance. Airi-chan trotted along after us and saw us off while holding hands with Aichi. I wonder if I can just pack her in my bag and take her home? No, probably not.
"Well then—"
"Ah..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Sajocchi opened the front door and was about to head out. Aichi started to reach out a hand as if to stop him for a moment. Sajocchi, who had been looking back as he walked, stopped and turned toward her.
"Ah, um—"
"Sajoo!"
"Whoa!? Airi-chan!?"
Airi-chan let go of Aichi's hand and lunged at Sajocchi's leg. Oh man, she was really clinging to him, practically begging him not to go. She totally cut Aichi off, too... and it was just getting to the good part.
Sajocchi? I know you're happy, but try not to make such a weird face.
"Honestly... come here, Airi."
"Uuuu."
Aichi picked up Airi-chan and began to soothe her. I get it, I really do. When I was little, I always felt lonely when my older cousin would head home after a visit.
"Well, message you later?"
"Yeah. Let's talk again."
"You too, Airi-chan."
"Ah... okay!"
Oh, that bit of consideration for Aichi just now earned him some points! Aichi wouldn't want Airi-chan to be sad, after all.
"Fiee... see ya~"
"Wait, what's with that?"
He sounded surprisingly lighthearted. Sajocchi let out a breath like he was finally venting all his fatigue as he stepped out. I wonder what that was about... it didn't seem like a sigh of disappointment. Well, he spent the day playing big brother—or maybe even father. Good work, Sajocchi.
……Though it wasn't exactly a clean exit.
"—Alright! Then I guess it's my turn to be lunged at next!?"
"Eh?"
Wait, what?