And so the week ended on Tuesday.
　In recognition of my recent work, the amount of deliveries has increased again, Chikusho........

　Now, having consulted with Sanya about wanting to do something in return for Amana-chan, I've come to the conclusion that I'll ask the person in question.

　It's not just that he can't even think of anything to do in return for being an adult, but there's also the possibility that he'll say it's a shameful thing to ask the person himself, or that it's something he can't respond to, depending on the content, but he resolves that this is something that can't be helped.

　It's my own fault for not knowing how to deal with my children better.

　Even as I gather my thoughts like that, I arrive at room 184 on the first floor of Avery Smile.
　I was about to press the intercom, when my finger snapped to a stop.

　It's because I hesitated from nervousness.

".........soooo........

　Don't be afraid, don't be afraid.

　I took a deep breath and prepared myself for this.
　I press the intercom, and a moment later the front door opens.

'Yes, always a very good day!
Hello, Amana-chan.
Hey, man, hello!

　Amana-chan greeted cheerfully, her hair was down straight, and she was dressed in a yellow striped dress, a ladylike outfit with a yellow base.
　She's still cute today........she'll definitely be beautiful in the future.......

　Feeling as cute as ever, I decide to finish exchanging packages for the third time.

'Here's your seal, please.'
"Yes, pop!

　
　With the seal held in my little hand, my heart feels like it was pressed along with the receipt.
　The healing from Amana-chan was normal, to the point that the backward-looking thoughts I had a while ago seemed ridiculous.

　Now, I feel like I want to writhe all the way through, but this is where the real work begins today.

'Nah, Amana-chan.'
What?

　When I called out to her, she tilted her head with a smile and asked me back.

　d*mn it, where do you come up with such a cute gesture!

　My thoughts are about to be derailed by the unexpected agony, but I manage to step on it and say the rest of the story.

'I want to thank you for always helping me out Amana-chan, is there anything you want?'
Want it?

　At the sudden question, Amana crinkled her eyes and scowled.

''Yes, of course I can't give it to you without permission, so you have to talk to Amana-chan's mother first, right?''
Yes.
So, what would you like?
Mmmmmmmm...

　Amana hesitates as she holds up her fingers on both hands, wondering if she's counting what she wants.
　The way she looks at her is cute and dusty again, and then she looks up as if she's decided on an answer....



'Tell me your name, Onii-san!
What?

　I didn't expect the answer, and now I'm on the side of the jerk.

'Why my name?　I don't care if it's a stuffed animal or candy, okay?
You know, you said before that you shouldn't accept sweets from strangers.
Yeah, I know, but...

　When she's at a loss for an honest answer, Amana looks a little sad, and says, "I was told by a friend of mine that it's weird to be friends with an older man who doesn't know his name.

A friend of mine told me that it's weird to be friends with a guy who doesn't know you... And I was really sad for you, Amana," she said.
I...

　Even though she was in the same first grade as Amana, I found my heart tightening in pain when I heard that she thought my relationship with her was strange.

　Not for the fact that I was being treated like a suspicious person, but for the fact that I made Amana-chan sad.
　But she quickly changed her expression to a smile and faced me....

I'd like you to tell me who you are and become my friend!　Then you won't be a stranger, right?
Yeah.

　I was stunned by the childlike innocence of the idea.
　Amana-chan's answer may not mean much in the eyes of society at large, but it could be taken as me abetting her to say so.
　Rather, it's more likely to be taken as me abetting her to say that.

　But.....
　At the very least, my heart was moved.

　It was because I was so concerned about my own public image that I hadn't given any thought to Amana's feelings.
　In her own way, it was probably because she thought she could trust someone she only saw twice a week that she wanted to be friends with me like this.

　

　I bend down to make eye contact with Amana and make eye contact with her.
　I'll be proud of myself for being suited to the pure eyes that don't know to doubt this person.

"My name is Kazu Hayakawa.
Sagawaya, Yamato...

　In an effort to remember the name she taught me, Amana ruminates over and over again in a whisper, ruminating over my name.
　I think it's only one name, but it warms my heart to see how hard she works at everything.

'Sagawa, Yamato!'
Yeah, you're doing good. Kanji ... is still a bit early. You can call me up or down, Amana-chan, whatever you want.
Really?　
"Blah-ha-ha!　What's the point of giving them names then?
Oh, it's true!

　I gush and laugh unbearably at the fact that I ended up calling her Onii-san.
　Amana doesn't know why I'm laughing and tilts her head.
　Each gesture is so cute, I really can't get enough of watching her.

　The laughter dies down and I hold out the little finger of my right hand to Amana-chan.

'Then me and Amana-chan are friends from today. Let's make a promise by cutting off our fingers.
Yeah!

　With a smile on my face, smiling at the promise and the fact that I've said it out loud, Amana also holds out the little finger of her right hand.
　She cooed with her little finger, which is smaller than my thumb, and clipped in a rhythm.

"Yubiki-ri-gen-man, us-tsutu-taira, ha-ri-senbon, no-mau, yubiki-ta!

　That's how Amana-chan and I became friends.
　The little girl I had become friends with by chance had a big smile on her face, like an angel that heals everyone she sees, and she was truly happy about that fact.