Friday, a few days after I saw Amana and her friends doing their homework.
　It's another good day for delivery.

　It went well enough that I received a rare compliment from Hinomoto's manager, and as a side prize, I got even more deliveries, Konchikushou!

　Well, Sakai gave me some time to spare in return for all the work he'd put into me, and Sanya encouraged me to do my best to let Amana heal me to the fullest.

　In fact, that's what encouraged me to put in the effort to work, so what Miya says is not wrong.

　Anyway, I was supposed to watch Amana study in return for her help, but in the end I ended up being rescued again....
　The "Itai no Itai no Tondeke" was more effective than the one my mother gave me when I was little, but that was largely because of what Amana did.

　It's not that Mom's was bad........
　It's just that Amana-chan's talent for healing people was outstanding....

　Thinking about how ridiculous it would be to look back on it, I arrived at my usual 'Room 184 of Avery Smile'.

　I was later than usual today, but well, Amana-chan was back on time for delivery, so I wasn't absent for nothing.

　I press the intercom and the light sound that I'm beginning to get used to echoes outside and inside simultaneously.

''Yes~!''
Hello. This is Umineko Transport.
"I'm coming, sir!　

　As soon as I felt my heart warm up at the sound of her voice, still as cheerful as ever, the front door was opened.

　Today's Amana-chan had her hair tied up in twin tails and was dressed in a pink t-shirt and jeans skirt.

'Hello, Onii-san!
Hello, Amana-chan.

　Then she sees me and comes over to greet me with an adorable smile on her face.
　I returned the greeting and decided to finish my work first, resisting the slackening of my facial muscles as she gave me a smile that soothed the people I saw.　

''Well then, here's your receipt.''
Yeah!

　I pressed the seal in my little hand, and the package was ready to be picked up.
　Looking at the shoes, it looks like Sumi and the others aren't here today.

　However, I always think that Amana-chan is all alone until her mother comes home after school.
　

　I guess it's because I thought so.

".........Amana-chan.
Hmm?
Don't you miss being home alone?
What...?

　I couldn't help but spill out such a question.
　She hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, but it seemed to be firmly in Amana's ears, and she rolled her eyes in a daze.

　Even if she tried to make an excuse, there was no way she could come up with the right words in her confused mind, and while she was in a slumber....

I know my mommy is working hard to do it for you. I know it's lonely, but I don't want my mom to be bothered by it, so I've decided to be patient.
I...

　He replied with a bitter smile, his eyebrows raised into a figure eight.

　This child in front of me should still be small, but she knew exactly what kind of effect her actions would have.

　When I was the same age as Amana-chan, she used to be so selfish....
　You could say that she is sensible, but in reverse, you could say that she is skilled at suppressing her own greed.

　A girl who hasn't even...turned seven years old yet.

''──But!
"Whoa!

　Amana, who showed such mature understanding, turned around and smiled brightly, then jumped to my leg.
　I wondered what she was doing all of a sudden without reading the air, but....

I'm not afraid of being lonely because my brother plays with me," she said.
I see.

　When Amana told me that with a big smile on her face, my heart tightened involuntarily.

　It's not sadness, it's the joy of realizing that I was unexpectedly able to support her.

(Oh, I'm such an idiot...)

　I can't help but think so.
　I thought for a long time I wasn't going to thank you for spending time with you, but in fact, spending time with you was a way for Amana to thank you.

　It's a good thing that it's such a simple thing to do, it's so typical of Amana that it's beyond astonishing.

　It's just a matter of treating them as friends, even though they are far apart in age.

　It's a good way to repay the debt of gratitude to the little girl.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with Amana, so I can do my best at my job.
Yay, matching!　Hehehe.

　I crouched down on my knees and stroked Amana's little head.
　When she realized how I felt, her face turned into a dazzling smile, so full of life that she could be mistaken for the sun.

　That's enough to make me smile naturally.

　Like that, we laughed at each other.........












"──Amana?

　Suddenly, a dignified and beautiful voice was heard.

"Eh, who...?

　I reflexively turned my head in the direction the voice had come from and I choked up.
　After all, the owner of the voice was such a beautiful woman that I thought she was a model.

　And young.
　At least young enough that I could tell she was younger than me.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.
　She is wearing a navy blue jacket and white cutout shirt, a tight skirt of the same color as the jacket and black tights, and is instantly recognizable as an office worker.

　I'm sure he was on his way home from work at this time of day, and he had a plastic bag in his hand that he had probably bought on the way home.



"Um........where are you?
I'll tell you what.
"Whoa!

　When I questioned the sudden interrupter, she came with a mixture of anger and frustration in her eyes and an angry tone.

''What on earth are you thinking!　If you don't want the police to call the cops, get away from that kid as soon as possible!
'Hey, hey, hey!　Wait, wait, wait, wait, this is all a misunderstanding and there's nothing urgent...
'That's what all prowlers are supposed to say!　I don't mind the oracle, so can't you just move on!

　The woman came close to me and gave me a righteous argument with a blue streak on her face.
　I was completely freaked out by the word "report" and tried to explain myself as soon as possible, but the other person didn't seem to listen to me and blamed me for not listening to her.

　As soon as Amana-chan, who was attached to my leg, turned her head to the woman, she said

"Ah!　Ma-ma-ma-ma!
Heh?

　He went to hug the woman so with a bright look on his face.

　Mom.........eh, seriously!
　This is the guy?　
　No, no, no, you don't look like a pregnant woman!

　While I'm in such a state of turmoil, the woman smiles lightly at Amana, but opens her mouth with a bare look of suspicion on me.

''As for what she's surprised about, well, I'm pretty much out of guesses. ........But it's a natural duty for parents to try to protect their children.

　This young woman is the mother of Amana-chan, who I've always been curious about.......
　Ah, that's right.
　Come to think of it, her name is on the recipient list of the packages I always deliver.

　Yes, if I recall correctly.........

　Minami (Minami) Tenri.　

　That's the name of the woman in front of me, I suddenly remembered in a corner of my mind.