I'm sorry, what did you say?

　Is it because I'm still exhausted, or have I heard some strange auditory hallucinations?
　Or were you dreaming?

　No, the feeling of the knee pillow and the flavor of the pork and ginger I tasted firmly are definitely real things.
　That's probably why I was so astonished by the proposal Tenashi made that I couldn't help but escape reality.

'As you know, Kaz-san, this is the room that was originally going to be occupied by Yuna, Tatsuhito-san and Tenna. Since it's just me and Tenna right now, there's just one extra room, so please use that room until you find a new home.

　Amanashi and Amana live in "Mansion Every Smile", each room is a 3LDK, which is quite roomy for two people to live in.
　There's even one room that's not used for visitors for convenience.
　Naturally, the rent for a room that large is reasonably priced, but with her high income and the help of Mr. Watahira and the others, she doesn't seem to be having trouble living there.

The room was used by my parents when they came here, and it's always clean because I don't miss cleaning it every day. As long as we can carry our stuff in the car, we'll be able to stay there in no time.

　It's the kind of politeness you'd expect from an honest person like Amanashi.
　He works in the sales department of a major IT company, and I think it's the kind of proposal that would normally make you want to pick it up without hesitation.

　But......

You can't go that far...

　There are so many advantages, I feel sorry for the opposite.
　First of all, I'm an acquaintance of Amanashi's and Amana-chan is only a friend with an age difference.　
　It's a grateful suggestion, but I didn't think I was worth it, so much so that I could easily nod my head.

　Thinking that, I try to decline, but Amanashi's eyes narrow smoothly, not wanting to miss it.

''It's not just the sleeping quarters. Like earlier, I'll prepare your meals for you.''
What?
And that's not just for your usual lunch, but for three meals of breakfast and dinner as well.
What?

　I can't hide my surprise at the additional information I didn't expect.
　As a person whose stomach is gripped by her cooking, even for free, this is the most appealing suggestion.　

　I'm not sure how I should respond.　
　Seeing her reaction, her lapis lazuli eyes light up even more sharply.

'Leave the laundry to me, too. I'm used to seeing it in my father's clothing, so even if it's a man's underwear, I won't have any resistance to it.''
Ugh.....

　What a chase.
　Just a bed and a meal is more than enough, but you're going to do that too...!

　Even though I don't have any resistance to Amari, I'm the one who gets my pants washed, but I'll leave it at that.
　The important thing is that the laundry and drying I used to do at the laundromat when I stayed in the car will be done at work.

　I know it's such an unbeatable proposition that I know I'll regret it if I take any other option.
　But........because I don't know why Amari would want me to go that far.
　So I can't shake my head.　

''Why?''　Why would Amani make such a suggestion?　You don't have to feel sorry for me, I can handle myself, you don't have to do anything...?

　I can't help myself without understanding, and in the end I return such pathetic words.
　However, when Amari heard that.........

─ ─ Sympathy.........?　Do you think I'm suggesting to Wa-san that I'm only suggesting such a cheap, temporary sentimentality?
I...
''Why doesn't Wa-san worry about himself like he did when Tenna and I had a falling out!　If Tenna hadn't stopped me, I would have made a driving error on the job or something, and it would have been too late!

　I shouted in a way that revealed my copious anger, as if it was out of my mind.
　The extremely righteous words made me feel as if a knife was held to my throat, my whole body went rigid and I couldn't move.
　Amana didn't show any signs of surprise, but rather frowned as if she felt the same way.

　With just that, one could see how much she was worried about the two of them.
　As much as I hadn't thought that they thought that much, I shrugged my shoulders and listened to the sermon.　

'Are we so unreliable?　You didn't think the relationship was deep enough to worry you?
No, it's not!　I just don't want to get you in trouble.
'When did I say I didn't want you to bother me!　It's been annoying to me for the longest time that you've decided that making me worry is a nuisance!　Who do you think you are!

　It wasn't because I was hiding things from him that Amari was this angry.

　She was highly frustrated with my arrogance, trying to manage it all on my own.
　I was pushing myself because I didn't want him to worry, and that was causing me extra worry, but I wouldn't allow him to unilaterally decide how I felt and help me.
　He couldn't tolerate such an attitude.

　After all this time, I realized how stupid I had been.
　It's too shameful to feel guilty, and the guilt seems to overwhelm me, so I can only bite my lip.

　Then Tenashi gently lifted my face, which was drooping, with both hands and made us meet face to face.　　

''──Tenna and I have been saved a lot by Kazu-san. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think about how I should thank you for such a thing.
Eh....

　The words told to me with a sad face, I was astonished with my eyes wide open.

　Because what I just said was exactly the same as how I feel about Amanashi and Amana.

'They made it to class visits in time. You made a lot of memories for Tenna. They knew I wasn't her mother, but we were still a family. There's no way I can repay my gratitude to you for being so kind to me with just my daily lunches...''

　That's not true, I'm getting it back.
　In fact, I'm the one who gets a lot of money back from them, but....

　I want to say that clearly, but it's not as if the words can't seem to come out of my mouth.

''If me and Tenna's benefactor, Wa-san, are in trouble, I'll do everything I can to help. Please. Let us help you........!
Tenri.....

　How should I respond to her as she lowers her head while appealing to me that way?
　I have no idea.

　When I'm at a loss for words, a warm object is unexpectedly placed on the back of my hand.
　When I turn my eyes to it, it's Amana's little hand.

　She, who has been silently watching the course of events until now, looks at me with serious eyes.

'You know what, Onii-san. You know, since I met you, Amana, I've had a great time with you.
....
As for you, your brother helped me with my assistance, so if your brother is in trouble, I want to help him.

　So, Amana broke off her words and continued with a big smile on her face.

Because it's only natural that you want to be saved because you've been saved!　
Uh.....

　It was so easy to do that it was mind bogglingly simple, and yet it was something I hadn't even thought about, to the point where the scales fell off my eyes.
　All I could think about was how to keep returning the money, and I hadn't even thought about being returned.

　Amana's pearly innocence gave a warm glow to my heart.

'And besides!　If only you could stay at home with your brother, I would feel so much more comfortable!

　It was as if, in Amana's mind, I had decided to stay in this house.
　What a convenient idea, I think, but I'm not going to deny it.

　It's more of a proof that you accept me that much.
　After being told this, there is no choice but to say no.

"It seems.......it's decided, right?

　My answer seems to have been realized by Amanashi as well, and he smiled a victorious smile.

　It seems that in the hands of this father and son, the selfish willpower of a single man is not likely to be a match for them, no matter how hard they try.
　I'm sure that's what you're thinking, and I'm shaking my head with a wry smile.