143 135 Words that I was used to saying, I was used to, and I forgot





Hey, here's today's lunch...
Oh, thank you...

 The air was indescribable after breakfast, but by the time I got to work, I managed to get rid of it.
 It's still a little awkward, though, but I'll be back when I leave.
 If it's not so, I can't keep my heart in check.

 You can feel the warmth from the bento that you receive, even through the wrapped bag.

 I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, but I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

 I mean, what am I thinking that will accelerate the awkwardness?
 It's only because of your kindness that I'm making these lunches for you!
 And by the way, graciousness is not a typo for favors, if there aren't any!

 While regaining the rudder of my thoughts that are about to go off again, I try to go out the door again.

''Well, yeah, well then...''
Oh, man! Wait a minute!
What?

 The moment I put my hand on the doorknob, I was stopped by Amana from behind.
 When I turned around to see if I had forgotten something, I saw a disgruntled expression on her face.

''There are times like this when you have to say something, right?
In this case...? 

 Wha...?
 Did we ever have one?

 I don't know how to reply, and I look over to Amana next to her.
 However, she only says something with a wry smile and a mouthful of food.

 I don't have any lip-reading skills... but I still know what to say as a sure hint.

 I mock myself for having completely lost track of those words because I've been living alone for so long.
 But I'm sure I'll have to say it again and again in the future, too.

 I suppress a little bit of smoldering tension and open my mouth to say those words.

I'm going to...──I'm going to go.

 As soon as she said that, Amana-chan smiled with a smile....

"─ ─ Goodbye, Onii-san!
Have a good day, Ms. Kazu.

 Not only Amana-chan, but also Tenashi returned it as if she had been doing it for a while.

 At this time, my heart was embraced by a certain warmth that was incomparable to anything I'd ever seen before.

 ====.

Kazu, are you looking better?
'What? Really?

 After finishing the delivery for today's shipment as smoothly as ever, the question came to me out of the blue from Miya, whom I had met in the locker room.
 When I asked him back with a roll of my eyes, he gave me a quizzical look.

You're obviously full of energy compared to the day before yesterday, right?  
'Ahhhh well, I got a good night's rest yesterday, so maybe that's why.

 That's how much the two members of the South family helped me.
 It was the best vacation I've ever taken, with them kneeling on my lap, sleeping well and making me meals.

 And since that life will continue until they find a new home, they might be in great shape for a while.

''Hmmm...? Well, when you're feeling better, that's fine.
I'm sorry I had to worry about you.
That's it, really. You should thank Mao-chan properly too.
Of course.

 While having such a conversation, I left the locker room and when I arrived at the entrance of the parking lot, I talked about it, and what do I know, I bumped into Marao this time.

Oh my. Kazu you look very healthy, don't you?
'Even Mao can understand that........'
Because the day before yesterday, you could have collapsed at any time.

 Is it so in your face that you can tell at a glance whether or not you're well?
 I'm not trying to put a poker face on it, but you might want to be a little concerned about this.

'So, just resting isn't going to help you recover that much, is it? You'll at least tell me what happened, won't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah! We were worried about you, too!

 Sanya comes on board with Mao's question.
 Well, it's true that I caused the two of you some concern, and I know your relationship with Amana-chan very well, so it's okay to talk about it.

 But since it's not a good idea to talk for too long, it's probably best to keep it short and to the point.

The place we use as a temporary residence is actually an empty room in the house where Amana and Amanashi live.
"...........

 While hiding the fact that they had been staying in the car until then, when I told them the current situation, Mao and Miya fell silent.
 Then why did it look so hard, if you ask me why it was so hard, I have no choice but to honestly reveal the life of the overnight stay in the car?

 I was prepared to do so, assuming that you were wondering, but Sanya hid her mouth with her palm and pulled her face up to Mao.

'Did you hear that, Mao? I heard this guy's been living with you since you got caught in a fire.
'Yes, I heard it perfectly, Sanya-kun. I wonder what our worries were all about?
He'll hear you.

 Don't talk about living together or being rude to Tenashi.
 I know it's not strange to see it that way from an objective point of view, but we lost our dwelling place in a fire, so I don't have any such buoyant feelings.

No, are you serious? I mean, a loss to stay with the South family or to worry about it is tantamount to a lukewarm betrayal, right?  
Betrayal is an exaggeration...
No, this is a level you could take to court and win. Consider yourself lucky that you're not angry for worrying.
You're not going to...

 After that, the two of them came to ask me what life was like in the Minamis' house, but I could tell that they would make fun of me if I told them honestly, so I stubbornly kept my mouth shut.

 

'Hmmm... finally I'm home...'

 It was late at night, and although it was past 10:00, I was able to make it back to room 184 of Mansion Avery Smile.
 At this time, Amana is already asleep........

 Even though I have a duplicate key lent to me so I can enter without any problems, Amari might be asleep too.
 Turning the key slowly so as to make as little noise as possible, I carefully open the door........

''Ah, Onii-san!
Oh, Amana-chan!

 Unlike yesterday, Amana was awake, and the moment her eyes met mine, she hugged me vigorously.
 Furthermore, Amanashi is also with her.

"Well, why were you awake?
'I've been complaining that I won't sleep today until Kaz-san comes home. The reason is the same reason as in the morning.
It's the same in the morning.

 From the hint that Amanashi gave me again - a thing that is almost like an answer - I guessed the reason why Amana was waiting for me until I had to put up with sleepiness.

 Is it really okay for me to say that?
 Because it's not like I'm officially living here, I'm just supposed to be a stay-at-home mom.
 And yet, the words that Amana wants to hear....

 I turn my attention to the girl who's currently clinging to me.
 Her lapis lazuli eyes held a sense of anticipation that was not sleepy, now or never.

 He swallows his spit once and timidly says the words he needs to say. 

''──I'm home........''
'Yes! Don't you dare! Onii!
I...

 I wonder how much my heart was really shaken by Amana, who welcomed me with a big smile on her face.
 The only thing I can tell you is that my heart is unconsciously tightened in my chest, but it's a comforting feeling that is far from uncomfortable at all....

 

'Onii-san, how are you doing?'
What...?

 I realized I was crying when Amana pointed out that she was staring at me curiously.

 What's this.......how long has it been since I've shed a tear?
 Are you kidding me?
 Just because Amana-chan said welcome home, the tears I thought had dried up easily flowed away...?

Ha-ha-ha.

 I realized that and a giggle escaped my lips.
 It's nothing, I was just saved by Amana again, just like the first time I met her or the day before yesterday when she stopped me.

 I'd been doing myself a disservice until I was like this, I just understood that.

 I've met a being who cares about me more than I think I do, haven't I?

 
 I hug her little body, wanting to convey the gratitude that never stops pouring out from the depths of my heart.

'Funyu, Oni-san?'
"Thank you, Amana-chan. Thank you for waiting for me at this time of night, even though I was sleepy, and for saying welcome home.

 The girl in my arms easily warms my cold body after returning from work.
 As I let out my unconcealed 'thank you', Amana-chan simply replied with a single word.

''Ehehe, you're welcome!''

 The smile on his face was so dazzling that it was hard to believe that he had waited until late at night not to ask for anything in return, not to ingratiate himself, but just to say welcome home.