CH 14

The story of me and Kohinata’s procreation–not the life maze–resulted in Saejima winning by the narrowest of margins. Incidentally, second place went to Kohinata and third to Keiichi. I don’t have to tell you my ranking.

I was winning at the mini-games, but I had too much luck at roulette. This must be the first and last time I’ve been so focused on procreation.

“I think it’s time to call it a day. It’s getting dark outside.”

It was a little after 7:30 in the evening.

If we had more time, we could have played other games, but the girls were there, and their families would have been worried if we stayed up too late.

By the way, in Keiichi’s case, I am not too worried because he can stay the night if it comes to it. He has a futon, and his family has given their blessing.

I was a little perplexed by the sudden arrival of the two girls from school, but after all was said and done, I think I had a pretty good time.

Saejima, who seemed to have been feeling guilty about me, seemed to regain her former cheerful mood while we were playing games. However, she seems to be careful not to talk too much, so I don’t feel that much pain.

Kohinata, on the other hand, seems a little awkward after the game, perhaps because she has had so many children with me. She tapped me on the elbow one last time, but for me it felt like a touch.

But I’d like Kohinata to think about my feelings a little more …… and realize how lovely she is. I almost stroked her head.

“Which direction is Saejima and Kohinata’s house in?”

The two girls were about to drink the remaining tea when Keiichi, who was putting away the game with me, asked them.

“Hnn. I think I’m on the …… station side from this apartment.　It’s a little bit off the tracks, though. Asuka is near Eleven Mart.”

“I see.”

So,……, Saejima should go home with Keiichi, and I should see Kohinata off on her way home.

Even though it’s a short distance to my house, I wouldn’t mind letting a petite, pretty girl like Kohinata walk around at night. If the other party agrees, I’d love to give her a ride for my own peace of mind.

–Ha! I feel like my desire for protective feelings is increasing again!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

“See you at school.”

As we exit the apartment, I say goodbye to Keiichi and Saejima.

The two of them had been a bit tense at one point, but I don’t feel that kind of atmosphere at all now. Was it because of the meeting to overcome my weakness? It was my fault in the first place, and I’m glad they’ve made up.　

“Ouu! See you Tomoki, Kohinata!”

“Sugino-kun, take care of Asuka~ I’m sure you’ll be fine, but don’t be a sent wolf!”

“Idiot!…… I’ll make sure Kohinata gets home safely, don’t worry.”

At my words, Saejima nodded with a satisfied look on her face, saying, “Yeah, yeah”. By the way, Keiichi is grinning. I was pissed off, so I grinned back at him, too. No particular intention.

“Well, if it’s near Eleven Mart, that’s convenient.”

I muttered to myself as I walked down the residential street, lit by the sun and streetlights.

The street next to ours was busy with cars, and I could hear their exhaust from time to time. But in between, it’s quiet enough that we can hear each other’s footsteps.

“We’ve only played a few games, but did you have fun?”

I asked, looking toward the lower left where Kohinata’s face was, and she took her phone out of her uniform pocket. She seems to be trying to type in some text, so I stop and wait for her to type it in.

When I ask her to show me the screen, the words ‘It was fun’ are written on it. After confirming it, we both start walking together again.

“I see. It was my first time playing with a girl too, so I wasn’t sure how it would go, but it was surprisingly fun. I was a bit nervous about the rush to make a baby, though.”

I casually muttered something like that and Kohinata tapped me on the hip as we walked.

“Ahahaha, my bad, my bad. But I was embarrassed too, so I guess it’s fair enough for both of us.”

I checked Kohinata’s reaction with a light laugh, and she gave a small nod as she looked down at her feet.

Come to think of it, Keiichi had said something about Kohinata being fond of me, but did this casual physical contact mean that?

Well, there was no way I could ask her, ” do you fancy me?” There is no way I can ask her, so in the end I can only guess.

The distance between me and Kohinata is a little too far to hold hands. The blank expression on her face since we first met has not changed. However, I felt that our hearts are somewhat closer.

Kohinata’s house was really near Eleven Mart. It was probably less than a minute’s walk from the convenience store. I often use this 24-hour convenience store, so I felt a sense of familiarity with her.

I thought she might not like it if I knew where she lived, being a girl of her age, so I asked her, “Would you like me to leave the convenience store as your destination?” I asked her if she wanted to go to a convenience store, but she said she had no problem with me coming to her house as far as Kohinata was concerned.

I felt that she didn’t seem to have any sense of caution at all, so I ended up giving her a parental-like warning, saying something like, “Don’t give out the location of your house so easily”. I’m worried about her, so it would have been better if I had sent her home.

And then I arrived at the Kohinata house.

It is a very ordinary house that blends in with the streetscape, and the plantings seem to be beautifully maintained. The surrounding area is dark, so I can only clearly see a part of the house illuminated by the light, but I can see that it has been carefully cut.

“Thank you so much for today. I know you’re just trying to help me get over my weakness, but it was fun.”

Before we parted at the gate, I called out to her. Kohinata nodded her head.

She glances at me, then steps closer to me, looking somewhat nervous. Then she turned her face down in front of my chest. She was in a position where I could see her face.

I wonder what this behavior means in terms of body language. …… Does she want me to pat her head or ……? No, no, that is indeed not right.

I couldn’t figure out the reason, so I was thinking about asking her a question when I heard a “clunk” sound coming from the front door of Kohinata’s house.

And then–,

“….Ara, Ararara! Could you possibly be the Sugino Tomoki-kun I’ve been hearing so much about?”

A woman wearing a gray top and bottom sweatshirt and looking about the age of a college student appeared from the doorway.

Her hair was dyed light brown, and her height and build were different from Kohinata’s. At a quick glance, they did not look like sisters. However, upon closer inspection, one can sense the same atmosphere in their mouths, eyes, and other parts of their bodies.

The person who suddenly appeared, who appeared to be Kohinata’s sister, put her hand over her mouth and looked at me and Kohinata alternately with a smirk on her face. From the fact that she had her purse in her hand, I guessed that she was going to the convenience store.

A woman conversing with me for the first time is still a little stuffy.

“Ah …… yes, this is Sugino. Um, I was playing games with Kohinata–Asuka san and the others at my place today, but I had to drop her off since she’s so close to my house.”

While bailing out, I explain so as not to be misunderstood in a strange way.

Kohinata next to me was twitching and shaking. The cause was unknown.

“Yeah, yeah. I heard about it from my sister and Nono-chan. I heard that you are still in high school and are living on your own, and that you are working hard at a part-time job.”

Nono-chan – ah, you mean Saejima? Kohinata and Saejima seem to have been good friends for a long time, and they must be in contact with each other and their families.

In other words, my information is all over the place. I don’t mind that they don’t hide it from me.

As I was thinking that in my mind and smiling bitterly, the older sister dropped her fist into her palm as if she had thought of something.

And then

“Since you’re here, why don’t you go up for a bit? We are a mother-daughter family, and since mother is away for work, I’m the only one at home.”

She made such an astonishing statement.