For now, I'll carry my luggage to my room.
Since I've moved to a new home, it seems most of my belongings aren't here anymore.
“Ah, that’s right, Oni-chan. Your room has become my storage space. The futon is still there, so I don't think you'll have trouble sleeping.”
“Mm, I got it.”
I must have been soft on her and given her permission back when I had my memories.
I’m really soft on Kotono, after all. I’m self-aware of just how much I dote on her.
I head to my room with my luggage.
And… there really is a lot of Kotono’s stuff.
More specifically, there are many clothes hanging on the rack. It’s like a walk-in closet.
As Kotono said, the bed and futon are still there. It’s set up so I can lie down and sleep immediately.
I put my luggage in a corner and sit on the bed.
…I really did leave this house… My belongings are at zero.
Looking at it like this feels lonely, but it makes me realize that a lot has happened in these past six months.
I lie down on the bed and look up at the ceiling.
“I wonder if my memories will come back…”
No matter how much I act tough, that’s all I’m thinking about deep down.
Only six months. Yet, six months.
In these six months, the environment around me has changed significantly.
…I can't stay like this. I know that.
But how to get my memories back… I have no clue at all.
As I let out a small sigh, there was a knock on the door.
“Akito, can I come in?”
“…Riran? Yeah, come in.”
Riran replied with an “Excuse me” and poked only her head inside.
“Akito, are you okay? Do you feel sick or…?”
“N-No, I’m fine. I’m in perfect shape right now.”
“I see, that’s good.”
…Is this girl really that Kuonji Riran?
Was she the type to show such cute concern?
Or was she actually a worrier and I just didn't know it?
Entering the room, Riran looked around curiously.
“Wow, it really is full of Kotono-chan’s things. It’s changed since the last time I came here. Though that’s to be expected.”
“…Eh, you’ve been to my room before?”
“Yes. Many times, actually.”
Ma-Many times…!?
Does that mean, well… we’ve done that kind of thing!?
I ended up imagining it quite vividly, and my face grew hot.
Riran must have thought the same thing as me, as her face, ears, and even her neck turned bright red in an instant.
“T-T-T-That’s not it! You and I haven't done anything like that yet!”
“I-I see.”
I felt both relieved… and a bit disappointed.
Riran sat on the bed as if she were used to it.
At a distance where we were almost touching, my heart started pounding again.
“…………”
“…………”
The silence continued.
But strangely, it didn't feel uncomfortable. It felt normal, or rather, my body was used to being with Riran… That’s how it felt.
When I looked at Riran out of the corner of my eye, she was also looking at me.
With a peaceful smile, she gently grasped my hand and intertwined our fingers.
“Ugh…!”
“Does it hurt?”
“N-No, I’m okay…!”
The nerves in my hand felt exposed, and a sensation like excitement and pleasure chemicals erupting from my brain shot through my whole body.
Yes, this is normal. It’s normal.
Riran and I are tied by the ‘Red Thread of Fate,’ we’re dating, and we’re even engaged. We’re even living together. This much is normal, normal, normal…!
As I desperately tried to convince myself, Riran laughed happily.
“Fufu. Akito, you really have gone back to how you were six months ago. Your reactions are so fresh.”
“I-It can’t be helped. I really don't have memories of the past six months…”
“True. But a lot has changed in six months.”
“Seems so. I’ve heard from various people that my social circle and connections have expanded.”
Is this the effect of the ‘Red Thread of Fate’?
It seems I’ve lived through an incredibly dense six months.
While I was thinking about that, Riran gently rested her head on my shoulder.
A faint citrus scent and the scent of Kuonji Riran herself tickled my nostrils.
The beautiful bronze hair right there, and the presence of Riran I felt from my shoulder.
My heart was racing so fast I couldn't think straight.
“Ah, e… Ri-Riran…?”
“It’s not just your network; other things have changed too.”
“Eh…?”
Riran looked up at me with mischievous eyes, appearing to enjoy herself.
Then, she suddenly stood up and faced me.
“I’ve changed too. I’ve become much more honest over these six months.”
“Ri-Riran…?”
She placed her hand on my cheek, and then—Chu. She kissed me on the cheek.
“I love you, Akito. I love you.”
“…………”
“I’ll do anything to bring back your memories. Let’s work hard together.”
“…………”
“Well, I’m going to the living room. Get some rest.”
….
…….
………Huh!? A-Wait, Riran…?
When I looked around the room, Riran was gone.
But the lingering scent of Riran and the sensation on my cheek told me that it was real.
………….
“An honest Riran is unfair…”
She’s too cute, dammit…