「I couldn't win...」
「Now, now, Akito. That sort of thing happens.」
Including the dinner break, we played twenty matches, and I somehow lost every single one. Even if my opponent was Neika, I can't believe I lost every time...
Well, it seems I hasn't been able to play games at all for the past six months, so I guess this is what happens when you have a half-year physical blank.
It was past 9:00 PM.
After that, Neika woke Ryūya up, and the two of them went home. That guy Ryūya seemed incredibly sleepy; even though he'd been dead to the world until then, he was still wobbling. I wonder if he'll make it home safely.
As I was relaxing in the living room with Riran, she suddenly burst out laughing.
「What is it?」
「No... it's just, you looked like you were having fun, Akito.」
「...Yeah, it was fun. I haven't had much to do lately.」
I feel like it's been a while since I laughed this much or played this hard. ...To be honest, even when I'm with Riran, it's a bit hard to grasp the sense of distance, or rather, I don't know what I should do. But just having her by my side feels reassuring, or should I say, it puts my mind at ease.
I wonder what I used to do when I was with Riran?
Suddenly, Riran knit her brows and let out a 「mu-mu-mu.」
「It's kind of frustrating.」
「Eh, what is?」
「Because I... I can't make Akito laugh like that...」
This time she looked dejected. Come to think of it, I really don't think I laugh that much when I'm with Riran.
But like I said before, I feel at peace when I'm with Riran. Even though we were just at each other's throats until recently.
Well, apparently we've been dating for three months now, so even if I don't have the memories, my brain and body must remember the comfort.
However, Riran seemed to be envious of my relationship with Neika and showed a pouting face.
「I want to make Akito have fun too. It's not fair.」
「No, no. If I laughed like that when I was with you, Riran, I don't think I'd be able to relax.」
「But, still...」
This time she groaned with teary eyes. Ehh... Riran is too cute. Was she always this cute?
「...Riran, do you like me too much?」
「Bu-! W-What are you saying all of a sudden!?」
「No, I mean...」
She gets nervous in front of me. She wants to do something for me. She wants to entertain me. No matter how you look at it, she likes me way too much.
「U-gh...! Y-Yes, that's right! I love you, I love you so much! Is that a crime!?」
「No, I never said it was a crime.」
「Hmph! Just you wait. I'm going to make you realize just how much I love you.」
Pui. She turned away. Well, I'm grateful and happy that she says she loves me so much, but... it's extremely embarrassing, or rather, awkward.
When I fell silent from the strange bashfulness, Riran's face turned bright red too.
「Ah— um... s-so, that's how it is.」
「O-Oh...」
「「............」」
We both fell silent. I mean... right? If someone says something like that to you, of course you'd be too embarrassed to say anything. Uhh, a topic, a topic... Ah.
「R-Right. Who are you bringing over tomorrow?」
「Eh? Ah— let's see... How about Noa-chan?」
「Right, I see. ...I thought so when I was in the hospital, but you two are really close, aren't you?」
Since Noa even calls Riran 『Ane-san』.
I suppose that's one of the changes that happened in the last six months.
「A lot of things happened for her to call me that. ...Really, a lot happened with that girl.」
D-Did so much happen that she'd get that distant look in her eyes...? What on earth did Noa do?
「W-Well, look forward to that tomorrow. Let's take a bath and rest for today.」
「True. You go in first. I'll go next.」
「Yes, thank... hmmm...」
「...Riran?」
Riran stood up and suddenly stopped moving. With a serious expression, she seemed to be thinking about something.
「A-Ah— I'm tired. Really, I'm so tired today~」
「Eh. What's with that blatant appeal?」
「Come to think of it, on days when I was really tired, I always took a bath together with Akito.」
Glance, glance, glance. She's glancing at me like crazy. I see, a bath together...? ............??????
「Huh? A bath?」
「Y-Yes, that's right. To heal the fatigue, we took a bath together.」
No, her eyes are swimming like crazy.
「...Is it no good...?」
「It's not that it's no good, but... don't tell me we've already done that kind of thing...?」
「W-We haven't! Our bodies are still clean!」
「Taking a bath together when you're tired but keeping your bodies clean... isn't that actually unhealthier in its own way?」
If it's a man and woman who have already done it, it would be normal. But taking a bath together without having done it and nothing happening... I think that's actually worse.
When I pointed that out, Riran's face twitched.
「Go in by yourself!」
「Ugh... Okay...」
Visibly depressed, Riran left the living room. Good grief, I can't let my guard down for a second.