After loading Asahiko and Hiyori into the car, I packed the arcade prizes into the trunk.
The fact that they didn't wake up even after all this... they must have been quite exhausted.
“Well then, Sanada-san, Kuonji-san. Until next time.”
“Ah, yes. Good night.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The black car disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Watching it until it was completely gone, I finally let the tension out of my shoulders.
“Haa... as expected, I'm tired. Let's take a bath and head to bed for today.”
“............”
“...Riran?”
“...Uuu.”
Eh, what? Why is she growling?
Wait, hey, why are you headbutting me!?
It wasn't a strong force; it was more like an affectionate headbutt.
No, rather than a headbutt, it felt more like she was nuzzling against me.
“R-Riran, let’s head back to the room first. Okay?”
“Muu!”
*Posu, posu.*
Eeeh... what does she want to do?
“...ean.”
“...Eh?”
“...That's mean.”
“Mean?”
Now then, I wonder what exactly is mean.
And then, she wrapped her arms around my torso and hugged me tightly.
Because of that, various sensations of softness, scent, and fluffiness pierced through my brain all at once.
To put it simply, this is bad. It made me remember what happened earlier, and everything is just bad.
For now, to calm her down, I gently stroked Riran’s head.
Perhaps thanks to that, the strength with which she was hugging me weakened.
“Calm down, Riran. What’s so mean?”
“...You were giving Hiyori a princess carry.”
“Eh?”
...Ah, true. If I think about it carefully, that was indeed a princess carry. I hadn't been conscious of it at all.
I see. So that's why Riran is sulking so much.
“S-Sorry. But at that time, there was no other way to carry her, right?”
“That might be true, but... if it’s Akito, you could have carried her like a log!”
“Am I an ogre?”
As expected, I haven't abandoned my humanity enough to carry a girl who is sleeping soundly like a log.
But Riran didn't seem to like that answer, and she still wouldn't let go of me.
Um, I’d be happy if you’d let go soon.
Look, I'm a boy too, and how should I put it, I’m physically losing my resolve.
C-C-Calm down, me. Be empty. Clear your mind.
Just for this moment, forget Riran's scent and touch. I can do it. I can do this, me...!
Anyway, I decided to chant a mantra in my heart.
Namu Namu Namu Namu.
Worldly desires begone, worldly desires begone, worldly desires begone, worldly des—
“Akito.”
“WHAT IS IT?”
“I want you to give me a princess carry too.”
Sulkiness begone—!!
“Um, well, that's, you see...”
“Is it no good...?”
“I-It's not that it's no good, but...”
“Even though you gave Hiyori a princess carry?”
“A-That was because I didn't recognize it as a princess carry. Really, I was only thinking about transporting her.”
...No, to Riran, this probably just sounds like an excuse.
But it's embarrassing when I'm conscious of it...
“Then, carry me too.”
“C-Carry you?”
“If you carried Hiyori, then carry me too.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Ca-rry-me-!”
“Are you a spoiled child?”
Looking closely, her eyes were glazed over.
I see. So when Riran gets tired or sleepy, she undergoes toddler regression.
Toddler regression with this appearance... that in itself is cute.
Well, if I say I can carry Hiyori but not Riran, she'll definitely get even more cranky.
I have to avoid that at all costs.
“Ah—... well, then, allow me to carry you.”
“! Yeah! (Nipa~)”
Good grief, this girl is cute.
In that case, I guess I'll take her along.
I wrapped my arms around Riran's shoulders and the backs of her knees, and lifted her up.
I thought this during the sports festival too, but Riran feels too light. It's scary because I feel like I might break her if I'm not careful.
“Nuhehe... Akitooo. I’m so happy.”
“Ah, is that so.”
“What about Akito?”
“...I’m happy.”
Honestly, don't make me say such embarrassing things. My face is incredibly hot.
“............”
“...Hm? Hey, Riran?”
“...Supii.”
She’s sleeping!?
After making me say something so embarrassing! What a girl!
“Shupii...”
“Haa... good work, Riran.”
I softly planted a kiss on Riran's forehead and went inside the house.