Beautiful Barking Tsundere

Chapter 30

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/05

Aira sits in front of the streaming studio, holding her smartphone in both hands.
The sound of Usami Koneko's stream gets transmitted through her earphones.

Ema is streaming on the other side of this door.
It seems that today is the release date of a new video game that she is currently enjoying.

Aira recently learned about a function that lets viewers send money to streamers in the middle of a live stream.

She already purchased a gift card on the way home from school for that purpose.

She writes the message, "I love you," and attaches 1000 yen before sending it.

"Wow~ 'I love you'. Thank you, Hoshi the Pome-chan. I love you too."

Ema happened to see it and she said the same thing back.

Learning from her past mistake, Aira made sure to change her nickname.

Aira's cheeks soften as a smile spreads across her face.

"I wish she could tell me that directly..."

Not through this door.
Not through these earphones.

She wants Ema to tell her that she loves her directly.

She yearns for their body to become one.
Both back then when Ema groped in her drunken state and earlier today when she caught Ema watching an adult video.

In the past, she would have scorned the idea of a purely physical relationship devoid of any deeper emotional connections.

However, now she understands the feeling a little.
If she can't connect to Ema's heart, then she would like to at least be connected with Ema's body. That's the kind of desire that she has succumbed to.

That's why Aira has no intention of blaming Ema.

In her first year of university, Ema fell into the clutches of a bad adult who betrayed her after lying to her for many years.

There's no way Aira can blame her for continuing to believe in the person she loves.

"...I wonder how I can make Ema forget that person..."

She sends the remaining balance on her gift card along with a message, but Ema doesn't see it this time due to unfortunate timing.

"I want to see her face..."

Even though she's just beyond this door, she feels so far away.

She understands that she shouldn't rush, but her heart is in agony.

If by any chance, Ema offers her a purely physical relationship, Aira might just accept it.

Even if Ema just wants to use her until she can forget about Megumi, Aira would agree to it.

Just like Ema, Aira will believe the words of the person she loves and wait several years.

That's why there's no way Aira could ever forgive Tsuyama Megumi for taking advantage of Ema's feelings like that.

When Aira opens her eyes, she notices that Ema got up before her for once.
She did not have a late-night stream. Last night, she slept at the same time as Aira.

Aira leaves the bedroom and the alluring smell of miso from the kitchen stimulates Aira's hunger after a night's sleep.

"Good morning... you're up early."
"Since you made me such a scrumptious breakfast before, I thought I should also make breakfast once in a while."

Looking at the combination of sausages, omelets, and sunny-side-up fried eggs, Aira lets out a chuckle.

Ema loves eggs and she just started making Japanese-style egg rice (tamago kake gohan) as well.

Once that's finished, the two bring their hands together and start eating. The corners of Aira's mouth naturally lift up.

She savors the joy of sharing a meal with and cooked by the person she loves.

"It's delicious."
"I learned this from my mother."

Ema's eyes fill with nostalgia as she talks about her mother.
She has not returned to her family's home due to guilt, but Ema loves her family dearly.

"Thank you for last night."
"Eh? Did I do something?"
"Hoshi the Pome-chan."

Hearing that nickname almost makes Aira spit out the miso soup she's drinking.

"How did you find out that was me!?"
"I knew it."
"I even used a nickname..."
"Your last name is Hoshimiya and I called you a Pomeranian, so I thought that perhaps... You could just tell me that you love me face to face."

If she says those words directly, that would be like a confession so there's no way she can do that.

While stammering over her words, Aira tries to act tough again.

"...N-no way. I'm not saying it."
"Even though I thought you were becoming more honest... oh well. As thanks, do you want to go out together somewhere?"
"You mean like a date!?"

Aira leans forward to ask and Ema grins.

Ema extends her arm towards Aira and gently touches her cheek.

"If that's what you think, then why not?"

Noticing that she dug herself into a hole, Aira's shame gradually creeps up.
In the end, she's still just rolling in the palm of Ema's hand.

A kid like Aira is no match for Ema.