The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Volume 4 (WN Version)

92 - Angel and Hug

"...Mahiru."

After dinner, Amane recalled what Itsuki mentioned, and called for her name hesitantly.

She was seated next to him, "Hm?" and tilted her head as she looked towards him.

"Ah-ah...erm, well."

"Hm?"

*It appears you have something to say. *She waited patiently for him to continue, while he remained frustrated about what he should say.

One reason was that when Amane and Itsuki went their separate ways, the latter give him a nudge saying, "Hug her if you have the guts". Another reason was that he was curiously interested if Mahiru would forgive him if he hugged her.

Also, Mahiru was delicate, tender, and smelled good. Any boy of this age would want to hug her. Any youth would have such an impulse.

But he could not simply ask her, "Can I hug you." Surely she would roll her eyes at him, going "what are you saying?"

And if he suddenly hugged her, she might refuse. It was a dilemma.

"...We have tests next week."

Being passive, Amane changed the topic.

Mahiru obviously knew this was not the topic he referred to, but it seemed she knew he was unwilling to say it, and gave a wry smile.

"Yes. But it is easy since we are not tested lots."

"Yeah."

It was an abrupt change of topics, but Mahiru continued. Amane felt heavy-hearted, as though his shame and cowardice was bared before him.

He ended up saying.

"...What is it?'

"Nothing...I'm so hopeless..."

"Why are you denying yourself again. Did someone say anything to you?"

"Nope. it's different this time."

Amane merely felt despair at his own weakness.

"Goodness. I really do not understand, but please buck up."

Mahiru reached to pat Amane's head, and he had no intention to refuse as he let her be.

Her movements were earnest, familial, and kind, easily capable of lulling anyone to sleep. As she patted, Amane felt strength sapped away from him.

The tension he had before was gone, and before he knew it, he let her do as she pleased.

"Ahh...how am I supposed to say this..."

"What?"

"Like, can I hug you? Or something like that."

"You just did."

Amane blinked as he stared at Mahiru, and found her with her head lifted towards him.

"...Can you pretend not to hear it?"

"No can do."

Please do not put me on the spot, she narrowed her eyes, and he felt his face cringing.

He really did not intend to say it.

His sanity told him that it was a bad thing to say so to a girl he was not dating. Also, he was a coward who always put himself in check. Once he mentally let go however, he just blurted it out.

He gingerly looked over at her face. However, she did not appear to be uncomfortable with it. She looked stunned, seemingly out of it, shocked, as though she had an out-of-body experience. This in turn left Amane shocked.