The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (WN) (Volume 5+)

168 - Chitose's Discussion

"Amane~, come~ play~"

"What are you doing before bedtime?"

Chitose was spending the night at Mahiru's place, so Amane spent his time alone after the festival ended. She gave a video call before bedtime, and Amane naturally frowned.

He did not dislike the fact that she called him, but that he found it a hassle to get up when he was already lying down, and a little fatigued.

Shown on the screen was Chitose's beaming face. Her face is noisy enough, he had such a rude thought about her, and moved the phone next to his pillow.

"Say, I want to sleep now."

"Yeah, I know. You're looking like you're going to school."

"Can I hang up now since you know that?"

"No please~ hang up only when Mahirun returns~"

"Where's Mahiru anyway?"

"Bathing~ she's not bathing with me today."

Chitose made it sound like a pity, but Mahiru's choice to bathe alone was the correct one. Otherwise, Mahiru would probably be worn down during this time she should be relaxing.

"Mahirun's disappointed that she can't say good night to you, so I'm calling over~don't hang up on me."

"...You expect me to hang up now?"

"You would have hung up if I didn't say so, right?"

"You're too much~" she giggled, and suddenly sheathed away that cheerful look as she looked at Amane through the screen.

She did not appear to be joking like she was before, and looked poised as though enlightened. The sudden change left Amane confused.

"Say Amane, can I ask you something?"

"Ask what?"

Amane knew that Chitose would ask serious questions whenever she made such a face, so he did not ignore her. Once he answered, Chitose stared at him intently.

"How much do you like Mahirun?"

"Like, as in...?"

"Since you treasure her so much, I want to ask how much you like her."

It was not an easy question to answer. Amane lowered his eyebrows, and Chitose's expression did not change.

"...I think it's just me being biased, but, well, high school students in relationships are usually in the spur of the moment right? They don't seem serious, they're just fooling around."

"Did Daiki-san tell you that?"

"Oh my~ you're a smart one."

Chitose laughed. She did not have any of her usual sharpness, and looked devastated.

She took the phone, laid on the bed, and sighed gently.

"...I'm not intending to fool around, but I've never taken things seriously, and he didn't think I am. I guess that's why...I don't know how many actually look into their own futures."

She did show signs of such worries during the festival, and probably was wondering how she could get along with Itsuki's father Daiki in his own way. Itsuki's mother did not care about this, so it appeared she would have to pass that hurdle.

Amane slowly spoke up in response to her question.

He knew how to answer even without thinking.

"...Hm, it's hard for me to say...but I want her to accompany me forever with a smile."