The girls noticed–the boy’s feelings that they want to cherish

“Minato kun.”

“Yes?”

The shopping was over and it was already getting dark.

The fact that summer is almost upon us means that although it’s bright for a late hour, it might be a little worrisome for a girl to walk around alone.

It’s not much different from when I went to pick up Yume because I was worried before…….but it’s true that I’m still worried.

“Don’t worry about food and stuff even when Mother and father aren’t around, okay? I may have told you before, but I can cook.”

“……A girl’s homemade food….it might be impressive.”

“Ufufu. Yume will also help me, but…..that girl sometimes has strange tastes, so I have to keep an eye on her.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Because it tastes bad all at once,…..ahem, it became a very subtle taste.”

Didn’t she just say that it certainly tasted bad?

She turned her head away from me, but I heard her perfectly well. Sayaka, who glanced at me shyly, whispered.

“Don’t tell her. That girl has absolute confidence in her tongue.”

“……Hee.”

Ah….I somehow understood that this was the type of thing that would make her sulk if I told her.

After that, while walking while talking about things that have caught my attention recently, I can feel the eyes glancing at me.

Every time I look at Sayaka, even if our eyes meet, she never looks away, and every time she smiles at me…..it’s not bad.

(I’m pretty sure I’ve been nervous before….but is this becoming totally okay, I guess? Maybe……I got used to it?)

We’re family,…..after all.

If I get used to it, it doesn’t matter at all, or rather, it does.

“Oh? What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

I was pleased with my own growth, but I tried not to grin too much as I continued on my way.

The club activities ended early today, and Yume joined me on the way, and the three of us went home while having a friendly talk.

“Minato kun?”

“Onii chan?”

I was about to let them enter the house first, but I stopped and turned around.

But it’s only for a moment……well, even though I know it’s useless, I just think it’s better than not doing it.

“It’s nothing.”

I told them I just wanted to see the moon for a moment, but they both smiled at me with a chuckle.

“How kind are you really, Minato kun?

“Onii chan……ehehe♪’

…..They might have guessed why I turned around.

The three of us didn’t enter the house like that for any length of time, so much so that Mihoko san called out to us asking us what was wrong.

Soon after, my dad came home and the family time began, and dinner was a fun time today without all of us missing.

“……Mom.”

After finishing dinner, I was visiting the living room by myself.

I could hear everyone talking in the living room, but all I could see was a picture of my mom.

“Can you hear me, Mom? Dad looks really happy over there, you know? When I heard he was getting remarried, I wondered what would happen, but we’re all getting along like this.”

It’s not like a married couple in disguise or anything like that, we all accept each other and get along really well.

Dad also takes good care of the girls, not to mention Mihoko san, Sayaka and Yume are getting along well with dad,……and now it’s really great, Mom.

“…….I’m going to miss you, Mom. I wish you were here in this circle.”

I know I’ll never get to see that.

If my mom was here, my dad would never look at anyone else…..that’s why even if Mihoko san passed in front of him, he wouldn’t look at her at all.

On the contrary,……is it a sin to dream of them all together and getting along?

“Mom, watch over me–I love you.”

I love you……come to think of it, I don’t think I ever said that directly to my mom.

At that time, my mom and my dad, my family were always by my side.

I don’t think she’s gone……I don’t think that’s what it means to die.

“……I wish I could have said I loved her more than I did.”

That’s the only thing I….regret.

It was about time I was about to return to everyone—I was hugged tightly by strong, thick arms.

I knew immediately who those arms belonged to……my dad.

“I love you too, Minato.”

‘”….Ha, how long have you been standing there, you idiot～”

“Haha, I see !”

Dad and I laughed at each other, but I suddenly noticed that the girls were also watching.

As Sayaka, Yume and Mihoko gently stare at us–Mihoko san steps forward and lines up with my dad.

“I would have loved to have been your friend. Even if we never got together, I’m sure we could have been friends.”

……I definitely think we could have.

While staring at my dad and Mihoko san, before I knew it, I was sandwiched between Sayaka and Yume, and their hands were placed on the palm of my hand.

“I guess family is something that really means a lot to you, Minato kun.”

“I feel like I’ve realized that once again–I think I know what me and Onee chan should do♪”

“That’s…….”

I didn’t know what the two of them were thinking at the time.

But….it was embarrassing to know that everyone had seen me looking at my mom this way, but it was not a bad time.

Thus, a few days later, my dad and Mihoko san headed off on their trip.

We are going to be fine–it was only natural that we all told them so.