NOVEL NEXT chapter 25
Mother’s ideas are terrifying
“Towa-kun… I love you, I love you so much.”
I chuckled wryly as Ayana rubbed her forehead against my chest. When we’re alone, Ayana often clings to me like this. Apparently, she restrains herself in public, but when we’re at each other’s homes like now, she lets loose.
“You’re really a spoiled one.”
“It’s exclusive to Towa-kun. Besides… I want to mark my existence more and more to Towa-kun!”
“You’re not a dog to be marking territory.”
“If that’s what Towa-kun wants, I can even become a dog, you know? Woof♪”
…Uh-oh, she’s about to open a strange door. And at times like this, Ayana’s sharpness can be a bit tricky. She can sensitively pick up on the slightest movements in my heart. In other words, she noticed that my heart reacted to her dog impersonation just now.
With a slight grin, she brought her hands to her head this time, assuming a cat-like posture.
“Or do you prefer cats? Meow♪”
With a wink, she threw that question at me, and I inadvertently found myself seriously contemplating. Dogs and cats, for me, there’s no preference, I find both creatures cute. Especially when the already cute and beautiful Ayana does such imitations and gestures, it stirs something in me as a man.
Ayana, in a provocative posture on all fours, I gently placed my hand under her chin, as if tickling.
“Good girl, good girl.”
You know, like what you do to a cat.
“Eek!… Purr♪”
…Are you really a cat?
It was inevitable that a mischievous thought would sprout in me as I watched Ayana, who seemed to be feeling good, narrow her eyes slightly. However, when my phone notified me of an incoming call at that moment, I reluctantly let go of Ayana for the time being. Ayana gazed sadly at my now distant hand, then leaned back against me as if seeking solace.
“…Mom?”
Temporarily distancing myself from Ayana, who was seeking affection with her whole body, I decided to answer my mother’s call.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Sorry for calling out of the blue.”
“It’s okay. What’s up?”
“I’m heading home now, is Ayana-chan nearby?”
“Oh, Ayana…”
“??”
As Ayana blinked at the mention of her name, I replied to my mother.
“She’s right here.”
“Hmm. Did I happen to call at a bad time?”
While it was true that our relationship allowed for such things, even if my mother tried to hide it with her words, would a mother really ask her son about something like that so cheerfully?
“I just got back from school, what are you talking about?”
“Well, let’s talk about it when you get home. It’s about adding ‘one more’ to the mix.”
“Don’t tell me… ‘one more’?”
What does she mean by ‘one more’? As I pondered, my mother’s words continued as I watched Ayana, who seemed puzzled.
“Today, we’ll have shabu-shabu, so could you wash the pot and get it ready? Also, tell Ayana-chan to join us for dinner. Bye now.”
“Wai-“
The call abruptly ended.
My mother had a tendency to make unexpected suggestions from time to time, and today was no exception.
“What’s wrong?”
I relayed my mother’s message directly to Ayana.
“Shabu-shabu… I’m fine, but I should tell my mom.”
It seemed she had no intention of refusing.
Since she couldn’t reach Hoshina-san by phone, she decided to send a message.
“That should be fine.”
“I’m sorry for the suddenness.”
“It’s totally fine. My mom has become really lenient lately, so she won’t get mad.”
“Oh…”
Though we had met a few times since then, Hoshina-san’s transformation was so drastic that I doubted if she was the same person as before. When I visited, she often gave me sweets like juice and cakes. Moreover, not only cakes but cookies as well, seemed to be handmade by Hoshina-san.
“My mom seems genuinely happy when Towa-kun comes over… and while it’s convenient for me, now that I know she was suffering in her own way, I think I can forgive her.”
“…I see.”
Although the words were directed at Towa, they were also a curse that continued to bind Ayana. However, now that I had overcome the past, it had become something she needed to overcome as well. Because Ayana had said she would move forward with me, she probably didn’t care much anymore.
But… there was something that bothered me a little.
“She was suffering?”
“Ah…”
What did she mean by Hoshina-san suffering?
Ayana’s eyes darted around in panic at my question. Whether she should say it or not… well, it’s not like I’m trying to pry. So, I’ll leave this for now and not ask about it.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. Let me know when your thoughts are sorted out.”
“…. Yes. Understood.”
Alright, let’s wrap up this conversation for now.
It’s been a while since I received a call from Mom… Oh? I heard the sound of a car returning. It seems like Mom has arrived home.
“I’m back~!”
Her cheerful voice reached this far.
Ayana and I headed to the entrance to greet Mom together, only to be surprised by an unexpected visitor.
“Go-Good evening, Towa-kun. And welcome back, Ayana.”
Following Mom, there was none other than Hoshina-san.
Despite my reconciliation with Hoshina-san, there should still be some tension between Mom and her. So, being together like this… I wonder what’s going on.
“We happened to meet while shopping. I thought it was a good opportunity to invite her over.”
Knowing Mom’s boldness, it wasn’t surprising to me. But judging by Hoshina-san’s expression, she must have been dragged along against her will… sigh.
“Hey, Mom.”
“What?”
“I’ll lecture you later.”
“!?”
And so, abruptly, dinner at our home with me, Ayana, Mom, and Hoshina-san was decided.