Chapter 12: Daddy Can Only Be Mommy's
After a long wait, Aki Tomoya didn't show up, but it seemed to no longer matter whether he came or not, because Eriri, Kato Megumi, and Kasumigaoka Utaha's attention had all been drawn to Aragaki Moeha.
"They say cute Children are the most attractive; this must be that situation..."
Watching Eriri play with Aragaki Moeha, Aragaki Takiya chose to pick up a book about romance games. Although a large part of why he agreed to join the club was for Eriri, the heroine of this game was Kato Megumi, and Aragaki Takiya had a good impression of this low-presence girl, so if conditions allowed, he wanted to make this game the best it could be.
"This Bishojo Romance Game isn't simple. At least, with our current team, it's basically impossible to make..."
Looking at the complex content in the book, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but get a headache. It wasn't that he was backing down from a challenge, but with the producer and director missing, and the artist, writer, and heroine playing with a child, it looked unreliable no matter how he saw it.
"Although I've already heard the answer from you, I still find it hard to believe that Moeha has nothing to do with you at all, Sawamura-san."
Although Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't interested in Children, that was only for overly noisy Problem Children. She actually quite liked Aragaki Moeha, but the Little one seemed to have a special fondness for Eriri. Was it really because of her hair color?
"I'm sure I'm the only child in my family, and my dad doesn't have any siblings, so it should just be a coincidence?"
Eriri didn't overthink Kasumigaoka Utaha's words. All her attention was on Aragaki Moeha in her arms. Both her hair color and eye color were the same as hers. She just wondered if the Little one in front of her also had a snaggletooth like herself.
While Eriri was observing Aragaki Moeha, Aragaki Moeha was also observing her mother. However, this mother in front of her was slightly different from the one in her memories. The mother in her memories seemed a bit gentler, and... Aragaki Moeha glanced at the girl's chest, hmm... this one was clearly smaller.
"Um, Aragaki, aren't you going to rest? I've seen you reading all this time."
Unlike Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha, Kato Megumi also liked Aragaki Moeha very much, but she was also paying attention to Aragaki Takiya. However, contrary to her imagination, the boy sitting nearby wasn't focused on other things; instead, he was intently reading the book in his hands.
"I don't need to rest. Since I joined the club, I naturally want to do what I can."
Hearing Kato Megumi's words, Aragaki Takiya also exited reading mode. Hmm... besides his eyes feeling sore, he should have gained something, but he still found the game aspect a bit complex and didn't quite understand it.
"Aragaki, are you very interested in games?"
Looking at the title of the book Aragaki Takiya was holding, Kato Megumi didn't quite understand it either. She hadn't been exposed to games before, and even the Game Club was something Aki Tomoya had dragged her into.
"Not very interested, but since I accepted the Game Club's invitation, it's best to do something..."
Glancing at Kato Megumi beside him, Aragaki Takiya still concealed some unspoken words. After all, his future partner was Eriri, and saying those things would only add to his troubles.
On the other side, Aragaki Moeha was originally chatting with Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha, but she suddenly noticed that her father was chatting with the older sister from earlier. Although she didn't know what the consequences would be, she still felt a bit jealous for her mother.
"Daddy can only be Mommy's..."
With this thought, Aragaki Moeha resolutely jumped off Eriri's lap and ran into Aragaki Takiya's arms.
"Eh? Moeha is..."
Looking at Aragaki Moeha snuggled in Aragaki Takiya's arms, Kato Megumi thought the Little one was scared, but she hadn't heard any commotion just now?
"Eh?!! I didn't do anything..."
Seeing the Little Girl run away from her arms, Eriri was the most flustered. She really liked the Little one; otherwise, she wouldn't have hugged her as soon as she walked in and saw her reach out. But she hadn't done anything just now.
"Uh, maybe Moeha is tired of playing. She usually comes to me when she's tired..."
Seeing the Little one holding him tightly, Aragaki Takiya didn't know why, so he could only make up an excuse. But it was good that Aragaki Moeha didn't say anything after hugging him; otherwise, he wouldn't know how to explain... "She... she must be asleep."
"Mm... probably. Why don't you poke her?"
"How could I bring myself to do that? Why don't you try, Kasumigaoka?"
"I think I'll pass..."
Before long, a drowsy Aragaki Moeha fell asleep. While Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were still debating whether she was asleep, Aragaki Takiya got up and carried her into the Bedroom.
"Let Moeha get some good rest..."
Ignoring the protesting looks of the two girls, Aragaki Takiya still chose to take off Aragaki Moeha's shoes, place her on the bed, and cover her with the blanket. But when he turned around, he found that the two of them had also followed him in.
"Shh~"
Aragaki Takiya made a gesture to keep quiet.
"Don't worry~ We'll keep our voices down."
Noticing Aragaki Takiya's gesture, Eriri lowered her voice and said softly.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go out first..."
Glancing at the sleeping Aragaki Moeha, Aragaki Takiya decisively chose to change locations. However, he didn't notice that Kasumigaoka Utaha, whose attention had originally been on Aragaki Moeha, was now staring at his bookshelf in thought.
"Hey, hey~ Kasumigaoka, let's go out first..."
"…"
Eriri's soft call didn't get Kasumigaoka Utaha's attention. Eager to leave, she simply stopped calling and instead poked her finger into the other's waist.
"Ugh!"
Feeling the unusual sensation at her waist, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally broke free from her thoughts. She was about to say something, but then she noticed Aragaki Moeha sleeping on the bed, so she still endured the strange feeling in her waist and backed out.
"Sawamura-san, regarding your unauthorized touching of another person's body, if you don't give me a good explanation, I will retaliate, you know..."
Looking at the somewhat guilty Eriri, Kasumigaoka Utaha maintained a smile, but Eriri could vaguely see devil horns growing on her head...