Chapter 15: New Ripples
"Phew... even though I didn't really do anything, I've still worked hard..."
Only when there was no more sound from the hallway did Aragaki Takiya slump onto the sofa as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"But is there something I forgot to do? Why do I feel so restless?"
Sitting on the sofa, Aragaki Takiya scratched his head until it was a mess before finally remembering what he needed to do.
"Right, I haven't prepared dinner yet. I can't forget that."
Thanks to a sudden flash of inspiration, Aragaki Takiya immediately got up to check the fridge. No miracle occurred; while there were plenty of snacks and drinks, he was short on ingredients for dinner.
"It shouldn't be raining outside yet. I hope I can make it in time."
Aragaki Takiya stood up, but just before heading out, another matter crossed his mind.
"Moeha, Daddy is going out now..."
By the bedside, Aragaki Takiya poked the Little Girl's cheek as she slept soundly. Seeing no reaction, he left with peace of mind... "Hmm... cabbage, beef, and some shrimp..."
After arriving at the supermarket, Aragaki Takiya immediately began his shopping. After several days of practicing his cooking, his skills had improved significantly. While he couldn't make the glowing dishes seen on TV, the taste was already comparable to convenience store bento.
"Hello, that will be..."
At the checkout, Aragaki Takiya, having settled the bill, now held an umbrella. Although he had intended to make it quick, his old habit of indecisiveness had kicked in. The price was realizing it had started raining once he finished shopping. Though it wasn't heavy, he bought an umbrella since there weren't any left at home.
"I shouldn't have forgotten anything. Better hurry home..."
After checking everything, Aragaki Takiya opened his umbrella and stepped into the rain. There weren't many pedestrians due to the weather, but as he passed a bus stop, a voice called out to him.
"Big brother, can you help me?"
A crisp voice rang out. Just as the sound faded, Aragaki Takiya noticed a Little Girl standing under the bus stop shelter.
"Hmm? Is there something you need help with?"
The Little Girl before him had rare flaxen hair, fair skin, and delicate features—the very image of a little angel.
"Um, I forgot to bring an umbrella. Big brother, could you accompany me to the convenience store to borrow one?"
"Aren't your mom and dad around?"
"Mm, they haven't finished work yet. I just happened to come out to play with friends, but I didn't expect it to rain..."
Seeing her looking a bit embarrassed, Aragaki Takiya didn't think much of it. It was just a little extra walking, after all.
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Shiina Kaede."
And so, sheltered by the umbrella, Aragaki Takiya took the loli named Shiina Kaede back to the supermarket. After registering, they received a free rental umbrella.
"Hehe, now I don't have to worry about getting wet..."
Looking at the umbrella in her hand, the Little Girl looked like she had been saved.
"Remember to return it when you're done. Other people might need it on a rainy day too."
"Hmph, no problem!"
Opening her umbrella, Shiina Kaede walked straight into the rain, then reached out to feel the coolness of the water. Her playful manner reminded Aragaki Takiya of things he used to do as a child.
"Well then, that's that. I'll be going now~"
Seeing her delighted expression, Aragaki Takiya didn't want to disturb her further. Since she had an umbrella now, getting home wouldn't be difficult. He, on the other hand, had to prepare dinner, so he needed to hurry.
"Ah? Um, um..."
Seeing Aragaki Takiya about to leave, the previously joyful loli suddenly became hesitant. Under his puzzled gaze, she stammered out a sentence.
"U-Um, big brother, can you walk me home?"
"Hmm? You should remember the way home, right?"
"It's not that... it's just a bit dark outside, and I'm a little scared."
Shiina Kaede looked hesitant. Aragaki Takiya was initially a bit reluctant, but seeing her hands trembling slightly, he eventually agreed.
"Alright, you walk in front. I'll stay behind you. But let's be clear, I'm only taking you as far as the Apartment complex."
"No problem."
"Ugh~ what should I do! What should I do!!"
While Aragaki Takiya followed behind, Shiina Kaede, walking in front, was extremely anxious. Thinking about the consequences of being exposed, a feeling of regret welled up in her heart.
"What should I do? Should I confess?"
While Shiina Kaede was feeling restless, she suddenly noticed a figure sitting on a swing in a nearby park. The moment she saw it, she thought of a solution.
"Big brother, there's an older sister getting soaked in the rain over there..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing what she said, Aragaki Takiya looked in the direction she was pointing and noticed a girl sitting alone on a swing in the distance, getting rained on.
"Big brother, go help her. She looks so pitiful."
Shiina Kaede blinked and said to Aragaki Takiya.
"Alright, you wait here for a moment. I'll go ask what's going on."
After a moment's thought, Aragaki Takiya decided to go over and ask if she needed help. It was still raining, and since she was a girl, she might end up in the hospital if she stubbornly stayed in the rain.
"Excuse me, are you having some trouble? Do you need any help?"
Sitting alone on the swing, Shiina Mahiru suddenly realized the rain had stopped falling on her. Hearing a voice, she looked up to see a boy holding an umbrella over her, shielding her from the rain.
"I'm fine. I just want to clear my head here, so please don't mind me."
Seeing the boy holding the umbrella for her, Shiina Mahiru didn't feel much of a stir. She was currently troubled by her thoughts, and her instinctive reaction to this unknown kindness was to distance herself.
"Even if you want to stay here, it's better to use an umbrella. Your health is your own; don't take your frustrations out on your body."
Seeing her stubbornness, Aragaki Takiya tried to persuade her.
"Mm... thank you."
Hearing the girl's voice, Aragaki Takiya's body stiffened for a moment before he turned to leave. But when he reached the park entrance, he found that the loli who had been waiting for him was nowhere to be seen.
"..."
"As expected, doing good deeds doesn't necessarily bring good luck..."
Aragaki Takiya sighed and quickened his pace. He had to get home before he got soaked.
After Aragaki Takiya left, Shiina Mahiru, who was now sitting on the swing with the umbrella, was about to get up and go home. However, a sudden gust of wind blew the umbrella from her hand. Thinking about recent events and being in a bad mood, she simply sat back down on the swing. But then, the cold sensation of the rain suddenly vanished again.
"Haven't you left yet? I..."
Shiina Mahiru was about to say something, but before her appeared a loli with the same hair color as her own.
"Mama, why are you doing this?"
Looking at the girl who was intentionally getting rained on, Shiina Kaede frowned and spoke words that Shiina Mahiru couldn't understand.