Chapter 32: An Invitation from the Shiina Sisters
"Mom, this is a great opportunity. We can invite Dad to our house for dinner today. After that, you can get to know each other slowly, then try dating. That way, I won't disappear."
Leaving the counter, Shiina Kaede finally broke free from the gloom of the past few days. Her pretty little face was now lit up with a delighted smile. In her view, this was already the best possible opportunity.
"Hmm, let me think..."
Faced with her daughter's suggestion, Shiina Mahiru was still hesitant. It wasn't that she disliked Aragaki Takiya; on the contrary, because of the umbrella incident last time, she still held some goodwill toward him. Perhaps, if Shiina Kaede hadn't appeared, they might have really developed in the direction she mentioned. But now... Shiina Mahiru fell silent. She just quietly selected daily necessities, her heart a mix of conflicting emotions. Due to the issues left behind by her parents, she was very sensitive to such arranged matters. Although she knew Aragaki Takiya was completely unaware of this, the feeling inside still made it difficult for her to make a decision.
Perhaps sensing something was off, Shiina Kaede gradually closed her little mouth. She naturally knew some things about her grandparents. Although not particularly well-informed, in the previous world, she had unintentionally heard Shiina Mahiru mention some of it.
At the moment, Shiina Mahiru was still struggling with the choice in her heart. She really liked Kaede, this child, because over the past few days, no matter the time, as soon as she returned home, she could see the Little one's happy smiling face.
Unconsciously, this smiling face had become her current reliance on familial affection. She could also feel the intimacy emanating from the other. Unknowingly, what she had lost from her parents seemed to have been regained... "Kaede, aren't you..."
"Huh? Mom, I'm fine."
Hearing Shiina Mahiru's voice, Shiina Kaede instinctively said she was fine. But though her words said so, the hidden sadness in her eyes couldn't be faked.
Seeing Shiina Kaede's expression, Shiina Mahiru opened her mouth but couldn't say anything. The conflict in her heart became increasingly prominent, as if struggling to say something.
Soon after, Shiina Mahiru finished selecting what she wanted. When she walked toward the counter, she could feel that the previously happy Shiina Kaede seemed to have returned to the state she was in when they arrived.
"Beep~"
As the sound of the machine scanning came, Shiina Mahiru once again observed the boy in front of her. It was clear he was different from most boys at school. In the past, boys at school had more or less hoped to strike up a conversation with her.
But the boy in front of her was focused on the products at hand, and the seriousness between his brows formed a sharp contrast with her parents.
"Um, if you have time, could you come to our house for dinner this afternoon?"
"Huh?"
Looking at the flaxen-haired girl in front of him, Aragaki Takiya began to doubt if his ears were playing tricks on him. Clearly, he hadn't done anything, so why would she propose this?
"It's because of last time. Thanks to your umbrella, Kaede and I avoided getting soaked by the rain, so I want to repay you."
Feeling Aragaki Takiya's gaze, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but feel a touch of nervousness. Besides this being her first time inviting someone else to her home, she was even more worried that the boy in front of her would reject her request.
"Oh, that. No problem, but I still have half an hour until my shift ends, and I need to pick up my sister afterward, so I'll probably arrive a bit late..."
Faced with Shiina Mahiru's invitation, Aragaki Takiya seemed to have no reason to refuse. After all, his cooking skills were only average, and due to increased expenses, he had to time his purchases to buy discounted ingredients, which naturally meant some items were unavailable. If he could get a free dinner, it was naturally the best choice.
"I see, no problem. Then we'll head back first. My address is..."
Receiving Aragaki Takiya's affirmative reply, Shiina Mahiru naturally felt a wave of joy inside. However, Shiina Kaede beside her didn't show much reaction, which puzzled her. But when she stepped out of the Convenience Store, this puzzle was officially solved.
"Mom, thank you!"
As soon as they left the Convenience Store, Shiina Kaede eagerly hugged Shiina Mahiru. She hadn't expected her mother to make such a big decision for her. Only she, who knew everything, understood how much determination her mother had used in making this decision.
"Alright~ it's fine."
Feeling the touch at her waist and the Little one's soft, sweet voice, Shiina Mahiru's inner softness was deeply touched at that moment. She had thought a lot just now, but it was precisely when she saw Aragaki Takiya's serious expression that she figured it out.
She really didn't want a love like her parents', but she also didn't want Shiina Kaede to disappear. Although she knew everything that would happen in the future, this would only be an ordinary answer. The real process of solving the problem was still in her hands... "Hey~ Aragaki, your work today is done. You did great. Here's your pay for today..."
At 6:12 PM, the Convenience Store Manager arrived belatedly. He didn't explain much about the reason for his lateness, but when he saw the clerk still diligently working overtime, he chose to explain his lateness in his own way—for example, by stuffing an extra hour's Wage into the envelope representing the salary.
"Then, Manager, I'll head back first. Thank you for your care."
Receiving the pay he deserved for his work, Aragaki Takiya was naturally happy. Weekend Wages were higher than usual, meaning he could save a bit more money, which would help ease the pressure of living expenses.
"Hmm... it's already getting late. I should message Eriri. Moeha is probably getting impatient too."
Thinking this, Aragaki Takiya opened his phone and started composing a message to Eriri. But before he could finish, the phone in his hand began to vibrate.
"Huh, why is Eriri calling proactively?"
Seeing the video call notification on his phone, Aragaki Takiya didn't hesitate and immediately clicked to answer. However, what appeared on the screen wasn't Eriri, but Aragaki Moeha, lying in bed and already fast asleep.
"???"
Aragaki Takiya was about to say something, but as the phone camera moved, Eriri's pretty face gradually appeared, except now Eriri was outside the Bedroom.
"Aragaki, as you can see, Moeha is already asleep..."
On the video, Eriri's face rarely showed a hint of seriousness.
"So..."
"So you don't need to pick her up today. I'll bring her directly when we go to the club activity tomorrow."
On the screen, Eriri showed a beautiful smile. It seemed she really liked Aragaki Moeha; otherwise, she wouldn't have said such words.
"Staying over?"
Hearing Eriri's words, Aragaki Takiya hesitated a bit. But when he thought of Aragaki Moeha's expression when she missed Eriri, that hesitation instantly vanished.
"No problem, then I'll trouble you, Eriri. That child is afraid of the dark at night, so you'll need to take extra care of her then."
"Hehe, leave it to me. I'll stay with Moeha the whole time."
After receiving Aragaki Takiya's approval, Eriri couldn't help but feel in high spirits. Fear of the dark or such things were minor issues; as long as she stayed with the other, it would be fine.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL