When I wake up in the morning, I’m curious about last night.
“Looks like you’re awake.”
…What on earth did I do last night to have our Nagisa already up?
Swish…
“Heueng… Isn’t today our day off?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Then you should stop it already.”
“If I say I want to touch my own stuff, why do you have to complain?”
With her fingertips, Nagisa tickled my belly and pressed around my navel, then suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around my waist. Her breath brushing against my neck tickled me, making me shudder involuntarily.
“Are you outright committing adultery now?”
“No, well. To defend myself a little! I got some important information from Iroha-chan, you see? Sooo…”
“You committed adultery, didn’t you?”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
“I saw it with my own eyes.”
“So, even if it’s a misunderstanding… Jealous Nagisa-chan is cute, but Nagisa-chan is the prettiest when she smiles that relaxed smile. You get what I mean, right?”
“Then how about you help me smile? I think being pure-hearted and overflowing with love is a virtue, but if it turns you into someone like you, that’s a problem. And did I ever give you permission? Adultery without a conscience? That’s too much.”
Ugh, today Nagisa’s morning greeting is fierce. It shouldn’t be the time for her period yet. If by any chance the rhythms overlapped, I might have had my grave assigned at Trinity today.
“Haha… You have no intention of listening at all, do you? My husband, let me give you a chuu, so chill out a bit?”
“…You should go do that with Hina.”
“Hey, quit trying to avoid this! Come here☆”
Peck. Peck.
“If you keep doing that… I’ll think about it.”
“Ahah! You’re so greedy.”
Poke… Peck!
See? It would all be solved with just five more, but you’re pretending it’s not.
The way Nagisa shyly turned her head was so lovely. If it were a weekend today, I might have jumped on her right away.
Sometimes, I even take the initiative to devour the other person. Just like last night.
“You two, enough of the couple’s quarrel. Breakfast is almost ready.”
In reality, it wasn’t even a one-on-one situation.
I immediately raised myself when I saw Wakamo peeking in at the door and her tail swaying behind her. Perhaps it’s because she’s basically a physical monster; even though she didn’t sleep that much, she seemed incredibly lively.
Wakamo was staying at our place because Yukino had checked her injuries and ordered her to rest for three days without fail. Also… it wasn’t me but Nagisa who first held on to Wakamo when she tried to leave.
It’s no wonder the other kids find it strange. Nagisa treats our fox unusually well.
“This is really humiliating—— Uh, Mika?!”
“Hey, my husband, it’s time to eat breakfast!”
“I-I have legs too… Aaaah!”
After grabbing the pajamas sprawled next to me, I decided to graciously carry Nagisa like a princess to the dining table.
“Mika, did you sleep well?”
“I feel like I slept really deeply for the time I had. Yeah, maybe it’s because I ate something good?”
“Ugh, why do you say things like that…”
“On a regular day, you casually say worse things, but when Wakamo-chan’s around, you suddenly act all shy? Ahaha, cute. No wonder you were a bit passive last night.”
“Now that you mention it, Nagisa during the Hakgwiyaeng was… passionate. Compared to then, you seem like a completely different person, which was a bit surprising.”
“That wasn’t because I was passive; it was simply because you made a mistake yesterday. Why would I exert myself for anyone else…?”
Well, that’s true, and I realized it made sense.
“But if that’s the case, shouldn’t you have kicked me out of the house? I’m just happy being by Nagisa-chan’s side.”
After setting Nagisa down at the table, I gently handed her a pajama as well, then put on my pajamas too. There’s a reason why one-piece pajamas are the best. Truly.
“If I kicked you out, it’s obvious I’d go find Hanako, so why would I do that?”
“Heueng… I was thinking I’d most likely cling to Nagisa-chan’s leg and ask not to kick me out, but if it came to actually being kicked out, would that happen? Hmmm.”
“Just deny that, Mika…”
“I think my honesty is my charm point.”
“Oh my… You’re charming even without that side, Mika.”
“Thanks, Wakamo-chan. By the way… you should start being careful too. Up until now, it’s been fine since Nagisa-chan likes you, but… well, it might get risky soon.”
“That won’t happen, so you don’t have to worry about nonsense.”
Even though she says that, I believe that Nagisa will continue to cherish Wakamo far beyond the present.
From the beginning, she respected the authority of the legitimate wife and treated her differently from other kids, which makes sense. I’ve heard that even the kids from the Squad had conflicts with Nagisa when she was monopolizing me.
…Moreover, one of Nagisa’s main concerns is that I was the first one to make a move on Wakamo.
There’s a reason why they say alcohol is the enemy.
“Wait a minute… Mika, this is your pajama.”
“Uh? Oh, right. Well, doesn’t matter, does it?”
“That’s true, but…”
If there was a huge height difference, maybe it’d be different. But there isn’t that much of one.
Hmm. Sigh.
“Mika, what are you doing?”
“Nagisa-chan smells really nice.”
“That outfit hasn’t even been worn for an hour.”
“No, this is just the leftover essence from when I wore it☆”
“If that’s really the case, wouldn’t it be better to change the detergent first? More importantly, am I being overshadowed by my own pajamas now?”
Phew… “Our Nagisa-chan still hasn’t fully calmed down? That look is cute too.”
“…”
Ah, Nagisa is clenching her fist. This is… a cue to stop messing around. If I cross the line here, the roll cake might end up crossing my lips too.
“Nagisa-chan, I’m starting to really miss your smiling face. Will you smile for me just once? Hmmm? Hmmm?”
“Don’t commit adultery without me knowing. I can’t accept it even if you come straight out and ask for permission. I will never forgive that.”
“Yeees…”
“Phew. Here, is this okay?”
“…”
Why am I seeing not the warm and bright smile I expected, but a sly grin plotting something devious from my Nagisa?
I had a feeling that if I pointed it out, things would blow up, so I quietly shut my mouth. Yes, all smiles are not the same. I’m satisfied.
Sitting next to Nagisa, I shifted my gaze to Wakamo, who was staring at us… actually, at me, with sparkling eyes. Her tail was so soft and fluffy, it kept coming to my mind and unconsciously distracted me.
“By the way, Mika, today is definitely…”
“Ah, right. It’s… um, it’s not me, it’s Mika’s birthday.”
Birthday, huh? Unlike when no one knew my secret, now quite a few people are aware of it, so things have gotten a bit awkward.
So far, only Nagisa knows my actual birthday, but that’s an issue I can just tell my kids later.
“That’s not something we can immediately handle without reverting it to the original Mika. Just the fact that the Pater Faction kids announced they’ll throw a party in the auditorium tonight… even if you try to get out of it, no one will listen, right?”
It was hard to deny Nagisa’s words. Once the Pater kids got the go-ahead for using the auditorium for a birthday party, it was far too late to run now.
As for Arius, they were so unfamiliar with the concept of birthday parties that I expected them to be passive about it, but I heard they were collaborating with Pater, who usually tries to compete.
“I guess there’s nothing to be done about it this year…?”
…Can I really accept congratulations instead? Last year, my birthday was somewhat insignificant, but this year, the scale has suddenly ballooned.
“Once Mika returns, can’t we celebrate separately among ourselves? Just the three of us: you, me, and Seiya.”
“Ahaha, could be.”
Strictly speaking, those who want to celebrate Mika’s birthday now don’t exactly plan on celebrating my original birthday. Even the Pater kids weren’t as enthusiastic last year as they are now.
“Don’t feel too pressured. If you’re really anxious, it wouldn’t be bad to think of it as a party for you rather than one celebrating Mika’s birthday. If your mood drops on a day meant for everyone to enjoy, that would ruin it for everyone too.”
“Ahaha… I’ll try not to think too much.”
As Nagisa reached out her hand to me, I offered my hand in silence. For a while, she played with my hand, then smiled. It was a different smile, one that truly shone brightly.
With warmth like a winter heater spreading warmth, I found myself melting like chocolate.
Wakamo, who had been watching us for a while, couldn’t contain herself, asking when we were going to eat. It was only then that I snapped back to reality. Still, that too was part of a joyful time.
Yeah, when I bring back the original Mika… it’ll be a celebration grand enough to feel like a princess’s birthday. Hmm. I need to start pondering about gifts little by little.
…Happy birthday, Mika.
I whispered a word that probably wouldn’t reach her.
At most half a year. It’s really soon. During that time, I have my own tasks to take care of.
