Chapter 12
The Favor Asked for by the Beautiful Transfer Student
TL: PuffyPyjamas .
ED: Daemon .
Ever since Emma and her sister entered my room, Emma is the one doing all the talking . Charlotte occasionally chimes in, but she is careful not to interrupt Emma . I just kept listening to Emma talk . Emma spoke about various things, such as the first time she got on an airplane and the cat videos she watched today .
While she is talking, she presses her little head against my chest while asking to be spoiled, and sometimes she grabs my hands and plays around with them . Somehow, watching her have fun like this makes me glad .
After a while, Emma began to nod off . It’s already very late, and she’s probably really tired from all the various events that occurred today . Let’s just have her soundly fall asleep like this .
Charlotte and I patiently waited for Emma to enter the land of dreams . After a short amount of time, I heard cute sleeping noises originating from Emma . It seems like she’s completely fallen asleep .
“Thank you very much, Aoyagi-kun . ”
Charlotte thanked me for the umpteenth time today . When I looked at her, I found her watching Emma with a very gentle gaze . At this moment, Charlotte truly feels like an older sister who watches over her precious little sibling . It is obvious that this little girl is very important to Charlotte .
“There is no need to thank me . ”
“No, that’s not true . I am truly thankful to you for spending time with Emma . ”
“Hahah, it’s all good . I had a lot of fun playing with her as well . ”
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I kind of feel like I was taken for a ride, but it was fun to play with Emma nonetheless . If it’s a little sister like her, then it’s fine… I honestly think that .
“I’m sure that Aoyagi-kun is like a hero for Emma . When she couldn’t ask for help because she was unfamiliar with the language, Aoyagi-kun called out to her . You smiled and treated her gently . I can understand why Emma is so attached to you . ”
What should I do? I am getting complimented even though I haven’t done anything impressive . I couldn’t face Charlotte because I was too embarrassed . Charlotte continued while I averted my gaze .
“A strange land where people don’t speak the same language . I believe Japan is a very scary place for Emma . Having said that—if you don’t mind, can you play with Emma until she gets used to Japan?”
“Play with her…?”
Charlotte made an abrupt suggestion, and I gazed at Emma who is sleeping in her arms . I understand what Charlotte wants to say . Since Emma is in an unknown country where people communicate in an unknown language, she must be very scared and anxious . For a young child like Emma, these feelings must be greater than those of an adult .
Having said that, it honestly isn’t that convenient for me . In the evenings, I usually work as Aki’s tutor, and after returning home, I review my lessons and prepare for the next day . Honestly, when it comes to cutting down on that time, it’s really tough . Of course, there’s a reason why I devote so much effort into studying .
However—
When I glanced at Charlotte, she was staring at my face with a serious expression . Today was the first time that we met, but I feel like I understand how this woman known as Charlotte is like at her core .
A kind person who cares for others and places the needs of others before her own .
Such a person is asking for my favour for her sister’s sake while being completely aware that it will bother me . Thinking about the meaning behind it, it would be quite difficult for me to refuse . Above all, I do not wish for Emma to be anxious . If I can get rid of even the slightest bit of Emma’s anxiety by playing with her, then the answer is obvious…
“Yeah, that’s fine . I may be a little late in coming home, but if that’s fine with you, I can make time . ”
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“Thank you very much!”
I nodded in affirmation, to which Charlotte bowed and thanked me with a delightful smile . I believe it was the correct answer since I got to see this beautiful smile .
As for studying, there should be no problems if I cut down on my sleep time . An individual doesn’t perish if he or she sleeps a little less .
“—Will your family be coming back soon?”
After chatting for a bit, Charlotte started to worry about my family . I think she’s starting to feel uncomfortable since no one has returned even though it’s so late . As for me, I am more worried about her being in my apartment and her family worrying about how late the siblings are . I would like to avoid developments like your father abruptly barging in and shouting . It’d be unbearable to be yelled at for doing nothing wrong .
Well, leaving that aside—
“Nobody will come back . ”
“Eh…?”
When I briefly stated the facts, Charlotte had a confused expression on her face . I may have said it a little too bluntly . I hastily smiled and rephrased .
“No, what I mean is that I live alone . So, nobody will come back . ”
“Live alone…? Even though you are still a high-school student?”
“Ah, yeah . That’s correct . ”
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I stopped saying anything after that . I’d rather not talk about this topic too much . And as such, I didn’t say anything unnecessary and phrased it so that this conversation wouldn’t continue .
Charlotte seemed to have sensed that, and after opening and closing her mouth multiple times while looking for something to say, she ultimately chose not to speak . It seems like she realized that I didn’t want to talk about this .
“I am starving…”
I didn’t have any words left to speak, so I unintentionally uttered a soliloquy . I directly returned from Aki’s place and haven’t eaten anything yet . It’s natural that I’m hungry .
“Did you not eat dinner?”
My muttering shouldn’t have been very loud, but it seems like Charlotte heard me . It’s embarrassing to be seen as a glutton .
“Well, yeah…”
“It’s because we got in the way, right? I am really sorry…”
“No, no! It’s okay! I just have to go to the convenience store later to buy dinner!”
Since Charlotte seemed depressed, I spoke with haste to recover her mood . If you get this depressed over one meal, I will feel guilty .
“But it’s already this late… Wouldn’t it be dangerous to go out at this hour?”
“It’s fine . Japan is safer than most countries out there . ”
Though it’s not entirely safe, the probability of being attacked by a suspicious person in Japan is quite low . Charlotte, who is from a foreign country, probably isn’t too knowledgeable in that aspect .
No, it’s not that foreign countries are very dangerous . However, it can be said that Japan is safer than many of the countries .
“Even so… I got it! I will cook dinner for you!”
Charlotte, who was feeling uncomfortable, abruptly clapped and said delightfully .
What is this…? I wonder if I’m actually dreaming right now? Will this beautiful girl who just transferred into my school cook a meal for me? How can there be such a happy and convenient development in this world…
“Is that, no good…?”
“—!”
When I didn’t reply, Charlotte looked at my face with upturned eyes . She’s cute, and she smells so good, it’s making my head spin .
“P-please and thank you…”
“Yes!”
When I answered her in a semi-conscious state, Charlotte left my room with a very delightful smile .