Chapter 1227 - That Aside, Love Patterns
—Or so I say, though it is true that I am indeed steadily growing.
"Ffubh..."
The fact that it is not like me does not disappear, and what is tiring is tiring.
Mainly a fist-fighting exchange meeting with the men in the first half, and mainly a chatting (?) exchange meeting with the women in the second half. After sincerely carrying out fan service that lasted for over four hours, I retreated to my room and collapsed immediately.
This mental fatigue, though it might fade, will probably never disappear... thinking such things, in order to dissipate the feeling of fatigue that I have already given up on completely overcoming, I sank into the bed.
The event time is still not even evening, and it is too early to fall asleep. After this, as usual, my schedule is packed, so without losing consciousness, I must recover quickly—
"...To go that far, you really work hard every time."
As if responding to my demand for energy, along with words, appreciation descended upon the back of my head as I lay face down... namely, slender fingertips gently stroking my head as if tickling.
And so,
"I don't really... have any intention of working hard, though."
The place where I twisted my neck and cast my gaze.
Right next to me as I collapsed—the indigo girl sitting on the bed with a natural look on her face wore an expression like 'what is this guy saying' in response to my words.
"No, you are working hard, aren't you?"
And so, while tilting her head, without stopping her hand stroking my head.
"I'm not working hard. Yeah, at least not right now. How should I put it, it's more like I'm just getting tired on my own as a result of doing whatever I want... that kind of feeling?"
When I let her hear my inner thoughts that I couldn't put into words well myself, Nia, who had not suddenly appeared... but had naturally been waiting for my return in my room, said,
"What in the world are you saying, you?"
"What in the world am I saying, indeed."
Because she laughed casually as if to say 'I don't get it,' I was drawn into laughing as well.
"—Well, whatever. For now, it's break time, right?"
And with that. The stroking hand stopped and patted my back, and this time, sensing her demand, I rolled my body. From face down to sideways, and then just like that...
"Indeed. Well, maybe for about ten minutes...?"
"Shouldn't you think a bit more about the ratio of active time to break time???"
"...Then, fifteen minutes."
While having a casual exchange, I placed my raised head onto her lap.
And so, naturally using Nia's slender yet soft legs—but in reality, obeying a situation where I could not refuse for a reason—as a pillow, I closed my eyes.
The sight before it was hidden by my eyelids was Nia's face, looking amused as she watched me obediently listening to her.
...Indeed, I must continue the special emphasis period of pampering Nia-chan for a while longer. Though she seems in a good mood now, things had been tough recently leading up to this.
There is no need to mention what the reason was, or what had happened—
Of course, it is this and that, continuing from the flow of Sora accepting the proposal.
To put it simply... well, her state of agitation after Sora and I reported it together the next day was crazy. Like being left behind, or being abandoned, mostly that sort of thing.
Seeing Sora reporting it with a somewhat refreshed face,
seeing Ashe congratulating us with an honestly happy face,
and then seeing me, who, although there was undoubtedly an unspeakable joy, was caught in the middle wondering what kind of face I should make in front of Nia, almost catching a cold from the stress.
—................................ I... see...
...she muttered.
How should I put it, I still cannot forget Nia's voice as she murmured so terribly helplessly.
Yes, without being able to forget it even for a moment...—as a result of offering wholehearted devotion, or rather sincere follow-up, or rather bone-breaking pampering.
As a result of not just me, but the three of us, including Sora and Ashe, putting on a great struggle.
"And? What's the schedule after this?"
"Ah, for now, next I have to go around greeting the existing members... and I have to check the night shift with Tetsu-san, and also Nono-san called me saying 'when you have a moment.'"
"Wow, you're so popular~"
Finally, to this point. I managed to recover her mood to the point of being slightly better than usual.
I gratefully accepted Sora and the others' help as well, but needless to say, it was my fault to begin with. It is not that Nia's heart is weak, or unstable, or selfish.
From the moment I resolved to give my feelings to each of the three, I had naturally thought of and assumed that such situations would arrive—therefore, what I do does not change.
"After doing that, and that, and finishing everything..."
"And after?"
"I think I might have a little bit of free time."
"Heh, is that so."
"Yeah."
I, just as my heart desires.
"So... ah, well, what is it. I'm sorry it's always the same thing, but maybe a walk..."
"If it's a date, I'll go!"
Each of the three, one by one, without hesitation, without mercy, without contradiction.
Without fearing anyone, to my heart's content...—I will favor them infinitely.
The fact that only about one-fifth of the trial period set at the time of the proposal has passed.
Ashe who responded immediately and Sora-san who made up her mind in about half a year are just too strong.