Chapter 59 - The Two Are Spoiled
Once Toak and Aisha left, the inside of the house suddenly became quiet.
Now, the only sound in the living room was the sound of Flora washing dishes in the kitchen.
"The house gets quiet so suddenly when those two leave."
"That's true."
When I muttered that while wiping the table with a cloth, Flora also chuckled, seemingly thinking the same.
It really gets lively when Toak and Aisha are together.
I reflexively smiled, remembering the conversation between the two just now.
"Those two really get along well. I wonder if they'll ever date?"
"I tried asking Aisha too, but she laughed it off, saying that was impossible."
Impossible, huh? That's the same thing Toak said.
"Is there anyone Aisha is interested in?"
"No, I don't think there's any man Aisha is interested in. It's not like she has a boyfriend, and there aren't any other men she's close with."
I've lived in this village for a few months now, but I haven't heard any rumors about Aisha at all. I do hear information like how she was slacking off on work like a mischievous village child, though.
If I had to name a man she's close with, it would be Toak after all.
But they both say they aren't interested. If you asked me if they really aren't interested in each other, I'd feel a bit doubtful.
"How about Toak-san?"
Flora asked, seemingly curious about Toak, who seemed to be the closest to Aisha.
"Toak is exactly the same as Aisha. He doesn't have a girlfriend or any women his age he's close with."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah, but he's worked hard by—relied upon by the village ladies and is very popular, though."
"Toak-san is kind and caring after all, despite everything."
Toak is easily misunderstood because of his sullen expression and somewhat blunt attitude, but he's very kind at heart.
Flora used to be reserved toward Toak because of her shyness, but she seems to have gotten quite used to him lately. I'm happy she understands my friend properly.
Thinking that, I headed to the kitchen to wash the cloth I used to wipe the table.
"Is it okay if I'm next to you?"
"Yes, please go ahead."
When I spoke to her, Flora smiled brightly and opened up some space.
It was a casual interaction, but I felt healed.
Flora had already finished the washing and was carefully wiping the moisture off the dishes with a cloth.
Her profile looked very cheerful, and a rhythmic humming leaked out.
I washed the cloth while listening to Flora's beautiful humming.
Words like asking what song it was or saying she seemed cheerful almost came out of my throat, but if I spoke, I wouldn't be able to hear Flora's humming, so I continued to listen to the beautiful humming in silence.
As I hung up the washed cloth and Flora put the dried dishes back on the shelf, Flora stopped humming and asked me.
"By the way, Aldo-san."
"What is it?"
I turned my gaze toward her, feeling regretful that Flora's pleasant humming had ended.
Then, Flora, who had finished wiping the plates, fidgeted and said,
"...Um, is it okay if I ask what Aisha said to you when she was leaving? Um, you both had such serious faces, so I just couldn't help but be curious. If it's no good, that's fine!"
Though she spoke reservedly, her expression looked very curious.
If I said no, Flora would probably slump like an abandoned puppy.
Telling her the content of the conversation might be embarrassing not just for me but for Aisha herself, but it's not something shameful to hide.
It's a matter of Aisha's feelings as a pure childhood friend and my own resolve.
But for Aisha, who is usually aloof, it's probably embarrassing after all. That's why I think she only whispered it to me. I feel like I'd like to see Aisha being teased by Flora a little too.
"...She said, 'Take good care of Flora. If you make her cry, I won't forgive you.'"
"...Aisha said that..."
When I told her that, Flora was surprised, and then she put her hand to her chest and relaxed her expression happily.
Her white cheeks were faintly red, and she looked bashful.
"So, how did you answer, Aldo-san?"
Flora asked with an upturned gaze while wearing an innocent smile.
It was an expression that already seemed to know the answer, but it was an expression that just couldn't wait to hear the words.
"That was, of course, 'I know.'"
"Ehehe, I knew it. Still, I'm happy to hear you say it."
It was an answer without any twist, but Flora accepted it with a smile like a blooming flower.
She looked like she was so happy she couldn't help it to hear those words.
When you put your feelings into words, you can see the best smile of the person you love. Thinking that, I felt like I could properly convey my honest feelings even if there was some embarrassment.
"Can I ask what you were told at the end, Flora?"
Aisha probably told Flora something important just like she did to me. Thinking that, I was a bit curious about what she was told.
When I asked reservedly, Flora made a gesture of hesitating like "...Um," and then approached me with an expression like she had decided on something.
"Ei!"
I was surprised by Flora, who hugged me while letting out a cute voice.
Flora's supple arms were wrapped around my back, and Flora's soft body pressed against mine.
Flora's face fit perfectly against my chest, and a sweet scent like flowers came from her body.
I was bewildered, unable to connect the meaning of Flora suddenly hugging me with the answer to my question.
"...Um, this is?"
"P-Please hold my body tight."
When I asked while bewildered, Flora said that from within my chest, so I hugged Flora's delicate body tight.
Then Flora let out a sound like "Nn" as if satisfied by that.
It was a situation I didn't quite understand, but hugging Flora was not a bad thing at all. Rather, it was a happy thing, so we continued to hug each other as if to confirm each other's body temperature.
As I enjoyed the sensation of Flora's body and soaked in a sense of happiness, Flora whispered softly.
"...More, proactively."
"Eh?"
"She told me to be more proactive and spoil you."
Flora said while looking up at me from within my arms.
That expression looked terribly bashful and stirred my protective instinct.
"I certainly think you can spoil me more, Flora."
Come to think of it, it feels like there are few times when Flora asks for something, hugs me, or holds my hand.
The graceful Flora is of course charming, but since we are becoming a married couple, I want her to rely on me, her husband-to-be, and spoil me.
If there's a tough job, she should rely on me; if she gets tired and wants to take a break, she should switch with me.
I want her to hug me, and I want her to hold my hand. I want her to seek me out too.
I desired Flora's wishes and her spoiling more.
"Is it okay if I spoil you more from now on, Aldo-san?"
"Of course."
"I might be selfish and annoying, you know?"
"It's okay."
I answered with a wry smile to Flora's words that seemed to be making sure.
Though, I don't think Flora would ever show selfishness or spoiling that goes beyond reasonable bounds.
"I'm quite a spoiled child, you know?"
"I know that, and so am I."
"That's true, isn't it?"
Flora and I chuckled together.
"Is there anything you want me to do, or anything you want to do?"
"Please stroke my head gently."
When I stroked her head as Flora requested, Flora narrowed her eyes as if it felt good.
Stroking Flora's silk-like hair felt good to me too.
She really does like having her head stroked.
"And then, will you go to the flower field with me tomorrow? I want to eat lunch under a tree while looking at the flowers."
Eating lunch with Flora while looking at a summer flower field. That sounds very nice.
Even if Flora hadn't suggested it, I probably would have said it myself eventually.
"That's good. Well then, let's get ready."
"No, a little longer... like this."
Flora and I hugged each other's bodies for a while.