Chapter 206 - With an Unailing Heart
(1)
"Are you sure you're okay with everything above the customer's estimate?"
"Yes."
Ai's voice was bright.
In contrast, my expression was gloomy.
Part of the collection I had gathered until now was about to be sold off.
Since there wasn't any rarity either, it would probably be less than half the selling price.
"Then please wait inside the store for a while."
"Okaaay."
Ai took my hand and walked around the store.
There was everything from a DVD/Blu-ray rental corner to a corner for new and used game software. If you went up to the second floor, there was even a secondhand clothing store.
I'd be bored if I went home anyway, so maybe I'd rent a DVD and go home...?
But the place Ai headed to was the game software corner.
However, every game Ai looked at, she tilted her head at.
Can't be helped. Manga/anime games, horror games, action games. Even if RPGs and simulation games were safe, they'd probably be games with boring stories for Ai, a gaming beginner.
Even so, Ai was desperately searching for a game. Why was she so fixated on games? Didn't Ai dislike games?
"Ai, wouldn't it be better to just rent a DVD and..."
"I was thinking maybe there's a game I could play together with Toya-kun."
"What kind of games do you like, Ai?"
"Uum..."
Ai was troubled. She probably couldn't find one, right?
Maybe she was thinking about me in her own way.
Or perhaps she simply wanted to share a fun time with me.
If that's the case, it's simple.
"This squid game looks interesting, but the controls seem kind of difficult."
"Ai, if it's a game we can play together, isn't there already one?"
"Hooh?"
"Look, the online game we play on the PC."
"But that one makes me feel kind of bad for just making you play it alone, Toya-kun."
"In that case, how about changing your job? It looks like that character's level will cap soon anyway."
"...Is that okay?"
"I'm happy just that you've taken an interest in games, Ai."
"Waaay."
Ai was delighted. This is probably for the best.
"Hey, about yesterday's matter..."
"What about it?"
"When I'm with you, you can play games if you have free time. I'm fine just watching."
"Wouldn't you be bored then, Ai?"
"There's no such thing as being bored when I'm with you, Toya-kun."
I wish I could have told that to yesterday's me. "It seems you're thought of as pretty important."
"Customer number one~ Please come to the counter."
An announcement played.
Ai headed to the counter in high spirits. However, Ai's expectations turned to disappointment.
"I sold all that and only got this much~?"
"I told you, they only buy it for less than half the selling price."
"Even so, there were some new releases too~"
"They're cheap because they're mass-produced."
"Uu..."
"What do you want to do? Want to stop by the secondhand clothing store?"
"Okay."
And so we headed to the secondhand clothing store on the second floor.
Ai's face was beaming.
"We found some pretty good stuff, huh!"
"Yeah."
Ai bought one skirt and a few tops, and I bought a few tops.
"What do you want to do after this?"
Ai asked.
"We still have some time until dinner. Want to take a walk in the nearby park?"
The park where we went to see the cherry blossoms in spring.
"Okay."
After strolling towards the park, we took a short rest and then headed for dinner.
After eating dinner, we went home and both booted up our notebook PCs.
There was one reason: to play games.
Ai's debut in player-versus-player combat.
While listening to command support through the headset, I gave Ai detailed instructions.
Ai was a quick learner, and by the latter half, about an hour in, she was moving on her own without me having to say anything.
"It's more fun than I thought."
"I'm glad to hear you say that."
After that, I let Ai do as she pleased.
She apparently wanted to watch a drama starting at 10:30 PM. It was rare for Ai to watch a drama.
"My favorite actor is in it~"
I see.
"You can do whatever you like, Toya-kun~"
I booted up my handheld game console.
An action game where you defeat monsters.
A game where you gather various materials to make equipment.
The reason I didn't recommend it to Ai was that she's not good at action games and the art isn't that cute.
Time passed in a flash while I was playing, and when the drama ended, Ai was groaning "Uu..."
While operating the game, I asked, "What's wrong?"
Apparently, "The drama ended, so I want you to pay attention to me, but since I said you could play games, I was wondering if it was okay to interrupt you, Toya-kun."
When I reached a good stopping point and turned off the game, I said to Ai, "Come here."
"I'm going to take a bath first."
"Why didn't you go earlier?"
"Because I promised I wouldn't play games while you were gone, right?"
Ah, right. That's what it was.
"Well then, I'll be watching TV, so go ahead."
"Okay."
Ai took her change of clothes and left the room.
While watching TV and fiddling with my smartphone in the room, Ai came back.
I took my turn, and when I came back, Ai was playing a game.
It was that RPG with beautiful graphics she played before.
Ai was so focused on the battle that she didn't notice me.
I thought about getting back at her like usual... but it would be pitiful, so I just watched Ai.
"Uu... I just can't win."
Ah, this guy...
"Ai, let me see?"
"Ah, you're back, Toya-kun?"
I took the controller from Ai, changed the party formation, changed the equipment, and challenged it.
I extended the gauge while changing the formation, timing it right.
When it was fully extended, the battle ended.
"A message appears before the battle, so it's good to look at that. You need to endure against this guy."
"As expected, you know a lot."
"Because I've been playing it for ages."
"Well then, do you know how to conquer me too?"
"Yeah, of course."
I saved the data and turned off the power.
I turned off the TV and dimmed the lights, then got into bed and invited Ai.
When Ai came in, I hugged her.
"Well then, let me be conquered."
Ai said that and closed her eyes.
(2)
I rummaged through Eita's room.
The games on the rack were abnormally few.
Moreover, there were conspicuously no so-called FPS games.
He's hiding them.
I searched the game console, the back of the desk drawer, pretty much everywhere.
What remained was under the bed.
Just as I was about to look underneath, Eita blocked me.
"I-There's nothing here!!"
"Well then, it's okay to look, right?"
"Th-There's no need to look, is there!?"
"Just move it!"
Eita moved aside as if he had given up.
I slid the upper half of my body under the bed.
The dust was terrible.
There was a box, as if it had slid through the terrible dust trail.
I pulled the box out.
Eita held his head in his hands.
When I opened the box, there was a huge number of games inside.
There were games hidden in cardboard boxes, horror games, and games that Ai said had jam splattering... But I wasn't going to do something like dispose of those games.
Knowing him, he'd probably just buy them again.
Besides, I wouldn't feel as heartbroken about him hiding games as Ai would.
He has time to himself too, so he probably has one or two hobbies.
As long as those hobbies don't go in a weird direction, that's fine.
It's just lonely when he gets so absorbed in those games that I can't get in touch with him.
"Eita, promise me."
"What?"
"When I call you three times in a row, you absolutely have to answer. If you can keep that, you can play your games."
Eita probably has his own circumstances.
He probably has things he wants to do too.
But I get lonely sometimes too.
I want him to be there for me when that happens.
It's not as bad as Ai, but there are times when it's hard being alone.
"O-Okay, I got it."
"Well then, this matter is closed."
I said that and slid my body back under the bed.
"What do you mean 'this matter'! Is there still something else?!"
Another white box I had found when I slid under earlier. I had been bothered by it since a while ago.
When I pulled the white box out, Eita hurriedly tried to stop me.
I don't know who he heard it from, but he went so far as to say "Ai, I love you" and try to push me down.
Why do men act so blatantly?
I pushed Eita aside and opened the box.
Inside was a neat row of things I could hardly put into words.
There were books and DVDs... and PC software too.
The contents were so-called adult material.
I sighed and put them back in their original place.
I felt like I had seen something I shouldn't have.
I felt like I had seen something I didn't want to see.
I didn't know what to say to him.
Nothing would change even if I scolded Eita.
Something he said before.
A girlfriend and AV are different things.
He says that, but this feeling is unbearable.
Men will absolutely never understand this feeling.
How should I tell him? How can I make him understand?
The more I think, the more painful it gets.
Eita says nothing to me.
He gives me no answer.
Is it my fault?
Would it be settled if I just endured it?
That's it. I'll give up. This is the kind of guy he is.
It's my fault for falling for a guy like him.
It's all my fault.
I can't stand this atmosphere anymore.
I'm going home.
I stood up quietly and headed for the entrance.
"Wait!"
Eita stopped me.
"There's nothing more to say."
I brushed Eita aside and put on my shoes.
I probably won't come here again...
Just then, Eita put his arm around my waist.
"Let go... I've had enough!"
"We always fought, but we always made up properly, didn't we!? I'm sure we can understand each other if we talk this time too!"
"Talk?... Talk about what?"
"I'll apologize for hiding it. But if I told you, you'd feel bad, right, Ai?"
"Well then, what about my feelings right now!? Explain them!!"
"That's... that's why I said I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for, Eita!? For hiding things from me? Or for having things like that?"
"B-Both."
"You're always like this, Eita! Apologizing doesn't make anything better!"
"I'll do anything, so please forgive me!"
"You said you'd do anything...?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Well then, let go of me. And never show your face in front of me again."
It felt like I was gouging my own wound. My chest ached.
"I can't do that."
"So it was a lie after all."
"I'd do anything if I could make up with you, Ai! But what you just said sounds like a breakup!"
It doesn't sound like a breakup. It is a breakup.
"I love you, Eita. I love you so much it hurts. If I have to go through this much pain, I'd rather we break up."
"What can I do to remove that pain? I'll do anything for that."
"...I don't know either! Think a little for yourself!"
"...For now, let's go back to the room?"
When I returned to the room, Eita sat down and started thinking.
I waited for Eita's next words. I was hoping for his next words. Say something soon.
Without saying anything, Eita hugged me.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Words probably can't convey it, so I thought maybe I could convey my feelings even a little."
I don't have any special ability like Ai's mind-reading, you know?
"I thought about your feelings in my own way, Ai. It's all my fault. Because I'm like this, I'm making you suffer, Ai..."
You do understand, don't you? Well then, now...
My heart ached again.
"But, I'm the only one who can heal your wounds, Ai. If you still love me even a little, please believe me. I'll change!"
As long as that faint strength doesn't sink, tears can always be shaken off... huh.
"Okay, let go."
Eita obediently let go.
I stood up and told Eita, "Stand up."
Eita stood up.
I punched Eita with all my might.
Eita was sent flying.
I almost lost my words without using my clenched fist.
But if I'm hurt, I just need to bare my fangs. So I don't lose myself.
Eita got up.
"Eita. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's uncool of me to get beaten up by a woman."
Living is sad, but there are words I believe in.
As long as that faint strength doesn't sink, tears can always be shaken off.
"I'll forgive you this time..."
"Thank you, Ai. I love you."
"Eita, do you have any ice?"
"I do, why?"
Eita pointed to the freezer.
I put ice in a plastic bag, wrapped it in a towel, and pressed it against Eita's mouth.
"Sorry."
"If this makes you feel better, Ai, it's a small price to pay."
I hugged Eita.
"Really, let this be the last time! I've had enough of these feelings."
"Yeah."
After that, we ate lunch and then went back to the room to spend some time.
There was one thing I was curious about.
"Eita, I have a favor to ask."
"W-What?"
"Try playing this."
Saying that, I took out the game that Ai had disliked.
"Eh, but this..."
"I'm curious about what kind of game it is."
Was it really something to get so absorbed in...?
Eita started the game.
It was a war game.
Eita defeated enemies one after another.
The jam-like stuff that splattered when he got hit occasionally.
So this is what Ai was talking about.
Hmm... Is that all it is?
"Are you going to play this to the end?"
"How many hours will it take?"
"About four or five hours?"
"Well then, do your best."
"You're kidding me!"
The reason I made Eita do it was because I was curious about the story.
By the time he finished, it was already night.
"Good work! Well then, want to go grab dinner?"
"Is a family restaurant okay?"
"Sure."
After eating dinner and going home, I decided to go straight home.
"So, what should I do with that?"
"Huh?"
"The contents of that white box."
"Ah, do what you want. Even if I made you dispose of it, you'd just buy it again, right?"
"Th-That's not true!"
"Just leave it. Keep your promise, okay?"
Saying that, I pulled the car out.
Whether it's dawn or morning, just open those eyes that don't care and face the wound.
As long as that faint strength doesn't sink, tears can always be shaken off.
(3)
We had come to a resort hotel.
Mirai-chan and I were in the same room.
After putting our luggage in the room, we took our bags with swimsuits and went to the pool.
Everyone was already at the pool.
We were all playing around using the facilities.
At first, everyone was playing together, but now only Katagiri-senpai, Tosaka-senpai, Takemoto-kun, and Hanayama-san were nearby.
Well, it's not good to intrude on couples, so I quietly moved away.
"Too bad about Manabe-kun not being able to come, Mirai-chan."
I rarely contact Manabe-kun anymore.
Lately, I feel like he's been intentionally distancing himself.
I wonder if something happened?
I wanted to ask Takemoto-kun, but he was having fun playing with Hanayama-san, so I couldn't.
Come to think of it, Tada-senpai and Otonashi-senpai aren't here. I wonder what's up?
While I was playing with Umi-chan, an unfamiliar man called out to us.
"Your little sister?"
The man said, pointing at Umi-chan.
"No."
I answered immediately.
"Then, a friend? Want to play with us?"
When the man turned around, Watanabe-senpai was standing there.
"Do you know this man?"
"No, I don't."
"I see..."
Watanabe-senpai said, looking at the man.
"You saved us. We were lost and in trouble. We're fine now since we're with them."
"Them...?"
The man noticed the group behind Watanabe-senpai.
"O-Oh, good thing you girls found your friends... Well then."
Saying that, the men left.
"Sorry about that. I didn't notice you had wandered off."
Watanabe-senpai apologized.
"No, we were the ones who were helped."
"Are you okay, Kinoshita-san? Sorry for taking my eyes off you."
"I'm fine~"
Tosaka-senpai and Umi-chan hugged each other.
"Um... Where are Tada-senpai and the others?"
"Ah, those two have some circumstances. They're acting separately."
When I asked, Katagiri-senpai answered.
After that, we all acted together.
When we finished playing, we took our luggage back to the room and went to dinner.
Katagiri-senpai's appetite was amazing.
Everyone was dumbfounded, though.
Tosaka-senpai was sighing.
After that, we took a bath and relaxed in the room.
Someone knocked.
Hanayama-san and Sakura-san came in.
What about the other girls?
"Sometimes it's nice to get together with people our own age, right? We can talk without holding back."
"That's right~ We go to different schools, but let's get along~"
Hanayama-san and Sakura-san spoke.
Then the conversation turned to the big fight between Sashihara-senpai and Kiritani-senpai.
The main topic was about the "dirty stuff" that guys have.
"Men are all pretty much the same, aren't they~? Yuma never shows any sign of it, though."
"I agree~ It'd be weirder if a guy didn't have any. Haruki-san says he's 'not interested in any woman other than me.'"
Hanayama-san and Sakura-san shared their opinions. They also added things about their own boyfriends.
Was Takemoto-kun not interested?
"Um, Hanayama-san and Sakura-san, you and your boyfriends, um, that..."
They answered without hesitation the continuation I was hesitating to say.
"I've done it with Yuma. It seemed like it was his first time."
"Haruki won't even invite me~. I'm sure he treasures me, but it's lonely~"
I see. So Takemoto-kun and she were united. Maybe that will put Umi-chan's mind at ease a little?
When I looked at Umi-chan, she was looking down, as if she couldn't keep up with the conversation.
"That's enough about us~ What about you two~?"
"Yeah, yeah. It seems like you're both having complicated love lives."
I spoke.
It's strange. I try to talk about Manabe-kun, but for some reason, the topic of Shiina-san comes up.
"Could it be that you're interested in that Shiina person~?"
Hanayama-san said that.
I denied it.
The person I love is Manabe-kun.
...Huh?
The scars that hurt so much before are gone now.
There's no sensation at all, as if I was cut with a sharper blade than before.
Before, even if I tried to forcibly hide the wounds made by a dull blade, the scars wouldn't go away.
Like taking off a T-shirt hanging around my neck, like holding the season stored in my chest, strongly, strongly... Shiina-san wraps me up.
I deny it.
The person I love isn't Shiina-san. It's Manabe-kun.
Yet, for some reason, tears come out. Is it sadness that Manabe-kun won't look back at me? Or is it at myself for denying Shiina-san?
"It's no use being stubborn, you know? You also need the courage to step into the next love."
Knock knock.
It seemed like someone else had come.
When I opened the door, Sashihara-senpai, Otonashi-senpai, and Watanabe-senpai were there.
"What's this, were you having a love talk~?"
Sashihara-senpai started.
"Sashihara-san, what made you decide to forgive Eita-kun~"
Sakura-san asked.
"So it was about me."
Sashihara-senpai laughed awkwardly.
"I wrote it in the message, but I guess it's because I learned that if you have even a tiny bit of love, things can surprisingly work out."
"So I hear~. Niina-san should just switch to that Shiina person~"
"Huh? Did Mirai get a new guy?"
"Th-That's not it at all."
I denied it, but Sakura-san exposed the situation.
"Actually~"
"Hmm, older and a working adult, huh~ That's tough."
"So, it's not like I have feelings for that Shiina person or anything..."
"What would you do if Shiina-san made a move on you?"
"I'd refuse, of course."
My heart twinged with pain.
"Well, he's an adult man. It'll probably work out somehow."
I'd be in trouble if it did work out somehow.
"The problem is Kinoshita-san."
"Me?"
Umi-chan was confused by the sudden topic.
"He is your cousin, after all. And an adult too."
"It seems difficult..."
"First of all, nothing will start unless Umi makes a move, right?"
After the three gave their opinions, Umi-chan said in a small voice.
"Right now, I'm happy just being able to be with Shuji-chan."
"You don't get it~ A woman Tange-sensei likes might appear someday. If you're going to make a move, it has to be now."
"Shuji-chan will be fine..."
"Tange-sensei is a man too. For example, it wouldn't be strange if a girl from his seminar made a move on him. You fell for him, after all."
"That's true... But I don't know when to bring it up."
"In that case, leave it to the Watanabe group. We'll create the perfect opportunity for you."
"Do you think he'd be bothered if his cousin confessed to him?"
"It's legally fine, so no problem."
"...I understand. I'll leave it to you."
"Leave it to us. We'll have a strategy meeting after we get back from the trip."
"Just one thing bothers me..."
"What?"
"Sashihara-senpai, is it okay if I add you privately later?"
Umi-chan apparently had a secret consultation.
"Sure, I'll add you now."
Saying that, the two added each other.
"Well, it's getting late. Should we go to sleep soon?"
"Yeah, we have an early morning tomorrow. We also have to take care of the guys."
"Well then, goodnight."
The three went back.
"Well, we'll be going back too~"
"Goodnight~"
Hanayama-san and Sakura-san also went back.
"So, Umi-chan, is your consultation about Takemoto-kun by any chance?"
"Eh!?"
Umi-chan was flustered. It seemed I had hit the mark.
"I knew it~"
"How did you know?"
"Maybe it's woman's intuition? When Hanayama-san was talking about Takemoto-kun, you looked a bit down."
"...Keep it a secret from everyone, okay?"
"I know. So, what's going on?"
"Takemoto-kun seems to be avoiding me, and more than anything, it hurts."
"Don't you think that's just your imagination, Umi-chan? I don't think he's actually avoiding you."
"I hope so..."
Umi-chan fell silent after that.
"Should we get to sleep soon?"
"Yeah, goodnight."
Soon, I could hear Umi-chan's breathing as she slept.
I also closed my eyes and thought of that person.
What appeared behind my eyelids was Shiina-san... Wait, why!?
I desperately tried to erase that image.
(4)
"Was that okay?"
"What?"
I was talking with Ai while drinking juice.
Ai was also next to me, drinking juice.
"Kanna and the others came to invite you, right?"
That thing about the girls wanting to talk.
"Ah, it's fine. We're exchanging messages."
Ai was operating her smartphone while watching TV.
The guys' group wasn't saying anything.
They were probably all absorbed in their girlfriends or something.
...Or so it seemed.
Kiritani-kun, Makoto, and Watanabe-kun were talking about something.
And Takemoto-kun and Hiyama-senpai.
The five of them seemed to be gathered and talking.
A message came: "Toya, how about you?"
I refused, saying, "Ai is here."
"You two are always together. Don't you feel suffocated being tied down?" he asked.
"I've never once felt that way," I answered.
"I see. I'm envious," Kiritani-kun replied.
"What's enviable is you, Kiritani-kun. Your games weren't disposed of, right?"
"We were on the verge of breaking up, though," he said.
Still, you managed to get through it, so that's good.
I glanced at Ai.
I can be with her all the time now, but once I become a working adult, I won't be able to be with her all the time.
What will Ai do then?
Will she cry alone?
Or maybe...
No, that's not it.
I laughed to myself.
Ai noticed my gaze and looked at me.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, I was thinking about Kiritani-kun and the others. And about Ai."
"About me?"
"Yeah... I was wondering what Ai will do when I graduate and become a working adult."
"Hmm, I think I'll probably be at home doing housework."
A woman's day is busy, you know, Ai laughed.
"Won't you be lonely without me?"
"You'd contact me during your lunch break, right, Toya-kun? I won't be lonely at all," Ai laughed.
"Maya-san and the others are the same, aren't they?"
"Yeah."
"If you think that way, Toya-kun, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"I see..."
"Toya-kun, are you thinking of cheating on me?"
Ai said, furrowing her brow.
"Of course not."
I hurriedly denied it.
"Right?... Was it about Ai's games not being disposed of?"
"Yeah, it seems Kiritani-kun was on pins and needles."
"Is it still controlling?"
"...Don't you have hobbies, Ai? Like reading? Or exchanging messages?"
"I do. But my number one hobby is you, Toya-kun."
I'm a hobby?
"Anything is fine as long as I'm with you, Toya-kun. If you say no, I'll give it up."
Her expression was somehow lonely.
Well, it's a shame she can't play games.
Even so, Ai is trying to understand my hobbies.
So I want to understand Ai's hobbies too.
What should I do?
"What books do you recommend, Ai?"
"Hmm... I haven't read any recently, so I don't know. The one about the wizard was interesting. And the one by the winner of the Keyaki Prize."
"Maybe I'll read them sometime."
"If you're going to read, I'll bring them from home."
"But, if I read, I might get absorbed and ignore you."
"Uu... In that case, I'll be playing games, so it's fine."
...Maybe my hobby is Ai too.
"In that case, I'll watch over you while you play games, Ai."
"Waaay."
"...Should we get to sleep soon?"
The clock had passed midnight.
It was time for the plane.
"Okay."
We turned off the lights and went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up and woke Ai.
Like waking a sleeping princess.
"I'm going to the hot spring. What about you, Ai?"
"I'll go too~"
So we went to the hot spring together.
Makoto and Watanabe-kun were in the hot spring.
"Good morning."
"Yo, Toya."
"It looks like only the three of us came for a morning bath."
The three of us went into the open-air bath on the rooftop and looked at the sky.
We watched the dawn.
After watching it, the three of us got out of the bath.
Ai was waiting with her hair tied up.
Kanna and Mika-san were with her too.
The six of us went back to the room, went to eat breakfast, and then killed time until checkout.
After checking out, we gathered in the parking lot, and Watanabe-kun said to everyone.
"I'm thinking of getting together again in October. I'll count on you then. Well, we're done for today."
Saying that, everyone got into their cars.
Like when we came, I drove Niina-san and Kinoshita-san.
"How was it for you two?"
"It was fun."
When Niina-san answered, Kinoshita-san nodded.
Neither of them has a boyfriend, so I wondered how it would be, but it seems they had fun even without one.
I hope their love comes true.
Thinking such things, I dropped them off.
The two bowed their heads and saw us off.
Ai had been making a difficult face for a while.
Was she bothered by me talking with Niina-san and the others?
When I asked Ai, she shook her head.
"I was wondering if the love of those two could be resolved by the power of the Watanabe group."
"I think we'll be able to see the outcome of their love."
"Yeah..."
An unailing heart, an unfading heart. I think that's what's important.
Do your best!
I think that's all I can say.
No matter what kind of ending it meets.
Because the most painful thing is not being able to say anything without lowering the fist you've raised.
No one knows what they absolutely want to obtain.
You probably want to touch a lot of sweet-sounding stories at least once.
Without making a fuss about courage and love, just get in the mood.
The talk comes after that.
Like I did with Ai, like Ai did with me, a small amount of strength can sometimes create unexpected miracles.
"What's wrong? Suddenly lost in thought. You need to focus on driving, or it's dangerous."
"Hmm..."
Ai was troubled. I wonder what's wrong?
"Toya-kun, let's go to the game store?"
I went to the game store as Ai said.
The game I bought there was an FPS game.
A bit of an old one, though.
"Didn't you hate the jam and stuff, Ai?"
"Because Ai said the story was interesting."
Ai gave me permission, saying it was okay to play when she was around.
"What will you do during that time, Ai?"
"I'll watch~. I'm curious about the story, not just for RPGs."
So even Ai can be curious about things.
"There are some pretty brutal depictions, you know?"
"Really?"
"It is a war game."
"Uu... I heard from Ai that it's important to understand your boyfriend's hobbies, so it's fine."
What kind of story did they have?
Well, whatever. As long as Ai has taken an interest in FPS.
When I get home, I'll show her right away.
But...
"When I'm with Ai, I want to play games with Ai."
"Okay!"
So when I got home with Ai, we started playing the game right away.
I was tired, but strike while the iron is hot.
Ai occasionally had a stern expression, but she watched intently.
"Is this kind of game no good after all?"
"No. I got used to it. I just can't play it myself."
"Want to try it for a bit?"
"It's fine. I'm happy just watching you play, Toya-kun."
After that, we played until late at night.
It took a while because I was playing on veteran mode.
Maybe I tried to show off too much in front of Ai.
Even so, when I cleared it, Ai said, "Good work," and massaged my shoulders.
"Next is your turn, Ai."
"Eh?"
That day, I enjoyed playing games with Ai until late at night.
Ai had taken an interest in games. She had shown understanding. That was the biggest gain.