Asobi Otonari

For Butt Heads

“—That little cat, she always comes to me when we're at school.”

While heading to the supermarket to buy the ingredients, Aki cheerfully talked about the cat she befriended at her school. From what I heard, Aki helped the cat down from the tree where she was stuck by calling the teachers. It seemed that the cat remembered the face of its benefactor, Aki, and approached her when she saw him.

“The cat is fickle, but funny.”

"Yes, they are adorable ~ Just by looking at the kitten, I am very happy. I want to keep the cat as well.. ”.

Aki really likes cats. She always said that she wanted to have a cat, but never really tried keeping a cat. This does not mean that family members are allergic to cats or that their parents are against them. Aki is a person who does not keep cats because of their consideration.

Can you live under one roof, for example, with your natural enemies? Strange to pronounce it in such a way, but the cat — is not, the natural enemy of animals in general live in Aki's house.

The natural enemy is known as Miyu Hanazawa.

There was no definitive explanation, but all the types of animals that appeared in front of Miyu-sensei were frightened and blurred at a glance. It's not like Miyu-sensei who tries to surprise or intimidate the animals. Its existence scares the animals. Therefore, the conclusion that Aki and I have drawn is that the beasts are fleeing from Miyu-sensei because he is the natural enemy of the beasts. Their innate instincts might tell them that he was someone they did not want to get involved with.

By the way, Miyu-sensei who can scare even a puppy is depressed after the animals run away when they see him. I guess it's natural for him to be surprised when the animals run away without him doing anything wrong to them.

“You should keep a cat when you live alone.”

“No, I can't. It will make the cat feel lonely when I leave. "

Aki returned a bitter smile to my proposal.

Aki is very soft. He always thinks of others before himself. However, it was this gentleness that worried me. Inevitably I wondered if he was holding back with everything, even though he didn't actually need to.

"Good-well"

"Chan Onii!"

When I was about to agree with Aki's words, I heard a familiar voice calling me from somewhere. When I turned towards that voice, I found a little boy running towards me sweetly. He stuck to my feet as soon as he reached us.

Aki was stunned by the sudden incident.I myself was also a little surprised.I don't think we will meet in a place like this.

“Ehehe ~ I met Onii-chan-ku!”

The little girl who hugged me looked at me happily.

What a sweet smile! He might be the funniest existence in the world!

That was my thought when I saw Emma's smiling face.

◆

“Um.. Good night, Emma-chan.”

"Good night!"

I greeted her with a smile for now, and Emma returned her greeting with a sweet smile.

Aki, who was stunned by Emma's sudden appearance, asked me in a trembling voice. Regardless of how sudden Emma appears, it's too disturbing, isn't it?

“What makes you so nervous?”

"No no No! How is senpai so calm !? What does 'Onii-chan me' mean'? ”

“i'm calm because she's an acquaintance. She is the sister of my classmate. "

When I explained Emma to Aki, I turned my eyes towards Emma. The fact that Emma is here probably means that she is here too.

――Quite for sure, the girl is also from the original direction of Emma. Charlotte Bennett, who just moved into our class yesterday.

When our eyes met, Charlotte politely lowered her head.I bowed and greeted her in the same way. He then approached us, even though he looked awkward.

“Good night, Aoyagi-kun. And um.. ”

“Oh, this is Aki Hanazawa. She is Miyu-sensei's younger sister. "

Hanazawa-sensei. Nice to meet you, I'm Charlotte Bennett. Hanazawa-sensei always takes care of me. "

“T-thank you for her polite words.I am Aki Hanazawa, younger sister of Miyu Hanazawa. Thank you for taking care of my sister. ”

Although nervous, Aki answered politely, just like Charlotte. However, he immediately grabbed the end of my clothes. He's probably very shy now. Aki is not good at meeting new people.

Besides, I've been seen together with Aki. I hope it doesn't cause any strange misunderstandings.

Even though the one who accompanied me was Aki, I felt bad for Charlotte seeing me alone with a girl. It would be strange to panic here. Charlotte doesn't even realize I'm the opposite sex.I think it's better to stay calm here than to resolve a misunderstanding that might never happen.

However, there is one thing that is of concern. Aki's smile was stiff, probably because she was nervous, but somehow, Charlotte's smile was stiff as well.

Is he also a shy person? Doesn't look like that from what I observed at school…

"Onii Chan's. Carry."

Staring at Aki and Charlotte who were looking at each other, Emma pulled my clothes and asked for luggage. Seeing him immediately asked me to carry him. If I refuse now, she'll make an injured expression, so I bend down and lift Emma up.

“Oh ~ So you will really do it..”

“- !? Wh-wh-whis? What the hell's going on? Why are you looking at me with those cold eyes? "

"No, not at all."

When I looked at Aki with a rather creepy atmosphere, she looked at me with a smile. I wondered if it was because .. When I saw Charlotte in helplessness, she awkwardly averted her gaze.

W-what's with this reaction?

I didn't know why Charlotte turned away from me, so I tilted my head in confusion.