"Kanna, stay home and do your homework properly. I'm going to the convenience store."
After coming out of the kitchen, Sato untied his apron, set it on the sofa, and spoke to Kanna, who was lying on the low table doing her work seriously.
"Mm!"
Kanna looked up at him blankly and nodded.
"Do you want any snacks?"
"I want chocolate!"
"Alright."
After smiling and rubbing Kanna's head, Sato changed his shoes and went out.
In summer, even at dusk, waves of heat still came surging in like tides.
Sato paused for a moment, feeling that sweat might already be forming on his forehead.
This weather is really hot.
He sighed inwardly and silently activated the Glint-Glint Fruit to absorb the surrounding heat.
Phew, that's better.
Click!
Suddenly, the door behind him opened. Gabriel, who lived alone on the fourth floor, poked her head out and called to him.
"Sato! Where are you going?"
Sato turned back and saw Gabriel drenched in sweat, wearing only a loose white tank top, with large patches of smooth skin exposed.
"To the convenience store. We're out of soy sauce at home."
"Then bring me some popsicles!"
"You really aren't polite. At least say 'please' when asking someone for help."
Sato looked at Gabriel speechlessly, then narrowed his eyes and pointed at her. "Be careful, something's about to show."
Gabriel waved her hand indifferently. "It's fine, I'm wearing a bra. More importantly, the popsicles. If I don't cool down, I'm going to melt."
Sato: "..."
He walked over to Gabriel and extended his hand. "Money."
Gabriel looked up at him, and the two stared at each other.
Suddenly, she put on a flattering smile and said shyly, "Hehe, how about I pay you next time?"
Sato: "..."
"Don't tell me you've already spent all your allowance this month again?"
"I can't help it! So many new games came out this month!"
The fallen angel looked like it was all the games' fault.
Sato's mouth twitched. So not only did he have to put in the effort, he also had to pay?
I feel like a tool.
Sato sighed helplessly and turned toward the stairs.
"I'm counting on you!"
Gabriel waved from behind, then immediately slammed the door shut with a bang, showing no mercy.
Before Sato even reached the stairs, he heard another door open.
"Nohara-kun!"
This time it was Doma Umaru. Compared to Gabriel, her voice sounded much softer.
"What is it now?"
Sato turned around again, puzzled.
Why did everyone suddenly have something today?
She showed an apologetic expression and said a bit awkwardly, "My brother wants to buy some popsicles, but he can't get away right now. I'm also at a critical point in my homework, so could I trouble you?"
"Sure."
"Thank you so much! Just buy this amount."
Doma Umaru handed him a 2,000 yen bill, looking at him with a pleading expression.
"No problem."
After taking it, Sato went downstairs.
Watching his back, a wide smile gradually appeared on Doma Umaru's face. Humming a tune, she closed the door, looking completely pleased with herself.
As expected, using her brother's name was a great idea!
At the entrance of Aoyama Apartments.
Doma Taihei, who had just gotten off work, waved at Sato and greeted him with a smile. "Nohara-kun, where are you headed?"
Sato replied instinctively with a smile, "Going to the convenience store."
The two passed each other, but after a few steps, Sato suddenly stopped, as if realizing something, and glanced back toward the apartment.
Huh?
He raised an eyebrow. Didn't she say it was her brother who wanted them?
...
Sato had originally only planned to buy a bottle of soy sauce, but in the end, he came out of the convenience store carrying several large bags.
Besides the soy sauce and chocolate he initially intended to buy, he was also carrying multiple bags of ice cream, popsicles, and snacks like chips.
Just as he returned to the entrance of Aoyama Apartments, a taxi suddenly stopped.
Soon after, Nishimiya Shouko's family got out. After closing the door, the taxi drove away.
"Shouko!"
Sato called out.
Only then did Nishimiya Shouko notice him. A look of surprise appeared on her face as she quickly walked over.
She swallowed nervously, her amber eyes fixed on him. After pressing her lips together, she gathered her courage and spoke in a slightly unpracticed voice, "Sa... to... kun!"
This was the first time Sato had heard her real voice. It sounded young, but gentle and pleasant, like softly falling snow.
Sato froze for a moment. Something in his heart seemed to stir, and he smiled lightly. "Your voice sounds very nice."
Nishimiya Shouko lowered her head shyly.
At that moment, Nishimiya Yuzuru, who had come up behind her at some point, looked at Sato suspiciously. "My sister can talk now and you're not surprised?!"
Sato reacted a beat late, putting on a "shocked" expression. "That's right! Shouko, how can you talk now? And... where's your hearing aid?"
Nishimiya Yuzuru nodded in satisfaction, as if this was the reaction she had been expecting.
"We don't know the reason either."
Nishimiya Yaeko suddenly walked over and said. The woman, who was usually stern, now looked much gentler, as if she had shed her cold exterior. However, her eyes were still slightly red, as if she had been crying.
She walked up to Sato and suddenly bowed slightly. "Thank you very much, Nohara-kun."
Sato's relaxed mood immediately changed. His eyes narrowed slightly. What did this mean?
Soon, he heard Nishimiya Yaeko speak in a somewhat complex tone. "Thank you very much for taking care of Shouko. And thank you for not distancing yourself from her because of what I said before. You are the first friend she has made since starting school."
He was momentarily stunned, then let out a breath of relief, looking at Nishimiya Yaeko with some surprise. "So you knew."
Nishimiya Yaeko glanced at Nishimiya Shouko, who also looked a bit surprised, and said calmly, "I am her mother. Of course I would pay attention to these things."
Although she was always strict with Nishimiya Shouko, it was another form of love.
From childhood until now, she had never once given up on her.