In the end, Hime ended up sitting on his lap the whole time during class.
Of course, if an ordinary student did the same thing, they would be scolded by a teacher.
But the child doesn't say anything.
Like her homeroom teacher, no teacher in charge of any subject can be forceful towards Hime.
It seems he feels respect, awe, and... fear?
This may be a bit of a bad analogy, but I felt like I was being treated like a bomb.
They try to avoid provoking others as much as possible so as not to anger them or make them dislike them.
I don't think that's right by any means, but... well, if it keeps Hime sitting on my lap, and she's happy about it, then maybe it's not such a bad thing.
Her small body fits perfectly on my lap, so she doesn't get in the way... and as long as it's not bothering anyone, I guess that's fine.
"Hmm...?"
During class, Hime, perhaps bored or just wanting attention, pressed her body against me.
Her fawning attitude made me smile. Of course, I couldn't chat with her during class, but I wanted to live up to her expectations, so I stroked her head.
"...Hmm♪"
Then Hime let out a small, satisfied yell. Her relaxed voice made me feel relaxed just listening to it.
"yeah!"
Moreover, as if just one stroke wasn't enough, she pressed her head against me as if to say, "Pat me some more." She rubbed her lightly pigmented hair against my palm... I shook her lightly and ran my fingers through her hair, and Hime shook her body in satisfaction.
"Mmmmm♪"
...It was a strange feeling.
Hime's body temperature seems to be higher than mine, and I feel a little hot when I touch her. I imagine it's the same for Hime. She's young, so her metabolism seems high, and I feel like she's a little sweaty. Perhaps that's why there's a sweet smell in the air, like a mix of sunshine and milk.
It's soft, warm and smells nice.
...I wonder if it would be like this if I had a younger sister. Or maybe it's similar to how my father feels.
It makes you want to spoil them.
Or something that makes you want to protect it.
It was strange because that feeling started to grow.
Of course, because of this, I couldn't concentrate on the class, but I felt like I was able to spend a much happier time there than I would normally.
-- I repeated that lesson several times.
The time reached noon.
I always eat at the school cafeteria, so I was planning to do the same today as usual.
"Ah, Youhei-kun. Would you like to have lunch with me if possible...? Since we have the opportunity, I'd like to chat some more."
Thankfully, Hime invited me.
Naturally, I wanted to eat with her. However, there had been some rumors about Hime's lunch, so I thought it would be difficult for me to invite her.
The rumor is,
"But I've heard that Hime always eats with the principal... is it okay for her to eat with me?"
That's right.
Apparently, Hime eats in the principal's office during lunchtime. Many students have seen her entering the office, so that's the rumor.
But that doesn't seem to be true.
"No, I haven't eaten with the principal. I have been allowed to use his office though."
...I see. That's what it means.
It seems the rumors were just rumors after all.
"Umm... I, actually, I brought a lunch box for Youhei as well. I'm sorry to trouble you, since I was the one who prepared it without your permission, but... I think it tastes really good. So, um, please...!"
Oops. If that's the case, I guess I'll take you up on your offer.
"You even prepared it? Thank you, I'm looking forward to it... Well then, shall we eat together?"
"Is that okay?! ...Yay♪"
When I nodded, Hime looked very happy and delighted.
And so... I ended up having lunch with Hime.