"..."
We walked down the hallway in silence for a while.
At first, Hime, who I was carrying on my back, seemed restless and shifted around, but now she was completely calm.
I was curious to see what his face looked like, but since I was carrying him on my back I couldn't see his expression. Instead, I happened to look out the window and noticed that the sun was lower than I had expected.
Perhaps because the summer solstice had passed, the sky was still bright even though it was evening. This made my sense of time hazy. It might be about time to head home.
"..."
Hime is still silent. For a moment I wonder if she's asleep, but the sound of her breathing on my neck is irregular, so I think she's probably conscious. However, it seems like she's just not saying anything.
Or perhaps they are too embarrassed to say anything.
(Does carrying someone on your back make you feel like you're being treated like a child?)
To an unfamiliar outsider, he might appear to be a high school boy carrying his younger sister on his back.
Well, there is no one in this school who doesn't know about Hime.
It was a good thing that today was a test period... otherwise, the other students might have been staring at me. It was evening, but the students who would normally be doing their club activities were still there. It was a blessing in disguise.
...I was thinking about this as I continued walking.
"Hehe."
Suddenly, a cute laugh was heard.
It was a small voice. She probably wasn't laughing intentionally. But with her face so close to my ear, I could hear it clearly.
(Maybe I should respond)
I hesitated for a moment. I was glad that she seemed to be in a good mood, but I wondered if I should just pretend not to notice.... Just as I was wondering, Hime's hand suddenly tightened.
The hands around his neck are tightening even more.
However, it's not painful. It's not so strong that it makes it hard to breathe, so I'm relieved.
In other words, Hime's hug just got a little stronger.
Thanks to that, Hime's body was pressed even closer to mine, flat against my back.
(Hime, are you excited...?)
I could hear my heart beating. It was indeed beating fast... but not violently.
I think I'm just excited...or so I would say.
Hime, are you perhaps happy?
The next moment, doubt turned to certainty.
"Hmm."
This time, he rubbed my shoulders.
Or, to be more precise, it might be being rubbed against them.
It looks like Hime is rubbing her cheek against mine.
She rubs against me in a pampering manner.
(Somehow... he really does look like a kitten.)
Right after I carried him on my back, he was as quiet as a borrowed cat.
However, after some time has passed and he has gotten used to me, he has become adorable and affectionate.
There's no way you wouldn't think it's cute when someone does something like this.
Every now and then, Hime tickles my heart. It's an itchy sensation. Of course, I don't dislike it.
"Yohei, are you tired? Do you need a break?"
On the other hand, Hime probably thinks I haven't noticed anything because I haven't reacted.
He asked as if it was business as usual.
...She'd probably be embarrassed if I pointed it out, so maybe I should just act the same as usual.
"It's okay. Hime is light, so I'm not tired at all."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Himeko, how's the ride?"
"It's the most comfortable ride I've ever experienced."
Even as she said this, Hime was still rubbing herself against him.
Maybe he liked the feeling around my shoulders. It tickled a little.
"Strong, powerful, warm... and calming."
And she whispered in a small voice:
"It's gentle... I can smell you, Yohei."
--This kid is really sneaky.
That comment made me very upset, for some reason I don't know why.
It wasn't because he smelled it.
It's not like Hime dislikes it, so it's fine.
But, how should I put it...I just thought it was "cute."
"Huh? Yohei, are you feeling a little nervous?"
And now Hime is pressed against my back.
It seems that my heartbeat has reached her as well.