Chapter 485 - Frequently in the Red Zone
"—I see. So, to summarize…"
'Yes.'
"You got lonely and came over."
'You're oversimplifying it! You make me sound like some shameless girl!'
"How else am I supposed to describe it???"
I thought it would be a pain to make her go back for her own phone, which she said she just forgot, but this might have been even more of a hassle.
I gave her a pen and paper to establish a conversation, but the response time is dead compared to her specialty, ultra-fast flick typing. Nia herself seems to be annoyed by it, as she frequently abandons the conversation and lunges at me with a 'whatever, just let me cling to you' attitude.
Nothing about this is good—well, as for the feelings she explained to me, I can say 'that's good' to the extent that I understand.
Apparently, after waking up and looking at the calendar and clock, she was struck by the anxiety of 'did the events of these past three-plus days really happen?'
I'm familiar with that kind of sudden, indescribable anxiety, and I understand that when that happens, you turn to 'someone you can share that anxiety with.'
And since that someone is right next door, I can understand the feeling of being unable to hold back and just rushing over—which is why I only have one complaint.
"I don't mind you visiting at night, and the body slam is pretty much standard procedure at this point, but… please wear proper clothes, Miss Liliania Vloebergh."
'I am wearing clothes. And stop using my full name.'
"Pajamas don't count as outdoor clothing—stop, don't show me, don't lift it up!"
I slapped the hand of the esteemed Miss Vloebergh as she cheekily lifted her T-shirt to show me her shorts, putting a stop to her outrageous act, whether she's aware of her own charm or not.
She shot me a sidelong glance while rubbing her hand theatrically, but I'm confident my use of force was perfect, so justice remains on my side. Stand down.
"You…! Or rather, you girls…! You need to be a little, no, a lot more cautious as girls. Even though I'm, you know, that guy, I'm still a genuine man, and I do have something of a rationality meter installed, you know?!"
I'm not exactly a harmless, herbivorous type—not that I know myself well enough to self-analyze to that degree, but I'm definitely a man who can properly recognize women as members of the opposite sex.
So, when that's misunderstood, it becomes very difficult.
I want the three of them to correctly understand the fact that I interact with them with rationality and self-control so that I don't, by some mistake, make a move before giving an answer.
—And I just spat all of that out.
Swallowing my pride, prepared for any reaction, and fearing a future accident, I laid bare my feelings… and the result… the result was Nia, her cheeks relaxed in a wide grin, sliding across the sofa to close the distance. Stay, stay, stay!!
"Were you listening to me? I believe I just conveyed my desire for you to refrain from such direct advances, if you please?"
I used two cushions to guard against this Class-A hazardous material that was thin, soft, and warm no matter where I touched it, and with the spirit of 'I might as well just pin her down,' I cornered her at the edge of the sofa.
Even so, the expression peeking out from the gaps didn't change. I sensed what her outstretched hand was asking for and passed her the writing tools that had been left on the table.
She took five seconds, then ten, and then—
'You only say things that make me happy. Is that on purpose?'
"Guh… Ngh, naaaaaaaahhh…!"
I know, okay?! I know, but what else am I supposed to say?!
'You're so attractive I feel like I might make a move on you, so please practice some self-restraint.' I'm fully aware that I'm saying something insane, loud and clear!!
It can't be helped, it's impossible. Even before feelings of 'like' or 'love,' every single one of them is, in a very simple way, as a girl… ah, geez, seriously.
—This might be a good opportunity.
I should probably open up to Nia about a few things right about now. It's unreasonable of me to expect her to understand my stance without explaining it in detail.
I should tell her that I'm scared of 'losing my mind.'
And with that…
"You know, Nia-chan."
'Hm?'
"I used to have a brother."
'What.'
'Wa-'
'wait what are you talking about all of a sudden'
I trust her enough to tell her all of this, which in turn means she's someone I want to cherish—I would be happy if she could understand that, even just a little.