AGWSF 04

Chapter – 04

“Do Your Best”

“I’ll pick things up at random, so if you want something, just lightly tug my arm.”

Standing in front of the convenience store, I muttered those words quietly.

…A moment ago, it would’ve been fine if no one was around, but now that’s not the case. If I spoke at a normal volume, I’d just look like some creep.

“Okay.”

“…At most, two items, alright?”

“Okay.”

Good.

Then, let’s go in.

And so, once inside the convenience store, I went around picking up reasonably filling and cheap items one after another, only to put them back where I found them.

…I know it’s late to realize this, but everything here is probably stuff Aira’s never seen before, so she’s probably lost.

If I had the time, I’d let her take all the time she wants, but unfortunately, I’m running out of time before school. …If possible, I’d like her to hurry.

“…Hiroto.”

“Gah.”

Suddenly, I heard Aira’s whispery voice call my name right next to my ear, and I was so startled that I threw my body back.

Reflexively, I glanced toward the store clerk.

And there he was, giving me a suspicious look.

Of course he would. From the clerk’s perspective, I was just some weirdo who suddenly jerked backward.

…Yeah. I understand the reason, but knowing that doesn’t make the burning embarrassment on my face go away.

“…What’s that?”

Whether she knew how I was feeling or not, Aira, true to her usual self-paced nature, asked me that.

I almost reacted again because of her usual whispery voice, but since it was the second time, I held back and gave Aira control over my body.

Then, Aira guided my arm toward the hot snack display case.

She wants something hot? …Well, it does look tasty.

But two of those, huh.

…Not that it’s decided she’ll ask for two. But if she does, the damage to my wallet would be more than I expected—

“…Do you want one of those?”

Thinking that, I moved to a spot where the clerk couldn’t see me, checked that no one was around, and asked while covering my mouth.

“…Yeah.”

“…Got it. Then, I’ll move to the hot snack case, so move my hand to show me which one you want.”

As I said it, I realized something.

I don’t actually need to have Aira hide at a convenience store, unlike at school, do I?

…In other words, I just went through all that embarrassment for nothing.

…I’ll be more careful next time.

If this were a place my sister or my friends might come to, then my current approach would’ve been right since explaining Aira’s presence would’ve been a pain. But there’s no way my sister or my friends are at this convenience store. …So yeah, I really just embarrassed myself for no reason.

Well, it’s too late to go outside now and come back in with Aira—that’d be way too unnatural. I’ll just keep going like this.

After hearing Aira’s affirmative reply, I stood in front of the hot snack case.

Then, I felt my arm being moved by Aira, and it stopped once in front of the fried chicken stick and once in front of the frankfurter.

So she wants these two.

…About 400 yen. …Well, I guess I should be glad it’s only that much.

“Here.”

After buying those two items, I moved away from the convenience store, confirmed there was no one around, and handed them to Aira.

“Thank you, Hiroto. …I love you.”

“…I love you too. …As a daughter, though.”

“Yeah. I’ll do my best.”

…I should get to school quickly.

If I don’t really hurry up soon, I’m going to be late.

Pretending I didn’t hear Aira’s last words, I picked up the pace a little and headed off toward school again.