145 - Ayaka Tojo's Resolve③ (Patreon)

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After dinner, I relaxed on the sofa while casually scrolling through social media on my phone.

By the way, Haruto was taken by Dad, and the two of them were playing shogi together.

"Hmm, I see, I see..."

Dad studied the shogi board with a serious expression.

Haruto was also staring at the board intently, completely focused.

I was a little frustrated that Dad took Haruto away, but at the same time, I was happy to see his serious side.

With his hand lightly resting on his chin, lost in thought, Haruto looked really cool.

...Should I secretly take a picture?

As I gazed at Haruto’s profile, thinking about that, our eyes suddenly met.

"!?"

"Hm?"

Haruto’s sharp gaze, which had been locked onto the board, softened the moment our eyes met. That contrast made my heart skip a beat.

Thinking that my face must have turned red, I spoke to him.

"So? Do you think you can win?"

"Hmm, Shuichi-san’s king is tricky to pin down, so I can’t quite tell if I can break through or not."

"Wow, really?"

I didn’t understand much about shogi, but Dad’s piece labeled "King" seemed to be isolated, while Haruto’s "King" was tightly surrounded by other pieces. To me, it looked like Haruto’s position was more solid.

Haruto turned back to the board, deep in thought with that serious look again.

Sigh... he really is cool.

I wanted him to finish playing shogi with Dad quickly and pay attention to me, but at the same time, I also wanted to keep watching his focused profile a little longer.

As I lost myself in watching him, feeling happy, Kiyoko-san, who had been writing in her diary at the dining table, came to sit beside me.

"Ayaka-san, may I sit here?"

"Of course. …Is that knitting?"

Kiyoko-san sat down on the sofa with a soft "There we go," holding a bundle of yarn and two knitting needles.

"Yes. The shopping bag I’ve been using is getting worn out, so I thought I’d make a replacement."

"You’re making your own eco-bag? That’s amazing!"

"Once you get used to it, knitting is quite simple."

With a gentle smile, Kiyoko-san put on her glasses and pulled out a soft beige-colored yarn from the bundle.

"Can I watch you knit?"

"Of course, go ahead."

Curious about knitting, I leaned in to observe her hands.

She wrapped the yarn around her left hand and skillfully looped it onto the right-hand needle.

"Knitting always seemed like a winter activity to me."

"That’s because many people knit scarves and sweaters. But if you use different types of yarn, you can make things suitable even for warm seasons."

As she explained, she continued to knit swiftly.

"Wow! It’s like magic."

Watching fabric take shape from nothing in an instant was so fascinating that I couldn’t look away.

"Hehe, Ayaka-san, would you like to try knitting?"

"Do you think I could do it?"

"Of course. I’m using knitting needles now, but there’s also crochet, which is even easier for beginners."

"Really? That sounds interesting…"

"Maybe you could practice by making a scarf for this winter."

"A scarf sounds nice!"

In my mind, knitting was synonymous with scarves.

And if I got good at it, maybe this Christmas… I could give Haruto a handmade scarf as a present?

Imagining the moment, I stole a glance at Haruto.

The shogi match with Dad seemed to be over, and now they were happily reviewing the game together.

As I watched Haruto smile and say, "Ah, I see, that was a good move," Kiyoko-san continued talking about the appeal of knitting.

"You can choose your favorite materials and colors, and once you get the hang of it, you can even customize patterns and designs."

"Kiyoko-san! Please teach me how to knit next time!"

I had made up my mind—I would give Haruto a hand-knit scarf!

With that determination in my heart, I eagerly asked Kiyoko-san.

"Of course! I’d be happy to teach you."

She nodded warmly.

Just then, Mom and Ryota returned to the living room after taking a bath.

"Big bro, let’s play!"

The moment he stepped into the room, Ryota charged straight at Haruto.

Ugh… Now Ryota’s taken Haruto away.

Everyone in my family loves Haruto, so even when he’s here, it’s hard to get him to myself. Well, it’s a good thing they like him, but still…

But tonight, we had plans to watch the drama I borrowed from Saki together, so I had to let Ryota have him for now. As his older sister, I had to be patient.

Telling myself that, I turned to Mom.

"Hey, Mom, can I borrow the monitor in the study later?"

"Sure. Are you watching a movie in your room?"

"I borrowed a foreign drama DVD from Saki, so I’m going to watch it with Haruto later."

"Oh, I see. Feel free to use it as you like."

"Thanks!"

After getting permission to use the portable DVD player, I asked Kiyoko-san, "Would you like to take a bath first?"

"Oh no, I’d like to knit a little longer, so you can go ahead."

"Got it. I’ll take a bath then."

After giving a small nod to Kiyoko-san, I headed to the bathroom.

As I walked away, I could hear Ryota and Haruto playing superheroes.

"Big bro, don’t you need to take a bath with sis?"

"N-No, it’s fine. I’m playing with you right now, Ryota-kun."

"Okay!"

With Ryota’s cheerful voice and Haruto’s flustered response in the background, I made my way to the bath.

By the time I got out, Ryota was still clinging to Haruto, and he stayed that way until it was finally time for bed.

"Phew… I can finally have Haruto all to myself…"

Finally alone with him in my room, I let out a relieved sigh.

"Ryota sure is full of energy every day."

"Yeah, but it’s not just Ryota—Dad always tries to play with you too, you know?"

"Haha, true."

Today it was shogi, but Dad also loved talking to Haruto about fishing, camping gear, and even inviting him for a game of catch in the yard.

Honestly, Dad already seemed to think of Haruto as his own son…

Haruto always listened to him with interest and never refused, which probably encouraged Dad even more.

"If Dad ever gets too annoying, feel free to say so, okay?"

"I’ve never once thought he was annoying."

Haruto chuckled awkwardly.

His kindness was one of the things I loved about him, but it was also the reason everyone kept trying to steal him from me.

I was happy that my family liked him, but at the same time, it was frustrating not being able to have him to myself.

Is this what they call the dilemma of love?

Thinking about that, I placed the popcorn I had brought onto the table.

Haruto put the portable DVD player on the table as well.

"How should we watch?"

"You have to use my lap pillow, so let’s watch on the bed."

"Oh, right, the lap pillow…"

Haruto had forgotten about that, and his cheeks turned slightly red.

His reaction was adorable, and I smiled as I climbed onto the bed.

I placed a cushion against the wall to use as a backrest.

"Alright, Haruto, come here."

I patted my thighs, and he slowly laid down, resting his head on my lap, his face still flushed.

"Tell me if your legs go numb, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."

As I ran my fingers through his soft hair, he shifted slightly.

"Does it tickle?"

"No, it’s just… you smell like body soap…"

"Do you not like it?"

"N-No… I do… I like it a lot… maybe too much, it’s a little distracting…"

"Hehe, well, as long as you don’t mind, let’s stay like this."

"…Okay."

Seeing him nod shyly, I smiled and picked up the DVD remote.

"Alright, let’s watch the drama."

"Yeah."

A Friday night with Haruto.

A precious moment where I could have him all to myself.

I ran my fingers through his hair as I pressed the play button, feeling my heart race with excitement.

*Ayaka’s Determination: To Fully Enjoy Friday Night with Haruto!*