"Um, Eri-chan?"
"What?"
"Are you really going to sleep with me?"
"Yes."
Eri-chan nodded her head cutely.
The reason why this is happening is that it all started with a comment by Eri-chan.
When I came out of the bath.
"Yukishiro-Onii-san."
"Hmm?"
"Let's sleep together?"
"T-That's…"
"You don't want to?"
"Yukishiro-kun, can you sleep with Eri?"
"Are you sure, Miho-san?"
"I would be happier if Eri and Yukishiro-kun are on good terms."
It didn't feel like it was on the level of being on good terms with each other, but I felt like I was gradually being swept away by the moderate but persistent attacks from Eri-chan and Miho-san.
"Hey, Yukishiro-Onii-san."
"Hmm? What?"
"It's nothing."
Eri-chan is smiling happily. Eri-chan is so adorable that I can't help but pat her on the head.
"I love how it feels when Yukishiro-Onii-san strokes me, it's so pleasant."
"You like it that much?"
"Yes, because I can feel Yukishiro-Onii-san's kindness."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes… Can I hug you, Yukishiro-Onii-san?"
"Sure."
Eri-chan hugged me tightly.
Looking at Eri-chan again, she's really cute.
Long, translucent black hair, a petite and easy-to-hug body, big eyes, and a beautiful voice.
How lucky I am to be hugged by such a girl.
"I'm so lucky."
"Why?"
"Because I get to be with such a kind, handsome, and perfect person. What kind of good karma did I accumulate in my past life?"
"You're exaggerating. It's not like I'm perfect."
"I'm not! At least to me, Yukishiro-Onii-san is perfect."
She hugged me even tighter.
She's so cute.
I gently hugged her back.
"Hoooo. This is the best."
She let out a meltingly sweet voice and came to me seeking affection.
"Eri-chan is a spoiled child."
"I'm not spoiled."
"I wonder if it's true."
"It's true!"
Then she nuzzled her face into my neck.
"Hey, Yukishiro-Onii-san."
"Hmm?"
"Will Yukishiro-Onii-san ever leave me?"
She looked at me with worried eyes.
This girl is insecure.
Memories of her father's disappearance and of being bullied will always remain in Eri-chan's memory.
However…
"I will never leave."
I said with a smile so that I can blow away those fears, so that I can paint over them with happy memories.
"Thank you, Yukishiro-Onii-san."
"Yes, you can always count on me."
"…I…ve…you…"
"Hmm? What?"
"It's nothing."
She then hid under the futon to hide her face.