[You remain true to the persona you've created for yourself, constantly reminding yourself to stay just shy of a slip-up, making sure not to reveal any cracks in your facade.]
[Despite successfully guiding Iroha's thinking into the cage you set up using the note left by your wife and your recent despondent behavior, you still maintain your composure.]
[You understand that the care born from guilt is not an unbreakable bond.]
[Fortunately, Iroha has begun to see you as a man after all this time since your wife's "passing," and things are gradually improving.]
[Growing up with Iroha, you are well aware of the traits she admires in a man: cleanliness, loyalty, tenderness, a sense of family responsibility, ambition in career, and most importantly, unconditional kindness towards her.]
[Adhering to these traits, you start aligning yourself with the image of the ideal man in her mind, aiming to become her ideal in her heart and win her affection.]
[You willingly start going out, resuming a normal daily routine, exercising, finding a job, and occasionally visiting Iroha's parents for meals, chatting with them, and taking them and Iroha on trips during holidays.]
[Your revitalization brings immense comfort to Iroha's parents.]
[They also notice the somewhat unusual closeness between you and Iroha, but they remain silent and seem to tacitly approve.]
[They recall how you once showed affection for Iroha years ago, leading them to reject friends' suggestions to introduce their son to their daughter.]
[After privately discussing with Iroha and noticing her blushing and shy demeanor, they began to secretly play matchmaker.]
[Iroha's mother, not allowing the oblivious Mr. Isshiki to interfere, took complete control of the process, leading to a swift and smooth development of intimacy between you and Iroha.]
[When you return home for dinner, Iroha's mother would often insist you stay overnight.]
[After you agreed, Iroha's parents would either have to go out for urgent matters or be unexpectedly invited to dinner by friends, leaving you and Iroha alone at home.]
[As this situation became more frequent, Iroha gradually noticed her parents' intentions.]
[Initially embarrassed, she soon stopped seeing you as her brother and began to recognize your male charm.]
[Your appearance and physique were naturally appealing, and your character was excellent as well.]
[These admirable qualities in you made Iroha's heart flutter.]
[She began to develop a special affection for you and would often use her fear of horror movies as an excuse to snuggle with you on the sofa in the dim light of the TV, sharing a small blanket that brought your skin together.]
[During these moments, she would show exaggerated fear, desperately clinging to you, and after the movie ended, she would close her eyes and refuse to open them no matter how much you tried to push her away, letting you carry her back to her room and further closing the gap between you two.]
[Sensing that her guilt and the responsibility entrusted by her sister-in-law had transformed into pure love, the relationship between you and Iroha quickly progressed.]
[As anticipated, your relationship accelerated rapidly in a subtle and imperceptible manner.]
[In the amusement park bathed in the glow of the setting sun, at the highest point of the Ferris wheel, Iroha took advantage of your momentary lapse and awkwardly kissed you, marking a significant advancement in your relationship.]
[Your overemphasis on the remorse and hesitation shown by your "late wife" only made Iroha like you more.]
[She repeatedly expressed that she did not intend to replace your wife and was okay if you never forgot her.]
[She just hoped you wouldn't resist her presence.]
[With her feelings clarified, Iroha's advances grew bolder. She began to flirt and tease you indiscriminately.]
[In a fitting room at the mall, she pulled you in to help her zip up her dress.]
[On a night bus during a trip, she stealthily touched your stomach and thighs.]
[At a family dinner, she began to lightly rub your calves with her feet in front of her parents.]
[After a company dinner, Iroha came to pick you up. Back at your apartment, you, drunk, collapsed on the bed, but she insisted on dragging you to the bathroom for a shower.]
[Noticing Iroha's unusually shy demeanor compared to usual, you suspected something might happen tonight.]
[You continued to pretend to be drunk, and after showering, you returned to the room and pretended to sleep.]
[Half an hour later, you heard a "thud" from the bedside.]
[Curious, you peeked through a slit in your eyes and saw Iroha placing a photo of you and your wife face down.]
[Iroha, having made up her mind, gently lay down next to you and softly called your name with affection.]
[Ignoring her soft call, the next moment, the girl pressed against you and kissed you.]
[Unable to continue pretending to be asleep, you saw Iroha's face break into a mischievous smile.]
[She, though extremely shy, bravely lay beside you as you opened your eyes.]
[The knowledge imparted by her mother was finally put to effective use tonight.]
[Feelings born in childhood, which began to grow into unfulfilled love during adolescence, have culminated after years of patience and planning.]
[Now, everything has reached its conclusion, giving you what you have longed for!]
[Your rationality has shattered.]
[Your approach to Iroha, initially cautious as if afraid of breaking her, gradually became more confident.]
[During Iroha's continuous calls of your name, you established a romantic relationship with her, stepping into the desired relationship as you wished.]
[The next day, you and her stayed in bed until three in the afternoon. Iroha felt that she loved you even more.]
[One month later, Iroha was pleasantly surprised to find out she was pregnant.]
[On her birthday, you proposed to her. The wedding was lively and received many blessings from people.]
[However, you seemed to catch sight of someone who definitely shouldn't have been there.]
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