A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

However, Chihaya Tetsuya, who was only twelve years old and lacked experience, did not understand possessiveness or lust. Out of pure kindness and in order to find a trustworthy companion, he took the initiative to get to know Hoshino Ai, who had just entered the orphanage and had not yet been "polluted" by the environment here.

In order to protect Hoshino Ai, Chihaya Tetsu deliberately cut her hair into a messy style that covered her face, removed all decorations and patterns from her clothes as much as possible, and stayed by her side almost all the time.

In addition to cultivating Hoshino Ai's self-protection awareness, these methods were also the first time that Hoshino Ai received kindness and care from others.

Because of her mother's jealousy, Hoshino Ai understood her own uniqueness and the delicate relationship between the sexes from a very young age.

The appearance of Chihaya Tetsuya made her feel "loved" for the first time.

It is quite normal for a nine-year-old girl to randomly combine what she knows.

Perhaps it was at this moment that her feelings for Chihaya Tetsuya began in this somewhat precocious way.

Now that I think about it, although Chihaya Tetsuya, who lacked companionship and family affection, only asked for warmth and companionship from Hoshino Ai, but what Hoshino Ai asked for from Chihaya Tetsuya... in fact, had been different since that moment.

But he was still very young at that time and was simply unable to discern such subtle and profound emotions.

If we think back to the little things that happened between the two of them from today's perspective, we can actually notice a lot of things.

For example, Hoshino Ai would often climb into his bed and sleep with him under the pretext of being "afraid of the dark," or she would always quarrel with other girls in the orphanage for inexplicable reasons, or her deep eyes that were always fixed on him...

"...Ahh, I feel like everything now makes sense."

Chihaya Tetsuya murmured absentmindedly:

"I see. Has Ai always looked at me this way?"

"So you should understand, Chihaya-nii! The feelings that Hoshino Ai has for you are quite sick!"

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"Of course, I'm not saying that it's wrong for her to like you. After all, Chihaya-san is indeed a good person who deserves others' love... No, that's not the point. The problem is that the way she pursues you is too extreme! If you let her continue, sooner or later she will hurt everyone around her! Including herself!"

"In order to prevent the situation from developing to that point, Chihaya-nii, you must meet with her!"

........................

"Hmm? You said you wanted to have a farewell dinner with me before I graduate?"

Hearing Sankaku Hatsuka's proposal, Hoshino Ai was stunned at first, then smiled and nodded.

"No problem... Oh, by the way, there's a place I really want to go with Chuhua!"

Then, with Hoshino Ai's flawless and pure smile, she slowly said a place name -

"There's a place called [RiNG] that looks like a shopping center! Why don't we choose this place?"

Chapter 35: The distance between love and eternity

"Since yesterday, my brother has always seemed to be worried."

Looking at Chihaya Tetsuya who was leaning on the sofa and staring at the ceiling silently, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but reveal a somewhat confused expression.

"What's wrong? Are you having trouble at work?"

“…No, it has nothing to do with work.”

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head.

"At least not yet."

"?What's the meaning?"

"........."

Chihaya Tetsuya silently patted the seat next to him, motioning for Aine to sit over there.

And upon seeing this, Aine immediately came to his side obediently.

"So what happened? The last time I saw my brother with this expression was when we were talking about Hoshino Ai."

"…………"

"Eh? So this time it's still because of her?"

Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's noncommittal attitude, Chihaya Aine opened her mouth slightly:

"No way, didn't brother figure it all out after the last incident? Why is he still worried about her now?"

"About this... it may be a little difficult to explain."

Chihaya Tetsuya frowned and said:

"Better than that, let me ask you a question, Aine."

"Yes."

"What's the difference between liking this kind of feeling and family affection?"

"………………ah?"

Chihaya Aine was stunned after hearing this.

"Is this a philosophical question? Or are you giving me a brain teaser?"

"No, I'm asking you from the bottom of my heart."

Chihaya Tetsuya's tone and expression were extremely serious, with no hint of joking at all.

"Although I know that there is this feeling called 'liking' between opposite sexes, I have never known what it is specifically."

Having said that, he showed a slightly confused expression.

"From what I know, common sense suggests that over time, a relationship like this will gradually develop into a marriage, and eventually into a family relationship. But I don't understand what exactly happens during this process, or what the difference is between the relationship before and after."

"Ah..."

After listening to her brother's words in a daze, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but utter an extremely bewildered voice:

"Wait a minute, this is the first time I've taken this issue so seriously. Let me think about it for a moment..."

Like, lovers, family, husband and wife.

She first pondered the relationship between these words in her mind, and then said thoughtfully:

"Well, it's true that this kind of feeling can make two people become lovers, but... to be honest, this kind of feeling may not necessarily have anything to do with being married..."

"While being able to transition from a couple to a husband and wife is truly a happy and wonderful thing, it's only possible under ideal circumstances. Most people go through several relationships before finding the one that's right for them, and many couples skip the dating process and get together directly out of practical considerations!"

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but ask:

"So, the conditions for marriage... don't include love?"

"Well... I can't really say that. Maybe they really did like each other when they got married, but it's usually hard for that kind of feeling to last forever."

Chihaya Aine tapped her chin and said:

"Besides, there are many different kinds of feelings. Besides liking someone between the opposite sex, there's also liking someone between friends, liking someone between family members... and sometimes there's a process of transformation between these feelings, so it's a very complex and ever-changing emotion."

"But family affection is different! Family affection only exists between family members. As long as they are family, then this feeling will always exist as a matter of course! It is completely different from feelings like love, which change with time!"

Chihaya Aine said this in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Is...is that so?"

However, Chihaya Tetsuya's answer was full of hesitation and confusion:

"If that's the case, then what about us children who were abandoned in the orphanage?"

"what……"

Hearing this, Chihaya Aine was stunned at first, and then she immediately hugged Chihaya Tetsuya's arm with a look of heartache.

"I'm sorry, brother... Although it may be a bit cruel to say this, not every couple has the kind of kinship that can last forever. For example, the children in the orphanage are mostly victims of these 'failed marriages'..."

"A failed marriage..."

Chihaya Tetsuya thought for a moment before saying:

"It seems that the process of going from lovers to husband and wife, and then from husband and wife to family... isn't as natural as I thought."

“That’s it.”

Chihaya Aine nodded.

"After all, when two people spend time together, they will encounter various tests and challenges... But if they can continue to understand each other and fully comprehend each other's perspectives during this process, and work together to overcome these challenges, then surely they can become a truly ideal family and stay together forever, right?"

Having said that, she couldn't help but stick out her tongue.

"But I'm just saying that. After all, I've never been in a relationship since I was a child, and the only couples I've seen are parents..."

“…Me too.”

Chihaya Tetsu also sighed.

"During my time in the orphanage, I was so focused on survival that I had no energy to think about such unnecessary things. After being adopted by the Chihaya family, I wanted to repay their kindness and also to achieve my own dreams, so I never paid attention to anything other than studying. As a result, I only now realize that my lack of common sense in this area is shocking."

"It's more than just that, right? Brother is really off the mark in many ways."

Chihaya Aine hugged Chihaya Tetsuya's arms a little tighter.

“But even so, your kindness and gentleness from the bottom of your heart will never change… and the bond between us siblings will never change! In other words, no matter what happens, I, Aine, will always be with you, my brother!”

"........."

Looking at Chihaya Aine's expression, which was childish but full of seriousness and determination, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but reach out and touch her hair.

"Thank you, Aine... I'm the same. No matter what happens, I will always be with Aine."

"hey-hey……"

When Chihaya Aine was touched on the head, she first laughed subconsciously, but soon she realized another problem.

"By the way, this topic...does it have anything to do with Hoshino Ai?"

"...Yeah. Because according to another member of her group, Mikado Hatsuka, it seems she chose to become an idol just to be able to find me."

Under Chihaya Aine's stunned gaze, Chihaya Tetsuya continued to explain:

"Furthermore, it seems she's already fallen in love with me... seven years ago, and that feeling has persisted until now. And then, in order to be with me forever, she's ready to gamble her entire idol career and influence, and will reveal all of this at her live performance in May."

"I couldn't decide if this feeling of love was right, but thanks to Aine, I understand now."

If they cannot truly understand each other, then even if they are together, they cannot naturally become husband and wife... or family.

Perhaps the two people who depended on each other seven years ago did achieve a temporary mutual understanding, but now, after seven years of gap, the two should no longer devote themselves to each other without reservation as they did in the past seven years.

He may not have the right to judge this love, but the choice she made was absolutely wrong.

As a companion who shared the joys and sorrows with me seven years ago, he is also the "culprit" who caused the situation to develop to this point.

He needs to correct the mistakes of love.

——There are still 7 days until Chihaya Tetsuya and Hoshino Ai reunite.

Chapter 36: Chihaya Tetsuya's Concept of Love

The next day, when Chihaya Tetsuya came to the studio, Toyokawa Shoko immediately told him the meeting place agreed by Hoshino Ai and Sankaku Hatsuka -

"[RiNG]?"

Upon hearing this location, Chihaya Tetsu hesitated for a moment and then immediately nodded.

"This way, we don't have to worry about conflicts with Live... Yeah, that's fine."

After saying that, he lowered his head and prepared to continue with the work at hand.

"Wait, wait, this isn't something you can just laugh off, right?!"

Toyokawa Shoko quickly interrupted Chihaya Tetsuya before he could get down to work:

"[Summer Zodiac] has never been to [RiNG] before. The fact that Hoshino Ai pointed out this place so specifically means she must know a lot about Chihaya-san... and that band!"

"Well... maybe that's the case."

In response to Toyokawa Shoko's warning, Chihaya Tetsu just nodded with a normal expression.

"After all, love is also the type that is very active."

"what……"

Chihaya Tetsuya's still extremely calm reaction caught Toyokawa Shoko off guard.

"Chihaya-san, aren't you nervous at all? In order to completely cut off all your escape routes, she's even found out where you're at privately, and your relationship with that band..."