Thinking calmly, isn’t this strange? Even though I got advice from my wife, it’s unnatural that she accepted an invitation from me, someone who’s not even handsome. Now that I think about it, the hesitant younger Hikawa accepted the invitation when I said Ayane would be there. Besides, she didn’t even know my name.
……Did she want to become friends with Ayane?
That’s plausible.
The Ayane who puts on an act is a likable, mascot-like girl, and according to her, she has many friends. As long as she hides her true nature, she’s a cute high school girl with lots of friends. There would be people who’d want to be her friend. Though she missed being a princess in the voting, her seventh place ranking was enough to be called popular.
In contrast, the younger Hikawa apparently has no friends. From how things looked when I invited her, she seemed like she didn’t have anyone to talk to, let alone friends.
I’d heard she had an icy demeanor, but what if she just had low communication skills? I want to propose the theory that she wanted to make friends but didn’t have an opportunity.
The truth is uncertain, but I’ll refrain from intruding and watch how things unfold.
I watched the two of them chatting excitedly in front of me. After a while, Ayane stood up, saying she’d go buy drinks.
“……”
“……”
When it was just the two of us, silence again.
After a few seconds, with the sound of her throat, the younger Hikawa looked at me.
“What’s wrong, Hikawa—”
“Kanon.”
“Eh?”
“Using the family name would overlap with Onee-chan. A-and……since Kanon is a kouhai, I want you to call me without honorifics.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Calling her “younger Hikawa” is strange, and it’s rude not to call her by her first name. Her point about overlapping with her sister is valid too.
“Got it. So, what’s wrong Kanon?”
“……Thank you for today.”
“Eh, um—”
“I was happy you invited me.”
Saying that, Kanon looked down shyly. Though she’d seemed doll-like, the way she blushed looked like a girl her age. If all the students saw this face, first place wouldn’t be a dream.
Judging from this statement, my hypothesis seems to have been correct. This is probably gratitude for creating an opportunity to become friends with Ayane.
“Why did senpai invite Kanon?”
“W-well, that’s—”
I can’t say it’s because I had no choice for the conquest. I hadn’t thought about the reason for inviting her at all. Should I say something like a playboy here, like “Because you’re cute”?
As I hesitated—
“Never mind. I understand now from that.”
What did she understand?
It’s meaningless to me, but if she’s satisfied, that’s fine.
Anyway, if she’s mistaken that we’re close siblings, I’ll use this as a foothold. I won’t do anything unnecessary and will thoroughly play the good older brother role.
“Please keep being friends with my sister from now on, Kanon.”
“Roger.”
After that, Ayane returned with the drinks and they resumed their conversation. The two seemed to have warmed up considerably, and the conversation was lively.
Lunch with the Ice Princess ended safely like this.
Whether I personally closed the distance with Kanon was questionable, but at least she and Ayane had become quite close. It’s quite different from the original plan, but this is fine in its own way. Ayane seemed to be having a lot of fun too.
The night after lunch with Hikawa Kanon ended.
I logged into the game to express my gratitude to my wife. Everything went well this time thanks to my reliable wife.
I prepared before Nonnon arrived. I planned to give her a surprise present to convey my gratitude.
After a while, Nonnon logged in. After a brief greeting, we met up at home.
[How did it go?]
Apparently curious about the results, she got straight to the point with barely any greeting.
[It went perfectly. When I did exactly what you said, it was a huge success]
I reported on today’s events.
Since she cooperated, I thought it was proper etiquette to explain how things turned out. Naturally, I withheld Kanon’s name.
When I reported, Nonnon seemed satisfied.
[Thanks. Your advice really helped]
[It was worth giving advice]
A proud Nonnon displayed an emote indicating she was in high spirits. I made my character stand up and patted my wife’s head.
[Wasn’t Nonnon right?]
[I actually doubted you a little. I’m sorry]
[Doubting is mean. I told you everything would go well if you just trusted Nonnon. If it weren’t for that, it would have been a perfect score]
I unfortunately missed a perfect score. It’s a point I should reflect on.
[So, what was the girl like?]
An unpleasant question.
Even if it’s in an online game, she’s my wife. Praising how cute Kanon is seems pretty dangerous. I couldn’t argue if she called me a cheater. In fact, I was called a cheater just yesterday.
But I don’t want to lie to my wife either.
[You can be honest. I absolutely won’t get angry]
[Really?]
[Nonnon always says she doesn’t lie, right? I want you to tell me accurately here. Things like her characteristics, atmosphere, your impressions from actually talking to her—everything. Being honest about that is the sincerity that Darling, who half-cheated, should show, isn’t it?]
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I see, that certainly is sincerity.
After unilaterally doing something like cheating, and on top of that getting advice, giving a half-hearted report would be terrible.
[She was cute. Her face was well-proportioned, and her behavior was elegant. To put it roughly, she felt like a beautiful young lady]
After I typed in the chat, there was a brief silence.
[……What about her personality?]
[I don’t really know yet. Unlike Nonnon, she doesn’t seem to like chatting]
I probably shouldn’t mention negative aspects like her seeming to have few friends.
[Does Darling prefer someone chatty?]
[I wonder. I don’t particularly like or dislike chatty people. Personally, as long as they respond, that’s fine. Also, if they don’t react badly when I talk about my hobbies]
[If I remember right, Darling’s hobbies are anime, games, and VTubers?]
[These are hobbies that really don’t seem popular, even to me]
After I replied, silence again.
Huh, what’s wrong?
I’ve told her about my hobbies since long ago, so she can’t be disgusted that I’m an otaku at this point. Then is she angry about the cheating after all?
I got anxious, but Nonnon displayed a good job emote.
[Darling is fine just the way you are. The initial grab was perfect, so keep pursuing her at this pace]
[Eh, it’s okay for me to try hard?]
[Eh, you’re not going to try hard?]
My question was returned with a question.
[Well, you know, yesterday you were angry calling me a cheater]
This is too different from yesterday. Did she get so furious she gave up on me?
That’s totally possible. She might have decided to give up on me for cheating.
[Sorry, I was insensitive. Nonnon is my wife. It’s true that it’s become a cheating-like situation, but Nonnon is my number one]
I desperately defended myself.
[Thanks. But I want Darling to do his best. Your promise with your sister was to pursue her, right? From now on I’ll continue giving advice, so don’t worry]
[……From now on?]
[There’s no continuation?]
From now on is difficult. Even though we’ve made a connection, it’s extremely thin. Besides, it’s become clear that Hikawa Kanon’s goal was friendship with my foolish sister.
Also, another problem has emerged.
[Actually, it’s kind of iffy. My sister seems satisfied]
After that lunch, Ayane’s behavior became strange. As soon as we got home, she told me to stop the capture thing.
I braced myself thinking she might take some action because she was dissatisfied with being forced to eat together, but that didn’t seem to be it.
[You should definitely continue!]
[Are you serious?]
[I’m totally serious. I think it’s important for Darling to get used to girls. If you can be kind to girls, you might understand Nonnon’s feelings better too]
She has a point.
If I understand girls’ feelings, I can treat my wife more kindly. It’s just that Nonnon is kind, so she hasn’t warned me, but there might have been times when she actually wanted to complain.
My wife’s kindness really hits home.
[But isn’t there a possibility it could become cheating?]
[It won’t!]
Does she mean it’s impossible for me to capture her? That’s harsh, but not wrong.
[I’ll talk it over with my sister]
[Have a positive discussion]
It’s mysterious why Nonnon is pushing for Kanon this much, but we’re planning to discuss it during Sunday’s report anyway. Personally, I was surprised about stopping the conquest too.
[Nonnon will cheer you on with all her might. Keep consulting with me from now on. I’ll give you advice anytime. It’s totally fine if you become lovers in real life too]
[Don’t talk nonsense. I have you, Nonnon]
[Geez, don’t say embarrassing things!]
The blonde elf’s face turned red. That cute reaction was somehow like Kanon’s and made me smile.
[Oh right, I bought you a present to show my gratitude. Please accept it]
I handed over the earrings I’d purchased.
They were fairly expensive equipment that Nonnon had wanted for a while. I bought them with the earnings from the other day’s hunt and by selling some equipment from the warehouse.
[These are the equipment I wanted. Darling, I love you so much. I love you!]
She tolerates cheating, says she loves me—Nonnon is so free-spirited. That’s part of her charm though.
After that, I spent time relaxing with a high-spirited Nonnon wearing the earrings. The conversation was lively, and I realized once again that time with my wife is the best.
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