Chapter 44

That night, after I told Aina that we should live together, I stayed up all night thinking of a plan.

The problems that could arise from living with Aina and her mother were mainly about the timing of returning to my grandmother's house.

I go back to my grandmother's house every night. After closing the shop, I lock the entrance and go to my room on the second floor. From there, I open the sliding door that only I can see (it follows me wherever I go) and return to my grandmother's house.

Naturally, during this time, I am not in this world. If I were to live with Aina and her mother, they might find it strange that I am not in my room.

To avoid this problem, I came up with a simple solution:

"Just stay here and sleep."

After all, I only went back to sleep. I could return when necessary, or even after Aina and her mother had gone to bed.

Moreover, I often have to go to the town hall when called by Karen, or stay up all night drinking with Ryah, ending up covered in vomit. There are plenty of opportunities to return to my grandmother's house.

So, after reaching this conclusion, I stayed up all night but was in high spirits when morning came.

Before opening, I was humming a tune while arranging the items I brought from Japan on the shelves.

"Good morning, Shiro-nii!"

The doorbell jingled as Aina entered the shop. Our pride and joy, the shop's signboard girl, was here to start her shift. I turned around to greet her—

"Good morning, Aina—wait, Stella-san?"

I noticed Stella standing behind her. She smiled gently and bowed slightly.

"Good morning, Shiro-san."

"Good morning, Stella-san."

"I'm sorry for coming so suddenly..."

Stella looked apologetic. I shook my head hurriedly.

"No, it's fine. Please come in. It's a bit messy before opening, but please have a seat."

"Mom, come on, come on."

"Then I'll come in."

"Please, please."

Stella entered the shop and sat on the chair I prepared. She looked much better after recovering from beriberi, with a healthier and slightly fuller figure. She didn't look like a mother of an 8-year-old at all. I poured the tea I had in a thermal pot into a cup and handed it to her.

"Stella-san, did you come here to talk about 'that thing'?"

Before Stella could answer, Aina spoke up.

"Shiro-nii, listen! Mom is totally against living here!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, really! So, Shiro-nii, you have to convince Mom! Let's live together!"

Aina puffed her cheeks, clearly upset. Stella, on the other hand, looked troubled.

"Aina, we can't do that. Living here would be a bother to Shiro-san."

"Is that true, Shiro-nii?"

Her innocent eyes turned to me, and she looked like she might cry.

"I don't think it's a bother at all."

"See! Shiro-nii said it's not a bother!"

Aina looked up at Stella. But Stella shook her head quietly.

"Aina, adults have reasons that children don't understand."

"Huh? 'Reasons,' what's that?"

"When a man and a woman live together... there are many things to consider."

"Many things?"

Aina tilted her head. Stella chuckled.

"Aina, men and women usually live together after they get married."

"Married!?"

Aina exclaimed loudly.

I see. It's about public perception.

Living with Aina and her mother, who are a single-parent family, and me, who doesn't even have a girlfriend, could lead to what kind of rumors in town?

I don't care what people say about me. I'm already seen as a strange merchant who deals with mysterious items. But I don't want Stella to be looked at strangely.

Stella is so beautiful and kind. If she and Aina want to, they could easily find a new husband.

But if I live with them, it could lead to misunderstandings and rob her of the chance to remarry.

It's understandable that Stella is against it. But can an 8-year-old like Aina understand this?

"Marriage. If we live together, Shiro might not be able to get married."

I blinked at Stella's words. What, that?

It's not about her, but about me? She's worried about me?

"Shiro-nii... can't get married?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Is that... a bother?"

"Yes."

Stella patted Aina's head.

"Because of us, Shiro might lose the chance to meet a wonderful woman. Aina, is that okay?"

"Then, then, Mom and Shiro-nii should get married!"

"Wh-What!?"

Stella was surprised. I was even more surprised.

"W-What are you saying, Aina? Marry... Shiro-san?"

Stella's face turned red as she stuttered.

"Shiro-nii! Marry Mom!"

"Aina...?"

Aina grabbed my hand with both of hers.

"Mom is beautiful, right? And she's very kind, so Shiro-nii will definitely—no, absolutely like her! So please, marry Mom!"

"Aina, you mustn't cause trouble for Shiro-san!"

Stella was flustered. But Aina didn't back down.

"Shiro-nii, will you? Marry Mom."

"Ahaha, that's not possible, Aina."

"Do you dislike Mom?"

"No, not at all. I think she's very kind and beautiful."

I crouched down to meet Aina's eyes.

"I don't know much about marriage, but it's something that lovers who love each other do. It's not something to decide lightly. Do you understand?"

"...Yes."

Aina nodded.

"Thank you for understanding. And Stella-san,"

"Y-Yes."

"Please don't worry about me. I don't think it's a bother to live with you two. Besides,"

I paused, scratching my cheek.

"I'm really enjoying my business right now and haven't thought about having a girlfriend or getting married. In fact, being single allows me to focus on my business. So—so, if it's not a bother for you, Stella-san, would you consider living on the second floor of the shop?"

"Shiro-san..."

"Living on the second floor would mean more time together, as Aina said. 'I'm happier when I'm with Mom.'"

"Is that true, Aina?"

"Yes. I'm happy when I'm with Mom."

"Me too. I'm happy when I'm with Aina."

Stella hugged Aina tenderly. Watching the loving hug between mother and daughter made my heart warm.

"Shiro-san, are you really sure it won't be a bother?"

"I'll say it as many times as you want, it's not a bother at all."

"...Living with an older woman like me might lead to misunderstandings."

"That's not true, Stella-san. What makes you an 'older woman'?"

"I am. I'm already 26."

"If 26 is an older woman, then 25 is an older man."

"Really!? Shiro-san is 25? You're a year younger than me. I thought you were younger..."

"Sorry for my youthful appearance. But I still feel young, so by my standards, you're young too. So, please don't call yourself an 'older woman.'"

"...I understand."

Stella nodded, looking a bit embarrassed, and then said,

"Thank you, Shiro-san. I'll accept your offer. I'll be in your care from now on."

"Shiro-nii, I'll be in your care too!"

And so, I ended up living with Aina and Stella.