今日は、妖夢さんに会わない。いつもなら、この辺で、呼び止められるものだけど。まぁ、妖夢さんも忙しい人だ。そう毎日顔を合わせられる訳ではないか・・・。そうか一人合点しながら帰路を歩く。一人で歩く帰り道は何か物足りない。最近、妖夢さんとの距離が近くなったなと感じる。以前は、彼女の真面目さとか、そういう所が尊敬してしまう友人だと思ったけど、先日の僕の家で泊まりに来た時の、子供っぽい怒り方(それは僕に好意があっての事で怒られる程信頼を寄せられてるのも驚きだけど)もする、もっと僕と近い存在である事が知れた。それは、大体が布都ちゃんが来たからだと思うけど。あの子が居なければ、妖夢さんのそういう面は知りえなかっただろうし・・・。布都ちゃんもすっかり、家の中に馴染んでいる気がする。なんというか、変わった。布都ちゃんが来て、僕の環境が変わった。・・・今の生活は正直楽しい。楽しいのだけど、布都ちゃんだって、いつまでも居候である事は多分ないだろう。・・・今の環境がずっと続いてくれたならなぁ・・・。・・・そうだ。折角だし、布都ちゃんにおでんのお土産を買って行ってあげようか。そう思って、親父の屋台に行くと、会話をしつつおでんをつつく先客がいた。「うむ、それはな・・・我は・・・」何やら聞いた事のある声だなと思うと、妖夢さんと布都ちゃんだった。後ろから、やぁと声をかけると、二人は驚いた様に振り向いた。「「」殿(さん)！」同時に僕を呼ぶ二人。布都ちゃんがここに居るのは、きっと散歩でもしていたのかな？・・・。奇遇だね。こんな所で会うなんて、僕も一緒になっていいかい？と聞くと。「うむ、「」殿も一緒に食べようぞ」と布都ちゃんは、自分と妖夢さんの間に席を一つ作った。そして、作り終えた時に、あっ・・・と何か気づいた様な顔をして、それを見た妖夢さんは「大丈夫ですよ。今日は私のおごりですから・・・あっ、「」さんもどうぞ」とにこりと微笑んだ。「かたじけない。妖夢殿」と頭を掻きながら布都ちゃんも微笑む。僕は妖夢さんにいいの？と聞くと「ええ、帰りに「」さんの家に寄って、一緒に食べようと思ってましたし、それに・・・多分大丈夫ですから」と妖夢さんは答えた。僕は二人の間に座って、二人と団欒しながらおでんを食べる事にした。そんな僕らの様子を見て親父さんは「いいなぁ・・・」と呟いていた、何を考えてるのだかわっふるわっふる

Youmu isn't meeting me today. Usually she calls out to me around this area. Well, I guess she's pretty busy. It's not like she has the time to come out here and meet me every day, I convinced myself. However, it felt like something was missing, walking home alone. It seems the distance between Youmu and I has gotten smaller recently. Before, she seemed like a serious person, one to be respected, but after her childish display of anger (and the surprising idea that she thinks of me such that she'd get angry over me), I realized that she's more similar to me than I thought. I think that's mostly because Futo-chan came along, though. If she hadn't, I don't think Youmu ever would have shown me that side of her.

I get the feeling that Futo-chan has really gotten used to living at my place. Things have... changed, so to speak. Futo-chan has come along, and my environment has changed. Honestly, though, my current day-to-day life is pretty fun. It's fun, but I don't think Futo-chan will stay here forever. It would be nice if things could stay like this forever.... Hey, it's been a while. I should bring her another bowl of oden. With the thought in my mind, I headed for the old man's shop. Upon entering I saw the previous customers chatting and poking at their food. As I hear a familiar-sounding voice say, "Hm, yes... I..." I move closer to see Youmu and Futo-chan sitting there. "Hey," I call out to them, to which they turn around with a surprised jolt. They call out my name at the same time. I never expected to see Futo-chan here... she must have gone out for a stroll.

"Since we're all already here, mind if I join you?" I ask. "Come, eat with us," Futo-chan said as she scooted away from Youmu to make room for me. After she finished scooting, she let out an "ah..." with an expression as if she had just realized something. Taking notice, Youmu reassured her, "Don't worry. It's my treat. Oh, please, sit down," she smiled at me. "I am in your debt, Lady Youmu," Futo-chan also smiled, scratching her head. "Is it alright?" I asked Youmu. "Yes, I was planning to stop by your house later to eat together anyway, and... it's probably fine," she answered. I sat down between them and we all happily started on our bowls of oden. "Sure is nice..." the owner murmured after taking a look at us. I wondered what he was thinking about... to be continued