I Can't Write a Romance Novel. / Lesson 29: "Always By My Side"

Before I knew it, unless we had unavoidable plans, Ayano would come over to Yosuke's house on weekends. In the bathroom, there were women's shampoo and conditioner, as well as Ayano's favorite cleansing cream and a full set of basic skincare products.
In the closet, there were women's loungewear. And for some reason, a few dresses.
All of them were things Yosuke had bought himself, albeit shyly. The dresses were things Yosuke bought because he wanted Ayano to wear them, and when he gave them to her, Ayano hugged him happily. Though, naturally, he left the lingerie up to Ayano.
It was like a "semi-cohabitation," or perhaps a "visiting wife." However, there was only "one thing" that was different.
That had become a customary ritual on the Saturday nights when Ayano came to stay.

"Why are you so against it!?"
"Don't ask the impossible of someone with no immunity!"

Late at night, a dispute occurring in front of Yosuke's bedroom.
In fact, Yosuke had never once shared a bed with Ayano. Well, maybe when they were children, but that's a different story.
"We're a couple, we spend almost all our time together, so why do you refuse!"
"If we were to sleep together and my reason were to fly out the window, I wouldn't be able to face your aunt!"
"My mom doesn't think anything of it! She knew the moment I started staying over at your place!"
"Then your uncle!"
"My dad is hands-off too! I'm 27, you know!? He sees me as an adult!"
"But no, no, no! I can't lay a hand on a woman before she's married!"
"Forget laying a hand on me, a couple that hasn't even kissed yet is something only middle or high schoolers do!"
"There is etiquette even among close friends!"
"You're using that phrase wrong!"

And so, arguing makes you tired. It happens every time. And then, without either of them starting it,

"Shall we have some cocoa?"

It was the signal for a temporary truce. Ayano understood what Yosuke was thinking in her own way, and while she found the way he dutifully held back endearing, she honestly felt sulky, wanting to be touched. As for Yosuke, it was precisely because he cherished Ayano that he didn't want to do anything "clumsy."

"Hey."
The two of them having a late-night conversation, sitting side-by-side on the living room sofa. The mugs were matching ones they had chosen together.
"What is it?"
"When will you finally sleep in the same bed as me, Yosuke?"
At those words, Yosuke's face turned bright red.
"That's... well, m-marriage or something..."
"Why are you stuttering?"
"That's not something you can say lightly, is it!?"
"...Have you ever imagined that kind of thing?"
Ayano's tone softened. At times like that, Yosuke tried to answer honestly.
"Well, sure. Because you're the woman who stays by the side of someone like me."
"Then shall we get engaged?"
"Why can you say that so easily!"
"If I can't take it anymore and run away, don't blame me!"
Yosuke let out a sigh.
"You choose this timing to say that... just wait here."
Then Yosuke stood up from the sofa and headed to the bedroom.
As for Ayano... she was worried, wondering if she had made Yosuke angry or if he was going to throw her out. Just as she was looking down at her mug of cocoa, thinking that this was her first love that she had finally managed to grasp, the bedroom door opened.
"It's not official, mind you."
"I don't understand..."
Ayano stopped speaking. In Yosuke's hand was a small light-blue box tied with a pure white satin ribbon. Realizing what it was, Ayano became flustered. Yosuke untied the ribbon and took it out of the box.
"You are an essential presence to me. This is the proof."
"W-wait, that's a foul!"
However, Yosuke silently and gently took hold of Ayano's left wrist and softly placed it on her ring finger.
"Are you satisfied with this?"
"Yosuke..."
On Ayano's left ring finger was a simple platinum ring. He didn't know her size, so he had asked the clerk for the average ring size for women, but it matched Ayano's finger size perfectly.
"I'm not used to this kind of thing at all. Honestly, marriage is beyond my imagination. But, is it wrong for me to want to stay by your side forever, Ayano?"
When Yosuke conveyed his feelings calmly but seriously... many tears were streaming down Ayano's cheeks from her eyes. Yosuke panicked tremendously, grabbed a nearby tissue box, and handed it to her.
"Why are you crying!? If you don't want to be with me..."
"Are you an idiot!? Why would you say that!"
"Why are you getting angry while crying!?"
"Because I'm happy, obviously! You really don't understand a woman's heart!"
Ayano shouted that and hugged Yosuke. Her soft, feminine body gave Yosuke a sense of security.
"...I'm happy that you're hugging me like that, Ayano."
He whispered his honest feelings into Ayano's ear. Then Ayano pulled her body away just a little, getting into a position where she was staring at Yosuke. At close range, just 10 centimeters away. When Yosuke completely froze, Ayano turned her face away and started laughing out loud.
"Y-you really are strangely too serious..."
"Is that something to laugh at that much!?"
"I get it. No matter what anyone says, I treasure the Yosuke of the past and the Yosuke of now. I'm fine with things as they are. But..."
"W-what is it?"
Seeing Yosuke back away slightly, Ayano flashed a mischievous smile.
"If I can't hold back anymore, I'm going to pounce on you, so be prepared."
"...Huh!?"
Seeing Yosuke's face turn bright red, Ayano followed up with a bitter smile, saying, "Half of that was a joke." However, in her heart, half of it was "the truth."

Before the cocoa got cold, the two of them drank the rest of it. Once they finished, they would sleep in separate rooms, but Yosuke stopped with one sip left and turned toward Ayano.
"Ayano, can I have you listen to what I'm thinking?"
"Sure."
"This time, I was able to write a romance novel because I was supported by so many people. The person who deserves the most credit is you, Ayano. Second is my old man and Mr. Kinoshita."
"Yeah."
"The Sugawara family, of course, but the Shinozuka family is also 'precious family' to me. That's exactly why I don't want to do anything that would make you sad, Ayano. You've been family to me for a long time, Ayano."
"...Yeah, I've always thought of the Sugawara family as family too. Sugawara-papa is so kind and cool. I love Yusuke-niichan too, and besides..."
"Besides?"
"Besides, because you're by my side, Yosuke, I can feel at ease."
Saying that, Ayano leaned against Yosuke's shoulder, looking satisfied.
Yosuke felt the same way as Ayano, so he muttered, "Me too."

"Ayano."
"What?"
"Are you really okay with someone like me?"
"I want Yosuke."

Ayano affirmed this while gently stroking the ring on her ring finger.

"I don't want anyone but you either, Ayano. You're soft."
With this remark, Ayano, who had been immersed in a sweet mood, completely changed.
"Huh!?"
"Eh? Did I say something problematic?"
"Just now, just now, you said I was soft!"
Ayano was quite shaken. Yosuke answered calmly, as he hadn't meant it in a lewd way.
"Ah, your cheeks. I thought they felt nice. Your arms and body too, though."
"Wait a minute. When did you touch my cheeks? We haven't even kissed!"
At that point, Yosuke thought, 'Oh no.' That's right, Ayano had been asleep at that time...!

"Don't touch me without permission!! You idiot!"
A cushion hit Yosuke square in the face.
'You're the one who's all over the place, saying you want to be touched and then telling me not to touch you,' Yosuke thought as he hurriedly finished the rest of his cocoa.

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