Chapter 159: Actually...
{TL: By Creed}
“Yeah, that’s it. Keep it up.”
“Nn!”
Aisha clung to my hand, splashing and kicking in the water.
At the same time, she practiced taking breaths while dipping her face into the water.
At first, she was so awkward I couldn’t take my eyes off her…
But Aisha quickly improved.
At this rate, I think she’ll be able to swim in another thirty minutes of practice.
“Aisha, you’re amazing.”
“Am I amazing?”
“To be able to learn to swim this quickly is incredible. Maybe you’re just naturally athletic? Or perhaps you’ve got a talent for swimming.”
“Hehe.”
Aisha beamed happily.
Then, she kicked her legs even harder, fully engrossed in her swimming practice.
“……”
Suddenly, I noticed Sofia making a rather complicated expression.
She looked at Aisha, then at herself… then back at Aisha.
For some reason, she seemed uncomfortable.
Is she not happy that Aisha is getting better at swimming?
“Sofia.”
“……”
“Sofia?”
“Huh? W-what is it?”
“Is something bothering you? You’ve got a serious look on your face.”
“N-no, nothing at all! Nothing, really!”
Her desperate denial only made her more suspicious.
What is Sofia trying to hide?
“Mysteries, where they exist, I shall be there! The great detective Licorice makes her dazzling and adorable entrance!”
Licorice appeared out of nowhere.
At this point, nothing about Licorice could surprise me.
“What mystery?”
“The mystery Sofia is hiding.”
“!?”
Apparently, Sofia really was hiding something, as she froze up in shock like Licorice had hit the nail on the head.
“Nothing escapes the brilliant detective Licorice!”
The wording seemed a little… off?
“Stop being so stubborn and just admit it already.”
“Ugh… But, what if Fate thinks…”
“Don’t worry about it, don’t worry! Honestly, girls are cuter if they have a few weaknesses.”
Licorice herself is full of weaknesses.
I thought that, but I didn’t say it out loud.
“Here.”
“Um…”
With Licorice giving her a nudge, Sofia stepped forward to face me.
We paused Aisha’s swimming practice for a moment to hear her out.
“Fate, um, the truth is…”
“Yeah?”
“I… I can’t swim!!!”
Sofia shouted, her face red with embarrassment.
“Is that so…?”
“…Yes…”
That was a bit unexpected.
I’d always thought Sofia was capable of anything.
“I’m sorry for hiding it… but I couldn’t bring myself to say it in front of you or Aisha. Ugh… It’s my pride. Go ahead, laugh at me! Laugh all you want!”
“N-no way I’d laugh.”
Like Licorice said, if she can’t swim, that’s just a cute weakness.
Even if she’d kept it hidden, it wasn’t something worth fretting over.
And besides…
“Then, Sofia, would you like me to teach you?”
“W-Would that be okay?”
“Of course.”
I was genuinely happy to find something I could do to help Sofia.
“Um…”
Sofia hesitated, nervously looking at Aisha.
She was probably worried that her daughter might be disappointed in her.
But in reality…
“Mom, you can’t swim?”
“…Yes.”
“Then, let’s practice together!”
“Huh?”
“I’m happy to be with you, Mom.”
“…Aisha-chan…”
Sofia, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged Aisha tightly.
“Ugh, to say something so wonderful… After all, Aisha-chan is my pride and joy. Not only is she cute, but she’s also so kind! She’s the best!”
“Hehe.”
Even though Aisha looked a little uncomfortable, she was clearly happy.
Watching those two made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
“Fate.”
“Huh?”
“You know, it’s better not to hide things like those two. You should honestly tell people what’s on your mind. That’s the key to a happy marriage!”
“Well, we’re not married yet…”
I liked Sofia.
I could feel that she liked me too.
But I was still inexperienced.
I had to become someone worthy of standing beside her.
When would that be?
I couldn’t see the future, and I felt a little anxious about it, but…
Should I confess this feeling to Sofia?
If I did, maybe things would improve…
“...By the way, Licorice.”
“What?”
“Well, if you’re giving advice like that, does that mean you’ve had a boyfriend or husband before?”
“Ah, the sea! Summer! Let’s go have fun to the fullest! Hyah-ha!!”
Licorice quickly changed the subject, in a way that was hard to miss.
TL Note: I had some personal commitments but now I am back.
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