Want to be human, but cube-like

Moreover, this can easily lead to misunderstandings.

"Bold?"

Alex followed closely behind Aine, and although her attention was often drawn to some of the household items nearby, she still managed to hear Aine's whispered words.

"...Speaking too bluntly can easily lead to misunderstandings, Ellie."

After thinking for a long time, Aine decided that she had to make things clear with Alex. She randomly found an empty scene and went inside. She turned around and said seriously.

"Straightforward...?"

But Alex didn't quite understand. She opened her bewildered eyes, tilted her head, and let her snow-white hair fall down to her shoulders as she asked in confusion.

"But I learned it from you, Aine."

Alex thought for a moment and then explained.

Looking back, Aine often praised others, not only was she good at praising others, but she also praised herself, and even used her charm to ask for praise from others. This confident and energetic demeanor always brought a positive emotional atmosphere to the people around her.

"Huh? You learned it from me?"

But this was something Aine hadn't expected, and she was slightly taken aback.

"Hmm... I started to say it like that without even realizing it."

Alex herself seemed to have a strange realization; if Aine hadn't suddenly asked her, she might not have even realized it.

"Because I don't really know how to communicate with others..."

She lowered her gaze slightly and spoke softly.

Since coming into this world, Alex has been learning the right way to communicate with people and seeking the right attitude to face the rest of her life.

She once wanted to learn Xiangzi's way of life.

But I found that living like that was too uncomfortable and too painful.

She constantly suppressed her own thoughts, binding her freedom to every word and action, and when facing the outside world, she had to wear a fake, perfect smile.

Fortunately, Xiangzi doesn't act like that when he's with her, otherwise, it would probably make Alex, who already feels suffocated, even more breathless.

But Alex, who wants to integrate into this world, needs to find a suitable person to learn how to deal with life.

Everyone has someone to learn from, whether it's parents, elders, siblings, friends, or time itself.

Alex lacks all three: her mother, as a parent, has disappeared; her friend, Xiangzi, is not a suitable role model; and as for time, that is, social experience, it is precisely what she lacks most at this moment.

And just then, another person who made her feel incredibly comfortable in his presence and who was also very socially adept appeared in her life. Chihaya Aine appeared in her life.

Thus, Alex had a role model to learn from and imitate as a substitute for her mother.

…………

Volume 1: Chapter 102 Two People Overlapping

"...In short, you can't just say things like that."

On the other hand, Aine, unsure how to respond, decided to leave the matter aside for the time being.

The compliments she often makes are merely a habit based on social needs; they're just a way to adjust the atmosphere of the conversation, keeping everyone in a positive mood so that the topic can be better developed.

As for the habitual demand for praise, that's just a selfish desire to be pampered, and there's not much ulterior motive involved.

Ai Yin never expected that her close friend, whom she had only known for less than a month, would treat her with such an attitude.

She was somewhat flattered.

"Some things can only be said to someone you like."

Not knowing if Alex could understand, Aine felt a slight sense of responsibility towards this, and her tone became a little serious.

"……like?"

Upon hearing this word, Alex felt confused.

Of course she knew what the word meant.

What you want to get, what you are willing to pay other prices for, what you consider important, and the feelings of cherishing these things—that is liking.

Alex just didn't quite understand what it meant to like someone.

To what extent does it have to be to be considered someone you like?

Does it count if I've always been there for my mother?

If she had to say whether she had a crush on anyone, then Alex's mother would definitely be her first choice.

So, what about Toyokawa Shoko, the first person he met after coming into this world who taught him so much and kept him from being lonely?

And what about Chihaya Aine, whom I've always felt close to, always want to hear her speak, and who is comfortable and easy to be around?

Even Rakuna, who said she wanted to find a home, ended up pestering her to play music every day, but also allowed her to find satisfaction in playing together.

Could my feelings towards them be considered liking?

"Hmm, does Ellie have someone she likes?"

With a clear expectation of how Alex would answer, Aine asked in a softer voice.

"Does the person you like... count your mother?"

As expected, Alex replied in this way.

After all, the other person always habitually mentioned her mother during their conversations. After spending almost a month together, Ai Yin already knew just how much she valued her mother.

"Of course it counts. The feeling of liking one's parents is usually one of the earliest times when one becomes aware of this emotion."

"Smiling," Aine said.

It feels like Ellie is like a child who hasn't grown up.

"Can Aine... like many people?"

However, Alex then frowned slightly and asked with some hesitation.

"Ok?"

"Because besides Mom, there's you, and Xiangzi, whom I seem to like quite a bit... Oh, and Lena too, I guess I like her too?"

Seeing the puzzled look on Aine's face, Alex continued.

She counted them one by one; they were all among the few people she knew in this world.

"Ah... this is a different kind of liking."

Slightly troubled, Aine didn't quite know how to explain it clearly to Alex.

When Aine heard Alex mention herself directly, her heart skipped a beat. But when she heard Alex mention Shoko and Rakuna's names, Aine, who almost misunderstood, realized that it meant the affection between friends.

Her mood calmed down abruptly, but for some reason, she still vaguely sensed a strange sense of loss.

"I... don't quite understand."

Alex shook her head slightly, puzzled.

In her view, discerning this emotion was far more difficult than having to defeat a witch right now.

"Isn't this topic still too early for Ellie?"

Her eyes flickered, and Ai Yin felt she should put the topic aside for now, so she casually smiled.

"Let's go, we still need to pick out some cabinets and decorations, don't we?"

Walking around to Alex's side, Aine gently nudged her shoulder. Under the lamplight, their shadows pressed together on the ground. Then, they left the deserted little scene.

……

"The cabinet is chosen... the desk and small sofa are picked out too, Ellie, is there anything else you need?"

After a while, Ai-yin, who was a little tired from walking, counted on her fingers and turned around to ask.

"There shouldn't be any more?"

Alex turned to look at the furniture around her, hesitated for a moment, and then replied.

She's really not good at decorating home furnishings. Throughout the trip, no matter which piece of furniture Ai Yin pointed to and asked her, she would only get the answer "looks nice" or "okay".

It felt even more perfunctory than the response Ai Yin received when her family went shopping together and her mother asked her father what looked good.

In the end, it was Aine who picked out a few pieces of furniture for Alex before the matter was finally settled.

However, Aine herself was actually enjoying it, and it wasn't until the excitement faded that she realized her legs were getting tired.

On the other hand, Alex still looked as energetic as ever.

"Then let's go see what other decorative items look good later?"

If you want to look at decorations, then you'll have to go somewhere else. Ai looked at the small bedroom scene where the two of them were, thought for a moment, and walked to the bed that looked very soft.

"But now..."

As she spoke, Aine turned around, looked at Alex, turned her back to the bed, and gently leaned back, landing heavily on the bed and sinking deep into it.

"As expected, when you come to a home furnishing store, you have to lie down like this for a while!"

She gave a small shout, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Ugh... I feel like I'm going to fall asleep."

With a soft sigh, Ai Yin opened her eyes, sat up, and swung her slightly tired, slender legs.

"Ellie, won't you come and lie down for a bit?"

She saw Alex standing there looking at her somewhat bewildered, so she patted the bed next to her and said something to her.

"Eh? Now?"

Alex, who had been watching her, was immediately confused upon hearing this.

She checked the time on her phone.

It's not even night yet, will she be able to lie down?

Moreover, what if you lie down and suddenly fall into a deep sleep?

Alex, who was a little conflicted, hesitated when faced with Aine's invitation to sleep with her.

"Oh, it's fine to lie down for a bit. These beds are placed here so customers can try them out."

Seeing that Alex hadn't moved for a long time, Aine had no choice but to get up from the bed. She took two steps forward and gently took Alex's arm, leading her toward the bed.

"Wow~!"

However, Aine failed to notice the distance to the edge of the bed. Her backward leg misjudged the extent of her movement and bumped into it. Her already somewhat weak calf muscles immediately lost their strength, and she fell backward.

"……Well?"

Alex, who was being pulled along, was already hesitant to exert herself because of her own strength, and this time she was pulled down as well.

In an instant, their bodies overlapped on the soft bed.

…………

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P.S. Chapter 96 is out! If you can't see it, please click refresh in the bottom left corner of the chapter list.

Volume 1: Chapter 103 How embarrassing!

"...?"

"...!!"

In a quiet environment.

The two people looked at each other.

No one moved.