Chapter 352: Friend (1)

Chii's mother was like a preview of how she would look if Chii hadn't changed herself and became a gyaru.

And I could honestly say that… I was probably blind back then to see her as a plain and ordinary girl.

Her mother was vibrating a real Japanese housewife vibe. Although she was wearing a long brown skirt, a plain gray camisole topped by a purple tight-fitted cardigan, it somehow perfected that image. Add to that, her motherly side plait that was commonly seen in anime.

Well, the internet called that kind of hairstyle as the 'hairstyle of death' because more often than not, they're mothers of a character that was about to die or was already dead before the story.

Err… Hina's hairstyle was also like that. Hers was braided though. Like with Saki, I've only seen her undone hair once or twice.

Nonetheless, that hairstyle fitted Hina and… Chii's mother. Well, it would surely fit Chii as well if she stopped putting on slightly excessive makeup and lipstick as well as dyeing her hair back to black.

Why am I being specific with Chii's mother? It's because she's the first mother I saw from my girls apart from Aunt Akemi. I didn't see Elizabeth's mom too well when they caught us in their house because of how I was only focused on Elizabeth back then.

Either way, it's not like I'm interested in Chii's mother. I was just thinking about how I should face her if the day comes and I asked for Chii's hand from her.

Ah. She still hasn't answered me so I was jumping the gun here.

Let's forget about it for now.

Before going back to the station, I sent a message to Chii which the girl replied almost immediately. Judging from how there's a lot of typo in it, she was most likely being interrogated by her mother or her sister at the time my message went through and it instantly flustered her.

What I wrote in that message was just another word of confession. I guess I put her in a tight spot. There's an exclamation mark at the end of her message after all.

I have to prepare to be nagged tomorrow.

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When I reached home, Shio was already with Miwa-nee, downing cans of beer. At this point, they really became drinking sisters. At least they stopped chugging in my father's collection. From a full cabinet before, it's now reduced to half.

I wonder what excuse would Miwa-nee make for drinking those when my parents arrived next week.

How much would that cost if I chose to pay for it?

Well, I'm sure Miwa-nee wouldn't let me do that and she would even be angry if I brought it up.

Upon seeing me arriving and entering the house with the clingy girl who spent her time sitting with Fuyu at the front door, waiting for my arrival, the two mature women waved at me before cleaning up and preparing the table for our dinner.

Since she's still here, Akane had Fuyu join us for dinner which made Minoru wonder who the girl was again.

Fortunately, the boy was preoccupied with the children-oriented anime show that he was binge-watching in the living room to even think of questioning me if the girl was also someone I love or it would be too awkward.

After dinner, Shio offered to drive the girl home.

And to also send Shio to her apartment and make it look like I went home with her to the old landlady, I rode with them and sat myself at the passenger seat.

Naturally, I made an excuse that I wanted to thank her for looking after Akane at school.

Today, that silly girl sweated a lot from playing tennis with Fuyu and Yae. After dinner and before we left to send Fuyu home, I first brought her up to our room to sleep and rest.

When I opened the messenger after I sent Chii home, I saw Akane and Yae's sent photo which showed the times when they managed to score against the up-and-coming ace of their school's Girls Tennis Club.

Looking at the background of that photo, there's a crowd watching them outside the court and the members of the club were all making sure to tightly guard the entrance inside.

It's an exhibition match wherein Akane and Yae teamed up against Fuyu.

Although they scored some and won some games, the entire set was still won by Fuyu.

I don't know what will be the effect of that event in their school. Hopefully, it let the rumor between us die from the excitement of that match.

Who knows? They might make it a headline for tomorrow's newspaper with the focus not only on Fuyu's tennis skills but also on the three women's mesmerizing beauties.

"Thank you for the dinner Onoda-kun and also for driving me home, Kinoshita-sensei. You're Onoda-kun's homeroom teacher, right?"

As the car started to move, Fuyu broke the silence in the car by posing her innocent question.

Well, although they met and ate at the same table, we probably forgot to properly introduce the two to each other.

In my mind, I thought the two were already acquainted yesterday. Perhaps, that's not the case.

"Yes, I am. Why? Do you find it weird that I am eating my dinner at my student's house?"

This girl. What kind of question is that?

Since it's a conversation between them, I kept my mouth shut and just listened.

Today is the 2nd day of Fuyu seeing Shio at home. If she didn't start wondering why Shio was at our house, I would start to think that this girl was either someone who didn't mind other people's business or the type to keep a secret even when she wasn't asked to do so.

But with Miwa-nee there who introduced herself as my Aunt, Fuyu probably thought that the two were just drinking buddies and that it was just a coincidence that I was also living in the same house.

"Not weird in a way of weird 'weird' but more of, it's like you and Onoda-kun had a casual relationship that's too different from a normal student-teacher relationship wherein the teacher was being admired and respected while the student was being guided to the right direction."

Guided to the right direction…

Upon hearing the phrase from her, Shio and I unconsciously turned our heads to the side and wryly smiled at each other.

"Is that so? How do I say this? I keep my teacher persona at school so, at this moment, I only see him as my friend's nephew…"

"And I'm seeing her as my Aunt's drinking sister. It must be good to be an adult to drink alcohol every day."

I interjected and said the last sentence in a teasing tone.

Looking at the rearview mirror, Fuyu couldn't help but giggle at it, especially when Shio lifted her hand and pinched my arm.

She's keeping her eyes on the road so she couldn't direct a glare at me.

"True. Being an adult might've been said to be exhausting but at the same time, the freedom we'll be getting to do anything we want is something I look forward to. As for Akane, I guess even as an adult, she'll continue clinging to Onoda-kun here. You better take care of her. I'll really be your enemy if she cries because of you."

From a dreamy tone as if wondering what would happen when she reached adulthood, it instantly changed to her giving me a warning about Akane...

That silly girl's friend is truly wonderful.