Volume 1 - CH 27

Posted on July 12, 2022by ynlucca

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

Common Honorifics:

-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.

-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.

-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.

-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one’s older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

-sensei: A suffix and noun that literally means teacher.

After calming down Aoi and my sister, the four of us sat down to discuss again. The two that were constantly bickering looked down apologetically, maybe feeling guilty about what just transpired.

“Sorry, Tatsumi…”

“It’s fine, I don’t care that much.”

My sister apologized. Indeed, I had to work hard to calm her down, but it was nothing to be angry over. I urged her to raise her head. Seeing this, Aoi also bowed her head and said, “I’m sorry. I was a bit agitated too, and I regret it.”

“You too, Aoi-san. It’s fine, so raise your head.”

I think you’re feeling sorry for something else — I gulp these words down before I could say them. Would I slip, things will get a bit more complicated.

“Haah… I’m going home now. Is that okay, Aoi-san?”

“Y–Yeah, I should go home too.”

Looking at the clock it was already past 6:30 PM. If you’re not participating in any club activities, you shouldn’t stay long without a single thing to do.

I stood up and opened the door first, but…

“What are you doing here…?”

“Um, I was thinking of walking home with you… I wanted to say a few things…”

In front of me stood Sakurai, looking a bit uncomfortable. I noticed she was a bit tired, so she’s probably been waiting for a long time.

“Did Tetsu tell you I’m here…?”

“Ah, yeah…”

I knew it…

I don’t know what he’s up to, but this situation is troubling. Since she’s waited so long, I have to hear at least what she has to say.

It’s… It’s fine if we walk home together. It’s late, and I’m not letting her go home by herself.

That was the least of my problems, however.

“Hey, what are you doing here?!”

My sister, for a long time now, hated Sakurai’s guts. While I did not see it directly, there was a rumor she slapped her in the face. The two of them were well-known in the neighborhood for their appalling relationship, which was one-sided in nature.

So when I saw Sakurai there, I wondered if my sister would say or do anything. She approached her with an angry look on her face, confirming my own thoughts.

“A–Ah, S–Shuri-san…”

“I told you to stay away from Tatsumi, didn’t I…?”

“B–But…”

“Besides, I can’t believe you’d allow yourself to go home with him—”

“It’s fine, sis. They’re surprised at your sudden outburst.”

I looked at the two behind me while telling her to calm down. They were wholly startled by Shuri’s sudden brazenness.

“—! But—”

“And besides, it’s not good to let her walk home alone at this hour. Wouldn’t it be better if we walked home together?”

“… I understand.”

I told her so, and she nodded reluctantly. However, she still didn’t seem convinced or satisfied with it.

“But you two can’t go alone, I’ll walk with you.”

“That’s fine by me. Is that okay too, Sakurai?”

“Eh? It’s fine… I’m just gonna tal—”

“—!!!”

A loud clap echoed through the barren hallways. Sakurai then puts her hand up to her reddened cheek, and it finally clicked. My sister slapped her.

“Don’t get carried away… Just be thankful you’re even coming home with us,” my sister’s face contorted with pure anger.

The two behind me couldn’t hide their shock at the sudden events, since they’d never seen my sister act like this before. It was as if time had stopped for everybody.

It was Aoi’s voice that broke the silence as she walked up to Shuri.

“Shuri! I don’t know what happened between you, but you don’t have to do that!”

I could sense from the tone of her voice that reprimand wasn’t as the president but rather as a friend. My sister then answered.

“… You’re right, I’m sorry… Here’s a handkerchief. Wet it and cool the reddened area, it’ll disappear soon,” she apologized coldly while handing her a handkerchief.

Then, she turned to everyone except Sakurai and bowed her head, changing the atmosphere.

“I’m sorry to the three of you. I got carried away, but I’m under control now.”

“A–Ah…”

“O–Okay…”

The two were puzzled by the sudden change with my sister, and I thought about how to respond.

“…”

It can’t be helped, I’ll have to do it.

Making my mind up I gave my sister a stern look and said, “Sis, you owe her a proper apology too.”

“… Huh?”

“I don’t see the point in such an empty apology. Do it properly.”

No matter how many of these empty apologies you give, they will never reach another person’s heart. They were useless as long as you didn’t give them any sort of emotion.

“B–But!?”

“No buts. If you don’t apologize, I’ll go home alone and you two walk with each other to settle your differences.”

“Uuu…”

Despite hating it, she reluctantly stood in front of Sakurai and uttered an apology.

“… Um, I’m sorry for slapping you…”

“N–No, um, I’m also sorry…”

They both bowed to each other and apologize… There you have it. Turning away my gaze from the two, I looked at Aoi and the treasurer.

“I’m sorry about these two… There’s a lot going on between them, to say the least.”

Well, I personally don’t know everything either.

Hearing my apology, Aoi softened her expression and shook her head, saying “It’s fine, I just got a bit surprised.”

“Got it… I’m not asking you to forget what happened, but please continue to be good friends with my sister.”

“Mhm. That’s a given, as well as with the new girl over there…”

“…”

I was a bit reluctant. These three shouldn’t really be mixed with each other.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you, but I’m going home now…”

“Okay, Nene and I will be leaving in a little while. You three take care.”

“Huh? Me too? I wanted to go ho—Mrgh?!”

“Idiot! Read the room!”

Katsuragi, the accountant, tried to say something extra, but Aoi closed her mouth shut. We said our goodbyes to the two and finally left the place.

The three of us walked side by side under the dying light of the setting sun. My sister stood between me and Sakurai.

“…”

Despite walking together, we weren’t talking at all. It must’ve been an odd sight to those walking past us. With such an atmosphere looming over, we headed home with heavy steps.