CH 48

(POV Chifuyu)

In these days, the damp atmosphere gradually dissipated, leading up to summer, Chifuyu had opened her textbooks and workbook on the desk since morning, solving problems in the living room.

Waking up early in the morning to study had become second nature for Chifuyu. Aki-nee and Natsu-nee, often praised me for being able to wake up and study so early, but once it became a habit, it wasn’t much of a struggle.

There have been speculations that early risers tend to achieve greater success in life, but Chifuyu couldn’t really confirm if that was true. I do want to become successful, though… 

The room was silent, and the sounds from outside could be heard. The chirping of small birds could be faintly heard, sounding like “piyo piyo.”

Chifuyu glanced at her reflection in the hand mirror. I saw my usual self, unchanged.

I tidied my hair and put on a headband, a common practice for elementary school girls.

Chifuyu smiled at her reflection in the mirror. It’s common knowledge among elementary school students that people with beautiful smiles are popular.

Perhaps due to practicing my smile every day, Chifuyu felt that she had become more natural and adept at manipulating her facial muscles without any sense of awkwardness. However, it wasn’t just my imagination that it paled in comparison to Aki-nee’s smile.

Ugh, why is she able to smile like that? I want to interrogate her for at least an hour about it.

That smile of hers is captivating. After all, she’s popular, and it’s evident. That innocent, radiant, and precious face she occasionally displays.

While having a naturally high attractiveness level plays a part, it’s her personality that significantly influences it. The reason why Aki-nee is popular lies there.

I understand why Nishino fell for Aki-nee. Honestly, that doesn’t matter to me. The problem is that Kaito-san is also partial to Aki-nee. Whenever she directs her sparkling smile at him, he can’t help but be all smiles and comply with whatever she says.

Of course, Chifuyu didn’t have the courage to do such things. There was a moment when I considered trying it, but I felt that if I failed, it would create a hellishly embarrassing atmosphere, so I gave up.

I felt a mix of awe, respect, and envy towards my sister, who succeeded in capturing his attention.

It wasn’t like I wanted to manipulate Kaito-san to do as I pleased or anything like that. I simply had this desire to be cute enough that he would listen to whatever I say.

If we talked about attractiveness, I wasn’t inferior to Aki-nee.

So, day by day, I secretly practiced my smile, thinking that maybe I could do it too. I wanted to become cute.

With such thoughts in mind, I raised the corners of my mouth, blinked my eyes, and did various things. But then, the living room door opened.

In a hurry, I put away the hand mirror and shifted my focus to the problems on the desk.

“Good morning. Are you up early studying again today?”

“Good morning, Kaito-san. Well, yeah, something like that…”

“When I look at Chifuyu, it makes me feel embarrassed about my own elementary school days…”

“Oh, um, it’s not that big of a deal, really…”

“And you’re humble too…”

Kaito-san showed great interest in Chifuyu, and I couldn’t help but feel a little thrilled as I watched his every move.

As usual, Kaito-san stylishly began cooking in the kitchen.

It was something Aki-nee had mentioned before.

“Kaito’s knife skills have a wild, yet messy, quality to them. I mean that in a positive way.” Aki-nee once said.

I didn’t want to be perceived that way, whether in a positive or negative way, but I couldn’t help stealing glances at Kaito-san. His hair was neatly groomed, his eyes wide open, all while wearing his pajamas.

I wonder if today’s breakfast would be tamagoyaki, his specialty.

I focused on my work and also kept an eye on Kaito-san. The moment he finished preparing breakfast was when my curiosity peaked.

While taking a break from cooking, Kaito-san brewed himself a cup of coffee and made tea for Chifuyu. Kaito-san was considerate like that. We both sat down at the dining table.

Alright, now’s the time!

“Um, Kaito-san…” I started.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“I’m having a bit of trouble with this question here…”

“Hmm, let me see.”

This was the only time I could ask Kaito-san about problems I truly didn’t understand. This was the time.

It was the time when we could sit together, just the two of us, and he would teach me like a one-on-one tutor.

“Oh, this one… it’s about ratios… let me think…”

Kaito-san had said that I could ask him anything I wanted to know. So, I was just following his words. There was nothing strange about this.

But somehow, my cheeks started getting hot…

“If I remember correctly, if you do it like this…”

“Ah, I see. Kaito-san, you’re really good at explaining.”

“It makes me happy to hear you say that. Is there anything else you don’t understand?”

“No, I’m okay…”

“I see. Well, I’ll go change then, so take your time.”

“Y-yes.”

Kaito-san left the room just like that. Chifuyu usually only asked him one question every morning. It was because if she asked too many, it would eat up Kaito-san’s morning time. It would also take away the excitement of waiting for the next day’s question.

Chifuyu planned to wake up early again tomorrow and ask him… Huh?

I involuntarily flipped through the workbook… There was nothing I didn’t understand. I had solved all of these problems at least once…

W-w-w-wh-hat should I do…

My time with Kaito-san in the mornings starting from tomorrow would be…

While I was worrying about that, the living room door opened, and Haru-nee and the others walked in.

“God Morning!” Aki-nee said her greetings in English.

“Isn’t your pronunciation a bit off? Well, I don’t really know the correct way anyway.” Natsu-nee said.

“Chifuyu, you’re outstanding. It’s beyond words. Well, anyway, good morning.” Haru-nee said.

“Good morning…”

As usual, Chifuyu would finish studying when my sisters woke up. I neatly packed my textbooks and materials into my school bag.

“Hmph, studying diligently in the morning… Chifuyu, you are fearsome.” Aki-nee said.

“I’d like to brew a tea with the essence of Chifuyu’s studiousness and then drink it.” Natsu-nee added.

“What did you say?!”

While smiling wryly at my lively sisters in the morning, Chifuyu pondered over what to do. How could I secure the only special communication time with Kaito-san starting from tomorrow?

At times, an uneasy feeling crept in, as if Aki-nee was the sole recipient of Kaito-san’s special attention. Well, perhaps it was because Aki-nee had opened up her heart more than anyone else…

The feeling of not wanting to lose was strong… Not that we were competing against each other, and Aki-nee didn’t harbor any romantic feelings towards Kaito-san or anything like that!

But I couldn’t help but create a competition in my mind.

The time spent together, the conversations shared, the moments of laughter… Chifuyu felt she was falling behind in all aspects. I pondered if there was any way to break through this situation…

However, no particular solution came to mind.

◆◆

(POV Chifuyu)

“I wish Kaito would come home soon, I’m so hungry!”

“I’m hungry too.”

Chifuyu had been pondering strategies to compete with Aki-nee, even during school, but I couldn’t come up with anything at all. Why was that? There are formulas for math, but there are no formulas for love. That’s why Chifuyu couldn’t think of anything!

Even romance novels were not helpful because the scenarios were too limited. It’s impossible to have a ten-year age gap in a cohabitation setting…

“Kaito, please come home soon!”

There’s no novel with rivals who casually say such amazing things. What should I even do anymore…?

What can Chifuyu do?

“Oh! I hear the sound of Kaito’s car!”

Aki-nee dashed out of the living room. Her actions were full of energy.

Chifuyu felt embarrassed, since I felt like the other party was confessing her love, and yet I couldn’t be the first one to do that. Still, I couldn’t lose to Aki-nee…

“Kaito, welcome back!”

“Welcome back, Kaito-san…”

“I’m home. I’ll make dinner now, so wait for me.”

Kaito-san was quick in his actions after coming home. Chifuyu watched him cook from the kotatsu. I wanted to help, but I thought I would only get in the way since Chifuyu wasn’t skilled…

While I was pondering this dilemma, Kaito-san finished preparing dinner and brought it to the table. Everyone took their seats and put their hands together.

Tonight’s dinner was Hamburger steak, with mashed potatoes and lettuce as side dishes, which Aki-nee loved.

“Let’s eat!”

Aki-nee’s eyes sparkled as she put her hands together. Haru-nee, Natsu-nee, and Kaito-san smiled warmly as they watched Aki-nee’s innocent smile.

I-I see. So this is the kind of thing that earns points with Kaito-san…

I wonder what would happen if Chifuyu did something like this… Would Kaito-san be drawn to me, or would he be drawn to Chifuyu… It’s a two-choice dilemma. Which one would it be?

But, but, if Chifuyu, who doesn’t usually have a high energy level, suddenly became lively, Kaito-san might be put off. I wouldn’t want that…

What should I do… Maybe it’s better not to take any action… Huh? What’s this? The smell of this hamburger, it feels different from usual.

“Huh? Kaito, doesn’t this hamburger taste different? The smell is different too!”

“…Chiaki, you noticed?”

“Heh, when you’ve been together for almost a year, you start to notice things! My sensors went off with a beep!”

“…That’s a hamburger I got from a coworker. I was going to tell you later, but you noticed before I could say anything… No, I’m happy that you noticed.”

“Hehe, Kaito’s cooking is always delicious! I remember it well!”

“I’m glad.”

…Chifuyu noticed it too!

“Kaito-san! Chifuyu noticed it too!”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

“N-No, it’s not a big deal… I just remember the delicious smell of your usual cooking…”

A second-hand reaction, an overwhelmingly second-hand reaction. I wanted to be the first to say it… Ah, it’s Aki-nee’s fault… I unintentionally gave her a side-eye.

“Mhm, what’s wrong, Chifuyu… Huh! E-Even if you make that face, I won’t give you any of my hamburger!”

That’s not it! Chifuyu isn’t a glutton or anything!

“It’s not like I’m aiming for more hamburger or anything…”

“Is that so! Alright then!”

Is this what they call cute? But how do you act like that even?

“Kaito! Seconds, please!”

“Got it! Ah, it makes me happy when you eat so much and enjoy it.”

Kaito-san… He’s wearing such a happy smile! Chifuyu never even thinks about asking for seconds. I was cautious about being perceived as someone who easily gains weight or has a large appetite.

On the flip side, Aki-nee always goes for seconds. Perhaps I should follow her lead in this aspect…But I didn’t want to gain weight…

But I can’t keep losing like this… Even Chifuyu wants to ask for seconds and receive a smile in return!

“Kaito-san! Chifuyu wants seconds too!”

“…I-Is that so…”

Oh, wait? Why does Kaito-san look disappointed… I realized that I didn’t think things through. It was my own ridiculous mistake…

Oh noooo! I messed up!

Despite never requesting seconds, if I were to ask for seconds only when having this new hamburger, Kaito-san might assume it’s because it tastes better than usual!

When it came to the dishes he made himself, I never asked for seconds. But now, he would assume that I’m a child who only go for seconds when it comes to store-bought hamburgers. It’s the worst feeling…

“K-Kaito-san, it’s not because it’s a store-bought hamburger… It’s just that, well, I’m simply really hungry today…”

“I understand. There are times like that too…”

“Y-yes.”

Kaito-san directed a bright smile towards Chifuyu. But has the misunderstanding been cleared up?

Uuu, but it still feels rude… It’s all because of Aki-nee… Once again, I find myself giving her a disapproving look.

“Hm? What’s wrong… Huh! E-even if you make that face, I won’t give you any of my mashed potatoes!”

“I wasn’t aiming for that…”

I fell into a trap, lured by Aki-nee, and ended up digging myself a hole. But, I won’t let this discourage me. Next time, I’ll try even harder to get Kaito-san to pay more attention to Chifuyu!

“Here you go; seconds are ready.”

“Thank you very much!”

◆◆

(POV Kaito)

Approaching Sasaki, my coworker, I wore a stern expression, one brimming with deep-seated resentment.

“Hey, do you happen to know how to make delicious hamburgers…?”

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“There’s no specific reason…”

Damn it… Chifuyu, who had never asked for seconds during dinner, did so for the first time with that frozen hamburger…!

It’s unforgivable. Although store-bought hamburgers are undoubtedly tasty, as both a cook and a father, my pride won’t allow it.

I am determined to craft a hamburger even more delectable than the finest chef’s grade and make Chifuyu request “seconds.”

“What are you looking at?”

“A book about hamburgers from around the world.”

“Why?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh? You seem grumpy today. Did something happen?”

“…Chifuyu asked for seconds with your frozen hamburger for the first time…”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s unforgivable. Out of all things, to have Chifuyu, who never asked for seconds in a year of cooking dinner, ask for more with your frozen hamburger…”

“Hey, are you okay?”

“There’s no way I’m okay. My pride is completely shattered. I may pretend to be fine, but honestly, I feel nothing but resentment towards your hamburger. And towards you as well.”

“It’s refreshing to see your grudge reaching this level…”

Someday, someday, I will definitely make Chifuyu ask for seconds with my cooking! Just wait for it! Chifuyu! 

***************

TN: How do you guys feel about the Chifuyu POVs? Are they easy to read or not? Someone has mentioned that they’re difficult since Chifuyu calls herself and tells her story from the third person perspective but also uses ‘I’ and ‘me’ and so on.

I have a solution and that in Chifuyu’s POVs I’d start translating the story entirely in third person.

For example this:

(But I can’t keep losing like this… Even Chifuyu wants to ask for seconds and receive a smile in return!)

Would become this:

(But Chifuyu can’t keep losing like this… Even she wants to ask for seconds and receive a smile in return!)

Also if you don’t mind the original POV tell me.