Volume 10 - CH 67

Tanikawa Nagare being Supportive

“Seriously……I regret neglecting your education, Hideyori=.”

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While walking down the street, my aunt’s barbed words start pouring out.

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“……….if you regret that then you should have stood up to Oji-san back then. If you had shown me that you at least tried then I might have turned out differently after all………..”

“So you’re bringing that up……….you’re just like my brother in that regard, not cute at all. And your mind is too tough for your age you know.”

“The appearance is of a child but the mind belongs to an adult after all.”

“If you’re saying that you’re an adult then introduce a girlfriend or two to your aunt already.”

“……………I don’t have anyone.”

“There are tons of cute girls around you, right? Emi-chan and Risa-chan for example. Just go out with them and give your aunt peace of mind already!”

“I mean………I can’t just go out with a girl to put your mind at ease right, that’s so half-hearted……that said, even Oji-san said that he was relieved that I’m also a man right? Isn’t that good enough!?”

“Don’t take that pathetic man’s words at face value!”

“Pathetic………well, he really is the most pathetic guy I know I guess………”

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Since I didn’t have a rebellious period during my junior high school years (In this life……), this is probably the first time we have had a serious argument since I was in elementary school.

We made our way to Master’s coffee shop and when we stepped in, Oba-san immediately flipped over the [OPEN] sign.

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“Hey!? Just because there’s no customer here doesn’t mean you can just do that okay!?”

“Like father like son, your management is just too poor alright. It’s just for a little bit anyway. Come on, let’s head inside.”

“Ye~~~ah………..”

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My aunt dragged me inside the empty coffee shop.

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“Oh? Welcome, Hideyori-kun. When did you get back?”

“Just before noon. This place is still as empty as always huh.”

“That mouth of yours. Anyway, how was the camp?”

“Ah, well, this Reaper Hag showed up and she was doing a straw doll curse thing. I thought I was going to die.”

“Straw doll? Reaper Hag? I don’t really get it but you got yourself involved with something strange again huh……..”

“Yep, the same as usual.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“What, why are you two so calm about this!? And you, Otouto! (TLN: Little Brother)

“Wha, Aneki!?” (TLN: Big sis)

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As I was chatting with Master about what happened at the camp, Oba-san rushed in front of Master and spoke to him without hiding her displeasure

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“Haha, Master’s shaking. You really can’t handle your sister huh.”

“You seem to be enjoying this but you’re a part of this too okay………..what’s this about straw dolls and Reaper Hag person….?”

“Who knows? I wonder about that too?”

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Honestly, what’s up with that?

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“To think that I finally get to see Oba-san and Master chatting face to face, I’m so moved.”

“You’re easily moved aren’t you.”

“You two, are you always like this…….?”

“Well, Master is like a big brother to me after all.”

“A brother the same age as my daughter huh……”

“If that’s the case then wouldn’t that make my brother my son?”

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“For the record, I don’t want to be your son alright,” Master said.

It’s the first time I heard him referring to himself as [Ore] instead of his usual [Boku].

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“It’s been about 5 years since we last saw each other right, Aneki? It’s really been a while.”

“It is, Otouto.”

“Would you like some drinks too? Diet Coke Float is on the menu now you know.”

“Right, a cup of espresso then.”

“Just casually ignoring your brother’s recommendation huh.”

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I give Master an exasperated look of [You really can’t handle her huh…..]

I guess most younger brothers are the same so this is probably normal.

After Master moved about his kitchen for around 3 minutes, the espresso was served in front of me and Oba-san.

Oba-san then takes a sip of her black coffee.

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“Ara? Did you improve?”

“Hideyori-kun is an espresso connoisseur so I have to always up my game okay? Before I knew it, it’s already become my specialty.”

“I’m pretty strict you see.”

“My feelings are complicated right now since it seems that Hideyori is more attached to my younger brother than me though.”

“Do you look at me like that in the first place, Hideyori-kun?”

“Nah, just a normal feeling.”

“This child, he’s shy so he always dodges the subject you know.”

“What? So you actually missed me huh.”

“……………..”

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The Tanikawa siblings are bullying me.

I take the bitter espresso with a pouty expression.

Seriously, can I just leave?

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“So, Hideyori-kun aside, what are you doing here, Aneki?”

“I came here to give you a good scolding, Otouto.”

“I can’t accept customers like this so can you please go home? The exit is over there.”

“In the first place, the only ones here are me and Hideyori, right? Besides, since the shop is closed, there’s not going to be a customer for a while anyway.”

“IT WAS YOU WHO FLIPPED THE SIGN THOUGH! CAN YOU NOT SABOTAGE MY BUSINESS!?”

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That’s right That’s right!

Give it to her, Master! Instead of my own guardian, I cheered for the coffee shop owner.

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“I have something serious I need to talk with you about. And it’s about this child!”

“……………”

“Haa……….Fine. But just for a bit okay…….my customers rarely come by at this time after all.”

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I watch as Master pathetically yields to Oba-san’s sermon.

He was probably only convincing himself that it’s just a bad time for his customers to arrive though.

He probably won’t be able to endure his sister’s sermon otherwise after all.

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“EH!? It’s closed!? But it’s Sunday! I wanted to relax here before I begin my shift at Starbucks though……..”

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Seeing the [CLOSED] sign hanging at the coffee shop, Sanctuary’s entrance, a woman was screaming in tears……

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“Uuuu……..I was looking forward to this too……”

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“I’m so unlucky…..” the woman lamented before walking away.

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In conclusion, Master ended up losing at least 1 customer today.

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Author Note:

After Oji-san stopped his abuse, Oba-san seems a lot younger.

By Hideyori.

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Hideyori’s Oba-san seems to get younger as she ages.

By Emi.

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Note about Oba-san.

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Oba-san really treats Hideyori like her own son.

But she is also aware of the distance between her and Hideyori and she gets lonely.

She does feel bad about the abuse but she also truly loves him.

Her fear for Hideyori who’s too mature for his age is that he might outgrow her and leave.

While he was awkward around the house, Oba-san earnestly hope that he can marry Emi who managed to make him smile from his heart.

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She’s still married to Oji-san, her husband, but they don’t act like a married couple at all.

Since both of them have already gotten old, divorce is just too troublesome and they don’t want to worry about having to remarry so they’re just treating each other like friends.

Regarding the Abuse, the three of them have reached a settlement together but since the responsibility lies the heaviest with him, Oji-san can’t really say anything strongly to the two.

Oji-san and Oba-san are on good terms.

But since Oji-san’s changes came through only because of Hideyori’s Gift, I wonder what will happen if it gets lifted…….?

Fearing that he might lose the life he has now, Hideyori is too afraid to lift it.

In that sense, although he does trust them as family, he still doesn’t fully trust them at the same time.

Oba-san understands Hideyori’s feelings so she didn’t say anything about it.

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The family is pretty distorted.

From Hideyori’s POV, he only intends to stay with the family until he becomes an adult and leaves. Moreover, with his worry that he might lose his life within a few years, his attitude toward them is pretty dry.

If Hideyori wants a parent figure he can trust then maybe he should just marry Sakuya?

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Additional Note on Starbucks-neechan.

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It’s her routine to drink at Sanctuary before beginning her part-time shift.

She always walks there on foot since it’s more healthy.

It’s because she loves coffee here that she decided to start working at Starbucks.

She also has a younger sister.

Her voice is like that of Jigoku ****jo.

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Next up, the Scolding…………..