Chapter 2050: That's enough for now

Chapter 2050: That's enough for now



Although Yuika-senpai didn't stop me from looking at her scar, her body began shivering more as fear seemingly set in her eyes. At that point, I took my hand back and gently covered it up again with her hair.

"I apologize for being insensitive, senpai," I said, not really hoping that her shaking would stop. Asking about the scar was clearly out of the question here. Even if only a hunch, it could be the root of her trauma and in the end, resulted in her directed hate to males in general.

What I did with Ryouko-san wouldn't work with her since she wasn't even prepared to talk to me about it. The reason why she took the initiative to talk to me was because of her feelings of gratitude for what I did.

"..." Yuika-senpai didn't say anything but she closed her eyes and slowly distanced herself from me.

Nonetheless, my hand remained on her head, caressing her gently. At the very least, that's soothing for her

A minute later, she gradually recovered from her fear. However, her head remained lowered as though she was still afraid to look up at me.

"Y-you don't have to apologize."

Her weakened voice soon reached my ear. At this point she's now rubbing her arms, most likely calming down the hairs that stood because of it.

"Right. I won't pry on it, I promise. However, if ever you seek someone to talk to about it, to ease your fear, do consider me. I'm willing to listen. I may not be able to help just by listening, but I believe you'll feel lighter to release what you're bottling up. "

The orange-haired girl didn't reply to me but she knowingly took a glance at me momentarily.

I guess that's enough for now.

Shortly after, the people in the kitchen finally finished the chore and Haruko eventually returned from the bathroom.

In particular, Minori-senpai took a seat in the space between Yuika-senpai and me. She first checked on the girl's state before turning to me. I met her gaze and she looked like she had something to say. However, she could vocalize it in consideration of the girl.

That's good too. I also didn't want to aggravate the situation anyway. At the very least, I saw no hostility in Minori-senpai's eyes.

With the dinner over, the mood within the house returned to being lively with Edel and Mina clinging to me as soon as they found the opening. I naturally doted on them as much as I could, while keeping an eye out to not make it too awkward for the others.

Yayoi-san inexplicably remained quiet about the obvious show of intimacy by Edel to me. And even when Haruko did the same eventually, she just looked at us curiously. She's probably trying to gauge if Yuika and Minori-senpai were also involved with me.

Eventually, when the clock ticked to seven in the evening, Haruko, Edel, and the other two thanked us for the dinner and prepared to leave.

Although I wouldn't mind Edel and Haruko staying behind with us, the decision shouldn't be made by me, right? It's not my house after all. Furthermore, this was probably Haruko being sensible to not rock the boat, shaking off Yayoi-san or the other two. Besides, they couldn't just leave them walking back to the station by themselves.

"Sorry, Mina. Consider this your punishment for keeping it from me. I was worried, you know?"

While Yayoi-san continued to tease her daughter, I followed up by saying what was in my

head.

"... Worried about what?" Mina carefully asked.

"About Yayoi-san being angry at me after knowing the truth. You never told me she already caught on to you."

Although nothing went wrong in the end, I could've gotten a heads-up. But well, it's probably my fault too for choosing the option to trickle the truth to her. It's not going to be reliable when she's also involved with Mina's circle of friends.

"Dear, it's not that she didn't want to tell you. I asked her not to. So, punish me too?"

"Which side are you on here, Yayoi-san? In that case, you two also have the right to punish

me, right?"

"Pfft. What an idiot. Now it's a circle of punishment."

"That sounds a little kinky. I didn't know you had that preference, dear."

Uh. How did it get to this? But well, I'm not complaining.

Seeing them giggle at our silliness provoked me to tease them more.

A short while later, the sound of merry laughter gradually died down and was replaced by

smooches.

With the mother and daughter obediently lying down on the bed, it became up to me how to handle both of them.

"Oh, right. Ruki-dear. I'll prepare another lunchbox for you tomorrow. Mii-chan will bring it

to you."

It's amazing how she can say that while I am dealing with them. But then again, we're just starting. I still look forward to it though.