CH 19

Chapter 19 – Yandere and Eccentric Person

Since our encounter at the cafeteria, Rii-chan has been messaging me frequently. Apparently, Moroboshi gave her my contact information without my permission.

I don’t mind her contacting me, but it’s a little annoying that she sends me fortune-telling messages every morning.

[Today’s lucky object is an Impala.]

[Have you ever seen an Impala walking around?]

[I just thought I’d like to see one.]

[Then that means Rii-chan will be the only one lucky.]

[By the way, impalas are not in the deer family, but in the bovine family. Did you know that?]

[Seriously!? They look so much like deers, though!]

[You’ve gained more knowledge. I guess you can call yourself lucky now.]

[Fortune-telling isn’t something you go in for by force like that…]

I receive these messages almost every day. Sometimes I even get messages late at night. Please give me a break.

When I told this story to Moroboshi, he said, “It’s finally your popular phase!” while laughing so hard that I decided never to talk about it with him again. Rather than popular, Rii-chan probably only thinks of me as a playmate. I never have any idea of what she’s thinking, and it’s doubtful she’s ever even had romantic feelings.

“Senpai, you’re messaging that loli girl again…”

“Whoa, Tsubaki. Don’t peek at other people’ s phones.”

“I’m going to have to let her know what’s going on between us.”

“I’ve got second period.”

“She’s in the science department, isn’t she? If we wait for her in the LANS cafeteria, we might catch her.”

“No, I have second period…”

“We’ll just have to get there early now. What’s more important, the lecture or me?”

“The lecture…”

I got forcibly taken.

For the record, according to Tsubaki, LANS is an acronym from the English transliterations of the faculties of Literature, Agriculture, Natural Sciences, and Science. I’ve gained more knowledge that I don’t really care about.

Still, this cafeteria is not a familiar place to me as a student of the education department. The menu seems to be much the same as that of my usual cafeteria. I guess it’s natural, since it’s the same university cafeteria, even though it’s a 10-minute walk away from my department.

A little after the chime for the end of second period rang, Rii-chan came to the cafeteria with a few friends. For someone with such an eccentric personality, she has normal friends, huh…

“Rie Tatsutagawa. Come here for a minute.”

Tsubaki, who didn’t even hesitate, is crazy as ever. Does she not have any social common sense, such as discretion or consideration?

“A fight, huh? I’ll take it.”

Rii-chan, meanwhile, is no ordinary human being. Rii-chan’s friends, on the other hand, went into the cafeteria, waving their hands and saying, “Good luck!” This is obviously an unusual situation, so why is everyone so normal? Am I the rather strange one?

“Can I help you?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You messed with my senpai.”

“Is Naga-san owned by this person?”

“No, you’re wrong. She’s just a stalker.”

“I see, you certainly look like a ghost that follows people around.”

“What?”

Honestly… That response to Tsubaki is not a good idea, however, defending Rii-chan in a strange way would make the situation even more complicated. Well, I guess I’ll just sit back and watch while they bicker, and if it looks like it’s going to get rough, I’ll go in and stop them…

“I’m going to demand alimony from you. What you said was an act of blasphemy. Do you understand?”

“Ah, so nowadays ghosts are demanding money? Is the currency system still in place in the afterlife?”

“Senpai, can I hit her? One hit. Just one little hit. Just one little hit is fine, right?”

Ah, she’s totally pissed… I’ve been thinly aware of it, but Rii-chan and Tsubaki are just too much of a bad match.

“Take it easy, Tsubaki. You’re no better because you started out with a fighting attitude, too.”

“W-Well, if senpai says so…”

“Yes, it’s important to relax.”

“Huh? You’re picking a fight, aren’t you? I knew it, you thieving cat…”

“Nyaa~”

“Oh, I’m hitting you. I’m definitely hitting you.”

“Oi oi oi, wait a minute. You too, Rii-chan. Stop instigating for once, okay?”

I managed to call out to Rii-chan, while holding back Tsubaki who was about to lunge at her.

“Tsubaki, introduce yourself for now. Anyone would be confused if they were suddenly tangled up by a stranger, wouldn’t they?”

“…You have a point.”

Somehow, I managed to quiet Tsubaki down. Rii-chan is also quiet, so I think we can manage a conversation right now.

“My name is Tsubaki Honjo. I’m a second-year student at the Faculty of Literature. In a few years, I’ll become Tsubaki Takenaga.”

“So you’re Baki-san.”

“That sounds like it came from a fighting manga.”

“Then, Jo-san.”

“Is it from a boxing manga?”

“As expected of Naga-san. Your tsukkomi is right on the mark.”

“Stop it.”

“What’s all this talk about without me!”

Oh no… She erupted again. Now I feel kinda bad too.

“Calm down, Tsubaki! I have nothing going on with this girl! Yes, Rii-chan is my sister. She’s like a sister to me.”

“Yes, my brother.” (T/N: This is said in english.)

“That friendliness between you two is infuriating!”

Anything I say seems to add fuel to the fire. I’ve never seen Tsubaki yelling like this before, but this is no time to be impressed by the rare occurrence. Even now, she’s struggling to break my hold on her. Rii-chan’s life is in danger if I don’t get this situation under control somehow.

“Hmm…”

“What’s the matter, Rii-chan!? If you’ve got time to think, you’d better run!”

“No, I was thinking that if she’s going to be Naga-san’s wife, would I be her sister?”

At that moment, Tsubaki’s resistance suddenly stopped.

“Does that mean you accept me as senpai’s spouse?”

“I suppose that’s a possibility.”

“F-Fufu… Maybe you’re not as bad as I thought.”

She’s too easy. Where’s all that assertiveness a few minutes ago?

“Can I call you sister?”

“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. I’ll allow it.”

“I’m so happy.”

“What do I do, senpai? She’s starting to look kind of cute.”

“Well, she’s not a bad girl at heart…”

While Tsubaki whispered in my ear, Rii-chan yawned in boredom. I wonder where this girl’s calmness comes from. I would like to learn from her.

“Good bye then, sister. I’m getting quite hungry.”

“I’m sorry I forced you to stay. However, you should keep your messages and calls to senpai in moderation, okay?”

“Ja.”

For some reason, Rii-chan responded in German and smoothly slipped into the cafeteria. Speaking of which, I’m getting hungry too. Tsubaki gave me a glimpse of her homemade lunch box, but I ignored her and went into the store. I’m in the mood for cup noodles today.

Rii-chan is able to meet up with her friends without incident, so I guess that settles it.

By the way, the cup noodles were all eaten by Tsubaki before three minutes had passed after I poured in the hot water, and I ended up having to eat Tsubaki’s lunch, but that’s a story for another time.

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And that night. Rii-chan sent me a disturbing message, [What do you think about marrying your step-sister? Have you ever thought about that? Do you think it’s a good idea? Do you think it’s a good idea, or do you think it’s a bad idea?] But I decided not to think too much about it.