Volume 1 - CH 4.3

Shimizu Sisters’ Love Talk 3

“Oh, I haven’t even stroked you yet! Well, forget it for now. Is that the end of the story? “

“Almost. Then he watched us go back to the school building and then he left.”

“I see. Did you meet Daiki-kun after that in junior high school? “

“I saw him occasionally in the hallway, but we only spoke once.”

“I see. What did you talk about? “

“That it wasn’t a coincidence that he was there that day.”

“Huh?”

It seems that what Hondō and I had talked about was not what Ai had expected because Ai has a surprised expression.

“What do you mean? Please explain.”

“It’s not like that confession was planned or anything. Also, if we went to the back of the school building together, knowing that we both attended the same school, it’s not a place to be for no reason.”

“Now that you mention it, it does make sense. It would be a good place to confess because not many people go there.”

I also didn’t notice that sense of incongruity when I first met Hondō. It was only after recalling that incident a few times that I finally wondered about it.

“So I asked Hondō about it afterward. And he had a troubled face, like a child who got caught playing a prank.”

“And then?”

“Hondō said that at first, he was inside the school building and saw me and that guy walking to the back of the building through the window. He said that guy is known for being a bit snappy (short-tempered), so he was worried about me being with him and followed us to the back of the school building.”

“Daiki-kun is such a worrier.”

I think Ai’s attitude toward me was just as overprotective as Hondō’s at that time.

“I thought the same thing. So, I told Hondō, [ Even though we’re not friends or even acquaintances, why did you go to such lengths for me?].”

“What did Daiki-kun say?”

“He said he didn’t want to regret it. And he said he only acted like that because he would hate himself if he ignored it and I got hurt or something happened to me.”

Hondō seemed a little lonely at that time.

“I see, it was all for his own sake. And how did Kei respond? “

“I said…you do this all the time? If you’re not careful, you’ll be in danger too…. “

“Kei? Isn’t that the part where you say [T-thank you for saving me.] and blush? “

“Who’s going to blush?! I did think I should properly thank him, but the words just wouldn’t come out…”

I hate myself. Why couldn’t I say a single word of thanks to him back then?

“Kei is a bit clumsy. But that’s also what makes you so charming. So, I guess that’s the end of the junior high school story, right? “

“Yeah, I didn’t talk to him for the rest of junior high.”

“I see. Well, I get the gist of it. A boy shows up at a critical moment, then Kei falls in love after being saved. How nice, I think you have a good love life!”

“Noisy. And I’m not in love with him at that moment.”

“Ah, really? “

“Yeah, I just thought he was a strange kind-hearted person.”

“I see. Then when did Kei have a crush on Daiki? “

Ai’s eyes are sparkling, a complete change from this morning. I guess she is very curious about her sister’s love life.

“We’ve already talked enough, so let’s call it a day.”

“That’s not fair! We were just getting into the good part, you can’t do that!”

Ai grabs me by both shoulders and shakes me back and forth. A little annoyed, I brushed her hands away.

“It’s annoying. I’ve already paid the Bentō back with what we talked about earlier.”

“Well, that may be true, but… right! If you tell me why you fell in love, I’ll support Kei’s love life behind your back!”

“I don’t want it.”

“It’s an immediate answer!? “

“I can’t trust someone who can’t even handle her own love life.”

“Gah!”

Ai and her crush, Yosuke, like each other, but they’re not officially a couple. It’s simply because neither of them has confessed their feelings. Yosuke shies away from confessing to Ai because Ai has turned down all the other guys’ confessions, and Ai wants Yosuke to confess his feelings to her. As a result, Ai and Yosuke continue their relationship as more than childhood friends but less than lovers.

“Haa, haaah, Kei, you’re actually pretty good at this.”

Ai seems to have recovered from the psychological damage.

“I’m just stating the facts.”

“That’s a nice jab, my imōto. Well, hold on. Giving advice about love might be a bit difficult, but there are still things I can do.”

“What’s that?”

I reluctantly listen, knowing it probably won’t be a sensible suggestion.

“I’ll use my position as the vice president of the student council to call Daiki-kun and ask him what he thinks about Kei!”

“I’ll knock you out.”

Now is definitely not the right time to take advantage of her position as the vice president of the student council.

“Oh, come on. I thought it was a perfect answer.”

“What part of it was perfect? It’s an abuse of power, plain and simple. And what if he doesn’t think well of me for doing that?”

“I think you’re worrying a little too much. Kei is a super-pretty girl. I’m sure Daiki-kun will say something nice about you.”

“Who’s Super Pretty Girl?! Anyway, I reject that idea. Rejected!”

“You’re harsh~. Well, even if half of what I said before was only a joke, I think having someone in the same school who supports Kei’s love is pretty encouraging.”

It is true that so far, the only person who knows about my feelings for Hondō is Ai. I feel there is a big difference between having someone to rely on or not. Ai’s suggestion might not be a bad idea for me.

“…fine. But please don’t get in my way.”

“Oh! Now that I’m on board, you’re going to tell me about the times your heart flutter for Daiki-kun, right?”

“I never feel my heart flutter…”

“Imōto, you’re not very honest. Well, then, how about telling me what made you interested in Daiki-kun?”

“Well, if it’s only that, I can tell you. It was during our first year of high school…”