Volume 1 - CH 5.2

Encounter with the Shimizu Sisters 2

“Since we are here, let’s have lunch a little early. I’ll have a cheese hamburger steak.”

“I’ll have mentaiko pasta (cod roe).”

“What? Kei, why don’t you order your usual pancakes?”

“Shut up.”

Shimizu-san always orders pancakes at a family restaurant? I’m slightly surprised by that, and as I’m thinking this, our eyes meet.

She glares at me――

“Is there something you want to say to me?”

“No, I don’t. Pancakes are delicious, aren’t they?”

“Yes-yes, pancakes are good. Kei, are you sure you want mentaiko pasta?”

” …I’ll have Pancakes.”

“Okay, pancakes it is. What do you want, Daiki-kun? “

Oh, right. I completely forgot to order mine. I hurry to look at the menu.

“Well, I’ll have carbonara, then.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Ai-san called the waiter and placed the order for the three of us. While we were waiting for our food to arrive, Ai-san started asking me questions.

“How many siblings does Daiki-kun have?”

“It’s just me and my younger sister.”

“You mentioned your sister earlier. What’s her name?”

“Her name is Teruno, spelled with the character for ‘no(乃)’ from Nogizaka(乃木坂).”

“That’s a nice name. Teruno, is she cute? “

“She’s my family, so I may be biased, but I think she’s cute.”

“I see. Compared to Kei, who do you think is cuter?”

“Hey!”

Shimizu-san interjected reflexively. Ai-san might enjoy teasing people. Hmm, how should I answer her?

“Well, in my opinion, Shimizu-san gives more of a beautiful image rather than cute.”

This is not exactly an answer to the question, but it is the only way to answer it in a way that is not a lie.

I casually looked at Shimizu-san, but she turned away from me, and I could not read her expression.

“Kei! Daiki-kun thinks you’re beautiful. That’s great!”

Ai ruffled Shimizu-san’s hair as she sat next to her.

“Don’t touch my hair. It’ll get messed up! And he only said that because he was troubled.”

Shimizu-san forcefully pushes Ai-san’s hand away.

“That’s not true, right, Daiki-kun? You’re such a shy girl.”

“Ahaha…”

“Okay, let’s move on to the next question. What do you do on your day off? “

“Most of the time, I stay at home. I read manga, play with my sister, and sometimes play online games with friends if we have the time.”

“So you are an indoor person.”

“I’m not really physically active.”

“I see. It’s also fun to be active, so you should try it sometimes. Next, do you have a wide taste tolerance? “

“Taste tolerance? “

I’ve never heard that expression before. I guess it means whether or not there is any food you don’t like.

“I don’t know if my understanding is correct, but I am often told by my family and friends that I should eat food regardless of whether I like it or not.”

“So that’s why you could eat dark matter.”

“Hey!”

“What is dark matter? “

Shimizu-san interrupted again. What are they referring to as dark matter?

“Nothing, let’s change the topic. Next… It seems like I’m asking too many questions, do you have anything you want to ask, Daiki-kun?”

“Questions? “

I can’t come up with a question if you ask me suddenly.

“You don’t have to worry so much. Even if it’s about our favorite food or our favorite subject, it’s totally fine. Or rather, it doesn’t have to be a question, you can just say whatever you want.”

I may have been thinking too hard. I decided to say what I was thinking.

“It’s not a question, but I was thinking that you two sisters must be very close to each other to come shopping together.

When I said that, Ai-san’s expression softened a bit.

“I guess Daiki-kun sees it that way too. It’s because we are the best, lovey-dovey sisters! “

Ai-san enthusiastically clings to Shimizu-san, who tries to remove her, looking annoyed.

“What do you mean by the best, lovey-dovey sisters? Get away already. It’s suffocating!”

“Kei’s a naughty girl〜. It would be nice if you could be a little more honest with me too.”

“I’m being honest enough. Get away quickly, what kind of hug is this strong?”

It took Shimizu-san a few moments to bring Ai-san back to her original position.

“Geez, Kei is so cold.”

“Noisy. Don’t cling to me in front of other people.”

“Are you saying you want to cuddle in a private space? Geez Kei, you’re a spoiled child no matter how old you are.”

“Oh my god, you always have a retort for everything.”

“Ahaha”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the well-coordinated banter between the Shimizu sisters.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Daiki-kun couldn’t help but smile when he saw the adorable relationship between us beautiful sisters.”

“Don’t casually call yourself beautiful.”

“If we are not beautiful, then who is?! Daiki-kun, you think so too, don’t you? “

“Uh, yes.”

I reflexively nodded, unable to resist the pressure. It’s true that both of them are beautiful.

“You’re forcing him to say that.”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s the truth. Oops, we got off track. Daiki-kun, do you have any other questions for us?”

Right, I forgot about it while listening to the sisters’ comedy banter.

“Hmm. Things that I want to ask… “

“Well, it’s not easy to come up with something on the spot. Then, I’ll ask you something again. Hmm, what should I ask next?”

Ai-san puts her index finger on her forehead, striking a pose while thinking.

“I’ve got an idea! But this might be a bit too bold…”

“If it’s not too much, I’ll answer anything.”

“Really? Then I’ll ask. I’ll start with a jab. What type of girl is your preference, Daiki-kun? “

“Type of girl…?”

For a brief moment, Toshiya’s face flashed through my mind. I wonder if high school students are creatures that are more interested in love stories than I thought.

“Yes! Daiki-kun is a boy of our age, and I was wondering if he likes this or that about girls.”

“I see.”

“How about that? If you can’t come up with anything, should I give you some time to think?”

“I’m fine. I had a similar conversation with a friend a while ago.

“Is that so? So I’ll ask you again, what kind of girl do you like, Daiki-kun? “

“I like neat girls.”

Ai-san looked at Shimizu-san for a moment, then quickly returned her gaze to me with a grin.

“Oh, I see. So Daiki-kun likes neat girls… I see-I see.”

Ai-san looked at Shimizu-san again meaningfully.

“W-what is it? If you have something to say, just say it.”

“No, nothing? I just thought of you as a devoted younger sister, that’s all.”

“I’ll remember this later.”

Shimizu-san clenches her fist.