CH 59

You have unexpected cute sides.

Translated by Dawn

You have unexpected cute sides.

After finishing dinner, I was sitting on the living room sofa.

Normally, I would quickly return to my room, but today Mizutani was here. So, I thought it would be nice for the three of us, including Mai, to play a game together, so I connected the game console to the TV.

Mai and Mizutani were already on the sofa.

Mai was in the middle, I was on the right, and Mizutani was on the left.

“Karin-san, have you played Super Smash Bros?”

Mai asked enthusiastically, happy to be able to play games with Mizutani.

Mizutani shook her head.

“To be honest, I haven’t really played games much…”

“Then, I’ll teach you.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Mizutani smiled, and Mai nodded eagerly.

It was good to see that they get along. While watching their interaction from the side, I inserted the game disc into the console and prepared for the game.

“Between Mai-san and Aizawa, who is stronger?”

“…………”

“Well, it’s probably me.”

In response to Mizutani’s question, I answered this time.

Or rather, since Mai didn’t answer, I had no choice but to say it myself.

Mai was competitive and probably didn’t want to say it herself, even if it was true.

“My brother has a lot of free time, so he has plenty of time to practice.”

Mai added with a hint of sarcasm.

“Oh, is that an excuse for losing?”

“Not at all, I’m just stating a fact. Besides, I’ll win today.”

“Oh… even though you always lose?”

“Annoying.”

Mai frowned as if genuinely annoyed and then looked at Mizutani.

“Why are you dating my brother, Karin-san? With your position, you could have anyone you want.”

“That’s not true. Besides, Aizawa may not seem like it, but when he’s serious, he’s quite capable. Right?”

The light argument between my sister and Mizutani was nothing out of the ordinary, so I honestly didn’t expect Mizutani to come to my defense. Moreover, I felt a little awkward when she suddenly turned the conversation to me.

“Heeh…”

I sensed something in Mai’s agreement, but I made an effort not to let it bother me.

Anyway, now it was time for the game. Yes, let’s focus on the game.

“You didn’t deny the ‘dating’ part. Even though you were desperate to deny it the other day.”

Just as we were about to start the game, Mai whispered in my ear from an angle where Mizutani couldn’t see. I almost dropped the controller in surprise and gave Mai a stern look. She innocently returned to the conversation with Mizutani.

…Come to think of it, that was true. When Mizutani lied to Mai and said she was my girlfriend when we met before, I didn’t question it. And even now, after being pointed out by Mai, I didn’t feel the need to correct it.

Perhaps something had fundamentally changed in our relationship since that time at the airport when I took Mizutani away. But right now, I was able to view it positively.

And maybe Mizutani felt the same way too.

***

I continued to dominate the game at first, overpowering the other two. However, when Mai started cooperating with Mizutani midway, I began to struggle. It was always a 2 vs. 1 situation, and Mizutani was getting better with Mai’s guidance. It was frustrating for me.

As we were engrossed in the game, we heard a noise from the entrance. I left the living room to see my mom saying, “I’m back!” She looked more put together than usual, probably because she had been to a class reunion. Seeing her flushed face, it seemed like she had been drinking.

“Welcome back. Do you want to take a bath?”

“Well, maybe I will… Wait, who’s the girl behind you?” 

My mom said, slurring her words slightly.

When I turned around, I noticed that Mizutani had somehow followed me and was standing there.

“Um, um…”

Mizutani started a little nervously.

“I’m Mizutani Karin. Due to certain circumstances, I’m staying over at Aizawa-kun’s house tonight. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience. If it’s alright with you, could you let me stay for a few days?”

Mizutani bowed, and her beautiful blonde hair gracefully flowed.

Mizutani’s nervousness seemed to infect me, and I anxiously looked at my mom.

After gazing at the back of Mizutani’s head for a while, my mom absentmindedly responded.

“What kind of trick did you use to bring such a cute girl to our house? I hope you’re not involved in any weird crimes.”

“That’s not it. Just go take a bath, you drunkard.”

Since I didn’t want Mizutani to have any more conversations with my mom, which might lead to unnecessary comments, I nudged my mom into the washroom. As she left, my mom waved her hand at Mizutani and said, “I’ve heard about you from Akihito. Nice to meet you!”

After fetching my mom’s change of clothes from the room and placing them in the washroom, I left and found Mizutani waiting for me. She seemed to have a blaming look in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“You told your mother that I would be staying tonight.”

“Oh, didn’t I already tell you? Right after I invited you, I contacted my mom through LIME.”

When I replied honestly, Mizutani replied, sitting down dejectedly.

“You didn’t tell me. If I had known, I wouldn’t have been so nervous.”

I see, so that was why she was nervous.

It was true that she said, “If it’s alright with you, could you let me stay for a few days…”

I guess those words wouldn’t come out unless she thought the person hadn’t given permission yet.

By the way, when I contacted my mom, her reaction was indifferent. If I had told her that a friend who ran away from home was going to stay over, I would expect more of a response. Instead, she just asked, “So, how many days is she going to stay?” It felt like she was saying, “Is our house a hotel or something?”

I looked down at Mizutani, who was sitting on the floor. Even in her sulking state, she looked cute.

“You know, Mizutani, you have unexpected cute sides.”

“…I’m not cute most of the time anyway.”

Mizutani pouted and turned away.

—But you’re cute even on usual.

Of course, I couldn’t say that to Mizutani.

“Hey, you two, come back already! The game is still in progress!”

Mai called us loudly, and we returned to the living room to continue the game.