CH 57

“Minato, look, look! There’s an octopus. It looks delicious.”

“Ah, let’s not say things like that in the aquarium.”

Unexpectedly today, I am visiting the aquarium.

The members for this short trip are Me, Shii-chan and Shinozuka-san.

Originally, Kaede was also supposed to be here, but since she shook her head saying “I’m good,” she is not here with us today.

From the beginning, it was already determined that we would go to the aquarium, and that’s how we ended up here.

Shii-chan, with a mesmerized expression adorning her face, watched the fish while touching the transparent glass.

As I was looking at that scene with a gentle gaze, Shinozuka-san grabbed my left hand.

“Can we hold hands?”

“Ah, I don’t know… is there a need to hold hands?”

I scratched my cheek signifying that I was kinda bothered that way, but there was no sign of Shinozuka-san letting go of my hand.

Rather, she increased the intimacy.

“Is it no good? Or is there any other reason for denying it?”

With a smile on her face, she tilted her head in curiosity.

With that gesture, her hair tied in a ponytail swayed gently and her brownish-black eyes caught my attention. I was once again reminded of how beautiful she was.

It would have been easier to tell her the truth that I already have a girlfriend, but the fact that I’m dating Sakuramiya-sensei is not something I can tell her.

Making an imaginary girlfriend is also an option, but if I pile lies upon lies, I might not be able to take it back. In other words, I had no other choice than accepting her advances.

“Well, there’s no particular problem.”

“Oh, okay.”

While Shinozuka-san sighs of relief, Shii-chan rushes back in our direction with quick steps.

“Shiina also wants to hold hands.”

“Ah, then, me and …”

“Shiina wants to connect the two of you,” she said, while cutting in between me and Shinozuka-san.

She forcibly created her own space, while holding my right hand and Shinozuka-san’s left hand.

“I see… So, you’re a spoiled child aren’t you, Shii-chan.”

“Yes I am.”

“And here I thought you can already read the atmosphere between two people Shii-chan.”

“Shiina is still a child, so I don’t understand it very well.”

There was a slightly uneasy atmosphere, but Shiina’s actions really helped me out.

I don’t think so, but if I ran into Sakuramiya-sensei here, the aftermath would be troublesome.

After all, she already has various suspicions related to my relationship with Shinozuka-san, so I don’t want to pour oil on the fire. Well, I do feel like I’m pouring oil on the fire right now.

Anyway, I want to enjoy this aquarium calmly and disband as soon as possible.

As the three of us walked around the aquarium, Shinozuka-san raised her voice and said,

“This situation feels really like we are a family.”

“It’s more like a brother and sister relationship than a family.”

I corrected Shinozuka-san’s statement.

If me and Shinozuka-san were ten years older, we might look like a family, but we’re still high school students.

However, Shinozuka-san continued without showing any sign of being bothered by it.

“That doesn’t matter. Since we’re here, let’s enjoy the aquarium like a family.”

“No, I don’t want to. Playing family is super annoying. It’ll become a black history later.”

“Ah, why are you saying such unfriendly things? It’s like a pre-practice for the future.”

“Pre-practice… “

Sighing, I tried ignoring Shinozuka-san’s words.

And then Shii-chan interrupted the conversation as she somehow understood that things were getting a little heated up between us. 

“Please stop, Mizuna-nee. I think Minato-nii doesn’t like it.”

“Is that so? Minato, don’t you play along with Shii-chan also, then why not me?”

She glanced at me while seeking an answer. I was about to deny it, but then I hesitated for a moment. I have accompanied Shii-chan in her play, and even taken on the role of Sakuramiya-sensei’s fiancé. So whatever Shii-chan had said was a lie.

But this was an assist from Shii-chan. I nodded my head after understanding her intention.

“Oh, I see. It’s embarrassing to act, even if it’s just a game.”

“Wow, Minato, you’re surprisingly still going through your puberty despite acting so mature.”

“Uh… I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Well, that’s fine. Don’t be embarrassed about it.”

“I’m sorry for being so childish.”

“Admit it quickly!”

It seems best to abandon my pride and admit it quickly. Otherwise, the family play really might begin.

But my relief at avoiding a big issue was short-lived as Shinozuka-san continued without giving up.

“But that’s not good when you have children in the future. If you have a sense of shame, you won’t be able to stand on the same level as your children.”

“I’ll figure it out when the time comes, so don’t worry.”

“Don’t rely too much on your future self. You might not take action and end up stuck.”

“I’ll figure out something at a good time.”

“Haah… I already told you. The timing is just right now.”

“Eh… no, that’s why now…”

I gradually lowered my voice tone with a downcast voice.

It seems that Shinozuka-san’s intentions are firm, and it will be a parallel line even if we talk like this.

Well then──

I made up my mind and ruffled my hair.

“Well, only for a little while. If that’s the case, then it’s okay.”

“Really? Great. Minato is really kind after all. I love him.”

“Uh, you don’t have to say that so honestly… “

“But if I don’t show my affection towards you then Minato won’t understand.”

Being struck by straightforward goodwill, I blushed slightly and was embarrassed, but suddenly I was struck by a piercing gaze from below.

When I looked, Shii-chan was glaring at me with squinted eyes. She was clearly affected by our conversation.

But if I don’t follow Shinozuka-san once in a while, she’ll be persistent… this can’t be helped, can it?

“Well, let’s start from now. Is it okay for Shii-chan too?”

“I have no choice. I’ll accompany you for a little while because of Mizuna-nee’s selfishness, but it’s only for a little while.”

“Yeah, I understand.”

“Well then… Mom, Shiina wants to see the penguin, hurry up!”

After coughing once, Shii-chan immediately entered performance mode.

[TL/N : I still doubt that she is only five years old…]

Calling Shinozuka-san as “Mom” and pointing to the penguin drawn on the map attached to the wall.

Immediately, Shinozuka-san’s cheeks turned bright red due to embarrassment. Apparently being called ‘Mom’ by Shii-chan has stimulated her emotional strings.

“Uh, what should I do… I might awaken my maternal instincts at this rate.”

“That fast?! It’s still early for you Shinozuka-san.”

“Ah, well… Dad, shouldn’t we start thinking about having a second child soon?” Shinozuka-san said.

“You’re jumping ahead too much. From the context of the conversation to everything.”

Shinozuka-san then directed her gaze at Shii-chan and she lowered her waist and said,

“Shii-chan, which do you want, a brother or a sister?”

“I don’t need anyone.”

“Oh, and why is that?”

“Shiina wants to stay in this position. I don’t want someone else to take away my position.”

“Oh, I see. Well, then we have to go back to the past…”

It’s becoming quite a big story… As I began to feel frustrated with this situation, Shinozuka-san once again looked at me.

“Well, let’s stop joking around.”

“It was serious, even though it was a joke…”

“Minato… Dad, let’s try to cheer up a bit.”

“Cheering up… Well, I’ll try to do my best, Mom.”

And with a sigh mixed in, I said that while continuing the roleplay.

And then, the next moment…

—Bang!

The sound of a bag being slammed onto the floor was heard.

Reflexively, I looked back. And we saw a man standing there, while being completely stunned after what he saw.

“What’s going on, Minato-kun?”

A cool, deep and heavy voice stimulated my brain.

In a moment, I started sweating profusely when I recognized that man.

“Ah, no, this is… um.”

Because, the one standing in front of me was…

None other than Sakuramiya-sensei’s father — Souji-san.

[TL/N : He has the worst ever luck a main character ever had. Kek]