Chapter 13: A relationship without care?

Translator: Soafp

Currently, we moved to a new location, a family restaurant.

We were led to a table by the window, and the air was filled with a strange atmosphere.

Seating arrangement was me and Asuka sitting next to each other, with Reina in front of me.

“….I understood why brother and Asuka had broken up. So that’s what it was about. I didn’t know anything about it. …… I’m sorry I went the extra mile.”

　Rena apologizes with a deep bow of her head.

Asuka and I were overwhelmed with a feeling that we couldn’t bear to be there. I just hid it from her. It was not Reina’s fault.

“No, you don’t have to apologize.”

“That’s right. Don’t apologize.”

“B-But, I’m incredibly selfish, egotistical, and bothersome. ……”

　Reina was about to start crying and let out a potty mouth.

　Seeing Reina in such a state, Asuka started to speak in a tone brighter than usual.

“I-It’s okay!　I mean, it’s great that I realized it myself and was able to properly reflect on it. I didn’t even notice it until Hiroto dumped me!”

　I poked Asuka’s left arm with my elbow, in a voice only she could hear.

“Oi, what’s with the self-deprecation now?”

“Then what should I do? I don’t know how to comfort her in this situation.”

“T-that’s …… look, there it is.

“Hiroto doesn’t know either”

“If Asuka hadn’t misunderstood me, none of this would have happened in the first place.”

“Why are you digging?　I still have my doubts.”

“You are still doubting….. Generally speaking, I can’t get Chinami interested in me. That woman is so beautiful.”

“If it’s just the face, she’s not that different from me, is she? Are you implying that I’m beautiful, too?”

“I-I didn’t say that.”

“Then what do you think of me?”

“That question is unfair. ……”

　As we were whispering to each other, a gentle laugh interrupted us.

I turn my attention to Reina.

“Ah, I-I’m sorry. I know it’s my fault.”

“No, did something funny happen?”

“No, I’m just happy to see brother and Asuka as usual.”

“As usual ……”

Speaking of which, the awkward atmosphere of the recent past has been removed.

I’m able to converse with her without being overawed.

　I turn my head to the right when I feel a strong gaze.

　Asuka was looking up at me with a cat-like appearance.

“W-what?”

“N-Nothing.”

　Asuka turned away from me with a pout.

　
I followed suit and turned my head back to the original position.

“U-uhm, uhm so what do you want to do after this ……?”

“Eh, aah”

　Reina mumbled absentmindedly.

　In the current situation, the plan is probably very far from what Reina had envisioned.

Do I just leave like this?　

　No, but …… hmmm.

　As I was pondering this, Asuka muttered something.

“Is Hiroto okay with me?　……Afterall, you’d rather be with my sister.”

“You still say that?”

“I’m not saying it because I want to.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t say it.”

“Then you shouldn’t have done that, even as a joke.”

“……. I’m sorry… but I don’t think there’s any reason to blame me.”

“It is!　Hiroto, you said you weren’t going to make a girlfriend for a while!　That makes it a lie…….!”

“Now that you mention it, …….”

　In fact, I still feel the same way.

Although Chinami suggested to me that I should try to make a new girlfriend.

　But I haven’t been able to muster up the energy to do so at this point.

“So, what do you think?　Which will you choose, me or your sister?”

“Isn’t there something weird with your question?”

“I don’t think it’s weird. Just answer the question!”

“No, we were talking about what we’re going to do after this, right?”

　The question is going in a strange direction.

　It seems to make sense depending on the answer.

“………… I’m very, very troublesome. I get jealous easily. …… You already know that, don’t you Hiroto?　But Hiroto told me. Don’t worry about being weird.”

She tells me with a little hesitation, but with a firm will.

Right

　I was the one who told her not to worry.

　I took a breath and decided to answer Asuka’s question.

“It’s not in my nature to abandon my role in the middle of the day, so I’ll go along with her today as a baggage handler.”

Reina’s eyes lit up at my answer and she became cheerful.

　Asuka’s cheeks filled with air and she poked me in the stomach with her elbow.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

….Still not over yet.

“I’m pretty twisted. Asuka would know, right?”

“What do you mean, I don’t know?”

　Asuka huffed and relaxed the corners of her mouth and smiled. I don’t think this is a good time to laugh, but …….

　Anyway, I felt as if I had not seen Asuka’s smiling face in a long time.