Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy - Chapter 3 Part 2

TL: AJ
ED: Pascal’s Wager
Please remember to only read this on neosekaitranslations.com.

Time flies when you’re having fun.

Before I knew it, it was four o’clock and time to study.

Maria and I moved to the living room and spread out our reference books and notebooks. Reina was watching us. Eri-san was sound asleep on the sofa.

It was the first quiet time since I came here. I could hear the crunching sound of a pencil sharpener being run.

To be honest, I’ve been so excited all this time and started to feel tired rapidly.

To be frank, I’m sleepy. I’m so sleepy.

“Reina.”

“What is it?”

“If I pay you, will you let me fall asleep?”

“Haaaa~~~”

Reina let out a really loud sigh.

“As usual, paisen is the worst.”

“Hmm? What’s with this kouhai? Isn’t she a cheeky one?” (TLN: kouhai = Junior; I’ll be using kouhai from now on instead of junior)

She must have thought she was going to be tugged on the cheek, because she quickly got up from her chair and moved away.

“Paisen, no matter how much you try to dodge it, you have to study at some point, right? The more you study, the higher your grade will be. If you miss your chance now, your grades will only go down. Do you understand?”

“Well, you know how you get sleepy after being in the ocean? Even if I have to study, it doesn’t have to be now, right?”

“Paisen, aren’t you the type of person who suddenly starts reading manga when you open your textbook?”

“Ugh…”

What’s up with her, has she ever observed me in my room before?

“I’m telling you, I’ll do it if I want to!”

“…Ehh~”

Reina’s gaze was cold.

I emphasized.

“I’m willing! But! My brain is telling me no! It doesn’t want to study!”

“─Paisen, that’s what they call ‘unmotivated’ you know?”

“Ah, yes, I’m sorry.”

It’s a shame when a kouhai stares at you like you’re trash!

“Haa~, how did you get into our high school?”

“Well, I was squeezed to death by Kuro…”

Kuroha, as a devilish instructor, squeezed me hard when I refused to study. Thanks to that intense study, I am where I am today.

“Uwaa~, Paisen, did you thank Shida-senpai properly for it? She’s a saint for going that far with such a troublesome paisen.”

“Ugh~”

That’s right… In any case, I’ve always been a nuisance to Kuroha…

However, we’re quarreling right now. I’m full of guilt.

“You should learn from Momochi.”

Maria was working diligently on a math textbook. She’s still at the middle school level but… Looking at the progress of the mechanical pencil, I could see that she’s rapidly gaining academic strength.

“It’s done. Reina-san, can I ask you to round it?”

“Of course.”

Reina was checking her answers when I was approached by Maria.

“Sueharu-oniichan, you were one of the first to memorize the script, weren’t you?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve never been told that I’m slow.”

When I get a role, I read it immediately because I’m curious about the content. So when I think about the role and read it over and over again, I end up memorizing it.

“With a script, I don’t have to try to remember anything.”

“So, your memory is not bad. If that’s the case, the problem is that you’re not good at it… I think that’s probably the case with him.”

“…”

Maria turned her attention to the terrace.

On the terrace, Tetsuhiko and Shirokusa were training for the dance, and their voices and music were leaking out.

“I’m telling you, it’s different! What are you doing staring at me?”

“I-I’m not staring at you!”

“Anyway, relax. And at least smile a little more naturally. I don’t care if it’s flirtatious or not.”

“I-I’m trying, but…”

“Here’s the camera feed.”

“Ugh…”

That’s right.

Although Tetsuhiko had been mercilessly pointing it out since earlier, there was no sign of improvement in Shirokusa’s dancing.

Tetsuhiko’s point was right on the money. I would probably make a similar point.

Smile, flirtatious, cute and cuddly, relaxed─

All of these words were contrary to the original vector of Shirokusa.

When it came to Shirokusa, cool beauty were the words. She’s cold, dashing, cool, beautiful, and noble.

I guess that’s why. Just like my rejection of studying, Shirokusa had also rejected Paradise SOS.

This was just… painful…

I couldn’t help but get up.

“Sorry, just give me five minutes.”

“Sueharu-oniichan?”

“Paisen?”

It must have been the serious tone of my voice. Neither of them stopped me as I headed for the terrace.

“Tetsuhiko, I don’t know if this is a good example, but can I try dancing once?”

I was trained to dance for quite a bit back when I was in the theater. It had been carried over  to Child Star, so I could say I’m rather confident about it.

Shirokusa could refer to “the idol’s PV that broke up before the debut” and “Maria’s dance.” If those didn’t work either, it’s better to try something else and just see what happens.

This chain connected to the idea of me trying to dance.

“I don’t mind, but can you dance? You haven’t practiced, have you?”

“I thought I could be of assistance, so I’ve mastered at least a few moves. As you should expect, no singing, just dancing.”

“Well, that’s okay. Go ahead and try.”

“Yeah.”

When I smiled at Shirokusa, she looked blatantly relieved.

I think she was just happy that she got to take a break while I danced. It seems that Tetsuhiko had been giving her a lot of cr*p, and she felt really overwhelmed.

I stood in the middle of the terrace in place of Shirokusa. Maria and Reina looked interested and also came out to the terrace.

And then─ the song began.

“♪~~~ ♪~~~”

Yes, this song was about a girl who is in love.

For a girl who did not yet know the pain of love, love was the greatest joy! A thrill of the unknown!

Express that joy with your whole body, with the throbbing of your heart!

“…It’s sharp, oi.”

“…Can I ask you something, Tetsu-senpai?”

“…What is it?”

“…I’m getting the urge to kill.”

“…I agree with you. I also want to kill him.”

“…I can’t forgive myself for thinking he was cute and adorable, even if only for a moment.”

“…The face of Sueharu that pops into your head when you suddenly come to your senses invites a sense of despair.”

“…That’s right, that’s very right. I’m resentful of the heavens for giving such a talent to this kind of person.”

While this conversation was going on, my all-out dance moves were reaching their peak as the song ramped up.

And when I finished with my pose, I was greeted with applause from Maria.

“That was amazing, Sueharu-oniichan! It was perfect except for the fact that it’s weird for a man to do it!”

“Momo, was that a compliment? Or are you belittling me?”

“I’m complimenting you?”

Maria on that behalf was being serious, so it was a little difficult for me to react.

I asked Shirokusa, who was slowly shrinking in the corner.

“How was it, Shiro?”

“…Sue-chan, as one would expect, you were amazing.”

She didn’t say it, but it sounded like a nuance of “Sue-chan is amazing” and “but I can’t do it.”

(My heart is breaking…)

Feeling that way, I decided to have a little talk with her.

“Listen, Shiro. I couldn’t dance before because of the trauma, right?

“…Yes.”

“But now I can dance. The reason why I could dance at that time was really a small thing, and that was to dance for someone else.”

“Dancing… for someone else…?”

“Is there anyone you’d like to dance for, Shiro? You’d rather see him or her happy than frowning, don’t you?”

“Ah…”

Shirokusa opened her eyes and nodded curiously.

“Yes, I would like to see you smile.”

I’m glad. It seemed that she had taken it in stride.

“I’ve been working out for years, so I’ve been able to get by on the surface. But you’ve only ever danced in class, right?”

“Yes, that’s right…”

“It’s only natural that you can’t do it. You don’t need to beat Momo. You just have to do it as well as you can in a day or so. He’s the one who’s going to take the blame if it doesn’t turn out well.”

When I pointed my thumb at Tetsuhiko, he looked unhappy but did not argue.

“Well, that’s it for advice from a senior dancer! Then I’m going back to my studies!”

I really wanted to teach Shirokusa a lot, but everyone had their own role to play. I’ve been a professional actor, so I had a strong sense that I needed to follow my role.

This time, I was not the director. That’s why I thought I should back off a bit here and now.

“Thank you, Sue-chan…”

(You’ve got a great smile, Shiro.)

That’s it, that one. I want to see that smile when you dance.

Of course I couldn’t say such a stinky line in front of everyone, so I just muttered in my heart and swallowed the desire.

When I returned to the living room, Maria and Reina came back along with me.

“Paisen, I didn’t know you can actually teach people about stuff…”

“Oi, what do you mean by that, Reina?”

You’re totally looking down on me, aren’t you, kouhai? Should I teach her more strictly?

Fufu, Maria snorted.

“If it’s performing arts, Sueharu-oniichan is invincible.”

“Why are you bragging about it? And if you narrow it down to the arts, it sounds like the rest are incompetent, right?”

“Because it’s true!”

“What? Which one is the real one? Competent? Or the incompetent one? Maybe actually both?”

When Maria looked away from me, she tilted her head and smiled in a cute way.

“Tell me the answer already! You can’t just fake it with a smile!”

Reina sighed at our exchange.

“I figured out that I adore Momochi for a little while, but now… haa~”

“What’s wrong, Reina?”

“I wondered why she only showed her stupid side to you even though we’re both juniors.”

“Reina, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s not good to only look at their weaknesses.”

How is it? Didn’t I just say something good? That’s a senpai-like comment, isn’t it?

When I glanced sideways at Reina, she sighed for a good measure.

“I can see that you are smug in your heart, and it makes me sick. And that’s not even the answer to my question.”

“Oh, you!”

“I’m against violence!”

That’s how my study time was consumed.

Before I knew it, it was already five o’clock.

It was almost time to start cooking dinner.

Tetsuhiko looked around at the group and gave the order.

“We’re going to have a cooking competition, so Kachi and Maria will be in the kitchen.”

“Yes, please look forward to it everyone!”

“…”

“Reina, clean the bathrooms.”

“Got it!”

“Sueharu, you do chores around the living room. Please help with the dishes and cooking. It’s a cooking competition, so you have to be neutral.”

“Already done.”

“I’m going to report to Kachi’s father. He told me to report and update him at least once a day.”

“Okay, I’ll get the drinks ready.”

Eri-san, who had been sleeping on the sofa earlier, seemed to have recovered her energy and was ready to drink more alcohol.

“Eri-san, put away the alcohol…!”

“I don’t want to. Tetsuhiko-kun, you’re ruining your good looks by getting angry!”

“Hey, Sueharu. Give me a hand. I’ll throw this drunktard into the sea from the second floor.”

“You say unusual things from time to time.”

Tetsuhiko’s attitude was that if he’s pissed off, there was no need to question, even though there was nothing to be afraid of, so he doesn’t usually ask me to help him.

The reason he asked me to help him was because he wanted me to stop him. The usual guy would have thrown me into the ocean without telling me anything.

Which means…

“You’re not a fan of the type like Eri-san?”

That reminds me, I’ve never had a chance to get involved with Tetsuhiko and the older, more frank sister.

“Not really.”

“Hmm~.”

“It’s not the time to be talking. Come on, get a move on. We’ll be late for dinner!”

Tetsuhiko clapped his hands and hurried everyone along.

I felt that the atmosphere was different from usual, but Tetsuhiko was very good at hiding his expression.

We couldn’t catch anything in particular, so we all dispersed.

I decided to start by cleaning up the living room (mainly to collect the alcohol that Eri-san had drunk), as I was in the living room detention group.

“Sueharu-oniichan, when you’re done there, please help Momo.”

“Sure. What do you want me to do?

“If you can hold Momo tightly and firmly so that I won’t go too far away…”

“Eh? What are you saying all of a sudden, you!?”

I’m surprised since she didn’t say anything like this before!

“I’m only half joking. I’m making a chankonabe and I need help chopping vegetables and making chicken and dumpling balls.”

“Yeah, I get it, but why are you only half joking?”

“Would you rather have it as a ten percent joke?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

As usual, Maria’s lack of apology is amazing. There are so many things to complain about that it makes me tired.

However, she’s fun to talk to and cute, so I’m comfortable with her. She knows me well, so she doesn’t push me too hard, and she has a lot of wisdom, so sometimes she comes up with unexpected topics that are always fresh.

Maria seems pleased with my response and hands me a chicken mince in a good mood.

“Sueharu-oniichan… knead for me ♡”

I shrugged my shoulders and put on my prep gloves in response to what sounded like an adorable plea.

This kind of exchange – it’s natural.

I started to knead the mince for the chicken while thinking about it.

It’s not that long since we met again after six years, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable, and I felt like I fit right in.

She’s a “too good to be true sister” and a “problem child” at the same time. But if I dug deeper, I could find a sense of “partner”.

Perhaps this was because we were both actors.

It didn’t matter if we were older or younger. In my mind, Maria was my “comrade in arms” and my “partner”.

This was not the case with Kuroha. Kuroha was like my “caretaker.”

Before I knew it, she was following me around and helping me out when I was at my worst. That’s why I have a strong sense of “indebtedness” to Kuroha.

To put it simply, I recognized that the power dynamic is “I = Maria” and “I < Kuroha”, and I felt that it was natural that the exchange was based on the power dynamic of the relationship in both conversation and standing position.

When I think about it, I think I understand why the fight with Kuroha was so long this time.

This time, at least, I think Kuroha’s the one at fault. In terms of power dynamic, it’s the other way around.

Up until now, I’ve been mostly at fault, and that’s why Kuroha was in a superior position. Since the relationship between us was the same as usual, I could easily apologize, and Kuroha would forgive me. And things were back to normal. The wound was light.

But since it’s the opposite of how it was normally, it must be somewhat uncomfortable. If Kuroha was at fault and I was in a superior position, the relationship between me and Kuroha would not be the same either.

…This was rather difficult.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while.

Then…what about the power dynamic of the relationship between me and Shirokusa?

For now, I guess we were…equal?

Six years ago, I held the upper hand in the power relationship. But when I entered high school and found myself with Shirokusa, I was the weaker one by far, since I was the one who was in love with her.

With the rapid changes in recent years, the positions of Shirokusa and me were still unclear.

What do I really feel about Shirokusa? Were there some lingering feelings left behind from my first love? How would I be able to reconcile with Kuroha? Was my quarrel with Kuroha having any effect on me?

There were many things to think about, but none of them were clear. And I didn’t feel like clarifying them.

Honestly, I think my feelings are still mixed up all over the place.

But that’s why─

I didn’t know how I should deal with Shirokusa.

“…Eh, wait, where’s Shiro?”

She was here earlier when I was cleaning up the cans of alcohol…

“Earlier, she just walked out the door without saying a word.”

“…?”

I don’t know what happened to the cooking competition.

Maria was steadily moving forward, and I hadn’t even heard of the menu yet.

“I’ll go look for a bit.”

“…Sueharu-oniichan.”

“What?”

“…Momo doesn’t really care about the cooking competition.”

“Eh? Why are you saying that now?”

“…I don’t know.”

I’m not sure what to reply, but I just said “oh” and left the door.

I don’t know much about the geography of this area, though.

The only place I know is the sandy beach with the stone benches where Shirokusa showed me her swimsuit.

I didn’t know where else to go, so I headed there anyway.

Then─ there she was.

Shirokusa was lying down on the beach.

“What should I do…?”

She didn’t notice me at all. She also seems to be muttering something.

“What should I do now…? Even though this was a good opportunity since that thieving cat isn’t here… and I also decided to go on the offensive…”

I didn’t know what she’s talking about. I’ll try to get a little closer and listen in.

“I practiced so much after hearing that it’s Sue-chan’s favorite food…But yet, why a hot pot? How do you even make a hot pot in the first place? Do I just boil it…? Why can’t I just boil it…? There’s just too many recipes, and I… don’t know what to do anymore…”

It was hard to listen at first, but when I strained my ears I could hear it.

It’s bad. It’s bad in so many ways.

一The one in most danger right now was Shirokusa’s mental state.

She must have been exhausted after having her dancing trained by Tetsuhiko earlier.

And then came the unwanted cooking competition. And from what I’ve heard, Shirokusa didn’t seem to have much familiarity with hot pot cooking. Normally, I would have seen her make a hot pot at home, but it looked like she may not have any experience at all.

If I thought about it, Shirokusa was an amazing ojou-sama. I heard that her mother died when she was born, and her father was the president of a large company. So it seems that she rarely eats home cooking.

Because of this, the question became “why did you accept the cooking competition in the first place,” or “why didn’t you say you couldn’t cook when the theme was decided as hot pot?”

But… I could imagine that Shirokusa couldn’t say that because of her timidity and pride…

She didn’t want to show her vulnerability. She couldn’t say she couldn’t do it.

This was why I felt the need to give her a helping hand.

“Shiro.”

When I gently called out to her back, Shirokusa was about to turn around and stopped in a hurry. She wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her cardigan.

My heart ached to think that she had been crying. The way she was trying to hide her tears was very teasing.

“What’s up, Sue-chan…? I’d like to be alone for a while…”

Shirokusa had her back turned to me. At the same time, she was trying to be strong.

“…Shiro, you don’t have to act tough in front of me, you know?”

“…”

“Shiro’s acting tough because you don’t want to show your weakness to everyone, am I right?”

Shiro stayed silent. Even though she didn’t say anything, she was nodding her head.

“I knew you back when you were little. You don’t have to hide your weakness from me like that, you know? I know a lot about you. You once cried because you didn’t even want to go out the gate.”

You were a shut-in, and you couldn’t see the outside as anything but a labyrinth of fear.

So when I tried to force her out, she cried at the gate because she was scared.

“…I’m different now than I was back then!”

Shirokusa clutched the sand tightly.

“I’ve become stronger now! I’m strong enough to stand alongside Sue-chan!”

“…Shiro.”

A strong person would not call himself or herself strong.

And it was hard for me to say “you’ve become strong enough to compete with me.” This was because I could clearly see that Shirokusa had worked hard and tried to become strong in order to stand alongside me.

“…Shiro, I’d be lying if I said I don’t care whether you’re strong or not, but I don’t think it’s good to be fixated on it too much.”

“Sue-chan…?”

Were those unexpected words?

Shirokusa looked back at me with wide eyes.

“If Shiro suffers because of your obsession with strength, I don’t want that to happen to you. Of course, being too weak may be bad, but there are more important things than strength, aren’t there?”

“What are you trying to say, Sue-chan…?”

“I believe that being honest is the most important thing. I think Shiro is strangling herself because she can’t be honest.”

“…”

“Shiro, just because you’re big and strong doesn’t mean you’re strong, right? You can’t only be strong just by intimidating and scaring people, right? Admitting your weaknesses and being honest is part of being strong, isn’t it…?”

…That’s right. I didn’t want to see Shirokusa overworking herself.

I didn’t realize it when we were just classmates. I thought she was just cool and intimidating.

But she’s not. Now that I know that Shiro was once a good friend of mine, and we were getting closer again, I could see that she was forcing herself.

Shirokusa had tears in the corners of her eyes and said as she squeezed them out.

“I know what you’re saying, Sue-chan, but… I’m scared.”

Ah, I hadn’t really thought about it because she looked so clean and pretty, but the looks she had now were more appropriate for her.

This was the Shiro that I knew… no, she’s Shiro.

She’s weak, cowardly, and stubborn.

She had a beautiful figure and style, a clear and lucid mind, a strong will and earnestness. She was also born very rich. Shirokusa was overflowing with things that people envy, and yet she’s timid and clumsy. That’s what makes her unbalanced and dangerous, and that’s why I couldn’t leave her alone.

“Shiro, you’ve never made a hot pot before, have you? Maybe you’ve never even seen it made?”

“?! How do you know that…?”

“I heard of it a little while ago.”

Shirokusa turned bright red and at the same time became terribly depressed.

“This is no good… I’m not good enough after all… Even though this is a day of opportunity that I’ve created…”

“And also, you’ve been practicing my favorite food, right?”

“You heard that too!?”

“Just some parts of it.”

“Uuuu~!”

Shirokusa slumped down further and lay on the beach with tears in her eyes.

“Why are you caving in?

“I wanted to be cool by making it without saying anything.”

It’s not like Shirokusa was talking to me directly. I could only pick up her voice faintly, but I couldn’t make out what she was mumbling.

After that, I mumbled to myself in an inaudible voice and said strongly to Shirokusa,

“Thank you for that, Shiro! I’m very happy because of that!

“…Eh?”

“I’m so happy because you’ve been practicing cooking for me! I’m already grateful when you cooked for me, and more so when you said you’re practicing too! Please let me try it!”

“B-but, this is a hot pot competition though…”

“I don’t care whatever the theme is! So, what kind of dish have you been practicing for me?”

Shirokusa squirmed and fought with her fingers in front of her chest.

“….Chicken karaage.”

“That’s my favorite food! The hot pot alone is not enough for me, so I welcome the meat! Shiro will make karaage and Momo will make a hot pot! That’s it! Do you have the ingredients?”

“I-I bought them at the shopping center earlier…”

“There’s no problem then! I’ll properly tell Tetsuhiko and Momo, so don’t worry about anything Shiro, just concentrate on cooking!”

When I reached out my hand, Shirokusa wiped her cheeks and grabbed it.

We stood up and brushed the sand off our buttocks while Shirokusa mumbled,

“…Sue-chan can do the things I can’t do with ease, it feels like you can do anything.”

“That’s not true. I can’t write a novel like you, can I?”

“You always set aside your own self and find the good in others. Sue-chan always gives me great courage and strength when I am stubborn, timid and negative.”

The sunset was beautiful…

The beauty of the sea, the sandy beach, and the dazzling purity of tShirokusa’s eyes.

This was too much. It was like an overkill.

I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement when I saw all of these beautiful things together.

“Sue-chan…”

Shirokusa took a step closer towards me.

“Shiro…”

I somehow took a step closer too.

With this, the distance between the two of us was only one step.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I couldn’t take them off from Shirokusa’s eyes.

There it was. I was being sucked in again.

I wonder if this was what they call the magic of summer─

…Hmm?

I came back to myself unexpectedly.

Suddenly, I felt like I was in the middle of something.

That’s right, the magic of summer─

“You know, when a man and a woman, who rarely interacts with one another, went on a trip, it was then, as if magic happened between them…”

“Ah~, it’s like when you get excited on a trip and get attached.”

Aaahhhh!

It’s exactly what Aoi-chan said!

This is it! It’s the magic of travelling!

It’s amazing! Truly amazing, a travel magic! I was completely sucked in!

…Wait, what did Aoi-chan say after this again…?

“That’s the one! You should be careful not to let that happen, Haru-niisan. If that happens, you’ll regret it.”

Ah.

No~~~~~~~~~~.

……Will I regret it? Do you think I will?

What would I regret it for?

….Obviously. It’s because I didn’t choose Kuro.

Right now, I’m attracted to Shiro. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m fighting with Kuro. Of course, it might not actually be the case.

If I made a decision before I know what I’m doing, I’ll regret it─

That was the conclusion of what Aoi-chan had said.

But was it okay?

Shiro was so close to me, and yet I─

*Ring *ring *ring

It was an incoming call. It was from Maria.

“Hello?”

“Sueharu-oniichan, where are you? Did you manage to find Shirokusa-san?”

“A-ah yeah, I found her!”

Shirokusa was holding her long black hair that was fluttering in the wind and curling it around her fingers, as if she was having a bad day.

“Cooking has been going on for quite a while, you know? Please come back soon. I need your help.”

“I understand! I’ll be there in a bit!”

I said and hung up my phone.

“…Did you hear it, Shiro?”

“…Yeah.”

“…Do you want to go back now?”

“…Yeah.”

On our way home, we were somewhat silent.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

In the past, when I had been alone with Shirokusa, it had been somewhat awkward when we had run out of things to talk about. It was because I felt somehow intimidated by her.

But it was different now.

I walked in front of her, and she followed diagonally behind me.

Without saying a word, she pinched the hem of my hoodie.

(Ah─)

Suddenly, it felt right.

This was it. I walked one step forward, and Shirokusa followed – this was probably the right distance between me and Shirokusa.

A lot had changed in the six years we’ve been together. Our environment, our appearance, and the things we’ve accumulated have all changed.

But maybe the right distance hadn’t changed at all.

Through the hoodie, I could feel the trust from Shirokusa on my shoulders and back, and it was comfortable.

We could understand each other even without talking. There was definitely a bond between the two of us.

I see. I’m sure that up until now, Shirokusa had been trying to force herself to stand along with me, which may have made things awkward.

There was no superiority or inferiority, no strength or weakness, in front or behind.

It was the same way with Kuroha if I was losing in the power dynamic between us, but it had nothing to do with my superiority or inferiority as a person.

The only thing that mattered between us was the suitability of the relationship. It was whether we were comfortable or not.

That’s all that matters, I’m sure.

There was no complaint from the other members of the group, except for Tetsuhiko’s slight annoyance at the idea of making the cooking competition vague.

And when I asked for karaage and Shirokusa said she would make it, everyone was rather pleased.

The dinner we all had together was really enjoyable.

The hot pot cooked by Maria and the karaage made by Shirokusa were delicious, and we laughed and teased each other. The time passed in a flash.

Afterwards, we all enjoyed the starry sky from the bath recommended by Shirokusa. By the time we were all ready for bed and gathered in the living room again, it was already past ten o’clock at night.

But well, 10:00 p.m. is said to be like the beginning of the night on a trip.

Moreover, the girl who was chaperoning us was quite frank. In fact, she was so drunk and muddy that I was already taking care of her rather than being her chaperone.

So, the night only got more exciting.

“Ah, Sueharu-oniichan, I’m ron.” (ED: have a google: https://saki.fandom.com/wiki/Japanese_mahjong_terminology. I don’t know if these terms are used correctly, as I only have experience playing Chinese versions of the game. Basically Maria is saying she won.)

“What? There!”

“Tangyao dora 4, mangan 8,000 points.”

“Wait up!? What’s Draw 4!?”

“Momo is mysteriously attracted to drawing.”

“Scary, Momochi is scary. If you think you’re going to be able to get your parent’s hand in with a quid pro quo, this is it?

“Honestly speaking, I have the highest draw 10.”

“Geez, the luck of the celebrities is off the charts…”

“Well, for tanyao, all you have to do is line up the cards from two to eight, right? Or, perhaps the Ryounan faces?”

“Shiro, that’s a pinfu.”

In the meantime, as I handed the point-blank to Maria, Shirokusa was studying the yaku on her cell phone.

In addition, Shirokusa was the only one who has no experience in mahjong, and she would replace me when I lost. She would be very strong, even so, that’s okay.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun, got excited, laughed and talked.

“Sueharu-oniichan~…Can I rub your cheek…?

“What’s this girl even talking about? Get away from Sue-chan!”

“I don’t want to♪ I want to be spoiled even more by Sueharu-oniichan♪”

“Momo, you’re so heavy! I’m so sleepy! Please let me sleep!”

“Then, Momo will sleep with you~. With Onii-chan’s arm pillow~.”

“Momosaka-san… if you do anything more…”

“Ah, Kachi-senpai calm down! …… I thought something was wrong, but it seems that Momochi drank alcohol by mistake.

Reina checked the can that was beside Maria.

Shirokusa grabbed the can, sniffed it, and then licked it off.

“Momosaka-san… the can is for alcohol… but, what’s inside is water, right?”

“Eh, Momochiー…?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Momosaka-san, you…!”

“W-whoa, calm down!”

“It’s super fun to listen to music with earphones in one ear while watching a shuraba.” (TLN: shuraba means in a general sense: scene of carnage or bloodbath, but in this case, it’s more of a love rivals fight.)

“You shouldn’t be getting weird enjoyment out of this, Tetsu-senpai!”

“Aaaahhhhh, I can’t sleep because it’s so noisyyyyy!”

With this, the party went on until late at night, and before we realized it, it was almost morning. By that time, we were all so exhausted that we couldn’t be bothered to go back to our rooms, and fell asleep on the sofa or floor.

…With that said, it was morning and everyone was still asleep at that time.

As expected, no one noticed. There were a lot of incoming calls.

We finally woke up when the girls came in the front door, having no choice but to take a cab because they were not picked up as they should have been.

“Hee~, you look like you had a lot of fun without me, Haru.”

As I rubbed my shaky eyes, Kuroha, the corner of her mouth hanging up, came close to my face.

I had a premonition that I was going to die.

The trip entered the second day─

─The Four Colorful Shida Sisters had arrived!

ED: Hi everyone, as always we’re looking for help on novel/manga translating/editing/whatever else. Please join the discord if you’re interested. Also, please support the author by buying the raws if you can: https://bookwalker.jp/series/206737/list/.