Actually, the Hungry Gyaru Who Eats a Lot Was Being Cheated On, so I Decided to Win Her Heart (And Stomach) From Her Jerk Boyfriend - 16

Chapter 16: The Hungry Gyaru After a Bath and the Little Sister’s Brave Step

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“—So, what exactly happened?”

My older sister gave Kushina a cup of warm milk while waiting for the bath. When the bath was finally ready, I guided Kushina to the bathroom while I went to my room to change into my loungewear. As soon as I returned to the living room, my older sister immediately ambushed me with a perfectly reasonable question with a serious expression on her face. 

“I can tell you two were caught in the sudden downpour, but still. There’s no way you could’ve gotten that soaked. Not to mention, neither of you were carrying an umbrella.”

There was a mug of freshly brewed coffee on the dining table. It was the black mug I usually use.

“…By the way, why Shizuku-chan didn’t mention anything about her boyfriend?”

“Because she just broke up with him not too long ago. It’s complicated. Please don’t ask me about that and of course, don’t ask Kushina about it.”

I really didn’t want Kushina to be thinking about Yamachi right now. Even though she had returned the normal, I could tell she was trying to hide her sorrow by acting cheerful on purpose. 

“…Roger that. You. Drink that before it gets cold.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

She is really good at picking up little clues. She immediately understood what I meant when I called her earlier too. 

I thought to myself as I sat down in a chair and took a sip of the coffee my older sister had prepared for me. The warmth of the drink felt great against my chilled body from the rain. I sighed, finally feeling comfortable again. 

Huh… Wait a second. 

I only realized this after I took a sip. My older sister had prepared a strong black coffee for me and it tasted exactly like the one I usually make for myself. Which meant, she made this in accordance to my taste. 

Although my older sister always treated me horribly, but she wasn’t inconsiderate. She just didn’t feel the need to be considerate of me. Yeah, she was definitely messed up. Good grief. I wished she would be more considerate with me. 

I was lamenting my fate internally when I noticed something. Suddenly, Ichika timidly approached me, even though she had been hiding in the corner of the living room all this time. Ichika, who was usually quiet and gentle, was behaving more shyly than usual because she was shy of strangers. 

“Gaku-nii, welcome back…”

“Thanks. Sorry about earlier. Things got all chaotic right after I got back.”

“No, it’s fine.”

But despite her words of reassurance, Ichika still looked somewhat gloomy, which was unusual for her. It was clear that something was bothering her.

…Well, I think I know the reason why though. 

I placed my hand gently on her head and asked her softly with a smile on my face. 

“What’s wrong? Why the long face?”

Ichika hesitated for a moment, then, as if she had taken all the courage she had, she finally opened her mouth.

“…You see, Gaku-nii… Ichika… Ichika wants to apologize to Shizuku-oneechan.”

“To Kushina?”

Ichika nodded quietly. 

“I avoided her earlier without greeting her. I know running away like that is not polite… Right?”

“…Yeah, you’re right. The way you acted earlier wasn’t the best.”

“I thought so…”

Ichika’s voice grew fainter. She cast her gaze down, looking dejected. 

“Do you think Shizuku-oneechan hates Ichika? After all… She was glaring at me earlier…”

“No, that’s not—”

Actually, she was getting all excited on her own because you were so cute. The reason why you don’t realize it is probably because you got scared and ran away before you could hear everything she said about you. 

That being said, I definitely couldn’t possibly say that to Ichika. After seeing how Kushina acted, I seriously considered keeping Kushina away from Ichika for a bit there. 

But, well… I need to clear up the misunderstanding between Ichika and Kushina as soon as possible. 

And so, I ruffled Ichika’s head and said. 

“You don’t need to worry about it. Kushina is not that type. She won’t hate you over something as trivial as that.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. In fact, she told me she wanted to get along with you.”

I figured there was no harm in telling Ichika that much at least. Ichika would be able to find the courage to take a step forward if she knew Kushina was had a positive impression of her.

“Ichika, do you want to get along with Kushina?”

When I asked, Ichika nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah, I want to be friends with Shizuku-neechan too.”

“Well said, good job. In that case, how about you make the first move? You just need to be a little bit courageous.”

I smiled and Ichika nodded at me. 

“Okay!”

Ichika said while smiling brightly.

Kushina came out of the bath about twenty minutes later.

“Mio-oneesan, thank you for the bath!”

Kushina thanked my older sister as soon as she entered the living room. her body looked warm now and her white skin had a faint rosy hue. Her complexion had turned back to normal now. I was genuinely relieved to see her doing better. 

“How was the water temperature?”

“It was perfect! I’m all nice and warm thanks to you!”

However, there was one problem. Kushina had changed into an oversized black T-shirt and gray sweatpants and those clothes clearly belonged to men. After all, everything was way too big for her. Noticing this, I shot my older sister a half-lidded glare. 

“…Oi, Big Sis… Those are mine, right?”

“That’s right. So what?”

“So what?! Why did you give my t-shirt for her to borrow? I mean, it doesn’t even fit her.”

I had wondered where my t-shirt was when I returned to my room earlier. I didn’t expect my older sister to have taken it and lent it to Kushina instead. 

“Why didn’t you lend her one of your clothes?”

“Because my clothes won’t fit Shizuku-chan either.”

My older sister said without any hint of hesitation. 

Big Sis… You two are not that different in terms of height, you know? If anything, you’re a bit fatter than her. 

I sighed deeply. 

“…You really know no boundaries. Also, Kushina, don’t you feel uncomfortable wearing my clothes?”

“Huh? Why? I don’t feel uncomfortable. I mean, this is Suou-kun’s after all! But like, isn’t it hilarious? Look! Look how big they are on me! So hilarious!”

Kushian tugged at the clothes she was wearing to emphasize her points. She flashed me a bright smile, showing her white teeth to me. Even though she didn’t have any makeup on… No. Precisely because she didn’t have any makeup on, her smile became much more impactful, so much so that I ended up averting my gaze out of reflex. 

Well, if she’s okay with it, then I guess it’s fine. However, that’s not the main problem here. 

“Ichika.”

I called out to Ichika, who was hiding in the kitchen. Ichika, who had been peeking from the shadows, slowly walked over to Kushina after hearing my voice. She was holding a glass of barley tea. She took a deep breath before… 

“U-Umm… I’m sorry for running away earlier. Here… This is barley tea. If you’d like, please drink it…”

She offered the drink to Kushina, looking clearly nervous. Kushina’s eyes blinked several times. She looked a bit confused, but it didn’t take long before her eyes widened and she let out a strange strained voice. The confusion had all but disappeared, replaced by a slovenly grin. 

“Thank you! I was so thirsty! Thank you for the help!~”

She took the glass and immediately gulped it down. She squinted her eyes in happiness and let out a satisfied sound after finishing all the barley tea. 

“So delicious! Thank you, Ichika-chan!”

Upon hearing Kushina’s words, Ichika let out a sigh of relief. However, her face quickly turned tense again as she asked Kushina another question. 

“U-Umm… Shizuku-oneechan… There’s something I want to ask… Co-Could you please be my friend?”

Kushina froze still for a second, like she had been struck by lightning. However, she was quick to regain her senses and nodded repeatedly at Ichika with a big grin on her face. 

“Of course, I’d be happy to!  We’re friends from now on!”

“Really? Are you sure??”

“Absolutely!”

Saying that, Kushina turned to me with an elated expression on her face.

“Suou-kun! Look! Look! I received a glass of tea from Ichika-chan and we’ve become friends now! Awesome, right? So? You must be jealous of me, right?!”

“Yes. Very jealous.”

I said in a monotone tone. I brushed off Kushina’s bragging and turned my attention to Ichika, who looked a lot more relaxed now. 

“…Good for you.”

I said to Ichika with a gentle smile and Ichika nodded at me with a beaming smile. 

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