After Being Betrayed by My Girlfriend, I Kiss Her Little Sister - Chapter 10

Hikikomori (2)

On a snowy afternoon, I’m eating Nabe with Hina.

(TN: Nabe is practically a Japanese Hotpot)

I have only ever seen Nabe in videos, so sharing it with Hina feels warm and incredibly delicious. I’ve been eating only eggs and rice for so long that I’ve almost forgotten what meat tastes like.

“Fufufu.”

“W-What is it, Hina…?”

“Well…I just think you look so cute eating so happily.”

“D-Don’t tease me…Hina.”

“Fufufu. Make sure to eat a lot and cheer up, okay?”

“Thanks…”

I’ve already broken up with Umi, I no longer have to feel guilty about being with Hina, but for some reason, looking at Hina’s face still makes me nervous. Hina’s atmosphere is completely different to Umi’s and their personalities are completely different too.

Seriously…I’m such an idiot.

“Oh, that’s right. Hina.”

“Hmm?”

“I should tell you this since you’re worried about it…I broke up with Umi. We talked properly. I couldn’t tell her the real reason, but I think we ended things cleanly.”

“Hmm…that’s a relief to hear…”

I know this is a little too late, but now that I think about it…did Umi even really like me? Looking back, we were technically dating, but we never really did anything that felt like a real couple.

Even when we went to go eat together…Umi would just send me the restaurant address along with a message saying, ‘Make a reservation here’.

Normally, couples go to places like the beach, amusement parks, or the movies together. But Umi and I…we never did any of that. She would just always say she’s busy. In the end, I think we only had meals together five or six times—that was it.

Since we spent most of our time together at school…I didn’t think it was necessary to meet up on weekends. I figured we could just see each other again at school. Since I’m Umi’s childhood friend, I tried to understand her.

But that…that’s something I just can’t understand.

It’s a world completely beyond an ordinary high schooler like me. She has been going on dates with amazing guys like that, so of course, someone like me won’t be enough for her, right? I don’t know when she started cheating on me behind my back, but… it doesn’t matter anymore. I should just forget about Umi.

“Kanata? What are you thinking about?”

“N-No…! It’s nothing. I just…really like this time I’m spending with you Hina, eating hotpot together.”

“Hmm. Well then, since I made you a delicious meal…that means I can stay here tonight, right?”

“So that was your goal all along?”

“Hehe…”

“Sure.”

After eating the hotpot together, Hina and I stay in my room quietly together.

“Kanata…”

“What is it, Hina?”

“It’s cold…can I hug you tight?”

“Eh, again…? It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“But I waited outside for hours today…just for Kanata…”

“F-Fine…d-do whatever you want.”

Then, Hina wraps her arms tightly around me.

Somehow, this feeling…I don’t hate it. I don’t know it’s because I’ve never done anything like this with Umi before, or it’s because I’ve been so afraid of being alone this whole time. Either way, Hina’s warmth is incredibly comforting.

However…I don’t understand why is she being so kind to someone like me, she has dumped me in the past.

You really don’t have to worry about me anymore…

You’re still as kind as ever, Hina.

“You’re really warm, Kanata…hey, is my body cold?”

“A little…”

“That’s why…next time, make sure to reply to my messages, okay? We’re childhood friends after all, right, Kanata?”

“Yeah…”

But still, if I keep relying on Hina, I’ll never grow.

I don’t know when I’ve become such a passive person, but from now on, I want to slowly make friends and live my school life the way I want. There’s still time…and besides, Hina has just moved here too.

I’ll do my best.

Starting next semester.

“Alright…! That’s enough, Hina.”

“J-Just a little longer…aren’t you lonely, Kanata?”

“Eh? All of the sudden…what’s wrong, Hina?”

“W-Well…you never did this kind of thing with Umi, right? Hugging, being close with each other, talking while snuggling like this…”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then…! I’ll take Umi’s place and fill that loneliness for you! So just stay still, you dummy!”

“Eh? Hina?”

Saying so, Hina clings onto me and refuses to let go.

Hina is just making up excuses to stay close to me.

Since she has been waiting for me outside for so long, I can’t just tell her to let go. I guess I’ll just go along with what she wants for now. It’s all my fault after all…

“I…I…! Umm…”

“Hmm…?”

“Never mind…Kanata, you’re just too big of an idiot, I don’t even know what to do anymore…”

“Eh…? S-Sorry.”

“Hmph! The old Kanata was…much more energetic you know? You would always come over to my house, ringing the doorbell out of nowhere and shouting, ‘Let’s play!’”

“Eh? Is that so?”

“Yeah…The Kanata I remember is a lot brighter than you are now. So, forget all about Umi, and let’s make new memories together! Kanata!”

The Hina in front of me is not the same Hina from back then, she is now a high school student…

However, at the same time, I still see the Hina from back then.

That bright yet gentle smile…it brings back memories. It feels really nostalgic.

“Yeah, yeah. Just like you said, Hina…I’ll forget about Umi.”

“Yes!”

Back then, and even now…Hina is always the one who comforts me.

Kisaragi is a good friend too, but since she’s also Umi’s friend, I can’t really talk about this with her. Even though we broke up, we’re just going from being lovers back to being childhood friends. There is no need to dwell on it too much…I just need to get myself together and move forward with my school life. That’s all.

My relationship with Umi is over.

“Thanks, Hina. Hearing that from you makes me feel a lot better…”

I say so as I gently pat Hina’s head.

“…r-really? I’m really glad to hear that. Hehe.”

That smile…she is still as cute as ever.

“But still, hugging you like this feels really embarrassing…so let’s stop doing this.”

“Eh…!? Why!?”

“B-Because it’s embarrassing…!”

Suddenly, Hina pinches my side.

“O-Okay, I get it…! I-I’m sorry!”

“Hmph!”