After Being Betrayed by My Girlfriend, I Kiss Her Little Sister - Chapter 5

An Inconvenient Truth (3)

Even though I’m eating properly, and even though I know what I’m eating, I can’t taste anything…

Even though Hina said, ‘we can talk while we eat’, I don’t want to be the one to bring it up first, because the topic will inevitably be about Umi.

Because I hate that inconvenient truth—

“……”

There are so many things I want to ask Hina, but unfortunately, I’m not ready to hear the answers.

All I can do is stare at the hamburger steak in front of me silently, unable to do anything else.

“Did you not want to know, Kanata?”

“……”

“I’m sorry…for making you see that…”

“It’s fine. If anything…I’m grateful to you, Hina.”

“……”

I can never blame Hina about it, she is the one who showed this pathetic guy the truth.

The reason why I’ve been avoiding it all this time is because I’m being stubborn.

It’s a truth that I have to accept sooner or later.

No, the moment I saw the two of them hugging each other and laughing together…it was already a truth that I should’ve accepted.

“At first…I tried to figure out whether if you already know about it or not, Kanata. But you were really flustered. Just looking at your face, I could tell. I struggled with it too, I didn’t know whether I should tell you or just keep quiet until you realized it yourself…but honestly, the way you looked, it was obvious that you’re already aware of Umi’s cheating. But you just kept trying to deny it, Kanata.”

“You saw right through me, didn’t you…?”

“We’re childhood friends, aren’t we? It would be weirder if I didn’t notice…”

“Thanks, Hina. You really are kind…”

As I say so, I gently reach out and pats Hina’s head.

“Ah, s-sorry. I just…”

“It’s just a habit, right?”

“Yeah…hey, Hina…there’s something I want to ask you…”

“Yeah?”

“Umi is definitely cheating on me, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why…why hasn’t she broken up with me? Normally, if someone cheats, wouldn’t they just start dating that other person? I don’t get it. She called me boring, but she still won’t break up with me…why?”

“I-I don’t know either…I tried to think about why Umi would do something like that myself, but…I still don’t understand…I’m sorry.”

For some reason, her voice is trembling.

“No, it’s okay…”

That’s right…I never really understand what Umi is usually thinking either, I’ve just been going along with whatever she wants.

And that guy—Kazuma, right? Umi’s cheating partner.

I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before, but I can’t remember where. Though, I think he goes to the same school. Kazuma…Kazuma…I still can’t remember. Maybe I should ask Kisaragi after the winter break is over.

I’m sure Kisaragi knows him.

“So…Kanata, what do you want to do from here?”

“Eh? Me?”

“Yeah. Now that you know Umi is cheating on you…you have two choices: break up with her right away, or get revenge. That’s what I’m asking.”

“Revenge, huh…I don’t know. I mean…I’ve already been cheated on and dumped by Umi, so what kind of revenge can I even take on her? Now that I think about it, I’m not even sure if we’re really dating in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“The only person in our class who knows that we are dating is Kisaragi. Umi wants to keep it a secret.”

“…what is that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know…I’ve always just gone along with whatever Umi wanted.”

Even though we always talk to each other in class, nobody knows that we are dating each other.

Of course, it’s not like I ever want to go around announcing, ‘Hey, we’re dating!’ to everyone…but after seeing those two earlier, I finally understand why Umi wants to keep our relationship a secret.

I have no idea how long she has been doing this behind my back.

I just found out about in on Christmas Eve…but Umi might have been doing it for a long time.

I heard Umi’s conversation with that guy clearly earlier…no matter how I look at it, there is no way that it’s just a normal relationship.

“…I guess I have no choice but to break up with Umi.”

I say something that doesn’t sound like me at all.

“Yeah…I think breaking up would be for the best too.”

After witnessing Umi’s affair with my own eyes, both me and Hina finish our meal.

Then, I wait for Hina in front of the restaurant.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s fine. I’ll walk you to the station. Let’s go.”

“U-Umm…Kanata.”

“What is it?”

Hina grabs my sleeve and looks at me silently.

What’s wrong?

“Can I…stay over at your place tonight…?”

“Hmm? But…didn’t you say you just moved here? Aren’t you going back to your place?”

“I-I just moved in, so I haven’t cleaned at all…and I haven’t unpacked anything yet…s-so…”

“I see. That’s fine, but my place is really cold—”

“I-I don’t mind…! If Kanata warms me up…I’ll feel warm!”

“Just so you know…I won’t do anything like that.”

“……”

Hina exhales a puff of white breath and rubs her cold hands together.

Yeah…it really is freezing.

“…ugh.”

Also…I feel like Hina has been staring at me this whole time…

“I’ll go buy some hand warmers at the convenience store…just wait here.”

“K-Kanata!”

“Hmm?”

“Is it…not okay to hold hands? You used to hold my hand all the time before.”

“……”

Well… I guess that would be the most efficient way to keep warm, but… Is it really okay for me to hold hands with a girl who isn’t my girlfriend? And on top of that…Hina is my Umi’s twin sister…but then again, Umi betrayed me, so I guess it’s fine.

“Hand…! Kanata!”

I want to hold her hand.

I want to hold Hina’s hand.

I just want to feel a little but of relief, even if only for a moment.

“……”

So—

“Hehe…It’s warm.”

“Hina, you’re acting like a child.”

“I’m not a child anymore, okay? I’ve grown up and become a high school student! I’m a cute high school girl now! Dummy Kanata.”

“Ehh…did you really just say that about yourself?”

“Fufu, why not? I finally made it to the city where you are, Kanata!”

“Are you really that happy?”

“Yeah! Super happy!”

With the same smile as back then, we walk along the snow-covered path.

And Hina never let go of my hand until we reached home.