After I Comforted My Younger Stepsister Who Had Her Boyfriend Taken From Her, She Started Becoming Obsessively Sweet - 8

Chapter 8: Right?

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“Good day, the two of you. I’m Megumi Orihara, a second year student.”

Right in front of me, stood a beautiful girl with her shiny chestnut-colored hair tied up in a scrunchie. She bowed her head a bit at us and introduced herself to us with a soft smile adorning her face. 

Megumi Orihara. A second year. I already knew her name without her saying it. After all, she was in the same grade as me and within the second year students, she was treated like a goddess. Everyone knew who she was. She was an unattainable flower blooming at the highest peak of a mountain. And… She was also the person who had stolen Shikino’s ex-boyfriend. 

Hence why, there was really no need for her to introduce herself to us. We both knew who she was. Still, I never expected I would run into her despite the situation surrounding us…. Especially with Shikino’s ex-boyfriend tagging along. 

“U-Umm… Ahahaha…. Ye-Yeah. Ni-Nice to meet you… Though… We’re in the same grade, so I already know who you are, Orihara-san…”

I forced a strained smile, trying to smooth the situation somehow. But then, the feeling of someone clinging to my side became even stronger. I glanced over only to see Shikino gripping my arm so tightly while glaring sharply at the two people in front of us. Cold sweat ran down my face even more than before. Still, this kind of situation reminded me of the old times. 

Back when stray dogs would come running at us, Shikino would cling to my arm with tears in her eyes. Well, the people we were dealing with now… To be honest? They were worse than any stray dog. The lowest.

“Yes, I know. I know, but this is the first time we actually have a proper conversation like this. In fact, I believe we’re going to get along very well from here on, so I thought I should say hello to you while I have the chance.”

Orihara-san said while nodding politely. But somehow, she seemed to be casting a somewhat bewitching look my way. Her boyfriend—Sugisaki-kun, who stood beside her—looked a bit flustered. He turned his face to another direction, looking clearly uncomfortable. It was obvious he wanted to get the hell away from here and I definitely wouldn’t blame him. After all, he had just run into Shikino, the girl he had abandoned. It must be painfully awkward for them to meet. I would probably act the same if I were in his shoes. I could understand his feelings.

“…Excuse me, please stop.”

Right when I was feeling a bit sympathetic for Sugisaki-kun, Shikino suddenly said that with a low, threatening voice. I looked over and saw her glaring fiercely at Orihara-san. Her eyes were devoid of any light. 

“My Onii-chan…. He’s really important to me. He’s nothing like the person standing next to you. Please refrain from speaking to my Onii-chan so casually like that.”

She didn’t even try to gloss things over. In fact, she was showing clear hostility toward Orihara-san without any hesitation. Well, probably because something precious of her had been taken away by Orihara-san. 

In response, Orihara-san simply tilted her head to the side a bit. She remained unfazed. In fact, she only showed us a calm, seemingly amused smile. 

“Ufufufu~ Someone important, huh? But… Don’t you think you’re being a bit too harsh? I mean, Ryota-kun, is here, you know? You two used to date, right?~”

Orihara-san made sure to add extra emphasis on the ‘right?~’. Even someone like me could tell Orihara-san was trying to provoke Shikino. In response to that, Shikino quietly gritted her teeth. She tightened her grip on my arm even more. 

“And besides… The reason why Ryouta-kun came running to me in the first place is because you were too much, right?~ I mean, being affectionate in a relationship is a wonderful thing indeed, but there are limits, you know? Ryouta-kun told me all about it… About how hard it was being with you~”

“…Is that so? And so?”

“Well~ I just thought it was a shame~ I mean, even if you two were dating, he should still have the freedom to do what he wants, right? It’s not fair if Ryouta-kun had to cater to Shikino-chan’s every single whims, you know?~”

“…”

It wasn’t just Shikino. The way this girl was speaking also rubbed me the wrong way. I was starting to feel more and more irritated at her myself. Why would this woman come out of here just to pick a fight with Shikino?

“I don’t remember ever restricting his freedom to the point of making him suffocate. I made sure to keep a proper sense of distance with him and the most I ever did physically with him was hold his hands. In fact, I want to know just what part of it was ‘too much’?!”

“Fufu~ You can’t say that, Shikino-chan~ People have their own limits~ Besides, maybe you were being too possessive without you realizing? Isn’t that right, Ryouta-kun?”

Prompted by Orihara-san, Sugisaki-kun, who looked like he wanted nothing more than to disappear right here and there, gave us a stiff nod. But somehow, he seemed even more fidgety than before. He kept casting wary glances at Shikino, like he was tethering on the edge. 

“…In that case, then please don’t talk to us anymore. I don’t see any reason why we need to talk with each other.”

“Oh?~ I’m afraid I can’t do that… Especially with your big brother here. Right, Mamori-kun?”

“Huh…?”

Shikino’s eyes widened. Her quiet voice was laced with a simmering anger. It was clear to see she was close to boiling. 

“You see, we’re both in the Beautification Committee. We have to meet regularly and we need to communicate with each other to share updates and such. So, unfortunately, I don’t think I can avoid talking with Mamori-kun,right?”

Once again, Orihara-san added extra emphasis on the ‘right?’ part. This seemed to be a habit of hers. 

Shaking a bit, I said to her. 

“Well, but Orihara-san, you never—”

“Right?~ Isn’t that true? We have to talk, right?~”

A chill ran down my spine. Orihara-san’s eyes were devoid of light. Her eyes held a slightly different impression from Shikino’s . The hint of playfulness was nowhere to be seen. There was only a genuine, unsettling fear that lingered within her eyes. Frozen in place, I couldn’t force myself to look her in the eyes. I could only stare downward, struggling to hold back a nod for my little sister’s sake. 

“…That’s why, I’m sorry, Shikino-chan… But it’s literally impossible for me not to talk with you two. In fact, I will need to keep talking to you… From today on and… Forever. Right?~”

With that, Orihara-san and Sugisaki-kun finally left us. They waved us goodbye, leaving us standing there. Shikino and I stared at their retreating back, somewhat stunned by their sudden appearance. I gently patted my little sister’s head as she clung to me, and soon, the bell signaling the five minutes mark until the end of lunch break chimed.

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T/N: This new yandere seems more manipulative….