After rebirth, I confessed to the losing heroine - Chapter 64- One-sided

[Hiro-kun…I am nervous. What if they don’t like me?]

It was early morning around six, when Hiroto received a call from Miyuki.

It seems she wasn’t able to sleep peacefully last night since today she along with her family was coming to Hiroto’s house to talk about the engagement.

“They know that I am dating you, and they never said anything against it. I am sure they will accept you with open arms.” Hiroto, responded with the phone stuck between his ear and shoulder as he cleaned his handgun.

Early in the morning, he likes to work out and sharpen his tools, but since he was talking to Miyuki he refrained from exercising for now.

[But…in the past I used to behave so rudely to them…I don’t think your mother would ever accept me as her daughter-in-law.]

Hiroto chuckled hearing her exaggerated worries as he said, “You used to talk a little less. I don’t find anything rude in that.”

[But still…*sigh* how were you so calm in front of my parents?]

Hiroto raised his brows as his hands halted for a moment.

“I wasn’t all calm as I seemed, Miyuki. I was incredibly nervous since a single wrong step might have made you choose between me and your parents. And I didn’t want you to push into that stage.”

There was a short pause from the other side, before in a hesitating voice, Miyuki asked,

[If…by chance, a situation arises where you have to choose between me and your parents-]

“I will never leave your side, Miyuki.”

Hiroto liked his parents but the reason why he even accepted the proposal of the Goddess to reincarnate was to be with Miyuki. Naturally, parental figures are very important in one’s life but Hiroto’s priority has always been, and always will be, Miyuki.

A long pause ensued between them, and Hiroto didn’t urge her to speak. However, he never anticipated her following words would make him nearly drop his phone,

[Hiro-kun…I love you.]

Although it wasn’t the first time he had heard those words from her, every time he heard it, his heart became restless.

“Why do suddenly…?”

[Don’t know…just felt like it. Anyway, I am going to prepare for today’s meeting. See you later~]

*Tu* *Tu*

Hearing the call getting disconnected, Hiroto sighed. Leaving a troubled heart behind, his Hime was cruel enough to cut the call so abruptly.

Not cute.

‘Well, I will make her compensate for this today.’

*******

“Again, I apologize for my rude behavior, Yu-kun. I should have asked you right away, rather than making up a story all by myself.” With her head touching the floor, Kaori apologized to Yuichi who was sitting in front of her alongside Hanabi.

Hanabi and Yuichi were invited by Kaori’s mother, to formally thank them for saving Kaori. Naturally, Hiroto was also called but he politely declined the offer since he had some guests coming over.

Currently, after meeting with her family, Yuichi and Hanabi were invited by Kaori to her room where the misunderstanding regarding Hanabi was finally sorted.

“As I said, you don’t need to apologize Kaori.”

“Yes, Kaori-san. If anyone else would have been in your place, they also might have misunderstood.”

Yuichi and Hanabi tried to comfort Kaori, who was burdening herself with guilt.

Yuichi rested his hand on Kaori’s shoulder before conveying his honest thoughts, “As I have promised I will never do anything like what I have done with Minami…so please have trust in me, Kaori.”

Hanabi’s expression, just for a moment, faltered. However, she corrected her countenance immediately.

Kaori lifted her head with some moisture accumulated in her eyes.

After a short pause, she uttered in a whispering tone, “I missed you, Yu-kun…”

A surge of sorrow ignited deep within him before Yuichi closed the gap between them and embraced Kaori.

Kaori also responded to the embrace and held the hem of his shirt tightly. Tears began to trail down her cheeks as she closed her eyes and sobbed silently.

What neither of them noticed was that the mask Hanabi tried to keep up, fell apart and a very heart-wrenching and sad smile extended her lips.

‘…I suppose our paths weren’t meant to converge…’

********

Around eleven, Hiroto sat on the couch in the living room along with his father. Both of them wordlessly watched the busybody moving all around the house.

It has been like this since morning.

The lady of the house has never been seen this troubled before. Walking around the house, she did every minimal work like the Shirogane family was coming here for a house inspection or something.

Every nook and cranny of the house was cleaned and polished. New dinnerware was bought and she even washed it once before putting it in the dish rack to make it look like the Takeda family eats in new-looking dinnerware. Around ten different dishes were prepared with expensive ingredients, no less.

Hiroto couldn’t remember when was the last time his family had spent this much, in these past few years.

“Mom, that’s enough.” Akiko halted in her path while carrying the dusting cloth before she turned toward the couch.

“But I need-”

Hiroto didn’t hear a single excuse from her before taking away the cloth from her and guiding the lady to the couch.

“You are exerting yourself a lot. What if when they come, and you suddenly faint because of exhaustion?”

Akiko’s face turned pale as she looked at her husband and found him nodding in support.

“He’s right, Akiko. You have been working a lot, even though it is not required. Shirogane family is coming here to talk to us. They won’t suddenly start examining the house.”

“Yeah, mom. And even if they do look around, I think you keep the house cleaner than most houses. So just relax and take a deep breath.”

Akiko, being cornered by the two, had no option but to relax her shoulders and inhale deeply.

*Ding* *Dong*

“—!” The breath she took in got stuck as her eyes widened in surprise.

There was no doubt about it—the guests had arrived an hour earlier!

“I am going to my room to change!” Akiko said as she dashed toward her room.

Hiroto sighed seeing the display before he got up and walked toward the door with his father.

The second phase of the family meeting begins now.

*******

A/N:- Some slice of life before some action. I hope you guys are liking the pace of the story.