Chapter 31 – A Curse…

Seeing me off with a grin, Mom watched as I left the house. I was currently heading to school sandwiched between Nao-chan on my right and Fujimiya-san on my left.

I hated the idea, so I tried to escape with everything I had, giving it my absolute all, but the moment I tried to use a nearby utility pole to get up onto a roof, Mom caught me.

“Don’t you go embarrassing these girls, okay?”

She actually said that.

When you’re told something like that while having an avocado shoved into your mouth, you have no choice but to listen, right? I hate avocados, after all.

Since we’re here, maybe I should ask Nao-chan about something that’s been bothering me.

“Nao-chan, why did you look so happy when I glared at you earlier?”

“…Nao likes being scolded.”

Is she a total masochist? Is she a massive M? Alright, let’s just not touch on this any further.

“That’s why I love you, Takkun, since you get mad at me. I love your scent, too.”

“Yes, yes… wait, what?”

“Therefore, I humbly request that you cease pretending to be my boyfriend and become my true boyfriend.”

“Eh, no way.”

“Love, Swift, Slash…”

What is she blurting out all of a sudden? She’s rolling her eyes back into her head, but I’ll just leave her be. She’s still walking properly, at least.

“A-Aahh! That’s not fair, Nao-chan! Listen here, Takuma-kun! I love you too! I was thinking about just wearing you down and turning our fake relationship into a fact, but actually, I want you to be my real boyfriend!”

“No.”

“……It must be because Yukina kissed you. That has to be it. Even though my body is way more erotic… You must prefer the underdeveloped body of a middle schooler. That woman has a small chest, too. I need to press my body against him more, sandwich him, envelop him, seduce him, and brainwash him…”

Eh, you were plotting something that scary? No way, absolutely not. Besides, that thing with your little sister was an accident, okay? It wasn’t some post-coital after-the-act! And what do you mean, brainwash!? More importantly, I still don’t even understand why either of you fell for me in the first place.

I mean, I told you, didn’t I? That there’s someone I like. I like Ayane-san.

“But, Takkun gave Nao a handkerchief and stuff, so deep down, you definitely must love Nao. If only that woman weren’t around…”

I didn’t give you a handkerchief, though? What are you talking about… wait a second? Now that I think about it, didn’t the handkerchief I had in my pocket go missing when I got home yesterday…?

“Exactly. You saved me back then, Takuma-kun. Even though it was a family issue, you still saved me. At this point, it’s basically like we’re family, right? In other words, you’re my husband. Now, if only that woman weren’t around…”

Could you please not make us a family without my permission? Plus, it’s not like I actually saved you? And who exactly is “that woman” you two keep talking about?

“If only Ayane Watase weren’t around…”

…Hold on a second, you two? What are you planning to do to Ayane-san!?

“Nao-chan, I’ve decided. I’m going to put a curse on that woman so she bumps into a utility pole whenever she looks away.”

“Nao shall cast a curse that causes her flowing hair to obscure her face in the wind over and over again.”

Ah, yeah. It seems like it’s fine just to leave them be. If anything, I might be the one in danger.

While walking with my guard up like that, Watase-san suddenly appeared from her usual side street.

“………”

But even though she kept glancing over at me, she didn’t say a word. Is it awkward for her because of what happened yesterday? Alright, I’ll just keep walking like this.

“Ah… T-Takuma…”

“What is it?”

“Umm, err… good… morning.”

“!”

Huh? She took off. Maybe she needs the bathroom.

“I wonder where Miorin is going in such a hurry. Maybe the bathroom.”

“Undoubtedly the latrine.”

Everyone agrees, so it’s definitely the bathroom. You shouldn’t hold it in, Watase-san.

More importantly, there’s one thing that’s really bothering me. And that is —

“………”

The sight of Ayane-san standing deep in the side street that Watase-san just came out of, staring right at me.

It’s a narrow side street, barely wide enough for two people to pass through. From the shadows deep inside, a gaze glared at me.

Her eyes were narrowed and sharp, and even though they should have been dark, I could feel an undeniable light within her pupils.

Being glared at by those eyes left me unable to move.

Just then, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew. The wind funneled into the narrow side street, flowing straight toward Ayane-san.

“Pweh!”

The wind whipped Ayane-san’s long hair against her face over and over again.

“Auh!”

And with her vision blocked, Ayane-san bumped right into a utility pole.

“Pyeh!”

That looked painful… What should I do? Should I call out to her? But…

“What are you looking at, Takuma-kun — oh, it’s Ayane Watase. I wonder what she’s doing crouching in a place like that?”

“………”

“Takkun, let’s hurry up and go. That woman’s stomach probably hurts, too. Just as expected of twins.”

“………”

Umm…

Feeling somewhat hesitant to approach, I just kept watching her, and soon Ayane-san stood back up and started walking again.

And then, the wind blew.

“Pweh! ………Auh! ………Pyeh!”

……………………

I looked at Fujimiya-san and Nao-chan walking slightly ahead of me.

You’ve gotta be kidding me.