I became the boyfriend of the school's madonna, who had turned down numerous confessions, but somehow, without realizing it, I wasn't just playing a role anymore - Chapter 109

Episode 109: Overlapping Figures

“Kokoa-chan will be happy too, right?”

Hearing my retort, Misaki tilted her head cutely while looking at me with her pure and innocent eyes.

If she thought that just bringing up Kokoa would make me nod in agreement, she was very mistaken.

“Sasagawa-sensei is having a hard time, so it’s not a good idea.”

“But big sister is a pro at this, so it’s fine. Besides, she just lounges around at home anyway.”

“Misaki~? Is that really necessary? Trying to downplay me just because you don’t want to lose your boyfriend isn’t a good look~?”

Sasagawa-sensei, who had been silently listening to our conversation, couldn’t ignore Misaki’s comments and interjected with a rare, drawn-out tone.

It’s clear she is a little angry.

Well, if someone is being downplayed, it might be a natural reaction.

“I was just telling the truth…”

Misaki mutters with dissatisfaction, but there are things that are okay to say and things that aren’t.

I believe she understands that, but there seems to be a certain level of leniency with her sister.

She would never say such things to me or Suzumine-san.

—Or rather, is Misaki still worried that I might be taken away by Sasagawa-sensei, just as she mentioned?

“There’s nothing good about making Sasagawa-sensei an enemy, you know?”

“It’s okay, big sister won’t get angry over something like this.”

Well, it seems like she is a bit annoyed…?
Though she probably won’t get seriously mad.

“Even so, try not to, okay?”

“Mm…”

When I gently pat Misaki’s head, she closes her eyes contentedly and nods.

Well, as long as she understands, that’s fine…

“Misaki, you seem to become like a child when interacting with Shirai-san. Well, she’s a naturally childlike person, so this probably means she’s able to fully rely on Shirai-san.”

Perhaps as payback for earlier, Sasagawa-sensei started talking to me right in front of her.

However, Misaki didn’t seem to mind at all and continued to enjoy having her head patted as usual.

It seems that being patted is more important to her than dealing with her older sister.

“Do you, as her older sister, not think well of it when you see this?”

“No, not at all. I’m just happy that she seems happy.”

I ask out of curiosity, and Sasagawa-sensei gives me a lovely smile through the mirror.

Still, I’m sure those words come from the heart…

“Just…”

However, it seems that she still has something on her mind.

Sasagawa-sensei’s expression clouded over a little.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it might not be something I should say to someone as reliable as Shirai-san, but… I just want to remind you to be careful not to fall ill. If Shirai-san gets bedridden, Misaki will be very distressed.”

…Somehow, I can understand what Sasagawa-sensei is trying to say.

What she probably wants to express isn’t just what she said, but rather, to be cautious not to die.

Sasagawa-sensei might be seeing herself and Misaki in a similar situation.

That’s why she fears Misaki might follow the same path.

Given that Sasagawa-sensei couldn’t go out normally for three years after losing her husband, it’s not hard to imagine how she might feel seeing Misaki now.

“Of course, I’m okay. I need to take care of Kokoa, and I don’t have time to be sick.”

Yes, to ensure Kokoa lives comfortably and advances to the school she wants without problems, I must continue to work hard.

I also want to make things easier for my mother, and I can’t afford to die easily.

“That’s right, I trust you.”

Sasagawa-sensei once again offers a gentle smile and doesn’t say anything more.