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 145

Episode 145: A Kind Older Sister

“—Shirai-san, may I have a moment?”

Not long after Misaki left for the bath, Sasagawa-sensei knocked on my door.

…Was she checking to make sure I didn’t sneak off to the bath with Misaki?

Because of my earlier conversation with Misaki, I couldn’t help but overthink it.

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Excuse me, then.”

I made sure to reply in a bright tone, and the door slowly opened.

Unlike before, when she had walked around in just her underwear, this time she was properly dressed in pajamas.

Thankfully, it seemed she wouldn’t be wandering around my house in such an unguarded state again.

“Did Kokoa fall asleep?”

Since she wasn’t following Sasagawa-sensei around, I figured she must be asleep.

“She stayed up playing for a long time, so she got tired and dozed off.”

So that means she didn’t nap before her bath and was just playing with Sasagawa-sensei the whole time.

“Sorry for making you take care of my little sister.”

“Oh, don’t be. I enjoy it, really.”

She smiled warmly as she said that, and I could tell she genuinely meant it—not just out of politeness.

“Thank you. Did you want to talk about something?”

“Yes, I thought I’d have a little chat with you while Misaki isn’t around.”

I had a feeling that was the case.

She had clearly timed this conversation for when Misaki was in the bath.

Well, with the way Misaki had been clinging to me lately—just like how Kokoa stuck to Sasagawa-sensei—there were hardly any chances to talk alone.

If she wanted to speak with me privately, now was her best shot.

“Shall we talk in the living room?”

If Misaki came back and found me alone in my room with Sasagawa-sensei, things could get messy.

She was already suspicious, and seeing her take advantage of Misaki’s absence to approach me would only confirm her doubts.

If I wanted to avoid misunderstandings, the living room was the best place to talk.

“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking—sorry about that.”

She immediately realized what I meant and apologized.

Though, honestly, there was no need to apologize.

With that, we left the room and headed downstairs.

“Misaki seems to be clinging to you a lot. Is it wearing you out?”

“Haha… I’m fine. I think I’ve built up stamina thanks to Kokoa.”

Misaki did stick to me for longer periods and was more physically affectionate than Kokoa, but I never really felt exhausted.

If anything, I found it comforting.

There was no denying that she was adorable, after all.

“If Misaki ever does something that troubles you, please don’t hesitate to tell me. If it’s something difficult for you to say to her, I can bring it up instead.”

“No, that wouldn’t feel right… I’d feel bad about it.”

There were definitely things that might be hard for me to say as her boyfriend.

Sasagawa-sensei, as her older sister, was offering to step in and say them for me.

But that would just be relying on her too much—especially when she was already looking after Kokoa.

More importantly, Misaki had a habit of being incredibly kind to outsiders while having a shorter temper with those closest to her.

“Shirai-san, you have a strong sense of responsibility, and your maturity is far beyond what one would expect from a student. That’s probably one of the biggest reasons Misaki is so drawn to you. But because of that, don’t you also have a tendency to carry too much on your own?”