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 4

Episode 4: People Pass Away Easily

“――Whoa, look. There’s an amazing beauty.”

“Seriously. Is an idol here to play or something?”

As expected of the most popular girl in school.

Since a while ago, many heated glances have been directed her way.

However, it seems she’s not comfortable with such attention.

On the contrary, Kokoa in my arms doesn’t seem to mind the glances at all. She’s happily swaying her body.

“Is the guy next to her her boyfriend?”

“No, that’s impossible. Probably just an escort, right?”

And it seems I’m not even considered a male friend, let alone a boyfriend. This is what happens when the match is too uneven. Lesson learned.

――Ideally, I never wanted to know this.

“Sorry…?”

Whether she felt sorry for me or not, Kuroyuki-san apologizes with an apologetic look.

“No need to apologize, right? Kuroyuki-san hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“But, because of me, I’m causing discomfort to Shirai-kun…”

She’s kind, for better or worse.

No matter how you look at it, there’s no reason for her to bear the responsibility for attracting attention.

“I think being kind is good, but being too kind might not be a good thing, you know?”

“Huh…?”

“It’s impressive to be able to feel responsible for things, but if you blame yourself for everything, doesn’t it mean you’re not accurately recognizing the situation? Moreover, it takes away the opportunity for the other person to reflect.”

Especially if the other person is someone you don’t know well or don’t care about, just leave them alone.

Let them be; it’s their own doing, and I might even think it’s fine for them to repeat the same mistakes and experience significant failures.

However, when it comes to someone close—then, it’s still better to encourage proper reflection.

“Shirai-kun seems very indulgent with Kokoa-chan, but do you scold her sometimes?”

Kuroyuki-san looks at me with a thoughtful expression, as if gauging my mood. Perhaps because I pamper her a lot, it might seem like I don’t scold her.

“Mm, niini, you’re mad.”

As I was about to respond, Kokoa, who had been silent until now, answered first.

It seemed she wanted to join the conversation since her name was mentioned.

“Even if I say I’m mad, it’s just at the level of a gentle scolding. I don’t shout or anything.”

“Niini, sometimes is loud.”

“Kokoa? That’s a bit hurtful, don’t you think?”

I think she is rooted in that because if she does something wrong, I will warn her until she gets out of that habit.

But hearing this from my dearest little sister is quite shocking.

“But, niini, Kokoa thinks you’re kind.”

Perhaps noticing my shock, Kokoro follows up with a smile towards Kuroyuki-san. 

I want to believe these are words from the heart.

“Fufu, you two seem close.”

“Mm, Kokoa and niini, are good friends!”

When Kuroyuki-san changes her gloomy expression to a smile, Kokoa also happily nods with a smile. Looking at them like this, they seem like sisters. Somehow, this time isn’t so bad.

“Oh, niini! Cotton candy!”

As we chat and walk, Kokoa suddenly points to one of the stalls. It seems she was paying attention to the stalls.

“Weren’t you going to eat candy apples?”

“Cotton candy too…!”

Kokoa pulls my clothes, appealing to me. She must really want to eat it.

“Alright, alright. Sorry, Kuroyuki-san. Is it okay?”

“Of course.”

I confirm just in case, and she nods with a smile. Dealing with a woman like Kuroyuki-san is really easy. She’s smart, talks quickly, and attentive. However, since we’re not really dating, I need to be careful not to rely too much on her kindness.

“I’ll have some too.”

“Sounds good, right? It’s a festival; you shouldn’t miss out on having fun.”

“Shirai-kun, are you not going to eat?”

I only took out five hundred yen – probably why she asked so astutely.

“It’s fine, just one.”

I answer while handing five hundred yen to Kokoa. It’s also a learning experience.

“Mister! One cotton candy, please!”

With a smiling face, Kokoa hands the five hundred yen coin to the stall owner. In return, the owner accepts the money with a smile.

“Well done, Kokoa.”

“Mm…!”

Since she managed to order by herself, I praised Kokoro by patting her head. She closes her eyes, enjoying the gentle touch obediently.

However, this time, I made a little mistake.

“But you know, Kokoa, at times like this, you should order for Kuroyuki-san too, okay?”

“Ah…!”

Seemingly realizing what I wanted to say, Kokoa made a shocked expression with a sound effect like ‘gaaan!’.

Then she looked up at Kuroyuki-san sadly.

“Sorry…”

“N-No, it’s fine. Or rather, wasn’t Shirai-kun a bit mean just now…?”

Kuroyuki-san, looking a bit flustered, turns her somewhat questioning gaze towards me. 

It seems she understood my intention.

“When Kokoa received money from me, she thought it was just for one serving, so she only ordered for herself. But when paying, we can simply split the bill, so in situations like this, you should also order for Kuroyuki-san, okay?”

“Mm…”

Though she seemed to understand, I explained it in simpler terms, and Kokoa nodded slightly.

There was no sign of dissatisfaction; she seemed to have learned and reflected on her mistake.

“Now, what do you do in situations like this?”

“Mm…! Mister, one more, please!”

“Yeah, you said it properly.”

Since she managed to order an additional serving, I patted her head again.

Just doing that improves Kokoa’s mood. 

Since she’s young, she quickly cheers up after most things.

However, it’s tricky when she holds a grudge.

“Do you always teach her like that?”

While Kokoa is receiving cotton candy, Kuroyuki-san unexpectedly asks.

“Well, whenever there’s an opportunity. I don’t know when I won’t be able to teach her anymore.”

“That sounds like you’re going to die or something…”

“People unexpectedly pass away quite easily.”

I whispered in a low voice, something I didn’t want Kokoa to hear.

The voice seemed to have reached Kuroyuki-san, even though her reaction wasn’t what I expected. 

I thought she’d either take it as a joke or smile awkwardly, but it seems she has some thoughts on the matter. 

Perhaps she has experienced something similar to me.

“Here, niini! Aa~ah!”

Distracted by her, Kokoa offers me cotton candy. It’s a gesture telling me to eat.

“Kokoa, you should eat first.”

“Mm, ate!”

It seems she managed to put it in her mouth while I wasn’t looking.

In that case, I’ll go ahead and eat.

“――Delicious. Now it’s Kokoa’s turn to eat.”

“Mm…!”

As I pull my face away, meaning I don’t need more, Kokoa starts happily munching on her cotton candy.

“You two really get along well…”

Kuroyuki-san, who received cotton candy from the stall owner in the same way, watches us impressed.

“There’s quite an age difference.”

Although she’s my younger sister, there are times when I see her like a daughter. The age difference is about that much.

“Shirai-kun, you’re kind.”

“Only to my sister.”

“It doesn’t seem that way.”

While smiling as if finding it amusing, Kuroyuki-san says with a warm smile.

Unfortunately, my kindness is reserved for my family. Without a large enough heart to care for others, I don’t have the capacity.

“Shall we eat in a place where we won’t be a bother?”

“Sounds good.”

After this, we find another spot, sit on some vacant chairs, and enjoy the cotton candy.

However…

“Niini, here, aa~ah!”

“You don’t want it anymore?”

“Aa~ah!”

There was a moment when Kokoa, who couldn’t finish eating the cotton candy, made me eat the rest. 

She still can’t finish it on her own.