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 58

Episode 58: Test(?)

“Ahh, here comes the airplane… nom nom…”

“Is it delicious?”

“Mm…!”

Kokoa, who had eaten the hamburger made by Mom, nodded energetically.

She seemed satisfied, so it must have suited her taste.

Meanwhile, Misaki was silently observing us.

This prompted Mom to address Misaki.

“Isn’t it strange that it’s Raito feeding her, and not me?”

“Eh!? N-no, it’s not like that…!”

Perhaps hitting the mark, Misaki hastily shook her head.

She must have seen me usually feeding Kokoa but since Mom was here now, she must have had some thoughts.

“It can’t be helped. Kokoa wants Raito to feed her. Well, since Raito has been taking care of Kokoa all this time, it’s only natural…”

Mom smiled somewhat sadly.

In reality, she probably wanted to take care of Kokoa herself.

But Mom has to work to support me and Kokoa.

Supposedly, there’s a lot of money from the life insurance when Dad passed away—Mom tries to use it for our university and keep as much as possible for future needs.

So, usually, she leaves the housework to me and works hard.

Though it’s inevitable that Kokoa would become attached to me since I’ve been taking care of her, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Mom.

I want to relieve Mom’s burden as soon as possible, so I think it’s better to find a job than to go to university…
“But, Kokoa-chan…I think she misses mother too.”

Misaki briefly glanced at Kokoa before returning her gaze to Mom.

“Hehe, thank you. It’s okay, I also think so. But, Kokoa is more attached to Raito than me, right?”

“Well…”

After showing a gentle smile, Mom threw a teasing question at Misaki.

In response, Misaki hesitated in her words and looked at me with a troubled expression.

It’s difficult to answer honestly here, but she probably doesn’t want to lie to Mom either.

Seems like she’s gradually growing, avoiding lies to her classmates including Suzumine-san.

So, I drew a circle on the back of Misaki’s left hand with my right index finger.

This is the extent of help I can offer right now.

Well, Mom probably already knows I switched the chopsticks from my right hand to my left.

“…Yes, that’s right… it is just as mother says.”

Misaki received my message and answered Mom honestly.

Then, she continued immediately.

“However, I don’t think Kokoa-chan doesn’t value mother. So, you don’t have to worry about it…”

Misaki understood that my message wasn’t the answer but a hint.

She also showed consideration by adding reassurance.

As a result, Mom smiled warmly.

“Sometimes, it’s necessary to answer honestly rather than giving obvious flattery. I think it’s commendable that Misaki-chan can show consideration.”

“I-Is that so? Ehehe…”

Misaki was pleased to be praised by Mom, and she gave a sheepish smile.

Her smile was childlike, and it looked cute to me.

A warm atmosphere enveloped the two of them, and it seemed like they had good chemistry after all.

—However, I have one question.

Mom should like Misaki, so why did she ask such a teasing question?

As someone who knows Mom well, it didn’t sit right with me that she did something like testing Misaki.