I Got Dumped by My Childhood Friend Fiancée Who I Didn’t Even Like, I Thought I Could Finally Have a Peaceful School Life… But Then I Got Targeted by SS-Class Beautiful Young Ladies - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: [Family] You’re Not Kirishima’s Trash

I was the last one out of the dining hall. Nobody stopped me or called my name, so I just headed straight for the main entrance of the estate.

They summon me on a whim, then make me walk home—classic Kirishima move these days, I thought. But then I spotted the waiting car with its hazard lights flashing way back in the garden, and I let out a small breath.

In the end, what was the point of dragging me here today? From my side, it just looked like Dad wanted to throw his weight around and scare me a little. The real reason stayed blurry.

Maybe to him it wasn’t even a warning or a check-in. Just confirming whether his son was still “Kirishima” material or not.

But of course he doesn’t have any real way to verify that. About the only things I can do right now are figure out how to fight Martians or book a collab café spot.

I walked slowly along the neatly laid stone path, the calm, perfectly maintained garden sliding past on either side.

The hazard lights blinked steadily like fluorescent tubes swarmed by moths. I shuffled toward them—and then something, someone, flickered across the edge of my vision.

I got closer to the car to see who it was.

There, leaning against the side of the vehicle, looking kind of lost in thought under the evening sky—was Yuzuka.

She seemed a little spaced out. Hadn’t even noticed me standing right there yet.

“…Yuzuka?”

I called out hesitantly, puzzled by how she looked.

Her shoulders jumped a tiny bit in surprise. Then she turned slowly toward me.

“…Oh, Yoichi.”

It wasn’t her usual icy, tense queen face. Just a soft, slightly loosened version of her real expression.

“…You didn’t notice me?”

“Uh, yeah… sorry. I was lost in thought for a second…”

“Oh. But why out here…?”

“Why? You don’t have a ride home, right? I arranged the car… and we barely got to talk at all during dinner…”

Ah, got it. I did think it was weird for anyone in the house to bother setting up a ride. So it was Yuzuka who handled it. That makes total sense.

She must’ve left the dining room right after the meal ended just to make this happen.

Between helping me move out for high school and stuff like this, I’m seriously indebted to her on every little detail…

“So it was you who got the car ready. Thanks.”

“It’s nothing, really. Besides… this is for me too.”

“For you…?”

“Yeah. I wanted to talk to you a little before you left.”

As she said it, she flicked her eyes toward the main house for just a second.

Even though she didn’t put it into words, that small gesture told me everything—she’d picked a spot out of sight from the house, right on the path I was guaranteed to take.

No one else was around except the driver, who was clearly in her pocket.

I didn’t follow her gaze. Just let out a small breath and asked,

“…Talk about what?”

“I’ll be direct. Yoichi… come back home. Stay by my side.”

The look on her face when she said it wasn’t the sweet, over-the-top sister act she sometimes puts on at home.

Dead serious. Plain. Not swept up in feelings—this was the face of someone calculating, someone with real intent.

“…Why all of a sudden?”

“Kaga already hurt you for real. Whatever you’re thinking about it, he took action against you. Honestly, it happened faster than I expected. So come home.”

“…I see.”

Yeah, things have changed a lot since I started living alone. Knowing Yuzuka, most of this was probably just plain worry for me.

Of course my answer was already set.

But that didn’t mean I was gonna shut her down cold. I looked straight into her eyes, carrying real gratitude and respect, and spoke.

“I’m honestly happy you worry about me like this. Pretty much nobody else does… except you.”

“…………”

“But… it’s okay. I’m fine. I mean, yeah I’m called a dropout and all, but I’m still your little brother, right? If someone tries anything again, I’m not gonna let them do whatever they want this time.”

I gave a small, apologetic laugh as I said it—keeping my eyes on hers the whole time.

She didn’t reply right away. Maybe she got what I really meant, maybe not.

After a short silence, she let out a sigh that sounded half-exasperated.

“…All right. For now, I’ll trust what you say. But… this is really weird. I set up the place for you to live, but rent, living expenses… how are you even covering all that?”

“Well… uh, yeah. Lately I’ve got this pretty decent-paying part-time gig, y’know.”

“…Hmm?”

Let’s be real—no matter how good the hourly rate, no high-school kid is covering full living costs with a job like that. But Yuzuka didn’t press. She just narrowed her eyes and studied me quietly.

I kept a light, breezy smile on my face to dodge the probing. Slowly the tension eased out of her expression.

Then she broke into this soft, crinkled smile and said,

“Geez. My little brother sure keeps a lot of secrets, huh?”

“It’s not really secrets or anything…”

“It’s fine. If you don’t wanna say, I won’t force it. But in exchange…”

She spread both arms out suddenly while she talked.

And then, in this sweet voice that could melt anyone’s heart, she finished with pure affection.

“…Yoichi. Come here?”

“…Right here?”

“Yeah. Right here.”

Sure, we’re technically outside the main property now.

There could be people walking by… wait, no. Actually, I don’t feel a single other presence around.

It almost makes me suspect she planned even this part, but whatever. It’s not like she’s gonna hurt me.

Besides, when she gets like this, she’s super stubborn. Trying to refuse would just waste time.

I decided that in my head and took one step closer.

“…Just for a second, okay?”

“Yeah. Just a second.”

I closed the rest of the distance on her word, and she pulled me into her arms without any hesitation.

Not too tight, not too loose. Just… wrapping around me.

If I had to say anything, her hair brushed against the back of my neck—kinda ticklish.

“…Hey, Yoichi.”

“…Yeah?”

She kept holding me and gently stroked the top of my head with a soft hand.

“If anything bad happens, come talk to me right away, okay? And… listen. Your brother said all that crap, but you’re not Kirishima’s trash. Because you’re my little brother.”

Her voice stayed gentle and warm, but the words came out clear and firm.

After saying just that, she really did let go after only a moment.

Then she lifted my bangs a little with slender fingers.

“…Though, that’s exactly why you should fix your appearance soon, okay…?”

“…Yeah. Got it.”

She nodded, satisfied with my answer. Her eyes shifted toward the car like she was saying, “You can get in now.”

I opened the door of the waiting vehicle just like that signal meant.

Right after I got inside, I rolled down the window to thank her one last time—but she beat me to it.

“…Oh, right, Yoichi. Be careful with the Polishing Research Society, okay?”

“—Huh?”

But before I could even respond, the car started moving.

At the very last second, she dropped it so casually—like a little parting gift left hanging in the air.

“…She knew.”

No matter how flashy those heiresses are, nobody’s ever seen me with them outside. Not a single person caught me going into the club room. I never thought anyone would connect me to conglomerate young ladies—but apparently someone super close already figured it out.

Still, judging by the vibe at dinner, Dad and Hyuga didn’t seem to know. If they did, with how obsessed they are with numbers and face, it would’ve been the main topic for sure.

“…She didn’t tell them.”

Inside the dim car.

I quietly marveled at how amazing Yuzuka was, my chest filling up with so much gratitude it almost overflowed.