My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 51

“Hey, calm down, Yukina.”

I hurriedly tried to calm Yukina, who looked like she was about to cry. I didn’t know why she was on the verge of tears, but having her cry would be troublesome.

“Look closely. It’s Akari. A-ka-ri.”

“Huh?”

“Could it be… Yukina-chan?”

Akari sleepily gazed at Yukina, who had her mouth hanging open in surprise. Despite having her sleep interrupted, Akari showed no signs of anger, which made me think she was a really good sister. If this were Yukina, she would’ve definitely been upset.

“Oh, is it really Akari-chan?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I was staying over since I made dinner for my brother.”

“Oh, I see. I’m so glad…”

Yukina slumped down on the spot. I didn’t know what she was relieved about, but when I asked if she wanted to come in, she nodded. Seriously, what a commotion this morning.

Akari, now fully awake, was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the three of us. I sat across from Yukina.

“So, why did you suddenly come over?”

“B-because I was worried about you. You should be grateful that I was worried about you!”

“But still… I just didn’t go for one day, right?”

“You don’t get it. When someone suddenly stops doing something they usually do, it makes you worried, right? That’s why.”

When she put it like that, it made sense. Today, Yukina wasn’t her usual kind self from school; she was acting more tsundere, which was a bit worrying.

…Could she have multiple personalities?

While I was pondering this ridiculous thought, the smell of breakfast wafted over, so I took a seat at the table. The three of us ate breakfast together, and it felt strangely comfortable.

Yukina seemed to like Akari’s cooking, repeatedly saying how delicious it was as she ate.

“Akari-chan, you’ve really grown up.”

After breakfast, I heard Yukina and Akari chatting while I was doing the dishes.

“Come on, Yukina-chan. I’m in high school now, you know?”

When I glanced over, Yukina was happily patting Akari’s head, and although Akari said to stop, she seemed happy too.

The two of them were quite close. When they were younger, they were often mistaken for sisters because they were always together wherever they went.

But as I drifted apart from Yukina, Akari naturally did too. I feel guilty remembering how sad Akari seemed back then.

“Oh, sorry, Akari-chan. But really, you’ve grown up in many ways… yeah, in many ways.”

“I’m a high school girl now!”

I decided not to delve into what exactly Yukina was envious about. But, Akari, you should stop showing off like that. I know you don’t mean any harm, but stop unwittingly hurting Yukina’s pride.

“More importantly, Yukina-chan, why are you dressed like that?”

“Huh?”

“Yukina-chan, you’re cute, so you should at least fix your hair.”

“Oh, w-well, I was in a hurry, so I usually take care of it.”

“Really?”

That’s a lie, Akari. I don’t know what Yukina means by “usually,” but her hair is always messy on her days off.

“D-do you hate me now?”

“No, I wouldn’t hate you for something like that.”

Akari reassured Yukina, who was looking worried, with a gentle voice. For a moment, I couldn’t tell who was the older sister.

“Ah, Akari-chan, you’re so cute. As expected of my little sister!”

Yukina hugged Akari tightly, but I couldn’t accept that.

“Hey, Akari is my sister. Why are you acting like she’s your sister?”

“W-well, since Yusuke’s my brother, that makes her my sister too…!”

I couldn’t understand why she was so embarrassed. Yukina shyly looked up at me, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Did you know? Sisters need to be related by blood to be—”

“—Geez, big brother. You’re still as clueless as ever. That’s not what Yukina-chan meant.”

Huh? What does she mean? Is there another meaning?

Seeing my confused expression, Akari sighed in exasperation and firmly pointed her index finger at me.

“What Yukina-chan meant was that you two are getting marri—”

“N-no, Akari-chan! Don’t say it!”

“Mmph!”

Yukina quickly covered Akari’s mouth just as she was about to say something.

“Hey, Akari looks like she’s struggling—”

“Yusuke, stay away!”

Huh? Isn’t that a bit harsh?

I don’t particularly want to get closer, but saying that in my own room is a bit much, don’t you think?

“Akari-chan, let’s just ignore this idiot and talk in my room.”

“O-okay.”

“Akari, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“It’s fine, big brother. I want to chat with Yukina-chan for a bit. I’ll head home after we’re done talking.”

“Alright, if you’re sure.”

“Yeah. Oh, and I’ll come cook for you again.”

“Okay, I’ll look forward to it.”

And so, Akari left the room with Yukina. I quietly saw them off, thinking that girls probably have things they want to talk about among themselves. I just hoped Akari wouldn’t be disillusioned by seeing Yukina’s messy room.

That night, I received a strange message from Akari.

“Big brother, I know things are tough, but hang in there.” What does that mean?

As I pondered how to reply, another message came in.

“No matter what happens to you, I’ll never abandon you.” What!?

I couldn’t understand what Akari was trying to say, and I felt a sense of dread wondering what she and Yukina had talked about. I replied with a simple “Got it,” praying that my precious sister hadn’t been brainwashed by something.

I figured it would be better to end the conversation quickly rather than risk hearing an explanation that might make things worse.

After finishing my exchange with Akari, a somewhat hectic Saturday came to an end.