My Childhood Friend Who is My Girlfriend was Stolen by My Best Friend. From Now on, I'll Flirt with My Ex-Best Friend's Little Sister! - Chapter 29

Introducing My Former Best Friend’s Little Sister to My Parents

Wagashi shop ‘Naegi’.

It’s a Japanese sweets shop owned my parents. My mom and dad run this place.

When there’s a lot of customers, I often come here to help as a part-timer.

That said, honestly, it doesn’t really matter if I’m here or not.

Today, the main reason I’m heading to work isn’t so much for the part time job itself, but for showing my face to my parents.

On top of that, today’s special—I’m also introducing my girlfriend to my parents.

This is not the first time that Rinka and my parents have met…but still, I feel nervous.

“Time to impress my mother in-law and father in-law…I should do my best.”

Rinka encourages herself so before entering the shop.

She seems a little too fired up, it’s almost as if she is preparing for a marriage proposal.

“Aren’t you a bit too fired up?”

“Not at all. First impressions are important, especially since this is the first time I’m meeting them as your girlfriend. So I need to make sure to impress them here.”

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is.”

Rinka takes a deep breath to calm herself down.

Then she clenches both of her hands tightly.

With that, we enter the shop through the back entrance.

We go to the break room, which is more like a storage room.

It’s mainly used for changing clothes, though sometimes my mom does paperwork here.

When I open the door, I see my mom typing away at the computer.

“Morning, Mom—wait, what are you doing!?”

The moment she sees me, my mom jumps onto me.

I barely managed to hold onto my feet.

“Just a little mother-son bonding! What are you getting embarrassed about?”

“I’m not embarrassed! But get off me!”

“Oh, someone’s acting tough in front of his friend—eh?”

My mom suddenly stops moving.

Her eyes are blinking rapidly as she freezes.

“…Rinka-chan?”

She finally lets go of me and softly muttered so.

“It’s been a while. Ah, umm, I’ve been going out with Senpai since a while ago.”

Rinka tenses up and gives a polite bow.

My mom steps away from me, straightens her posture, and grabs both of Rinka’s shoulders.

“What did you just say?”

“Umm, I said, I’ve been going out with Senpai since a while ago.”

Mom freezes again, then leans in to whisper in my ear.

“Y-You didn’t tell your mother about this! If you’re bringing your girlfriend over, you should’ve told me first! The place is a mess…”

“S-Sorry. Now that I think about it, I didn’t really tell you about it…”

I only asked if it’s okay to add another part timer today, but I didn’t mention about bringing my girlfriend.

Mom probably thought I’m just bringing a friend.

“Toshiya, I thought…no, never mind. But I’m glad you were able to give her the gift properly.”

“No, that’s not—!”

My mom lets out a sigh of relief as she clasps her hands together.

Rinka who caught part of our conversation tilts her head.

“A gift?”

“Eh, sorry. Did I misunderstand something?”

Seeing Rinka’s puzzled expression, my mom suddenly becomes flustered.

But I’m even more panicked that she is.

“N-No, it’s nothing…Mom, where are my clothes?”

“Ah, they’re over here.”

I cut the conversation short, trying to change the subject.

I really messed up…there are too many things that lead to a misunderstanding.

The gift.

I asked my mom to borrow some of my part-time job money in advance to buy it. It was actually for my childhood friend whose birthday is coming up soon.

I kept my relationship with my childhood friend a secret from Mom. Not that I have any ill intentions—I just felt too embarrassed to tell her about it.

Now my mom knows that Rinka and I have started dating, it’s only natural for her to mistakenly assume the gift was for Rinka.

The atmosphere feels a little awkward for a bit after that, but fortunately, the topic of the gift didn’t come up again.

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The part-time job ends in a blink of an eye.

As for the work, I helped out with making some traditional Japanese sweets, while Rinka helped my mom with serving customers and cleaning.

There were moments when I talked to Rinka during the part time job, but each time, my mom would grin at us, and it was really uncomfortable.

And now, we are in the small eat-in space inside the shop.

To my left is Rinka. Across from me is my dad, and diagonally across from me is my mom.

“It’s just a simple dish, but please don’t be shy, Rinka-chan.”

“Y-Yes! Thank you for the meal.”

My mom has prepared hamburg steak for us.

We’re having a normal dinner together.

But having my parents right in front of me and my girlfriend beside me—it’s mentally exhausting.

It feels like an upgraded version of a parent-teacher conference.

Honestly, I just want to go home already…

My dad who is usually quiet doesn’t say much in particular, but my mom has been talking non-stop since we started our part time job.

“Rinka-chan. There’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while. Is it okay if I ask?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Are you really okay with someone like Toshiya as your boyfriend? I’m honestly a bit worried that he tricked you into dating him.”

Isn’t that just too cruel?

You’re my mother, right? Right!?

“No, that’s not true at all. I don’t want to be with anyone other than Senpa—I mean, Toshiya-kun. I’m head over heels for him, and that’s why we’re dating.”

“…wha—? Hey, did you hear that, dear? She said she doesn’t want anyone but Toshiya! She’s head over heels for him!”

“Yeah.”

My mom is acting all excited like a teenager.

My dad, on the other hand, just gave a one-word reply and quietly continues eating his meal.

As for me, I’m sitting there with my face burning red, staring down at the table to hide it.

Is this hell?

“Toshiya, listen. You must absolutely never let go of Rinka-chan. I’m telling you, you should marry her.”

“Cough, cough!? W-What are you talking about, Mom!?”

“M-Marriage…”

I choke loudly and reflexively stand up from my seat.

Meanwhile, Rinka is muttering to herself next to me. Her face is blushing in red.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I should have said this when it’s just the two of us, Toshiya.”

“That’s not the issue! I mean, stop talking already!”

“No way. This is the first time I get to talk to Toshiya’s girlfriend. We’ll talk until morning!”

“Are you a child!?”

My mother is throwing a tantrum, completely caught up in her excitement.

…damn, what an embarrassment to the family.

Afterwards, my mom keeps bombarding Rinka with questions.

Being the honest person she is, Rinka answers them all truthfully, making the whole situation incredibly awkward for me.

However, I guess introducing my girlfriend to my parents is a success, at least.