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 46

My Former Best Friend’s Little Sister Always Supports Me No Matter What

“Welcome back, Senpai.”

After almost an hour of train rides and walking, I finally arrive at my apartment.

As soon as I step inside, I’m greeted by her voice.

She stands there in an apron, holding a ladle in her right hand. It seems that she is in the middle of preparing dinner.

“I’m back, Rinka.”

She turns off the stove and comes over to me.

Then Rinka tilts her head as she looks down at the box I’m holding in both hands.

“What’s that?”

“Ah…well, let’s just say it’s kind of like confiscated goods. Stolen items, in a way.”

“Hmm…I don’t really get it, but I’m just glad you came back safely, Senpai. Just to confirm, nothing happened, right?”

“Nothing that would worry you, Rinka. I did record the conversation, though—want to listen to it?”

“No, that’s okay. I trust you, Senpai.”

She squeezes both of my hands tightly and gives me a cheerful smile.

Seeing her smile makes my cheeks naturally relax as well.

“Dinner will be ready soon, so please wash your hands, Senpai.”

“Alright.”

I take off my shoes and head to the bathroom.

After Rinka and I have dinner together, I take a moment to settle down.

I tell her everything that happened at my childhood friend’s house today.

“…that’s about it. So, I don’t think she’ll cling to me any longer.”

“I see. That’s a relief then.”

“Also, I’m sorry. Even though I’m dating you, Rinka, I still have lingering feelings for her. It’s incredibly unfair of me…and…”

“I already knew that much. It’s not big of a deal.”

Rinka responds to my courageous confession without wavering.

The way she said it so calmly leaves me completely speechless.

“Eh? Y-You knew?”

“Of course. Do you know how much I pay attention to you, senpai? I know everything about you.”

“…am I really that easy to read?”

“You’re more than easy to read. Seriously, even though you have a super cute girlfriend like me. But I guess that’s just how you are.”

Rinka raises her hands up in exasperation and lets out a sigh.

“B-But…the one I love most now is you, Rinka. I don’t want you to misunderstand that part.”

“Thank you. If you’d said otherwise, I might have actually fallen into darkness. Besides, it’s fine with me if you still have feelings for Tsukimiya-san.”

Rinka gently rests her head on my shoulder.

“…you’re fine with it?”

“Yes. As long as, you end up loving only me one day. Besides, you’re not the kind of person who can just sort out your feelings so easily.”

Rinka puts her left hand on top of my right, pressing even closer to me.

“Senpai…you did your best.”

“W-Why are you saying that all of a sudden…?”

Rinka looks up at me.

Her gentle, soothing voice whispers in my ear.

“You really did your best, Senpai. You’ve gone through so much, and yet you keep moving forward. That’s amazing.”

“S-Stop it, saying stuff like that…”

“Senpai, you’re so hard on yourself, always quick to blame yourself…but you don’t have to worry about it. Senpai hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“I wonder…I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Even today—”

“No, you didn’t make any mistakes. I can ensure you that.”

I’ve made so many mistakes.

I’ve chosen the wrong choice more than once.

If I’d acted sooner, handled things better, it wouldn’t have become such a big issue. When I look back, all I see are mistakes.

However, Rinka still accepts me for who I am.

“You are allowed to be in my arms, you know?”

“Eh?”

“…like this.”

“W-Wait a second!”

Rinka takes my shoulders and pulls me close, pressing my head against her prominent chest. She strokes my head softly and holds me in a warm embrace.

“You’ve done so well. It must’ve been really tough getting through all this.”

“…yeah.”

“You did your best. You worked really hard. But you’re not good at letting yourself relax, so today, let me spoil you as much as you want.”

…that’s not fair.

She always knows exactly what I need.

Well, just for today, maybe it’s okay to indulge myself in her today. I snuggle close to Rinka and decide to let out all of the feelings I’ve been keeping inside.

Just for today, I’ll put aside my pride and fears, and indulge myself in her.

“…I loved her so much.”

“Yes.”

“I truly did. She would listen intently to my boring stories, laugh with me, and always stay by my side. She was as close to me as family.”

“Yes.”

“…I can’t just cut those feelings off so easily. I can’t just move on like that. I want to go back to how things were…I want that so much.”

“Yes.”

“I want to act like I didn’t see anything. I want everything to be a convenient lie that I can believe in. Because that would have been the easiest…”

“Yes.”

“But I pushed through. I tried my best, even if it meant doing something terrible to the girl I love.”

“Yes. You really did your best.”

Before I knew it, something warm is streaming down my face. I don’t really understand why, but the tears just won’t stop.

But now that I think about it, I haven’t let myself properly cry until now.

I continue to let out all of the feelings I’ve been keeping inside me this whole time, one after another. Rinka just listens to what I have to say with a gentle smile on her face.

As I cry pathetically, she gently strokes my head over and over again. I’m completely spoiled by her warmth.

“Are you okay with someone like me to be your boyfriend…Rinka?”

“It’s fine. In fact, if you say we should break up now, I won’t forgive you.”

“…I’m really glad I have you, Rinka.”

“I’m also really glad to have you, Senpai.”

Rinka gently embraces me as I cry uncontrollably like a child.

After I finished crying, Rinka lifts my face and looks me in the eyes.

“Senpai…what do you want to do from now on? I will respect your decision. Please tell me what you want to do.”

“…from now on…I—”

After a short moment to think, I clearly say my decision.