My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate

Chapter 5: A man’s pride

I took my sister to the park with me because she insisted on doing it. My parents said it was madness to go out to play in a situation where we didn’t know where the death row convict was, but they eventually agreed to let us go out after I persuaded them, saying, “If you scream ‘danger’ at everything, you won’t be able to live normally.”

But there’s no need to worry so much, because the death row convict is in my room.

“Onii, you’re so kind.”

“I’m doing this to show you that if you can’t handle the playground equipment acrobatically, you won’t stand a chance at parkour. Besides, it’s also good for a change of pace.”

At the park, there were a few families with children and one elderly couple. The population density was satisfactory, and there was good visibility from outside. It’s highly unlikely, but even if the death row convict were to attack us here, we could still escape.

I hadn’t taken off her restraints yet, so there was no chance of Shizuku attacking me, but why worry about something that doesn’t need worrying about? I pointed to the monkey bars.

“First, try doing that. Normally.”

“Normally?”

“Normally. It’s the most basic of basics. Even an elementary school student who doesn’t know the first thing about parkour can do it. If you can’t do this, then there’s no point.”

For the record, I can do it… but it’s quite tough. The horizontal bars are easy, but the ones at this park are shaped like mountains. The closer you get to the center, the more you need arm strength, and those who try to push through with momentum alone will find themselves unable to reach the center.

Also, apart from this, gripping the bars feels uncomfortable, so if you hold on for too long, your hands will start to hurt.

“Onii, are you making fun of me?”

“How could I make fun of my beloved imouto? Parkour isn’t something just anyone can do. Think of it as a basic test. Even if you’ve watched parkour videos beforehand, it’s not something humans can do. Those who can do it effortlessly have seriously toned bodies, and I can’t imagine Ruri being able to do it.”

“Seriously, just watch me. It’s so easy!”

“Alright, do your best. I’m rooting for you.”

I said, not really expecting much. It’s unusual for her to be so motivated, but her expression quickly turned to despair as soon as she grabbed the first bar.

“…Onii.”

“Hm?”

“It’s impossible.”

“Impossible!?”

Ruri approached me as if fleeing from the monkey bars. She reached out her hand as if asking me to look at it, but there were no injuries or redness. Even though she showed me her perfectly fine hand, I didn’t know how to respond.

“It looks perfectly fine to me.

“It hurts. Massage it.”

“Ask a shiatsu therapist. Though, I don’t know if they do stuff like this.”

[T/N: shiatsu() = acupressure expert/masseuse]

Although I bluntly told her off, I couldn’t refuse my sweet sister’s request. Using my patchy and barely remembered knowledge, I massaged Ruri’s hand.

I had a feeling she couldn’t do it, but when someone gives up so easily, I can’t help but feel a bit irritated. She is not the only one who grew up sheltered, but what’s with this poor attitude?

“You’re not being bullied in class, are you?”

“I’m the atmosphere of the class. I exist only as a shadow, acknowledged only as a member of the class, neither standing out nor being absent.”

“Whoa, don’t go chuunibyou all of a sudden. So, can I translate it as ‘you’re recognized as harmless since you haven’t done anything noticeable?’”

Ruri chuckled self-deprecatingly and laughed again. Her hand seemed fine now so she moved a bit away before sitting beside me.

“Onii, you’re amazing. Neither mom nor dad noticed it.”

“If they did, that would be scarier. Well, it’s fine as long as you’re not being bullied. But if you are, tell me. I’ll definitely do something about it.”

“…Even though I don’t believe you, do you believe me, Onii?”

Even though the very existence of my pathological lying is a lie, at this point, except for Shizuku, no one else would believe me. I’m genuinely worried because she might be bullied, but from Ruri’s perspective, she’s worried based on the premise that “the lie of being bullied is the truth.” This situation is too absurd.

That’s probably why she asked. As they say, tit for tat. Throughout history, people have strived for equality. It is only natural that a person would distrust another who did not try to believe in them.

But.

“We’re siblings, aren’t we? It’s the duty of an older brother to unconditionally believe in his sister when she’s in pain. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lie or an exaggeration. It’s much better than you suffering and dying from the pain if it’s true, right?”

“…If I really became like that, would Mom and Dad believe me?”

“If you want them to believe you, you should consult with them first. Just screaming won’t help; it’ll only backfire on you. You’ll end up like me, treated like a liar.”

This is my experience speaking.

In my case, since the perpetrator is dead, I don’t think there’s anything that can be done about it in the future. If it can’t be proven, then it’s a lie. I’ve finally become a recognized liar by both myself and others. It’s so absurd that if it were forgivable, I wanted to burst out laughing here and now, but I don’t want Ruri to worry, so I’ll save that for another time. I’ll make Shizuku laugh about it later.

“…Onii, you may be a liar, but you haven’t changed since you were young.”

“Isn’t that just your imagination?”

In the past, I would not have protected a death row convict. It might seem like just that, but it clearly determines the course of my life.

“No, it’s not just my imagination. You’ve always been kind to me, Onii. That’s why I said I want to be your bride, not Dad’s.”

“Hahaha. Don’t tell me you fell in love with me?”

“Sorry, that’s gross.”

Why, though?

After some casual conversation, perhaps because her spirits had recovered, Ruri stood up.

“Let’s practice parkour.”

“You haven’t given up yet?”

Although I was half amazed at her oddly persistent attitude, there’s nothing else to do now that we’re back home. It might backfire if I stubbornly locked myself in my room, and thanks to the shortened classes, we had plenty of free time.

Accompanying her in her reckless challenge wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“This time, you support my feet from below, Onii.”

“You should give up the moment you need help on the monkey bars! …Well, fine, I got it. Come on then.”

As expected, or rather, as I said from the beginning, there’s no chance of being attacked. There wasn’t, but since no one besides me knows that, the Sakisaka siblings held hands and safely returned home.

My parents, who seemed worried even though they had agreed, hugged Ruri as soon as we got home.

“Welcome back! Want to take a bath? You’re all sweaty!”

“Yeah, I was worried you might be abducted!”

I don’t think they’re not worried about me, but it seems they’re more concerned about which one the perpetrator wants to abduct. Certainly, abducting someone like me would just be a hassle.

Moreover, my family’s response is nothing new. As I mentioned earlier, the two of them avoid me. Except when we gather at the dining table, they’re mostly concerned about how they appear to others — their outward appearances. If I get involved, things often turn out inconvenient for them.

I don’t think there’s any cure for this, so I don’t worry about it. When I returned to my room, Shizuku peeked her head out from under the blanket.

“Hey there, welcome back. I wonder where you were while you left me alone?”

“Left you alone… Don’t say things that make me sound neglectful! If I cling to my room too much, won’t I be suspected?”

“I understand the reasoning. But, you know, how bored I was while you were goofing off. I didn’t even get to eat.”

“…Ah!”

That spontaneous reaction was genuine. There was no way to explain it, I had completely forgotten. Even though she’s an extremely wicked death row convict, she’s still a human being. She gets hungry and sleepy. It’s only natural.

There’s no point in trying to cover it up. Without thinking, I slammed my head against the floor and bowed down in apology.

“I’m really sorry!”

“Whoa, that’s an overreaction. But I’m not really mad, you know? I’m just… lonely. I’m so lonely, I feel like I’m going to die.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Nope. I won’t forgive you. As punishment for ignoring me, you’ll become my body pillow, okay?”

“Uh… But, look. If that’s the case, I won’t be able to eat or take a bath!”

“Oh, right, I didn’t think of that. Then I’ll feed you. And how about we take a bath together? Since I can’t move, you can wash my body for me. Thoroughly… until you’re satisfied.”

Has there ever been a woman who so directly tempts a man at such close range, with their breaths mingling? My male rationality is in serious jeopardy. It was fortunate that she only leaned in with her upper body.

Earlier, I deliberately ignored it, but even when we were embracing on the floor, my rationality was in serious jeopardy. It’s impossible not to notice in such close contact, but at that moment, Shizuku did something.

She rubbed against my lower body.

In a state where she couldn’t move due to the straitjacket, I wonder what would happen when I completely removed them? The excitement wouldn’t stop, even more than the fear.

“Umm… Are you going to kill me?”

“I won’t kill you! I’m your slave, after all. Hehe… ♪”

She maintained her carefree attitude and continued to tempt me.

Perhaps, am I the one who’s the slave here?

Will I be able to sleep peacefully tonight?