The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: At Least Call It Living Together

When we arrived at the station, we stepped outside and searched for Mom and my little sister.

And we found them right away.

“Big brooo! Over here, over here!”

A girl in the station plaza caught my eye and came running toward me with a big smile.

Next to her were Mom and Shoko.

Her black hair was semi-long, and she had a cheeky yet oddly endearing smile.

She was petite, with an almost small-animal-like presence.

Kuwazome Tansui.

She was my little sister, whom I hadn’t seen in about a year.

“Yo, Tansui. Long time no see. Have you been doing well?”

“As you can see, I’m super energetic! You look good too, big bro. …So, so, is that insanely beautiful woman next to you your girlfriend?”

After a brief exchange of greetings, Tansui’s attention quickly shifted to Shirafuji, who was standing frozen beside me.

It was her first time meeting Tansui, so she was probably nervous.

She wasn’t the most outgoing person, after all.

Maybe it was also because Tansui had a habit of getting up in people’s faces, even on their first meeting.

“Um… Nice to meet you, Tansui-san. I’m Shirafuji Shirafuji. I’m in a relationship with Hakuto.”

Shirafuji bowed politely, her greeting a bit stiff from nervousness, and Tansui froze in place.

However, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“…Wait, not only does she have an amazing face, but her voice is incredible too? …No, that’s not the point. I’m Tansui, Hakuto’s little sister. I heard my brother got a girlfriend, so I was wondering what kind of person she’d be… but I never imagined she’d be this insanely beautiful.”

“I’m really not that beautiful.”

“No, but seriously, your skin is so smooth and flawless, your hair is silky, and it’s silver! Are you a model or something?”

“My hair and eye color are because I’m half-Japanese. I’m not a model or anything. My skin and hair are just the result of daily care. But don’t worry, Tansui-san, you’re really cute too.”

“Nah, nah, nah… If we stand next to each other, it’s like the moon and a mudfish. And obviously, I’m the mudfish. Just to be sure… you’re not scamming my brother or anything, right?”

“Even if I say no, I suppose that wouldn’t be very convincing. I’ll just have to prove it over time in different ways.”

“Looking forward to it,” Shirafuji said as she bowed again.

Tansui hurriedly returned the bow.

“Oh, come on… Tansui, you don’t have to rush so much. Your brother isn’t going anywhere.”

Mom finally caught up with us, scolding Tansui lightly before turning to us. “It’s been a while. How have you been?”

I had seen Mom during my three-way conference at school, but I guess this was different.

Maybe that’s just how parents are.

“We can talk more once we’re home. For now, let’s get going.”

“Yeah. Mom, make sure to drive safely, okay?”

“Of course. I have a gold license, you know.”

With that small exchange, we got into Mom’s car and headed home.

I took the front passenger seat.

In the back, Shirafuji and Tansui sat together, chatting happily.

…Half of their conversation was about me, but I pretended not to hear it.

After a ten-minute drive, we reached a quiet residential area in the suburbs.

Mom pulled into the driveway of a modest house and finally parked.

“You’re a little late, but… welcome home, Hakuto.”

“…I’m home, Mom.”

“Shirafuji-chan, you can treat this place like your own home.”

“Thank you, Shoko-san. I’ll be in your care for a few days.”

“I’m so excited… It’s like having two daughters now.”

“Wait, does that mean Shirafuji is my big sister…!?”

“Don’t get any weird ideas, okay? Shirafuji, you don’t have to humor her either.”

“It’s fine. Being called ‘big sister’ is new to me, and I think it’s kind of nice.”

Grateful for the warm welcome from Mom and Tansui, we stepped inside the house.

The Kuwazome family was a four-person household: Dad, Mom, me, and Tansui.

Even after a year away, the house Dad had built remained unchanged.

“U-Um… Excuse me for intruding.”

“Welcome, Shirafuji-chan. And you don’t have to say ‘excuse me for intruding’—you can just say ‘I’m home,’ you know?”

Mom said that to Shirafuji as she hesitantly stepped inside, but it was probably too soon for that.

I felt the same way, after all.

“For now, let’s unpack our bags.”

“Hakuto’s room is just as you left it. I’ve been keeping it clean, so don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Mom. Shirafuji, you—”

“I’d like to leave my things in Hakuto’s room as well.”

“Got it.”

“Eh!? Shirafuji-nee, why not my room instead?”

“I’m just dropping off my luggage. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later.”

“Yeah, let’s! I wanna take a bath together too, and after that, have a girls’ talk!!”

Tansui was already getting excited, but I supposed that was natural.

She had been hearing about Shirafuji for a while now and had been waiting eagerly to meet her.

…Or maybe she was just interested because she was introduced as my girlfriend.

“By the way, should I assume you and Shirafuji-chan will be sleeping together?”

“I don’t mind if Shirafuji is okay with it…”

“I’m fine with it too.”

“Eh…? You and big bro are already at that stage?”

“We live in neighboring rooms, and during the summer break, I’ve been staying in Hakuto’s room due to various circumstances.”

“That’s just cohabitation!?”

“…At least call it living together.”

I understood, but when it was put so bluntly, it sounded a lot more real.

Even if all we did was spend time together in the most wholesome way, people could still get the wrong idea.

“…Hakuto. Make sure to use protection, okay?”

“What the hell, Mom?! Why are you saying that in front of my sister and girlfriend?! And we’re not doing anything like that!”

“………Big bro, are you… dried up or something?”

“What are you even talking about? A middle school girl shouldn’t be saying that.”

“Hakuto really doesn’t even try anything. It’s honestly a problem.”

“Shirafuji-san, what the hell are you saying!??”