The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Taste of Home

Author’s Note:

Little sister’s name is Ami Tansui.

It’s been a while since I wrote her name with furigana—sorry about that.

After finishing unpacking, Shirafuji spent time getting to know my family better.

I wasn’t too worried about how she’d get along with my mom, but I had no idea what would happen with my energetic sister, Ami. However, they hit it off way faster than I had expected.

Of course, the topic of conversation was naturally about me.

Shirafuji talked about things that happened at school and everyday life.

Ami, on the other hand, excitedly shared stories from before she started high school.

Since I was also sitting with them, I had no choice but to listen—needless to say, it was pretty embarrassing.

…Even if it’s all true, is it really necessary to share everything so openly with my mom and sister?

If someone had to feel embarrassed, I guess it would only be me, but still.

As we talked, it got closer to dinnertime. I thought about helping my mom, but she just shooed me away, saying, “You go and keep talking with them.”

—

“Man, I never expected my son to have such a stunning girlfriend. I heard about it from Shoko-san, but seeing it in person is a whole different thing. Seriously, how did my son manage to get such a cute girlfriend…?”

It was during dinner, after my dad came home from work.

My father, Akitoshi, who works at a bank, looked genuinely bewildered as he asked me that.

He must have already heard from my mom that I had a girlfriend—Shirafuji—but judging by his reaction, he was still having a hard time processing it. That just goes to show how incredible Shirafuji’s looks are.

“You really think I’d just answer that honestly, Dad?”

“Of course I’m curious. Hakuto, you’re not bad-looking, and you’re a good person. I always figured that if you had the chance, you could find someone. But still… your first girlfriend being this cute? Have you even thought about how shocking this is for your parents?”

“…Yeah, I guess it would be hard not to be surprised.”

“Right?”

With my circumstances and Shirafuji’s appearance combined, I really couldn’t argue with him.

“But seriously, you don’t have to worry. Shirafuji knows everything.”

“…You told her, Hakuto?”

“I was surprised too. I didn’t think my brother trusted Shirafuji-san that much.”

“I’m just so happy that Hakuto finally found someone. Mom’s so proud.”

Each of them reacted differently.

Dad still looked like he couldn’t believe it, while Mom and Ami, who had already known, just grinned meaningfully at me.

But I knew their reactions all came from a place of caring, so I couldn’t really say anything against them.

“…Anyway, that’s how it is. Shirafuji is fine.”

“Well, if you say so, I’ll trust you. Shirafuji-chan, right? Please continue looking after my son. I’m sure he’ll be a hassle sometimes, but at his core, he’s a kind person. He won’t do anything bad.”

“I’m the one causing trouble on a daily basis, but I’d be grateful if I could stay by his side from now on.”

Across the dinner table, Dad and Shirafuji bowed to each other.

It felt a little strange seeing Shirafuji here like this.

It almost made it seem like she was already part of the family.

…No, that’s way too much of a leap.

—

“By the way… Shoko-san, your cooking is really delicious.”

“I’m so glad you think so. Since Shirafuji-chan was coming, I put in extra effort today.”

Tonight’s dinner was a traditional Japanese meal.

Teriyaki yellowtail, nikujaga, spinach ohitashi, and a hearty miso soup with lots of ingredients.

Even though it had been a while since I last ate my mom’s cooking, the taste was exactly how I remembered it.

It was comforting—a gentle, familiar flavor.

Is this what they call the taste of home?

“I wonder if I’ll ever be able to cook like this someday.”

“If you practice, anyone can learn. Do you want me to teach you while you’re here, Shirafuji-chan?”

“Yes, please. I’ve only just started learning, so I’m still a beginner…”

“Don’t worry about it. If it’s you, I know you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Even Hakuto managed to learn.”

“So there are things Shirafuji-san isn’t good at?”

“I’m curious about how you see me, but I’m definitely not some kind of perfect superhuman. In fact, when it comes to daily life skills, I’m hopeless. I rely on Hakuto for everything.”

“Oh, I remember how messy your room used to be.”

“…Thinking about it now, that’s pretty embarrassing, so please don’t bring it up.”

“Yeah, yeah, my bad.”

That being said, Shirafuji isn’t the same as she was back then.

She helps out with housework now, and her room isn’t as messy anymore.

As long as I clean it once a week, she’s able to keep it tidy.

At this rate, she’ll probably surpass me in cooking skills before long.

Her ability to pick things up quickly is really impressive.

—

“Hakuto, how long are you guys staying here?”

“At most three days… We’re planning to leave by Saturday. School starts again next week, and if we stay too long, we’ll have too much stuff to carry back.”

“I see. Then, at least try to visit the graves while you’re here. There’s also a festival in the neighborhood the day after tomorrow. You should enjoy it with Shirafuji-chan.”

A visit to the graves and a summer festival, huh?

The first one is fine, but the second… what should I do?

It’s not like I don’t want to go with Shirafuji.

But this is my hometown.

If it’s a local festival, there’s a high chance I’ll run into people I know.

If that happens, I—

—

“Oh, and I even have a yukata ready for Shirafuji-chan! She’ll look amazing in it!”

“…Why do you even have a yukata for her?”

“Because I just knew it would suit her perfectly! Oh, and I’ve got a jinbei for you, Hakuto, and a yukata for Ami too. Shirafuji-chan, you want to see Hakuto in a jinbei, don’t you?”

“I really do. Very much.”

“Not you too, Shirafuji…”

“Hakuto, you don’t want to go to the festival?”

“Come on, big bro, let’s gooo!”

“…Fine.”

I already knew Ami would want to go.

And Shirafuji enjoys these kinds of things, so of course, she’d agree.

Besides… I can’t deny that I’m curious to see Shirafuji in a yukata.

I know for sure she’ll look amazing.

“It’s settled, then. I’m looking forward to the festival.”

I was a little worried about any unexpected accidents, but seeing Shirafuji’s bright smile, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything that would ruin the moment.

—

A yukata, huh…