The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: It’s Easier If You Just Admit It

The second day of our trip home, the first day of Obon.

Under the blazing sun, we decided to visit the family grave early to avoid the crowds, considering my dad’s work schedule. So here we were, at the group cemetery where the Kuwazome family grave was located.

This is where my dad’s father—my grandfather—and the rest of our ancestors rest.

My grandmother is still alive, but she has aged and become senile, so she is being cared for in a nursing home.

My mom’s grandparents are both well, but they live even farther away than Sendai… in Hokkaido. So, we won’t be able to see them during this trip.

“Was it really okay for me to come along?”

“It’s fine. Grandpa will be happy to have you here, Shirafuji-chan.”

“I hope so…”

Shirafuji didn’t look entirely comfortable.

I could understand why she might feel a bit awkward about visiting a grave that wasn’t her own family’s.

It wasn’t that she disliked being here—it was more like she didn’t know what kind of mindset she should have for this.

“Sorry if it felt like we forced you to come.”

“Hakuto too… No, really, that’s not it. This is just my first time visiting a grave as a family group, so I don’t quite know how to behave. I visit alone every year, though.”

…Those words hinted at her family situation, and I didn’t know how to respond.

She must be talking about her late mother’s grave.

She probably hasn’t visited yet this year, so she’ll go after we return.

“First, we should clean the grave. Our relatives maintain it regularly, so it shouldn’t take much effort. I’ll go fetch some water, so wait here.”

Dad picked up a bucket and walked down the slope to the temple where the water source was.

The rest of us stayed behind to pull out some weeds in the meantime.

Wearing work gloves, we started plucking out the noticeable weeds, enduring the heat.

Since our relatives took care of the place, there wasn’t much to do.

Still, just being under this scorching sun made sweat pour nonstop.

“Ahhhhhh, it’s so hot!!”

“The more you say it, the hotter it feels.”

“But come on… Right, Shirafuji-san!?”

“Yes. I’m not good with the heat either.”

“See! Onii-chan, you should be nicer to your little sister!”

Tansui deliberately made it seem like it was two against one.

Shirafuji probably didn’t mean to take her side, though.

“You two have gotten so close in just one day. You’re like sisters.”

“I wish I had an older sister like Shirafuji-san.”

“Sorry for being the scary-faced brother.”

“But your gaze is so gentle when you look at Tansui.”

“Onii-chan, do you love Tansui too much?”

“Tansui, aren’t you the one who loves me too much?”

“Do you not like me?”

“…Stop making this more complicated.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“……I like you. That answer should satisfy you, right? Please say you’re satisfied.”

When I gave her a pleading look, Shirafuji smiled and said, “I made you say it. Thank you.”

I felt like I had walked right into a trap, but I decided not to care.

No one was unhappy, after all.

“Hakuto, you’ve started saying these things so easily now. I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

“Not you too, Mom. I’m not asking what you’re looking forward to.”

“Shirafuji-chan, don’t mind him. He’s just embarrassed.”

“So it seems.”

“Onii-chan, you’re so cute~”

They say when three women gather, it gets noisy, and this was a perfect example.

It really felt like the gender ratio was being forced upon me.

Mom and Tansui were obviously like this, but even Shirafuji joined in quite a bit.

…Looks like I’ll be getting teased the entire time we’re here.

Since there’s no ill intent, I can’t even get mad, and I doubt I can stop them.

“Hey, I’m back.”

Right then, Dad returned with the water, so he and I started cleaning the gravestone.

We poured water over the stone and used soft sponges to scrub it from top to bottom.

Even with regular maintenance, exposure to rain and wind leaves behind water stains and dirt.

After carefully finishing the cleaning, we placed offerings and completed our prayers.

“That wraps up our visit. Thanks for helping with the cleaning, Shirafuji.”

“I came along, so this much is only natural.”

“Alright then, let’s head back a little early. This year, it was tough to get time off for Obon. Today was the only day the whole family could come together.”

“Akitoshi-san, you have work tomorrow too, right?”

“Yeah, but I’ll do my best for my family. It would’ve been nice if we could’ve taken Shirafuji-chan out somewhere while she’s here, though.”

“Please, don’t worry about me.”

“If anything, isn’t Dad the one sad that he can’t go out with Tansui and the others?”

Seeing how easily they could joke around like this really showed how close they were as a family.

I wondered if this made it easier for Shirafuji to relax too.

Since I was the one who brought her to my home, I couldn’t help but be concerned.

“Shirafuji, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“Honestly, I’m not just an indoor type—I’m a full-on shut-in. So, nothing comes to mind right away. But if I’m with you, Hakuto, anywhere would be fun.”

“Are you two planning a date alone? How nice~! These things are a privilege of the young.”

“It’s not a date, that’s an exaggeration. I was just asking since she doesn’t get many chances to visit here, so—”

“If a guy and a girl go out together, that’s called a date.”

“That’s right, Onii-chan. It’s easier if you just admit it.”

…Well, I guess I don’t really mind.