The Woman Whose Life I Saved Turned out to Be the Mother of the Popular Twin Sisters in My Class - Chapter 22 - Bomb Drop

Chapter 22 – Bomb Drop

There was an artistic painting hanging in the slightly wider entrance hall. I don’t really know much about art, but I imagine it was expensive.

I took off my shoes and put on the slippers provided. The hallway widened sideways, and looking to the right, I could see several rooms.

“It’s this way.”

Hikari led me to the left. I followed her, with Yuzuki walking next to me.

The house had a distinctive smell of its own.

It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s a unique smell that’s somehow unsettling. The people who live here probably don’t even notice it.

As soon as I went left, there was a door. When Hikari opened it, I could hear the sound of the TV. However, after Hikari said “I’m home” in a cheerful voice, the sound quickly faded away.

The TV was immediately turned off.

When I noticed that, I swallowed hard. Perhaps sensing my tension, Yuzuki lightly touched my back and said, “It’s okay,” in a gentle voice like she was soothing a child.

“I know you’re nervous, but there’s nothing to be worried about. Just like Hikari and me, our father is grateful to you, Ao-kun.”

“Thanks.”

I took a small breath, then exhaled slowly. After that, I stepped through the door to the living room with determination.

“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Kirishima Ao. Thank you very much for inviting me today.”

I spoke extremely politely with everything I could muster.

As I entered the living room, I bowed deeply in greeting.

I was immediately told by a low but gentle voice, “Please raise your head.” I obeyed, and slowly raised my head.

“I’ve heard the story from the girls. I’m Kotobuki Genma. It’s nice to meet you too.”

His black hair was styled with wax or something, giving it a light ducktail.

More than his thick eyebrows or bold eyes, I was concerned by the mustache above his mouth. His overall facial image gave the impression of a stern person.

He was tall, and dressed in a shirt and jeans, which seemed like office casual.

Maybe this expression is rude, but words like “a dignified old man” suits him perfectly.

“Come over here. Let’s have tea.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I bowed slightly again and headed towards Genma-san.

Right by the entrance was a dresser. To the left, the kitchen was visible, and to the right was the living room.

A large square table was surrounded by a big sofa, and in front of it was a large TV positioned for easy viewing. I wonder how many inches it is.

Genma-san was sitting at what seemed to be a dining table, different from the one in the living room. There were two chairs on each side of the table.

I sat in the chair opposite Genma-san. After that, Genma-san sat down facing me.

I felt like an interview was about to begin.

Hikari sat next to me, and Yuzuki headed to the kitchen. It seems that it’s Yuzuki’s job to prepare tea.

“First of all, let me just say this. Thank you so much for saving my wife.”

Genma-san bowed while still sitting, almost hitting his forehead on the table.

It was the first time in my life that an adult had bowed to me, and I was so stunned that I was at a loss for words.

“P-please lift your head. Your daughters have already thanked me, so there’s really no need anymore.”

Despite feeling suffocated by the situation, I managed to speak quickly.

As I said this, Genma -san slowly raised his head and looked me in the eye. When our eyes met, I felt the intensity and was momentarily overwhelmed.

“Let me thank you properly.”

“No, it’s really not a problem.”

I answered right away.

Yuzuki and Hikari had also insisted on thanking me, but I wasn’t helping because I wanted a reward. Even when they asked for anything I wanted, I couldn’t think of anything to say.

“I cannot be satisfied with that. If I were to send back the savior of my wife’s life without doing anything, it would tarnish the Kotobuki family name.”

Yuzuki and Hikari’s stubbornness might be influenced by this man’s blood.

“I’ll be satisfied as long as I can enjoy some delicious tea. Really.”

Just as I said that, Yuzuki, who had just made some tea, came over with four teacups on a tray.

She had an expression of disbelief as she stared at me with her eyes wide open. Seeing her reaction, I realized what she was feeling.

She seemed to be thinking something like, “My tea might not be good enough…” Her face looked a bit downcast.

No, that’s not it. I wasn’t trying to put any pressure on her. I just said it because I knew things wouldn’t settle unless I accepted something.

“I-I’ll make it again!”

“It’s fine! That’s not what I meant!”

I hastily stopped her.

◇

Genma-san was sitting in front of me, and Hikari was to my left. The chair in front of Hikari was empty, so I assumed Yuzuki would sit there.

After placing the tea in front of each of us, Yuzuki went back to the kitchen and brought out a plate filled with castella and sweets to go with the tea.

She placed the sweets in the center and then placed the castella in front of each of us before heading next to Genma-san.

However, for some reason, Yuzuki’s tea and castella were on my right. This is what people call the birthday seating.

At first, I thought she might have just temporarily placed them there, but she set the castella there as well, and then moved toward the empty chair, making my suspicion grow stronger.

At the same time, a bad feeling also grew inside me.

“Heave-ho!”

Yuzuki picked up her chair and began to carry it enthusiastically to the middle of the table, right next to me.

My bad feeling was confirmed. Please refrain from saying unnecessary things in front of your father. I really want to settle this peacefully.

“Now then, back to the main topic.”

Genma-san returned to the topic without touching on Yuzuki’s obviously suspicious behavior. Of course, there was no way he would be satisfied if I just asked for tea.

What should I do now?

Should I ask for an unreasonable amount of money? No, that’s not good. I’m afraid of what might happen if he accepts. Moreover, there’s an atmosphere that makes me think that he might actually accept it.

I wonder what kind of rewards people ask for in situations like this.

I’ve helped people before, but none of them ever offered me anything in return.

In almost every case, they were people I’d never see again, so I just left the scene, avoiding moments like this.

But this time, the daughters of the person I saved happened to be my classmates, and things ended up like this.

Not that I mind.

As a result, I was able to meet girls named Yuzuki and Hikari and become friends with them.

It was also a catalyst for me to change myself.

So, that’s not the issue.

It’s just figuring out what to ask for as a thank-you reward.

“Is there anything you want? I’ll do anything I can, and I’m willing to give you anything I can. It’s not the time for a young person to hold back. Go ahead, ask for anything.”

“…Well, even if you say that…”

I can’t think of anything in particular that I want. At the very least, I buy what I can buy myself, and there are things that are more meaningful when you obtain it yourself.

I’m not really one for materialistic things to begin with.

There is a novel I want, but I feel like saying a novel right now isn’t the right choice. I can buy them myself anyway.

“Now that I think of it, Ao-kun did want that, didn’t he?”

At that moment, Yuzuki said something in an exaggerated tone.

Genma-san and I both turned to look at her.

I wondered what Yuzuki was going to say. I was a little uneasy as I waited for her to continue. Then, she said something I never could’ve expected.

“Ao-kun said he wanted a girlfriend.”

No, I definitely didn’t say that.

◇

T/N: Bro, Yuzuki keeps showing she’s the best girl, how is Hikari even in the conversation?!