We are pretending....right? - Zetro Translation

“Sou-kun will be staying for dinner, right?”

After we chatted for some more time in my room, Sou-kun said he would be leaving so I came to drop him downstairs.

However, suddenly Mom came up and proposed a wonderful idea that I was unable to think of.

“Umm….”

“You should stay for dinner, Sou-kun. Mom’s cooking is a lot better than mine so no need to worry.”

I assured him since Sou-kun already has figured out how clumsy I am at house works. And since Sou-kun lives alone, it would be better if he spends some time between people.

‘What’s this motherly feelings… ‘

I chuckled inwardly before leading Sou-kun to the living room.

Mom went to the kitchen to finish the cooking and we both walked toward the couch where my brother was already seated, watching tv.

“I thought you guys won’t get over your lover’s talk today.” Alright, this brat is rude as always.

“Well, I compromised with some hours for now. What about you, Ryuuske? I heard your soccer trials are going on?” (Sou)

“Yup, and guess what. I am on the list of potential team captains. Isn’t it awesome?”

“Team captain, huh…did your game improve that much?”

“You won’t believe Sou-nii. Now I can even curve my penalty kicks and Rainbow is just like the tip of my toe trick….”

Well, they surely get along more than I initially assumed. I didn’t know that Sou-kun was also interested in soccer or any physical exercises…well, I never paid much mind to him in class to know anything about him.

However, the fact of the matter remains that both Mom and Ryuu like Sou-kun and I am very much happy about it.

For some reason I want Sou-kun to feel accepted by my family. Though I am not sure why.

I left the two and went to help Mom in the kitchen. Well, I can try to…

“How’s your back pain?”

Mom asked as soon I entered the kitchen. To her question, I pressed my butt slightly before feeling a slight sting still there but it wasn’t hurting like before.

“It’s better now. Would take painkiller tonight.”

“Mm. Can you pass me the green onions?”

I handed over the ingredient before I leaned my back on the slab. My eyes were fixated on Sou-kun. He seemed to be having fun talking with Ryuu.

Though he didn’t seem bored while chatting with me his mood definitely was different now. He seemed more…open like he was not under any burden but in front of me, I sometimes feel Sou-kun is retraining himself.

“Anything troubling you, Sumire?”

I raised my brows in surprise to realize that Mom was able to perceive my distress even though she was continuously engaged in her cooking.

I felt it might not be really that important to discuss…but in the end, I wasn’t able to hide it from her.

“Sometimes…I feel Sou-kun is hiding something from me or he is being too cautious around me. Am I overthinking Mom?”

Mom remained silent for a bit…oh she was tasting the salt.

When she began stirring once again then only she replied, “Give him some time Sumire. You don’t know what circumstances Sou-kun might be going through so it would be rude for you to judge him just because he is a little cautious, right?”

I blinked in realization. As Mom said, we have barely known each other for one and a half weeks so of course there would be things Sou-kun doesn’t want to let me know.

There are things I am hiding from him as well so it’s perfectly normal, right?

But why…why am I having this feeling that Sou-kun is hiding something that is related to me.

‘Gosh…how far I could stretch this matter? I really need to think less… ‘

****

The dinner was fabulous as Sumire said since Sou ate more than one bowl of rice which was unusual for him. Then traditional Japanese cooking took him off guard, he must admit.

The talk between Sou and Akiko about the ingredients and way of cooking went on and on for more than fifteen minutes as Sumire watched from the sidelines.

Sumire was including herself in the chat from time to time and Ryuuske went to bed early since he was too tired because of his trials.

It was around eight when Sou decided to take his leave as he informed after getting up from the couch, “I will be going then. It’s getting late.”

This time Akiko didn’t stop him since it really wasn’t preferable to walk alone at night even for boys.

Sumire wanted Sou to stay a little longer but she didn’t speak it out since it would have been bothersome for Sou.

All three of them moved toward the door when suddenly someone rang the doorbell.

*Ding* *Dong*

“I will get that…” Sumire went to open the door only to get confused upon seeing the person on the security camera.

“Mom? Do you know him?” Akiko frowned at that before she moved to see who it was…only for her complexion to pale at witnessing the man on the other side of the door.

“D-D-Director….?!”

*****

A/N: – Drop a comment if you are liking the story~