When I Got My Heart Broken by a Childhood Friend, I Ended Up in a Romantic Comedy With Her Mother - Chapter 19 - Seaside Hotel

Chapter 19 – Seaside Hotel

As expected, the beach house was bustling with people, creating a lively atmosphere.

There were outgoing guys and girls who looked perfect for the beach, as well as ordinary families. Everyone was enjoying their meals while chatting and laughing.

And here we were too… slurp, slurp!

“Mmm… Why is the yakisoba (fried noodles) at the beach house so delicious?”

Miho said with a pleased look.

“It’s like having a delicious picnic lunch, right?”

I thought I was making a good analogy, but…

“Huh? Don’t mix beach outings with picnics.”

And then, I was hit with a mysterious sharp retort.

“What’s with this guy…”

“I used to think mama’s cooking was the best, no matter what. But this… This surpasses even mama’s cooking.”

“Well, I can’t compete with the experts.”

Haruna-san said with a wry smile.

“Ippei, you think the same, right?”

“Huh? Well, I…”

After glancing at Haruna-san once,

“…I think Haru… Auntie’s cooking is better.”

“I-Ikkun..”

Glancing at Haruna-san again, her cheeks suddenly flushed.

“Wow, there it is, Ippei the mothercon.”

“Hey, cut it out!”

“Also, even though we are close to each other as a family, Ippei, you’re always spoiled by my mom…That’s why you’re not popular.”

“That’s enough, seriously.”

“Well, well, Miho. Don’t tease your childhood friend too much. Besides, I can understand feeling that way, especially when dealing with such a beautiful mom.”

Nonaka said, laughing and coming to my defense.

“Shuuta-kun, you’re so kind~.”

“That’s true. On the other hand, you have a bad personality. Aren’t you afraid Nonaka will get tired of you eventually?”

“Huh?”

“…Sorry.”

“I used to envy having a childhood friend, but it seems like it might be tough.”

Nonaka chuckled.

I felt a bit irritated and thought about saying more, but… Still, Miho is Haruna-san’s daughter.

If I say too much, it might hurt Haruna-san’s feelings, so I should restrain myself here.

I kept quiet and slurped my yakisoba.

“Ah, speaking of which, I really want a yakisoba bread. Hey, Ippei, could you go get one for me?”

“No, I don’t think they sell that around here.”

“Well, just a regular bread roll is fine. It’s for making a sandwich with this delicious yakisoba♪”

“No way they sell that either, idiot.”

“Hmm?”

“…Please spare me.”

“Miho, you can buy it at the school store after summer vacation.”

Nonaka chimed in again with a smile.

“That’s right. I’ll save the pleasure of teasing Ippei for that time.”

“Hey, what do you I am?”

“Huh? You’re my childhood friend-slash-servant, of course♪”

“Seriously, this woman!!”

I yelled and slumped onto the table, but Miho just giggled.

“Hey, Miho, cut it out.”

Haruna-san scolded.

“Ikkun, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, really… I’m used to it.”

When I said this with a wry smile, Haruna-san lowered her eyebrows and gently put her mouth to my ear.

“…I’ll apologize later.”

“Eh?”

Somehow, my heart skipped a beat.

“Come on, Miho. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

“Yes, Shuuta-kun♪”

While the silly couple in front of us openly flirted…

Under the table, Haruna-san and I discreetly intertwined our fingers.

◇

At dusk…

“Ah, I’m so tired…”

I wasn’t really that into it, but… Maybe because there were so many people?

Somehow it makes me more tired.

“That was so much fun, wasn’t it~♪”

“Definitely~♪”

On the other hand, the outgoing couple is still doing well.

If anything, even if they were told to play with all their might once again now, they would happily plunge into this ocean view.

I was intimidated by their vitality, which made it hard to believe they were the same age.

“Hah…”

Beside me, Haruna-san let out a sigh.

“Are you okay?’

“Yes… Well, not really. I’m already this old, but if I keep acting like this, I’ll get made fun of as an old lady.”

“…It’s okay.”

“Eh?”

“Because Haruna-san is…so cute right now…”

At a time like this, a good-looking guy like Nonaka could probably say it effortlessly.

When I glanced at her, Haruna-san’s cheeks seemed to flush again. Was it because of the setting sun?

“W-Well then. Shall we all head home?”

Haruna-san suggested, but…

“Eh~ I don’t want to go home yet~”

Said the stupid girl.

“Miho, you’ve played enough, right?”

“Yeah, so let’s call it a day.”

“Then all that’s left is to head back.”

“Hey, isn’t a hotel by the beach wonderful~?”

“Huh?”

“I checked on my phone a while ago, and there happened to be availability~ Plus, the rates were quite reasonable, so I made a same-day reservation♪”

“Oh, you…”

“By the way, it’s Saturday today. Mama has a day off from work tomorrow, right?”

“W-Well…”

“Then it’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“By the way, who’s going to pay?”

“I earned some money from my part-time job during summer vacation, so leave it to me.”

“Hey, Miho. Didn’t you pretty much spend all that money on our last date, and you were left with almost nothing?”

“Ah… Teehe♪”

This annoying girl…

“Hah… I guess there’s no helping it.”

“Eh, Mama will help me out?”

“There’s no other choice.”

“Yay~♪”

“Just so you know, you better pay it back later.”

“But if I work part-time~ I won’t have much time to spend with Shuuta-kun~”

“Then I’ll cancel right now. Which hotel was it?”

“N-No, you can’t! If we cancel on the day, we have to pay 80% of the fee. It’ll be a waste!”

“The culprit shouldn’t be the one saying that.”

Haruna-san sighed deeply.

“Umm, Haruna-san…”

“Ikkun? I’m sorry, Miho always does this…”

“No, it’s… um… I’ll cover the hotel expenses too.”

“Eh?”

“I still have some money left from my part-time job… I’ll work again to pay back the rest.”

“Ikkun… thank you.”

When Haruna-san smiled and said that, my heart raced.

At the same time, guilt welled up within me.

Because, to be honest, beneath the guise of good intentions, there were some not-so-noble feelings hidden.

Staying overnight with Haruna-san in a seaside hotel… Well, it wouldn’t be a dreamy scenario since there are others with us, but…

“It’s settled then!☆ By the way, I’ve booked two double rooms for each pair.”

“Sure, sure. So, it’s going to be you and Auntie, and me and Nonaka, right?”

“Huh? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Eh?”

“It’s going to be me and Shuuta-kun, and Mama and Ippei as pairs♪”

“……Are you for real?”

Uh-oh, I almost drooled at that thought.

(T/N: Only a matter of time, bois…)