When I Got My Heart Broken by a Childhood Friend, I Ended Up in a Romantic Comedy With Her Mother - Chapter 21 - Resolution

Chapter 21 – Resolution

Clatter, clatter…

“Mmm, delicious! Lunch at the beach house was great, but dinner at the seaside hotel is exceptional!”

“Indeed, the food is impressive for the price of the stay.”

The happy, outgoing couple exclaimed.

Well, the food was undeniably delicious.

However, I couldn’t focus much on the food at the moment.

I glanced at Haruna-san sitting next to me.

She was also picking at her food, but there was something uncertain about her expression, something uneasy.

“Mama, what’s wrong? Your face looks a bit flushed~”

“Huh? W-Well, it’s nothing.”

“Maybe you’re tired? You’re already an old lady, after all.”

“M-maybe so.”

After looking at Haruna-san, I said,

“Oi, Miho. Haruna-san drove us here, and on top of that, we made her pay the hotel fee so suddenly. There’s no way to say that.”

“I said I’ll pay the fee later.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that~?”

Us childhood friends glared at each other.

“Come on now, both of you. You’re going to ruin the delicious meal if you keep going.”

Nonaka followed up, but…

“But Ippei started it…”

“It’s your fault.”

We didn’t stop

 At that time…

“…Both of you, don’t fight.”

Haruna-san said.

“Don’t fight. You two have been together since childhood after all, you’re childhood friends.”

Haruna-san didn’t raise her voice, and she said that in a gentle tone.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

I said, immediately quieting down.

“It’s fine, as long as you understand.”

Haruna-san said with a smile.

On the other hand, Miho remained silent with a somewhat mysterious look on her face.

“…I’m sorry.”

When Miho finally apologized, Haruna-san smiled at her too.

“Now, let’s enjoy the meal properly.”

After that, we had dinner while engaging in quieter conversation.

◇

After finishing the meal, we returned to our room.

“Ikkun, I’m going to take a quick bath… What about you?”

“Ah, I…”

I hesitated for a moment, then said,

“I’ll go later. My stomach isn’t feeling so well.”

“Are you okay? Do you need any medicine…?”

“Oh, I just ate a little too much. If I rest, I’ll be fine.”

“Really? Well then, take a good rest.”

“Yes. Haruna-san, please take your time.”

“Thank you.”

Haruna-san left the room with a smile.

I sat down on the bed and hung my head.

“……”

I recalled the moment when Haruna-san didn’t scold me but gently reproached me earlier.

At that time, she had the expression of a mother, a guardian, which was only natural.

Yes, a guardian. She is like another mother to me

She is a kind person who has always taken care of me since I was little…

“…This is dangerous.”

No matter how incredibly beautiful and stylish she is, I can’t believe I would look at her in a sexual way.

Maybe I’m a bit crazy after all?

Haruna-san was the one who suggested and invited me into this relationship, but…

That’s because she was thinking about how unpopular and miserable I was.

Deep down, Haruna-san doesn’t really see me as a man…

To begin with, I have the most disgusting feelings in the world…

Knock, knock.

I was startled.

“Ye-yes?”

Who could it be?

“…Shibata? It’s me, Nonaka.”

“Eh? Nonaka?”

“Can I come in for a moment?”

“Ah, yeah…”

I walked towards the door on half-shaky feet and opened it.

“Yo.”

“Huh, where’s  Miho?”

“She went to take a bath. I was invited too, but my stomach feels weird.”

“Ah, me too… Well I guess we did eat about the same amount.”

“Well, girls usually have stronger stomachs and bigger appetites.”

“Really?”

When I said this in amazement, Nonaka laughed.

“What’s wrong, you don’t look okay?”

“No, well…”

“Well, getting scolded by our mom at our age can be a bit demoralizing, huh?”

“No, she’s not like my mom.”

“I envy you~ Having a beautiful mom.”

“Well, I mean… Isn’t Nonaka’s mom definitely beautiful too?”

“Huh?”

“Because, well… you’re handsome, aren’t you?”

“Hey, don’t say that to my face, I’ll get embarrassed.”

Smack! I was hit on the back quite hard.

“Ouch.”

“Ah, sorry.”

And then, we both casually sat down on the bed.

I thought it might get awkward, but…

“Shibata, do you have a girlfriend or something?”

“Huh? No, I… I don’t.”

“Really?”

“I’m not as handsome as you.”

“Just being handsome doesn’t mean everyone has a girlfriend. I put in effort… that’s all.”

“That’s impressive.”

“It’s just normal.”

“Sigh, I’m not handsome, and I don’t put in effort… I’m just hopeless.”

“Well, that’s not everything. There are plenty of women out there who like hopeless guys.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Oh, my bad.”

“Well, deny it then.”

We both shared a small laugh.

This guy really has great social skills…

“…Hey, Nonaka.”

“What?”

“Let’s say, hypothetically… Let’s say there is someone who has been very helpful to you.”

“Yeah?”

“Would it be…creepy to see that person in, you know…a sexual way?”

“Wait, is this about Miho’s mom?”

“N-No, it’s not… I mean, it’s just a hypothetical question!”

“Ah, got it, got it. (lol)”

Damn it, this social butterfly…

“Well, but it’s unavoidable, isn’t it? I mean, if there’s a stunningly beautiful woman, especially with a big breasts…”

“Your choice of words is too explicit. And also, don’t refer to her as ‘woman’…”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. But it’s the truth, isn’t it? Men can’t help but see women in a sexual way. It’s just part of human nature.”

“Maybe that’s true, but… It’s definitely not about Auntie, though?”

“Yeah, yeah. Well, just so you know, I also see Miho’s mom in a sexual way, you know♪”

“What!?”

“See, it’s definitely about you and Miho’s mom!”

“I-I mean, that’s…”

“It’s not a big deal, is it? Seeing someone in a sexual way. She probably knows too, but since she’s an adult, she pretends not to notice. If you play your cards right, you might even get lucky…”

“Okay, that’s enough!”

I ended up raising my voice.

“Haha, you’re hilarious.”

“Shut up, you extrovert.”

Nonaka ironically laughed at me.

Seriously, this guy…

“…But well, I feel a little better.”

“Really? Then, are you seriously going to try your hand at it?”

“No, that’s…”

I couldn’t say it, not after everything that had happened.

“Haha, my bad. The bar is too high for a virgin like you.”

“W-who are you talking about… Well, I guess that’s true.”

“Don’t worry about it♪”

“Shut up, you womanizer!”

“I’m not that much of a womanizer. I haven’t hit the three-digit mark yet.”

“Don’t say terrifying things like that.”

“Ahaha! Shibata, you’re so funny. I can understand Miho wanting to tease you.”

“That girl… Instead of teasing, I’d rather call it bullying.”

“Well, Miho has her own feelings. Why don’t you try to understand her a little more~?”

“Well, you’re right… I don’t want to make Auntie sad by fighting too much.”

“Hey, is there mixed bathing here?”

“That came out of nowhere… what are you going to do about it?”

“Huh? A fun-filled story with a beautiful mother and daughter♪”

“You bastard, don’t you ever get close to Auntie again!!”

“Shibata, you… you’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Ah, well… She’s someone I’ve been indebted to since I was little…”

“Okay, okay. By the way, is it okay if I take your childhood friend who’s been with you since you were little?”

“In fact, haven’t you already taken her?”

“Well, yeah♪”

“…That’s gross.”

“Don’t worry, Shibata is even creepier♪”

“This guy is seriously messed up!”

Honestly, I feel really jealous…

But, in spite of everything, this Nonaka, he’s a good guy…

Thanks to that, the uneasiness in my chest has eased a bit.

That said, summer is ending soon…

“…It’s about time I settle this.”

“Huh, settle it? That’s my specialty, I’m on the soccer team. Should I kick your balls for starters?”

“You! You sadistic extrovert!!”