When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 26: Unchanging, No Matter What I Learn

Chapter 26: Unchanging, No Matter What I Learn

“Alright!”

The next day, filled with determination in various ways, I left my room. Well, the promise was for after school, so there’s still a long way to go.

As I descended to the first floor and headed towards the entrance, Nee-san just happened to show up. We had already seen each other at breakfast and had a conversation, but things were still a bit awkward. I wonder what she’s going to do next, probably waiting for an answer just like Arika.

“Then, Nee-san, I’m off.”

“Yes… Take care.”

Right before exiting the entrance, my hem was lightly grabbed.

“Ah… um…”

Nee-san seemed flustered, not knowing why she had grabbed it. Personally, I find such a Nee-san cute, but if I were to embrace her now, I might end up doing so until I’m satisfied.

“I’ll see you in the evening. I’m off.”

“…Yes. Take care.”

After this second exchange, I was finally able to leave the house. I couldn’t help but look back once, but as expected, Nee-san wasn’t following me. I might be overthinking, but it’s unlikely, I thought with a wry smile and continued walking.

After a while, I saw a girl standing alone.

“Why…”

Of course, she was a girl I recognized, Arika. Yesterday, she had suddenly come to my house, and we went to school together. We hadn’t arranged to meet today, yet there she was, waiting… It might not be for me, but from the looks of it, it probably was…

“Ah! Ren-kun!”

Spotting me, she smiled happily and hurried over.

“We didn’t have a plan for today, but…”

“Yes, but I just really wanted to be with Ren-kun… Is that bad?”

“Of course not. Let’s go together.”

“! Yes!”

…Seeing Arika’s happy smile as she walked beside me, I couldn’t help but feel a desire to protect her. Of course, I’m not anyone special to her yet, and it might be presumptuous of me to want to protect her, but I can’t deny being drawn to her that much.

“Arika”

“Yes? What’s wrong?”

“Are you pushing yourself too hard?”

As we walked side by side, I realized something. Arika, smiling as usual, seemed to be forcing herself in some way. We’ve only started spending time together recently, but I can now sense when Arika seems less lively by her demeanor.

“Ahaha… Is it that obvious?”

“I just had a feeling… Sorry. The reason is undoubtedly me.”

And I knew that I was the reason behind Arika’s troubled expression. When I said that, Arika shook her head, indicating it wasn’t true… Anyway, it will have to wait until after school. Then, with a slightly more cheerful Arika, we headed to school. As usual, having Arika by my side drew a lot of attention, just like yesterday. The same was true when we entered the classroom.

“…I don’t think they need to stare so much.”

“It can’t be helped. It just shows how much everyone is concerned about Arika.”

I believe it’s important to cherish friends who care about you, just like I do. Even if they might only be acquaintances during high school, it’s still a valuable connection.

Well then, I’ve just arrived in the classroom, but I need to use the restroom. I left my bag and headed towards the restroom. After finishing up, I stepped out of the restroom, only to be confronted by an unexpected person.

“…Arisaka?”

We had talked a bit before, but… what could he want?

“Kamisato, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure.”

There was no reason for me to refuse, so I responded to Arisaka’s request. Arisaka and I headed to an empty classroom. Morning assembly wasn’t starting just yet, so it seemed okay to take our time.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

The only reason I could think of for Arisaka approaching me was something to do with Arika. Well, what could be the reason Arisaka brought me here… It turned out to be exactly what I had thought.

“You’ve been hanging out with Arika a lot lately, right? Are you two dating?”

“No, we’re not.”

I plan to resolve that question today, but probably Arisaka doesn’t know much about my current relationship with Arika. Maybe he wants to say something because he liked Arika, but from Arisaka’s demeanor, I couldn’t sense any feelings like jealousy.

Arisaka continued, as if letting out a sigh.

“You should avoid dating Arika. She’s… a bit strange.”

“A bit strange, huh?” Those words from Arisaka were probably a bit sugar-coated. The look Arisaka had given Arika before, and the words Arika had said, “Because you saw that side of me”… I think they’re connected.

But, whatever Arika showed to Arisaka, it doesn’t justify such remarks. I wasn’t irritated, but I truly believed it was unfair.

“Isn’t it harsh to call her strange? You’re childhood friends, right?”

“…Yes, she was. But after seeing such a creepy side of her, my feelings cooled off.”

“Hmm?”

From Arisaka’s attitude, it was clear he no longer harbored good feelings towards Arika. What exactly did Arika show Arisaka? It piqued my curiosity, but I didn’t feel the need to ask Arisaka. Nor did I plan to press Arika about it.

“I don’t know what Arisaka thinks, but I’m not planning to leave Arika’s side because of it.”

I knew how Arika felt, and more importantly, I cherished her deeply. In that sense, no matter what others said, it wouldn’t change my feelings towards Arika. My words implied as much, but Arisaka, as if urging me to reconsider, pressed on.

“She’s like a stalker! She kept sending you those weird letters, and more importantly, her room is filled with your photos. That’s creepy, isn’t it!?”

“…”

While I knew about the letters, the photos were news to me… Well, I guess it just shows how strongly she feels about me.

“You often catch her staring intently at you… don’t you find that creepy!?”

So, that gaze I occasionally felt might have been Arika. But really, how one interprets it depends on whether they know Arika or not. The feelings Arika has carried since a previous life are unknown to Arisaka… that’s probably why he speaks like this.

“I knew about the letters, but not the photos. Now I understand why Arika asked if I had entered her room when I was hanging out with Takuma.”

“So, you were with Takuma… then knowing that―”

But sorry, even knowing this doesn’t change how I feel about Arika.

“Knowing this doesn’t make me want to leave Arika’s side. I feel that Arika is… no, this isn’t something I should be discussing with you.”

The rest of what I have to say is for Arika to hear, along with the answer I’ve decided on.

Seeing my demeanor, Arisaka looked at me as if seeing something unbelievable. But having known Arika’s strong feelings and her charm, I can’t bring myself to reveal something that I know and he doesn’t.

“Is that all you wanted to talk about? If so, I’m heading back.”

Arisaka probably meant no harm, but honestly, he just chose the wrong person to talk to. As I turned my back, Arisaka said nothing. Maybe for a moment, he considered spreading negative rumors about Arika, but I doubt he would do such a thing. He didn’t seem to have the courage for that.

Returning to the classroom, I found the usual group, including Arika, gathered around my desk.

“Ah, Ren-kun, welcome back.”

“Were you at the toilet? You took quite a while, was it a number two?”

“No, that’s not it. I took care of that at home, a long time ago.”

Kenichi, really, there are girls around. You shouldn’t say things like that.

“Watanabe-kun… maybe it’s not good to say such things out loud,”

“Yuka’s right. That’s why you’re still—”

While listening to their banter, I took my seat. Then Arika leaned in close.

“…Akito-kun also left, did something happen?”

“…”

“What did he say?”

Her intuition was sharp as usual, and my silence apparently conveyed something else. She began to exude an uncharacteristic aura.

“It’s okay! We just had a little talk. It’s nothing serious.”

“…Alright. If Ren-kun says so.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at Arika’s swift change of mood. Arisaka is one thing, but Arika seems to have her own thoughts about him as well.

Then the morning assembly began, and the school day started, surprisingly normal as usual. It felt as if I was being told to prepare my mind for the important conversation that was to come. Time passed, and after school, I went home with Arika.

“Come on in.”

“Oh… thank you for having me.”

Nee-san’s shoes were there, and it seemed she had really come home early.

Now, it’s time to prepare myself.

To convey the answer I’ve come up with and my feelings for both of them.