When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 30: Thoughts as Childhood Friends

Chapter 30: Thoughts as Childhood Friends

“…It’s frustrating, but it’s too delicious!!”

“Right? Nee-san’s cooking, especially her bento, is really delicious.”

During lunch break, today, and perhaps from now on more often, I was eating alone with Arika. Eating with the usual group was always good, but I sensed a desire from Arika to eat just the two of us, leading to this moment.

“I’m pretty good at cooking too, but… I guess I can’t beat this.”

I chuckled at Arika’s frustrated groan. Nee-san’s cooking is not just limited to bento; it’s genuinely delicious. I heard from Nii-san that she became so skilled in cooking because she wanted to see my smile… Yeah, hearing something like this makes me grow even fonder of Nee-san.

“You’re thinking about Asami-san right now, aren’t you?”

“…Can you tell?”

“I can. It’s Ren-kun, after all.”

She didn’t seem upset; rather, she looked pleased and somewhat envious.

“I have a younger brother, but no older brother or sister. Sometimes I feel a bit envious, wondering what it would be like if I had one.”

“I see. But if you think about the future, for Arika, it’s like having both an older brother and sister. Maybe it’s okay to rely on them a bit more?”

They used to call each other names like ‘fox woman’ or ‘spider woman,’ but I can feel that they respect each other. Above all, Arika and Nee-san trust each other. Nii-san is also concerned about Arika, and I think they would indulge her as I suggested.

“Hmm, that’s tempting, but if I’m going to be spoiled, I’d prefer it to be by Ren-kun.”

Arika kept glancing over at me… Well, I wouldn’t mind spoiling Arika, but we were in the middle of eating lunch. I could strongly feel her desire for attention as I finished the bento Nee-san had prepared.

“Come here, Arika.”

Right after we finished our meals, I spread my arms to invite Arika, and she immediately jumped into my chest. It would be difficult to do this while sitting on chairs, but we were on the rooftop. Sitting on the ground on a spread mat, this was something we could do. Even though leaning against the concrete wall might get us a little dirty, it didn’t matter much considering Arika was seeking comfort.

“I’m so easy… Just doing this makes me feel so happy.”

“I feel the same. Just being like this really brings peace.”

While stroking her head with one hand and wrapping the other around her back, this posture… Somehow, just embracing each other like this brings immense happiness. The pleasant scent and the soft touch, indeed… this could become addictive.

As we were embracing like this, the door to the rooftop suddenly opened.

“So yeah, that guy was―”

“What’s going on… oh.”

The ones who entered were two girls, faces I hadn’t seen much, so they’re probably from a higher grade. They saw us embracing and stood there with their mouths wide open in shock. Then, after a while, as if rebooting, they both did an about-face almost simultaneously.

“Take your time~”

“Sorry to intrude~”

With a bang, the door closed.

Neither they nor I could utter a word. For them, it was almost like a sneak attack, and as one of the people involved, I had no idea how to react in such a situation.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, just now someone came by.”

“Really? I didn’t notice at all…”

Apparently, Arika hadn’t noticed at all. Now, we had been in this position for several minutes… but Arika showed no signs of moving away. Instead, she lifted her face and puckered her lips towards me.

“…Mm.”

I couldn’t help but respond, so I kissed Arika. It was a gentle kiss at first, but then Arika slipped her tongue in. Despite my surprise, I had no intention of refusing and entwined my tongue with hers.

I always wonder… why does a deep kiss like this seem to flip a switch in humans? Is it something about the structure of our brains, or is there some other reason?

“Asami-san did it first, so it’s okay for me too, right?”

“…”

I nodded slightly in response.

Now, after spending such time during lunch break, the afternoon classes began. After finishing the first class of the afternoon and feeling the need to go to the restroom, I went with Kenichi. That’s when it happened.

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

“Uh?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I let out a surprised sound. Who could it be? As I turned to look, there stood a classmate who had given me a meaningful glance earlier this morning.

“Mikami? What do you want with Ren?”

The boy named Mikami responded with this question.

“What did you do to Yumeno-san?”

“…Huh?”

What did I do? I hadn’t done anything. As I exchanged glances with Kenichi, Mikami continued irritably.

“It’s strange. Yumeno-san was always with Arisaka… But suddenly, she starts dating you, and her relationship with Arisaka worsens. It’s obvious you must have done something!”

Now I understood what he was getting at. The meaning behind the gaze directed at me this morning. It seemed Mikami thought I had done something to Arika. Indeed, if I were an outsider, I would be just as surprised by Arika’s change… but our situation is not something easily understood by others.

However, how should I respond? As I pondered, an impatient Mikami grabbed my collar.

“It’s because of Arisaka… I gave up because of him! Why does someone like you suddenly―”

I could feel his strong will, his refusal to accept. In his eyes, I envisioned the incident from that dream. Though it wasn’t me, the vivid memory of being pushed and hit by a train came flooding back.

“…!”

The impossible sensation of flesh tearing apart, the image of Arika and Nee-san breaking down in tears… all these unimaginable experiences suddenly overwhelmed my mind. The abrupt nausea forced me to cover my mouth, but Mikami, seeing my reaction, didn’t let go.

“Hey, say something!!”

“Cut it out, Mikami! Yumeno hasn’t been harmed. Clearly, she likes Ren, can’t you see?!”

Kenichi, who was beside me, pushed Mikami away, finally freeing me. The sudden hallucination and the nauseating feeling in my chest… I tried to raise my head, grateful for Kenichi’s kindness in rubbing my back, when I heard his voice… Arisaka’s voice.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you okay, Kamisato-kun?”

Arisaka appeared, intervening between me and Mikami. Mikami, surprised by Arisaka’s sudden arrival, pointed at me and tried to continue speaking, but Arisaka cut him off.

“He hasn’t done anything to Arika. In fact, Arika really likes Kamisato-kun. So, stop with the baseless accusations.”

Mikami tried to retort to Arisaka, but Arisaka continued,

“I’ve had my issues and thoughts. But seeing Arika’s happy face today, it’s hard to believe Kamisato-kun did anything wrong, right? Arika, that girl, she’s smiling so happily. As her childhood friend, nothing makes me happier than that.”

“But!”

No one has the right to interfere in their relationship. Not you… nor me.”

“….”

Mikami ran off. Arisaka, standing before me, sighed and turned around.

“…I kind of understand, though. I heard that guy, too, liked Arika.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah…”

It was a surprise, but the sickness had faded away. I owed Arisaka thanks for stepping in to help.

“Thanks, Arisaka. For helping me out.”

“Don’t mention it. Just did what anyone would, as a person.”

But it was unexpected. He had been so vocal about Arika and me before; perhaps there was some change in his feelings. Noticing my gaze, Arisaka scratched his cheek and gave a wry smile.

“…Sure, there were various things, but the fact that Arika is my childhood friend hasn’t changed. Thinking about how that girl I used to play with is now smiling so happily… it makes me feel happy as if it were my own joy. Seeing Arika like that made me want to find someone special too.”

“I see…”

“Yeah.”

Kenichi, with a teasing smile, put his hand on Arisaka’s shoulder.

“Then, you and I are in the same boat, man! Ren and Sogo have girlfriends, so it feels like we’re left out. Let’s find cute girls just as great as theirs!”

“Uh, yeah…”

Hey, Kenichi, you’re making Arisaka uncomfortable…

So, that’s what happened, but after that, Mikami didn’t bother me anymore. I told Arika about the incident, and she was furious… but I managed to calm her down since it was all over now.

“…We really need to be careful, huh. Ren-kun, whenever we’re at school or going out, I’ll stay as close to you as possible.”

“Okay.”

I nodded almost reflexively… because Arika’s eyes looked quite intimidating.