When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 31: Ah...

Chapter 31: Ah…

“…I see. So Akito-kun did such a thing.”

“Yeah. He really helped me.”

Time passed, and it was after school. Neither Arika nor I had any reason to stay at school, so as soon as the classes ended, we left to go home. On our way, when I mentioned something about Arisaka, Arika’s face turned slightly complicated yet somewhat relieved.

“So, he has changed in many ways, huh?”

Muttering softly, Arika, who snuggled closer to me as if hugging my arm, walked home with me. Since that incident in the restroom,that guy… I mean, Mikami hadn’t bothered me at all. Whether Arisaka’s words had an effect, or it was because Arika was by my side, I couldn’t tell, but I felt a bit relieved.

“Ren-kun, do you want to stop by my house for a bit?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah. We shouldn’t stay out too late, but… I just don’t want to part yet.”

“Understood. I’d be glad to visit.”

“Right♪”

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m going to Arika’s house at her invitation. The first time was thanks to meeting Takuma… Oh, does this mean I’ll get to see Arika’s room? Normally, one might look forward to seeing their lover’s room, but I was more intrigued by the fact that I had caused such an expression on Arisaka’s face.

“Dad will be home late, and Mom… I wonder when she’ll be back.”

I wasn’t entirely uninterested in meeting Arika’s parents, but since we had school the next day, I didn’t plan to stay late. From the way Arika spoke, it seemed that both her parents often came home late at night. If that was the case, meeting them might have to wait for another time.

Then, led by Arika, we headed towards her house. This was my second visit to Arika’s place. Following her as she opened the front door, I stepped inside.

“I’m home~”

“Sorry to bother you.”

There was no reply, but I noticed Takuma’s shoes, so he must have been home. Perhaps he didn’t hear us if he was doing something in his room and we weren’t loud enough.

“Umm… do you remember where my room is?”

“Yeah.”

I still remembered, but… really? Is it okay?

“Can I go in?”

“? Of course. You’re my boyfriend, so don’t be shy… kyaa! I’ve always wanted to say that at least once!”

I had also wanted to hear such a phrase, so it’s a mutual feeling… but is it really okay? Could it be that her room is covered in photos, and she has no issue with me seeing them?

“I’ll prepare some drinks and snacks,” Arika said as she headed to the living room. Making up my mind, I proceeded to the second floor.

“Let’s see… head towards S75. Yes, yes, that way, keep going.”

[TLN: I have no idea about this S75]

On the way to Arika’s room, I passed by Takuma’s room. It seemed he was engrossed in a game, so it made sense he didn’t notice us. Finally, I reached Arika’s room.

“…Gulp.”

I couldn’t help but swallow nervously. The events of today might have resolved any tension with Arisaka, but the memory of his intense expression when he spoke about Arika still lingered in my mind. Arisaka seemed to have completely lost his feelings for Arika after seeing this room… Here goes nothing!

Gripping the doorknob, I steeled myself for whatever I might see and opened the door.

“…Huh?”

What lay beyond the door was not the world I had imagined. It was a normal room, the very epitome of a girl’s room. Furnished in white, it was tidy with not a single item out of place. I was surprised by the number of dolls at the head of the bed, but then again, Nee-san also keeps a teddy bear by her pillow. Maybe this is typical for girls?

“…Well, I guess I’ll sit down.”

None of the things I had anticipated were there, which was a bit of a letdown, but then again, Arika had invited me over, so it made sense that she had cleaned up. It was hard to judge based solely on Arisaka’s words, but maybe the ‘illusion’ Arisaka saw was… well, probably not.

“Sorry for the wait… Is anything wrong?”

“N-nothing.”

I was looking around the room when Arika entered. Accepting the juice she offered, I quenched my thirst and noticed Arika fidgeting, her face flushed as she looked up at me and spoke.

“…Um, I cleaned up a lot yesterday, so it shouldn’t be messy.”

“…Ah, so that’s why.”

I see, the mystery is solved. Even so, Arika probably doesn’t know about my conversation with Arisaka, and she doesn’t know that I’m aware of the photos… Well, it’s not really important anymore. I was curious, but if she went to the trouble of tidying up like this, it’s probably not something she wants me to ask about. And I remember, when I told her about my previous visit, she seemed flustered about whether I had seen her room or not.

“Haha, looks like I won’t get to see it, after all.”

“Eh?”

“Nothing. Just thinking that Arika is cute.”

“R-Ren-kun! You can’t just say things like that out of the blue!”

Despite her words, the twitching of her lips suggests she’s trying hard not to smile. It’s something common between Arika and Nee-san – being in a new relationship and close to them makes it easier to understand the subtleties of their emotions.

I put the glass of juice far enough away to avoid spilling and pull Arika into an embrace.

“…Ehehe.”

She fits snugly into my arms without any resistance, blushing and smiling shyly. As I stroke her beautiful, light pink hair, I can tell she takes great care of it. It’s silky smooth, with no tangles or split ends, flowing easily through my fingers.

“…Mm… Ahh.”

“Did that hurt?”

“No, it’s the opposite, actually. It’s too blissful.”

“I see.”

“Yeah, hey, keep doing it.”

I continued to stroke Arika’s head with the thought that I could do this forever. The feeling is strange not just for Arika, who is being caressed, but also for me, the one doing the caressing. Do I want more closeness? Do I want to pamper her more? …It’s hard to say, just a peculiar sensation.

“Ah, I wish the weekend would come sooner.”

“Are you that excited?”

“Of course. I can be by Ren-kun’s side even after the sun sets, and when I wake up, the first thing I see is Ren-kun. I think that’s incredibly happy.”

That is… true, it certainly is a happy thing. But more than that, it’s this girl, who expresses such feelings in words, that I find so precious. I tighten my embrace slightly, and Arika, far from looking uncomfortable, hugs me back even stronger.

“Here we go… Ah, Ren-kun is so close.”

Arika wraps her arm around the back of my neck, saying this at such a close distance. I can feel her sweet scent and softness as she slowly closes her eyes and moves her face closer.

“…?”

In such a silence where even the beating of our hearts seems audible, I’m acutely aware of our surroundings. I could even hear the sound of a clock ticking in this space, and naturally, the approaching footsteps from outside.

Arika doesn’t seem to notice, but the footsteps gradually get closer. And then—

“Sis, you home…ah?”

“…Eh!?”

Takuma, standing at the door, has his eyes wide in surprise at the sight of us embracing. What happens when a girl’s brother witnesses such a scene is straightforward.

“…Awkward.”

Yes, it turns out like this.