When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 33: My Sister Won't Stop

Chapter 33: My Sister Won’t Stop

“…so cold.”

Exhaling a breath that’s visible in the chilly air, I realize it’s cold enough to see my breath. I need to soak in a warm bath when I get home, or I might really catch a cold. As I quicken my pace, I come across a man and a woman arguing in front of a convenience store.

“Why don’t you understand? I don’t want to break up! Tell me, what’s wrong with me?”

“Ugh, just shut up, will you!? Why does the reason even matter? I just want to break up with you, that’s all! Or what, do you want me to honestly say I found someone better than you and I’m leaving you for him?”

No, she already said that…

Looks like they’re arguing about a breakup. The woman wants to end it, but the man doesn’t; neither of them is willing to budge. In a place like a convenience store, used by all sorts of people, their loud argument is attracting more and more attention. They should really take this somewhere else.

I sigh and am about to walk past them when the woman suddenly exclaims.

“Huh?”

What was that? It sounded like she recognized someone. When I look at her again, thinking it couldn’t be, she’s indeed looking at me… and she’s actually someone I know. It’s Asakura-san, who often visits our house looking for Nii-san.

“What the… Don’t tell me it’s him?”

“Eh!?”

Or rather, this man was Asakura-san’s boyfriend, the one she used to date. I couldn’t tell if he was just hot-headed or what, but he mistook something about me and started approaching. Sensing an impending hassle, I sighed again.

“What are you staring at, you little brat? This isn’t a show. Just go away!”

“Huh?”

Eh? That confused exclamation wasn’t mine. It came from Asakura-san’s boyfriend, who seemed ready to confront me. I was just as surprised, though. She was definitely Asakura-san… I usually saw her when she was with Nii-san or when I was out with my friend Kenichi, and she was always polite to me.

“…Sorry about that.”

“No, it’s…”

As the man apologized and bowed his head, I caught a glimpse of Asakura-san behind him, looking apologetically down. Confused but wanting to leave the awkward situation, I bowed slightly and walked away. However, after a short distance, I heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

“Little brother!”

“…So it really was you, Asakura-san.”

Asakura-san caught up, out of breath. Her boyfriend was nowhere in sight… had they broken up?

“Ah, what a hassle. He keeps asking me to reconsider, but how is that going to change my feelings? Should I tell him that I’ve been with someone he doesn’t know, someone who can reach places he never could?”

“…”

Yes, she’s definitely Asakura-san.

Peering into her vibrating phone with a hefty sigh, she turned it off and then, remembering me, stuck out her tongue in an apologetic gesture.

“Sorry about earlier. You never know what a desperate man might do. I was wrong to divert his attention to you, but I thought if I said that, he’d just think you were a passerby.”

“Ah…”

I really don’t want to meddle in Asakura-san’s affairs with her boyfriend… but it’s clear he truly loves her, or rather, maybe it’s more of a dependency. And yet, there he is, utterly refusing to accept their breakup, while Asakura-san speaks so harshly of him… Women can be frightening.

“I came after you to apologize for what I said earlier… and, well, maybe to ensure you keep quiet about it.”

“Keep quiet… You mean, like, I’m going to be killed or something?”

“No! I just don’t want you to tell Ryo that I called you a little brat. Please! Really, don’t tell him. No matter the reason, it would completely ruin his opinion of me!”

“Okay, I understand…”

I nodded as she desperately shook my shoulders. Not that I would have mentioned it anyway… But I can’t help but feel sorry for her boyfriend; it seems Asakura-san’s feelings are truly set on Nii-san.

When I promised to keep silent, Asakura-san exhaled with relief. Seeing her a bit more at ease, I decided to ask her something.

“So, you’re really breaking up with that guy?”

“Of course. Actually, I’ve considered myself single for a while now.”

Asakura-san continued, acknowledging her own fault.

“I was the one who cheated first. I thought it wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t find out, and I wasn’t that into him from the start. Regardless of the reason, I’m the one at fault. That’s why I wanted to end things cleanly and focus on Ryo.”

It seemed she intended to take responsibility, but the clearer she made her feelings, the more I pitied her boyfriend. I may be callous for not caring more about someone whose name I don’t even know.

“Isn’t it pathetic for just a boyfriend to beg for reasons when told to break up? I mean, doesn’t he get it? The moment I said I wanted to break up, it meant I found no charm in him anymore… He really annoys me.”

I couldn’t help but give a wry smile at Asakura-san’s evident irritation. But… I think it’s natural to want to know why when someone breaks up with you.

If… just if Arika or Nee-san were to leave me, I’m sure I would ask them why. What did I do? Why? It might sound pathetic, but I’d still ask.

“Oops, sorry, little brother, for dragging you into this weird conversation. Anyway, that’s the situation! Please, don’t tell Ryo, okay?”

“I get it. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good. You’re kind, unlike Ryo. He’s not gentle at all, but I guess that’s what makes him attractive♪”

You’re totally smitten, aren’t you?

After parting with Asakura-san, I finally made it home. As I was about to enter the house, I heard a loud noise near the trash disposal area. Startled, I flinched, but upon checking, I found that a trash can had fallen over. Perhaps a stray cat had knocked it over. Thinking this, I walked over to set the trash can back in place.

“…?”

On the way, I felt like someone was watching me, but I chuckled, thinking I was just being paranoid.

“I’m home.”

Feeling a bit spooked, I hurriedly opened the front door and went inside. The sound of slippers greeted me, and sure enough, it was Nee-san welcoming me.

“Welcome back, Ren.”

In response to Nee-san’s outstretched arms, I embraced her. The warmth of her body was comforting against my chilled skin, and I wrapped my arms around her back.

“Fufu, Ren, you’re such a sweetheart. I love you just the way you are.”

She kissed my cheek softly. Ever since that day I confessed, both Arika and Nee-san have become more affectionate, with more physical touch than before – enough for me to notice the change.

“Hey Ren, can you give me your bag?”

“Eh? Sure.”

Why does she want my bag? I wondered, handing over the bag I was carrying. Nee-san smiled happily.

“Like a wife greeting her husband returning from work, just like newlyweds, isn’t it?”

“Ah, so that’s why you wanted the bag…”

I smiled at Nee-san’s cute gesture, even though she was older than me. As I sat down to untie my shoelaces, I noticed Nee-san glancing sideways at the door.

“Nee-san?”

“Hmm? What?”

“Just wondering… you seemed concerned about something outside.”

“Oh… I thought there might be a rat lurking around. We should get rid of it soon.”

“…Do you feel its presence or something?”

“Fufu, who knows? Hey Ren, the bath is ready. Go ahead and get in. I’ll join you shortly.”

“Okay…?”

Although Nee-san returned to the living room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I missed something important. After pondering for a bit and deciding it was just my imagination, I headed to finish my bath. And then…

“Nee-san…?”

“How is it? Does it feel good?”

…Strange. I was about to wash my hair and rinse off when Nee-san joined me in the bath. Before I could ask what she was doing, she insisted on washing me.

“…”

“This could become a habit. How is it, Ren? It’s soft and feels good, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Ufufu♪”

Honestly, I’d prefer if she just used a towel for the sake of my mental health… But it seems that my time in the bath, meant to be relaxing, inevitably ends up being quite the opposite.

“…I can still feel it.”

“Nee-san?”

“No, it’s nothing. Come closer, Ren. Snuggle up, or else we won’t fit together in the bath～?”