When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 38: The Nature of the Gaze

Chapter 38: The Nature of the Gaze

“Watanabe.”

“…What?”

After school, the moment finally arrived. Arika and Rindou-san approached Kenichi and me, who were just idly chatting after the end-of-day assembly. I had talked to her during gym class, but for Kenichi, it was probably his first time speaking with her… Despite always saying he wants a girlfriend, he seemed wary of a girl who normally doesn’t interact with him suddenly starting a conversation.

“Ahaha, sorry for the sudden approach. Remember, I told you before? I said I’d introduce you to someone who shares your hobbies.”

“Ah… Is that Rindou-san?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

Kenichi looked incredulous, but I guess I would have reacted the same way if I hadn’t had the chance to learn more about Rindou-san. This was the second time, but Kenichi’s interests are typically indoor hobbies like games and manga. Judging by Rindou-san’s appearance alone, one would imagine the complete opposite of those interests.

The sight of Kenichi and Rindou-san facing each other attracted considerable attention from the class. Rindou-san is a beautiful person who often gets confessions, and many boys are interested in her, as I’ve heard from Arika… Some of those gazes might belong to such boys.

“Let’s go outside for now.”

“Yeah. Come on, Mai and Watanabe-kun.”

Thinking it would be uncomfortable to stay here and keep attracting strange gazes, the four of us decided to go outside. I leaned closer to Kenichi, who still seemed to be grappling with the situation, and spoke to him.

“Well, I think it’s important to take action in anything. It’s a good opportunity, and why not have a chat with Rindou-san?”

“Yeah, I guess so… Damn, I get seriously nervous when it comes down to this.”

“Just be yourself as usual. Besides… According to Arika, she might be even more than—”

“More than, what?”

“No, never mind.”

From here on, it’s probably a matter for Kenichi and Rindou-san. They’re neither in a relationship nor necessarily heading towards one. It’s just an interaction in this form, but even just getting along well through this would be great, I think.

“Well then, see you both tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Arika and Kamisato too… wait, Watanabe? Isn’t your walk a bit odd?”

“Not at all… I’m just nervous. You know, walking home with a pretty girl like this is new to me.”

“…You just blurted out pretty, huh?”

I think those words weren’t intentional. He seemed unsure of what to say, probably just blurted it out. Rindou-san, used to being called pretty, didn’t seem embarrassed. Instead, she looked impressed that Kenichi could say something like that.

After parting ways with them, Arika and I decided to enjoy a post-school date… but then.

“…What’s that?”

“?… Oh.”

There, in our view, was Asakura-san, sitting on a bench, gazing blankly into the sky. To say her soul was gone might be an exaggeration, but she looked that absent-minded, raising questions in my mind.

“Asakura-san, huh?”

“Do you know her?”

“Yes, from the past.”

“I see.”

It seems we both knew Asakura-san, but she didn’t seem to recognize us. I was curious about how she came to know her, but decided to leave it for now. I didn’t intend to interact, just planning to pass by, but our gazes met momentarily, so I nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

I thought we would just pass by and that would be the end of today’s encounter, but upon seeing my face, Asakura-san distorted her composed features and began to cry.

“Hey, wait…”

She quickly hid her face with a handkerchief, so others around us didn’t seem to notice. However, after seeing her like that, it was impossible not to be concerned. Arika and I exchanged glances and then headed towards the bench where Asakura-san was sitting.

“Asakura-san…?”

“…”

No response, with her hands still covering her eyes. After waiting a while, Asakura-san calmed down and looked up. Her eyes were red and teary, but she forced a smile and spoke.

“Sorry, little brother. I just started crying all of a sudden… Ah, so embarrassing. To think you’d see me like this.”

Well, it was a coincidence.

Asakura-san shifted her gaze from me to Arika, looked surprised for a moment, but then nodded as if understanding.

“Your girlfriend?”

“Yes, she is.”

“…Nice to meet you.”

Arika bowed her head, speaking few words.

“She’s a cute. Take good care of her, little brother.”

“Of course, I will.”

It’s obvious. I will always cherish Arika and Nee-san, the two who accepted my confession. For me, that’s almost like my reason to live… well, maybe that’s overstating it. But I do intend to be by their side with such strong feelings.

“But, Asakura-san… why were you… crying?”

I hesitated to ask directly why she was crying, but as if she expected the question, Asakura-san smiled and explained.

“Ryo told me we shouldn’t meet anymore.”

“…What?”

“He said I shouldn’t come to the store either… Ahaha, well, it’s my fault. I reaped what I sowed… Sorry for suddenly bringing this up to you, little brother.”

I wanted to know, so there’s no need for apologies, but it did surprise me. Did she do something to Nii-san? As I pondered, Arika spoke up.

“Did something happen?”

It was the first time Arika met Asakura-san today, and she nodded in response to her question.

“Remember when we met at the convenience store yesterday, little brother? I thought he had already left then.”

Asakura-san was probably referring to her boyfriend. From the way she spoke, it seemed he might not have left after all. She continued to explain, and it turned out as I had guessed.

“He was curious and, it seems, followed you, little brother.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

…With Mikami and her boyfriend, it seems like this town has a lot of people who like to follow others. That clears up one mystery. Mikami’s encounter with me and Nee-san at the restaurant was a coincidence, and the presence I felt near my house that time was probably her boyfriend.

“So, just after I left Ryo’s store earlier, I ran into him. He said, ‘I’m breaking up with a cheating woman like you. I’ve found someone. A woman who’s prettier and seems kinder than you.'”

“…Could it be?”

“Yes. He… seems to have fallen for Asami-san at first sight.”

“…”

I was at a loss for words. The amount of information was overwhelming, and I couldn’t quite process it all, but I could sense a huge headache coming on from the trouble this was likely to cause.

“…Creepy.”

Arika’s blunt remark resonated strangely. Asakura-san, fiddling with the keychain on her smartphone, continued.

“At that moment, Ryo was also nearby. He dragged the guy into the store… I was too scared to ask what he intended to do. Ryo was really angry at that time. I thought then that I had messed up… Ryo values his family above everything, and I played a part in bringing that guy into his home.”

“…”

Nii-san and Nee-san both value family connections, I understand that. I can see why Nii-san was angry… Honestly, it might be strange for me to comment on this. I know Asakura-san genuinely likes Nii-san, but… it’s complicated.

“After he said we shouldn’t meet anymore, I cried pathetically. But then, I remembered what I talked about with you, little brother. Seeing myself crying and clinging, I saw a resemblance to him… It must be karma, I guess.”

Asakura-san laughed weakly as she slowly stood up.

“That’s what happened just now. Well then, little brother… We probably won’t meet again, but take care.”

“Ah, yes…”

“…”

I couldn’t find any words to say to Asakura-san, who waved her hand lightly. Arika and I just watched her slowly fade into the distance, never looking back. Suddenly, Arika let out a big sigh and spoke.

“So, what was the reason for coming all this way―Ryo-san?”

“…Huh!?”

Following Arika’s gaze, there was Nii-san, awkwardly scratching his head.