When I Told the Most Beautiful Girl in the School That My Confession Had Failed, She Suddenly Started Coming at Me With Unbearably Heavy Feelings - Chapter 18: Emotions and Discord

Chapter 18: Emotions and Discord

“…Ngh… ugh…”

The morning sunlight streaming through the curtains dragged my consciousness awake.

Rubbing my heavy eyelids, I forced myself to wake up. The clock read 7:10 a.m. I usually got up at 6:30, so I’d overslept a bit.

This house was closer to the academy than my usual place, so I could afford to sleep in a little longer.

“Good morning, Senpai! ♡”

A cute voice from my little stepsister echoed near my chest.

Amane, who had wrapped her arms tightly around my waist, flashed me an angelic smile.

“Good morning, Amane… How long have you been like this?”

“I woke up at 6. Since then, I’ve been savoring your adorable sleeping face!”

“A guy’s sleeping face isn’t exactly entertaining, you know…”

“Hehe, it’s surprisingly cute, though?”

With that exchange, I got out of bed. Amane clung to me like a cicada.

“Wow, Senpai, you’re surprisingly strong…”

“I was in the sports club, you know. Come on, get off already.”

“No way! Carry me like this! ♡”

“Are those perfectly good legs of yours just for show?”

“…Please, big brother?”

Amane’s pleading, misty eyes stirred my protective instincts.

“…That’s not fair.”

“Hehe, girls are unfair creatures, you know.”

“Hold on tight, then.”

I slid my arms under Amane’s knees, supporting her firmly, and left the room.

In the living room, Dad and Otoha, who were already up, were eating breakfast. Dad’s eyes widened at the sight of me with Amane clinging to me.

“Morning…”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning!!”

“My, my, so close right from the morning!” Otoha said warmly.

I set Amane down and started serving myself some food to eat breakfast.

On the table were grilled salmon, tamagoyaki, miso soup, and a salad. Breakfast being Japanese-style hadn’t changed since Mom was around.

I usually skipped breakfast to save time, so having a proper meal like this in the morning felt nice.

“It’s delicious, Otoha-san.”

“Oh my, getting praised first thing in the morning? I’m thrilled! Help yourself to seconds, okay?”

Otoha smiled gently in return.

Her calm tone and gentle demeanor were somehow comforting yet tickled something inside me. Her smiling face reminded me of Mom.

After losing Mom, I was raised at Grandpa’s house, lived here, and then went back to living alone.

This space, where two missing pieces came together, was warm—but that warmth made it oddly uncomfortable.

‘Renji, you’ve got bedhead.’

“…? Bedhead, huh—”

I touched my head and realized there was no bedhead. Not again.

“…What’s wrong, Renji?” Dad asked.

“…Nothing.”

“…I see. It’s a busy week, so it’ll be tough to drop by.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to force yourself. I’m fine.”

“No, even if I can’t come home, I can make an hour or two in the evening. Let’s grab dinner or something.”

Dad had changed since Mom passed.

Working at a foreign company, he was always busy. Still, he made time for me, even if it meant pushing himself. He was probably trying to be considerate in his own way.

“Dinner with an old man, huh…”

“Ugh… I’m pretty self-conscious about that, you know.”

With that banter, we finished breakfast. I carried the dishes to the sink and started getting ready for school.

Getting ready didn’t take much time for a guy like me. Wash my face, brush my teeth, fix my hair a bit, and put on my uniform. That’s it.

Now, I just had to wait for Amane. Curling her hair, doing her makeup—girls’ preparations took time.

Amane’s cuteness was the talk of the academy. A girl’s charm was built on effort.

While waiting in the living room, glancing at the news, Otoha came pattering in, her slippers flapping.

“Renji-kun, want to take a bento?”

“Is that okay? That’d be great.”

“Just return the bento box next time you come by.”

“Senpai! I’m ready!” Amane’s voice called from the entrance. She was finally done.

“Coming! …Thanks for the bento. See you later.”

“Have a good day… Renji-kun.”

As I was about to leave the living room, Otoha grabbed my uniform sleeve.

Her smooth hand gently enveloped mine, and the faint scent of her hand cream felt oddly nostalgic.

“…Come back anytime, okay? I’ll always be waiting.”

“…Thank you. I’ll try to come back here as soon as I can.”

Otoha had always looked out for me.

Even though I kept my distance from this family and holed up alone in my room, she sent me money and did everything she could to make sure I could come back.

Not many people would be so kind to someone else’s kid. Dad found a good partner in her.

That made me feel guilty. I was causing her worry because of my own issues. I had to find a way to repay her kindness soon.

“See you.”

“Have a good day.”

I bowed to Otoha and left the room with Amane.

It was a short walk to the station from here. We strolled side by side.

“Senpai, did you sleep well last night?”

“Thanks to someone, it was a bit tough.”

“Don’t blame me! Not many high school guys get to sleep with a cute stepsister like me, you know!”

Seeing Amane’s playful smile put me at ease.

When we first met, Amane was withdrawn, barely speaking to Otoha.

Her father, who she called a scumbag, had destroyed their family and Otoha, leaving Amane deeply distrustful of people. She wouldn’t even look at me back then, but by being earnest with her, she gradually opened up.

I lost my mom, and Amane lost her dad. The reasons and weight of our losses weren’t something to compare. But they were similar.

Drowning in the sadness of loss and bound by our pain, we bared our hearts to each other by licking each other’s wounds.

Being able to save her was proof I’d grown, even just a little, since that day.

We boarded the crowded train from the busy platform. With no seats available, we stood close together to avoid getting separated.

“…Amane, hold onto the strap, not me.”

“It’s steadier holding onto you, isn’t it?”

“That’s not the point,” I muttered, but I gently pulled her closer. Amane smiled contentedly, nuzzling her cheek against me. She was almost cat-like, adorable.

I wanted to keep protecting her. I never wanted to see that look on her face again.

The train swayed lightly, brakes screeching as we arrived at the station. I held Amane’s hand as we stepped onto the platform.

Hand in hand, we left the station. Amane’s bright expression and soft humming soothed my heart.

I’d keep pushing forward today. To become someone I could be proud of.

Maybe that’s why I didn’t notice.

The cold, dark gaze watching us.