When Two Wounded Hearts Find Solace In Each Other, Snow White (The School's Beauty) And I Were Mistakenly Labeled As A Silly Couple. - Chapter 25: Conversation between Snow White and Childhood Friend.

Conversation between Snow White and Childhood Friend.

“Welcome, Shirayuki-san.”

Returning home, I found Marika already there, and all I could manage was a wry smile. While it’s like a second home, I hadn’t expected Marika to be lounging around as if it were her own house.

Though I often spend holidays in this house, it’s still not Marika’s home. Moreover, her choice of attire—wearing shorts and a T-shirt even in someone else’s house—is a stark contrast to Himeno, who wears dresses and looks stylish.

“I apologize for intruding.”

Blushing slightly, Himeno took off her cute shoes and headed towards the living room with Marika. I removed my shoes and followed them.

“Shirayuki-san, do you prefer tea or coffee?”

“Tea, please. I don’t like bitter flavors.”

As Himeno sat on the sofa, it became apparent that she liked tea. I remembered offering her tea on a previous visit, thinking that if she didn’t like bitterness, she probably wouldn’t drink coffee.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Thank you.”

Marika, who had boiled water in the kettle and made tea, placed cups of tea on the table. Even though it was a tea bag, it had the scent of apples, making it easy for those who didn’t like bitterness to enjoy.

“I like it.”

As Himeno sipped the hot tea, her face relaxed a bit. Perhaps she was feeling a bit more at ease with Marika as well. She had mentioned trusting me the night before and seemed to trust Marika as my childhood friend. However, full trust would likely come after further conversation.

“Ta-kun told me some of your  story. Bullying is something I absolutely can’t forgive.”

Sitting next to Himeno, Marika’s usually cheerful and kind expression turned stern, emitting an aura of anger. It was a rare sight to see Marika so upset, but she probably couldn’t forgive the girl who bullied Himeno.

“I’m here to support you too, so feel free to rely on me anytime.”

“Thank you. But I have Taka-kun, so I’m okay.”

Himeno turned towards me with a sweet smile and said, “I’ll always be here to help,” and it was genuinely cute. It felt unsettling in a different way, unrelated to nervousness or embarrassment.

It was reminiscent of the feeling when I first became aware of Marika as the opposite sex.

“Ta-kun is so reliable. As your big sister, I’m really happy,” Marika said with genuine joy, and I couldn’t help but feel that she truly saw me as her little brother.

If she saw me as someone of the opposite sex, given Marika’s personality, she might have teased me more. It was a bit disheartening, but if I wasn’t seen in that light, there was nothing I could do.

“I see? Also, from now on, I’ll be the one making Taka-kun’s meals.”

“Huh? Doesn’t that mean I won’t get to play the big sister role anymore?”

The atmosphere in the room felt a bit tense, but I didn’t intervene.

“You turned down Taka-kun’s confession. I think it’s just sad to be together. So, I decided that I should be the one making meals. Taka-kun has agreed to that.”

“Ta-kun, really?”

Her slightly teary, brown eyes looked at me.

Perhaps, as a brother, she couldn’t date me, but she wanted to take care of me like a sister. That’s what she seemed to be thinking.

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m thinking of having Himeno make them from now on.”

If I got rejected, I’d have to distance myself from my childhood friend. Plus, having Himeno make meals seemed like a good idea.

However, since I still had feelings for Marika, it was a bit sad to think that I wouldn’t get her meals anymore.

“I see… It’s the big sister’s duty to silently watch over her brother who’s growing apart. It’s a bit lonely, though…”

Marika, shedding tears, seemed to be thinking that even though we couldn’t be together as a couple, she wished we could have spent more time together as siblings.

“Thank you for your understanding. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk at all. It’s just that it’s better to limit contact more than ever.”

“That would be great. Ta-kun.”

Marika, who hugged me, might not fully understand.

While she used to come to the extent of holding hands before, this time, hugging might be her way of expressing that she still wants to be like a sister forever.

The reason she rejected all confessions, including the current one, was because she felt the need to ‘take care of me.’

She didn’t want to make a boyfriend because she wanted to take care of me. As long as this relationship continued, it seemed Marika wouldn’t have a boyfriend.

It might be my imagination, but Marika now seems like a sister who can’t let go of her little brother, even if they’re not really siblings.

Even if they weren’t siblings, it seemed like she didn’t want to separate due to various complex feelings.

“You really don’t understand at all.”

Himeno, with a frustrated expression, let out a slightly sad voice.