Chapter 17: Spring Cherry Blossoms

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Translator: Soafp

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You're a fourth-year student.

(You're a second-year student.)

With the arrival of spring, we started living under the same roof.

(It’s a new beginning even though we’re not freshmen.)

“Hey, Haru-kun, we should split the rent. It's clearly more than the food expenses.” (Natsu)

“It's fine. I earn more, so it's okay. I've been saving up, so it's not a problem.” (Haru)

(I was shocked to hear that your part-time job and stocks earn you more than a full-time salary. I was beyond surprised.)

Why's that?

(I'm older than you.)

“…But—” (Natsu)

“Get a taste of newlywedhood before anyone else” (Haru)

(So that's where you're coming from.)

You can't refuse, can you?

“…Idiot.” (Natsu)

“Huh? Na-chan, your face is red. Do you have a cold—” (Haru)

“I don't! Stop saying that on purpose!” (Natsu)

“Na-chan.” (Haru)

“What is it?!” (Natsu)

“Let's take care of things from now on.” (Haru)

“…Yes. I'm not very reliable, but please take care of me too.” (Natsu)

“With that way of speaking, it sounds like we're already married.” (Haru)

“Oh, Haru-kun, your face is red too. Are you sick?” (Natsu)

“I'm just blushing.” (Haru)

“You're the only one being honest. It's unfair.” (Natsu)

Honesty is a good thing, isn't it?

(…Yes.)

“The 2LDK maisonette is 75,000 yen, three stations by train from the university, twenty minutes by car. There's parking too, though I'm sorry your new car has to be parked in a separate lot.” (Haru)

“It's just a used car, obviously an old model.” (Natsu)

A PEUGEOT 206.

(Yes, the one that raced in rallies.)

“But it's still new, and it has a beginner's mark on it.” (Natsu)

“The beginner's mark is unnecessary. It'll be gone soon.” (Haru)

“Right. Shikibu-an is a bit farther now, but we'll have to find good places in this town again.” (Natsu)

“Na-chan, you like walking around town, don't you?” (Haru)

“That's part of my job too. I need to expand my repertoire. Let's go for a walk once we finish unpacking.” (Natsu)

“Got it. Let's get it done quickly.” (Haru)

---

“Let's wrap up here and go shopping?” (Haru)

“Sounds good. Dinner will be late otherwise.” (Natsu)

“Since you must be tired, how about we eat out somewhere?” (Haru)

“Hmm? Are you not satisfied with my cooking?” (Natsu)

“No, it’s the opposite. Eating at Na-chan’s is much tastier than eating at a crappy restaurant.” (Haru)

“Haru-kun, Haru-kun. You're getting the words wrong.” (Natsu)

“Well, it means that as long as I'm with you, I'm satisfied.” (Haru)

“Ehehehe. I'm happy to hear that. I've captured your stomach and heart.” (Natsu)

“Yeah. Oh, but before we go out, a little taste test…” (Haru)

“Mmm, huuuh. Haru-kun, if you start kissing, we might never go shopping.” (Natsu)

Ding-dong

“Eh? Is that the furniture store?” (Natsu)

“I'll get it.” (Haru)

Even though no one should have known we just moved in.

(Surprised, aren't you?)

Of course I am.

“C-Coming!” (Haru)

“Haru-kun, who is it?” (Natsu)

“Na-chan? Why are you laughing?” (Haru)

[Open the door quickly!] (???)

“Okay. Wait a moment.” (Haru)

Click

“Natsu Onee-chan!” (Sakura)

“Welcome, Sakura-chan.” (Natsu)

My younger sister, who I hadn't been in touch with, suddenly appeared.

(I contacted her.)

You had her contact information?

(I asked Dad to discreetly give her my contact info.)

“So, what brings you here?” (Haru)

“Is this how you treat your little sister you haven't seen in over a year? I understand the situation, but you should have at least contacted your cute sister. You should reflect on that.” (Sakura)

“Cute, huh?” (Haru)

“Don't get carried away just because you started living with a beautiful person like Natsu Onee-chan. Stay grounded.” (Sakura)

She is a cute younger sister.

(She's at that age where she can't be honest.)

“Anyway, Sakura-chan came all this way, so let's go shopping and have a meal. Will you stay the night, Sakura-chan?” (Sakura)

“You can kick me out if you want. It's the first night after all.” (Haru)

“Haru-kun, don't say things like that!” (Natsu)

“W-what? Are you saying, Natsu Onee-chan, that you and Haru-kun have already—” (Sakura)

“Sakura-chan, let's think about your words. And Haru-kun, too.” (Sakura)

“I don't want to hear that from Na-chan.” (Haru)

That’s right.

(Ehehehe.)

“Well, if Natsu Onee-chan is okay with it, then it's fine.” (Sakura)

“Yeah, more than okay. Welcome!” (Natsu)

“Eh?” (Sakura)

“Sakura, don't overthink it. I'm going to get the car ready.” (Haru)

---

“I'm relieved.” (Sakura)

“Hm?” (Natsu)

“Natsu Onee-chan, thank you for bringing Nii-san back to the way he used to be.” (Sakura)

“Sakura-chan…” (Natsu)

“At that time, I was a student preparing for exams and was out of the loop. By the time I noticed, Nii-san was already withdrawn. There was nothing I could do as a child. But I couldn't believe Nii-san would hurt others.” (Sakura)

“That's right, Sakura-chan. You don't need to believe it. Because it was a lie, after all.” (Natsu)

“…Onee-chan.” (Sakura)

“Haru-kun is fine now. Even from my perspective, he's become really strong.” (Natsu)

“Strong enough to fall in love with?” (Sakura)

“Ehehehe. Yes, strong enough to fall in love with.” (Natsu)

“Ah, I feel like I've wasted my worries. I'm so jealous of your happiness.” (Sakura)

[Bttt]

“Oh, is that Haru-kun? Let's go, Sakura-chan.” (Natsu)

“Okay.” (Sakura)

---

“It's a Deux Zero Six. You still like rallies, don't you, Nii-san?” (Sakura)

“Well, yeah. Compared to an Evo or Impreza, the fuel efficiency is better. This is more for city driving.” (Natsu)

(You like making things spin around, don't you?)

You're making fun of me, aren't you?

(I'm not! I just love seeing you talk about what you enjoy.)

“Come on, let's go. Today, I'll let Sakura-chan sit in the navigator seat as a special treat.” (Natsu)

It's supposed to be just for you, though.

(For my cute little sister.)

“Eh? I don't want to sit next to you, Nii-san. Natsu Onee-chan, let's sit in the back together.” (Sakura)

“Sakura-chan, you're just being shy. Just sit in the front. This is an order from your big sister!” (Natsu)

“…That's pretty overbearing.”(Sakura)

“Sakura, give in. Na-chan's stubbornness is no joke.” (Haru)

(Hmm? I'm just honest.)

Hmm? That's what you say.

(Not really true.)

“Only for today.” (Sakura)

“Yes, it's supposed to be just for me.” (Natsu)

“Alright, thank you.” (Sakura)

---

“It's delicious. Do you always get Natsu Onee-chan to cook for you, Nii-san?” (Sakura)

“Yes.” (Haru)

“Well, I guess you won't be eating out anymore.” (Sakura)

“I don't even want to.” (Haru)

“Please don't brag in front to your little sister.” (Sakura)

“It's not an incorrect opinion, is it?” (Haru)

“Well, I guess I'm convinced.” ( (Sakura)

“Yes, yes, thank you both. I'm starting to get embarrassed, so let's stop with the praise. By the way, Sakura-chan, how long will you stay?” (Natsu)

“I feel like I'm intruding, so I'll go back tomorrow. There's no need to worry.” (Sakura)

“You're not intruding at all! Don't worry about it. Even if you're not staying for spring break, if you have no plans, stay a bit longer. Let's talk about lots of things.” (Haru)

“Nii-san?” (Haru)

“It's a rare chance. Stay over.” (Natsu)

(You're not very honest.)

There are things I want to ask, too.

“Okay, I'll stay just a little longer.” (Sakura)

“Hmm, by the way, Sakura.” (Haru)

“Yes?” (Sakura)

“Do Mom and Dad know?” (Haru)

“Ah, yes. I told them I was coming to see you. I don't think they know about the living together situation.” (Sakura)

“I see. Well, you know how it is.” (Haru)

“I won't say anything. I'm on Natsu Onee-chan's side.” (Sakura)

(This child is a bit of a sis-con.)

I know.

I’m a sis-con too.