Chapter 151: Hell’s Room Tour

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Translator: Soafp

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[Nina PoV]

My older brother has very few friends.

Actually, he has none.

He's a bit odd, sure, but mostly, he's just terrible at talking to people. 

Since we were little, he was the type who played alone in the sandbox.

It's not that he wanted to be alone; he would glance around sadly with those lonely eyes. 

He's always been like that. 

That's why I stayed by his side.

[—“I'm fine now.”]

But that time. 

During the spring break of our third year of middle school.

He stopped relying on me.

[—“If family is around, I'll just lean on them. I think this is a good chance.”]

He said that and smiled on that spring evening. 

The last photo we took together is in the album.

A modest peace sign, just like him.

[—“See you, Nina.”]

It's been a year and a half since then. 

I've talked with the woman who claims to be his friend, but I still can't believe it.

That's right. 

He must still be the same awkward guy he was before starting high school.

I expected he'd still be the one who couldn't make eye contact, greeting people the same way.

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[Toumachi PoV]

Life is a series of choices.

For example, if I hadn't spoken to Kisaragi-san back then— 

the me of today wouldn't exist.

I wouldn't even have this rainbow-colored hair.

“Come here, Hajime.”

“…”

If I hadn't spoken to Kisaragi-san, 

would I still have been spared from seeing my mom's terrifying face?

If I hadn't gotten close to Hatsune-san, 

would she have just been left to the mercy of those OGs?

Ah. 

In the end, I'll never know which choices were truly right.

But still, I've spent my whole life full of regrets.

“P-Polo Tomato… well, I mean, it's me, Toumachi, haha…”

“””…”””

“Well, it's cold outside, so why don't we go in? It's pretty chilly today, even though it's June, haha.”

“””…”””

“”

Am I making the wrong choices again?

“…Let's go inside the house.”

“Yeah, let's.”

“Oh, okay…”

Wait, maybe I didn't mess up! Let's keep going! 

I mean, I'm probably going to die anyway! So whatever, bring it on!!

Click.

“””…”””

“Oh, this is the ‘Super Combined 100-Crane.’”

A giant crane I made by combining lots of smaller origami cranes, my proud creation. 

I thought Kanon-chan would be happy when she came over, so I made it.

“What is this, Onii-chan?”

“This is my masterpiece (smug face). Please don't break it.”

“Aah, origami, huh? That's a nice hobby. It's even popular in America, you know.”

“…”

Dad's trying hard to lighten the mood, but Mom's terrifying expression hasn't softened.

…Guess I have no choice but to try that—

“Mom, you like mandarins, right?”

“…”

“L-look, it's a satsuma mandarin aroma…”

“…”

I didn't have anywhere to put it, so I just left this diffuser by the entrance (lazy). 

Now, this crane and the diffuser have become the gatekeepers.

They seem… kind of weak.

“Nice scent, right? It was actually pretty expensive. Even though it's such a tiny bottle, it was 2,000 yen! But it's totally worth it—”

Psssh 

The steam starts rising.

A pleasant aroma fills the room.

How about now…?

“—Do you really not want anyone in your room that badly, Hajime?”

“Eek!”

She saw right through me. 

But what can I do?

My room right now… 

It's messy, but that's not the problem. It's just… not possible right now. 

At least give me thirty seconds—

Thud.

“Aah”

The head of the “Super Combined 100-Crane” fell off from the steam. 

This feels way too ominous.

But maybe, in a way, it sacrificed itself to fulfill its duty as a gatekeeper…? 

I'm sorry for calling you weak.

Oh mighty one—I’ll make sure to seize this opportunity! 

I’ll leave this to you and go ahead (what a coward).

“—Can I just take a minute to tidy up?”

“We're coming in, Hajime.”

“Ah—”

Before I could finish, Mom walked right past me.

Hey, gatekeeper, what are you even doing (terrible)?

This is bad. Right now, on that living room table—

“Huh…?”

There's an unfinished “Ant Farm Observation Kit” sitting there.

” “

…By the way, Mom has a huge phobia of bugs. 

There aren't any ants in it yet, but still—if she sees something that looks like that…

Pii!

“Moooom!!”

“Ah, she's fainted…”

“What is up with this room?!”

I catch my mom as she collapses. 

Dad gazes up toward the heavens. 

My little sister yells while circling around my room.

…What do I do now?!