Chapter 3: Fight

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Translator: Soafp

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Finally, the bell signaling the end of the school day rang, and I eagerly made my way towards the shoe box area to retrieve my belongings. As I reached for my shoes, I noticed Hana approaching me with a smile.

“Hey, Ryota! Are you heading home now?”

“Yeah, I am. Are you going home too?”

“Yeah, let’s walk together!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her suggestion. Walking home with Hana sounded like a pleasant way to end the day.

“Sure, I’d like that. Let’s go!”

As we started walking towards the school gate, I noticed Kenji waiting nearby. He caught my eye and waved, joining us without a word.

“Hey, Kenji! Are you heading home too?”

“Yeah, figured I’d tag along. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not! The more, the merrier.”

With Hana and Kenji by my side, the walk home felt more lively and enjoyable. We chatted about our day, sharing laughs and stories as we made our way through the familiar streets.

As we walked, our conversation drifted to what we planned to do once we got home.

“So, Ryota, what are you going to do once you’re home?”

“I’ll probably finish up some homework and then relax for a bit. Maybe watch a movie or play some video games.”

“That sounds nice. I might do the same. Or maybe I’ll try out a new recipe I found online. Cooking always helps me unwind.”

“That sounds delicious! You’ll have to let me know how it turns out.”

Then Kenji chimed in.

“I think I’ll just crash on the couch and binge-watch some shows. Nothing beats a lazy evening after a long day at school.”

“So, like the usual?”

“That’s right. Sometimes, you just need to unwind with some good old-fashioned binge-watching.”

“Exactly! It’s the perfect way to relax and recharge for the next day.”

“You get it, Kobayashi-san.”

“You can call me Hana.”

“Ou, you can me Kenji then! Please take care of me.”

“Like wise.”

The easy banter felt like a warm embrace, wrapping me in a sense of belonging and comfort. As we walked together, I couldn’t help but wish that this moment could last forever, frozen in time like a cherished memory.

But alas, reality had other plans. As we reached a fork in the path, Kenji turned to bid us farewell, his infectious smile still lighting up his face.

“Well, it looks like this is where I part ways. Take care, you two!”

“Thanks, Kenji. You too.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Kenji.”

As we walked together, Hana and I continued our conversation, our voices blending harmoniously with the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.

“So, Hana, do you have any plans for the weekend?”

“Not really. I don’t have anything specific in mind. Probably just relaxing at home.”

“Well, if you’re not busy, would you like to go out with me this Sunday? Maybe grab lunch or check out that new café downtown?”

Hana’s eyes widened in surprise, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.

“U-uhm, that sounds nice, Ryota. I’d love to.”

A rush of relief flooded through me at her response, accompanied by a flutter of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with her outside of school.

“Great! I’ll text you the details later then.”

“Yes”

With plans for this Sunday settled, we continued our walk, enjoying each other’s company until we reached a point where our paths diverged.

“Well, this is where I have to head in a different direction.”

“Yeah, my place is this way.”

Pointing in the opposite direction.

We paused for a moment, a comfortable silence settling between us as we exchanged a brief farewell.

“It was really nice walking with you, Ryota. Thanks for asking me out this Sunday.” .

“The pleasure’s all mine, Hana. I’m looking forward to it.”

With a final wave, Hana turned and headed off in her direction, while I continued on my way home, a sense of anticipation bubbling within me at the thought of our upcoming date.

---

As I turned the key and pushed open the door, a familiar figure caught my eye. Standing there in the dimly lit hallway was Yuto, his expression unreadable as he watched me enter.

“I am home.”

“….”

Yuto remained silent, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Something about his presence felt off, unsettling even, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

“I am home?”

“….”

Yuto’s silence only added to the unease swirling in the air, his steady gaze unnerving me more with each passing moment.

As I attempted to step past him, his sudden resistance took me by surprise, his hand firmly pushing against my chest and blocking my path.

“What the hell? What’s your problem?”

“You are the problem. I have heard Koboyashi-san and you are dating now?”

“Yeah, we are. So what about it?”

Yuto’s jaw clenched, his fists balling up at his sides as he struggled to contain his emotions.

“The problem is that I like Koboyashi-san too, Ryota. I’ve liked her for a while now, and you’re just swooping in and taking her away from me?”

I was taken aback by his confession, stunned into silence as the realization dawned on me.

“….Uhm, sorry?”

Yuto started to get irritated, his brows furrowing in frustration as he clenched his fists at his sides.

“You’re not taking me seriously, Ryota!”

“And what am I supposed to do! Break up with Hana so you can ask her out?! I am sorry but that is not going to happen!”

“YOU, YOU WILL REGRET THIS!”

It was at that point that Yuto initiated a fight, his frustration boiling over into aggression. I didn’t back down, defending my relationship with Hana. As tensions escalated, fists flew and tempers flared.

After a tumultuous exchange, it was my father who intervened, pulling us apart and putting an end to the fight.

But instead of addressing the root cause of the conflict, he took me to my room to have a stern conversation with me.

“Why were you fighting, Ryota?”

“He started it. Yuto accused me of stealing Hana away from him.”

My father’s expression softened slightly, though the disapproval remained evident in his eyes.

“That’s no excuse for resorting to violence. You know better than that, Ryota. You could have pushed him away and come to me instead.”

“…”

Not wanting to make this situation worse, I remained silent and simply nodded in acknowledgment.

“I expected better from you Ryota….Haa.”

He sighed, his disappointment palpable as he turned and walked away.

Why

Why why.

Why why why do I get the blame for something he started it. It wasn’t fair that I was the one being chastised when Yuto had instigated the fight. Why couldn’t my father see that?

I wanted to scream, to lash out at the unfairness of it all. But what good would that do? My father had made up his mind, and no amount of protest would change that.

---

The next day dawned, bringing me closer to the eagerly anticipated date with Hana. Descending the stairs, I caught sight of my stepmother in the kitchen.

“Good morning Ryota.”

“Good morning.”

“How was school yesterday?”

“Same old, same old.”

“Anything exciting planned this weekend?”

I hesitated for a moment, weighing the decision of whether to reveal that I had a date upcoming on Sunday. Ultimately, I reasoned that sharing this detail wouldn’t hurt, so I decided to tell her.

“Actually, I have a date this Sunday, so, Saturday I’ll need to buy some new clothes in the department store downtown.”

I confessed, deciding to share the news with her.

Her eyes widened in surprise before a warm smile spread across her face.

“Ara, that’s wonderful, Ryota! Who’s the lucky girl?”

“It’s Hana.”

Feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of spending time with her outside of school.

“Hana, hmm? She’s that lovely girl you often mention, right?”

“Yeah, that’s her.”

“Ara, I’m happy for you, Ryota. I hope you have a great time on your date. Have you already planned what you are going to do?”

“Grabbing lunch or check out that new café downtown but nothing has been set in stone.”

A slight smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

“Sounds like a lovely idea. I’m sure you two will have a wonderful time together.”

“Thanks, I hope so too.”

With her well wishes echoing in my mind, I headed off to school, my thoughts already drifting to the weekend ahead.

---

[Mother PoV]

It had been a while since I’d seen Ryota smile genuinely. Ever since I married his father, his smiles always seemed forced, as if he were trying to mask his true feelings.

I knew I could never replace his real mother, but I hoped that over time, I could become someone he could trust and confide in.

As he headed off to school, a faint smile gracing his lips, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I was making progress in bridging the gap between us.

As I was lost in my thoughts, contemplating the dynamics of our family and how I could contribute to creating a more nurturing environment for Ryota, I heard footsteps approaching from the staircase.

“Good morning, Mom.”

“Good morning Yuto.”

Ryota and Yuto are not on the greatest term.

Despite the tension that often lingered beneath the surface between Ryota and Yuto, I was determined to foster a sense of harmony and unity within our home.

It was a delicate balancing act, but one that I was committed to navigating with grace and patience.

As we sat down to breakfast, I made a mental note to find opportunities for the two of them to connect and bond, hoping to bridge the gap that sometimes seemed to divide them.

After all, family was about more than just blood ties—it was about love, support, and understanding. And as their mother, I would do everything in my power to nurture and strengthen those bonds.

“It is almost weekend. Do you have anything planned?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Ara, is that so? Ryota is going buy some new clothes this Saturday because he has a date the day after.”

“….”

“Yuto, is there something wrong?”

“N-no, it is nothing. Uhm Mom, do you know where he is going to buy his clothes? I want to give him some advice on what clothes to buy as his older brother.”

I smiled at Yuto’s willingness to help his stepbrother. It was a rare moment of sibling bonding that I cherished.

“He’s planning to visit the department store downtown. I’m sure he’d appreciate your advice, Yuto.”

This should help strengthen their relationship.

With a nod of gratitude, Yuto excused himself from the table.