Chapter 26: Mob with hearing loss

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Translator: Soafp

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[Karen PoV]

It’s past nine in the evening, and I hear the sound of the door opening. It’s probably Mom who has returned. Holding the letter, I make my way downstairs.

I descend the stairs slowly, heading towards the living room. My legs start to tremble again, and my heartbeat becomes restless.

But I’ve made up my mind to take a step forward, to believe in my family.

As I enter the living room, Dad and Mom are sitting side by side on the sofa.

“…Mom, welcome home.”

“I’m back.”

“Listen, I have something I want to talk to you about, Mom and Dad, and I need you to listen to me.”

“Alright.”

“Please, go ahead.”

I take a deep breath and open the letter. I must speak up, take that step forward. If I can’t do it now, I’ll feel sorry for Izayoi who has gone through so much for me.

I meet the gaze of Mom and Dad. My feelings are about to be conveyed.

“…I want to say something that I’ve never been able to say before.”

“I love both Mom and Dad. I have so many memories of being together that are etched in my heart. When I was little, I got scolded for drawing a pentagram on the car with stones, for drawing stars with mayonnaise on sleeping Dad, for drawing a @ sign with ketchup on Mom who was sleeping, and for drawing a pirate symbol with soy sauce on Dad’s important suit. I remember all of them vividly, without any fading.”

“With every prank I pulled, I would get scolded, cry, apologize, and be forgiven. That’s how I grew up. I couldn’t repay you much, and I’m grateful for raising me even though I’ve always been selfish. But please let me be selfish once again. I want to be with Mom and Dad… I know there will come a time when I have to leave you both. But until that time comes, I want to be together.”

I said it for the first time. My true feelings. And as I recall the past, my emotions welled up, tears threatened to spill, and my tone became stronger.

“I want us to have more fun, to laugh together, and to go shopping and on picnics like we used to! I know that the relationship between you two has changed from what it was before! I know there are things that are hard for both of you to say! You might think it’s too late, but still, I want to be together! Please, I’m begging you!”

I bow my head. The tears I was trying to hold back spilled uncontrollably, distorting my vision. I’m afraid of their response.

“Thank you for expressing your feelings so sincerely, Karen. Your feelings have reached me”

“Your feelings have reached Mom too. You’ve truly grown”

As they speak gently with smiles on their faces, I feel relieved that my emotions have been conveyed. Maybe, just maybe, this will be resolved!

“You’ve shown such admirable courage, Karen. I need to show a cool side of myself too”

Dad says and takes out a letter. A letter… in the same envelope as mine. Is it just a coincidence?

No, it doesn’t matter now. I should be grateful that Dad wrote a letter and is trying to face the family.

“To Karen and Konana. You two mean more to me than anything else. I’ve been happy ever since I met Konana, married her, and Karen was born. However, because Konana is talented and I’m not, I’ve always approached her from a position one step behind, driven by feelings of inferiority.”

“That feeling was conveyed to those around us, intensifying my inferiority complex. I started to think, ‘Is there someone better for her?’ ‘Has Konana become tired of me?’ Those thoughts started to consume me.”

“I tried not to burden Karen, but in the end, I made her worry and suffer deeply. I apologize for that. I’m truly sorry. But Karen, you don’t have to worry anymore. I feel the same way.”

“Dad…”

“Dear…”

Dad looks so cool right now.

“Karen, Konana, even though I have many flaws, please stay with me.”

Dad feels the same way too. I’m so happy to hear that.

“Dad, you’re not flawed. You’ve always been there to support me.”

“That’s right. I’ve always been supported by you.”

Mom is starting to speak her true feelings too. The hope and expectations grow even stronger as our family gradually changes.

“I want to say something too, my true feelings.”

Mom too…? Huh? Another letter? It’s strange that every member of the family prepared a letter. And they’re all the same envelope…

“I’m sorry for causing you so much worry, Karen. I also want to go back to how things used to be. And dear… I’ve been aware of your struggles for a long time. But I didn’t know how to express it. That’s why our feelings were drifting apart. But now I’ll say it. Thank you always. I need you. Of course, I need Karen too. So please stay with me.”

“Yeah, let’s stay together!”

“If you’re okay with me, I’ll rely on you from now on.”

Finally, our family could express our true feelings. It feels a bit too smooth, and there’s a lingering sense of unease, but that’s okay.

Afterward, we had a meal together for the first time in a while and had a conversation as a family. It was a bit awkward at times, but thinking that we can laugh together again makes it feel pleasant.

While we were talking, we came to know the fact that Izayoi is a powerhouse of action.

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[Izayoi PoV]

After talking with Hihara Konana and realizing it was quite late, I decided to stop by a family restaurant on my way home and have dinner.

The place was fairly empty, so I was seated right away. I ordered a cheese hamburger and salad from the menu and took a moment to relax. It wasn’t just an ordinary hamburger; it was a special cheese hamburger with 24 different types of cheese, available for a limited time. The push I felt when looking at the menu and the desire to try something out of the ordinary were strong.

I wonder if the Hihara family is doing okay… No, they should be fine. They have a bond, and Karen has made up her mind to take a step forward. Love was there from the beginning. While I was lost in my thoughts, my phone rang. It was from Karen.

“Hello?”

“Hello.”

“How did it go?”

“It went well, but I heard some surprising things…”

“Fufufu. It was a clever plan, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was amazing. Thank you.”

“I-I see. Well, that’s good to hear…”

Being praised straightforwardly like that makes me a little embarrassed.

“Thanks to Izayoi’s intervention, our family’s issues were mostly resolved. It’s all thanks to you. Really, thank you.”

“It’s because Senpai took a step forward. I just gave you a little push, so it’s not all thanks to me.”

“Fufu, you’re truly interesting… By the way, uhm, how should I say this…”

“Yes?”

“Um, I heard from Dad, but is it true that you don’t want to see me sad?”

“Ah, I did say that.”

Looking back now, it’s quite embarrassing.

“And also, both Mom and Dad said you said some pretty heated things.”

“Oh. I mean, it’s like I wanted to look a little cool or something. ……”

　I’m embarrassed. It is true that I said some pretty heated words, but now I’m slowly feeling embarrassed.

“Oh, I see… Uhm, but, like, going that far for me, it means it’s not something ordinary, right?”

“Well, it’s definitely not ordinary”

Perhaps I went too far. Well, it’s too late now. I called her to a deserted park and tried to kiss her.

While we were talking, a waitress, most likely bringing the salad I ordered, approached.

“I understand Izayoi has a special feeling…”

Before I could hear the rest of her words, the waitress tripped and spilled the salad all over me. Some sauce stained my clothes and skin. She’s a waitress, but quite clumsy, huh?

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry!! Let me clean it up right away!”

The waitress wiped my clothes and skin with a handkerchief, gently stroking my face and clothes. It felt a bit awkward.

She’s quite a cute waitress. It’s a mixed bag, I guess. Yeah.

“I’ll bring you a replacement right away!! And what about your clothes… what should I do?”

“This is fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay! Thank you so much!”

She hurried back to the kitchen. It’s nice to be young. Full of energy. Oh, I forgot I was on a phone call.

“So, what are you going to do? Izayoi…to me I don’t mind….” (Karen)

I couldn’t understand the conversation at all. Let’s confess honestly.

“Uhm, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Haaaa?! Are you kidding me?! That only works in the realm of novels!!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Enough! You’re the worst!”

“Click!” The call was abruptly disconnected… She was discussing something quite important.

“Here’s your hamburger, I apologize once again.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s understandable to make mistakes when you’re young.”

“Thank you very much.”

She bowed once again and went back to the kitchen. The aroma of the hamburger was incredibly enticing.

— I’ll enjoy this hamburger.

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[Karen PoV]

I was hesitating in my room, unsure whether to make the call or not.

After hearing various things from Mom and Dad, I realized that Izayoi had done a lot for me. And to say that he didn’t want to see me sad… That means…

He definitely likes me.

I think it’s a confirmed fact. Personally, I feel like it could work out.

I was initially surprised by Mom and Dad’s overwhelming approval, but after hearing their story, I understood. In fact, my own fondness for Izayoi increased…

I completely forgot, but even during the incident with Sakamoto Norie, Izayoi protected me and faced my family issues. Even if I rejected him once, he still went to such lengths for me. Even though I rejected him…

He always looked at me with unwavering sincerity.

Izayoi doesn’t possess some extraordinary quality, but still, he acted for my sake. He protected me.

When I became aware of that… my heart fluttered… It made me excited…

W-well, if he really does like me, I guess I can give it a try. After all, he has done me a favor, and there’s a debt to repay. So, let’s start by making the call.

I’m a bit nervous. It’s different from before. I-I’m feeling this… heart-pounding sensation?

Summoning up my courage, I dialed the number, and it connected immediately.

“Hello?”

“Hello”

“How did it go?”

　He came to ask me directly. He was worried about me. I’m glad. High point.

“It went well, but I heard some surprising things…”

“Fufufu. It was a clever plan, wasn’t it?”

Not quite that sophisticated or anything like that, though.

“Yes, it was amazing. Thank you.”

“I-I see. Well, that’s good to hear…”

　Is he embarrassed?　He’s got a cute side, too.

Thanks to Izayoi’s intervention, our family’s issues were mostly resolved. It’s all thanks to you. Really, thank you.”

“It’s because Senpai took a step forward. I just gave you a little push, so it’s not all thanks to me.”

　That’s how he puts it. I’m so happy.

“Fufu, you’re truly interesting… By the way, um, how should I say this…”

“Yes?”

“Um, I heard from Dad, but is it true that you don’t want to see me sad?”

“Ah, I did say that.”

Fufu, eeeh!! I-I knew it. S-So, does that mean he said something else as well?

“And also, both Mom and Dad said you said some pretty heated things.”

“Oh. I mean, it’s like I wanted to look a little cool or something. ……”

H-he said it. I heard everything from Dad and Mom… B-But hearing it directly from the person involved brings a different level of embarrassment.

“Oh, I see… Uhm, but, like, going that far for me, it means it’s not something ordinary, right?”

“Well, it’s definitely not ordinary”

　It means you have special feelings for me, right?　I knew that, but I had to check …… just in case.

“I understand that Izayoi has a special feeling for me. I-I mean, it’s not like I’m saying thank you, or anything like that. ……”

“If I were to choose between having feelings or not having them for Izayoi… well, it’s the former. Of course, it’s a choice between having feelings or not having them!”

“So, I guess it can’t be helped. I’m fine with going out with you.”

The response is not coming. He must be feeling nervous. When someone you like is willing to go out, their thoughts might come to a halt. Let’s give him a little more time.

…It’s taking a while. It’s understandable that it’s difficult to reply, but as a girl, it would be nice if he could make a quick decision.

“So, what are you going to do? Izayoi…to me I don’t mind….”

　It’s late and it’s a form of prompting, but late is bad. How will he reply to me?

“Uhm, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Haaaaa?! Are you kidding me?! That only works in the realm of novels!!”

It’s not necessarily a bad thing that I ended the call impulsively. After all, I had just…

Feeling unsettled, I placed my phone down and lay on my bed in my room.

This is unbelievable. Not hearing what was said back then…

Speaking of which, Teru from “The Failure of Magic Academy” has a bad hearing, right? The heroine occasionally pities him, but he’s incredibly kind and cool.

Izayoi might actually be similar to Teru. There might be some similarities. Despite lacking power, they both rely on resourcefulness, effort, and kindness to confront challenges.

…But even so, they don’t have to be similar in terms of being bad hearing!!

End of Volume 2

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