Chapter 143 | Story

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《Dahlia's Side》

“…Can't stay like this…?”

On the day Rika stayed home from school, Dahlia and Shinji ended up staying at the Matsumoto residence. Dahlia spoke sternly to Rika, who was expressing her anxieties.

“Rika-tan. You can't keep troubling Onii-chan like this.”

“Troubling…?”

She didn't ask, “What do you mean?”

Rika probably sensed it already.

If she understands, maybe there's no need to spell it out.

But for my brother’s sake, and more importantly, for my best friend Rika's sake, I felt I had to make it clear.

“You can't keep doing things that make Onii-chan worry.”

“Yeah… you're right…”

Shinji is kind.

If Rika shows any sign of anxiety, he'll definitely ask her what's wrong and comfort her.

“I don't mean you should bottle up your anxieties, but you shouldn't burden Onii-chan with everything. You two…”

Dahlia felt a sense of sadness in her chest.

But it's okay.

Because she truly wants them to be happy.

“You two will be husband and wife someday. When that happens, you can't have just one person depending on the other. You have to love and support each other.”

…If I told Rika here that she wasn't good enough for Shinji, she might distance herself from him.

Then, I might be able to monopolize my brother… That thought never even crossed my mind.

Dahlia simply wanted Rika and Shinji to be happy.

To solidify their future together, Dahlia deliberately spoke sternly.

“Instead of just unilaterally dumping all your ‘I don't know what to do…' anxieties onto Onii-chan…”

“I understand… You mean I have to become stronger, right?”

Right. You understand.

The anxious expression Rika had earlier was gone.

“I'll become stronger. This time it was a misunderstanding, but when we do decide to have children, I won't make the same mistake!”

Yes, that's right.

They can't have the same thing happen again, with her becoming anxious each time and making Shinji anxious too.

I want them to move forward together. I believe they can.

…Suppressing her own feelings of loneliness, Dahlia smiled brightly. Stroking her best friend’s head…

“Yes, good girl.”

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