Chapter 24: Fine, I'll Just Listen

Reading Settings

After buying some bread from the convenience store, I found Kojima-san standing by the entrance. I'll give her credit for not following me inside.

It gave me a moment to think about how to face her.

“I've decided not to drop out of school.”

“!”

There I stood, holding a plastic bag from the store in my right hand. Not exactly environmentally friendly.

“R-really?”

So, even if Kojima-san starts crying, I won't care.

It's not like a guy who's bad for the planet should suddenly be kind to the girl who cuckolded him. Priorities, you know? Besides, even with all my flaws, I'm still better than her stepbrother, who insensitively engaged in acts with an unresponsive woman and treated her poorly. At least I can live with my head held high.

“We discussed it as a family and made the decision. Anyway, it’s best for both of us not to interact with people who bring up unwanted memories. So, from now on, let's just be strangers. See you.”

“W-wait, no!”

“What now?”

“Please, just hear me out, just for a bit.”

“We already talked before. What more is there to say?”

“I've thought about what you said, Yuuta.”

“What did I say?”

“About not choosing the worst escape of all: death…”

“…”

That hit me hard.

Even though she hurt me deeply, I can't ignore the scars on her arms. If she ended up choosing death, what then?

My family saved me, but Kojima-san was hurt by hers. If she loses her last bit of hope and decides to take her own life, would I feel satisfaction or regret?

It's obvious.

Damn, I'm such a softie.

‘If Yuuta wants to move past being cuckolded, there's definitely something you should do.'

Ahh, why did I have to remember what my mom said now?

“I haven't eaten yet. If you don't mind talking while I eat, and as long as it doesn’t ruin my appetite, I'll listen. You know where I live, right? Let's go there.”

When I mixed a bit of kindness into my irritation, Kojima-san burst into even more intense tears.

Uh, could you stop crying before someone calls the cops? You're the one who'd get in trouble.

What's making her so happy?

***

We made it to my apartment before anyone called the police. Her eyes were still red, but she had calmed down.

…

As I unlocked the door, I thought back.

In high school, she never even came over. Now, here she is, my hatred barely contained. 

…

The last time she visited, she ran off at the entrance, so that doesn’t count.

Click.

“It's small, and there's nothing here, but…”

“?!”

Damn it!

I'd left my sister Ange's panties lying around last night, and now they're right in the middle of the room, making a statement. 

Now Kojima-san is frozen in shock.

“N-no way….the girl who was here yesterday…”

“It's not what you think! Well, it is, but the girl is my sister! We're half-siblings! We're pratically blood-related!”

“…What? But you look so different.”

“She's my half sister for a reason! Ange is my stepmom's daughter! We have different mothers! Wait, I've mentioned it before, haven't I?”

…Wait.

Calm down. Why do I even care if Kojima-san misunderstands?

There was no need to explain.

“Y-you mean…with your sister…”

“Yeah, she was visiting yesterday.”

“I see… You're in the same situation as me then.”

“…Huh?”

“Yeah, it's normal for a boy and girl living together to become close.”

“…What?”

I have a bad feeling about this. She's completely misunderstood.

“Don't worry, Yuuta! I won't tell anyone about your forbidden relationship with your sister!”

“What the f**k is wrong with you, Kojima-san!? Don't twist our pure sibling bond into something dirty like yours! Get out!”

“N-no, I swear I'll take it to my grave!”

Damn it. There's no way to prove my innocence now.

I shouldn't have shown any pity. This will only bring trouble.

… Though it's too late to worry about that now, This is going to be a headache.