Chapter 94: Cross My Heart

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However, the strange atmosphere was instantly shattered by the sound of the front door opening.

“Sorry, Onii-chan! I forgot to give you the IC recorder… huh?”

Ange had returned at the worst possible moment. The one-room apartment was fully visible as soon as the door opened. Kurebayashi-san turned to the entrance and locked eyes with Ange.

“…!”

“Wh-why is Kurebayashi-san here alone with you, Onii-chan?!”

Oh no. Of course, Ange remembered Kurebayashi-san from the time they made onigiri together. Honestly, I had no guilty or dirty thoughts, but thanks to clumsy Ange, things were getting complicated.

“Uh, um… I…”

“I told you not to steal Onii-chan! I begged you! So why are you here, acting like a homewrecker?!”

“It’s not like that…”

“I know my brother is super handsome, and it’s only natural to like him, but still! But still!!”

Where did Ange's Ice Doll persona go? Recently, Ange’s character has been breaking down in a different way. Most people have probably forgotten her nickname. Also, her jealousy seems to have some indecent, TENGA-like sexual undertone. The colors of jealousy are probably red and silver.

…Just a little reality escape.

But leaving the door open while Ange entered berserk mode was not ideal.

“Uh… am I interrupting something? Should I come back later?”

A huge man appeared behind Ange, as if defying perspective, and called out to me.

“Saeba-san?!”

I immediately responded, surprised. Ange turned around as well.

“Yeah, just checking in since yesterday was quite a mess. She's exhausted, and I thought I'd bring her here for some mental care.”

Ignoring our situation, Saeba-san glanced to his left. Standing there was Kojima Aki, the victim of yesterday's incident. She looked worn out, probably from being questioned all night.

“…Aki?”

“W-wait, why is my brother’s ex-girlfriend here…? I thought she disappeared after yesterday’s mess…”

With this unexpected guest, both Kurebayashi-san and Ange were dumbfounded. Ange didn't know about the futon incident since she was in the bath yesterday. Kurebayashi-san didn't seem suspicious, likely informed by her mother, but she was clearly worried about Kojima-san.

“Saeba-san, thanks for your hard work. So…”

I stopped myself from asking what happened. Discussing it here with unrelated people wasn't appropriate.

“Given everything that happened, you must be worried about leaving her alone.”

“…”

“I'll update you if anything changes. Hang in there with this mess.”

“That's one comment too many!”

Saeba-san seemed to understand the situation. I wished he wouldn't add fuel to the fire, but leaving Kojima-san alone in her state was concerning. If she spiraled any further, she might end up in a dangerous mental state.

“…Alright, come on in, Kojima-san.”

For now, I had to offer her some temporary protection. Ange, sensing something, didn't voice her discontent and followed us into the apartment.

“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”

And thus, an awkward silence filled the room.

Kurebayashi-san and Ange, who once made onigiri together.

Kurebayashi-san and Kojima-san, who had an intimate moment.

Ange and Kojima-san, who once shared drinks at Smatabucks.

In this cramped apartment, there are two NTR and one SSR. Yep, this is the perfect example of a stalemate.

But it’s not good for my mental health. If someone speaks carelessly, it feels like it could be life-threatening. Just being here is shortening my lifespan.

 Never in my life did I think I'd be so desperate for Kenzaiki-san to show up.