Chapter 38: A Sparkling Visitor

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Translator: Soafp

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When I opened the front door, the warm air of the house enveloped me. The moment I said “I’m home,” I felt an odd sense of discomfort around my sides.

“Good evening, sorry for the intrusion.”

“Sorry we’re bothering you!”

Looking to both sides, I found Marin Kousaka and Kagura Shinomiya standing there with big smiles on their faces.

They seemed to have settled in so naturally, as if they were already at home.

The whole situation started after a bit of a commotion with Aoi in the basketball club room at school.

I wasn't too bothered by it, but Marin and Kagura seemed to think otherwise.

Apparently, they noticed I was feeling down and decided they wanted to “stay a little closer” to me, which led to them agreeing to visit me.

Before I knew it, the conversation turned into “Let's go to Hajime's house.”

When I tried to make an excuse, saying, “It's late, maybe we can do this another time,” they both smiled and said:

“I live alone, so don’t worry about it.”

“I do too. So, Hajime doesn't have to worry.”

There was no mercy in their response.

In the end, I found myself inviting them into my home.

I sighed in resignation and said, “Well, come on in,” as I opened the door. They both nodded happily and stepped inside.

At that moment, my mom's voice echoed from inside.

“Oh, welcome home! Marin-chan and Kagura-chan, it's great to see you!”

Mom had come to greet them at the entrance, welcoming them warmly.

Since she had met them before, she acted as if they were already familiar.

The conversation flowed easily, and the atmosphere quickly became cheerful.

Amidst all this, Mom leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“So? Has Hajime made up his mind yet? If it's these two, I'd welcome either one!”

“Th-That's not decided yet!”

I protested, my face turning red, but Mom, after expressing surprise with a “Ara!” and smiling knowingly, said, “Ara ara… so it's both of them?! It might be a rough road, but if that's what Hajime decided, I'll support you!”

“Enough already, Mom! Please be quiet!!”

I tried my best to hold back a scream, and Mom just laughed and waved it off with a “Alright, alright.”

Then she turned to Marin and Kagura and invited them, “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

“Can we? Yes, please! Oh, I'll help!”

“I will too!”

Both of them enthusiastically headed to the kitchen to join Mom in cooking.

In the midst of the peaceful atmosphere, I finally managed to escape to my room.

As soon as I took off my uniform and placed my bag down, my phone vibrated.

I looked at the screen, and it was a call from Miyabi. I inhaled sharply.

Not now…

The call continued to ring, but I didn't pick up. I didn't want to be tied down by the past anymore.

Soon, the ringing stopped. But almost immediately, another call came in.

This time it was from Aoi.

“…”

I shook my head silently.

In the end, I didn't answer that call either.

Once I finished changing, I heard a notification sound from my social media.

I checked, and it was a message from Miyabi.

“I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I really want to talk. Please give me some time after school tomorrow.”

I read the message but didn't reply. Just as I finished reading, another notification came in.

This time, it was from Aoi.

“I want to properly apologize for today and everything that's happened. I really want to talk tomorrow. Please, I'm begging you.”

I thought for a while but, in the end, I just read the message and didn't respond.

I placed my phone on the desk and sighed deeply. Then I left my room and headed toward the living room.

As I descended the stairs, I could hear cheerful conversation coming from the kitchen. I felt a little more at ease with the warm atmosphere as I stepped into the living room, but suddenly, my dad's loud voice echoed through the house.

“Wh-what is this!? Why are Marin Kousaka and Kagura Shinomiya here!? Could it be… is this one of those TV shows where ‘celebrities invade a regular family's dinner’?!”

Dad, holding a newspaper, stood in the living room, his eyes wide as he alternated glances between the two girls.

“Good evening, sorry for the intrusion!”

Marin said with a bright smile.

“Fufu, Hajime-kun, you really look like your dad.”

Kagura said with a playful tone.

Dad blinked, staring at them back and forth.

“Well, don't be so surprised, Dad. These two are friends of Hajime's.”

Mom said, trying to calm him down.

“Eh, oh… is that so?”

“Sorry for surprising you, but since we're here, we'll be counting on you!”

Marin said happily.

“Don't worry, Dad, there's no need to be so stiff.”

Kagura added with a light chuckle.

“Ah…”

I watched the scene unfold, realizing I hadn't told Dad about them yet, and I started to panic.

I quickly ran over to Dad and explained.

“I became friends with them through some work related to a movie. So, don't worry, it's fine.”

Dad stood there for a while, stunned, but then nodded as if he understood.

“I see, well, if that’s the case, then they can stay and relax.”

Mom smiled gently and said,

“Now, let’s go back and continue cooking, shall we?”

As she led Marin and Kagura back to the kitchen.

Sitting on the couch, Dad held his newspaper but occasionally glanced toward the kitchen, watching the scene with a warm smile.

In the kitchen, Mom, Marin, and Kagura continued cooking while chatting happily. The atmosphere felt as if they had always been part of the family, and I finally relaxed, letting out a small smile.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening echoed.

“I’m home.”

With the sound of the door opening, a familiar calm voice rang through the house.

It was my sister, Kyoko Aizawa’s voice.

Mom smiled softly and said,

“Oh? You've been coming home a lot recently, Kyoko.”

Marin and Kagura, who were in the living room, reacted to the name and tilted their heads.

“Kyoko?”

“Who's that?”

I started to say, “Oh, she’s my sister, and she’s in university now—” but then I suddenly froze.

…Oh no.

The words my sister had once said flashed in my mind.

[Fufu… I've checked the names of all the girls who have come close to Hajime so far.]

A chill ran down my spine.

This is bad…!

I hurriedly tried to head toward the front door, but it was too late.

The calm footsteps approached.

Kyoko appeared in the living room, standing elegantly at the entrance.

“Ah…”

My voice escaped in a daze.

Kyoko first looked confused and said, “Hmm?” but then immediately noticed Marin and Kagura in the kitchen. Her expression changed in an instant.

The moment her expression shifted, the air became tense.

It was as if time had stopped, and the living room was filled with a heavy silence.

“Hajime … Nee-chan's not angry, but could you introduce me to those cute little mice… girls?”

Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharply focused, as if she were a predator locking onto her prey.

…This is bad.

However, breaking the tense atmosphere, Marin and Kagura eagerly ran toward Kyoko.

“Is this Hajime-kun's sister!? Wow, she's such a beautiful sister!”

“Really! As expected of Hajime's sister, you're so pretty! Are you a model or something?”

Completely unbothered, they chattered excitedly.

For a moment, Kyoko froze.

“…Huh?”

Kyoko, caught off guard, seemed speechless for a moment.

“…Eh, um…”

Kyoko blinked lightly and showed a hint of surprise on her face, but quickly tried to cover it up. Just then…

“Did we surprise you, Onee-chan?”

Marin said, flashing a cute smile.

“Yeah, but I feel like we'll get along really well!”

Kagura added with a bright smile as she moved closer to Kyoko.

“Yes, I thought Hajime’s sister would definitely be a wonderful person!”

Marin also joined in, grinning.

Taken aback by their sudden barrage of kindness, Kyoko seemed a bit unsure how to respond.

“Eh, um…”

It seemed like Kyoko didn't expect to be the one who was out of her element, and she was uncharacteristically flustered.

“Why don't you join us in the kitchen, Onee-chan?”

“Yeah, yeah, let's help out together!”

Kagura and Marin lightly tugged at Kyoko's arm.

“…Eh?”

Kyoko hesitated for a moment, but the next moment, they had already pulled her into the kitchen.

“Come on, Kyoko, let's cook together!”

“Do you have any specialty dishes?”

“Uh, well…”

After that, in the kitchen, Kyoko was being playfully made to wear an apron by Marin and Kagura, completely flustered.

I watched the scene and quietly exhaled.

As expected of someone from the industry… their social skills are terrifying.