The awkwardness from before had vanished.
Riran and I spent a relaxing time together, chatting about trivial things.
“Haa... what a nice time...”
“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve had such a productive idleness.”
“Productive idleness? Doesn't that a bit of a contradiction?”
“The great thing about idleness is that it even justifies contradictions.”
“I’m not justifying anything, though.”
Man, she’s nitpicky.
As we finished all the snacks, I noticed the living room had grown dim.
It was already past 6:00 PM. No wonder it was getting dark.
“It’s getting dark soon, shall we go? I’ll walk you home.”
“Eh? ...Are we not... doing it today?”
“...Doing what?”
Doing? Eh, what?
No way... no, no, there’s no way.
This is Riran we’re talking about. The epitome of uprightness. Riran, who is practically the definition of serious, couldn't possibly have the same thoughts as me.
If that’s the case... what is she talking about?
I tilted my head in confusion.
Seeing me like that, Riran’s face turned bright red.
“Eh, no way... then, then Akito really just let me use the shower out of the kindness of his heart...? Eh, did I jump to conclusions? I just got ahead of myself and thought all sorts of things...? W-What is this. Eh, what is this...!? That’s, eh, no way...!”
“Hey, Riraaan?”
Even when I called out to her, she kept muttering something.
...Could it be. Eh, really, could it be...?
“Riran, don’t tell me... you were expecting—”
“Haaaaaaaaaaa?! There’s no way! There’s no way!! Me, expecting it or something, that, that... there’s no way that’s true!!!!”
“Ah, hey!”
*Stomp stomp stomp! Slam!*
...She’s gone. Still wearing my clothes.
Her one-piece and other things are still in the washing machine... eh, what should I do?
◆Riran◆
“I’m such an idiot!!!!”
Waaaaah!
Again, again! I snapped at Akito again!
“There, there. Rira, did you have another fight with Akito-kun again?”
In my room, Cal-oneesan stroked my head.
This stroking really feels good. It calms me down.
“It wasn’t exactly a fight...”
“It wasn’t?”
“I was sweaty and thought I’d catch a cold... and Akito let me use the shower out of kindness and goodwill, but I...”
“Misunderstood it as a signal to have sex?”
“Auu...”
That is exactly right.
I can’t hide anything from my sister...
“My little sister is so naive.”
“Uuu, but...”
“Let me ask you instead, does Akito-kun look like the kind of boy who has hidden motives like that?”
...He doesn't. He really doesn’t.
For better or worse, Akito is straightforward. He’s a bit twisted, but he wouldn’t use weird phrasing for something like this.
I should have known that... ugh.
“So, what do you want to do, Rira?”
“...I want to apologize. But...”
“Is it embarrassing to admit the fact that you were the one expecting it?”
Why does my sister always guess what’s in my heart?
Is it because we’re sisters? Even so, it’s scary.
“Big sister, what should I do...?”
“Why don’t you try meeting him for now?”
“I’m too embarrassed to even face him.”
“Even though you have to return his clothes?”
“Eh? ...Ah.”
Come to think of it, I was still wearing Akito's clothes.
Indeed, I can’t just not return them.
............
“I’m wrapped in Akito’s scent...”
*Snap.*
“I got a candid photo of Rira’s melting face!”
“Cal-oneesan!?”
“Ho ho ho ho. If you want me to delete it, go make up with him quickly~”
Ah, hey, don't run!
Cal-oneesan dashed out of the room. Since I can hear a lot of noise from the next room, she probably locked herself in.
Uuu. That sister of mine. No, it’s my fault for letting my guard down just now.
“Haa... anyway, I have to apologize.”
I wonder if Akito is angry.
It’s been a long time since I’ve snapped at him that harshly.
Ever since we started dating, my love for Akito has been unstoppable.
I want to flirt with him regardless of the place.
But... I don’t know why, but a part of me is enjoying this situation for the first time in a while.
Actually, I should contact him and apologize immediately... but it feels like we’ve gone back to before we started dating, and my heart is racing a little.
Am I a strange girl...?
Just as I was thinking that.
Suddenly, my smartphone vibrated.
“Ah. Akito.”
Akito: I want to return your clothes... can we meet soon?
Akito... despite my attitude, he’s so kind. I love him.
But, hmmm...
Riran: Keep them for a while.
Akito: Huh?
Riran: I’ll come to pick them up myself, so leave me be for now.
Akito: ...Understood.
Sorry, Akito. For being such a troublesome girlfriend.
I want to go see you right now, too.
But... for now, I want to stay in this nostalgia just a little longer.