Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 38

It might sound abrupt, but I’m actually part of a volunteer club.

That said, if you know someone like me—Kengo Akishima—it probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

No one’s ever said I seem like the type to join a volunteer club, but whenever I mention it, most of my acquaintances respond with something like, “Yeah, that checks out.”

As you’d expect from something called a “volunteer club,” our activities are pretty laid-back.

How laid-back, you ask? Well, let’s just say that even if I, the club president, go missing for a month, no one bats an eye.

Thanks to that, I’ve had no problem balancing it with my studies and part-time job all through my fourth year.

Still, just because it’s a relaxed club doesn’t mean we do absolutely nothing.

At the very least, those who are available get together about once a week to do some volunteer work.

“…Thinking about it again, this club is absurdly relaxed, huh?”

Honestly, we probably have more drinking parties than volunteer events.

…Okay, maybe not that many.

“Well, I think that’s a good thing. If it were too strict, no one would stick around, right?”

“Exactly. I’m juggling this with sports club activities, you know.”

Marco and Honoka are also members of the volunteer club.

Today, we’re walking to the site of our latest volunteer activity.

Because of the nature of our work, we’re rarely ever on campus.

And since we’re not an officially recognized club, we don’t even have a clubroom.

The only requirement for membership is being part of our group chat on RINE.

To add to that, our volunteer club at J Medical University is actually an intercollegiate club.

So, members don’t even have to be students at J Medical University.

We’ve got working adults, alumni, and even students from other universities.

And to go even further—

“This is my first time doing volunteer work, actually.”

“Oh, really? That’s kind of surprising.”

—even high school students can join.

Haruki, for example, just joined our club the other day.

Apparently, she was recruited by Honoka.

And once I found that out, I figured I had no choice but to show her the ropes myself.

After all is said and done, the truth is—

I rejoined the volunteer club for one simple reason: I wanted to spend time with Haruki.

“I’ve always been kind of interested in this stuff. Since I want to apply to med school, I thought doing some volunteer work might help with interviews and all.”

“Makes sense.”

“Plus, I’ve always wanted to do something for someone else… like you do, Onii-san.”

“It’s not like what I do is anything noble, though.”

“It doesn’t have to be noble. You’re you, Onii-san.”

“What does that even mean?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the way Haruki looked up at me, her eyes sparkling.

“Haha, anyway, make sure you teach me everything today, Onii-san.”

“Of course.”

She thumped me enthusiastically on the back. Maybe she picked up that habit from Setsuko-san?

Still… Haruki feels even closer to me than before.

Could it be because of what I said after our double date the other day?

If my sincerity really did come through…

Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t more than a little happy.

“Hey hey, Honoka, don’t they seem awfully close all of a sudden?”

“Oh, definitely. Something definitely happened after they left us that day.”

“What kind of ‘something,’ Honoka?”

“Oh, nothing I could say out loud here, Marco~”

Blushing faintly, Honoka shook her head and her soft wavy hair along with it.

Hold on a second.

Did they just accuse me of something outrageous?

“Hey, what are you two even talking about—”

“Honoka, what do you mean by that? Say it clearly.”

Marco, stop trying to get your girlfriend to say inappropriate things for your own amusement.

…Well, I get it, but still.

“Oh, obviously they totally did i—”

“WE DID NOT!!”

We both shouted in unison.

Wait, these two actually thought we did something after the date?

That’s a huge misunderstanding.

Well, considering what they probably did, I guess they assumed we followed suit.

What a pain.

Haruki and I both cleared our throats loudly, forcing a reset to the conversation.

Even our throat-clearing was in sync, which somehow made things more embarrassing.

“S-So, um, Onii-san, what are we doing today and where?”

Haruki, her face flushed, waved her hands in front of it to cool herself down as she asked.

Maybe because she was so close, a sweet scent drifted over, making me feel a bit light-headed.

I fought to keep my composure and answered.

“There’s a children’s cafeteria near the university. They’re short-staffed today and asked if we could help out.”

“Heh, that’s so perfect for you, Onii-san.”

“Is it?”

“Totally. You seem like the kind of guy who loves kids… or I should say, you do, right?”

…Well, yeah, I do.

I’m even considering specializing in pediatrics.

“What about you, Haruki? Do you like kids?”

“Of course I do!”

Her eyes lit up with pure joy.

That smile of hers made it clear I’d made the right choice bringing her along today—it was beautiful and full of warmth.

“Did you hear that, Marco? They’re already talking about kids.”

“Loud and clear, Honoka. These two are planning their future.”

“No we’re not!!”

Again, we spoke in perfect sync.

Talking about kids and the future… I mean, yeah, maybe someday, but this really wasn’t the time or place.

As we bantered like that, we finally arrived at our destination.