Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 43

The first volunteer activity I participated in with Haruki was, without a doubt, an event I genuinely enjoyed from the bottom of my heart.

But still—

That was that.

I had other things I needed to focus on as well.

Sure, there were university assignments, but that wasn’t the main thing.

In fact, that wasn’t the priority at all.

What mattered most to me was my date with Haruki.

And it wasn’t just any date.

To me, this date was a turning point.

I intended to define—once and for all—what kind of relationship Haruki and I shared.

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“That means… where should we go?”

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To some people, this might not seem like such a big deal. But I was taking it seriously.

I might not be the most experienced when it comes to love, but I know enough to say this—romantic feelings can be fickle.

Just like how Fuyumi discarded me so easily.

Just like how I now feel absolutely nothing for her.

Even when things seem to be going well, a single word or action can be enough to make love vanish in an instant.

That’s why I agonized over it.

Even while exchanging casual RINE messages with Haruki about our day, I couldn’t stop thinking.

During class, while working on my report after school—I kept mulling it over.

Thinking. Thinking. Thinking.

And even then, my answer didn’t waver.

This must be my truth.

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◇

The Sunday after the volunteer event.

It was 11 a.m.

I stood in front of the station, waiting for Haruki.

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“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

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Haruki came running up.

Today, she wore a white knit top with navy skinny pants and a black knit beanie.

Her outfit brought out her charm perfectly—subtle, understated, never gaudy.

Honestly, she looked adorable.

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“You look absolutely adorable today, Haruki-chan.”

“R-Really? Eheh…”

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She lowered her head and tried to hide her face under her hat, but her bright red ears gave her away completely.

God, she’s way too cute.

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“Well, you look pretty cool yourself, big brother.”

“Huh? Really?”

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I was dressed casually—just a knit cardigan and jeans.

Still, I had picked the outfit with advice from Marco and the others.

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“I don’t think I’ve seen that outfit before. Don’t tell me… you bought it just for today?”

“…Yeah, I did.”

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I even snipped the tag off with scissors just yesterday.

Haruki playfully poked at my fresh new clothes.

She was standing really close—not that I minded one bit.

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“Hehe, you really are cute, big brother.”

“Not sure if I should be happy or conflicted about that…”

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We chatted casually as we made our way into the station.

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◇

Even while waiting for the train, our conversation continued.

The topic had shifted from today’s outfits to our plans for the day.

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“So, where are we going today? Somewhere I don’t know?”

“Nope, not exactly.”

“Wait, so it’s somewhere I do know?”

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Haruki tilted her head, puzzled.

Yeah, I figured she’d be confused.

Until now, I had always picked places for our dates that I’d never been to with Fuyumi.

It was my way of making sure I didn’t get lost in old memories—and of creating new ones with Haruki.

But this time… was different.

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“Today, I’m planning to take you to places I used to go on dates with Fuyumi.”

“…!”

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Haruki’s wide eyes opened even wider in surprise.

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“I’m sorry. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about it until the last minute. I was worried you might feel like I’m comparing you two.”

“I’m not going to feel that way. But… I do want to ask you something.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“If you were afraid I might end up hating you for it, then why go through with it?”

“Because I believe I have to face all of it. I need to move forward.”

“Ah…”

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Maybe that alone was enough for her to understand.

She nodded, as if everything made sense.

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“Thanks to you, Haruki-chan, I’ve been able to move past a lot of pain. I’m really grateful.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome. I wouldn’t mind hearing a bit more praise, you know?”

“Well, seriously—thank you.”

“Hmph, that’s not what I meant! You’re throwing me off here…”

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Her face was turning red again.

Mine was starting to feel hot too, so I decided to change the subject.

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“Even now, when I visit certain places, the memories come flooding back—my time with Fuyumi.”

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Even the children’s cafeteria we visited recently—I’d been there with Fuyumi once.

I hadn’t explained that to Oe-san, but maybe she sensed something and chose not to bring it up.

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“That’s why I want to overwrite it all—with you.”

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I want to walk those same paths again—this time, with Haruki.

Only then will I be able to truly move forward.

Only then will we be able to take the next step—together.

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“Is that… okay?”

“Mm-hmm. I don’t mind at all. Actually, after hearing all that, now I’m even more fired up!”

“Yeah?”

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Haruki gently held out her fist.

I bumped mine against hers.

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“Looking forward to today, Haruki-chan.”

“Same here! I get to do something I’ve been wanting to for a while too—lucky me.”

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She gave a sly grin.

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“Basically, what you’re saying is—you want to make me your number one, right?”

“You really do understand me, huh…”

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Still, hearing her say it out loud was kind of embarrassing.

If Marco or Honoka had heard that, they’d be teasing me nonstop.

With those thoughts in mind, I stepped into the train just as it arrived.