Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 47

Shibuya is never short on places to have fun.

Cafés are one of those places.

Though maybe “places to have fun” isn’t quite the right way to put it.

Still, for me, going to a café was a must when hanging out with someone.

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“Wow, this is amazing.”

As soon as Haruki stepped inside, she let out a gasp of admiration.

I’d picked an organic café-restaurant for us today.

They only serve healthy dishes made with generous portions of vegetables and other natural ingredients.

There are several course options, but I chose the same one I had last time without hesitation.

Since Haruki is underage, instead of wine, we both ordered non-alcoholic cocktails.

It wouldn’t be any fun if I was the only one getting tipsy.

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“Here’s your corn potage with millet and a side of Chinese cabbage.”

“Wow, that looks delicious!”

“…This is incredible.”

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The words slipped out before I even realized it. But what exactly was I referring to?

Was it the sight of Haruki’s eyes sparkling with excitement?

Or was it the fact that this place had continued to serve the exact same menu all these years?

Haruki didn’t respond. Maybe she didn’t hear me. Or maybe she did, and just pretended not to.

She dipped her spoon into the soup and took a sip.

I followed her lead.

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“It’s really good, isn’t it?”

“I’m glad you think so…”

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Maybe what struck me as amazing was both—the food and the moment itself.

With that feeling in my chest, I took another spoonful of the potage.

It tasted exactly the same as it did years ago.

Unchanged, and still here.

I suppose that’s how most of the world works.

No matter what happens to me—my heart, my body—the world keeps turning, just as always.

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“This is really good…”

“Right? It’s got such a gentle flavor.”

“Yeah…”

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When Fuyumi betrayed me, it felt like my entire world flipped upside down.

No matter what I ate, it all tasted like ash in my mouth.

Even the view from the window looked gray and lifeless.

But none of that was real.

It was just that my heart had grown too fragile.

Things are different now.

The soup tastes wonderful. The view outside the window is beautiful.

Everything feels right again.

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“Here is your organic salad with quinoa and four kinds of beans.”

“Thank you,” we said in unison.

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Next came a salad made entirely from organic vegetables and beans.

I speared the beans one by one with my fork and brought them to my mouth.

Just like that day, it had a delicate, refined taste.

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“Wait, how am I supposed to eat this?”

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When I looked across the table, I saw Haruki struggling with the beans.

Well, I had a bit of trouble the first time too.

Especially for someone like Haruki, a high school student, she probably doesn’t come to places like this often.

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“Take your time. Just go slow and you’ll get the hang of it.”

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Beans tend to slip away easily, so it’s best to gently press down before spearing them.

Sure enough, Haruki quickly picked up the technique and started eating.

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“It has a really refined taste.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

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Hearing her echo my thoughts made me smile without thinking.

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“Here is your vegan hamburger steak in demi-glace sauce.”

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The main course arrived.

Haruki and I thanked the staff and peered closely at the dish.

It looked just like an ordinary hamburger steak—but how would it taste?

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“Whoa, it’s incredibly tender!”

“You’re right, it cuts so easily.”

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As expected of a simmered steak, the knife sliced through it effortlessly, without any resistance.

I pierced a piece with my fork and brought it to my mouth.

The slow-cooked patty, now soft and tender, was infused with the rich flavor of a sauce likely made from a blend of vegetables and other ingredients.

As I swallowed, the words just naturally slipped out.

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“Delicious…”

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Haruki and I looked at each other—and burst out laughing.

Eating the same dish, feeling the same way—

That kind of shared happiness felt so comforting.

But the reason I could truly savor such an ordinary happiness now…

I knew why.

And because I knew, I’d already decided—

I won’t stop moving forward anymore.

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“Here’s your dessert.”

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The course we chose today lets you pick your dessert, just like the drinks.

With a soft clink, the server placed a pumpkin soy milk cake in front of me and a carrot cake in front of Haruki.

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“Didn’t know you liked carrots, Haruki.”

“Hmm, it’s not that I love them or anything. I just thought I’d try something new.”

“I get that. I’ve never tried this one either.”

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These cakes are made without cream or butter—soy milk replaces the cream, and canola oil takes the place of butter.

When I took a bite, the sweetness of the pumpkin and the subtle, smooth flavor of tofu filled my mouth.

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“Whoa, this is really good, Onii-san!”

“Oh yeah? Maybe I’ll try that one next time.”

“Ehehe, let’s come again together, okay? Just you and me.”

“Yeah…”

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Time passed gently and peacefully—just like the cake we were eating.

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“Haruki.”

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After she finished her dessert, I sat up straight, waiting for the right moment.

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“I have something I need to talk to you about.”