Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 53

“I was thinking of ordering sushi delivery today. Would you like to join us?”

Just as the conversation had settled down, Tokishirou made that suggestion.

“Huh? Sushi today? Yay!”

Haruki instantly lifted her head, eyes sparkling with delight.

So cute.

That being said, what should I do?

I like sushi too, of course, but… is it really okay?

“Are you sure? I’d hate to impose…”

“Of course. It’s no trouble at all. Please, enjoy yourself.”

Tokishirou replied in his usual calm, expressionless manner.

“Yes, don’t be shy. Make yourself at home—treat this place like it’s your own, alright?”

“Thank you very much… Then, I’ll gratefully accept.”

When they go that far to welcome me, it feels wrong to keep refusing.

Besides—

“Onii-san, which do you think is better: the Matsu set or the Take set?”

“Uh… the Take set, I guess.”

If it means I get to spend more time with Haruki, then I honestly couldn’t ask for more.

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◇

Before long, the large sushi platter arrived.

Tokishirou-san and I carried it over to the annex.

Meanwhile, Setsuko-san and Haruki arranged the small plates and glasses of tea.

The four of us sat seiza-style, lifted our glasses, and—

“To the two of you, and your future.”

“Cheers!”

At Tokishirou’s lead, we clinked our glasses and a casual lunch party began.

Of course, with minors present, there was no alcohol.

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“Still, I was surprised.”

“About what?”

I muttered while dipping a piece of tuna into soy sauce.

“I mean, I didn’t know Tokishirou-san would be here. It caught me off guard.”

“Yeah, I was totally shocked too! Did you know, Mom?”

“Of course.”

With her usual bright smile, Setsuko-san answered. Tokishirou, still expressionless, tilted his head slightly.

“…You didn’t tell them, Setsuko?”

“Nope. I thought it’d be fun to surprise them a little.”

“…Not sure I agree with that approach.”

“Oh, come now, my apologies.”

Tokishirou sighed quietly, giving Setsuko-san a look of exasperated affection.

“But isn’t it better this way? If we hadn’t told them you were coming, we got to see a more natural version of Kengorou-kun, don’t you think?”

“That’s… hard to deny.”

They exchanged a few words in their usual rhythm, and then Tokishirou silently held out his glass.

With graceful ease, Setsuko poured barley tea into it and set it gently before him.

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“…Amazing.”

“What is?”

“You two. I mean, the way you are together.”

Haruki tilted her head curiously next to me, and I could hardly handle how adorable she looked. I explained:

Tokishirou-san comes off as kind of intimidating at first glance.

And honestly, he probably is—at least in part.

When I met him a few years ago, I thought he was nothing but scary.

But now, seeing him face-to-face like this, he’s surprisingly different.

Especially when he’s speaking with Setsuko-san—his demeanor softens quite a bit.

As for Setsuko-san, she doesn’t seem much different than usual, which in itself is amazing—she’s completely unfazed by someone as seemingly stern as Tokishirou.

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“You know,” Haruki said, picking up a piece of fatty tuna with her chopsticks.

She chewed slowly, then continued:

“I always thought… if I ever got married, I’d want to be in a relationship like theirs.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

The words came out easily—naturally.

Setsuko-san and Tokishirou-san have probably spent over twenty years supporting each other, making up for what the other lacks.

If that’s not something to admire, I don’t know what is.

I want to live that kind of life too.

With the girl sitting beside me.

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“Wh-what? That’s pretty direct of you, huh?”

Haruki quickly grabbed a piece of salmon and popped it into her mouth, trying to cover her fluster.

I took a piece of engawa and did the same.

The rich flavor of the fat and vinegar sweetness spread through my mouth.

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“I see. I’m glad I got to see how you two are normally.”

Said Tokishirou-san in his same unchanging tone.

“Yes, indeed. Ufufu, you two are such a sweet couple—it makes me happy.”

Setsuko-san had deepened her smile, watching us at some point without us realizing.

Once I became aware of her gaze, embarrassment took over and Haruki and I looked away from each other.

That’s right. There was something I needed to confirm.

“Haruki-chan, are you really okay now?”

“You mean about that guy? It was fine—Mom was with me, after all.”

“Well, I’m sure you’re still worried, Onii-san, so I’ll tell you everything I know, okay?”

With that, Haruki began to speak.

About the day Fuyumi came to this house.

And the day I confessed my feelings to Haruki.