I'm Being Threatened by My Sister's Ex-girlfriend. (GL) - Chapter 18
“Shirato? Do you have any sisters?”
If my memory from that night is correct, Hayasegawa knows about Shirato’s older sister.
It was during the third period of modern literature class. I approached Hayasegawa, who was reading a mystery-themed paperback at the edge of the lecture hall’s bowl-shaped seating. She was wearing a sleeveless top again today. As always, her bare shoulders were dazzling.
“Hey, Hayasegawa. Long time no see. Actually, I have a question for you.”
“I’m in the middle of something, but go ahead.”
She closed the book, using the dust jacket as a bookmark. I thought it was surprising how careless she could be in some things.
“I was just at the part where the detective pointed out the culprit.”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine. Just like I predicted, the key to the case was SNS and ume plums.”
“What kind of case is that?”
“Anyway, what’s up? If it’s about the report, I’ll settle it with one lunch.”
“We can talk about that later. Today, I want to ask you something.”
I turned to Hayasegawa, who looked puzzled, and asked my question.
“Do you recognize the name Shirato Serina from Mihama University?”
“I do.”
It connected much faster than I expected. I had thought it might be a possibility, but now I was certain. I asked again, seeing the confused look on Hayasegawa’s face.
“Where did you meet her?”
“At a circle exchange event. Sometimes the language clubs from Kaihin and Mihama get together to hold debates in different languages. She came once.”
“That’s it? You remember that well.”
“Well, she was the toughest one. Her last name is unusual, and she’s beautiful.”
I remembered Serina’s studious and elegant appearance, her tall figure standing straight. She certainly seemed formidable. She’d probably casually mention that she scored over 900 on the TOEIC. (Though “desuwa” might be a stretch.)
Hayasegawa’s Wellington boots caught the light as she shifted.
“You’re talking about that high school kid, right?”
“Yeah… well, something like that.”
“If you’re being harassed, just let me know.”
Her response was nonchalant, but reassuring. If it were that kind of situation, I would have asked for her help first. But this wasn’t that kind of story.
“It’s fine. I just wanted to talk to Shirato’s sister. Do you happen to have her contact info?”
Hayasegawa frowned, clearly not happy about the request.
“Why are you asking me? You could just ask her directly.”
“That’s true, but…”
This time, I couldn’t just go to her. First of all, I wouldn’t be able to explain the reason if I were asked. It was the same for Ichika. The only person who could bypass all these steps was Hayasegawa.
“I want to talk to her about Hakobe.”
Hayasegawa snorted with her nose, looking a bit annoyed. She probably had a hangover. With a reluctant sigh, she pulled out her smartphone and unlocked it.
“If LINE works for you…”
I leaned forward without thinking. To keep me in check, Hayasegawa pushed the corner of her smartphone right up to my nose.
“But this is going to cost you,” she said.
Entering a community you’re not a part of always comes with a mix of tension and curiosity. There’s a hint of the extraordinary in it.
It’s like experiencing your first summer festival as an elementary schooler at night. Back then, Ichika held my hand, and I couldn’t stop staring at my sister’s crimson yukata and yellow obi.
“Onii-chan.” The voice from my memory blended with Hakobe’s voice. Though I was born just seven minutes apart from my older sister, I rarely called her that.
Suddenly, a cool voice interrupted my thoughts.
“That pork curry doesn’t taste great, does it?”
I lifted my face from my plate. Hakobe’s sister, Serina, was standing against the backdrop of the old-fashioned cafeteria.
“The cafeteria at Kaihin University has much better quality food. On days when there are fewer lectures, there are even Mihama students who go out of their way to eat there,” she added.
Sitting across from her, she had a pasta dish with two sausages on top. She looked like she might only eat salad bowls and chicken br3ast, but I guessed such fancy menu items didn’t exist here.
“Then should I have called you to Kaihin University?” I asked.
“Not really. I have lectures lined up today,” she replied.
She bit into the sausage with her front teeth. It was hard to explain, but she ate in a refined way. In that respect, she was similar to Hakobe.
Once she cleared her mouth, Serina spoke again.
“Anyway, I can only stay until the lunch break is over. If that’s fine with you.”
“That’s fine. Honestly, any longer would probably feel awkward for both of us,” I said.
I took a bite of my curry. The yellow sauce had mashed potatoes in it. The rice was a bit too watery, but I swallowed it down, masking the flavor with the spices. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely tasted flat.
“So, what did you want to ask me?” Serina asked, her tone almost like an interviewer.
I focused, trying not to let her pressure me. I looked at her face again—an incredibly beautiful face, like a sculpture. And then, I remembered that she was… well, the type of woman who might have been involved in things with Ichika. My mind began to form inappropriate thoughts, but I quickly erased them.
Clearing my throat, I spoke.
“Of course, it’s about Hakobe and Ichika.”
I hadn’t mentioned the details on LINE. But I had probably expected this. Serina didn’t seem surprised at all.
“Is there any reason why I should tell you about it?” she asked.
The fork pierced a red pepper slice sharply.
“…Well, I guess that’s fair,” I said. “But I’d really like to know.”
Lunch breaks are limited. Without hesitating, I decided to appeal to her sense of responsibility as an older sister and explained my situation.
“Actually, I’m a streamer…”