[Warning 15+]
Part Two~Save That Old Energy Only For Me, Seriously!~Chapter 57It's a Secret, Right?
(Ugh, what am I gonna do...?!)
For Haruki, this was basically the worst-case scenario.
But for Isami Ema and her crew, this was as good as it gets.
Himeko was totally spooked and tried to hide behind Haruki's back, but those girls weren't about to let her off the hook that easily.
"Oho, so this is that 'childhood buddy' we were talking about."
"She's so tall and pretty! You're a grade below us, right? Wait, that uniform... ...that's from my old middle school!"
"Okay, I totally see why Kirishima-chi feels the way he does."
"Oh, I'm Isami Ema. You're Himeko-chan, right?"
"H-Hyau...!"
Haruki flashed back to what just happened to her.
If Himeko got hit with their relentless interrogation, she'd definitely end up spilling all the tea.
Logically, it wasn't even a big deal. The fact that Himeko is Hayato's little sis, or that they're all childhood buddies, isn't exactly a state secret.
But for some reason, the mere thought of it made Haruki feel incredibly uncomfortable.
"H-Haru-chan..."
"...Oh."
Right then, someone gave Haruki's uniform hem a sharp tug.
Haruki looked back and saw Himeko, her eyes wavering with pure nerves and anxiety. The sight of it sent Haruki straight down memory lane.
Back when they were kids.
Back when Haruki'd spend all day running through the fields and mountains with Hayato.
Whenever they were at a countryside meeting in Tsukinose and surrounded by adults they didn't know, Himeko used to grab the back of Haruki's shirt just like this.
(What did I even say back then...?)
All Haruki could remember was Hayato wandering off on his own, claiming he was on some "expedition" or whatever.
Himeko always did have that shy streak in her.
I'm the oldest here, I gotta do something... —that's the thought that surged through Haruki.
(I gotta man up and handle this!)
Haruki gave Himeko a reassuring smile, then firmly grabbed Himeko's hand to pull her away from Isami Ema and the rest of the group.
"Seriously, you girls are freaking Hime-chan out! Cut it out already!"
"...Oh."
Himeko put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. It was a dead giveaway—the classic "I'm pissed" pose.
Seeing Haruki like that, Isami Ema realized they'd gone a bit too far. Ema was the first one to look guilty, scratching her head as she started to apologize.
"Our bad, I guess we got a little carried away there."
"Hime-chan just moved here and she's still getting used to everything. Please go easy on her, okay?"
"U-Um, yeah... ...I was just a bit startled, so... ...S-Sorry if I acted weird!"
And as Himeko bowed her head all flustered, Haruki's whole face lit up. Haruki's expression shifted as she stood on her tiptoes to pat Himeko's head—even though Himeko was actually a bit taller than Haruki.
"There we go, Hime-chan. Such a good girl, such a good girl."
"Hey! Haru-chan, stop it! I'm not a kid anymore!"
The two of them started bickering playfully.
Watching them vibe like that—Haruki acting all big-sisterly and Himeko acting annoyed but clearly trusting Haruki with her life—made it impossible for Ema and the crew to even think about butting in.
～～～～♪
Then, someone's smartphone buzzed.
"Oh, it's from Big Bro. He wants me to pick up milk, yogurt, and soy sauce... ...Ugh, why does he always pick the heavy stuff...?"
"Ahaha, don't worry, I'll help you carry half of it. Anyway, see you girls tomorrow!"
With a bright smile, Haruki gave them a parting wave, nudged Himeko, and they finally made their getaway.
Isami Ema and the crew just stood there, watching them disappear into the distance, before someone finally broke the silence.
"They seemed pretty tight, didn't they?"
"Yeah, I've never seen Nikaidō-san act like that before."
"More importantly, did you catch that?"
"Himeko-chan called someone 'Big Bro,' right?"
"And Nikaidō-san is basically heading over to her place like it's no big deal..."
In the middle of their convos, some words popped up that were impossible to ignore.
A reunited childhood buddy.
The existence of said girl's Big Bro.
And the way Nikaidō Haruki had been acting so different lately.
Isami Ema and the crew traded looks, their imaginations going into absolute overdrive.
""""Kyaー!!""""
Right there in front of the fast-food joint at sunset, the girls' high-pitched squeals echoed through the air.
◇◇◇
After finishing their grocery run at their usual supermarket, both Haruki and Himeko walked back toward the apartment together.
In front of her, Haruki saw their shadows lined up side by side—a change from her usual lonely walk.
(Wait, is this actually the first time we've walked home together since Hime-chan moved here?)
Just as Haruki was thinking about that, Himeko suddenly spoke up.
"...So, Haru-chan, that's how you act at school, huh?"
"A-Ahaha... ...is it... ...weird?"
"Mmm, not weird exactly, but since I know the 'real' you, it just feels kinda surreal? Oh yeah, you were acting just like that when we first bumped into each other at the convenience store too, right?"
"Pretty much. When I'm out in public, I'm usually in that mode."
"I see. Well then, the way you're acting right now... ...that's a secret just between us, okay?"
Himeko flashed a wide, mischievous grin.
(...Oh.)
A secret.
That one word hit Haruki right in the feels, and suddenly, she realized exactly what that weird, uneasy vibe from earlier was all about.
"What's up, Haru-chan?"
"Eep! Eh, nothing! A secret... ...Yeah, exactly, it's a secret!"
Haruki started repeating the word "secret" like a broken record.
Thinking back, it was a pretty childish way to feel.
It's just that Haruki's low-key, "secretive" relationship with Hayato felt like proof that what they had was special, and she just didn't want the rest of the world sticking their noses into it.
"I wonder what's for dinner tonight?"
"Who knows?"
Haruki quickly changed the subject to play it cool.
Even though Haruki was low-key facepalming at her own behavior, she headed toward Hayato and Himeko's apartment in a surprisingly good mood.
When you think about it, having dinner at your childhood buddies' place every single day isn't exactly "normal." If word got out, who knows what kind of crazy rumors would start flying? So yeah, this definitely had to stay a secret too.
(But, I want more...)
Haruki knew she was being childish. But still, she found herself wanting to pile up even more of these secretive little moments.
A ten-story family apartment complex.
Haruki's childhood buddies' new place, which she'd somehow gotten totally used to visiting.
As Haruki's feelings slowly started to shift, even the words coming out of her mouth began to change.
"I'm home―wait, what?"
"Big Bro, I bought the—huh? That's new."
"Yo, you guys are late."
And then, Haruki totally froze at the sight of the living room looking way different than usual.
"Hey there, welcome home."
Besides the familiar sight of Hayato's back as he worked in the kitchen, there was a middle-aged man chilling on the sofa. The man looked a bit older than what Haruki remembered, but he gave them a warm, welcoming grin.
The man was the last person Haruki expected to see.
Then again, it made perfect sense for the man to be here.
"I-It's been a long time, Dear Uncle..."
Swapping back into her "perfect girl" persona, Haruki gave a polite bow and greeted the man, clearly feeling the nerves.
Hayato and Himeko just stared at Haruki, totally confused by Haruki's formal reaction.
This man—Kirishima Kazuyoshi—was Hayato and Himeko's dear daddy. And more importantly, Kazuyoshi was an adult who definitely knew the real reason why Haruki had ended up in Tsukinose as a kid.
Author's Notes:
＼Meow／
∧ ∧＿__
／(*゜ー゜) ／＼
／|￣∪∪￣|＼／
| しぃ |／
￣￣￣￣
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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(Ugh, what am I gonna do...?!)
For Haruki, this was basically the worst-case scenario.
But for Isami Ema and her crew, this was as good as it gets.
Himeko was totally spooked and tried to hide behind Haruki's back, but those girls weren't about to let her off the hook that easily.
"Oho, so this is that 'childhood buddy' we were talking about."
"She's so tall and pretty! You're a grade below us, right? Wait, that uniform... ...that's from my old middle school!"
"Okay, I totally see why Kirishima-chi feels the way he does."
"Oh, I'm Isami Ema. You're Himeko-chan, right?"
"H-Hyau...!"
Haruki flashed back to what just happened to her.
If Himeko got hit with their relentless interrogation, she'd definitely end up spilling all the tea.
Logically, it wasn't even a big deal. The fact that Himeko is Hayato's little sis, or that they're all childhood buddies, isn't exactly a state secret.
But for some reason, the mere thought of it made Haruki feel incredibly uncomfortable.
"H-Haru-chan..."
"...Oh."
Right then, someone gave Haruki's uniform hem a sharp tug.
Haruki looked back and saw Himeko, her eyes wavering with pure nerves and anxiety. The sight of it sent Haruki straight down memory lane.
Back when they were kids.
Back when Haruki'd spend all day running through the fields and mountains with Hayato.
Whenever they were at a countryside meeting in Tsukinose and surrounded by adults they didn't know, Himeko used to grab the back of Haruki's shirt just like this.
(What did I even say back then...?)
All Haruki could remember was Hayato wandering off on his own, claiming he was on some "expedition" or whatever.
Himeko always did have that shy streak in her.
I'm the oldest here, I gotta do something... —that's the thought that surged through Haruki.
(I gotta man up and handle this!)
Haruki gave Himeko a reassuring smile, then firmly grabbed Himeko's hand to pull her away from Isami Ema and the rest of the group.
"Seriously, you girls are freaking Hime-chan out! Cut it out already!"
"...Oh."
Himeko put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. It was a dead giveaway—the classic "I'm pissed" pose.
Seeing Haruki like that, Isami Ema realized they'd gone a bit too far. Ema was the first one to look guilty, scratching her head as she started to apologize.
"Our bad, I guess we got a little carried away there."
"Hime-chan just moved here and she's still getting used to everything. Please go easy on her, okay?"
"U-Um, yeah... ...I was just a bit startled, so... ...S-Sorry if I acted weird!"
And as Himeko bowed her head all flustered, Haruki's whole face lit up. Haruki's expression shifted as she stood on her tiptoes to pat Himeko's head—even though Himeko was actually a bit taller than Haruki.
"There we go, Hime-chan. Such a good girl, such a good girl."
"Hey! Haru-chan, stop it! I'm not a kid anymore!"
The two of them started bickering playfully.
Watching them vibe like that—Haruki acting all big-sisterly and Himeko acting annoyed but clearly trusting Haruki with her life—made it impossible for Ema and the crew to even think about butting in.
～～～～♪
Then, someone's smartphone buzzed.
"Oh, it's from Big Bro. He wants me to pick up milk, yogurt, and soy sauce... ...Ugh, why does he always pick the heavy stuff...?"
"Ahaha, don't worry, I'll help you carry half of it. Anyway, see you girls tomorrow!"
With a bright smile, Haruki gave them a parting wave, nudged Himeko, and they finally made their getaway.
Isami Ema and the crew just stood there, watching them disappear into the distance, before someone finally broke the silence.
"They seemed pretty tight, didn't they?"
"Yeah, I've never seen Nikaidō-san act like that before."
"More importantly, did you catch that?"
"Himeko-chan called someone 'Big Bro,' right?"
"And Nikaidō-san is basically heading over to her place like it's no big deal..."
In the middle of their convos, some words popped up that were impossible to ignore.
A reunited childhood buddy.
The existence of said girl's Big Bro.
And the way Nikaidō Haruki had been acting so different lately.
Isami Ema and the crew traded looks, their imaginations going into absolute overdrive.
""""Kyaー!!""""
Right there in front of the fast-food joint at sunset, the girls' high-pitched squeals echoed through the air.
◇◇◇
After finishing their grocery run at their usual supermarket, both Haruki and Himeko walked back toward the apartment together.
In front of her, Haruki saw their shadows lined up side by side—a change from her usual lonely walk.
(Wait, is this actually the first time we've walked home together since Hime-chan moved here?)
Just as Haruki was thinking about that, Himeko suddenly spoke up.
"...So, Haru-chan, that's how you act at school, huh?"
"A-Ahaha... ...is it... ...weird?"
"Mmm, not weird exactly, but since I know the 'real' you, it just feels kinda surreal? Oh yeah, you were acting just like that when we first bumped into each other at the convenience store too, right?"
"Pretty much. When I'm out in public, I'm usually in that mode."
"I see. Well then, the way you're acting right now... ...that's a secret just between us, okay?"
Himeko flashed a wide, mischievous grin.
(...Oh.)
A secret.
That one word hit Haruki right in the feels, and suddenly, she realized exactly what that weird, uneasy vibe from earlier was all about.
"What's up, Haru-chan?"
"Eep! Eh, nothing! A secret... ...Yeah, exactly, it's a secret!"
Haruki started repeating the word "secret" like a broken record.
Thinking back, it was a pretty childish way to feel.
It's just that Haruki's low-key, "secretive" relationship with Hayato felt like proof that what they had was special, and she just didn't want the rest of the world sticking their noses into it.
"I wonder what's for dinner tonight?"
"Who knows?"
Haruki quickly changed the subject to play it cool.
Even though Haruki was low-key facepalming at her own behavior, she headed toward Hayato and Himeko's apartment in a surprisingly good mood.
When you think about it, having dinner at your childhood buddies' place every single day isn't exactly "normal." If word got out, who knows what kind of crazy rumors would start flying? So yeah, this definitely had to stay a secret too.
(But, I want more...)
Haruki knew she was being childish. But still, she found herself wanting to pile up even more of these secretive little moments.
A ten-story family apartment complex.
Haruki's childhood buddies' new place, which she'd somehow gotten totally used to visiting.
As Haruki's feelings slowly started to shift, even the words coming out of her mouth began to change.
"I'm home―wait, what?"
"Big Bro, I bought the—huh? That's new."
"Yo, you guys are late."
And then, Haruki totally froze at the sight of the living room looking way different than usual.
"Hey there, welcome home."
Besides the familiar sight of Hayato's back as he worked in the kitchen, there was a middle-aged man chilling on the sofa. The man looked a bit older than what Haruki remembered, but he gave them a warm, welcoming grin.
The man was the last person Haruki expected to see.
Then again, it made perfect sense for the man to be here.
"I-It's been a long time, Dear Uncle..."
Swapping back into her "perfect girl" persona, Haruki gave a polite bow and greeted the man, clearly feeling the nerves.
Hayato and Himeko just stared at Haruki, totally confused by Haruki's formal reaction.
This man—Kirishima Kazuyoshi—was Hayato and Himeko's dear daddy. And more importantly, Kazuyoshi was an adult who definitely knew the real reason why Haruki had ended up in Tsukinose as a kid.
Author's Notes:
＼Meow／
∧ ∧＿__
／(*゜ー゜) ／＼
／|￣∪∪￣|＼／
| しぃ |／
￣￣￣￣
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
If you like our work, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi. 🙏
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/ninjacross
Donations are very much appreciated.
Your donations really support us to finish this novel from here until the end, so please consider to support us.
Follow Our Official WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRa6nHCsU9OAB0U370F
Read in other languages:
• Indonesian / Bahasa Indonesia
←Previous Table of Contents Next→