Chapter 103 - Don't count your chickens before they hatch

Ding dong, ding dong. “Alright, guys, I'll be heading out now~” - Himari said to us. “Go ahead!” - Ryuichi said. “We'll be cheering for you!” - Ayame said. “Thumbs up” - I simply gave her a thumbs-up. Then Himari went to meet Hotaru. “Fufu~ Look at her. I've never seen her this happy.” - Ayame commented. “You're right. I really hope everything goes well for her. So... Tomoki, what's on your mind?” - Ryuichi suddenly asked me. “Wha—what are you talking about? I have nothing to say. Geez.” Both of them looked at me with disbelieving eyes... but I guess it's better to ask them for some guidance this time. “The truth is... I remembered that my older sister likes him too.” “Uhm... well, it's really complicated. Though, it wouldn't be a problem if Hirose-san, Erina-san, and Himari-san ended up in a polygamous relationship.” - Ayame said. “And it seems Hirose-san has no problem interacting with girls so far, so I don't think you need to stress over it too much. You can help your older sister too.” - Ryuichi said. What they were saying made sense, but it didn't change the fact that I was supporting my best friend in two-timing my older sister and my friend. This is so messed up. But... [Sob... Oh, Tomoki-kun, I didn't think you'd wake up so early on your day off. Oh, this? Don't worry. Sometimes I dream about him and... well... you know what I'm going through.] [Here, Tomoki-kun! It's my gift for you. Now that I've saved some money, I can finally afford something like this... yeah... now that I've saved some money...] [~~All by mysellfff~~] Yeah... you know what? As her little brother, I should do something for her. “I hope Himari forgives me.” - I said. “Don't worry, Tomoki. Himari-san will understand.” - Ayame said. “And they've already met each other, right? Tachibana-san should know that your sister is after him too.” - Ryuichi said. “That's true. I guess this time we'll be supporting a two-timing relationship.” - I said. “Fufu~ Leave it to us.” - Ayame said. “Sure. Ask us whenever you need.” - Ryuichi said. It's incredible how neither of them even flinched after hearing what I said. ♦♦♦ Ding dong, ding dong Today I can go home earlier. Since I have more free time, I should start thinking about how I'll make Hotaru meet Erina nee-san. “Tomoki! How about we hang out somewhere?” - The person in question said. “Then how about the cafeteria?” - I proposed. “Sounds good.” “Can I call my friends too?” “Of course! I want to get to know them better too.” And so I asked them. “Next time, buddy. I'll be heading home now.” - Ryuichi said. “Me too, Tomoki. But next time I'll definitely come.” - Ayame said. “I've already taken enough of your time with your friend. You two still want to talk more, right?” - Himari said. I guess it's just me and him. But this is great since I can ask him about Erina nee-san. “So, Hotaru, how are things around here?” “Yeah! Though I'm having trouble keeping up with the classes.” “I know the feeling. Man, there's so much information for us to study.” “I wonder if I'll be able to get a good score on the tests.” “Just so you know, for the first time in my life, I managed to get a zero. Luckily, it was just a surprise test that didn't count toward our final grade.” “And what about the midterms?” “I barely passed. My advice is to make studying every day a habit from now on. This school is no joke.” “I guess that's just how it is. Thanks for the advice.” Then we finally arrived at the cafeteria and waited in line. “Excuse me... you two can go ahead and place your order.” - A girl from our school said to us. “We're not in a hurry. Thank you for offering.” - I said. After a few minutes, it was finally our turn to order. “Knowing you, I thought you'd just cut in line since you're the type who hates waiting.” - Hotaru said. “I'm not that shameless. Sure, I did it on the first day of school with Ryuichi, but after that I started bringing a bento every day. My conscience wouldn't let me take advantage of people like that.” “Not to mention we're already taking advantage just by being here.” “That's true. By the way, who interviewed you?” “The principal. I was kind of nervous when I started talking to her. She's calm and kind, but every time she wrote something down about me, I kept wondering if I'd said something wrong. What about you?” “Ayame's mother, Edomae Akane-san. At the time, I didn't know she was the president of a major company and the main sponsor of this program. And I'm glad I didn't know, otherwise I would've been even more nervous.” “And speaking of companies, everyone around here is really wealthy. Not gonna lie, I thought I was pretty rich after working part-time, but compared to them, what I earn is like a pebble... Actually, I think it's still a pebble even if I include Mom's income.” “Speaking of your part-time job, do you remember a girl who was a hard worker and always requested your service?” “My friend! Let me tell you one thing. There were a lot of women who requested my service there. I truly lived up to the name Sebastian.” “Did you cast the spell in your first day?” “You mean the curse. Every time one of my colleagues started chanting, I could feel a chill slowly running down my spine. Just remembering it gives me chills.” “I guess there's no such thing as a perfect workplace. Anyway, was there any customer who left a strong impression on you?” “Why do you keep asking? Is it someone you know?” “Yep. Though I'd be happy if you remembered her.” “What are you... wait a minute. There was an older girl who was really down because she'd fallen for the fake boyfriend she rented. And her name was... Morikawa nee-san.” “It seems you've met my older sister.” “Your WHAT!? Oh, right, you have sisters in this world. But still... WHAT!?” “Exactly. So, what did you think of her?” “A beautiful older sister. Man, I'm so jealous of you! I wonder if she pampers you every day.” “Yeah... a little too much sometimes. Can you believe she gave me this... watch...” Hotaru raised his wrist the moment I mentioned the watch. “Tomoki, can you give this back to your sister? When she had the chance to give a small gift to her favorite butler, she went straight for this watch. I tried to give it back because it was too expensive, but she started trembling when I did, so in the end I accepted it.” “If she ever finds out that I took her gift away from you, I think I'll end up in a coffin.” “I guess I'll have to live with that guilt. But I see... your sister, huh. Tomoki, I think I know why you brought this up. I don't intend to betray Tachibana-san's expectations of me.” “So you've decided to date Himari?” “Yeah! I mean, unless I'm mistaken, she likes me, right? I'm not stupid enough to let this chance slip away. Actually... Tomoki, can you tell me if she really likes me? Not as a friend, but as a man?” - I could tell he was unsure. “Don't worry. One hundred percent, she loves you. There's no way she'd say no to you.” “Man, who would've thought I'd actually get a girlfriend? And honestly, it was kind of easy. I guess I can't complain about rom-com protagonists anymore.” “Bro, don't jinx it! You have no idea how many times I thought things would go smoothly, only for something unexpected to happen and give me an even bigger headache.” “Coming from you... now I'm really nervous.” “Don't worry. As for Himari, I can't imagine she'd say no unless something really serious happened in her life.” “If something like that happens, I'll be there for her whenever she needs me. Though I don't know how.” “That's the spirit!” “Thank you, pal! And... sorry too.” “Why are you suddenly apologizing?” “Because of Her... I thought... everyone thought she'd say yes to you. We gave you false hope... I gave you false hope. Sorry, Tomoki. Unlike you, I wasn't able to give you any good advice or help.” “Hotaru, you and everyone else supported me, and that alone made me happy. Sure, it was frustrating as hell, but I can't just ignore all your good intentions. In the end, it happened, and I think we just have to learn how to deal with it. Don't sweat it, bro. I'm grateful to have you as my best friend.” “…” - He remained in silence. “…” - I remained in silence. “This became more serious than I thought.” - Hotaru said. “That's because you started apologizing.” “My bad, my bad. I thought about hanging out at your house and seeing your parents again. But I guess I'd better not.” “Yeah... but hey, I can visit yours, right?” “Anytime you want.” “Welp, time to head back home. I'll be leaving a little earlier today.” “No student council today? Well, I'll be leaving too, though I still need to decide which club to join.” “You still have some time, though it's better to decide as early as possible.” It seems he'd decided to stay with Himari, and I respected his decision. It's kind of reassuring to know that he thinks the same way I do. Though I do feel bad for Erina nee-san. But this is for the best, and I know she's a strong woman who'll find someone better. Then we headed to the same place where Mom usually picked me up—the school entrance. And to our surprise... “MOM!?” - Both of us shouted. “Oh, Tomoki! And you must be Hotaru-kun. Nice to meet you!” - Mom said. “Tomoki-kun, thank you for looking after my son. He's really naive and always gives me something to worry about.” - I know her. She's Hotaru's mother. “Aunt Haruka!? It's been a while, ma'am!” - Hotaru said. “Aunt Kanae! It's good to see you're doing well!” - I said. Then our mothers looked at each other and spoke in unison. “Thank you...?” - Both of them tilted their heads. Crap! We forgot this was the first time they'd met each other. “Hirose-san, I'll be going now. It was fun talking with you.” - Mom said to aunt Kanae. “Likewise, Morikawa-san. It's reassuring to know my son was able to make a male friend.” - Aunt Kanae said to Mom. Then we got into the car and headed home... Wait a minute. Huh!? “Mom, is it just me, or are they following us?” “Don't be silly. It's just a coincidence.” When we finally arrived home, their car drove right past us, and Hotaru was... What kind of face is that? Oh... I get it. My house is pretty big, after all. “It seems he lives farther from the school than I do.” - I said. “Hirose-san must have a tough time driving her son to school every day. Not to mention she's a single mother.” - Mom said. Notification received. [Look at the corner of the street.] When I stepped outside to look... For God's sake. “Mom! Can I go see my friend right now?” “What are you... Oh! So they live around here?” Then Mom and I waved at Hotaru and Aunt Kanae. “Welcome home, Tomoki-kun, Aunt Haruka. Who are you waving at...? Eh!?” “It's my friend.... GASP.” Both Mom and I turned toward Erina nee-san. She started tearing up, so shocked that she dropped her phone. “Se... Se... Sebastian!” “No, Sis. It's Hotaru.” - I said. I knew he'd jinxed it!