Trapped 7
“Alright, I’ve been wanting so new clothes anyway, so I’ll go shopping with you.”
Akira reluctantly agrees while casually saying what she wants.
“Decided! Now, where shall we go?”
Mayuzumi-san takes charge with an experienced deanor. It feels nice to have soone who can organize like this.
However.
“Sorry. I already have so plans for after the midterm exams. Please invite again so other ti.”
“I see… Then it’ll just be Ririka and Akiaki going shopping.”
“Uh, if Nikishiki isn’t coming, maybe we should cancel it…”
“If you want to, I can invite the other girls and go as a group?”
Mayuzumi-san suggests while taking out her smartphone.
It seems like Mayuzumi-san could gather a crowd with just one word.
“Fine! Just the two of us. I prefer it that way!”
Akira quickly interjects to stop her.
I stand up to buy lunch, and for so reason, Akira gives a resentful glare.
『You don’t need to prepare als for until the midterm exams are over.』
It’s an order from Tenjō-san, who insists that I focus on studying the week before the exams.
As a teacher, she can’t afford to take away a student’s study ti.
She’s strict as an adult, so there’s no room for negotiation.
Thus, I was supposed to be dedicating myself to my studies.
『Are you listening, Yuu-kun? So, you see…』
“Hey, Kaguya. Is it fun for you to interrupt ? Let get back to studying soon.”
The phone call has been ongoing for quite so ti now, and it’s been like this for dozens of minutes.
『Panicking before the test won’t help you retain anything.』
“Struggling is important in life.”
Giving up can always be done later. Even if it’s plain and uncool, the results of persistent effort might take you to great heights.
Perseverance is power.
『Five minutes before the test is enough.』
“It’s hard to get a high score just with that.”
『It’s good enough to avoid failing.』
“That’s not enough for .”
I’ve promised my father, who provides my living expenses, that I’ll work hard at my studies.
I won’t be able to continue living as I do now if I break that promise.
In other words, it ans I won’t be able to stay next door to Tenjō Reiyu.
That’s sothing I absolutely don’t want.
I will protect my current lifestyle no matter what.
『…Yuu-kun, you’re trying too hard by yourself』
“It’s just normal for .”
『Can’t you be satisfied living within what you can do?』
“I can’t.”
『You’ll get tired if you stretch yourself too much.』
“Hard to take that seriously from soone still growing.”
『From the first ti we t, I thought Yuu-kun seed like an adult. You can do all the household chores, you study hard and get good grades. To your stepmother, you’re the reliable, ideal son』
“…You’ve been paying close attention, huh?”
『After all, we’ve always been together』
Kaguya said it with pride.
『That’s why I relied on you the sa way. Maybe I relied on Yuu-kun too much』
“You were just an elentary school student until recently. It’s normal to rely soone older in the house.”
It’s only natural for , as a brother, to take care of my younger sister.
『But Yuu-kun, you were still in junior high school back then.』
“What’s the point? The age difference hasn’t changed.”
『It hasn’t changed, but there are things I want to change』
“If that’s the case, I’d like Kaguya to beco a reliable adult woman.”
『Is that your type, Yuu-kun?』
“No, not particularly.”
『——Fine, I’m going to sleep!』
The call was abruptly ended.
She’s as moody as ever.
Then, I received a ssage just as I was about to go back to my textbooks and notes.
【Reiyu: Concentrate on your studies properly.】
The walls of this apartnt are thin, so I guess my voice had leaked into the next room.
“…”
I decide to give Tenjō-san a call.
“Sorry for being loud.”
『There’s no point in calling . I even paused my al for nothing.』
Despite being scolded, I couldn’t help feeling happy.
“If it’s a request from Tenjō-san, I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill it.”
『It’s ethically wrong for a teacher like to take up your ti.』
“It must be tough worrying about students even when you’re ho.”
『I may not look it, but I do feel a sense of responsibility.』
It seems she has guessed that my earlier call was with Kaguya.
“Kaguya has always been like that, so please don’t worry about it.”
『But…』
My life is being invaded by my stepsister.
『…why don’t you just co clean and explain the situation to Kaguya-chan? Can’t you ask her to keep quiet about it?』
“That’s difficult. Her wish is for to return ho. Besides, it’s normal for high school students to live with their parents, so this would just give her the perfect excuse to drag back.”
Kaguya’s argunt would be much more reasonable if that happened.
『I understand that, but… do you really need to be so guarded against your stepsister? It seems like you really don’t want to go back ho, Yuunagi-kun.』
Tenjō-san approached the subject hesitantly.
“Well, who would want to give up the freedom of living alone?”
『Is that all?』
“Kaguya will take advantage of my weakness and blackmail .”
Half-joking, half-serious.
I can hardly imagine Kaguya understanding my situation and keeping quiet, nor does she have any obligation to do so.
『Even though she’s your stepsister?』
“Especially because she’s my stepsister.”
『Is there another reason you don’t want to go back ho?』
Tenjō-san seed particularly concerned about this since Kaguya’s arrival.
“Well, it’s because there is soone called Tenjō-san next door.”
『Putting aside, think of it as a problem as far as you are concerned….』
“I didn’t ask for counseling.”
『Yuunagi-kun, could it be that part of the complication also lies with you?』
“Are you saying it’s my fault!?”
My voice unintentionally becos defensive.
“I’m sorry… Anyway, I don’t have anything to say anymore. I’ll get back to studying for the test.”
『Maybe I was being too nosy. I’m sorry too.』
A bitter feeling seed to spread in my mouth after the call ended.
Reviews
All reviews (0)