Chapter 13

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Chapter 13: Gothic Lolita Is Cutely Decorated With Frills XI

They let me out of the car when we got near my house. A car like this driving down a country road would attract attention on its own, and if people saw me getting out, by tomorrow everyone would know about it.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Also, I have no idea what would happen if Rei-sama and Haruka-nee met. Rei-sama managed to catch me off guard earlier, but Haruka-nee sees herself as a substitute big sister, and I doubt she’d get along with the bossy Rei-sama.

Even though the distance isn’t that far, looking at the fields and old one-story houses lined up, I feel like I’m home. I guess I’m just a commoner at heart after all.

“I’m home!”

When I got home, I heard hurried footsteps, and Haruka-nee came running down the hallway.

“Oh, you’re back. You were late.”

“Yeah, I got dragged around to all sorts of places.”

“She seemed like a pushy girl, your girlfriend.”

As expected, her words had a bit of a sharp edge. Haruka-nee doesn’t like it when anyone else pulls me around. Even though she likes to do it herself. If I made it seem like Rei-sama was my girlfriend, would Haruka-nee stop dressing me up in girls’ clothes? Even if I did that, I’d probably still be stuck wearing all kinds of outfits until Rei-sama is satisfied.

“She’s really not a bad person, just a bit forceful.”

When she’s drawing, her eyes are completely focused. And she has a dream she’s working toward, even if her methods are a bit unconventional. That’s something I can admire and respect, especially since I have no idea which direction I should be heading in.

“You’re talking like a boy, Nao.”

“I am a boy, you know.”

I might not sound convincing since I was just wearing makeup and a kimono, but Haruka-nee didn’t see that, so it’s fine. Even so, I doubt this claim will get through after saying it so many times.

I feel kind of tired today. Normally, I never go out unless I have a reason, so spending time being dragged around by Rei-sama was something I hadn’t experienced much. I’m more mentally exhausted than physically. My body is crying out for a break.

“Hey, Nao. Do you think we won’t be able to go out together anymore?”

As I was about to head back to my room, Haruka-nee murmured in a small voice.

“I don’t mind, as long as you don’t make me crossdress.”

“That’s not what I mean. Going out alone with another girl… normally, that’s something people don’t like.”

She must be talking about Rei-sama. From her perspective, it’s probably uncomfortable that I’m going out with another girl, just like how a girlfriend wouldn’t want her boyfriend hanging out with other girls.

“But you’re like a sister to me.”

“Maybe that’s how you see it, but that girl might not feel the same way.”

Whether she feels that way or not, Rei-sama and I aren’t in a romantic relationship—we’re more like an owner and her doll. Though, now that I know about her manga, our relationship might have improved a little.

But Haruka-nee doesn’t know any of that. And I can’t tell her, either. Yet, despite that, she’s thinking about me and Rei-sama, holding back on what she wants. Even so, I still can’t tell her the truth. Doing that would only hurt Rei-sama.

“You’re right. I’ll make sure to tell her about you, though.”

I escaped into my room, almost running away from Haruka-nee.

If I pretend I’m dating Rei-sama, maybe Haruka-nee will stop dragging me around. I wanted to punch myself for thinking that just an hour ago. Haruka-nee’s wounds run deep, and they aren’t something that can heal easily.

Just as Haruka-nee is like a big sister to me, I was probably like a younger brother she could trust and depend on.

Haruka-nee didn’t come into my room. I felt bad for treating her so poorly, especially when she had been worried and waiting for me, but it was too late for regrets now.

I stepped out of my room and looked up at Haruka-nee’s from the outer hallway, but with the curtains drawn, I couldn’t even tell if the lights were on.

The sky was slowly darkening, and a faint moon was beginning to appear. As I gazed up at it absentmindedly, I let out a big sigh, different from all the ones I’d sighed earlier today.