Chapter 19
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Chapter 19: Maid Outfits Are Best With Long Skirts And Lace-Up Boots VI
“So, that’s how it is.”
The fact that Haruka-nee forced me to cross-dress. How much I’m against it. The fact that Rei-sama is blackmailing me using that.
When I think about it, the situation is so simple that it makes me reflect on how terrible my previous actions must have been. Still, I kept quiet about Rei-sama’s dream of becoming a manga artist. Although I saw her sketching at the shop, she panicked when I saw her notebook in her room, and I wasn’t sure if it was okay to tell Minato about it.
As we continued talking, slowly eating our lunches, more and more people who had finished eating began returning to their classrooms, leaving the rooftop increasingly empty.
“Oh, so Nao-kun enjoys cross-dressing?”
“Were you not listening at all!?”
Satisfied with my expected reaction, Minato chuckled and lightly patted my shoulder.
“Just kidding, just kidding. Wow, that’s quite a dramatic story. But I’m surprised you’re not angry about it. Rei can be pushy, but forcing someone against their will… well, yeah, she probably would.”
Yeah, she definitely would. I already knew that all too well.
“I kind of missed the right moment to get mad, and besides, I understand where she’s coming from to some extent.”
“You’re too nice.”
As I thought about Rei-sama, Haruka-nee’s face came to mind. Because I’ve been spending time with Rei-sama, it feels like I’ve grown distant from Haruka-nee lately. Or rather, it feels like Haruka-nee has been distancing herself from me. It’s not that I’m too nice, it’s just that I’m indecisive.
“But you seem to be good at dealing with Rei-sama’s whims too, Minato.”
There’s no way that a high-class kimono shop would have fabric scraps fit for a pet dog or cat. It’s not like the cheap towels you get as consolation prizes in supermarket raffles. Still, the fact that Rei-sama took me to that shop means Minato must have indulged one of Rei-sama’s whims before. Feeling proud of my deduction, I shared my reasoning with her.
“Calling her ‘Rei-sama’ so casually is hilarious.”
Minato found something entirely unrelated amusing and couldn’t hold back her laughter. It’s true, calling a girl just two years older “Rei-sama” is a bit odd. Especially since she’s not even here right now.
“Well, I call her that at the shop too, so don’t worry about it.”
“But there’s a difference between a customer and a doll.”
“A doll?”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t mentioned that part. Outwardly, I’m seen as Rei-sama’s girlfriend in disguise, but to her, I’m nothing more than a dress-up doll. Ever since learning about her manga, maybe she’s treated me a bit better, but I’m still just a model for her.
She could throw me away whenever she wanted. That’s the extent of our relationship.
“That sounds exactly like something Rei would do.”
Minato’s words interrupted my negative train of thought. She probably just said what was on her mind after listening to me, but it came at the perfect time to stop my head from spiraling.
“Rei doesn’t trust her family. She doesn’t really have friends either. I’m just a shop employee with a formal relationship. But she probably likes you, Nao-kun.”
“Is that so?”
Even when I said it out loud, it didn’t sound convincing. Could Rei-sama really feel that way about me? I should be hoping for my release, but when I think about losing her, I suddenly feel reluctant. That’s how it is with everyone in my life: kendo, Haruka-nee, and Rei-sama.
“Now that you mention it, Rei-sama didn’t seem very close to her mother.”
“Yeah. It seems like they’re having a lot of conflict over her future career paths.”
“I figured.”
Rei-sama had said many times that she didn’t want to stay at home, and judging from what I’d seen, it seemed like she really meant it. She probably doesn’t want to openly talk about it either, considering she hasn’t even told Minato about her manga.
“So, I’d be happy if you could be on Rei’s side, Nao-kun.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll try my best.”
But first, I’ll have to make sure I don’t get discarded. According to Minato, Rei-sama seems to like me, but who knows when she might suddenly start viewing me as suspicious and push me away.
“Yeah, yeah. You’re as good a kid as you look, which is a relief.”
“Umm, I’m actually your classmate, you know…”
I gave a small protest as Minato lightly patted my head. Because of my height, I’m often seen as younger or more childish, but this time it’s known that we’re the same age, so she should know better.
“I’m two months older than you. Rei told me.”
“That’s barely a difference.”
“No, I’m definitely the older one.”
I’ve had enough older sisters already. Haruka-nee and Rei-sama are more than enough for me.
And now, having finished my lunch, I was full. Hopefully, I won’t get sleepy during afternoon classes.
“But it must be nice having an older sister around, right? I wish I had one.”
“You’ve got Rei-sama, don’t you?”
“Rei feels more like a little sister. Even though she’s older.”
Well, I suppose her spoiled nature could be described as little sister-like. She’s also a bit shorter than me. But, more than being a big sister or little sister, Rei-sama has this overwhelming presence of being a “lady of the house”, which makes her seem like an only child. Though it’s not her parents she relies on, but Kanshou-san and Bakuya-san.
Talking about Rei-sama with Minato made the break time fly by. We didn’t have many shared topics, but it was clear that Minato also worried about Rei-sama.
Rei-sama had once said she wanted to be disowned by her family, but I wonder if there isn’t a better solution. My head, now heavy with a full stomach, couldn’t come up with any good ideas.
Oh, right—I meant to go check on Haruka-nee, but I ran out of time. I trust she’s fine, but remembering the tears I saw on her face two nights ago leaves me with a sinking feeling, as if my stomach were filled with lead.
“One troublesome sister is more than enough.”
No one was probably listening when I mumbled that bravely to myself.