Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: The Women of the Kurosaki Household #3
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“Ugh……”
I staggered along like a zombie wandering the streets in search of prey.
I knew in my head that brooding over it was pointless.
But my heart refused to accept it.
We couldn't keep clinging to each other like siblings forever. My sister and I were adults now.
Especially my sister—she was at an age where, by this world's standards, she could have already married and had kids without anyone batting an eye. A little longer, and she might even get called an old maid.
So, it wasn't strange for her to think about marriage.
……But……
-Ding-dong.
“Haaah.”
I let out a sigh that could have bored a hole in the ground as I pressed the doorbell at Yuuki's house.
Still, the stuffy feeling in my chest showed no signs of easing.
My sister was a beauty. That was a fact anyone who knew her would acknowledge, even without me saying it.
And despite her outwardly cold image, she had a warmer heart than anyone. Anyone who saw her true self couldn't help but fall for her.
But up until now, she hadn't let any man get close. She had more important things than dating. With an attitude as icy as her looks, she'd built an iron wall around herself.
So, no pests buzzed around her, and any that did—I'd swatted them away myself. Physically.
But if she started seriously looking for marriage, the guys around her wouldn't leave her alone. Actually, she wouldn't even need to look—they'd line up if she just stopped blocking them.
……So from now on, I'd just have to sit back and watch the pests swarm around her……?
……Ughhh.
“Come on in, Naibusu.”
As always, Sana—Yuuki's mom—opened the door for me.
“Hello, Sana……”
“Hm? Something bad happen?”
Sana gave me a curious look.
Seems like I couldn't shake off my worries and ended up looking grim even in front of her.
I couldn't worry her, though. I rubbed my face to smooth out my expression and said,
“No, it's nothing……”
I tried to brush it off, but facing Sana like that, my words caught in my throat.
Today, her alluring aura was at least 50% stronger than usual.
Even before, she'd unconsciously exuded a seductive charm that bewitched men.
But this seemed like the real deal. One moment in front of the earnest Sana, and I was already enchanted.
I figured out what was different right away.
On top of her usual basic makeup, she'd gone all out on skincare and contouring. And a faint perfume scent wafted from her—something I'd never smelled on her before.
When a woman dresses up more than usual, the biggest reason is always a man. No exaggeration.
So, had Sana finally found herself a guy?!
Something like intuition—or a lightning bolt—struck the top of my head.
“Hm?”
I must have been staring like an idiot because Sana tilted her head.
The gap between her mature allure and that cute gesture tripled the impact. My heart took critical damage. If we weren't right in front of her, I might have clutched my chest and collapsed.
In my groggy state, I blurted out the thought that popped into my head.
“……Sana, are you thinking of remarrying or something?”
“Huh? Remarrying? Out of nowhere?”
Maybe my eyes conveyed how serious I was.
Sana touched her cheek and pondered.
“Well, it's not like I haven't thought about it……”
So Sana had been considering remarriage after all!
First my sister, now Sana……
……Well, it wasn't weird for Sana to date or remarry.
The kids were grown now, so it was time for her own happiness. She was too young to spend her life alone like this. And way too beautiful. Letting that beauty go to waste would be a sin.
Neighborhood uncles peeked around the house just to catch a glimpse of her face. Of course, Yuuki or I blocked them right away. Physically.
……But what if it's a bad guy? What if he uses the kids as leverage for some perverted demands……?
“W-What's he like?”
I asked in a trembling voice.
Whoever Sana dated wasn't my business. To her, I was just her son's friend, the kid next door.
But I had to ask. Even though I had no right to interfere. I had to butt in.
“Hmm……Someone who can protect our family? And treat my kids like his own?”
“Ugh.”
I dropped to my knees inside.
Damn! He's that perfect?!
He's nothing like a beast like me, who couldn't overcome his desires and exploited her weaknesses for an immoral relationship. Above all, Sana's lovestruck expression showed just how much she adored him.
No, of course it's great if he's a good guy…… But for some reason, I couldn't hide my inexplicable frustration.
“Heh heh. Who'd want an old lady like me anyway?”
Sana laughed awkwardly, a hint of self-deprecation and emptiness in her smile.
I grabbed her hand tightly.
“That's not true, Sana.”
“Oh my.”
Sana's remarriage was as hard for me to accept as my sister's marriage—maybe harder, it made my chest tighten just imagining it—but I didn't want to see her hanging her head.
“You're so beautiful and charming that no man could resist you. If some guy turns you down, just tell me. I'll go beat him up.”
“Naibusu……”
We held hands, exchanging moist gazes.
I wanted to give her courage so she wouldn't shrink back, no matter how great the guy was.
Sana's eyes softened a bit, touched, as she opened her mouth.
“Then, maybe Naibusu……”
“Ah! Naibusu's hitting on Mom again!”
That's when Hina caught us red-handed.
“Get off, you perv!”
Hina charged like an angry bull.
I slipped my hand under her armpits and hoisted her up effortlessly.
“Wahaha! Hina!”
“Eek! Perv! Put me down!”
I spun her high in the air right there on the spot.
She's light. And cute.
Even this adorable Hina would get married off someday. Then we couldn't play like this anymore. Thinking about it just made me gloomier.
……Argh! No way!
Nobody get married!
I won't either!
“Hahaha! Hina, you can't go anywhere—you have to stay by my side forever. Got it?”
“Kyaa! What the heck! Don't say stupid stuff—put me down! Kyaaa!”
“Oh dear.”
Hina shrieked and giggled while Sana looked troubled.
Then Yuuki came out to the entryway with a deadpan expression.
“Naibusu, put Hina down—she's getting dizzy.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Whoaaa~”
I snapped out of it at Yuuki's words and set Hina down.
After all that spinning, Hina's eyes were swirling too.
“Whoa~! Sis!”
Hina wobbled over and clung to Yuuki.
“Sorry, Hina. Naibusu's an idiot, so forgive him.”
“Who's the idiot?”
Hina glared at me with teary eyes while grumbling at Yuuki.
“Just you wait! I'm busy today so I'm going ahead, but next time you won't get away!”
“What? Hina, hanging with friends again? You've been ditching us lately. Not hanging with bad influences, right?”
“Hmph! Whose fault do you think this is?!”
Hina, veins bulging on her forehead in anger, suddenly remembered something and grilled me.
“Right, Naibusu! What did you do to my friend?!”
“Do? I didn't do anything.”
Hina's friend—the girl we met on that rainy day?
I just told her not to cause trouble and lent her an umbrella. Nothing bad.
Did that girl try to drive a wedge between Hina and me? Unforgivable. Gotta pay her a visit sometime.
“Then why are all the boys avoiding me now! They used to bug me all the time, but now even when I talk to them first, they scream and run away!”
Boys quietly playing house in the corner.
Then tyrant Hina shows up, and they scream and flee.
Imagining the scene made me chuckle.
I held back the laugh and said seriously,
“What, new bullying? Can't have that. I'll go teach them a lesson.”
“No thanks! You staying out of it is the best help!”
Too bad. I was gonna train them to prostrate automatically when Hina spoke to them.
“You sure you're okay? Hina, if you need help, tell me. I'll jump in anytime.”
“……W-Well, I appreciate it…… but you staying put is the help. I don't want my few girl friends running off too.”
Hina fidgeted, looking embarrassed as she spoke.
Good thing—no pests buzzing around Hina either.
“Anyway, I'm heading out first. Bye, Mom! Watch out for pervs, Yuu-sis.”
“See you.”
Hina waved to Sana and Yuuki as she headed out.
“Perv? A perv around here?”
“Probably means you, Naibusu.”
“Me? Why does Hina keep calling me a perv anyway?”
“Haha, who knows……”
No one's more normal than me.
Mysterious.
“Hm? Wait a sec.”
I stared hard at Yuuki's face.
She turned her head slightly to avoid my gaze.
“……What?”
“Nah, you just look…… different somehow.”
I figured it out quick.
Flushed cheeks with white powder, longer lashes.
Yuuki was wearing makeup.
“Even you noticed, Naibusu? Yuu suddenly asked me to teach her makeup.”
I was wondering how to react—should I even say anything?—when Sana spoiled it from the side.
“Thanks to her, I got to feel like a girl again after so long.”
Wait, so Sana dolled up because of Yuuki too?
What about remarriage?
As I stood there confused, Sana grabbed Yuuki's shoulders and shoved her forward in front of me.
“What do you think, Naibusu? Isn't our Yuu cute?”
“Uh…… yeah.”
“Mom!”
Caught by the shoulders and forced into my judgment, Yuuki squirmed, not knowing where to put herself.
Objectively, Yuuki was cute.
If she chose the makeup herself, it was fine to say so honestly.
……Right?
Hmm…… Yuuki, you……
Have you fully decided to live as a girl now?
What brought on this change of heart?
Honestly, I still didn't get it.
Should I treat Yuuki like a girl or a guy?
But if she's decided to live as a woman,
I'll support her as a friend.
“Suits you well, Yuuki.”
“Ah, th-thanks……”
Yuuki ducked her head awkwardly at my compliment.
Her cheeks and ears were beet red, beyond what makeup could hide.
……No way.
Yuuki, you're not gonna say you're getting married too, right?
Right?