He who chases two hares… will lose them both.
“…You saw it from Towakun’s behavior, didn’t you?”
Just from that question, I understood. On our way back from shopping with Kashizaki-san, that woman who disappeared into the crowd arm in arm with a man who seemed frivolous… she was indeed… As Hoshina-san looked at me, lost for words, she lowered her face and told me.
“We hadn’t talked for a while, so I didn’t know, but I happened to see the two of them embracing near my house. I wanted to believe it was a mistake, but if Towakun saw it too, then it seems to be true…”
I couldn’t find the words to comfort the dejected Hoshina-san. To be honest… my feelings were quite complex. Hatsune-san is someone I don’t even want to see, but it’s impossible not to care, considering she’s Shuu’s mother.
“Towakun doesn’t need to worry about such a person.”
Ayana, who was by my side, said that, but she probably understood what was going on in my heart. She looked at me with kind eyes, knowing I couldn’t just dismiss it as a matter unrelated to me.
“I didn’t know until I talked to Shuu, but we started talking as we used to.”
It’s the second time, but I don’t want to see Hatsune-san, but Shuu is a friend. Still, I have no intention of intervening arrogantly thinking I can change something. It might be harsh, but at this point, it’s a matter for that family.
“Well, I might try talking to Shuu in a roundabout way. That’s probably all I can do.”
“Yes. I’ll be by your side when that happens.”
“Thank you.”
“No, it’s only natural as your wife.”
“…………”
“Come on, say something!”
Sorry, I was just surprised, or rather caught off guard. Not only me but Hoshina-san was equally surprised by the sudden wife remark. But we soon burst into laughter with Ayana, who blushed immediately. Though we haven’t exactly resolved the issue, for now, let’s just put that thought aside.
“Hoshina-san, let’s leave it at that for now.”
“Right… Even if I say something now, it probably won’t reach anyone.”
…It seems that not talking recently has caused a gap between Hatsune-san and Hoshina-san. After that, Hoshina-san headed to the kitchen to help her mother, and I shifted my gaze to Kashizaki-san, who had been silent the whole time.
“Hmm.”
While we were talking, Kashizaki-san had been quiet, engrossed in her smartphone. Occasionally looking at the screen and tapping away, she might be in contact with someone. Kashizaki-san, noticing my gaze, blushed and said something like this.
“Towabo, even if you’re infatuated with big sis, nothing will come of it, you know?”
I wasn’t infatuated, but before I could respond, Ayana replied faster than me.
“Towakun infatuated? Please, spare me the jokes.”
“…I’ve been thinking lately, but Ayana-chan, you’ve got that quality, you know.”
What kind of quality are we talking about… With a nervous laugh from Ayana, Kashizaki-san broke into a cold sweat. Wait… Could it be that Ayana is scarier than Kashizaki-san? No, no, I’d like to think that’s not the case.
“Ayana! Could you bring the dishes over here?”
“Understood. Well then, Towakun, please sit and wait. And Eisuki too.”
“Being included in that ‘and Eisuki’ is just mean!”
“Just be thankful for the attention.”
“That’s mean!”
Ayana Motomura would never say such things to others. Normally, she speaks in a gentle tone even to Mr. Kanzaki, but it seems she didn’t like the admiring comment from earlier. Well, Mr. Kanzaki himself seems to understand that.
“Oh, right, Towabo.”
“What is it?”
When I turned back after being called by Mr. Kanzaki, I envisioned a quiet flame. It’s not like it’s physically burning or that I can see the flame, I just saw it from Mr. Kanzaki’s aura. A quiet anger that wasn’t put into words, I clearly sensed that.
What is Mr. Kanzaki angry about? Is it because of Ayana’s treatment earlier? While thinking it couldn’t be that, I waited for Mr. Kanzaki’s words.
“The man who was with Hatsune Sasaki, Tomoshima, that guy.”
“Oh… Huh?”
“Leave that to ‘us.’ Towabo and Ayana-chan don’t need to worry about anything.”
“Um, what?”
What on earth is Mr. Kanzaki talking about? I shrugged my shoulders, unable to grasp the situation, and he chuckled while patting my shoulder.
“It’s not like I pitied Hatsune Sasaki or that your friend is his son. It’s about crossing a boundary that shouldn’t be crossed. You probably don’t understand what I’m saying, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
“That’s fine. Regardless of the past, now that we’ve noticed in advance, Towabo and Ayana-chan don’t need to know anything. Children shouldn’t get involved in adult desires.”
In the end, I couldn’t understand what Mr. Kanzaki was thinking. The mysterious atmosphere that formed between me and Mr. Kanzaki left my mother and Hoshina tilting their heads, and Ayana, with a look that said “you again,” troubled Mr. Kanzaki… and it became vague.
Finally, the sukiyaki party began after the preparations were made… but my mother got greatly drunk as usual. She usually hugs me, but today seemed to be Ayana’s day.
“Ayana-chan is truly a good girl, isn’t she? Beautiful, good at studying, perfect at housework, and on top of that, big breasts and an outstanding figure. When I see her, I even think it’s unfair for God.”
“Sister, you’re indirectly mocking me, right?”
“…………”
I sympathize with Ayana, who is caught by my mother and staring into the distance, but once my mother gets like that, she probably won’t let go of Ayana for a while. However, once she’s satisfied with Ayana, the next target will likely be me… sigh, I’ll eat plenty of meat and be prepared.
“Here, Towakun, have some meat.”
“Thank you.”
Hoshina served me some meat on a plate… hmm, delicious.
“Here, have some tofu.”
“Thank you.”
It was a little while ago, but I once told Hoshina that I could serve myself like now, but she gave me a look like it was the end of the world, so I decided to rely on her.
“Mother?”
“hehehe, you’re caught, so it’s my turn, right?”
“…Grr.”
Feeling Ayana’s gaze, I start eating the sukiyaki. And a few minutes later, the Yukiyo family’s living room was like a hell.
“…Alcohol is scary, isn’t it, Ayana?”
“Yes, I don’t want to become like these adults…”
The three adults were showing a sloppy appearance. My mother and Mr. Kanzaki had collapsed, and Hoshina was sleeping with her head on the table… the room reeked terribly of alcohol. Ayana and I exchanged glances, sighed, and pondered how to deal with this situation.
Just before the sukiyaki party at the Yukishiro house began, crude laughter of a man echoed from somewhere.
“hahahaha, what an easy girl. But she has a good body and money… no mistake, she’s a good woman.”
“As expected, Mr. Maeshima, with that attitude, already?”
“Of course. If you bully her enough.”
“Hee♪”
The content was suitable for the vulgar laughter. The man called Maeshima, and the man who admired Maeshima continued speaking.
“I heard that the mother and child next door are quite a beautiful pair. What about that?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Of course, we’ll aim for them. Both the mother and daughter have good bodies, and furthermore, that family is quite wealthy. If we get our hands on them, we’ll have an easy time.”
“If Mr. Maeshima sets his sights on you, it’s all over… Here, let me treat you today.”
“Sorry about that!”
Maeshima, enjoying his drink, was served by a man who discreetly glanced behind Maeshima to avoid being noticed. There was only one woman present, engrossed in her phone, seemingly making some kind of contact. When the woman gave a slight nod, the man reciprocated and spoke.
“Maeshima, the next place we’re heading to is a spot I frequent. The drinks there are superb.”
“Oh, really? Well then, let’s head there next!!”
Maeshima seemed truly in high spirits… but.
“…………”
The man, smiling at Maeshima, was secretly sweating bullets. The woman was observing him… not with a seductive gaze, but with a look that seemed to command him to behave and not make any mistakes.
Whether aware of the man’s inner fear or not, the woman sipped her cold tea.
“Miss, you seem displeased.”
The woman exhaled lightly and raised her head.
With that refined face, the woman was the one who had shaken hands with Ezaki and Towa when they met in the evening.
In a place unknown to Towa and Ayana, there lurked a hidden presence.