Chapter 3 | Turning Point. “Solitude”

♣♣♣

Sunday.

In the guest room of Himari’s house, I was groaning over a study guide.

It was exam prep for the university, as instructed by Kureha-san. I aimed for the same university Tenma-kun was attending. In terms of entrance exam scores, it’s… well, quite—no, very tough, as Sasaki-sensei emphasized, but since I’m doing this, I want to attend the same school as him.

…By the way, when it came to moving to Tokyo for university, my parents were actually all for it.

Saku-neesan being on my side helped, but to begin with, my parents are obsessed with high academic achievements. There’s no way they’d oppose it, right?

With my escape routes cut off, I decided to attend Hibari’s tutoring sessions. Whenever Hibari-san has time each month, I come here to study under him.

Unlike the previous efficiency-focused approach, this method builds from the basics up. It means there’s more to memorize… but rote memorization won’t stick until next year’s exams.

Starting in the morning, I review material from my first year of high school. The headaches from unfamiliar studying pass, and eventually, I start feeling nothing… Wait, that’s weird. Why am I feeling nothing? Could it be that the barley tea served midway had something in it…?

When lunchtime arrived, Himari poked her head in.

“Yuu, Onii-chan. What about lunch~?”

Hibari-san, who had transformed into an intellectual, handsome guy with his fake glasses, closed the study guide with a snap and answered.

“What’s on the menu today?”

“Cold tanmen loaded with our homegrown veggies. And Mom’s homemade grilled gyoza.”

“Sounds perfect. We don’t want to get the study guides dirty, so shall we eat in the kitchen?”

Moving to the kitchen, I found Himari’s mom, Ikuyo-san, preparing lunch.

The cold tanmen, piled high with colorful stir-fried vegetables, was the perfect treat for a slightly sweaty day like today.

Ikuyo-san, with her usual cool and beautiful demeanor, took off her apron.

“Yuu-kun, isn’t Rion-chan joining us today?”

“Enomoto-san has club activities, so she’s not sure when she can come.”

“That’s a shame. I thought she’d be here, so I prepared a lot of noodles.”

“Haha, I’ll let her know.”

Wait a second.

Ikuyo-san was putting the uncooked portion of fresh noodles back in the fridge. That massive pile of noodles, looking like the Himalayas—those weren’t prepared for Enomoto-san, were they?

“…Um, those noodles?”

“Oh? They’re for Rion-chan.”

“I-I see…”

Could it be that Enomoto-san is holding back on how much she eats when she’s around me? That amount? N-No way, that’s impossible, haha…

As I trembled with some incomprehensible fear, Hibari-san clasped his hands together.

“Well then, shall we dig in early?”

“Yes.”

We each took our seats… Huh?

Me, Himari, Hibari-san, and apparently Ikuyo-san too, were all eating lunch together. That in itself wasn’t an issue. I’d experienced this situation plenty of times.

The problem was the seating arrangement.

For some reason, Hibari-san and Ikuyo-san were sitting on either side of me, sandwiching me. That’s odd. This table could easily seat six people. With four of us, it’d make sense to sit 2×2, right? Yet, the side I was on had three people packed tightly together.

Himari, who was leisurely occupying the entire opposite row by herself, also found the peculiar seating arrangement suspicious.

“Huh? Onii-chan, Mom, what’s going on?”

But Hibari-san and Ikuyo-san didn’t answer and instead turned to face me.

First, Hibari-san picked up a spoon. He scooped some vegetables from the bowl and brought it close to my mouth.

…What?

What’s this? What’s going on?

As I stood there confused by this sudden, almost “Say ahh?”-like bizarre behavior, Hibari-san flashed a meltingly sweet smile.

“Yuu-kun, this is sudden, but do you like beautiful older brothers?”

“What are you saying out of the blue? What’s the intent behind that question? It’s so hard to react to!”

“So you do like them, right?”

“Is this one of those trap questions where any answer turns into a yes?”

Also, that spoon is getting way too close!

What’s going on? I feel this intense pressure, like eating it would be a bad idea. Who was it that said we should eat early!?

“Hehe, that’s no good. You won’t pass the Tokyo university entrance exams like that.”

“Is this on the national exams? You’re kidding, right?”

What’s even the right answer here? Tell me, you famous university prep books!

…As I was thinking this, a fragrant grilled gyoza was offered from the other side. Naturally, the chopsticks holding it belonged to Ikuyo-san.

As expected of a bewitching beauty. With a seductive smile that could captivate anyone, she said:

“Yuu-kun, do you like beautiful mature women?”

“That’s dangerous. Seriously dangerous. I can’t just let that slide, so please, don’t say anything more.”

“I haven’t mentioned before, but… I have a husband, you know?”

“I know that! I even know your daughter and your son!”

This place is getting way too ridiculous!

I thought I smelled something floral, and then I noticed an expensive-looking incense burning in the corner of the kitchen! Seriously, this is getting so chaotic, I need a timeout!

“Um… could it be that since Himari and I broke up, you’re thinking of adopting me or something?”

At that, Hibari-san burst into cheerful laughter.

“There’s no way we’d think that. Yuu-kun, you’re so silly.”

“R-Right! Then what’s…?”

I felt a brief moment of relief.

But then Hibari-san declared firmly:

“The charm of a little girl like Himari wasn’t enough to keep Yuu-kun tied down. So, in light of that result—we’re just trying to seduce you with a handsome guy and a beautiful mature woman!”

“Did you really need to call me silly just now!?”

As expected, a genius’s thought process is beyond comprehension.

I’ve never regretted not bringing Enomoto-san more than I do today. The only one who could save me here is… right, the head of the household, Gorouzaemon-san… No, wait, that’s no good. That’d just add a perverted, romantic gray-haired guy to the mix.

Meanwhile, the “Say ahh?” of homemade tanmen and grilled gyoza kept closing in from both sides. Beyond them were the peerless beauties who enchanted everyone at city hall and the neighborhood association. What is this scene? Seriously, this is the most intense visual I’ve ever experienced.

I just came here to study seriously for my exams…!

In this dire situation,

Himari, sitting across from me, spoke up with an exasperated tone.

“Onii-chan, Mom, Yuu’s clearly uncomfortable…”

Oh…!

Somehow, after everything, Himari’s saying something sensible. Normally, she’d have jumped in with something like, “I’m joining in too!” and made it worse. As expected of the Himari who’s grown a step closer to adulthood thanks to Kureha-san. But isn’t it kind of sad to realize her growth in a moment like this…?

Then Hibari-san snorted.

“You’ve already been eliminated. Those branded as lacking charm should just sit quietly and watch.”

“Hah!? If anything, you guys are the ones melting over my growth!”

Growth, huh…

At the edge of despair, I realized I had no allies here.

Himari looked around and then brought something out from the fridge. It was—

“Ta-da! A muskmelon that Grandpa sent us the other day!”

“At the very least, I can tell you’re not trying to win with your own charm…”

She’s totally going for the high-end bait route, isn’t she?

But as the one being baited, it’s not a bad choice. Not bad at all. The fact that it’s already cut and prepared—probably because she planned to eat it later—is a high point.

As I got excited over the seasonal delicacy, Himari let out a mischievous “Pfft.”

“Oh my, Yuu~? Did you just think to yourself, ‘Melting over me, so a melon, huh!?’”

“I didn’t think that for a single millisecond. That’s only funny up to elementary school, okay???”

More importantly, hand over the melon already!

Himari circled around the table and, from behind me, offered a piece of melon pierced on a fork. Then, deliberately whispering sweetly in my ear, she said:

“Come on, Yuu. Let’s eat my melon, shall we?”

“Why does this feel a little suggestive…?”

Seriously, stop it, it’s giving me chills…

No, maybe I should just give in. Resisting the sweet temptation (of high-end melon) is impossible.

But the one to stop it was the handsome Hibari-san.

“Yuu-kun, don’t be so cold. You haven’t even tried my tanmen yet.”

“Your face is closer than the tanmen…!”

But he’s right, we’re still in the middle of a meal.

There’s a proper order to things. Since melon is a dessert, shouldn’t I tackle the meal—tanmen—first? Though whether this is about tanmen or the handsome guy is something worth pondering.

Then, from the other side, Ikuyo-san lifted my chin with a gentle tug.

“Yuu-kun, the garlic in these gyoza? I grew it myself. I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

A stunning madam, tilting my chin and offering me gyoza.

What a sweet invitation. It’s like the irresistible allure of garlic, even though I know better. Seriously, Ikuyo-san is gorgeous. As expected of Himari and Hibari-san’s mom. If someone said she was secretly practicing black magic, I’d believe it.

From behind, a future top model.

From both sides, a peerless handsome guy and a bewitching mature woman closing in.

This is hospitality that would make even the Dragon Palace jealous. “ITARERI・TSUKUSERI” must refer to exactly this. Or maybe not. I’m fully aware my IQ is plummeting.

[T/N: “Itareri-tsukuseri” means perfect in every way, leaving no room for complaints]

In this cleverly orchestrated space, I’m like a moth that can’t escape.

(This… if this keeps up, I’ll be ruined by this family of beauties…!)

Himari approached with a bold grin.

“Nyohohoho! Come on, Yuu, just give in and—huh?”

Suddenly, Himari’s words cut off.

The melon near my mouth slowly retreated.

Wondering what happened, I turned around—and there stood Enomoto-san, her lips twitching.

“Hii-chan, what are you doing?”

“…”

Himari hurriedly looked around.

But Hibari-san and Ikuyo-san, who had been there moments ago, had vanished as if spirited away. All that remained were the delicious-looking tanmen and gyoza on the table. …What? Where did they go? Were we just seeing an illusion?

And now… it looked like Himari was the only one playing a prank on me, creating a hellish situation.

“The moment I looked away, what are you doing to Yuu-kun~~~!?”

“Mogyaaa! Enocchi, stop! I’ll give you the melon, just stop—!”

Watching the two beautiful girls dash off down the hallway—I clasped my hands together again over the tanmen and gyoza.

♣♣♣

After lunch, we took a break until the afternoon study session.

Sitting on the veranda of the Inuzuka house, I gazed at the elegant Japanese garden.

It was spring.

In a corner of the garden, beautiful narcissus flowers were blooming.

Himari and Enomoto-san, having heard about the recent incident with Makishima, were both appalled.

“Ugh, what a total jerk…”

“My childhood friend is just so embarrassing…”

Well, yeah. Honestly, that’s my take too…

Himari let out an exasperated sigh.

“I’ve thought this for a while, but if that guy can scheme like that, he should use his brain for something more worthwhile.”

“Shii-kun’s always been the type to only take pranks seriously…”

“Even before that, when everyone found out Yuu was making accessories, it seems Makishima-kun was behind it. He said something like that back then.”

“What… Could it be, even when Onee-chan came during summer break…?”

“No way, that’s too far, right?”

We exchanged glances.

No way, right?

I don’t think Kureha-san would be manipulated by Makishima. Their levels as villains are on completely different scales.

“For now, I’m going to make Makishima apologize. I’m focusing on making an accessory that’ll convince him.”

“Hmm, that feels kinda suspicious too. He’s the one who challenged you, right? And the terms feel like a rip-off of Kureha-san’s thing from summer break.”

“Yeah, I kinda thought that too…”

“You should’ve just ignored it and let Enocchi take him down. Right?”

She looked to Enomoto-san for agreement.

Enomoto-san’s eyes sparkled as she wiggled her right hand eagerly.

“Just say the word. This time, I’m serious.”

“This time!? I can’t approve of anything that leads to casualties!”

Wait, so she wasn’t serious before!?

Her quiet confession made me tremble with fear for my life. I absolutely cannot afford to anger Enomoto-san from now on.

(A-Anyway…)

I cleared my throat and looked at her directly.

“No, this is something I want to settle myself. Rion, I want you to witness the result.”

“…”

Enomoto-san’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Yuu-kun, I love that side of you… ♡”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks…”

Talk about a tough reaction…

I can’t say it’s just a tactic to keep Enomoto-san away to prevent Makishima’s demise. Realizing I can’t seek peace while holding someone’s life in my hands, I knew I could never be a hero.

Then someone tapped my shoulder lightly.

Turning around, I saw Himari dramatically placing both hands on her cheeks, pretending to blush.

“Yuu~ I love that side of you… ♡”

“Seriously, stop it. When you do it, it’s no joke…”

Does she not remember doing that naturally half a year ago?

As expected of someone aiming to be a top model. Even as a joke, how strong is her heart? Is she fearless or what?

“W-Well, anyway, I’m starting on the accessory for the challenge with Makishima.”

“Got it. I’d love to help, but…”

“I know. Himari, you’ve got your model training and exam prep, so focus on yourself.”

This time, it’s my fight alone.

I’m not thinking something grand like avenging Mera-san’s regrets. But what Makishima did, I simply can’t forgive.

(I know. Honestly, doing this is meaningless.)

June.

I recalled the crocus accessory that Mera-san destroyed. Once something is broken, no matter what you do, it can’t be taken back.

It’s the same with people’s emotions. Even if I make Makishima apologize, it won’t truly heal Mera-san’s heart.

So why am I making this accessory?

Just for self-satisfaction.

Can I find any greater value in this challenge…?

“Yuu-kun, you’re looking awfully serious. What’s the topic?”

Hibari-san, who had been missing until just now, returned with an air of complete normalcy.

In his hands was a tray with elegant-looking mizu yokan, likely to appease Enomoto-san.

“Hibari-san, where were you…?”

“Just talking business with Grandpa.”

Himari shot him a sullen glare.

“Onii-chan, you traitor…”

“Hehe, don’t put it so harshly. If you’re born into the Inuzuka family, you must cast aside trust in others. There are no true allies in this world.”

My best friend’s family has some hardcore principles…

As I nibbled on the mizu yokan, feeling deflated, Himari suddenly perked up.

“Oh, right. Onii-chan, Makishima-kun’s been stirring up trouble again.”

“Shinji-kun?”

We recounted the recent events to Hibari-san.

Even Hibari-san could only offer a wry smile.

“Shinji-kun’s quite the handful, isn’t he?”

“Yeah…”

“As long as he’s hurting people, he’s far from being a respectable schemer.”

“A schemer? Is that a job?”

Scheming aside, stirring up romantic drama among classmates sounds like the worst gig ever…

“So you want to make an accessory to convince Shinji-kun?”

“Yes. But honestly, I don’t think anything I make will satisfy him…”

The challenge Makishima proposed this time feels similar to the one with Kureha-san during summer break.

But unlike Kureha-san, I doubt a guy like Makishima would admit defeat gracefully. Since this all stems from emotions, there’s no objective way to measure victory.

“I see. It’s certainly a tough spot, but you’ll have to treat it as part of your training. Yuu-kun, in the future, not all your clients will be friendly.”

“…You’re right.”

That’s true.

And it probably ties into the entrance test Kureha-san set for me. This challenge might hold meaning in defining my identity as a creator.

Hibari-san stood up.

Then, turning to Himari…

“Himari.”

“Huh? What, Onii-chan?”

With a gentle smile, he said:

“You keep working hard too.”

“…? Yeah, I know, but…”

Himari tilted her head.

I didn’t understand the meaning of his words either. I figured it was something like, since I’m tackling this challenge, Himari should keep up and work hard too.

Just then, Enomoto-san caught my eye.

“Rion?”

“…”

She was staring at the Inuzuka family’s garden with a solemn expression.

It felt like her eyes, which knew Makishima better than I did, were seeing something I couldn’t.