SWNOVELXO Chapter 36 - Consult Your Sister
I dedicate the next morning to cleaning my room.
Even though I generally keep it somewhat tidy…
Due to my daily job, I hardly manage to pay attention to the smaller details…
It’s quite rare to have this consolidated time to do it.
While vacuuming, I play around with my smartphone, pondering various things.
“Hmm…there’s a karaoke place near the station…bowling is a bit far…it would be better to have a car…okay, that should do it for vacuuming.”
Next, I wipe the floor.
First, I diligently wipe under the desk and such.
“Surprisingly…dirty…”
…Uh, karaoke for about 2 hours? No, 1 hour?
…I just realized…just the two of us in a private room!?
“Ugh!? Ouch!?”
I tried to stand up and hit my head hard…
“Ow…”
I can’t. Let’s concentrate on cleaning.
Then, I quickly finish up and eat cup noodles for lunch.
“Phew…it’s kind of luxurious in a way…it’s good because I eat it occasionally.”
But…a private room.
No, I won’t do anything…In fact, nothing will happen.
Am I a middle school student…?
“Well…it might be just like that. My first girlfriend was in high school and we broke up after about half a year… my second one during college…”
…I did love her…
I was dumped before we could even make it to a year…
I thought it would be good at first, but it lacked excitement and I couldn’t say what I wanted to say.
I thought it was okay as long as I was patient and smiling…
A person who doesn’t tell interesting stories and is only kind, how boring…
“Well, it’s probably all my fault…”
I’m…bad at expressing what I want to say.
It’s also because of my father…
By the way…when someone badmouthed Mr. Matsuura, I was able to say it properly…
I remember being incredibly pissed…
“I need to correct this too…”
From now on, I’ll also be an advisor…
I have to express myself…
“Well…if it were possible, nobody would have trouble.”
As I was thinking about that…my smartphone rings.
“Oh, it’s here. Well, I guess I’ll head out.”
I get ready and leave my apartment.
Outside the apartment, my older sister was waiting in her car.
“Hey, troubled boy.”
“Who’s a boy, I’m a young man…not an old man.”
“You’re a boy to me.”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go.”
I get into the passenger side.
“Well then, let’s go.”
The car starts moving.
On the way, something caught my attention…
“You seem unusually cheerful?”
“That’s because you said you’d consult me… I’m happy, you know.”
“Sis…”
“You’re the type to worry about others too much and look at their faces. You can live more freely. Don’t worry about being disliked or annoying… That’s just right for you.”
“…Thank you.”
“Hehe, you’re honest. After all, it’s a waste to say anything if you don’t listen.”
After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the outlet mall.
“It’s surprisingly empty, isn’t it?”
“Hmm, maybe there are many people traveling?”
“Is that so? …So, what are we doing?”
“Let’s buy some clothes, and maybe some accessories…also shoes…”
“Hey, hey…”
“It’s fine! This is stress relief! Come on, why won’t you get married already? Start bragging!”
“I’m sorry, I was wrong. Let’s go since you’re coming with me.”
“Umu! This is bliss!”
Afterwards, I was dragged around by my sister…
I killed my emotions and became a mere bag holder.
As always, shopping with a woman is like a war…
Finally, it ended and we rested at a café.
“I’m…tired…”
“You better not say that when you get a girlfriend.”
“Uh…I’ll do my best.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. So, what’s your concern?”
“…Actually…”
I told her about going out with Ms. Matsuura and a girl from the office.
“Oh…you’re doing quite well.”
“No, it’s just how it happened…”
“Even so, it’s good. A girl who comes on to you aggressively is better for you. Anyway, you’re always worried about things like, ‘What about me?'”
“…You’re probably right.”
“Well, we also have our responsibilities… You’ve never had any self-affirmation… I was a girl, so I wasn’t that harsh…”
“I thought why when I was little…but you must have had your own struggles too…”
“…Yeah. Well…what are you worried about?”
“No…firstly, whether it’s okay to go out with two women…”
“You’re too serious!”
“‘No, but…’”
“It’s not like you’re dating either one of them, right?”
“Of course not, that’s impossible.”
“When you say it with such confidence, it’s… Well, then there’s no problem. There’s no need to tell them. Some people might think you’re being self-conscious.”
“That’s true… Ah… I feel embarrassed. What was I misunderstanding…”
This… they’re talking as if both of them have feelings for me…
Am I an idiot… there’s no way that could be the case.
“You’re always so stubborn… It’s fine to go out as usual. You lack experience. It’s a waste considering you’re not a bad person.”
“Is that so… is it okay? Thanks, sis.”
“Hehe, I’m still your older sister, you know. By the way… Do you want to hear about home? If you want to change… Well, you don’t have to force yourself…”
“…What should I do?”
There’s a rejection reaction, but… I understand it’s not a problem I can avoid forever.
I, too, will try to move forward little by little…
“Ah, please. Did something happen?”
“Hehe… Thanks to the person who cheered you up. Your father, he injured his back… Well, it’s just a sprained back.”
“Huh? He’s not that old… No… I see.”
“That’s right. It’s been 8 years since you left home, right? Your father is 58, you know?”
“Right… I see my mother a few times a year, but…”
“Well, your father is the same as ever. He insists on not contacting him! I wonder why men from the Showa era are like that.”
“He’s as stubborn as ever… always imposing. It’s a mystery how he can run a customer business like that.”
“Right? But, you’ve understood it since you entered society, right? That such people often succeed… Of course, that’s not always the case…”
“…Well, I can’t deny it.”
It’s an era where people who don’t care about stepping on others or living selfishly benefit.
Of course, not everyone is like that… but it’s undeniable that there’s a side like that.
“Well, think about it a little. If you need help with something, I’ll handle it.”
“Sorry, sis…”
“And… you should keep in touch with your mother properly! Understand?”
“…Yes, I will…”
After that, I have a cup of tea and get in the car to go home.
“So, you need a car?”
“Yes, is that okay?”
“Sure, as long as you bring it back on Tuesday.”
“You’re a lifesaver, thanks.”
“Then, I’ll take you home today and you can take it with you.”
“Got it.”
I drop my sister off and return to my apartment.
I sit on the sofa and send a short message to Section Chief Matsuura.
“Let’s see… Can I pick you up at one o’clock tomorrow? ”
I get a reply immediately… Understood, thank you.
“That’s good…”
Well… tomorrow.
I’m both excited and anxious.
…I don’t want to be seen as a boring guy…
No, no! This is what I shouldn’t be doing.
Alright, I’ll muster up my courage and face it.