Episode 37

“Wow…what a beautiful house…”

When she arrived at my parents’ house, Nanase was surprised by its size.

Well, it’s no wonder she was surprised.

My parents’ house is a traditional Japanese house, and the house itself is quite spacious, but when you include the garden, it’s almost like a small castle.

“It has a long history, and the garden is always well maintained. Let’s go inside quickly; maybe my mother is here too.”

“Oh, okay, I understand.”

Seeing Nanase still a little tense, I smiled at her, and she puffed out her cheeks in a pout.

“Did you just laugh?”

“No, I just thought you were cute.”

“Are you complimenting me?”

“Yes, of course I am.”

“Well…if that’s the case, then it’s fine…”

She seemed happy, twirling the ends of her hair.

She really is like a cat…

Come to think of it, it was obvious that Nanase would sulk, so I decided to keep it to myself.

“Nii san?”

As I was about to open the front door, I heard a voice from behind me.

That voice…

“…It’s been a while, Kana.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Nii san. About half a year.”

The girl with black hair tied in a ponytail at her shoulders, my sister Ichijo Kana, gave a mechanical smile.  

As always, my sister’s smile feels forced…  

Kana is an outstanding student, beautiful, and athletically gifted—a true lady of the Ichijo family. But there’s an even bigger problem.  

She’s too cold-hearted.  

When it comes to being cold toward people, she’s just as cold as Nanase at school…no, maybe even colder.  

This is bad…I didn’t want to bring these two cold-hearted beauties together… but I never expected them to run into each other at this timing…  

“By the way, is that person……”

“Ah, let me introduce you. This is Nanase Rei, the daughter of the Nanase family. She is my fiancée.”

“This is…”

Kana stared at Nanase intently, as if appraising her.  

In response, Nanase also switched to her “Ice Queen Mode” from school, different from before.  

Ah…as I suspected…  

It seems that Kana and Nanase are indeed incompatible, just as I had anticipated.

“Nice to meet you, Kana san. I am…Minato’s fiancée, Nanase Rei.”

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Ichijo Kana, his younger sister.” 

They bow politely to each other and smile at one another. At first glance, it seems like they’ve already become friends, but that’s not the case.  

In reality, they’re sizing each other up…a high-stakes psychological battle is unfolding between the two.

“…Well, let’s go inside. It’s not good to stand here talking. Our fathers aren’t here yet.” 

“Yes, I’d like to talk to Rei more.”  

“Yes, I agree.”

Well, I hope they can get along somehow…  

◇  

“I’ll go get some drinks.”

With that, Kana left the room.

And only Nanase and I were left in the room.

“…Why did the atmosphere suddenly become so tense?”

“Well, it can’t be helped. You suddenly put pressure on me, so I just…”

Nanase had been giving off an intimidating aura earlier, but perhaps she really wants to get along with Kana, because she is now slumping her shoulders.

I thought this before, but Kana and Nanase are really similar. Especially in how their attitudes and true feelings don’t match.

By now, Kana is probably—-

“Well, I won’t force you, but I’d be happy if you could get along with her.”

“Of course, I want to get along with her too. Still…you and Kana are really similar, like siblings.”

Similar…? Me and Kana…?

“…Are we that similar?”

“Yes, She’s more like the you I met for the first time.”

“That’s…the part we shouldn’t be similar to.”

When we first met, that is, when Nanase was being harassed by a strange man, I think I was rather indifferent.

Then Nanase shook her head and spoke happily, as if remembering the past.

“It’s not just that. I felt the same cold yet kind atmosphere from you back then. You’re actually the same as me—you seem cold at first glance, but you’re really a very kind person at heart.” 

“…I see.”

I felt a little embarrassed that I had been indirectly praised, so I casually looked away.  

But Nanase seemed to have seen through me, and she leaned closer to me and whispered seductively in my ear.

“You’re so cute when you blush♪”

I stared at her with a look of dissatisfaction, but Nanase didn’t seem to care at all and smiled cheerfully.  

As we were having this exchange, Kana, who had been making tea, returned.  

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Sorry, thank you.”

“Thank you, Kana san.”  

The tea in front of me had a wonderful aroma.

Yes, it’s delicious…as expected of Kana.

“It’s delicious…I’ve never had such delicious tea before…”

“I’m glad you like it. Collecting tea leaves is my hobby, and this is one of my favorites.”

“I see…that’s a wonderful hobby. If you have time later, could you tell me about some other recommendations?”

“Sure, I’ll tell you about the best tea leaves.”

Unlike the tense atmosphere earlier, the calm conversation between the two young ladies from prominent families is almost unsettling.  

Well, I feel like we’re gradually getting closer, so I hope we can become friends.  

“By the way—-“

As I silently wished for that, Kana placed her tea cup down with a gentle clink.  

And then she made an astonishing statement.  

“How far have the two of you gone?”

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