Hello guys, you must be wondering what I'm doing now. But before that, let me give a briefing about what others are doing.
As for my parents and aunts, they're talking with Akane-san and Sasaki-san about each other's jobs and sometimes about us, their children. I even heard Mom asking how Akane-san raised Ayame-san to be this brilliant.
Meanwhile, my sisters are talking with Ayame-san. And do you know what's more incredible? Miyuna-chan is the one who's eagerly talking with her, asking what kind of boy she likes or if she already had a crush before entering high school. It seems Ayame-san was able to conquer Miyuna-chan's heart in a matter of seconds.
Then, what about me? Right now I'm lying in this comfortable armchair, thinking about everything that happened until now.
And when I say everything, I mean from the moment I confessed my feelings to my childhood friend. So much has happened since then—or to be accurate, so many weird things have happened since then.
You know, sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream. The skewed gender ratio, the Sakurazai Academy, my aunts, and my sisters. At first, I didn't give it serious thought, but little by little I realized this all became part of my life... including Ayame-san.
It all started when I bumped into her by accident and ruined her ice cream. Who knew she would be sitting right next to me in class? That must be destiny. Sure, I'm aware of what Elias-san told me, but seriously, I still think this is a wonderful coincidence.
After all, Ayame-san is the type of person who's popular—in a sense, someone everyone looks up to. Meanwhile, I'm just... average. I can talk with everyone, and my scores aren't that bad. I mean, I'm somehow surviving in the most prestigious high school.
But that's it.
However, don't get me wrong—I don't think it's a bad thing.
Even someone like me was able to be friends with someone incredible like her. The only sad part is that the chance of being in the friend zone is almost guaranteed.
When Akane-san asked me if I would accept Ayame-san as my wife, before I could even answer, Mom said that Ayame-san should choose another guy. I don't know if Mom was worried about me or about Ayame-san. Am I that bad?
However, this isn't the saddest part. When Ayame-san told her mother that she intended to be my friend like forever... man, that was the finishing blow. I guess I'm not the one she likes.
Sigh~... you know what? As my best friend once told me, whenever I'm feeling down, I should have fun, right?
Well, to be more accurate, right now I'm more like relaxing than having fun.
"So, so! What do you think of Tomoki-nii?" — Miyuna-chan eagerly asked Ayame-san.
"That's!... well..."
"Come on, don't worry. Knowing him, I bet he's sleeping right now."
No, I'm super awake because of you, my dear little sister.
"T-Then, how about you, Miyuna-san?"
"Me? If I have to say in one word—annoying." — Is this how you see me, Miyuna-chan?
"Miyuna, don't talk behind someone's back like that. You know it's not true, right? We can all agree he's a cute boy." — Thanks, Erina nee-san, though I have mixed feelings about being called a cute boy.
"Hehe... or maybe a kindred spirit. Anyway, he's fun to talk to." — Hiyori-chan, shouldn't you be a shy girl? Is that all because of that day?
"He was quieter back then after all, he really changed since then." — Natsumi-chan, I hope I changed for the better at least.
It's incredible how my sisters couldn't give a single good compliment about me.
"Fufu~ it seems he's loved by all of you." — Ayame-san, you think so?
"Sooo? Now it's your turn." — Miyuna-chan was really pressing her for an answer.
"Well... he's the kindest person I know, and more than that, he's a good guy to be with."
"Whoa..." — My sisters seemed to be surprised.
Kind and good guy... yep, I'm right in the zone. I should just sleep at this point.
"Kids, it's almost lunchtime. We're heading to the dining room." — Akane-san called us.
"Okay!" — Everyone except me replied.
I really wanted to stay in this armchair.
"Tomoki-nii still sleeping? Let me wake him up."
"Let me do it. He must be tired, so let him sleep for a few more minutes. You can go ahead."
"If he doesn't wake up, pinch his cheek. Don't hesitate." — Miyuna-chan really doesn't hold back against me.
I could hear my sisters' steps going further and further toward the dining room.
Now it seems it's only me and Ayame-san in this living room. Time to pretend to be sleeping.
...
...
Is she really going to wait for me? No, I can't let her wait for me. Time to wake—
"When you sleep like this, you're really cute~"
Time to sleep.
"You're not pretending to be sleeping, right?" — she asked while poking my cheek.
I need to wait for the perfect chance to wake up.
"..." — she went silent.
She's not staring at me, right? Did she find out?
"..."
I know she's right in front of me. Please, just say my name and I'll wake up.
"Tomoki-kun..." — she whispered.
Is she still testing me? Better keep pretending.
"Tomoki... kun..." — still whispering.
Yeah... she's testing me.
...
"Fufu~ Tomoki."
I opened my eyes. After all, she called my name without the suffix, and more than that, she was actually enjoying calling my name. How cute can she be? It took me by surprise.
"Did I wake you up, Tomoki-kun?"
"Don't worry, I actually slept pretty well after all."
"It's lunchtime now, but if you're still tired, you can eat later."
"No, it's okay. I'll have lunch with everyone."
As we headed to the dining room, I wondered what would've happened if I'd kept pretending to sleep.
Anyway, today's lunch was a feast. It seems Akane-san hired a barbecue chef, and if you wanted to eat, you had to ask one of the maids for the meat. According to Akane-san, this is close to a western style, and the main difference I noticed compared to the usual yakiniku or sukiyaki is the amount of meat we eat.
Yes, unlike the oriental style where we eat tiny pieces, this one is big, thick, and has a strong flavor.
"Do you like it?" — Ayame-san asked.
"I love it. Do you usually eat this kind of food?"
"No, it's just that today we have special guests."
"Because of us? Thank you, Ayame-san. I don't even know how we can repay you."
"Don't worry, it's something Mom decided to do anyway. As long as you're all enjoying it, it's worth it."
"Yeah, we're really enjoying it. Look, Miyuna-chan turned into a squirrel, stuffing all the food in her mouth."
"Fufu~ I'm glad she's having fun."
Right now we're happily enjoying the lunch, but... do you know the expression "Everything passes"?
Because right after Ayame-san said that, the atmosphere suddenly changed. All because of one innocent question.
"Edomae-san, how's your husband? Is he here?" — Dad asked.
Well, to be more precise, there are only three people in this room who know about their relationship: Akane-san herself, Ayame-san, their daughter, and me, who heard the story. As for Sasaki-san I´m not sure.
I could see that Ayame-san gave me a smile the moment Dad asked about her father. I could tell she was uncomfortable and somewhat shaken by that. That's why I just tapped her shoulder and gave her a smile, at least as a sign that she didn't need to worry.
"He stayed in the main house to make sure everything goes well there."
"I kind of wanted to know him. After all, he's a man who was able to choose one woman for his life."
Come on, Dad, I know there's no hidden meaning behind what you said and that you're trying to compliment Akane-san. But please, stop.
"Fufu~ sometimes I wonder how I was able to get this lucky. But how about you?"
"Me? Kind of embarrassing to say this, but unlike him, I wasn't able to choose only one. I really love my wives from the bottom of my heart."
"Masaru~" — Mom and my aunts were all completely head over heels for him.
Suddenly, despite Akane-san not having changed her behavior or facial expression, everyone noticed one thing: she went pale.
"Madam, you need to follow the doctor's instructions." — Sasaki-san quickly intervened.
"Is she okay?" — Dad asked.
"I'm fine, it's just that I need to watch what I eat. I guess I overdid it. I'll head to my room, but please, go ahead and enjoy without me." — Akane-san was the one who replied.
Then she left the dining room with Sasaki-san. Everyone kept eating the barbecue, but no one was talking anymore.
"Mom..." — Ayame-san said.
Such a young age and already dealing with health issues. I don't even know how to talk to Ayame-san about this.
"Uhm... excuse me, but I need to go to the restroom." — Hiyori-chan said.
"Hiyori-chan... are you okay too?"
"Tomoki! Don't even jinx it!"
So she left the dining room too.
♦♦♦
"Phew— gotta say, this restroom is really huge. I wonder what the one in their main house is like… I should ask Tomoki later." — Hiyori said to herself as she left the restroom.
(W...h...y...)
"Uhm? Did I hear something?"
(Wh...y... he... nev...er... to me)
"Seems like it's coming from this room. Well, it'd be rude to eavesdrop. Better head back."
Hiyori realized someone was crying inside, but the voice was so muffled that she couldn't tell who it was or what they were saying.
The only thing she noticed was that with every step, the crying blended with muffled screams.