Episode 27 – Hidden Feelings

“Oh no, I can’t be a bride anymore.”

Rina san was completely sulking.

“I’m sorry…….”

“I’ve caught a cold, and you’ve seen me naked, it’s making it worse.”

“I’m really sorry. ……The thing is. You’re going to be my bride.”

“Do you think I’ll forgive you if you say that?”

“W-will you forgive me?”

“Well, I forgive you. But I won’t forgive you if it’s a joke.”

“I’ll keep that in mind !”

I felt a chill run down my spine, and I tightened my shoulders.

Rina san smiled sweetly.

“Thank you for coming. Seeing your face made me healthy, Takuto kun.”

“…..I-I see. I’m glad to hear that. “

I looked the other way.

I felt embarrassed and scratched my cheeks for no reason.

“I have to get better by the end of the day, whatever it takes. Otherwise, tomorrow will…”

“Oh, that thing, let’s cancel the trip.”

“Eh?”

“Don’t force yourself. Even if you get better by the end of the day, it would be reckless to take a trip while you’re sick.”

Your physical condition should be your first priority.

There is no merit in going on a trip while you’re in pain.

“Y-you can’t…..that’s. I’m sure I’m going to be fine,-ough, ough.”

Rina san sat up and clung to me.

I gently rubbed Rina san’s back.

“Please don’t strain yourself.”

“But.”

I gently pushed Rina san’s shoulder as if I’m touching something swollen and lay her down on the bed.

“We can always go on trips anytime. Let’s do it another time.”

“No.”

“W-why are you so stubborn? Are you worried about the money?”

“I’m not. ……I just want to go on a trip with you, Takuto.”

“That’s why next time-“

“How can you switch so easily?”

“E-erm, it is what it is.”

“…… I see. Takuto kun is different from me.”

Rina san spoke in a dissatisfied tone of voice.

I couldn’t quite get what Rina san wanted to say, so I frowned.

“What do you mean by different?”

“Takuto kun, you have been going out with Yuika. You’re a lot more experienced than me. I’ve never done anything like this before. Takuto kun is different.”

Her voice was unusually cold and filled with the earnest thoughts that were squeezed out of her chest.

I am Rina san’s first boyfriend.

But for me, Rina san is my second girlfriend.

Rina san doesn’t have an ex-boyfriend, but I have an ex-girlfriend.

Moreover, she is Rina san’s younger sister.

Rina san knew about our relationship from a very close distance.

Even if I wanted to cover my eyes, the information would have come in naturally.

Rina san is so cheerful that she doesn’t have a single worry, and she blows away everything with a smile. I thought she was that kind of girl.

But of course, I am not mentally mature enough to be able to understand everything.

I shook my head and opened my mouth hesitantly.

“E-even I was looking forward to the trip with Rina san.”

“Then let’s go. I’ll definitely get better.”

“But if you force yourself to go, you won’t be able to enjoy the things you wanted to. So-“

“Takuto kun, you don’t understand. My frustration.”

I bit my lower lip.

After a little hesitation, I cut her off carefully.

“You don’t have to be anxious. Just take your time and go at our pace.”

“Then why are you meeting Yuika, Takuto kun?”

“Eh?”

“Stop it. Don’t meet Yuika. Don’t talk to her. Just look at me.”

“W-wait a minute. I didn’t go out of my way to meet with Yuika-“

“You just didn’t go there yourself.”

Rina san sharply cut me off.

My body immediately stiffened.

“If Yuika comes to you, you’ll meet her, you’ll talk to her, right?”

“T-that’s…….”

Since I broke up with Yuika, I wasn’t really in touch with her.

No, I can’t say that I wasn’t.

However, Yuika has something to say.

In response, I never rejected her.

“B-but, it’s not like I didn’t feel guilty-“

“I know. I know that Takuto kun likes Yuika.”

“E-erm.”

“I’ve seen you on a date with Yuika many times. I’ve even heard the two of you talking on the phone in the middle of the night over the wall. I know a lot, a lot of it. It’s always in the back of my mind. I think that Takuto kun might like Yuika after all. I’m afraid that one day you’re going to dump me easily…..”

Rina san looked at me with teary eyes.

I didn’t think that Rina san would worry that much.

I squeezed Rina san’s hand tightly.

“I like you, Rina san, I seriously like you.”

“Then, why don’t you just look at me. Don’t look at Yuika.”

Rina san hit me with something that had been hidden inside her chest.

This is the first time I was touched by Rina san’s negative emotions.