Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Chapter 79

“That was so much fun!”

“Yeah, I had a great time too.”

After parting ways with my parents, Haruki and I began walking toward the Ayase residence.

Not for formal greetings or anything like that today—we were just heading there so I could walk her home.

In other words, the usual.

Our conversations, too, followed the familiar rhythm.

We talked about how we felt today, the little things that happened recently—nothing dramatic.

Even the most ordinary things, even the stuff I might’ve once found boring, take on new meaning when I talk to Haruki.

Today was no different.

No—in fact, maybe it was even more special.

“Thank you, Haruki-chan.”

“Hm? What for?”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes curious and gentle.

That adorable gesture—was it because she truly didn’t know what I meant?

Or maybe she had too many guesses, and couldn’t decide which one I was referring to.

I couldn’t tell.

Either way, I decided to explain.

“I mean about my parents. I never thought I’d be able to talk to them like that.”

“Ah, I see.”

I never thought we had a bad relationship.

But there was always this clear, invisible wall between us.

We didn’t even know each other’s tastes.

I didn’t know a thing about them—not what they liked, not how they spent their free time.

I didn’t even know what they’d order at a café.

“I had no idea my dad had such a sweet tooth. Or that my mom preferred tea over coffee.”

My dad, dumping spoonful of sugar into his coffee.

My mom, sipping tea with a content smile.

Maybe those are things most families take for granted.

But I didn’t know.

I used to think we were a normal family.

But I understand now—we just looked that way because I never made the effort to step closer.

Because I never tried to know them.

“I still don’t really know what I want from my relationship with them or what it’ll become.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“But if I can, I want to cherish it. I want us to know each other better, to actually become a real family.”

“Yeah. I’m rooting for you. Take it slow, okay?”

“Thanks.”

Even the fact that I can think this way now—it’s all thanks to Haruki.

She’s always saving me, in one way or another.

I once thought I’d lost everything.

But when I look around now, I realize I have even more than I did back then.

Someday, I hope she can become part of that family too.

That thought filled my heart as I walked beside her.

“Hey Haruki, is there anything you want? I want to thank you properly.”

“Hmm. Then I guess, I’d like to go eat this together with you.”

“Oh, sounds good!”

Chatting like that, we strolled slowly toward her house.

The crisp, clear air whispered that Christmas was just around the corner.