Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Chapter 92

After we finished dinner properly.

Well, not everything was eaten.

Apparently, they’d made quite a lot, worried we might not have enough.

In fact, they prepared so much food that even with the four of us, it still wouldn’t have been enough.

And since Tokishirou-san wasn’t here, there was obviously plenty left over.

I wish I could have eaten two or even three portions to help clear it out, but that was impossible.

Besides, the main event was still waiting, so I couldn’t overdo it.

“All right, here comes the cake!”

“What do you think, Kengorou-san? I made this one too!”

“Wow, really, that’s amazing.”

This time, Haruki had made a simple shortcake.

But it was anything but ordinary.

It was a relatively small whole cake, but—

There’s some debate about this, but cakes aren’t usually something one person makes alone.

You need special tools, and baking is a lot of work.

Thinking about the cooking alone, I wondered just how long she’d spent preparing it.

Since this morning? Or maybe—

Maybe she’d been preparing it since yesterday.

The only thing I could think in response was:

“I’m really happy. Thank you.”

“Ah.”

Haruki’s face, holding the cake, looked like an angel’s.

She widened her eyes at my words.

“Yeah, you’re welcome.”

Haruki smiled gently, like a flower blossoming.

“Well then, shall we eat the cake?”

Setsuko-san sliced it carefully with a knife.

We each took a piece on a small plate, speared it with a fork, and took a bite.

“Delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s really good.”

Of course, shortcake is by far the most common cake in Japan.

Maybe it’s different overseas—I wouldn’t know.

Anyway, eating shortcake is an everyday thing for me.

Even so, I honestly thought this was delicious.

The sponge was fluffy, and the cream finely textured.

She must have made it with great care.

“Did you make this several times?”

“Haha, no way I could do that. But I’m glad you like it so much.”

Haruki blushed and scratched her cheek shyly.

So cute.

Haruki is just unbearably adorable.

“Thank you. I’m really happy. I love you.”

“Huh?”

Still holding the fork stuck in a strawberry, Haruki’s face turned the same bright red as the fruit.

We’d been dating almost a month now, but moments like this always made me think how cute she was.

Her usual confident, carefree attitude was nice, but—

There was something about these glimpses of her real self beneath that “gal” mask.

“Hmmm, then how about I make cake for you every day?”

“No thanks.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’d get fat.”

If she made this every day, it’d be too good. I’d be happily gaining weight for sure.

I’m already a big fan of sweets, and—

I’m at the age where I have to watch my health.

Honestly, some of my classmates already get flagged in their health checkups.

“Besides, it’d be bad to have you make it every day. I should make at least half of them myself.”

“Oh, you’re actually thinking about this seriously?”

“Of course.”

I have experience in this area.

Not memories I want to relive or that feel good, but—

If I can use them to build a future with Haruki, then I will.

I’ve already been given the strength to overcome that.

“Kengorou-san, do you make cakes?”

“Ah, no, not really.”

“Really? That’s surprising!”

I guess since I’m the type who cooks properly, it’s unexpected that I’ve never baked a cake.

“Then let’s do this: on my birthday, you make the cake! And on your birthday, I’ll make it!”

“Oh, that sounds great.”

There might be some equipment issues, but I think we can manage.

I wanted to get serious about cooking, so I bought a microwave that doubles as an oven.

Now it’s just a matter of getting some little extras.

“I like this—talking about the future like this.”

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it!”

Haruki stuffed a strawberry into her mouth.

I smiled and took the last bite myself.