Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Chapter 95

“Well then, I suppose it’s about time we head out.”

Once we’d finished cleaning up, it was already getting late.

Apparently, today’s meal had been prepared in the separate guest kitchen. All that remained was to bring the cooking utensils back to the main Ayase residence. While we still weren’t allowed inside the main house, carrying things to the entrance at least wouldn’t be an issue.

Haruki and Setsuko-san tried to politely decline our help, but I couldn’t let this one go.

I mean, they’d gone above and beyond to prepare everything.

When I said, “I didn’t help with the cooking, so please at least let me do this much,” neither of them could argue.

And just like that, the evening began to wind down.

“You’re leaving already?”

“I mean, it is already ten o’clock.”

If I were staying over, that’d be different. But since I wasn’t, it was definitely time to go.

Besides, if I stayed too late, I’d only end up causing trouble for Haruki and Setsuko-san.

A little bittersweet parting is just right for nights like this.

“We’ll talk again tomorrow, okay?”

“Mmh, hey, um.”

“Hm?”

Haruki gave a small beckon with her finger.

When she does that, it usually means “Come closer—I’ve got a secret.”

I leaned in, offering her my right ear.

She whispered softly:

“Why don’t you stay over tonight?”

“Huh?”

It took a second for the meaning of her words to sink in.

“That’s probably not a great idea, is it?”

“I think we could get away with it. Nobody just barges into my room uninvited anyway.”

“Still, I don’t know. Even if we don’t get caught, there’s still, you know, other issues.”

“Issues?”

Haruki tilted her head, placing a finger against her chin in an adorable gesture.

And so, I laid out my biggest concern:

“If I stayed over, I don’t think I’d be able to hold back.”

“Huh?”

For a moment, Haruki just blinked at me. Then, in an instant, her cheeks flushed bright red.

“O-oh. R-right. I mean, of course—you’re a guy, after all.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

Seeing her eyes darting around, sweat forming at her temples, I wondered if I’d gone too far.

Maybe it was a bit much to drop something like that on a high school girl with no experience.

“Ah—sorry. I guess that kind of talk is still a bit too soon?”

“N-no, it’s okay! I was just… rushing ahead a little, that’s all.”

To be honest, I’ve sensed that Haruki sometimes feels unsure around me.

And that’s partly my fault—I haven’t exactly made things clear or easy for her.

“You were rushing ahead, huh?”

A voice came from beside us, making both Haruki and I jump in shock.

“S-Setsuko-san?! This isn’t—uh—what it looks like.”

“It’s fine. If Kengorou-kun is okay with it, you can stay over.”

“Huh?”

Of course, she added—with conditions.

It seemed Christmas wasn’t quite over yet.