I Confessed to the Three Beautiful Sisters at School and Got Rejected, but After I Became their Stepsister, They Started Doting On Me - Chapter 74
The next morning, at school.
“Phew…”
I sank into my seat and let out a deep sigh.
Why…?
It’s still morning, and yet I’m already exhausted.
The reason, of course, lies in last night’s ordeal.
“I didn’t do anything improper with Saezuki-san.”
“From now on, I’ll make sure to notify you if I’m coming home late.”
“Also… about going to and from school together—it’s probably best if we stop. There are… too many complications.”
I had to explain all of that, in detail, while sitting in seize the entire time, just to finally get their grudging approval.
That’s how tricky this situation has become.
No matter who I try to be close with, someone gets upset.
But I don’t really have anyone else to be close with either…
It’s like being stuck in a maze with no exit.
The sky outside was crisp and clear this morning—but my heart felt overcast.
“Morning.”
A voice called out from the classroom.
For a second, I thought maybe it was for someone else.
But… no. Saezuki-san was definitely looking at me.
So I responded.
“Ah—good morning, Saezuki-san.”
Wait… wasn’t that a totally normal, friendly exchange?
It almost sounded like I have friends or something!
—Ping.
At the same moment, my phone chimed with a notification.
After last night, I’d been required to add the three sisters to my messaging app.
Apparently, they’d never bothered adding me because I was always home anyway… so they just “forgot.”
I glanced at my phone.
“Cheating already this early in the morning? Whose scent are you trying to wear today?”
—From Hiyori-san.
…
T-Terrifying.
I glanced around the classroom in a panic.
“…She’s not here.”
No sign of Hiyori-san anywhere.
…Just where is she watching me from!?
“What’re you looking around for?”
“Ah, no—it’s nothing. Really.”
I couldn’t exactly say “Oh, just got a threatening message because you were mentioned.”
Also… is it okay for us to be talking so casually like this?
“I’m the one who started the conversation, right? So look at me when I’m talking to you.”
R-right.
She’s right.
If someone speaks to you, you should prioritize them.
“Yes, of course. I’m looking now.”
“….”
“…Why’d you go quiet?”
“You’re staring too much.”
Saezuki-san turned away with a pout.
This is so hard!!
“So? What were you looking at your phone for?”
“Eh… no real reason.”
“I’ve never seen you messaging anyone before.”
“W-What? That’s not true. I totally do.”
Why are you acting like that was normal surveillance!?
“Up until now, the only time you’ve ever looked at your phone was when you were trying to look like you didn’t care about being alone.”
“…P-Please forget that.”
“You’d just stare at your home screen sometimes.”
“…That’s a dark part of my history.”
Seriously though.
Why does she know that too!?
I mean, yes—Hiyori-san is terrifying.
But Saezuki-san? She watches me way too closely too!
“Anyway, just register me already.”
“W-Wait, what!?”
She brought up her QR code and shoved her phone toward me.
“Come on. If you added those three idiots, you should add me too.”
“U-Um, Saezuki-san, maybe you shouldn’t say things like that…”
“Huh? Wait… are you playing favorites or something?”
“N-No, not at all! It’s not like that—!”
—Ping.
Aaaah!!
Another notification sound!?
“Did she just call us ‘three idiots’?”
“Ufufu~ That’s quite the funny thing to say.”
“Akari-chan?”
“You know what this means, don’t you?”
“A person who insults others can’t possibly have a pure heart, right?”
“Are you sure it’s okay to be messaging someone like that?”
“If you keep reading that kind of message… their poor manners might rub off on you too.”
—Ping. Ping. Ping…
They’re coming in waves.
W-Why!? How are they monitoring everything!?
Can someone PLEASE respect my opinions for once!?
“Peek…”
The screen filled with sticker after sticker of a little bear peeking shyly around a wall.
T-Terrifying…!
“Hey, what’s with you staring at your phone so much?”
It’s your fault, Saezuki-san!
…Of course, I couldn’t actually say that.
“U-Um, just my scheduled check-in…”
“You don’t have scheduled check-ins. What’s going on? Now I really want to see it—hand it over!”
She reached toward my phone.
“Y-You can’t!!”
This—this is the one thing she absolutely must not see!
I quickly stuffed my phone into my pocket and hid it away.
“…So their messages are that much more important than mine, huh…”
She suddenly deflated, her shoulders drooping.
Whiplash…!
Saezuki-san, your emotional whiplash is dangerous!
When she looks that sad, the guilt is unbearable.
Especially when I’m already feeling bad for avoiding giving anyone a straight answer…
“F-Fine! Let’s exchange contact info! At least let me do that, okay!?”
I scanned the QR code she’d been holding up and added her as a friend with a decisive tap.
“…Well, if that’s what you want, Hanano, then fine.”
She huffed and returned to her seat.
But… weren’t her steps just a little too light?
…Probably just my imagination.
—Ping. Ping. Ping…
My screen was quickly filling with saluting bear stickers under the word “Roger!”
It was unsettling. Deeply unsettling.
Also, Hiyori-san—please just come to class already…
◇◇◇
“Now then, I’d like to decide on our cultural festival activity.”
Chiya-san stood at the front of the classroom, addressing us calmly.
With everything that’s happened lately, I’d lost all sense of time, but… I guess it’s that season already.
…Hah. Naturally, I’m not a fan of events like this.
Please, please let us do something low-key.
I’ll happily stay backstage, tucked away in some corner.
“We took a survey beforehand, and based on the results, I’ve already made a decision.”
Of course she had. That’s Chiya-san for you.
She skipped the usual back-and-forth of:
“I want to do takoyaki!”
“No way, yakisoba’s better!”
Efficient. I admire it.
“We’ll be doing a maid café, which received the most votes.”
“Woooooo!!”
The class burst into cheers for… reasons I couldn’t quite grasp.
A maid café, huh…?
Well, sure.
I’ll just fry omelets in the back while quietly enjoying everyone else’s maid outfits.
“I’ve also gone ahead and assigned roles based on that survey. Please look at the screen.”
Chiya-san pulled up a spreadsheet and displayed it on the monitor.
Ah, she skipped the whole “raise your hand and write it on the chalkboard” step too.
Efficient. Beautiful. Wait—HOLD ON!?
“Of course, these are just the initial assignments based on your input. If anyone would like to switch roles, please raise your hand and we’ll make adjustments.”
T-That means…!
I have to raise my hand…!
Because right there, at the very top of the list…
Maid: Hanano Akari …was my name, bold as day.
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