Chapter 222 An Awkward but Happy Atmosphere

An Awkward but Happy Atmosphere

I messed up. I ran away from the bath and curled up in self-loathing.

I should’ve knocked then. I completely let my guard down when Mom said, “Ai-chan just got in, so bring her a towel.”

Honestly, since it's a house full of guys, I’ve never once in my life had to be cautious in the bathroom. That carelessness completely backfired.

Just recalling the scene from earlier makes my body freeze. Because there was a presence so pure and beautiful that I shouldn’t have seen, standing in the changing room.

“I wonder if she’s angry…”

I look up at the ceiling, worried but also relieved. Suddenly, her face appears.

“It’s fine. I’m not really that angry.”

She was laughing silently, trying to surprise me. Her hair was still wet, giving off an almost unreal vibe. And she was wearing my shirt. Well, Mom is taking the clothes she was wearing to the cleaners now, so I guess it can’t be helped. But still, seeing her, fresh out of the bath, wearing my loose-fitting clothes—this is something no normal high school student should experience.

“Time, stop. You are beautiful.” (tl: Goethe’s Faust - Zeit, bleib du bist so schön!)

Without thinking, the famous line from Goethe’s Faust slipped out of my mouth.

“What’s that? Spouting such dramatic words without an apology—are you trying to die or something?” (tl: I don’t know what this means, maybe it’s also related to Faust. Sorry I didn’t read it.)

I couldn’t help but laugh at her comeback. That’s a reply only someone who’s read Faust all the way through could come up with. As expected of a model student. So cultured. But before I could admire her too much, there was something I had to say first.

I turned around, sat up straight, and bowed my head.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Honestly, I let my guard down.”

“It’s okay. It’s fine if Senpai sees me.”

She said that, slightly embarrassed, as I continued to apologize.

“Thank you. Um, are you okay? Your face is really red…”

Even considering she had just gotten out of the bath, her face was flushed. Could it be from the heat?

“I’m embarrassed too… baka.”

She shyly responded.

“Um, want to eat some ice cream?”

That’s what came out without thinking…

“I’ll eat.”

She was fanning herself with her hands, trying to lower her body temperature.

I quickly ran to the freezer.

“In the heat of the moment… I just told him I wouldn’t mind showing him my n🬀🬀ed body… I’m such an idiot.”

I scooped some high-quality vanilla ice cream—used at the store for desserts—into containers and prepared two servings.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

After that, we ate the ice cream in silence, the awkward atmosphere hanging between us. She took the first bite and said, “It’s delicious.” Time passed in an awkward, but not unpleasant, atmosphere.

Then Mom came back.

“The rain’s coming down hard again. Oh, what’s with you two? You’re both so quiet.”

Mom smiled happily.

“…”

We could only eat our ice cream in silence.

“Eiji, can you help me with something over here?”

When she said that, I went back to the kitchen.

“Mom, were you trying to tease us earlier…?”

I complained, and Mom just smiled slightly and said nothing.

“Hey, Eiji. Is Ai-chan okay?”

Taking off her smile, Mom asked seriously.

“I’m not sure. But she seemed pretty down.”

“I see. That’s why I think you should stay close to her for now.”

“Huh?”

“Since the rain isn’t stopping, why don’t you have her stay over tonight?”

tl: I would like to clarify regarding this series I translated, which may contain many translation errors:  

Someone sent me an email pointing out that there are numerous errors in the translation of this series. And I admit it. This is my first project in translation, so I might have been immature and am still learning, even now.

Some of you might be wondering why it’s different from the LN version. To be honest, I haven’t read the LN version yet, so I don’t know what the differences are. Besides, the LN version is usually a polished version of the story, involving things like editors and other enhancements. Naturally, there might be differences. After all, if they were identical, people wouldn’t have any reason to buy the book.  

Once again, I sincerely apologize.