Chapter 28 When Things Keep Overlapping, It Gets Funny

When Things Keep Overlapping, It Gets Funny

As we finished eating and were chatting, Hibiki checked her smartphone and let out an “Ah…”.

Her expression darkened, and she looked at us apologetically.

“…I forgot I had something to do.”

“Huh? Something to do? Um, did you have anything planned?”

Kanade flipped through her planner and tilted her head.

Wait, is she actually managing her sister’s schedule…?

Well, I guess it makes sense.

Hibiki can be so careless. She once wandered off on her own without telling anyone.

Remembering that incident, I gave a wry smile.

“…What’s with that look, Nii-san?”

“Just reminiscing about the past. So, Hibiki-chan, what’s this thing you have to do?”

“…I need to preview costumes for the upcoming sports festival.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in the sports festival, Hibiki?”

“…Even if I’m not interested, I still fulfill my responsibilities.”

“In that case, maybe I should go with you. I’d feel better than leaving you to go alone…”

“…It’s fine. I can handle it on my own.”

Hibiki declared confidently, but Kanade and I couldn’t hide our unease.

We worried she might get lost or cause trouble for others with her unique personality.

Kanade and I exchanged glances.

We didn’t need words to convey our shared concern.

Kanade shook her head and gave me a pleading look that clearly said, “Convince her!”

Just as I was about to speak up and try to persuade Hibiki, she started talking first.

“…Non-popular but kind, always the butt of jokes—Director-san, could you help me out a little?”

“Wait… that’s me, isn’t it?”

Atsushi, who had been grinning while watching the sisters’ banter, suddenly froze, his smile stiffening.

He let out a big sigh.

“I don’t have any sense for costumes. I’ll be useless, you know?”

“…It’s fine. Your job is to reassure my overly protective sister by being a chaperone. Besides, there’s something else you need to do.”

“If you’re going to ask for money, I’m only giving up to 10,000 yen!”

Whoa, he’s surprisingly willing to spend money.

Wait, he’s already pulling out his wallet…

“…I don’t need money. I just need you to come with me to buy a one-per-person limited item. Oh, and of course, you’ll be carrying the bags too…”

“I knew it! Why does this always happen to me?! Life is so unfair—no luck, no fortune, no nothing!”

“…Come to think of it, my best friend likes older men… Oh, it’s nothing.”

Atsushi, who had been sulking and sighing in despair, suddenly straightened up at Hibiki’s words.

Then, he bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle to the high school girl.

“Please tell me more about that!!”

“…Then fulfill your duties. There’s no reward for those who do nothing.”

“Yes, ma’am!!”

“H-hey, Atsushi?”

“…Well then, Nii-san. Until we meet under a starry sky.”

With that dramatic, chuuni-style line, Hibiki walked off.

Their back-and-forth flowed so naturally…

In the end, we barely had a chance to intervene—it was all decided without us.

What can I say?

Watching my coworker act like that left me with some indescribable feelings.

““Haah…””

Kanade and I sighed in perfect sync.

Finding it funny, we both let out a “Pfft” and laughed.

“They’re gone now, huh?”

“Haha… yeah. Director-san ran off like an eager puppy, didn’t he?”

“It’s kind of pathetic. Honestly, his greed makes me worry he might end up committing a crime someday.”

“True~.”

““…””

The silence settled as we both took a sip of our drinks.

Suddenly being left alone, just the two of us, felt a bit awkward and oddly embarrassing.

This unexpected situation left me wondering what to say—or what to do next.

I’ve always been bad at dealing with irregular situations.

But as the older one here, I should step up and—alright.

“K-Kanade?” “Ariga-cchi?”

““…Pfft.””

Our words overlapped perfectly, and the déjà vu made us both burst out laughing, clutching our stomachs.

How could it match up this perfectly?

Seriously.

Thinking about it made it even funnier, and Kanade seemed to feel the same, tapping my hand repeatedly as she laughed.

Thanks to this absurd exchange, the awkwardness between us vanished in an instant.

“Hey, Kanade. Are you free after this?”

“Hmm… super free~!!”

“I see. In that case, how about we wander around until it’s time for work?”

“Sure, sure~. After that, I’ll just tag along to the classroom!”

We had just over an hour before work started.

Kanade and I ended up enjoying a mini date together.