Chapter 10

It had been about ten days since I parted ways with my wife, Misae.

After coming home from my new job, I was having dinner with the twin high school girls.

"Tomorrow, the movers will be here."

"‘Movers...?’" they echoed, tilting their heads in confusion.

"Ah, I see. You're moving out the stupid wife's stuff, right?"

Misae had agreed to divorce me. However, it seems she is now penniless and has asked me to send her some furniture.

"That's part of it."

"…Teacher, what do you mean?"

"I'll let Misae take what she needs, and the rest will go to the new place."

"‘New place…!?’" they exclaimed, their eyes wide.

"Akari, what do you mean by ‘new place’? Did you buy a house…?"

"No, I rented a house."

I asked for a second helping of the soup (a cold potage called Vichyssoise). Akari quickly refilled my bowl and returned.

"Teacher, why are you renting a house?"

"The reasons are… various."

Simply put, this place is too small for the three of us to live in. Of course, that's one reason… but there's a bigger one.

Misae, my ex-wife, knows the address of this place.

If she comes here to extort money, it could be a problem. If I'm here, I can deal with her. But I work during the day, and the twins are on summer break (or rather, test break).

If Misae comes while I'm not here and harms them, that would be a problem.

"I get it. You're thinking of us, Okarin."

The younger twin, Akari, with her blonde hair, seemed to understand immediately.

"…Thinking of us?"

"Right, Misae knows this place, right? It would be troublesome if she barged in, wouldn't it?"

"…Teacher, thank you for doing this for us."

Nanako, the older twin, bowed her head repeatedly.

I sighed and poked Akari's forehead.

"You're too perceptive."

"Is that bad?"

"No, being considerate has always been one of your virtues."

"Hehe♡ Isn't it?"

"Don't get too cocky. If you're really considerate, you wouldn't say it out loud. That's what a lady does."

Akari puffed out her cheeks.

"But if I don't say it, your kindness won't reach my sister, right?"

"Kindness isn't something you should assert. It should be shown through actions."

The two of them looked at each other and smiled softly.

"…I'm really glad I came here."

"Me too. I can sleep soundly without being afraid every day… though that part is a bit exaggerated."

Despite Akari's usually carefree demeanor, there were occasional shadows in her smile. It was clear that there were some family issues.

But I didn't want to pry. It's not right to touch on wounds they don't want to be touched.

"Thank you for respecting us… Teacher."

Nanako bowed gracefully.

"I'm just doing what's necessary as your guardian. You don't need to thank me."

"Hmm… Hehehehe♡"

Akari smiled dreamily.

"What?"

"Well… I'm really happy every day… that's how I feel."

Anyway, let's get back to the topic.

"Since the movers are coming tomorrow, pack up your things. We'll buy new furniture after the move."

"Oh, I see. That's why you've been putting off shopping."

"…I see. You really have things well organized, Teacher!"

★

On a day off from work.

In the morning, the movers arrived.

I had packed all of Misae's personal items into boxes. Clothes and cosmetics, mostly.

"We wanted to help. You did everything yourself, Okarin."

Akari said, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Fool. This is something I should take care of myself."

"…Can't we at least help a little?"

Nanako asked hesitantly.

"No. It's not something children should carry. You should live freely without worrying about such things."

I ruffled Nanako's black hair. She pouted.

I understand what she's trying to say, and I'm not so dull that I don't get her concern. But this is not something they should be involved in.

I sent all the unwanted furniture, along with her personal items, to her place. I had already arranged for the appliances to be delivered by another company, so all that was left was my own belongings.

I carried the remaining items and left the apartment.

"Okarin, you even have a car!?"

It was a four-seater regular car.

"Is that so surprising?"

"Well… you're 29 and live in the city, Okarin. Most people don't have a car… or need one."

"True, the train is sufficient… but Misae wanted to use it for shopping."

"…What kind of shopping? She never made dinner for you."

"Probably for dates with her lover. How frustrating."

"Let it go, it's in the past. Get in the car."

I sat in the driver's seat.

"I'll sit in the back. You should sit in the front, Nanako!"

"Wh-what? I-I'm fine in the back…"

Nanako blushed and looked down.

"What are you blushing for? Nanako…?"

Akari giggled and poked her sister's cheek.

"Because… sitting next to Teacher… it feels like a date…"

"Ha! What's this? If you blush this easily, you'll faint during the real thing."

"Ugh… Just let Akari sit in the front."

"Ugh… No, I-I'm fine… I'll sit in the back…"

Akari blushed and looked away, pretending to whistle.

"…You're just as embarrassed as Nanako."

"What? I'm totally fine."

"…Get in the front. Hurry up."

Nanako tried to push Akari into the front seat.

"Ah! Stop it!"

"…Just sit in the back, both of you."

"‘Oh, right.'"

They both sat in the back.

"Don't forget your seatbelts."

"Even in the back? Akari's chest is so big, the seatbelt is tight."

Akari grabbed her breasts and squished them, emphasizing them.

I sighed.

"I understand it's uncomfortable, but seatbelts are required in the back too. What if I have to brake suddenly and you hit your head? Just put it on."

"Ugh… It doesn't work on you… Akari's chest is crying. The boys in class stare at it all the time."

"…But that's why it's a good thing, right?"

"Right. The boys in class always look at our chests with creepy eyes. It's annoying and childish."

But, Akari added, "Okarin is so relaxed and doesn't get too pushy… I think it's the best!"

"Ha!"

I started the car and headed to the new place.

"Look, Okarin, π slash! Look, Nanako's chest is bouncing and jiggling!"

"Ah! Akari! Don't distract me while I'm driving!"

"It's fine, Okarin. You're not even looking back."

"Ugh… That's even more… sad…"

We soon arrived at the new place.

I parked the car in the parking space next to the building.

"Wow! This is great! A two-story house in the city! Okarin, you're amazing!"

Akari looked up at the rented house, excited.

"Is it really okay? It looks so expensive…"

"Fool. Why would you worry about that, Nanako?"

I ruffled Nanako's hair.

"This place is closer to the new publishing company, and it's recently been renovated, making it comfortable to live in. I chose it for my convenience. You don't need to worry."

"Still, it's also close to our school, Okarin."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's actually closer to the school. Okarin must have considered us when choosing this place."

…She really tells everything to her sister.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"We hate trains."

It's obvious that Akari and Nanako have attractive figures. They might be harassed by perverted men on the train.

From here, they can go to school by bike or on foot.

"To go to such lengths for us…"

"I'm responsible for you as your guardian. This is the least I can do."

"Teacher…"

"Okarin, you're the best!"

Akari suddenly hugged me from behind.

I felt the softness and firmness of her body against my back.

I gently removed her hands.

"Akari, you're not a little kid anymore. Don't hug me like that."

"No way♡"

"Save that for when you have a boyfriend."

"Then Okarin can be my boyfriend♡ Since you're so cool~"

I wish she would recognize me as an adult a bit more. She's still stuck in her elementary school mindset… sigh.