Chapter 15

Since I started living with the twin high school girls, quite some time has passed.

Late July. Morning.

I am getting ready in the bathroom.

"…Ah, teacher."

The beautiful girl with black hair, the older twin Nana, enters the bathroom.

She looks like she just woke up, wearing a thin, cute pajama.

"Nana. Good morning."

When I greet her, Nana smiles happily, her face soft and warm.

"…Good morning. It feels like… hehe, we're newlyweds."

Nana is 17 years old, a high school student.

She is in a position where I am temporarily taking care of her.

"Say that to the guy you like."

Suddenly, Nana looks unhappy, pouting her lips.

Then she whispers softly.

"…That's why I'm saying it to you…"

"Is there no guy you like in your class…?"

"There isn't!"

"…Oh, I see."

Nana huffs, her nose flaring.

"Teacher, I'm very loyal. There's no guy I like. I've never even dated."

"That's surprising. You must be popular, right?"

"…Well, a little. But I've turned them all down! Because there's a wonderful man right next to me!"

She blushes deeply, looking straight into my eyes.

…Is she talking about me?

Even if she is… I can't accept her feelings as they are.

It seems Nana is still holding onto the admiration she felt in her childhood.

It's common for children to mistake the trust they feel towards older men for affection.

But… it's like [measles].

Everyone goes through it, and as they grow, they forget about it.

Taking advantage of that is dishonest and a despicable act that tramples on her life.

…In short.

"Is that so? I'm glad the guy you like is somewhere else."

I pat Nana's head and head out.

I pretend not to notice her feelings.

I am in a position where I am taking care of her in place of her parents.

I treat her as a guardian would.

"…Teacher, you're so kind."

Despite having her feelings brushed off, Nana is smiling.

"…Akaru said that you treat us as a guardian. She said it's because you care about us."

"…She really says things right away, doesn't she?"

Akaru, the younger twin, is a perceptive girl.

But I wish she would refrain from telling her sister.

"Please tell her to say it when I get back from work."

"Oh, right. Akaru… is working."

Akaru has been working part-time for a long time.

The cohabitation issues caused her to take a break, but she has restarted in earnest this summer.

"Teacher, you're going to work now, right?"

"Yeah. I have a meeting with Ms. Risha at the café in front of the station at 1 PM."

"The café in front of the station…"

"? What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing. I just… Akaru told me not to tell where she's working… Ah, um…"

Nana panics, flustered.

I don't know where Akaru is working.

She said it's in the food and beverage industry.

It can't possibly be the café where I'm going for the meeting.

"Anyway, see you later!"

I stand at the entrance.

Nana smiles and sees me off.

"Ah, see you."

I step outside.

The scorching sunlight burns my skin.

The sound of cicadas echoes somewhere.

"Hot…"

I feel gloomy about working on such a hot day.

But… right now, I don't feel it at all.

Of course, changing jobs has something to do with it…

But…

"See you later, huh…"

The fact that someone sends me off like that and waits for me at home.

They give me energy.

"I should be grateful to them… Well, let's get to work."

★

I arrive at a café in front of the station.

This is the café where I had Misae sign the divorce papers.

…But that's irrelevant.

A girl with a refined air sits by the window.

She wears a red kimono and has snow-white hair.

A girl as beautiful as a Japanese doll.

She is my assigned author, Ms. Risha Kaida.

"Ms. Risha, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"O, Okaya! T, that… G, good morning!"

Ms. Risha's usually pale skin is even redder than usual.

Her cheeks flushed, she looks around nervously, her gaze flickering towards me and away.

"I'm very sorry for being late."

"Wh, what are you saying! The meeting is at 1 PM, and it's only 12:30. I arrived 30 minutes early, so it's my fault. You're right on time, and there's nothing wrong with that."

"Still, I feel bad for making you wait. I'm very sorry."

I bow my head in apology.

Ms. Risha's cheeks turn red, and she seems to be thinking about something.

"…You're really wonderful."

"Huh?"

"N, nothing! No, it's nothing at all."

Ms. Risha seems to have already bought her drink.

"Would you like me to order some light food?"

"No, it's fine. We have a meeting… work to do. Food and such…"

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