Seeker 144

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Chapter 144. Two Timing

"Daichi-kun, it's about time you realized. Seriously, Hotaru-chan is pitiful."

"......!?"

Before I knew it, Kazane-san had come up right next to me and whispered in my ear.

Kazane-san, please stop suddenly getting so close and invading my personal space.

It's bad for my heart.

"S-So, what do you mean...?"

"What do I mean? It's just as it sounds. Hotaru-chan and I have been in cahoots all along. Daichi-kun is the only one who hasn't noticed."

"Huh...? What does that mean...?"

Hold on, calm down.

Let's organize this conversation.

First, if I'm wrong about this, it's going to be incredibly embarrassing, but Yuzuki seems to have feelings for me.

Not like siblings, but in a romantic sense.

I can't pinpoint when it started, but there have been times recently when Yuzuki's behavior makes me think that way.

Assuming I'm not just being overly self-conscious, that is.

Furthermore, Kazane-san seems to share that recognition.

In other words, Kazane-san acknowledges that Yumizuki romantically has feelings for me.

In this situation, Kazane-san is urging me to realize Yuzuki's feelings.

So, what would happen then?

If I were to accept Yuzuki's affection, that would mean I'd have two timings, right...?

But why would Kazane-san support that?

Kazane-san continues to whisper in my ear with a sweet voice.

"I'm telling you, Daichi-kun, it's okay to be in a love triangle. But in return, I want Hotaru-chan and me to be happy."

"Huh, well..."

My mind goes blank.

I can't immediately comprehend what she just said.

"Hotaru-chan and I have already prepared ourselves for this. Now it's just up to your determination, Daichi-kun. Please, Daichi-kun, accept someone like Hotaru-chan and me."

Kazane-san's voice, once alluring, now carries a hint of uncertainty.

If I say no here, her voice seems like it would shatter like glass.

No, no, this isn't right. There's a misunderstanding.

I quickly add, trying to clear things up.

"I'm sorry, Kazane-san."

"Huh...?"

Kazane-san's voice sounds like a crack running through the glass.

N-No, that's not it. She has a misunderstanding.

I hurriedly continue.

"No, I mean, it's not like that... I like you, Kazane-san, and I also have feelings for Yuzuki. I realized it now. I love both of you. I can't help but cherish you both. I've been lying to both you and myself. I'm sorry."

"W-Well, well then. So that's what it is. You gave me a scare there, Daichi-kun. I thought I might have died just now."

Kazane-san's voice returns to a tone of relief.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just... too flustered to choose my words."

"But it's okay. I'm relieved you're willing to accept both of us like this."

"Of course. I mean, there's no way I could refuse, right?"

"But the one confessing is the one feeling anxious. ── Seriously, Daichi-kun, you didn't notice again! Always, always making me and Hotaru-chan do all the confessing!"

"I don't have any face to show."

"Well then, come on, at least with Hotaru-chan, properly..."

"Ugh... Y-Yeah, you're right."

As for Yuzuki, she had been sneakily observing our conversation between Kazane-san and me the whole time.

I took a deep breath and then addressed her.

"Yuzuki."

"Y-Yes!"

Yumizuki, in an unusually nervous state, straightened her posture and faced me.

A face of a younger sister I've never seen before, looking as if she's about to burst with excitement and nervousness.

I wrapped both arms around Yuzuki's back and held her delicate body tightly with determination.

"Yuzuki, I love you. I've been pretending not to notice until now. I've been lying. I'm sorry."

"Ugh... sniff... Y-You are... so stupid, Senpai...! sniff..."

Yumizuki burst into tears and hugged me back.

I held my younger sister like that with one arm and gently stroked her head with the other.

Unbeknownst to us in our little world, Aria-san had quietly retreated to a distant spot, observing our actions while making excited noises from the shadow of a cliff.

I feel really sorry about that.

And amidst that scene ──

Eventually, the three of us reached a corner of the cliff, and there, gaping open, was the entrance to a cave.