36
Onii-sama was safely accepted into the department of his choice. Therefore, I decided to open up my coffers to celebrate grandly!
"Onii-sama! I'll give you a congratulatory present for entering the university! What do you want?" I thought about surprising him at first, but I couldn't come up with a good idea. A watch? But I probably couldn't afford something that the heir of the Kisshouin family would wear even with my secret savings. No, I might if I emptied it, but… After thinking a lot, I couldn't think of anything nice, so I decided to just ask him.
No, Onii-sama, I didn't even use any of my New Year's gifts, so I have a good amount! Don't hold back! It's my savings for the future, but I'd use it for my dear Onii-sama! "I've saved my New Year's gift, so please tell me what you want!"
"Huh?! You're going to use your own money!?"
I had gone shopping for his Christmas and birthday presents with mother, so the family credit card was used instead of my own money. And Onii-sama did not know that I had been saving my New Year's gifts. He was stunned at how much I had. I actually saved a lot more than I told him.
"Well, your feeling are enough."
"I can't have that. I really want to give you something." I couldn't do anything when Onii-sama was working so hard. I pushed through Onii-sama holding back and in my victory, what he chose was a pen at a high-end maker of writing equipment. It cost a lot less than my allotted expense, so I felt a bit of a letdown. But I thought that he already had fountain pens and ballpoint pens from here already.
"I like these pens, they're so easy to write with. I wanted to use a pen that you gave me." Oh! That's great! If Onii-sama used something I gave him every day, that would make me overjoyed. Then let's go buy it now!
We went to the store together, and he test wrote with many and found one that he liked. Onii-sama looked very happy. It makes me happy that he is.
And after that, an Italian lunch with him! He was busy with his studies, went to get his driver's license and went out with friends after that, so we hadn't done much together lately, so I'm elated.
"What do you want, Reika?"
"Let's see…" I look at the menu . Oh, ravioli. They're good. I decide, and happily chatted with Onii-sama when…
"Excuse me. Aren't you Kisshouin siblings?" a woman asked.
"!"
"Oh, Kaburagi-sama. It's been too long. This is my sister, Reika." My Onii-sama stood up to greet her, so I hastily got up to greet her, also. It's Kaburagi's mother!
Kaburagi's mother was a sharp-looking beauty and I've met her at parties once or twice. All I did was greet her slightly then.
"Yes, of course I remember. Reika-san, it's been a while. You've grown since we last met." With my nerves, I can only force a smile as Kaburagi mom smiles at me. She didn't have to remember me. I'd rather have her forget about me entirely. After she spoke with Onii-sama some more, Kaburagi mom turned to me as if just remembering. "Reika-san is in my son's grade at Zuiran, correct? Are you friendly with Masaya?"
AHHHH!
"No. Unfortunately, we're in different classes, so we haven't had that opportunity." I don't have any intention of being close, either.
"Oh, is that right? Then, why don't you come over to play? About the only one Masaya invites is Shuusuke-kun of the Enjou family. It would be splendid to have a girl come."
DEFINITELY NOT! Besides, Yurie-sama's a girl! She should have been over there since she was little! I REFUSE! I REFUSE!
Kaburagi mom left us with a beautiful smile, so unlike the huge panic inside of me. What the heck… My earlier joy was swept away and Onii-sama now looked at me puzzled as I sat down in a daze.
"What's wrong? You don't seem well."
"…It's nothing. I was just surprised at Kaburagi-sama's sudden appearance." Kaburagi's mom remembered my name. She remembered about my existence. It's not much, but as I'm a coward, everything about Kaburagi makes me terrified. And that mother appears in the manga a few times… Oh, no! "Onii-sama, will you speak to father and mother about meeting madam Kaburagi?"
"I will."
"When you do, please don't tell them about madam Kaburagi inviting me over to their home. That was just being polite! I don't want father to take it seriously!"
"…Reika, you don't want to go over there?" Of course not! "Well, I don't mind hiding that much. Do you not like Masaya-kun? Did he do something?"
"No, it's not that! It's just that father and mother want me to be friendly with Kaburagi-sama so much, and there was a misunderstanding in the past. Something like that is still…"
"Yeah, it's too early for Reika." Onii-sama! You're my only hope. Despite my love of Italian food, I couldn't taste the plates that were brought out due to my shock.
We returned home, and I lay down on my bed and thought about Kaburagi mom that appeared in 'Kimi ha Boku no Dolce'. I believe that she was somebody capable who supported the Kaburagi dad's work. When Kaburagi was little and caused trouble, she was depicted as a powerful mom who struck him without mercy. Splendid and beautiful, she's just like Kaburagi with her powerful eyes. He must take after her. Not that any of that matters.
Showing her disapproval of her adored heir and only son having a relationship with the commoner protagonist, she rebuked the Emperor several times. Being tricked by Kisshouin Reika and her parents' lies and cajoling, she throws an engagement party for her son and Reika, but being taken by her son's determination and the protagonist's earnest feelings, she blesses them…. And looks down upon Reika and her family who were cast down beyond hope…
Woah… I really want nothing to do with her.