Chapter 18 (1/2)

The following year, the Asahina family was blessed with the birth of a new member into the family, Sumire, a baby girl who was seven years apart from Tsubaki.

Sumire was a girl who had a thin pigment, a special characteristic of the Asahina house which she inherited from her father, and a cute face with a thin nose bridge and fluffy hair.

“… There’s an Angel here. Angels really do exist.” (Tsubaki)

“I know you didn’t put the flash on but stop with the continuous shots. Also, say something else. Wait, why did you take a low-angle shot?” (Kyousuke)

“Mizushima-sama, Tsubaki is currently in her own world so she won’t be able to respond to you.” (Anna)

What a lovely little sister. Is this what they meant by so cute that it won’t hurt even if put in the eyes? Thought Tsubaki as she wholeheartedly continues her continuous shots of Sumire. (TN: So cute that it won’t hurt even if put in the eyes, words which grandparents usually used when mentioning their grandchildren in Japan.)

Today, Kyousuke and Anna were coming here to celebrate Yuriko’s safe child delivery.

However, Tsubaki was so busy taking Sumire’s picture that she was ignoring the other two.

Tsubaki then stopped when she was satisfied and had a look of pure happiness on her face while looking at her little sister.

On the other hand, Kyousuke and Anna were keeping their distance at the current Tsubaki with slight disgust.

By the way, compared to Tsubaki’s Little Sister Fever, the father’s Daughter Fever was much worse.

Clothes, plushies and toys, all in pink, were Sumire couldn’t even tell the difference between colors yet, was bought by Kaoru a lot that could probably bury a person with those in the room.

Even when it was still uncertain would it be a boy or a girl who would be born Kaoru said “Of course I know, it’s a girl. That’s what my wild instinct says to me.”

And in reality, it was indeed a girl. How scary the wild instinct of a father is.

However, that doesn’t mean Kouru didn’t give Tsubaki any more attention.

It is often said that when their child was born, the parents would neglect their foster children, but it seems that’s not the case here because the love Kaoru gave to Tsubaki didn’t decrease at all.

Rather Tsubaki getting much more love by her father that she hoped he shares half of it with Sumire as well.

For a while Tsubaki and co seated in Sumire’s room together with Yuriko, but because it was almost time for Sumire’s milk time, the three then began to move toward the first-floor living room and began enjoying the snacks that were prepared beforehand by the servants.

“Today’s refreshment is Baumkuchen, huh.” (Anna)

“It is. This is a gift from Asahina Obaa-sama. She said these were made by a famous local shop in German. The taste is different from the one made in Japan, still, each of them is so delicious though.” (Tsubaki)

Ah, I’ve had a time where I ate it layer by layer, how nostalgic~. I won’t be able to do it again though, thought Tsubaki as she enjoys the Baumkuchen.

And like that, just before she realized it her plate was already empty.

If there are only three of them here, Tsubaki would probably go for another fill but seeing that there are quite a lot of people coming to visit the Asahina residence because her family hold a sip and see for their new family member, she wouldn’t know who and where people might see her so she holds her desire to eat more.

There might be some snacks left even after dinner, let’s ask them to save it for me, Tsubaki then calls a servant who was nearby and told them to prepare some of the snacks for her dessert after dinner in a whisper.

Heard Tsubaki’s request, without even a change in on their tone the servant said “Certainly.”

“That reminds me, Tsubaki you were absent at the Mizushima party last year, weren’t you?” (Anna)

“Yes, I was. I’m worried about Okaa-sama after all.” (Tsubaki)

“Tsubaki, they decided you as the fiancee of Mizushima-sama at that party.” (Anna)

“Ha?” (Tsubaki)

Anna informs Tsubaki about what happened at the party while keeping her voice down.

Surprised with the news, Tsubaki then looking at Kyousuke who was together with them and was able to hear what they were talking about, but seeing there was no change in his face Tsubaki presume he might know this.

However, Tsubaki prefers not to have this bothersome and insensitive man as her partner.

Tsubaki then asked Anna about the details.

“How does that happen?” (Tsubaki)

“People at the party were asked him this “Your grandchildren are very close to each other, are you perhaps consider pairing them in a marriage?” and Mizushima Ojii-sama said this “Indeed” because of that everyone there took it as a confirmation from Mizushima Ojii-sama.” (Anna)

“And in the end, he said excuses like “I did not mean so”, right? It’s that Ojii-sama after all.” (Tsubaki)

“It’s just like what you said” (Anna)

At present, Tsubaki doesn’t have any plans to be partnered with Kyousuke, even though Kyousuke does love Tsubaki, it wasn’t that feeling of love but more of familial love.

Kyousuke will eventually find a person he truly loves, but until then Tsubaki was planning to be a bug repellent for him so she willingly gets on her grandfather’s decision.

In case Kyousuke couldn’t find that person, Tsubaki already had a plan to push any girl to him as long as that girl doesn’t have any troublesome background.

To begin with, Kyousuke doesn’t see Tsubaki as an object of romantic interest, not even a speck of it.

With how Tsubaki act and behave in front of him, he could only see her as a good female friend.

What I want from Kyousuke are his faith and trust. Love? No thank you. Thought Tsubaki.

“By the way, Tsubaki. I heard you having trouble with Toudou. Is that true?” (Kyousuke)

While Tsubaki was sorting her thought, Kyousuke asks her as if he was just recalled it.

“Kyousuke-san, there is nothing good out of man butting in on woman’s quarrel. If it’s only this much I can handle it myself so there’s nothing for you to worry about.” (Tsubaki)

“… I see. If you said so then fine. However, don’t force yourself.” (Kyousuke)

Up until now the places where Tsubaki was showered with sarcasm by Toudou were the places that Kyousuke’s eyes couldn’t reach so she believed he wouldn’t know anything about this, that was why Tsubaki was honestly surprised when he brought up this topic.

However, by the time Kyousuke knows about what happened between Tsubaki and Toudou, it would make things more complicated so she wishes Kyousuke to not take any action.

Ever since then, Toudou continuing in throw sarcasm at Tsubaki in any given opportunity. Because all Toudou does just that, Tsubaki didn’t mind too much of it and leave her to do as she likes.

Just in case, these are the example of the sarcasm Toudou said to Tsubaki, such as;

“Maa Asahina-san, you couldn’t do a back hip circle? I can already do it though.”,

“Asahina-san, you take your time with your meal huh. Everyone around already finished theirs hours ago so could you speed up a little? Until you finish yours, everyone has to stay here remember?” ,

“Asahina-san, you have bed hair. Are you perhaps oversleeping? What a disgrace of Takamine.” ,

“There is chalk powder on your skirt. How unsightly.”, and so on.

Since Tsubaki didn’t take offense on what Toudou said to her, she just leaves her to say what she wants. Particularly, at the part where Toudou pointing out the chalk powder, Tsubaki was grateful for it.

And about Tsubaki’s slow eating pace, she was worried about table manners and her surroundings so she only put a small quantity of food in her mouth and it took quite a lot of time to finish her meal.

The students were allowed to take any seat and leave the dining hall as they please in the fourth grade. Until then, Tsubaki and her classmates have to sit down together and have their meal together.

It seems like it was necessary to develop the students’ sense of collective responsibility and the spirit of cooperation.

Tsubaki had few ideas on the reason for Toudou’s actions so far toward her.

It was probably the person Toudou look up to and adore, Kyousuke, was close with Tsubaki, also Tsubaki has the same authority and influence that could be compared to her, thus Toudou bore hostility toward her.

If the image Toudou has of Tsubaki inside her was that of a villain, it would be hard for Tsubaki to getting along with her.

Even before they met each other, for some reason, Toudou had a very bad impression of Tsubaki. And the words Toudou use when talking to her was already harsh from the very beginning.

After the conversation Tsubaki had with Kyousuke, Anna then remembered something she had in mind and come closer to Tsubaki and talk to her in a whisper.

“By the way, there are mountains of letters filled with complaints coming from Leo to me. Do you remember to write a reply to his letter?” (Anna)

“Ah, I forgot. All of his letters were in German, after all, I can’t read it.” (Tsubaki)

“In contrast to his letters, yours were all in Japanese. That was the first time I see conversation so disconnected like that.” (Anna)

“I lose if I learn German, I just got that feeling somehow.” (Tsubaki)

Replying to Anna, Tsubaki was also in a whisper.

Ever since the Christmas party, Leon would frequently send a letter to Tsubaki.

Seeing that the letters Leon wrote were all in German, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to read it, she put all his letters in her desk drawer without reading them in a natural motion.

Since then she sent a letter to Leon every five letters she received from him in a Japanese polite and formal writing.

Tsubaki wished for him to lose interest in her but there’s no sign of him in stopping his letters at all.

“Tsubaki, who is Leon?” (Kyousuke)

Heard an unfamiliar name, Kyousuke asked Tsubaki.

Now that I think about it, Kyousuke never heard about what happened on that day huh, Thought Tsubaki while introducing Leon to Kyousuke.

“Leon Groth Kreuz. The grandson of grandmother Asahina’s little brother and also Anna’s cousin.” (Tsubaki)

“Groth Kreuz… That famous automobile manufacturing company from Germany huh. I also heard they run several restaurant chains.” (Kyousuke)

“You know a lot about them, huh.” (Tsubaki)

“I’ve been informed of this. Or rather, you are just too ignorant. Try to learn about the family of your grandmother’s side a little.” (Kyousuke)

Getting a look of surprised by Kyousuke because of her ignorance, Tsubaki tries to ignore him by thinking positive.

I’m still a kid so I don’t need information like these… As if an excuse like that could work. Tsubaki then started to reflect on herself.

Should I tell Kyousuke about Leon in a bad light? Perhaps I shouldn’t. Thought Tsubaki while she started explaining what happened that day to Kyousuke while leaving out a few details.

Tsubaki also told Kyousuke about how Leon had insulted her and she punched him, however, she didn’t tell him about how Leon also had insulted Yuriko and Leon had an interest in her.

Kyousuke was looking rather dissatisfied after hearing what Tsubaki said, but he didn’t question her for more details. Once his ride back home arrived, Kyousuke then goes to Sumire to take a look at her one more time and going back home.

There’s a problem with a kid who was way too obedient, just because of the relationship with his father getting improved I don’t think it would easily change that part of him. Thought Tsubaki as she was looking at the chair where Kyousuke was.

Too obedient, or in Kyousuke’s case, it would be better to describe as he didn’t persistently ask or demand something because he is afraid to hurt the other party so he kept his silence.

Especially, since Kyousuke had personally experienced the feeling of getting avoided by his father, he was afraid of that experience to happen again by the person he closes with.

Thus Tsubaki presumes it would be hard for Kyousuke to getting close to a certain extent with a person he’s not good with, a person he knows nothing of, and a person he can’t trust.

After Kyousuke left, because there are a lot of visitors in the living room for them to have a quiet conversation, Tsubaki guides Anna to her room.

“This room somehow matches your appearance but it is far off the mark if compared with your personality.” (Anna)

“Say no more. I know it best after all.” (Tsubaki)

It is a privilege for a girl in their childhood to have a pink colored room as the basis and the furniture like that of a princess’ bedroom so Tsubaki wished Anna to keep her eyes shut on this matter.

“Anna please can you tell Leon that I didn’t want to be friends with him?” (Tsubaki)

“He is the type of a person like Mizushima-sama you know? Even if I tell him he won’t listen to me.” (Anna)

“To begin with, he’s interested in me because I punched him, you find it weird as well aren’t you? What is this? A Shoujo Game?” (Tsubaki)