Chapter 322: Family Meeting (2/2)
“Indeed. Ye young’uns would probably do well with the classic style.”
“””Eh, what do you mean by that?”””
The three sisters laughed as if protesting.
The banter tonight with the Natsuno household gathered around a low table was quite lively, but there was only one person who hadn’t spoken a word.
“Aoba?”
“Eh?”
“What’s wrong? You’ve just been spacing out.”
“Oh, yeah, I was curious about the thing that everyone is wearing.”
“Everyone…?”
“She means this, ja.”
Kohaku explained to the confused Taiyou, displaying her hand. He could see the ring on her ring finger emitting a slight glow. The same went for Youran and the three sisters. That “engagement ring” was firmly placed around their fingers.
“It seems ye have yet to receive one, lass.”
“Master?”
Youran looked at him in an accusatory manner, as if asking him why he was dawdling.
“Well you see, I wanted to give them to each and every one of you—-wait, didn’t I just discuss this with you, Aoba? About how Akiha rejected it.”
“Yeah, you thought about it for a while before going on a date and intended to hand it to her afterward. I know, but…”
She cut herself off before gazing at everyone’s fingers and continuing.
“But I really do feel a sense of envy when I look at them.”
“I get yer feelings, lass.”
“Yep, if something like this happened to me, I’d also—-ah, I shouldn’t continue, I feel some rage.”
“Well, yer unexpectedly emotional after all.”
“So the only people who haven’t received them are Aoba-chan and Aki-han, yes?”
“Yeah, although Akiha rejected it earlier.”
“Wow, rejected your advance?”
After a brief moment, everyone who peeked out from behind Aoba let out a chorus of “Whaaat!?”
“Master, did she seriously refuse?”
“Just what is that lass thinking?”
“Maybe…”
“She’s still…”
“Thinking about Aoba-chan…”
“Hey hey, Taiyou-chan, what do you plan to do about that?”
“What do I plan to do? Yeesh.”
Taiyou traced his face with a finger, grimacing.
“We can’t do anything about it without first determining the cause. I can at least tell that she doesn’t hate me or anything. But it feels like there’s something else amiss.”
When Taiyou said that, there was a sound from the entrance hall.
“Well, who be it?”
“Yes indeed, Aki-han has returned.”
“Aye. I recommend moving with haste, Danna-sama. Corner her while ye still have the chance.”
“Yeah, I sure will.”
Taiyou nodded.
Right after that, the living room door opened, and there stood Akiha.
“I’m hooome! Ooo, everyone’s all gathered. Fantastic!”
She was her usual self, overflowing with cheer.