ODL – Chapter 23 – Mafuyu-chan’s Fierce Attack

“I can’t believe you moved here…” (Shizuka)

“I came to keep an eye on nasty bugs like you so that you won’t bother onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

“Bugs?! You should go back and learn how to treat your senpais with respect…” (Shizuka)

“I treat those deserving of respect with the appropriate attitude. Shizuka is not one of them.” (Mafuyu)

“Nugiiii…! You think you can just say whatever you want…?” (Shizuka)

“Fufu, you two really get along well, don’t you?” (Hiyori)

The cheerful voices of the Kashimashi Musume Trio¹ echoed from the living room.

While Hiyorin easily agreed to Mafuyu-chan joining Souma-kai, Shizuka grumbled with an ‘ugh…’ but seeing her happily engaged in conversation made me think that she was at least happy about having more friends of similar age.

“…The dining table sure is getting more lively these days.” (Souma)

Unexpectedly, it seems that there are a lot of people who feel lonely when eating alone. Shizuka was one of them. However, I lived alone for two years, yet I never once felt that way.

Actually, in the beginning, when the Souma-kai started, I was mentally drained from the lively dinners.

But recently, there have been times when I feel something is missing without Shizuka’s loud remarks or Hiyorin’s relaxed laughter, and even those occasional drunk moments.

Whatever the case, starting today, I’m happy that our dining table will be more lively. Or at least, that’s how I feel.

“Shizuka, you took pictures of onii-chan’s food and lied about cooking them yourself on Twitter, right?” (Mafuyu)

“I-I did get proper permission, you know?” (Shizuka)

“Should I spill the beans?” (Mafuyu)

“Ah, well, if I did that, it might make Souma-kun would be sad. After all, Souma-kun is my fan, you know?” (Shizuka)

“Tch… I’ll let that one slide…” (Mafuyu)

“It sure is nice to be young.” (Hiyori)

“Sorry to keep you waiting! Today we are having Chinese cuisine!” (Souma)

To celebrate Mafuyu-chan officially joining Souma-kai, we are having a bigger feast than usual.

As I set the large plates on the table, the faces of the three girls light up with excitement.

“Wow, it looks delicious!” (Shizuka)

“…I can have onii-chan’s homemade cooking again…” (Mafuyu)

“Maybe I should go for beer today.” (Hiyori)

…I used to think that the 4-seater table was inconvenient, but I never imagined that it would be filled up like this.

I know it’s a cliché line, but you really never know what life has in store for you.

◆

“…?” (Souma)

When I woke up, I found Mafuyu-chan sleeping next to me.

In the single bed, her face which resembles that of an exquisite foreign doll, was so close to me that our lips almost touched. It was as if we were sharing a single pillow.

Mafuyu-chan’s chest moved gently as she breathed in and out, making a quiet sleeping sound.

…Unable to grasp the situation, I looked around the room. It was the same ceiling and the same bed. Nothing had changed.

…

This must be a dream.

Thinking that, I pinched Mafuyu-chan’s cheek, and indeed, it didn’t hurt.²

I see, I see. So, it was just a dream.

Yeah, that makes sense. There’s no way Mafuyu-chan would be sleeping next to me. And I’m sure I locked the door properly too.

…Lately, a lot of people from my life seem to be appearing in my dreams. Just the other day, the Hiyorin in my dreams showed up in her underwear for some reason. That one was quite troublesome.

“Hmm… Good morning, onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

Perhaps because I pinched her cheek, Mafuyu-chan woke up. As she noticed that I was awake, she gave a sweet smile and narrowed her eyes in happiness.

“Good morning, Mafuyu-chan.” (Souma)

What a realistic dream. It’s almost as if it’s real.

While still facing each other on our sides, I try pinching Mafuyu-chan’s cheek again. It’s as if I’m touching a soft, squishy bun. The texture feels incredibly real. Today’s dream sure feels realistic

“What’s wrong, onii-chan?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan gently grabs my hand as if it were cradling³ her cheek. Slowly, she pulls my hand away from her face and then closes her eyes, gradually bringing her face closer.

Originally, we weren’t even 10 centimeters apart.

Mafuyu-chan’s tender lips slowly approach mine, and…

“Wait a minute!!!!” (Souma)

I spring up from the bed.

I nearly let myself get carried away by the moment. If I had surrendered myself to Mafuyu-chan, I might find myself filing for a marriage certificate by tomorrow.

“We were so close…” (Mafuyu)

“Mafuyu-chan! Why are you sleeping in my bed?” (Souma)

I give Mafuyu-chan a scolding while she pouts in dissatisfaction. Even though we are over 18 years old, there are still lines between what’s appropriate and what’s not.

“I must have been half-asleep and made a mistake.” (Mafuyu)

“As if! You used the spare key to get in, didn’t you?” (Souma)

Perhaps it’s because I’m not scary, but Mafuyu-chan doesn’t seem the least bit remorseful. Did I raise her the wrong way?

“…Well, it’s actually your fault, onii-chan. I gave you a spare key, but you never tried sneaking into my room at night. I was awake and waiting, you know.” (Mafuyu)

“…Huh?” (Souma)

She suddenly brings up something nonsensical, and I respond with a weird confused noise.

When did this world become a place where sneaking into someone’s room at night is considered proper manners?

Is this still a dream after all?

Questions keep surfacing in my mind.

“Mafuyu-chan, you need to go back to kindergarten and start over learning moral education.” (Souma)

“You want to do a baby play? If you wanted to, you should have said so sooner.” (Mafuyu)

“That’s not true! Haa… I thought you were the only one who had some common sense, Mafuyu-chan…” (Souma)

“Fufu, from now on, let’s get along (Yoroshiku ne), onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan sits up with a meaningful smile.

In response, the blanket that was covering her lower half dropped, revealing her exquisitely sculpted bare legs…

…Bare legs?

“Mafuyu-chan, why aren’t you wearing anything below?!” (Souma)

I quickly avert my gaze.

Mafuyu-chan had nothing on except for a T-shirt on top and just a pair of panties below. Her snow-white and slender legs were shamelessly exposed.

Wait… she didn’t attack me while I was sleeping, did she?

Feeling uneasy, I start checking various parts of my body.

“It’s just how I sleep. Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything today.” (Mafuyu)

After seeing my reaction, Mafuyu-chan mentions such a thing.

What does she mean by “today”?

“Because forcing things is not good, you know…” (Mafuyu)

I’m too tired to say anything else. I let out a big sigh, and then my phone’s alarm goes off. It seems that it is the usual time.

“This can’t be a dream after all… Anyways, Mafuyu-chan, do you want to join me for breakfast?” (Souma)

“Yeah! Thanks, onii-chan!” (Mafuyu)

I’ll have to introduce Mafuyu-chan to the nearest kindergarten later… As I think about such things, I move to the kitchen and crack two eggs into a frying pan.

And so another day begins.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Your gonna send a yandere to kindergarten?! Are you trying to traumatize the kids or rather, aren’t you worried that Mafuyu-chan might also turn them into yanderes?

P.S. I just finished a oneshot, it was a lot of fun to translate tbh. Feel free to check it out, it’s called:
How to make a childhood friend! ~If you don’t have a childhood friend, you can just make one!?~