ODL – Chapter  40 – Shizuka Has Learned Flamethrower

[Shizuka PoV]

Ten minutes later, I caught the suspect, Mafuyu, coming out of Souma-kun’s house as if it was normal, and for some reason, I also ended up joining forces with Hiyori-san. I could smell faint scents of alcohol from her. Hiyori-san has been drinking again, hasen’t she?

Before we moved to the interrogation room, Mafuyu locked the door to Souma-kun’s house, as if she was silently bragging. 

Grrrr! This girl…!

Normally, I would have taken her to my room for questioning, but… well, my room wasn’t in a state where I could bring anyone in. So, we ended up having our discussion in Mafuyu’s room. By the way, it seems that Hiyori-san’s room is also not in the best condition right now. Maybe we are kindred spirits?

“It’s quite tidy here…” (Shizuka)

“Is it? I think it’s pretty normal.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu’s room, to put it in one word, had absolutely no wasted space.

A sofa, a TV, a coffee table.

Despite not having too many items, they were arranged in a very neat way. Maybe the lack of unnecessary decorations and rugs played a part.

Well, in other words, it’s the complete opposite of my room. It’s tidy.

As I fumed, Mafuyu went to another room and brought a cushion, tossing it in front of the sofa.

“Here, sit down.” (Mafuyu)

“I don’t like the way you said that but… Well, thanks.” (Shizuka)

I sat down on the cushion. It was soft, and the gentle sensation further cushioned my soft butt. Maybe Mafuyu had a somewhat kind side after all.

“So, what’s the deal? Why did you suddenly ambush me?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu, who had taken a seat on the sofa beside Hiyori-san, gave me and Hiyori-san (mainly me) a less-than-friendly look. Well, I could understand why she might feel that way since I forcefully dragged her into this, but I was filled with a strong desire to interrogate Mafuyu further.

Hiyori-san was alternating her gaze between me and Mafuyu, looking worried, but she occasionally looked in strange directions. Perhaps she is a bit drunk right now.

I took a small and quiet deep breath to avoid being noticed by Mafuyu.

…I’m definitely going to get to the bottom of this.

“….Mafuyu, why do you have a spare key to Souma-kun’s house?” (Shizuka)

“I figured it was about that. Is it really that strange for an imouto to have a spare key to her onii-chan’s house?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu didn’t show any hesitation in her words as she had already expected my question.

“You’re not his real sister, are you?” (Shizuka)

I glared at Mafuyu with all the weight on my eyebrows, puffing my cheeks as well. I probably looked like a pufferfish. Now, be scared!

“What a stupid face.” (Mafuyu)

“Huh? Aren’t you scared?” (Shizuka)

“Not at all. What do you want, Shizuka?” (Mafuyu)

“To scare Mafuyu and maybe snatch the spare key.” (Shizuka)

“That’s a crime. What’s the point of having security in this apartment if there’s a criminal inside?” (Mafuyu)

“What’s that? I don’t want to hear that from a lockpicker!” (Shizuka)

“I intend to enter through legitimate means, though.” (Mafuyu)

“Alright, alright, both of you, calm down… okay?” (Hiyori)

Hiyori-san hastily stepped in to stop our heated exchange.

Mafuyu and I had become accustomed to exchanging harsh words with each other, so we didn’t actually feel a very tense atmosphere, but it might have appeared as an emergency situation to Hiyori-san.

“Sigh… So, what’s the real reason?” (Shizuka)

I took a breath and calmed my mind. As the older sister, I should lead the discussion here.

“Why do you need to know? Shizuka, do you… like onii-chan?” (Mafuyu)

“W-W-W-W-What!? I-I-It’s not like that, okay!?” (Shizuka)

“I already know, so it’s fine. Or did you think you were hiding it?” (Mafuyu)

“….Huh? Y-Yeah…?” (Shizuka)

I don’t think I’ve ever openly expressed those feelings in front of everyone.

At least Hiyori-san looks surprised. I can hear a faint “Eh?” from her.

“That’s ridiculous. Well… Since I feel sorry for Shizuka, who got completely overshadowed by me, I’ll tell you the truth. I got it on the first day I moved here. I exchanged it for my spare key.” (Mafuyu)

“You didn’t… force him, did you?” (Shizuka)

“How was it, I wonder? I don’t remember.” (Mafuyu)

“You definitely did it… It’s definitely that.” (Shizuka)

I can vividly imagine Souma-kun who was threatened and crying, trembling as he handed over his spare key to Mafuyu.

“I was going to give this key to my beloved Shizuka…” He might have said something like that. Poor Souma-kun.

But now, I’ll fulfill my true intentions…!

Just as I was about to lift my butt slightly to snatch the spare key from Mafuyu, an unexpected person spoke out with shocking words.

“Eh~ I also gave Souma-kun a spare key, but he didn’t give me his…” (Hiyori)

“….Ha?” (Mafuyu)

“….Eh?” (Shizuka)

Though the words were different, Mafuyu and I reacted the same way as Hiyori-san had just said something unbelievable.

What did she just say?

“I’m sorry Hiyori-san, but what did you just say…?” (Shizuka)

Hiyori-san looked at me with a worried expression. No, I’m the one who’s worried here.

“Well, you see, I also gave Souma-kun a spare key… but he hasn’t given me his spare key… What does this mean…?” (Hiyori)

………No.

“I don’t careeee! Why is everyone giving out spare keys?! Filthy! Gross! Adults! Disgusting!!!!” (Shizuka)

Spare keys… spare keys… Aren’t spare keys supposed to be exchanged between lovers?!

And Souma-kun, of all people, is giving and receiving it so casually!

I exist, you know!?!?

I exist, and yet… Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

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TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

lmao Shizuka is completely broken. Not to mention, she’s somehow more delusional than Mafuyu.

Also what dafuq was that pufferfish face Shizuka??

P.S. I wonder if I translated the title wrongly. The raw is “静はかえんほうしゃを覚えた”. I thought it would be a pokemon reference or something but I could be wrong.

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Footnote:

1. None