155 - The Setting Sun Piercing Through the Clouds

RAW

"Well then, excuse us."

Putting on his shoes at the entrance, Ishikura turned around and bowed.

"Come visit again. The brownies were really delicious."

Ikue, who had come to see them off, smiled warmly.

"Shizuku-chan, Tomoya-kun, you're always welcome. And of course, you too, Saki-chan."

"Yes, I'll be sure to visit again."

"Thank you. See you, Haruto and Tojo-san."

Shizuku bowed politely, and Tomoya gave a light wave to Haruto and Ayaka.

Next to him, Saki casually waved and said, "See you again, Ikue-mama~."

At that moment, Ryota, who had been clinging to Ikue’s leg, slowly stepped forward and looked up at Ishikura.

"Hm? What's wrong, Ryota-kun?"

Ishikura crouched down and asked, making Ryota flinch slightly before finally opening his mouth.

"...Thank you for today. The sweets were really delicious."

Thanks to the brownie effect, Ryota's fear had eased somewhat. Though still a bit nervous, he managed to bow to Ishikura.

"!?"

Ishikura's eyes widened in surprise at Ryota’s words of gratitude, but a bright smile soon spread across his face.

"I'm really happy that you liked them, Ryota-kun!"

"Ehehe…"

"What kind of sweets do you like?"

"Umm... I like cakes with strawberries on top."

"Oh, so you like shortcake! I'll make one for you next time!"

"R-Really? Thank you…"

Overwhelmed by Ishikura's enthusiasm, Ryota seemed a bit taken aback but still managed to nod and bow again.

Seeing their exchange, Shizuku reacted.

"Kazu-senpai, I'll have some shortcake too."

"Me too! I want some!"

"I'd like some as well..."

Following Shizuku, Saki eagerly raised her hand, while Ayaka muttered softly.

Noticing the girls' interest at the mention of "cake," Ikue smiled.

"If you don’t mind using our kitchen, feel free anytime."

"Ahaha, thank you. I might take you up on that soon."

Grateful for Ikue’s offer, Ishikura bowed, and Haruto chimed in.

"When that happens, please teach me some tricks and recipes again."

"Of course, anytime."

Ishikura nodded readily. Seeing the exchange, Tomoya spoke in his usual relaxed tone.

"Looks like this is my debut as a pastry boy."

Hearing that, Saki teased him.

"You're more of a 'snacking boy.' If I cooked with you, we’d probably only have half of the recipe left."

"That's an exaggeration, Aizawa-san. I have self-control, okay? I only eat up to a third."

"That's still way too much!"

Haruto immediately called him out, making the group burst into laughter as they left the Tojo residence with a final "Excuse us."

For a while, the four of them walked through the residential area. The rain that had been falling when they arrived had stopped.

At the fork leading to the station, they paused.

"Ah, we're heading this way."

"Oh, right. Saki-chan, you take the train."

"Yep. Kazuki-senpai, thanks for the treats! I’m looking forward to the next shortcake!"

Saki, now completely relaxed around Ishikura, saluted him cheerfully.

Ishikura responded with a grin. "You got it."

"Alright then, see you later, Kazuaki-senpai, Shizuku-chan!"

Tomoya and Saki waved before heading towards the station.

Watching their backs, Shizuku placed a hand on her chin.

"Those two look good together."

"Hm? You think so?"

"Yes. My sensor is going beep beep—strong reaction."

"Huh?"

Ishikura didn’t seem very interested, making Shizuku sigh dramatically and start walking home.

"This is why Kazu-senpai is hopeless. You should pay more attention to romance."

"It's not that I’m indifferent."

Ishikura walked beside her and continued.

"I'm just not interested in guessing other people’s feelings."

"Well, as expected from a demon like you. You don’t understand human emotions."

"You little—"

As always, Shizuku playfully teased him, but instead of responding, she looked up at the sky.

"The rain stopped."

"Yeah."

"The sun is peeking through the clouds."

"Yeah."

"It's a beautiful sky. Totally doesn’t suit you, though."

Sunbeams pierced through gaps in the thick clouds, casting a golden glow over them.

Shizuku, expressionless as always, gazed at the enchanting sky as she walked.

"Stormy weather suits you better, Kazu-senpai. It makes your scary face stand out more. In a sky like this, you lose half your intimidation."

"……"

Ishikura suddenly stopped walking.

Noticing this after a few steps, Shizuku tilted her head.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Shizuku, you…"

"Are you mad? Did I make you mad?"

She remained expressionless but her words seemed almost teasing.

However, knowing her for so long, Ishikura could see the uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

"I'm not mad. I couldn’t be. I wouldn’t be."

"?? Are you trying to act like a nice guy?"

"That wouldn't work on you anyway."

"True. I already know how much of a brute you are."

"You—"

Ishikura sighed but then turned serious, gazing at her intently.

"Hm? What’s with that intense stare? A love confession? Sorry, but I'm devoted to Haru-se—no, actually, I’m an independent, noble woman."

She changed her words midway.

"Shizuku, you…"

"What? Just so you know, I have an iron heart."

Before Ishikura could say anything, she started walking again, as if trying to escape.

Ishikura reached out and gently grabbed her arm.

He had known Shizuku since childhood.

The three of them—himself, Haruto, and Shizuku—had always been close, trusting each other. That’s why he noticed.

Something about her was different today.

From the moment they started making sweets, it had become more obvious.

To most people, she seemed the same as always.

But to Ishikura, who had spent years by her side, the change was too significant to ignore.

"You… had a hard time today, didn’t you?"

"...Huh? Why would I? That makes no sense."

Her expression tightened slightly. She tried to pull her arm away.

But Ishikura didn’t let go.

"I know you’ve always liked Haruto."

"So what? That has nothing to do with you."

She spoke as if pushing him away.

Once again, she tried to pull away.

But Ishikura held on.

"It does. It matters to me."

All day, Shizuku had been teasing him. Almost like she was trying to throw something out.

Ishikura knew.

He knew where her heart had been.

And now, he knew it had nowhere to go.

"...Why does it matter to you? Do you like me or something?"

Ishikura made up his mind.

Haruto had taken a step forward.

Now, it was his turn.

"Yeah. I like you."

"...What?"

"I've always liked you."

"Wh— Wha— WHAT!?"

Her usual expressionless face shattered. Her eyes widened, and her mouth hung open.

"Y-you— You can’t just say that in public!"

"I'm serious, so I don't care."

"Aaahhh!?"

Ishikura smiled.

"If you still love Haruto, that's fine. Don't forget it. I love all of you—including the part of you that loved him."

"Y-you’re a pervert with a cuckold fetish!?"

"You idiot, that’s not it!"

"B-Baka! You’re a brute, a villain, a demon, a—"

As Shizuku panicked, Ishikura tightened his grip.

This time, he wouldn't let go.

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He is going for it, I hope they won't be weird with each other.

As I said last time, as soon as there is a chapter I will post it as soon as I notice it, I also said that I was going to translate another story, but the one I found nice is abandoned, that is to say that there is no more RAW for 6 months so I am a little disappointed.

There is another one that I really like and the one who translates it has not posted new chapters for 1 month so I will probably pick up where it left off, its this one so read these before reading the new chapters!