I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 176

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#.176

Edgar, who had asked urgently and was waiting for an answer, was tensely frozen stiff like someone waiting for test results.

“It’s not okay.”

“See, I told you.”

“But if we grow apart, wouldn’t that be proof that we weren’t meant to be? If it’s a feeling that would cool because of distance, it would surely disappear someday anyway.”

“How can you say such a thing…”

“It’s a realistic problem. I think this is better than adding unnecessary words and getting hurt twice as much later.”

“You’re really cold-hearted.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Anyone would have this perspective if their sisters had international marriages or dated foreigners.”

“…Don’t eat mine.”

Edgar suddenly snatched his plate away with a sulky face.

Yet he barely touched his food, just halfheartedly spinning his fork around. He seemed quite troubled.

I don’t know what kind of fantasy he had, having grown up watching his cousins live through international marriages.

In the end, he left more than half his food and rushed out of the dining hall.

“Are you sulking?”

“I’m not sulking.”

“Then are you angry?”

“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed.”

Edgar stopped walking and turned around to look down at me.

In Trowance, I had never seen such a heavy gaze from peers my age.

I don’t know if it’s because this place is the Empire, a society with many responsibilities and duties, or if Edgar’s individual personality influenced it.

What’s certain is that it’s a face that makes all my questions about sulking or being angry seem foolish.

“…I wish you would like me as much as I like you. Then you wouldn’t be able to say such things.”

How hot and how deep must be the feeling of liking only the same person, both in the previous life I can’t remember and in this life?

Since it’s hard for me to fully understand, I felt a little sorry for Edgar.

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

Edgar is really consistent, both in his previous life and now.

Even though the growth backgrounds and situations of the two time periods are quite different, his heavy presence and serious attitude are the same.

Edgar, who had been staring at me intently, let out a low sigh with his eyebrows drooping.

“There are still two months left before the exchange program ends. Don’t worry about such things already.”

“It’s only two months. …Let’s hurry. You said you had something to buy at the general store.”

Not wanting to create a more serious atmosphere, Edgar brought up a different topic and headed toward the general store.

I responded appropriately, but the words I just heard kept coming to mind.

“I wish you would like me as much as I like you. Then you wouldn’t be able to say such things.”

I became troubled too for no reason.

Though I like Edgar, I didn’t want to worry about it starting two whole months before I had to return home.

‘But with Edgar’s personality, he must be very concerned.’

The reason he ignored my letters was also because he couldn’t handle the reality of me returning to Trowance.

So if I leave this time, he’ll obviously have a harder time than before.

I glanced sideways to steal a look at Edgar. Edgar was browsing something at another display.

In the meantime, I purchased an item, had it wrapped, and received the bag.

“Let’s go. I bought everything.”

“What did you buy? It’s quite big.”

“I won’t tell you.”

“Give it to me. I’ll carry it.”

“No. I have to carry this myself. Let’s hurry. If we’re late, Liliana will nag.”

I headed home, ignoring Edgar. As I quickened my pace, Edgar asked.

“Should I carry your bag?”

“It’s fine. There’s nothing much inside, so it’s not heavy.”

“Want to play card games after dinner?”

“No. Yesterday you and Antonio conspired to make me come in last place.”

“Then let’s team up today. I’ll help you win.”

“In that case, sure.”

Edgar walked at a pace matching my stride and continued asking questions.

“What are you going to do on the weekend?”

“Well. I don’t have plans yet. I’m thinking about whether to go see a play with Antonio or have fun making cakes with Liliana.”

“I said I’d do well, so take me along. Why aren’t there any plans to do things with me?”

“You didn’t say anything. I thought you weren’t interested.”

“Then I’ll say it now. Play with me. Let’s play games together, take walks, and explore the attic.”

The walk and attic exploration were plans I had rejected when Edgar had just confessed to me and I felt uncomfortable.

I held back the laughter that was about to escape because it was cute how he remembered everything and mentioned it again.

As I put strength into my twitching mouth corners, Edgar asked curiously.

“Why?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Behind Edgar, I could see the sky burning red like roses. The sunset was already setting.

Perhaps because dinner time was approaching, the streets were crowded with people getting off work.

“Ah.”

Just before bumping into a man in a thick jacket, Edgar pulled me toward him.

As his long arm wrapped around my shoulders, I unconsciously hugged the bag tightly.

Since it was a main street, I almost got bumped into several times, so Edgar, unable to bear it anymore, suggested.

“Let’s take a different route.”

“Ah, okay.”

Edgar grabbed my sleeve and slipped into an alley.

The alley was narrow, so for us to walk side by side, our arms had to be pressed together.

I hugged the bag tightly until it was a mess and hunched my shoulders, but even so, my clothes brushed against Edgar’s with every step.

Meanwhile, Edgar still hadn’t let go of my sleeve.

Occasionally, the hand holding my sleeve bumped into my hand. When that happened, my hand felt as hot as if it had been burned.

I didn’t know what conversation to have. Actually, I couldn’t say anything at all.

All my nerves were focused on my hand. The sound of our footsteps seemed particularly loud.

Then I didn’t see a box thrown on one side of the ground and my body leaned forward.

It was because the bag I was holding was so big that I couldn’t see below properly.

“Ah!”

As my body swayed, Edgar moved his hand down from my sleeve and grabbed my hand tightly.

Thanks to his strong support, I didn’t end up falling disgracefully.

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”

“Give me that.”

Edgar took the bag from my arms before I could even hand it over. After checking the weight and shape, he asked.

“It’s a doll. Are you giving it to Edgar?”

“Well… Anyway. What did you buy?”

“Nothing much either.”

We had a brief conversation as we exited the alley.

I stiffened and only looked ahead. Edgar was the same. Even after leaving the alley, Edgar didn’t let go of my hand.

It was a bit flustering, but I didn’t push Edgar away. I just let him hold it like that, continuously.

His large hand trapped mine. As my hand felt ticklish and I wiggled my fingers, Edgar’s body flinched.

Edgar carefully intertwined our fingers. His large hand entangled with mine.

I felt pressure from our interlocked hands. Our touching palms were damp with sweat. There was no conversation between us.

Even without looking in a mirror, I could tell how red my face was.

I could probably insist that my face only looked red because of the sunset glow. The same went for Edgar.

As we were conscious of each other’s steps, our breathing could be heard clearly.

My chest went thump thump thump, my fingertips tingled, my stomach fluttered, and my toes felt prickly.

Every time our arms brushed, I swallowed my breath. I never would have imagined that the hem of clothes could be so distracting.

Our shadows stretched long in front of us. Seeing our shadows holding hands tightly with quite a height difference between us somehow made me laugh.

I thought I had finished going through puberty last year, but seeing how my mood kept changing so quickly, I guess I’m still a child.

I loved this time so much that I felt like I’d be purely happy when I remembered today after becoming an adult.

I hoped Edgar would be by my side then so we could reminisce together.

* * *

We arrived just barely in time for dinner.

Even though I had snacked earlier, maybe because I’m at the age where I’m always eating, I got hungry again when I saw the food.

So I didn’t go back to my room and instead took a seat right there in the Dining Hall.

“Both of your faces are red. Did something happen?”

“He kept being annoying so we had it out.”

“Obviously it was your mistake, Liliana. Hurry up and apologize.”

“Whose side are you on, Liliana?”

“The homeowner’s side.”

I was annoyed that our Liliana seemed to have been stolen away by just one house.

However, since the house Edgar provided for Liliana and her husband was as good as the Ducal Residence, I decided to let it slide this once.

“But Antonio, why does the kid look half-dead? Did something happen to you? Did Chris grab you again asking to do some research?”

“Liliana. It seems the Government is in an uproar because of the Lazas Incident. They formally protested, saying it’s a huge problem that students got caught up in such an accident.”

“Is that why Protagonist’s Older Brother isn’t here? But what does the Government being in an uproar have to do with us?”

Liliana, who had been quietly listening to my question, gave a brief answer.

“It means you have to return to Trowance next week.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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