Beautiful Barking Tsundere

Chapter 2

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/09/13

Even through the eyes of Aira, her mother, a former magazine model, has a pretty appearance.

Combined with her deceptively youthful looks for her age, no one would think she has a daughter in high school.

Ever since marrying Aira's father, an office worker, she has become a full-time housewife. Every day, she cheerfully welcomes Aira home.

"I'm home."

Normally, she'll immediately hear, "Welcome back," but there's no reply today.

Thinking it strange, Aira walks down the corridor into the living room and finds her mother looking unusually distressed.

"Mama, what's wrong?"
"Aira, I need you to remain calm as you listen to me... your father got into an accident."

Unable to believe the words that left her mother's mouth, Aira's legs become unsteady.

It has been nearly a year since her father left for Osaka on his own for the sake of his work.

There's no way Aira could remain calm in the face of this tragedy that has befallen her father who she only gets to see occasionally.

"You're not kidding...?"
"It's the truth... that's why I'll be going to see your father tomorrow."
"I'll go as well... How bad is it...? Is his life in danger..."
"Oh, it's not. He's still conscious."

After that casual response, the tears that had been threatening to fall out quickly retreat.

As she gradually regains her composure, her mother explains the situation further.

"Though he's got broken bones in his dominant arm... it's going to be hard for him to go about his daily life for a while, so I'll be staying with him and helping him. It's sounding like it will take about 3 months... that's what he said during our video call."
"Ah, just a false alarm... don't freak me out like that."

He still got injured, but it's nothing life-threatening.

Feeling relieved, the tension leaves Aira's shoulders and she pouts her lips.
She begins to head back to her room, but her mother stops her by grabbing her arm. Looks like the conversation isn't over yet.

"What?"
"I can't leave you all alone here."
"I'm already 17, you know? I'm in my second year of high school, so being home alone for..."
"No. What are you going to do if something happens?"

Her mom is gentle but quite stubborn.
She's especially overprotective when it comes to her daughter.

"I talked to Yuuko, she said Ema-chan can look after you for a while."
"Huh...?"

That bombshell leaves Aira at a loss for words again.
Her mother, clueless about Aira's reservations, continues talking in her pleasant tone.

"Ema-chan is already 23 years old now. I haven't seen her in a while, but I hear she came to Tokyo and is still living here now..."
"Wait. It's been years since the two of us last met. It's just too awkward. No way."
"What are you saying? Ema-chan is so nice. Besides, Yuuko already informed her."

Ichijou Yuuko is Aira's mother's younger sister and Aira's aunt.
Ema is the eldest daughter of the Ichijou family.
She's 23 years old this year and Aira has no idea what she's doing now.

Aira heard Ema moved from Hokkaido to Tokyo after entering university but she has never once met Ema even though they are now in the same city.

Though they are cousins, there's a six-year age gap between them, so they can not be said to be particularly close.

"I'm sure Ema thinks it's a bother."
"Hm? Ema-chan said that she'd be happy to."
"Ugh..."
"I e-mailed you the address earlier. I'll be going to the night bus now so I can't take you, but be sure to go to Ema-chan's place, okay?"

After quickly getting ready, Aira's mother leaves with a suitcase in hand.

The idea of pretending to go to Ema's place came to mind, but if her mother finds out, Aira won't be getting away with just a slap on the wrist.

"Looks like she really sent the address..."

Aira lets out a sigh as she stares at her smartphone's screen.

Even if it's just for a few months, there's no way life between two cousins with a 6-year age gap who haven't seen each other for almost 5 years will go smoothly.

Aira lets out another dejected sigh as she imagines the future to come.

After packing her suitcase with her underwear, perfume, and other essentials, Aira adds her favorite clothes as well.

Aira places her school uniform at the very end and zips up the suitcase.

"...What a drag."

Now, she must head to Ichijou Ema's place with this suitcase.

Her commute to school will become longer and she'll awkwardly be living together with a cousin she's not particularly close with.

The beginning of a life that she's not looking forward to at all weighs heavily on Aira's mind.

Since Aira aimed for the time of day when there would be as few people as possible, she manages to arrive at the nearest station while avoiding the traffic rush.

Even though it is only the first night, Aira's gloomy mood has not cleared up and she heads for Ichijou Ema's home with her suitcase in hand.

There are many couples and groups of friends around here, most of them young.
The station is one of the prime locations in Tokyo and a popular place to hang out during weekends.

While hearing the rattling of her suitcase, she uses a map app to guide her.

"That person should have become a working adult starting this year, right...?"

Aira heard that Ema came to Tokyo for university, but she hasn't gone to see her at all.

After all, the two of them aren't that close.

She's not particularly interested in catching up with her.

She's sure that Ema feels the same way.