Beautiful Barking Tsundere

Chapter 27

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/02

After opening the windows for ventilation, Aira begins vacuuming.
The autumn breeze just before winter feels pleasantly cool.

She finishes cleaning the living room and bedroom before standing in front of the streaming studio.

Since she was told this room is off-limits, she never cleaned it but she remembers how dusty it was the last time she entered.

Taking advantage of Ema's absence, she sneaks in.

It should be fine since she's not doing anything bad. She opens the windows and begins vacuuming.

Looking at the bookshelf and racks, the top is covered in a layer of dust.

"So dirty..."

Unable to take it, she brings in a wet rag and begins scrubbing the shelf.

She wipes while being extra careful to not knock over the figures or the piles of books.

"Ah..."

She sees that framed photo.
The one of Ema in middle school with Tsuyama Megumi.

Then, next to that is the photo of the two of them as adults.

"...What's with this?"

She picks them up and soon regrets it.
Driven by unsightly jealousy, Aira is tempted to just throw these photos away.

This woman is the one that causes Ema to cry in her dreams.
Aira detests... and envies this woman who has a monopoly on Ema's heart so much.

She envies the woman named Tsuyama Megumi for being loved by Ema.

This person stole Ema away...
From both Ema's parents and Aira.

Without putting them back in their original places, Aira tries to leave the room with the photos still in her hands.

That's when she sees Ema leaning against the entrance.

"What are you doing?"
"..."

She was so focused on cleaning that she didn't notice Ema had returned.

"Ah..."
"Why do you have the photos of Tsuyama-sensei?"
"...That's none of your business."
"Huh? What kind of attitude is that after taking someone else's stuff?"

Not in her usual playful mood, Ema sounds seriously angry.

Seeing Ema like this for the first time, Aira internally panics, not knowing what to do.

"This... this is..."

Just as she's about to come up with some excuse, a ringtone interrupts them.

The source is Ema's smartphone and because of how close they are to each other, Aira can see who the caller is.

"...I'm going to step out for a moment."

When Ema tries to leave the room, Aira grabs her arm.

Aira looks down to desperately hold back the tears that are about to overflow at any moment.

"...Aira?"
"Don't..."
"Eh...?"
"Don't answer the phone."

Aira's voice trembles as she pleads. Ema turns to face her.

"What's wrong...?"
"...Do you love that person?"
"Aira..."
"Didn't you cry while calling out her name...? Isn't that the person who hurt  you...?"