Beautiful Barking Tsundere

Chapter 48

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/23

Ema's mother, who Aira has not seen in quite a while, has been happily smiling since earlier.

The four of them sit around the table that currently has the tea cakes from Hokkaido that she gifted them.

"It's been a while, you two. Have you been doing well?"
"Ye-yeah..."
"Sorry for suddenly barging in like this."
"Did something happen...?"

When Aira asks that, Yuuko and Aira's mother exchange glances.
After a moment of silence, the one to speak is Yuuko, Ema's mother.

"Since you two are living together, I figured I should pay a visit while I'm in Tokyo."

That safe response fills Aira with an indescribable sense of discomfort.

Since Aira has lived with her mother for 18 years, the two can notice the faintest changes in each other.

Aira has a feeling that their mothers are just as tense as she and Ema.

"Is that the real reason?"

When she looks into her mother's eyes, her mother doesn't look away.
With her face taut, Aira's mother speaks to them without wavering.

"...I'll just ask outright. Are you two dating?"
"What makes you think that...?"
"You can go to university from our house without any issues. Even so, you seemed strangely insistent about living with Ema-chan... It's fishy."
"That's because..."
"On the day of your graduation, you went straight to Ema-chan's place without eating at home. Even if you two are cousins and friends, no matter how I look at it, your behavior looks more like those of lovers, Aira."

How should she respond to that? Ema sees that Aira is hesitating over what to say and lends a helping hand.

"That's not true. We just get along really well as cousins."

Why do they have to lie?
Aira is no longer a high school student. No longer a kid.

She had waited patiently for the right to stand next to Ema proudly and finally obtained it.

The two of them both earnestly endured for the sake of this relationship.

They haven't done anything wrong, so why do they have to hide it?

Aira remembers what Ema looked like when she smoked.

"That's not true."

Keeping the fear that their mothers will reject their relationship at bay, Aira firmly conveys what she has to say.

"I'm dating Ema."

Aira's mom opens her eyes wide in shock.
In contrast, Yuuko's expression barely changes.

"...The one who confessed was me. However, we promised to only start dating once I graduated high school so that only started recently."
"...Why didn't you say anything?"
"...I didn't think the timing was right. Ema even suggested paying a visit and properly telling you... but I was against it."

With Ema sitting beside her, Aira firmly squeezes Ema's hand.

She doesn't want Ema to feel guilty about this relationship.

Ema had already been gravely hurt being in love before.
She had no choice but to keep the relationship with the person she loved a secret. Aira doesn't want to put her through that again.

Back when Aira realized her feelings, she decided to protect Ema no matter what.

"...I should have told you when I started living with her, so that was my fault... However, I'm proud to be dating Ema. I truly love Ema... so I won't forgive you if you say anything that will hurt her."

Hearing Aira's bold declaration, Yuuko bursts into laughter.

Everyone else present looks at her in confusion.

"...Yuuko, why are you laughing?"
"...I was just thinking how it's just like Ema says."

Once Yuuko calms down, she's still smiling.
It's her usual kind smile with no hint of anger or disgust mixed in.

"...I remembered how the last time Ema visited... she said how Aira-chan is just like a Pomeranian."
"A Pomeranian...?"

Aira glances at Ema, who immediately turns her face away.

"I get what she means now... Aira-chan is trying so hard to protect Ema... Even though she's so cute, she bravely bares her fangs just like a Pomeranian."
"Auntie Yuuko..."
"...Aira-chan is already in university, so you aren't going to complain, right, sis?"

Aira's mother nods reassuringly.
The thread of tension seems to have been cut. She begins drinking tea in her usual relaxed manner.

"If you're in a relationship, then you should have made things clear to us."
"Mama..."
"When your father is back, make sure to come over and tell him as well... He'll want to meet both you and Ema-chan."
"...I understand."

Aira honestly faced them without running away and gained their approval.
If she sincerely shows how proud she is of this relationship, then they'll be accepted by the people important to them.

The truth is, she had always been afraid.
In a corner of her mind, she always worried about what would happen if she got shunned by her mother and father.

Noticing her own trembling hands, she once again realizes how nervous she is.

Even though Aira's hand trembled pitifully, her beloved girlfriend held it the whole time.

Since she came all the way from Hokkaido, Yuuko leaves with Aira's mother to do some more sightseeing.

Aira and Ema see them out of the apartment building as Yuuko mentions how it's been a while since the two of them last had a trip between sisters.

In the middle of the elevator ride back to the apartment, Ema speaks to Aira.

"...You were so cool back there, Aira."
"What do you mean?"
"...When those two came, I was panicking and only thinking about how to trick them... But you faced them head-on."

Ema probably gave the issue a lot more thought as an adult than Aira.

This time, things worked out because their families accepted them, but Aira probably should have been a bit more tactful when revealing their relationship.

Aira entwines her fingers with the long slender fingers of her beloved.

"...I'm your Pomeranian, aren't I?"

Ema scratches her own cheek nervously.
Lately, Aira has even come to accept being likened to a Pomeranian.

In fact, if that means being a loyal dog who protects Ema, people can call her a Pomeranian as much as they like.

"No matter who I'm facing, I'll keep on barking to protect you, Ema."

Despite them being in the elevator, Ema pulls her into a tight hug.

"...Even though you're so cute, you're also so cool."

Aira smiles proudly hearing this.
Perhaps she's feeling emboldened by the joy of protecting her significant other.

She stretches herself a bit taller to give Ema a kiss, even though they're in the elevator.
This warmth on her lips is truly irresistible.