Watashi, Dokidoki Renai Kakumei de Onii-chan Yattemasu

The Quarrel and the Dog and the Wolf (4)

Although we came to Tachibana Station for the privately-owned cake shop that's said to be hugely popular with girls――La Angela, Ichigo-chan have been doing nothing but glaring at the inside of the shop as he stands in front of it, completely refusing to enter. It's already been like this for tens of minutes. Upon seeing Ichigo-chan, the girls leaving the shop set off quickly in a frightened manner.

　It's like a wild dog slipping into a rabbit pen or a wolf wandering into a flock of sheep. Even though he's tall and muscular like Soutarou, there's something different about Ichigo-chan. Is it the 'wildness' he exudes? While Ichigo-chan is like a wild animal, Soutarou is more gentle and gives a sense of reassurance.

"Ain't you entering, Ichigo-chan?"

"Stop callin' me 'Ichigo-chan'. Rather, there's no way I can enter a place like this, right. So uncomfortable."

　Certainly, the shop is filled with young females in their 10s, 20s and 30s. There's no doubt that Ichigo-chan and I will stand out if we enter it. My facial features are on the delicate side so I may pass as a guy who likes sweets, but Ichigo-chan's appearance is way too intense. While I don't think it's strange, at all, to munch on cakes with a stern face, one will probably stand out in a bad way if he glares at his surroundings so much.

"But the cakes here are amazingly good."

　The strawberry shortcake I had when I came with Subaru before, the taste of its rich fresh cream along with the sweet-and-sour strawberry was excellent.

　My stomach is all ready for cakes, but won't I have to give up on them if Ichigo-chan is unwilling to budge? If so, we can only go to the usual family restaurant or the ramen stall in front of the train station. Honestly though, I'm already starting to get sick of those two.

"Ah, Mako-chan!"

　Just as I was restless with thoughts of wanting to eat cake and was absent-mindedly staring at the end of Ichigo-chan's gaze and his unwillingness to enter the shop, I heard an angel's voice from behind.

　It's the voice of the cutest girl in the world, Sakurai Mitsuki.

"Maーkoーchaaan."

　Clad in a checkered pleated skirt with navy blue socks and a cream-coloured knitted vest, a tiny angel is approaching with a jog.

　I opened my arms, wanting to hug Mitsuki who's emitting flowers and something sparkly as she runs.

"Mitsuki!"

"Sheesh, don't hug me in a place like this."

"Are you two always this lovey-dovey?"

　Adjacent to mi dolce angel Mitsuki is Hasumi with an astounded expression. It appears that they are on their way home from school together.

　Really, what a foolish question. My like for Mitsuki isn't something new. There's no way anyone wouldn't like being hugged by such a cute girl. Even so, we aren't being lovey-dovey. All in all, I'm just being doting.

"What are you doing all the way here, Mitsuki?"

"Nah, did you use to speak like this, Sakurai? Your voice and way of speaking are super sweet, y'know!"

　Of course I'll speak gently when it comes to Mitsuki. After all, Mitsuki is my little sister.

　Still, why are Hasumi's cheeks red? Was there anything that would cause her embarrassment in the happenings so far?

"There's no club activities today so Yun-chan and I came to have cake together. Right, Yun-chan?"

"Yep, that's right. Sakurai and your friend over there also came to have cake, right?"