The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 8Volume 2 .2 - Im Glad Yuzukis Neighbor Is You

ROUND 8 – I’m Glad Yuzuki’s Neighbor Is You 2

After a long silence, Rika spoke up.

『To be honest, I don’t really understand what an ideal sister should be like or what Emoto Ruru is thinking. The relationship between siblings varies from person to person.』

“I see. It must be hard to answer such a question so suddenly. My bad.”

『But you see, I want to be Suzu’s most reliable person. That much is certain.』

Rika’s voice through the wireless earphones was filled with confidence.

『Suzu, you have many friends at school, and even though I’m older, you’re much more put-together than me. Maybe you’d be fine without me. But still, I want to be there for you, to be the first to offer a hand if you ever get lost. I think that’s the ideal at the heart of my desire to be your Onee-san.』

I guess that being an ‘older sister’ wasn’t about age or being a senpai. It was about one’s way of life.

『Maybe Emoto Ruru feels the same. She probably wants to be a role model for Arisu Yuzuki.』

“Is that something she can’t achieve just by being a member of the idol group?”

『Because being a member implies being an idol first and foremost. Emoto Ruru wants to be connected to Arisu Yuzuki beyond work. If they are a family, they can still be together forever even if the idol days are over. Because family ties never fade.』

Rika continued.

『Like family, I want our relationship to remain unchanged. If we can have that kind of bond, if we can have a relationship that will never change… that would be my happiness.』

I see. Rika wanted to stay close to me forever regardless of home distance or school.

Unless you’re family, a day will come when you have to part ways. Everyone will walk their own paths someday.

Knowing this, I was happy that Rika cherished me. Emoto-san must feel the same about Yuzuki.

“I didn’t realize you had thought so much about it.”

『Of course! I’m Suzu’s Onee-san after all!』

I could imagine Rika winking playfully on the other end of the phone, though probably ending up just blinking with both eyes closed.

In the background of the call, I could hear my father calling her. It was almost time to open the shop.

『Sorry, I have to go soon.』

“Yeah, thanks. You’ve been a big help.”

As Rika was about to hang up, I spoke up.

“I’ll be counting on you from now on, Rika Onee-san.”

『Leave it to me!』

Her cheerful voice was soothing to hear.

Finally tapping the ‘End Call’ button, I muttered to myself.

“I guess having a sister is a nice thing.”

☆ ☆ ☆

Returning to my apartment, I collected flyers from the mailbox and took the elevator.

I stared blankly at the weekly weather forecast displayed on the LCD screen inside the elevator and got off on the eighth floor.

Turning left, I walk all the way down the communal hallway.

“…Huh?”

I couldn’t help but let out a sound.

I found someone sitting in a hunched position in front of room 810. Motionless, the woman in the dress seemed unaware of my presence.

“...Uh”

The woman looked up. Her usually sharp eyes were filled with fatigue.

The large tote bag beside her had lost its shape, looking worn out on the hallway floor.

“…Mamori-san.” Emoto-san’s voice lacked any strength.

Her usually glossy loose side tail has lost its shine, her jade-colored eyes lack their usual sparkle, and faint traces of tears can be seen on her cheeks.

“Have you been here all day again… maybe since the morning?”

“Waiting for hours is a common occurrence on site.”

With a frail reply and a lonely smile, Emoto-san looked like a patient with not much time left.

“I thought I had no choice but to wait here since I can’t get in touch with Yuzuki.”

Emoto-san is clearly not in her usual state of mind. She must not have been sleeping or eating well, her mind wasn’t functioning properly.

“Yuzuki has already left for work. She won’t be back until tonight at the earliest, and waiting here won’t…”

“Is that so. Then I just have to endure for half a day more…”

“No, no, no! You’ll ruin your health if you keep sitting around here!”

“It’s not a problem. Unlike the busy Yuzuki, I have some time off for a while.”

What do you mean it’s not a problem? Neglecting her own health and yet trying to take care of Yuzuki is beyond irresponsible.

At this point, this is beyond sisterly concern. It’s self-sacrifice.

Meeting Yuzuki in such a battered state will only cause worry, not make amends.

“Please don’t worry about me. I’m doing this of my own accord.”

Emoto-san forced a smile, weakly laughing.

“…Alright.”

If she insists, I won’t push her further.

I open the door to room 809, place the shopping bags I was carrying down, and pull up her arm with my now free hand.

“Ah, wha, Mamori-san?”

Caught off guard, Emoto-san lets out a confused sound.

If she’s going to do as she pleases, then I’ll do as I please too.

“Please come in. I’ll at least serve you some tea.”

As I place the mug of green tea on the low table, Emoto-san wraps both hands around it and drinks it down in one go.

She must have been very thirsty. Perhaps she hadn’t had anything to drink or eat since morning.

While I’m pouring a refill, her eyes awkwardly dart around as if looking for an escape.

“Is Yuzuki… doing well?”

“She’s gotten better now.”

I answer honestly, and Emoto-san simply murmurs, “I see.”

I wonder how she knew that Yuzuki and I were together, but it’s a natural conclusion to reach if both our rooms were empty.

Silence follows for a while.

“I’ve been wondering for some time, Mamori-san, do you like Yuzuki?”

“Yes, I do. As a member of the opposite sex.”

I decided to be clear about it this time.

There’s no reason to deny it anymore.

“…If Yuzuki started dating me, would you oppose it?”

“I can’t even imagine my cute little sister having a boyfriend… Absolutely not, I would hate it.”

Her answer was refreshingly clear.

“I would absolutely hate it, but… I wouldn’t deny it. If that’s what Yuzuki wishes.”

Emoto-san takes a sip of her second cup of tea and sighs.

“I thought for sure you would do anything to stop it.”

“I’m sure I would complain about this and that, but in the end, I think I would accept it. To deny Yuzuki’s lover is to deny Yuzuki’s feelings for that person.”

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Emoto-san had a complex expression.

Regardless of who it was, it must be too lonely for her to even imagine Yuzuki having a boyfriend.