6 Main Heroines Who Absolutely Want to Monopolize Me - Volume 1 Chapter 4.3

Ex-Girlfriend, Childhood Friend, and Stepsister 3

“Now then, let’s decide who the other person will be.”

“How about rock-paper-scissors?”

As Sakiho twisted her hand to form a fist and tried to peek into it, Osaki grabbed her wrist.

“Wait a moment, Shinagawa-san.”

“What’s the matter?”

“How about you withdraw? In fact, it’s not a good idea to go with Hirakawa-kun.”

“Do you think I’d fall for such a lie? Being in Shinichi’s field of view for as long as possible is advantageous. The longer I’m with Shinichi, the better.”

Sakiho frowned, and Osaki shook her head with a sigh.

“It’s not a lie. Didn’t they say it’s better not to be together when you’re nervous? Think about it calmly. The person going shopping with him will be together before and after Hirakawa-kun drives the bike. Do you think someone can relax while driving a bike?”

“That…makes sense…? Hmm…?”

“It’s puzzling.”

As Sakiho was about to accept it but couldn’t completely agree, Maion beside her furrowed her brow.

“Like Sumire-san, Maion think it’s disadvantageous to go shopping with Onīchan. I don’t think you’ll feel relaxed during shopping, but why does Sumire-san give such advice? If both Sakiho-san and Maion withdraw, then Sumire-san will be the one to go. Do you want to go, Sumire-san?”

“That is…”

Osaki looked taken aback as she was pressed for an answer.

“That’s true! Osaki Sumire, why? I can’t help but think there’s something more to it.”

“There’s nothing behind it. I just feel that I am at a disadvantage compared to both of you…”

After a short pause for thought, she continued.

“B-because of both of you… Y-yes, Maion-san, who lived together with Hirakawa-kun, and Shinagawa-san, who’s his childhood friend. Normally, you two would be the ones who can make him relax. That’s why, even if it involves some risks, I thought I should increase the time I spend with Hirakawa-kun. That’s all.”

Osaki spoke unusually talkatively.

“…I see. I understand what Osaki Sumire is trying to say.”

“Shinagawa-san!”

In response to Sakiho’s words, Osaki’s eyes lit up with hope.

“Well then, how about rock-paper-scissors?”

“Huh?”

However, the next moment, her eyes darkened with question marks.

“Um, Shinagawa-san? Were you listening…? So, all you have to do is decline…”

“You know, Osaki Sumire?”

Again, Sakiho had a look on her face that said, ‘Are you an idiot?”

“I just want to go on a shopping date with Shinichi while he recognizes me.”

“It’s as if you’re saying there’s a shopping date where Onīchan doesn’t recognize you…”

That’s usually what happens…

***

I finally arrived at the supermarket and she followed me, carrying a shopping basket.

“Onīchan, you’re walking a bit too fast.”

“Ah, sorry…”

In the end, Maion won the rock-paper-scissors.

Sakiho and Osaki tried to start a rock-paper-scissors game together, but Maion said, ‘Maion absolutely wants to win here,’ and then, using psychological warfare tactics like, ‘Maion will choose paper,’ she indeed chose paper and won on her own.

“Hey, wasn’t Maion supposed to not participate in rock-paper-scissors?”

“I never said anything like that. I just said that it’s disadvantageous to go with Onīchan.”

“You just said it’s disadvantageous to go with Onīchan…”

What’s the difference?

“Besides, do you think Maion wouldn be able to handle a situation where she’s alone under the same roof with either Sumire-san or Sakiho-san?”

“I guess the bride candidates are not getting along?”

“Of course we’re not on good terms, but that’s not the point. Maion can only be alone with Onīchan.”

Maion pouted.

“And also, Maion really wanted to have time alone with Onīchan without anyone else interrupting.”

“I see…”

Although she’s saying something quite significant, Maion still maintains her usual indifferent expression.

If I only take her words at face value, it seems like she likes me.

“It’s strange. Why is your face turning red? I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, it will result in negative points, so don’t look at me like that.”

“I can’t tell if you likes me or hates me…”

“It’s not about liking or hating. Maion just wanted to have time alone with Onīchan without anyone else interrupting. Don’t make me say it again.”

“Got it…”

Well, whether we can actually have uninterrupted time is uncertain.

“So, what are we buying?”

“Ah…”

I took out two pieces of paper.

To ensure fairness, I decided that I would take both of their shopping lists and buy everything responsibly so that no unfairness arises.

If I leave it to Maion, there’s a possibility she won’t buy everything or remove items from the basket.

Osaki’s shopping list was written on a plain white piece of paper, but Sakiho’s list was…

“This is inexplicable. I don’t understand why she would give us something like this… “

Seeing it, Maion frowned.

The reason was that Sakiho’s list was written on the margin of her own selfie photo.

It seems like she’s using the principle mentioned in the conversation with Juujo-san that even in photos and videos, she will be within my field of view.

So instead of Maion, who went shopping with me, she wants to make sure she gets the points by keeping herself in my sight.

“Why does Sakiho carry around her own photo? Is she really into herself or something?”

“Well… It’s a picture of me and Sakiho in a recent two-shot.”

“Two-shot…? Where is Onīchan in this photo…? Wow.”

Maion, upon finding me in the photo, lets out a surprised voice, and it’s no wonder because me in the picture is really small in the background.

Even animals that won’t come close when taking photos at the zoo are still a bit closer.

“This is practically like voyeurism…”

“Well, yeah…”

I sigh and start walking again.

While we were walking together like this at the supermarket, I thought of something.

“It’s strange. While we were walking together like this at the supermarket…”

Maion says exactly what’s on my mind, and I chuckle a bit.

“Maion thought the same thing?”

“You thought the same thing too, Onīchan?”

“Yeah.”

And at the same time, Maion and I blush.

“It’s like we’re brother and sister.”

“It’s like a married couple.”

Huh?

As I express my surprise, Maion blushes and goes, ‘Ah…’

“Maion…”

“I don’t understand. Don’t you have any sense of delicacy, Onīchan?”

With a slightly moody expression that suits a teenage girl, Maion turns away her head.