I Can Distinguish the Twin Sister - Chapter 34

The Meaning of their Name

“Rin’ne and Yomi… Why do you think they are named that? “

“Why… isn’t that a common name given to people?”

“That’s true. But Rin’ne and Yomi… Each of these words is associated with death, and don’t you think they have some special role to play? “

“…don’t be ridiculous..”

(TN: 輪廻, Rin’ne, Samsara, an endless cycle of death and rebirth. 黄泉, Yomi, The Underworld, I guess it’s something like a place of departed souls.)

　What is she talking about…?

　The woman in front of me giggled…and I was miffed because it was pretty annoying to be laughed at without knowing what she was trying to say.

“Fufu, I’m sorry. But perhaps… It could really mean something significant, you know? Rin’ne and Yomi… come on, aren’t you getting curious? “

“…well, not really? Even if their names mean something, after I meet them, Rin’ne and Yomi are precious friends to me.

” …… “

　I tell her confidently, and she retorts languidly.

“That’s boring. You could at least pretend to care.”

“I don’t have to care. I don’t like it when people talk about special roles like we’re in some Manga or Anime――we’re living in the real world, and there’s no such thing. “

“Muu…is a really boring guy.”

“Stop talking.”

　I’m getting annoyed too.

　When I glared at her, I thought she understood, then she turned her back on me.

“… Seriously, really boring~.”

“Shut up――

* * *

――Shut up …what? “

　I shouted loudly and opened my eyes to find an unfamiliar ceiling filling my vision.

　As I was thinking where am I… I wandered my eyes and saw Rin’ne’s face peering at me …… What am I doing?

“Err… what’s going on out of the blue? Is it because I was asking you questions before, was it that annoying? “

“Ah… uh, no, it’s… not about that. Actually――”

　I told Rin’ne about the person. Or rather, the dream I had in my head.

　I mean, I… fell asleep and went to bed, and I was on Rin’ne;s lap, but I don’t remember how it happened.

“It was a strange dream. Fufu, a meaning to our name…?”

” Ah….But it is, actually, a strange name, isn’t it? “

“I guess so. I was surprised as a child when I found out the meaning.”

　I’ve called their names many times before, but today is the first time I’ve asked them about the meaning of their names.

　But, as I told the girl in my dream, their names don’t mean anything to me, nor do they play any role in my life… They seem to be normal, just like the others.

“What about Yomi? “

“She’s in the bathroom. She’ll be right back.”

“I see…”

　She’ll be right back… then I’d better get up.

　I wasn’t that tired, but I must have slept very deeply.

“You can lie down more, you know? “

“No, it’s a little too much.”

“And you know, I love to watch Akito-kun’s sleeping face… Can’t I? “

“I’m embarrassed, so no.”

“….Muu!”

　Lie down… I mean, you’re asking me to sleep on your lap, right?

　It’s very rare for someone to puff out her cheeks when she gets rejected for something, and I don’t think there is anyone else like that except Rin’ne… Can I say something?

　Why is your puffy face so cute?

” ……? “

” ……っ “

　After the topic of the lap pillow passed, we waited for Yomi’s return… but there was a mysterious moment when we stared at each other without exchanging a single word.

　I felt defeated if I looked away, so I kept staring at her, then Rin’ne looked away as if she was embarrassed.

“B-by the way!”

“Y-yes?”

　Rin’ne clapped her hands and continued with her words.

“Lately, I’ve been enjoying spending time with Akito-kun. My mother misunderstood me. “

“Misunderstood? “

“Yes! She kept making fun of me, saying that I might have found someone I like…”

　…Sorry Rin’ne, that topic might be too embarrassing for me.

　Then both Rin’ne and I were so silent, but I can say for sure that we are only embarrassed and have no more feelings than that…

　If I ever meet Rin’ne’s mother, I should tell her that it’s not like that.

(…But that doesn’t mean I don’t imagine a future with Rin’ne and Yomi …I’m not comparing them, but I’m sure I’d enjoy having them on my side. If I were to become lovers with them… I’m sure it would be fun every day. )

　It’s okay if I just fantasize about it without saying it out loud.

　Maybe I was thinking about it too much, I didn’t notice Rin’ne’s face was getting closer to mine.

” っ ! ? “

” ….. “

　She has a blush on her cheeks, and her eyes, slightly moistened, are as beautiful as jewels.

　More and more… gradually, Rin’ne’s face comes closer and closer ――and then Yomi finally returns.

“I’m back… ah, Akito-kun, you’re awake.”

“Y-yes.”

” ? Wait… why are you both have red faces? “

　Oh, this might be bad.

　I wasn’t doing anything wrong, but I guess she could immediately tell something had happened between Rin’ne and me.

“Mou! You’re leaving me out again!”

　Walking quickly with a large stride, Yomi stood in front of Rin’ne and reached out her hand to pinch Rin’ne’s cheek.

“whach awe yu doin? (, what are you doing?)”

“I’m a little pissed off.”

“T-that’s terrible! “

　Rin’ne’s way of speaking is very cute, she can’t speak well with her cheeks pinched.

　It really shows how well they get along with each other and how much they trust each other.

　Needless to say, to Rin’ne, Yomi has a big jealousy toward Rin’ne somewhere in her heart, but they love each other nevertheless…

( …nice atmosphere, I’ll go to the restroom for a while )

　When I tried to stand up, I found that my legs were so numb that I couldn’t feel them anymore because I had been sitting on my knees (Seiza) while facing Rin’ne.

“Ah…!”

　I couldn’t stand up properly, and I was so weak that I gave in to the numbness that had attacked my legs…Trying to help me, Rin’ne and Yomi simultaneously moved their bodies toward me, and at the same time, I pushed them both down.

“S-sorry――”

“Are you okay ……? “

“Ouch…Akito-kun, are you all right…? “

　Each of my hands was on their chests, …pressing them.

　I moved my hands away from their chests in a panic, my mouth agape like a fish, and quickly held out my hands to help them stand up.

” ….. “

” ….. “

　Then again, I had to face them both sitting on my knees.

　At first, I bowed my head to them and asked for their forgiveness,…I thought that this kind of thing had been happening a lot lately.