Chapter 217. [Crossroads Of Love]

“What’s wrong, Ah-nee? Why are you acting so meek? Something’s off.”

“Huh!? W-well, it’s, um, nothing strange!”

“More like, it’s heavy.”

I push away Ah-nee, who’s been hanging over me forever.

She springs up, somehow ending up sitting seiza on the ground.

“Anego, are you okay!?”

“Onee-chan, are you safe~!? Is Iroha-chan okay too~!?”

Angu Ogu and Mai rush over, realizing the situation.

Then, they both tilt their heads seeing Ah-nee acting strangely.

“What happened to Ah-nee?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she got surprised by almost getting into an accident?”

“Well, Ah-nee is not like that normally, I think.”

“Hey, everyone, what’s going on!? I’m just normal, okay!?”

We exchange glances and nod.

“Something is definitely off.”

“No, for now, let’s focus on… that car from earlier! I can’t forgive that!”

I agree. It was clearly reckless driving.

But…

“Ah-nee, you’re like Ah-nee! Be sure to check before crossing!”

I continue the scolding from earlier.

Indeed, I had confirmed that the pedestrian signal was green before crossing.

But that alone was not enough.

“You didn’t check the road, right? Did you forget? In America— ‘Even with a red signal, you can turn right!’ But in New York, where we are now, right turns on red signals are prohibited.”

“Eh, really!?”

“Hmm. I can easily win in matters like this. That isn’t related to language or VTubers.”

Angu Ogu sighs and says so. It’s inevitable.

Everyone can’t remember things that don’t interest them.

“But, that means…”

“That’s right. The car just now ignored the signal. Hahaha, don’t think you can get away with angering me for free.”

“Wow.”

I see a glimpse of the president in Angu Ogu’s smile.

Like father, like daughter. I definitely don’t want to make enemies out of this pair.

“But, right now…”

Angu Ogu goes to instruct the Secret Service. Judging by the decreasing number, some are probably chasing the car from earlier.

Despite the driver’s fault, the other party was clearly in the wrong. My condolences.

“Sorry. Ah-nee doesn’t seem to be at fault.”

“N-no. If you hadn’t scolded me just now, I might have made the same mistake elsewhere. So, thank you. Um, hehe…”

“Eek!? Onee-chan is too honest. It’s creepy!”

Mai shouts in terror. I feel the same uneasiness, but then I notice.

Wait, isn’t it actually convenient if Ah-nee stays quiet?

Or rather, isn’t it better without any trouble?

“Alright! Come on, Ah-nee. How long are you going to sit on the ground in the rain?”

I reach out my hand to Ah-nee. She nods, but she doesn’t reach for my hand.

“Oh, come on, it’s late!”

I grab Ah-nee’s hand rather forcibly and pull her up.

A manly move… even though, in reality, it’s just a pose due to a lack of strength.

However, that action seems to have struck a chord with her.

“Y-yes…”

Ah-nee blushes and lowers her gaze. I don’t understand.

I don’t really understand, but… this might work!

I don’t know why she suddenly became like this, but could this maintain my peace during the rest of my American life?

“We have a plane to catch, so let’s go home soon. Come on, Ah-nee.”

“Y-yeah.”

I pull Ah-nee’s hand and start walking. Ah-nee timidly follows.

“Could it be? But, especially from onee-chan… hmm~”

Mai observes Ah-nee’s behavior, seemingly lost in thought.

***

And then, the next day.

The morning of Independence Day had arrived.

“Mmm… it’s so bright.”

The sunlight wakes me up as it shines on my face.

Looking outside the window, it’s a clear sky as forecasted.

“Wait, what’s with this chaotic situation!?”

I sit up and look around, realizing that everyone is sprawled out on my room’s bed.

“Oh, right. Yesterday after coming back…”

Even though it’s domestic, the United States is vast.

I got home late at night, or rather, it was already dawn.

I tried to sleep on the plane, but that didn’t fully relieve the fatigue.

Even Ah-nee, who usually handles Japan to the U.S. and back on domestic flights well, seemed to struggle.

We all collapsed on the bed as if falling apart, sleeping together. Seriously, what’s the point of assigning rooms… huh?

“Wait, are you all getting along!?”

I direct a surprised look at Ah-nee.

Her sleeping posture is the worst… no, it’s disaster-level, yet she’s peacefully snoring away.