Chapter 89 - Tricked

Chapter 89 - Tricked

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As our dearest young one had already decreed, the three of us went along to the rental store, and on Jorah's heavy insistence rented only two bicycles rather than getting one for each of us.

And for some reason, Jorah had decided to sit behind me while Celesta rode one by herself. I almost felt sorry for Celesta as she looked very lonely by herself. But, she told me that she didn't mind it all that much, so I decided to let the matter go for now.

Strangely, Jorah wanted me to be in the lead and for Celesta to follow us from behind. Celesta looked puzzled by Jorah's request too, but after the two sisters had a private talk by themselves, Celesta quickly agreed to Jorah's suggestion, even when she was being all flustured.

The wind softly sailing by us as we rode the bicycle felt pretty nice, if we could ignore the begrudging looks of those who chose to walk instead. I couldn't be sure if they were all glaring at me due to me being favored by the beauties or due to me having an easier time than them due to the bicycle.

Anyways, ignoring them came easy to me, as Jorah sitting behind me kept singing by herself, with her sweet, melodious, and youthful voice pleasing my ears to no end. I looked back to check upon Celesta from time to time too, but she was silently following behind us from a distance.

As I began to feel sorry for the lonely Celesta again, Jorah hugged my waist tightly from behind as she spoke to me,

"Kyaaah~~~!It feels too refreshing to go around like, right? Big Sister Carene~~?!"

Although I had no impure intentions towards Jorah, being hugged so tightly from behind by the maturing body of a cute young girl surely began to make me somewhat nervous.

"Y-Yeah, it feels great..."

Even I could tell how awkward my reply was just now. Damn it, get a hold on yourself, Carene.

On the other hand, I could hear Jorah's melodious laughter as she hugged me even tighter, completely plastering her body to my back as she spoke again,

"Ehehehe, it's been a while since we had a nice chat together, Big Sister Carene. How about we have some heart-to-heart talk right here~?"

Eh? Does Jorah have something troubling her that she wants to talk about? But, wouldn't Celesta be a better candidate for that kind of talk than me?

Well, let's try asking her about it first.

"Heart to heart? What kind of things do you want to talk about, Jorah? Is something troubling you at school again?"

I could feel Jorah shaking her head in denial from my back as she quickly replied,

"Nooo~! I am doing fine. I'm just curious about how Big Sister Carene has been doing these days. You looked so busy and tired that I wondered how tough attending College could really be."

Tired? Ah, it must have been after I returned home from College this past week.

To be honest, I had high hopes for a lovely and eventful college life, but it seems to have been completely ruined by reality for me.

"A-Ahahaha... it's tiring somewhat for sure, but for reasons other than you think. And, I have been going through some stuff recently too, but they are all a thing of the past now. There is nothing worrying me anymore."

Since I have begun to ignore most of those in my batch, those things have not been bugging me too much anymore. Also, Nihara seems to have escaped her bad fate before. So most of the problems have subsided for me already.

Upon hearing me say that, Jorah nodded heavily as she cheerfully spoke,

"That's good to hear! Big Sister Carene, you must smile through all difficulties. Being happy is something we ourselves choose to be, right~?"

That's right. I don't have to ponder upon all the bad things in the world by myself. I should strive to make myself happy first. Only then would I be able to bring happiness to anyone else's life, I think.

"Un... that's right. I too, wish to be a lot happier someday."

Especially, to those who have been so good to me till now. Isla, Jorah, Sis Lin... and Celesta too...

Without knowing what was going on in my head, Jorah loudly exclaimed,

"Ehehehe, I know how you could be happier. Just propose marriage to Big Sister Celesta already! I want to be your Sister-in-law soon!"

"E-E-EH?!! Sister-in... law?!"

M-M-Marriage?!! With Celesta?! Is... is that even possible..?

Of course, I would love that! But, I'm afraid Celesta won't feel the same way about it though...

But, to have our dearest Jorah as my cute sister-in-law... that's somehow a very exciting proposition.

Jorah seemed puzzled by my reaction as she tilted her head and asked in apparent confusion,

"What?? What's so shocking about that? You two are dating, right? Isn't that what you do after dating for some time? Don't tell me... Big Sister Carene, are you planning to dine and dash with my Big Sister Celesta...?"

Hell no! I'm afraid that Celesta would directly evict me from the house if I brought that proposal forward.

Although I do wish to strengthen our bond, to the point of becoming lovers someday. But marriage, it's just a hurdle too high for me to imagine right now.

After desperately regaining my composure and balance to avoid any accidents, I suppressed my own trembling body and relied back to the pouting Jorah behind me,

"What? No! There is no way I would do something like that to Celesta."

Jorah's mood began to turn a bit better as she sighed in relief and spoke to me,

"Hmm Hmm. That's a good answer. So, why were you so shocked with marriage talks?"

Ah... she is hitting the root of the matter already?! How am I supposed to react to that?

I haven't even thought through it at all!

No, I must not appear weak at this moment. That's right, let's say something for the moment and reflect on this topic afterward.

Something that goes along with our fake dating relationship... and something that is not completely untrue as well.

"U-Um... we are still too young to consider marriage right now, Jorah. Besides... your elder sister may not continue to like me in the future... and we may revert back to being just friends..."

That was really the best I could come up with on the spot. Even if it wasn't the answer Jorah was looking forward to, I couldn't lie to her too much.

Jorah didn't seem to realize my difficulties as she readily replied to me,

"Eh~~? No way. Big Sister Celesta isn't someone casual when it comes to love-related stuff. You are the first one that she is dating since her birth, you know? And as far as I know her, Big Sister Celesta isn't someone who easily gives up on others."

Eh? Ah, she's right. Celesta had never been someone weak in her morals and had always acted decisively whenever needed. And to those that she considers her own, she would always stand up for them and support them whenever possible.

Not to mention that... she even got herself into this fake dating relationship just to give me a safe and secure roof above my head.

"Is that so...?"

Hearing me absentmindedly mutter that, Jorah replied back with full enthusiasm,

"Hmm. Now, Big Sister Carene, answer honestly! How much do you like my Big Sister Celesta? And no lies this time! If you ever considered me as someone close to you, then please answer me honestly. I want to hear your honest answer!"

Noooo!! She is... Jorah is emotionally blackmailing me already!

Did she notice my lie earlier? Darn it, I don't wish to lie to her either. But, revealing the true state of the relationship between Celesta and me would surely break her heart. Her belief in Celesta and I would definitely be shaken.

I cannot do that to Jorah, and not to Celesta either.

As I was being troubled by my own thoughts, I desperately tried to find my way out of the tricky situation.

"B-But, Celesta... she is right behind us..."

"Unn, don't worry. She is still far away from us. Just tell me how you feel about her already~~>"

Jorah though, didn't seem to want to give me that chance to escape. As I felt her hopeful and trust-filled eyes staring at me from behind me, I swallowed down all the excuses I had thought up and resolved myself to speak my heart out.

"I-I... about Celesta..."

Jorah seemed to have realized that her answer was coming as she leaned even closer to me and spoke encouragingly,

"Hmm Hmm. Go on. I am listening."

Darn it. If it has come down to this, then I might as well let it all out!

"I... have actually liked her since we were kids. And, that likeness has only grown stronger since then. By now... if there is someone I am most afraid of losing in my life, then that would be Celesta..."

Ahhh!! I said it. I really spoke it out loud!!

So embarrassing! Now I realize how embarrassing it is to open up your inner heart desires to someone else.

Jorah giggled back in satisfaction as she quickly replied to me,

"Then, you like Big Sister Celesta so much that you cannot imagine living without her? You wish to stay by her side forever?"

Jorah... this girl is taking things to the nightmare difficulty!

Alright, I'll try to be honest this one time. But, I don't dare to be able to repeat myself anytime soon.

After trying too hard to suppress my wildly galloping heart within my chest, I muttered my heartfelt answer to the curious girl sitting behind me,

"Ah... y-yes, but, don't tell your eldest sister I spoke all this, alright?! Promise me, Jorah."

Jorah suddenly hugged me so tightly that it became hard to breathe for a moment as she excitedly spoke to me,

"Sure Sure~~. I, Jorah solemnly vow to keep my lips shut forver regarding this matter and from henceforth would never divulge anything that Big Sister Carene spoke about today. That's okay?"

Phew. That's good. As long as Celesta remains unaware of my impure intentions towards her.

She must be wanting to have a pure friends relation with me at the moment. I must respect her choice for now, while slowly tying my best to win her affection and change that friend status in the future.

I myself sighed in relief after saying it all out, and a smile naturally came upon my face as I spoke to Jorah,

"Yeah, that's good. Uh? Celesta?? Wait, why is she pedaling so fast?! She is getting too far away from us!"

Isn't she pedaling too fast?! Her speed seems to match a motorbike instead!

Let's hope that she doesn't suffers any accident while going so fast.

Jorah assumed an air of wisdom as she slowly spoke with her voice filled with mysterious intentions,

"A maiden's heart contains many secrets, Big Sister Carene. I am sure everything would be alright now, hehehe..."

Really? From where I see it, Celesta seems to be bothered by something. Very bothered, in fact.

"Hmm? Well, if you say so..."

I tried to peddle a bit faster in hopes of catching up to the runaway girl.

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A/N; Fluff, smut and more! At Kitty's Playground!

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