My Sweet Roomies Re-Written (Reimako Ikagami/Mitsuka Ibuki Route)

Chapter 46 - First Conflict

"I don't want to be the person to hinder your dreams..."

A few days after Rei announces she isn't going to France.

I am in a daze as I make my way to the living room.

"Hi Yomiko, Miyoko...Where's Rei?"

"She's been studying in her room since this morning."

"She was saying before that she couldn't concentrate on study but she's giving it her all once more."

"Is that so..."

Yomiko looks a little worried.

"But it seems to me like...Rei is overdoing it, or rather."

"She has dived into her studies in order to escape from something else..."

It must be because of what I said to her when we had that conversation, she just left without saying a word when I told her how I feel about her not leaving for France, her not following her dreams.

(Is it a good idea to talk to her about it one more time...?)

The cogs turn furiously in my head and Miyoko gives me a tap on the shoulder.

"In any case, Mina."

"Rei is going through a lot at the moment so please do your best to support her," Miyoko said with a soft voice.

"I...I will."

But that night...

After dinner.

"Rei, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Okay, What is it?"

She finishes washing up and turns to me.

I take a slightly deep breath before speaking.

"Um..."

"Yes?"

"About what we talked about earlier, you going overseas."

Her sudden change of expression bothered me a bit.

(Am I rushing this?)

Then...

"Oh, that's right, Mina."

"Huh?"

"W-what should we have for breakfast tomorrow?"

The moment I broach the subject she immediately changes it.

"I think we're all sick of eggs by now, don't you?"

"R-Rei?"

"I know! Should we have bacon and Meatloaf instead?"

"Rei..."

"I don't think we've had bacon and Meatloaf for a while."

"And..." she continued.

"Reimako listen..."

"I really want you to go and make your dreams come true..."

"No!!!"

I jolt a little her suddenly shouting caught me by surprise.

"D-Don't! Please..."

"I'm not going to leave you!!!"

"Please understand that you're not hindering my dreams this is what I've decided!!!"

I have never seen or heard her raise her voice like this before.

But then she looks down, embarrassed of what she just did.

"S-Sorry..."

"B-but..."

She looks straight at me with tears in her eyes.

"I've already decided that I want to stay with you!!"

"So..."

"Can we stop talking about that stupid childish dreams now please?!!"

"No, your dreams are not stupid Rei, don't say that!"

I was caught in the moment and might have rush things with her.

"If I'm not here I'm sure you're not going to be having a hard decision to decide."

*SLAP!!!*

A sudden flash blinded me for a second as my cheeks stings.

"Ah!"

Surprised on what she did she held her shaking hand while she avert her gaze at me.

A heavy atmosphere settles between us.

Things have never been this strained between us before.

(I shouldn't have said that, what do I do now? I don't know what to say...)

And it seems that Rei is having just as much trouble as I am.

"I-I'm sorry..."

She uttered apologetically as runs from the living room.

"R-Rei..."

And I'm left to deal with the oppressive atmosphere all on my own.

Several days later...

Dimly I sit alone on the living room sofa.

"Darn it! I screw up, what can I possibly do..?"

(Things have been so strained between us since then that we can't even face one another...)

Even times when we meet each other in the hallway we pass in awkward silence.

(I took far, I shouldn't have been more considerate of her feelings, I'm a fucking looser!!!)

(Where do I go from here..?)

Just then...

"Mina, can I barrow you for a minute?"

"Miyoko?"