Chapter 28 Family discussions are important, arent they. (Opening)

Hmm, hmm Noow then, shall I give it my all as well, today!

Entering the kitchen, I began the cooking preparation. Because of various disturbances recently, I havent been able to concentrate on cooking. Its about time that I really get into it, hey?

Today Im planning on making harusame soup. It was a dish that was everywhere in my old life, but it took a lot of effort to reproduce it in this world. For the soup Im using sesame and shiitake, as well as chopped egg and chopped spring onions. For the noodles, Im going to boil ijizukisoh, which is similar to the texture of harusame.

I immediately jumped straight into the recipe. The movements were already set in my mind. All I need to do later is check the temperature, humidity, whether or not the ingredients are still okay, and flavour it based on that.

And then fifteen minutes after I began cooking

Its finished. Yup. The vapour from the sesame and shiitake really whets your appetite. Seems good. After this, Dad just needs to prepare for the main dishes and todays preparations are done, but Dad still hadnt come to the kitchen yet.

Thats weird. Even though Dads always silently working here before more

I stopped the fire on the soup, and headed to my parents room to call Dad. Their room is just at the end of the hallway, when you leave the kitchen. Our house isnt particularly big, so I immediately arrived. When I opened the door, I called out to Dad.

Dad? If we dont hurry up and prepare

Tilea, huh. Give me a moment.

Mn? Its not only Dad here, but Mum too. Mum was sitting on a chair with her head hanging.

Whats wrong?

Mum always has a cheerful and kind smile on, but right now she looks so sad. Mums hands and legs were trembling, and she was pale.

Mum, did something happen?

Its nothing.

Although Mum said that, something definitely happened. The tone of her voice wasnt normal. It was like she was in terror from being cornered by a devil or something.

I walked to her side, and peered in on her face.

Really, what happened? Is there something youre worried about? If theres anything I can do, just tell me. When I see you hurting like this, it hurts me too, Mum.

Tilea Mum is sorry for worrying you. You really are such a good girl.

Moved to tears, Mum gently patted me on the head.

Its my first time seeing her like this. I want to help her. But no matter how many times I asked about what was going on, Mum would only say Its okay. and wouldnt tell me why she was down. What do I do to help her

I turned my gaze to Dad to have him explain.

Tilea, theres nothing to worry about. Seras just a little tired.

What do you mean?

Sera, youre worrying Tilea too. Ill explain whats going on. Its not big deal, Sera, its just a misunderstanding. So dont look so serious.

Y-, Youre right. Thinking about it carefully, we have to tell Tilea too, dont we.

Mum fixed her sitting posture and looked at me with grave eyes. Seeing her expression Yeah, it seems like something incredibly heavy. I gulped, and waited for Mum to start.

I-, Is Timu out?

Mn, shes out. Apparently shes playing with Niel.

I-, I see.

When Mum realised that Timu wasnt here, she let out a long sigh and looked relieved. Uh, she seems kind of vigilant against Timu.

Why?

Mum, did something happen with Timu?

Hasnt that girl been strange recently?

Aahh. So thats what it is. Mum, dont worry about it so much. Timu is in a kind of rebellious phase right now.

I see. So Mums been worried about Timus behaviour lately. Chuuni syndrome is like a kind of disease that affects people in puberty. As long you dont aggravate it, it isnt a problem. Ill be watching over Timu in that respect, so its all good.

Phew~ Mum was making such a serious face that I got a little scared. Im a pro when it comes to chuunibyou, so leave it to me.

Right, right? So you think so too, Tilea. Seras just worrying too much. A bigger problem is that weird clothing you wore the other day!

Uu, give that baaack, Dad. It looked so good too

Idiot! You think Ill let my young daughter wear such a shameless outfit! Honestly, youre too defenceless. If some strange guy started flirting with you

Dad mumbled in complaint. It seems that its true that fathers dote on their daughters. Even though Dad is a complete cooking nut and usually never meddles with us.

Huhu, Daddy. Are you a tsundere? Its true that the two of us are exceptionally cute. In particular, Timu is like an angel when she puts on the maid outfit. I super understand Dads feelings.

Dad, dont worry. I feel the same way. If any strange bugs start making moves on Timu, Ill punish them with my iron fists. After that, Dad and I continued to noisily argue about what would be good if not a maid outfit.

*imouto*

Its not something AS SIMPLE AS A REBELLIOUS PHASEEEEE!

M-, Mum?

While Dad and I were talking about silly things, Mum suddenly screamed in grief. Her expression was just as heartbroken as before. Even though I explained Timus situation, it looks like she wouldnt understand.

W-, When I look at that girl, I shudder. Its like somebody else switched place with my daughter T-, That definitely isnt my child.

Sera, thats not something that you should say!

Youre right, Mum. Ill feel bad for Timu.

You and Tilea dont understand a thing. You two are cooking idiots, and I mean that in a good way, so you havent realised it.

Mum spoke with a sigh. Its true that when Dad and I get passionate about cooking, we start to lose sight of things. But not when it comes to Timu. Shes my precious family after all.

Mum, its fine, honest. Timus behaviour is just something temporary.

What the heck do you mean cooking idiot. Im the head of this household. Of course I know whats going on with my family. Youre tired, Sera.

Hu, hu, then tell me. Do you know what that girl said to me? Do you know what that girl really is?

Cut it out already! Timu is our daughter, and Tileas younger sister. Shes a precious member of our family!

Its just like Dad says. Mum, whats wrong? Timu is our precious family. Didnt you adore Timu as well, Mum!

Tilea, listen to me. That girl is a demon. THE REAL TIMUS BEEN KILLED BY THE DEMONS! WAHHHHHHHHHH!

Tears started falling from her face as she sobbed.

By demon

Oh crap. Seems like Mum heard Timus chuuni talk.

Mum, youre wrong. You see, Timu, right now shes playing pretend, and acting like shes a chosen one, a demon. Thats all it is!

Hic-, hic-, and you know what else? What do you think that girl said to me? When I called her by her name, she said Ill kill you. you know. Hic-, she said that only special beings were allowed to call her by that name!

Wha-!? Wha-!? Wha-!?

And you know? Hic-, hii-, t-, that girl told me Call me Camilla. and that she would be leaving the house soon, and until then she could play the part of my family. Hic-, hii-, a-, and SHE WOULDNT TAKEE MY LIFE UNTIL THEEEEEEN!

WHAAAAAAT!?

To think that Timu said such outrageous things to Mum

It felt my heart was going to break from the reality of all this. Timu is a chuunibyou, so it cant be helped that she pretends to be the demon Camilla. As one of the few people who knows about chuunibyou, I thought I needed to be understanding of her

I was naive. Timus been using chuunibyou to act violently towards her family. Not with physical violence this time, but verbal violence. I thought Timu reflected when I spanked her that day.

But I was wrong. Because Timu was afraid of being spanked, she just changed her target from me to Mum.

Oh my god

Its a shock. And I now have a reason to spank her again.

Mum, leave Timu to me.

You cant! Tilea, youll be killed!

Heh? Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mum, what are you saying?

I was stunned by Mums words. Was that some joke? Doesnt look like it. Mum was completely serious when she was talking about a little sister killing her older sister. From Mums expression, I was keenly aware of how serious she was being.

Eh!? Serious!?

Mums feeling really cornered then. I see. I get it now. Theres no such word as chuunibyou in this word. There isnt any news or counseling either. Its not surprising that Mum thought Timu was like another person after having such cruel words spat at her.

Aah, when my chuunibyou was really bad in my last life, my parents must have thought of me the same way, huh? After all, my parents went to counseling and the hospital. My parents from my last life might have thought I was a different person as well.

My old Mum and Dad. Im sorry. Im really sorry. I didnt realise. Theres no parents who dont love their children.

After having that kind of thing said to her, Mum must have come to that conclusion after lots and lots of agonising in order to make sense of it all. Timu was a good girl before she came down with chuunibyou, so it must have worried Mum even more.

Mum, Dad, leave this to me. Ill definitely, definitely fix this. For now, Ill try having a talk with Timu after she comes back from playing with Niel.

Tilea, that man is dangerous too! You cant go near him!

S-, Sorry? Pervert(Nielsen) is dangerous? Well, I guess in a certain sense, perverts are dangerous, but

Hah-!? It cant be!

Mum, it cant be that Niel said something too?

H-, He said that if I was rude, he would kill me.

Okay. Hes dead. Even though Ive been paying him so much attention, that bastard!

Pervert(Nielsen)s death penalty is already set, but what do I do about Timu? No, theres no time to worry about this. Even while Im standing here, Mums love for Timu is disappearing. That would be a tragic end for both Mum and Timu.

Timu, this is for your sake. This time Im going all out with your spanking. I cant always be the kind older sister. In order to discipline my cute little sister, Ive decided to put on the mask of a hannya.

It should really be Sarah, but in this world filled with so many weird made-up names, it felt a little odd to have such a super average name in there. And well, Sera is basically the same name anyway, so no worries I guess.