Episode 71 - Ryoko’s Best Friend Yumi—Her Shocking True Identity (Part 2)

【Mayumi’s Memories】

—The conversation between Mayumi, Ryoko, and Shota continues by the BBQ grill.

Mayumi:“I met Ryoko while I was in Melbourne on a working holiday, remember? She was there for language study after graduating med school. Gosh, we had so many late-night talks in my room at that share house.”

Ryoko:“Yumi, not in front of Shota-kun…”

Mayumi:“She used to complain that her superpowers kept ruining her relationships—either the guys ran away scared, or they tried to use her abilities for their own gain.

Well, can’t blame them. Ryoko’s the type to give her whole heart when she falls in love, so hiding her powers wasn’t really an option.”

Ryoko:“That’s why having someone like Yumi I could talk to about everything really saved me♡

Yumi-chan is literally a goddess♡”

Mayumi:“And then, when I started dating Mark and we began talking marriage, Ryoko went,

‘You’re trying to escape me, Yumi? I won’t allow that!’

She started pulling every superpowered trick in the book to stop me!”

Ryoko:“Ufufu♡Good times, good memories♡”

Shota:“Sis… it’s a miracle you made it out alive…” (Shota visibly trembling)

Mayumi:“Oh, it was rough, for sure. But I convinced her using her mom’s prophecy—

'You’ll meet your soulmate at 28!'

She bought it.

I mean, it was really just… delaying the inevitable, lol.”

Ryoko:“Mmhmm♡ See?

Yumi-chan was absolutely right.♡”

Mayumi:“Yeah, well, I never imagined the guy I was stalling for would end up being my own little brother… Fate’s got a wicked sense of humor, huh? LOL”

Ryoko:“So Shota-kun is my husband, and Yumi is my sister-in-law.

That means… they’re both mine now♡ It was destiny all along.”

Shota (thinking):(Sis… that whole “delaying” thing… really!?)

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【Mark and Ren Join the Scene】

—Yumi’s husband Mark approaches with their son Ren in tow.

Mark:“Hey Ryoko, it's been a long time! 'n Shota, fahkin' nice ta meet ya, my brothah-in-law! Let's barbie anyway? Fahkin' bloody oath, mate!”

(Translation: “Ryoko, long time no see! And Shota, my future brother-in-law—nice to meet ya! Let’s fire up the BBQ, it’s bloody great weather for it!”)

Shota:“U-uh… yes, sir! Nice to meet you too…!”

(So nervous around this big Aussie dude, his English defaulted to ultra-polite.)

Yumi:“Sorry about Mark’s thick Aussie accent—

but once you get used to it, he’s kinda cute, isn’t he?♡”

—

Ren:“……”

—Little Ren, standing by Mark’s leg, stares intently at Shota.

Then, waddles over…

hug

—And wraps his arms around Shota’s leg.

Shota:“Huh…!? Ren-kun…!?”

Ren:“Show-ta!”

Ryoko:“…Oh my♡ Looks like Ren-kun’s taken a real liking to you♡”

Shota freezes for a moment…

Then slowly smiles, gently patting Ren on the head.

Shota:“Thanks, Ren-kun… That really means a lot.”

Ryoko crouches down beside them and extends her arms kindly.

Ryoko:“Ren-kun, may I hold you?”

Ren nods shyly and nestles right into Ryoko’s arms.

Ryoko:“Eek♡ So light and warm… What a little angel…♡”

Mayumi:“Whoa, Ryoko’s full-on switched to Mom Mode now~”

Shota (thinking):(My senpai’s “Cuteness Mode” is about to go off the rails…)

____________________________________________________________________________________

【BBQ Begins at the Kofu Winery】

Mark:“Aight, everyone ready?

'Cause we got some real Aussie treats today!

Kangaroo and croc, straight from the outback!”

Shota:“K-Kangaroo and… crocodile!?”

Yumi:“Yup yup! Mark really wanted his ‘Japanese family’ to try the real deal,

so he brought it frozen all the way from Australia.”

Shota (murmuring):“…How did that even get through quarantine…”

Mark:“Shota, try this mate!

Kangaroo’s lean, high protein—good for ya!”

Shota:“Uh… okay then…

Let’s give it a shot…” (nervously)

—chomp

Shota:“…Wait. This is actually… good…?”

Mayumi:“Told ya! It grows on you! But fair warning, croc’s a little more gamey, haha.”

Ryoko:“Shota-kun♡ You love meat, right? You can have my share too, if you want? Fufu~”

Shota:“N-no, Senpai, you should eat your— Wait, it’s already grilled!? That was fast!”

Yumi:“Okay~! We’ve got hamburg steaks for the kids over here too, no worries!”

Ren:“Yaaaay! Meat~!”

Shota (thinking):(…This really feels like family…)

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Ryoko’s Wedding Invitation】

Ryoko:“Hey, Yumi-chan… Actually, we’re having a wedding in Tokyo this fall♡”

Mayumi:“Oooh, finally doing the big ceremony, huh!? Nice! We’re invited, right?♡”

Shota:“Of course! Sis, you and your whole family are absolutely coming.”

Ryoko:“Mark and Ren-kun too, of course♡ It’ll be at Meiji Shrine. It’s got kind of a formal vibe, but we’re planning to keep it fun and very us♡”

Mayumi:“Whaaat, Meiji Shrine!? Guess I better find a decent dress so I don’t look outta place, haha~”

Mark:“Bloody 'ell, a Shinto wedding? Count me in, mate! I’ll wear somethin’ nice, I promise!”

Ren:“Wanna go to the wedding~!”

Ryoko:“Fufu♡ Thank you. I’m really looking forward to it!”

—To be continued at the hot spring inn episode!