Published at 31st of August 2019 11:47 am

Volume 7, Chapter 01: Miichan’s senior

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Afterwards it was decided that we would make a date plan for said day. But just when I thought how quiet she had been for a while now, Nazuna was soundly sleeping on Luna’s lap.

I carried Nazuna to the bed in her room while Luna went out shopping for dinner, so right now there were Machina, Elni and me in the living room together with Miichan.

With these members we started our planning.

“Miichan, you said that senior would always match the schedule to yours, right?”

“Yes, seems any time this week works out.”

“Then let’s get it over quickly. That should be favourable to both of you, Miichan, Shinobu… Tomorrow would be too early, so let’s make it the day after.”

Without time for Elni or me to interject, Machina and Miichan smoothly advantaged the matter.

“Mhm~ Machina-oneesan, where should we go for the date? The cinema or aquarium sounds fun.”

“That doesn’t sound bad, but it won’t be just you two, but three people and it’s just a fake date. It might be better to go with an effortless department shopping.”

“Nothing less of you, Machina-oneesan. Then the great department hall in…”

…Yeah, there was no point of me being here. Elni probably felt the same as me, as she made a lonely face and pulled on my sleeve.

“Hey Shinobu, wanna play some word chain?”

“Yeah, of course. I was hoping you would say that. Well then, I’ll start with ‘All beloved Shinobu’.”

“U, U, U… Ugly.”

“You dare to call me ugly!”

“Mh, you gave me back a ‘y’. Then— You, shut up!”

“No, no, this isn’t really a word chain anymore.”

When I retorted with that, Machina called out with a sigh.

“Hey, I couldn’t care less about Elni, but you have to listen seriously, Shinobu. Even if fake, you’re going to be Miichan’s boyfriend…”

While saying so, Machina suddenly compared Miichan and me with her eyes.

“Ah.”

Then she raised a voice and cast down her eyes awkwardly for some reason.

“I just noticed something that I shouldn’t.”

“Mh? What’s up, Machina? If you mean that Luna’s breasts became bigger again, I also somehow suspected that.”

“Oh, you knew as well, Elni? Sister’s brassiere size went up one size again— wait, no! Sister told me to keep it a secret, so don’t expose it, Elni!”

“No, actually you’re the one exposing it, Machina.”

When I pointed that out, Machina avoided my glance and reddened her cheeks lightly, then she held up her index finger with “Ssh” like it didn’t concern her.

…I could understand that she lose her head, but what was up with that reaction? That was kind of cute.

Inadvertently I forgot to retort. Then Elni opened her mouth to get back on topic.

“So, what did you notice, Machina?”

“Mhm~ I don’t really want to say it, but, Shinobu, can you try standing next to Miichan for a moment?”

“Well, sure…”

Just what was up? I wondered in my heart and stood besides Miichan, like I was told. There Elni raised a small voice just like Machina.

“…I see that you noticed it as well, Elni?”

“Yeah, it’s really hard to say, but… well, you two absolutely don’t look like a couple. To be honest, you’re close siblings at best.”

“I, I’m shocked!”

Making an exaggerated face like the world had ended, Miichan’s eyes dwelled up with tears.

There Machina opened her mouth to make a follow up.

“I- It’s just like Elni says, you two don’t look like a couple. But if you behave like a proper couple, I guess your senior will be convinced?”

“Ehm, so what should I do explicitly…?”

Miichan pondered with her well-formed eyebrows frowned. On the other hand, Machina put her index finger against her cheek in thought and said after a short pause.

“…How about you change the way you call each other? Miichan, you call Shinobu with ‘Shinobu-oniisan’, right? I think you should call him something more befitting for a boyfriend.”

“That is a great idea! I’ll try it right away!”

With a lively voice, Miichan faced me and declared with a smile.

“—Master!”

Instantly, Machina and I snorted at nearly the same time. For some reason Elni gave a big nod and gave Miichan an applause, but I left that aside. Wearily, I opened my mouth.

“Miichan, stop with that.”

“…Could it be, you’re more of the ‘My Lord’ type, Shinobu-oniisan? Or are you the ‘Sir!’ type? I’m fine with either!”

“Mhm, I’m not so sure about the types, but let’s see… if I have to choose one, I would go with the first ‘Master’— no, wait. Miichan, you shouldn’t force yourself into anything and just behave like always.”

It was more likely to turn weird otherwise. Machina also nodded in agreement with me and opened her mouth after a single wry smile.

“Shinobu is right. Besides, if you were to call him ‘Master’, I believe your senior would go beyond pale and pop some veins on the forehead.”

“B- But, in anime or games, boys are really pleased when they are called that by a girl.”

“Well, I certainly might be pleased when we’re all alone….wait, you don’t need to take any notes, Elni, Miichan.”

Warning the two of them, I continued with a sigh.

“But Miichan, for argument’s sake, what if someone saw me being called ‘Master’ by a middle school girl. And what if that someone are you parents, then it would be the worst. If things go bad, I’ll be arrested. As you can see, it’s better you keep calling me like you always have.”

“Mhm~ But I think my parents would be all that concerned about it.”

“…You have some really broad-minded parents.”

“No, that’s not really the case. If anything, they are neurotic… but they don’t seem to care about me.”

While saying so, Miichan lowered the ends of her eyebrows and showed a somewhat lonely smile, whereupon Machina tilted her head doubtful.

“Don’t care, you say… but they’re your parents, right? So that can’t really be, can it?”

“…I wonder? Both father or mother rarely come home and even if they come back by chance, they only fight and hardly talk with me.”

Dropping her voice, Miichan looked down just like that. But soon enough she raised her head and showed a forced smile.

“But I’m perfectly fine. I don’t get scolded for staying up late and I can play my favourite games for hours without getting reprimanded. It’s quite comfortable.”

“…I see.”

Actually, she likely wasn’t fine at all. I could tell by looking at her. But even when I irresponsibility were to get upset with “Her parents are at fault”, Miichan would without doubt just be hurt.

Anyone would hate it if you spoke bad about his family.

So I couldn’t say anything and instead reached out my hand for Miichan.

“Miichan, if anything happens, you’re always free to come over. I’ll help you out, if you want.”

When I softly petted her head,

“I knew it, you’re so kind, Shinobu-oniisan.”

Miichan’s eyes filled with tears and she looked down once more to hide it.

Upon that, Elni clung to Miichan wordless from behind and Machina leaked a faintly trembling voice.

“…Miichan, sleep over today.”

“Hey, hey, Machina. This isn’t a funeral. So stop with such a voice…wait, are you crying?”

“I, I’m not crying, idiot! Why would I have to cry! I’m not that lachrymose!”

No, even if she denied that with such red eyes close to tears, it wasn’t convincing at all.

I thought so, but didn’t say anything tactless and closed my mouth that I had opened to say something.

At that time, Miichan smiled faintly and raised her head, then showed a bright smile.

“Thank you, Elni-san, Machina-oneesan. I would really like to sleep over, but I haven’t prepared anything for it and I have been imposing on you for a long time already, so it’s time I take my leave.”

Saying so while still smiling, Miichan faced me.

“Shinobu-oniisan, I’m looking forward to the date.”

“Yeah, be a good girl and wait.”

“Yes! I’ll be a good girl! I’ll go donate some blood right away!”

…Somehow, she said some strange stuff again.

“Miichan, just to tell you, you have to be at least sixteen years old to donate blood.”

“Ehh!? I- Is that so!? Then, what exactly am I supposed to do to be a good girl?”

“Just go to bed early and wake up early, I guess?”

Hard pressed on an answer, I said something harmless for now.

—Well, with that Miichan left the words “Give Nazuna-chan my regards” and went home…

* * *

Then two days passed and it was the day for the date with Miichan. I fixed my appearance and showed up in the living room. Elni and Nazuna were there.

The two of them weren’t dressed casually, but dressed up to go out.

“Mh? You two are going out?”

When I asked casually, both Nazuna and Elni nodded with a smile.

“In opposition to your date with Miichan, El-chan and me are going to have one too.”

“Makes you envious, right Shinobu. I’ll have a Saturday Night Fever with Nazucat all night long. Let’s go, Nazucat. I know of a good place, where you can enjoy the pretty night view. I won’t let you go home tonight!”

“Meow! I don’t want to go home tonight either!”

When Nazuna happily clung to her with a smile, Elni pointed her index finger to an imaginary camera with a narration tone.

“—After the CM, Nazucat will be Cinderella. Don’t switch the channel!”

“Mhm, this is a kind of interesting development, but I don’t have any time, so I’ll be going now. Don’t forget to call if it gets too late.”

When I told them so, Elni held up her thumb.

“Roger! You have a date with today, right Shinobu? Show Miichan’s senior who the boss is! Settle it cool! That’s important!”

“Hey, hey, Elni. what are you saying? I’m always cool. If you take the coolness away from me, all I have left will be my handsomeness.”

When I cracked a joke, Elni smiled faintly and Nazuna’s eyes sparkled.

“Nothing less from you, Shinobu. I have nothing to say any more. Miichan’s senior might even fall for you, Shinobu.”

“Yeah! Brother is a good guy!”

“Well, because my sincerity shows on my face.”

While getting a bit embarrassed, I waved my hand lightly to Luna, who came to send me off, and left the house. Then I headed to the meeting place— the fountain at the station.

….Reminded me, it was the same meeting spot as with the first date with Hijiri.

In the strong sunlight that scorched on my skin, I arrived in front of the station with these thoughts. Even though it was still thirty minutes before the arranged times, Miichan was already there.

Miichan wore a neat, white one-piece and a slightly large straw-hat. She looked like a rich lady on a first glance.

Suddenly, I felt my cheeks forming a smile and Miichan also noticed me.

“Shinobu-oniisan!”

She came over with a smile.

“Hyaa!”

On the way, she tripped perfectly, stopped moving and just lay there motionless like that.

“….H- Hey, are you okay?”

When I approached hastily, Miichan raised her head with a small moan.

“Uhh… It’s the long-awaited date, yet I already failed right at the beginning.”

“W- Well, everyone makes failures. Even Luna trips on even ground, so don’t worry about it too much. Actually, could it be that you’re nervous?”

“…Yes. When I thought about how I, whose power is still unknown, will have a date with my adored Shinobu-oniisan, I just couldn’t sleep last night from all the excitement.”

“Hee, I feel honoured. …By the way, the idiom you used actually goes like this: ‘whose future is still unknown’, you know?”

“Hauh! I failed again! Unconsciously my adolescent delusions of grandeur came oust— aw, I bit my tongue! I’m done for!”

While saying so, her cheeks turned red like on fire and Miichan hid her face with her straw-hat.

A funny girl as ever. I felt my cheeks forming a smile again and reached my hand out for her, petting her head. Then I chit-chatted for a while with her.

“Ah.”

Suddenly Miichan raised a small voice and pulled jerkily on my sleeve.

“Shinobu-onissan, my senior is here.”

“…Quite early here as well.”

When I dropped my gaze on my wristwatch, there were still ten minutes until the arranged time. However, arriving at the meeting time ahead of the arrange time made a good impression.

So, what kind of person was it?

If I could tell that it was a frivolous guy, I would have to… Mh? H- Huh? W- Wait a moment. ….For real?

Following Miichan’s gaze, I affirmed the person and inadvertently was at a loss for words.

Strong-willed eyes, extremely well-ordered features and long, slender legs. Dressed in a jeans with a look that exposed the navel. On a quick glance, you might think it was a pretty boy, but judging by the for a middle schooler well-developed two breasts, it was without doubt a girl.

…I- It couldn’t have been more unexpected. Of course Miichan would turn down a confession when it was from a girl. While I was indeed a bit shaken, the girl glared at me furiously as soon as she reached us. She leaked a threatening, low voice.

“…Who are you?”

“As you can see, a human.”

“In, Indeed… wait, that wasn’t what I was asking!”

When the girl raised her voice while frowning, Miichan hastily got between us and interjected.

“S- Senpai, the world calls Shinobu-oniisan as ‘evil’. He loiters around the streets with the motto ‘I’m looking for someone stronger than me’. He spends all his time on alcohol, cigarettes, fights and women. Cool, don’t you agree!”

“…Miichan, you’re not making it any better. I’m not like that, nor have I ever been called ‘evil’… Ah, no, quite often actually.”

Due to my evil look, I often was treated as a delinquent, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. Suddenly remembering painful memories, I felt somewhat miserable, whereas the girl frowned in a bad mood.

“I see. A former Yankee, huh. The worst. The type I hate the most.”

The girls once again glared at me and opened her mouth after a short pause.

“First off, to make it clear, I hate guys. To be honest, all guys are trash.”

“…The evaluation of guys drops every time you phrase it out. Actually, your dad would cry in sadness if he heard that, seriously.”

“P- Papa is different!”

“Mh? Papa?”

“Papa, is it?”

Miichan and I tilted her heads and asked back.

“F- Father, I mean! Father is different!”

The girl turned bright red and corrected herself right away. But after that, as she was embarrassed, she faced sideways with her cheeks still red.

There Miichan pointed at me with her hand to introduce me to the girl.

“Senpai, this handsome man is Shinobu-oniisan. My previously mentioned boyfriend.”

“Ehm, I get that he’s your boyfriend, Miyuki-chan, but…what about his evil face is handsome?”

“Well, the handsome stuff is just Miichan’s opinion, so don’t let it bother you. Also, you can casually call me ‘Onii-chan’.”

“Okay, Onii-chan.”

…I- It was meant as a light joke, but she surprisingly acknowledged it.

“So, Onii-chan…”

“No, sorry to ask this at this point, but please stop with the ‘Onii-chan’ after all. It was just a joke.”

“Fufu, you don’t need to force yourself, Onii-chan. I also often ask the younger girls with ‘Call me Onee-chan’, which they always turned down with a vague smile. Even Miyuki-chan turned me down. So I painfully understand your feelings, Onii-chan.”

“Okay, I don’t want to be grouped together with you. I’m really averse. Stop it right away.”

“H- How rude can you be! Then I’ll call you Shinobu-san! Satisfied?”

“Yeah, that’s okay. Actually, you’re surprisingly well-mannered.”

“Because you’re older, so I have no other choice…”

The girl showed a reluctant expression, as she actually didn’t like it.

But, for now I made a sigh or relief.

“I’m relieved that you’re honest. I was prepared that you would call me ‘Scumbag’. Though if you had done so, I would have dealt with you with an iron claw at mach speed…..You narrowly escaped death.”

I showed a smile on my joke, but for some reason the girl trembled her shoulder with a shiver in fear and backed off a step. But, suddenly she stepped forward, grabbed my collar and looked at me with a fierce glint in her eyes.

“…I came here today to judge if you’re suitable for Miyuki-chan or not. Should I decide that you’re just a frivolous guy…. you better prepare yourself.”

At the same time with her dagger-sharp voice, she glared at me with cold glance at point-blank range.

To be honest, she had an intensity that made you doubt that she was a middle schooler. However, I was more concerned about her long eyebrows and well-formed lips.

“…You, are rather cute at close-up.”

“W- Wh- Wha- What are you saying out of the blue!”

“Mh? Just an honest impression. Anyway, stop getting any more red and get away from me. Otherwise I’m going to kiss you.”

“I- Interesting. Just you try!”

Even while rocking her eyes in agitation, the girl looked straight back at me.

She might think that it was her loss if she pulled back here.

Surprisingly enough, I agreed on that. I dropped my gaze, softly took the girls hand place a gentle kiss on top of it.

Instantly, the girl raised a surprisingly adorable “Hyahn” voice and turned red up to her ears. Following, she once more glared at me, but I could see impatience in her eyes and nothing of the earlier intensity.

“J- Just what are you doing!”

“A kind of greeting.”

“Kind of cool! I want to mimic it and kiss girls— wait, I should take notes. Anyway, what’s up with you!”

“…Well, if anything, just a weirdo, I guess?”

“So cool one after another!”

Eh? Cool? I myself tried to look stupid and wanted her to retort, but the girl took it seriously. Raising her voice once more, she continued.

“Are you a gigolo? A playboy with delinquent looks! You aren’t suitable for Miyuki-chan!”

“…There’s a lot I want to say, but for now, it’s not for you or anyone else to decide if I’m suitable for Miichan or not. Miichan herself decides it.”

I should play the boyfriend for a bit. I changed my tone into a serious one.

“So, even if you or anyone else don’t agree with it, I’ll continue to be Miichan’s boyfriend, as long as she wishes that.”

“…Y- You say some reasonable things, unexpectedly.”

When the girl widened her eyes, Miichan, who had stayed quiet up till now, waiting for a good opportunity, opened her mouth with a smile.

“Shinobu-oniisan, sorry for the late introduction, but this cool person is Segawa Tamaki-san, my senior.”

“….Eh? Cool? Don’t you mean cute?”

When I replied with that, the girl— Segawa-san stared blankly for a moment, then reddened her cheeks and gave me a sullen look.

“D- Don’t say anything weird! Idiot! Besides, I’m not happy at all to be praised by a guy!”

“I wasn’t really praising you. Just stating a fact.”

“Uhh! You’re a gigolo after all! I won’t be fooled!”

Segawa-san took a deep breath to calm her feelings. Feeling her eyes with hostility once again, she called out to me in a calm manner.

“Shinobu-san, you can call me Tamaki.”

“Okay….Segawa-san.”

“Are you even listening to me! I love the name ‘Tamaki’ that Papa— I mean, that my father gave me! Properly call me by it!”

“Roger, Ms. Father Complex.”

“Father complex you say!? That’s actually a compliment for me! Thanks!”

“… I’m sure your dad would cry in happiness if he heard these words.”

Tamaki told me her thanks when I hit bulls-eye with the father complex. She might actually be rather easy to handle. When I thought that, Miichan said “Ehm, how about we get going now?” reserved.

There we, like initially planned, took the train to the two station away great department hall to enjoy some shopping. Looking at accessories with sparkling eyes or listening to some trial tracks, we had fun on our date, but… Tamaki seized every opportunity to attack me.

To be honest, I personally didn’t hate a girl like Tamaki. But it must have been different for her. She once again said to me with a harsh tone.

“…You already have Miyuki-chan as your girlfriend, yet you looked at that miss with lewd eyes just now!”

“Yeah, I thought she resembled you.”

“I, I’m not that pretty. Stop with the poor flattery. …By the way, just for references, what exactly resembled?”

Tamaki made eyes somehow filled with expectations, whereupon I declared with a smile.

“You know, about having two eyes. It’s a perfect match.”

“Anyone has two eyes! Then it would have been better if you had denied it all together! I’m a bit hurt! You’re not suitable for Miyuki-chan after all!”

“…That’s the only stuff you’re on about the whole time.”

Every time she opened her mouth, it said “You’re not suitable for Miyuki-chan”. I had thought she might surprisingly easy to handle, but it would be a though job to get her give up on Miyuki-chan.

When I leaked a sigh in my heart, Tamaki asked with a weary face.

“Actually, you have been messing around the whole time, but have you ever properly told Miyuki-chan ’I love you’?”

“…I’m, clumsily.”

“Why are you acting bashful only at a time like this! So irritating! Break up with Miyuki-chan right now! If you don’t listen to words, I’ll show you with my fists!”

“I don’t really mind. It’s easier that way. Okay, bring it on. And realize, that in the end beauty always prevails.”

When I beckoned her with my index finger while saying so, Tamaki made a sharp front kick on the spot. That refined movement didn’t look amateurish at all. She most likely was doing some kind of martial arts.

With absent-minded thoughts like that, I slightly draw back my upper body and with a short pause, I easily dodged the kick. There Tamaki widened her eyes a bit, then draw back her kicking leg and laughed weakly.

“Looks like you aren’t that bad. Interesting. I’ll be serious on the next one.”

“I see. Well, good luck. In the end it’ll only make my victory more beautiful.”

“D- Don’t look down on me!”

Along with her words, Tamaki took a stance while I put both my hands in my pockets with a yawn. There Miichan hastily got between us.

“You two, stop fighting! Also, Senpai, you’re a black belt in karate, so Shinobu-oniisan will be in danger if you get serious!”

“Don’t worry, Miichan. I quit karate after two weeks since it was a pain, but I have some experience. Besides, I have an idea.”

I rested my hand on the shoulder of Miichan, who had lowered the ends of her eyebrows worried, and cracked a joke with a straight face.

“First I’ll attack her with my fists. But I stop at the last moment. Tamaki will be moved to tears by my kindness on the level of Buddha. She’ll feel guilty. With a change of heart, it’ll be a melty love.”

“Coming up with such a flawless plan under all this tension! As expected of you, Shinobu-oniisan! If you do that, even Senpai might fall for you!”

“Th- There’s no way I would fall for him— Is what I should tell you officially.”

No, just deny it clearly. Retorting with that in my heart, I suddenly pointed at a pet shop that I spotted, as to change the topic.

“Okay, jokes aside, how about we go there next? Look, there have a lot of cute animals. Miichan, you have nothing against animals, do you?”

“It’s okay. Actually, I love them. Let’s go watch the puppies.”

With a sparkling smile, Miichan nodded big. That sight was way cuter than of the animals. While forming a smile, I called out to Tamaki.

“Hey, Tamakiemon, are you coming along too?”

“Who are you calling ‘Tamakiemon’! Don’t give me a weird nickname! I irritates me that you brush off the quarrel just now with a joke! Besides, I’m not really a fan of dogs.”

“Oh, you hate dogs? Then sorry, but wait here for a bit, tamaKing.”

“Truth is, you forgot my name, right! It’s so cruel to ignore everything I say! Besides, I don’t hate dogs! I’m just a bit scared, since a big dog bit me as a kid! Well, I’ll wait at a distance this time…”

Midway in her sentence, Tamaki suddenly approached me and while a sweet fragrance, partly from a shampoo?, hang in the air, she softly whispered into my ear.

“It’s a good chance to observe you two. No matter how I think about it, it’s just weird that you’re Miyuki-chan’s boyfriend. Be careful to no show any flaws.”

I didn’t know if that warning was meant to be kind or just sarcasm. However, for now I had only one thing to say.

“…You, smell nice.”

“Wh- What are you sniffing me for when I’m being serious here! Are you a pervert? Or do you have a smell fetish?”

“No, I wasn’t really sniffing you. The smell just hang in the air and I thought it was a nice fragrance. That’s all. Don’t get the wrong idea, Tamaki.”

“It’s not fair that you only call my name properly at such times! A- Also… smelling nice and stuff, don’t talk about such embarrassing things! Just get going to the pet shop already!”

There, pushed on the back by the bright red Tamaki, I headed to the pet shop together with Miichan.

Upon that, there in a transparent cage for display, were various kinds of dogs and cats. A puppy that wagged it’s tail as soon as he saw us, a soundly sleeping kitten and some kind of animal that I didn’t know, which determined kept on eating.

Amidst that, Miichan looked at the tail wagging puppy and pleasantly narrowed her eyes.

“A puppy is just so cute. Cuteness is justice. It’s invincible.”

“Yeah, for a moment I involuntarily thought that I would like to keep it.”

When I replied so, Miichan smiled faintly.

“Fufu, Shinobu-oniisan, a puppy is really nice. It likes even someone like me and plays with me. And it stays close by at sad times.”

“…Miichan, are you keeping a dog at your house?”

I felt so from her way of talking, so I asked, whereupon Miichan opened her mouth while keeping her glance on the puppy.

“When I was still small, I recklessly asked my father and had him buy a dog. It was a puppy with a white fur that I immediately liked at the pet shop. I named it ‘Whitey’ and…”

While saying so, Miichan leaked a small smile and continued with a faint smile.

“I remember being really happy, since it was like I got a little brother. I was an only child, so with him by my side, I was fine even father or mother weren’t at home. Now that I think back on it, I was inseparable with Whitey.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Apparently I’m a weird girl, so I couldn’t make any friend at kindergarten or elementary school. I was always alone outside. But when I came back home, Whitey played with me. Therefore I wasn’t lonely, but…”

Averting her gaze from the puppy, Miichan smiled lonely.

“Whitey didn’t live a long life. Last year, he passed away. I was happy with Whitey by my side. But, by staying with me all the time, Whitey couldn’t play with other people…”

Momentarily stopping her words, Miichan bit on her lips and said isolated.

“It might not have been such a good life.”

“…I don’t think you should decided that on your own.”

I felt a bit angry.

Before I noticed it, a unexpected low voice had left my mouth.

“Human or dog, each of them have their own kind of happiness. It’s not something to be decided by others. It’s something decided by the one in question.”

Breathing out lightly, I continued with a “Still,” in a soft tone this time.

“I can’t believe that Whitey was unhappy. How did Whitey behave when… he was with his beloved older sister? Did he look displeased?”

When I asked that, Miichan softly closed her eyes and, as she remembered about the time back then, she said with tears thinly dwelling up in her eyes.

“…When I came home, Whitey would always welcome me by greatly wagging his tail. Before he passed away, he stayed on my lap the whole time and even though it must have been painful for him, he kept wagging his tail until the very end…”

“Then the answer is obvious. If you keep saying strange stuff, Whitey will be sad.”

“…Yes.”

When she opened her eyes, a tear drop spilled down on her cheek from her eye.

Most likely Whitey’s only regret was to have left behind Miichan all alone. Gently reaching out my hand, I gently petted her head, whereupon Miichan wiped the dwelled up tears away and showed a bright smile.

“I’m, really grateful to Whitey. It might be that Whitey looks after me from somewhere. Thanks to him, I managed to become friends with Nazuna-chan.”

“Mh? Thanks to Whitey?”

When I asked back, Miichan nodded with a smile.

“The day after Whitey passed away, I couldn’t hold back my sadness and cried at school. Even though it was during class, even though she sat far away, Nazuna-chan immediately stood up once she noticed it and came over to me.”

…I was sure that there were others in class who had also noticed it. But it surely was just Nazuna, who stood up without hesitation.

“Then she asked me ‘Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?’. But at that time I only cried and couldn’t say anything. So Nazuna-chan told me ‘Let’s go to the infirmary’ and gently pulled me along on my hand.”

I believed that for Nazuna it was just a natural thing to do. But for Miichan it must have been something special. Her words were partly filled with happiness.

“Then Nazuna-chan closely listened to me at the infirmary. It took quite some time to tell her everything and even though I stopped midway a lot of times because I started to cry, Nazuna-chan stayed with me the whole time. In the end, she cried together with me.”

“As always, she’s so easily moved to tears.”

“…That might be. But, to me, Nazuna-chan looked really bright. I thought that I would like to be her friend. And then, we really became friends. I’m sure Whitey helped me out there.”

“I see. It certainly might be thanks to him.”

Of course, it might have been a mere coincidence that they became friends. But, some kind of power invisible to me might have been at work and that thought surely pleased Whitey as well.

Before I noticed it, I had started to smile. Miichan opened her mouth while smiling.

“I’m really happy to have become friends with Nazuna-chan. School has become fun and with her I can play games that I couldn’t with Whitey. Besides, it also made me meet you, Shinobu-oniisan.”

“…And that’s a good thing? If I remember correctly, when we first met, you looked at my face, said ‘M- Murderer! I smell a wild, dirty and dangerous smell! Please don’t kill me!’ and were half in tears.”

When I said so teasingly, Miichan flushed her cheeks and turned away her face.

“I, I’m sorry. Back then I was really nervous about visiting a friend’s house for the first time, so when I walked into you by chance in the hallway, I was just so surprised. I’m not scared now! I think you’re wonderful!”

Grabbing my hand, Miichan insisted.

“Just like Nazuna-chan, you also properly look at me even when I saw weird things, Shinobu-oniisan. At times you get angry. …And you don’t ignore me. Therefore, I’m a bit envious of Nazuna-chan.”

“…Envious? For what?”

“I told you earlier that I’m an only child. If I only had a gentle, cool and funny ‘Older Brother’ like you, Shinobu-oniisan, is what I have been wishing for since my childhood.”

Along with her words, Miichan slowly clung to me arm.

Mhm, Miichan might adore me as an “Older Brother”.

Well, that was flattering in itself. Instigated by Miichan, I also smiled and reached out my hand to pet her head once more, whereupon

“…Mh?”

I suddenly got a bad feeling from behind along with the faint sound of footsteps. I immediately embraced Miichan and jumped to the side.

Right after, two hands were pushed out to the place were I stood a moment ago.

She must have wanted to trust me away from behind. When I looked at her, Tamaki stood there with her eyes widened.

“…Wh- What was, that?”

With her hands still pushed out, Tamaki made an outrageous face and looked back at me.

“How could you dodge it? You didn’t see it. Just, who are you really?”

“Just a lone wolf.”

“So cool! So frustratingly cool! Inadvertently I was about to fall for you!”

“Well, I don’t care about that. What’s up with you? Need something?”

To be honest, I really wasn’t concerned about it at all, but

“Sh- Shinobu-oniisan, how can you stay so calm!? You have to be angry here!”

Miichan frowned and drew closer to Tamaki with a “Senpai!”.

“What would you have done if you had gotten Shinobu-oniisan injured!? Even I can get angry if it’s necessary! Please give it a rest already!”

“S- Sorry, Miyuki-chan. That was wrong for me to do. But seeing him getting in a good mood with you made me somehow angry…”

After grumbling with a small voice, Tamaki glared fiercely at me and continued.

“Also, I can’t acknowledge him as your boyfriend. I don’t care if you come to hate me, as long as it gets him away from you. I won’t dread to use force! Until Shinobu-san apologizes in tears, I won’t stop hitting him!”

“You are more determined than I thought! A- As it has come to this, ehm, uhm… I know! Shinobu-oniisan is scary when angry, you know!”

“…He’s already pretty scary as it is, even when not angry.”

When Tamaki stated her incredible rude impression, Miichan desperately fought back.

“S- Still, he gets super scary when angry! Who do you think he is! Shinobu-oniisan is the kind of guy that not only kills three people, but also cruelly turns them into waxwork afterwards!”

…Well, I hadn’t kill anyone so far, nor did I have any creepy intentions like making waxwork. Miichan might be trying to rebuke Tamaki, but no one would believe such a lie.

Even I got weary of it, but Tamaki looked at my face and simply said.

“His face certainly looks like he’s capable of that.”

“Should I turn you into waxwork as well?”

“Uwaah! Stay away! Muuuurderer!”

I had inadvertently made an angry outburst, whereupon Tamaki got away from me with teary eyes and then trembled her legs like a newborn deer.

“…Y- Your life is in danger when you stay besides such a dangerous guy, Miyuki-chan. I have to do something…!”

Could it be, this made her lose her faith in me even more?

Tamaki was looking at me like I was a criminal.

I crossed my arms and pondered what to do, whereupon Miichan clapped her hands, as she thought of something, and pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. Following, she operated it for a while, then called out to Tamaki.

“Uhm, Senpai, you hate guys, correct?”

“Yeah, that’s right. They’re the trash of society.”

“Ehm, then what do you think of this person?”

Along with her words, Miichan held up her cell phone.

What was it? Together with Tamaki, I looked at the screen of the cell phone, which showed an attached photo of a girl.

That girl had a sharp look, but that aside she could be considered a beauty.

She wore a waitress uniform and was a bit sulky, but she would surely look even more charming with a smile. Actually, this girl somehow resembled my mother?

When I got that impression, Tamaki opened her mouth spellbound.

“So pretty. Is she your friend, Miyuki-chan? If possible, I want you to introduce her to me. What that be okay?”

“Of course I’ll gladly introduce her. You want to get closer to this person, right?”

“Yeah, I want to get closer. Get intimate, go on a lot of dates and one day, at night— wait, no, no! I’m faithful to Miyuki-chan! I won’t cheat! But, fantasizing should be allowed, right? Ehehe…”

As she fantasized about something, Tamaki faintly smiled and flushed her cheeks. Still looking cute even in such a slovenly state was the cunning part about a pretty girl.

For now, I retorted wearily.

“Hey Tamaki, you’re drooling.”

“I, I’m not! Sure, I might be about to drool and a bit might have come out already, but don’t say it! I hate guys because they lack of tact! Idiot!”

When she once again glared at me fiercely, Miichan softly gave her a fair warning.

“Senpai, you can’t call the person you want to get closer to an ’idiot’.”

“…Mh? What are you talking about, Miyuki-chan? I didn’t say a single word about wanting to get closer to this kind of guy.”

Tamaki frowned doubtful, whereupon Miichan held up her cell phone again and declared with a bright smile.

“The person in this photo is Shinobu-oniisan in cross-dress.”

“Pft!”

Instantly, even I snorted.

Wh- What the. I didn’t notice at all. Either way, how came that Miichan had that photo? Did my mother leak it?

When I felt my cheeks getting hot, Tamaki compared me numerous times with the picture on the cell phone while blinking. On the other hand, Miichan continued with a smile.

“You might hate guys, Senpai, but I take you could fall in love with Shinobu-oniisan in cross-dress?”

“…Yeah, that’s possible.”

Surprisingly enough, Tamaki gave a big nod. Flushing her cheeks, she faced me again.

“Shinobu-san! I beg you! Go on a date with me in woman clothes!”

“Are you stupid! Of course the answer is no!”

“Wh- Why! I will properly wear woman clothes too!”

“You’re cute too begin with! If you want a date, try hitting on that beauty over there!”

Shouting that, I pointed to a female that I had suddenly spotted, but… ehm, on a closer look, it was Hijiri.

With the glamorous long, black hair, the dignified features and the curvy body left no room for doubt. She was Gogyou Hijiri, my classmate and actually my fiancée. …Reminded me, Hijiri loved dogs. She might have decided to drop by the pet shop during her shopping.

Well, either way, meeting Hijiri was more than bad. I immediately wanted to withdraw from here, but unfortunately Hijiri noticed me.

“…Oh, Shinobu-kun.”

Saying isolated, Hijiri relaxed her dignified expression. And showing an incredible cute smile, she approached me.

“What a coincidence, Shinobu-kun. I didn’t expect meeting you here.”

“…Yeah, indeed. I never had so less luck as today.”

“Mh?”

Wondering tilting her head, Hijiri faced the others.

“Ehm, Shinobu-kun, who are they?”

“Yeah, well, you see, they are…”

I truthfully wanted to introduce Miichan as Nazuna’s friends and explain Tamaki as her senior.

However, right now I was Miichan’s boyfriend.

Somehow Tamaki also glared at me with eyes that wanted to say “Who’s this pretty miss? Don’t tell me, an affair? You’re having an affair! Unforgivable! I’ll beat you up!”….So I had no choice, but to lie.

Determined I averted my eyes from Hijiri.

“Hijiri, this girl is Sakurai Miyuki-chan. Nickname, Miichan. And she, well, happens to be my, girlfriend…”

“Girlfriend? Yours?”

As she couldn’t comprehend the meaning of the words, Hijiri widened her eyes puzzled and stopped moving like she had been petrified. But, after a while tears dwelled up in her eyes and she asked.

“It’s one, of your usual jokes, right? You never told me about having a girlfriend and it’s not even Luna-san….It has to be a lie.”

“It, It’s not a lie. We started dating just recently. Isn’t that right, Miichan?”

“Eh? Ah, yes, that’s right.”

She must have somehow comprehended the situation. Miichan made a firm nod, albeit a bit awkwardly. But, Hijiri wrinkled up her well-formed eyebrows with still teary eyes.

“….Seems a bit suspicious. And I don’t want to believe it. It’s a lie after all, isn’t it? Shinobu-kun, please tell me the truth.”

No, I would very much like to tell the truth, but as long as Tamaki was here, I couldn’t do that. How could I get out of this?

When I pondered like that in my head, Tamaki nodded in agreement with Hijiri and interjected with a sharp look.

“I agree with the miss. You two are a bit suspicious. If you two are really going out, then show us a kiss.”

“…Stop messing around. Why do we have to kiss?”

I replied so innerly shaken, whereupon Tamaki combed her hair upwards and responded stylish.

“Because feelings become noticeable during a kiss.”

“…What the? Stop saying nonsense. Besides, it’s too embarrassing to kiss in public, so I can’t do that. You wouldn’t be able to kiss either if urged to, right?”

I asked persuading, but Hijiri blushed and Tamaki kept her straight face while they answered.

“I, I would just try hard!”

“No problem for me, even sober!”

“…So much for your opinions. But a kiss is out of the question. Let me off with just this.”

I felt a bit bad, but along with my words, I embraced Miichan.

Upon that, Miichan blinked her eyes in surprise, then

“Ehehe, so warm. Feels good.”

showed no real sign of resistance, happily put her hands around my back and tightly returned the hug.

Her two soft breasts pressed on my warm body and there was a sweet fragrance.

To be honest, it was rather embarrassing, but for a while I kept embracing Miichan and petted her head…When the shame became unbearable, I slowly got away from her.

“S- See, this should convince you…wait, huh? H- Hijiri-san?”

The moment I faced Hijiri, I was at a loss for words unmeant.

Of all things, Hijiri was crying big tears out of her eyes. While I desperately searched for words to say, she made a hic and leaked a small voice.

“This is… too much. What… should I do from now on? I can’t stand this… Shinobu-kun, you… you’re…”

“Ehm, I’m, what?”

“STUUPID!”

Raising a voice that pierce my chest, she turned her back to me.

“Fueh~ Kaoru-san~”

With a crying voice that made even the listener sad, Hijiri went away just like that.

…My chest was about to be crushed by guilt.

In the corner of my vision, Tamaki threw a fit with “Y- You looked well together, but I won’t acknowledge it!”, but to be honest, I couldn’t care less. Why did my chest hurt so much?

I pressed one hand on my throbbing chest, whereupon Miichan spoke to me with a small voice worried.

“Uhm, Shinobu-oniisan, are you okay? That miss was crying. Don’t mind me and go after her.”

“…W- Well, it’s not a problem as long as I explain it later. You don’t need to worry, Miichan. But… Can I go to the bookstore for a bit and read a book about self-enlightenment?”

Replying so with my shoulders dropped, I made a big sigh in my heart….

* * *

After that we ate a somewhat late lunch at the department hall and after the meal I left my seat to go to the toilet. Hoping that Hijiri was near and that I could clear up the misunderstanding, I walked around a bit as a detour, when

“Oh~hohoho~!”

A familiar loud laughter reached my ears.

Ehm, whose was it again? When I tilted my head and faced the laughter, there was a girl in a truly rich lady dress.

If I remembered correctly, she was the somewhat stupid girl that quarrelled with Nazuna at the seaside school. Her name was Chihaya-san. Just like previously, she had two follower girls with her.

That Chihaya-san seemed to face someone, but I couldn’t see the face of that someone from my position. Just who was she talking to? For some reason I was a bit curious, so I headed towards them, whereupon

“…Mh? Nazuna and Elni?”

Two familiar faces came into my vision. Inadvertently I stopped my feet.

Reminded me, they had said that they also were going on a date in opposition to Miichan and me, but they came to the same place? What a coincidence.

I certainly was a bit surprised. Chihaya-san threw out her chest and once again raised a loud laughter.

“Oh~hohoho~! Oh~hoho~! Oh~hohoho~! *cough!* *cough!*”

Midway she started to cough violently. Upon that, one of the follower girls made a weary face while the other started to stroke Chihaya-san’s back worried.

“…Just what are you trying to pull?”

“A- Are you okay, Chiyaha-sama?”

Having her back stroked, Chihaya-san recovered, as she held up her palm to her follower girls, thus stopping them.

“I am fine already. I just choked a bit and thought I would die from the pain, but apparently I am still alive.”

“…Is that so. Too bad. It would’ve been better if you died.”

“S- Somehow, I get the feeling something incredible rude was said so nonchalant, but they always so the beautiful die young! Oh~hohoho~!”

Not paying any mind to the outrageous stuff her follower girl had said, Chihaya-san released her special loud laughter, as she was in a good mood, and faced Nazuna.

“Nanjou-san, what a fancy to meet you here!”

“Yeah! Really! Oh~hohoho!”

“Oh my, mimicking me, I see. Just fine! Oh~hohoho~!”

Whatever might be fun about it, Nazuna and Chihaya-san raised loud laughter, whereupon even the nearby Elni joined in their “Oh~hohoho~!”… All the gazes from people near by were concentrated on them.

Amidst that, the follower girls shrugged her shoulders together and both of them pulled on Chihaya-san’s sleeves at the same time.

“Chihaya-sama, stop acting stupid and let’s go already.”

“We don’t have much time. We’ll be late for the lesson…”

“Oh my, it is already this late? But please give a bit longer. I have something to tell to Nanjou-san by all means.”

While saying so, Chihaya-san pointed sharply at Nazuna and declared with an overbearing tone.

“Nanjou-san, previously I warned you with ‘Do not get cheeky’, did I not? Despite that! You seem to get along well with Gogyou-senpai from the Kendo club lately! What is the meaning of that? The fan club will not stay silent about it!”

“Yeah, yeah! Just like Chihaya-sama says!”

One of the follower girls nodded in agreement with Chihaya-san, but

“Well, it’s her usual jealousy, so don’t worry too much about it. That idiot behaves so even at Gogyou-senpai’s fan club, so she won’t hurt you, Nanjou-san…”

The other follower girl stood besides Nazuna and looked at Chihaya-san like she was an idiot. In regards to that, Nazuna paid no mind to getting scolded and faced Chihaya-san with a smile.

“Actually, Arisugawa-san, Gogyou-senpai’s big sister and my big brother are friends.”

…Ahh, speaking of, Hijiri previously had mentioned that she had a little brother and it appeared that he was in the same middle school as Nazuna. Actually, Chihaya-san’s last name was Arisugawa, huh.

While such thoughts crossed my mind, I returned my gaze to Nazuna.

“So, Gogyou-senpai talked to me. He’s actually a surprisingly funny person, so we got along well right away. If you want, I can introduce you to him?”

“I, I will not take any mercy from my enemy! Even if you introduced me, I would be too nervous to talk! Either way, your composure irritates me!”

Out of anger, Chihaya-san trembled her lips and continued with a “Also!” by raising her voice.

“You were confessed to by Yamada-sama from the class next door on the school day of summer vacation! And you dared to turn him down so readily! Why are you giving every single one of the wonderful guys that declare their feelings for you the brush-off! I do not understand you!”

“Mh? But, I love my brother more.”

When Nazuna replied so with a smile,

“Hah!”

Chihaya-san made a foolish laughter and shrugged her shoulders in disappointment.

“Nanjou-san, no matter how much you love your brother, I am sure that your brother thinks of you as an annoying little sister.”

“…Eh? Annoying?”

Instantly, Nazuna’s eyes rocked with worry, but Chihaya.san didn’t seem to notice that and shouted with tears in her eyes for some reason.

“I also have a big brother, but he always tells me ‘You’re annoying’! Even though I love him so much! I am sure my dear brother hates me!”

“Yeah, yeah! Just like Chihaya-sama says!”

“Hauh! Hearing someone else confirming it hurts my chest so incredible!”

Chihaya-san made a shocked expression. The follower girl pressed her hands on her shut mouth. The other follower girl burst out in laughter.

Glaring at both of them, Chihaya-san then faced Nazuna again with the tears still in her eyes.

“Anyway! Even your brother will consider it a bother when you stick to his heels like a dog! Real little sisters are just an annoyance after all!”

“Th- That’s not true! My brother loves me! Madly in love!”

“Oh~hohoho~! That is what it means to be conceited! Stepsisters aside, us blood-related little sisters can only give up! Too bad for you and me!”

“Uueh~!”

With nothing to say back, Nazuna glared at Chihaya-san while moved to tears.

“Stupid Arisugawa-san! I hate you! I’m not talking to you again!”

“N- Not talking to me again!? S- S- So- So what! I am not sad at all!”

“…Ehm, Chihaya-sama? You’re making a face close to tears right now? How about you stop pretending and just apologize?”

“No! I mean, I am not at fault here! I just stated the truth! Not talking again suits me just fine! Well then, Nanjou-san, have a nice day! Oh~hohoho….”

Facing sideways and raising a loud laughter that sounded like a crying voice, Chihaya-san walked away with her back to Nazuna. On the other hand, the follower girls said “Sorry” together and hastily went after Chihaya-san.

Then the girls came close to where I stood.

“…Aww, I did it again.”

Chihaya-san dropped her shoulders greatly in a depressed state.

“Why can I only make vicious remarks? I guess, I am an idiot…”

“Yeah, yeah! Just as Chihya-sama says!”

“S- So mean, Akina! That is too much!”

While doing a comedy duo like that, Chihaya-san and the two girls left the place.

After watching them off, I returned my gaze, whereupon Nazuna was walking away just like Chihaya-san and Elni hastily followed her. The crowed of people closed behind their backs and they disappeared from my vision.

…Catching up to them would be impossible. Leaving Nazuna to Elni and while it was hard for me to leave, I returned to Miichan and Tamaki.

Upon that, Miichan showed a soft smile as soon as she noticed me, but Tamaki asked sullen.

“You sure took your time. Just where did you go?”

“Yeah, actually there was a girl being attacked by aliens, so I helped her, but then the aliens abducted me instead. And after a fierce fight, I finally made it back to you two.”

“You’re amazing, Shinobu-oniisan!”

“…Well, if that’s what happened, then it can’t be helped.”

Uh, the eyes of innocent girls tightened my chest. Unable to endure the guilt, I lowered my head with “I told a lie. I’m sorry” right away…

After that, we left the department hall and started some window shopping at the nearby shopping district. Not long after, we entered a store for western clothes that Miichan and Tamaki spotted and the two of them looked at the clothes together on cordial terms.

…Tamaki was also a girl after all. It was a heart-warming scene how she happily choose clothes together with Miichan.

I didn’t want to bother them. So I told them “I’ll look around a bit” and moved to vicinity near the exit of the store. For a while I randomly trotted around there, whereupon

“Hey, Shinobu-san.”

Tamaki, holding a paper bag, called out to me.

She made a kind of serious expression and jerked her chin towards the automatic door of the store.

“Come along for a bit. Miyuki-chan is still shopping, so let’s talk outside.”

I had no real reason to turn her down. I gave a nod back and left the store with Tamaki.

While the chirping of the cicadas attacked my ears, Tamaki began to talk with still a serious expression.

“We’re finally all alone, Shinobu-san.”

“…Sorry, but I can’t respond to your feelings. I already have Miichan.”

“Wh- Why are you acting like I’m going to confess to you! How can you get that misunderstanding! Just what’s going on in your head!”

“Well, I thought that you might attack me like a beast in the moment we’re all alone, so I just made the first move.”

“Wh- What are you taking me for!?”

“…A cute girl?”

“L- Like I said, stop with that embarrassing stuff!”

After turning her face bright red, Tamaki averted her eyes from me and asked with a corrected tone.

“…Hey, just what do you love about Miyuki-chan?”

“Mh? Why are you asking that? Can’t you tell by looking?”

“Certainly, your eyes are gentle when you look at Miyuki-chan. But, I’m worried. Miyuki-chan is, well, I don’t really want to say this, but she’s kind of a weird girl.”

Suddenly casting her eyes down, Tamaki dropped her voice.

“From what I heard from my junior friends, Miyuki-chan is a bit aloof in class. She has a cute friend named Nazuna-chan, who I confessed to once and was turned down… but that doesn’t matter now.”

Yeah, I was a bit surprised about finding out that Tamaki even had confessed to my little sister, but Tamaki continued her story with a wry smile.

“So, that Nazuna-chan is quite popular in class and seeing her getting along with Miyuki-chan, the other guys in class, how should I say, get kind of jealous. I don’t know if that’s the reason, but I heard that the others don’t think all too well about Miyuki-chan.”

It was the first time I heard of that, but I, as an outsider, wasn’t going to be just persuaded into pitying her. I wasn’t going to think something that rude, but I was certainly angry.

It might be that Tamaki felt the same. She tightly clenched her fists and said with a strong tone.

“Of course, I also like Miyuki-chan’s slightly weird side. But, how about you? If you say that you’re only dating her for her appearance….I’ll never forgive you.”

Sincere eyes. Words overflowing with kindness. Straight-forward feelings. Yeah, she really loved Miichan.

Without doubt she couldn’t suppress her worry for Miichan. That was way she went through the trouble of meeting with me.

…Such a good girl. I changed my tone into a serious one and properly told her my feelings.

“I’ll tell you, I’m not bothered by Miichan’s weird side. There are a lot of weirdoes around me. And even if there were nine things I hated about her, as long as there is one thing I like about her, I’ll go out with her.”

“…I see.”

Averting her eyes from me, she made a resigned sigh.

“Glad to hear that. But, it’s still frustrating.”

Tamaki dropped her shoulders, then suddenly returned her gaze to me.

“By the way, Shinobu-san, do you love Miyuki-chan?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Y- You’re not sure!?”

…Aw, shit. I carelessly said my real feelings while still in serious mode. I hastily smoothed over my blunder.

“H- How should I say, you know, love isn’t about reason. It’s not something you can express with words. What’s important is, this.”

“…I see, the heart, huh.”

When I pointed to my chest with my thumb, Tamaki pressed one hand on her voluminous chest.

Upon that, her huge breast softly changed change on the pressure of the palm, which was kind of lewd.

“You, sure have big breasts.”

“D- Don’t say it so bluntly, when I’m already bothered by it!”

“…Bothered? Why?”

When I asked out of slight curiosity, Tamaki faced sideways and answered.

“I was teased by the boys in elementary school because of these breasts. I already hated boys since kindergarten because of their teasing, but I came to hate them ever more then because of that. That’s why I started karate and got stronger, so that I wouldn’t lose to the teasing.”

“…That’s a splendid endeavour, but I don’t think your breasts are the reason. The boys just might have wanted your attention, since you’re cute. Brats often tease a girl they like.”

“Th- That’s not true! No! Guys are my enemies! A guy also took Miyuki-chan away from me, besides, I’m not cute at all!”

Becoming vivacious, Tamaki denied obstinate.

Well, saying anything more would be pointless. I opened my mouth to change the topic.

“Tamaki, now a question from me. I understand well why you hate guys. But, do you really love girls?”

“…I guess, you also find it strange to fall in love with the same gender?”

“Well, I don’t think it’s really normal.”

When I answered honestly, Tamaki hang down her head depressed.

There I rested my hand on Tamaki’s head and continued.

“But you know, I’m not going to deny it. Whatever other says, I believe it’s amazing to be able to honestly say what you like.”

I also adored that way of living. When I conveyed my sentimental feelings, Tamaki widened her eyes, then smiled faintly.

“…You sure don’t tell any lies, Shinobu-san.”

“Well, what’s the use of telling a lie here.”

“Fufu, but everyone else denies it, you know? While they always claim ‘It’s not weird’, I actually know that they’re just being considerate to me and are actually lying. In their hearts, they surely think ‘It’s weird’.”

“Still, regardless of what others think, you are you. There’s no need to force yourself to play-act. It’s better to stay true to your feelings. As long as it doesn’t hurt someone else.”

“…You’re so cool…”

After mumbling with a small voice, Tamaki showed an unbound smile.

“I’ll give up on Miyuki-chan. Doesn’t seem that I can win against you…”

With her voice faintly trembling, Tamaki let out a bright voice as to cover it up.

“Shinobu-san, wait here a for a moment. I’m thirsty, so I’ll go buy some juice.”

As soon as she said that, Tamaki ran off, getting away from me.

While Tamaki had made a smile, her eyes were faintly filled with tears.

With that the case should have been closed, but was it really okay like this? There were times, where it was okay to lie, and times, were it was not. While feeling a pain in my chest, I crossed my arms and waited for Tamaki to return…

After a while, Miichan came out of the store once she finished her shopping.

“I’m sorry, Shinobu-oniisan. Seems I made you wait. So ehm, where’s Senpai?”

“Yeah, she went to buy juice, but now that you mention it, she sure is taking her time.”

“Is that so? Well then, I’ll try calling her.”

While saying so, Miichan took out her cell phone and called Tamaki. But, the call didn’t connect and Miichan frowned worried.

“I wonder if something happened?”

“…For now, let’s go take a look.”

A bit worried, Miichan and I separately searched for Tamaki.

But without being able to find her and the worry gradually increasing, I suddenly heard an angry shout from the nearby road.

When I moved on with hunch, there were Tamaki, standing covering in front of an unknown female, and three ill-bred guys.

Tamaki frowned displeased and glared at the guys.

“How often do I have to say it! Give it a rest already! The miss here doesn’t want to hang out with trash like you! Go home and suck on your mommy’s breasts!”

“Idiot! Mommy’s breasts belong to papa! A brat like you doesn’t even know that? Isn’t it rather you, who want’s mommy’s breasts? By the way, I want them a bit!”

The guys messed around and raised a laughter, as they didn’t take Tamaki seriously.

Upon that, Tamaki trembled her shoulders and tightly clenched her fists.

“Stop messing around! If words won’t get through to you, I’ll make you understand with your bodies!”

Along with her words, Tamaki launched a sharp roundhouse kick and the guy, who get hit by hit, moaned faintly, then bended his body and got on his knees.

Instantly, the guys’s attitude changed drastically. Their smiles disappeared, their looks sharpened and they looked like they seriously would attack Tamaki.

…Good grief. Judging by the situation, Tamaki mostly likely wanted to help the female that was persistently being hit on, but her way of doing so was just too bad. What was the use in agitating them?

I had quite mixed feelings as it resembled my past self. I shrugged my shoulders and approached them. There Tamaki noticed me and faced me with a happy smile.

“Great timing, Shinobu-san! I’ll beat up this trash! Help me!”

“…As if I would do that.”

Replying wearily, I faced the guys.

In that moment, the guys took a look at my face, trembled their shoulders and backed off one step.

Whoops, not good. I had a scary face to begin with. So I thought about making a smile as not to agitate them. Therefore, I had raised the corners of my mouth and showed a smile while calling out to the guys.

“Sorry that my companion troubled you. There are too many people here. Shall we head somewhere more quiet to talk? Oh no, I’m not going to do anything bad to you. Just tag along for a bit, okay?”

I had tried my best to bring out my good faith, but

“Hiiii! We’ll be abducted by a Yakuza and thrown into the seeeea!”

“Nooo! Muuuuurderer!”

The guys turned pale and for some reason even the female, who was hit on, raised a scream. All together, they ran away at full speed with trembling legs.

But that wasn’t all. For some reason even the people around us all averted her eyes from me and left at a smart pace….The only ones left here were Tamaki and I.

I felt rather hurt, whereupon Tamaki approached with sparkles in her eyes.

“Amazing, Shinobu-san! That was rather cool!”

Tamaki seemed to praise me, but for now I placed a light chop on her head.

“Wh- What are you doing! That hurt!”

“…I’m sure the guy you kicked just now thought the same. Anyone will feel hurt and get angry upon being hit. Depending on the situation, they can even get scared. I believe it was a praiseworthy thing that you tried to do, but it wasn’t executed well. Don’t resort to violence so easily.”

Spreading my hand that I hit her with, I petted Tamaki’s head and continued.

“Besides, it’s dangerous. What would you have done if you got hurt? Don’t go provoking others. Leave violence only as the very last resort. If you get hurt by helping someone, there will be people who get sad.”

“….I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no, I also said a bit too much. My bad.”

Seeing her honestly lower her head made me realized that I had gotten a bit too passionate.

…What was I lecturing her for. I did the same stuff in the past, so I couldn’t be so pompously.

When I got a bit awkward and scratched my cheek, Tamaki said isolated.

“…Somehow, you’re like my papa.”

“Mh? What was that?”

“No, nothing.”

Giving a small smile, Tamaki raised her head and stared at me.

For some reason, her eyes were wet and her cheeks flushed. Getting a really bad feeling, I decided to leave and regroup with Miichan as soon as possible.

After regrouping with Miichan, we now enjoyed some shopping in the city, when Tamaki suddenly stopped and leaked a small voice.

“…I think, it’s about time I leave.”

“Eh? What’s the matter, Senpai?”

“Do you feel sick?”

When Miichan and I asked back, Tamaki slowly shook her head.

“I already achieved my goal. Staying any longer would be a bother to you and if it’s Shinobu-san, I can safely entrust Miyuki-chan to him.”

Tamaki made a slightly lonely smile, leaked a “I feel stupid for getting worried on my own…” and lowered her head to Miyuki-chan.

“Sorry, Miyuki-chan. I caused you a lot of troubles. I’ll properly give up on you. But, if you don’t mind, would you stay friends with me?”

“Yes, that goes without saying, but, uhm…”

She must have felt guilty from the lie. Miichan was hesitant to speak and searched for the right words to tell Tamaki. There I, like giving her a push on the back, called out softly to Miichan.

“Hey, Miichan, are you fine with this? Do you want to keep lying to the friend that seriously worried about you?”

“…Eh? Lie?”

On my words, Tamaki tilted her head, whereas Miichan tightly bit on her lips.

“I’m sorry! I told you a lie, Senpai!”

This time Miichan lowered her head.

“Actually, I don’t have a boyfriend! I pushed Shinobu-oniisan into playing my boyfriend! I, like you, Senpai, but I cannot become your lover! This might sound selfish, but please stay friend with someone like me!”

“…Oh, it was all a lie?”

Tamaki showed Miichan, whose eyes were rocking with worry, a gentle smile.

“I’m a bit surprised, but in the end, it was my fault for coming onto you so strongly. Sorry, Miyuki-chan. I should be asking for us to stay friends.”

Not only did she forgive Miichan’s lie with a smile, but Tamaki also lowered her head once more.

…She really was a good girl. I felt like petting her head. I felt my mouth forming a smile. Then Tamaki for some reason reddened her cheeks and softly faced me.

“Ehm, if you’re not Miyuki-chan’s boyfriend, then that means you’re currently single? You don’t have a girlfriend?”

“Yeah, I’m a sad loner.”

When I replied with a nod, Tamaki came closer with sparkling eyes.

“Then, Shinobu-san, please become friends with me!”

Grabbing my hand with her two hands and with bright red cheeks, Tamaki continued with a loud voice.

“—In a sexual way!”

“A- Are you stupid! A middle schooler shouldn’t say that! Besides, didn’t you hate guys!?”

“I certainly hate guys. I’m set on having a girl as a lover. But, I also fell in love with you, Shinobu-san! So please have a merely physical relationship with me!”

“Such an adulterated relationship! Your dad would cry of this, seriously! Are you okay with that, Ms. Father Complex?”

“…It saddens me that papa will cry.”

Even while replying so, Tamaki placed her hand on her chin and continued “But” with a serious expression.

“It’s about I graduate from my papa. Next year I’m going to high school and I should stop taking baths together with papa! Shinobu-san, please take baths with me from now on, in place of my papa! If you could possibly cross-dress for me as well, I would be delighted!”

“I won’t take baths with you, nor cross-dress! I’ll only date a fine woman! Try again once you have become a better woman!”

“Okay! I’ll work hard! I’ll never give up! I’m fine with just a physical relationship, so just say the word anytime!”

…O, Oh god. Who could have predicted this outcome? Inadvertently I buried my head in my hands, whereupon

“O- Oh my god! Who could have predicted such an outcome! I gave birth to a strong rival through my lie!”

Leaking partly the same impression as me, Miichan also buried her head in her hands.

Amidst that, Tamaki closely clung to my arm, but all I could do was to sigh. Really, how did it come to this? If I could turn back time, I would like to do so for a few hours.

“Okay! I’ll make Shinobu-san mine and aim for a harem end in the future!”

“…For me that’s without doubt a bad end.”

Replying so to Tamaki, I hung my head on the spot.

The chirping of the cicadas seems rather distant…

* * *

The next day. Tired from all the stuff that happened yesterday, it was already past noon when I woke up.

I had a vague memory that Luna tried to wake me up earlier with “Lunch is done”, but… in the end, I didn’t get up, did I. Geez.

I should go apologize to Luna immediately. And I should have her give me some food. I was quite hungry. Therefore, I left my room and showed up in the living room, whereupon there was Miichan, who had come over to play again.

Besides Miichan, there were Nazuna and my mother in the living room.

“There, it’s a braid.”

My mother was playing around with Miichan’s pretty and long hair. However, as soon as she noticed me, she called out to me with a grin.

“Morning, Shinobu. I heard from Miichan about Tamaki-chan. You sure a popular.”

“Yo, it’s troubling how money and women come to me so naturally. For starters, I’ll buy an air guitar, so hand over some money.”

Not yielding to her and giving a random reply, I held out my hand to my mother in a joke.

“Yeah, here. Shinomun gets thousand yen. Yay.”

Surprisingly enough, my mother gave me an allowance.

…Somehow, she was in a rather good mood today. I wondered why?

I tilted my head, whereupon Miichan made a slightly worried face and asked.

“Uhm, Shinobu-oniisan, you really don’t have any intentions to date Senpai, right?”

“None. She’s a middle schooler and while she’s certainly cute, she’s difficult, to be honest.”

To begin with, a mere physical relationship with a middle schooler was way too dangerous.

Actually, I didn’t want a mere physical relationship to begin with. I replied while shaking my hand lightly, but Miichan said still worried.

“But, Senpai seems to be set on you. Yesterday I phoned with her at night and she asked a lot of things about you. She’s very attractive and has big breasts, so I’m worried.”

“Don‘t worry, Miichan. There’s hardly any girl who can win against Luna-chan in breast size.”

“You’re right. No one can win against Luna-san… wait, I get the feeling that it’s worrying in some other way!”

When Miichan once more showed a worried expression, my mother smiled lightly and opened her mouth with somewhat distant eyes.

“Somehow, when I look at you, I’m reminded about my younger self. I also had a time, where I had the same worries at you, Miichan.”

“Haha, can’t be.”

“What are you laughing for, Shinobu. Even I was a cute maiden like Miichan in the past, you know?”

“Though there’s not a single trace left of it now.”

“…I’ll smack you?”

“Not in the face. I still have a photo shooting— hey, ouch! What are you doing! I told you not in the face!”

As such I was messing around with my mother, whereupon Nazuna, who had stayed quiet up till now, softly pulled on Miichan’s sleeve.

“Hey, Miichan, I have something to discuss. Is that okay?”

“Discuss? Of course it’s okay. If it’s for you, it’s okay 24/7 all year!”

“Thanks. Then let’s go to my room.”

“Eh? We can’t stay here?”

“Yeah. I mean, Brother is here.”

Aw, Brother felt a sting in the chest on these words.

Why was it bad for me to be present? Was it something she couldn’t tell me?

I was quite hurt, but Nazuna was a girl at a good age. She obviously had a few things that she couldn’t tell me.

Nazuna made a serious expression on a rare occasion, so I didn’t interject and silently watched Nazuna and Miichan leaving the living room.

There my mother talked to me teasingly.

“Still, Shinobu, the incident with Tamaki-chan shows again that you still have a tendency to attract weird girls.”

“Huh? Attract weird girls? That’s not—”

true, is what I wanted to deny clearly. However, I recalled some things and inadvertently closed my mouth, whereupon my mother giggled.

“Speaking of, Luna-chan and Elni are a bit weird too… At this rate, you might become a playboy like your dad.”

“….Don’t jinx it.”

Replying with a shrug of my shoulders, I left the living room.

She would just keep teasing me if I stayed. Besides, I was hungry. I walked down the hallway looking for Luna and suddenly thought.

…About what Nazuna wanted to discuss.

It was an early afternoon during summer vacation, when I was a bit curious about that…

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