A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 39: My Sister and I, A Small Promise ☆

Chapter 39: My Sister and I, A Small Promise ☆

Yuki’s lips press against mine for about five seconds before pulling away. Unable to process what happened, my heart trembles, my mind dazed.

Without time to savor the softness, I’m stunned as Yuki murmurs, “Sorry, Shun-nii,” then looks at me, speaking quietly.

“Talking with you every day, spending time together, makes me so happy. But I knew… I couldn’t be more than that. I tried to hide those feelings, cheering for you and Asagi-san, but when I heard you’d sleep over with her, I got jealous.”

After a pause, she continues.

“…I imagined you doing naughty things, thought about it a lot, touched myself… I realized I wanted that with you. I know it’s crazy… but just once, even just today… I…!”

Her bloodshot eyes look like Yamamoto-san’s when she pounced on me.

She hasn’t explicitly said she wants that, but I need to stop her at this stage, even if it’s my arrogance or misunderstanding.

“…Yuki, c-calm down…!”

My words seem to soften her intense gaze. “Shun-nii…?” she murmurs, waiting for me.

“I want to accept anything you want… but first, can you hear my feelings? Is that… okay?”

She nods slightly, and I start pouring out my thoughts.

“…I… honestly, I think I like you…”

It’s unlike me, but the words come out smoother than expected. I’m still anxious that a guy like me confessing this might disgust her, but I can’t escape now.

“Of course as a sister… but as a girl, I think you’re cute, kind, charming…”

A small gasp escapes her, but I keep voicing my selfish thoughts.

“…But because you’re my sister… I feel I have to protect you. You’ve… done naughty things for me before, but I think we shouldn’t easily cross that final line…! Not that I disliked what we’ve done…!”

It’s true I’ve taken pleasure from her. But drowning in it and crossing that line would be wrong as a brother.

“I believe someone way more important than me will appear for you someday… So until then, I think we shouldn’t go all the way… It’s cowardly, unfair, I know, but… this is how I feel… I’m sorry…”

My words taper off, but I’ve conveyed my honest feelings. Now, I’ll accept whatever she says.

“…No, don’t apologize, Shun-nii.”

She doesn’t condemn me, meeting my gaze.

“I’m the unfair one, so don’t worry. You thinking of me, being kind… that’s what makes me happiest. If you say that, I’m okay… and of course, no one will ever be more important than you, ever.”

Her sisterly appeal is both joyful and guilt-inducing. I’m just postponing, unable to fully accept her feelings.

“Sorry, Yuki. You told me all this, and I…”

She shakes her head, bunbun.

“No, I’m the one forcing myself on you, and you don’t hate me for it… I really love you, and I’ll always be on your side, no matter what.”

She pauses, then adds, “Oh, but?” peering at my face. Her youthful, beautiful upturned gaze makes my heart race, but I must shake off impure thoughts.

“…Can I ask one thing…? If it’s not too much.”

Her request is nothing but sweet to me.

“You saying you like me as a girl made me so happy. So, I might get even clingier… please forgive that, um…”

As if scolding her own hesitation, she slaps her thigh, pechiri, takes a deep breath, and locks eyes with me.

“Sometimes… I’d love it if you treated me like a lover. Of course, I want you to cherish Asagi-san and Maki-san too. I know it’s selfish, but… I want you to see me too. If you don’t like it, you can say so, okay?”

I know my standards are skewed. In a normal world, siblings acting like lovers would be wrong.

Still, I have feelings for her and admitted them. I can’t possibly refuse her wish.

“…Yeah, if it’s okay with me… I’ll cherish you…”

At my answer, she slowly takes my hand, gripping it tightly. I find her, confirming that touch, overwhelmingly precious.

“Ehehe, thank you… I really love you, Shun-nii.”

Her slightly teary eyes shine with a smile too dazzling for me.

“But if your feelings change, it’s okay anytime, alright?”

Her final words shake my heart. I still don’t know if my actions are right.

As a brother, rejecting her might be correct. It’s supposed to be forbidden love, yet I easily broke that barrier.

I say it’s for her, but maybe it’s for me. Even without crossing the final line, I might be too weak to suppress my feelings for her.

She smiles at me. Would she stay even seeing my dark thoughts?

“…Shun-nii, you’re making that serious face again.”

Always anticipating my feelings, she worries for me even now.

“I shouldn’t say this after what I did, but you can tell me anything, okay? You might be holding back, but… I’ll take anything you say seriously…!”

Puffing out her chest, she looks at me with complete trust. My voice trembles as I reply.

“…Thank you, really… sorry.”

“Shun-nii, don’t apologize, okay?” she says, patting my head. It’s unclear who’s older, but she takes my hand again.

“Let’s head downstairs? Mom’s probably back soon!”

She pulls me toward the first floor. In the hallway and stairs, I feel her sisterly brightness.

I’m her brother, but she often helps and protects me. I must accept her feelings and be ready for it.

Downstairs, Mom’s already back, cooking.

“Ara, welcome back, you two. Sorry for being late.”

She smiles at us, making fried rice in a pan.

“I was going to ask about today… but it seems I didn’t need to worry.”

Her words make me realize we’re still holding hands. I panic slightly, but Yuki grips tighter, leaving me helpless.

“Fufu, I won’t let go even if you say that. You’ve gotten so close. But it’s dinner time, so you’ll have to let go to eat, right?”

Her words finally break our contact. I’m reluctant but relieved as my heart calms.

I’m grateful to Mom for cooking fried rice despite returning near 9 p.m. During dinner, I say, “…Thanks, Mom. For always cooking.”

I’m not sure if it makes her happy, but she laughs, “Ara, I’m embarrassed when you say that suddenly.”

“Fried rice is easy, so don’t worry. Besides, after your fun day, it’d be a shame to have Yukari-san cook.”

Normally, it’d feel worse for Mom to cook after work, but she doesn’t mind.

“…I’ll cook sometimes from now on. On weekends, so you can rest.”

I can only cook basics, but I felt I should say it. Mom looks surprised at my impulsive words but smiles warmly.

“Shun-kun, you’d never have said that before… Fufu, maybe I’ll take you up on that sometime.”

Yuki chimes in, “Shun-nii’s cooking! I wanna eat it!” Their joy warms my heart, and I realize this is the family time I craved. The well-seasoned fried rice fills my stomach and heart.

After late dinner, Mom and Yuki bathe, and it’s nearly midnight. I take my bath last, feeling sleepy as I head to my room.

So much happened today, and it’s finally ending. I’m still unsure how to handle Yuki, but for now, I should sleep.

But in the second-floor hallway, I notice Yuki waiting by her door.

“Ah, Shun-nii!”

She runs to me, dressed in sleepwear—floral pajamas like when Asagi-san stayed over, making her even cuter.

“…Yuki, what’s up?”

I ask, anxious I forgot something.

“I wanted to say goodnight. I waited… not a bother, right?”

Her slight downward glance feels endearing. I’m grateful and happy she waited for me.

“Th-Thanks… um, goodnight, Yuki.”

I manage an awkward smile, still unconfident in it.

I said my part, so I wait for her goodnight. But she steps forward, standing on her toes.

“…Ehehe, see you tomorrow!”

She lightly kisses my cheek. It’s brief, but my face burns red instantly.

Blushing, she returns to her room, closing the door with a batan. I’m left stunned in the hallway, her soft touch lingering on my cheek.

Since then, Yuki’s been even clingier. The next day, she leans against me in the living room, smiling, “Nihehe,” when she looks at me.

I’m thrilled a beautiful girl is close, not hating it—it’s my doing, after all. Mom sees it, murmuring, “Fufu, so close,” without scolding.

Is this normal in this world, or is Mom special? I don’t know. Watching Yuki act cat-like, I wonder how to behave moving forward.

On Monday, walking to school, Yuki links arms with me, looking happy. We talked about treating her like a lover, but this feels like an actual girlfriend.

I’d be happy to date a girl like her. But doing this with someone other than Asagi-san feels like betrayal.

Both Asagi-san and Yuki are sweet and kind to me. That’s why I want to cherish them both, a conflict that’s too luxurious and arrogant, I know.

“See you later, Shun-nii!”

At school, we part. She stops linking arms as people pass, but our closeness remains until the end.