No One Knows That The Prince Actually Has A Reason.

“Onii-chan’s such an idiot.”

Iori rushed into her room and flopped onto her bed.

Closing her eyes, memories flooded back as they always did.

“Shouai, I’m gonna be onii-chan’s bride!”

It was when Shuugo and Iori were in elementary school.

While playing in the park, Iori suddenly said it, clutching Shuugo’s sleeve with determination, albeit slightly awkwardly.

“Marry me~? But there are better guys than me, you know.“

“Don’t wanna! Iori’s gonna be onii-chan’s bride. We’re gonna get married!“

“Ehh~“

Iori hugged Shuugo tightly, grinning from ear to ear, while Shuugo gently patted her head.

Their parents watched over the two of them affectionately, as a unique event of their childhood.

“I guess I’ll have to become an even cooler guy then!“

“What should I become?“

“That’s something you have to decide for yourself, Iori.“

“Hmm… Then, I’ll become a cool girl too!“

“But Iori, you’re a girl, right? Girls aren’t cool, they’re cute.“

“I wanna be like onii-chan! I wanna match with onii-chaaan~!“

“Okay, okay. Let’s become cool together then.“

… Nostalgic memories. They could be considered my roots.

It might be late to realize, but I am severely dependent on my brother. I’m not just a onii-chan’s fan; I’ve liked him as a romantic interest since childhood.

Whenever onii-chan was absent, I would cry immediately, always clinging to him like a spoiled child.

But from that day on, I started to change little by little.

I wanted to become someone as cool as him. I wanted him to praise me for being cool.

Looking back now, I can’t help but smile at how simple my reasons were.

I didn’t start studying hard or playing sports to receive praise from teachers or classmates.

It was about getting a ‘well done’ from onii-chan, having him pat my head in praise.

The moments when onii-chan looked only at me and devoted himself to me were the happiest.

But as time passed, there were interferences.

Onii-chan’s charm, which only I knew, made girls flock to him.

I wished they wouldn’t approach onii-chan with their half-hearted intentions.

No matter how much I liked him, I knew I could never be with him.

However, I wasn’t just sitting there, stewing in jealousy.

I used my outstanding looks and all my specs to redirect the attention of the girls flocking to him towards me.

It was all to keep the weird girls away from him.

But before I knew it, I was being worshiped like a prince.

Before I knew it, I had forgotten how to be dependent and adopted a condescending attitude. I could only behave like a prince.

I must have panicked at the realization of my situation. 

Using the last resort—”Brother with a negative 15 likability”—and turning myself into a prince, the little sister became the Prince Charming. 

Which left a strong impression on those around us, that he really was the “Brother with a negative 15 likability”.

However…

“Setsu Katayama, Setsu Katayama… I won’t lose to someone like you. Onii-chan is mine, absolutely mine alone.”

Right now, even that didn’t seem to work, and she felt anxious about losing her brother to someone else like the Third-place.

◆◇

The next morning. As usual, I and Iori ate breakfast without saying much to each other.

“…finished.”

“Make sure to say thank you for the meal.”

“…Thank you for the meal.”

Iori reluctantly spoke, pursing her lips while averting her gaze from me.

“Today you’re unusually rebellious.”

“It’s your fault, onii-chan. Hmph.”

Although she usually went straight to school, Iori inexplicably headed upstairs.

“Hey, come on… if you’re not leaving yet, at least help with the dishes or locking up~!”

My words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Iori has a spare key anyway, so it’s fine if I leave first.

After finishing up the dishes, locking up, and getting ready, I left. About a minute later, Iori followed suit.

Well, it’s the same commute route, so it’s only natural.