Believing She Has Been Reincarnated into a Baseball Game, My Little Sister Is Aiming for the Koshien, While I Give It My All to Keep Her from Finding out That It’s Actually an Ntr Game - Chapter 50

I slept incredibly well. We laid out three futons in my room, and being sandwiched between Maika’s firmness and Riko’s softness made for the most comfortable sleep.

Honestly, if I could sleep this well, we should have been sleeping like this all along.

But I have to wonder… If I make it as a pro and get sponsorship deals for mattresses, will I be able to honestly promote them when, deep down, I’ll be thinking, “No high-performance mattress can beat sleeping next to my two sisters”?

After that amazing wake-up, today’s practice was just a light adjustment session. It’s only natural since tomorrow is our big semifinal.

Standing at home plate on Netora Academy’s baseball field under the clear sky, I addressed the team—18 players and three managers.

“Just two more games to go. Thank you all for sticking with me until now.”

Standing here, I can’t help but remember the meeting from April, right after I was reincarnated into this world.

Back then, Sakura Miya, the main heroine, glared at me with a sharp gaze. But now, she’s looking at me with full trust in her eyes.

“Four months ago, none of you would’ve imagined we’d get this far.”

Well, except for Maika. She’s standing there with her usual “I knew it all along” smug expression. So cute.

“But here we are. Thanks to you all believing in me and training hard, we’re just two wins away from Koshien.”

The first-years, second-years, and third-years all nodded confidently at my words. Their growth over these four months is clear, reflected in the size of their bodies.

Back in April, they were still unreliable, but now, I can proudly say it: these guys are my best teammates.

And that’s exactly why I want them to hear my resolve.

“This might not be the right time to say this, but… I’ve decided to go pro. These past four months with you guys—well, that’s not quite right. The four months I’ve spent dedicating myself fully to baseball for the first time with you all have been incredibly tough but also incredibly fun. That’s why I want to go to Koshien, show off to the scouts, and keep playing baseball on an even higher stage. For that, I need your help tomorrow, in the final, and beyond. I know I’ve been a lousy captain, but please, continue to support me!”

I bowed my head, and the team responded in unison, “Yes!”

“Good job, Yamada! With your pitching, you’ll definitely succeed at Koshien and in the pros!” Yogi said, patting me on the back.

“And with your fists, you could dominate even in a professional brawl!” Kaneko added, rubbing his belly.

The rest of the team also seemed to get fired up by my declaration, some shouting, “Let’s do this!” while others were even tearing up. Come on, guys, don’t jump the gun just yet.

Of course, among them, the most dependable guy, Nomo, was standing on the outskirts of the group, occasionally glancing at… Riko?

Wait… What’s this? I glared at him, noticing that Riko was also glancing back at Nomo.

Huh…? What’s this…? Glances exchanged between a boy and a girl? Is such indecency even allowed? Glancing at my cute little sister should be considered a crime…!

It looks like Sakura Miya noticed too, as she was covering her mouth in despair.

Right? This is a full-on NTR situation, isn’t it? This is unforgivable, right?

Yeah, I’m totally not focusing on tomorrow’s game at all.

I never thought it would actually come to this…

I’m hiding in the shadows, thinking that very thought.

After the meeting ended and the team started heading home, I received a surprising message on my phone—from Sakura Miya.

It said:

“I knew it! He’s being stolen! He made an excuse about having something to do instead of walking home with me! He’s going to secretly meet with that woman! Waaah!”

Don’t call my Riko “that woman.” By the way, I haven’t bothered to explain things in detail, so the baseball team still thinks Riko is my biological sister.

But for Sakura Miya to go this far… Could it be that Nomo really is after Riko for real?

Unforgivable… I’m going to catch him red-handed and make him pay!

Which is why I secretly followed Nomo here—behind the club building. It’s the same place Maika and I took refuge right after we reincarnated.

There, Nomo stood alone.

Riko should have been dragged off by Maika to the supermarket for a sale. They’re trying to buy two packs of eggs when it’s limited to one per customer.

Gasp.

I couldn’t help but gasp.

Riko appeared. My soft, squishy little angel had come to the very spot where I was secretly watching, glancing around as she approached Nomo with her adorable steps.

A secret meeting.

My heart pounded in shock and rage. But despite the hammering in my chest, I strained to listen to their conversation from just a few meters away.

“What’s going on, Mamono-san?”

Riko’s voice, though quiet, carried a note of irritation.

Huh? Mamono-san? She’s calling Nomo… by a nickname? Since when did they get so close…?

Wait, Mamono? Did she flip “Nomo” to make that nickname? What kind of logic is that? It’s just like that old man… Even though they aren’t related by blood.

“I get what you’re saying, Riko-san, but that’s not something I can do anything about. You know I have no influence when it comes to pro baseball,” Nomo replied, looking a bit awkward.

…What is this conversation? I’m relieved that it doesn’t seem like a romantic one, but I still have no idea what they’re talking about.

“That’s exactly why I told you to make sure my brother doesn’t get any ideas like that. Didn’t I ask you to push him to focus solely on Koshien? What happened to that?”

“I did. I told him. But I don’t know anything about the pro stuff. He probably brought it up because he and Maika-senpai were having that kind of conversation. Does that really matter to you, Riko-san?”

Nomo’s voice sounded somewhat suspicious.

I couldn’t make sense of it. It seemed that not only I but Nomo too didn’t fully grasp Riko’s true intentions.

“…I see. If that’s how it is, then that’s fine.”

“You don’t sound satisfied.”

“It’s not about dissatisfaction. It’s just that if Nii-san wastes time thinking too far ahead and can’t give it his all, it might reduce our chances of making it to Koshien. That’s what I’m worried about.”

“I see. Well, that’s certainly a concern. There’s always been that ridiculous notion that over-pitching in high school baseball can ruin a player’s career in pro baseball. But who cares about the future? Everyone should just burn out for Koshien.”

…Ugh, my head is starting to hurt.

What the hell is this conversation? I can’t make any sense of it, but it’s making me break out in a cold sweat.

“…I won’t argue about your principles… but whatever happens, Nii-san has to make it to Koshien. That’s what matters.”

“Right. If we win the next two games, none of your worries or complaints will matter anymore.”

“…But can I really trust that basic premise?”

“What are you saying? You’re the one who provided the information about this game, Riko.”

“Well, that’s true… but no, you’re right. I believe in your power, Mamono-san, especially since you managed to pull off this reincarnation. Anyway, I’ll do whatever it takes to help Nii-san succeed. Or rather, I’ll make sure Maika-chan does it.”

“Yes, trust in my power. If the captain makes it to Koshien, then I’m sure you’ll be able to… die again, just like before.”

“—Huh?”

I couldn’t help but let out a sound.

“Nii-san…?”

Riko’s voice came closer, accompanied by her footsteps. Those soft, squishy footsteps, which I usually found comforting, now carried anxiety, urgency, and maybe even distrust directed at me.

“Nii-san… how long have you been…”

“Riko…”

She stood before me, looking up with trembling eyes. Normally, I’d hold her close and soothe her worries—that’s my role as her brother. But right now, I don’t have the presence of mind for that.

“What does this mean, Riko…?”

“…”

“‘Die again’—what does that mean!? What are you talking about!?”

I grabbed her slender shoulders, raising my voice. I’d never yelled at Riko before.

But even then, Riko didn’t flinch. Her trembling eyes steadied, and she smiled softly.

“…What are you saying, Nii-san?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’? You and Nomo were just talking about it!”

I turned to glare at Nomo, but at some point, he had disappeared.

“You must have misheard. Nii-san, Nomo-kun and I were just discussing the defensive positions for tomorrow’s game. You shouldn’t let your mind wander, Nii-san. You need to stay focused on the match.”

“I want to focus! But it’s you, Riko, who’s messing with my head! Stop distracting me!”

God, I’m the worst. Taking out my frustration on Riko, when all she’s been doing is supporting me in my quest to reach Koshien. Sure, some of her help was misguided or even counterproductive, but still, I was grateful. The fact that my heart is in turmoil right now… is entirely my fault.

“Hehehe♪ Isn’t it fine, Nii-san? Even if I mess up and hold you back, Maika-chan will save you, right? She’ll help you make it to Koshien.”

“What…? Why are you saying something like that…?”

I tried to respond, but the words stuck in my throat.

Riko’s smile didn’t seem sarcastic or bitter. It felt genuine—like she was truly content with the outcome she had been hoping for.

What does this mean, really…? Has she finally accepted my relationship with Maika?

“Riko… I honestly don’t know how you feel about me and Maika going forward, but… I swear, I’ll make you happy too.”

“Hehe, why do you look like you’re about to cry? It’s okay, Nii-san. I know. I’m going to be happy from now on. You’re going to make me happy, right?”

“Y-Yeah, I promised. I even swore to Maika. I’m going to go pro, make a lot of money, and take care of you. That’s my dream. I’ll make sure you’re happy. So please, don’t… disappear or anything.”

“What are you saying?”

She cut me off with a smile, her tone lighthearted, as if nothing I said had fazed her.

“‘Pro’? What’s that? Nii-san, you’re supposed to give everything for Koshien, without thinking about what comes next. There is no ‘after.'”

“Riko…? No ‘after’… Are you telling me what Nomo said—about dying—was true…?”

It didn’t make sense. If I go to Koshien, Riko will die? What kind of logic is that?

Wait, hold on. Again? Nomo said ‘again.’ How could he have said that unless he knew Riko had died once before?

There’s no way Riko knew that… or, at least, she wasn’t supposed to. She shouldn’t have known. She didn’t need to know.

Could it be that Riko… had known all along…?

“Nii-san.”

“…”

The warmth, the fruity scent, the soft, squishy feeling—the familiar sensations I had known for so long, along with the steady beat of her heart pressed against me. Riko gently hugged me.

“Don’t worry about anything, Nii-san.”

“Riko…?”

She whispered softly, with that same gentle smile, but now with a tinge of resignation in her eyes.

“I’ll be with you forever… always by your side, Nii-san. Forever.”