Is There Such Thing as a Cute Little Stepsister? There is No Romance Between us~ - Chapter 17-18

‘Ameya-yokocho’ Has a Unique Atmosphere

“So, we decided to come to Ueno as we discussed before.”

“Yeah, is it bad?”

“What is your relationship with this Tokigane-kun?”

Ruri stares at me with a with a sharp gaze.

Is it something to be taken so seriously?

“We are just work colleagues. Besides, Tokigane-kun already has a fiancée.”

If I’m not mistaken, Tokigane-kun said that she is planning to get married soon.

“I see. That’s a relief.”

Ruri seems genuinely relieved.

That ‘heartwarming’ expression…does she really admire me?

No, that’s not possible.

“By the way, there’s really a lot of things for sale here.”

“Have you never been here before?”

“Well, I’ve been to Ueno Zoo before, but this is my first time coming to this ‘AmeYoko’. It sure is quite something.”

(TN: ‘Ameyoko’ refers to Ameya-Yokocho, a shopping street in Tokyo known for its diverse range of goods and shops.)

“Yeah, there’s a lot of shops here. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun just to look around the shops.”

Fresh seafood, tea shops, clothes, accessories—it’s truly an amazing place.

I’ve actually come here a few times to look for ‘collaborating stores’ so I can sell supermarket products here, but I failed to do so.

“Ah, this accessory stop is very cute.”

“Welcome to W Double V accessory store!”

“The cake shop’s…!”

“Master Double. I heard that you have another store besides the cake shop, but I never thought you’d have an accessory store here at Ameyoko”

I quickly switch to work mode.

“Welcome, manager. We sell imported accessories and handmade jewelleries here. How about something cute for the young lady?”

“Hmm…”

Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets…there are various accessories here.

“To be honest, I have zero sense of fashion.”

“It’s not the item that matters, but it’s the Manager’s thoughts.”

…is that so?

“…would you be happy to receive something from me?”

“Yes! Of course! Are you going to buy it for me?”

Please stop looking at me with those hopeful eyes.

“Hmm…”

The one that catches my eyes is a ring that seem to be deliberately converted into a necklace with the writing ‘beyond’ engraved on it.

“…ah, this one seems to catch your eyes.”

“…it’s nice. By the way, are you good at English?”

“Not at all. I can’t even sing the ABC song.”

“I’m a fool to expect you understand English. But it’s indeed a really nice necklace.”

“I’ll return the words that you told me the other day, count your sins.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. How much is it?”

“Exactly 50,000 yen will do. I’ll throw in a little extra. Keep it a secret from her, alright? It’s weird to haggle for a gift, don’t you think?”

He secretly whispers to me so.

“I appreciate it.”

“Thank you very much!”

I hand the wrapped necklace to Ruri.

“This necklace, I’ll definitely take a good care of it.”

“Yeah.”

And so, we leave the accessory shop.

To Close the Distance

(Ruri’s POV)

“Onii-sama, I’d like to give you something in return as well!”

“No it’s fine, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Giving back is important!”

“I-Is that so…?”

“A gift for Onii-sama. Hmm…”

I say so as I look around.

I hate to say this but…for someone with zero sense of fashion, accessories may not be the best choice.

Perhaps something practical might be better for Onii-sama?

“Hmm…”

“It’s really fine. You don’t have to give me something back…”

We walk by a shop with lots of named brand lighters on display.

“Ah, that’s it!”

I point at the shop and tell Onii-sama what I’m thinking.

“Your lighter is all worn out, isn’t it? Please let me get you a new one.”

Even though it’s all worn out, Onii-sama’s lighter is not a disposable one, but it’s made from a well-known lighter manufacturer.

“Well, since it’s a gift from Ruri. Anything would be fine.”

I never thought that I would get the chance to buy Onii-sama a gift.

If I knew this would be the case, I should’ve gotten a part-time job to save up more!

“Please wait outside, Onii-sama!”

This gift…is my battle!

“Ah, alright…don’t buy anything too expensive, okay?”

“I’ll look for something within my budget. Trust me, let me choose it for you!”

I look at the lighters carefully.

They’re quite expensive, but I can’t back down now.

At worst…I’ll just wear the clothes that I bought last year for the next season.

My first gift for Onii-sama…

“Maybe this one…?”

A lighter with the writing ‘Like & Love’ engraved on the front, with a heart and arrow design on the back.

“……”

It is too obvious?

As I’m thinking about it—

“Hachi, is that you!”

“…Shishihara-san?”

Shishihara Nagisa, she is in the same class as me.

She is known for her flashy appearance and is rumoured to have captured the hearts of many boys at school.

We actually sit next to each other, so we occasionally chat…

“Hachi…are you smoking? I thought you were the good girl type.”

“No, actually it’s for a gift…”

“Eh…does that mean it’s a gift for an older guy? Hachi is in love!? Are you dating him!?”

She’s really persistent…I’m not comfortable talking about it with her, but…

“Ahaha, yeah it’s for someone older.”

Since I’m trying to buy a lighter, I have no choice but to be honest with her.

It seems like I have no choice but to put on a fake smile and get through this…

“Men tend to prefer simple and practical things. Although I don’t know how far your relationship has progressed, it’s best to choose a lighter that is easy to use.”

Next to Shishihara-san, a guy who seems like a typical otaku says so.

I don’t think there is anyone like him in our class, so he must be from another class?

“Is that so…”

His words and the way he acts seems exaggerated.

Shishihara-san is a beautiful girl, and it is said that she likes good-looking guys.

I probably shouldn’t say this, but I can’t imagine her going out with this otaku.

Wait a minute…!

I somewhat understand him.

No this person, he is just like me.

Just like me hiding my true feelings for Onii-sama, he’s also hiding his feelings for Shishihara-san with his strange behaviour.

“Okay, I understand. Can I ask you something, are you just like me?”

“I see, so you’re hiding your feelings for him as well. Well, good luck.”

“Hmm? What are you guys talking about?”

“Nothing important. Let’s go, we shouldn’t disturb her any further.”

With that, the two of them leaves the store.

I put the lighter back. I almost rushed to choose my first gift for Onii-sama.

“Let’s go with this one.”

I pick up a lighter with a four-leaf clover engraved on it.

It carries the meaning of good luck.

However, in the language of flowers, it also means…

(TN: In the language of flowers, the leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to represent faith, hope, love, and luck.)