Is There Such Thing as a Cute Little Stepsister? There is No Romance Between us~ - Chapter 45-46

The Woman’s True Identity

Ruri’s POV

I come to the cake shop, to find out the true identity of that woman.

“Hello.”

“Welcome!”

The one who is behind the counter is not Master W, but a woman.

“Is the manager here?”

“The manager? Yes, he is here today. Please wait a moment.”

She enters to the kitchen while calling out to the manager,

“Manager! Manager!”

Well, if he wasn’t here, I would go to Ueno.

“Oh, I was wondering who it was…just you today?”

“Actually, there is something I want to consult with you.”

“The second floor is a break room for staffs. Shall we talk there for a bit?”

Master W seems to sense my mood and suggested a more private space for us to talk.

“Yeah, sure.”

“This way.”

Passing by the counter, we go through the kitchen and head upstairs.

“Well, let’s talk here. I’ll bring some tea for you.”

“…thank you.”

“It’s just a tea pack, but it’s actually herbal tea. It has a relaxing effect when you drink it.”

“Is that so?”

“Take a sip before we start talking.”

“…? Yes.”

Why is he very eager to offer me a cup of tea?

“You seem dark and scared. What’s the matter?”

“…I didn’t mean to give off that impression.”

“Despite my appearance, I’m actually good at reading people.”

“Hah…”

“That’s right, relax a bit.”

I’m rather puzzled than anything, but I guess it’s better left unsaid.

“So, what do you want to consult with me about?”

“It’s about Onii-sama.”

“…the store manager, huh?”

“There was this woman who seems to have a very tense atmosphere with Onii-sama. She came to the store the other day and argued with Onii-sama.”

“Hmm…”

“I heard that they were close, so I thought Master W might know something.”

“There is only one person who would argue with the store manager…”

“Who is she?”

“She is his ‘childhood friend’, his ‘ex-girlfriend’ and also his ‘natural enemy’—Hozumi Sayo.”

“Onii-sama’s ex-girlfriend…”

“Yes, he wasn’t born under a tree after all. It’s natural for him to have at least one romantic experience.”

“……”

That’s right, Onii-sama has walked the path of life longer than I have, so it’s not surprising that he has experienced love before meeting me.

However, the issue here is the complexity of the situation.

“It is true that she ended things with him before starting a relationship with someone else, but…”

“……”

“She broke up with him pretty harshly. She moved on to someone with a higher income, better education, an elite…and she told him straight to his face. Because of that, all the love, affection and friendship he has towards his childhood friend were shattered into pieces.”

‘Moved on’…that’s—

“You seem happy about it.”

“Do I?”

“Well, anyway, the person who left such a scar on his heart has become his natural enemy. Are you relieved? You don’t have to worry about him being stolen from you.”

“!”

“You shouldn’t feel relieved just because you don’t have to worry about him being stolen from you.”

“Why is that?”

“If you’re that selfish and self-centred in your love, you’re no different from her.”

“…!”

“Think again about your love, about your heart.”

What’s Wrong with That?

Ruri’s POV

“Of course I consider Onii-sama’s feelings as well.”

“I see, I guess you just didn’t express yourself well enough.”

After saying so, Master W takes a sip of his tea, and we both take a moment to breathe.

“You need to know that this ‘Onii-sama’ is not yours. I can understand your feelings of jealously and relief. But…the sense of superiority and the joy that comes with it, that’s not okay.”

“……”

What is wrong with that?

Onii-sama is mine and I am his.

There is nothing wrong with that.

“You don’t seem convinced, do you?”

“…I can’t.”

“Love is not something to be taken lightly.”

“Are you saying that my love for Onii-sama is light?”

With a thud, the saucer and cup make a clanking sound from me hitting the desk.

The sound brings me back to my senses.

Lowering my reputation as a woman might make it seem like my relationship with Onii-sama is bad.

I calm down and take a deep breath.

“I’m sorry for losing my composure.”

“It’s okay.”

Master W calmly sips his tea as if nothing happened.

“I believe that love takes various forms. Certainly, your understanding of love might be different. However, I believe love that lacks empathy towards the other person is light. The feelings of relief from insecurity or the jealousy you feel are also still immature, but they are somewhat common. However, if you feel a sense of superiority and joy upon hearing that his ex-girlfriend has become his enemy. That, I believe is 100% purely selfish…completely self-centred without considering the other person’s feelings at all.”

“My love…my affection…they exist solely for Onii-sama!”

“Isn’t that just what you want to believe?”

“No, it’s not!”

“Aren’t you just being self-indulgent by thinking that way?”

“No, I’m not! No, I’m not!”

My love is…!

“Well, take it as an advice from an old man.”

“I appreciate you telling me about that woman.”

I continue,

“I don’t intend to agree with your opinion or change my love towards Onii-sama.”

“I see…but, you know, if you ever hurt him, I won’t show any mercy just because you’re a kid.”

“Please do as you like. I will never hurt Onii-sama.”

“…I see.”

“That’s right.”

Both me and Master W take a sip of tea.

“Shall we wrap this up?”

“Yes, there will only be pointless debates from here.”

I get up from my seat and leave the place without a word of thanks.

As I reach for the door, Master W says,

“Ruri Kimizuka…count your sins.”

However, I decide to ignore him.

My eyes are meant to look at you.

My ears are meant to hear you.

My lips are meant to feel you.

My hands are meant to touch you.

My legs are meant to get closer to you.

My love exists solely for you, Onii-sama.