Chapter 20 – Playing the Part of a Lover on a Date With My Sister

The long-awaited Saturday had arrived.

I’d managed to avoid practice over the weekend—if you could even call it that—by masterfully ignoring my summons after school on Thursday and Friday.

And so, I was all set to revel in a day of splendid solitude—

“Aki-kun, here, say ‘ahhh.'”

“I can eat it myself.”

Before me was Nee-san.

A beautiful girl in a black-and-white striped shirt, like a zebra.

No, zebras aren’t beautiful girls, so maybe that means Nee-san isn’t a beautiful girl. A difficult proposition to derive via inductive reasoning.

Nee-san and I were at an ice cream shop on Fifth Avenue.

Of course, it wasn’t as if we’d planned on coming here from the start.

My plan was to go to the bookstore alone, then head to a coffee shop to read at my leisure before heading home… but Nee-san tagged along.

“You like strawberry, don’t you, Aki-kun?”

“Basically, whenever I come here, it’s strawberry, strawberry, strawberry. It’s a guaranteed win.”

“I originally liked mint chocolate chip, but I switched over because you love strawberry so much, you know~”

I wish she’d value her own preferences more.

If I were to eat mint chocolate chip, Nee-san could finally eat the ice cream she actually likes.

“Come on, say ‘ahhh.'”

Resistance was getting tiresome, so I obediently opened my mouth and took a bite of the ice cream.

We’re family, so there’s no need to get worked up about an indirect kiss or anything.

Besides, she already stole a kiss from me a little while ago…

At the table next to us, a young couple in their twenties was getting all lovey-dovey while stuffing their faces with ice cream.

From an outsider’s perspective, I bet what Nee-san and I are doing looks just like something a couple would do.

I wonder if people would be totally creeped out if they found out we were brother and sister.

At the very least, my sister, with her over-the-top brocon, would probably weird them out. I can just play the victim.

“Aki-kun, speaking of which, Matsumaru-sensei was asking about weekend practice. What should we do?”

“Huh? When did she ask you?”

“Just now, on LIME.”

So Nee-san and Matsumaru-sensei are in contact with each other.

That’s a dangerous combination.

She’s the last person I’d want getting involved with my family, but Nee-san gives off an equally dangerous vibe, so in a way, they’re a perfect match.

Nee-san showed me her chat screen with Matsumaru-sensei.

Even a quick glance revealed a fair amount of dirty jokes… No, I must be imagining things.

“Just tell her I’m busy with family matters this weekend.”

“Right. You’re busy on a date with your big sister, after all.”

Nee-san’s thumbs flew across the screen as always.

She had the experience and skill of someone who’s overcome tendonitis more than once.

“Sensei says she’s on Fifth Avenue right now.”

“What?”

“My heart’s pounding, isn’t it? What’ll we do if she sees us on our lovey-dovey date, Aki-kun?”

We won’t do anything.

“Ah, speak of the devil, there she is.”

I followed Nee-san’s delicate, pretty finger, and at its tip was the figure of Matsumaru-sensei.

At school, she usually wears work clothes—what you’d call a safe, standard outfit—but her personal clothes for her time off were completely different.

Short jean shorts and a light blue blouse.

A shoulder bag slung over her arm and thick-soled sandals.

She had a certain mature air about her, yet at the same time, she felt so youthful she could pass for a high school girl.

Wouldn’t a beauty like that get hit on constantly walking around like this?

Then again, maybe a lot of guys think she’s out of their league and can’t work up the nerve to approach her.

“Hey, Aki-kun, are you staring?”

“Well, a little.”

“Hmph. And you never stare at me like that.”

“I’m used to seeing you, so it can’t be helped.”

Nee-san looked quite displeased.

A little praise is probably in order here.

“Your outfit today is cute, Nee-san. Like a zebra.”

“I know, right? Zebras are so cute.”

Thank goodness Nee-san likes zebras.

“Oh, Sensei noticed you, Aki-kun.”

“…”

Matsumaru-sensei strode confidently toward us, showing off her dazzlingly shapely legs to everyone around.

It would have been better if she’d just passed by without noticing us, but it’s too late for that now.

Matsumaru-sensei carried her usual scent of peaches, along with the slightly stronger smell of makeup.

“Akira Akisora-kun, you can’t escape from me, you know.”

She closed the distance with a sultry voice.

Nee-san tried to stop her by pulling on the sleeve of Matsumaru-sensei’s blouse.

“The ‘Go-Home Club’ means our weekends are free, right? So I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave us be.”

I asserted my legitimate freedom.

But—

“You’re free, yes, but since it’s still a club activity, you have to participate if there’s an activity scheduled. Isn’t that right?”

“Aki-kun is mine, you know, Sensei. He and I are supposed to go on a date every Saturday and Sunday.”

That’s the first I’m hearing of it.

“In any case, I’m glad I ran into you. Are you here by yourself, Sensei?”

“Akira-kun, are you asking if I’m walking around all lonely by myself because I don’t have a boyfriend?”

“No, I didn’t mean anything that deep by it—”

“It’s fine. I’m ridiculously beautiful, so I can get a new boyfriend again in no time.”

“That’s great. I’ll be rooting for you.”

“Maybe I’ll get some ice cream, too. Wait here for a little bit, would you?”

Now I’m really trapped.

I can’t leave until Sensei finishes her ice cream. Trying to escape while she’s gone would be far too rude.

I’ll say it again: Matsumaru-sensei is, for all intents and purposes, a teacher.

“Aki-kun, should we make a run for it while we can?”

“I’m not running.”

“But there’s a school rule that says it’s okay to give people who interrupt a date the cold shoulder. I think it’s unavoidable, don’t you?”

No such school rule exists.

At least, it wasn’t written in the student handbook I got at enrollment.

“It’ll only take her ten minutes at most to finish her ice cream. Can’t we just put up with it for a bit?”

“Honestly, Aki-kun, you’re such a pushover.”

Saying I have to ‘put up with’ a conversation with my teacher hardly makes me a pushover.

“Well, if Matsumaru-sensei is going to eat with us, let’s give her a good look at just how lovey-dovey you and I can be, Aki-kun.”