My Little Sister Is the Best F*p Material - Volume 2 Chapter 04: What My Sister Changed

Volume 2 Chapter 04: What My Sister Changed

Monday. It is the most depressing day of the week, coming after the weekend break.

Having a girlfriend doesn’t change the scenery on the way to school, and I was trying to hide my restless excitement by walking faster.

For the first time since the shopping mall incident, I encountered Suzuhara and Yamamoto-san. It seems they decided to part ways, and I didn’t know what tone to use when talking to them.

Even though she broke up with Yamamoto-san, it’s not strange for Suzuhara to be so depressed that she can’t face reality. As for Yamamoto-san, she might feel awkward because of the slightly erotic things that happened in the changing room. The price I paid to become independent from my sister was perhaps bigger than I had anticipated.

“Oh, it’s Sotomichi-kun!”

As I was about to leave the bike parking lot and head towards the entrance from the courtyard, the one who greeted me first was none other than Yamamoto-san, before the lush broad-leaved trees.

She noticed me and turned nimbly ninety degrees. She placed the tip of her middle finger in the valley of her full chest, spread her pleats, and directed her loafers towards me.

“Good morning, Sotomichi-kun.”

She welcomed me with a bright smile, and Yamamoto-san’s expression, which was already bright, was clear and cloudless.

“G-Good morning.”

I stuttered in response to Yamamoto-san’s dazzling smile, which I had never seen even when she was chatting with her friends.

I spoke casually, but for Yamamoto-san, the skinship in the changing room might not have been a special thing at all. …No, it’s definitely not the case.

“Come on. Be more relaxed, more frank.”

“Even if you say so, we weren’t that close before, and if we suddenly became friendly, people might think something strange.”

“I’m fine because I get along with everyone.”

Yamamoto-san, without paying attention to our conversation, came to stand right next to me. Indeed, Yamamoto-san was like a saint who smiled at everyone, whether it was a handsome member of the sports club or an otaku in the club activity.

However, even if Yamamoto-san, the most beautiful girl in school, was with a guy like me, the curious eyes of those around us would never disappear, and I had resistance to walking with Yamamoto-san, the ex-girlfriend of Suzuhara’s friend.

“If you’re worrying because of Suzuhara-kun, no need. Well, you’ll know when you meet him.”

Yamamoto-san, as if she noticed my anxiety, immediately followed up with a comment. It seems that they were able to reach a peaceful solution, but there is also a possibility that Suzuhara kept up her pride until the end with Yamamoto-san. I still couldn’t let my guard down.

“Good morning, everyone!”

Yamamoto-san entered the classroom and greeted everyone energetically. There was no one who didn’t turn around at Yamamoto-san’s voice, and soon, everyone’s gaze was focused on me, who was standing next to her.

Yamamoto-san was the first to step forward, and she melted into her friends. Because of that, I had no choice but to pretend to be natural and enter the classroom as if nothing had happened—well, in fact, nothing had happened.

Still, the classmates’ gazes were directed at me only at first, so I decided to forget about Yamamoto-san and sat down at my seat. Then, a burly otaku who happened to pass by my seat talked to me.

“Hey, Sotomichi. Looks like you’re having a fun morning, I’m jealous.”

Takanami had a refreshed look after morning practice. He always poured water on his head when it was hot outside, so his black hair was shining excessively.

“I happened to run into her outside the other day. We were just talking about that.”

“Wow, really? What was she wearing? Was it erotic?”

“Don’t ask such things in a loud voice.”

Takanami, with both hands on the desk, was excited. Because of that, he was again subjected to critical eyes from those around him. I wish he would stop because it deepens unnecessary suspicions. But it was erotic.

“I wish I could see Yamamoto-san in her private clothes just once…”

In the midst of Takanami’s excitement, I noticed that the class’s gaze on me had disappeared, contrary to my restless heart. Usually, it would be normal to think that they simply weren’t interested in me, but it seemed that was not the case. The students’ gazes were focused on a different point other than me.

“Good morning.”

A familiar voice came from the classroom door. That lazy and penetrating voice was undoubtedly Suzuhara’s, or so I thought.

“Huh…?”

The one who walked towards Takanami and me was someone without glasses, with her long hair tied up. …Who is this?

“Suzuhara! It suits you!”

Takanami, unable to hide his embarrassment, poked Suzuhara’s shoulder.

But who is this, again?

“What’s with that look, Sotomichi?”

“No, I just thought the main body wasn’t here…”

“I left the main body behind. I can no longer keep up with reality. And now, another version of me has come here.”

Suzuhara pointed to his chest with his thumb.

It’s good that he’s still crazy. Anyway, I was relieved to see that he seemed to be doing well. It’s no doubt that Suzuhara’s image change was triggered by his breakup with Yamamoto-san, but it didn’t seem like he was just putting on a brave face.

Then, the homeroom started, the teacher came, Suzuhara was lightly teased, a small laugh was raised, and the school day began. During the lunch break, I found a timing when Taknaami wouldn’t disturb me and called out to Suzuhara.

“So, you’re doing well, right?”

The transformed Suzuhara had a good-looking face, as if his expression, which had switched, was showing it.

“Yeah, thanks to Miyu-san.”

“Miyu-san… eh? Huh?”

Miyu-san? What’s Miyu-san?

“Thanks to her, I was finally able to take a step forward as a man. I’m grateful. To you too, Sotomichi.”

He spoke in a calm tone, as if he had become a Buddha.

“What did Miyu do?”

“It’s something embarrassing to talk about… But I might tell you since it’s you.”

Suzuhara crossed his hands, rested his elbows on the table, and exhaled through his nose, mocking his past self.

“It was still a hot summer…”

Suzuhara raised his head and began to speak. I wanted to say, “It was just the other day,” but I held back, and I listened to the story.

It was after Suzuhara was called by Miyu at the shopping mall, and Yamamoto-san left.

Suzuhara was walking aimlessly behind Miyu. He was not only upset that his date with Yamamoto-san was interrupted, but he was also hurt that Yamamoto-san actively tried to be alone with Miyu.

Suzuhara already knew that Yamamoto-san no longer had feelings for him. He couldn’t meet the conditions presented to her to start dating, and despite that, Suzuhara somehow maintained his relationship with Yamamoto-san by using a certain secret of Yamamoto-san as a threat.

“Suzuhara-san, it seems that Kanade really hates you.”

Then, Miyu threw a shocking bomb statement at her.

“She doesn’t hate me! We’re just having a misunderstanding… It’s just that my love for Kanade hasn’t reached her yet…”

Suzuhara argued with Miyu using words that became more and more empty as he spoke. In fact, Suzuhara loved Yamamoto-san from the bottom of his heart. No matter what he did, Yamamoto-san didn’t seem happy, and eventually, Suzuhara started to think that it was Yamamoto-san’s fault.

“Are you serious?”

Miyu confirmed the facts without accusing her.

“What? Did Kanade say something to you?”

Suzuhara was also concerned deep down. Girls’ talk while excluding men. There was no doubt that frank opinions were flying around, and Suzuhara couldn’t stay calm.

“It’s hard to say in one word.”

“That much!? Kanade was complaining about me…?”

“It was about to continue until closing time, so I cut it off in the middle. Don’t you really have any self-awareness?”

Suzuhara couldn’t move his mouth at all as Miyu casually pointed out the cruel facts. Stress that made every organ in his body scream was tormenting Suzuhara. No matter how much he lowered his self-esteem as a buffer for her heart, in the end, he was only self-deprecating within the range she could tolerate. Sometimes, no matter how much mental preparation one has, there is unbearable suffering when the truth is revealed.

“Why… Why! I’ve always been thinking about Kanade! I don’t mind being in any trouble just for Kanade! I can take over any pain, and I’ll give all my time and money… I’ve decided…”

It was probably something that couldn’t be helped since birth. He had given up on her looks, athletic ability, academic ability, and other abilities, and accepted the disadvantages in those areas.

Still, if there was enough love to make up for it, one could satisfy a person. Yet, the reality of women was so cold.

“Do you want to know why Kanade hates you?”

“Of course! If there’s something bad about me, I’ll improve it no matter what!”

Miyu sighed at Suzuhara’s enthusiasm and started walking in front of the store again.

“Then, from now on, think of me as Kanade. If you make me happy with your so-called love, I’ll cooperate with your reconciliation.”

“Alright! Leave it to me!”

Suzuhara was confident in his ability to entertain on a date. He didn’t mind being considerate, and he never felt tired of doing his best.

A few seconds later, she noticed that Miyu had started walking with her mouth closed. Suzuhara realized that the test had already begun. She had to escort Miyu well. He had to make her happy and enjoy herself.

Not only to get Miyu’s cooperation for the reconciliation, but also to show off his pride as a man, Suzuhara was determined to do his best and show how much he could do for her. As he tried to find a topic while walking, a certain jewelry shop caught his eye.

“That store is a branch of a major jewelry brand. They use decent gems, and it’s quite popular because it’s cheap. Maybe there’s something that suits Miyu-chan. Shall we go in?”

The knowledge that Suzuhara boasted about was gathered on the internet for his date with Yamamoto-san. Shopping is the basic of a date. Even if it’s ladies’ goods, if you have knowledge, you can make the girl enjoy herself.

“Okay.”

“So… Kanade would say, ‘Thank you!’ and run in. You don’t have to hesitate? I’m not stingy either. If you want, you can choose a necklace, and I’ll…”

While talking, Miyu passed the store. Maybe it didn’t suit her taste, and Suzuhara immediately changed his mind.

“Sorry. Can I go to the bathroom?”

Miyu pointed to the toilet sign and asked for permission from Suzuhara. With a big smile, Suzuhara nodded and walked up to Miyu.

“Then I’ll hold your bag. I’ll wait for you as long as you want, so take your time.”

Suzuhara reached out to take Miyu’s pouch.

Immediately, Miyu turned her body away from Suzuhara and kept her distance.

“You’re disqualified. If I were her, I would have broken up with you and gone home with that.”

Even Suzuhara, who was usually full of energy, was discouraged by Miyu’s merciless judgment.

“No, it’s different. Miyu-chan is not my real girlfriend, so she reacts like that. I didn’t try to touch her body, I just wanted to hold her pouch so it wouldn’t get in the way of the toilet.”

Suzuhara also showed his frustration and tapped his toes on the floor.

“That’s why you’re hated by girls.”

Miyu told Suzuhara the truth, remaining calm.

Suzuhara wanted to be kind to her, but somehow, he felt that Yamamoto-san’s tension was lowering every time he did something for her.

“I wanted to touch up my lipstick, but if my pouch was taken away, I would be in trouble. Even if it’s my lover, I don’t want to hand over my smartphone and wallet completely. I also don’t like it when someone touches my favorite pouch.”

Miyu pulled back, holding her pouch close to her body.

“Then, you should just say so. Girls always…”

“There are some things that girls don’t want to say. Like taking care of your makeup or your period. Don’t you think that by asking me to teach you all that, you’re forcing me to endure?”

“N… T-That’s…”

Suzuhara was at a loss for words. He couldn’t answer logically, not emotionally.

Suzuhara just didn’t want to admit it. He thought he was doing a good thing, but for the other person, it was just a nuisance. If it was a simple mistake, he could apologize right away. But he couldn’t accept it when the result of his efforts was criticized, as if his goodwill had been trampled on.

“Also, about the jewelry shop you mentioned earlier, it’s aimed at an older generation, or to put it bluntly, it’s an old lady’s store. The price is lowered because it’s detuned for the general public, but it’s not an accessory for young people. Do you think I look good with cheap stuff? Kanade said the same thing to me.”

“I… I didn’t know that…”

Suzuhara tried to force himself, and forced his will on the other person. He believed that if she didn’t like it, she would say so honestly. When you become lovers, there’s no need to be considerate. Yet, Suzuhara acted as if that was something he could do.

“Therefore, it’s zero points. It’s not even minus a million points. In just a few minutes, you made me so uncomfortable, so Kanade, who was with you all the time, must have had a hard time.”

Miyu showed no mercy. Miyu knew that if she conveyed things halfway, they would be interpreted conveniently by the other person.

“I…”

Miyu’s evaluation was clearly too harsh, but for Suzuhara, it was finally a moment when he could connect the dots.

“Also, based on what Kanade told me, stop being so nervous about heels that aren’t even that high. It’s tiring. Also, stop trying to actively enter lingerie shops. It’s annoying to those around you. And stop criticizing the clothes I picked up with a knowing face. If you can’t respect my taste, don’t follow me.”

Zaku, zaku, zaku. With Miyu’s specialty of piercing the heart directly, her words, without even a shred of wrapping paper, destroyed Suzuhara’s heart. The complaints that Miyu poured out from her mouth without hesitation, easily surpassing ten, scattered Suzuhara’s accumulated confidence and pride as if they had never existed in the first place.

“But… But…”

The completely discouraged Suzuhara still had one thing he couldn’t understand.

“If there’s something you don’t like, just tell me now like this. Why is she keeping quiet? I can change for Kanade.”

It’s impossible to expect someone to understand your feelings. If you say it in words, it’s easy to understand. By pointing out each other’s concerns and improving them, isn’t that how the relationship between men and women deepens? Suzuhara was dissatisfied that Yamamoto-san didn’t do that for him.

“Because Suzuhara-san is depressed, isn’t he?”

It’s because you pointed it out bluntly, Miyu. Suzuhara was beginning to realize his mistake.

“Why do you like Kanade so much, Suzuhara-san? Is it because she’s cute? Is it because she has big boobs?”

Yamamoto-san’s cuteness was beyond the level where one could say that appearance wasn’t a problem. It’s unlikely that he would encounter such beauty even if he searched the whole country, not just the school.

Still, there was one thing that Suzuhara could say for sure.

“Kanade is kind…”

Suzuhara was an existence that could be classified as a so-called “kimoota” (creepy otaku). Even when talking to such a bad man, Yamamoto-san never stopped smiling. Even when he made a mistake and caused trouble, she didn’t get angry even a little, and she comforted him, saying, “That’s okay.” When he was feeling down because of something unpleasant, Yamamoto-san blew it away with her innate brightness. When he reported that he had done well on a test the next day, she was so happy that she cried when he was given chocolate packed in a cute box.

“That’s why I also wanted to do my best for her…! If there’s something she didn’t like, she should have told me…”

The happy memories faded due to familiarity. He once had such a wonderful girlfriend, but eventually, he even felt hostility from her. And for that foolish man, an appropriate evaluation was attached without him knowing.

“Kanade couldn’t say it honestly because she’s kind. Are you going to blame her for that?”

When he was told that, it was the final blow. He was holding back his tears, which no one had ever seen, because of his unnecessary pride as a man, and without realizing it, hot tears were welling up at his—

“You’re just taking advantage of Kanade’s kindness and doing whatever you want. I haven’t heard the details, but it seems like you’re threatening her, right? Are you in your right mind? She’s such a wonderful person.”

Despite Miyu’s relentless words, Suzuhara’s hands finally began to shake. He knelt down, collapsed, and hunched his back.

“I’m the worst… What have I done…”

It was only then that he realized. Looking back, there was no way to deny it. He was a genuine piece of trash. As a man and as a human being, it was the lowest act.

“Don’t worry, Suzuhara-san.”

Finally, a hand was extended. In front of Suzuhara, who raised her face, was an angel.

“Actually, I asked Yamamoto-san to do a small errand, and I have some time to spare until it’s done. So…”

Miyu was going to show him the path to rehabilitation. This little teacher was going to teach him the right way to be a man. Suzuhara saw light coming from behind Miyu.

“I’ll teach you how unpleasant and boring your date was.”

“Huh?”

“First of all, your outfit. It’s at a level where I would send you home immediately. But this time, I’ll let you off with that.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll state it clearly. Yamamoto-san is so pitiful that I can’t even look at her, so please break up with her. Even if you have some common sense, you’re not a match for her.”

“…”

Suzuhara’s heart, which should have been cleansed, felt a sharp pain as if Miyu’s toxic tongue had gone beyond the disinfectant and applied sulfuric acid to her wounds.

“— And that’s how we got to where we are now.”

“But where was the element of rehabilitation!?

It was typical of Miyu. It was understandable that Suzuhara repented. But I couldn’t understand why it progressed so well.

“Calm down. This story has an epilogue.”

Suzuhara massaged his throat, which was tired from talking non-stop.

“Finally, I was told by Miyu-san.”

Suzuhara looked out the window, as if it were a distant memory from the past, and was filled with emotion.

“You’re hopelessly unaware of people’s hearts. But the passion in your heart is undoubtedly your charm. There are as many good points as there are flaws. I…”

Suzuhara’s eyes turned red. Oh, come on. Is he okay?

“So, I’m going to really change. I’ll try to become good friends with Kanade. And someday, I’ll find someone I can truly love and make her happy.”

Suzuhara looked at his hands and gripped them tightly. His thoughts were as passionate as his words.

“So, Sotomichi, if you’re aiming for Kanade, you’d better be careful. I’ll support you, but either way, you can’t keep that promise.”

I don’t intend to date Yamamoto-san because I already have a girlfriend. But when he said that, I had no choice but to listen.

“You mean the condition for dating? What is it?”

“I can’t be the one to tell you. I already told you a fair bit the day before yesterday, so I’ll just give you a warning within what I can say. It’s a secret serious enough that I could use it as leverage. It’s a pretty deep concern, so if I’m being honest… I’d rather you just alone.”

Hearing that only makes me even more curious. But if it’s a concern that’s causing trouble, then maybe it’s best not to dig any further.

“I’m fine as long as Suzuhara is doing well. I’ll be back after lunch break. See you.”

I was relieved to see that both Suzuhara and Yamamoto-san had changed, but it was a good change.

Miyu is also a bit of a meddler.

I have a date with Sachiko after school. For now, I should be careful not to repeat Suzuhara’s mistake.

And so, my first date with my first girlfriend arrived.

I realized that it was I who had truly been changed by Miyu.

At that time, I still had no idea.