My Little Sister Suddenly Confessed to Me, but What Am I Supposed to Do by Dating My Little Sister?

Chapter 17: Big Brother’s Birthday Present

Shiori’s preparations for her brother’s birthday present began six months in advance. (Man, that’s early!)

“What should I do this year?”

She was in the middle of her high school entrance exam period, but Shiori’s top priority was her brother. Although her teacher had strongly urged her to apply to a famous, competitive prep school, she had already decided to go to the same prefectural high school as her brother.

By the way, the reason Shiori—who possessed the academic ability to do so—didn’t place at the top of the entrance exams was simple. Her brother happened to be in the same testing hall. Seeing him at school for the first time in a long while, looking so serious during the exam, she became so entranced that she completely botched her score in the first subject.

“What should I do? A sweater knitted with my (Censored)? Or chocolates containing my (Censored)? Ah, but that’s for Valentine’s Day.”

(Since this isn’t 18+, please mentally substitute those censored parts with the word “feelings.”)

She searched the internet: 【Present for Brother – Handmade】.

“Hmm, food or cake, huh? I’d rather it be something lasting. Something that, when he sees it, makes him think of me even for a second.”

Next: 【Lover’s Birthday Present – Handmade】.

“This is just for reference! For reference! It’s not like Onii-chan is actually going to be my boyfriend… My boyfriend… Onii-chan as my boyfriend… Ehehehehehe.”

Without anyone to talk to, Shiori muttered to herself. Someone, please stop her!

“Accessories? Hmm, Onii-chan looking all flashy… I guess that has its own charm. But if he gets too popular… I heard he’s been talking to that Asami girl lately.”

Shiori, who had been smiling just a second ago, suddenly started tearing up.

“I can’t, I can’t. It’s okay. He said they aren’t dating.”

She regained her composure by trusting the information from several friends. Incidentally, despite having the special ability to become friends with anyone instantly, Shiori hadn’t befriended Asami. This was due to a mix of fearing the truth and a calculated move to avoid creating more points of contact between her brother and the outside world through herself.

“The packaging is important. I see. Attach a letter—ah, that’s so nice, I want to try that. A situation… like watching the night view with Onii-chan? Kyahhhhh! Ah, what should I do? Ehehehe.”

Shiori’s fun time passed by. (Hey, go study!)

“I guess a sweater is too ‘heavy’ after all. I heard that last year and gave up on it, didn’t I?”

She recalled a time about a year ago when she casually asked her friends about the classic sweater idea.

“What do you think about giving a sweater as a present? I was just reading a book, you see—a book!” she said, frantically waving her hands to deny any personal involvement.

“Shio-chi, did you get a boyfriend?!” her friend asked. “Ehh, who would even think of such a cliché present these days? That author has no talent!” (Hey, leave me alone!) “A sweater is way too heavy. Well, if it was from Shio-chi, the guy would probably be head over heels and super happy, but still…”

“I guess a sweater is heavy after all,” Shiori sighed.

“Are you sure you don’t have a boyfriend?” her friend pressed. “Then do you have someone you like? Come on, tell me! I’ll help you out! I mean, if it’s Shio-chi, anyone would say yes. Just confess!”

“That’s not true!” Shiori snapped.

“Eh?” Friend A (I’m not giving her a name because of that talent comment earlier) looked surprised.

“Ah, sorry. It’s not like that. I don’t have that kind of charm.”

“Shio-chi…”

Recalling that conversation from a year ago, Shiori sank into depression again.

“There’s no way I have enough charm to make Onii-chan love me.”

Shiori was quite busy with her emotions going up and down. This mental state eventually led to her reaching her limit later on, but—

“No, no, focus! Focus on Onii-chan’s present for now.” (No, focus on your studies!)

“Last year, that’s why I went with the amigurumi. A boy and a girl amigurumi modeled after me and Onii-chan. He still has them displayed on his desk… I wonder if he looks at them every time he studies and thinks of me? Ufufufufufu.”

With her emotions fluctuating like an elevator and her feelings for her brother rising like an escalator, Shiori continued her preparations.