My Younger Stepsister with whom I have never spoken to is an online friend from a game into which I have been fooling around for years. - Chapter 7.8

Translated by White Fanatic

Edited by Idlemousse

*Zaaaaaa

Large drops of rain hit the umbrella, the ground, as well as my right shoulder.

With the sound of the heavy rain felt like background music and due to the small size of the umbrella, I was in a state of constant contact with nature, and getting wetter every moment. Occasionally, our arms would end up touching and we were so close that we could feel each other’s breaths on our faces.

Regardless of whether I liked it or not, I was forced to become extremely conscious of Shiyori who was right in front of me.

“…”

It was quiet between us as usual. However, this time, the atmosphere was not as tense.

As anyone nearby, when I looked up, my eyes were met by Shiyori’s hair swaying by the wind.

Because the umbrella was in a higher position than usual, the ends of her hair were still getting wet from the rain.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how small and delicate she looked.

Shiyori was even smaller than some of the girls in our classes and when she stood next to me, our difference in stature was huge. A full head-length.

I imagined if I wasn’t careful and knocked into her recklessly, she would shatter into pieces like the porcelain doll I pictured her to be. 

I immediately felt the desire to protect her well up inside me. 

I knew that I was too timid to do anything. 

Even though her shoulders look so small compared to mine, will I ever be able to match her shoulders and stand beside her? 

The expressions caused by my timid heart showed itself on my face. Knowing that it was inappropriate, I tilted the umbrella more toward Shiyori’s side as if to give a warning my intentions.

My shoulders got wet as a result, but it helped cool me down to a degree, which I needed right then. 

As the right side of my body was getting drenched by the rain, we finally arrived home.

“Tadaima”

“tsU~”

“Shiyori??”

As soon as I got home, I took off my soaked sneakers.

Without the slightest hesitation on her part, she pushed me roughly back with both of her hands. 

I was confused. What was going on? I look back to my past actions for some context.

I looked over at Shiyori and saw that her cheeks were puffed out. But even then, I had no idea what was going through in her head at that moment.

“Y-Your shoulder!”

“My shoulder?”

Her gaze was fixed on my shoulder which happened to be soaking wet. She shot me an admonishing look. 

“Bathroom!”

“Ah, sorry.” 

I felt like a scolded child who just did something wrong. 

Once I got out of my bath, my pajamas were already laid out in the room.  

I wondered if Shiyori had prepared them for me. Putting on the comfortable clothes, I proceeded to knock on Shiyori’s door.

As I was allowed to use the bath first.

“… Nn.”

From the door came a small reply. I went back to my room while wiping my wet hair. It was while I was unpacking my bag that I noticed I got a text.

《 Hey, aren’t you logged in yet? 》

《 Come to think of it, when will Philia-san log in? 》

《 There is still no reply, HEY! 》

《 I’m tired of soloing! 》

After every few minutes, such messages continued to fill the page.

Nanjo is quite impatient, isn’t she?

I let out a wry smile while thinking about that.

《 I will log in after dinner. 》 

《 Around seven o’clock? 》

《 Yeah, about that time》

《 What about Philia-san? 》

Well, how would I answer that now? As I was mulling it over in my head, I heard the door to the next room open with a clatter and heard someone going down the stairs.

Shiyori had also gotten quite wet while returning, so I wonder if she would also take a long bath?

《 Maybe about the same time as well? 》

《 Understood. 》

After dinner and after confirming that Shiyori had also returned to her room, I logged in with a delay of fewer than ten minutes.

『 Yo~, are you all already here? 』 

『 Oh, Klies-kun, good evening! 』

『 Good evening, Desu. 』

I couldn’t help but wonder why she was so obsessed with using that greeting on me.

Philia-san and Cinq, who had logged in earlier, seemed to be in the middle of having a lively discussion about matching avatar outfits.

What kind of system skills does this have, how should I combine these costumes and wear, etc.

Hearing their comments only made me cringe inwardly. 

From what I heard, I guess that Nanjo Rin had yet to finish eating the fried chicken. 

When the topic was cut off, Cinq started talking in a very serious tone.

 『 I want to consult you guys about something, is that fine? 』

Phillia-san seemed to realize that this was serious and put away what she was doing. She exchanges eye-contact with me as we exchange nods.

『 How can two people become friends? 』

It was the same question that Nanjo Rin asked during lunch break. It was a type of question that didn’t have a clear-cut answer.

The answer would usually vary from person to person.

However, it was important to hear Philia-san’s opinion here.

I gulped and waited for her reply. The answer came around one or two minutes later at most.

Even, I, who was listening on the side, waited nervously for her answer. 

For Nanjo Rin, it must have felt like a long time before she finally got her answer. 

『 Un, un, I see… All right, Cinq-kun, let’s go on a mission now. 』

『 『 Eh? 』 』

Philia-san unexpectedly suggested this. 

I had no idea what her intentions were, so I looked at Cinq-kun to see what her reaction was. 

『 Well, then~ Let’s go! Come on, come on! 』

『 Hey, Phii-san! 』

『 Ehh? 』

As I thought that the part application was probably skipped, I went to the reception desk and consulted, taking the quests to the places we could go to right now.

『 Like the other day, Cinq is the shield, Klies is the attacker, and I’m the healer! 』

『 Ah, Mou! 』

『 Wa–wait! 』