Vol 1 Chapter 71 – Virtual Blood Ties【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

We arrived at Mama’s house a little past three in the afternoon. Worried for my safety, Kagemitsu-san escorted us all the way to Mama’s door.

“Hey, since you’re here, why don’t you stay and relax for a while?”

“Is that okay!?”

“Of course. This is your home, you know.”

Their exchange was no different from that of a real family.

“That’s awesome, Mama! But is it okay with you, Rin-kun?”

He suddenly turned the question to me. But the answer was incredibly simple.

“Why would I mind!? You’re my Onii-chan!”

That’s right, what was I even hesitating for? Kagemitsu-san is my Onii-chan. Since we both adore the same person as our Mama, that’s just a given.

I think the Akihaba family is my true family. In that case, I should probably call him Kagemitsu-onii-chan. The same goes for my other brothers and sisters; I should properly look up to them as Onii-chan and Onee-chan.

After all, I am the youngest brother of the Akihaba family…

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Walking into the house, I feel a sense of relief.

“Pardon the intrusion…”

It seems Kagemitsu-onii-chan hasn’t quite accepted that this is his family home yet.

“Honestly! You’re supposed to say, ‘I’m home.’”

Mama said with a laugh.

“Ah, right… I’m home.”

As Kagemitsu-onii-chan corrected himself, his face softened, and he looked somewhat happy.

“Welcome home!”

Mama said, so I followed her lead.

“Welcome home, Onii-chan!”

For some reason, I felt like I was welcoming home a brother who had moved away to the big city.

In the virtual world of the internet, we can become real relatives. After all, we were born from the same Mama. So maybe acting like a real family isn’t so strange.

No, perhaps it’s simply that this feels comfortable. I might just be searching for a reason, anything to heal the wound of being abandoned by my actual relatives.

With those thoughts in my head, the three of us walked into the living room.

Once we reached the living room, we each put down our things.

“Mama, I have a selfish request.”

Kagemitsu-onii-chan said suddenly.

“What is it?”

There wasn’t a hint of refusal in Mama’s voice. In fact, she sounded somewhat pleased.

“I want to do ‘With Mama’ too. I heard about it, and well, I’m a little jealous…”

Mama laughed at Kagemitsu-onii-chan as he averted his gaze and scratched his cheek to hide his embarrassment.

“What, is that all? Of course, you’re more than welcome! Let’s have a lively stream with the three of us, right? That’s okay with you too, Rin-kun?”

And so…

She posed the question to me, something I would never refuse. But the fact that she still bothered to ask is proof that she cares about me. It’s like with sound; you can’t grasp the whole thing without breaking it into smaller pieces. But when you do, you find it’s filled with nothing but affection.

“I’m already excited!”

In any case, I was thrilled. This would be our first time streaming as a trio.

And it gave me an idea of something I want to do. Someday, after I’ve gotten to know everyone in the Akihaba family, I want to do a stream with all of them.

Because that would surely be wonderful. I think the atmosphere would be just like New Year’s. The only problem would probably be Tachibana-oneechan, who hates going outside.

“Alright! Mama! Rin-kun! I love you guys!”

Saying that, Kagemitsu-onii-chan threw his arms around us.

This is just a thought, but Kagemitsu-onii-chan’s personality is just like a Westerner’s. Cheerful, and a little heavy on the physical affection.

“Whoa!”

It was so sudden that a noise escaped me. But it was warm, and kind of fun.

“Oh, Kage-kun, you big baby!”

Mama said with a laugh.

What exists in this place is family love. An ultra-dense family love, composed of a family with aggravated cases of bro-con, sis-con, and mother-con.

“It’s great, right?”

“Of course!”

Everyone’s the same, so no one objects. Mama might even be feeling an overlap of affection for a brother and for her own child. That’s how happy she looks.

In any case, I think I’ll try to be a little more spoiled.

“Onii-chan! This is gonna be so fun!”

And I’m a little giddy. I’m just so excited, I can’t help it.

“Aah, geez! Our youngest brother is a total idol!”

As he said that, Kagemitsu-onii-chan lifted me into his arms.

Maybe it’s because I’m so light, but he held me the way you would a child. The kind where you get held under the arms and lifted straight up.

“Whoa! You’re so strong!”

I weigh 37 kg, you know. That’s not that light. I think it’s amazing he can lift me so easily.

“Huh? Kage-kun, have you been working out?”

“I started playing tennis.”

I’d imagine tennis is a sport that requires a fair bit of arm strength. That must be why he can lift me so effortlessly.

“Sports, huh…”

I muttered as he set me back down on the ground. I’ve never really played any sports. My gym grade was always a 2, year after year. My athletic coordination is catastrophic, but I always tried my best, so the teacher gave me a 2.

“Do you like any sports, Rin-kun?”

“Onii-chan, I’m hopelessly unathletic. I mean, absolutely terrible! If I weren’t, I’d want to dance, though!”

Dancing is another way to express music. I want to do anything and everything related to music.

“You should just try it!”

“I did try, and I was awful at it!”

I pouted.

It was back in middle school. We had a dance class, and I couldn’t dance at all. I was a total mess, tripping over my own feet and falling down.

The conversation never ended. There wasn’t a single dull moment. Even at dinnertime, the topic was how delicious Mama’s cooking was. Kagemitsu-onii-chan said Mama’s cooking was pro-level.

And so, in what felt like a flash, it was five minutes until the broadcast began.