Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 5: Makabe Shizuru Is Not Cut Out For Romance

Act 1(2)

I got home thirty minutes later than usual.

Fortunately, Hasumi-senpai didn’t get angry at such little difference, nor did she ask me why I was late. Rather, she said she was glad that the timing coincided with Uncle’s return so that they don’t need to eat separately.

And so, after dinner, at night―

“Shizuru.”

While I was in my room reviewing the lessons taught by Takinami-san, I heard a voice from outside.

When I opened the door, Hasumi-senpai was standing there. She was wearing wide pants and a shirt, a very conservative fashion.

“I accidentally made two cups of coffee, so I’ll give you the other one.”

Indeed, she had a cup of coffee in both hands. But what kind of accident is that? Was she playing or something?

“Thank you.”

When I was about to accept the cup, Hasumi-senpai quickly pulled it away. My hand shook.

“…Did something happen?”

She looked at me with a straight face and asked.

It seems like the other cup of coffee she accidentally made was for this. How perceptive.

“Nothing really.”

“Are you telling the truth?”

Hasumi-senpai asked again.

“Really.”

I answered her again, clearly.

Nothing in particular. My decision just happened naturally that way.

“Then, good.”

Hasumi-senpai finally handed me the cup.

“If you have something on your mind, you can tell me.”

“Um, Hasumi-senpai.”

She was about to go back to her room, but I stopped her. Hasumi-senpai turns around and looks at me.

“What?” She asked.

“Why did you tell Naoi that we’re siblings?”

I asked her.

“Why, huh…”

She mumbled as she thought about the meaning of the question in her head and brought her coffee cup to her mouth. She leaned against the hallway wall.

“I’ve known Naoi since junior high school and I know he admires me. I guess I wanted to tell him the truth.”

Just about what I expected. She really cannot tell a lie.

“Hasumi-senpai, you’re pretty sincere, did you know that?”

“Sincere? No way. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Hasumi-senpai laughs, as if I said something outrageous.

“I really don’t want to tell a lie, you see. Once you lie, you either have to apologize afterwards or take it to your grave. Both are difficult for me to do.”

“……”

“I especially don’t want to lie about how I feel. It feels like I’m killing myself.”

This thought Hasumi-senpai has must have been her true intention.

That’s why it’s even more heartbreaking.

I should have been like this. I should not have lied to Naoi. I should have believed him, believed myself, who wanted Naoi Kyouhei to be the kind of person I wanted him to be, and told him the truth.

‘It feels like I’m killing myself, huh?’

I wish I had half as much sincerity as she did.

“In your eyes, Hasumi-senpai, I must look like I’m suffocating, right?”

“Hmm…”

Hasumi-senpai thought for a moment, and then,

“Before, sure. Now, it has reduced.”

“Now?”

“I wonder who was talking about somebody else’s breasts, saying he wants to see me in my swimsuit. Is that what you call faithful, or rather, loyal to your desires? Haah, what a perverted little brother I have.”

“Uh…”

I was at a loss for words at Hasumi-senpai’s taunting words. 

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. I’ll get angry if you go too far, but so far you haven’t. Though, I’ll really get angry if you go too far…”

She said it twice, as it was important. And the second time, she looked at me with stern eyes. I’ll be careful.

“You’re saying whatever you want. Then, how about you saying something to Takinami-san too?”

“Eh…?”

“You like her, right? I don’t know what’s holding you back, but maybe you should say something to her and see how she reacts. Then, think about what you’ll do after seeing it.”

“…I could.”

That’s right, the problem and solution were already there.

But things were changing.

“Back to the topic―”

And I cut to the chase.

“I think it’s better if you don’t mention that we are siblings anymore.”

“Of course, I’m not planning on going around saying it to people. I would need to mention Dad if that happens after all.”

Hasumi-senpai chuckles.

“That said, I don’t think we need to have a lie ready in case that’s where the conversation is heading.”

“……”

Is she implicitly calling me out? Me, who tried to dodge the topic by saying we live nearby? No, that’s wrong. She doesn’t talk that way.

“What, Shizuru? Do you think it’s lame for me to be your older sister?”

“No, that’s not what…”

Rather, it was the opposite. Takinami-senpai told me to have confidence in myself. However, only a few would think that not just anyone can do the job of a library committee. For many students who don’t think so, Makabe Shizuru is not cut out to be Hasumi Shion’s sibling. Nevertheless, if she reveals that I’m her younger brother, Hasumi-senpai’s image will worsen.

What’s more, people were beginning to think that I’m a stalker.

“I’m sorry if it looks like I’m making you lie, Hasumi-senpai. But please keep the fact that I’m your brother a secret as much as possible. Thank you very much for the coffee…”

“Eh? Ah, wait, Shizuru!”

I one-sidedly ended the conversation and closed the door without hearing Hasumi’s reply.

That’s it for Hasumi-senpai. Takinami-senpai has already been decided. ―Then, all that’s left is Naoi.

First, let’s apologize to him.

Naoi has replaced his own jealousy with anger at being lied to by me. There is no doubt about that. But it’s also true that I lied to him. First of all, I will apologize for that.

I had calculated that by doing so, I might be able to cut through his stubborn attitude, but more than that, I wanted to put my own mistakes to rest.