Since my Useless Working Sister and Other Troublemakers Became Magical Girls, I have no Choice but to Support Them. - Chapter 1-17: We Somehow Manage to Keep Fighting

Chapter 1-17: We Somehow Manage to Keep Fighting

“You managed to hold out until I got here, Yuuma. Thank you.”

“…Yeah.”

“Oops.”

Aina’s kind words of sympathy made me realize the fact that I was hugging her while not knowing that I am.

“I didn’t do anything. I risked my life and all I did was tremble on Rafio’s back.”

“No, you did well. You managed to stop the enemy’s movements once. That’s a commendable effort.”

“Exactly. Even though you couldn’t transform, you did great! Well done, well done!”

Aina, who was shorter than me, reached up and patted my head.

Ah, my sister is really kind.

“Aren’t you scared, Sis?”

“Huh?”

“I saw people die right in front of me. I couldn’t save them, and I thought I might die next. I was really relieved when you came, but… how about you?”

“Of course, I’m scared!”

Aina tried to respond nonchalantly.

But she couldn’t.

She was trembling in my arms.

It was just like yesterday. The minimal pride she maintained as a working adult was now crumbling.

“No way! I’m scared! I’m really scared! They say it’s the end of the world, so I’m fighting, but I hate being scared!”

“I thought you’d comfort me in a more grown-up way.”

“I am an adult!”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks.”

“You should be more grateful! Though I don’t know what you’re thanking me for!”

“Really.”

“Hey, Yuuma! I worked hard too! Pat me, pat me!”

“Okay, okay.”

“Hehe, Yuuma, I love you.”

“Stop it, that’s gross.”

Aina’s face melted into a smile as I patted her head, losing any semblance of adult or sisterly dignity.

But Aina’s complaints saved me.

Knowing that I wasn’t the only one who was scared was enough.

There were lives we couldn’t save due to our lack of power and carelessness. But if we didn’t fight, the number of casualties would have increased.

It was scary, but I was sure we could manage somehow if I was with my sister.

“By the way, you two, we didn’t manage to buy dinner after all.”

Rafio suddenly spoke up, and I directed my attention upwards.

I had forgotten. That was our original purpose for being there.

“Let’s go to the supermarket near home.”

“Do they sell pudding there?”

“They do. Not as many kinds as the last place, though.”

“Well, I’ll tolerate it for today.”

What’s with that attitude?

“Oh, Rafio’s going to cook dinner, right? What are you making? Steak?”

“Stir-fried vegetables.”

“I see. But tomorrow we’re having steak, right?”

“Sometime, maybe.”

“Yay!”

She was scared just a moment ago, and now she’s suddenly energetic.

It’s her personality that makes me feel at ease.

“This is delicious! The cabbage is properly cooked! The pork is well done too! Delicious!”

“I’m embarrassed to be praised so much. It’s just a simple dish.”

Aina was eating Rafio’s stir-fried vegetables with a smile.

“No, really. I haven’t had a properly cooked meal at home in a while. I’m moved. Yuuma only makes shortcut dishes.”

“Cooking is all about how efficiently you can do it.”

“You’re too lazy! Anyway, Yuuma, get me a beer.”

“Don’t make a high school student serve you alcohol.”

“Oh, come on. I worked hard today.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Sighing, I headed to the kitchen, grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, and handed it to my sister.

“Pour it yourself. Or drink it straight from the can.”

“You don’t get it. It’s special when your beloved brother does it for you.”

I wish she’d recognize that her beloved brother finds her annoying. Not that she’d ever notice.

“Ahh! Beer after hard work is the best!”

“Speaking of which, Sis, you said you took the day off work today, right?”

“Huh?”

Aina’s shoulder twitched as if she didn’t want to touch on that topic.

“You said you’d use your paid leave carefully from this fiscal year, right?”

“Did I say that? Maybe I did? Maybe I didn’t? Well, today was an exception!”

“Sis?”

“Eek! Oh, right! I’m going to take a bath!”

“From tomorrow, Rafio will make breakfast, so I can focus on waking you up. I’ll keep clanging the frying pan until you come to the living room in your suit.”

“No! Please don’t do that! Forgive me, Yuuma! I know! Let’s make up by taking a bath together?”

“I’m not getting in with you, and we’re not even fighting.”

“Oh, Yuuma, you’re so shy.”

“I’m seriously going to get mad at you.”

“Wait, wait! I’ll do better next time! I’ll try my best!”

“I’d like you to give it your all everytime…”

Will the day ever come when my reliable sister as a magical girl becomes a decent working adult?

The next morning.

“Aaaah!”

“Until you get up, I’ll keep clanging.”

“Wait! Wait, please! I’m already up!”

“Then, change and come to the living room.”

“Aaaah! I’m changing! By the way, what’s for breakfast?”

“Rafio made fried eggs and bacon with this frying pan.”

“The frying pan is being overworked!”

As my sister got up, holding her ears, I delivered another merciless strike.

“Yuuma! You want to see me change, don’t you?”

“Absolutely not.”

Even if she tried to tempt me with her scrawny body, her lack of confidence made it completely unappealing. And really, would I get excited over my sister?

I left the sight of my sister, who was squinting her eyes in an attempt to look seductive while unbuttoning her pajamas, and headed down the hallway, clanging the frying pan.

“Oh! By the way, tell Rafio not to wash my underwear! You handle that!”

“Yeah, yeah. Just get changed already.”

Well, I suppose I could do that. But why is she okay with me washing them?