The Case of Me, a Guy With Zero Dating Experience, Getting Mistaken for a Stalker by the Angel I Fell for at First Sight, Only to End Up Living Together With Her in a Harem Share House With a 1:9 Gender Ratio - Chapter 31: Yuuki-nii-chan (2)

Chapter 31: Yuuki-nii-chan (2)

Miku and Kotoha left Café Arcadia and slowly walked toward the share house.

Miku’s mind was consumed with how to address Yuuki.

“What should I call Yuuki-nii-chan from now on…?”

If she changed to calling him “Yuuki-san,” Yuuki would likely wonder why she suddenly changed.

Miku couldn’t find an answer for how to respond to that question.

“Hmm, but since he’s older, ‘Yuuki-san’ is the most natural, right?”

“Yeah, probably.

But it still feels kinda awkward.”

At that moment, Kotoha pointed ahead and said,

“Hey, Miku, isn’t that Yuuki-san?”

“Huh, where?”

Miku squinted and saw that, about 50 meters ahead, it was indeed Yuuki walking.

“He’s supposed to have the day off from work…”

“Who’s that woman next to him…?”

“Isn’t that Sakura-chan?”

Kotoha had spotted Yuuki and Sakura returning from their movie.

Both were dressed stylishly, looking very much like they were coming back from a date.

“…With Sakura-chan?”

“They’ve got a nice vibe going.”

Even without Kotoha saying it, Miku felt the same.

“…But why?”

Miku couldn’t make sense of the situation.

Yuuki and Sakura, engrossed in conversation, didn’t look back and walked closely together.

Passing Kotoha’s workplace, the convenience store, they reached a darker area, and Yuuki and Sakura held hands.

“Huh, they’re holding hands!”

“They really did!”

“I haven’t even held his hand yet…”

Miku was shocked to see them holding hands.

“Yuuki-san’s Sakura-chan’s bodyguard, right?

When did they get so close…

Miku, you’re falling behind.

If you don’t step up, those two might end up together.”

“Huh, what should I do?”

“Miku, first, you’ve gotta stop calling him ‘Yuuki-nii-chan.’”

“Got it, I’ll try hard!

Thanks, Kotoha.”

The sudden appearance of a rival made Miku panic.

She had to make Yuuki see her as a woman, not a sister, and turn his attention to her.

※

Miku and Kotoha returned to the share house.

After changing in their rooms, they went to the lounge, where the usual mini-banquet was starting.

Present were Asuna, Reina, Akane, and Sakura.

Yuuki was apparently in the bath.

As always, side dishes brought by everyone and pizza ordered by Asuna via delivery were laid out.

“Miku-chan, Kotoha-chan, welcome back.

There’s pizza, want some?”

“Thank you.

But we ate already, so we’ll just have drinks.”

The two politely declined.

“Hey, Sakura-chan, you went to a movie with Yuuki-kun, right?

Was it fun?”

Asuna asked Sakura.

“Yes, it was fun.

And it was a very moving movie.”

Sakura recounted the movie’s plot with emotion.

“Wow, I wanna see that movie.”

“Yes, you should definitely go see it.”

From Asuna’s words, Miku learned that Sakura and Yuuki had gone to a movie.

(Why did Sakura-chan go to a movie?

Because I went with Yuuki-nii-chan?

Did she want to see one too?)

Miku recalled how, last Sunday, she excitedly told everyone about her fun movie outing with Yuuki.

Sakura probably heard that and wanted to see a movie too, Miku thought.

Come to think of it, she’s being targeted by a stalker, so she couldn’t go alone.

That’s why she asked Yuuki-nii-chan to take her.

Miku convinced herself of this.

But why did they hold hands?

That was the one thing Miku couldn’t accept.

“I’m tired from band practice today, so I’m going to rest in my room.”

Miku retreated to her room early.

In truth, it was painful to see Sakura’s happy face.

※

Lying on her bed, Miku thought.

Sakura was holding hands with Yuuki.

No matter how you look at it, it’s proof they’re getting closer.

I can’t lose to her.

I have to do what I can now to catch up to Sakura…

First, I need to tell him I’m changing how I address him to “Yuuki-san”…

He’ll probably ask why I’m changing it.

What should I say then?

Is there a clever excuse…?

Miku thought hard and came up with a pretext.

She’d subtly mix in the real reason.

That she wants to be seen as a woman, not a sister…

What would Yuuki say if she told him that?

He’d probably realize Miku has feelings for him.

But if she doesn’t express her feelings, she can’t move forward.

Miku resolved to tell Yuuki this.

※

At 10:30 p.m., the lounge lights were off, and the other residents had returned to their rooms.

Miku steeled herself and knocked on Yuuki’s door.

A quick response came, and the door opened, revealing Yuuki.

“Miku, what’s up this late?”

“Um, do you have a minute?”

“Sure, what’s it about?”

“Well, it’s important, can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on in.”

Yuuki invited Miku into his room.

“Miku, sit there.”

Yuuki pointed to the sofa by the window.

As Miku sat, Yuuki took the seat across from her.

“So, what’s this important talk?”

At Yuuki’s words, Miku felt her heart pound so hard it might leap out.

“W-Well, I was thinking about changing how I address you…”

“How you address me?”

“Yeah, exactly.

I’ve been calling you ‘Yuuki-nii-chan’ until now, but I thought maybe I’d start calling you ‘Yuuki-san’ like everyone else…”

“Oh, really?

But why suddenly change how you call me?”

As expected, Yuuki asked, and Miku, face bright red, gave her prepared answer.

“W-Well, I’m 19 now, right?

So I thought ‘nii-chan’ might be a bit much.

Plus, I’m your childhood friend, not your real sister, so I want you to see me as a woman from now on.

And the way I call you now might make your real sister, Akari-chan, feel bad…”

Miku was inwardly relieved that she explained it as planned.

Yuuki listened silently to Miku’s words and, after a brief pause, said,

“I see, I understand why you want to change it.

But, Miku, can you really change how you call me that easily?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of a habit, so… it might take a bit.”

“Got it, then I’ll have to get used to being called ‘Yuuki-san’ by you.”

“Right, Yuuki-nii-chan…”

“Miku, you just said it right after promising not to.”

“Hehe, you’re right.

But I’ll work hard to change it… Yuuki-san.”