The Case Where I Found Out My Big Sister with a Brother Complex Was Actually My Stepsister, Tried to Hide It, but She Found Out Immediately and Became Uncontrollable - 51-52

Chapter 51: Nee-san and Christmas

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“Merry Christmas!~”

“Merry Christmas!”

My big sister and I cheerfully said it together, and then immediately decided to share the chocolate cake we had recently bought on the recommendation of Hasumi’s older sister. Though heart-shaped, it was a full-sized cake, just the right amount for the two of us to enjoy without overeating it.

“Okay then. Nee-san, let’s cut the cake—”

“Wait, Tsumugu!”

Just as I was about to suggest cutting the cake, my big sister suddenly stopped me with a loud voice.

“Nee-san…?”

“Cutting a heart-shaped cake just feels… Unlucky to me!”

“Unlucky, huh… I get what you’re trying to say, but eating it without cutting it would be kind of awkward, don’t you think? Either way, we’re eating it.”

“Yeah, that’s why… While the cake is still shaped like a heart, I want to take a picture with you, Tsumugu!”

“I see… Alright, let’s take one.”

“Thank you!”

Nee-san pulled out her phone and adjusted the selfie camera so that the two of us and the cake on the table were all in the frame. We both smiled and took a picture.

“How is it, Nee-san?”

“Yeah, it came out really nice.”

“Then let’s go ahead and eat the cake—”

“Before that! Let’s take more pictures together!”

With that sudden declaration from my big sister, we took several photos—some with the heart-shaped chocolate cake in the background, others with the recently delivered Christmas tree behind us, and even more with the Christmas decorations.

Among them were pictures of her linking arms with me, or hugging me as we took the shots. Nee-san looked like she was having a blast while taking them,  but I couldn’t enjoy them quite the same way. After we finished taking the photos, my big sister gave a firm nod and said.

“Yup! That should be good enough!”

She said it cheerfully and I replied in kind.

“If you’re satisfied, then that’s great… Okay, shall we finally eat the cake together?”

And with that, my big sister and I finally began eating the chocolate cake… Or so I thought, until she, after a brief pause, cut the heart-shaped cake—and then, instead of placing it on her own plate, she held a slice out toward my mouth.

“Ahhn~”

…Naturally, I still found it embarrassing to be fed by my big sister, so I turned my face away slightly and replied, feeling awkward.

“Nee-san, you don’t have to do that. I can eat cake by myself.”

But it seemed she had already seen right through me, and immediately countered.

“Since we already broke the heart, I think we at least need to eat it in a way that shows how heartful we are toward the heart cake.”

“…Just eating it together with you already feels like a heartful way of eating to me.”

“But I think it feels even more heartful if I feed you. So… ahhn~”

“……”

I quietly accepted the piece of cake she offered.

“Is it good, Tsumugu?”

“…Yeah, it’s good.”

Though I felt embarrassed, I answered honestly. Then, my big sister gave me a warm smile and said.

“Being able to spend Christmas again this year with Tsumugu, whom I love as family, as my little brother, and as a boy… It makes me really happy. Tsumugu, do you feel happy spending Christmas with me?”

To that question, I answered immediately.

“I do. I feel the same way, Nee-san. I love you as family, as my big sister… And well, as someone of the opposite sex… To be honest, I’m not quite sure about that part yet. But even so… I do know that spending Christmas with you makes me happy.”

“I see… Then let’s make this Christmas an even happier one together.”

“Yeah.”

“Alright then. Can you feed me the cake too? Ahhn~”

“…Eh? Wait, that’s—”

“We’re making this Christmas even happier, right?”

“……”

After that, under the noble excuse of “having a happy Christmas,” I was subjected to all sorts of unreasonable demands… But even so, the Christmas I spent with my big sister truly turned out to be a very happy one—just as the words said.

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Chapter 52: Nee-san and First Shrine Visit of the Year

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Once Christmas ended, the end of the year came in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, the year had ended—and it was January 1st.

“Happy New Year, Tsumugu! Let’s have another great year together!”

“Happy New Year. Same to you, Nee-san.”

When my big sister and I woke up and saw each other in the living room, we exchanged New Year’s greetings. Looking back now, last year was one of the most fun and surprising years of my life so far.

I hope this year will be just as fun as last year… No, even more fun. I hope I can have even more fun together with Nee-san and the others.

As I was thinking that, Nee-san then said cheerfully,

“Tsumugu! Do you remember what day it is today?”

“Of course. We’re going to the shrine for hatsumōde.”

“Correct~! It’s cold, but we’re heading out first thing this morning!”

“Okay.”

And so, just as we had planned, my big sister and I went to hatsumōde together… Every year, I always went with my big sister to hatsumōde, and my usual prayer was, “I hope I can keep spending fun times with Nee-san forever.”

That prayer had come true every year so far, so if there was a being out there granting it, I had nothing but gratitude for it. With that in mind, we arrived at the only shrine in the area, and found quite a crowd already lined up there.

“There are a lot of people here.”

“I guess everyone wants to do hatsumōde too.”

“Then let’s chat while we wait, okay?”

“Yeah.”

So, Nee-san and I joined the end of the line and at the very end, we saw two familiar faces—Hasumi and Hasumi’s older sister.

“Hey hey, Sumire, what are you going to wish for?”

“You’re so persistent. I don’t have to tell you, Onee-chan.”

“Come on~ Don’t be like that~”

“…Hasumi and Hasumi’s Onee-san?”

“…Huh?”

When I spoke to them, Hasumi turned around with a surprised look toward me and Nee-san.

“Tsunagi… and Tsunagi’s Onee-san!?”

“Eh? Oh wow, it is you! Happy New Year~! Tsunagi-kun, did you come all the way here just to see me at the start of the year? I’m so happy~!”

“A-Ah… Happy New Year. But no, that’s not why we’re here…”

Even after the year changed, Hasumi’s older sister seemed just as cheerful as ever. Nee-san also greeted the two of them.

“Sumire-chan, Akari-san, Happy New Year. I hope we can get along this year too.”

“Waa~! So polite~! Happy New Year~!”

“H-Happy New Year… Geez, Onee-chan, you’re being loud, it’s embarrassing!”

“Eeh~! But but~!”

While the four of us chatted in line, it was soon Hasumi and her big sister’s turn at the front. The two of them walked up to the offertory box… I wondered what they would pray for.

“Please, please…! I hope Sumire becomes a girl who loves her Onee-chan this year! …And may Sumire’s wish come true too.”

“I hope I can keep having fun times with Tsunagi again this year.”

After ringing the bell together, Hasumi gave a small wave with one hand while her older sister waved both hands energetically at us, then they walked toward the shrine entrance… They were probably heading home now.

They’d spoken their wishes out loud, but we were far enough away that I couldn’t really hear what they said. All I could tell was that Hasumi’s older sister had a loud voice… After shouting something loudly, she murmured something else under her breath, but of course, I couldn’t make that out either.

And then it was our turn. Nee-san and I climbed a few steps together, tossed our coins into the offertory box, and put our hands together.

“…I hope I can have another fun year with Nee-san and Hasumi.”

I said that softly. Up until now, I had asked Nee-san a few times, “What did you wish for?” but she never told me… However, this year was different. She spoke in her usual voice, almost like she wanted me to hear it.

“I wish that Tsumugu and I can love each other and…. Be happy together.”

“…!”

After ringing the bell together, we stepped down from the offertory box and began walking toward the shrine’s entrance.

“Tsumugu… That’s what I’ve been wishing for, all this time.”

“…I see.”

I felt a bit embarrassed, but not uncomfortable. In fact, I felt like the distance between me and Nee-san had gotten even smaller than before. When we got back home, we had mochi dishes for lunch, and for dinner, we ate Nee-san’s homemade osechi New Year’s food. I truly enjoyed spending the start of the year with her.

…Hopefully, this year will be another good one too.

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