The Daily Life of the Cat-Like Sister and Her Foolish Elder Brother

“Sis…”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

“What is it? It’s rude to start saying something and then stop. I didn’t raise you like this.”

“In that case, do you understand the rules of ‘Daihinmin’? What’s the point of suddenly playing a pair of twos? Besides the joker, that’s the strongest card.”

“I understand that much. Oh, looks like no one can play? Alright, next, with a set of six cards including an 8, we’ll initiate a ‘revolution.’ Followed by a pair of threes. Discard the 8, then play a pair of fives. There, I win!”

Finally, after a weekend of settling work matters, Yayoi and I visited my older sister’s home as a gesture of gratitude for hosting us back then. This was the current situation.

Well, Daihinmin was fun, but… it was rare to encounter such an unreasonable play. Messy, still as messy as ever.

There was only so much immaturity one could handle. It was detrimental to Yui’s upbringing.

Look at Yui’s expression… she was looking at my older sister with sparkling eyes, wasn’t she?

“Mom, you’re so cool!”

“Hehe~♪”

This was a bit… troubling. The bad influence was already showing.

I glanced at Yayoi briefly. Alright, I needed to steer Yui back onto the right path.

Older sister? Impossible. She hasn’t changed at all since long ago.

“If you win, you’re the hero. Whether you’re a dog or a cat, winning is everything!!”

…First of all, I should apologize to one of the greatest military strategists of the Sengoku period.

Well, never mind. Let’s put aside long-standing grievances for now… ahem. I’ll work with Yayoi for Yui’s sake and bring down my older sister.

But the problem was…

“Pair of twos!”

“Pair of thirteens. Binding with numbers and pictures.”

“!?”

“Cutting with eights. Out with fours. Yui wins!”

“I-I can’t believe… that I’m in last place…”

This foolish little sister, despite being smart, was absolutely weak in these kinds of games.

Come to think of it, during New Year’s, Yui was completely demolished in Hanafuda by Yayoi…

What was with that?

“(Hey, why didn’t you support me earlier?!)”

“(I considered my hand and your skills and made a decision.)”

“(Argh! You’re so cheeky for an older brother!)”

“(Remember the objective. Either of us winning is fine… though you probably won’t win.)”

“(…Tsukasa isn’t cute.)”

“(Sure, sure.)”

“(Answer just once!)”

“Don’t go flirting over there on your own. If you’re going to, request permission beforehand. Now, next―yes, just playing isn’t interesting enough. Let’s make a wager.”

“Sis, about that…”

“We’re not betting money or anything serious. Just something small. For example, if Yui wins, Tsukasa, you have to take her to the amusement park next time.”

“Sounds good!”

“Wait, that’s it? Isn’t that fine?”

This foolish little sister! My older sister wouldn’t let things slide with just that.

Might as well say nothing and stick with 1 against 3 from the start, right?

…No options, huh. In that case, I’ll at least protect myself.

Yayoi, stay strong…

※※※

“Alright, I’m out. My supremacy is eternal!”

“Mom, you’re so strong! Yui won too!”

“…I’m out.”

“No way, no way…”

My older sister was ecstatic, while Yui was jubilant.

Meanwhile, Yayoi beside me was feeling dejected. That made it 5 losses in a row.

It’s strange, but crawling back up after a fall (even if I didn’t hand over any cards this time) was quite tough.

“What should we demand next?”

“Hey, big sis. Don’t you think I’m cute?”

“You’re adorable, of course. Yayoi is my pride and joy of a little sister.”

“Big sis… I, I also admire you.”

“That’s nice and all, but that’s a separate matter. Now, foolish little brother.”

“…What now?”

“What kind of punishment game do you think is good?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

“But hey, Yayoi?”

“W-What!? What’s going to happen next!? Am I going to be subjected to something!?”

“Well then, how about this next― shall we hear a story about this year’s Valentine’s Day from you? Of course, within the limits of what you can share. I’m being generous, aren’t I?”

I became indifferent. Completely indifferent.

I’ve long surpassed the limits of shame. Anything beyond this… was a matter of life and death.

Meanwhile, Yayoi, though visibly flustered, spoke openly with a somewhat pleased expression, her face bright red.

As for my older sister and Yui listening on, it goes without saying. What was so amusing about this?

…Wait a minute, come to think of it, wasn’t this a 1 against 3 situation? I glared at my older sister with a menacing look.

“You were aiming for this from the beginning―you schemed this!?”

“You’re slow to catch on.”

Damn it! You devil…

Hey, why are you babbling so much too?

“So, um, Tsukasa prepared a bouquet for me―hehe, hehe.”

“Wow, not bad for a foolish little brother.”

“Tsukasa-nii-chan, you’re so cool!”

…It seems I had no allies here. It was getting late. This was likely the last game, and I had to win to end this!

To achieve that…

“Yui.”

“What is it?”

“If I win, I’ll take you to the amusement park.”

“Really?!”

“Absolutely. Even if you win, I’ll take you to the amusement park.”

“Yay! I’ll do my best!”

“…Hey, what are you talking about?”

Ignoring Yayoi’s displeased voice, I focused on preserving my mental well-being.

I’ll tolerate talk of the bouquet.

But discussing that day was off-limits. Absolutely.

Therefore, winning the next game was essential.

―The game started.

My hand was good. I had a chance to win.

While I didn’t have the strongest card, the two, I had a pair of ones and a joker. I’ll make it work somehow.

I didn’t want to have three 2’s no matter what.

I cautiously played my cards.

“You seem unusually serious, little brother. You don’t need to push yourself so hard. It’ll be easier if you just give up. Better yet, give up and quickly tell us an untold story.”

“…I refuse. This is a matter of dignity! I will win and take Yui to the amusement park!”

“I see. Well then, there’s nothing more to be said.”

What’s this? Why was my older sister so composed? Could she have some kind of trump card?

…No, it must be a bluff.

I’ll press on like this!

“I have a triple of ones. Now then, I’ll take the lead.”

“Wait.”

“!?”

“Oh my.”

“Wow, Yayoi-onee-chan, you’re amazing!”

Yayoi played a triple of twos and took the lead.

I’m left with just two cards.