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

“Misaki, here you go.”

“Huh? What―wow!”

An exclamation escaped my mouth unintentionally.

What was handed to me was a stylish black box.

Even without opening it, I knew that this was definitely something delicious.

I would never buy something like this for myself. It wouldn’t even be an option.

…It might even be several steps above what I bought for my love interest before.

This person was flawless even in these matters. Truly remarkable.

“Y-Yayoi, are you sure? I feel like this is way more than three times what I gave you…”

“Don’t worry about it. I wanted Misaki to try that chocolate because it’s delicious. I’m not interested in Valentine’s Day or White Day, but it was a good opportunity.”

She smiled softly.

Ah… she was really beautiful. It was refreshing to look at her.

Certainly, I gave her chocolate, but I never expected her to return it… The guys around us were glancing over.

Hah! Jealous, aren’t you? Th-this is a chocolate box from Yayoi, who hasn’t given anything to almost anyone, not even the guys at school, let alone girls!!

She seemed to have forgotten about this year’s Valentine’s Day until the actual day, and Yayoi didn’t seem interested in this kind of thing at all.

“Are you not giving any to your brother?”

“If I spoil him, he’ll get cocky.”

When I asked last month, she responded with an indifferent attitude. They seemed really close from an outsider’s perspective, so I naturally assumed she would give him something… It was surprising.

Well, it was Yayoi we were talking about. It was typical of her, I supposed.

So, I didn’t have any expectations at all for a return gift on White Day. In fact, I had forgotten about giving it altogether until now.

Sigh. Was this the difference between us?

Lately, she’d been getting even more beautiful… What was the point of polishing herself any further? I think she’s already reached her peak.

The other day, just by walking normally, she got approached by several scouts… I think Tsukasa-san was amazing in a way. It’s not something an ordinary guy could handle, being with such a beautiful girl with a great personality and good taste.

“Yayoi.”

“What?”

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it. Let me know your thoughts later.”

※※※

For a while now, I’ve been feeling a gaze on the back of my head.

Curious, I turned around to find my foolish little sister sitting on the sofa, her face turned away.

…Was this her way of saying, ‘It wasn’t me’?

Well, if that was the case, then so be it.

Now, back to work, back to work. I needed to finish this by the end of the day…

I typed away on the keyboard, but I could still feel the gaze on the back of my head, the rustling of something.

“What the heck! Can’t you concentrate on something else?! What’s with you, staring at me all the time!?”

“Huh? I haven’t done anything. Maybe you’re just being overly conscious? Honestly, this is exactly like you, foolish brother…”

“Wait, now, come on…”

“What is it? Got a problem?”

Up until a moment ago, Yayoi was supposed to be sitting on the sofa, but now she was sitting on a cushion, looking up at me. Even though I kept the floor clean, it still gets dirty, so stop that.

…And why do you have another one already?

Anyway, hearing “Daruma-san ga koronda” (T/N: the Daruma doll has fallen) was quite nostalgic.

In any case, my focus has been disrupted by this whole sequence of events. Maybe I should make some coffee—huh?

“…Yayoi.”

“…What?”

“…Why are you holding onto my sleeve like that?”

“…Hmm.”

Saying that, she put down the cushion she was holding before her.

Ah… I have a feeling I knew where this was going.

“There, sit there! Alright, what day is it today?”

“Today is March 14th. Wednesday. It’s sunny. Oh, and it’s the day they have a special on eggs.”

“…Brother.”

“Yeah?”

“…You know what I’m getting at, right?”

“I have no idea what you want me to say—hey, don’t bite or scratch!”

“You’re not cute! You’re not cute! You’re not cute at all~!”

Good grief… I was planning to do this a little later.

I gently patted her head and stood up.

“Wait right there for a moment.”

“No… I’m coming too.”

“Oh, it’s not like we’re going outside or anything…”

“It doesn’t matter. If I let my guard down, you’re quick to push me away lately. There’s nothing more important in this world than a cute little sister like me! It’s a universal rule!”

Unfortunately, this was true.

And since she was a bit sulky today, I’ll refrain from teasing her.

I took Yayoi with me to my room.

Now, now. Don’t lie down on the bed.

Reaching out my hand won’t work. I’m not going to sleep yet. I won’t sleep with you. Good grief… while Yayoi was busy sulking and slipping into the futon—there we go.

“Come on, wake up!”

“You’re stingy. Stupid. Mean. Heartless. Today is White Day, you know? It’s an important day where you’re supposed to give back tenfold to me!”

“Are you trying to make the men of the world cry even more than usual? Come on, wake up. If you don’t, I won’t be able to give you my return gift.”

“!”

With a sudden move, she popped her head out from under the covers, peeking at me.

I playfully covered it with my hand. Ouch! Don’t kick there!

“Ow!”

“What’s wrong? Don’t want it? Fine, then no return gift.”

“I do!”

She stood up on the bed, glaring at me.

Oh boy, just as her highness commands.

I knelt down intentionally and offered the small box. Inside was a necklace that matched the ring I gave her.