The Daily Life of the Cat-Like Sister and Her Foolish Elder Brother - Chapter 4: Because… This Is My Seat

“Mm-mh, mmh! Oh, no, stop it, stop it!”

“No way!”

“Don’t say such things—oh, oh, that’s cheating!”

“Mama used to say ‘All’s fair in love and war’!”

“W-What… Nee-san, What have you been teaching—”

“Yayoi Onee-chan, so slooow.”

“H-Hey! …Haha… The game is far from over yet.”

In front of me, my dear sister and my niece, Yui, who was adorable, were currently engrossed in a game.

Ah, so that’s what she was practicing for the other day.

…Well, I hope you can guess whether her efforts are paying off.

For now, while Yui was leading the game overwhelmingly, Yayoi seemed to be fiercely competing for the prize. And then—

“I won!”

“This… this shouldn’t… be happening…”

“Hehe♪ Yayoi Onee-chan lost~”

“Guh… Y-Yui-chan, let’s play one more time. Let’s play one more time, okay?”

“Eh. No way~”

“W-Why not!?”

“Because…”

Yui glanced at me. An 8-year-old was being mindful of me…she was such a kind child.

I nod.

Sure, go ahead, teach that unfortunate big sister over there a lesson in reality.

“Yayoi Onee-chan, you’re bad at games! You’re weak and boring!”

“!?”

“Yes, that’s right, stupid sister. Even though you’re a perfect superhuman, you’re still a human being. Now, move aside.”

“Wha-… That’s a lie… This is all a lie… And don’t call me foolish sister in the midst of it all! How dare you be so cheeky as my elder bro—”

“Is Tsukasa Onii-chan going to play next? Let’s play together!”

“Hehehe… I’m quite strong, you know? At least I’m like a mid-boss.”

“I won’t lose!”

“Don’t be so overconfident!”

Heh, Step aside, you loser.

You just stay there and watch—hey, why are you holding a controller? And don’t bring out another one.

And what’s with that look in your eyes?

“(Tsukasa… You understand, right?)”

“(I don’t understand.)”

“(Don’t lie… okay? This is serious. What will you do if from now on, you can’t play with Yui-chan when you meet? That’s why—support me with all your might.)”

“(I can still play with her… I’ll manage on my own.)”

“(Are you really going to abandon your cute little sister!? I have to show the dignity of an adult to an 8-year-old!)”

“(…Aren’t you embarrassed saying that?)”

“(Sh-Shut up!)”

“They’re whispering to each other. Unfair. Yui too~”

Saying that, Yui came and sat on my lap.

As clingy as ever.

When I hugged her from behind, she laughed—it must have tickled her.

Ah… so adorable.

It purified my heart—hey, what’s with that look in your eyes?

“…Lolicon. Pervert. I’ll have to call the cops.”

“Hah! Call me whatever you want. Yui is cuter than anyone else, after all~”

“W-What did you say… I’ll give you a piece of my mind… Ah, Yui-chan, do you want to come to my lap?”

“No way! Because Yayoi Onee-chan tickles me!”

“Well…”

“Hehehe, tough luck. Yui prefers me, you know.”

“…Tsukasa, I’ll remember this later…”

Your eyes are focused huh, huh? Scary, scary.

Now then—

“Yui. The world of competition is—”

“Super intense!”

“Good girl. But let’s compete fairly and squarely.”

“Yeah!”

“…Both of you, have you forgotten about me? Huh?”

Haha, I have no idea what you’re talking about.

With Yui still sitting on my lap, the game began.

Hmm.

She was truly the beloved daughter of our elder sister. Much stronger than a certain someone.

“Yui―― You’re quite skilled.”

“Hehe~♪ Tsukasa Onii-chan is fast too, but I won’t lose.”

“…H-Hey, aren’t you both too fast!?”

“Yayoi, that’s not true.”

“Yeah, it’s diffe~rent.”

“Wait! Don’t say anything more!”

“It’s just that you’re clumsy.”

“Yayoi Onee-chan is slow~”

“…I told you not to say anything!”

Even if you’re feeling down—there’s no mercy, you know?

Yui seemed eager to join in too.

After several battles, with victories and losses alternating, I managed to secure victory in the final dead heat against Yui. Phew, that was a close one…

It was fun—and above all, it was a good match (excluding a certain someone).

Perhaps I got too excited, as the little one was now in sleepy mode. It looked like she might fall asleep any time soon.

I gently lifted her up and lay her on the sofa, then sat beside her and gently stroked her hair… She looked like an angel even when she was sleeping.

Looking at the clock, it was already evening.

I wondered if our parents and elder sister, who went out shopping, would come back soon?

I was really looking forward to it since they were quite enthusiastic about it.

Well… before that, though…

“Hey…”

“What is it?”

“Well… you know… that… um…”

“If you have something to say, just say it clearly.”

“Alright then… why are you sitting on my lap as if it’s the most natural thing in the world?”

“Isn’t it nice?”

“Well, it’s not like I don’t like it, but…”

“…Do you dislike it?”

Guh… Don’t look at me with those eyes, like an abandoned cat.

That’s not fair of you!

Alright, I’ll confirm it then.

“I don’t dislike it but… wouldn’t it be embarrassing if someone saw us?”

“It’s fine if no one finds out.”

“You’re smart, but… sometimes you can be quite disappointing.”

“Hmph… You’re not cute at all, Tsukasa. Anyway… it’s nothing.”

“You say that and then… Ah, you want me to ask, right?”

“D-Don’t go assuming things! Someone like you—Here!”

With that, Yayoi began rubbing her head against my chest, occasionally looking up at me with upturned eyes.

Um… well, this seemed more like seeking comfort, doesn’t it? Or perhaps claiming territory… Hey, wait a minute.

“…Hey.”

“…Wh-What?”

“Sorry, I, uh… I was thinking something weird.”

“Spit it out.”

“No, no. It’s, uh…”

“Just say it!”

“…Well, I was just wondering if you got upset because Yui was sitting on my lap earlier—sorry! I was being overly self-conscious. I’m sorry for bringing it up, let’s just forget about it—”

“…Because…”

Yayoi looked up at me.

Her face was bright red, and she was clearly sulking.

…Huh? No way, right?

“Because… this is my seat.”

“No, no, no—It was just Yui though!?”

“Even if it’s just Yui! I don’t want someone sitting here the whole time!”

“Well…”

“You’re backing off, aren’t you? You’ll back off, right? Even I would be put off if I heard that from a friend. But—no. I’m recharging now. Even if you tell me to move, I won’t!”

Hmm… Ever since we started living together, she’s been getting sulky about various things…

Well, maybe she used to hold back before, but now she was less restrained?

Well, either way— I didn’t have a say in this.

And so, for the next ten minutes until our parents and elder sister returned, Yayoi continued to sit on my lap.

…My legs fell numb.