The reason why this genius little girl who doesn't get along with anyone, wants to be only spoiled by me - Episode 27

Episode 27: The Flawed Elder Sister

It seemed Sei-san had completely forgotten that Hime had already gone home.

“I-It’s just because I was a little groggy from sleep, that’s all!”

Probably out of embarrassment, she tried to play it off, but her face clearly showed her flustered state. Sei-san was the type whose emotions were written all over her face.

As I thought, she has a bit of an airheaded side.

Even I, who hadn’t known her for long, could see it. And judging by her own reaction, she was clearly aware of it herself.

“Haah… actually, I am little bad on remembering stuff~.”

She quickly gave up trying to insist on her lies.

Now, as if resigning herself, she raised her hands in mock surrender and gave a wry smile.

“Hime-chan seems to remember everything she sees… so why am I the only one not able remember anything?”

Was it supposed to sound self-deprecating.

Her easygoing personality made her seem cheerful all the time, but perhaps that wasn’t entirely the case.

“I mean, Hime’s amazing, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, Sei-san.”

“U~nn…You think so?”

Oops.

I’d tried to offer some light reassurance, but Sei-san’s face didn’t look any brighter for it.

Instead, she stared intently at Hime’s desk with a troubled expression on her face.

“What do you think of Hime-chan, Yohei?”

…Her ambience feels different from a moment ago.

In front of Hime, Sei-san had been consistently easygoing. But now, with Hime not among us, it seemed like she was showing me another side of herself.

Maybe it was a side she couldn’t—or doesn’t want to—show to her little sister.

The air felt heavier, making me instinctively realize that flippant words wouldn’t suffice here.

Perhaps that’s why.

Before I knew it, I found myself responding honestly.

“I think of Hime as… a ‘cute kid.’ Of course, I understand how exceptionally talented she is. But even knowing so; she’s straightforward, innocent, and, well… just a little kid. Or so.”

“—That’s exactly right. Hime-chan is a kind-hearted, genuine child before she’s a genius. She’s a sweet girl who tries her hardest to meet the overwhelming expectations of our parents… and she’s also a deeply caring little sister who just can’t take her eyes off her troublesome older sister.”

Her usual soft, drawn-out easy-going speech was gone.

Her voice sounded calm yet clear and resonant, as if she were whispering the truth. As she continued in a serious tone.

“It’s because I’m such an idiot of an elder sister… I’ve ended up tying her down. I continue to make her worry. I can’t even remember simple messages, and because of me, Hime-chan bears more responsibility than she should. She carries the weight of our parents’ expectations… including mine. Really, I’m such a pathetic of an elder sister.”

…Rather than a complaint, it felt more like an admission of guilt.

It seemed Sei-san harbored a lot of guilt when it came to Hime.

And now, forgetting Hime’s message had brought all those feelings to the surface, turning her mood completely negative.

(*So that’s what’s going on.*)

Still, what she just said was incredibly revealing to me—it solved a lingering mystery I’d had.

“So, the reason why Hime goes to this school— was for you, Sei-san isn’t it?”

Yes, that’s it.

The reason why a universally acknowledged genius like Hime would attend a relatively ordinary prep school like ours.

It was after all, for the sake of her beloved elder sister it seems.

“Originally you see, Hime was supposed to go to a university overseas. But then, I got accepted here as a waitlist student and just barely managed to secure my spot. After that, out of nowhere, Hime suddenly announced that she’d attend the same school as me.”

…I see.

According to the rumor Kumori-san had mentioned, Hime had allegedly enrolled in exchange for ensuring Sei-san’s acceptance.

But of course that was also a clear-cut lie.

The truth was something far more compassionate instead.

Still, for Sei-san, it must be something that weighed on her heavily as well.

“Compared to my exceptional little sister, I’m just… a flawed elder sister.”

Her silent murmur sounded unlike anything like her, and moreso, painful.