The Story of How Beautiful Yandere Girls Started Getting Closer to Me, Saying They Want to Take Care of Me - Chapter 11-12

Chapter 11: Midterm Exams

“Anything…?”

“Yeah! If I win, you’ll have to do anything I ask, Sorakaze, but if I lose, I’ll do whatever you say!”

Anything, huh…

Even though she said that, I couldn’t immediately think of anything I would want to ask Hinase for… or so I thought, but then.

“….”

Looking at Hinase in front of me, wearing her uniform casually and pulling it off effortlessly, I realized there was something I wanted to ask her. I nodded and spoke up.

“Alright. Let’s go with what Hinase said, depending on the outcome of the test.”

“Yay~! I’m so looking forward to after the test~!”

Hinase said with a cheerful voice, sounding very happy.

…That’s right.

“I’ve already decided what I want to ask, but should I say it now?”

“Huh? You’ve already decided?”

“Yeah, it’s a little embarrassing, but… I can’t think of anyone but you, Hinase, to ask this.”

“Is it something… embarrassing!? Only me…!?”

For some reason, Hinase looked surprised, but her cheeks turned red as she said this shyly. After a moment, she seemed to calm down a little and spoke again.

“I’m curious about what you’re going to ask… but you don’t have to say it yet! We can talk about the request after the test results come out!”

“Got it.”

There was no real reason to refuse, so I nodded. Then Hinase, still blushing and looking somewhat nervous, opened her mouth and said.

“Hey? Sorakaze… I don’t know what you’re planning to ask me, and I don’t plan on losing at all, but…”

Hinase, still looking nervous, continued to look at me as she spoke.

“But if I do lose, don’t hesitate to ask me anything! No matter what you ask, I won’t refuse! …Of course, it might be a little embarrassing, but if it’s you, Sorakaze… anyway! Don’t hold back, and just ask whatever you want!”

Hinase said this loudly, as though hiding some emotion behind her words.

…I see. She might be worried that even if I win, I won’t ask her for anything because I’ll be too polite.

In that case, there’s no need to worry, I thought. To make sure she understands, I spoke up.

“Yeah. From the beginning, I didn’t plan to hold back with you. So, Hinase, if I lose, don’t hesitate to ask me for anything either.”

“Ah…! Okay!”

After that.

Even though it was the day before the test, the day when everyone’s energy was supposed to be drained, Hinase seemed more motivated than ever, and we studied together.

Eventually, after school, I went home and studied for the test…

The next day.

The first day of the three-day midterm exam finally began.

“….”

For me, who had been studying hard despite pushing myself, the real test wasn’t about knowledge, but about stamina.

Even in past regular exams, I had performed well on the first and second days, but…

On the third day…

Due to the fatigue from work, my concentration would drop, and I’d only perform at about half of my usual ability.

I was worried it might happen again, but… on the third day of the midterm exam.

Today’s subjects were English, Japanese, and Social Studies.

Of all subjects, these would be the ones where I’d face off with Hinase. But strangely enough, this worked in my favor.

By focusing on the competition with Hinase, I managed to stay concentrated through English and Japanese, and I pushed through Social Studies with sheer willpower.

And then…

“The test’s done~! Ah~! I’m so tired~!”

As soon as the midterm exam ended, and it became after school, Hinase, sitting next to me, shouted with a loud voice.

I’m not the type to shout like that, and I didn’t even have the energy left for it… but.

“Hinase.”

“Hm?”

I thought I should say this at least.

“The outcome won’t be clear until the test results come out, but thanks to the competition with you, I was able to stay focused and give my best through the whole test. This is probably the first time since high school. So… thank you.”

“Ah…!”

When I said this, Hinase’s cheeks turned red, and she opened her eyes wide.

Then, for just a short while…

We talked about how we felt about the test…

“See you, Hinase.”

“Yeah! See you, Sorakaze!”

I turned my back on her, who waved at me, and left the classroom, feeling her gaze on me from behind.

Then, I went straight home, opened the door, and entered the entrance hall…

There, waiting for me with a bright smile, was An, who said:

“Welcome home! Onii-chan! You must be tired from the test, right? Should I make dinner for you? Or a bath? Or should you choose me!?”

—

Chapter 12: For My Brother

“If dinner is ready, let’s eat.”

Among the three options given—dinner, bath, and An—I immediately answered “dinner” without hesitation, then took off my shoes and entered the house.

At that moment, An looked at me and said loudly.

“Geez! Why did you choose dinner without hesitation when I’m one of the options?!”

“I want to eat the meal you made, An, while it’s still warm, because I think you’re cute.”

“Ah…! If that’s the case, let’s eat together right away, Onii-chan!”

“Yeah.”

Then, together with An, who seemed happy, we entered the living room.

We sat across from each other and began our meal.

Today’s meal seemed to be stir-fried vegetables and meat with miso soup.

“…Finally, the test period and the midterm exams are over.”

An’s cooking, after the test period and midterms, really hits home.

I murmured this, and An nodded before speaking.

“Yeah! You really did your best, Onii-chan! Now, we’ll have more time to relax.”

“Yeah.”

During this test period, I had to study even more than usual…

But for some unknown reason, my part-time job was even busier than usual, so it was really tough.

However, now that the big midterm exams are over, as An said, I can finally have some free time.

…Finally, I can…

“Now I can finally return to my usual part-time hours.”

“…!?”

This test period was cruel because, despite having to balance studying and working more than usual…

To focus on studying, I had to reduce my work hours.

And what happens when you reduce your work hours?

The answer is simple: the amount of money I earn decreases.

It’s simple, but there’s nothing more cruel than that.

Even though my energy was more drained than usual because of balancing study and work, the amount of money coming in decreased, which was a contradiction I had to deal with every test period. But I managed to get through it again this time…

“Don’t do that, Onii-chan!!”

“…An?”

Just as I was about to feel relieved for making it through the test period, An in front of me denied it in a flustered manner.

Then, with a worried expression, she continued.

“Onii-chan, you seemed more tired than ever during this test period, and if you go back to how it was before, you’ll really end up collapsing…”

…Ah, I see.

I realized my words had been misleading, so I quickly corrected myself.

“I said I’d go back to how it was before, but after seeing how much I worried you during this test period, I think I’ll cut back even more than before. I’ll still work more than during the test period, but I’ll reduce the hours compared to how it was before.”

I thought that saying “back to normal” would just worry An again, so I added this explanation in hopes of making her feel a little more at ease… but.

An firmly spoke up in response to my words.

“Even then, that’s no good! For your part-time job, you should only work the minimum necessary hours, and the rest should be completely for resting your body! I’ve started working as an actress now, so there’s no need for you to push yourself anymore! …Right.”

An, speaking with great determination, stood up from her chair.

She approached me, her eyes darkened, her cheeks blushed, and then she moved behind me… and in a voice that was gentle, sweet, and somehow dark, she spoke.

“Onii-chan, you don’t have to force yourself at all. From now on, I’ll do anything you want or anything you need, just for you. …Onii-chan, what do you want to do with me? What do you want me to do for you? I’ll do anything for you, Onii-chan.”