“Take us here, please!”

I got into the taxi, led by Nanaka.

“Hey, pull yourself together.”

“…”

“Hey!!”

Nanaka was shouting something loudly in my ear, but in my current state, I couldn’t even make out her words.

What passed through my mind was the worst-case scenario. In another route of the dating sim, Haruka was forcibly violated.

If that happened to Mina—

“Ah… ah… ah…”

“Oh, did she break? Well, as long as she feels good enough for me to use, that’s fine.”

“Hey Tatsu, was it that good…?”

“Seriously good. You guys should try too.”

Like vultures swarming around a dead animal, other men surrounded Mina.

“…Big brother… help… me…”

My heartbeat accelerated. Cold sweat wouldn’t stop. I felt nauseous. I got goosebumps. I felt chills. I felt dizzy.

If the worst-case scenario had become reality—

“SHOTARO!!!” 

“Gah!?”

Right in my ear… no, at zero distance she screamed. My ears were ringing intensely!

“What are you doing, Nanaka?!”

“What about you?! What happened to your usual energy?! Aren’t you going to crush any attempt at stealing someone?! You even declared war on me!”

“You see, I absolutely hate home-wreckers. Casually stealing someone else’s lover, feeling satisfied with the act, then tossing them aside. That’s what I can’t forgive most…”

The memory of that day flashes through my mind.

Just because I was reincarnated into the world of a netorare game didn’t mean I had to destroy all the netorare flags. After all, I was the only one who knew this was an eroge.

I could have just spent peaceful days with Mina if I’d wanted to.

I could have chosen any option I’d wanted.

But still, I’d chosen to crush the netorare flags. I took action to create a new route where no one would be unhappy, where no one would be stolen away.

The price for that was happening right now. Mina was kidnapped because of me, so I should take responsibility.

To think I’d realize this after being yelled at by Nanaka, the “other woman” heroine who’d been my enemy all this time…

“…I’ve snapped out of it. Thank you.”

“That’s good then… I got too heated up as well.”

She becomes quiet as if the previous noise was just an illusion.

“…Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why can you be so dedicated when it comes to Mina-chan… your sister?”

Since she was specifically asking, she probably didn’t want a simple answer like “because she’s in danger”. And I couldn’t say anything that sounded like a famous quote or try to act cool.

So, I’d just honestly speak my mind.

“Because she’s my only blood-related sister, obviously. And to prove that a brother understands his sister best.”

“I see…”

After that, Nanaka remained silent.

Eventually, we drove through a suburban area with little traffic, and soon arrived at an abandoned factory. There was a rusty fence with its lock and chain thrown aside, and several motorcycles parked inside.

“It really feels like a hangout for delinquents…”

Tension rose, but I opened the door without fear.

What was spread out before us was—

Chapter 41: My Route Is…

What I saw was…

“Ugh, oww…” 

“Ouch, that hurts…” 

“Ungh…”

“…Big brother, you’re late.”

“Huh? Ah… Mina…? Are, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Seriously… these guys are pretty sloppy, don’t you think?”

Despite supposedly being kidnapped… Mina was sitting on a chair near the corner as if nothing had happened.

Conversely, Tatsu and the other men were lying on the ground, painfully clutching their stomachs and groins.

“Wh-what is this…?” 

“Huh, this is…”

Both Nanaka and I were dumbfounded.

…Did their bodies suddenly start hurting?

“Big brother, your face shows you’re thinking something stupid right now. I’ve often had men hitting on me since way back. So… I learned something.”

“…What did you learn?”

“Self-defense.”

Ah… I see. Wait, I see…?

I couldn’t keep up with this sudden development and became confused. Come to think of it…

“Don’t worry, you two. I’m actually pretty strong, you know.”

The words Mina had said to us at the family restaurant. That wasn’t about mental strength but actual physical strength.

“Anyone who messes with me is in for an easy defeat.”

I felt relieved seeing Mina cross her arms proudly…but…

“…But…”

“Big brother? Hmm?”

“Even if you’re strong, when you were kidnapped, I was extremely worried. So… I’m really glad you’re safe…”

“Big brother…”

I embraced Mina. Tightly, as if to confirm she was really safe. Mina also wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, big brother. Thank you for coming to save me. I was really happy.”

“…”

“Big brother?”

“Really… I’m really so glaaaad you’re safe!!!”

“Huh, you’re bawling!?”

Tears overflowed and wouldn’t stop.

Mina, why are you trying to get away from me?! Your big brother is giving you a hug of joy!!

(Nanaka’s Side)

“Big brother, let go… don’t get your snot on me!”

“Sniff! There, I blew my nose, so I can hug you now, right?! Mina~!”

“Hey, stop clinging to me, it’s too hot and stuffy!”

What was unfolding before my eyes was the affectionate scene between Shotaro-senpai and Mina-chan.

In contrast, my brother…

“…Ugh, ah…”

He was sprawled out in the corner. I approached my brother and crouched down.

“…Brother. You should cut back on playing around with women after this.”

And I wouldn’t approach Isamu-senpai anymore either.

“Mina~! Uwaaah I’m so glad you’re safe~!”

I shifted my gaze to Shotaro-senpai, who was sobbing.

At first, I’d absolutely hated him. He interfered with people’s relationships, suddenly challenging me by saying he hated homewreckers—I didn’t understand any of it.

But…

“I don’t know what circumstances led you to steal other people’s lovers… but don’t involve your sister in your brother’s troubles!!”

“Because she’s my only blood-related sister, obviously. And to prove that a brother understands his sister best.”

He’d confronted my brother head-on and acted earnestly stupid for his sister Mina’s sake…

That overly serious foolishness made me—

“Shotaro-senpai. I’ve called the police.”

“Oh… thanks, Nanaka…”

“Big brother, let go…!”

“Gah!?”

Shotaro-senpai was pushed away by Mina-chan. He was still sniffling.

“Thank you too, Nanaka-san.”

“No problem. I’m just glad you’re safe, Mina-chan.”

But, I’m sorry. I might freeze that smile of yours a little now.

“Shotaro-senpai. Please use my handkerchief.”

“Ugh… Nanaka, thank—”

The moment Shotaro-senpai reached for the handkerchief I offered, I pulled it back. Instead, I brought my lips close to his cheek.

Chu.

The sound of a kiss. It resonated in the silent space.

To think I’d fall so easily for someone I’d absolutely hated… I was such an easy girl.

◆◇

A soft sensation on my cheek. When I looked, Nanaka’s face was very close.

“…Phew. How was it? A kiss on the cheek from a pretty underclassman?”

“…Huh?”

The reason such a confused voice came out was because the one who’d kissed me was the most unexpected person.

Fanfare!!

Congratulations!! You have destroyed all the NTR flags.

Proceeding to Route: ???

Along with a cheerful electronic sound, what appeared before me was a window like a TV screen. It resembled a quest board from anime or fantasy novels.

What was this at a time like this…?

“Senpai, you said it, didn’t you?”

“Said what?”

I responded while my mind was still trying to catch up.

“That if I wasn’t involved in homewrecking, I’d be a decent person. And that you’d help me.”

“If you weren’t involved in homewrecking, I think you’d be a decent person.” 

“Yeah. If you’re changing, I’d be happy to help. Including romance. Let’s find some cool guy who doesn’t have a girlfriend next time!”

I did say something like that…

“Shotaro-senpai doesn’t have a girlfriend, right?”

“N-no, I don’t…”

“Then it’s not homewrecking, is it? You’re not dating yet, after all.”

Nanaka glanced at Mina for some reason. As for Mina, she looked thoroughly surprised.

“So, please help me. Make my love come true, by yourself.”

“Huh…”

I really couldn’t process this information. It was incomprehensible that Nanaka had suddenly kissed me on the cheek, and what did she mean by “by myself”?

“You look like you don’t understand. Let me spell it out for you. I’ve fallen for you, Shotaro-senpai. So… Senpai. Become my boyfriend and make my love come true.”

Nanaka fell for me…? Become her boyfriend…

“Whaaaaat!? You’re kidding, right!?”

“I’m serious. I fell for the earnestly stupid Shotaro-senpai.”

“Aren’t you… way too easy?”

“Yes, I’m an easy girl. But… I’ll definitely make this love come true.”

Nanaka directed a refreshing smile at me.

“N-no way!!”

“M-Mina!?”

Then, Mina clung to my arm.

“Big brother is… I won’t give him up!”

“Mina…”

Mina, are you sure it’s okay to activate such a brother complex?! Your big brother is so happy he might cry!!

“Mina-chan is a brother-complex girl, isn’t she? But with you being his sister, I have the advantage—”

“I-I am…! I have a brother complex but I don’t…!”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Mina-chan?”

“I-I! Because I’m not blood-related to big brother… I can become lovers with big brother, with Shotaro-kun!!”

“!?”

“Oh my.”

W-whaaaaat!? Mina wasn’t my blood-related sister?!

Nanaka falling in love with me, Mina actually not being my sister… there was too much information to process at once…!?

“I won’t give up Shotaro-kun!”

“So Mina-chan is my opponent now. This will be tough.”

The two glared intensely at each other.

Hey, don’t leave me behind like this!!