When I Comforted My Sickly Stepsister, She Couldn’t Live Without Me - 01 - I Got a Step-Sister

On the bed in my room.

A girl with reddish cheeks straddled me, whispering in my ear as she shook the bed with a creaking sound.

“Nii-san, Nii-san I love you. I love you.”

“I got it so get off me!!”

“N-No way!! I won’t because you don’t know how much I love you! I will cling to Nii-san until he knows the strength of my feelings!”

“WHY!!!!”

This super cute girl is not my girlfriend, of course.

She is, without a doubt, my little sister. And that too― in-law.

“Fufu, It’s Nii-san’s fault you know? After all, I’ve become unable to live without you.”

With a bewitching smile, my sister approaches me.

How did it come to this?

It all goes back to that day—

◇　◇　◇

One day, during the start of the new school term…

When I, Kouta Miyoshi, returned home, I found my father, who was usually at work on weekdays, and… a woman I didn’t recognize, both present in the house.

Seated at the dining table as my father gestured, I listened as he began with a serious expression.

“You see, son… Your father is getting remarried.”

Remarried.

Though initially taken aback by the word, it quickly turned into joy after a moment.

“I see, congratulations, Dad. I’m happy for you.”

“W-Well… I was a bit worried you might oppose it, Kouta. But I’m glad.”

Indeed, I understood the feeling of resistance towards a parent’s remarriage.

Actually, upon hearing about my father’s remarriage, the first thing that crossed my mind was, of course, my own mother.

My mother passed away when I was just starting elementary school.

Since she had been ill for a long time, I had somewhat prepared myself for it, but the shock of her passing still lingered.

However, I knew well that my father suffered the most after losing my mother, and I wanted him to find happiness again.

So, I genuinely could celebrate my father’s remarriage.

“And this lady here is my new wife, Arisa Fuyuko.”

“Nice to meet you, Kouta-kun. Um… I’m sorry for this sudden visit… Actually, I’ve wanted to meet you for a while, but I was worried if I, as a woman who isn’t your mother, might confuse you.”

“It’s alright. I’m really happy that Dad is getting remarried, so… it might sound weird, but I’m very welcoming.”

“Well… indeed, just as Kenji says, you’re quite the understanding son.”

“I’m realizing that now too.”

“Stop it, you two. After all, I’m still a third-year high school student.”

I didn’t have the perception of being a ‘created’ son.

But compared to others, I never really went through a rebellious phase, nor did I have any quarrels with my father in our daily lives.

Well, that might be because I lost my mother early, so having a sibling was nothing special to me.

“And, there’s something important I need to tell you before we proceed with the remarriage.”

“Something important?”

“Yes. Actually, I have… a daughter.”

“A daughter?”

The meaning of her words didn’t quite register with me, so I asked Fuyuko-san again.

“Yes. I have a daughter who is two years younger than you, Kouta-kun.”

“So, Kouta will have a sister…”

“I’ll have a…little sister”

Suddenly bombarded with this unexpected news, my brain struggled to process it.

Repeatedly chanting “I’ll have a younger sister” in my head, I finally managed to grasp the reality, albeit without any real understanding.

“I see. So, I’ll have a little sister.”

The concept of siblings had been foreign to me until now.

However, seeing people around me with siblings, I couldn’t help but feel envious.

Now, I too would have a sibling.

Gradually, as the realization sunk in, I felt a genuine joy.

“…I’m glad. I’ve always wanted a sibling. I’m looking forward to meeting her! But… she’s not here today?”

When I asked the two, surprisingly, they fell silent.

Sensing something was amiss from their demeanor, I waited for them to speak.

Soon enough, Fuyuko-san began to speak softly.

“Actually, you see, my daughter, Yukine…that’s her name. So due to various reasons, she’s become unable to leave her room.”

“Wh-What… What exactly happened?”

“During her second year of middle school, she started getting bullied by some girls in her class, and it escalated from there… and that’s why…”

“…That’s terrible.”

I hadn’t witnessed or experienced bullying firsthand, so I couldn’t fully understand all the pain associated with it. But to be driven to become a shut-in due to bullying must have been truly severe.

Fuyuko-san continued with a lowered voice.

“So, it might take some time for Yukine to open up to you, Kouta-kun. She might cause you some trouble…”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“Huh…?”

“After all, we’re going to be family from now on. As her older brother, it might take time, but I’ll patiently do my best.”

“Kouta-kun…”

Upon hearing my words, Fuyuko-san shed tears. She repeatedly thanked me, saying “thank you” over and over again.

“Please take care of Yukine from now on.”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

I replied vigorously, clenching my fist tightly.

She’s my little sister now. My long-awaited little sister.

As her big brother, I will definitely make her open up to me!

SHINIGAMI-san here, pls leave some feedback.