When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 31: "The day the neighbor becomes a housemate"

“The day the neighbor becomes a housemate”

I’m carrying the cardboard boxes into my sister’s room.

They’re not too heavy, probably filled with clothes or something.

As I set them down with a thud, I can’t help but sigh.

What am I even doing right after coming back from school?

Helping with the move as my sister commands.

But it’s not like she’s coming back home—somehow, it’s about Sajou-san moving in with us. And into my sister’s room.

Why? I don’t get it. How did this happen?

When I ask my sister, who declared the move in front of Sajou-san’s house, she gives me a sullen look and snorts, ‘This is why you’re so dim.’

Clearly, she’s mocking me.

So I lightly chop her on the head, irritated by her attitude, and she dramatically yells, ‘Ouch!? It’s domestic violence, Onii-san!’ That surprises me.

Cut it out. And why is Sajou-san wearing a maid outfit?

“Anyway, She’s been staying here practically every day, right? So what’s the big deal? You are neighbors, so it’s not a hassle.”

I can’t argue with her logic, but still.

In the end, I’m left without any rebuttal and end up helping with the move as my sister orders.

During that, I had a faint hope of going into Sajou-san’s room, but I was only ordered to carry stuff to the house and wasn’t allowed upstairs. Kind of disappointing.

And while I’m feeling frustrated, my sister is grinning knowingly. I guess she knows exactly how to push my buttons.

‘Phew,’ my sister says, bringing her school bag.

She wipes her sweat with a sense of accomplishment after putting down her thin school bag, which probably doesn’t even have textbooks in it.

Typical of her.

Thinking that, I call out to my sister as she’s about to leave the room again.

‘Hey.’

‘What is it, Onii-sama?’

‘…Cut it out with that cutesy act.’

“That’s mean. You should praise your little sister-sama more. It’s your duty as an older brother.”

‘An older brother isn’t just a servant.”

What does this sister think of me?

“Please refrain from such jokes.”

‘Yes.’

She sits up straight, her legs tucked under her.

She doesn’t have to be that formal… but well.

“Are you just visiting?”

“Yes.”

“Are you lending Sajou-san the room for a while?”

“It’s more like, ‘do whatever you want.’”

‘Whatever?”

I furrow my brows.

“Your room will be gone, you know.”

“I’m not planning on coming back, so it’s fine.”

“Come back…?”

What’s she saying?

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Are you planning on permanently moving to Hokkaido?”

“I’m not planning on permanently moving there, nor am I planning on becoming a Hokkaido gal.”

So what’s her plan?

My head is starting to hurt…

My sister has always had a different way of thinking, but her convoluted explanation is giving me a headache. I feel like I’m going to get a fever.

Lending Sajou-san the room, my sister’s room disappears, but my sister isn’t planning on coming back here, yet, she’s not planning on permanently moving to Hokkaido… It’s hopeless. I don’t get it.

Groaning, I cross my arms.

I tilt my head forward, then backward.

Moving my body without any purpose.

My sister calmly says to me, “Dad’s business trip got extended, so I’ll be going to high school in Hokkaido. Then, I’ll graduate and continue on to university, living on my own. It’d be a waste not to make good use of it if it’s not going to be used anyway, right?”

“Living on your own…?”

I’m surprised by my sister’s future plans that I’m hearing for the first time. “Isn’t this normal?” she says in an indifferent manner, but how many second-year middle school students nationwide are planning their futures like my dear sister?

When I was in 8th grade, I only cared about what was in front of me, living aimlessly day by day.

I didn’t think about the future at all, not even a week ahead.

What should I say?

To me, who can’t find the words, my sister smiles with a hint of meaning.

“Well, unlike you, big brother, who doesn’t even plan to leave the hometown, I guess you like the familiar place, right?”

Her drawn-out, sarcastic wording is irritating.

However, unable to express a retort to the rebuttal that has risen in my chest, I swallow it forcibly.

After all, even though her tone is teasing, her words are correct.

My throat hurts. My stomach feels like it’s on fire.

In the inexplicable anxiety, I feel like the ground I’ve been standing on so comfortably might give way.

A feeling like I’ve been left behind by my two years younger sister.

Although I should say something in return, I couldn’t find the words to express the smoke-like, elusive feeling, and had no choice but to continue working silently.

I feel pathetic, as if I’ve been defeated by my sister’s words.

I exhale deeply, as if to open up my strained throat.

To change the subject, I ask my sister, who has sidestepped the question I was most concerned about.

“Why were you at Sajou-san’s house in the first place?”

I stare at her, not tolerating any lies.

“Hmm?”

Then, pretending to think with her index finger on her chin, my sister lets out a bright voice.

“It’s a secret♪”

Annoying.

Feeling tempted to give her a flick on the forehead, I restrain myself.

I’m an adult. I have to show an adult’s response. I mustn’t stoop to the level of this brat.

Deep breaths. Alright.

“By the way, did you get Mom and Dad’s permission for this move?”

“Of course.”

What are you saying? I widen my eyes as I’m given a strange look in return.

Since my sister lives impulsively, I thought she definitely hadn’t made any arrangements like that. Moving without permission. A brute-force play.

Seeing my surprised expression, my sister seems to want to say something about this point as well, and she looks at me with a puzzled expression.

“Actually, this kind of thing should be done by you, onii-san, you know? Make sure to contact them later.”

It’s annoying to be scolded by my sister, who lacks common sense. However, since it’s the truth, it’s hard to argue back.

Why is my sister so reasonable today? Even though she usually has such a messed-up personality, not hesitating to say things like ‘I threw away common sense into my mother’s womb!’

Taking advantage of my silence, my sister smirks, lips curving up like a cat’s, and raises her index finger, wagging it side to side. She seems to be getting cocky, thinking that I’m being too soft.

“Staying multiple nights, isn’t that kind of half-hearted? Is it an excuse to say it’s not cohabiting? Are you trying to say it’s just staying over? Or maybe it’s a precaution, like saying you’re not attached and it’s okay to be apart?”

My voice almost got rough, but… nah, it’s not like that at all.

“You keep acting like that, and eventually, nobody will stick around, and you’ll end up all alone, you know?”

My sister, tapping her knees as she sits upright, is genuinely concerned. Do knees really make that fancy sound?

Why does my sister always hit right where it hurts?

What did she learn up there in the northern lands? If she starts talking about harsh realities like the cold of Hokkaido, I’m gonna cry.

My heart feels as heavy as lead.

There’s no denying it, and I could only shrink my body as if being lectured by a teacher. It’s pathetic, really, dealing with my sister like this.

I slump with my shoulders drooping. My sister flashes a bright smile.

“Well, even if my brother is a loner, his dear sister won’t abandon him.”

“What do you know?”

I say dismissively, and she lets out a sigh, as if I’ve hurt her feelings.

My sister pouts.

Despite feeling frustrated by her seemingly complaining expression, unbeknownst to me, a smile forms on my lips.

“Well… thanks.”

I scratch my cheek and turn away.

It’s embarrassing to say these things face-to-face with blood relatives.

My sister, wide-eyed at my words, bursts into a grin the next moment, like a Cheshire cat.

“It seems you’ve finally realized the value of having a sister.”

With a proud stance, she declares, “Remember to worship and adore me daily with gratitude.”

I deflate as she puffs up her chest with pride.

But wait, wasn’t it you who got me down in the first place?

I didn’t voice my gratitude, including for pointing things out, but since I’m annoyed, I give her a flick on the forehead. “Ow!”