When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 34: My Sister's Cooking is the Best

Chapter 34: My Sister’s Cooking is the Best

“…”

“What’s wrong? You seem so tense.”

“…Well, of course I am.”

After a relaxing time with Nee-san in the bath… wait, what does ‘relaxing’ even mean?  Nothing really happened… though I was mentally exhausted. After the bath, I noticed, unusually, that the fridge was almost empty. Maybe Nee-san had made a mistake. So, for dinner, after some hesitation, I suggested maybe we should go out to a restaurant for a change.

Nee-san drove us to a very upscale restaurant… Yeah, I don’t usually go to places like this, so I was really nervous.

“Welcome, Kamisato-sama, we’ve been expecting you.”

I was taken aback by the VIP-like reception. The man who looked at us curiously as I walked arm in arm with my sister was a true professional, quickly hiding his expression and leading us inside. For someone like me, who had only ever gone to ramen shops or family restaurants with Kenichi, a place with such luxurious interior and exterior was frankly out of place.

“Here, order anything you like.”

“…Okay.”

…Still, coming to a place like this could be a good experience. Trying to think positively, I picked up the menu, but… what is this? I tilted my head in confusion. First off, the names of the dishes were long and incomprehensible. What’s with ‘Symphony’? That’s not a name you’d normally give to a dish.

“…Nee-san.”

“What is it?”

“It’s really expensive…”

“Don’t worry about it. You can order anything you want.”

What concerned me afterward was the price. It was the kind of cost that made me want to complain – either exceeding ten thousand yen or, even if not, still too expensive for a single dish. Maybe this was normal, as I had often seen on TV. But it was a world beyond my understanding as an ordinary person.

Since I couldn’t decide what was good, I let her choose for me. Watching her order smoothly, I couldn’t help but feel admiration. When the food arrived, I was genuinely impressed.

“…It looks delicious.”

I wasn’t drooling, but it did look really tasty. While being watched by a smiling Nee-san, I took a bite. …Yes, it was delicious. Far better than any other place I had been to before. But still, there was a taste that seemed unbeatable.

“Is it good?”

“Yes. But…I might be wrong to say this, but I think I prefer your cooking, Nee-san.”

The deliciousness surely matched the high price. But it seemed that the home-cooked meals I’d always eaten, especially those made by my beloved Nee-san, suited me better. Still, I couldn’t stop eating… This meat is so tender. And this soup, too… delicious… Huh?

“Nee-san?”

As I tried to sip the soup without making noise, I noticed her staring intently at me. Realizing I had noticed her, she blushed, her smile as youthful and adorable as someone of my own age.

“Ren always knows just the right words to make me happy. They might be simple, but as your sister, just hearing them makes me truly happy.”

“I can say them anytime. Though they might feel less meaningful if I say them too often.”

“Not at all. As your sister and as a woman, it really makes me happy. Thank you, Ren.”

The thanks should be coming from me, though.

But I know if we keep this up, it won’t end unless one of us stops. So, I’ll just honestly accept Nee-san’s words.

“It makes me happy when you say my cooking is delicious, but Arika is also really skilled, you know?”

“The lunchbox she makes herself, right? It did look really tasty.”

“I taught her a little. Well, she’s still not quite at my level yet.”

So that was it. Maybe it’s something from a past world.

With a playful jiggle of her ample chest, she confidently boasted about still being unbeatable compared to Arika, making me chuckle at her competitive nature.

Even though the food was so delicious, I thought it would’ve been nice if Nii-san were here, but he had a drinking party with his colleagues, which was a bit disappointing. Well, maybe Nee-san would feel a bit let down if Nii-san were here in this space.

“Phew, thank you for the meal.”

I can’t say I enjoyed it without any reservations due to the weird tension, but it was memorable enough for its taste. Being a man, I probably ate more than Nee-san… but how much could this cost?

Nee-san looked at the receipt and didn’t change her expression, pulling out several bills from her wallet to pay. I was too afraid to ask the actual amount, so I decided not to say anything.

“Spending so much on a meal isn’t common. But well, seeing Ren enjoy the food so much makes it more than worth it.”

“…I see.”

I really want to have that kind of adult composure someday.

“…Sigh.”

Come to think of it, Nee-san’s birthday is coming up soon. I haven’t decided what to give her yet, but I want to see her smile, so I need to make up my mind.

As we left the restaurant, Nee-san naturally linked arms with me. The sight of a regular student like me and Nee-san, who exudes an enchanting aura just by standing there, walking arm in arm must look quite unusual to others.

“Nee-san, can you let go of my arm for a second?”

“Eh? Oh, sure.”

Nee-san, with a question mark over her head, obediently unlinked her arm. Then, I pulled her close, draping my arm over her shoulder.

“Ah…”

Her voice was a faint sound of surprise, but Nee-san leaned into me. I like being embraced, but sometimes, I want to be the man who can lead Nee-san. It’s just a small bit of pride for someone insignificant like me… even if it’s just for the short walk to the car parked nearby.

“…”

“…Nee-san?”

“…Y-Yes!”

When I called out to the silent Nee-san, she jolted and replied loudly. Her eyes seemed moist, a look I was not used to seeing, which surprised me a bit. She was staring intently at me but then let out a small breath and began to speak.

“I’m sorry. It’s a bit silly for someone my age, but I was really moved just now. You know, for a moment there, all I could see was Ren. I just wanted to entrust everything to you.”

“I-Is that so? Then I guess it was worth trying to look cool.”

“Fufu, but that’s what makes you adorable.”

And just like that, the tables turn between me and Nee-san… While we walked this short distance to the car, I found myself looking around, without any particular reason. Yet, something caught my attention.

“Ren?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Not wanting to worry Nee-san with my strange thoughts, I quickly took my seat in the passenger side.

Whatever it was that caught my attention, I had completely forgotten by the time I went to bed. However, it resurfaced at an unexpected moment.

“Hey Kamisato, are you cheating?”

“…Ha?”

It wasn’t me who replied, but Arika. The next day, as I was heading to school, Mikami approached me and blurted that out. Unlike me, who was clueless, Arika couldn’t hide her disgust towards Mikami. Mikami, taken aback by Arika’s glare, quickly pulled out his smartphone.

“Look at this, Yumeno-san. He’s been cheating!”

The photo on the screen showed me and Nee-san, arm in arm, with the restaurant in the background, evidently from yesterday. I was stunned to realize we had been photographed, but more than surprise, I felt a sense of disgust towards Mikami… So, that was what I sensed at that moment.

Classmates looking over like onlookers at a spectacle, yet Arika, Kenichi, and Sogo looked at Mikami with a kind of pity.

“Mikami-kun, can you stop bothering us with such nonsense? It’s really annoying.”

“I’m doing this for you!”

“That’s Ren-kun’s sister in the picture. It’s not cheating or anything.”

“…Eh?”

Mikami, who had misunderstood the situation and caused a fuss, was now met with indescribable stares.

“I don’t know what you were thinking, but following people around at night like that is creepy.”

Her tone was gentle, but the words Arika spoke were strong. What she said wasn’t wrong, and while what Mikami said might be correct if said by someone who knew us, it made me recall what Nee-san had said.

“Our relationship is fine as long as we want it. But I don’t expect it to be accepted by everyone. Ren and I are both lovers and siblings… Sometimes that can be an advantage.”

In a way, it seemed like Mikami had just picked the wrong opponent.