When We Found Out We're Not Blood-Related, My Little Sister Became Seriously Love-Brained ~When a Little Sister Stops Being a Little Sister, the Ultimate Heroine Emerges!~ - Chapter 1: What Was Lost and Picked Up

Chapter 1: What Was Lost and Picked Up

“Come pick me up.”

That was all the notification from Suzune said.

A park near the station.

The humid summer wind clings to my exhaled breath. I opened the notification while running, but there’s no reply even though it shows as read.

Only bad thoughts come to mind.

I’m just her older brother.

But my little sister contacted me—this brother of all people.

If I don’t go, who will?

A bench illuminated by moonlight. A small back hunched over. Swollen, tear-stained eyes. Puffy eyelids. The moment Suzune sees me, she turns her face away and says:

“…Why didn’t you come right away?”

※

Several hours earlier.

Her name is Suzune Shinomiya. She’s my little sister.

We’re twins, and for 16 years we’ve spent our entire lives together as family. But this summer, that relationship changed.

It all started with a single letter.

“I’ve come to hate being family with That Guy. So I’m not coming home anymore.”

My little sister Suzune disappeared, leaving behind a letter. By the way, “That Guy” refers to none other than me.

When Mom found the letter, she made a huge fuss and rushed into my room together with Dad.

“Hey, Yuuma!! Suzune is gone. Do you have any idea where she might be?”

When Dad asked me, I thought this was serious.

“N-not really.”

That’s what I answered, but I do have an idea.

However, it’s not something I can tell my parents about.

At my answer, Mom started crying.

“That child might never come home again.”

Huh? Really?

Based on what the letter said, I thought it meant “I’m running away because I’ve come to hate you.” But my sister didn’t come home even after it got dark outside.

“Should we file a missing person’s report?”

Mom is sitting on the sofa, restlessly clasping her hands together. Dad sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“No, not Suzune, she wouldn’t… Yuuma, are you really sure you have no idea?”

My little sister Suzune goes to the same high school as me, and we’re even in the same class. She seems to hate me, and whenever I try to talk to her, she always acts annoyed. She often ignores me, and her way of speaking is harsh.

We used to be close siblings when we were young.

Every time she treats me like I’m a bother, I feel betrayed.

I can’t exactly say I have lots of friends. I’m usually inconspicuous in class, a plain character. Yet Suzune has a bright personality that lets her get along with anyone immediately, and there’s always someone around her.

Maybe she’s just matching her friends’ style, but she has piercings and does her nails, and wears flashy clothes that wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call gyaru fashion.

Even though we’re siblings.

Now we’ve become so different.

Because of that contrast, people around us often tease me about it, and the other day I witnessed Suzune being teased by her friends.

The person with Suzune was a girl from our class named Kei Houjou. They’re always together, befitting best friends.

Kei was twirling her blonde hair around her index finger while talking to Suzune.

“Seriously, my boyfriend is the worst. Like, ignoring me after doing it? Isn’t that unbelievable?”

“That’s because you choose guys based on their looks, Kei.”

Suzune answered with half-lidded eyes.

“Isn’t there a nice guy somewhere? Oh! Doesn’t Shinomiya seem super nice? His face is average though. Suzune, tell me about Shinomiya. Would he be put off by a tanned, flashy girl like me?”

Then Suzune spread both her arms in an exaggerated gesture.

“You should stay away from a guy like him.”

(These girls think no one’s around and are just saying whatever they want.)

“Hmm. Jealous? Shinomiya and Suzune don’t look alike at all. Maybe you’re not actually blood-related?”

I’m sure there was no deep meaning to Kei’s question. But Suzune’s smile stiffened.

In that instant, I understood.

Ah, so that’s really how it is.

Suzune answered quickly.

She looked angry.

“If we weren’t blood-related, it would actually be refreshing.”

Hearing those words, I felt the blood draining from inside me.

I already knew this.

But somewhere in my heart, I wanted her to deny it.

While listening to Suzune’s words, my fingertips were trembling. Even if she usually acts tough, there’s no need to lie in front of her best friend.

So this is Suzune’s true feelings.

My fingers wouldn’t stop shaking, so I pressed them down hard with my other hand.

Their conversation seemed to continue after that, but I fled from that place as if escaping from the suffocating feeling.

When I was shown the letter, I immediately understood what Suzune was trying to say. Ironically, even now, only that part of us remains sibling-like. Suzune’s complaint doesn’t need any plausible excuse.

It’s simply that she hates me.

So when my parents asked me, I immediately thought of the reason behind the letter.

I don’t want to worry my parents over something like this, and besides, it was a conversation I overheard. I hesitated for a moment about whether to say anything, but I decided to tell my parents about the conversation between Suzune and Kei.

Then Mom became terribly depressed and started crying.

I should have kept quiet after all.

What am I doing, making my parents worry?

Dad rubbed Mom’s back as she sobbed and said:

“I see. Yuuma. We need to talk later.”

Dad stood up and looked at his watch.

“First, Suzune. Before going to the police, let’s all search for her one last time.”

※

“Haa… haa…”

I’ve been running nonstop looking for Suzune. This is tough for someone like me who quit club activities and is out of shape.

Dammit. Where are you, Suzune?

I looked at my watch—it was already past 10 PM.

Suzune is in her uniform.

If she gets picked up by police for breaking curfew, it might affect her future prospects.

Even though she’s my sister, I don’t really understand what she’s thinking. Could it be that Suzune really isn’t planning to come back?

But I’m hated by her.

Even though Suzune treats me like this, why am I being so desperate?

I don’t understand.

My chest feels restless.

“Awooo—”

Somewhere in the distance, a dog is howling.

Ah, now that I think about it.

Something like this happened before.

That was back when we were in elementary school.

※

Suzune had a fight with Dad and ran out of the house. We all searched for her but couldn’t find her, and in the end, I was the one who discovered Suzune at the park.

Suzune was desperately clinging to the swing, being barked at by a stray dog and crying. When I went to help, somehow I was the one who got bitten.

…Could she be at that park?

Just then, my phone lit up.

“Come pick me up.”

A notification from Suzune.

As I thought, it’s that park.

Insects are swarming around the streetlight.

“Suzune!”

I arrived at the park, but Suzune wasn’t on the swing. It’s not such a big park. If she were here, I’d spot her immediately.

“Guess things don’t work out that conveniently.”

As I was about to leave, a couple had stopped at the park entrance. Something seemed off about them.

“Is something wrong?”

When I asked, the boyfriend pointed toward the back of the park with a troubled look.

When I peered inside, I heard a sound like something hitting something coming from the bench area in the darkness.

“Excuse me, please call the police!”

I left those words behind and headed into the darkness.

“H-hey. S-stop it.”

That’s Suzune’s voice.

There are two men in front of the bench, and one of them is straddling Suzune as she tries to escape. Suzune’s shirt is disheveled, and her legs are covered in mud.

“Get off her!”

I grabbed the man’s back collar and shoved him aside.

“Bro…”

Suzune is crying.

“Hah? Who the hell are you? We’re getting to the good part, so don’t interfere!!”

The other man flew into a rage and swung his leg up.

—I’m going to get kicked.

I embraced Suzune.

Thud.

A low sound echoed through my body.

I took repeated heavy impacts to my back. After several hits, I couldn’t endure it anymore and put my elbow on the ground.

…Suzune in my arms is trembling.

Sorry.

I made you feel scared.

I didn’t have the luxury to feel pain.

As my consciousness gradually became hazy, I put strength into the arms holding Suzune.

Am I going to die like this?

“Hey, you guys. What are you doing!!”

It was a police officer.

Apparently the couple from earlier called the police.

The men were restrained by the police and taken away.

Suzune turned her face away and said:

“…Why didn’t you come right away?”

This isn’t gratitude.

It’s blame toward me.

On the way home, Suzune was silent.

While listening to the receding sound of sirens, I thought I’d like at least a word of thanks.

Suzune’s lips are trembling.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say words of concern. I must be childish.

We walk together in this heavy atmosphere.

“Achoo.”

Suzune sneezed.

Even though it’s summer, tonight is chilly.

When I glanced over, several buttons on Suzune’s shirt were missing and her chest was visible.

“Geez. If you’re cold, just say you’re cold.”

I draped the windbreaker I was wearing over Suzune’s shoulders. Then Suzune just pursed her lips without saying anything.

Suzune has fair skin.

Maybe that’s why. Her cheeks look red.

Looking closer, both her hands and feet are covered in scratches.

“Should we go to the hospital?”

But Suzune doesn’t answer.

…I can’t exactly drag her there forcibly. I’m troubled.

Oh, if it’s that place.

I spotted a drugstore.

“Wait here a bit. …Don’t just disappear, okay?”

I decided to buy wound medicine and bandages at the drugstore.

When I returned from inside the store, Suzune touched her left earring several times and muttered:

“Why didn’t you fight back when you got kicked? That’s so lame.”

Hearing those words made me angry.

You’re the one who got rescued, so what’s with that attitude?

I wanted to fight back but couldn’t.

—You know that too, don’t you?

But what if the police hadn’t come then?

Who knows what would have happened to Suzune.

While putting bandages on Suzune on the bench, I felt so pathetic I wanted to cry.

“Go to the hospital tomorrow, okay?”

When I said that, Suzune murmured.

In a voice so small no one could hear.

“Even though you saved me… I’m the one who’s way more lame.”

※

Two shadows fell on the ground.

The shadow that used to be one.

When we were kids, I carried the bawling Suzune home on my back, didn’t I?

Now they’re split into two, separated.

※

When we got home, Suzune was embraced by Mom, and for some reason I got scolded by Dad.

Even though we’re twins.

We’re completely different.

After the lecture was over, Dad and Mom urged us to sit on the sofa.

Suzune and I sat side by side.

But Dad doesn’t say anything.

The air is heavy.

Just as I was about to say I’d go back to my room if there was nothing else, Dad spoke first.

“Suzune. Do you really hate being family with Yuuma that much?”

Then Suzune answered while touching her bangs:

“…I hate it.”

The moment I heard Suzune’s answer, my thoughts stopped.

I knew this from the beginning. But when it’s said directly to my face, my head goes blank and I feel like I’m hearing someone else’s story.

Did the 16 years we spent together have any meaning?

Dad continued talking.

“I wasn’t planning to tell you this, but if something like this happens again it would be troublesome, so I’ll tell you. Actually…”

Actually? Actually what?

The refrigerator made a click sound and started humming. It’s louder than usual.

Dad is staring at the floor.

Ahem.

Dad cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“You two… aren’t actually real siblings.”

“Huh?”

The words came out of my mouth involuntarily.

Because that’s impossible, right?

We’ve been together since we were kids.

Bang.

Suzune hit her shin on the table.

Suzune hugged her knees on the sofa in a sitting position, covering her mouth with her hand.

“No way…”

Her eyes wide open, her gaze wandering. It was an expression of Suzune I’d never seen before.

Even though the conversation was still continuing, Suzune stood up. She moved her mouth open and shut, then went back to her room just like that.

“I think I made Suzune angry. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Mom said that, but I heard it. Suzune’s quietly leaked words.

“I didn’t have to hold back this much then.”

If I didn’t mishear.

She definitely said that.

I put strength into my trembling fingertips and waited for Father’s next words.

※

—That night, late at night, Suzune would end up saying to me:

“…Prove that you’ll always be here for me.”