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 26 & 27 & 28

Chapter 26: Little Sister’s Count One

Saionji-san looked at our faces alternately.

“Well then, shall I ask you to do it?”

“Eh. You’re not going to ask us to show proof of being a couple?”

At my question, Saionji-san laughed.

“I won’t do that.”

“So, when is the photoshoot?”

“It’s not like I’m using a professional cameraman, so anytime is fine though.”

Saionji-san clapped her hands.

“Today is slow, so if you two have time, want to do the shoot now? Girlfriend-chan looks like she’s dressed for going out too.”

“No, even if you say that suddenly.”

I need some mental preparation too.

Saionji-san glanced at me.

“Boyfriend-kun is… well, yeah. Looks like anytime is fine for you.”

I feel a nuance of ‘You won’t change no matter what you wear,’ but is it just my imagination?

Should I ask Suzune?

“What do you want to do, Suzune?”

Suzune held my hand and nodded many times.

Apparently my little sister is fully motivated.

It doesn’t seem like a scam either. If we miss the timing, there probably won’t be another chance like this.

“Please do.”

“Nice to meet you too. Okay, closing shop for today. Everyone, today is early dismissal day.”

Cheers rose from the staff, and the shop shutters were closed.

“Is the shop okay?”

Saionji-san answered with a smile.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll just make it a temporary closure for inventory today. Let’s finish the shoot quickly.”

She’s saying quite irresponsible things, but is it okay management-wise?

Several staff members helped, and under Saionji-san’s direction, the photoshoot began.

“There. Boyfriend-kun, snuggle closer to Girlfriend-chan. No. Look at the ring. Yes, yes.”

Despite saying amateur photography was fine, the instructions are detailed.

I snuggled up to Suzune and leaned in.

“Girlfriend-chan, look at Boyfriend-kun. Yes, yes. Closer, enough to touch his neck.”

Suzune brings her face close to my neck.

…Sniff sniff.

Suzune’s nose moved faintly.

“Hey, don’t sniff.”

When I retorted, Suzune pulled her body away.

She’s blinking restlessly.

“I-it’s not like I’m sniffing because I want to sniff.”

(Really, what kind of tsundere puppy are you?)

“Then, is it unconscious?”

Suzune grabbed my sleeve.

“It’s not. Just that too many things happened, so if I don’t smell Yuuma’s scent I get anxious.”

Saionji-san snapped her fingers.

“Hey, you there. No playing around.”

“Sorry.”

We apologized together.

“Okay, next is…”

Suzune picks up a ring and smiles.

Lighting hits her eyes, flowing diagonally and disappearing.

When fireworks disappear it’s called “chiri-kiku” (scattering chrysanthemum), but looking at Suzune, I remembered that word.

Saionji-san clapped her hands.

“Okay, that’s it. Thank you both. You really helped me out. Ah, I wonder if Girlfriend-chan can do it.”

“Eh, what is it?”

“I can’t pay you a salary, so only if you’re okay with it, but Girlfriend-chan. Don’t you want to wear a dress? Ah, you there, bring that over.”

What the staff member brought was a white dress.

Suzune leaned forward.

“Is this a wedding dress!?”

“Yes. I also design dresses, you see, and I prepared this for shooting too. It’s picky about who wears it, so I had given up on using it, but Girlfriend-chan is close to the image. The size is close too, and even if it’s big, we can clip it. Girlfriend-chan, don’t you want to try wearing it?”

“I want to try!”

Suzune said that and looked at me.

“Yuuma, is it okay?”

“Yeah.”

I thought I wanted to see Suzune in a dress too.

According to Saionji-san, originally there was a wedding dress scene at the end of the pamphlet. She intended to ask a professional model only for that scene, so she had given up on a substitute.

Saionji-san can apparently do makeup too, so she took Suzune to the back.

In the meantime, the staff and I covered the showcases with white cloth and created a shooting space in a corner of the shop.

One hour later.

Saionji-san came out from the back.

Suzune, appearing behind her, was wearing a pure white dress. One shoulder is exposed, and the skirt has layers of lace overlapping, a tiered design that spirals down like a seashell.

Through the veil over her face, I can see Suzune’s face. More transparent than usual, and innocent.

Saionji-san said.

“Girlfriend-san is cute, right? This foundation has pearl powder in it.”

Suzune looked up at me.

“How is it?”

Her lips are trembling.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

Suzune put her hand to her chest.

Watching that, Saionji-san handed me a small box.

“Put this on Girlfriend-chan.”

When I opened the small box, there were two rings inside.

The rings have a design where thin frames are combined, with a small diamond in the center.

When I took the ring, Suzune held out her left ring finger.

I gently put the ring on.

Light reflects off each frame, gathering and being sucked into the central diamond.

“This is Yuuma’s…”

Suzune held the other ring and stretched her hand forward. Then, a mature scent different from her usual shampoo wafted over.

Suzune in a wedding dress.

She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

I don’t want to let go.

I don’t want to give her to another man.

I want to be by her side forever.

Smooch.

Before I knew it, I was kissing Suzune.

The events of these past few months floated up in my mind and disappeared. I felt the loneliness in my heart being melted by Suzune’s heat.

“…Mm.”

When I separated my lips after a few seconds, Suzune continued speaking.

“That was a surprise attack. Unfair. But, I might be the happiest I’ve ever been since I was born.”

Suzune’s lips were soft and just a little sweet.

“Is this no count too?”

When I said that, my eyes met Suzune’s.

Her eyes are moist.

Suzune dyed her cheeks red and touched her fingertips to her lips.

“That might be a bit impossible. …Count 1 ♡”

Chapter 27: Little Sister’s Birthstone

When the photoshoot finished, Saionji-san stopped us.

“Thank you so much for today. Regarding the ring size, Boyfriend-kun’s is a size 14. I think it will fit, but please check just in case.”

Looking at the ring, it was a size larger than Suzune’s, with a simple flat band design. Inside, there was a single small blue gem.

“You can tell sizes?”

At my question, Saionji-san answered with a smile.

“I am a pro, technically. I can mostly tell just by looking.”

I tried putting the ring on.

“Amazing. It’s a perfect fit. What is this blue stone on the back?”

“That’s Lapis Lazuli. It’s said to bring the strength to overcome trials. Is the size okay for Girlfriend-chan?”

Suzune also checked the ring on her ring finger.

“It’s perfect.”

Saionji-san smiled even more.

“Accessories are also about fate. I didn’t make these specifically for you two, yet they fit your sizes perfectly. I think that’s a rare coincidence, don’t you?”

“Are you possibly giving these to us?”

“Only if Girlfriend-chan likes them, though. They are one-of-a-kind, and thin, but they are platinum. I think you can use them forever.”

“Sarasa-chan, I want this one! But is it okay to accept such an expensive thing?”

When Suzune said that, Saionji-san waved her hand slightly.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If the pamphlet turns out well, I’ll make many times that amount in profit!”

Saionji-san laughed.

“Thank you very much!”

We thanked her together.

“Ah, by the way. Those aren’t engagement rings, they’re marriage rings, okay?”

Engagement?

Marriage?

They’re about rings, right? What’s the difference?

When I looked at Suzune, her face was bright red. I’ll ask her later what that means.

“And also.”

Saionji-san continued speaking.

“What is it?”

“Take that dress with you too.”

“No, that’s going a bit too far.”

When I said that, Saionji-san shook her head.

“It suits Girlfriend-chan so well, I think the dress would be happier that way. However, please wear it for the real thing too, okay?”

The real thing…?

Suzune looks incredibly happy. We intended to just do a little part-time help, but we ended up receiving various things.

While Suzune was taking off the dress, I was alone with Saionji-san.

“I’m sorry for receiving so many things.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If I asked a model, it would cost a reasonable amount of money. If I can settle the fee with goods, it’s cheap. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“We aren’t exactly strangers, right? …Yuuma-kun.”

Why does this person know my name?

(Which means, could she know about Suzune too!?)

“Why do you know my…”

Saionji-san covered my mouth with her hand and winked.

“Relax. I’ll keep it a secret. Look, Girlfriend-chan is coming back, so this conversation ends here.”

Suzune returned. She’s holding a large paper bag.

“Sarasa-chan, thank you so much for everything.”

Suzune bowed.

“It’s fine. Ah, if your parents say anything, contact me. I’ll explain properly. Also, this. An employee discount coupon. You came here to buy something today, right? If it’s a tenant here, this will make it a little cheaper.”

Seen off by Saionji-san, we left the shop.

“Sarasa-chan was such a good person. Ah, I forgot to ask about Saitou-kun.”

Suzune said that and stuck out her tongue playfully.

“True. Well, I’ll ask Saitou next time.”

Since Saionji-san knows about me, either way, I can’t leave this as is.

“I’m so happy about the ring!”

Suzune held up her ring finger.

“Come to think of it, what’s the difference between an engagement ring and a marriage ring?”

“Umm. You see, an engagement ring is for the proposal…”

Suzune looked like she was having trouble saying it and stroked the ring on her left hand.

“A marriage ring means a wedding ring.”

Suzune’s face is bright red.

Ehhh.

Skipping past a pair ring straight to a wedding ring.

“Somehow, we received something incredible. But are you okay with it being a handout?”

“That’s not it. It’s something we earned from our first part-time job together, right? Of course I’m super happy.”

Suzune smiled.

“I’m happy too. Let’s spend today wearing these.”

Then, Suzune suddenly looked down. She’s clasping her hands in front of her stomach.

“…We kissed, didn’t we.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m happy that Yuuma initiated it.”

“I did it before I realized.”

“What’s that, sounds like it was unconscious.”

Suzune puffed up her cheeks.

“Just kidding. By the way, you said ‘Count 1’, but what happens if it increases?”

“Umm… When it reaches Count 3, a baby is made.”

Suzune stuck out her chest.

“Uha. Then I have to examine the opportunities carefully.”

“What’s thaaat.”

“But, talking with you like this, Suzune, is fun just by itself.”

Suzune linked her arm with mine.

“Yeah. Me too. Just for now, we’re just classmates… right? ♡”

Honestly, I never dreamed I would kiss her today.

But this is fine. I decided this properly myself.

I tried gripping my right hand a few times. It’s not trembling, and I can apply force properly.

I want to protect Suzune. Of course, as a brother too.

But, I think it’s wrong for only me to move forward.

“Then, shall we go buy shoes?”

When I said that, Suzune entwined her arm around mine.

“Yeah. Nnn- ♡”

Suzune closed her eyes and tilted her chin up.

I brought my face close to Suzune. A fluffy scent of peach shampoo wafted up.

“If I do that, it’ll become Count 3 immediately, right? So, later.”

I patted Suzune’s head.

Then, Suzune puffed out her cheeks like puu and brought her mouth close to my ear.

“Stingy. Bullies get this ♡”

Chomp.

Suzune’s teeth lightly hit my ear.

(This girl, she bit my ear.)

“It’s just a love bite~. Because Yuuma is being mean.”

Suzune ran away.

“Wait up. The shoe store isn’t that way.”

…Because I want to treasure Suzune. I want to walk slowly together with her.

—Before the ring, the “resolve” to be tested.

Chapter 28: Little Sister Tries to Push Her Preferences

Suzune tapped my shoulder, poke-poke.

“Hey, hey. Let’s go with this one.”

Today I learned something.

When you’re choosing something, even if you don’t particularly care, you should never casually answer, “Anything is fine.”

Right now, I’m in a shoe store.

Unlike the accessory shop earlier, the interior is poppy and bright, full of vivid colors.

When we asked the staff, they said that for light hiking, trekking shoes would probably be best.

And so we’re picking out shoes, but the ones Suzune is pointing at are pink—with a big pink ribbon on them. And they’re so stylish and light you could mistake them for normal sneakers.

In other words…

“My little sister is trying to match my tastes.”

It’s not like I have any special preferences.

But pink with a ribbon is a no.

Suzune says, “Then just change the color,” but I don’t want green with a yellow ribbon either.

“Uh, yeah… that’s a bit much.”
When I gently refused, Suzune puffed out her cheeks.

“It can’t be helped. There aren’t any boy-ish ones. Whatever. I’m the one buying yours anyway.”

Right.

In this situation, I don’t actually have the final say.

I’d love to get revenge by making Suzune pick weird shoes too, but I’d hate it if she refused to wear them. Annoying as it is, I have no choice but to pick something that matches her preferences.

Is this what people call “getting mounted”?

They say in romance, the one who falls in love loses. So I decided to ask.

“Suzune. Between you and me, whose feelings do you think are bigger?”

Suzune answered instantly.

“Mine, obviously. Because, Yuuma, you’ve never properly told me how you feel.”

What’s with that “properly”? It’s kind of cute.

“Guh. When you put it like that…”

Crap. I walked right into that one.

I mean, it’s not that I’m going to just charge ahead. As her big brother, I’m trying to do things step by step.

Then Suzune touched my chin.

“You’re thinking something like, ‘I have to hold back for Suzune’s sake,’ aren’t you?”

(Dead on.)

Suzune grabbed my hand.

“But you know… you were the one who kissed me… right?”

As she said it, she wiggled her body around.

(She keeps switching what she calls me…)

I forced down my embarrassment.

“Earlier, I kissed you because I wanted to. It couldn’t be helped.”

Suzune covered her mouth and flustered.

“I-I’m not that happy or anything—only a little!”

(So which is it?)

Suzune narrowed her eyes.

“Hmph. Well, if you’d said ‘I just got carried away,’ I was gonna kick you. But if that’s the case, then fine.”

(I was totally about to say it. That was close.)

Suzune stared at me, her eyes shimmering.

“Anyway! I want matching ones with you. I’ll go with pink too.”

(No, you wanted pink from the start. Isn’t that just… the same?)

sigh

I’m the big brother. I’ll give in.

“Fine. For both of us, we’ll go with whatever Suzune likes.”

“Yay!”

Suzune hugged the pink shoes, and a staff member spoke to us.

“Ma’am, that section is for ladies. The men’s shoes are over there.”

They pointed to a corner of the store.

When I looked, there were lots of dark-toned shoes, and it looked like they had trekking shoes too.

(Thank god. Looks like I can avoid the ribbon.)

Then Suzune said—

“This person is fine with the pink ribbon ones!”

(No, I’m totally not fine with that.)

“I’m sorry, but with those shoes, unfortunately we don’t have the right size…”
The staff member looked apologetic.

“I see. Okay.”

Suzune seemed to give up.

Once we started looking in the men’s section, Suzune’s eyes lit up and she brought over a pair.

“Yuuma! I found another matching set!”

When I looked, the shoes were black—with a black ribbon.

I mean, sure, they’re matching, but—

“These have a ribbon too. Are these really men’s?”

“Yup. These days, boys like cute things too. Besides, it’s not a ribbon—it’s a shoelace.”

Hugging the shoes, Suzune smiled.

Looking closer, it really wasn’t a ribbon—just extra-wide laces designed to look like one.

(Same brand… so it’s meant as a pair design?)

Still, honestly, ribbon or lace—it doesn’t feel that different to me. When I hear “trekking,” I picture something rugged, heavy-looking, and cool.

But these are really light.

“Huh. I can’t really tell much difference from the women’s. Wouldn’t regular sneakers be fine then?”

At my words, Suzune puffed out her cheeks again.

“No. Because men’s sizes go bigger. Just try them on.”

Prompted by Suzune, I tried them on.

The moment my foot slid in, I understood. The fit felt secure, and the sole was sturdy. Even if the ground got muddy, it didn’t seem like I’d slip and fall.

(These shoes are serious gear, despite the feminine look.)

“Wow… these are kind of amazing.”

“Right?”

Suzune lined up the black pair and the pink pair.

When I glanced at the price tag, they were ridiculously cheap.

They were originally a decent price, but the black ones were less than half the price of the pink.

Basically, the black ones don’t sell.

The reason goes without saying.

Well, still.

Better than pink with a pink ribbon.

And Suzune’s the one paying, so cheaper is better.

When I nodded, Suzune started bouncing.

“Yay! Matching!”

Watching her, I figured this was probably the right answer.

At the register, there were about three groups ahead of us.

“With the discount coupon too, we got a great deal!”

As she said it, Suzune leaned her shoulder against mine.

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Yuuma. You’ve been working hard lately, haven’t you?”

“On what?”

“Studying and stuff. And you’ve been running in the mornings, right?”

Suzune grinned.

“W-well… yeah.”

Lately I’ve been doing strength training and morning runs.

I wanted to get stronger without Suzune noticing, but when someone’s this close to you, it’s inconvenient.

“Is that… for me?”

“Yeah.”

That wasn’t a lie.

To stay with Suzune, I wanted to start doing something now.

When the time comes and I say, “I’ll start trying from here on out,” I’m sure that won’t cut it.

I still don’t know exactly what will be needed.

But studying and exercise should help when that time comes.

Suzune hugged the shoes in one hand and squeezed my other hand.

“I’m really happy. I can tell so much how much you cherish me.”

I got embarrassed and scratched my nose.

Suzune continued.

“But we spent a lot of money, huh.”

“Yeah. That’s two months’ worth of allowance. Guess I’ll be eating sweet buns and drinking water for lunch for a while.”

“I’ll make you lunch every day, so no worries♡”

“Seriously, that helps.”

“

200

200 yen per meal.”

“Huh? You’re charging me?”

“Mmm. If you pat my head every day, I’ll make it free.”

“Got it. I’ll pat you morning, noon, and night.”

Suzune immediately tilted her head toward me, so I lightly patted it.

“…Thanks. Then starting tonight, I’m counting on you. By the way…”

“What?”

Suzune touched her left index finger to her lips and tilted her head. A ring glittered on her ring finger.

“The shoes are one month’s allowance, right? Well, the pair I’m buying is even cheaper with the discount, but…”

“…Huh?”

I remember some drama saying, “If you tell each other your salaries at work, the atmosphere gets bad, so you shouldn’t.”

I really understood that now.

Apparently that rule also applies inside the Shinomiya household.

It was our turn.

The staff member asked, “Would you like to use the couple discount?”

Looks like this store has a couple discount too.

Suzune looped her arm around mine and declared:

“We’re a super close couple!”

“Understood. Please wait just a moment.”

The staff member began processing the discount.

And then—

“Huh? Shinomiya!”

Someone called out from behind us.

When I turned around, it was Saitou.

Saitou’s gaze stopped on my and Suzune’s left ring fingers.

The register beeped, and with awful timing the staff member said,

“Also, please check this quick questionnaire for the couple discount. How many years have you two been dating?”

At those words, Saitou’s expression changed.

“Hey, Shinomiya… what kind of setting is this supposed to be…?”