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 40 & 41 & 42 & 43 & 44

Chapter 40: Hotaru’s Confession.

“Yuuma. You’ve actually noticed how Hotaru-chan feels, haven’t you?”

 

I answered her question.

 

“Yes. Honestly, I’ve noticed. But she hasn’t confessed to me, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

 

Then Sarasa-san patted my head.

 

“I see, I see. Then that’s fine. As long as you don’t look away, no matter what you choose, it’ll be the right answer.”

 

Sarasa-san’s sense of reassurance is kind of incredible.

 

I’m jealous of Saitou for having an older-sister type like her.

 

Sarasa-san lowered her voice.

 

“Now then… how should I make Shouta pay for this?”

 

As she said that, she rolled her shoulders around.

 

I take it back.

 

I don’t want a fourth-dan karate big sis.

 

Sarasa-san walked with us partway, and she dropped us off near our house.

 

A green walkway at sunset.

 

I think the last time we passed through here, we walked by a couple with a stroller.

 

Then Suzune looked at me.

 

“Do you think that baby from back then has gotten bigger already?”

 

“It’s only been three months, so I think it’s still a baby.”

 

“I see. I want to become a mom soon too.”

 

Suzune laughed.

 

Until a few months ago, I never would’ve dreamed my little sister had a side like this.

 

“Suzune, you can study, right? You work really hard too. Even so, you still want to be a mom?”

 

“I want to be a mom. And you work hard at studying for my share too, okay, Papa?”

 

Suzune reached out and held my free hand.

 

Yeah.

 

I need to get it together.

 

I want to become a man who can protect Suzune.

 

“Hey, Suzune.”

 

“What is it, Yuuma?”

 

Suzune’s grip tightened.

 

“Is it okay if I meet Hotaru one-on-one? I want you two to make up.”

 

“Yeah. Thank you.”

 

“And also… just in case, okay? If it becomes necessary, can I tell Hotaru about us? Maybe you’ll lose your place at school, Suzune.”

 

If Hotaru likes me, jealousy is a powerful, scary emotion.

 

Even good people can do things you’d never expect.

 

Suzune touched her left ear.

 

“Okay, I understand. My best friend isn’t that kind of girl. And if something happens… you’ll be my place to belong, right, Yuuma?”

 

“Yeah. I didn’t have many friends to begin with, so it probably won’t affect me much.”

 

“What is that? That’s… kind of bleak.”

 

“Yeah, you’re right.”

 

We laughed together.

 

Suzune lowered her head.

 

“Please. I couldn’t solve this on my own. I know it’s not good to rely on people, but… thank you.”

 

“Even if you call it ‘people,’ we’re siblings, aren’t we? Our bond is a different density than some random couple.”

 

I flashed a peace sign.

 

Even after we got home, I couldn’t settle down, so I asked to take a bath first.

 

Soaking in the tub, I calmed myself.

 

…Haa.

 

Thinking about what might happen after this, I can’t stop sighing.

 

I went back to my room and messaged Hotaru.

 

“Can you come out to the park near the station?”

 

Hotaru replied right away.

 

“Okay. I need to get ready, so can it be one hour from now?”

 

I looked at the clock.

 

It was 7:00 PM.

 

It’s a little late, but… fine.

 

“Okay. Then 8:00 PM at the park.”

 

That’s what I sent back.

 

“I ended up a little late.”

 

It was 8:10 PM now.

 

When I was leaving the house, Suzune clung to me at the entryway, and it made me late.

 

It really bothers me that Dad saw us while she was hugging me.

 

But I’m not going to think about it right now.

 

This is the first time I’ve come here since I searched for Suzune.

 

“Sorry I’m late.”

 

As I headed for the bench, I heard a tense voice.

 

“Hey—stop it already!”

 

It was Hotaru.

 

“C’mon, it’s fine, right? Being alone in the dark like this, you were totally waiting to get hit on, weren’t you? You look like the type who plays around, miss.”

 

Two guys were gripping Hotaru’s wrist.

 

“Shinomiya…”

 

Hotaru said when she saw me.

 

“Hey! Stop it!”

 

When I shouted, one of the guys turned around.

 

“Huh? What the hell, you bastard?!”

 

He snarled.

 

Hotaru yelled.

 

“Shinomiya! Run! Go call the police!”

 

The guy made a nasty grin.

 

“You’re not going anywhere. Hero time’s over.”

 

The other guy threw Hotaru to the ground, then narrowed his eyes and glared at me.

 

“I’ve seen this brat before. He was acting all cocky before too.”

 

He ground his teeth and clenched his fists.

 

His stance looked practiced.

 

Does he box or something?

 

“Tch.”

 

Without any signal, his right fist flew.

 

I slipped outside it in half a step, and his punch cut the air.

 

I rotated only my hips.

 

My palm strike sank into his solar plexus.

 

“Gah—”

 

Air wheezed out of his throat.

 

His knees buckled.

 

The second guy shifted his weight to the right.

 

His footing was sloppy.

 

I swept his left foot with my instep, his sole slipped, and he fell onto his back.

 

“Just you remember this.”

 

Only their fleeing voices remained in the park.

 

“Hotaru, can you stand?”

 

I tried to offer Hotaru my right hand, but it was numb from the recoil of the palm strike.

 

My fingertips trembled slightly.

 

So I offered my left hand.

 

I lent her my shoulder until her shaking settled, then I called 110 on my phone.

 

I only wrote down the attackers’ clothing and the color of their shoes.

 

We moved under a brighter streetlight.

 

After a while, the trembling in Hotaru’s shoulders stopped.

 

“Th-thanks… Um, Shinomiya, you’re strong? Being kind and strong is seriously unfair.”

 

Hotaru muttered something in a small voice, then suddenly pulled away.

 

Her cheeks were bright red.

 

After a stretch of silence, Hotaru spoke.

 

“Hey… as thanks for saving me, I’ll treat you to coffee. Want to talk on the bench over there?”

 

Hotaru bought us coffee, and we sat on the bench by the street.

 

I sipped my coffee.

 

Around the time the rising steam began to thin, Hotaru finally spoke.

 

“Okay, so… the reason Suzune and I fought is because I kept pushing her to get a boyfriend.”

 

“I see. But why?”

 

“My luck with guys is awful. Even if I get a boyfriend, once we do it, I get dumped. They tell me I’m a boring woman.”

 

Is that really true?

 

She seems like the kind of person you’d appreciate more the longer you’re with her.

 

After taking a sip of coffee, Hotaru continued.

 

“Honestly, maybe my ‘experience points’ went up for no reason. So I guess I only get seen as that kind of thing. And the guys in class definitely think I’m an easy girl.”

 

Hotaru lowered her face.

 

Her voice was small.

 

“…Do you think so too, Shinomiya?”

 

“No. You’re just a good person, aren’t you? I think you shouldn’t care about idiots who don’t understand your value.”

 

Hotaru brought the paper cup close to her mouth with both hands.

 

“Yeah. I knew it. You really are that kind of guy. And… if I get a guy I truly like, I’d never cheat. Not ever.”

 

“Yeah. You really don’t seem like the type to cheat.”

 

“Hehe. That makes me happy. And then, I heard Honda confessed to Suzune, and I thought I wanted Suzune to get a proper boyfriend too. But she snapped at me and said it was none of my business. I got mad too and snapped back. And that’s how we ended up like this.”

 

“But… if it’s about Suzune’s boyfriend, doesn’t she not need to rush it?”

 

Hotaru shook her head.

 

“No. You two are close siblings, right?”

 

“Well… I guess?”

 

“Yeah. Suzune said she’d feel relieved if you weren’t blood-related, but honestly, you’re close. And she’s obviously a total brother-lover. So I figured I’d wait to make my move until Suzune could finally separate from her brother.”

 

So in Hotaru’s own way, she did it for Suzune.

 

“But… maybe I was really scared. That you and Suzune might be in a serious relationship. Deep down, I think I was meddling because I wanted reassurance.”

 

Hotaru stood up from the bench and brushed dirt from her skirt in front of me.

 

“So… Shinomiya. If I want to make up with Suzune, there’s something I have to say first.”

 

After a short silence, Hotaru continued.

 

“Shinomiya, you know how you quietly retie Suzune’s shoelaces at the shoe lockers? And how you always say her bento is delicious? And how when you noticed Suzune wasn’t feeling well, you slipped out of school and bought her an energy drink? …I saw all of it.”

 

As she kept talking, Hotaru bent forward at the waist.

 

“And I thought… if you’re that kind to your little sister, then you’d be even kinder to the girl you date. I wanted you to be kind to me too. And before I knew it, I’d fallen for you.”

 

Hotaru stared straight into my eyes.

 

“Me… I mean… I’ve been thinking about you, Shinomiya…”

 

Hotaru doesn’t know about me and Suzune.

 

So Hotaru isn’t at fault for anything.

 

Should I keep my relationship with Suzune secret and reject her with some convenient excuse?

 

If I did that, Hotaru and Suzune could probably make up on the surface.

 

No.

 

That wouldn’t be the same thing anymore.

 

“Trust is like building blocks.”

 

Real friendship can’t stand on top of lies.

 

And if I lie here, Hotaru would just become a clown.

 

So this is what I said.

 

“Hey, Hotaru.”

 

“Hm? What is it, Shinomiya?”

 

“Hotaru, I’ll start with the conclusion. I love Suzune. We love each other.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Hotaru dropped her cup.

 

The cold coffee spread across the dry ground.

 

“And also, there’s no blood relation between me and Suzune. I’m sorry, Hotaru. But I can’t say anything that would make you hope.”

 

Hotaru lowered her face.

 

“I see. Somehow, I kind of thought it might be like that. So that means I don’t have any chance, right?”

 

“Sorry.”

 

I nodded.

 

My throat was dry, and something whistled from deep in my chest.

 

I’m saying something cruel to a truly good girl.

 

I looked Hotaru in the eyes.

 

But instead of covering it up and choosing “exchange,” I want to choose “repair,” even if it takes time.

 

Me, Suzune, and Hotaru.

 

I don’t know if it’ll go well.

 

But I’m sure something is waiting beyond this.

 

Hotaru raised her hand and blocked my gaze.

 

From beyond the darkness, Hotaru’s voice came.

 

“…Okay. I won’t run away. I’ll talk to Suzune. But I have one condition.”

Chapter 41: The Condition of Pride.

“A condition?”

“It’s… you know… actually, before that, don’t you want to go eat something?”

“Huh?”

Hotaru grabbed the front of her shirt.

“I just got dumped, you know? It still hurts. So at least go along with me a little.”

She took me to a fast-food place near the station.

Hotaru was eating greedily, like nothing had happened.

Stuffing fries into her cheeks, she asked:

“So then—since when were you two in that kind of relationship?”

“Since around summer break. Suzune ran away from home.”

“Right… that time. Maybe I messed up the timing. If I’d confessed before summer, would it have worked out?”

Ah. I get it.

This is a ritual Hotaru needs so she can accept it.

If the timing had been different… what would’ve happened?

Talking to her, I realized Hotaru is serious at her core, and someone you can trust.

So maybe… if she’d confessed earlier—

I cleared my throat.

“Sorry, but no. That wouldn’t have happened. Even a long time ago, Suzune was already in my heart.”

I remembered the day Suzune confessed to me.

I thought she hated me.

Until that day, Suzune and I weren’t even normal siblings.

Hotaru picked up a single fry.

“…I see. So it was impossible either way. It was my first time ever confessing to a boy myself.”

“Huh. Seriously?”

“I have this habit where I fill the anxiety of emptiness with reassurance right away… not in a convenient way. I wanted someone who would face me properly.”

“I see. Then I’m even more sorry.”

Hotaru leaned forward.

“That’s not true. Shinomiya, you rejected me properly. That made me think you’re someone I can trust.”

“I’m just a coward.”

The corner of my mouth felt sticky, so I wiped it.

Ketchup got on my fingertip.

Hotaru rubbed her eyes and laughed.

“Shinomiya, you’ve got ketchup on your mouth. Hey, Shinomiya—do you dislike my look?”

Hotaru had tanned skin.

Her blonde hair falling past her shoulders.

Her eyes a little brighter from colored contacts.

The pleated skirt she’d clearly put effort into choosing.

The shirt with the open neckline too.

…All of it suited her well, along with her well-shaped features.

“No, not at all.”

Hotaru’s fries were gone.

When she stopped moving her hands, she looked up.

Her eyes were wet.

“I really do love you, Shinomiya. Will you go out with me?”

I looked up at the ceiling.

Clink.

Mixed into the buzzing of the fluorescent light, a single ice cube in her paper cup cried out.

I shook my head.

“I didn’t reject you because of your looks. So… sorry.”

Something churned around my solar plexus.

I once heard that if you hit someone, you hurt too.

That seems to be true.

But leaving her here would be wrong.

I expected the air to turn heavy.

But it didn’t.

Hotaru laughed and sucked on her drink through a straw.

“Okay, okay. I didn’t say it properly earlier. Now I feel clear. Thanks.”

“No… sorry.”

…Huh.

From Hotaru’s gaze, I realized I was touching my left earlobe.

(Did I pick up Suzune’s habit?)

Hotaru pointed a fry at me.

“Saying ‘sorry’ right away is your bad habit, Shinomiya.”

“Sorr—”

“See? You were about to say it again.”

We both laughed.

When the laughter settled, Hotaru continued.

“So. About that condition I mentioned. I’m going to talk to Suzune tomorrow. But no matter how that turns out, I want you to protect something.”

I’d hurt her this much.

If there’s something I can do…

“Okay. What is it?”

“Be my friend… my best friend.”

Huh.

That’s all?

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“Thank goodness! I don’t have a male best friend. I’m seriously happy.”

“Are you sure someone like me is fine?”

“Of course. What I want in a best friend isn’t a face—it’s someone I can trust! …Right?”

Hotaru smiled.

“And also. Wanna make some rules for being friends?”

“What kind?”

“Okay. Rule one: Don’t lie. Don’t keep secrets from Suzune. Rule two: Don’t cross the line. Up to high-fives only. No private late-night messages either. Oh—except in an emergency. Rule three: I’m in the ‘big sister’ position for Yuuma. So I have the right to scold you.”

She just switched to calling me by my name.

So the big-sister position starts immediately?

“What is that last one…? Fine. Agreed. Becoming Hotaru’s best friend won’t be easy.”

“Obviously. You’re getting a best friend this cute. So endure at least that much.”

“No argument.”

“Alright then, Yuuma. That’s it for today. Here—hold your cup.”

Tap.

Hotaru bumped her paper cup against mine.

“Cheers?”

“Yeah. A cheers for best-friend status!”

We stood up, crushed our paper cups, and tossed them into the trash.

After we left the shop, Hotaru fiddled with her phone.

“I just sent this to Suzune.”

Hotaru said that, then turned her screen toward me.

“I’m done with romance. Instead, I’ll be ‘both of your best friend.’”

I watched Hotaru’s back as she waved and walked away.

“Building blocks of true feelings,” huh.

Yeah.

Maybe that’s right.

Looks like I just got my second best friend in my life.

My phone lit up.

It was a message from Suzune.

“Dad seems like he has something he wants to ask you.”

 

Chapter 42: Dad, Mom, and Mom’s Story.

When I looked up at the sky, clouds had drifted in before I knew it, and I couldn’t see the moon anymore.

I checked my phone.

“Dad seems like he has something he wants to ask you, Yuuma—about me.”

I stopped in front of the entrance.

The nameplate light was flickering on and off with a clicking sound.

“So this thing can short out, huh… Haa. This is depressing.”

I put my hand on the doorknob.

“I’m home.”

When I opened the front door, Dad was standing there with his arms planted like a guardian statue.

From the shadow of the stairs, Suzune was peeking this way, looking worried.

“Yuuma, come to our room.”

When I went in because Dad told me to, Mom was already there.

After Dad slid the shoji closed, he said:

“Sit.”

In front of me, Dad and Mom were sitting side by side.

It felt like a three-way parent-teacher meeting.

“What were you doing out until just now?”

“That was… Suzune hugged me, and—”

Mom covered her eyes with a hand and shook her head.

“Ah, that happened too, didn’t it. We’ll hear about that later. But we got a call from the police.”

…Looks like I opened my mouth and dug my own grave.

Mom spoke.

“A little while ago, the police contacted us and said you got caught up in trouble. Your father was very worried.”

So that’s what you were worried about.

“Yeah. At the park, one of Suzune’s friends was being harassed by some guys, and… well, I helped.”

“You idiot. If they’d had a knife or something, you might’ve been the one badly injured.”

“So you’re saying I should’ve just left her there?!”

I think I was expecting to be praised.

But I wasn’t.

Dad always comes down on me first.

“Let’s calm down and have some tea.”

Mom said that, then poured hot water from the thermos into a teapot.

From the spout, I could hear bubbles gurgling.

“You know, your father is worried. Until you came back, he was pacing around the house the whole time.”

“Hatsune, don’t say unnecessary things.”

Even though Dad tried to stop her, Mom calmly popped a monaka into her mouth.

“Oh my, sorry. Yuuma, you should at least send a message next time.”

Mom blew softly over the tea, then took a sip.

…I probably should’ve at least contacted them.

“Sorry. Not messaging you was my fault.”

“Yeah.”

Dad said only that one word.

“The police said they want to confirm details, so I’ll go explain properly soon.”

“People like that can hold a grudge and do who knows what. You will definitely go to the police, and you will report back to me.”

“Got it.”

“And Yuuma—why don’t you take up karate again? If it’s awkward, do you want me to talk to the Saitous for you?”

“My goodness. How overprotective. If you’re worried, you should just say so honestly.”

Mom giggled.

The pendulum clock chimed.

It was already 11:00 PM.

“Then I should probably head—”

When I tried to stand, Dad said:

“Wait. We’re not finished.”

“Huh?”

“Why were you hugging Suzune?”

So it’s that.

I noticed I’d been picking at a hangnail.

I stopped and looked at Dad.

“Suzune had a fight with her friend. I went to mediate instead. Suzune got worried about me.”

“I see. So there was no ulterior meaning in you hugging Suzune?”

“Trust is like building blocks.”

There’s no point hiding it… huh.

“Hey—”

Clap.

Mom clapped her hands.

“The Yamada family next door gave us some monaka. I’ll brew another pot of tea, so let’s settle down a bit.”

“Mom, now isn’t the time—”

Ignoring Dad completely, Mom took a box out from the shelf.

“It’s fine. Here, both of you, eat. Apparently it’s from a long-established shop.”

I took a bite of monaka.

The refined scent of azuki beans drifted softly through my nose.

Mom continued.

“Dad, you always said you wanted Suzune and Yuuma to make up, didn’t you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“And besides—Dad, a long time ago, Mio used to call you ‘Onii-chan,’ didn’t she?”

“What does that mean—”

When I tried to ask, Dad waved his hand.

“That story can wait.”

Mom kept going.

“Your father worked as a cram-school tutor when he was in college. Mio and I were students there. Mio was attached to your father and called him ‘Onii-chan’… and before anyone knew it, they were dating.”

Dad cleared his throat.

“Ahem. In my case, she was just someone else entirely. Not family.”

“Oh, and Yuuma and Suzune are only ‘Onii-chan’ and ‘imouto’ in name too. You’re not blood-related. It’s not that different, is it?”

Mom shot me a look.

It seemed to mean: leave.

So I left the room.

(They aren’t fighting because of me, are they…?)

After a while, I went to check, and the two of them were having drinks together.

Through the shoji, I could hear laughter and the name “Mio.”

It sounded like they were deep in old stories.

Maybe, back when they were young, Mio-mom and Mom (Hatsune) were—

Maybe they were like Suzune and Hotaru are now.

And then, suddenly, I felt painfully lonely.

Just imagining Suzune disappearing hurts.

My heart started racing, and cold sweat came out.

I couldn’t stand it.

I stopped in front of Suzune’s door.

When I knocked, Suzune opened it.

When Suzune saw my face, she blinked slowly, then smiled.

“Yuuma. What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to cry.”

I hugged Suzune.

Suzune patted my back gently.

“It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

Why is it that Suzune always understands how I feel?

“Oh—right, I should report—”

When I tried to talk about what happened with Hotaru, Suzune hugged me tighter.

The sweet scent of her shampoo slowly melted the unrest in my chest.

“I trust you and Hotaru, Yuuma. Tell me tomorrow. So tonight… tell me about the lonely feeling you have.”

If someone asked what the greatest stroke of luck in my life was, I’d probably answer like this:

“Getting to meet Suzune.”

So for today, just like this—

I want to feel Suzune’s warmth.

But I also want to make Suzune feel secure.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell her properly about Hotaru.

Chapter 43: Half-Beat Trust.

“Yuuma. Can I come hang out in your room later?”

The next night, I cleaned my room in preparation for Suzune’s visit.

I even used deodorizing spray and made the bed.

Then I knocked on the wall: knock-knock.

From the other side came a reply: tap-tap-tap.

The official reason was to talk about yesterday.

But what is this restlessness?

Is this what it feels like when you invite a girl you like into your room for the first time?

Someone knocked on the door, and before I could even answer, Suzune came in on her own.

“Good eveniiing. What was dinner tonight?”

Somehow it felt ridiculously retro, but maybe I’m imagining it.

Sniff, sniff.

Suzune puffed out her cheeks.

“It doesn’t smell like Yuuma. Boring.”

Right.

My little sister is an adorable pervert.

Suzune sat on the bed and patted the space next to her like it was her own room.

So I started.

“Anyway, about yesterday—”

Suzune answered:

“I heard from Hotaru. I’m meeting Hotaru tomorrow too. We’re going to a cat café.”

Sounds like the two of them making up is basically a done deal.

“Yeah. We met at the park, and we decided on rules for becoming friends.”

“Oh, really? I’m happy you and Hotaru becoming friends, in itself.”

“Yeah. I decided I won’t keep secrets from you, Suzune.”

“Huh. Then did your score from last time change?”

I wonder.

My friendship points with Hotaru did go up.

“If Suzune is 100 points… then maybe 99 points?”

“Hey! That’s higher!”

Suzune raised her eyebrows while laughing.

“I’m kidding. The one and only perfect score is Suzune.”

“Is that so~? I heard you saved Hotaru from some thugs, though? Anyway, hurry up and sit.”

Creeak…

When I sat next to Suzune, the bed squeaked.

As it sank, Suzune scooted closer, and our shoulders touched.

Our eyes met.

“Yuuma. I love you.”

“Thanks. How much?”

“The most in the world.”

Me too—

I swallowed the words that had risen to my throat.

“Um… your chest is touching me…”

“You don’t like it?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Hey, Yuuma. There’s a song I’ve been liking lately.”

Suzune reached to the shelf and picked up my wireless earbuds.

“Here. One side is for Onii-chan.”

Suzune handed me one earbud, then casually took out her phone and hit play.

And it connected to my earbuds.

“It’s coming through my earbuds… hey, you messed with my settings without permission, didn’t you?”

Suzune smiled.

“Because I want to know what you listen to. And I tried setting it up once, just to test it.”

Music flowed from the earbud.

Suzune closed her eyes and began humming along with the song.

“I love you… my wavering feelings are aching… so I can’t let go…”

It had a gentle tempo.

Before long, my heartbeat and Suzune’s heartbeat fell into sync.

When the song ended, Suzune leaned in close to peek at my face and whispered:

“This song is the theme song for a movie that’s in theaters right now. If you want… um, well… could we go see it together sometime?”

The soap scent from her post-bath skin.

Her flushed skin was faintly red.

It felt like I could hear her heart.

Suzune’s throat bobbed slightly.

“…What’s your answer?”

I patted Suzune on the head.

“Of course. Sure. What kind of movie is it?”

Suzune narrowed her eyes a little, relaxed the corner of her mouth, and clung to my left arm.

“Mmm. It’s about a protagonist who gave up on their dream, and then tries again.”

“What’s that? That’s totally hot-blooded.”

“Right~!”

There’s a lot to retort about—like the earbud thing—but this time feels comfortable.

“So… whatever.”

Chapter 44: 39°C and a Dream

The next day, I was lying around in bed when my phone lit up. When I opened it, a photo had been sent.

A photo of Suzune, Hotaru, and a cat.

They were holding the cat between them, grinning from ear to ear.

“It’s thanks to you, Yuuma. Thank you!”

It’s a really good picture.

Jeez—what a handful.

They look totally friendly like normal.

I let my upper body sink into the bed.

Beep-beep-beep-beep.

A crisp little beat.

I reached to my right side and checked.

“39.0°C.”

It was a thermometer.

Yeah—I’m bedridden with a fever.

And to make things worse, my parents aren’t home because they have errands.

When Suzune left the house, she said, “Isn’t your face kind of red? Want to cancel your promise with Hotaru?” but I refused.

I didn’t think my fever would climb this high.

When I stood up to go to the bathroom, my vision doubled.

“Haa… haa…”

This might be bad.

Should I go to the hospital?

But even going outside feels exhausting.

Well, I’ll just sleep for now.

Even if I go, they’ll probably just tell me to watch and wait.

The weight of the blanket feels heavy.

Every time I breathe, my chest feels pressed down.

Even when I sleep, it hurts, and I wake up right away.

I almost tapped Suzune’s name in the messenger app, but I stopped.

“I don’t want to bother her.”

If this was how it’d turn out, I shouldn’t have tried to act tough.

Then a call came in.

It was Saitou.

“Yo. How are you feeling? I got a message from Princess Suzune.”

So Suzune contacted Saitou because she was worried about me.

A kind little sister really is something to be grateful for.

“Haa… haa… I feel, uh… awful.”

“Hey, are you serious? I’m heading over now. I’ll buy something on the way. What do you want?”

“Sports drink, and something I can eat.”

“Huh, like sweet bread or something is fine?”

It’s not “fine,” but I don’t really feel like eating anything either.

“Whatever’s fine. I’ll unlock the front door, so just come in.”

“You want an erotic mag?”

Click.

I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the blanket.

Good.

At least I’ll probably survive.

The smell of sunlight.

Feeling warmth and weight on both sides of me, I flailed my arms and legs.

My hands are so small—like a baby’s.

…Is this a dream?

There was a tight feeling near my collarbone, and warmth seeped into me.

Smooth black hair brushed against my cheek.

“Yuuma, Yuuma. Hey, dear—do you think this child understands his own name?”

“Ah… ah…”

I couldn’t pronounce it properly.

Mom’s hand.

Warm.

“Mom!!”

I shouted and opened my eyes—only to find a pair of big eyes right in front of me.

Long eyelashes, with glitter.

A sweet, adult kind of nice scent.

…Mio-mom?

Sarasa-san pulled her face back, her glossy bangs lifted up.

A cool sensation from Sarasa-san lingered on my forehead.

“S-Sarasa-san…”

“Mm. You look a little less feverish than before. Sorry—couldn’t find where the thermometer was.”

I looked at the table, but the thermometer was gone.

“Huh… sorry. I thought I left it right there. Wait—where’s Saitou?”

“Mm. Shouta ran off somewhere because of a date invitation or something. Seriously, what a cold guy, right? I already gave him a good beating.”

“Sorry… you’re busy, and you still came all this way.”

Sarasa-san winked.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. And since I was here anyway— I made some rice porridge, so I’ll bring it up. Sorry for borrowing the kitchen without asking.”

With that, Sarasa-san went downstairs, still wearing an apron.

Beep. My phone lit up.

When I checked it, it was Saitou.

“Sorry, Shinomiya. My sis wouldn’t listen when she said she’d go instead, so I got beat up.”

What a useless guy.

Even as I thought that, the corner of my mouth lifted.

Sorry for worrying you.

Sarasa-san brought me the porridge.

Blowing on it—fuu fuu—she fed me.

It seems she made it properly from rice; the natural sweetness was gentle on my stomach.

Warm water soaked into my throat.

Before I knew it, my body felt a bit better.

“Thank you.”

Sarasa-san folded her apron.

Her hair slipped down smoothly and covered her collarbones.

“Easy enough. But… you said ‘Mom.’ Could it be you like that kind of play?”

“No, actually… it’s like this.”

Maybe because she was kind to me, I told her about Mio-mom—something I hadn’t even told Saitou.

Sarasa-san’s eyes were bloodshot.

“Yuuma.”

“Yes?”

“Want me to be your mom?”

I’m a high schooler.

That’s obviously impossible.

And I already have a mom.

“If you’re that young and beautiful, people would think you’re my girlfriend, not my mom.”

Sarasa-san looked upward.

She looked a little lonely.

“A girlfriend, huh. Marriage probably isn’t possible for me anyway.”

I don’t know the details, but there must be some kind of social-system wall.

Still, she’s such a “good woman.”

Surely she’ll find someone good.

“If we’d met differently, or if we were closer in age… I’d want to volunteer.”

Of course, I have no intention of betraying Suzune.

But it’s honestly how I feel.

Then Sarasa-san smiled.

“…Thank you.”

She’s seriously beautiful.

“I kind of wish I’d been born ten years later too. Or if I’d been a normal girl… wow, that was a pretty nasty joke.”

Sarasa-san glanced down at her phone screen and slung her bag over her shoulder.

“Because you’ve lived through so much, Sarasa-san is cool and cute, isn’t she?”

Sarasa-san wiped at the corner of her eye.

The fingertip that should’ve been dry somehow glinted.

“Is it because of the fever? You’re way too cheesy today, Yuuma. This is your punishment!”

Sarasa-san bent down and lifted my bangs.

Chu.

She kissed my forehead.

“H-hey, you’ll catch my cold!”

“I’m a fourth-dan in karate, I’ll be fine! And it looks like your one true little sister is about to come home, so I should get going.”

Even if she’s fourth-dan, she can still catch a cold.

“Um, Sarasa-san. Can I come to the dojo next time? I want to properly start again.”

“Anytime! Then all the more—get well soon!”

Sarasa-san went downstairs.

Almost at the same time, the front door opened, and I heard Suzune’s voice.

(Sarasa-san—thank you so much!)

Tap-tap-tap—quick footsteps, and Suzune came upstairs.

It’s Suzune.

I want to talk to her already.

Suzune opened the door and said—her eyebrows raised for some reason:

“Saitou-kun asked me to give this to Sarasa-chan as a care package!”

In her left hand, Suzune held a thin convenience-store bag.

Through the thin plastic, I could make out what looked like the cover of a nude women’s magazine.

That bastard Saitou!

He seriously sent an erotic mag.

“Honestly! Stop reading stuff like that and get better already!”

…I might get a fever again from being falsely accused.