Volume 3 - CH 3

Chapter 3: Although Yuuji is a NEET, It seems that He's a Rich Person in Japan.

Part 3 Yuuji, Taking Photographs to Send to His Imouto Sakura

In a dim room illuminated by the lights from a computer monitor,

only the whirring sound from a computer fan could be heard.

Yuuji quietly stood up and walked towards the corner of his room.

He sat down while holding the knee.

Although Kotarou was supposed to be asleep, she gently snuggled up to Yuuji and licked his cheek.

“No need to be worried, cheer up!”(Kotarou)

So she was consoling him.

「Thanks, Kotarou. You’re always supporting me.」(Yuuji)

Yuuji embraced Kotarou.

On Yuuji’s bed, Alice was sleeping peacefully.

She was smiling while mumbling in her sleep, it seems that she was havng a pleasant dream.

Meanwhile, Yuuji had just watched a nightmare unfold inside reality.

「It’s good that Sakura is well. It’s good that I can contact Sakura. This is a good thing. Yes, this is a good thing.」(Yuuji)

Yuuji mumbled repeatedly as if to convince himself.

Kotarou drew her body even closer to him.

For Yuuji, this was a very long night.

✦✧✦✧

「Ah, good morning Alice.」(Yuuji)

「Good morning Yuuji-nii! Why are you sitting in that place?」(Alice)

The next morning. In the end, Yuuji didn’t get a wink of sleep and sat down in the corner of the room.

Although he was very pitiful, it was all his own wrongdoings.[1] It’s something inevitable. Reality is harsh and unforgiving.

「Alice, today, you know, I will send an email to my sister Sakura. She is very far away so you can’t meet with her, but Alice also has an oneechan.」(Yuuji)

「Is that true!? Alice has always wanted an oneechan! Alice had asked Mom before but she said that she couldn’t make an oneechan...... But what is email?」(Alice)

「Ah you see, it’s something that similar to a letter. That’s right, let’s take a photo of Alice and send it with the email!」(Yuuji)

「Photo, the wonderful picture thingy? Un, Alice wants to take a photo! Then Alice needs to dress up!」(Alice)

What a clever girl. “Woofwoof!” Kotarou also wanted to get her fur brushed up.

Yuuji stroked Kotarou, “You’re right Kotarou, let’s get you shampooed and brushed up.”

His heart was a bit healed by the figure of his step sister and beloved dog.

Houjou Family’s women were very powerful.

✦✧✦✧

「Tripod OK. Camera OK. Wireless Shutter OK! The camera angle to catch the house and the people beautifully is perfect. I need to thank the Camera Ossan who taught me many things. Alice, are your preparation done?」(Yuuji)

「Un! I wrote a letter to Oneechan, I wonder if she can read it?」(Alice)

「Let me see? Yes, it’s perfect! If Sakura can’t read it then I’ll make her cry so it’s fine!」(Yuuji)

Yuuji proudly proclaimed something he couldn’t do.

Since they took the photo outside, Alice wore a coat today. In the cold winter, the grey duffle coat was Alice’s favorite.[2]

The sleeves that were too long had to be folded back and the long coat’s hem was also folded back and fastened with a safety pin.

They didn’t cut the long sleeves or the coat’s hem because of the forethought of letting Alice wear it even after she grew up and also because it was Sakura’s favorite coat.

As much as possible, he didn’t want to get blamed by Sakura.

It was a step taken to fulfill this wish of Yuuji’s.

In Alice’s hand were four A4 papers that were connected with tape to make A2 sized paper.[3] Yuuji made a rough draft of the message in Japanese then Alice would copy it.

There were lines askew in several places, but it emphasized that it was written by the childish Alice.

『Sakura-oneechan

Thank you for the beautiful clothes

Your imouto Alice』

As much as possible, he didn’t want to get blamed by Sakura.

It was the impudent tactic to fulfill this wish of Yuuji’s.

「OK, then Alice stand here, Kotarou over there. Then here we go, Alice make a smile! Say fuzzy pickle!」

*Click*

In the picture were Alice who was smiling widely and Kotarou who was posing gallantly.

And also, Yuuji who was giving a frail smile with a distinct shadow under his eyes pasted over his expression.[4]

☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽

[1] Also can mean: You reap what you sowed

[2] What is Duffle Coat? I write what sleeves and coat’s hem means, just in case non-native English speaker didn’t familiar with it.

[3] For people who didn’t use ISO 216 paper standard size (like people in North America that use ANSI Letter size): A4 is 210 × 297 mm. While A2 is 420 × 594 mm. Four A4 papers, is equal to one A2 papers.

[4] Also known colloquially by “Eye Bags” or “Dark Circle”.