CH 21

Humans, sometimes have scary dreams.

"...... I can't see anythin'"

I am right now, is in the middle of darkness.

I can't see anything in front of me, I can't move my body, and it's a dim space where it feels like there's no existence other than me.

"... Well now Taiga, how do I open my eyes awake huh"

If this was real, it wouldn't be unbearable, but strangely enough, I was able to recognize that this was a dream, so I felt somewhat at ease.

I crossed my arms... Well, I didn't even feel like I was crossing them, but anyway I kept thinking about how do I open my eyes awake, and after a while doing so, it happens a change even to this dream.

"What?"

Something dark and red appeared in front of me.

It swayes and wriggles as if it has a will, and it gradually approaches me.

"......Kimeee"

I didn't know what that something was, but still, I have an unpleasant say intuition about it.

When I recognize the object in front of me, my body starts to move, and naturally I step back to get away from it.

"A wall?"

However there was a wall behind me and I couldn't go back any further.

Reddish-black something slowly closed the distance from me, and then something stretched out and touched my cheek.

"-!?"

At that moment, a strange chill ran through my body.

Instinctively and physiologically, I try to escape from it, but I can't escape because red and black things are wrapped around my body like threads.

"Damn it..... What is this....... Disgusting!"

It wasn't such a lukewarm badness feelings that made me feel nauseous or something like that, it was a discomfort feeling to the extent that made something inside me going weird.

If I touch this for too long, it's no good, and if I don't leave it quickly, my brain will desperately sound an alarm bell... however I can't escape.

".....sav..e...m..e....chisome........"

I am aware that asking my sister for help would be pathetic as a brother.

But right now, I didn't have the leeway of keeping my appearance, so only at most let out of my mouth the name of Chisome, the nearest presence to me, and wished for her to help me.

{......Was it painful you shitty son of mine}

"-!?"

I remember that voice I heard.

That's because that voice was... unmistakably of that shitty old man of my mine.

{How dare you kill me huh..... Even though I was about to be able to taste that brat in just a little while. Children who kill their parents musn't not be punished right~? ISN'T THAT RIGHT TAIGA!}

Shut up be quiet, even though I want to say that, I can't let my voice out.

I've never been scared in front of my old man, and I should've had the leeway to say something back, but the current me can't do anything... my consciousness was being teared up by the badness feelings that was eating away at my body and so because of that I had no strength to oppose my old man.

{Kukuu, how was it, is it painful~? The same pain as that shitty brat――}

"......Haa?"

My old man's words, strangely enough made me feel like the pain that was eating into my body had receded.

With my head feeling relieved in a single breath, the answer that I arrived at, isn't that the nightmare that Chisome suffered from, was as much as something.

"Chisome... does that mean she had this dream too?"

{Quite so. I tried to destroy her and yet, you always kept getting in my way.}

It seems that it was just as I thought.

And at the same time, I realized one more thing, this voice that reaches my ears is certainly my old man's, but I feel that the root is different.

Surely, it just imitated the existence that I can say I hate the most.

"..... I see. Has that girl been in such pain all this time. No matter how, day after day, she was fighting this all by herself before she came to my house? Just how strong are you, Chisome"

Even though I felt like my heart was going to get chaotic in that moment, how much did that girl endure... I thought it was a good job to me for noticing her suffering, but still, that girl even told me not to worry about it because it's common for her to have nightmares, you know? Such a thing is... not normal, as I thought there's no way I can just leave it alone!

"....?"

At that time, I unintentionally turned my eyes to the place where my old man stabbed me.

When I turned over the clothes, the wound was glowing red, and a red line like the pattern of Kuro Chisome's body was extending from there.

"No way... is this the influence of that girl's blood?"

{That is because it's a cursed power. From the root she can't live something like a normal life...... monsters mustn't not have to suffer like monsters and die you know.}

Something that was my old man put talks to me close to the ear... I shook that off.

"Shut up will you"

My voice was lower than I thought, but that's not all, it had enough power to shake off this dark red thing clinging to me.

In the eyes of someone who looks at me in front, naturally my figure is reflected.

Like Chisome, my eyes turn red, and like Kuro Chisome, I have a red line running from my face to my neck.

(...I don't really get it but, somehow I'm looking cool huh)

On the contrary, I smile wryly thinking that it will stimulate the chuunibyou mind. [Tl note no 1] 

In regard to the existence in front of me who seemed to be bewildered by seeing me, I said what I thought as is.

"Sorry but, I don't care no matter what you are. Only, it is enough if I know that you are the cause of that girl's suffering. I guess it be like a nightmare induced by that girl's power, but I'm not afraid of anything anymore――Because a big brother who thinks of his little sister is strong."

The more confidence I have, the more courage I muster, the smaller the existence is in front of me.

Chisome has stopped having nightmares since then, perhaps because she thought there was no need to be afraid in the true meaning of the word...... because I'm by her side, so maybe that gave her a peace of mind.

“Because those girls are kind child. Suppose they find out that I'm suffering from this, they'll definitely end up getting worried... then, also for the sake of preventing that from happening, as a big brother, I too have no choice but to get over it right.”

It's not like I'm taking it upon myself, even I often rely on Chisome for anything.

We help each other, respect each other, and spend fun every day... in such our peaceful everyday life, don't just call over this kind of nightmare.

"You're crazy......what are you, you"

"'crazy' is unnecessary you stupid bastard. From Since Previous Life Have Always Liked Chisome The Reincarnator, is what you call it."

When I said that with a smug look on my face, the reddish-black thing cleanly disappeared.

And then at the same time, as I think that it's already fine I laughed.

"This scar is nothing short of a nightmare. In a way, it's like a proof that connects me and Chisome."

The moment I said that, I gently woke up.

However the moment I opened my eyes, I should have come to that thought――that if I took notice when Chisome was having nightmares, then it's only natural that the opposite is also true.

"Nii-san!"

When I opened my eyes, Chisome was looking down at me with a tearful face.

Kuro Chisome was also waiting by my side, holding my hand, perhaps they might have been calling out to me the whole time.

"Yoo the two of you, I just came back from a nightmare see."

"......As I thought, Nii-san maybe you're having my――"

"Chisome, don't say anything more."

I don't wish the words that follow beyond that.

Even if I tell her that she doesn't have to say it, but for Chisome's unwell look, I briefly told her what had happened.

"Chisome must have been in such pain all this time right."

".....I, suppose so. But since I met Nii-san, I have become really okay now. I am now no longer seeing things like nightmares at all."

"That's right isn't it. Probably, but I think I'm also okay now. Because I think surely it knows it's useless."

"e?"

"I am invincible because I love Chisome lots, I told it that."

".........-!?"

Chisome's face turned red, but I tried to be considerate of her and hugged her as hard as I could to avoid looking at her face.

Fortunately, I don't seem to sweat a lot like Chisome did after waking up from her nightmare before, so my body shouldn't give off a strange smell.

"That's why it's okay. Don't apologize, Chisome, if it's that much to apologize for, will you show me a smile?"

"......un......un!"

Because if I don't say this much, Chisome won't show me a smile.

She most likely has something really curious about, I guess, she should've known already that I'm showing myself such figure like this is because I'm thinking about Chisome... but, anyone would be relieved if the other party said something in this way right?

"U~n well but, it was a little scary is certain after all. And so, Chisome"

"Do we sleep together? That's fine, it is what one hopes for!"

"....You did well to get that?"

"Ehehe, if it's about Nii-san I can see right through you♪"

......After all, we are like this right.

If I had to say this honestly, perhaps I might be having nightmares again.

However, when I opened my eyes, there was such a cute and brotherly little sister waiting, so I can't easily imagine losing to the nightmare.

"Nee nee Nii-san"

"What?"

"Um....it just a suggestion but see. a bed that is big......wouldn't you buy it?"

"......You want it?"

"Un. That way it won't be too cramped, and more than anything, it be able to line it up with three people."

A big bed might sound disagreeable (lewd) but, certainly I might buy it.

Kuro Chisome is also nodding strongly while lying on my body so, shall we go take a look for beds on the next holiday then!

"Nii-san"

"Un?"

"I......I'm glad that Nii-san is my brother. Really love you lots♪"

"......Chisomee!"

"Wawaa, Nii-san cried again!"

Well of course I'll cry! or rather, how many times is this exchange!

In the end, even though it was late at night, we forgot to sleep and continuously in talk...

TL: Maza Miya

Editor: Maza Miya

[TL Notes]

[Tl note no 1: Chuunibyou, Japanese colloquial term typically used to describe, early teens who have grandiose delusions, who desperately want to stand out, and who have convinced themselves that they have hidden knowledge or secret powers.]

[MC is confirmed stabbed by his father.]