Volume 1 - CH 3.3

There was only one chair in the room. It was attached to a desk, and I sat in it. Of course I tried to get Shimotsuki-san to sit down, but she apparently found her favorite spot and didn’t move from there.

[You don’t have any monitors in this room, so if you want to play games, why don’t we play in the living room? I’ll get the game console, so let’s play together okay, Nakayama?]

Shimotsuki-san is sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest and talking all the while.

[Is this place connected to the internet? Eh, a LAN cable!? My mom is anti-gaming in our house, so she wouldn’t even let me connect to the internet…. I’ve only ever played social games or offline games, but here I can play online competitive games! I wanted to play the shooter game where you shoot ink with a water pistol─Hm, eh?] (Splatoon, if you didn’t know)

It was very sudden.

Shimotsuki-san, who had been talking about various things 10 times more than I did, suddenly stopped.

…No, she didn’t just stop. Her slightly read ears were twitching lightly.

As if she sensed some kind of noise.

[Nakayama-kun, you’re an only child, right? Then, these footsteps are…?]

Suddenly, a grudge-like gaze was directed at me.

[W-What do you mean?]

I was confused, not understanding the meaning of her jittery gaze, when I finally heard the “sound” she heard.

What I heard was footsteps going up the stairs.

[I’m back~]

That was the voice of my sister, who’s not related by blood.

[You have an affair. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend…]

At the same time, Shimotsuki-san turned away while pouting.

With that statement, I finally understood what she was mistaken about.

She has good ears, and she detected Azusa’s footsteps before I did, moreover, she seemed to have known that they were specifically female.

So maybe that’s why she had this conclusion.

(I haven’t told Shimotsuki-san about Azusa, so… maybe she suspects that Azusa is my “girlfriend”!?)

Unusually, Azusa came home early today.

I was going to keep it a secret about her, but I guess I’ll have to confess now.

[Shimotsuki-san, calm down… I’ll properly introduce you to her]

[Ugh…. My friend has a girlfriend, my heart feels so uncomfortable…]

By the looks of things, I don’t think Shimotsuki-san was angry. But I could tell she was sad because there were big tears in her eyes and her voice was trembling.

I hope I can clear the misunderstanding quickly and return to the usual Shimotsuki-san.

[Azusa, can I have a word?]

I opened the door and called out to Azusa, who was about to enter her room.

Then a little girl turned around, her black twin-tailed hair swinging.

Perhaps it was because it’s so sudden, but her eyes opened wide.

[Eh? Ah, sure… I don’t mind, what’s wrong?]

But her eyes are looking right at me.

Since meeting Ryuzaki, the lovesick Azusa had been somewhat calm today, even though I tried to talk to her at home.

Well, they’re usually playing at Ryuzaki’s house at this time of day… so maybe there’s a reason why they came back early.

I’m curious about that, but right now, my priority is to clear up the misunderstanding with Shimotsuki-san.

[My friend right now is in my room… Can I introduce her to Azusa?]

[A friend of yours, onii-chan? That’s unusual… Okay, sure]

Azusa agreed, even as she’s confused by my words.

Azusa walks a few steps and peeks into my room.

[Hello-… you’re kidding. Why is Shimotsuki-san here?]

Then she was plainly surprised by Shimotsuki-san’s presence, this time with her eyes darting around.

[O-Onii-chan’s friend sure is a surprise, huh] 

[….That’s my classmate, Nakayama Azusa. That’s right… Nakayama-kun, you were hooking up with such a cute girl even with me?]

As soon as Azusa appeared, Shimotsuki-san’s voice became shrill. 

Perhaps her shyness is kicking in. However, the reason why she’s muttering without being silent is probably because she has her own thoughts.

[Eh? I-I can’t hear you… What were you saying?]

It seems that Shimotsuki-san’s voice didn’t reach Azusa at the entrance of the room.

[I’m not saying anything weird. I just said I was surprised]

Translator… Or rather, I’ll try to figure out what she meant while giving a rough translation. 

Anyways, I have to explain that me and Azusa are just a normal brother and stepsister.

But I wonder if she didn’t realize it. We are in the same house, we have the same surname, and she calls me “onii-chan”, so that should be obvious.

[Shimotsuki-san, calm down… Azusa is my stepsister. We’re not blood related, we’re the same age and grade, but we’re family]

[S-Stepsister!? Such an enviable relationship… That means she’s your girlfriend?]

Even after all the explanation, the misunderstanding still continues.

Sure, in light novels and such, stepsisters are within the scope of heroines… but me and Azusa don’t have that kind of relationship.

[Hey, Onii-chan. What’s Shimotsuki-san saying?]

Azusa also seems to be interested in our conversation.

When it comes to this, I had a feeling that Shimotsuki-san wouldn’t be convinced by my words alone.

So I decided to teach Shimotsuki-san’s concern so that Azusa can properly explain.

[“You’re in the same class, and in the same house, you’re dating aren’t you?” that’s what she said]

[Eehhh… That’s wrong, you know? Azusa, isn’t exactly onii-chan’s girlfriend okay? We’re just family]

[…Eh, really?]

With Azusa’s words, it seems that Shimotsuki-san finally realized her mistake.

[T-That’s true, both have the same cold sound… Eh, then are you really just stepsiblings?]

[Unn, that’s what I’ve been saying]

I nodded with a wry smile.

Shimotsuki-san is very sharp and would’ve sensed that I didn’t lie.

[…I-I want to go and die…]

Her face was so red it looked like it was about to explode, and she hid her face with the pillows she had in her arms.

[I’m sorry, please forgive me!]

Perhaps too embarrassed by her mistake, Shimotsuki-san stood up with her face pressed on the pillow and ran out of the room with it.

She went past Azusa and straight down the stairs.

[W-watch out where you’re going! Don’t fall down!]

I hurried after her from behind and caught up with her at the front door.

[Don’t look at me! If you see me now, I’ll die of embarrassment!]

She was still hiding in the pillow. Because of that, her voice was muffled.

[You don’t have to show me your face. But if you’re going home, I’ll be the one taking you home. If you don’t have any money, you probably can’t even take the bus… I’m not sure you can even take the bus in the first place]

[I-I’m not that clumsy!]

No, no. As for me, I wanted to see her off because I was worried.

But, that’s not the problem, is it? You’re waving the pillow around.　

[Don’t worry, I’ll call my mom and have her pick me up]

…Well, if she’s calling her parents, it’s fine.

[See you, Nakayama-kun! I’ll be here again tomorrow, okay? But bye-bye for today!]

Putting on her shoes, Shimotsuki-san walked out as if trying to escape.

[Ah, the pillow…]

As expected, I thought I’d get it back before she left, but Shimotsuki-san just took it.

I may have a little trouble sleeping tonight because of Shimotsuki-san… I’m not sure.

◆

[I see that onii-chan has interacted with Shimotsuki-san]

When I returned to my room, Azusa was still there. I wondered if she’s curious about our relationship.　

It’s probably been a long time since anyone has shown interest in me.

[By the way, you were also together at lunchtime. I was surprised at that time as well]

[Unn… we became friends the day before yesterday. So we had lunch together]

[Hmm. So that’s what it was about.]

Azusa was sitting in the chair, so I returned the words while standing.

However, the conversation between the siblings, which had not been held in about two months, was much more awkward than before.

[[…………]]

Silence soon sets in, and a delicate atmosphere began to drift throughout the air.

Azusa might not have to worry about it if I ended the conversation early. ……around the time I was thinking that, Azusa suddenly muttered something.

[I wonder if Ryoma-onii chan knows about this.]

──I was blindsided.

No, rather, why didn’t I notice it?

At present, Ryuuzaki was infatuated with Shimotsuki-san, and no matter how much the other Azusa and the sub heroines approach him, he does not waver.

In such a stagnant situation, Shimotsuki-san was getting along well with the opposite sex, with the exception of Ryuuzaki.

From Azusa’s point of view, she could catch hold of this『 perfect opportunity』, and tell Ryuuzaki all about it.

If Ryuuzaki gave up, knowing that I and Shimotsuki-san are on good terms, then it’s fine.

But, I don’t think that guy will give up. If anything, he may get fired up in these adverse circumstances, and get even more involved with Shimotsuki-san.

This was something that I had to prevent, no matter what.

[I’m sorry, Azusa…but could you please keep this matter about me and Shimotsuki-san a secret? I can’t let Ryuuzaki know about this.]

For that reason, I pleaded with Azusa.

I can’t take back my mistakes now. Now that Azusa has found out about the relationship between us, the only thing I could do was get her to promise to keep this a secret.

[I’m begging you. Please, please…]

Was it because I was too desperate?

Unknowingly, I drew closer to Azusa, and moreover, seized hold of both her shoulders.

[O-Onii-chan? C-Calm down…why are you so upset?]

Azusa was perplexed at my attitude. But, it would be difficult to tell her the reason in detail.

After all, the abnormality of Ryuuzaki is incomprehensible, even to Azusa.

Since she’s in love with that guy, it’s obvious.

[I-I’m sorry. J-Just, just don’t say anything…please.]

I bowed my head once again.

In all honesty, I thought asking Azusa to comply with my request will be difficult

Because, looking at it from her standpoint, isn’t this a great opportunity to get closer to the one she loves?

But, 

[──Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll keep it a secret.]

It was easier than I expected.

Azusa shook her head so easily that it was almost anticlimactic.

I didn’t expect asking her for a request to be this easy, because of that, even I was bewildered by this turn of events.

[I don’t really understand the situation, but…if that’s what Onii-chan wants me to do, then I’ll do it.]

[…Are you sure it’s okay?]

[Shouldn’t it be okay? Rather, I don’t understand why Onii-chan’s so apologetic.]

Then Azusa gave me a small smile.

It was the first friendly smile I’ve seen from Azusa in a long while.

[Plus, Azusa’s actions will remain the same no matter what Shimotsuki-san says or does.I’ll just do my best to make Ryoma-chan like me──that’s all.]

I could sense the conviction in her words.

…… Perhaps, I was making light of Azusa’s love.

This is only a speculation, but.

For instance, let’s say that I told Ryuuzaki about the relationship between Shimotsuki-san and me. Ryuuzaki becomes depressed because of that and Azusa took advantage of the situation to advance their relationship…however, to do it in such a manner, I doubt Azusa will be very happy.

To that extent, one would think that Azusa’s attacking Ryuuzaki fair and square in an honest manner.

Therefore, I felt ashamed, misunderstanding the situation like that, and began to reflect.

[Sorry.]

[Eh…why are you apologizing? Onii-chan is always really hard to understand. From the beginning, I’ve always found it hard to understand you.]

Saying this, Azusa gently removes my hand from her shoulder.

The conversation ended right then and there.

[Well, then I’ll be going back to my room…Azusa’s doing her best, so you have to do your best too.]

That was the last thing she said, before entering her room.

(…Just as I thought, she must’ve guessed that there was something going on between me and Shimotsuki-san.)

Somehow, I have that feeling.

But, maybe she pretended not to notice, turning a blind eye to it for now.

I thanked my sister in law for her kindness.

[Thanks Azusa…and, good luck]

I know she couldn’t hear me anymore, but I couldn’t help but say it out loud.

I wanted to send my words of support to her as well.

In truth, I really wanted to lend her as much support as I can. But, I don’t have the power to intervene in Ryuuzaki Ryoma’s romantic comedy, so I can only watch attentively and wait.

I’m sorry for being so incompetent. However, I still wish for Azusa’s happiness, even now──

◇

She exited her brother’s room. Making sure the door was properly closed, however, Azusa wasn’t able to move from that spot for a while now.

(Onii-chan isn’t mad at me…)

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a conversation with Onii-chan.

However, he was as kind as ever…it’s still very strange.

『I wonder if Onii-chan might not be the ideal Onii-chan after all. The real Onii-chan that Azusa might be looking for, would be…Ryoma Onii-chan.』

High school entrance ceremony, after meeting Ryuuzaki Ryoma.

When she got home, Azusa unintentionally said such a thing.

She remembers that time well.

Immediately following what she said, Koutarou, who doesn’t usually show much emotion, looks pained, she could never forget that moment.

(Even though Azusa said such a horrible thing…he still acted as my 『Onii-chan』.)

She wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t like her anymore.

The reason why she didn’t talk to Koutarou in the house anymore, was because she thought that he didn’t like it.

But, that was a mistake on Azusa’s part.

[Thanks Azusa…and, good luck.]

Suddenly, a rather loud mumbling voice was heard inside the room.

[……]

At first, Azusa was surprised to find Koutarou still at the front door.

(What should I do? Is it better for me to reply?)

If I went back to Onii-chan’s room again, he might say some kind words to me again.

(Like in the old days…I wonder if Onii-chan will spoil me again.)

Suddenly, she missed the past.

She wanted it to go back to like how it was before, but, she felt ashamed of herself.

(──Such a convenient thing, I can’t do that.)

Forcefully restraining her left hand, which was about to turn the doorknob, with her right hand.

She waited for a while, but Koutarou did not come out. 

So, those few words Onii-chan said a while ago, weren’t directed at me, but it was merely a form of soliloquy.

After confirming this, Azusa quickly went back to her room.

(It’s cowardly to take advantage of Onii-chan’s kindness.)

She jumped into bed and closed her eyes tightly.

Feeling weak, she unexpected began to cry.

(Just because things aren’t going well with Ryoma Onii-chan doesn’t mean I can be sneaky.)

Usually, she would be playing at Ryoma’s house at this time of day. 

Yesterday was the same.

But, she didn’t enjoy it.

Furthermore, today, she didn’t have the courage to face Ryuuzaki, so she came straight home from school for the first time in a long while.

(Confession…I failed.)

Yesterday, at lunchtime. That moment she ran into Koutarou and Shiho, Azusa was going to confess her feelings to Ryoma if nothing happened, but it didn’t work out in the end.

Because of that, she was a little depressed.

(Come to think of it, Onii-chan was trying to help me at that time, too.)

And then, she remembered that it was part of Onii-chan’s kindness too.

Shiho looked ill and Ryoma instructed Azusa to accompany her for care. At that time, Koutarou said something like this.

『Wait a minute. Ryuuzaki, weren’t you supposed to talk to her about something? I’ll take Shimotsuki-san to the infirmary, so you continue talking to her.』

He was trying to stop me. Obviously, he was trying to leave Azusa and Ryoma alone.

(Perhaps, Onii-chan was trying to help Azusa…isn’t that right?)

Koutarou seemed to have guessed that Azusa was about to confess.

(To think that he would help his imouto like that…)

In the end, she couldn’t confess.

However, Koutarou’s kindness saved Azusa a little.

(At least, I won’t get in your way, Onii-chan.)

She appreciated it. So Azusa was determined not to do anything to interrupt Koutarou’s love life.

(I thought about telling Ryoma-chan about you and Shimotsuki-san…but, now that I think about it, I don’t want to do such a cowardly thing after all.)

She would be lying if she said she didn’t think about it. She knew that if she told Ryoma about their relationship, it might be able to make her own love life easier.

But, she deliberately pretended not to know, and ket Koutarou and Shiho in her mind.

(Sorry, Onii-chan.)

This was her own form of atonement.

(Why did Azusa…say such a terrible thing?)

No matter how much Ryuuzaki Ryoma resembled her biological older brother who had long passed away, that doesn’t mean she disliked Koutarou.

In fact, she was grateful to Koutarou for trying to be an 『Onii-chan』for her.

However, after meeting Ryoma, Azusa lost control of herself.

(Why did I fall in love with Ryoma-chan so much?)

Azusa became so absorbed in Ryoma that she couldn’t see anything but him.

Even she doesn’t understand the reason. As if attracted by some invisible force, Azusa fell in love with Ryoma. Because of this, she compared Ryoma to Koutarou, and on top of that, said hurtful things to him.

(It’s like I’m not myself……)

She too, was aware of her own anomaly.

But, that doesn’t mean she could undo what had gone wrong with her.

(I wonder if this is what it means to be in love.)

She put Ryoma first, above all else.

That’s why, she affirmed Ryoma, even if it means hurting her family.

(It’s my first love. I have to do my best again tomorrow….. After all, Azusa loves Ryoma Onii-chan so much.)

There was no going back for her. She was poisoned by the protagonist, Ryoma Ryuuzaki. 

Just like a drug.

Nakayama Azusa had become dependent on Ryuuzaki.