Volume 4 - CH 11

Cheating is the worst possible action imaginable. If that comes to light, nobody will be happy. Morally speaking, it’s absolutely detestable, and it’s generally a thing of ‘Just don’t?’ if you ask me. Especially bad is when the person you’re cheating on and your cheating partner are actually friends. There are many cases where this has been found out as well—Seeing the phone screen with messages shown on the lock screen, mumbling names in your sleep, hearing about it from other people—and so on.

“Ah…Sajou-sa—Eh?”

And of course, the direct encounter is also a possible pattern. Leaving from work, right as she stepped out of the second-hand bookshop, Ichinose-san spotted me. However, she soon realized that I wasn’t alone, and froze up. I stood in the middle between the two Ichinose siblings. Senpai gave his little sister a warm ‘So we finally met’ gaze. There, I realized. This wasn’t some kind of cheating incident, but rather a heartwarming reunion.

Not to mention that let alone dating, Ichinose-san and I aren’t even friends. That’s right, we’re simply junior and senior at work. We’re basically strangers. That’s why, it would be fine if I ran away from this place, right…!

“……”

“Mina…So you were working here. Mom kept quiet about it, so it was a lot of work to find this place.”

Ichinose-senpai broke the ice, and called out to Ichinose-san with a gentle and warm voice. Just from that alone, he might seem like a kind Onii-san, but…right beneath the scorching sun, he was sweating buckets, and with his posture resembling a bear, he looked more suspicious than anything.

I mean, I know. Senpai is a reliable member of the public morals committee, and one of the few hard-working boys. When we were carrying stuff before, we both were sweating a lot, but he was always someone I could rely on, so I can fully respect him. I can definitely see him as being popular.

“Haaa…Huff…”

But, at least please wipe off your sweat. Also, why are you wearing thick jeans in this heat! I was honestly pretty jealous of his physique, assuming that this is what would make him popular, but that definitely isn’t an advantage in this heat. If this situation happened during the winter, everything would have been much better, surely.

“Seems like your shift just ended, huh? S-So…How about we eat out for once—”

“No…!”

“Waeha!?”

Name’s Sajou Wataru. For the first time in my life, a girl hid behind my back. Not to mention that she’s holding on to my clothes. I feel nervous in a different way compared to when Big Sis was grabbing me. I can’t run away. Let me repeat, I cannot escape. Not after I screamed like that…

“M-Mina…!”

“Ahhhh, Senpai, don’t get the wrong idea!? We’re merely senior and junior, and classmates at school! The reason we’re senior and junior is because we both work here at this bookshop! It’s definitely not that I was engaging in this kind of relationship with your little sister!”

“I’m sorry, Sajou-kun, but could you step out of the way?”

“Ah, yes—”

Right, Ichinose-san is holding on to me, I can’t move. Come on, it’s your beloved Onii-chan, right? He came all the way out here to meet you, so use this chance to make up—Waaaaaah, she’s staring at me like a puppy about to be abandoned! She still has her hairpins in as well!

…Wait a second, Sajou Wataru, whose ally are you? Why did Ichinose-san hide behind me? This isn’t the reaction she should show towards her beloved older brother, right? Even if I move away, nothing will change, right? Who should I be supporting? Also, it’s seriously hot, so please.

“…How about we move to a more refreshing location?”

“Sajou-kun, this isn’t the time…”

“Honestly speaking, what will change if we talk here? Not to mention, are you fine with your little sister being hit by the scorching sun like this?”

“…Alright.”

“Let’s go. I know a place close to here.”

*

At first, I thought of taking them to a family restaurant, but because of these personal circumstances, I instead moved to an eating space on the second floor of a convenience store. Luckily, there was one nearby the train station. I felt a bit apologetic, but had Senpai go up there alone, with me and Ichinose-san following. I definitely can’t have those two end up alone right now.

“—Senpai, use this to wipe off your sweat.”

“Ah, yeah…Thanks, I’ll give you the money.”

“…Don’t sweat it…Literally.”

He was sweating buckets to a level I couldn’t keep watching. With not too many people around during the noon, I bought a towel for Senpai, which he could use just fine in a small smoking area. As for me, I didn’t feel comfortable sitting down, so I just said ‘Sure is hot~’, and stayed standing while fanning some air to myself.

“Sorry about this, Sajou-kun…I lost my cool.”

“No, well…don’t worry about it.”

I regretted sounding a bit too polite there. However, Senpai didn’t seem to mind it. So, I didn’t either. I could tell he just wanted to talk with Ichinose-san as quickly as possible, so I don’t blame him. Coincidentally enough, their gazes met right as I thought that.

“Ah…”

Senpai looked at me, lost and confused on what to do. Don’t look at me like that, I don’t know either…Senpai’s back to a kind and reliable bear, not sweat drenched. Since it was just us in this resting space, Senpai and Ichinose-san were facing each other. I sat down at a nearby chair. I don’t know what kind of relationship and power balance these two siblings have, but I couldn’t just leave them alone like this. Since I’m basically an outsider, I don’t have to hold back, right?

“So that Senpai who gave out orders to the carrying group…you’re going out with her, huh?”

“…!” Senpai froze up.

What kind of reaction is that? That just shows how guilty you are. Weren’t you flirting around like crazy…? Let alone dating, you were basically glued to each other in that heat! I’m so jealous! You’re guilty of showing that ‘scene’ to Ichinose-san!

“—That’s right…Yuri-chan and I have been dating for about a month now. Seems like you heard enough from Mina?”

“Ah, well…yes.”

I guessed it from the way they acted, but I can tell that it didn’t start with Ichinose-senpai. Yuri-chansenpai must have fallen for him because of certain reasons. It makes sense, as I know that he’s a good person.

“Do you know the reason why Ichinose-san—your little sister started working part-time?”

“Haven’t heard anything from her, but…I can guess as much.”

“Did she…never tell you?”

“……”

Seems like I hit the jackpot. It appears as if Ichinose-san never told Senpai about her working part-time…How is that even possible while living together in the same home? I guess that their parents kept quiet about it? Senpai mentioned that their mother didn’t tell him. Ichinose-san was doing pretty well at work as of late, but I didn’t expect this to be going on at her home.

“………”

I looked over at Ichinose-san who accepted this silence, averting her face. If I had to guess, Ichinose-san is the one avoiding all conversation. Not like I don’t get where she’s coming from. But, I can tell that she’s not happy about this. I’ve seen her expressions before. It must be awkward.

“…Should I leave?”

“Sorry…I’ll apologize for before, so could you stay a bit?”

“…Aye.”

What an awkward atmosphere. I hadn’t planned on running away, but now I completely lost any chance. In order to properly grasp the situation, I didn’t approach either party, and watched over the situation. This is about a siblings’ relationship part of a family I didn’t know too well. I did see glimpses of Ichinose-san’s motivation at work, and by hearing her out, I really want to help her in some way…But, I don’t know how Ichinose-sansenpai feels.

I might try to learn, but I have no way of knowing, no means of acting. However, if I left here, the situation could grow worse. So, I can only quietly watch over this.

“Mina, would you hear me out?”

“……!”

Finally, Senpai spoke up, trying to get Ichinose-san’s attention. I feel like this is much more terrifying than any other troublesome customer. Senpai doesn’t pull his gaze away from Ichinose-san. He’s definitely trying to resolve this misunderstanding between him and his little sister. I see, makes sense that he’d have joined the public morals committee under Shinomiya-senpai.

“I-I…”

Ichinose-san tried to speak up, her voice quivering. So far, she had been protected by her older brother, feeling his comfortable presence and warmth, and now she is on the receiving end of a strong determination you could find in Shinomiya-senpai. Did something like this happen before? I bet not. If I had to guess, Senpai is more of the persuasive type, personality speaking. If I was his younger brother, I wouldn’t even realize that I’m getting scolded.

“………” Ichinose-san looked at me, almost like she was asking for help.

Now hold on, what kind of pass is that? Don’t ask me for help here. After all, I gave the reins to her, so please…try a bit harder, okay? I’ll buy you some marshmallows later. Even some tapioca milk tea. I shook my head, and gave her a ‘Do it yourself’ gaze. Ichinose-san’s eyes opened wide, and she looked up at Senpai.

“…What is it, Onii-chan?”

Her expression changed. Not to mention that her eyes narrowed, like she was ready for a battle. I could see something like a panda appear behind her, like you’d see on some anime where two girls fought. It seemed like Senpai was surprised to see Ichinose-san like that. I could see some faint sweat build on his forehead.

“I’ve been close with Yuri-chan ever since our first year. We’ve met a lot at school, and talked a lot, so I can see you not knowing about her. However, in these two and a half years we spent in the public morals committee, she became an existence very important to me.”

“……”

“It’s entirely my fault that I left you alone after Yuri-chan and I started dating. Let’s go back to how we were before. Reading books together, sleeping together.”

Now hold on a second, you were sleeping together? I mean…not like that’s such a big deal? As long as nothing out of the ordinary happens, everything’s fine, I guess? If their parents are aware of it, then this ain’t my place to complain. Either way, they sure were close, aye…Don’t even want to imagine this happening with Sasaki’s little sister. God bless his soul.

“……”

A crucial silence followed. However, expressions said everything. What do you mean reading books, or sleeping together—these complaints were visible on Ichinose-san’s face. I doubt she ever showed such a reaction to him. Glaring at him, emitting clear hostility, it was painful to watch.

—Then again, that’s probably not what she’s feeling at all. My Onii-chan, only my Onii-chan, these kinds of feelings, wanting to have full possession over an older brother, are something fairly normal, or so I’ve heard from a certain Y-san before. He should only hug her, only pay attention to her, and so on, so on.

Saying it out loud, Ichinose-san probably wants him to break up with Yuri-chansenpai. She wants to steal back his soft tummy, his warmth, everything from her, monopolize over it, and can’t accept that someone else can enjoy the same things. And, she most definitely is aware of this selfish desire.

“…Mina…?”

How could I say that? Senpai isn’t at fault here. This is the first time he properly allowed himself to enjoy any kind of adolescence. I bet he wants to treasure this time, and Ichinose-san probably hopes for her older brother’s happiness. The question is, will she say it, or swallow it down?

“—is…”

“Eh?”

“That place is…already Yuri-san’s.”

“Mina…”

Her large eyes were quivering, yet again showing that I had no idea as to how painful this was for her. Never had a little sister, probably never will, but I do want one.

“Mina…Yuri-chan wouldn’t complain about that.”

Well, it makes sense for him to latch on. But, I know that he’s right. Yuri-chansenpai wouldn’t dare steal Senpai away from Ichinose-san. Just as Ichinose-san loves her older brother, I’m sure that Senpai treasures her equally. I’m glad their relationship is so healthy (?). Unlike another pair of siblings out there. Cheers to that.

“But…! I’d feel bad for Yuri-san…!”

“You don’t need to worry about that. No need to hold back.”

What cruel smooth talk. Senpai doesn’t understand what Ichinose-san really feels. Makes sense, Ichinose-san worked this hard to be independent from her older brother. She went as far as to work part-time. Look for someone else in Japan who would go that far. You won’t find anybody. That’s why there’s no way Senpai could hope to reach her train of thought. Or, maybe it’s just that Yuri-chansenpai is already too crucial of a part of Senpai that he can’t understand what Ichinose-san is asking for.

Which choice is correct…? Which one is wrong…? Senpai is merely dating Yuri-chansenpai, he’s not the one at fault. Ichinose-san couldn’t accept that, and ran away from reality. That path made her reach the second-hand bookshop, and yet she still is running away now.

“You started working part-time because of me, right? If you don’t need money, then there’s no need for you to work.”

“T-That’s not true…”

She doesn’t need to, that’s right. Ichinose-san’s hobby is reading books, right? With new and regular releases, it might be a bit expensive, but she can always get second-hand books if money gets tough. Even if she gets like 5000 yen a month, she can read a page a day and put up with it.

“I heard that dealing with customers is a lot of trouble. I don’t want you to suffer through that, Mina.”

“I-It’s not…”

“Mina.”

“Ah…”

He really is a good older brother. It makes me feel proud to know such a Senpai like him. I want Big Sis to learn from that, if only a bit. I’m seriously jealous of Ichinose-san. They’re both reasonable people, so I don’t think I have any reason to break between the two.

Right as I was thinking that, I heard footsteps coming from the entrance of the second floor.

“Sorry for the wait, Ichinose-kun!”

You cannot be serious right now, Yuri-chansenpai.