Toradora! Vol. 1 - Chapter 1

There is something in this world which no one has ever seen.

It is soft and sweet.

If it is spotted, I'm sure everyone will want to have it,

Which is why no one has ever seen it.

For this world has hidden it quite well, so that it is difficult to obtain.

But, there will come a day when it is discovered by somebody,

And only those who should obtain it will be able to find it.
That is all.

---

"Damn it!"

Seven-thirty in the morning. It was a fine day, and dim inside the house. The house was a double-room plus kitchen apartment facing south in a two-story townhouse, about a ten minute walk from the railway station. Rent was around 80,000 yen.

"I give up! I just can't get this right!"

A frustrated hand wiped the mist from the mirror. The run-down bathroom was foggy due to an early morning shower. So after wiping the mirror, it returned to being cloudy. It was pointless to take anger out on the mirror no matter how frustrated one was...

"This stuff is nothing but a rip-off!"

Make yourself gentle with floating bangs — That slogan was seen in the latest men's fashion magazine. Takasu Ryūji's bangs were now "floating". As the article instructed, he pulled his bangs at length, blow-dried them until they stood up, and then gently rubbed them sideways with some hair gel. He specifically woke up a half-hour early in order to make his hair resemble that of the model's and have his wish granted.

Nonetheless, "Maybe I was too naïve in trying to change myself just with my bangs."

Ryūji dejectedly threw the trendy magazine, which had taken him a lot of courage to buy, into the garbage bin. Unfortunately, his poor aim meant it completely missed, opened itself up as it landed, and tilted all the trash out of the bin. The open page read "You can still make it in time for the start of school. Gentle or wild? Our journey towards modeling."

Were it up to me, I'm not too sure if I would care about modeling. Still, I wanted to change.

But I failed.

Feeling defeated, Ryūji wet his hands with water and messed up his hair which he had spent so much time making up. He reverted to his usual randomly straight hair. He then knelt down to pick up the trash that was all over the ground.

"Ah!? What's this...m...mold...it's moldy!"

Even though he had always wiped the steam off, even after spending a whole day last week cleaning out the mold in the kitchen and bathroom... All his effort had gone to waste in that horribly humid room. Biting his lips begrudgingly, Ryūji tried to see if he could wipe off the mold with some tissues. Of course, it was never going to be that easy, and he ended up tearing the tissues to shreds.

"Damn, I just used them all up a while ago. I'm going to have to buy some mold removers again." For now I'll have to leave them aside, but I'll definitely come back and destroy you guys! Ryūji glanced downwards at the moldy patch while picking up the trash. He then gave the ground a rough wipe with some paper towels, clearing up any loose hair and dust and wiping off the steam on the washing basin before lifting his head up and sighing.

"Oh yeah, pet food. Hey, In~ko-chan!"

"Ah..."

A high-pitched voice responded to the high-school student's ferocious shout.

Good, he's awake. Getting himself together again, Ryūji went barefoot into the wooden-tiled kitchen, took some prepared pet food and spare newspapers, and headed towards the corner of the tatami-laid living room. Removing the cloth over the birdcage there, Ryūji greeted his cute pet which he had not seen all night.

Now, other people may raise their pets differently, but this was how the Takasus raised their pet parrot. Because he looked rather horrible when he slept, every morning before he woke up, he had to be covered with a cloth.

"Good morning, Inko-chan."

A yellow parrot, that was Inko-chan. As usual, Ryūji added some pet food while talking to him.

"G, good...morning," his eyes blinked upwards in a rather unpleasant and enigmatic way, though he still managed to reply in Japanese. Though he had just woken up, it looked like he was in quite a good mood. This was why he was cute.

"Inko-chan, try saying let's eat."

"L, let's, e...let's eat! Let's eat! Let's! Eat!"

"Okay, enough. Now let's see if you can say that! Try and see if you can say your name...come on, say Inko-chan."

"I, I, In, I, In, Iiii...I..." Inko-chan seemed to be using a lot of energy, as he shook his head and rapidly puffed up his body, and then flapped his wings quickly. "......iiiii......"

His eyes squinting, one could vaguely see the gray tongue that stuck out of his beak. Maybe he can do it today, thought his master as he gripped his fists. In the end...

"Blegh!"

Argh... Why are birds so dumb? As expected when you have a brain that only weighs a gram, Ryūji sighed, wrapping up the soiled newspaper. He threw the newspaper into a plastic bag. As he was about to put it together with the other trash in the kitchen,

"...Where...are...you...going..."

The idiot lying behind the fusuma seemed to have woken up as well.

"Ryū-chan, is that your uniform you're wearing? Why?" she asked wearily.

Ryūji elegantly wrapped up the trash bag and replied to the voice, "I'm going to school. Didn't I already tell you yesterday that school starts today?"

"...Ah."

Opening her legs on top of the futon, she repeatedly muttered the following as though she was about to cry, Then, then...

"Then, what about Ya-chan's...lunch? I haven't smelled any food...didn't you make some for me?"

"Nope."

"Ehhh~... Then...what's Ya-chan gonna do...when she wakes up...? There's nothing good to eat..."

"I'll be home by the time you wake up! I'm just going to the Term Opening Ceremony."

"Wha...is that it..."

Hee hee hee hee, she smiled as she closed her open legs together and began to clap her hands ...Sorry, clap her feet.

"Opening Ceremony, huh? 'Grats~! That means, Ryū-chan is gonna be a second year from today on?"

"Let's set that aside. Didn't I already tell you before that, no matter how busy you are, you must always remove your makeup before you sleep? Since you moaned about how bothersome it was before, didn't I specifically buy some special makeup removing tissues," Ryūji inspected her surroundings a bit better, "...Ah...AH! You've gotten makeup powder all over the pillow! I can't wash that off! You should take better care of your skin; you aren't young anymore!"

"Sorry."

Her leopard-spotted panties were completely exposed. As she got up, her large breasts shook while some of her messy blond hair got stuck in her cleavage. Whether it was the waving of her hair or the long nails from her fingers, she gave off a very feminine feel. But still, "Must've drank too much, I just came back an hour ago. Ah~ So sleepy," she yawned, "Oh yeah...I brought some pudding home."

As she exhaled and rubbed her thick eyelashes, she slowly wandered towards the convenience store bag at the corner of the room. That appearance — her cherry lips muttering "pudding", her plump cheeks, and her round eyes — such child-like features just did not seem to fit her. Though she was a bit weird, perhaps she could still be called a pretty lady.

"Huh...Ryū-chan, I can't find the spoon."

"Maybe the store assistant forgot to put it in?"

"Can't be! I saw him put it inside. That's strange..."

This was Takasu Ryūji's mother Takasu Yasuko: stage name "Mirano". Thirty-three years old (she always claimed to be forever 23), she worked as a hostess in the town's only bar "Bishamonten Kuni".

Yasuko poured the contents of the convenience store bag out and rummaged through them at the corner of her futon. Her little face frowned, "It's so dark in here...I can't find the spoon like this! Ryū-chan, can you open the curtains?"

"They are open."

"Eh~...? Ahh, that's right...since I don't always wake up at this time, I must've forgotten..." Inside a dark room, the rather odd mother-son couple sighed together.

It was the window facing south.

It had been six years since they moved in here. Inside this little house where the two of them lived, their entire source of natural light came from the south side window. As the entrance was on the north and because they were surrounded on the east and west sides by their neighbors' houses, only the south side had windows. Despite this, sunlight had been abundant, especially during the mornings. There was no need to turn on the lights from sunrise to sunset, unless when it was raining. The bright sunlight used to always shine plentifully on Ryūji while in his uniform preparing breakfast for the two of them and on Yasuko who would be sleeping soundly.

However, all that came to an end last year.

"Damn that apartment building."

"Just what kind of people live there anyway? And turn on the lights already!"

Last year, just a few meters from the south side of this house, a ten-story luxury apartment building was built. As a result, the sun no longer shone through. This had driven Ryūji to the brink of madness and frustration countless times already — the laundry could no longer dry; the tatami now expanded due to the humidity, curled at the corners and grew moldy; and sometimes it would even get frosty. The wallpaper was starting to peel, which must have had something to do with the humidity as well. It doesn't matter since this is just a rented apartment, Ryūji wanted to tell himself. Yet being extremely sensitive about keeping a place tidy and clean, Ryūji just could not get himself to tolerate and compromise on such a thing. Looking up towards the white-tiled high-class condo, there was nothing those two poor people could do but stand shoulder to shoulder with their mouths open.

"Hmm, it doesn't affect me much, since Ya-chan sleeps in the morning anyway!"

"There's no use complaining. Besides, the rent's gone down by 5,000 yen as a result."

Taking out a spoon from the kitchen and handing it to Yasuko, Ryūji scratched his head and said, "Well, I'll be going." This wasn't the time for family bonding; it was about time to leave.

Wearing his gakuran jacket, Ryūji bent his ever-growing body and pulled up his socks. As he made sure he brought everything, he suddenly realized the faint call within his heart.

That was right, today was the beginning of a new school term. After the Opening Ceremony came the changing of class. Even though he had failed in attempting to change his image, it wasn't enough to make him depressed, as some hope still remained in Ryūji's heart. Or was that just expectation? Anyway, it was that sort of faint feeling, though he did not find it appropriate to express it.

"I'm going. Remember to lock the door, and change into your pajamas!"

"Ok~ay! Ah, hey Ryū-chan," Yasuko laid on the futon and bit the spoon with her molars. She began to smile like a child. "Ryū-chan looks more energetic than usual today! Fight hard! You're a second year now! This is an area which Ya-chan has never been to before, you know."

In order to give birth to Ryūji, Yasuko dropped out of high school when she was still a first year, so she was not familiar with what life as a second year was like. Ryūji felt a sense of sadness for a moment.

"...yeah."

He smiled for a bit and raised his hand. This was to give his thanks to his mother. However, this well-intentioned act led to an unexpectedly bad result. "KYAA!" Yasuko yelled and began rolling to and fro, and finally said that phrase. She had finally said that phrase!

"Ryū-chan is sooo~ cool! You're looking more and more like your dad now!"

"!!!"

...she said it.

Ryūji silently closed the front door and looked towards the sky. He spun his eyes as he felt he was being sucked into a whirlpool beneath him. NO! I don't want that! I don't want that! Just shut up!

That! That's the one thing I don't want to hear. Especially today.

You look just like your dad — it seemed as though Yasuko didn't understand that this phrase caused Ryūji a lot of torment. It was also the reason he bought that kind of magazine and tried to make his bangs "float gently".

Leaving the house, Ryūji headed towards the school which was within walking distance. His tightened face looked twisted. Despite this, he still walked with great strides as though he was riding the wind. Sighing, he placed his fingers over his bangs in order to cover his eyes. This was a habit of Ryūji's. Indeed, the source of Ryūji's agony was none other than his eyes.

They were bad! It had nothing to do with his perfect eyesight. It was their appearance; they just looked fierce.

This past year Ryūji had been growing up at a rapid pace, he now had that manly look. Though he wasn't the super-handsome type, he was not exactly the aloof geek either ...Ahem. Anyway, he didn't look bad, though no one else had said that; at least that was what Ryūji thought.

Yet his eyes were unusually fierce, they were so bad that it was no joking matter. His eyes were the sort that tilted upwards with the white parts occupying most of his eyes while his pupils took up a small section of them. Of course, these were just the basics, that was not the worst part. Since his eyes were big, the white in his eyes would constantly reflect a very strong, stinging glare, while his tiny pupils would move sharply as though they were about to slice the opponent before him, regardless of Ryūji's intentions. It was these eyes that usually led to a person running away at full speed upon coming into eye contact. He knew that all too well. In fact, when he saw a group photo with himself, even he would be at a loss after wondering, "Geez, why does he look so pissed ...Ah, is that me?"

On the other hand, it could be partly blamed on his rough personality. He spoke in quite an unrefined way, which had something to do with his extreme sensitivity. This was why he rarely joked around or said anything foolish. Maybe it was because of that, or maybe it was because he lived with someone like Yasuko, which caused him to lose all virtuosity and trustworthiness. Above all else, Ryūji prided himself in being pragmatically protective of himself.

But, as a result...

"Ta–Takasu-kun...! Are you trying to defy a teacher!? S, someone! Bring me a baton!"

No I wasn't! I was just trying to apologize for forgetting to hand in my homework.

"I, I, I, I, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to bump into you! It was that guy who pushed me over to you!"

Who is going to get mad over getting bumped on the shoulder?

"I heard Takasu-kun gatecrashed a graduation ceremony of some other school while he was in junior high, he even took over their broadcast room!"

Stop making me sound like I'm some sort of bad delinquent!

" — Am I going to get all these misunderstandings all over again?" Thinking back on all these painful memories, Ryūji couldn't help but sigh.

His grades were not bad, and he had never been late or absent. He hadn't even gotten into an argument with people, let alone into a fistfight. To put it simply, Takasu Ryūji was just a normal young person. Despite that, due to his fierce eyes, and it was only because of this, everyone had come to the conclusion that he was some kind of vicious delinquent — his only relative being a night hostess also indirectly lead to this conclusion.

After spending a year with his classmates, most of the misunderstandings had been resolved. A year was not short, especially for a high school student. The problem was that everything started anew today, not to mention that his effort at changing his image had ended in failure.

There was still something to look forward to in changing classes, since Ryūji wanted to be in the same class as a certain person. But when his thoughts moved to the torment that he would have to face afterwards, his naïve expectations instantly shrunk in half. Not to mention Yasuko's big mouth. No, that was wrong! All the blame had to go to his father's troublesome genes!

"Your dad, huh? He's in heaven now. He was quite cool, used to calmly sweep his hair backwards, his sharp shoes were always shiny, and he always hung such a lo~ng gold chain around his neck while wearing a casual suit with his Rolex. Inside, he always stuffed a thick magazine.

"What for? When Ya-chan asked him that, he said 'So that I don't have to worry about getting stabbed.' Ahhh~ I was so moved~!"

All Ryūji could think of was how Yasuko swooned when talking about him, and then there was the sole photo of his father that was left behind. His father's pose was just as Yasuko had described him to be. Standing open-footed while looking proud, he carried a small briefcase under his armpit. He was dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant open neck shirt. The two golden rings on his fingers glittered and he even wore a diamond earring in one ear. And then there was his face that read "You talkin' to me?", with his chin pointing downwards towards the camera. One of his hands was groping the breast of his mother, who looked much younger than she was now. His mother, carrying a pregnant belly, smiled cheerfully. His father even had a gold tooth as he smiled.

He was actually quite gentle, and serious, and would never hurt a normal person, or at least that was what Yasuko would say, but why on earth would a gentle and serious person become a gangster!? And who on earth would let such a young high school girl get pregnant? Most importantly, those eyes... If one were stared at by those sharp eyes, they would quickly hand over their wallets and hope nothing else bad happened. Those eyes were used for just that: violent extortion. And yet those objects were now fixed upon his face. Ryūji suddenly shuddered. If even he thought of his father that way, no wonder everyone still misunderstood him!

By the way, it was possible that his father was still alive. According to Yasuko, while helping an underling escape, he was beaten into a pulp and dropped to the bottom of Yokohama Harbor. However, there was no grave, no altar, no artefact, no epitaph, not even a body; there was no record of such an event ever happening. Sometimes a drunk Yasuko would jokingly say for no reason "I wonder what Ryū-chan would look like if your dad were to suddenly return? Hohohoho, I'm just kidding!"

Dad is probably meditating in some icy cold room! As his son, I just feel that —

"Hey, Takasu! Morning! It's a great morning, isn't it?"

Hearing someone call him from behind, Ryūji quickly turned around and raised his hand, "Oh, Kitamura. Morning!"

Can't help it, if I stop and wait for my friend to catch up, people will think that I'm gonna strangle him to death, even though that's not the case. Ryūji silently considered this. Being misunderstood was unavoidable, and in such an event he would have to explain as nicely as he could. As long as he spent time on it, people would eventually understand. Though it was quite troublesome. That was the only thing he could do, so it was the only thing he had to do!

Looking up at the blue sky, the bright sunlight caused Ryūji to squint his eyes. Today was a fine day, there was no wind. The cherry blossoms silently wilted at this time of year and gently fell on Ryūji's head.

Ryūji continued to carry his torment and strode forward in his shiny black shoes. The weather sure was great for today's Opening Ceremony.



* * *



"Whoa! We're in the same class as Takasu, you gotta be kidding me!"

"He sure looks intimidating, how scary!"

"So who's going to go talk to him?"

"Nope, not me."

"Why don't you go? Hey! Don't push...!"

Say whatever you want, I am no longer affected by anything.

Ryūji entered the classroom in the most unfazed way possible, ignoring the glances of his classmates, and sat on his desk with his back towards them while staring into the distance with his sharp eyes. Licking his dry lips, his legs began to shake on their own. To a bystander, he looked like a vicious carnivore on the lookout for weak prey.

"Same as usual, huh? Looks like there will be guys that misunderstand you here as well. Oh well, it will all get sorted out after a while anyway! Besides, I'm with you, not to mention there's quite a number of our classmates from Class-A here."

"Oh, don't worry about that, I don't really mind."

Ryūji replied with a gentle smile to his good friend Kitamura Yūsaku, who was in his class again this year. Honestly, Ryūji was currently in a very good mood, but not in a way where he would cruelly lick his lips just before pouncing on his prey. If that were the case, he wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear and ready to lift off like a rocket. The reason he was happy was not because of his relation with Kitamura. To a friend like him, Ryūji would simply smile gently and say, "Looks like we're in the same class again, Kitamura!" No, the reason he felt like blasting off like a rocket was because of —

"Oh! Kitamura-kun! We're in the same class this year!"

— her.

"Huh? Ah! Kushieda, you're also in Class-C?"

"Eh!? You mean you only just found out? How cold, at least check the class roster on the first day of school!"

"My bad. What a coincidence. This means we can have more time to sort out our club meetings!"

"Ahaha, that's right! Oh, Takasu-kun ...right? Do you still remember me? I appear in front of Kitamura-kun from time to time," she paused.

"..."

"Ah, um, is it okay if I call you Takasu-kun?"

"...Ah...er..."

At that moment an angel revealed herself. Before Ryūji's eyes was a smile that shone as brightly as the sun, as warm as the sunlight that used to dwell on the south window of his house, illuminating everything within his sight. The light rays were intensifying to the point where Ryūji could no longer keep his eyes open.

"Kushieda Minori, right?"

AHH! Dammit! I got the words right! But! His voice just sounded too cold. Ryūji felt like screaming. Why did I only come up with a response like that? Why couldn't I come up with something better!?

"Wow! You remembered my full name, I'm so glad!" She paused a bit, "Oh dear! Someone's calling me from over there! I have to go, Kitamura-kun. See you in the first club meeting of the term as second years! So don't forget! Takasu-kun, let's talk again some time!"

Seeing her turn around, Ryūji slowly and awkwardly raised his arm, but it was too late. She had already disappeared.

She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.

Kushieda Minori.

She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.

He finally got his wish of being in the same class as Kushieda Minori.

She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.

She said, She was glad...

"Takasu?"

" —Whoa!?" Kitamura suddenly appeared before his face, causing him to fall over his chair.

"What're you grinning at?"

"No, it–it's nothing."

"Oh really?" Kitamura pushed up on the frame of his glasses with his middle finger. Ryūji felt very grateful from the bottom of his heart, for Kitamura might have been the only person in this world who could tell whether he was smiling or not. There was one more thing he was grateful to Kitamura for.

"...Kitamura, you," Ryūji fumbled his words. "How should I say this. Er–you always seem pretty relaxed when you talk to girls," Ryūji went down to a whisper, "like Kushieda-san!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The eyes behind Kitamura's glasses widened. He wasn't being humble. Rather, he was surprised. Looks like he doesn't realize it himself. Ryūji decided to hold back what he was about to say to this rather dense person.

His leisurely conversation with Kushieda a while ago just sounded so "natural". No, it wasn't just a while ago. Since last year, Kitamura had always been able to speak with her naturally. Furthermore, they were both in the softball club! Ryūji was always there, constantly trying to give her a gentle smile or receive a greeting from her; it was an effort that could move one to tears.

To use soccer as a metaphor, Ryūji would be a center defender who hardly ever had any chance of participating in offense. It was also thanks to constantly being beside Kitamura and observing his cheerful conversations with Kushieda that Ryūji started to realize that she was really cute and that he liked her and wanted to become friends with her.

Her various cheerful expressions.

Her delicate body and exaggerated movements.

Her innocent smiles and clear voice.

Despite his intimidating appearance, she still managed to keep her usual cheerfulness in his presence, even to this day.

That's Kushieda Minori for you.

For Ryūji, in order for a girl to become his girlfriend, she would need to be appealing to the eyes and as sparkling as the rays of the sun. Being energetic and direct was more important than anything else for him, and that was how a girl should be. But still —

"What're you talking about? How's it possible for me to talk naturally to girls? You should know very well what they like to call me!"

Ryūji couldn't help but sigh. How enviable! Just looking at the way Kitamura talked was enough to make his eyes bleed. Yet Kitamura continued, "I'm no good with girls. I think I probably won't ever find a girlfriend for the rest of my life."

Even though he wanted to answer with "I don't think so...", looking up at the blindingly radiant noble before him, Ryūji swallowed what he was about to say. No matter what he said, this fellow would probably never understand. Ryūji suddenly felt a wave of depression.

It was true that the girls called Kitamura "Maruo", after the typical "Mr. Nice Guy" from Chibi Maruko-chan. Perhaps there is some resemblance, explaining how he got the nickname. On top of this, he has many more traits: glasses with very high prescription, a straightforward personality, excellent grades, he doesn't follow the trend of being flirtatious, and holds quite traditional values. In the right situation, he would say "That's correct"; he is the sort of guy capable of creating a cheerful atmosphere in the classroom. Speaking of which, he is the former class representative, the current vice president of the Student Council, and the front-runner to be the new president of the softball team. It is natural for everyone to make fun of him.

His looks aren't the problem. No. To be precise, upon closer inspection one would discover that he is surprisingly handsome. Combined with his consistent personality inside and outside, as well as the ability to make fun of himself, there is absolutely nothing unlikeable about him. So although he claimed to be constantly teased by girls, it wasn't because they hated him.

Ah, so that's why, Ryūji finally understood. Come to think of it, Kitamura was quite popular with the girls, not just with Kushieda; he was able to talk to all of them naturally. Whenever the girls saw him, they would go, "Ah~ I'm in the same class as Maruo again!" to which Kitamura would nonchalantly reply, "Oh? Is there a problem with that?"

And yet he claims that he's no good with girls. It's not as though they fear him like me. Just as Ryūji went into deep thought, he heard someone say "Whoa, scary."

See? Here we go again! Ryūji laid on top of his desk and ignored those voices that he would occasionally hear. Just a while ago he was floating over the moon from being in the same class as Kushieda Minori, so he did not mind others and what they thought of him.

"Sure looks formidable. I told you this guy isn't a normal person."

"Whoa, look at those eyes. If you piss the owner of those eyes off, you could get killed!"

The spell seemed to have been broken. Ryūji started to notice that the non-malicious whispers began to increase.

It might be better to hide in the bathroom until the new homeroom teacher arrives, Ryūji thought hopefully. It would clear his mind a bit.

So he stood up, and just as he was about to walk through the door, he felt something bump into his stomach. "Hmm...?"

Ryūji thought he had bumped into something, but there was nothing in front of his eyes. That's strange. Ryūji moved his eyes around, yet all he could see was —

Students started calling out,

"Yikes! As expected from Takasu-kun; is he going to make the first move?"

"Has the death-match started already? When I saw the class roster, I knew this was going to be a terrible class."

All Ryūji could see were the new classmates whispering amongst themselves. Are they talking about me? But still, why?

One of the members in the class came up with a title, "Clash of the Titans. Hmm?"

"We're already in the final showdown."

Everyone was talking strangely. Clash of the Titans? Final showdown? What the hell are they talking about? Ryūji tilted his head trying to make sense of what was going on.

"Are you not even going to apologize after bumping into someone?" He heard a very cold voice emanating from somewhere. The strange and calm tone of voice sounded as though it was suppressing and holding back some emotion that was about to explode. Yet he could not tell where the voice came from.

"Huh?"

The mood became dark. Ryūji glanced to the right, there was no one; he glanced to the left, there was no one there as well; apprehensively, he looked upwards. Fortunately, there was no one there either.

"That means — "

So it did come from below. Down, right below his eyes, in a place much lower than Ryūji's chest, was a head of hair. The first thing he thought was that she resembled a doll.

Anyway, she was very small. Her long straight hair softly fluttered and covered the tiny body of the Palmtop Tiger. "Palmtop Tiger?"

That mysterious terminology suddenly appeared in Ryūji's thoughts, causing him to say it out loud without thinking. Seems like he must have heard someone whispering that nearby.

Palmtop Tiger!?

Then that means...

"Who– "

Is that what this little doll is called? Though she is small enough to fit into a palm, how is she like a tiger?

" –who you calling a Palmtop Tiger?" This was not an occasion where one could think for a long time, as whatever it was began to lift her chin, and with her eyes...


"WHOA!!"


It took three seconds. Everything went silent, though perhaps it was only Ryūji's imagination. For an instant, it felt like a vacuum created by a shock wave just after an explosion. The background noise slowly returned to everyone's ears. By the time he realized it, Ryūji found that he had fallen backwards onto the ground. It wasn't just him, the few classmates nearby were hit as well and moaned, while others were already getting ready to escape.

Just what happened? I already know. Nothing really happened. It was just that this girl before his eyes —

"Such a hopeless person."

All she did was stare at Ryūji with those two large eyes of hers, nothing more.

That was it. Within a few seconds, Ryūji had already been struck down by awe. His mind went blank, his body felt paralyzed just by the sheer pressure she created. Ryūji was repelled by her glare, or to be more precise, he was repelled by the aura that emanated from her eyes, causing him to fall on the ground.

Their difference was way too large, they were on completely different levels. For a person whose eyes were no less intimidating, Ryūji had been completely defeated. 

This was the first time Ryūji understood what it meant to have fierce eyes. It included the necessary essence one carries, as well as a ferociousness to match; or to be more exact, an "intent to kill."

"Hmph." For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Ryūji felt a subtle contempt in her eyes that would not be swayed even if she were stabbed in the heart.

"A dragon...? How lame." She opened her cherry lips and shot out words like bullets that carried a certain child-like quality to them. Her incredibly small hands roughly swept aside her fluttering hair, while her soft eyelids hid her killing intent. Those eyes were now as transparent as the glass eyes of a doll and stared coldly at Ryūji.

She's cute, but she's scary as well. She had a pale white face, unbelievably long brunette hair, and tiny limbs and shoulders, while her shiny pupils were surrounded by gentle eyelashes. She was as adorable as a candy containing deadly toxins, as lovable as a flower that could kill just by scent alone.

Yet when she stared at him, Ryūji could feel the carnivore leaping out from those eyes of hers. Of course, this was all just an illusion, yet it felt more real than reality. The carnivore's weight had knocked Ryūji down on the floor and it roared with a sound that shook deep into his blood. The sound it produced seemed to be saying, "I can take out a guy like you anytime I want." The sharp claws and fangs slowly approached him, emanating a sense of bloodthirstiness and the scent of a beast. Compared to her small figure, the much larger illusion that loomed before him was...a tiger.

"Ah, ahh–ah, ah, ahhh...t–that's right." Without realizing it, Ryūji began to nod and clapped his hands. So that's why she's called the Palmtop Tiger! I wonder who gave her that name, but —

" — Isn't that a wonderful name?"

And such a fitting name as well, I'm impressed. The girl glanced at Ryūji, silently uttered "dragon", and then looked at him with disdain.

It was not hard to see why. Whether from the fall or from being ripped open by the phantom tiger, Ryūji's gakuran jacket was now open. Under his jacket, he wore a colorful "Soryū (Rising Dragon)" T-shirt that Yasuko had happily bought for him. It wasn't like Ryūji had wanted to wear a T-shirt that would cause such misunderstandings, it was just that all his other clothes were taken to the laundry for that day and he wasn't expecting anyone to be able see what he was wearing inside with his jacket on.

Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Ryūji quickly covered his chest, like a girl that just got assaulted by a ruffian. At that moment, he saw someone tip-tapping her way closer.

"You're late, Taiga! You skipped the Opening Ceremony, didn't you?"

"I overslept. Anyway, I'm glad I'm in the same class as Minorin this year."

"Yeah! Me too!"

It was none other than Kushieda Minori. She directly called the Palmtop Tiger "Taiga", and even smiled and gently caressed her hair, while the Palmtop Tiger also intimately called her "Minorin". Watching all of this, Ryūji began to hear the whispers around him.

"So Round 1 is won by the Palmtop Tiger Aisaka?"

"Looks like Takasu is only scary in appearance, he's no delinquent!"

"Huh? Really?"

"That's why he lost to the Palmtop Tiger. Besides, she's the real thing when it comes to ferociousness!"

The misunderstandings were resolved much sooner than Ryūji had expected, however...



* * *



The Palmtop Tiger had an amazing name called Aisaka Taiga. Her height was 145 cm. Aisaka Taiga and Kushieda Minori were what you would call good friends. From the various whispers Ryūji had heard, it was rumored her father worked as a fixer in the underworld. There was another story that her father was actually a karate master ruling the underworld in America. And then there was yet another that said she herself was a karate expert, but was expelled from her dojo for attacking her master.

Back when she first entered this school, a lot of people were fooled by her beauty, and many guys lined up to confess to her. Of course their dreams were all ruthlessly shattered as they were intimidated, bitten, torn to shreds... There were quite a few that never did recover after they were mercilessly belittled by her. Wherever Aisaka went, her path was drenched with the blood of countless corpses of male students.

There was just a lot of bad press concerning Aisaka Taiga. Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, there was no doubt that she was the most dangerous being in this school. It was many days after the Opening Ceremony that Ryūji learned about these things.

Read more »

Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! Vol. 2 - Chapter 1

I opened my eyes in surprise, and a white bunny came into my view.

”Err……”

I tried to use my still fuzzy mind, trying to understand the current situation.

I remember that I returned home after sending Hina to the kindergarten. After that, I quickly cleared away the cutlery from breakfast and prepared to go to classes…... And then I lay down on the sofa. I planned to snooze for a while on the sofa, and that was how I fell asleep, while I seemed to have grabbed Hina’s favorite bunny doll in my sleep as well.

”Oh no……! My class!”

By the time I understood the current situation, I found that I had skipped the whole first period as well.

”Whoa…… Not again……”

It’s useless even if I regret it now. No matter how hard I hug my head in repentance, time cannot be turned back.

Arriving at the campus located at Hachiouji would take me an hour no matter how smooth the traffic is.

It wouldn’t help even if I go out hurriedly, as it’s largely different from when I lived in the room that I rented.

”Ugh…… How many times has it been now……?”

Among the subjects that have a grand total of twelve classes each, if one fails to attend one third of the classes, it would be treated as a lack of attendance.

To put it in simpler terms, it means that the credits for the subject would be automatically lost if one skips them for four days.

This means, if I’m not mistaken, this class is the third time, meaning that I’m near the borderline right now.

As the college lets students of various faculties accumulate credits by choosing their own classes in a tetris-like manner, they must go for other classes or even repeat the same class next year if they don’t have enough credits for a certain subject.

Though I thought ‘I ruined it’ in my heart, I still had the mindset of ‘Oh well, there will probably be some other way’

Since it’s just my first year, there are probably still a lot of chances to redeem myself. Probably.

And I have more important matters to take care of right now.

Starting a new, smooth life at the Takanashi residence after breaking free from the three tsubo room near the college…… Though it wasn’t until this extent, it’s all thanks to Nee-san leaving us this large house that was spacious even for the four of us, eliminating a lot of unnecessary troubles for Sora-chan and the others.

I have no other wishes about this now. If I still want anything more, it would just be wishful thinking.

But to be honest, I find myself wishing for a little bit more of a guardian’s dignity recently…...

In any case, my new life had a pretty good start…… Though I want to say that, there is still a truth that cannot let me take things so easily.

It was something that happened when we went to visit Nee-san and Nii-san’s graves after experiencing a lot of trouble.


”Ten million!?”

My cracked voice echoed in the silent cemetery.

Ever since that unfortunate event occurred, after we underwent the overwhelmingly busy days, I finally found time to visit Nee-san and Nii-san’s graves.

The accident happened in the middle of summer. Even so, summer had long passed, and it is already late into fall now.

Usually, only gray tombstones could be seen in the cemetery, but the piled up fallen leaves turned it into a place with a profound sense of autumn. Of course, there is a reason that I shouted out such materialistic words that doesn’t match the solemn location that was full of fallen leaves.

”Yuuta-san, you’re in front of a grave.”

Hearing Oba-san’s words, I hastily shut my mouth.

Even so, the person who made me cry out loud like that was none other than Oba-san.

”Errr…… As you were saying just now……”

I really hope that I’ve heard wrong. With such an expectation, I asked yet again.

However, words of hot pursuit came from Oba-san again.

”The amount of money required for raising a child from primary school till he or she graduates from college is ten million yen or so. Of course, this sum of money is only the school fees, there are still other expenses required in your daily life— For instance, meals, transportation, medication, pocket money, and of course, women spend a lot on their clothes. Do you understand?”

Oba-san listed out the possible expenditure that we might have to spend in the future in a rapid fire manner.

I could only admire her foresight…… As expected of Oba-san, having raised two children single-handedly, she is not even a little vague in these aspects.

Coupled with the fact that Oba-san seemed to be a rather experienced staff of an insurance company, she is very clear about the various aspects related to matters about money. This woman, who can count as my only relative, had promised to give sudden spot checks on our living conditions each month.

If she finds out any problems, I might even get separated from Sora-chan and the others immediately, being forced to live in different places. Just thinking about that made me nervous, but she even reminded me about important matters that people easily overlook, while the lesson today is another huge shock, I felt as though I was heavily punched in the stomach.

”…… In any case, you would need around that sum of money, and because there are three of them, you can roughly triple it. Apart from that, Yuuta-san, you need to pay your fees as well, so no matter how much you’ve saved up, it won’t be enough.”

When Oba-san stopped temporarily to rest, my mind was already about to explode from thinking about the sum of money that I might need. At the same time, I wished that Oba-san wouldn’t just pour cold water on us when we just started our new life. Even so, I am very clear about what Oba-san wishes to express by mentioning all this.

”To be frank, the inheritance that was given to you is a hefty sum of money. However, if you consider ten years after this…… No, considering the time until Hina graduates from college, about twenty years are still required. If you think about it that way, the money is definitely not enough.”

”…… Mnn, I understand.”

Though I didn’t plan to use the inheritance that Nee-san left us, reality is crueler than I expected.

It seems like raising a child until adulthood is indeed an arduous task.

As parents are willing to raise their children till adulthood, it is clear how profound their love is…... Nee-san who raised me until now is probably the same.

While the three sisters who are busy cleaning up the grave for Nee-san and Nii-san right now cannot be bathed in their love anymore. Hina couldn’t even comprehend the fact that her parents had passed away.

If so, I have only one choice.

”The reason that I’m telling you all this is because I believe that your resolution is strong enough.”

After saying ‘Do your best now’, Oba-san continued to clean up the grave.

Just like that, at the same time that I started my new life at Ikebukuro, I put in more effort in my work as well, vowing to impose a strict regime on the management of my money and life.

The assets that are now under Sora-chan and the other’s names are now under the care of the Takanashi family as their official guardians, while a small amount of the money is taken out for our daily expenses and school fees, and is kept by me. In this aspect, Oba-san and the relatives of the Takanashi family handled it for us. Nobuyashi-san, Shingo-san’s brother, really seems to be a civil servant working in the National Tax Department. Because of the extremely strict document that he made for us and an account book so detailed that it’s almost too much, there is a safeguard against the other relatives using up the money.

And the help made me understand even better how difficult it is as an adult, as a parent.

The only thing that I bought especially recently was Sora-chan and Miu-chan’s phones.

In the conditions that we are the only ones living together, it is something that is absolutely necessary, and thus the expenses were paid directly from Sora-chan and the other’s accounts. Having a new cell phone seemed to have made them quite happy, and they always keep their phones by their sides. Though there are some who owns cell phones in middle school, there aren’t many children in primary school who has cell phones, so it’s no wonder that Miu-chan is so happy.

Thanks to the cell phones, we were able to contact each other very easily, so it’s a huge help to me.

Just like that, among the carefully thought out plans of the people surrounding us, we started our new life.

And right now—

I am now late for school because of oversleeping, and I might even lose my credits…... Furthermore, this isn’t the first time that I did this.

If Oba-san finds out about these matters, it wouldn’t be strange even if I’m viciously berated for six hours. Well, it’s my own fault for this.

”Wait, it’s probably okay, I’ll probably be able to make it, barely.”

That was what I told myself.

It is now a few minutes to ten. If I set out right now, I am able to attend the third period…… Probably.

To be honest, I want to just sleep until the time to fetch Hina, but of course I can’t do that.

When I stood up and was about to walk out, I suddenly felt as though I forgot something.

”…… Ah, the trash!”

What am I doing! Sora-chan did remind me about it quite a few times.

But when I poked my head into the kitchen to have a look, the garbage bag for combustible trash had already been changed.

Sora-chan probably came back to change it, and she even got out before us too.

”That’s right, I have to take out the trash before sending Hina to the kindergarten……”

Sora-chan probably assumed that I took Hina out without taking out the trash, so she came back especially. I hope she isn’t late because of this. And Sora-chan was quite displeased when she went out too……

When I took a closer look, I saw what looked like a hastily written note stuck on the garbage can cover.

I’ll take care of you when I’m back!

Those were the tidy words written on the note.

Uh oh. While thinking about that, I still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Though I had to face quite a lot of hardship, but for the sake of my cute nieces…… No, for my daughters, all of this is nothing.

”Ugh, uh oh! The time!?”

While I smiled to myself, the time became even more rushed.


I dashed out of the house and got on the train heading west that went on for about an hour. After reaching the okay-looking Hachiouji station, I finally reached my school— Tama Literary College, Hachiouji division— after riding my bike for about half an hour.

By the way, the view that appeared before my eyes on my way here were scenery largely different with the station.

Small hills and worn down residences surrounded the area.

To the students who wish to study in peace, the surroundings are quite favorable. However, how many college students in this world who enroll in colleges just to study whole-heartedly? I feel rather doubtful about that.

And I, who can’t said to be an exception, only have average results in Tama Literary College.

The students here would consider their futures more or less, but in the end they still want to undergo a happy college life, so the college could be said to be a rather peaceful place. Even so, even students with a carefree attitude wouldn’t think that they would be exiled to the wilderness like this before they actually started school.

And of course, I am one of the students with a carefree attitude as well.

In any case, people wouldn’t normally think that students in different academic years would study in different divisions of the school, would they?

The school building used as the examination hall at first, located at the center of the city, is actually a building with only a few laboratories, while us freshmen are actually banished to a place in the middle of nowhere like Hachiouji. This is just an undeniable scam.

Even so, after enrolling for about half a year, even in a rural area like this, everyone still found ways to have fun, such as working part time, joining clubs, dating and the like.

And the person who could be said as the model of all this, and is at the same time the man who enjoys college life the most among all the people that I know, is currently preparing lunch in front of me, who still didn’t make it to my classes in the end.

”Segawa-chan, why don’t you have a piece of pork chop?”

Wearing a cute apron, Nimura turned around and asked.

”Errr…… Fine.”

As for me, I was lying down on the floor, watching an afternoon TV drama in a lazy pose just like a housewife who doesn’t have anything to do after sending her husband and children out.

Some people might think that it’s rather impolite to put on airs in another’s house, but there is a reason for me doing this.

It’s because up till one month ago, this apartment suite that has excellent conditions, which is only five minutes from the school on foot, was still where I lived.

Let me explain this in order. After I decided to move to the Takanashi residence, of course I had to stop renting the room that I lived in before this.

Nimura said that time that he wanted to rent my room.

According to his explanation that I learnt of afterwards, Nimura seemed to have got into some trouble with women, causing him to be unable to continue living in his previous home…… Just like that, Nimura completed negotiations with the landlord, moving into the room without any deposits, and is getting along just fine with his landlord (a lady, of course) right now.

Right until now, the vigor that this man, Nimura Kouichi, has…… Or I should phrase it as his skill of dealing with other people, constantly surprises me.

And that’s why to me, this is a place that I can relax at.

Furthermore, this place now comes with a tenant who has excellent cooking skills and loves cleanliness, so I can enjoy a good meal like I’m having right now when I come over here at lunch time.

”Okay, it’s done. Hurry up and eat when it’s still warm.”

The menu today is pork chop rice which seems a bit too rich for lunch. The pork seemed to have been given free by a dame working at a butcher’s nearby. The just fried pork chop was currently giving out a salivating fragrance.

”Wow! It’s good!”

”It’s made from Berkshire pig, it’s really thanks to that oba-san just now. I think I’ll give her some veggies next time as a present.”

After saying that, Nimura squeezed out a few drops of lemon juice onto both of our pork chops, and also placed some chili sauce at the edge of our plates.

”That’s right, Segawa-chan, did you skip your morning classes as well?”

He suddenly asked, straight to the point.

”…… Yeah.”

After taking a bite out of the ideal pork chop that was crispy outside and tender inside, that was how I answered.

”So you went for a part time job yesterday night as well? Well aren’t you hardworking.”

”That’s because I don’t want to use the money that Nee-san left us if possible. Do you know this? Raising a toddler until graduation from college requires about ten million.”

Though I just spat out what I heard from Oba-san, Nimura who doesn’t know about that still gave a rather surprised response of ‘Eh? That much?’

”Sora-chan’s grades are quite good, so of course she should enroll in a good college. Since Miu-chan is so cute, she might develop in the entertainment industry in the future…… Ah, but it seems like highly educated idols are more popular nowadays. And you’ll need to use some money for training as well. Ah, and of course I’ll respect Miu-chan’s wishes.”

”Oi~ Segawa-chan~”

”And I wish for Hina to get into a good school as well. Since Hina is so cute, enrolling in a co-ed school might attract some troublesome men. If it turns out like this, I…… I…… Guwagh! No! Hina must attend a girls’ school! And that’s that!”

”I say, Segawa-chan!”

”…… Eh?”

When I came to my senses, I noticed Nimura looking at me as though he was looking at an alien species.

”I understand how you feel.”

”W- what……”

I understood what he was trying to say, but his expression is mystifyingly annoying.

”Segawa-chan, you’ve completely immersed yourself in the character of ‘Papa’ now, haven’t you?”

”Not really. As usual, I’m still annoying the heck out of Sora-chan.”

”Those are completely different matters, and anger is because of the presence of love, isn’t it?”

”Is that so……?”

I hope so.

Though the housework is done with a sharing system, Sora-chan and Miu-chan always end up handling them in the end.

I thought that I should at least do things that I can do, so that’s why I decided to work more vigorously. However……

”Even so, though your nieces are important, if you miss any classes again, wouldn’t it be too dangerous?”

”Uuu…… I know.”

Nimura kept going at my sore points today.

But in truth, my attendance and credits are rather pressing right now, and coupled with the fact that I often doze off in class, I didn’t really make any good notes. If this goes on, it’ll be hard for me to pass the semester test.

”And also, you aren’t showing up at the clubroom lately, are you? Sako-senpai even said that you’re ‘lacking the self awareness of the next president!’.”

”Wait! What’s with the certainty that I’m going to be the next club president?”

God knows. After answering in confusion, he started to eat the sliced up cabbage in large mouthfuls.

To me, who entered the club for a bad purpose, it’s really a trouble of being force fed a favor.

Besides, if I am appointed as the club president when I don’t even know the purpose for the ‘Road Observation Research Society’, it would only bring trouble after trouble. For instance, when I’m in an interview, what should I answer when they ask me: ’Did you ever take part in any club activities?’?

Even the process of my recruitment, my kidnap near the station after a welcome party, was a mystifying situation.

No, the true reason is actually more terrible, or you could actually say that it’s extremely healthy……

”Uh oh! If we don’t hurry, lunch break is going to end!”

Nimura hurriedly stuffed the remaining pork chop into his mouth, and finished his lunch in a flash.

”Eh? Do you have class right after lunch break?”

”Err…... I have to meet someone.”

Nimura said in slight embarrassment.

From his response, he’s probably going on a date with a girl.

I really don’t know whether to say that he’s energetic or unchanged……

”Segawa-chan, I’m counting on you to put the keys at the usual place.”

”Mnn, okay.”

After saying that, Nimura hurriedly walked out, leaving me to leisurely enjoy my pork chop rice in the room.

After finishing my lunch, I cleaned up the cutlery and left the room.

I hid the keys behind the apartment, below a potted plant that the landlord tends to.

Since we’re friends who knew each other since the start of school, we’re quite familiar in this aspect.

After that, I walked to the college five minutes’ distance away.

Along the way, I bought a can of coffee at the canteen, and proceeded to enjoy my after meal drink in front of the school building.

With only a few people wandering around, the campus seems abnormally quiet. Since the weather had turned cold, everyone probably gathered at smoking areas indoors or at cafes.

To be honest, I feel like hiding in the school building as well, but I really can’t get used to the environment filled with smoke.

And if I stay at a warm place, I might just doze off accidentally. And because of that, I decided to suppress the slight hint of coldness, sitting on the bench like this until my next class.

But what should I do when winter approaches……? I think it’s better not to think about questions like this right now.

By the way, I usually sit here as long as it doesn’t snow or rain anyway.

This bench is a place where I had precious memories, after all.

”Yuuta.”

That’s right, the first time that Raika-san and I sat side by side was just like this……

”Ehh! Raika-san!?”

From goodness knows when, a striking beauty is already sitting by my side. With her legs crossed and back against the back of the seat, she looked at me unwaveringly with her bright eyes.

She is the Madonna of our club, Oda Raika-senpai, second year major in Humanities.

To the people studying in this college, this is a name that everyone knows.

As for the reason, it would be clear when one takes a look at her appearance.

She has the perfect appearance that would put the term ‘beauty’ to shame, an outstanding figure that would awe even professional models, and even large breasts. Coupled with her glossy, curly, waist-length black hair, this person could be said as both perfect and mysterious.

Saying that might have been too exaggerated, but in my eyes, Raika-san is just that dazzling.

”Yuuta, good morning.”

”G- Good morning, Raika-san.”

Nervousness and excitement caused my voice to crack.

My heart kept pounding, and not long after that, my whole face started to burn.

Even though the both of us have already known each other for over half a year, the love that welled up in my heart did not decrease even a bit.

”Fine these days?”

”Mnn, mnn! I’m fine!”

”I’m not asking about you.”

”Eh?”

”How is Hina-chan these days? Did Sora-chan and Miu-chan get a cold?”

Raika-san’s impatience could be clearly seen right now though she is usually cool as a cucumber and doesn’t have large changes in her expression.

I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but there seems to be a red flush on her cheeks as well.

Seeing her like this, any man would probably fall in love immediately.

But I’m very clear that her reaction is not because of me, but because of Hina and the others. Raika-san is rather unrestrained when it comes to cute things, while our Hina is the cutest girl in the world.

”Sora-chan and Miu-chan is as usual, while Hina is so healthy that she has too much energy. Ah, that’s right, we brought Hina to try on kimonos for her Shichi-Go-San, though it’s just rented. Do you want to have a look?”

”O- Of course!”

As soon as the photo of the dressed up Hina was shown on my phone, Raika-san came closer frantically as though she wanted to snatch my phone.

I felt the warmth of Raika-san’s body, and her hair gave of a soft fragrance as well.

”It’s great to be alive……!”

Being able stick close to Raika-san made me cry out from my soul.

”What did you say just now?”

”No- Nothing! Nothing at all!”

How great would it be if time just stopped directly. An old-fashioned thought like that surfaced in my mind, however……

”Err…... I have other photos of Hina as well.”

”I want to see.”

”Well then—“

I’ll mail it to you later then— I changed my mind at the instant I was about to say that.

This might be a wonderful opportunity.

I should ask Raika-san out using this as an excuse.

For her Oi-tan’s happiness, Hina definitely wouldn’t mind even if I give out videos of her like this.

Say it! Speak!

During summer, didn’t I keep missing chances of speaking after I decided to ‘ask senpai out’?

Nee-san said this as well, my strong point is not giving up.

”Err…… Raika-san, if you’re free…… Do you want to….. Go……”

”Ah!”

Raika-san suddenly shouted out loud.

”Raika-san……?”

”I nearly forgot. Yuuta, come.”

Raika-san stood up from the bench, walking towards the back of the school building, waving at me to follow her.

Losing my chance as usual, I could only follow while sighing.


I’m not sure if it’s because of her long legs, Raika-san is unusually speedy when walking, so I could only walk faster to reach her.

The small courtyard located behind the school building is completely shrouded with a sense of autumn as well.

Though I’m trying to express this in a more poetic way, it’s just that the ground was full of fallen leaves, making it hard for people to walk.

Even so…… Is it just my imagination? I have this feeling that I’ve encountered this situation once before.

”Mnn, probably…… Here.”

Raika-san stopped at the center of the patch of grass, turned around and said to me.

”Raika-san, why are we at a place like…… AH!?”

Perhaps this is the legendary situation? Calling someone behind the building, a place that can’t be seen, I can only think of two motives.

And if the other person is of the opposite sex, then there is only one answer left.

”Yuuta, I have something to ask you.”

Indeed!

S- So…… Unknowingly, Raika-san had already……

At these times, I must express the bearing and tolerance as a man, responding to Raika-san’s wishes.

”Err…… What is it?”

”Mnn, walk three steps to your right.”

”…… Eh?”

Though the request was rather odd, I still did it. Erm…… Three steps to the right, is it?

”That’s right. Turn to your ten o’ clock direction right now.”

”Ten o’ clock……? Err…… Like this?”

Another mystifying direction.

Even so, I still turned about thirty degrees according to senpai’s instructions.

”Walk forward one step.”

”Oh……”

A step forward. Uuu~ Why am I having a sense of déjà vu……

”Mnn, good.”

With her poker face still in place, Raika-san gave me the thumbs up seemingly in satisfaction.

”Err…… This is……?”

At the moment I was about to inquire to Raika-san for her reason in queasiness……

”Aha!”

An odd, unnatural shout suddenly came into my ears, while the view before my eyes turned upside down as well.

”Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”

At the instant, I couldn’t even understand the situation.

Raika-san seemed to be below me. My skull was rattling, while my legs were in pain. It seems like I fell into a trap cleverly hidden by fallen leaves, and am now hug upside down.

”Wait…... What’s with this!? Raika-san!?”

Just at that moment, a rather broad silhouette appeared between Raika-san and I, who was still flailing frantically.

At the same time, I understood why I had the strange sense of déjà vu as well.

”Kukuku…… Well aren’t you in a mess, Segawa-kun.”

The black framed glasses that almost sank into the fat face sparkled in front of me.


A piercing light entered my eyes.

Compared with the bright courtyard, this place was much darker, and there was a musty smell as well.

Plus, my hands and legs were tied up, and I was placed on a cold mortar floor, so that’s why my body felt even colder. This is a scene that I am familiar with. That’s right, about half a year before this, I encountered a situation similar to this.

”You’re finally awake, Segawa Yuuta-kun, first year Japanese major.”

The sentence was familiar to me as well. Even if you search through the whole college, there is only one person who would do a thing like this. The only fortunate thing that is different from half a year ago is that I am now used to dealing with him.

”What kind of joke is this? Sako-senpai. And isn’t it different from last time? I didn’t faint at all.”

I spoke to the silhouette in front of me in displeasure.

”Oi! Didn’t I tell you long before this? You should go along with the atmosphere more.”

The glaring light disappeared, while the lights in the room were turned on.

The plump silhouette of Sako-senpai finally appeared clearly before my eyes, though I can’t say that I’m looking forward to it.

”It’s really been awhile.”

Using his previous manner, Sako-senpai spoke in a prideful tone as though he was acting out a play.

The third year Sako-senpai is usually like this as well.

Raika-san and I, of course that includes Nimura, joined a club called the Road Observation Research Society, ‘Roary’ in short, while this person is the president of the club. By the way, it seems that he has another title, the ’Eternal third year student’.

The eternal third year student, it is as the name suggests.

He was a third year when Raika-san enrolled as well, and this year, he is still a third year. I think that he’d probably been a third year a long time before this as well.

Just this fact would be enough to prove his oddity, but he could also order the vicious looking rugby club members around, and even has a network of contacts in the other clubs, very mysterious indeed.

”That’s right, how is Miu-sama these days?”

…… And also, he’s a lolicon to the letter.

He treats our Miu-chan as an angel, vowing to follow her orders absolutely…… Something like that.

I think that I, as her guardian, must protect Miu-chan, so that’s why I tried to give him a warning some time before this, but Sako-senpai’s response at the time was—

’What nonsense are you spouting! If I touch her, wouldn’t Miu-sama who is no different from an angel be sullied!’

Just like that, senpai sternly raged at me instead, and the speech that he gave after that was even more shocking.

’Listen well, I indeed like young girls. They are the embodiment of purity, beautiful fairies who presents a pure, unsullied world to the common man. Their presence can cleanse the evil in the human heart, and have the power to guide the universe to peace! We are to be touched by the perfection of their existence! Love! Care! These are the most supreme emotions! And because of that, I have to state this specially, people who love young girls like us are their guardians and eternal servants! We are incorruptible knights who do not allow the angels to be sullied or harmed! Even if we yearn for them from afar, wishing in our dreams to use our arms to embrace them one day, we absolutely cannot touch the fairies! Like trees that are burnt by fire cannot be restored, young girls are so holy because of their irreversible purity! If we touch them as we like, wouldn’t that stain the holiness of the angel! And just because we know our own filthiness, we definitely won’t try to touch them! The people who do rude actions to young girls are demons! They are beasts who cannot even compare to us! People who abuse children should be cursed! Please don’t put us and those people on the same level! We are willing to revive seven times after death just to guard the young girls, becoming the shield of the delicate girls, turning into a hero who guards them from the attack of the demons! In other words! Love Miu-sama!’

It was just too long…… Though senpai is usually good-natured, he was so agitated that his whole body sweated at the time.

My point is, this really is disgusting. But anyways, it seems that senpai would be satisfied with just a look.

To be frank, I’m not sure of Sako-senpai’s relationship with Miu-chan.

”Sigh! How worrisome, did she have any unnecessary growth or growing more hair or something like that?”

”Senpai, you don’t need to worry about that at all. I should say, please be aware that I might call the police.”

”Oi! Isn’t it bad to return kindness with ingratitude?”

”If you want me to choose between senpai’s kindness and my cute nieces’ healthy growth, I will unhesitatingly choose the latter.”

”Uuu……”

Senpai seemed to accept my statement as well, because he stopped talking nonsense after moaning for awhile.

”Err…… Shouldn’t we get into the main topic now?”

At that moment, Nimura whose hands were holding a desk lamp said beside us.

”Nimura, did you gang up on me with them?”

”Not really, I can’t go against senpai after all.”

Nimura said in a carefree manner. He definitely did this thinking that it would be fun.

Even so, how should I say this…… This situation made me recall the situation when I first enrolled as well.

Thinking back, on the night of the welcome party, this was how I was kidnapped to the clubroom and got to know these people.

And thanks to them, I could undergo a somewhat fulfilling college life.

Even so, I’m still wishing that they wouldn’t design traps to make fun of me whenever they’re free.

”Well, what is it now?”

”Mnn, fetching you here like this is for a very important matter as well.”

Hanging me upside down on a cold day like this, being carried all the way here by the muscled rugby club members, having to endure the stench of their armpits along the way, if they told me that there wasn’t any particular reason for doing this, it will be strange if I don’t fly into a rage.

Just when I was planning to speak my mind, I thought that instead of continuing to interrupt by complaining, it’s better if I leave the cold floor faster, so I refrained myself.

Sako-senpai coughed lightly as though he wanted to keep people waiting before speaking:

”I’ll just make this clear. Segawa-kun. If you continue like this, you would have to repeat the grade.”

”…… Eh?”

Though it is said that people would make odd noises when they’re surprised, at the moment, I think my expression is probably quite comical as well. That showed how unacceptable the meaning behind Sako-senpai’s words is to me.

”Err…… Repeating grades…… Meaning me?”

”Yes.”

”W- Wait a minute! I do skip classes often, but isn’t my attendance still in the passable area!?”

”Sigh! It’s because of this that kids who enter for half a year are annoying.”

Sako-senpai said while shrugging. His attitude is really annoying.

”In our college, there is something said to be the Hachiouji threshold.”

”Hachiouji threshold……?”

According to Sako-senpai’s explanation, it seems like including the mandatory subjects, if a student doesn’t fulfill the required credits, he cannot enter the laboratory in his third year.

There are many students unclear about the situation who fool around, and can only watch their friends moving to the school building at the center of the city, while they are forced to stay at Hachiouji to be a second year once again.

”The credits that you obtained last semester were only eight. It’s a number that almost includes only mandatory subjects, and you got only B at best, it’s so disappointing!”

”Wait a minute!? Senpai, how do you know my grades!?”

Senpai held a paper with unknown contents on his hands, loudly commenting on my grades.

Though I struggled frantically, trying to snatch away the paper, since I was in a tied-up state, I almost couldn’t move at all.

”Please don’t look down on the intelligence network of us Roary.”

”…… Isn’t it more like an undeniable violation of privacy?”

Senpai deliberately ignored my statement and continued:

”Even if you get full credits in your next semester, you’ll only get thirty credits at most. If you want to step into the lab, you must at least have eighty credits…… Do you understand what I’m trying to say now? Hmm?”

Sako-senpai who took advantage of my immobility said that while using a stick to jab my face.

At the same time my cheeks were ravaged, I started to worry about my own condition as well.

If this goes on, I would have no other choice but to stuff my schedule full of classes in my second year. If so, I must reduce the time of my part time jobs, and if I’m unable to get into the lab…… I must repeat my grade.

If so, I would have to pay another year of school fees.

Though earning money is important, repeating grades is even more terrible.

If Nee-san got to know about this, she would probably explode. A chill suddenly came on my back.

”S- Senpai! What should I do!?”

”Fuhahaha! It seems like you finally understood the seriousness of the situation. Very well, just leave it to me. If I just hack into the system of the college and change it slightly…… Guwagh!?”

Slap! A harisen slapped into Sako-senpai’s cheek.

For an object made from thick paper, the sound that it made was abnormally loud, while Sako-senpai’s body fell onto the ground after turning sideways.

”You can’t do bad things.”

The person who vanquished Sako-senpai was naturally Raika-san.

Raika-san held a harisen even larger than the one she used before, and it was giving off an eerie metallic lustre. She started to hit senpai along a cute ‘Bad!’ comment, but since her expression did not change at all, it made people feel a bit scary instead.

As for Sako-senpai who was scolded, he lied on the floor while convulsing repeatedly like a dying fish.

Raika-san handed the harisen to Nimura, and lowered her head to look at the person collapsed on the floor— which would be me, and spoke:

”Yuuta.”

”Y- Yes!”

”You skipped too many classes.”

”Uuu!”

Senpai immediately hit my sore point.

”And you didn’t come to the clubroom.”

”That’s because I was rather busy these days, that’s why……”

”Excuses.”

”You’re right……”

Raika-san stepped one step forward, and stood by my side.

As I was lying down on the floor, I could see Raika-san’s long legs clearly, and even the inner part of Raika-san’s skirt. Though the view was just before my eyes, in this situation, I really wasn’t in the mood to enjoy it. Even so, I couldn’t treat it as though I didn’t see it either.

So I could only cautiously speak to senpai.

”Err…… I see it……”

”Is that so.”

”Isn’t it better if you mind a bit more? You’re a girl after all.”

”Stop fussing.”

She held the stick that Sako-senpai used just now, pressing it on my face while turning it.

The most troubling thing for me was that the stick was aimed at my temple.

”If this goes on, you really have to repeat your grade.”

”Okay, okay…… I’ve confirmed the truth already, so I’ll definitely go for classes seriously starting from tomorrow.”

”And the club.”

”O- Of course! I’ll come to the clubroom as well!”

”It’s the school festival soon.”

”School festival? Are we having any activities?”

The stick was jabbed into my nostril.

”Ah! I’m wrong, I’m wrong! Wow~ I’m looking forward to the school festival so much!”

In the condition of a foreign object being poked into my nostril, I said while squeezing out a smile almost in abandonment.


”…… That’s why I have to come home later for some time.”

After dinner that day, I explained to Sora-chan and the others about my situation.

”Is it…… Because of us?”

”N- Not really! It’s unrelated to anyone!”

Seeing Sora-chan’s sad face, I hurriedly consoled her.

”It’s my own fault for skipping classes, and it clashed with my part time job and the school festival now, so you really don’t need to mind, Sora-chan.”

Sora-chan still seemed to blame herself, not saying a thing.

”Can’t you reduce the time of your part time job? We’re not short of money now anyways.”

Miu-chan said, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

”Didn’t I say this before? The sum of money is for the use of you girls in the future.”

”But……”

It seemed like Miu-chan still couldn’t accept it.

I understand that the two are worrying for me, but looking from my perspective, it’s rather troubling for me as well.

I had resolved to be the children’s ‘Papa’ long before this.

That’s why I actually wish for them not to worry and continue to rely on me.

Even so, I’m very clear that my presence can’t make people relax and just rely on me.

”Oi-tan won’t come back?”

Hina asked, almost in tears. She probably noticed the heavy atmosphere at the dining table as well.

”I’ll be back later, so Hina might have slept already, but I will still be back. And Oi-tan is going to send Hina out in the morning as well.”

”If you lie, Hina will be angwy.”

”Mnn, I promise.”

Seeing me nod in response, Hina smiled happily.

”Okay!”

Just at that moment, someone suddenly stood up from the chair and shouted.

”Leave it to me! Even if Onii-chan isn’t here, it’ll be okay!”

Sora-chan cried out in agitation.

”If only we sisters work together, we would be able to support ourselves even if Onii-chan isn’t here! Isn’t that right? Miu!”

”Eh~ Me too?”

”Do you need to ask? After all, cooking, washing the clothes, cleaning and buying stuff, fetching Hina and so on, there are a lot to do. Ah! That’s right, we have to make a table for this.”

”Hina will twy as well~”

”Look, even Hina is so motivated now.”

”Okay, okay…… But I suggest not to overwork.”

Miu-chan agreed somewhat unwillingly, and seemed to understand that it’s futile to object to her sister.

”That’s all. Onii-chan, just relax and go for your work!”

”Err…… Oh, ‘kay.”

It’s almost like it’s the same even if I am not here, so it’s actually rather sad. Even so, I couldn’t bear to pour cold water on Sora-chan when she’s finally so energetic…… This kind of feeling is quite complicated.

”Alright! Leave it to us!”

Sora-chan shouted while raising her slender hands high.

”Sigh~ Onee-chan wouldn’t heed anyone’s words whenever she’s in this mode.”

At a side, Miu-sighed while Hina looked rather happy.

I thanked the three sisters’ kind intentions from the bottom of my heart.

At the same time, I felt ashamed of myself because of letting them worry about me.

I motivated myself and smiled. Today, I prepared a secret weapon.

”That’s right, I bought some doughnuts from a rather famous shop at Shinjuku when I returned from the college. Let’s eat.”

After saying that, I took out a lot of doughnuts out from my bag.

”Wa! Hina loves to eat doughnuts!”

”Hoho, thanks, Oji-san. Then I’ll have the chocolate one.”

Hina and Miu-chan started to happily eat the doughnuts.

Only Sora-chan looked at the clock in slight worry.

”Uuu~ What to do……”

I understand. It is said that people easily get fat if they eat sweet things at night, after all.

”Sora-chan, if you’re worried about your weight, you don’t need to eat it now. You can wait till breakfast……”

At the instant when I spoke those words, I immediately realized my mistake, but it was too late.

With her face flushed, Sora-chan’s whole body trembled.

”I- I’m not fat at all! My weight is absolutely fine! O- Onii-chan, you idiot!”

Sora-chan’s shouts echoed through the whole night-time town.

I had to put in a lot of effort to apologize to Sora-chan after that. Girls are really so hard to please.


Even so, the true problem does not lie here.

Yuuta and the other haven’t noticed yet, but someone else is taking note of Sora-chan’s shouts.

”Third time now…… There must be something wrong.”

A sense of justice burned in the eyes of the female high schooler looking at the Takanashi behind her curtains.

Previous chapter

Home Page

Next chapter

Read more »

Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Vol 1 - Chapter 1

When I arrived home from school I found my sister in the living room, chatting on her phone. Her name is Kousaka Kirino, and she’s a fourteen year old middle school student attending the local school. Her hair is dyed a light brown, her ears are pierced, and her long nails are elegantly manicured. She applies makeup carefully, though she would still be attractive without it. She carries an atmosphere too mature for a middle school student. She’s tall, yet well-endowed in certain places, too.

If she was a good singer as well, you’d have a charismatic idol.

I’m not being generous because she’s family. My sister is just one hell of a refined person.

However, I have no intention of proudly boasting that she's my sister. Sure, the guys will envy me. I might even understand why, but from personal experience, it’s just not like that.

If you actually have a sister yourself, you should more or less understand my feelings.

A sister isn’t anything great, at least to me.

For instance, imagine this: in your classroom, there are always many different groups of friends. Take the most gorgeous one as an example. The one with the jock, the smart and cool guy and the super cute girl.

Now, there’s a girl who is one rank higher, even more refined, in that group.

The girl whom you might hesitate even to talk to. The girl living in another world that you might never have anything to do with. She’s what you might call “the girl on another level.” Most men would find her uncomfortable, even if she looks nice. That’s how I feel, too.

Now, imagine a girl like that in your own family. Of course, the distance between you isn't special.

Now you understand how uneasy I feel. It’s not that nice of a thing, is it?

“I’m back.”

I greet her as a formality but she fails to respond, not showing even the slightest sign of recognition.

Kirino, in her school uniform, sinks deep into the sofa and crosses her mini skirt-covered legs. She’s laughing at her mobile, looking pleased.

Her smile is surely cute, but it will never be directed towards me.

“Oh? You’re kidding! What the heck? Haha! What an idiot.”

“Yeah, yeah. I was an idiot for trying to talk to you.”

I grumbled to myself, swinging the fridge door wide open. Grabbing a pack of barley tea, I pour it into a cup and gulp it down. Phew. I take a moment to rest before leaving.

“Yeah, all right. I’ll get changed and head out.”

It’s already evening. Just where the heck is she going to play?

“Well, not that it matters to me.” I mumble to myself and climb up the stairs.

My name is Kousaka Kyousuke. I’m a seventeen-year-old who goes to the local high school.

It’s kind of strange to say this about myself, but I’m an average high school boy. I’m not in any clubs and I have no special hobbies, either. Of course, I do listen to popular music and read some manga and books, but not to the point that I would count it as a hobby.

After school, I usually fool around with my friends in town, read manga at home or watch TV.

Well, I do also study sometimes.

Aren’t normal high school students like that? You might call it a safe but boring lifestyle, but I think being normal is quite important.

Being normal means acting in harmony with others and being realistic.

Acting safe means there is less danger.

Fortunately, my grades aren’t too bad. If things continue the way they are now, I’ll probably get into a decent university. As for what I’m going to do afterward... Well, I can think about that while I enjoy my four years of university life.

The ones that have to be in a flurry are those who won’t get the job of their dreams through that path. Chasing dreams… It sounds nice, however, that means you won't be ‘normal’ anymore. There will be many dangers and is, in no way, safe. At least, for me, it isn’t my thing.

Well I’ve long forgotten about my childhood dreams, but if I had to say something, an ordinary, inconspicuous, quiet, and trouble free life could be considered as one of them.

My home is a two story house. The family members include both my parents, my sister and myself, making a total of four.

A middle-class, well off, nothing out of the ordinary, family.

My sister’s and my room are on the second floor. After changing into plain clothes in my room, I rested for a while then went back down the stairs.

That’s because I wanted to use the toilet before I start to study. By the way, the front door comes right under the stairs and to the left of it is the door to the living room.

And so…

“Ah!”

Just after going down the stairs, I ran into my sister who was in her regular clothes. This area is actually a blind spot on both sides so collisions happen frequently.

*Thud* We collide with my left shoulder hitting Kirino’s breast. The force wasn’t that strong, but it was enough for her bag to leave her hand and spill its contents onto the floor.

“Ah!”

“Oh sorry.”

I make a frank apology and reach out to pick up the stuff scattered on the floor, like cosmetics, but…

*Whap* Kirino, sensing that, brushed my hand away with a slap.

“Wha-?”

I open my eyes wide and was surprised by her sharp look.

This is what comes out of my sister’s mouth,

“Just leave it. Don’t touch anything.”

While saying that, she gathers the spilled contents of her bag on her own.

Oh how unpleasant she is. What is it? She doesn’t want me touching her stuff?

How much do you hate your brother?

I looked down at my sister who continues on her task without expression.

“...”

An uneasy atmosphere fills the front hall.

My sister turns around, hurries into her pumps and murmurs, “...I’m going,” as if she is fulfilling some sick duty, then closes the door with a slam.

Well as you can see, this is what our relationship is like.

I’m not terribly angry about this either, since I don’t think of her as a sibling anymore.

If I just think of it as a random person from class doing the same thing, then it’s easy to forgive her.

Go ahead and laugh at me for being a failure of a brother if you want. I don’t care.

Heh, well it’s not like my life will be disturbed because I can’t communicate properly with my sister.

“…Jeez. Just when did things become like this?”

Even she had times when she wasn’t like that, I think…

Oh well. It annoyed me a bit, but whatever. I shall return to my original task.

I finish peeing, washed my hands, and then dived into the living room sofa. I pick up a magazine left around and cross my legs, lying on my back.

Hey, wasn’t I supposed to start studying?

Lying down and skimming through the pictures of a battle manga makes me feel emptier and emptier. My senses warn me that I shouldn’t be doing things like this, but my astonishing laziness counters.

Ah forget it. I don’t feel like studying.

This laziness must be a common disease amongst students.

I stand up shaking my head around like a dog who had just gotten a bucket of water poured over him, open the door and head into the hallway. I find something strange.

“Hmm…?”

It was in the corner of the entrance hall, on the backside of the shoe closet. I didn’t notice it before, but in between the shoe closet and the wall, something thin and white, something like a case was peering out.

It must have been out of escapism that I reached my hand out for it. My brain was searching hard for any possible excuse not to study.

Even though picking this up would only buy me a few seconds worth of time.

But the outcome wasn’t actually like that. In fact, because of this thing, studying became a secondary issue for a while.

The moment I pulled it out of the back of the shoe closet,

“What the heck is this?”

I made a wild scream. Why, you ask? It’s because it was the kind of thing that did not belong in this house at all.

This, uhm well… What is this?

I pick up the case by my fingers and look at it from many different angles, but I couldn't seem to figure out its identity.

It’s a DVD case, that’s for sure. It’s the kind of case you would usually find at the video rental shops.

Oh, it even says DVD on it. But the contents are what I don’t get.

At that moment, I must have looked absolutely puzzled.

On the front side of the package was an illustration of a girl with oversized eyes, drawn up large.

A cute girl who is in her upper grades of grade school.

“Her eyes and hair are pink,”

I murmur calmly. I scrutinize it as if I’m a detective checking evidence for clues.

This might be its image color, since the entire package has large bits of pink and white.

Well, whatever. The bigger issue is,

“What the heck is wrong with this kid’s outfit?”

I mean this little girl is dressed in random, suggestive clothing. What would you call them, swim suits? Bandages? Something that would make you want to tell her to wear something normal. It seems some rocket booster like things are growing out of that bandage-like outfit allowing the girl to fly and leave a trail of stardust.

And somehow she is carrying this huge staff, of a fancy mechanical design, easily with one hand.

It’s something that would make Ryofu Housen scared.[1] Apparently it’s for combat. Its evil purpose to take down and crush enemies was easily imaginable.

How fearsome.

And…

At the top of the package, what would most likely be the title was printed in a roundish font.

‘Stardust Witch Meruru Limited First Edition’. What in the world?

I’ve gone through all this explanation, but in short it’s anime… I guess. Though it’s been quite a while since I stopped watching anime, so I don’t really understand.

And why is this kind of thing lying here?

Right when that question popped up in my head and I was sitting there in the entrance with the ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ thing in my hands, the door swung wide open.

“I’m home! Oh, what are you doing there, Kyousuke? Curling up like a fetus in the entrance hall?”

“It’s nothing, mom. I’m just getting some fresh air.’

That was close! I would have become a social outcast!

But no problem. I was able to hunch over and hide that thing the moment the door opened.

Jeez, that sure was close.

I don’t know who did this, but it must be a trap for me. If I was found with something like this, I would surely be prosecuted in a family conference.

I can imagine Kirino looking at me like some garbage.

Mom, carrying a shopping bag, looks at my strange figure in pity.

“I heard from the lady next door that psychological counseling aimed at students is gaining popularity recently.”

“W-Wait a second. I’m perfectly sane. Uhh yeah, I just studied a bit too much today you know?”

“Liar. How would you study so much that you would get that stressed?”

What cruel parents. Why can’t you trust your child more?

“Of course I do. You know my grades aren’t that bad.”

“But that’s because of Manami-chan, isn’t it? Why are you the one who’s proud when you have a smart childhood friend as your tutor? You would never study alone.”

“Damn.”

That was absolutely true, so I can’t talk back. Also, I’ve been reading a manga until 5 minutes ago.

I crawled on the floor like a centipede while hiding the ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ under my shirt, and escaped from the scene. My mom says to my back,

“Kyousuke, I don’t mind it, but you might want to stop opening porn books in the entrance hall.”

Very close answer but wrong. It’s amazing of my mom to suspect that much from my strange actions. Her history of cleaning my room without my consent and revealing my hidden collection isn’t for nothing.

However, what I’m hiding now is something much more serious than those, in a way.

“Phew.”

I take the thing out from under my stomach, and hold it high up above my head with my right hand. I wipe away the sweat with my left knuckle. Mission accomplished. I’m really used to doing this sort of gesture. I’ll try not to say why, but you healthy school boys should all know what I want to say.

“…and I ended up bringing it with me,”

I murmur while taking a glance at the ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ case.

Oh well, it couldn’t be helped when the situation was like that. Since I was also looking for an excuse to not study and it’s true I was also greatly intrigued by this ‘forbidden object’.

I shall be cancelling today’s entrance exam study session due to serious issues and examine this thing.

My room is 6 tatami mats large and includes a bed, a desk, a book shelf with textbooks and manga and a closet.

My carpet is yellow green and my curtains are blue. On the wall, there’s a Japanese style calendar that my mom got from the local town-council, and there are no posters.

The only other thing is a boombox, I don’t have a computer, TV or video games.

See? I’m quite average. It’s my policy to live as normally as possible and it fits my tastes.

By the way, I’ve almost given up on trying to hide my porn books so they are all stored in a cardboard box under my bed. And I begged my mom not to clean under my bed. There’s no assurance that my mom would ratify that treaty, and even if she had been checking for updates on my collection every day, there’s no way that I would know.

Well, I deliberately forget about that. To defend my own self confidence.

The only defense I have is to try to make a safer choice, just in case to defend myself if I get spotted and prosecuted in a family meeting.

…Seriously where do people who don’t have their own rooms hide this stuff?

I can only imagine forgetting about it and leaving it all open as the possible defense plan. I might be spoiled, to be able to worry about such small things like being unable to lock my room.

Traveling through those deep thoughts only took me a few seconds in reality.

I sat on my bed and loosened my legs. I pick up the DVD case with one hand and make a thinking pose with my other hand.

“The more I look at it, the more it tells me that the package doesn’t suit my room.”

Under the florescent light, the Stardust Witch’s smile glitters. It’s scary in a sense that she’s making a smile while holding a weapon of mass destruction.

“Hmm.”

And yeah, this thing, whose is it?

I imagine the faces of the Kousaka family members one by one, but as I expected I couldn’t find a suitable owner for ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’.

Of course, I don’t remember this anime ever airing in my living room either.

(At the time, I didn’t even know computers could play DVDs.)

So what does this mean? Why was this there?

While I continued to wonder, I opened the case…

“Wha-!?”

I received another shock more intense than when I found this anime DVD box.

In short, inside the DVD case there was no ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ DVD. In place of it, there was some other DVD.

…Well it does happen often. Like when I get tired of placing the CDs I listen to back into their proper cases and sometimes shuffle them around.

And later I get confused as to which CD is where.

The owner of this must have been lazy like that too and had placed a different DVD in this ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ DVD case.

Yeah, I understand. It happens.

But, but, well…

Why is the title of the DVD, ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!’ Of all choices, who is seducing who into doing what?

And what is this charming R-18 notice thing that shouldn’t be there?

“Calm down!”

My breathing became heavy as the sweat drops collected on my forehead.

This was serious. Dead serious. What was serious? That scene where I encountered my mom.

Had she found out the contents, I would have had to commit suicide. Is this really a trap for me to fall into? I don’t understand this kind of thing, but my instincts are raising an alarm. What’s this dark aura coming from the title? Even if it didn’t have this charming R-18 notice, I can still understand from the title. This is in no way something that I should be allowed to have!

“Kyousuke, are you studying properly?”

“Aaaaaaagh!?”

I screamed like the world had ended, and ducked under my bed blanket.

I make a glance towards the door. My mom who opened the door without knocking, seemed shocked at the crazy reaction her son had shown.

“Sorry, is this a bad time?”

“Oh don’t mind it mom, I was just having voice training. Rather, knock will you?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ll do so from now on.”

With an expression that’s apparently trying to hide her shock, my mom closes the door.

Oh shit. I did manage to hide the thing, but I’m sure I made a really bad misunderstanding. Damn.

I’m really having bad luck today. This and that, all of the blame falls on to this thing.

While still under my bed blanket, I stare at the mysterious DVD case.

“Damn!”

If things have come to this, I’ve got to find the owner of this thing no matter what.

I make a “half-blaming-someone else”-like pledge.

But I’ve become even more puzzled.

I mean about the owner of this DVD. The fact that inside the DVD case of ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’, contained something with absolute suspicion, ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!’

If my suspicions are correct, then the person that this belongs to should own both ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ and ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister’.

And by guessing from the fact that it was from somewhere like in the back of our house’s shoe closet, there’s a high chance that its owner is either my sister, my mom, my father or me…

Of course, people not from my family enter our house too, so I can’t completely disregard the ‘outsider culprit theory’.

But who would deliberately put in ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!’ into the casing of ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ and place it behind the shoe closet? I can’t imagine anybody doing that at all.

“Ugh.”

Anyway, I think the ‘outsider culprit theory’ is a waste of time even trying to think about, so I will begin thinking under the assumption that someone in my family is the culprit.

My sister, mom, dad, and me… Assuming the culprit is one of them, who would be considered the most suspicious? Who in the family is most likely to have items like ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ and ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!’?

“Unfortunately it’s me. And that’s the problem.”

Of course, it isn’t me for sure. That’s only the conclusion of who is the most likely person in the family to have it. Well, it did make me quite sad just by thinking about it.

Anyway, it isn’t mine. Since I’m not even interested in that anime stuff. Well, there’s some people in my classroom who talk about things like that, but I don’t have much to do with them.

But that might be the same for everyone in my family as well.

Lead to the obvious conclusion, I held my head down and wondered.

But look, it can’t be Mom, and Dad is absolutely a person form stone age so he can’t possibly use a DVD player… And that hard ass Yakuza face watching and enjoying anime? No way. And then my sister is… the first one I should remove as a suspect. She might have been watching anime around 5 years ago, but I guess she only watches the popular drama and music programs lately.

Childish anime DVDs are definitely not one of Kirino’s hobbies.

I can’t ever imagine her buying and watching some ‘Stardust Witch Meruru’ DVD. Just speaking of ‘Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!’ sends shivers down my spine, since it’s Kirino. She’s a trendy middle school girl so she must have gone to a goukon again today.[2]

“Okay, I give up. I don’t get it at all.”

My line of thought hit a dead end. As I thought, I don’t think there is a culprit in my family, but if I suspect outsiders then there’s too many suspects to even count.

Okay, this is screwed. I don’t seem to have talent as a detective.

So then, what do I do? Should I quit now since it’s tiresome?

No, on second thought, it still bothers me. I will surely find the culprit.

I’m surprised at myself, but at that point of time I was really outgoing. I would have usually given up the search and had a nap till dinner. And if I had done so, the peaceful days may have continued.

But that didn’t happen. Since I, under my own will, decided not to end the search on this matter. Of course I didn’t know at this point, but I must have decided my own fate myself by doing so.

About this subject, I will be stepping on a super large class landmine…

Dinner at my home begins at 7PM sharp. That’s because my dad comes home at around this time. If I don’t go to the dining room at that time, my dinner is gone no matter what.

The time now is 06:45PM. While scratching my head, I leave my room and down the stairs… but I stop walking. That was because, in my vision, I spotted the figure of Kirino at the entrance hall.

Oh, she came back.

Come to think of it, her curfew was still 6:30. Whether that is too early or late is another question, but she seems to obey it. Well, even though she might look like a high schooler, she is still a middle school student.

By the way, today Kirino was wearing a black and white T-shirt, with something like a mix between black boxers and a skirt. I don’t really know but, Ces- whatever was the brand. If someone were to say she was a fashion model, everyone would believe it.

…Damn, how cute you are.

But, I don’t want to get too close to this prissy sister.

Since she seems to hate me, it’s better off not getting close to her. Arguments won’t change whether we are siblings or not.

We somehow have to deal with it.

So yeah, I wait for Kirino to go to the dining hall in the middle of the stairs.

“Huh?”

But she seems a bit strange. If she opens the door, there’s the living room, but she doesn’t go that way and instead is still standing around the entrance hall.

…What the heck is she doing?

Since it’s stupid to stay here, I went down the stairs.

I stood in front of the door to the living room and put my hand on the knob.

“…”

I looked back a little.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Huh?”

She stared at me with a horrifying face.

…Damn. Why do I try to talk to her, when I know this is going to happen?

Am I an idiot?

“Heh, nothing.”

I click my tongue and turn the knob strongly.

On the dinner table, curry and miso soup was there for dinner. This room, where our family meets for supper, is a combined kitchen-dining-living room, so there are no dividers and is roomy.

My sister and I line up in our seats, my dad and mom sit across us.

On TV, the anchor is reading out about how the foreign exports are and other important news.

My father quietly drinks his miso soup. He dresses in traditional Japanese clothes after bathing, so his heavy atmosphere is multiplied and makes him look like a yakuza. However, it’s actually the other way around, he works for the police.

On the other hand, my mom sits next to him biting through her Fukujinzuke.[3] She looks absolutely like a house wife. She doesn’t resemble Kirino at all.

My sister is silent. She is normally cold to us family members. From watching her eat her meal without a word, I can definitely say she resembles her father. Especially his sharp sight and other stuff.

By the way, people often say I have the same atmosphere as my mother.

Our dinner table like this, looks very ordinary and is very fine.

Of course, I was eating my curry while thinking of the chance to get that plan into action.

Of course it’s a plan to find out the owner of that DVD.

…Well I call it a plan, but it’s nothing too complicated. It’s pretty straightforward and simple.

What I mean is, since thinking and suspecting alone won’t get me anywhere, I will try to make an attempt to stutter the suspect. And here is a perfect situation for that.

After I sip some of the Asari[4] miso soup, I asked a question not aimed at anyone in particular.

“Hey I’m going to the convenience store after dinner, is there anything you want me to get while I’m there?”

“Oh, then get me the new Häagen Dazs thing. The limited seasonal edition thing.”

“Okay.”

Making some idle conversation with my mother first, I start my attack.

“By the way, one of my friends is now really into anime for girls. If I remember right, it was called Stardust something…”

“Why that all of the sudden?”

The first one who reacted to my hint was my mom. No way…

“Well he just recommended it to me, saying it was interesting. So I might watch it once.”

“Oh no, that’s what they call otakuism, right? Like the show on TV… You shouldn’t become like them, okay? Right, father?”

My mom asks my dad. He blankly responds,

“Yes, you don’t need to deliberately bring bad influence upon yourself.”

Hmm, so you have that kind of attitude towards it. They don’t know about it too much, but they normally don’t have a good impression about it. People like me don’t care what hobbies people have since it doesn’t matter.

But, since it’s useless to argue with my parents here, I made a blank ‘yeah’ response.

They are speaking their thoughts openly and my father was out of the question in the first place. He wouldn’t have a DVD that he’d not know how to use.

So by elimination, the suspect left is…

I quietly glanced at Kirino sitting next to me.

“…”

Kirino was biting her lip strongly, as if she was using every single muscle in her body, and her chopsticks in her hands were shaking. Uhh what? You’re kidding right!?

“Kirino?”

Mom asks Kirino lightly, seeing my sister acting strange.

“Thank you for the meal.”

She stands up and quickly heads out of the room, seemingly in rage.

She slams the door shut and climbs the stairs with a stomp.

The people left behind are in shock.

“What is wrong with her?”

“I-I wonder.”

I make a halfhearted response to my mom who is puzzled. Honestly, I don’t know what to do either.

What is she angry for? What part of that conversation would have made Kirino mad? If she was the culprit and noticed my hints, then it’s even more strange.

If she was acting normally, she wouldn’t get all apparently worried and make me notice. What’s wrong? I don’t understand at all, Kirino.

“Heh.”

But her attitude wasn’t normal. I can consider that as a sign that she responded to my hints.

Of course, I don’t believe this was enough to condemn her as a suspect. It’s just that I suspect someone in the family is responsible for it… It meaning “Stardust Witch Meruru” that is…

Was it… my sister?

“Mother, call Kirino down later.”

Father’s displeased voice resounds heavily in the dining room. Oh great. She’s in trouble. Not that I’m responsible for it.

If I assume that the DVD is Kirino’s, then a lot of things will surely make sense.

She must have dropped it this evening when she bumped into me. That thing, which would have been in her bag, found itself between the shoe closet and the wall when it dropped out.

And Kirino realized she had lost the thing after she arrived at her destination.

That’s why she was looking for something in the entrance hall before supper.

If I were to add to that, if my assumption that she put the wrong DVD in the case is correct, she was supposed to bring “Stardust Witch Meruru” and not “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister!”.

…Well anyway, I can’t imagine what kind of business she would have that requires her to bring something like that. I thought she was having a mass date, but middle school girls don’t bring anime DVDs to mass dates. So, I can be quite sure she went to see a friend.

“Hmm…”

I don’t get it at all. I still can’t believe there’s a relationship between Kirino and anime for kids. Look, it’s Kirino we’re talking about. It’s impossible. Something’s got to be wrong. I did make this ‘Kirino is the Culprit’ theory, but I still had almost no faith in it.

…Oh well, maybe I’ll dig in a bit deeper.

“Thanks for the meal.”

After eating my supper, I left the dining room. I go to my room for my wallet and purposely say aloud in front of my room.

“Alright. I should head out to the convenience store.”

…Heh I have no talent as an actor. Who cares. I know I can’t do it well anyways. Rather, it’s some cheap trick that I’d be surprised at if she actually fell for.

Making large thuds, I go down the stairs and close the door with a bang.

Leaving the house, I take the path to the convenience store. Instead of heading for the convenience store, however, I take a different path leading to the back of my home.

What am I up to? Well, I put myself in the culprit’s shoes. If Kirino was the culprit then she would have realized by now that it was me who picked up the thing.

So then, if I were Kirino, what would I do?

The best solution would be to recover the thing before I noticed and then pretend she knows nothing about it. That’s the only option.

Kirino was apparently acting strange at that time. She wasn’t being cool. If so, she might lose her patience and begin searching for the thing. So I set up a simple trap, even though the chances that she would fall for it are low.

“Well… still it’ll never work out, right?”

I whisper to myself while slipping through the back door to my home, and silently climb the stairs. I swung the door open.

*Creak*

“Hey… What are you doing?”

“…Wha-?!”

Huh?! No way! She really was in here…

Uh, how surprised can you be?

Kirino, on all fours in the middle of the room, looks back at me with a face that’s all blue.

It’s like she’s frightened. Regardless, she still looks at me like I’m garbage, and it stabbed my heart.

“…I said, what are you doing?”

“…It’s none of your business.”

With her ass facing me, she speaks to me with a tone that seems to want to take a bite out of me. Possibly from her nervousness, she’s breathing hard.

“…Of course it does. How would you feel if someone were to break into your room and begin a search?”

And out of all the places, you’re searching through my hidden porn book collection.

With my suppressed anger, I tell her coldly.

“…”

Kirino looks aside silently. Is it from her anger that her cheeks are becoming flaming red? She then slowly stands up and walks toward me without a word.

“Out of my way.”

“No way. Answer my question. What were you doing here?”

“Get out of my way!”




“I know already. You were searching for this.”

I was secretly afraid of my sister, who had been raging a foot away from me. Still, I reveal the DVD Case for “Stardust Witch Meruru” hidden underneath my shirt. Kirino’s reaction was dramatic.

“That…?!”

“Oops.”

She shoots out her hand with a demonic face, but expecting this, I evade.

Throwing a fake expression of coolness, I tap the DVD case with my hand.

“Heh… So this was yours after all.”

“…Of course not!”

She says in a highly frustrated voice. Hey, what you’re saying is inconsistent with your actions.

“Oh, so this isn’t yours? Well, I picked it up this evening in the entrance hall. I thought maybe you dropped it when you bumped into me.”

“That’s definitely not… It’s not mine. W-Why would I watch such a… childish… anime? No way I would… right?”

Looks like she won’t ever admit it. This is going to take forever.

“If you weren’t looking for this, then what did you come into my room for?”

“Well… that’s…!”

“That’s? What?”

I try to make her continue, but she keeps silent again.

“…”

She shakes her shoulder from frustration and looks down.

It’s apparent that Kirino is feeling extreme humiliation from my questioning.

Well, it must feel like being accused of possessing a porn book by someone I hate. It surely must be frustrating and so embarrassing that you would feel like killing yourself.

“…”

She looks at me in silence with strong hostility, like she’s looking at some guy who killed her parents.

…Damn why do I have to be seen by my sister with such hatred?

Damn it. It’s getting really stupid. I don’t really care about her. Why must I do something so uneasy? Oh fine, I quit.

“Here.”

I carelessly shove the DVD case to my sister’s breast. Kirino still keeps her expression of hatred and looks up at me.

“It’s important to you right? I’m going to give it back, so take it.”

“I-I said it’s not min-”

“Then throw it away for me.”

“Huh?”

She looks up at my face with a ‘what do you mean?’ expression.

What’s that face for? I’m not trying to have fun abusing my sister. I just wanted to know whose DVD this was, and that’s been solved. I can’t go on with this forever. Of course I’d never say this out loud. Instead, I speak using well thought out lines.

“Sorry, it must have been my misunderstanding. I understand well that it’s not yours. I don’t know whose it is, but I have no use for it, so along with apologies, I want to ask you to get rid of it. Would you throw it away for me?”

After I make this much compromise, finally Kirino speaks up.

“Well… Fine.”

And then takes the DVD case. I step aside and open the door, and then Kirino leaves the room. I proceed to step into my room.

“Phew.”


Jeez, how long has it been since I talked that much to my sister?

Man, I’m so tired. I slump into the bed and look up into the ceiling.

That was when I heard my sister’s voice, who I thought had already gone away.

“Hey…”

“Huh?”

Oh, she was still here. How troublesome. Just go away.

I look at her, and she was shyly looking at me. What a commendable expression it was, one that she would normally never show me. Uhh… what? What’s the matter? I suddenly felt worried and ask her. “What?”

“You think it’s wrong… right?”

“What is?”

“Well… It’s just a hypothetical question but, you know… if I had… these… do you think it’s wrong… I’m asking…”

…heh.

“Not really. I don’t think it’s wrong.”

I click my tongue in my heart and answer. I wanted to get her out of my room as soon as possible and if I answered differently she would surely get mad.

…Jeez why are you acting like you want to pick a fight?

I returned it to you in a way that would hurt your pride the least. And this was your mess up in the first place. So there’s no reason to get angry at me, rather you should be thanking me.

“…You really think so? Really?”

“Yeah. Whatever hobby you might have, I won’t look down on you, ever.”

…Since it has nothing to do with me.

“Really? Absolutely?”

“Man, you don’t trust me. I said really. Believe me.”

I wasn’t really so serious with my words, but it looks like Kirino was satisfied with my words.

“I see… Hmm…”

She made a few nods and then held tightly on to the “Stardust Witch Meruru” and ran off. Somehow this scene makes me feel nostalgic. I feel something like this happened in the past too. I’ve forgotten about it though.

“At least close the door, will you?”

I complain and then collapse onto the bed.

And so for two days, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Kirino and I were back to normal. No conversation, no eye contact, and keeping the distance of a stranger. While I got to see an interesting aspect of my sister, I didn’t try to do anything about it, thinking I’d just forget about it quickly.

Well, it did interest me why my sister had something like that.

But still, I didn’t feel like digging into my sister’s secrets. It’s just asking for too much trouble.

But…

Late one night…

I was having a good night’s sleep, when I felt a sharp sting on my cheek.

“Whoa?!”

That’s a good wake up call. Looks like I got slapped on my cheek.

What? A burglar? I open my eyes in surprise.

“!!”

It’s bright. It looks like the lights in my room are on. I feel something heavy on my stomach, but it doesn’t look like I’m tied up. It’s a job half done for a burglar...

Uhh hey!

“Hey you!”

Recognizing the attacker, I open my eyes wide in amazement. My heart’s pounding from the sudden night attack.

“…Be quiet.”
The attacker was actually Kirino in her pajamas. She was on all fours like she was covering me while I was trying to get up in my bed. My sister’s face without makeup is right near my face.

“Hey, you! What the heck do you-”

“I told you to be quiet! What time do you think it is now?”

I voice my protest while Kirino threatens me quietly.

What time you think it is now? That would be my line.

Rather… I’m in my own bed, late at night, with my sister on top of me, looking into my face inches from me. What the heck is this situation? It might look like some scene from a love-comedy but my heart is about to explode, in the wrong sense.

“Uhh… Getting off the bed is a good starting point,”

I say to her, trying to calm my breathing. My sister did what I told her, apparently with a disgusted expression.

Surely if it was some other woman, I would be disturbed (with another reason than being surprised). But if it’s my sister, she’s just heavy. No matter how good she looks, I can’t count her as being a woman.

All brothers with sisters would agree with this.

“Heh…”

I poke my temple with my finger and ask with a sigh,

“And so, what was your intention?”

“… I have something to tell you, so come.”

Why are you getting angry? I should be the one since I’ve been suddenly beaten in the cheek. Yet, I’m still treating her properly. Aren't I a nice person?

“Something you want to tell me, at such a late hour?”

“Yep.”

“I’m really sleepy you know. Could we do this tomorrow?”

I apparently said that in an unhappy manner, but Kirino didn’t nod her head in agreement.

Rather she gave me an ‘are you stupid?’ kind of expression.

“Tomorrow won’t do. It has to be now.”

“Why?”

“…It just has to be.”

All right. She won’t tell me why and she won’t change her line of thought either. How selfish can this woman be?

I want to ignore this crazy talk and go back to sleep, but too bad my eyes are wide open now. I answer her even though it’s tiring.

“…And where are we going?”

“…To my room.”

With a look as if she found her parent’s killer, she tugged my collar.

I give up resisting and unwillingly follow her.

“I just have to go, right? Jeez.”

Oh what is this, really.

My sister’s room is right next door. Last spring when Kirino entered middle school, Dad gave her this room. It’s a rarely used Japanese style room converted into a western style one and I’ve never been inside before.

I thought I’d never do so in the future either, but of all times, I never thought I’d be invited late in the night. I could have imagined it to happen in the morning, since I still think that this is a joke or something.

“You can come in…”

“OK…”

Lead by Kirino, I step into my sister’s room for the first time. I have no real special feelings, but it’s strangely sweet smelling.

Hmm… It’s larger than my room.

It’s about 8 tatami mats wide, with a bed, a closet, a desk, a bookshelf, a mirror, CD rack, and various other things.

The interior wasn’t much different from my room, except with a more reddish coloring.

However the big difference is that it has a computer desk.

It suits my image of Kirino well, not being the individualist, but quite modern.

“What are you looking at?”

“I’m not looking.”

Unbelievable. You lead me here and you say it like that?

Kirino sits on the bed, and points to the ground.

“Sit.”

You say it like it’s completely natural, but sister, this position is like the judge and criminal in a courtroom.

“Hey, at least give me a cushion”

“…”

With a very disgusted frown, she throws over a cushion of a cat.

I happily put the cat’s face under my ass and sit.

Jeez, she really seems to hate having me touching her possessions. Does she think I spread germs or something? Are girls of this age all like this? Oh, how evil.

“And…?”

I look up. Kirino still looks cross and all flustered. Then after a deep breath, she quietly speaks out.

“I have…”

“What?”

You’re speaking too quietly. I can’t hear you. After I asked, her expression becomes even more mean.

“As I said, I have something to consult with you about.”

Oh, that’s quite an unexpected line. I thought I heard wrongly, and I ask again.

“What did you say?”

“I want to consult you about life.”

“…”

For a long moment, I was shocked and went silent, blinking countless times.

Because, well you know… It’s my sister. She hates me like some dung beetle. And what did she ask me? She wants to consult me about life? Wow. It must be a dream. After this, I wouldn’t be surprised even if Godzilla were to come and attack the town.

With my dead dry throat, I managed to speak up.

“Consult about life? You consulting me?”

“Yes.”

Kirino nodded clearly. Hey hey… You serious?

“You told me last time.”

“What?”

“That it’s not wrong for me to have those kinds of things…”

She isn’t talking too clearly. It’s like she’s a little upset.

“That kind of thing… You mean the stuff I asked you to throw away?”

“Yes…”

Why does that topic come up now?

Feeling strange, I answer “Yeah, I did.”

“And what does that have to do with it?”

“You really won’t… look down on me…?”

Is it really ok for me to talk to her? I begin to wonder.

I say to my sister who still looks at me in suspicion,

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I said I won’t look down on you, ever.”

I don’t care a bit about your hobbies, really. You woke me up just to make sure of this?

“A-Absolutely, really true?”

“Absolutely, surely, really, truly, true.”

“I won’t forgive you if it’s a lie.”

“Yeah, do as you wish.”

Jeez, give me a break. What is this?

I begin to feel tired. Meanwhile Kirino seems to have made up her mind and stands up, walking towards the bookshelf.

…Huh? What are you going to do?

Beside me, who’s puzzled, Kirino pulled on one of the two bookshelves. I am amazed at how easily it was moved around, but after a second look, I realized all the contents have been pulled out and already stacked on her bed.

With one of the bookshelves that filled the wall gone, a huge space opens up.

“H-Hey, what are you doing…?”

Kirino doesn’t answer my question but pushes the other bookshelf (which is half filled with books) with her shoulder into the open space.

Little by little, the thick bookshelf moves. What was revealed was a Japanese style door not matching this western style room. A hidden storage space.

“Wow…”

Kirino lets a breath out and says,

“When I entered middle school and got this room, they remade this room into a western style room, right? I don’t know why but this was probably left over from that time. I only discovered it during the last year’s year end cleaning, though…”

“I see…”

Maybe Dad pinched some pennies. If the bookshelf is there no one will realize it…

“So the consultation about life… is about the contents in there?”

Kirino nodded. But with her hand on the door, she’s not going to open it.

“…”

With a difficult expression she looks into my face.

Leading up till now, even someone as dull as me would have figured out what’s inside there, along with the reason why she’s hesitating.

…Consultation about life, eh? Why ask me?

Surely I said I won’t look down on her regardless of her hobby but still…

“Hmm…”

I put myself in Kirino’s shoes.

Well, there’s two kinds of consultations about life.

One type is the most common type, asking someone who can relate to your issue and can be entrusted to it.

For this type, you would want to think it through together with the consultant, about your concern or problem, and find a solution.

And the other kind is consulting a complete outsider.

In this case, you aren’t looking for useful advice at all and just want someone to listen to you.

And as for Kirino’s case, I’m definitely not someone who knows about the issue and can be trusted upon it.

Then it means…

If Kirino’s concern is what I think it to be, then it would be difficult to consult someone.

She would be afraid of destroying her personal image. She doesn’t really have a choice of who to consult. There’s only one person who she can consult openly, which is me.

Someone who knows what she wants to consult about and doesn’t mind how she will be considered after the consultation. That would be me.

Okay so that’s how it is. After understanding most of what my sister’s situation is, I tell her, wanting to complete the job and go back to sleep as soon as possible,

“Don’t worry. Whatever comes out of there, I will never look down on you, and if you tell me to keep it a secret, I will never tell anyone. Okay?”

Hearing my well thought out words of kindness, Kirino nods again and mutters,

“…It’s a promise,”

before she opens the forbidden door.

*rolling sound*

*thud*

“Huh? Something fell out…”

Before witnessing the revealed contents of the closet, I carelessly pick up the object that fell out.

It was again a DVD case and…

Its title was “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister! -Sister Maker ver. 1.4-”

*ahem ahem ahem ahem …?!*

I coughed up big time.

I-Is this the original game? Come to think of it, it wasn’t just the anime, but she also possessed this! I’m shocked. At what? At the erotic package with a half naked, blushing girl embracing herself! And what? This was a series?

“Wh-What is this?”

“Oh that? Well it was first a series on PS2, but after porting to PC, it became a completely different series. It’s a classic, but it’s a little old and the contents are a bit hard, definitely not for a beginner.”

I didn’t ask that! What do you mean by a beginner in the first place? Are you some kind of pro? You are a pro, right? Damn, I have too many questions to ask. This is way past my skill level!

Wh-What’s happening here?

Have I stepped into another world? Someone tell me!

The first strike in the head from the title “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister” already made me groggy. But as for Kirino, it was nothing more than a light jab.

“…Heh.”

Sweating heavily, I look up and peer into the forbidden open abyss.

The inside of the closet looks normal at first look. It had a top and bottom shelf and was dimly lit.

But the goods piled up were of an even stranger variety.

What catches the eye was the large number of cases piled high on the top shelf.

“What are… those boxes?”

Kirino answers proudly, while handing me a few of the cases.

Most were from the “Sister Maker EX series” and just a list of the titles are like this:

“Super Step Sister” “Let’s Play With Your Sisters (heart)” “Tengentoppa 12 Sisters” “Final Weapon Sister”… Well, you get the picture.

I have a lot of comments that I’d like to make, but if I say the wrong thing, I’ll definitely end up in a hellish situation. I first begin with what I hope wasn’t a touchy question.

“Why is the box… so big?”

“That, I don’t know. But it’s like that.”

She reveals one of the world’s mysteries solemnly. I don’t get it. I don’t really get it. I don’t get anything at all.

*gulp* While holding back the dangerous question that’s about to come out of my mouth anytime, I glance at the lower shelf.

In there were more huge boxes lined up.

Those boxes were larger than PC game boxes and were not of uniform size. Some had pictures of girls and others were glittery colored.

“What… are these?”

“DVD boxes for anime. All of these here are special box editions.”

“DVD boxes? Special box edition?”

It’s sad but I can’t do more than repeat what she said.

“Yep. Like the final edition with the episodes touched up, a bonus disk, special booklet, and other specials are packed in it. Haha! Aren’t they great?”

“You mean… the Stardust Witch thing?”

“Yes.”

Kirino seems a bit excited.

Is she so happy to reveal her prized collection to someone that she hates so much like me? I’m almost about to crack up and laugh. It’s quite an unusual feeling.

Anyway, this question comes to my mind.

“By the way, aren’t these rather expensive?”

“Umm, well somewhat. Well this one is… 41,790 yen… This one is 55,000 yen. And this one is…”

“That’s expensive as hell! What part of that was somewhat?”

“Is that so much? It’s the same price of one or two pieces of clothing.”

“Where does all that money come from?! You’re a middle school student! Your sense of economy is screwed already at the age of 14!”

After saying this, I felt that I made the wrong comment.

Oh crap, maybe that’s a really delicate matter. I might not want to hear the answer…

As if she didn’t notice my worries, she simply says,

“Where? From my pay, of course.”

“I-I see.”

Pay, huh? Well if it’s pay then it’s fine…

Err no no no not at all!

I ask her with a half fearsome face.

“You said pay?”

“Yes.”

“What is that? What kind of work do you get paid for?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I work as a model for a magazine.”

“A-A model for a magazine? Like those nude photos on the front?”

“Completely wrong… Are your ears rotten or something? I said I’m a model! I’m an exclusive reader’s model!”

Her eyes filled with scorn that hurt my heart. I didn’t know the real difference between a model and a nude model, but I guess I made a completely wrong remark.

Perhaps she got tired of seeing my confused look and took a magazine from the shelf, throwing it at me.

It was one of those so called teen magazines. It has an extremely glittery title on a book background and lots of inflaming lines like “seize the future.”

“…”

Flipping through the pages, I see my usual sister in various places. I don’t really get it, but it seems my sister is making cool poses with the ‘most vogue’ clothes.

Wow… she looked like a model, but I never thought she was actually one.

I shouldn’t really care what she does or where she does it, but why do I feel a little irritated? I don’t know why, but I made some nasty comments.

“What the heck is with this pose? Was your back hurting or something?”

“Are you dumb?”

Why do I sense some dismay in her eyes that are still filled with scorn?

I feel even worse after she then looks away from me. I try to fix the situation.

“Well… I guess, you look cute?”

What the heck am I telling my sister? Well… It’s not a lie though.

“Rather, isn’t this one of those better known magazines? Even I know the title so… Could you be some great personality or something?”

“Hmm? Oh, this isn’t such a big deal.”

She really seems to enjoy getting praised, even from someone like me. She’s not even trying to conceal her happiness.

Since the evil mood had been repaired, I get back to the topic that was cut short.

“And err… How much do you get paid?”

“Hmm… If I remember right…”

Hearing my sister’s response, I shrug heavily.

Oh come on… They’re giving way too much to a kid.

“So you get it now? Me working on my cuteness everyday is part of my job.”

“Yeah, sure…”

But yeah… the readers of this magazine wouldn’t even imagine that the cool styled model is actually spending her earnings on stuff like “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister” or “Let’s have Fun with your Sister (heart)”.

Rather, if her fans ever found that out, they’d surely faint and drop.

While feeling all the agony in the world, I try to look into the depths of the closet.

However, Kirino, who is on her knees, opens both her hands and blocks me.

“I-I can’t show you any more tonight.”

“Why not?”

Well, it’s not that I want to see more, but I thought you won’t let me go until I saw everything and all.

Kirino takes a look into the depths and then glares at me.

Oh please quit looking at me as if you’re looking at some garbage.

“I… don’t trust you yet, so this is the limit for now.”

“Huh?”

What is with her? What the heck is she talking about? From the way she says it, it makes it seem like that was nothing, and that there’s something even more bizarre. Oh wait, erm… You DO have something? You do huh?

“The stuff further inside are a bit embarrassing so… No.”

“…I see.”

Whaaat? What kind of things could make her embarrassed? She just showed me “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister” so proudly. I become silent from the extreme surprise when Kirino starts speaking. She’s right in front of me, on all fours, looking up at me.

“So how is it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

What kind of answer does she want? If someone knows, please tell me now.

I struggle to provide an answer, and Kirino is getting somewhat antsy.

“Well, you know, like, how you feel after having seen my hobby.”

“Oh yes… How I feel, heh… Erm… I’m surprised.”

“That’s it?”

“Well, you’re asking me to say more? But you know, I’m just so surprised I can’t make out any other remarks.”

I try to be sensitive and say so, however Kirino makes a worried face with her well styled eyebrows and blurts out,

“…It must be wrong for me to have these kind of things.”

“…Well I don’t think so.”

It’s not a matter of right or wrong.

…So I guess this was the matter Kirino wanted to consult me about.

Anyhow, I really want to go to sleep and forget about this. Maybe she will let me go now?

Since I’m desperate to get out of this room, I give a comment that I think my sister would surely want.

“I told you already. Regardless of whatever hobby you have, I will never look down on you. Isn’t that fine? Everyone is permitted to choose their own hobbies. As long as it’s not causing someone else trouble you should be free to choose what you want to do. Besides, it’s the money that you earned yourself. Nobody has the right to say anything about it.”

“True. Heh… You do say good things every now and then.”

All right, she’s satisfied. Good. Now it’s time for me to leave…

And my butt was halfway up before I decided to sit down again.

Actually, there was something I really wanted to ask about the entire time and had been holding it back.

If I go about it wrong, I might get an out of this world answer, so I thought I would try not asking, and forgetting about it, but oh well, I can’t hold it back anymore.

It’s like someone from another realm is commanding me to ask her now, as soon as possible. Well surely I’m imagining things.

“Heh…”

All right. I’m going to ask now. I’m going to do so! Am I ready to deal with the issue calmly even if I get a bizarre answer?

“Kirino, about what we were talking back before… There is one I thing I want to ask you.”

“Huh? That formality of yours is so unreal.”

Brat… Is that how to talk to your own brother who completely accepted your hobbies?

From the looks of this, this probably won’t end up in the worst possible way.

Phew… After a sigh of relief, I ask her.

“So, why do you have these hentai games about little sisters?”

“…”

Err… Why are you so silent here? Say something will you?

“…Why do you think I do?”

“N-No idea… I just wonder…”

W-W-W-Wait a second why do you have to blush and get all pink in the face?

Why are you crawling towards me on all fours?

N-N-No way! Please, stop that! I don’t have those kinds of interests!

Fearing for my own safety, I slowly take several steps back as if I am shaken from fear.

“Why are you backing away?”

“I’m not.”

“Lies. You are.”

“That’s because you are… Oops”

O-Oh no… I backed into the wall. I can’t go back any further.

I could have quickly run off, but I wasn’t calm enough. All I could do was look around the room frantically. And before I realized it, she was able to get even closer to me.

“…”

Then, Kirino’s expression changed to a serious one, like she had made up her mind on something important.

That serious look from her eyes stabs straight into my eyes. I’m paralyzed by Kirino’s eyes. I can’t take my eyes off her. The air was tense.

And then on all fours, she gets on top of me…

She shoved the copy of “Let’s Make Love With Your Sister” in front of my nose.

“Huh?”

I was not expecting this to happen, I am speechless. She doesn’t seems to care about my reaction and changing into a rather romantic blushing tone, she says,

“When you look at this package, don’t you feel like… it’s somehow nice?”

“W-What are you talking about?”

I don’t get it. From the moment I stepped into this room, how many times has that phrase come up in my mind? Out of all the times, Kirino’s last comment was very incomprehensible.

“You know…”

She gives me a blank look as if she thinks that I’m the strange one for not understanding.

“…It’s really cute!”

Err what is? Your comments aren’t specific.

I must have had a quite puzzled look.

I knew I wouldn’t get a better answer from rewording the question, so I let my brain work hard to try to decipher what my sister meant.

“…”

There are two clues. The package she holds right in front of my nose and her comment just now saying “It’s really cute”.

Of course you would normally only have one answer, but isn’t that really wrong? It sure is, right? I can’t quite accept it but I still ask her cautiously.

“So what you’re saying is… Err… You like ‘little sisters’? And this is the reason why you have a lot of those games?”

“Uh huh!”

Correct answer! She gave me a really cheerful nod… Why is she so proud of this?

Oh, I really wish she was so cheerful like that all the time.

I was wondering about that kind of stuff while Kirino continued on, without me even asking.

“They really are cute you know! In the usual bishoujo games, the player normally is a male, so they get called many different ways. They address you in a special way, like ‘onii-chan’ ‘onii’ ‘aniki’ ‘anikun’ some different way that suits the girl’s type. That love they have for the brother just really strikes you hard.”

“I see… that’s surprising…”

I follow along not too seriously. Heh, she really loves it…

By the way, you keep addressing me like “Hey” or “Yo” and other rude ways. What’s your opinion on that? It doesn’t seem right to me at all. Rather, it frustrates me all the time.

“Oh, of them, I like this girl the best!”

My sister was pointing at a blushing short frail type girl with black hair in a twin-tail hair style.

“Black hair has got to be in a twin tail, I think. These little weak-looking girls make you feel like you want to protect them and you know… hug them tight and… haha aren’t they nice?”

You have brown hair. You have a super short skirt and sit in such a way that shows your legs all the time and laugh loudly on the phone. Doesn’t that comment you made absolutely deny yourself?

Well… putting that aside.

“I… see.”

My sister likes ‘little sisters’… and that is why she is into collecting these kind of items.

That I understand now, but that doesn’t mean my questions are answered. Rather, it makes it even stranger for me.

I asked with a serious face.

“B-But, why's that?”

“Huh?”

“Like, why do you like sisters? I’m not saying that it’s bad or anything, but the games you collect… Normally men would be buying them, right? And they are… Err… Even ones that aren’t supposed to be sold to under-18 year olds. It just absolutely doesn’t fit your image. Why did you… What’s the reason you began to like those kinds of things? What made you like it? Is there something behind it?”

“That is… well…”

Kirino was apparently shaken from my question. She blinked her eyes like she had been splashed with a bucket of cold water. Her eyes are wandering everywhere. She’s hesitating to answer the difficult question… It didn’t seem like that was the thing. I kept waiting for a while and…

“I.. I don’t know…”

She said in a somewhat childish way, with her eyes closed tight, and her face all red.

I respond, “Huh?” and ask again. My sister now has her hands in front of her chest and starts blushing.

“You see… Umm I-I don’t know… myself…”

Oh wow, is she being possessed by some evil spirit all of the sudden?

Where’s her usual annoying personality?

How she looked when embarrassed totally wasn’t like her, (I mean she was so cute) so I was unsure of what to do.

“You don’t know? But… it’s about yourself you know…”

“Because… I-It just turned out this way! I don’t really know why… Just when I realized, I was already in love with it…”

You’re really talking like some other character… It’s totally not you.

“…I think it all began with an anime I saw in the store.”

Kirino’s attitude is now that of a weak little sister character, just like the ones she loves.

She looks up at me with a worried look.

“I know too that this isn’t… a normal girl’s hobby. That’s why I couldn’t tell anyone… and I hid it… But even if I know so… I just love it… When I’m using the internet… I just can’t help googling about it… and then I find myself playing the trial version… and as I play the trial edition, I get the feeling that I’ve got to buy it and…”

So this is the result of that.

I look at the tower of little sister type games and thin my eyes.

…Aren’t you completely falling for the game companies’ sales tactics?

“Th-These cute cover illustrations make me go crazy!”

Don’t blame the illustrator…

Erm… So why am I listening to how my sister became an otaku in the middle of the night?

I’m pretty sure there’s no other brother in the world who has the same experience as me.

Kirino continues on.

“I thought it was wrong… So I thought of quitting… many times. But I just couldn’t quit. Because… you know when you open your browser, the news sites registered to Hatena Antenna gives me new information every day, and tries to make me buy lots of stuff… Damn those CarsSP and AkibaBlog…”

“Well… you know… what were they… news sites? You could just stop looking at them, right?”

“If I could manage to do that, then I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

A little question was enough to get her quite depressed.

Hey… Who the heck is this? I don’t remember having such a cute sister.

Kirino sitting flat in front of me and looking up at me with eyes glittering with tears.

“So… What do you think I should do?”

“…”

What should she do, she asks me…

Like hell, I’d know… That would be my honest reply. But I certainly can’t tell that to my sister who is depending on me, regardless of what her intentions might be.

I do understand. The reason why she chose me as the consultant. It's not because I’m a reliable, lovable brother. It’s because I mean nothing to her and she assumes there would be nothing bad in telling me about it.

It’s such a damned story, having not a bit of respect for me.

But still, whatever her reasons were, she still told me what her worries were. She might not have any love for me, but she still does have at least a speck of trust in me and relied on me, right? And now, the only person who could help her, is me, right? Then, case closed. No other choice.

Just about when my mind was made up, Kirino said something outrageous.

“Should I… talk to mother and father about this?”

“Absolutely not! Don’t even try! If you could have done that, you wouldn’t have to worry about all this in the first place!”

Whoa that surprised me. Maybe she’s actually quite the airhead.

“Oh right. Then I won’t.”

“Yeah, keep it to yourself. And make sure father doesn’t find out.”

Our father is one of those old style grumpy men and is very strict.

If father does find out about this ’secret hobby’ of hers… All hell would break loose.

“If they find out… Would I get in trouble?”

“You most likely would. Honestly, I don’t want things to end up like that. So that’s why I will help so that your hobby doesn’t get revealed… Not that I know exactly what to do…”

“Are you okay with that?”

Kirino looked like she didn’t accept that. It seems unbelievable that I offered to help her.

So… What kind of impression does she have about me? I won’t ask, since I dread the consequences of doing so.

Though I wasn’t exactly pleased, I still nodded.

“Sure. If anything happens, just tell me. I might not be able to give you good advice, but I will do what I can.”

I will later come to regret saying that without giving it much thought.

“O-Oh… All right then. That might be of help to me…”

Kirino didn’t thank me, but she did make a number of small nods and looked happy.

Seeing my sister like that doesn’t make me feel bad, honestly.

So she can make faces like this too.

I watch her smiling face with a strange feeling in my heart.

It brings back the old days… I don’t know why, but I thought so.

Well anyhow, I guess things will somehow work out. After I found that game of hers, she had been thinking hard and worrying about this for the past two days, and decided to talk to me.

There was not an option of refusing to help. Though I admit it’s troublesome.

…Oh well, I’m relieved that it wasn’t the ‘worst nightmare come true’.

“By the way, you only like ‘little sisters’ and buy ‘hentai games about little sisters,’ right? You don’t have any other intentions, right?”

“Huh? What else did you think it was?”

I only asked to seek further assurance, but Kirino seems puzzled.

And a few seconds later, she seems to have imagined my ‘worst nightmare come true’ scenario and made a frown.

“…Disgusting. Like hell no.”

Ah, she’s back to her normal self in a second. She’s filled with hate. Now this is my sister.

Oh shit, I was supposed to feel annoyed about this, but yet I felt rather assured. This shows how strange her obedient attitude just now was… Heh?

“Disgusting you say…? In the games you love, little sisters love their brother’s greatly, right? Why do you deny it yourself?”

“…Oh what an idiot you are. Don’t mix up 2D and 3D realms. Games are just games. Reality is reality. Think of this, would a real little sister ever think of liking their own brother? No way.”

Did she just indirectly say that she ‘absolutely hates’ me? Isn’t this cruel? I’m sure there are brothers and sisters who get along perfectly together in this world. That doesn’t deny the fact that I am your eternal enemy.

“This business is finished, so can you get out now?”

Damn… She really isn’t cute.

Home Page

Next chapter

Read more »