Toradora! Vol. 1 - Chapter 4

The plan was simple...

There was to be a basketball match for that day's PE lesson. The boys and girls would be split into two and play amongst their own gender, but they would warm up together before that... With two people paired off together for the warm-up, which would then take about 10 minutes and would involve stretching and passing balls.

The students were free to choose their warm-up partner however they wished, the PE teacher wouldn't mind as long as they were all paired up.

"... Which is why, this is a good opportunity for two people who rarely speak to have a conversation. I think it's great! So you go team up with Kitamura! End of story."

Ryūji explained his strategy while heading towards the gymnasium, dressed in his PE uniform. Walking beside him was Aisaka, who toyed with her ponytail that she tied behind while moping,

"Team up with him... But who in the class would go and pair up with the opposite gender? I always team up with Minorin, and Kitamura-kun is always with you. Now you suddenly ask me to team up with him... I just can't do it!"

She got quieter as she finished off her sentence. Tut, tut, tut! Ryūji waved his finger while proudly explaining his strategy,

"That's the whole point. Now listen up! The aim is to naturally and casually team up with him, all we need is some preparation. First, I'll team up with Aisaka..."

Aisaka looked suspiciously at Ryūji's face,

"... And then?"

"Once that happens, Kitamura will have no choice but to team up with someone else. Along the way, the guy who gets paired with Kitamura will be 'accidentally' hit by a ball thrown by me. Though it won't hurt him, it will be enough to cause a commotion, since I'll have to take that guy to the school clinic. In that case, guess who'll be left behind?"

"... Me, and Kitamura-kun?"

"Right? This way you can go and say 'Looks like we have no choice but to team up with each other'..."

"You really are a terrible actor. Are you taking me for a fool? ...And are things really gonna run that smoothly?"

"I'll do my best to make it run smoothly!"

The two of them changed into their sneakers while sitting shoulder to shoulder, and then gathered with other classmates before the PE teacher.

"Today... we'll practice passing the ball with a match." The teacher explained.

"Now then, let's begin with warm ups! Everyone pair up!"

"Hey, Aisaka!"

"I'm here! Let's team up, Takasu-kun!"

"Okay! Let's go!"

"... Right, dismissed! We seem to have some fired up spirits today!"

Ryūji and Aisaka quickly walked away from the gathering towards the corner of the gymnasium after quickly teaming up with each other. "Incredible... That Takasu really doesn't value his life anymore..." "It's as though he's now the Palmtop Tiger's pet..." Though everyone began to mutter amongst themselves fearfully, it did not reach the ears of those two. Facing each other, they consulted discreetly,

"We've now passed the first stage without any problems."

"Yeah."

Both nodded and exchanged glances.

However, Ryūji and Aisaka's sudden movement led the class towards an intriguing direction. Aside from the really shy ones, the other classmates also began to move...

"Hmm... so today's such a day, huh? Alright, I'll team up with a girl today! Who wants to be with me!?"

Starting with this flirtatious voice.

"Me too! I wanna team up with a guy!"

"You're right, I guess it's fine this way as well."

"Who knows? This could be fun!"

The mood became excited, aside from those who stuck with their oaths to team up with their friends, the others with less integrity began to team up with the opposite gender.

In the end...

"Maru~o-kun! Oops, I mean Kitamura-kun! Team up with me!"

"Huh? Ahh, sure, since I got dumped by Takasu..."

AH! Ryūji could hear a yell as he got smacked on the back by Aisaka.

"W, wait, what's going on!? Kitamura-kun's now teamed up with that weird girl!"

The one being called weird was one of the most popular girls in the class, Kihara Maya - Quite an elastic body for a 17 year old - She had extensions applied to her long eyelashes, while her lips were covered in a layer of thin semi-translucent pink lipstick. Wearing light makeup which only just made it past the school rules, she looked kind of cute... That's what Ryūji thought anyway.

"What do you mean weird girl? That's Kihara-san. Don't go calling your classmates that! Though things didn't go according to... WHA!?"

This time it was Ryūji's turn to yell.

"Kushieda, let's team up."

The one speaking in a coy manner was Noto Hisamitsu, a former Class 1-A classmate with whom Ryūji got along well - A fresh 17 year old - though the recently popular black framed glasses which he wore didn't suit him at all. The hell's he doing, that bastard!? As Ryūji glared with his pissed-off eyes...

"Okay! Let's go!"

Minori leaped happily towards Noto.

"Wha!? You!? Ehh!? Kushieda-san! Are you teaming up with that weird guy!? T, together!?"

"I thought he was your friend? Really, that's why I said you are a useless dog! How can you not have foreseen such a thing?"

"Weren't you the one who agreed to it!?"

Just as the two tried to shove blame onto each other, the PE teacher's whistle echoed across the gymnasium. Everyone lined up accordingly and started to do their warm-ups.

Standing ruefully before Ryūji, Aisaka started to move her body, shaking her ponytail as she went. The guys nearby who were close to her were repelled by her glare and clicking tongue, forcing the poor souls to quickly apologize and make a path for her to cross.

No matter who it was (besides Minorin), anyone who gets in her way would get bitten. Thus the alias, the Palmtop Tiger, which is derived from her name. Ryūji remembered what one of his new classmates said when inquiring about Aisaka's alias. There was indeed a reason she was called a tiger, and unlike other girls, she didn't seemed too concerned about what Kitamura might think about her.

Yet, looking at the girl warming up to the music from the radio, her small and thin figure, she just didn't seem like a girl to be associated with the word "savagery". The uninitiated would probably think of her as a fragile-looking pretty girl. Indeed, when she first entered this school, there were many who regarded her as one of the prettiest amongst the new students, and it was said that they queued up just to confess to her... Ryūji could definitely understand how they felt.

Compared to other girls, she was one size smaller. A PE uniform that would just fit for others, would look much larger on her, and because of that she had to roll up the bottom part. Even her buttocks were as small as a child's. Overall, she belonged to the diminutive type.

Frankly speaking, even though he was tormented by her up until now, Ryūji still thought Aisaka was "quite cute", though even that was only limited to her looks. This was because his heart could not lie; it began to beat faster upon making eye contact with her occasionally... neither did the sweat dripping from his face.

It would be great if it wasn't a tiger inside that body... No, what am I saying!?...Just as he was thinking about this useless stuff...

"What are you spacing out for, you piece of junk? Ahhh, could it be you've already broken down?"

"... S...say whatever you like. My brain does not waste space in having to come up with words to counter your sudden insults..."

The radio warm-up was now over.

Aisaka coldly turned her head and sat down with her back towards Ryūji. Next were some stretching exercises.

"... Why do I have to gladly do my stretching exercises with you? Come to think of it, wouldn't warm-up time be over by the time we handle the balls?"

Aisaka muttered while complaining about Ryūji's botched plan, stretching her tiny fingers forward, she touched the tip of her sports shoes with little effort. In order to push her back, I'll have to touch her T-shirt and her body... Ryūji hesitated for a while, trying to remain calm and said,

"Hey, you're quite delicate! It would be great if you could talk to Kitamura like this."

"Yeah."

As the empty conversation went on, Ryūji began to feel rather unsettled, probably because he was thinking of Aisaka's looks a while ago, now he couldn't help but start noticing her body.

Below Aisaka's shoulder blades, her back felt a bit warm due to the warm up. Though it was by just a little bit, Ryūji could still make out the outline of her underwear from within.

Ryūji thought to himself I think I've just given an awesome gift to all the guys in the class.

"Ummph... Hey, you're getting heavy, stop pressing so hard!"

On the other hand, Ryūji was concerned about Kushieda Minori. Was Noto looking at Minori's underwear outline from under her shirt as well?

"... Ryūji, I'm... suffocating! Hey! You're heavy! Ow, hea... vy...!"

As Ryūji continued thinking, his vision moved from Aisaka's neck to the parting of her hair. As the sun rarely shined there, the back of her neck was as white as snow. The skin behind her ears all the way to her neck arteries was as smooth as polished marble, as though one would leave finger marks if they were to touch it... Just looking at it was enough to make one's heart race and their breathing faster...

"...! ...! ...!"

"... Huh? Why do you look like you're in pain?"

As he let go, Aisaka rose up and inhaled deeply, like a diver coming out from the sea,

"Y... you'll find out in a moment... Come, swap..."

Aisaka smiled at Ryūji for the first time. Just what happened? Ryūji didn't understand. Did something good happen?

About a minute later, it was Ryūji's turn to face his back towards Aisaka as he sat down. "Remember not to push too hard!" Ryūji said as he turned around.

And then he felt it.

It was a distance away when it began to leap and jump high up...

"Idi... Sto... Whoa...!"

With its weight and momentum, this tiger was attempting to break Ryūji's back as it fell harshly on him. His waist felt like it was going to give in.

"Damn it... that hurts...!"

"I was in quite a lot of pain as well a while ago, so now we're even!"

This did nothing but waste all their energy. Finally, it was time to practice passing the ball. After being hit by Aisaka's flying kick, Ryūji's legs felt like they were about to crack. It'll be a miracle if I can continue the rest of the PE lesson like this!

"Let's hurry up with our plan already, alright?"

Aisaka said, standing about 5 meters from him. The other classmates also began passing their balls, the sound of balls bouncing echoed around the gymnasium.

Their plan was to have Ryūji gently toss the ball towards Kitamura's partner mid-way through the passing exercise - That was the original plan of course, however, there was now a problem...

Diagonally behind Aisaka and diagonally in front of Ryūji, the person currently teamed up with Kitamura was Kihara-san - a girl.

No matter how lightly he might throw, Ryūji was still hesitant to deliberately injure a girl. Anyway, let me pass the ball to Aisaka first!

"... What the, how come you're passing the ball instead...?"

Her large eyes reflected the light like a sharp blade, shooting directly at Ryūji.

"... I'm waiting for a good chance. C'mon, pass me the ball!"

"..."

With a scowl, Aisaka flung the ball back at Ryūji hard. As Ryūji caught the ball, Aisaka quickly gestured with her chin.

Do it!

"... Okay, okay..."

After bouncing it for a while, he tossed the ball out again. Having received the ball, Aisaka's mouth turned into an inverted V-shape,

"Hey! What the hell? Hurry up already!"

Aisaka handled the ball expertly like a skilled basketball player. After a few bounces...

"Here!"

"Whoa!"

The basketball shot towards his face like a bullet.

"W, why you..."

Ryūji managed to quickly catch the ball after half of his face got scratched by it. By the way, Ryūji wasn't feeling mad, okay, maybe he was feeling a bit mad, but he was feeling scared a bit more.

"Hey Ryūji! C'mon! Pass it to me!"

Aisaka on the other hand, paced left and right annoyingly as though nothing had happened, her sneakers squeaking on the floor as she moved. Of course she didn't intend to really catch the ball, as she simply waved her arms about. Might as well try a manly pass! However, just as Ryūji was about to accumulate his strength for the throw...

"Ah..."

Aisaka suddenly looked somewhere else, forcing Ryūji to quickly come to a halt.

"What the hell are you looking at?!"

In front of Aisaka's vision after she turned around... "Sheesh~ Kitamura-kun, just where do you think you're tossing the ball?" "My bad!" Kihara Maya began to chase after the ball that rolled off, which landed just in front of Aisaka's feet.

"..."

A scowl.

Speaking of which, even Aisaka was not sure what expression to make aside from that as she picked up the ball.

"Wah! Aisaka-san! I'm sorry, are you mad!? I'm really sorry, we didn't mean it!"

Could it be because she's also a girl that it's easier to communicate with her? Kihara's smile revealed none of the terrified expressions the guys would normally make. "Can you pass it over, please!" Kihara waved her arm, and then realizing her shoelace was loose, quickly bent down to tie it.

In place of her calling Aisaka was...

"Hey... Aisaka! Sorry about that, can you pass it to me please?"

It was none other than the Mr. Nice Guy with flashy glasses - Kitamura Yūsaku. As expected of Kitamura, he treated every girl the same way, guess that's what people call being "innocent".

Creak! Aisaka suddenly stopped functioning as though her engine had run out of gas. Ryūji could not see her expression from his position, though he could tell very clearly that her body was now as rigid as a springboard.

"Cre~ak..." Aisaka started to move in a seemingly damaging way with all that creaking noise. She walked a few steps - right arm and right leg together, followed by left arm and left leg together - towards the ball. Without even saying "Look out!" or "Here I go!", she silently tossed the ball over. Sorry, she hurled the ball over, and in a pretty pathetically rigid way too.

After bouncing a few times, the ball rolled straight and...

"Thanks!"

Went straight into Kitamura's hand, who made a very cheesy V-sign on his forehead. By the way, he had his T-shirt completely tucked into his trousers, while the loose parts of his trousers were tightly wrapped around his legs.

"Ai, Aisaka...?"

"..."

Aisaka, who seemed to like that sort of guy, had ceased all signs of life... At least it looks that way. She didn't even respond to Ryūji's calls as she stood still, not caring that she was standing in a spot that was obstructing other people from passing their balls.

Ryūji decided to give up after calling her a few times. He carefully approached Aisaka, and without exciting or provoking her...

"... Aisaka!"

"..."

He softly tugged her T-shirt sleeve, and slowly pulled her back bit by bit. Unexpectedly, Aisaka actually followed obediently. And so, he succeeded in pulling her back to their original warm up spot. He took a peek at her silent face...

"Whoa!"

Ryūji quickly backed off. Aisaka Taiga was actually smiling! It was not easy to tell, but upon closer inspection one could see that she was smiling.

Her eyes were squinted small like a kitten that had just finished eating, her puffed up face was caressed by her hands and her mouth revealed the shape of an equilateral triangle. She remained like that until her neck became cherry red in color and her ears became bright red. If one listed intently, they would hear the faint whiffs that emitted from the depths of her abdomen...

"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh..."

... She was giggling.

"H, hey... Aisaka, what's wrong?"

"Heh... what now?! The one who's looking wrong is you! Why are you looking so stunned? You should be happy for me as well, like a dog."

"... Happy? For you?"

After hearing this unexpected statement, it was Ryūji's turn to become silent. Happy for what? Though Aisaka was pouting, she still appeared to be in a very good mood... Her hands were now grabbing her ponytail and had begun spinning slowly... Is she... dancing...?

But, why? How'd it come to this? Somehow it felt difficult to ask that in a situation like this... Ryūji, whose arm was whipped by her ponytail, frowned and asked,

"Hey... Hey! Why should I be happy?"

Aisaka stopped upon hearing the very direct question, she then scowled and exclaimed, "Wha?!"

"What are you moaning about? Have you forgotten just what we have been fighting for? That's right, I see... since you are a complete and utter idiot anyway. Just how tiny is that brain of yours? Huh? Stop fooling around already! I have no time to waste with you! I'll tell you since I'm in a good mood right now! You wanna hear it right? Right? Ki, Kitamura-kun just practiced passing the ball with me! Heh heh..."

She then reverted to her giggling. "Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh" ... After thinking for a while, Ryūji finally spoke,

"... What's that supposed to mean?"

"Huh?! Seriously, a dog has no right to complain..."

"... I'm not complaining... it's the way you're happy for... Sorry for being blunt, but aren't you happy for all the wrong reasons? When you said practice passing the ball... didn't you just simply pass the ball to him only once? Besides, was your goal just to practice passing the ball with him? Aren't you supposed to use that opportunity to start a conversation with him and get to know each other better?"

Ah...

Aisaka's grin was quickly replaced by her usual grim expression. "Right?" Ryūji continued,

"Furthermore, just what was that about? Did you even speak to him? Didn't you keep quiet the whole time? All you did was stiffly throw the ball out and he simply said thanks, and you call that a conversation?"

He picked up the ball while mimicking the cheesy V-sign Kitamura made a while ago. As a result...

"Hmph!"

Aisaka quickly turned and slammed her hand on the ball he was holding.

As a result of the great force applied, the ball bounced very high up, nearly touching the ceiling.

WHACK!

It then landed straight on top of Ryūji's head. Aisaka caught the ball as it bounced back and said,

"You're right... Hmm, so you can say something useful once in a while! Then, let's continue with our plan!"

With a high-and-mighty expression, Aisaka gave Ryūji, who was still writhing in pain, a kick and returned to her warm-up position.

"Hey, Ryūji!"

"Whoa!"

She immediately made a high speed pass. Ryūji wasn't even prepared when he grabbed the ball... more like, the ball smacked straight against Ryūji's chest.

"... Hey that hurts!"

Ryūji cried. Yet Aisaka's eyes glittered dangerously, she was geared up to the point of going crazy. The force of the throw was much stronger than before and it looked as though Aisaka was now engulfed in flames. It seemed that momentous chatter and joy had fanned the flames of love within Aisaka. Suddenly, she made the tricky request once again,

"Hey, hurry up and stick with the plan already. This time we must succeed."

"... Well, you know... this plan..."

"What are you mumbling about? Weren't you the one that came up with this plan!? Practice time's almost up!"

She's absolutely right, but...

Ryūji turned slightly and glanced at Kitamura's partner... I just can't do this! He shook his head while thinking, No matter how softly I throw the ball, that person's still a girl. I really can't do it! Perhaps I should just stay like this until the practice ends, but...

That's it!

Ryūji suddenly widened his eyes. Alright, I'll do this, I'll just remain in this position until the end. Aisaka's gonna go ballistic, but it can't be helped... I'll have to think of something to say to her...

"What the hell are you waiting for, you lowlife... Ah, damn! Why does my nose have to itch now..."

Now's my chance! Ryūji fired away with the speed of a machine gun at Aisaka who was now busily scratching her nose.

"How'd you manage? You look terrible! Speaking of which, you sneezed quite a lot last night, did you get a nose infection? Or did you catch a cold? Or is your nose too sensitive? Could it be that your nose was damaged by the reek from that horrid kitchen of yours? When was the last time you cleaned that place? You've probably never even cleaned your place, have you? Such a waste of a nice carpet... Oh yeah, where'd you get that carpet? It looks awesome, it's not made in Japan, is it? I'd sure like to get my hands on one of those..."

"What carpet?! Shut up already! Just what the hell are you rambling about? How should I know... Ugh... my nose... ugh... Ahhh, you're annoying! That's not important, hurry up with the plan... ugh...~!"

Aisaka now frantically scratched her nose while feeling very peeved. Looks like she's about to explode!

"Hey, pass it over! Paaaaa------sssss!!!"

Aisaka exclaimed loudly while waving her arms around like Spider-Woman. Her eyes read "If you actually throw this towards me, you're dead meat!"

But there's only enough time to pass one more time... Ryūji made a rough estimate in his head, Guess I'll just make another regular pass! Is Aisaka's nose itchy again? Her face looks really twisted...

"... Ugh... aaah..."

"Okay! I'm gonna pass, Aisaka!"

This time Ryūji used a lot of strength in his throw.

However, Aisaka unexpectedly leaned backwards,

And at the same moment...

"AH-CHOO!"

"AHHH!!!!!"

Oh shit!

The two sounds that echoed around the gymnasium were Aisaka's sneezing and Ryūji cry of terror... I didn't do this on purpose! I swear! It wasn't deliberate!

Yet, the unfortunate happened... The ball shot straight towards Aisaka's sneezing face; it was a direct hit. Aisaka then stiffly collapsed just like that, all that was left was the ball slowly dribbling away. Ryūji was too stunned to do anything as it all happened so quickly, it wasn't until a few seconds later that he was able to return to his senses,

"I, I'm sorry! You okay... whoa!?"

As Ryūji rushed to help pick Aisaka up, he suddenly became startled. This is bad. S, she's fainted, and her nose is bleeding... For some reason, the images of Inko-chan and Yasuko this morning flashed before him. They were both lying on the ground in awkward poses, and now Aisaka was the same as well. Could the scene from this morning be an omen for what is happening now... And why am I thinking of all these meaningless things at a time like this!?

"What's wrong, Takasu? Who's hurt? Is it Aisaka?"

The PE teacher and class rep Kitamura rushed over. Now's the chance to let Kitamura take care of Aisaka! Ryūji suddenly thought of such an idea, he turned to look at Aisaka at his chest...

"... NO!"

There's something wrong with this face. I can't let Kitamura see this face! Instantaneously, his sense of guilt drove him to pick up Aisaka,

"T, this is bad! I'll take her to the school clinic right away!"

As the crowd murmured, Ryūji hid Aisaka's face against his chest and bolted towards the clinic. The excited guys behind started yelling, "The Palmtop Tiger actually got taken out by that amateur Takasu!" "Now this is an interesting development!"

Aside from the general direction of the plan, nothing was going according to plan.



Takasu Ryūji started to become serious, mainly because of what had happened earlier.

I didn't do it on purpose, but... Though she's the Palmtop Tiger, still... I made her faint and gave her a nosebleed... While he feared Aisaka's retribution, he feared his conscience even more.

So when Aisaka returned to the classroom during lunch time...

"Aisaka! I know it's a bit sudden, but do you wanna have lunch together? I want to make up for what happened during PE, is that okay? Kitamura, Kushieda, why don't you join us as well?"

And so, Ryūji began his "Operation Having Lunch Together". By casually inviting Aisaka, who usually ate with Minori, to have lunch with him, who usually ate with Kitamura, she could happily have lunch with Kitamura, and he could happily have lunch with Minori. It was an impeccable plan!

Oblivious to his plans, Kitamura raised his hand without hesitation and said,

"Sounds good! This is a great combination! Then let's move our tables together, alright? Kushieda, Aisaka?"

"Yeah, sure! Let's eat together! Hey, Taiga, come over, Takasu-kun says he wants to eat with us! He says he wants to make up to you for what happened in PE... Hey! Stop standing there in the corner!"

Minori walked towards Ryūji while pulling Aisaka, who was carrying the hand-made bento that Ryūji made for her and was silent for some reason. Ryūji could almost see the word "nervous" printed on her stiff face. Is she really okay? A moment of doubt flashed in his mind. On the other hand,

"We don't really need four tables, two people can share one table each."

Kitamura boldly suggested while moving the tables. "Yeah, you're right," Minori agreed and then said,

"I'll be sitting here!"

Minori quickly landed in one of the chairs. "Then I'll sit here!" As Ryūji was looking at her, Kitamura had already taken another chair.

Right next to Minori...

Right next to Kitamura...

Needless to say, there was only one thing that Ryūji wanted, and that was to sit next to Minori. The table was wide enough to sit both of them together very closely, so it was a great seat. However, Minori was already patting on the chair next to her and had begun to open her mouth. Probably to say "Taiga! Over here!"

I can't let her do that! Ryūji's eyes flashed brightly, but Ryūji still didn't have the courage to rush towards the seat next to Minori, so he instead decided to...

"Oops, I tripped!"

Ryūji pretended to trip and discreetly bumped into Aisaka's back.

"Umph!"

Aisaka quickly grasped Ryūji's intention, and decided to slowly drift her tiny body towards the seat next to Kitamura. She wanted to elegantly land right on top of the chair in a delicately balanced trajectory. It's good. That's right! Ryūji grabbed his fists. However, it seemed like the force of the bump was too great and Aisaka's good work was all going to go to waste as she was now falling toward the ground away from the chair...

"Whoa there!"

I can't let her fall on the floor just like that! Ryūji quickly grabbed Aisaka's hand and stepped forward, he then spun her body as though they were a dancing couple in a competition, and landed her onto the seat next to Kitamura with precision. However, he applied too much force and Aisaka's chair nearly fell over...

"Hmph!"

Aisaka widened her feet and anchored them on the floor while grabbing hold of the desk with her hands. As the wobbling chair began to stabilize...

"... Phew..."

Ryūji naturally breathed a sigh of relief, and sat wearily next to Minori. I wonder if that was too exaggerated? Ryūji thought while lifting his head.

"What's wrong, Aisaka? Your food's gonna spill if you shake the desk too much. You sure look energetic!"

"What are we having today~ What are we having today~ What are we having today~ ... Aha! We're having fried nuggets! C'mon, all together! 'Fried nuggets~'..."

Kitamura and Minori still remained cheerful in their own distinctive ways. Rather, it was the surrounding classmates that started to murmur amongst themselves. "Now that was some dance by the Palmtop Tiger and Takasu!" "Amazing indeed!"

But the gossip didn't enter Aisaka's ears, instead she was very...

"........."

... Prepared. She had no intention of opening her bento box; meanwhile her expressionless face was stiff and ridged. She placed her hands by the box and her eyes flashed with a dangerous glitter. Aisaka can't even speak properly to him, perhaps it was too soon to have her have lunch with Kitamura?

But it was Kitamura, who sat closest to her that spoke first,

"Hmm, so Aisaka also brought a bento. Did your mom make this? Or did you make this on your own?"

Kitamura innocently asked without thinking too much. Ryūji gripped his chopsticks and watched intently. C'mon, Aisaka. You've already come this far, so stop running away! Use this chance to chat with him and get familiar with him! And then...

"... Huh? Me?" Still feeling indulged, Aisaka unhesitatingly pointed towards the answer to the question with her chopsticks, in other words, towards Ryūji's face. Oh yeah... Ryūji's eyes began to wander, Come to think of it... the one who made that bento... was me...

"Eh? Takasu? The one who made your bento was Takasu?"

But... It'll be better if I don't say it, right? ... No, that's not the problem...

"ARRGGHH!!!"

Ryūji couldn't help but yell. "What's wrong?" Kitamura looked at him, while Minori stared intently at her nuggets. Ryūji was frozen stiff, stunned by his own stupidity. Wasn't I the one that helped prepare Aisaka's bento!? Not to mention the contents of our bentos are exactly the same. If Kitamura and Minori see this, what are they gonna think!?

His trembling hands held tightly onto the lid of his bento box. What am I gonna do? Ryūji took a quick glance at Aisaka... No good. She's completely bedazzled by Kitamura, just like a deer in headlights. Do I really have to show them the simple ingredient lunch we are having together? Aisaka's eyes rolled everywhere, not knowing what to do, while still pointing her chopsticks at Ryūji.

"Takasu, what's wrong? You look terrible."

"D, do I?"

That's it! I'll just pretend that I don't feel well and then escape with the bento... The voices of the gods flashed through his head as quick as lightning. Just as he was about to stand up...

"Huh? Is someone looking for me?"

Kitamura looked past Ryūji, causing Ryūji to turn around as well. Standing where Aisaka pointed her chopsticks, that is right behind Ryūji's head, was a first year male student calling out "Kitamura-senpai! Kushieda-senpai!"

"Isn't that our first year manager?"

Minori noticed him as well and stood up, urging Kitamura to get up as well. After they both stood talking to him for a while, they returned to their seats and said,

"Sorry guys! Turns out we got stuff to take care of."

"I'm really sorry, there seems to be an emergency club meeting, so our underclassman came to tell us that we have to drag our bentos and rush over to the club room right away. Taiga, Takasu-kun, we'll be going ahead first~! Let's eat together again next time!"

After frantically packing their bentos and apologizing, they quickly left the classroom.

This all happened too quickly. Ryūji did not even have time to react and could only watch them disappear before coming to his senses,

"Ah! They've left..."

He turned to look at Aisaka,

"Whoa!"

Ryūji became even more frantic. Aisaka Taiga was now very depressed and rested her face on the bento box. She covered her face with her hands and wearily hung her head very low - Her shoulders were already small to begin with, now they looked even smaller as she wrapped herself up like a fur-ball.

"Ai, Aisaka..."

Noticing that she seemed to be muttering something, Ryūji listened intently, and he heard what sounded like mantras being chanted, "Why? It was such a good chance! I was too unlucky! Why!? I don't understand, at this rate..." As well as whole bunch of curses being uttered in quick succession. She must have been really nervous and was still hoping for something good to happen... Ryūji was at a loss for words.

But he couldn't just leave her like that.

"... W, we'll invite him for lunch tomorrow again, okay? ... Anyway, let's eat first, alright?"

Ryūji tried his best to cheer Aisaka up, but,

"... Tomorrow?"

Waving her hair, Aisaka raised her murderous glance and asked,

"Does this mean you're going to smack my face with a ball again?"

"I never said that!"

Ryūji denied matter-of-factly. Ugh! Ryūji then backed off, because he saw Aisaka's face was now filling with tears. No! Don't cry! Ryūji started to panic, yet Aisaka said,

"Didn't you use me as an excuse in order to invite Minorin and Kitamura-kun? You can't casually invite them without a reason, can you? Or do you have another plan? I definitely do not want something that direct! Absolutely not! Absolutely...!"

"O, okay, okay! Here! Let's eat!"

Aisaka's lashes began to get wet as she talked, so Ryūji quickly stuffed a potato into her mouth with her chopsticks.

The potatoes were cut just right for Aisaka's mouth. As she had no reason to spit it out, she began munching the potato in her mouth. Seeing how hard she was chewing, Ryūji asked uncomfortably, "Is it too big?" A while later, Aisaka finally swallowed the potato, followed by,

"... Sniff!"

"Are you sneezing? Don't worry, I've got plenty of tissues!"

"No, you idiot! I was just thinking how I was about to die back there!"

Aisaka gulped down the carton of milk on the table. Gulp, gulp, gulp... By the time she put down the box, her tears had already dried.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Ryūji began to eat his own bento. Good thing Kitamura had to leave, or he would have really run away and left Aisaka alone and behind. Then god knows what she would have done. Thinking about it, Ryūji felt like it was a blessing in disguise.

"Ah! ... Ryūji..."

Aisaka, who was originally in a bad mood and had remained silent, now lifted her head and stared at Ryūji.

"What now?"

"... There's no meat..."

"Can it be helped? My house isn't the sort of place where you can readily find meat in the refrigerator. If you want meat, go and live with those sort of families!"

And so, the two of them silently ate their lunch.

Observing the entire spectacle the whole time, the other classmates began to wonder: "Just what's going on?" "How did this happen?" The dynamic duo was just too amazing, but no one dared come up to personally ask them.



An air of surreality had filled the whole classroom of Class 2-C... The day had finally come to an end.

Neither Ryūji or Aisaka had noticed this surreality. Both had experienced painful setbacks during PE lesson and lunch. This was the last chance for today! No matter how small the result may be, they had to at least leave some kind of impression inside Kitamura's head.

That's why...

"... Are you ready, Aisaka?"

"..."

"Ai, Aisaka, deep breaths! Remember to breath deeply!"

"... Heave, ho..."

It was just before homeroom session began...

In one noisy corner of the classroom, Aisaka wore a serious expression. Even Ryūji wore one, mostly out of guilt, which bound his entire body like a chain.

"I'm getting nervous already... Won't it be too bothersome to do something like this?"

"Why are you saying things like that now that we've come this far? Relax! It's rare for guys to feel unhappy at receiving hand-made cookies from a girl. Besides, Kitamura likes sweet things, and he isn't the type to turn down hand-made stuff. Moreover, he doesn't seem to hate you..."

"I, is that true?"

You bet! Ryūji nodded his head, allowing Aisaka to relax her stiff expression a bit. Carefully held in her little hands were the cookies that she carefully baked during Home Economics class.

As that class was co-ed, no one would think too much about giving hand-made food to the opposite gender. Indeed there were guys hoping to receive leftover cookies from the girls, and girls making extra cookies on their own in order to give some to their boyfriends.

Without letting anyone see her, Aisaka secretly (mostly using Ryūji's body as a shield) spent a lot of effort making all sorts of colorful cookies. And so, they came up with a plan to casually give the cookies to Kitamura, codenamed "Operation I Made Extra, Would You Like Some". This would give Kitamura a good impression of Aisaka. However, things did not go quite as planned. Of the ten extra cookies secretly baked, six were roasted into charcoal... This is all thanks to that hopeless tiger getting the oven temperature wrong! Moreover, in order to destroy the evidence, all six of those roasted cookies ended up in Ryūji's stomach.

Only four pieces survived without harm. Aisaka Taiga, your success depends upon these four pieces of cookies! Aisaka held her fist tightly while nervously holding the cookie wrapper to her chest. Looking at her anxious expression from 30cm above, an ominous feeling grew in Ryūji's heart, I wonder if that nervous expression is going to lead to any disasters?

"Anyway, listen up! Don't push things too far, just try and act as though it's nothing! And don't get nervous all of a sudden..."

"Yeah, I know. Relax, right? Relax... relax..."

Aisaka loosened up her hands... and then her buttocks... and then her tiny body as well...

"Alright! Everybody back to your seats! Homeroom's about to begin!"

Aisaka got startled by the voice of the homeroom teacher. Amongst the students rushing back to their seats, the 145cm tall creature slowly wobbled into the aisle.

Once everyone had greeted the teacher at the end of class, she would have to quickly call out to Kitamura... That was the order given to her by Ryūji. As Kitamura is usually busy, he will probably head to the Student Council first thing after school. Once he's done there, he still has club activities. If you just sit there daydreaming, he'll be out of the classroom before you even realize it!

So she must call him out at the fastest speed possible once homeroom session had ended, yet...

"... Hello? Hello~...?"

Ryūji took a quick glance at Aisaka back and sighed.

Although he knew Aisaka would be nervous, he never expected her to be this nervous. Aisaka grabbed hold of her desk, her back arching as though she had a stomach ache, her feet shaking violently, and her face turning pale white while looking like a demon.

"Oh my~... There's quite a sweet smell in the classroom today! Let's see... flour, sugar, butter... Ah, that's right! You were making cookies for today's Home Economics right? I lo~ve cookies! Hee hee hee, how nostalgic... I can still remember baking cookies with my homestay family while I was studying abroad in England..."

"Tch!"

It seems the teacher (Koigakubo Yuri, single, age 29) was feeling rosy while attempting to continue with her pointless chatter. Feeling nervous and agitated at the same time, Aisaka cruelly clicked her tongue. Startled at this, the teacher (Koigakubo Yuri, single, turning 30 in two months' time) shuddered while looking at Aisaka with her head lowered...

"... Y, you mustn't make such noise in front of a teacher..."

The classmates sitting around Aisaka were already trembling in fear, the teacher decided to fearlessly continue speaking, but...

"Tch!"

"... U, umm... It's not nice for a girl to make such noise..."

"Tch!"

"... Ahhh, my words cannot reach the heart of my students..."

In the end, she covered her face in her hands and began sobbing. Knowing it'll come to this, wouldn't it have been better if she had just shut up? She just had to take on something that was beyond her power. It's no wonder she's still single.

"Sensei!"

Clatter. The sound of someone standing up, it was Kitamura.

"It seems there's still some time before homeroom session ends, how about letting me handle the rest as Class Representative? Besides, a lot of us have club activities afterwards, so I believe it would be better to discuss this tomorrow morning!"

What he was really trying to convey was: We're very busy, so can we end this homeroom session at once? Yet the single lady (Koigakubo Yuri, Homeroom Teacher, 7 years of boyfriendless experience) sobbed and said,

"... I don't understand what Kitamura-kun's trying to say..."

Just can't communicate with her, huh? Even Ryūji felt exasperated. But Kitamura wasn't called "Maruo" for nothing. He stood with his legs firmly apart and announced to the whole class,

"... We've got art and craft tomorrow, so don't forget to bring your stuff! Everyone stand! Bow! Goodbye~ Sensei~!"

"Goodbye~ Sensei~!" Everyone repeated. Okay, let's go home! Thus homeroom session was unilaterally ended by the students. The single lady (let's not repeat this) sniffed and said, "I'm really not suited for this job." And left without saying anything else.

"Ai, Aisaka!"

Ryūji stood up, trying to look for Aisaka, who also quickly got up. At that moment...

"Uwaa!"

She dropped her bag on the floor, she was already beginning to panic. Such a clumsy girl! Now where's Kitamura? Ryūji turned to look around.

"Goodness, it's this late already... I'm so gonna get scolded by the President."

Kitamura quickly picked up his bag and ran towards the classroom door. Oh no! If she can't stop him before he gets to the Student Council room, there won't be any chance for her to be alone with Kitamura. Ryūji quickly ran to Aisaka's side,

"Forget your bag, just call him out already!"

"Ah, um... Ki, Ki... Ki..."

What the hell, man? Ryūji scratched his head in frustration. Aisaka had stood up and stretched her arm towards Kitamura's bag, but his name just wouldn't come out of her mouth. As if she had been struck by a spell which caused her to forget how to utter "Kitamura-kun", she was now close to tears as she opened and closed her mouth continuously.

"Damn! He's left already! Hurry up and go after him!"

"Ah... yeah!"

As he nudged her tiny body, she quickly took off and started running. Ryūji also gave chase in long strides. If I let this clumsy idiot run on her own, who knows what trouble she'll get herself into.

Clutching the packet of cookies at her chest, Aisaka and Ryūji left the classroom in pursuit of Kitamura. At the end of the corridor, they spotted their target turning at a corner.

"That way! Go!"

As they arrived at the staircase, they found themselves going against a tide of students coming down. Aisaka tried to speed up, yet it was hard to get past this crowd of students rushing home after classes, but...

"Out of my way! Scram!"

Aisaka simply said this simple sentence. "Whoa! It's the Palmtop Tiger!" "Everybody move! It's dangerous!" The students ahead of her quickly parted like the Red Sea and allowed Moses to pass through. Once she had gone past them, they quickly merged again...

"Sorry! Can you please let me through?"

Ryūji requested simply. "Whoa! It's Takasu!" "The two bosses going after each other!" ... Once again the Red Sea parted. It looked like Ryūji was still regarded as a delinquent outside of Class 2-C, causing him to pause in depression. Now's not the time to fret about this! Ryūji quickly picked himself up and started to give chase again.

Yet that moment of hesitation meant he had lost sight of Kitamura and could just barely see Aisaka's long hair climbing upwards at the top of the stairs. Kitamura and Aisaka sure could run, but Ryūji had to catch his breath while climbing two steps at a time...

Then he suddenly realized, it didn't really matter if he didn't catch up with them. It'll be fine as long as Aisaka can call out to Kitamura, and all I need to do is make sure she does it.

"... Hah... hah..."

Ryūji took a few deep breaths as he came to a stop, and then casually looked up... Simultaneously, he began to yell,

"WHOOOOAAAAA!!!!!"

As Aisaka came to the final step, she tripped and began to fall backwards, just as Ryūji had turned his glance upwards.

After the yell, an incredible force only seen during a disaster was awakened.

Ryūji "flew" at an incredible speed.

"......!"

As elegant as a baseball outfield player, he leapt to the half-way platform and miraculously caught Aisaka within his arms. However, as the impact was too great, Ryūji's back crashed into the wall behind him as he carried that little figure with him. Umph! Ryūji grunted in a comical way, his eyes widening due to the sudden pain. Within his vision, he saw a familiar packet flying out of Aisaka's hands in an arc, out of the window.

This was the third floor...

What had fallen were those four cookies that they worked so hard to bake.

"AH!" Aisaka made a scream and stuck her arm out of the window. But it was already too late, as they had long fallen outside.

"Ai..."

Aisaka... Ryūji noticed he had wanted to speak but could not, as the pain in his back prevented him from catching his breath properly.

"Ryūji!"

Though his voice was weak, Aisaka could still hear him. She held tightly into Ryūji, unable to say anything, her expression froze as though she had just eaten something poisonous.

I'm fine... It seemed he could breathe a bit, so Ryūji waved his hand towards her to signal that he was alright and there was no need for her to look so worried.

What was important were the cookies, and Kitamura. Ryūji pointed towards the window and the stairs...

"... H... Hurry... Retrieve... the cookies..."

Ryūji could barely make some noise, and then he slowly pushed Aisaka off. This was partly driven by Ryūji's determination You worked so hard to make those cookies, even though I helped along the way. I too wish for them to be given to Kitamura.

He wanted Aisaka's determination and hard work to be properly conveyed to Kitamura.

Yet Aisaka was not even looking at where Ryūji was pointing,

"Ryūji, are you alright?! ... Ahh, how did this happen..."

She frantically touched Ryūji's neck and ankles to make sure no bones were broken. To see the normally violent Palmtop Tiger looking concerned over him due to him getting hurt trying to protect her, Ryūji thought to himself, If possible, I wish this could continue, but...

"I'm fine. So... Here, see? I'm not hurt at all."

Ryūji forcefully pretended to be fine and began to stand up and do stretching exercises for Aisaka. Aside from his back, which didn't hurt to the point of being paralyzed, it seemed like he wasn't hurt anywhere else. Seeing him like that, Aisaka finally breathed a sigh of relief,

"Ryūji... I... I..."

She stretched her hands towards Ryūji, with an expression which Ryūji had never seen before, as though trying to say something...

"Hey! Who's throwing stuff out of the window!? Show yourselves now!"

Ugh! Both of them groaned. It was the ultra-mean School Dean. As it had came to this, there was no longer any time left to bring the cookies to Kitamura.

"... Such perfect timing. Looks like it can't be helped, hurry up and go get scolded by him then hurry back up, I'll wait for you in the classroom."

"... But... Then I'll carry you to the classroom first!"

"Don't bother, I can still walk. So hurry on, we don't want this to get any more troublesome."

Hurry up, go on. Ryūji gestured her to leave by pushing on her back, while Aisaka fretted her brows and turned her head many times towards Ryūji before finally walking down the stairs.

During this time, the teacher's voice was getting more and more fierce. Aisaka needs to hurry up... Speaking of which, has there ever been anyone capable of scolding the unchallengeable Palmtop Tiger? I really have no idea.

"... Phew... Looks like I used it up..."

Now it was just him alone, Ryūji walked slowly while talking to himself.

He remembered what Yasuko had told him while he was in elementary school. Yasuko said she was a so-called "mi~ni esper", in that she had the power to teleport randomly three times during her life. She used it the first time when she was still a kid, where she encountered a traffic accident and was flung off twenty meters, she managed to teleport herself to safety before she could hit the ground and get herself injured. The second time was when she left her home in order to give birth to Ryūji, during her journey to meet the beloved man who liked sticking a magazine on his abdomen. Yasuko didn't go into details, all he knew was that it was thanks to her teleportation ability that she managed to safely reach that man's side.

And, as for the third and final time, she said, "I'll leave it for Ryū-chan to use! Ya-chan no longer has any need to use that power." She then slapped her hand on the still-little Ryūji and transferred her power to him. Yasuko added, "If you encountered something dangerous, then use this power, and return safely to Ya-chan!"

In the end, Ryūji used this power only to help Aisaka. He was tempted to use it whenever he was running late for school, or during many other occasions... Good thing I never used it till now!

Though he felt bad for Yasuko for using it like this, that was what Ryūji genuinely thought.



* * *



"Are you sure you're really alright?"

"I've told you a million times already, I'm fine!"

"Good. Though you're my dog, I'd lose sleep if you got hurt..."

Aisaka said softly, leaning her forehead against the window glass. Can't believe you actually have the guts to say that after trying to break into my house and kill me with a wooden blade... Ryūji had wanted to say, yet for some reason, he remained silent.

After retrieving the cookies and returning to the classroom, Aisaka's voice had become very weak, it seemed like she had gone into depression.

The silent classroom after school was empty, with only Aisaka and Ryūji inside. Aside from Ryūji, no one else had seen this side of the Palmtop Tiger before.

"... I'm always a failure, nothing ever comes out right..."

Her self utterances no longer had the enthusiasm she had earlier in the day.

"This is only the first day of our effort, so it's actually not surprising that we haven't succeeded yet."

"... Is that so? But if I wasn't so clumsy, if only I was a bit smarter... even you got affected. Nothing has been going smoothly, has it? ... I've had enough already..."

Aisaka leaned back on the window and slid down. Sitting beside Ryūji's legs, she wrapped up her tiny legs.

Twirling her long hair, she attempted to bury her expression in her hair and said,

"For the past seventeen years I never realized... but now I know how clumsy I am..."

"Um, I guess..."

"If you want to say it, then say it clearly!"

Her tiny hands tugged at Ryūji's trousers,

"You too... even Ryūji thinks that way, huh? You must think I'm hopelessly clumsy beyond help, right?"

As he lowered his head, he found himself exchanging glances with Aisaka, who was looking up. She rested her cheek on her knees while her eyes quavered with sadness.

Her usual attack mode had vanished, replaced with unsettlement in her eyes - mostly caused by her self-lamenting.

"... Well, it was actually my fault during PE lesson, not to mention the plan itself was too incomplete..."

"It's not just that, there's also my clumsiness..."

Aisaka wearily closed her eyes, as though recalling all the chaotic events of the day.

The PE lesson in third period, the unlucky lunch break, and the massive let-down a while ago...

Once he realized that Aisaka was the one who threw that packet of cookies out, the Dean knew it was impossible to reprimand her, so he quickly let her return to the classroom.

It was fortunate nothing bad came out it, but...

"... So much for making all that effort to make those cookies... and... sigh..."

As Aisaka muttered to herself, she noticed a small scratch under her chin. It was caused by her chin rubbing against her buttons while Ryūji saved her from getting injured. She softly caressed the scratch while taking out the packet of cookies from her pocket - all that was left were the few pieces of crumbs that didn't fly off.

"Writing a love letter, but placing it in the wrong bag; trying to beat someone, but instead fainting from starvation; getting hit by the ball while practicing; finding people for lunch, but they had to leave; accidentally roasting the cookies, tripping, falling and dropping them out of the window; and... all these... this is just..."

"Oh, and you forgot one more... forgetting to put your letter in the envelope!"

"Yeah, you're right..."

Ryūji was trying to joke to cheer her up, but the way he expressed it didn't feel right. Sinking into sadness, Aisaka buried her head into her knees and went quiet.

"Ai, Aisaka..."

No response.

Squatting down in an awkward pose, she wrapped herself tightly and remained still, like a snail burrowing into its shell; only her tiny fingers could be seen trembling. Her soft hair hanging from her shoulders moved slightly with the rhythm of her breathing.

Now was not the time, yet Ryūji still felt that...

Women are just so devious.

No matter how arrogant they may be, or how much trouble they may bring to others, as long as they made that expression, they would quickly melt the heart of any man.

This expression was impossible to ignore.

Very impossible to disregard.

So Ryūji scratched his head, and intensified his glare. He first went to his desk, then returned to Aisaka, and sat down next to her.

"... Aisaka, let's swap!"

"...?"

Ryūji tapped her shoulder in order to get her to look up, while pretending he didn't see the tears in the corner of her eyes. He placed his baked cookies wrapped in a very manly aluminum foil on her lap, and then he took her cookie wrapper in exchange.

Ryūji gently opened the very battered wrapper; there were only a few pieces of crumbs inside, though there was still quite an amount.

"Eh... wait... Ryūji, those were just picked up from the ground, a, and they're..."

"Since I only ate your roasted cookies before, I'm really curious to know what these taste like!"

After replying stiffly, he ignored Aisaka's protest and stuffed the crumbs into his mouth. Afterwards...

"..."

Silence.

When he ate her roasted cookies a while ago, the recent heat from the oven, the bitter charcoal taste, as well as being coerced into swallowing them all in one go by Aisaka, meant that Ryūji quickly spat them all out... So this was really the first time Ryūji had tried Aisaka's cooking... It was just that, she probably... Mixed up the sugar and salt...

"A, are the cookies... delicious?"

"... Ahhh! They're tasty!"

Aisaka worryingly widened her eyes.

"Yeah, they taste great! Ah... too bad you can't give these to Kitamura. Better luck next time, eh?"

Ryūji managed to worm his way out with his genetically inherited poker face and then urged Aisaka to try his cookies. Aisaka carefully opened the wrapper, then looked at Ryūji with amazement,

"Uwah... Amazing! They look perfect. Can I really eat them?"

"I wanted to take them back for my mom, but I guess it doesn't matter, they're all yours."

The cookies were baked very thinly, this special edition was sprinkled with sugar on top with extra butter. Aisaka stared at the cookies for a while...

"... They're tasty! Really!"

Her eyes widened as she put them in her mouth.

"... This is the first time I've heard you say the word 'tasty'."

"This is incredible, it's so much better than those sold in the bakery!"

"According to my experience, for bakery products, it always tastes better if you make them yourself rather than buying them. Of course, this has to do with my personal preference, but for those who like their cookies suitably soft after coming out of the oven, I'd prefer baking them myself."

"I see... um... I... like this, I really do!"

Aisaka looked just like any other normal girl as she concentrated on eating the cookies. "Delicious!" She said with her cheeks stuffed with cookies, she licked the sugar around her lips and added quietly, "It'd be great if it was served with red tea!"

... Who'd recognize this?

Besides me, who else would recognize this side of Aisaka Taiga?

An incredible feeling. Until yesterday, like many other classmates, he too had feared the "Palmtop Tiger". He not only feared being bitten, he also feared having anything to do with her world. So Aisaka Taiga is this kind of person... Back then, he was hardly even interested in such things.

This girl... the daughter of some infamous gangster boss or karate master, a cruel girl who treated people like dogs, got so nervous upon seeing her crush that she forgot how to speak, an unbelievably clumsy girl, and then got depressed to the verge of tears due to being ashamed of her clumsiness... She was always hungry, and loved tasty food and snacks.

She was an extremely peculiar girl... always causing trouble for people, and giving people a headache.

But Ryūji suddenly realized he did not dislike her peculiarity. He even thought, I'm glad I met this kind of person. At this moment, he felt blissful for some reason.

Yes. Even though she's annoying, even though I'm troubled by her, when she gets hurt, I just want to comfort her... If I'm thinking like this, then Aisaka to me is...

"... Hey, Ryūji! I think I know now!"

... He got startled.

Returning to his senses, he saw Aisaka Taiga staring at him from a very close distance. Though her face was small, her complexion was fair, her large and nearly transparent eyes glittered with stars every time she blinked, those were really beautiful eyes. Even though she was small, her face was hardly child-like... Ryūji suddenly realized all this, and something resembling a cold shiver went up his spine.

Ahem! Ryūji cleared his throat,

"...K, know what?"

He hesitatingly asked, and then...

"It's all because you didn't help me out properly! You're such a dumb dog! A hopelessly dumb dog!"

"..."

What the hell!? Aisaka shrugged her shoulders and looked contemptuously at Ryūji. How should I put this... Looks like she's herself again... But still, what the hell!?

Ryūji was really getting pissed, thinking, How can there be such a person!? Yet, he saw Aisaka give a gentle smile... Forget it. I'll let her off this time!

Think of it as a special offer from me!



* * *



On the way back, they kept some distance between each other, though they were headed in the same direction.

Approaching the school gate, Aisaka, walking ahead, stopped in her footsteps. From her position, one could see the track field beyond the trees.

"What is it?"

"... The softball club. Minorin is there."

Aisaka pointed ahead, running energetically under the sunset was none other than Minori. As though she was carrying a prism, in an instant only Minori remained within Ryūji's vision.

But Ryūji understood that Aisaka was not looking at where her finger was pointing. Her eyes were fixed towards one of the dark-haired guys on the other end of the field doing warm up exercises. It was Kitamura.

Stopping in her footsteps, Aisaka stood still, her cheek was dyed caramel by the orange sunset. A soft breeze blew, yet Aisaka remained still.

She must really, really like Kitamura Yūsaku.

"... Hey, can I ask you... why Kitamura?"

She turned her head as a result of Ryūji's question, but she did not answer, and simply blinked. She stared at Ryūji with her clear eyes and said,

"I'll be going ahead first. Why don't you stay here for a while longer?"

She appeared to be trying to change the subject. Though it didn't matter whether she answered his question or not, since even Ryūji didn't know why he asked that.

"... You're going ahead first? What do you mean?"

"I'm sure you want to stare at Minorin with those horny eyes of yours for a bit longer. You can forget about me helping to arrange for you two to get together, but at the very least I can let you look at her for a while longer! She's beautiful, isn't she? So I understand why you chose her... I'm not that unreasonable, you know! Come to my house to make dinner at eight tonight, that is all!"

What do you mean "that is all"?! No, what do you mean "come to my house to make dinner"... No, what do you mean "that is all"?!

Not waiting for Ryūji to ask any further, Aisaka turned around and walked off in large strides, and then...

"...Uwaa!"

Her clumsiness mode set in again as she tripped over the lining in the tarmac... Her bag flew out of her hand as she fell without warning like a small child.

"Ah! Ah...! Just what are you doing?!"

Ryūji sighed deeply and rushed towards Aisaka and picked her up while she muttered, "Shut up! Leave me alone!" After picking up her bag and patting off the dust on her skirt, Ryūji noticed that Aisaka's knees were full of bruises... She must've tripped a countless number of times when no one was watching.

How can I just leave such a careless fellow alone like that? Ryūji sighed again. He then looked straight into Aisaka's face,

"What'd you want for dinner? You don't have any problem with me eating with you, right? I'll make my mom's share and take it home with me, okay? You'll be paying for the ingredients, right? Oh, I remember your refrigerator's empty. In that case, we can't do anything without going to the supermarket first... Oh yeah, we gotta buy some mold removal liquid and dish washing detergent!"

Can't be helped, I guess... Ryūji thought.

"So be it!" Aisaka exclaimed. This was because she had no way of refusing. After yesterday and today, he knew this girl was stubborn, unreasonable, self-lamenting yet also obnoxious. Threatening her was useless; when she decided to do something, she would do it. Not to mention, there were so many things that he was worried about her.

Which is why... I can't just leave her alone like that. Can't be helped.

Besides, there were still plenty of dirt marks in Aisaka's European kitchen that bothered him.

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Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! Vol. 2 - Chapter 4

The world is full of wonders and mysteries.

I think this is a fact that I first experienced from the activities of the Road Observation Research Society.

Though people who know everything do not exist in this world, it seems that I only have a very one-sided understanding of other people.

Each and every matter is undergone in complex, intricate ways, and is extremely confusing.

However, even with matters that are encountered in coincidence, another truth might be hidden behind it sometimes as well.

I would never dream that Nee-san could still surprise me so much now that over half a year had passed since I heard her voice.

On the day when the school festival was only a few days away, I experienced a shock rarely felt in my life.


It all started three days ago—

When Sora-chan’s friends were still in the house, I accidentally fell asleep

After that, it might because I fell asleep at an inappropriate time it was hard for me to sleep during late night, and could only wait for sleepiness to descend on me while turning restlessly in my bed. About three in the morning, I, who noticed an unidentified sound in the house, crawled out of my bed with the attitude of ’I can’t sleep anyway……’

The doors and windows in the house were all closed, and added with the presence of the security devices installed using a hefty sum of money by Nii-san who dotes on his daughters, the possibility of burglars getting in is small.

Thus, it’s probably Miu-chan who is staying up late, wandering the house.

As her guardian, I should caution her against this. With this thought in my mind, I softly walked on the stairs leading to the second floor.

”Eh? Sora-chan?”

Out of my expectations, the one who was staying up wandering the house was actually Sora-chan.

I coincidentally bumped into her while she was leaving the room.

”Onii-chan!? W- why!?”

”Err, I’ve heard some sounds coming from upstairs, so…… Eh? What’s that?”

I pointed at the square package in Sora-chan’s hands while asking.

”T- This is…… Nothing at all!”

Sora-chan hurriedly hid the package behind her in a panic.

”This doesn’t seem like nothing to me……. Whatever, it doesn’t matter anyways. And also, don’t stay up too late, you have to go to school tomorrow as well, don’t you?”

”Mnn, mnn, sorry.”

After saying that, Sora-chan slipped back to her room in a flash.

I only noticed one thing after Sora-chan disappeared from my view.

The room that Sora-chan came out from was the innermost room on the second floor.

That’s right, the ‘room that couldn’t be opened’ that I minded so much before this, and also Nee-san’s room.

The room was locked, while Sora-chan told me that the key was lost.

Sora-chan expressed an abnormal refusal when I approached the door in curiosity before this as well.

”According to Sora-chan, shouldn’t the things inside be unneeded?”

I tried to reaffirm once more, and realized that the door was still locked.

After all, Sora-chan seemed to be locking the door when she left the room, so that wasn’t much of a surprise to me.

”What should I think about this?”

Saying that the key was missing is a lie.

Thinking that Sora-chan had a need to lie to me to conceal the truth, it was quite a huge blow.

”Well, this feeling…… How depressing.”

Am I still not to be trusted?

No, no, perhaps there might be something that she doesn’t want me to know, looking from the perspective of a girl……?

Then what would that be! I scolded myself in my heart.

I think that it would be fine if she just tells me honestly about that, and there’s no need to lie. If she just explains to me the whole matter, I wouldn’t mind it especially……. Probably.

Though I’m saying that…… Even I, myself, put in a lot of effort just to find a place to hide H books, so there’s actually not much difference between us.

That night, the matter ended just like that.

However, I, who am just an ordinary person, had no way to know that it would actually be a shocking start.


As expected of one of the few metropolises in Tokyo, shopping is quite convenient in Ikebukoro.

To buy the items required for the school festival café, and because of the ’plan distinguished from the other clubs’, I did not go to school today, and prepared to welcome Nimura and the other members of Roary home. As the school festival was fast approaching, I was allowed to skip the classes today as well.

Regarding these matters, I’ve mentioned this to Sora-chan and the others as well, and they decided to return earlier in the end. Though the fact that Sako-senpai is coming gave Sora-chan some displeasure, as she brought her friends home just recently, she could only agree reluctantly. While on this night, I plan to let everyone enjoy a happy dinner like the steamboat we had last time.

However……

”What does this mean! Miu-sama isn’t here at all! This is not what you’ve promised! Segawa-kun!”

Allowing a person who says things like that as soon as he arrives at another person’s home, is this really okay?

”I sure didn’t make any promises. And senpai, primary school students should be at school at this time in the first place.”

”What! That’s serious! Though the wearing of bloomers had been banned recently, I can’t miss Miu-sama in sports attire as well! No! From the view of a collector, this is absolutely mandatory! Let’s go! Segawa-kun, we must go to the primary school field for a spin! Miu-sama’s beautiful legs…… Guwagh!”

The person who used a harisen attack to collapse Sako-senpai in a pool of blood was no other than Raika-san.

With a calm expression on her face as though nothing had happened, she started to confirm the items she brought.

”This is an orgel for Hina-chan, these would be hairbands for Miu-chan, while these are silk ribbons that seems like they would match Sora-chan, and then……”

…… Wait a minute, then what about things for the school festival?

As I was staring in shock, Nimura lightly placed his hand on my shoulders.

”Segawa-chan, I understand. I understand your feelings very well. I actually don’t really feel like saying this, but though I came here with the others from Hachiouji, Sako-senapi didn’t mention the plan about the café at all.”

W- What!

”Then what did you buy at Ikebukuro?”

”Just presents for Sora-chan and the others, perhaps? Though Sako-senpai bought quite a lot as well, it feels like they’re completely unrelated to a café. We’ve went to an anime merchandise shop and a bookshop…… And then the supermarket.”

Well, Sako-senpai just seems like his mind is full of his own selfish desires.

”Raika-san! Don’t you two have a secret plan!?”

”That’s Kaichou’s business.”

…… Raika-san probably came just to see Hina and the others.

On the other hand, Sako-senpai was collapsed on the floor, looking like a dying whale that was flushed on shore……

”I say, Nimura, would we be any trouble if there aren’t any customers at our shop tomorrow?”

”Nope, probably not. The expenses are all paid by Sako-senpai anyways.”

We shrugged in helplessness.

The school festival is on the day after tomorrow, and we can’t do anything more now.

It seems like the main activity today is for the members of Roary to have dinner with Sora-chan and the others after some time.

However, it seemed like Sako-senpai did not have the same thoughts.

”Relax, just leave everything to me.”

After senpai recovered from the attack, he started to play games on his phone without a trace of worry on his face.

He was pressing the keypad non-stop while seriously sweet talking the girls in his game.

I really don’t understand him……

On the other hand, we used the ingredients bought by Nimura and the others and started our cooking preparations.

In this rare chance, Raika-san was planning to cook western dishes using luxurious butter stew as the main dish. Nimura and I were just in charge of the preparations.

”Ah! This is bad~”

Nimura, who was silently peeling the vegetables for some time, seemed to have made a mistake, unusually,

It seemed like he accidentally spilled the dirty water used to wash the vegetables on himself.

”…… Seems like the stains can’t be removed easily. Take it off. I’ll wash it for you.”

”Segawa-chan, I don’t have any other clothes on me.”

”I’ll let you borrow my sports wear.”

After that conversation, I tossed Nimura’s shirt into the washing machine and walked upstairs to my luggage upstairs.

At that moment, I never thought that the juncture of a sudden situation would occur.


It was something that happened in front of Nee-san’s ’room that can’t be opened’.

Though I knew that Sora-chan sneaked inside yesterday, I didn’t notice that something was different from before in front of the door.

”…… What’s this?”

I suddenly noticed what seemed to be a paper slip poking out from the seam below the door.

Curiosity killed the cat— there’s an idiom that says just that, while the actions that I took after that proved that.

The item below the door was a photo, and some notes were jotted down behind the photo as well.

’Taken by Shingo-san at Big Sight.’

The words were written behind the photo, while a date was on it as well.

At the instant when I saw the front part of the photo, I was speechless for a moment.

”This is……!?”

In the photo, wearing a piercingly vivid wig and unusually tight fitting clothes, Nee-san was posing for the camera. She wore a professional level smile, making a pose that definitely underwent a lot of practices.

…… What the heck?

My brain crashed.

I never saw Nee-san like this before.

Of course, as a modern college student, naturally it’s impossible that I don’t know what this is.

’Cosplay’.

A recreational activity where one wears clothes from a video game or an anime and acts out the character.

When Sako-senpai suggested a photo session of Raika-san before this, we once searched online and found out that countless of people are undergoing this activity, while quite a lot of beauties are among them as well. There are even shops selling these especially. It’s a recreational activity popular overseas that everyone knows of…… That was my understanding about it.

However……

Knowing that Nee-san was actually a cosplayer would be a whole different story.

Plus, I lived together with her for nineteen years now, and I was actually ignorant about it.

Speaking of which, what’s with the revealing clothing!?

As an acclaimed beauty, it looks good on Nee-san, and she looks exceptionally sharp when compared with the other cosplayers on camera, that’s right…… And the photographer was Nii-san.

It was like I was suddenly pulled into a foreign world, having a huge shock.

With my sports clothes, I blankly walked back to the washing machine.

”What is it? What took you so long?”

How should I explain this matter to the embarrassing looking Nimura, who had only a shirt and underwear on? Even I, myself, haven’t finished gathering my thoughts yet.

”Err…… How should I say this……”

When I think about it, even if Nee-san cosplayed as her hobby, it isn’t something illegal anyways.

It was just too big of a blow for I, who was kept in the dark these nineteen years, so I was just somewhat shaken.

”Actually, it’s nothing…… It’s probably nothing, right?”

”Err…… Segawa-chan, can you first give me the clothes?”

”Ah, sorry.”

Since it’s this time already, I’ll just tell him. Nimura once met Nee-san anyways.

And I will feel more at ease if I confide in someone as well.

”Actually…… I found this just now……”

I waved the photo before Nimura’s eyes.

And I started to explain the matter.

”I never thought Yuri-san would have such a hobby……”

Nimura’s response was calmer than I thought.

He was indeed somewhat surprised, but did not have the prejudice of some people towards otakus. Even so, I only decided to tell him because I know that he’s trustworthy as well.

”Segawa-chan, you didn’t know at all?”

”Mnn, though Nee-san liked mangas from long before, and had a lot of books by her side, there wasn’t any sign of anything like this when she lived with me before this.”

No matter how I thought back, I couldn’t find any impression that Nee-san likes to cosplay.

”Even so, it might be an interest that she found later, perhaps when her friends went with her one time, and she got addicted or something like that.”

”Hmm~m……”

Indeed, it’s not impossible. Nee-san is rather easygoing, and she wouldn’t refuse when other people ask her for favors…… No, Nee-san’s personality is that of one that ‘couldn’t refuse’, and she doesn’t reject getting in the spotlight as well.

”If so, isn’t the mystery solved then?”

”What mystery?”

”Did you say this before? Saying that you don’t know how Yuri-san met her husband.”

”Ah……”

Their jobs were different, and their ages were over ten years apart. The mystery of their common point that troubled me in the past finally got an answer.

The one who takes photo, and the one who had photos taken. In any case, that would be their common interest.

If so, another question would pop out.

Do their three daughters know of their parents’ interests?

Disregarding the young Hina for a moment, but what about Sora-chan and Miu-chan?

”I say, do Sora-chan and the others know of this matter?”

”How would I know? Why don’t you just ask them directly?”

”Err…… But, well…… That’s somewhat……”

”Well, for some people, this might be an interest that they don’t want other people to know of.”

Hearing my vague words, Nimura immediately realized my worries.

Speaking of which, Nee-san didn’t mention that to me as well.

”I’ve decided, I’ll pretend I never saw this thing.”

Just when I was about to take the photo back, another hand snatched the photo from behind.

”Not bad…… This isn’t bad at all!”

It was Sako-senpai.

Why is he here?

”Hmph! Oda-kun said that you guys had disappeared, and asked me to look for you, but you two are actually admiring such a good thing by yourselves! So mean! It’s too mean of you! Pretty things should be shared with other people!”

Senpai stared at Nee-san’s photo, saying while breathing raggedly.

Even I, who had long got used to senpai’s usual manner, couldn’t help but feel somewhat disgusted.

Speaking of which, didn’t this person address the fourteen year old Sora-chan as an oba-san before this……

”Erm…… Sako-senpai……?”

”Segawa-kun, this is it! This is a divine revelation! My gray colored brain cells were indeed correct!”

Turning around to say all this, the lens of Sako-senpai’s glasses were covered in a layer of mist because of his excitement.

Uh oh. When the thought flashed past my mind, it was already too late.

It seems like this flipped a certain switch in Sako-senpai’s heart.

”This is the time to reveal things to you! The plan that us Roary has!”

Sako-senpai started to explain his idea in earnest, while Raika-san rushed over after hearing the hubbub as well.

Unexpectedly, the person who was the happiest after knowing of senpai’s plan was Raika-san.

…… But the most shocked person would definitely be me.


As promised, Sora-chan and Miu-chan came home slightly earlier than usual.

”I’m back~”

The one who gave a cheery greeting and returned first was Miu-chan.

”Eh? Only Oji-san is here? Where are Nimura-san and the others?”

”Err, I’m letting them stay in my room for a moment.”

”Eh? Why not the living room? There are even video games and the TV there……”

”T- There are some reasons.”

As we were in conversation, the door opened yet again, and Sora-chan returned as well.

”I’m back. Ah, everyone’s here……”

Probably because she saw the shoes arranged at the entrance, Sora-chan walked into the living room somewhat cautiously.

”Eh…… Where’s Raika-san?”

”Haha, they’re in my room right now. Sora-chan, can I have a moment with you?”

Actually, I was the one who convinced them to stay in my room.

I told them that this is our own family’s business.

After all, I really couldn’t predict how things would turn out like this.

Apart from Nee-san’s cosplay photos, I have to mind the feelings of the uchibenkei eldest daughter as well.

Confusion filled Sora-chan’s face, while I breathed in deeply.

”Sora-chan…… Erm……”

I showed the photo to Sora-chan and Miu-chan.

”W- Well…… I found this thing.”

”Eh! Ehhhhh!? K- KYAAAAAAAAAA!”

Sora-chan screamed with her face pale, while Miu-chan hugged her head with an uh oh expression on her face.

”No! Was the room opened!!”

She even skipped another scream.

Sora-chan dashed out of the living room like the wind up the stairs, and the sounds of a door handle turning could be heard after a second. It seemed like Sora-chan was confirming that the room that couldn’t be opened was locked or not.

After that, Sora-chan ran back to the living room with a quick pace once more.

”It’s not open! Why is the photo here!”

”…… It was in the seams of the door. Sora-chan, you entered the room yesterday, didn’t you?”

Hearing my words, Sora-chan lowered her head in despair.

”A- Ahhh…… I’m sorry, Yuri-san.”

”Onee-chan, you can only speak the truth now……”

Miu-chan consoled Sora-chan.

It seems like they are going to explain things to me.


The photo was placed in our center, while Sora-chan, Miu-chan and I sat by the table.

By the way, Hina is still at the kindergarten.

We planned to fetch Hina home after this meeti…… Or I should say communication ends.

However, we maintained a silence for five minutes or so.

In that time, only the faint sound of the clock ticking could be heard.

The three of us were probably thinking of how we should speak.

Sora-chan’s despaired expression was especially pitiful.

”Oji-san finally…… realized……”

The person who spoke first was Miu-chan.

Miu-chan cautiously observed my response.

”Err…… That’s right, I realized.”

Even I, myself, think that the answer is stupid.

Perhaps the heavy atmosphere caused me to be somewhat abnormal.

On the other hand, Sora-chan suddenly spoke in agitation at this moment.

”L- Listen to me! This is…… Erm, well……. That’s right! A celebration! It’s for a celebration!”

The excuse was really too forced.

Actually, I really don’t understand for what reason they have to hide things from me until this extent.

”You don’t need to hide things from me. This is Nee-san’s hobby, isn’t that right?”

”O- Onii-chan knows about this?”

From the responses of the two, it seems to be an interest known to the whole family.

”No, I didn’t know before this. This is probably the second most shocking thing to me in my life.”

”Indeed, we knew it from the first time we met you.”

That should be true.

Parents having the same hobby but keeping it secret from their children, that would be really strange.

”Err…… So Nee-san and Shingo-san knew each other because of this hobby?”

Sora-chan nodded silently. So things are really like this.

”It seems like they met at a Comiket. Having a photographer date a cosplayer is rather unusual, while Yuri-san was a charismatic cosplayer as well. It is said that dad’s photographer friends hate him quite much for this.”

”P- Photographer? Cosplayer?”

Miu-chan’s explanation was filled with too many terms unknown to me. Anyways, from the situation, it seems like Shingo-san won the hand of Nee-san through rare effort or luck. Things were probably like that.

”Err…… Charismatic……? Was Nee-san that famous?”

”Yuri-san is really amazing!”

Sora-chan was the one who said that instead.

”Not only is Yuri-san beautiful, she knows anime very well as well. Even with minor roles, she would make her clothes herself. No matter what type of clothing, her works resemble the originals much more than other finished products. There were even people from different organizations and groups who wish for Yuri-san to make their clothes!”

Sora-chan was quite agitated. Indeed, Nee-san was always making clothes and things like that.

It’s just that I had no idea that they were clothes for cosplay that time.

I recall that Nee-san would buy fashion magazines sometimes and make clothes exactly the same as the ones in the clothes. With her amazing techniques, it saved us a lot of clothing expenses.

And because of that, I once thought that Nee-san wants to work in fashion-related industries.

In the end, Nee-san’s skills were all trained out from making clothes for cosplay.

”I originally thought that I know everything about Nee-san, but things aren’t so……”

Answers for the mysteries long buried are surfacing one after another.

However, I couldn’t just feel happy about this.

”But why did Nee-san hide this from me? Though we’re siblings.”

Seeing that Sora-chan tried to hard to hide it from me gave me a huge blow as well.

Not wanting to let me know about some things, isn’t it unreasonable for a family?

Sora-chan and the others know about it, while only I was in the dark. It’s just too unfair.

”This is……. Quite understandable.”

”Mnn, yeah, that’s right.”

And for some reason, it seems like the two feels that it’s reasonable as well.

”After all, it’s the most embarrassing when one is seen by his or her family when doing cosplay or attending a doushijin event.”

”Yuri-san once said herself, ’This definitely can’t be known to my brother. If he is aware of this, there is no other choice but to kill him, or drag him in this as well’.”

”What the heck……”

Nee-san seemed to have planned two horrifying choices to give me when I wasn’t aware of it.

Saying that she can’t let her brother know no matter what, I really can’t understand it.

”…… Ah, since you’re so clear about this, perhaps you’re cosplaying as well?”

”Err, ahh…… About that……”

After I asked her that, Sora-chan suddenly started to stammer.

”Not at all. However, I might have a slight interest in playing the roles. But I have completely no idea where the character comes from, so I’m just the type who ’just likes to dress up’. Even so, I am probably not against people taking cute pictures of me.”

Not against people taking photos of her, this indeed matches Miu-chan’s image.

Judging from Miu-chan’s personality, she might really become a model or an idol one day.

”Actually, Onee-chan is much more engrossed with it compared with me.”

”M- Miu!”

Sora-chan blushed after her sister said that.

”Is that so?”

”Err…… Mnn, mnn, just a little.”

Sora-chan spoke with her head lowered, looking rather embarrassed.

Well, it’s really quite surprising. I’m not sure if it’s because of her father’s or Nee-san’s influence, Sora-chan actually has an unexpected interest like this as well. Even so, I didn’t know that she wasn’t good at dealing with men as well……

Perhaps girls just have a lot of different faces.

I never thought that a small house like this could hide so many secrets…… How astounding.

”I’m not doing cosplay…… If you really want me to say it, I’m more interested in the conventions ……”

”Conventions? Errr…… About the thing called doujinshis or something like that?”

Sora-chan nodded.

Knowing Sako-senpai for half a year or so, it would be stranger if I don’t know about these things well.

Besides, many special, thin books are stored in the clubroom of Roary as well.

I have an impression about the activity that is called a doujinshi convention. As I recall, they are held each summer and winter.

”According to Yuri-san, I can’t join any conventions before I’m fifteen. On the other hand, I can ask for her help to buy any books that I want.”

”Ahh, that’s why……”

I understood yet another thing. So it was because of this that Nee-san asked me to her house during last summer?

”Yuri-san said that she would bring me to a convention next year.”

”And Yuri-san said that she wants to let Onee-chan cosplay as well.”

”…… I’ve said that I’m unwilling to. However, Yuri-san said that doing so can change my introverted behavior…… And she said that she would definitely make good looking clothes for me…… Not caring for my opinion at all……”

I couldn’t help but smile wryly. Stubborn Nee-san would indeed do such a thing.

Tears glittered faintly in Sora-chan’s eyes.

This is a fact that Sora-chan understood all along.

But when she speaks it out in reality, it might have made her feel that it is a promise that can’t be kept.

Because Nee-san isn’t here anymore.

No matter it’s Sora-chan or Miu-chan, both of them looked downcast, a similar dark expression on both of their faces.

All of a sudden, the family meeting was filled with sorrow.

”If so, I’ll accompany you there. To the…… convention or something.”

”Eh……”

”Mn. Though I can’t be the same as Nee-san.”

”N- No no no no no! Definitely not!”

”Eh? Why?”

”No means no!”

It’s fine with Nee-san, but not with me?

The blow on me is quite huge as well.

”After all, how could Onee-chan buy those books that expose her interests without an exception in front of Oji-san~”

”B- Be quiet!”

Though I wasn’t that sure about things, it feels like this is a part that Sora-chan cannot give in.

Having cosplay, dojinshis and the like, the world of the otakus seems to be quite complicated.

”The said interests…… refer to……?”

”You can’t ask more about this part, Oji-san. To some people, it’s a thing harder to say than being asked the color of their underwear. Oji-san, to understand the heart of a girl, you have to be more tactful.”

”Wait a minute! Don’t phrase things in that misleading way! I’m very normal!”

Even though I wasn’t too sure, it seems like it’s better not to delve too deeply into things.

”I- It’s about time! I’ll go fetch Hina!”

After saying that, Sora-chan used her full speed once again to dash out of the house.

Hmm…… I understand that Sora-chan is embarrassed, but…… In reality, the person who is cosplaying is my sister. Though I can understand Sora-chan’s feelings, shouldn’t I be the one who is the most surprised?

”Ah, I have to change as well…… Oji-san, shouldn’t it be about time for your friends in Roary to come out from your room?”

The thoughtful girl said that for me.

”Err…… Actually, that’s not the only thing I had to say.”

However…… I don’t feel optimistic about the things that I am about to say.

I have no way to judge how this would fare on Sako-senpai’s devilish plan.


Sora ran out of house with her face flushed.

Would Onii-chan think that I’m some kind of an odd girl……? Actually, Sora couldn’t meet Yuuta’s gaze half through the conversation.

Because of her father’s interests, Sora grew up naturally in contact with animes and mangas. To Sora, who grew up seeing photos of beautiful cosplays, these things are her interests that she is quite familiar with.

To Sora, who was somewhat introverted from the start, it matches her interests somewhat, and that was why Sora naturally got interested in the matter as well.

However, Sora wasn’t so enthusiastic that she even joined cosplay herself, and cannot do something so embarrassing as well. The clothes would only look good on someone as beautiful as Yuri-san, and for instance, Raika-san……

Beads of tears welled up in Sora’s eyes. Though nobody was doing anything wrong, Sora started to feel sad for some reason.

I, who have to fetch Hina, cannot wear an expression like this. Thinking of that, Sora was about to take out her handkerchief. But it seemed like she forgot to keep it on herself, and couldn’t find it at all. At the moment when Sora sighed in helplessness……

”…… The hanky, use it.”

Someone handed a squarely folded white handkerchief to Sora.

”Ah……”

”You don’t need to worry about this, Sora-san.”

”…… Shiori-san.”

Seeing a familiar face made Sora sigh in relief. So it was the onee-san who lives opposite to her house that Sora always meets at the waste disposal area.

In the city where even neighbors don’t have much interaction, the high school girl who lives opposite to the Takanashi residence is no exception, and does not have much ties to the Takanashi family.

The most that they knew about each other would be their names, and would greet each other when they meet.

However, those were only Sora and Miu’s thoughts.

The female living opposite to the Takanashi residence is called Kitahara Shiori.

She appears to be a fresh, staid person, and radiates the aura of one born in a good family. However, compared with the image of a ‘lady’ born in a high class residential area at the center of the city, her personality is slightly more unique.

In reality, the school that Kitahara Shiori studies at is a traditional star girls’ school where daughters of wealthy families gather.

Having good behavior and the experience of joining the Student Council, she, who can be said as a classic good student can count as a person who has too much of a sense of justice and responsibility, looking from another perspective.

Plus, her personality is that of one who sometimes…… No, it should be said as one who always jumps to conclusions.

While the matter that caught her eye right now would be the three sisters living opposite to her house whose parents were said to have died in an accident.

Just when she felt that it was a long time since she saw the three sisters, a young man suddenly brought them back home one day.

She heard that the young man is still a college student as well.

And he frequently returns home only in the morning.

Is it possible that the three sisters are deceived by a bad man……?

Without further ado, such a thought surfaced in Shiori’s heart.

That’s because she would often hear Sora’s cries.

From that day on, Shiori’s innate personality of always jumping into conclusions ran out of control. In her heart, the matter had long developed to the situation of ’The three sisters were deceived by a man who proclaimed himself as a distant relative after their parents passed away. Not only does the man has his eyes on their money, he even lusts after the bodies of the young girls that still have a hint of youth!?’

At the same time, this triggered a mystifying obligation of ’I must save the three sisters!’ in Shiori’s heart.

”Are you crying? If you have any trouble, you can confide in me any time.”

She grabbed Sora’s hand and said all of a sudden.

”Err, okay……”

”Don’t worry, I’m on the same side as you all.”

That made Sora feel somewhat trouble. Having someone say such a thing to her all of a sudden caused her to be unable to give a response.

Sora dabbed the handkerchief at the corners of her eyes, and returned it to Shiori after thanking her.

…… Shiori-san probably wasn’t saying that she is actually a cosplayer as well, is she? Though Sora thought in confusion, she still knew that Shiori was actually caring for her.

”Erm…… I’m fine. Something got into my eye.”

”Really? If you have anything to say, you can look for me any time. I have always kept an eye on everything.”

After hearing her words, Sora smiled meaningfully and walked towards the kindergarten once more.

When Sora turned around to have a look, she noticed that Shiori was still looking at her with an agitated gaze.

”Actually making a young beauty like her cry…… Unforgivable! I must vanquish that scum!”

The soul of justice in Shiori’s heart finally confirmed her true enemy.


At the same time, another play was acting out as well.

A certain boy was looking at Shiori and Sora’s interactions from afar as well. That boy would be Maeshima Daiki.

As Sora’s classmate and member of the same club, the boy did not miss the handkerchief that Sora dropped at the classroom entrance as she immediately ran out of the classroom as soon as classes ended.

Just when Daiki picked up the handkerchief and was about to give chase, Hanamura Youko said coolly:

”Maeshima, can’t you just put the hanky into Takashima-san’s drawer?”

”But…… Isn’t directly giving it to her better?”

”In medieval times of Europe, deliberately dropping their hankies for other people to pick up seemed to be a way for females to express love. However, making a fuss out of a hankie would just annoy other people.”

After a light ‘hmph’, Youko turned around to look at Daiki.

”Takanashi-san will be here tomorrow anyways, so just leave it there.”

Youko, who said all that with a cold smile, actually believed in her heart that Daiki would definitely give chase.

Though Daiki felt displeased because of Youko’s attitude, of course, he still decided to hand the handkerchief back to her himself.

That’s because Daiki thought, I might have to protect Takanashi from being bullied by the hentai.

However, the job was unexpectedly snatched by an unfamiliar high school girl.

”…… She’s crying?”

Seeing Sora’s action of wiping away her tears, a bout of pain descended on Daiki’s chest.

Daiki only realized that he had scrunched the handkerchief in his hands into a ball after he came back to his senses.

What can I do? For my silent, gentle, kind, delicate, cute and pure classmate, what can I do for her?

Before Daiki found the opportunity to speak to her, Sora already turned around and ran to the opposite direction.

Daiki could only look in vain while Sora left.

”The person who made her cry…… was that guy, huh.”

It’s definitely the hentai’s fault. Having a middle school girl live together with a person who is just a college student…… It’s too strange.

The innocence of the boy started to blaze in a somewhat biased direction.

At this moment, nobody knew that the wishful thinking of him and a high school girl was actually directed at a wrong direction.


After Sora-chan ran out, I could only explain to Miu-chan the task that senpai and the others gave to me in helplessness.

”That’s too difficult~ It’s just impossible.”

Miu-chan’s reaction was just as I expected.

So that the café would suit his tastes more…… No, so that the function would be more successful, Sako-senpai thought of a plan ‘distinguished from the other clubs’.

In short, the plan would be a ‘Cosplay Café’.

Senpai came to Ikebukuro to look for clothes and data so that he could prepare for waiters who would dress up as characters in animes and games.

Plus, I feel that senpai was planning to reel the three sisters in from the start.

I understand now. With Raika-san, if Sora-chan and the others are willing to help, the seats would definitely be full.

Nimura would handle the female customers, so the plan is absolutely perfect.

As expected of Sako-senpai’s usual style, his idea totally depended on other people.

Usually, I would definitely refuse the suggestion on the spot, but even I have no other choice but to accept it this time.

After all, the school festival is on the day after tomorrow.

We don’t have any time to think of new ideas right now, and also…… I just found out that my own sister was actually a cosplayer, so I would be lying if I say that I am completely uninterested in cosplay, as I at least want to know more about Nee-san. In this aspect, I think that this is quite a good chance.

”Please, you’d just need to serve tea.”

”Hmm~mmm…… Actually, I’m fine with that.”

”Really! Miu-chan!”

”Yes. But in return, I want some payment.”

Miu-chan said some materialistic words.

”Ah, the payment can’t be paid by Oji-san, because that would be the money of our family. If it were to be paid from the profits of the shop, I’ll probably accept it. Coincidentally, I have some clothes that I wish to buy as well.”

”Of course there’ll be payment! And also, Sako-senpai would definitely be willing to buy anything!”

Though senpai didn’t make any such promise to me, if Miu-chan requests it, it feels like it would be okay no matter what she wants Sako-senpai to do. If so, it’s about time to ask senpai and the others out.

”…… Phew, now my aim is half complete.”

Miu-chan did not miss my relieved mumblings.

”Oji-san, what are you aiming for?”

”Uwaa! You heard it!”

It seems like I’ve accidentally blurted it out.

”Hey hey, what is Oji-san aiming for?”

”Uuuu……”

Miu-chan seemed to have noticed something, and kept inquiring.

”Acutally…… Raika-san said that she would join as well if all three of you take part……”

And if we couldn’t find clothes in time, she would arrive wearing a bunny girl costume.

Sako-senpai said that he can borrow a bunny girl costume using relations with Hiromi-chan, while those words were the critical point that made me agree to this plan.

Of course, I had some reservations about this before knowing that Nee-san was a cosplayer, but…… Since it’s something that a person like Nee-san would like, it probably contains some happy parts.

On the other hand, an expression of disbelief appeared on Miu-chan’s face.

”Seriously, Oji-san just wants your cute nieces to help out just because you wish to see Raika-san doing cosplay. Aren’t you a bit lacking in tact?”

”You really don’t need to say tha…… No, you’re right.”

Seeing Miu-chan peering at me with her slanted gaze that played out the nature of a little devil, I could only surrender directly.

Seeing my response, the young beauty whose appearance rivals that of an idol, laughed softly.

”I wasn’t against this from the start, so it’s fine, really. But it’s best if you don’t let Onee-chan know of this, because it will definitely make her unhappy.”

”…… Why?”

Miu-chan did not answer my questions.

”Hehe! Why is it, I wonder? And also, I won’t join if Onee-chan isn’t joining as well, so do your best, Oji-san.”

”Eh? I- Is that so? But it would be a huge help even if only Miu-chan is willing to help……”

”Hoho! Ah, ah, Oji-san, remember to buy the new lip balm for me in exchange for me not saying anything to Onee-chan. There was a commercial on TV as well, so Oji-san should probably know, don’t you?”

”Miu-chan~…… Fine, fine.”

Though Miu-chan’s cuteness rivals that of an idol, being made to dance in the palms of a ten year old girl feels……

By the way, I’ll have to make things clear more or less before Sora-chan returns.

I walked up the stairs back to my room.

”That’s how things are.”

Though the bedroom that was modified from Nii-san’s room was slightly drab, I still think that I’ve made everything quite convenient. There’s a table, a calculator, bookshelves, a bed. My collection of H book would be hidden under the bed.

However, my H books that should have been carefully hidden were all displayed on the floor.

”Fourteen books of large breasts, four books of normal sized, twenty three mangas. Yuuta indeed likes large breasts.”

”What the heck are you counting!? Raika-san! Please don’t search other people’s rooms!”

I hurriedly grabbed my books and stuffed them into a drawer, glaring at Raika-san after that.

”No~ Don’t look at me with that beast-like gaze.”

Raika-san said while covering her breasts with a cold, unchanging expression on her face.

”Nimura, you should at least help to stop her~”

”Ahaha, don’t you think that it would be just a waste of effort?”

I have the same thoughts as well, but this is really too hurtful. It just feels like my love is collapsing bit by bit……

”A thing like that is completely unimportant, Segawa-kun!”

Sako-senpai pounded on my desk and said with an agitated tone.

What do you mean by unimportant? Shouldn’t you guys have at least shielded my H books?

”I even prepared a brand new digital SLR camera and camera lens for the photography session!”

”Ah, when you mention it, we did go to Yamada Electronics and Big Camera as soon as we arrived at Ikebukuro.”

Judging from Nimura’s testimonies, it seems like the cosplay café was indeed planned beforehand.

Plus, though it should be a café, it suddenly turned into a photography session. That’s probably just the gears in Sako-senpai’s brain turning.

Even so, those items were just bought today.

Though I wasn’t familiar with cameras, those would at least need at least a hundred thousand yen.

The impulse, or I should say enthusiasm, that caused so much money to be used up just for the school festival is really admirable. Though I have no intention to follow suit.

”Hmm, if so, I’ll go convince them myself! Where is Miu-sama!”

”I think it’s better if senpai doesn’t do that. Besides, Miu-chan already agreed to it conditionally.”

”What! Why didn’t you say so earlier? You ill-mannered fellow! Even so, as expected of our rare talent who is nominated as our next president! Now us Roary is invincible!”

”I don’t want that nomination at all, thank you very much. And didn’t I say that it’s ’conditional’? Miu-chan’s condition is that Sora-chan must be willing to join as well.”

”What!? Well then, hurry up and convince her to join. If not, let’s summon the Rugby Club members to catch her, and tickle her until she agrees.”

”If senpai dares to do such a thing to Sora-chan, I’ll immediately hand you in to the police. If so, senpai, you will have to continue your life bearing the tarnished name of a sex offender. I should say that I wish to call the police even now.”

What a meaningless dispute.

”I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna! I wanna see Miu-sama and Hina-sama cosplaying! I- want- to- see!”

Senpai lied down on the floor, saying while flailing his limbs. It might be better to say that he was like a child flailing on the floor, but in reality, he looked more like a dying beetle. I imagined senpai as a person using his whole body to wipe my floorboards, refraining myself from caring about him.

”It’s the same even if you throw a tantrum, Sako-senpai. In any case, I would have to discuss things once more with Sora-chan when she returns. I wish to know more about Nee-san’s cosplays as well.”

”Yuuta, I want to see Hina-chan and Sora-chan doing cosplay as well.”

With a tinge of red on her face, Raika-san approached and said to me.

”I- I get it, I’ll tell Sora-chan about it.”

”I’m counting on you, Yuuta. If Sora-chan and the others are willing to cosplay as cute characters, I’ll do anything you want, even posing as a bunny girl that gives you a good view of the huge breasts that you are so fond of.”

Though I have a lot to say about this, her words of doing anything I want gave me an unknown sense of excitement.

However, I never thought things would turn out like that……

”Sigh! Isn’t the oba-san back yet! I think it’s better if I go convince her!”

The agitated Sako-senpai immediately got the harisen treatment from Raika-san.

”Guwagh! What are you doing, Raika-kun!”

”Kaichou is getting in the way.”

”W- What nonsense are you spouting! If I just use my Secret Technique • Prostration to beg her……”

”It’s useless, things will take a turn for the worse if Sako-senpai appears. I’ll make this clear first, Sora-chan remembers the matter that happened before this quite well.”

Sako-senpai, who called a fourteen year old girl an ‘oba-san’ and was unmoved even though a rare beauty like Raika-san is by his side, is really a man engraves his lolicon behavioriron will into the depths of his very soul. His state could be said as a state of calmness for a man, but for Sora-chan who was deemed an ‘oba-san’, senpai is her undeniable enemy.

Even in this house, Sako-senpai’s name had already become forbidden words.

”Hmph! Words of the people who already shed the supreme shell of a young girl and walks on the evil road of womanhood does not affect me no matter what.”

Senpai does not care about it, but I really don’t know how I would get scolded by Sora-chan after this.

What a headache.

No matter it’s for Roary or for Raika-san, I really wish that Sora-chan would agree, but……

In reality, I cannot imagine Sora-chan agreeing to this at all.

Though it’s somewhat pitiful, I don’t think that Sora-chan, who was already harsh on me and Roary, but was extremely introverted before her classmates, and being said by Miu-chan to be bad at coping with males and having an uchibenkei personality, would easily agree to this.


”No.”

Sora-chan’s response was as I had expected.

Sora-chan, who brought Hina back home, didn’t have any intention of hearing me out at all.

Disregarding the matter of convincing her, when I mentioned the matter about cosplay at the entrance while using ’I have something to discuss with you……’ as an opening, Sora-chan immediately gave me that answer. Saying that there’s not even a chance would be an overstatement.

”Oi-tan, what’s a cospway?”

”Hina, Nee-san…… No, didn’t Mama sometimes wear clothes from animes?”

”Ah! Hina knows! Mama was cool!”

I see now. As expected of her daughter, Hina knows of it as well.

It seems like only I was in the dark.

It might be because she noticed my feelings, Miu-chan helped me out a bit.

”Well, well, Onee-chan. Since Oji-san didn’t know of the cosplay matter at all, why don’t you just consider it, okay?”

”Well, Miu, it’s because you look good no matter what you wear, and you like others to take pictures of you as well, so of course you’re fine with that. I feel uncomfortable even when people take notice of me!”

It’s actually quite reasonable that Sora-chan would be so angry.

”Hmm~mm…… That’s true.”

”And though the fact that Yuri-san did cosplay is a fact, I never did take part! I refused when Yuri-san asked me about it as well!”

It seemed like Sora-chan, who grumpily refused, had no intention to give in.

”Oi-tan~”

In the heavy atmosphere, Hina pulled at my sleeve.

”Hina is hungwy~ Nee-tan, Oi-tan, where’s dinner?”

T- That’s right! When I think about it, it was already quite late.

”A- Alright, let’s have dinner first. Dinner!”

While consoling Sora-chan, who still seemed rather unhappy, we walked towards the living room.


A galore of exquisite dishes was placed already placed there.

The dishes on the table looked as though they were carefully designed, and were dishes of the highest quality made by Raika-san. The main dish of dinner was stew added with chicken meat made for the ease of Hina’s consumption, and coupled with homemade roasted beef and other cold dishes, it seemed quite formal.

”Uwaa……. Awesome.”

Miu-chan’s eyes lit up, while Hina cheered.

”Gweat! Nee-tan, it’s gweat!”

”Mnn, mnn……”

Unable to conceal her shock after seeing the sudden scene before her eyes, Sora-chan’s gaze drifted in the air.

”Do you like it? My precious darlings.”

Raika-san stood in front of Sora-chan and the others and said with a red flush on her face.

Though the words that she spoke were rather affectionate, she still spoke without an expression on her face in a monotonous tone, as usual.

However, seeing her flushed appearance would make other people understand that she is trying hard to express her thoughts as well.

”Nee~-tan! All of them were made by Nee-tan~? Waa~ Gweat! Just like a cook!”

Hina said while repeatedly hitting Raika-san’s large breasts. Hina, remember to shake hands with Oi-tan before you wash your hands. While I was having wishful thinking about the contact, a voice pulled me back to reality.

”Can you people hurry up and get to your seats? I’ll start eating first if not.”

For some reason, Sako-senpai was sitting on the living room floor. Using a cardboard box in place of a dining table, he was eating meat in large mouthfuls. When I had a closer look, it seemed like tears were glimmering in senpai’s eyes as well.

”Wait a minute, why are you eating already! And why are you sitting on the floor?”

”Ha ha ha, Segawa-kun, you are so silly. The chairs aren’t enough after all. Raika-kun that it’s fine if my portion is just placed on the floor, so that’s why I thought that I should at least get a cardboard box…… *sob*…… *sob* *sob*……. Hmph! Even if it’s one second quicker…… I wish to finish it quickly! Urgh, just hurry up and eat already!”

Though I wasn’t sure about the situation, I just feel like treating Sako-senpai like this is a wise decision.

”Well, well, just ignore that person. Hina-chan, why don’t you sit here. Miu-chan, you too.”

”Ahh! It’s the cool onii-tan! Tank you~”

”Nimura-san, ufufu, since you’ve helped us already, thank you very much.”

The two younger sisters sat by the dining table with Nimura rather affectionately. Nimura didn’t even forget to praise Miu-chan’s hair when he was taking care of Hina with experience by spreading a napkin and pouring milk.

Well…… If you were to be a host at a night club, you would probably earn so much that you’ll get on TV.

”Hina-chan is always so cute…… Yuuta, it’s best if you give Hina-chan and the others to me.”

On the other hand, Raika-san who was looking at Hina with her face red suddenly made that worrisome declaration.

The people who had steamboat together before this gathered once more.

As for Sora-chan, her whole body radiated frightening waves of displeasure while she glared at me in indignation.

”Is there anything wrong, Sora-chan?”

”…… Nothing. I’m just thinking that I’m a far cry from Raika-san, who is both pretty and good at cooking.”

”Nonsense, Sora-chan is very cute.”

Raika-san earnestly interjected with a serious expression on her face, but that made Sora-chan’s head droop even more.

”Here, hurry up and eat.”

The observant Nimura led Sora-chan to the dining table, and we could finally start our dinner.

After trying the excellent taste of Raika-san’s homemade western dishes, everyone developed a very good appetite.

Only Sora-chan didn’t eat much…… Even so, she still managed to finish the portion for one person.

The only thing different from last time is that there isn’t so much conversation and laughter this time.

Though Sora-chan looked normal, her eyes were full of anger, while Sako-senpai did not notice it at all. The combination was really bad. Silence and tension filled the whole living room.

When the desserts were served, Sako-senpai spoke:

”Sora-kun, there’s something I would like to ask of you. In our school festival, can you join our co—“

”No.”

”Can you join our co—“

”No.”

”At least let me fini—“

”I refuse.”

Senpai’s attacks were all deflected.

”Segawa-kun…… What is with this situation?”

”I don’t know what to do as well.”

I was already refused, and am currently thinking of our next step.

”Sora-kun, you probably don’t dislike cosplay, right? Isn’t that true?”

”I dislike you.”

Sora-chan said curtly.

”Segawa-kun……”

”Senpai, stop complaining to me. Sora-chan, disregard senpai for the moment, can you help us out? You can just choose a character that you like.”

”No.”

Even Miu-chan couldn’t stand it anymore and chose that moment to help out.

”Oji-san already asked you so nicely, so why don’t you just help them out, Onee-chan?”

”That’s right, since Sora-chan is so cute, she’ll definitely be a huge hit.”

After that, Nimura continue the attack.

Even so, Sora-chan still refused to agree.

”I’ve decided to never do cosplay in my whole life.”

And got even more stubborn.

Her obstinacy might not be caused by embarrassment alone.

As senpai and the others were unable to look for an opening, and were silently thinking of a next plan……

”E~rm, Hina will do cospway! Oi-tan, Hina will do her best!”

Not knowing if Hina felt lonely or was unexpectedly good at observing the others, she broke the heavy atmosphere with her naïve, cute personality. Those were the words that the energetic three year old said.

Hina…… You’re a really good girl, I’m almost going to cry.

”Ohh, Hina-sama’s cosplay would be a supreme consolation for the people on eart…… Guwagh!”

As Sako-senpai was about to waste Hina’s efforts with a bunch of nonsense, his forehead was first hit squarely by a harisen, while the person who threw it would naturally be Raika-san. Sako-senpai’s head smashed right onto the plate that he just finished.

”Hina, thank you.”

Raika-san and I stroked Hina’s head, and that made Hina somewhat happy as well.

”Hina- Hina can do cospway! Nee~-tan! Nee-tan as well!”

Hina walked to the side of Sora-chan’s legs after jumping down from her chair.

”Hina…… Onee-chan doesn’t like it so much…… Understand?”

Sora-chan didn’t even look at Hina’s face when she spoke.

So it’s still impossible in the end huh…… If she dislikes it so much…… I actually don’t want to force her.

”You~ are~ lying~ Hina knows!”

However, Hina’s cheery voice dispersed the heavy atmosphere by Sora-chan’s side.

”Hina wants to do cospway with Nee-tan!”

It seemed like Hina connected her sentence with a shout.

After that, she ran out of the living room quickly.

”Ah, Hina!”

”Let me do the honors.”

Raika-san gave chase to Hina. Oh well, since they’re in the house anyway, so there shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Though it was somewhat mystifying, Hina’s actions still broke the heavy atmosphere.

Sora-chan looked at Hina’s leaving silhouette with her eyes widened.

We heard the sounds of Hina and Raika-san walking upstairs at first, and then there were sounds of rummaging, and after awhile—

We started to hear a song.

”Bunny~ bunny~ bounce~ bounce~ ♪”

”Bounce bounce.”

Hina’s cute singing voice caused the tension just now to evaporate completely.

While the person who was singing along would naturally be Raika-san.

”Bunny, bunny~ ♪”

”Bunny, bunny.”

”Bounce, bounce~ ♪”

”Bounce, bounce.”

What appeared before our eyes along with the song that lacked tension would be the aforementioned bunny.

”Hina, why are you dressed up like that?”

”Ehehe~ Aren’t~ I~ cute~?”

Hina was wearing a bunny costume for children.

From the light, fluffy bunny costume, only Hina’s face could be seen.

I really never thought that such a thing could exist in our house.

If it were to be much earlier, I might have been more surprised, but now that I’ve accidentally known about Nee-san’s interest, I’m starting to feel that it’s not strange even if such a thing is here. Probably.

However, Sora-chan responded with much shock for some reason.

”Hina! That is……”

”Eh~ Mama made it for Hina~ There’s one for Nee-tan two~ Hina knows!”

”If so…… Is it possible……!?”

Sora-chan covered her mouth with her hands in shock.

”Wh- Where did you find it!?”

”At the innermost side of a wardrobe.”

That was how Raika-san answered.

”Wardrobe…… Ah!”

Sora-chan suddenly dashed out of the living room.

Naturally, we immediately followed her.


Sora-chan ran into the ‘room that couldn’t be opened’.

It seems like Sora-chan unlocked the room when she confirmed if the room was entered or not, and forgot to relock it after that. That was why Hina could enter the room.

Though the room was somewhat messy, it was probably due to Hina and Raika-san searching in the room before this. An astounding amount of clothes was piled up on the floor.

The door of the large wardrobe further in the room was already open, while Sora-chan was standing right in front of it.

”…… Sora-chan?”

”So…… It was already done……”

Sora-chan unblinkingly stared at the clothes in the wardrobe and said blankly.

Inside, there were two cosplay clothes placed together.

”Sora-chan, this is……”

From the size, most probably it is one made especially for Sora-chan.

While the one by its side…… Would probably be Nee-san’s.

Though the design was similar, there were still some slight differences.

”Yuri-san promised me that she would bring me to a convention to do cosplay when I’m fifteen. Though I refused her…… Yuri-san said that she already told her friends that she would attend with her daughter…… Because Yuri-san refused to give in, I.......”

Sora-chan suddenly spoke.

”But I understand as well, Yuri-san was just worried that I would be too introverted…… That was why she chose a co-ed middle school for me, and asked me to do cosplay…… It was all for my sake…….”

Sora-chan kept saying in a low voice.

”But I felt embarrassed. Because…… I am not as beautiful as Yuri-san.”

These are probably precious memories between Sora-chan and Nee-san.

”That time…… Yuri-san handed this to me, saying that it’s a part of the clothes. She said that it looks good on me, saying that I would definitely be able to muster the courage. Though I’m already embarrassed when I’m wearing this……”

Sora-chan said while pointing at the silk ribbons adorning her hair.

From what Sora-chan said, the silk ribbons and the clothes should probably be in a set.

”Yuri-san probably wanted to hide this until my birthday. Since she hid it so well, I might never have found it.

The two sets of clothing placed together looked just like a mother and a daughter.

No, because this is the proof that they are mother and daughter.

Though Nee-san couldn’t hand the clothes to Sora-chan herself, Sora-chan still found out about it now. When I think about it, it’s like even Sako-senpai’s stubbornness was arranged by Nee-san. And I finally understood why Sora-chan was so unwilling to help out by doing cosplay all along.

”Sora-chan, why don’t you try it on?”

”Eh……”

Sora-chan looked back at me in surprise.

The reason that I said so because I think that it’s something that Sora-chan would do naturally.

”Though it’s still some time before your fifteenth birthday, I think Nee-chan will definitely be very happy.”

Miu-chan, Hina, Nimura and Raika-san all nodded silently.

It’s so fortunate that Sako-senpai is unconscious at this moment.

Sora-chan looked at us with her face red, and then—

”…… ‘Kay!”

Sora-chan smiled and nodded.


We waited in anticipation during the period of time when Sora-chan returned to her room to change.

Of course, the set of clothes fitted Sora-chan extremely well.

The shy expression on Sora-chan’s face when she makes a pose charmed everyone.

”So cute. Yuuta, give her to me. I will treasure her very much.”

As Raika-san looked like she wanted to keep Sora-chan for herself, I hurriedly grabbed Sora-chan’s hand and snatched her back.

”No, not giving you.”

”W- Wait a minute, Onii-chan!”

Sora-chan flushed because of my actions, but I ignored that.

Though the slender body that I was hugging was still quite small, not having the volume when hugging Raika-san, she is still an important girl that I have to support with all my efforts.

”Oi-tan! Hina wants it two!”

Hey! Hina, don’t climb on me.

It seemed like Hina planned to ride on my shoulders forcibly.

Fine then, come on!

Carrying Hina on my shoulders with my left arm around Sora-chan’s shoulders, I waved at Miu-chan.

”Miu-chan, why don’t you come over as well?”

”…… Mnn~nn. I’ll pass, there’s not a camera now anyway.”

Miu-chan laughed softly after saying that.

”However…… Does this mean that you agree to the cosplay now, Onee-chan?”

After Miu-chan said that, Sora-chan turned around to look at me. Meeting Sora-chan’s gaze at a close distance made me smile.

Mnn? Isn’t Sora-chan’s face…… a bit too red? Is it because of flu……

I couldn’t help but start worrying.

”Sora-chan……”

”S- Seriously…… C- Can’t be helped, then. A- After all, the clothes that Yuri-san made me……. Can’t be wasted like this, and I can’t go to a convention with Onii-chan as well……”

Sora-chan’s mumblings would mean that she already agreed to us.

Raika-san gave me the thumbs up.

”Good job, Yuuta. Anticipate what I’ve promised you that day.”

After hearing Raika-san say that expressionlessly, Sora-chan, whose face was originally red, trembled for a moment.

”Onii-chan…… What does that mean?”

”Whooooooaaaaa! Where is Miu-sama and Hina-sama’s cosplay!”

Sako-senpai chose that terrible moment to awaken.

”…… I’ve changed my mind, since I already wore it today.”

”N- No, Sora-chan~”

Consoling Sora-chan’s bad mood gave me a huge headache after that.


Though it was already late night, since the school festival was soon approaching, the Hachiouji team returned to the college…… As for us, it was as though we were in the grace period after a hurricane.

”Alright, we’re going in.”

Hina and I were happily bathing in the bathtub.

”Splash! Ahahaha!”

Seeing the hot water splash out of the bathtub made Hina rather happy.

Though I don’t dislike a small bathroom, large ones are indeed better.

After all, it’s only like this that Hina and I can have the space to go in the bathtub together.

”Hina, you’ll have to soak your shoulders as well.”

”Okay~”

Hina obediently soaked her body into the water, and then her whole body sank.

”Stop playing, I said till your shoulders.”

”Puhaa! Oi-tan, come pway too!”

”No, I’d rather not today.”

Actually, I have something to mull over today.

”Eh~ Why?”

”If you soak for too long, gills will grow near your throat.”

”Giws?”

”That’s right. Aren’t there holes by a fish’s eyes? Those are gills.”

”Mnn~ Is gwowing giws bad?”

”Of course it’s bad. Think about it, things will fall out of it when you eat.”

”Uwaa! That’s bad! Oi-tan, let’s go out quick!”

Whoops, it seems like it’s too large of a bluff.

”Relax, Oi-tan knows a useful magic.”

”A magic?”

”That’s right. First, you have to soak your shoulders into the water and count till a hundred. You won’t grow gills if you do this when you bathe.”

”Okay!”

Luckily, Hina is an obedient child.

And it looks like I successfully made Hina develop the habit of counting to a hundred when bathing as well.

”One~ Two~ Twee~ Four~ Five~……”

While listening to the comfortable rhythm of Hina counting, I fuzzily pondered about something.

About cosplay, the school festival, and what comes after that.

Though Sora-chan still agreed in the end, however……

I was actually completely clueless about Nee-san’s hobbies.

I even stayed together with her for so long now.

Miu-chan and Sora-chan probably know a lot more than me.

Would Hina, who would laugh and be scared of my nonsense right now, have things that she is unwilling for me to know, or say things like not willing to wash her clothes along with my underwear?

Speaking of which, the times of bathing together probably wouldn’t last long.

Uuu…… Even thinking of it gave me a blow.

”Will Hina stay Hina forever for Oi-tan?”

”…… Hmm?”

Hina looked at me in confusion.

After bathing, I have to dry Hina’s hair.

Since Hina’s hair is as long as Miu-chan’s, and there is a lot of it, the job is quite a long one.

”Uwaa~! Hot~”

”Hey! Hina, don’t move.”

To avoid Hina from getting a cold, I used the hair dryer to carefully dry Hina’s hair from the roots.

Having to take care of a girl’s hair like this makes me think that being a girl is really quite tough.

Just the hair would take such an effort when little, so it’ll be even worse when they’re older.

I couldn’t stand it even when I imagine it.

”Oi-tan, Hina is thiwsty~”

”Wait a moment more…… Okay, that’s about it. That’s fine.”

”Uwaa~”

Hina immediately rushed out of the washroom.

On the other hand, after I sloppily dried my hair and changed into my cotton shirt used as pajamas, I walked out after Hina.

In the living room, there were Sora-chan who looked somewhat exhausted, and Miu-chan whose face was full of smiles.

”Hina is already done, so you two better go as well.”

”……. Mnn.”

Sora-chan, who already took of her cosplay clothes, seemed somewhat down.

”…… What is it?”

”Mnn~ I’m just a bit tired. I think I won’t take a bath today and just sleep.”

Is that so. It’s really hard on Sora-chan. And her face still seems red as well……

”Though she said that, she’s actually wishing not to forget the touch while she was embraced……”

Miu-chan said some incomprehensible words.

”…… Miu!”

Sora-chan shouted while raising her fist. Though I wasn’t too sure of what they meant, Sora-chan’s face was indeed quite red.

”Sora-chan, why don’t you take some cold medicine before sleeping? The school festival is on the day after tomorrow after all.”

I couldn’t help but start worrying. Did I tire Sora-chan too much?”

However, Sora-chan and Miu-chan both looked at me with a look of surprise on their faces…… And then they sighed.

”…… Thank you, but I’m fine…… Good night.”

”Mnn, good night.”

”Hina too! Hina wants to sleep two! Today…… Hina wants to sleep with Oi-tan!”

Hina is such a good girl. I stroked Hina’s head.

”Then we’ll go to sleep as well. Miu, hurry up and take a bath.”

”…… Fine~ Sigh~ Tough luck, Onee-chan.”

After saying yet another incomprehensible sentence, she walked towards the bathroom.

…… What were they talking about? Girls have quite a lot of secrets. After I thought of that, I sighed in the living room and turned off the lights.


”Onii-chan! Wake up!”

I was woke up by Sora-chan’s loud voice.

”Uuu…… What time is it……?”

”It’s seven. I made breakfast already, hurry up and eat.”

”Oh, mnn……”

I noticed that Miu-chan and the others were already by the dining table when I arrived at the living room.

”Good morning, Oji-san. It’s awesome today as well. Your hair.”

”Eh…… Is that so?”

”Oi-tan, afwo hair! Afwo hair!”

Whoops, I should’ve gone to the washroom first.

”Fine, fine, hurry up and sit down. Breakfast is ready now.”

”Err…… But I want to comb my hair first……”

”Deal with it after this!”

In the end, I ate breakfast in the state of having an afro.

”That’s right, thank you for yesterday. Things happened so suddenly.”

”It’s okay, things have already been decided anyways.”

Recently, Sora-chan’s efforts already helped me out a lot, so now that I have to trouble Sora-chan even with the matters of the school festival, I’m really quite sorry for this, to be honest. Even so, the problem is almost completely solved thanks to Nee-san’s clothes.

Thinking of that made me thank Nee-san in my heart as well.

”That’s right, Onii-chan. Here’s your bento.”

Sora-chan handed me a large package.

”Onii-chan, you’re going to prepare for your school festival today, right? I made a lot, so share them with your friends.”

”Why did you think of doing this?”

”Because Raika-san made dinner for us yesterday, so…... This is a gift in return, and includes the portion for Nimura-san and the others as well.”

Sora-chan said in slight embarrassment.

”Though they’re just frozen food and onigiris, I’ve tried them all!”

…… Indeed, Sora-chan is quite hardworking in this aspect. Unknowingly, her cooking skills improved a lot.

However…… She looked so exhausted yesterday, how worrisome……

As I was about to tell Sora-chan not to force herself……

”Nee-san, there seems to be an odd smell coming somewhere.”

”Eh…… Ahhh!”

After Miu-chan said that, Sora-chan hurriedly ran towards the stove.

”Ahh…… I messed up.”

A few completely charred fishes laid on the grill.

It seems like Sora-chan’s cooking still needs improvement.

Because of that, I took back the words that I was about to say.

Thinking back after that, I really regret my choice that time.


After sending Hina to the kindergarten, Sora went to her school as well.

Recently, Sora shouldered all the housework because of Yuuta’s business, so she was somewhat deprived of sleep. In reality, she would always feel sleepy at school.

And because so many things happened yesterday, I really couldn’t sleep…… So that’s why I woke up to make bento.

It’s all because Onii-chan did something like that…… Just thinking of that made Sora’s cheeks burn.

However, the school festival is soon approaching.

Will the time for me to be together with Onii-chan increase after the school festival ends…… While thinking of that, Sora-chan read cookbooks alone in her class, trying to increase her cooking skills.

”Takanashi-san, can I have a moment?”

The person who said that would be Tani Shuuji.

Though he is in the same class and club as Sora, he always gives the others the impression of always staying behind Daiki, and doesn’t usually stay in the spotlight.

”Err…… Is there anything wrong?”

Sora said somewhat nervously.

It seems like though Shuuji was somewhat favorable among the girls, he is still a male that she is bad at coping with to Sora.

”It’s about Daiki…… The fellow is acting strange lately. Do you know what is causing this?”

The completely clueless Sora shook her head.

”Is that so…… Sorry for asking you such a strange question.”

After saying that, Shuuji left from Sora’s seat.

Speaking of which, Daiki still has not come to school yet today.

Usually, Daiki would make trouble by saying ’Come back to the Choir Club!’ whenever he arrives, causing a huge hubbub…… But no matter what Daiki said, Sora did not have any intention of going back to the Choir Club.

Of course, it’s not because Sora dislikes the Choir Club.

It’s just that to Sora right now, compared with the choir, or even anything else, there is something that she should give more priority to.

”Will this make Onii-chan happy……”

While sticking labels on the cookbook, Sora said happily.


After sending Sora-chan and the others out, I walked out not long after that as well.

Tomorrow will be the big day, so we’d probably need to be very busy because of the preparations.

Thinking of this, it’s really thankful that Sora-chan made me a bento.

After I locked the entrance door and was about to set out, I noticed a familiar face standing at the entrance.

”Ehh…… You are……”

I remember that he’s one of Sora-chan’s classmates, and…… His surname seems to be Maeshima or something like that.

”Is there anything wrong? If you’re looking for Sora-chan, she’s already at school.”

”No. I’m here to look for you.”

Maeshima-kun said with a fierce expression on her face.

”Me……?”

”What do you think of Sora?”

”How do I…… Wait a minute, I don’t understand what you mean.”

”Stop faking it!”

Maeshima-kun suddenly grabbed my collar.

My collar was grabbed my a middle schooler, and I was pressed on the entrance door.

”Takanashi, she- she is……!”

”M- Maeshima-kun……?”

I’m really confused.

Even so, I could understand that he is angry at me.

”It’s all your fault!”

”Eh……”

”It’s all because of you that she can’t come back to the Choir Club!”

”Because of…… me?”

”Damn!”

Maeshima-kun pushed me away and ran off.

As for me, I stood in front of the entrance, blankly watching him leave.

”What is with this……?”

How puzzling. But he’s still Sora-chan’s classmate, and worries for Sora-chan from the bottom of his heart.

At least that is right.

Then as he said, is it my fault that Sora-chan cannot return to ther club?

”Yuuta-san, what are you doing here?”

Oba-san was standing at my side from goodness knows when, looking at me, whose face was full of confusion.

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