When I say ‘calm down’, I meant that just by staying still, I’d relax and my face would soften immediately.
As I was recalling what just happened and grinning like a fool, I heard a ‘knock knock’ sound.
“Akira.”
It was big brother that knocked on the door.
I heard a soft voice through the door.
It didn’t feel cold anymore.
That alone made me really happy.
“……I’m sorry about that earlier. I’d like to apologize properly. Can I come in?”
He said as he opened the door. There big brother stood, with an apologetic expression.
When he met my eyes, he said, “Sorry,” and smiled.
I had actually been a little worried about whether he would make up with me or not; but when I saw that smile, I realized that I had nothing to worry about.
I felt an urge to hug him, but he’s Haru-nii’s, so I put up with it and invited him into the room.
We sat side by side and decided to talk.
“Have you made up with Haru-nii?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, Akira. You didn’t do anything wrong. I should be the one to apologize. I’m really sorry……”
It was really difficult when big brother was being cold to me.
But the reward that he gave me at the end blew away all the difficulties that I had till now.
“It’s fine. It was painful when big brother wouldn’t smile, but it’s fine now.”
“Akira……”
The angel’s smile that I’ve been longing for finally appeared.
Big brother reached out his hand and stroked my head.
I was happy to be treated like a kid.
“I wouldn’t come to hate Akira. I was just jealous of you.”
It was strange for big brother to be jealous.
I still can’t believe it.
As I kept quiet, big brother gently began to talk.
“When I was a kid, I thought that Akira was cunning. You’re charming and cute no matter what you do. Everyone likes you. It was something that I couldn’t do.”
I don’t think so.
People usually preferred my brother and I wanted to be like him.
Big brother smiled as I talked about it.
“Are we equally asking for too much?”
That just might be it.
And I laughed too in return.
“Mom and Dad too, they were only worried about Akira since you were little. Even now when they call me, they’re only worried about Akira.”
“That’s because big brother is so reliable that they’re not worried about you.”
“I know. They always say ‘Makoto is fine’, so I’ve been aware of that. I even try to keep that in mind. Even so, I end up thinking that I want them to worry about me sometimes.”
“So it was like that.”
I didn’t know that big brother, who was able to do anything since he was little and is perfect, had such a thought.
I may have been too spoiled by big brother.
I’m a little embarrassed.
“Recently, I’ve noticed that Haruki worries about Akira. And Akira is attached to Haruki too. I guess I felt a sense of alienation.”
“That’s……I like big brother more than Haru-nii.”
Of course, I like Haru-nii too, but nothing can compare to big brother.
Big brother is immovable and will forever be number one.
“I know.”
Big brother began to laugh aloud.
“I heard that you cried when I treated you coldly?”
“I didn’t cry!”
I was barely safe.
I did cry over their preciousness though.
Big brother made fun of me, and we both made a huge fuss.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been like this, I’m happy.
“……Both of you sure are cute.”
I was surprised at the voice that I suddenly heard, and when I turned to look at the door, which seemed to be where the voice was from, Haru-nii was peeking through the gap of the door.
It was like a certain housekeeper in suspense.
What are you doing……
“Big brother, Haru-nii is disgusting.”
“What coincidence. I think so too.”
For such a day where I would think that Haru-nii is disgusting would come.
It’s probably because big brother is here, but he’s being deredere and it’s kinda disgusting.
“……Hey, Akira.”
When I was urging Haru-nii to come in without looking in, I was called by him and turned my head.
Big brother was looking at me with a serious face.
I wonder what happened.
“Do you perhaps……know about us?”
“……Eh?”
I couldn’t understand what he meant for a moment there because I didn’t expect it at all, but that’s……Are you talking about your relationship?
“Well, uh……”
“Oi, Makoto.”
“I don’t think we can hide it from Akira.”
When he tried to convince Haru-nii, who seemed to be flustered, he looked at me again while sitting up straight.
In spite of myself, I sat up straight and confronted big brother, who was about to begin to speak.
“Previously when I said that, ‘We’re dating,’ was a joke. That was true.”
……The time has finally come, it seems like the day where I’d accept big brother coming out has come.
I could see that big brother was prepared to talk about this.
So I will answer properly.
“Yeah, I know.”
Haru-nii was surprised with his eyes wide open.
It seems like it was unexpected that I knew about it.
“I knew it.”
On the other hand, it seems like big brother had expected that I was aware of it.
I wonder if it’s because we’re brothers that we could understand each other.
“What did you think?”
“What do you mean?”
Before I knew it, big brother’s face had changed into a kind of anxious look.
“It’s strange to say it ourselves……but it’s not normal, right?”
“But it’s not like Haru-nii’s a bad person, and it’s big brother’s choice so it’s not like I can do anything.”
“You don’t want us to stop?”
“Not at all.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
They were stupefied at my words, but not before long, they looked at each other and smiled.
It seems like they’re relieved.
It’s great that they’re happy again.
As I thought, it has to be like this.
So is it possible to hear about their love story from big brother from now on since he had a coming out?
Don’t get excited……
That’s right, I should ask them about what I was worried about.
“Did you guys actually try to hide it from me to begin with?”
“Well, of course……”
It seemed like both of their faces were saying , “Why’re you asking such an obvious question?”
But they looked so sweet despite that.
I was worried that they deliberately made me ask them that question.
“But you looked defenseless? It’s like you weren’t cautious about it?”
“What do you mean?”
Both of them really didn’t seem to understand, and they had a question mark on their heads.
I don’t know if I can say it, but here goes nothing.
“Well……I heard it……”
“”?””
I don’t think they get it yet.
I’d like them to understand but……
“Like……your ‘voices’……at that time.”
As I finished my sentence, their faces changed like they finally understood what I meant.
Haru-nii looked away, looking far away with a face that said, “Shit, I’ve done it,”.
And big brother’s face turned bright red……
“Eh-”
In the next moment, Haru-nii got blown off to the other side of the room.
Big brother sent him flying with all his strength.
I forgot that big brother is also the ace in the tennis club, he’s slim but he has a lot of strength in his arms.
Haru-nii, you have my condolences.
“That’s why……That’s why I told you! We shouldn’t do it at home!”
Haru-nii, who got sent flying, got up to refute big brother.
“We can only do it at home! Th-then where else can we do it, you wanna do it outsi-……Gahh!!”
This time, he stepped on him while he was trying to get up.
“Don’t talk! Go die!”
“Calm dow-……Cough[1].”
[1] Coughing out blood
Ahh……What do I do?
DV[2] is happening in front of me……
[2] DV = Domestic Violence
I’m scared, so I have no choice but to shut my mouth and watch it.
“You’re annoying! As if I can calm down! My brother……My brother heard me, you know!?”
As big brother said that, he looked at me again.
So I smiled slightly.
Then big brother gradually started to tear up.
“You……I’m done with you!”
Big brother ran off as he said that.
Ahh……Even though we just made up.
I saw him off in silence.
I squatted down next to Haru-nii, who had been crushed and stretched upon the floor, and spoke to him.
“Haru-nii, he said he’s done with you.”
“Haha, isn’t he cute?”
Yeah, I know.
I’m even having the same thought as you right now.
“Isn’t it better for you to chase after him?”
“Help me up.”
“Big brother will get jealous, so no way.”
Haru-nii got up while clicking his tongue, and chased after big brother.
I could hear small contending noises, but this time it sounded cheerful rather than a sad one.
I can’t help but feel relieved.
I’m glad.
It’s been resolved safely.
I should call Natsuhi-senpai afterwards.
By the way, big brother and President’s date is still ongoing, but Haru-nii will be going along with them instead.
As a result, it seems like he would only show off their relationship rather than going on a date with President.
It may be President that went through the hardest part this time.