CH 3

Entangling emotions

“Sasaki…? Why’re you looking like the world is going to end tomorrow?”

“Whose fault do you think this is…?”

Between classes, after I returned from my trip to the toilet, I spotted that guy seeming to be lost in thought. He held his head in his hands, his upper body lounging across the desk. Hold on a second…is he saying that it’s actually my fault? But, how could that be? The only trouble that could befall a guy like him would be his brocon little sister…Hm? Sasaki’s little sister…?

‘Thank you very much for the picture. I will become a young girl myself.’

“—Ahh.”

Was it that? Is it because I snitched? Because I told his pride and joy, his little sister Yuki-chan, about Sasaki getting all close with Airi-chan? She sure surprised me with that metamorphosis announcement. But, no way right? Haha.

“…What happened with Yuki-chan?”

“She started carrying a grade schooler back—No, it’s nothing.”

“Hey now, I heard most of it, just finished that sentence.

Sasaki Yuki-chan (14 years old), is the type of little sister that would cling to her Onii-chan with a bright smile. When I visited their place before, I was pretty happy to have her ask for my contact information, but I would have never expected her to request us to look into Sasaki’s student life here at our school. Well, if she was my own little sister, I’d still think of it as cute…She’d probably spoil me whenever. Though, he might see it in a different light, as the actual older brother.

“That’s cause you went cheating on her with Natsukawa’s little sis, moron~”

“No! Rather than Airi-chan, I prefer—Ah.”

“……”

Sasaki frantically stopped his own words. Of course, I immediately understood the reason for that. The second I did, I felt a rush of cold feelings fill my chest. However, it stayed deep inside my chest, given no chance to break out.

“………I see.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“I’m not going to complain or anything. Is there even anybody who wouldn’t fall for her?”

“I mean, not like I know…But, what about you?”

“The one to decide will be the person herself. No matter what action you may take, the only person who has the right to judge that is Natsukawa. I don’t have any right to obstruct you. Doesn’t mean I personally like it.”

“So you don’t.”

“Of course, what do you expect?”

Can’t continue watching my idol if she’s suddenly covered by some other guy’s back. If you were to become that shadow, then I would openly hate you. I don’t mind if we stopped talking because of that. If we did, things would stay awkward anyway.

“Sajou, I’ll seriously go for her.”

“What are you getting all passionate for?”

“………”

Before I could say any further than that, Sasaki stood up, and left the classroom. His confident gaze as he passed me was burned into my chest. I felt annoyed because every little action of his was exactly what a popular and handsome guy would do. Why does it feel like he can do anything just because of his looks? Guess that’s what it means to be stylish…

Oddly enough, that guy was actually seeing me as a rival. Shouldn’t he pick someone with a more handsome face as a rival? If he’s going all-out against me, he’ll beat me to a pulp…

“Sasaki…huh.”

Ever since I announced my work as Natsukawa’s manager in order to make her more popular, I felt like this day might come eventually. Since I was always around her, I was practically like a protection from boys, but now that I’m gone, every other boy around will become fully aware of Natsukawa’s cuteness, and they definitely won’t leave her alone. I’ve always known about this.

I don’t know if I can accept Sasaki or not. Me and Yamazaki are close enough to insult him as a handsome bastard, and have the girls around us tell us to shut up. Huh? Were we even that good of a match? I mean, Yamazaki’s in the basketball club, and fairly handsome, so why is he on my side?

I know that I never had any chance with the unattainable flower that is Natsukawa. So at the very least, I want her to be together with a guy that would make me think ‘Yeah, I can see that’. That’s why, if Sasaki is going for it, I’ll confirm that for myself. Is he not only handsome on the outside, but also on the inside? I figure that he can’t be a bad guy if his little sister likes him that much, but I’ll see that for myself.

*

Who cares about that. Sasaki? Who dat? I already forgot about all of that, seeing Natsukawa fidgeting in front of my eyes. As I stood in front of the shoe lockers at the entrance, someone suddenly pulled on my sleeve, and when I turned around, my Goddess…I can’t even put into words how cute she looks. Can’t be bothered about Sasaki anymore.

My determination is the same as minced meat. Before I realize it, I stop caring about anything. Sorry about this, Natsukawa, but this attack won’t work against me. I’m made out of rubber. Dehehe~

“So…what’s up, cutie?”

“I-I’m not cute!” Natsukawa averting her face mid-sentence with a cute pout had my heart skip two beats.

She was cute enough for me to catch the ball, throw away my glove, and run towards her in the middle of the field to scream how cute she is. I don’t have any faith in my self-control…Her sulking attitude had me see flowers blooming in my head. Thus, I was taken captive by the fairy of the forest—Huh? I’m not some mandrake.

Natsukawa held onto my sleeve, not showing any signs of moving away. This is bad. My head is frozen. Natsukawa had her face cast down, so I couldn’t see her expression. Was Natsukawa always this small? She and Ashida didn’t look like so much of an odd couple when they stood next to each other. I lowered my hip to take a look at her face, and asked at the same time.

“…So? Is this about your little sister…?”

“Her name is Airi…remember that…”

“Y-Yesh!”

I’ve received an endless amount of attacks from Big Sis, and made it this far. Yet, what is this? Even though their killing intent and impact is barely non-existent, I feel like I’m about to die right here. I’m getting close to being purified. Why is she looking up at me with a beet red face? Because she’s a goddess? So what, I’m an undead?

Well, Natsukawa must be feeling awkward, first completely denying any hope of me meeting Airi-chan, only to now change her mind. Would she get angry if I touched her cheeks? …She probably would…I’d probably get reported…and beaten to a pulp…

“Um…is this what we talked about before?”

“……” Natsukawa awkwardly nodded along, and just when I thought she let go of my arm, she grabbed it even more fiercely.

She let it go yet again, and slowly lowered her hand. Let’s get married, okay? ……Well, maybe I should just give her a bit of space. If what Ashida said wasn’t a lie, then Natsukawa put me in the same group of people. However, that is only Ashida’s subjective observation, so I don’t need nor want to accept that statement.

The reason for this is because Natsukawa and I see each other as a member of the opposite sex. I have romantic feelings for Natsukawa, and she hates me as a man. However, Ashida doesn’t put the focus on that. She probably sees the relationship between me and Natsukawa as friends.

As a matter of fact, friendship between a boy and a girl can work out. I personally see Ashida as a friend, and if I were to deny that, then all the various groups with boys and girls around me would suddenly look very suspicious. Well, these guys might just be trying hard to not be conscious of each other. But, if there wasn’t friendship, then what else? There’s no way I’m going deeper down the rabbit hole. It’s friendship, alright.

Ashida kept saying over and over that I’m part of the group around Natsukawa. So, Natsukawa denies the part of me being a ‘member of the opposite sex’, while feeling conflicted of wanting me to meet Airi-chan. This shows in Natsukawa’s actions, and taking this as proof, I can take it that Ashida wasn’t exactly lying. If so, what I can do to make the choice easier for Natsukawa—is to be neither a man, nor someone from the opposite sex, but simple ‘Sajou Wataru’.

“…Hey, I don’t really mind.”

“Eh…”

“You’re concerned about you having been strictly against me meeting Airi-chan up until this point, right?”

She can be relieved, but also angry. Even if she hates me, it doesn’t matter—I got rejected anyway.

“I-I’m not really—”

“No shot. Everyone will be able to see that, Natsukawa.”

“Ah, urk…”

It’s not that I understand it because it’s me. Everybody else who would see her right now could tell. That’s just how cute she is. I don’t want anybody else to see the current Natsukawa. Huh? My desires are leaking…?

“If I could meet her, then I’d be happy to, and grateful as well. Anytime is fine, I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Ah…”

In reality, I wanted to meet her ever since I first saw that picture of hers. I know that it sounds sketchy coming from me, about a young girl…Makes me seem like some single guy in his thirties excited for a marriage meeting. Well, calling someone else’s little sister a ‘young girl’ is out, I guess. I mean, that was pretty clear the second I got along with Yamazaki.

“—C-Can’t be helped then! If you’re that desperate, I’ll introduce you!”

“Ohhh!”

That’s it, that’s how things are supposed to be, Natsukawa. Now you can pull through this without needing to blame yourself. Now you can be honest with your honest feelings. Then, I don’t have to worry about her either. As a man who loves Natsukawa—No, as her fan, I want to always watch her smile. That is my own blessing. For that, I’ll swallow whatever unreasonable complaint she might throw at me. I need to throw away all wicked thoughts, and—

“…Thanks, Natsukawa.”

“Urk…”

See, now Natsukawa made it out of this situation just fi—Why is she holding her mouth, shaking around wildly like that? Eh, is she smiling? Is my face that weird? I guess not even a Goddess could stay quiet if I said something like that with a weird face. But, I was actually pretty serious…Why would you get so read now? Makes me wanna do something to you, cutie. Ahh, my wicked thoughts…!