As of late, I have trouble falling asleep. I find myself unable to immediately drift off, but wake up early next morning. The reason for that is probably my recent lack of physical exercise. I feel like I used up a lot of energy when chasing after Natsukawa after all.
As for the reason why my pillow and blanket suddenly felt uncomfortable, this was probably related to the approaching summer. Once morning came around, it was either me throwing aside my blanket in my sleep, or waking up entirely. And even so, I canât stop myself from eating my beloved hot toast in the morning.
I took out a slice of bread from the fridge, and stuffed it into the toaster. I put on a decent amount of heat, toasting the bread to a comfortable crusty degree, and watching that happen in real-time became a habit of mine. Right as I was enjoying a crispy toast with butter, I saw Big Sis walking down the stairs with one-sided bomber hair, making me wonder in what kind of posture she was sleeping in. What a fresh asymmetry that is. She looked at me, and said.
ââ-This might just be enough.â
âCan you not pull some weird compromise while looking at my face?â
Big Sis is always conscious about how she appears in front of boys, rude more than anything, but I donât recall her ever bringing up a lewd conversation. Iâve been her younger brother for a long time now, but it feels like sheâs fairly particular about that sort of stuff. Thatâs why she never had a boyfriend so far. If sheâd keep quiet, she must be pretty popular though.
âIâm praising you. If I got involved with a handsome guy, itâd just cause offence for the other girls around.â
âTalking like you experienced thatâŚâ
ââŚâŚâ
ââŚ?â
H-Hey now, whatâs that reaction for? Donât tell me even that gluttonous Big Sis of mine is experiencing youth in her own wayâŚ? No, but that faceâŚIt looks like she remembered something she would have rather forgotten. NowâŚdid she pull off a half-assed attempt for a handsome guy, and failed miserably? Helpless as always, huh. Maybe I should act the kind younger brother and cheer her up.
âSo you finally understoodâŚhow much of a handsome guy I am.â
âWhat? Donât think you should be acting like that, 49 points bastard.â
âAt leastâŚat least give me that one pointâŚ!â
Ignoring my well-meant attempt, she stabbed me right where it hurt. Iâm already aiming to be average at best, so donât just lower my score below average, do you even have any feelings for me!? Iâm trying to live realistically here, so play along and give me some âYou triedâ points!
Canât be bothered about any more of this. I held back the tears, gulped down my bread, and showed a physical appeal that I ainât about that life right now. Big Sis watched me do all of that, and muttered a quiet âWhat are you doingâŚâ, which was probably the most Big Sis-like moment as of late.
âYou wonât be popular with that, you know?â
âHuh? Iâve always known that, whatâs the problem?â
âYouâŚâ
Throwing that remark at me had me return strong, but equally lonely words out of a whim. Big Sis looked at me like she wanted to say something, but ultimately stayed quiet. Just like yesterday, I decided to leave the house early. Since this time of day most likely overlapped with Natsukawaâs leave, itâd be pretty awkward after all, but thereâs no way Iâd be that unfortunate to meet her again. So, I grabbed my bag, and headed for the entrance.
âAh, wait a second, Wataru.â
ââŚHuh?â
*
â???â
âIâm going with youâ, is what Big Sis said, so I was forced to wait for her. With this event that had never occurred so far, I couldnât help but feel restless. D-Donât tell me, was she actually a bro-con all this timeâŚ!?
ââHuuuh? ââDisgustingâ (Third time)
Yeah, not happening. Thereâs no way that audacious and insolent Big Sis of mine would be a bro-con. I felt disgusted at myself for even coming up with that possibility, and had my imaginary Big Sis do the job of insulting me. Sensei, Iâm not motivated to go to school anymore.
I donât even get whatâs going on. I donât think it has happened ever since I moved up to middle school. I honestly didnât like the idea of going to school with Big Sis either, to be honest.
âIâm leaving.â
ââŚing.â
I figured that she wouldnât say anything like that herself, so I took the bullet, to which she joined in with a quiet voice. Right now, she might be much more calm and collected, but back when she started attending high school, she was in her so-called gal period, acting out rude behaviour like not telling our parents when she left. Seems like thereâs still some remains from that time.
ââŚSo? Whyâd you suddenly want to go together?â
âHuh? I only said Iâd go with you.â
âWhereâs the differenceâŚ?â
Weâre talking about a mysterious life form called âwomanâ here. If this was any other attribute besides being my older sister, I might just call her a tsundere and be secretly happy. Why did she make me wait for her then, I donât get it. In the end, I was forced to just follow her, only for her to abruptly stop not even a few meters later.
âHuh? Whyâd you stop?â
ââŚThat girl.â Big Sis used her chin to point in a direction.
âŚReally? With your chin? Following her gaze (?), I spotted the back of a familiar girl standing right at the corner of the street. Itâs not that she was necessarily waiting for anything, but rather carefully peeked around the corner. With that miniskirt, if she leaned forward a bit more, I might just see somethingâŚThanks for the treat, Natsukawa-sama.
ââŚâŚâ
ââŚâŚâ
âHey, you know her, right? Donât just stay quiet, and talk to her. We need to walk past her anyway.â
âPhew, I get it already, just donât glare at me.â
She must have realized that I was hesitating, and tapped me on the shoulder to gently push me forward. Thinking about this realistically, I can already tell that things will end up annoying if I call out to her here, so Iâd rather not. Canât we just take a detour and ignore her? However, I felt the pressure at my back, so I saw no other choice.
âââNatsukawa.â
âHyawa!?â
WhatâŚwas that? My heart went Hyawa. Being treated to an adorable shriek coming from Natsukawaâs cute mouth, I felt like my heart was about to explode. Final explosion!
âW-WataruâŚ!?â
âYo, what are you sneaking around heâre?â
HmmâŚ? Did she just call me by my name? Wouldnât she always call me with my family nameâŚNo, how did she call me before?
âThereâs some weird peopleâŚ! Whatâs up with them!?â
âWah, such a nice smellâEh? Weird people?â
Natsukawa suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me closer. For a second, my honest feelings were about to come out, but I somewhat managed to hold myself back (*Not really). When I looked at where Natsukawa was pointing, I realized what she was talking about.
âWhatâs up with thatâŚ!â
âHmmmâŚ?â
I spotted four high school boys wearing our schoolâs uniform, standing in front of a wall. They looked like champions about to challenge the Four Heavenly Generals. I feel like theyâd challenge me to a battle if our eyes met.
âNot to mention that they all got the faces of an elite trainer.â
âWhat are you talking aboutâŚâ
âHey, how much longer is this going to take?â
âEhâŚAh!? Wataruâs Onee-sanâŚ!?â
Right as I spit poison at their needlessly handsome faces, Big Sis (Lv. 63) walked towards us and urged us to continue. I definitely canât win against herâŚNo, wait a second, Natsukawa suddenly softening up the second Big Sis arrived is a sight to behold. I canât lose just yet! Wataru used jump! âŚNothing happened!
âWhat have you peeps been staring atâUghâŚâ
ââŚBig Sis?â
âAh! If it ainât Kaede!â
âHuh?â
My danger sense was ringing every single alarm bell in my body. These elite trainers screamed the name of my Big Sis, and all started moving towards us. I wanted to run away, but Big Sis hid behind me while grabbing my arm. What kind of deadlock is this?
âHey, Kaede! Who is that man!? Why are you hiding from us!â
âShut up! Whyâd you all wait for me like this! Gross!â
âMe*anium, I choose you!â
âH-Hey, will read you the atmosphereâŚ!â Natsukawa started panicking for real, and grabbed onto my uniform.
Thereâs no greater happiness than this. I really want to shake everyone off and land a mad dash to school. Can I? I canât? ManâŚ
âK-Kaede is relying on some first-year bratâŚ? Iâve never seen some guy like you before!â
Same here, this is the first time I met someone who called Big Sis by her given name. Not to mention four people at once. When did Big Sis build a reverse harem like this?
âHey, first-year! Tell me your name!â
âSajou Wataru.â
âSajou Wataru! Never heard of that name befoâEh? âSajouâ?â
âYes, Sajou Wataru.â
Since the Kaede Family â or [K4] for short â all threw harsh glares at me, I gave a concise response. Judging from the color of their neckties, they seemed to be second- and third-year Senpais, and I donât see any chance of making it through this situation alive, so I could only give in.
âS-SajouâŚare you actuallyââ
âPlease move out of the way, Todoroki-senpai.â
âAh, hey!â
The lively handsome third-year was shoved out of the way for a talented-type second-year handsome guy to appear. Although his glasses werenât even off-center, he pushed them up nonetheless. I donât get the reason for that to be honest. Stop trying to act cool, you bastard.
âIt is a pleasure to meet you, Sajou Wataru-san. My name is Kai Takuto. If I may be so rude, what kind of relationship do you have with Kaede-san?â
âWe live under the same roof, and share compromises with each other.â
âWhyâd you phrase it that way?â Big Sis complained.
Ah, my bad. I just happened to act rebellious out on a whim. A sudden erotic topic happening that actually involved Big Sis just made me so happy! Big Sis slapped me on the head, and stepped in front of me.
âHeâs my younger brotherâŚ! Look! We totally resembleâŚActually, we donât really look likeâŚâ
âYup.â
âYep.â
ââŚâŚâ
ââŚâŚâ
Makes sense. Our points definitely arenât in the same category. I never gave Big Sisâ face an actual grade, but sheâs definitely much higher than me. Worst part is that this guyâs actually a friend of Arimura-senpai, and the one who said heâs out for Big Sis. Not to mention thatâs greatly winning against me. So, thereâs only one thing for me to do.
âAlright, Big Sis, I donât want to be in your way any more than this, Iâll be on my way now.â
âHuh? Wait, what are you talking aboutââ
âDonât worry about it. You have all these Senpais longing for your attention, so Iâd rather not ruin anything.â
âNo, weâre not that friendly or anythingâŚâ
âIâll see you once school is over!â
âH-Hold on a second!â
Right when I wanted to run away like my life was on the line, Natsukawa grabbed me. Since she grabbed the flank of my uniform with her full strength, I was pulled towards her, which is why Natsukawaâs head appeared beneath my arm, like she was poking out her head. If only I put more strength into my arm, it would be a perfect choking hold, but not like I would do that though. However, I wasnât allowed to enjoy this sensation much, as she escaped, and now fully glared at me.
âW-What are you thinking, leaving me all aloneâŚ!â
âPlease I beg you donât stop meâŚ! If I stay here any longer, Iâll get done in by these handsome guys, and dissolveâŚ!â
âLike hell you wouldâŚ! Forget about your inferiority complex for a moment, will youâŚ!â
Rarely enough, Natsukawa was clinging to me instead of letting go. Her eyes were dead serious as well. And yet, how could I still wish for the person I like to release such a passionate grasp on me. Itâs probably because I could see Big Sis right behind Natsukawa, glaring at me with a âYou prepare yourself for an ass whooping laterâ kind of look.
ââŚLetâs all go together, shall we?â
ââŚHmpfâ. Big Sis let out a bothered snort, and closed her eyes.
I-Iâm savedâŚ! As the handsome Senpais all had question marks above their heads, Big Sis walked through the group, and I followed after. Before I realized it, the arm I was carrying my student bag with was now grabbed by Big Sis. My other arm was in Natsukawaâs grasp. It felt like I was a dog taken out on a walk, woof. I canât even tell what Natsukawa is thinking anymore. Can I just make her my girlfriend now? I canât? Knew it.
âI had no idea that Kaede actually has a younger brother. Why did you never tell us?â
âWhy would I have to tell you people?â
âSo cold~â The feeble-type third-year Senpai gently tapped Big Sis on the shoulder while letting out a heartful laugh.
Looking at his towering height of at least 180cm, I yet again was forced to realize the inequalities reigning in this world. Why donât you just continue growing for all eternity then? Hit your head on the entrance door of a convenience store for all I care.
âBy the way, whoâs that girl? Kaede Brotherâs girlfriendâŚ?â
âAh! H-Hey, idiot!â Big Sis raised a voice.
â?â
There, the cool-type handsome third-year Senpai that had stayed quiet all this time finally spoke up. Even his voice is handsome. Iâd so practice some pick-up lines in the bath if I got a voice like that. He seemed the most reasonable out of the bunch going from pure impression, butâŚhe sure dropped a bomb now. Big Sis even tried to stop him, but it didnât do anything.
âN-No, the two of us arenâtââ
âWeâre not like that, Senpai.â I spoke up.
âAh, I see. Sorry for asking a strange question like that.â
You can say that again, you bastard. The other three all nodded in consent as well. I can already guess why theyâd be that easy to do that. It sure doesnât feel great, I canât lie. From the looks of it, these four peeps are masochists, trained by Big Sis (*Bias). Maybe one of these guys could just become Natsukawaâs boyfriend, that would be passable for me.
As for Big Sis, she was busy retorting and taking care of the free and uncontrolled Senpais. She already moved her arm away from me as well. I dropped my walking speed, and started to tag along behind them.
ââŚSorry about thisâŚNatsukawa.â
ââŚDonât worry about it.â
I donât know why, but Natsukawa stayed next to me even now. I wouldnât mind if she went on ahead, but maybe she really has this consciousness of needing to stay with me, something like a support for herâŚEven so, including Natsukawa in the mix, walking along with all these beautiful people was a bit too tough to handle.
*
âA-AhhâŚItâs time for us to split up, it seemsâŚâ
ââŚâŚâŚâ
As we arrived at the front entrance, we all had a different location to head off to. Being surrounded by these handsome men, Big Sis glared at us like she was chewing on an insect. How odd, despite only being attracted to looks, and this being a great situation for her, I can still perfectly understand what she is feeling. Iâm sure that she hates any gazes of affection and curiosity the most. Iâm scared of what will happen after she gets home later.
From what I heard, all these handsome guys are actually part of the student council, including Big Sis as the current vice-student council president. At first, I was worried having someone so crude and violent in the student council, but now it makes sense. On a side note, the cool-type Senpai was actually the student council president. These guys really are so friendly.
As the technical Otasa Princess1, yet 300 times more normie, Big Sis was pulled along by the K4, walking into the opposite direction of us. Soon enough, her grudge towards me disappeared, as all her attention turned towards the handsome guys. Itâs crazy how she acts like another sister even towards other people. Then again, these four peeps are like puppies practically glued to her owner, so that makes sense.
ââŚOh yeah, she didnât seem too happy being surrounded by all those handsome guys, that Natsukawa.â
âH-Huuh!? Who do you take me for!?â
âWoah!?â
âWhy are you the one being shocked the mostâŚ!â
Even though I responded with surprise of my own, I was only met with a harsh scowl coming from Natsukawa. The reason I was shocked most is that she was still behind me. I figured she had already put on her indoor shoes, and headed to the classroom.
âD-Didnât you go on aheadâŚ?â
âWhy would you think Iâd just leave you alone hereâŚâ
âOh myâŚâ
I mean, arenât I annoying? But, I couldnât say that out loud. I wouldnât want to be hated even more than this after allâŚNot to mention that I didnât want to get drunk on this happiness of her being considerate of me, and get the wrong idea. Still, she is so cute after all.
Because we took a bit longer caused by all the ruckus with Big Sis, we made it just in time for the morning homeroom. I felt a bit awkward walking through the rows of students with Natsukawa next to me, leaving me unable to say anything. When we slowly approached the classroom, I remembered my plan for the great management operationâŚand felt guilty that I was around Natsukawa like this after all. Maybe I should take a detour to the toilet after allâ
âAhh, found Sajocchi!â
âŚâŚHuh?
ââŚKei?â
Ashida stormed out of the classroom, pointing at me. Following that, she dashed towards me, landing a harsh tackleâWataru used jump! Nothing happened!
âSajocchi! That Rin-sama is here for you!â
ââŚHuh?â
Can this event not happen this early in the morning? Itâs barely been two hours after I got up.
1Â Otaku no Circle = Otasa. Otasa Hime/Princess = The only girl in a club full of boys.