Chapter 34Towards That Back
'I've prepared the place.'
'Huh?'
Yeah, I did say that I would 'do something about it'? But, you see... ...what I mean here is in the sense of a family meeting, right? I mean, I never thought that I'd have to face Big Sis from now on, did I? Even though it's for her sake, I also need to prepare myself mentally...
And, didn't you tell me that Big Sis was crying? She probably said, 'Wataru? Of course he's not popular. I thought the 'Sajou' Family would end with this generation', without showing any human blood or crying, and then asked me to buy 'Häagen' ice cream for her. I mean, are you really telling the truth, Yuuki-senpai...? ...Heaven and Earth aren't going to turn around soon... ...are they?
According to Yuuki-senpai, Big Sis was on the rooftop. Senpai already used a random reason to send her there. The rooftop can be opened with Student Council privileges.
Yeah, Yuuki-senpai said that he was with Hanawa-senpai, Kai-senpai and... ...Hmm? Todoroki-senpai too? That boy,, does he understand human nature enough to be able to treat a girl as Young Lady?
"...Huh..."
My exhale refused to stop.
The development of this story was too fast and sudden.
Meeting her is one thing but, talking about something serious like this makes the back of my head itch.
It was my first time going upstairs to the third floor. The floor was already almost dusty. Because of the time of day, my neighborhood was quite dark and quiet.
Usually students would only go up to the rooftop during their graduation. However, I found the footsteps of someone who had preceded me.
"Ugh..."
In fact, even if it was the impudent Big Sis... ...we're a family after all, I didn't want to see her crying face. It's usually not something a high school boy my age should experience, right? Just imagining it, I already feel gloomy.
─That's why, hearing about Big Sis crying somewhere that I don't even know about, how could I stay silent, right...?
I opened the rusted door. The creaking sound made me feel uneasy. My head was full of doubts and questions.
Why was I here this late in the afternoon when I wasn't in any club activities? Why is the situation like this? Why am I heading to the rooftop that I planned to see only once during my graduation period? Why did things end up so out of the norm like this?
─All of them, I'll ask Big Sis, who has a strange hidden personality that I don't know about.
"...Big Sis."
"Eh...?"
Right on the rooftop, standing there was Big Sis with her usual tired face.
I called out to Big Sis.
She looked at me in shock and took a step back.
"Huh...? Why is Wataru here...? Renji said that Rin called me."
"Hmm...?"
R-Rin...? Is she talking about that 'Shinomiya Rin'...? Wait a minute, they know each other...? Oh, come to think of it, they are indeed the Student Council Vice President and the Disciplinary Committee President, so it's not strange that they don't know each other.
What a skillful way to call Big Sis here, it's really exactly like Hanawa-senpai. Yeah, he does seem like a boy who is good at this... ...I hope he can fail once in a while...
"Yeah, that's because Senpai lied. Anyway, Big Sis. I heard you crying, didn't you?"
"Huh...? What?!"
I thought it was an unnecessary opening. After all, I wanted to resolve all these issues as quickly as possible. But, as I did so, she daydreamed for a moment, looked at me in confusion and staggered back.
This reaction... ...It seems that Yuuki-senpai wasn't lying...
"...Y-You...!"
"The kind Student Council President who told me about this with his tongue in cheek. Yeah, I did feel that you would feel more guilty if I just left this matter alone."
"...What-!?"
Her little bro noticed that she was crying. I wonder what Big Sis was feeling right now. Since she has always been so strict, she probably won't admit it honestly. However, that doesn't mean I'm going to follow her around like I usually do.
"Look, Big Sis... ...what's a good thing about me? Ten ─ No, five is more than enough, though. Please name them."
"Huh...? Suddenly, like this, what happened ─ good things..."
"I mean exactly what I said. Things are good on my account. If you're so worried about my problems that you're crying, you should be able to name them correctly."
"Oh, Um...!"
Compared to Big Sis' usual, confident demeanor, she was now stumbling over her own words, which surprised even me.
Oh... ...I am afraid of what will happen later.
Big Sis... ...she counted her fingers while moving her gaze to that place. It was obvious that she was desperately thinking about something.
I've realized this from the beginning, and if Big Sis can't find them then that's fine, but I'll ask why she's thinking like that.
"That's enough, I understand."
"Wait a minute... ...This... ...you're wrong...!"
"Then, next. Tell me the ten points that are common about me."
"Eh...?! Oh, Um.─"
I wasn't trying to test her or anything like that. I'm just curious as to why.
Big Sis was worried about me...? Worried that she's the reason why I gave up on the girl I love? I don't even feel like that, so don't get me wrong, okay? More than anything, it's not like you, Big Sis.
"─Y-Your face!"
"My face."
"─Height! Personality! Stature! Intelligence! Wealth!"
"Wealth."
"─Hairstyle! Fashion sense! Endurance! Cleanliness! Scent! Sense of Humor! Charm as a Little Bro!"
"..."
"─STR! DEF! SPD! DEX! LUK!"
"Hey, that's not fair, is it? That's it... ...Enough, Never mind! Stop it! Please just stop...!"
Wait... ...isn't that close to twenty? But I didn't ask for that much? Also, in the second half, I don't know how these stats can help. What? Do you always think about battle status in daily life? Are you from the Warrior Race?!
I frantically stopped Big Sis, then she slightly gasped for air.
Huh...? Are my "commonities" unlimited? Is it that tiring?
"You see... ...You also think the same way I do. That I'm just an ordinary boy."
"Mm...!"
"Yeah, that's true. I'm just an ordinary boy. That's the reality that I myself have accepted. And that reality is what you and Mom have always taught me, isn't it? I'm not saying that what you're saying is wrong. So, you don't have to worry at all."
"..."
"It's true that I gave up on a lot of things. But, it's not because of you or Mom. I just looked at my stupid face in the mirror, and although I hate to admit it, I realized what kind of boy I am, that's all."
I'm ashamed to say this... ...but it's the truth. It's just an incident where I got hot myself and got cold myself. So, I don't see any reason for Big Sis to be bothered by it, and I don't need any worries from her.
"...I was surprised."
"...Huh?"
"Out there, they say that they'll give up on the person they like, but they can't actually do that. There was a boy who got frustrated because of that. That's why I'm worried that you'll become like that boy too. And, I'm starting to think that I might have done something really bad to you..."
"...What the heck is that?"
If so, why? Does everything I've said so far just sound like nonsense? Even the things I said in front of Natsukawa herself, or in the Student Council Office? Do you think that I still haven't gotten over Natsukawa, and deep down I can't get over her and am acting like a whining baby?
...Huh. Are you still the same as usual?
"Seriously, though... ...What the heck are you saying, Big Sis. First of all, I'm not trying to forget her. I still like her to this day, and I'm still a boy who's stupid enough to think, 'If there's a chance then I'll do it'. It's just that, well... ...As I thought, I'm just an ordinary boy. So, I need to at least realize that..."
"B-But, the reason you feel that way... ...I knew it, it must be because I talk too much...!"
If you've realized it, why don't you just stop?
Why are you regretting it now, this girl really... ...What do you want me to do? Would you feel better if I bought you some buns? Alright, at the convenience store, from the first to the last row, I'll buy the entire stock they have...! Is two thousand yen enough...?
"It's exactly what I said, isn't it─?"
"L-Listen."
"What?"
"I often talk bad about you, but I don't mean it at all. Be a little more confident. Even if you realize being 'ordinary', that doesn't mean you should just give up on the girl you've loved all this time."
"Huh...?"
Big Sis sounded like she was trying to persuade me. Just when I was wondering what she was going to say, she started saying nonsense to get away with it. But it's already too late... ...it sounds like an excuse.
Huh...? So what? Why are you saying that now? Isn't it a bit late? I thought I explained to you that you weren't wrong either. Even so, why are you denying it now? Seriously, all those embarrassing things before, so what's the point?
"That's, well... ....I will improve myself. I won't make fun of you anymore, and I'll stop saying things that don't make sense. So, there's no need to look down on yourself like─."
"Could you please stop saying, 'You're such a s*#t'."
"Wh-What...?!"
I don't think I've ever been this upset before.
If I was forced to stay still any longer than that, I would probably strangle her neck.
"Improve? Just because you stopped making fun of me and stopped being violent, do you think I'll be more confident?"
"That's not what...!"
"Do you also want to reflect on that? What? So you're a good Big Sis now? Who is that? I've never had a Big Sis who was 'pretty' and kind to me."
"...!"
The relationship we built up to this point... ...It's true that Big Sis may have been harsh with me, but that in itself is satisfying. That's because it's none other than, 'We're siblings'. A relationship where we don't need to be indifferent or considerate to each other, where we can be comfortable with each other... ...And right now, she's saying that she want to destroy all that? Stop messing around with me.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
If you like our work, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi. 🙏
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/ninjacross
Donations are very much appreciated.
Special Thanks to Our Current Monthly Supporter: Mr. Ads.
Follow Our Official WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRa6nHCsU9OAB0U370F
Read in other languages: