Chapter 16: I want to punch that smile (second time)

　I was reading at my favorite coffee shop and the sun was setting.

“It really is comfortable here”

　I was trying to kill time until the time sale started at the supermarket, but I stayed too long. The things I wanted were uprooted by the housewives. I didn’t know that I would be defeated without participating in the war…

　I couldn’t participate today, but the supermarket with time sales is also a battlefield. Housewives who have turned into shuras are terrifying.

　I went home, remembering the time sale I participated in before. As I walked by the park with my bag, which was lighter than expected, I heard voices talking. A man in a suit was talking to a girl in middle school sitting on a bench.

(No matter what I think, this is a suspicious scene…)

　Well, that doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it. I pretend to ignore it like a resident of a quiet country. If I intervene badly, I might be taken to the police station.

(Well, maybe they were just worried about a junior high school student who was alone at this hour…)

Nowadays, even if you call out to someone out of kindness, you will be reported. It’s called the “do-nothing” policy, but in a society like this, everyone would just turn a blind eye.

　When I tried to look away, my eyes met the girl’s. She had a troublesome expression on her face, but when she saw me, she looked like she was thinking about something, and then she smiled.

(Oh… this is going to be troublesome.)

　I thought about it and was about to leave, but before I could, a girl came running towards me.

“Onii-chaaaaaaaan! I’ve been waiting for you!”

　Don’t you dare lie to me! You’ve never (maybe) met me before !

　But I can’t just run away now. If I run away in vain, I’ll look suspicious… Should I talk to her about it?

“I’m sorry, little sister. It took me a long time to shop. I’m sorry? “

“You’re so unreasonable, Onii-chan. But I’ll forgive you because I’m kind!”

　That’s what my little sister ( temporary ) says to me with a big smile on her face ( fake ). I want to hit her with this smile.

“Are you her brother…?”

　The man who seemed to be in a bad mood also came over and asked me that. This is a lie, right? Tell me it’s a lie! My eyes are telling me.

　Is he angry because I robbed of his prey? I don’t think he was trying to be nice.

“Yes, I am. My sister is indebted to you. May I know your name and address so I can thank you later?”

“What⁉︎ No, not that much…”

“No, no, it’s thanks to you that my sister is safe and sound by herself at this hour. If you hadn’t been there, she might have been accosted by a suspicious person.”

“You don’t have to worry about it that much! T-then I will take my leave!”

　The man left the park as if in a hurry. There was no way he was going to tell me his name or address, was there? If I told the police that my sister ( temporary ) was being approached by a suspicious person, they might come to his house.

　As I was thinking this, I was approached from behind.

“Thank you, Onii-chan. That guy kept calling out to me. It was a pain in the a*s.”

　My sister’s ( temporary ) mood was different from before. I was not surprised, because I knew that what she just said was an act.

“If that’s the case, then you’d better get the hell out of here.”

　That’s all I said and turned on my heel. If I don’t leave quickly, I might be treated as a suspicious person.

“Wai, you don’t have to leave so soon. Let’s talk some more.”

“I want to go home as soon as possible. I’m hungry.”

“Then let’s go somewhere to eat. Of course, it’s on you!”

“Can’t you see my bag with all the food in it?”

　Obviously, I’m insisting on cooking for myself.

“…Errand boy? Or does Onii-chan live alone?”

“I don’t live alone, but… well, I’m a redundant at home. I do my own housework, you know.”

　What the hell am I doing leaking information about my house? I turned around and looked at the face of my sister ( temporary ) while being disgusted with myself.

“………”

“………”

　When we made eye contact, we fell silent. I hadn’t noticed the big smile (fake) earlier, but I was familiar with my sister’s ( temporary ) eyes. They are the eyes I see in the mirror every day.

“Well…. Onii-chan, I have a suggestion for you.”

“…Say it?”

“Why don’t you come over to my house and cook for me?”

　The eyes of my sister ( temporary ), who suggested this with a smile plastered on her face, were as cloudy as if she was telling me she didn’t believe anyone anymore.

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