V4Ch16: White Summoning

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Translator: Soafp

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“What the heck was that at lunch!?”

After school, behind the school building, that was the first thing I said to Momoka.

The reason we were here was simple — I couldn't stop thinking about what happened during lunch, so I called Momoka out.

After that incident, Shirase had left the room looking utterly dejected. She was someone I had once held a grudge against, but seeing her like that still tugged at my heart.

At my confrontational tone, Momoka lowered her head.

“…I'm sorry.”

“Eh, no, I'm not exactly mad.”

“I couldn't control myself. I knew in my head to hold back, but once she was in front of me, I ended up saying too much.”

…She must've been holding things in for a while.

I also regretted speaking so harshly. Trying to shift the mood, I cleared my throat.

“So, how'd you end up there anyway?”

“By coincidence.”

“Hmm. Tell me about it.”

“I had been planning to approach Shion Nijitani eventually, and it just so happened she was walking nearby, so I called out to her. We chatted a bit, and she said she was interested in me too. So we decided to have a proper talk.”

So they chose an empty classroom to chat, huh?

Whether it was good luck or bad luck, it turned out we were already in that classroom. So that meeting was just a coincidence.

“What was your impression of Shion?”

“She's a nice girl.”

“She's my proud little sister, after all.”

“She's cheerful and sociable, looks a bit like a gyaru, but she's very cute and charming. I'd already heard the rumors, so I knew about her. That's why I saw her as a strong rival for the role of ‘goddess.' Though, after reuniting with you, I've started viewing her as a different kind of threat—”

Momoka looked at me.

“A different kind?”

“Well, it's just that… having a stepsister as a love rival is kind of a hassle.”

“…Seriously?”

“Come on, it's a common trope. Even in the light novels you love, there are plenty of little-sister heroines.”

Fair enough — it's true that kind of plot is a staple in light novels.

Step-sibling romances are a classic rom-com setup, but unfortunately (or fortunately), there's none of that between my sister and me.

We're close, no doubt, and we care about each other. But it's a different kind of “love.” There are no romantic feelings involved, and I've never sensed any from her either. We both respect each other and try not to ruin the good thing we've got going. We’re just trying to protect our comfortable relationship.

“…Anyway, I get the situation with Shion now.”

“Okay.”

“The real issue is what came after. I know you don't have a good opinion of Shirase, but that sounded more like you were picking a fight.”

There were plenty of sharp barbs laced in her words.

“I was just sending a message.”

“A message?”

“I have feelings for you, Shota. Always have — since we were little. If I tried to put it all into words, it'd take forever, so let's leave it at that. Simply put: I love you.”

“O-Oh…”

Hearing it directly made me blush.

“That's why I wanted to send a warning to Shirase-senpai, someone who could become a rival.”

“A rival?”

“She seemed like she could become a serious threat. So I figured I should try to knock her down a bit before that happens.”

So… she thinks Shirase might have feelings for me?

I haven't noticed anything like that at all.

“…Yeah, I was definitely confrontational. Even though you broke up quickly, she was still your first girlfriend. No way I'm going easy on her. She's the one goddess I absolutely can't forgive.”

I heard her mutter something disturbingly ominous, but I decided to ignore it.

“…So you've forgiven her, Shota Nii-san, I understand that. But I still dislike the current goddess. I can't forgive someone who drove the person I love to transfer schools. Compared to before, I've calmed down now that I've been reunited with Shota Nii-san, but I still hold resentment.”

Since I was the subject of this conversation, it felt complicated—but I understood how she felt.

If someone had pushed Momoka or Shion to the point of moving away, even if they said they'd forgiven that person, I don't think I could let go of the grudge that easily.

“I intend to respect Shota Nii-san's wishes. I won't go around attacking anyone or exposing them in public. I'm not planning on picking fights either, so please don't worry.”

“I'm glad to hear that.”

“I won't start fights, but I won't let this turn into some romantic comedy either. It's one thing if an ordinary girl falls for Shota Nii-san, but the goddesses—including Shirase-senpai—have a past they need to reflect on!”

Momoka snorted indignantly.

“From the way you're saying it, are you planning to confront the other goddesses too?”

“…No.”

Wait. What was with that ominous pause?

“I know for sure Umi-san doesn't have any feelings like that. I checked.”

“You checked?!”

“Yes. Also, I don't think Kuromine-senpai is a threat either. She was my senior in middle school, so I have a sense for these things. Though… she's a bit suspicious.”

“…What about Akazawa?”

When I asked about her actual sister, Momoka's expression turned to one of exasperation.

“My sister is out of the question in many ways. You should ask her yourself. Once you hear the whole story, you'll be shocked—maybe even horrified. If you could still see her as a romantic interest after that, then clearly I've misjudged you, Shota Nii-san.”

That was a pretty loaded statement.

Guess I'll ask her directly, just like she wants.

“As for Shirase-senpai, I didn't have any info on her since she came from a different middle school, but I'm glad I got to interact with her. She definitely had the eyes of a girl in love.”

“Wait… seriously? I've never gotten that kind of vibe from her, though.”

“I could tell just by the way she talked about you. No doubt in my mind—she's in love with you.”

Despite Momoka's certainty, I found it hard to believe.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

“What's wrong?”

“…It's nothing.”

“That pause is definitely suspicious, but if you say so, Shota Nii-san…”

After that, we chatted for a bit before parting ways.

Once Momoka was gone, I checked my phone and found two messages waiting.

---

The next day during lunch break—

I found myself in the same empty classroom as yesterday. Shirase had asked to meet via message.

“I'm sorry for calling you out like this.”

Shirase was already waiting in the classroom. Her expression was back to normal—none of the somber aura from yesterday remained.

“It's totally fine. Are you okay though?”

“I'm fine.”

“Um, about yesterday… I think Momoka went a bit too far. The way she said things was kind of harsh too…”

Shirase shook her head.

“…No, she was right.”

That was an unexpected response.

She let out a deep breath.

“After hearing what Momoka-san had to say, I understood her anger. Honestly, the fact that she hadn't said anything until now shows just how kind she is.”

“…”

“I was being naive. I thought everything was over just because I apologized to you, Shota-san. But from the perspective of your friends—or anyone who cares about you—being angry is only natural. I misunderstood the situation, especially after your best friend Inuyama-san forgave me. Yesterday was a tough pill to swallow. I thought I understood what I'd done wrong, but hearing it face-to-face like that really hit hard. It was pathetic, honestly.”

Being a party to the situation, I didn't really know what to say.

“People remember being hurt far more than they remember hurting someone. I should've known that. My father was the same. He acted like everything was fine after a half-hearted apology, and that always left me feeling uneasy.”

That's just how it goes sometimes.

I could relate.

“Anyway, lunchtime is short, so let's get to the point.”

“You said you had something you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes. The reason I asked you to come today was to share how I'm feeling right now. I'm still a bit emotionally unstable, but I'd be grateful if you'd listen.”

And with that, Shirase began to speak.