Chapter 18: Seasonal Changes

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Translator: Soafp

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That child has become your apprentice.

(Yes, I didn't know she was an adventurer.)

“Wait, wait, Sakura-chan, stop!” (Natsu)

“Hm? Why?” (Sakura)

I didn't expect this at all.

(I didn't expect it either.)

Apparently, she was thought to be a capable young woman in the world.

(I thought so too.)

“What's that Sakura-chan is holding?” (Natsu)

“Salt, of course.” (Sakura)

“Yeah. What were you making again?” (Natsu)

“Onee-chan, don't you remember? You were the one who suggested we make cookies.” (Sakura)

“Okay, let's set that aside for now.” (Natsu)

I thought she had helped out at home at least a little.

(How much did she help, though?)

“Sakura, since we're here, I'd really like to have some delicious cookies.” (Haru)

“Nii-san, be quiet. If I'm making them with Natsu Onee-chan, they'll definitely be delicious.” (Sakura)

“Only if it's just Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Haru-kun, look forward to the homemade cookies from my cute little sister. Just be patient.” (Natsu)

“…Understood.” (Haru)

“Alright, Sakura-chan, let's focus and add the sugar.” (Natsu)

“Ah, right. I'll add the sugar.” (Sakura)

“Hehehe.” (Natsu)

“Hold on a second, Onee-chan. It seems like I need to deal with some external issues.” (Sakura)

“Okay, Sakura-chan, let's win him over with some delicious snacks. Haru-kun, be patient, okay?” (Natsu)

“Grr, just wait, Nii-san. I'll make you apologize later!” (Sakura)

“Well, I'm looking forward to it.” (Haru)

I couldn't stop laughing.

(She was serious, you know?)

Knowing that made it even funnier.

But I could feel her intention.

“Na-chan, you have a part-time job starting in the evening, right?” (Haru)

“Yes, until 8 PM.” (Natsu)

“Then how about we go to Signora?” (Haru)

The café you introduced to me.

(It was like a substitute for a restaurant.)

We didn't go for morning coffee.

(Because mornings were for Shikibu-an.)

“Okay, understood.” (Natsu)

“I don't have work today, so I'll give you a ride there and back.” (Haru)

“Thank you. Hehe, I'll probably get teased by Kiyoka-chan.” (Natsu)

(She's a cute student of mine.)

She was beautiful, wasn't she?

(Just a bit? Well, it's true, but is it okay to praise other girls like that?)

You're more than just your appearance.

“Kiyoka-chan?” (Sakura)

“She's one of my students. I tutor her. She's one year older than you, Sakura-chan.” (Natsu)

“Really? When I was little, I used to get help with my homework from Onee-chan.” (Sakura)

“That's right. Haru-kun would get bored quickly, but Sakura-chan was diligent with her studies.” (Natsu)

“Yes. Onee-chan's explanations were very clear, so it really helped me with my studies. I'll be taking the entrance exam for Meidai next year.” (Sakura)

“Eh? Are you coming here?” (Haru)

“Is that not okay?” (Sakura)

“I'm not saying it's a problem, but it might get troublesome if our parents start coming around during the commotion.” (Haru)

(A cute little sister is a cute daughter, after all.)

“Don't bring unnecessary people.” (Haru)

“…Okay.” (Sakura)

“Sakura-chan, it seems like they're done baking, so why don't you check the oven?” (Natsu)

“Go on, Sakura, go see.” (Haru)

“Nii-san.” (Sakura)

“Hm?” (Haru)

“I'm on your side, you know.” (Sakura)

“…I see.” (Haru)

---

“Yes, OK, 80% correct.” (Natsu)

“Hmm, I guess I made a mistake after all.” (Kiyoka)

“It seems like you figured out where you went wrong. Let's check the mistakes and wrap things up.” (Natsu)

“Alright.” (Kasumi)

Knock knock

“Excuse me. I've made tea, so please have some.”

“Thank you, Kasumi-chan. Kiyoka-chan, let's take a break.” (Natsu)

“Yeah. Thank you, Onee-chan.” (Kiyoka)

“You're welcome.” (Natsu)

“Natsuki, I heard from Kiyoka that you started living together. How's that going? You get to be with the person you love all the time, right? On your days off, you're together all day, aren't you? Oh, and ‘together' doesn't just mean anything naughty—” (Kasumi)

“Alright, let's calm down a bit, Kasumi-chan.” (Natsu)

“Onee-chan, you’re getting way too excited. You're probably imagining what it would be like to live with Nii-san yourself, even though you're just in unrequited love.” (Kiyoka)

“Ugh! W-Well, unrequited love goes both ways.” (Natsu)

“Too bad. I'll be entering the same high school next year and making my move. I won't be ignored like you, despite being at the same school.”

“Okay, okay. Let's both settle down. Kiyoka-chan needs to focus on studying, too. Let's get back to it.” (Natsu)

“Alright. Onee-chan’s house.” (Kasumi)

“House is not a dog.” (Kiyoka)

“Really, you two are such close sisters.” (Natsu)

---

“Nii-san, where are you going?” (Sakura)

“I only have two hours, so I'll just wander around.” (Haru)

“…I see.” (Sakura)

“Is there anywhere you want to go?” (Haru)

“Well, not exactly…” (Sakura)

“Hmm?” (Haru)

“Nii-san, are you happy right now?” (Sakura)

“What's with the sudden question?” (Haru)

“You know what I mean, don't you?” (Sakura)

“Well, yeah. I'd say I'm happy. No, that doesn't sound right. Na-chan would get mad if I said it like that. I'm happy. I can't thank Na-chan enough. If I hadn't reunited with Na-chan, I don't think I would have ever recovered.” (Haru)

“I can tell from the outside that you're loved. I couldn't do anything when you were going through tough times. I couldn't even reach out to you when you were suffering so much. I'm truly sorry.” (Sakura)

“You don't need to apologize.” (Haru)

“But! I knew you weren't the kind of person to cheat! Yet, I did nothing but watch. I was just like Mom and Dad.” (Sakura)

“Sakura, it's all in the past now. I'm happy now, and that's what matters. Though, that doesn't mean I'm ready to forgive Mom and Dad.” (Haru)

“So, Nii-san, do you have no intention of going back to the family home?” (Sakura)

“No, I don't.” (Haru)

“I understand. I'll also be coming to university here.” (Sakura)

(Onii-chan's little sister, so considerate.)

She's such a kind child.

(…I know.)

Yeah.

You help me a lot too.

(A lot, indeed.)

“Huh? You're coming here?” (Haru)

“It's not that I want to live together or anything. I just don't want to stay at home anymore.” (Sakura)

“I see.” (Haru)

“Geez, stop treating me like a child.” (Sakura)

“I'm not trying to. You used to like it when I patted your head.” (Haru)

“It's not something anyone could do.” (Sakura)

(Tsundere?)

Maybe.

(In a way, a rival.)

There's no one better than you.

Not for me.