Side story 1: Older brother

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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[Sakura PoV]

“‘And so, the princess lived happily ever after with the prince. The end.'” (Sakura)

I closed the picture book with a soft thud and quietly placed it beside the pillow. With a silent prayer, I glanced over at my niece. Despite my best efforts, her big, innocent eyes were still wide open, staring at me.

“Haru-chan, shall we go to sleep soon?” (Sakura)

It had been over an hour since I had put her to bed. I tried reading her a picture book as a last resort, but it didn't seem to work. She continued to gaze at me with those bright, pure eyes.

“Sa-chan, I want to hear a story.” (Haruka)

When she was a baby, she used to fall asleep easily. But since she turned three, Haruka hasn't been able to fall asleep quickly.

My older sister returned to work six months ago and is now working from home, doing editing tasks.

With the deadline approaching, it's become my job to put Haruka to bed.

“Haru-chan, it's already bedtime, okay? What story do you want to hear? Cinderella? Or Snow White?” (Sakura)

As I gently patted Haruka's head, she shook it vigorously from side to side.

“I want to hear about Daddy. I want to hear about Daddy.” (Haruka)

“…Huh?” (Sakura)

Her unexpected response left me momentarily speechless.

“Mommy tells me stories about Daddy, but they're always about curses and bad things. So, I want to hear a different story.” (Haruka)

“I see.” (Sakura)

This child, who has never known her father since birth, only knows about him through the photos and the stories we tell her.

Though single mothers and single fathers are becoming more common, children might accept it as normal but still feel a sense of loneliness deep down.

“Alright, let me tell you a story about your father, my big brother.” (Haruka)

---

Onii-chan and I are three years apart. (Sakura)

When we were little, I was always by his side at home and never left him.

“Oh, Sakura is in my bed again. You're going to be a first-grader soon, so you should sleep by yourself.” (Haru)

“No! I want to be with you!” (Sakura)

I was shy and didn't fit in well at kindergarten, so I liked staying at home with Onii-chan.

“If Aki-chan finds out, she'll call you a siscon.” (Haru)

“What's a siscon? Is it a kind of candy?” (Sakura)

“No, nevermind. Whatever. Just go to the bathroom before bed. And no wetting the bed next to me.” (Haru)

“I won't! I'm going to be a first-grader soon!” (Sakura)

“Well then, sleep by yourself.” (Haru)

Despite his complaints, Onii-chan always took good care of me.

“Hehe, you're so warm, Onii-chan.” (Sakura)

“Geez, don't cling to me.” (Haru)

“It's easier to sleep this way. I can hear your heartbeat.” (Sakura)

Onii-chan's warmth and heartbeat made me feel incredibly secure.

…Now, I can't feel either.

“Of course. I'm alive, after all.”

“Being alive makes your heart beat, huh?” (Sakura)

Back then, I didn't know such a simple fact. Onii-chan taught me many things, even though he wasn't particularly good at school.

“Your heartbeat is soothing because I heard it in Mommy's belly.” (Haru)

“Hmm. But I still prefer being with you.” (Sakura)

“Hehe, that's because you're a brocon! But don't tell anyone at kindergarten. They'll make fun of you.” (Haru)

“Brocon? I'm not a swing.” (Sakura)

Clinging to Onii-chan and sleeping with him continued until he was in fifth grade and Akiho-san found out.

---

As I reached the upper grades of elementary school, I gradually began to distance myself from Onii-chan.

The fact that Onii-chan became a middle school student and his lifestyle changed also contributed to this.

“I'm home.” (Haru)

Onii-chan, who returned late from club activities and spent more time in his room after dinner, gradually talked less to me. Naturally, I stopped feeling his warmth and hearing his heartbeat.

“Oniichan, Akiho-chan is here.” (Sakura)

As a third-year middle school student preparing for high school entrance exams, Onii-chan received daily visits from Akiho-san.

“Let her in.” (Haru)

Even though he hardly talked to me, Onii-chan still invited Akiho-san into his room? Are they possibly dating?

“Why don't you go yourself?” (Sakura)

My mixed feelings began to take control, causing me to act coldly toward the Onii-chan I usually adored.

“…Okay.” (Haru)

I just watched from a distance as Onii-chan brushed past me and headed to the front door.

Adolescence often brings about these kinds of feelings that are hard to express. In my case, they were directed not at my parents but at Onii-chan.

It seemed that Onii-chan found dealing with such a sister to be a bother. Even though we were in the same space, we no longer spoke to each other.

But despite this estrangement, we remained siblings, a bond that couldn't be severed.

I heard from Mom that Onii-chan had started dating Akiho-san after entering high school.

“Hmm.” (Sakura)

I had expected this to happen eventually.

However, knowing they were actually dating now created a significant rift between Onii-chan and me.

I felt like I was a nuisance to them.

I had thought this way until the incident occurred.

Summer of my first year in middle school.

The local shrine held its annual summer festival, and I went out with my newly-made friends.

“I'll go buy some Frankfurt sausages.” (Sakura)

As I separated from my friends and headed towards the stalls alone, I saw Akiho-san in a beautiful yukata with Onii-chan, who was gazing at her with a smitten expression.

“What an unsightly face.” (Sakura)

As I looked at Onii-chan while holding the freshly bought Frankfurt sausage, I heard a small scream.

“Oh.” (Sakura)

In front of me was a couple: a woman in a white yukata and a man who looked quite rough.

The ketchup from my Frankfurt sausage had splattered all over the woman's yukata.

“Oi kid! Watch where you're walking!” (???)

Ignoring the confused woman, the man erupted in anger.

“I-I'm sorry.” (Sakura)

Overwhelmed by his fierce reaction, I went into a panic.

“It's not just about saying sorry. What are you going to do about ruining our date?” (???)

“Uh, I can pay for the cleaning—” (Sakura)

“That's not the issue—” (???)

As the man reached out to grab my collar, I instinctively closed my eyes.

However, the hand never reached me.

“My sister has caused you trouble. Here's the payment for cleaning.” (Haru)

When I opened my eyes at the familiar voice, Onii-chan was standing between the man and me.

“What? So you're settling this with money—” (???)

“Hey, is this a fight?” (???)

“Did someone call for security?” (???)

The man's loud voice had drawn attention from the crowd, and it seemed that we had gathered quite a few onlookers.

“Tch, fine, whatever.” (???)

The man took the money from Onii-chan and, pulling the woman along, disappeared into the crowd.

“Are you okay?” (Haru)

Onii-chan, with a concerned look, checked on my dazed face.

It was the same kind, gentle face of Onii-chan that hadn't changed since forever.

Feeling reassured by his presence, tears began to flow from my eyes.

“Hey, don't cry. It's all okay now.” (Haru)

These tears were not from fear.

They were from the comfort of Onii-chan's unchanged kindness.

---

“At that time, Akiho-san should have been there too, right? Onii-chan did that for me—wait? Haru-chan, did you fall asleep?” (Sakura)

Before I knew it, I could hear the gentle breathing of Haruka next to me.

As I tried to get out of bed and adjust the blanket over Haruka, I found myself unable to move due to an obstruction behind me.

“Hey, Onee-chan? When did you get here?” (Sakura)

Onee-chan had silently slipped into bed and, upon hearing my voice, hugged me tightly from behind.

“Uh, wait a minute?” (Sakura)

“Haru-kun is kinder than anyone else.” (Natsu)

Onee-chan, who usually maintained a strong demeanor, sounded particularly weak, perhaps feeling lonely after hearing about Onii-chan.

“Yeah, especially to you, Onee-chan. Anyway, I’m going to take a bath, so could you let me go?” (Sakura)

Feeling embarrassed and wanting to escape the situation, I tried to leave, but Onee-chan hugged me even tighter.

“No, I don't want to. I felt lonely, so tonight we're sleeping in the same bed. Good night.” (Natsu)

“No, I have work tomorrow! Let me take a bath!” (Sakura)

“Don't make a fuss; you’ll wake up Haruka.” (Natsu)

Onee-chan clung to me happily while Haruka slept soundly.

Onii-chan, everyone is really lonely, you know?