Chapter 143: The power of younger people

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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[Shiori Pov]

When we stepped outside, the sun was already setting. The path back to the station was bathed in the light of my favorite kind of sunset.

“Tachibana-san, the mystery book you recommended was amazing.”

“Yeah? I'm glad. I reread the first Sherlock Holmes too. It's as good as ever.”

After having dinner at the restaurant, we dove straight back into reading. 

We exchanged books we'd enjoyed, reading each other’s recommendations.

Time passed quickly, and now it was already time to head home.

“Shiori-san, your recommendation was great too. I didn't expect the culprit to be twins.”

“Yes! When you read it again, you notice all the hidden clues—it's amazing.”

“That's true.”

“This author's work outside of mysteries is also really good, you should check it out.”

“I'll give it a try. Thanks.”

It seems like Rikka-san and Hajime-kun have gotten much closer. 

They're both book lovers, so it makes sense they would connect.

But… I can't help but feel a little bit of unease.

“Let's go out again sometime!”

“If you two are up for it, I'd love to.”

“Yeah, though it'll probably be after the sports festival, so during summer break, maybe. I've got club activities, so I can't go out too often.”

“Summer break, huh…”

“Are you busy?”

“Not exactly, but I'm going on a trip to Hokkaido for a polo tournament, so my schedule might be tight.”

“Hahaha! I've never heard of someone going to Hokkaido for that kind of reason.”

“That kind of reason?”

“Scary.”

Rikka-san and Hajime-kun were having fun chatting. Before I knew it, I wasn't really part of their conversation anymore, as if I had faded into the background.

“Of course, that's not the only reason. I'm thinking of enjoying a half-body bath in Hokkaido's hot springs, and maybe trying some local dances too.”

“Is summer break really long enough for all that?”

“About 80% of the trip will be for polo, so the rest is just a bonus if it happens.”

“Eighty percent! That seems like a waste.”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘waste'?”

“Haha! You're so quirky. And you've been walking weird on crosswalks since earlier. So that thing was real?”

“It's a habit of mine. I like walking only on the white lines… My mentor only steps on the black.”

“Who's your mentor?”

“A five-year-old girl.”

“Eh…”

I walked behind them, trying to hide in their shadows, making sure not to be a burden. I did my best to suppress the feeling welling up inside me.

“Shiori-san.”

“!? Y-yes?”

Before I knew it, he had turned around and was looking at me, as if he could see straight into my heart. 

That kind of gaze…

“Are you okay? We were in an air-conditioned place earlier, so maybe you’re feeling unwell?”

“I-I'm fine!”

“Alright. It's pretty hot out here, after all.”

“I'm used to it from spending time in the mountains, so I should be fine.”

“I see. Well, I brought water for all three of us, just in case.”

“Huh, you got it for us?”

“Yeah, I've been collecting natural spring water, and it's starting to take over my room. I figured I could share.”

“…You're serious about this…”

“Of course, I need a wide variety of water to truly master the art of water-tasting.”

He pulled a bottle of water out of his bag.

“Um… I'll take some, then. You've piqued my interest.”

“This is limited edition water from Mt. 〇〇. You probably can't find it anywhere anymore.”

“That's hard to drink now!”

“I still have five more bottles at home, so don't worry.”

“Alright then… Thanks. Wait, it's cold!?”

“Yeah, I always keep it chilled with ice packs.”

“Wow, you really don't hold back…”

Rikka-san opened the bottle and took a drink.

“And for you, Shiori-san, here's this.”

“This… is a different color, isn't it?”

“Yep. It's actually tea made from natural spring water. It's pretty popular among tea enthusiasts.”

“!”

“I thought you'd like it, Shiori-san.”

“H-how did you know that…?”

“When we passed by that café the other day, you ordered matcha instead of coffee. Was I right?”

“…Yes.”

I held the well-chilled tea in my hands. The light of the sunset shimmered against the bottle, making it sparkle.

“I'm really happy.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

The cloudy feeling that had been lingering inside me cleared away as if it were all just a lie.

I wanted to be like him. 

That's what I had been thinking for about a month now.

And that feeling hasn't changed. 

But right now…

[——’I have a little sister, and I'm the eldest son…’——]

I'm envious. 

Of that “girl” he has.

“…Hajime-kun's little sister is really lucky, isn't she?”

“Huh?”

As an only child, I never had anyone like that. 

That's why I'm envious. I wish I had someone like that, too.

I can't help but feel jealous of that “girl” who has an older brother like Hajime-kun.

“It's not like that. I'm really not a great brother—”

“—No, you're wrong!”

“!? “

If only… 

If only he were my brother, and I were his little sister…

“Well, but if we stand side by side we look like siblings.”

“Huh?”

“…!”

“You don't seem to mind it, Shiori.”

With that comment from Rikka-san, something inside me stirred.

“Hajime Onii-chan…”

Before I realized it, the words just slipped out of my mouth. 

I came back to my senses as soon as I said it.

“………”

“He's… dead…”

“Eh!?”

“Just kidding, Shiori.”

“………”

Hajime-kun froze in place, as if he had been turned to ice.

“H-Hey, Hajime-kun! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—”

“—It's fine. I just… blanked out for a second.”

“That's not fine at all…”

“Kuku, did it really shock you that much?”

“Yeah, that was seriously powerful.”

“Powerful…?”

“Shiori, you don't even realize the kind of impact you have, do you?”

“Apparently not.”

They both let out an awkward laugh.

“That’s Shiori’s weapon, that younger power? Ha.”

“I think so too.”

But if they're saying that, it must be a good thing… right?

“Well then, let's head home!”

“Yeah.”

“We've been walking home for a while now though.”

“Ugh…”

“Hahaha.”

“Shiori is so cute!”

Walking between Hajime-kun and Rikka-san like this makes me happy, but also just a little bit embarrassed.

“Please stop it… Onii-chan.”

“”

“Oh, he's dead again.”

But still, I really am so envious of his little sister!