Chapter 160: I don’t know him

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Translator: Soafp

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【I think I'll change according to >>5 Shelter】

1: Username: Anonymous in Love

I made this thread

2: Username: Anonymous in Love

It finally got made even though the person isn’t here

3: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well, I guess that’s okay

4: Username: Anonymous in Love

Honestly, I’m really worried

5: Username: Anonymous in Love

But I have no idea what to do

6: Username: 1 (the real one)

Sorry for worrying you. I'm back!

7: Username: Anonymous in Love

Weirdos like this are popping up

8: Username: Anonymous in Love

What happened? 1-san?

9: Username: 1 (the real one)

For now, things are going well with my family. They agreed to let me keep my hair color if I compromise on five colors.

10: Username: Anonymous in Love

I thought you'd get forgiven if you halved the colors.

11: Username: Anonymous in Love

It's funny how you rounded it up perfectly.

12: Username: Anonymous in Love

From nine colors to five… what colors are left?

13: Username: 1 (the real one)

Ivory Black

Lamp Black

Iron Black

Painted Crow

Jet Black

14: Username: Anonymous in Love

Aren’t they all black?

15: Username: Anonymous in Love

Don’t mess with me lol

16: Username: Anonymous in Love

I think I'll start calling my hair color “Wet Crow” from now on.

17: Username: Anonymous in Love

That’s so lame.

18: Username: 1 (the real one)

This is pointless.

19: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, see it through to the end!

20: Username: Anonymous in Love

You’re the real one, right?

21: Username: 1 (the real one)

Alright, let’s do this! Time for a random pick!

22: Username: Anonymous in Love

Oh, here we go!

23: Username: Anonymous in Love

What are we doing?

24: Username: 1 (the real one)

>>30 will be my dinner.

25: Username: Anonymous in Love

Sounds good!

26: Username: Anonymous in Love

A bit weak, though.

27: Username: Anonymous in Love

Uh, fried rice?

28: Username: Anonymous in Love

Maybe curry?

29: Username: Anonymous in Love

Then let’s go with a pot dish.

30: Username: Anonymous in Love

Water.

31: Username: Anonymous in Love

Sushi!

32: Username: Anonymous in Love

It seems like your dinner is just water.

33: Username: Anonymous in Love

Lol

34: Username: Anonymous in Love

That’s not a meal!

35: Username: 1 (the real one)

Don't mess with me lol

36: Username: 1 (the real one)

All water tastes the same, okay? lol

37: Username: Anonymous in Love

Huh?

38: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey!

39: Username: Anonymous in Love

1 wouldn't say that!

40: Username: Anonymous in Love

Oh no…

41: Username: Anonymous in Love

Did you forget 1’s tastes?

42: Username: 1 (the real one)

Ah.

43: Username: Anonymous in Love

Haa…

44: Username: Anonymous in Love

Let's just drop it. It's only going to get more depressing.

45: Username: Anonymous in Love

Yeah, for real.

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[Nina PoV]

“He's not coming back.”

I used the spare key to enter Hajime-Nii’s house. It's been a while since then, but he still hasn't returned.

…Is he stopping somewhere again?

“……”

I look around the living room.

There's clearly a suspicious black room.

But I'm a little sister who knows better. I won't peek in there. There's probably something in there that Hajime-Nii would be embarrassed about.

…Then why not put it somewhere less noticeable?

[―― “Toumachi is no longer the Toumachi you know”――]

What that gal said resurfaces painfully in my mind.

“…!”

When I lift my head, I see a transformed living room.

A mysterious ant nest and an old coffee maker. A multitude of spices scattered throughout the kitchen.

[―― “It's meaningless to have so much space…”――]

That was what he had said with a bitter smile when he first moved in.

But now, he's using this room to its fullest.

It's not messy.

Everything is neatly organized, yet the space is filled.

He's utilizing this space for a clear purpose.

For example, all the books are stored on the bookshelf.

For example, the origami that adorns the table.

…And what about all this bottled spring water…?

“Wait… what am I doing…?”

I realize I've come to the door of Hajime-Nii's bedroom, surrounded by all this spring water.

A massive bookshelf, a worn-out study desk, a closet.

…A faint scent wafts through the air, a light citrus. An adult aroma—

[―― “I really like Toumachi”――]

Before I know it, my gaze falls on the bed.

“…N-no way! It can't be…!”

I look away.

I understand that the “like” she mentioned means friendship.

But what if—what if he brought her into this room?

“…”

Without thinking, I start to search the bed.

I know I shouldn't, but I can't stop myself.

I must be losing it.

—Click

“!!”

A sound from afar jolts me back to reality.

The front door opens.

I see myself objectively.

I'm in my brother's bedroom, on the bed.

This layout is a 1LDK.

The door is even open.

“Wide open.”

“—!”

There's no time left.

So, without thinking, I pull the blanket over myself.

…No, no. What am I doing? I'm just digging my own grave! What if he comes to lie down after a long day!?

“—Phew. I'm back…?”

Hajime-Nii mutters as he walks into the living room.

“Is it just my imagination…?”

It's not your imagination!

But I can't say that.

He dutifully washes his hands and gargles before coming into this bedroom.

“…I couldn't dance much at the club… and it's only 8 PM…”

Eh?

“Maybe I'll dance a little.”

Hajime-Nii brings over something that looks like a mat and starts playing music.

I can't see, but I can tell he's moving his body to the sound of something scraping against the floor.

He starts dancing next to me, while I'm hiding under the bed covers.

“—MAX!!”

Hajime-Nii is clearly getting into it.

I wish he'd notice how awkward it is for me.

It feels like I'm the only one experiencing this strange tension.

“Got it, huh…”

…

“Alright…”

After dancing for a while, he seems satisfied and starts to put the mat away.

“…”

“…”

Silence.

The drop in energy from before.

I hold my breath and stay hidden.

“Haha… it really is lonely,”

Hajime-Nii murmurs, accompanied by a dry laugh.

[―― “I'm reading a book”――]

I hesitate to come out from under the covers.

That thin voice was just like it used to be.

But… in this situation, there's no way I can do that.

“If the old me saw this smartphone screen, he'd faint.”

His muttering.

And then, I hear the sound of him flicking through his phone.

After that—

—Riiing, riiing!

[Hello! Is this Icchi-Nii's phone?]

The cheerful voice comes from the call on the side.