Chapter 163: The usual him

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Translator: Soafp

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“Nina?”

“?!”

I thought my heart had stopped.

It was her voice.

“If you make such a surprised face, it hurts, you know?”

“When… did you…”

“Just now. The front door was left unlocked, you should be more careful.”

Thank goodness. It's fine. She didn't hear anything. I'm safe.

“Hey, Nina.”

“W-what?”

“You yawned so much you cried… Were you really that sleepy?”

“! T-that's right!”

“Want to sleep in the same room tonight like we used to?”

“Eh?”

“Oh, never mind.”

“I… I’m going to take a bath.”

“Roger that.”

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[Nina PoV]

“I can dry my own hair, you know.”

“Right, you're in middle school now.”

“I'm already a third-year. I'll be in high school next year.”

“Time flies so fa—”

“Actually, I changed my mind.”

I'm all over the place.

But he just said “I see,” and took the hairdryer without any complaints.

His voice was gentle.

The same as always.

That comforting voice.

“…You’re pretty good at this.”

“Thank you.”

Just like when we were little.

I always loved his gentle touch.

Was it three years ago? No, maybe even further back.

Back when he used to stay by my side, he'd do this for me every day.

[“Icchi-Nii!”]

Now… I wonder if he does this for that little girl.

“Thanks. You use a good hairdryer.”

“Because of my hair color. I try to take care of it so it doesn't get damaged.”

“I see. You've changed quite a bit.”

“…Yeah, a lot has happened. You've grown up too, Nina.”

“Compared to you, I've barely changed at all.”

With a forced smile, I returned to his room.

The books I had messed up were still there.

“…Sorry about this–“

“Haha, I was skimming through them before I left the house. Sorry for the mess.”

“Uh, no, I mean—”

“I really should clean up my room. It's embarrassing.”

As he mumbled, he picked up the fallen books and put them back on the shelf.

His voice, still as gentle as ever.

“…Right. That stockpile of water is a bit excessive for disaster preparedness, don't you think?”

“Haha! I guess so. I’ll drink it all up quickly.”

“I see. Can I have one?”

“Go ahead.”

“Mmm… This is good water.”

“Really? It's just ‘regular water.' Maybe it's because you just got out of the bath—alright, here you go.”

He took out the guest futon from the closet and gave it a few pats to fluff it up.

“Let's sleep. You liked sleeping in the bed, right?”

“I… I want to sleep together.”

“! Oh, I see. Then the futon's better, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“So you don't fall out.”

“I know that.”

Even though I'm a middle schooler, I sound like a little kid.

I don't even understand myself anymore.

But I just wanted to rely on my brother, who accepted everything I said without question.

“Come here.”

He spread the blanket over the futon and got inside, inviting me in.

…Being wrapped up in it, there was a scent I didn't recognize.

[――”Icchi-Nii! Hurry, hurry!”――]

[――”Hold on, if you rush, the camera will blur!”――]

Surely, it was the scent of his female friends.

Or maybe it came from that little girl when she visited.

They were far cuter and more charming than I could ever be, laughing with him.

“…”

“Are you okay, Nina?”

“I’m sorry. I’m fine.”

Ugh, seriously.

I still haven't outgrown my attachment to him.

I'm awful—still wishing my brother would go back to how he used to be.

The brother who was always with me.

The brother who was kind only to me.

The brother “I used to know.”

Even though I know that's impossible now.

And deep down, I understand it wouldn't be good for either of us.

“…Goodnight, Nina.”

In the mix of self-loathing and drowsiness.

Just like before. The same him.

With his warm hand, he gently led me into sleep…

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

1: Username: 1

Sorry, everyone.

I've been lying to you.

2: Username: 1

My family saw me as I am now, and they were clearly shocked.

It wasn't just my appearance. My room had completely changed, and even my bank account was nearly empty.

3: Username: 1

They knew everything.

I hurt them enough to make my precious family cry.

So, it's fine now. The short time I had felt like a dream.

It was fun while it lasted.

4: Username: Anonymous in Love

Eh?

5: Username: Anonymous in Love

What are you talking about all of a sudden?

6: Username: 1

The rule of this board is that ‘promises are absolute.'

I've decided to fully return my hair to black, and I'll have to give up some of my hobbies too.

I don't belong in this thread anymore.

7: Username: Anonymous in Love

Wait a sec!

8: Username: 1

Thanks so much for hanging out with me.

9: Username: 1

This thread lasted almost 30 parts, but I'm ending it today.

10: Username: 1

Well, goodbye!