Chapter 8: My Little Brother’s Dream Part 2

Translator: Soafp

April 14, 2023. Friday. 10:06 PM. I'm fifteen. Kai-chan is fourteen.

Kai-chan's home. It's an hour by train from Minami-Osawa to Shinkodaira in Kodaira City, where my mother rented a small white wooden apartment with only four rooms after she left home.

“I hate the name Kairi. If it were Airi, it would be so much cuter.”

Kai-chan's room is a four-and-a-half tatami mat Japanese-style room, immediately to the right after entering the front door. Kairi's room. A cute nameplate, made by Kai-chan himself, is pinned to the wall—although that's probably not allowed since it's a rental. The room is so fanciful that you wouldn't even know it was originally a Japanese-style room. A pink carpet, pale pink curtains, and four character cushions from the theme park we visited together at Tama Center are lined up.

…In such a room, my delicate younger brother, with his short wolf-cut hair, looked down and spoke. Kairi–Kai-chan. My little brother. My cutest little brother in the whole world. The brother I've been protecting. I must protect everything about Kai-chan.

“But that dress really suits you. As expected, there's no mistake in what your big sister picks.”

When I smiled at him, my little brother, wearing a pink bear dress, blushed with embarrassment and gave a shy smile.

“Really? You think so… It's too childish, though.”

“Not at all, Kai-chan. This is always you. It's your trademark. It suits you so well. It's very much like you, and I love it.”

“Really? …Okay… Thank you, Onee-chan… Oh, by the way, since last month, I've been allowed to wear a skirt at school.”

My adorable little brother looked down, embarrassed. An angelic smile. It's my favorite face in the whole world.

“Really? That's great! Your wish finally came true!”

Since entering junior high, Kai-chan had been wearing a boys' uniform. Both my mother and Kai-chan had been advocating for a girls' uniform. Finally, it came true. I'm so happy I could burst. Kai-chan's school's sailor uniform is quite popular, even in our local area of Kodaira, and he would often talk to me about how much he admired it.

“Hey, Onee-chan.”

At that moment, my beloved little brother blushed and quietly spoke. Then, looking at me, he said:

“I… I think I've fallen in love.”