Chapter 35: The Unfathomable Sibling Reason

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Feeling a lingering sense of regret over what had happened today, I decided to reflect on the day’s events by calling Ange in the evening.

Since she’s also a woman, she might understand the thoughts and feelings of Kurebayashi-san, which I can’t quite grasp.

The phone rang once before my sister answered immediately. Maybe she was free.

“Hey Ange, sorry for calling out of the blue. Were you doing anything?”

“Not really; nothing is more important than talking to you. I could do this every day, honestly.”

She did seem free. Maybe that's why she pouts when she doesn't get messages from me. I wish she had more reliable friends around her.

Anyway, let's get to the point.

“So, I wanted to ask you something about relationships.”

“If this is about me, I don't have a boyfriend, and I don't plan on getting one.”

“That's not what I meant.”

“Then what? Wait, are you?”

Despite my thoughts on how she was heading down a solitary path, I’m not in a position to lecture my middle school sister when I’m the one asking such things. I have no other trusted female friends to consult.

“Let’s say, hypothetically, you had a boyfriend.”

“Okay, and?”

She seemed both relieved and disappointed for some reason, but I continued.

“And, hypothetically, you cheated on him.”

“I wouldn't cheat. I’d stay loyal to one person.”

What a well-behaved sister I have.

“Let’s just think of it as a hypothetical situation.”

“Sorry, but it’s impossible, even hypothetically.”

Having a sister with strong moral values is a relief. I wouldn't have to worry as much as her brother. However, that's not the end of it for today, so I have to press further.

“Alright, let’s change it up a bit. Suppose you had someone you really liked, but they weren’t paying attention to you.”

“…”

“And one day, a guy confesses to you. Feeling down about your crush not noticing you, you accept his confession out of frustration.”

“That's not realistic, but okay, go on.”

“Then, after you start dating this guy out of spite, your crush suddenly realizes your worth and makes a move on you, asking you to cheat.”

“Interesting…”

“In that case, would you reject his advances because cheating is wrong, or would you go along with it despite knowing it's wrong?”

“I’d break up with the guy I don’t care about and date the one I like.”

“That’s not what I mean…”

I can’t seem to explain this situation well.

“Okay, let’s add more context. The guy you liked actually has someone else he's serious about, which is why he never noticed you.”

“Wait, does that mean you have someone else you like, Onii-chan?!”

“How did you get that from this? It's just an example. Let me continue.”

“…”

“Anyway, he realizes how precious you are only after you start dating someone else. Even though he has a serious relationship, he asks you to cheat.”

“Are you jealous, Onii-chan?”

“I told you, this isn’t about me! Now, in that situation, would you go along with his cheating proposal or firmly reject it?”

“Well, cheating just means going on dates, right?”

“No, I mean… things like… kissing.”

Whoa, I almost went too far there. I can't let my innocent sister hear such indecent words. I need to be gentle.

“Well, kissing might happen, right?”

“Brothers and sisters can kiss normally, right?”

“This is Japan. And we've never done that, Ange. How did this turn into a conversation about us?”

“Isn't this about you getting jealous if I had a boyfriend?”

“…”

Ange seemed oddly happy about that idea, but I realized I picked the wrong person to ask. This is painful.

“Alright, let’s say you have a boyfriend, and I ask you out on a date. Would you go?”

“Of course! I'd prioritize you over a date with my boyfriend.”

“Hey!”

That's not okay. What happened to my sense of relief?

“Everything has a priority, right? Onii-chan is the most important to me. That's all there is to it.”

“Still, cheating isn't right.”

“It's not cheating to hang out with my brother. Even if I had a boyfriend or were married, I think it's fine for siblings to go on dates or kiss.”

This isn't working. Using gentle words won’t convey the seriousness of the situation.

Alright, time to get real.

“Okay, what if siblings having sex is considered cheating? Isn't that seriously wrong?”

A loud crash came from the other end of the phone.

“Hey! Are you alright, Ange?!”

“Wh-what did you just say, Onii-chan?”

“Sorry, that was inappropriate. It wouldn't happen.”

“No, that's not the issue! Why would you say that?! Do you want to… with me?! Wait, I need to prepare myself. Should I get more attractive underwear? Scrub my body more. Diet to look better? Oh no, this is too much!”

“Calm down, Ange. It was just an example.”

“Hawawawawa…”

She's still my sister, but I wonder how others would react if they knew this side of the so-called Ice Doll. Maybe they'd find her more relatable and friendly.

Still, expecting a middle schooler to answer this kind of question was too much. What was I thinking?

“Sorry, it was wrong of me to ask you something like that. Forget it. I'll solve my own problems.”

“But when I visit you next, um…”

“No more barbecue. If you visit, we'll have to stay in my apartment.”

“What?! Just the two of us in your apartment?!”

“That's the situation. If you're not okay with it, you don't have to come.”

“I’ll go! I'll go, no matter what! Even if I have to borrow money! I have to go!”

“Okay, okay.”

Ange’s acting weird. I really shouldn't have asked her. I need to reflect on this.

Alright, time to give up on understanding Kurebayashi-san's mindset. I'll just go with the flow.

…

After talking to Ange, I should probably get in touch with KYOKO-san.