Chapter 40: Conversations with My Sister are Full of Clues

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“Onii-chan, I need to apologize for something first.”

“What’s up, Ange? You’re being pretty dramatic.”

I was chatting with Ange again tonight, just like any other night. Tomorrow is Saturday, and Jones-san is coming over again. Ange is planning to tag along like a remora.

“Um, well, I got my period.”

“And?”

“So, um, sorry, but we can’t have sex since we’re siblings.”

“Who said we were going to do that?!”

A sudden bombshell from Ange. Why is she bringing up my joke from before?

I felt like hanging up the phone. 

And I shouted so loudly that the neighbor banged on the wall again. Damn it, Koichi, one day I’m going to make you regret that.

“It’s weird. It was supposed to be a week later.”

“Well, if you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself to come.”

“I already asked Uncle. I checked, and it was supposed to be a safe day… I was so happy.”

“Ange, please just be quiet for a bit.”

She’s a teenager; it’s normal for her cycle to be irregular. But it's quite something that I know about my sister’s cycle. What were you so happy about, Ange?

If I leave her unchecked, my angelic sister might become a fallen angel. And if she goes beyond Lucifer to something like ‘Lucifera the Fallen Angel of Oral,’ I'd be mortified.

Save me, Saraswati!

“What’s with that sigh? Are you possessed or something?”

“Sorry, I even bought some risque underwear.”

“Don’t wear stuff like that! You’re still in junior high!”

“Okay, I’ll save it for next time. There will be more chances, right?”

“What chances? Keep talking like that, and I’ll spank you.”

“Please don’t. I’m sorry.”

If Ange pouts, I can’t win. But if I act before she pouts, I won't lose. It’s a tricky sibling bond.

“Anyway, since Jones-san is coming, maybe we can at least get a free meal?”

“Onii-chan, are you that poor? You treated me to barbecue recently.”

Oops. I can’t let Ange realize the truth. If she finds out we’re broke because of that, she’ll feel responsible. I need to play it cool.

“No, it's just some unexpected expenses. Living alone is full of surprises.”

“I see… Oh, I returned the money I borrowed for the train ticket. I’m sorry for taking it without asking.”

When Ange sincerely apologizes, I always forgive her.

“Alright, I forgive you. Can you bring it when you come?”

“Okay, but are you really that broke?”

“Yeah, I might have to start eating plain onigiri soon.”

I’m tired of eating just bread, and I’m out of margarine and jam. All I have left is rice and salt.

“Onii-chan, you still can’t eat onigiri made by others, right?”

“Yep.”

Ange knows me well, as does my sister. I can eat onigiri made by our mom or Ange, but I can’t eat ones made by others. It’s not exactly a germophobia thing; it just feels weird.

I can’t really explain it, but I'm sure others feel the same way.

“Then I’ll make some onigiri for you when I get there.”

“You don’t have to, Ange.”

“Hey! I’m growing up too, you know!”

“Alright, alright. I appreciate the thought.”

By the way, Ange is actually not great at cooking. When we were home, she made onigiri a few times, but they were oddly shaped and fell apart before I could eat them.

Still, I appreciated them because she made them for me with care.

“So, Jones-san is staying over too, right?”

“Yeah, but he’s planning to stay at a business hotel. He has a meeting with someone he works with.”

“Oh, I see. It might be cramped with just you here anyway.”

“Yeah. I’m really happy to be able to say goodnight to you in person.”

Despite her growing maturity, she's still my cute little sister at heart.

Anyway, I plan to spend the weekend relaxing with Ange, to soothe my weary soul a bit. Then, I’ll talk to Ms. Kurebayashi about keeping some distance.

After that, I'll explain everything to Kenzaki-san and ask her to give up on certain expectations.

However, my plans are completely derailed when Jones-san shows up at my apartment with someone unexpected.