Chapter 79: The Trap of Pumpkin Pants

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“Well, I should be heading to the community room.”

My time with Kurebayashi-san had passed, filled with her one-sided, meandering conversation.

“Oh, it’s already that late? Time flies, doesn’t it?”

Does it? I was so tired of nodding along that I tuned her out towards the end, finding it quite torturous.

Anyway, I decided not to say anything unnecessary.

“See you.”

“Uh, yeah, see you. Thanks for keeping me company today.”

“…Whatever.”

I couldn’t help but feel like I sounded like Ange. With that thought, I stood up and started walking towards the community room.

But Kurebayashi-san called out to me.

“Yuuta-kun!”

“…What?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“…”

I almost asked what she was looking forward to, but I stopped myself. Instead, I turned to her with an exasperated look, not knowing what face to make. To me, that promise was more of an obligation than anything.

If only this was during middle school, or before she was stolen by Okutsu…

It's ironic. Despite the betrayal, here I am thinking about it.

Those wounds don’t heal easily. They’re not crimes that can be forgiven quickly.

And yet, the fact that I’m even considering forgiveness is the biggest surprise.

Maybe we shouldn’t have met again at the university.

Without answering, I walked away from Kurebayashi-san, who stayed rooted to the spot, possibly hoping I would say something.

I'm the one most confused by my own feelings.

—

“Then, Uemura-kun, could you confirm with the KYOKO side if we can proceed with this timetable?”

“Got it. I’ll take care of it.”

An hour later, Mizumoto-senpai had the timetable perfectly completed. This is what you call competence. Having completed my task, I left the university’s student council room.

Alright, let’s head home for now, huh?

A message arrived on my phone. It’s from Ange. Since it’s Saturday, it’s not unusual for her to message me at this hour, but what could it be?

“I got cute pumpkin panties! Look forward to them at the Spring Festival!”

…Ugh. Great.

Is this because I mentioned that my favorite type was pumpkin panties?

“That’s nice. What do they look like?”

I replied half-heartedly. I'm not really interested in pumpkin panties, but it’s better than Ange getting into thong collections. At least pumpkin panties are more age-appropriate.

Alright, time to head home. As I left the university gates, another message from Ange came through.

“Here, look! Don't you think they’re mature?”

“Blech!”

I almost spat out my drink. Even if it’s to her brother, she shouldn’t be sending selfies in just pumpkin panties. Three of them, no less. Sure, the important bits are covered, but still.

Seeing this makes me worry about her getting tricked by some shady guy on the internet and sending more revealing photos. That's a nightmare scenario.

“Don’t send such selfies thoughtlessly!”

“There’s no way I’d send them to anyone but you, Onii-chan.”

“That doesn’t mean you should take and send photos of you wearing them!”

“I bought them to show you, so of course, I’d send them.”

What’s she thinking?

At least let Ange stay pure. That's my wish, as her brother.

…Fine. I need to talk some sense into her.

“Ange, grown women don't show their lingerie in selfies. They surprised me with it directly. No more selfies like this.”

“Huh?”

“Even if they do show them, they don’t do it so openly. They tease and build anticipation. It's more exciting when finally seen, right?”

“…”

Oh, she's thinking hard about it.

“Delete them. Erase them from your memory. Forget it. You didn't see anything, Onii-chan. Okay?”

Success. Let's reinforce it.

“Alright. You didn't send anything, and I didn't see anything. Remember, Ange, grown women don't cheapen themselves. Don’t send such selfies to anyone ever again.”

“Okay, I'll never send them to anyone but you, even if I die.”

I’d prefer she didn’t send them to me either, but at least the educational lecture is over.

Please, let Ange stay an angel. My sanity depends on it.

…

Someday, Ange will probably find someone she loves more than me. When that happens, she won't have time for her brother anymore.

…

It's a little sad, as is her brother.

Maybe I should go out and have some fun to distract myself.