Chapter 4

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Translator: Soafp

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After gulping down the barley tea I poured for myself in one go, I scratch my head vigorously, trying to figure out what she wanted to ask. It’s uncomfortable, to say the least, for many reasons.

Who did Nodoka Like?

What did she do to make it happen?

How did I know about it?

What happened as a result?

I told her everything.

The atmosphere between us becomes awkward, perhaps due to the weight of what I’ve just shared, and Mina-chan falls silent.

“Well, that’s about it. It’s really… a ridiculous story, isn’t it?”

The air remains heavy and solemn.

Naturally, a dry laugh escapes my lips.

Meanwhile, Mina-chan lowers her gaze and her expression darkens.

…Well, it’s not exactly a laughing matter.

“Uhm, Sou-niisan, I mean—”

“If it’s easier for you, you can call me that.”

Mina-chan speaks tentatively, and it’s understandable why.

If I were in her shoes and someone asked me something similar, I’d undoubtedly be repulsed.

“Sō-niisan… Did… Did Nodo-nee still…”

“I don’t care about Nodoka-san anymore.”

It’s been a while since I’ve dredged up these memories, and looking back, I can’t help but wonder.

What should I have done back then?

Was there another way?

Should I have congratulated them, played along with their family charade, accepted Nodoka when we met again?

They all seem like ridiculous assumptions.

Even if I had the chance to do it over again, I wouldn’t choose any of those options.

Even if that b*****d did what he did, I have no regrets.

…Or at least, I shouldn’t.

“I haven’t seen Nodoka-san since then. It’s all over.”

To my dismissive response, Mina-chan murmurs, then raises her head, meeting my gaze firmly.

“I couldn’t compare to Nodo-nee… I knew that and had already resigned myself to it. But even after Mana-san passed away, I still begged my mom to let me visit. You were my first love.”

“Eh?”

Mina-chan’s sudden confession took some time for my brain to process, and I ended up asking her to repeat herself.

Who… and for whom?

“It’s not a joke. Maybe it started as childish admiration, but… I’m serious. I’ve always, always loved you, Sou-niisan!”

“Mina-chan?”

I couldn’t claim total ignorance… considering how obvious her feelings were.

But I chose to convince myself it was a joke, that she couldn’t possibly be serious.

Because I didn’t want to get hurt anymore.

“Is it… is it impossible for me? At first, I wouldn’t have minded being a substitute for Nodoka. I’ll do my best to make you love me.”

“Mina-chan, I…”

To admit the truth… was terrifying.

Desires unleashed, fearing to leave her with indelible scars.

Or, ending up like before, wrestling alone with myself ― I was scared.

“You’re making light of it more than you think. I’ve had… impure thoughts about you before.”

“Please don’t ridicule me. I’m not… that naive.”

Cutting off my evasive response, she spoke firmly.

“Being looked at… in that way by boys my age, or even older men… it’s not something I’m unfamiliar with. Because of… my body.”

With a slightly mature, sober expression, Mina-chan touched her ch*st and muttered self-deprecatingly.

It seemed I had underestimated her.

She’s still a child, no doubt about it.

Yet… she seemed to understand more than I thought.

“But if it’s you, Sou-niisan… No, I’m sorry. Even though there’s Nodoka-nee and Uncle Soichiro’s memories. To say something selfish like this out of the blue…”

Suppressing her anxiety, trying to force a smile, Mina-chan said to me.

“But… I’m serious. So, I want an answer from you, Sou-niisan. Even if you reject me… I’ll cry and scream for about a week, and then… I’ll give up…”

Unintentionally, tears streamed down her face, and I interrupted her words, calling her name.

…Damn it.

I was furious with no one but myself.

“Let me apologize first. ,I’m sorry for ignoring your feelings, even though I had a vague idea.”

Apologizing for my own cowardice, for fearing to acknowledge the bonds forming, for being attracted to her.

Remember.

The people who reached out to me when I fled from home and became an empty shell in a park in an unfamiliar town.

Grandpa and Grandma, who promised to take care of me despite knowing everything.

The seniors at work who spent ordinary time with me, laughing and joking.

And most importantly, these past six months spent with her, who mustered up the courage to show her affection.

Thanks to everyone, I was able to recover.

I thought I had recovered.

And yet, to be like this…

I can’t believe I had the nerve to badmouth Nodoka and my father.

I’m such a fool!

I slapped my own cheeks with a snap.

“Maybe… I’ll end up showing you a lot of embarrassing sides of me. But if you’re okay with that, um, then please take care of me too.”

That was my answer, squeezed out from the depths of my heart.

In response, Mina-chan, who had been staring blankly for a moment, showed a teary-eyed expression that was a mix of laughter.

“Ehehehe… I got your promise now. You can’t take it back anymore!”

Rubbing her reddened eyes with her fingers, her voice trembling slightly, she shouted at me with a voice that echoed sharply in my ears.

“Sou-niisan! For all the teasing I’ve endured until now, I’m going to make up for it by showering you with affection from now on. Be prepared, seriously!”

Watching Mina-chan laugh with a sense of desperation, yet genuinely happy, I couldn’t help but sigh internally at how much of a detour I had taken.

“No, I mean, let’s have a healthy relationship within the bounds of the law, okay? I mean, not to keep any weird distance between us… It’s more like, if your feelings don’t change until you become legal adults, you know?”

“….Eeh?”

Leaving that aside, I made sure to drive the point home. While consoling Mina-chan, who was grumbling with dissatisfaction, with reassurances that it’s just another two years, I couldn’t help but think of apologizing to Aunt and Uncle, even if it meant kneeling down.

“In essence… um, well, you know. Let’s continue to get along gently from now on.”

Believing that someday, I’ll be able to truly put that time behind me, I let out a small smile and returned it to the girl in front of me.

End