Chapter 52: Red herring.

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Translated and Edited by: luccayn.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you're close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it's cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

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“Well then, Kakeru. What do you want from me?”

“Huh!? What do you mean!?”

“Dummy, I’m not so blind that I can’t see through an elementary kid’s schemes. Plus, you fooled me before, so we’re even now.”

“Oh no. Sis, he figured it out. Maybe it's better not to try and cover it up poorly.”

Hanging a bagged shirt on a hanger and turning on his heel, Kakeru squeezed tightly into a hug. Tsukino looked at me with a slightly dampened glare.

“…I heard about Kou-kun. Don't worry, I haven't told anyone.”

“Got it. Well, that's how it is. Sorry, but I'm joining the harem. I even planned out the ultimate sightseeing route, but now it's all wasted. What a letdown.”

“Why don't you ever tell me these important things?”

That wasn't the reaction I'd expected. There was something forlorn about it, and the way she was hugging Kakeru seemed to grow progressively tighter.

“Because you’re useless.”

“…But I want you to rely on me.”

“Then get better. I don't keep girls by my side just to have them praise me.”

Finishing up with the shirts, I poured the freshly boiled water into a teapot. Thanks to the mysterious teacups Grandma had collected, there was no shortage of cups.

“That's harsh—”

“You still don't get me, do you? Yet somehow, you managed to convince the heroines. You shouldn't mistake a lucky hit for actual success.”

As I sat across from Tsukino, Kakeru slipped out of her embrace and sat next to me with a worried look. Man, how did you manage to stack so many attractive traits? You're going to have a problem if even guys start liking you.

“W-What's with that!? Why do you have to say such unkind things!?”

“I'm just stating facts. You're useless. Take your free time and enjoy sightseeing around Kyoto as much as you like.”

Patting Kakeru's head, I took a sip of tea. He mimicked me, trying to drink from his own cup, but it was too hot for him.

“Hey, Shinji.”

“Yeah, what is it, Kakeru?”

“Is this next rescue mission really that tough?”

That made Tsukino freeze, mouth agape, and even I couldn't immediately come up with a response.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because you're trying to keep Sis out of it. You're not the kind of big brother who would say scary things for no reason.”

Damn it. This kid is dangerously sharp. Like Saori, he had an almost supernatural knack for meta-analysis—an innate talent that was nothing like mine.

I shook my head and set the teacup down on the table. In the distance, the echo of a ship’s whistle floated faintly through the window.

“…I'm going to destroy that harem completely. And I'll be the one to help do it.”

“Th-That means—”

“Yeah. Digging into Aoyama, Haruna, and Yuza's traumas and forcing them to face reality. You could call my role a kind of terror. All I do is expose the truth—it's Haruta's job to save them.”

“No way! You saw how close Miki-chan was to breaking in the classroom, didn't you!? If I hadn't stopped her, do you even realize what could have happened!?”

“Haruta wasn't there then. But this time, he is.”

“That's not the point!!”

Her expression was more serious than I'd ever seen it. The intensity in her gaze made her clear eyes shine with a force that felt almost otherworldly.

“Why do you stop me from sacrificing myself, but then go and hurt yourself trying to help others…?”

“It's the same as always. My rescue missions are just acts of self-validation.”

“No, they're not! No one is stronger than you when it comes to helping others!!”

That flash of insight struck like a blow. I hadn't expected to be out-argued this quickly.

“Taking down people who think they're winners—I'm fine with that. I'm not trying to deny you there. But this time, with everyone asking you for help, who do you plan to make the villain?”

When did Tsukino get so strong? Or had she always had this kind of talent, but her past had made her lock it away?

“Rely on me. You've helped me so many times before. I want to be your strength as you help others…!”

…Geniuses can really be infuriating.

They effortlessly surpass everything I've worked so hard to build up.

“Are you sure about this, Tsukino?”

“H-Huh? Sure about what?”

“Once you learn about their pasts, are you ready to not keep any secrets of your own? And do you think the delicate balance we've achieved will hold after that?”

“I know. That's why I can't run away.”

Her words were resolute, without a hint of hesitation.

I poured more tea into my cup and looked steadily into Tsukino's clear eyes. I thought, simply, that they were beautiful. But unlike before, I didn't feel flustered. It was strange how much I'd changed.

You've become an amazing woman, haven't you?

“…Well, since you’ve been together with them for so long, there are things only you'd notice. Tsukino, I need your help.”

“Y-Yeah!!”

And so, I gained another ally—a genius on the verge of awakening.

Watching this exchange, Kakeru finally drank the now lukewarm tea, and then he blurted out something unexpected.

“By the way, which Tsukino are you talking about?”

“Huh? What do you mean? Of course, I'm talking about your sister.”

“I don't know that. Are you talking about Sis, or are you talking about me?”

Hey, Tsukino, what's with that smirking, troubled expression? Don't look at me with such a slack-jawed face. I'm already starting to regret recruiting you.

“Hey, Michiru.”

“H-Huh!?”

And there it is—that dumb look again. Seriously, cut it out.

“When you get home, teach your little brother to tone down his cleverness a bit, will you?”

I said this as I flicked Kakeru's forehead with my finger. What a smug, knowing expression. Honestly, there's no denying it—he's probably already sharper than me.

Add to that his youthful fearlessness, his athletic talent that would impress even the girls, and the guaranteed looks that would only improve with time, and you've got a recipe for an unstoppable force.

He's practically a monster.

To think that beyond Tsukino's own motives, her little brother—obsessed with his big sister—also had a hidden agenda. Once again, I found myself outmaneuvered, and I couldn't help but feel a bit inadequate.

…Well.

Not like I particularly mind losing anymore.

“Hehe, got it.”

“Now, you should head home. It's about time for Kakeru to go to bed.”

“Yeah, you're right. Thanks for dinner; it was delicious.”

“Thank you for the meal, Shinji.”

“Don't mention it. Come back and eat together again sometime.”

And with that, the night came to an end.

Now, who should I start with? Everyone's opinion of me is likely already scraping rock-bottom—or maybe it's plunged into outright hostility. Either way, this is going to be tricky right from the start.

But there are only three days left until the school trip when the plan goes into action. I need to gather whatever trump cards I can before then.

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