Chapter 33: Sibling talk.

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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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Tsukino’s POV

“Kakeru, where were you today? You know you shouldn’t come home later than your big sister, right?”

“Sorry, I was hanging out with a new friend.”

“A new friend? Did we get a transfer student?”

“No, it’s Shinji, your friend. He made me some zenzai.”

“…Huh?”

That night, we ended up taking a bath together for the first time in a while, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to scold Kakeru. But then, he mentioned a name I never would have expected.

I had assumed Shinji went home after work, but it turns out he became friends with Kakeru without me knowing. Honestly, I was so shocked that I couldn't find the words.

“Shinji is really fun. It felt like I actually had an older brother. But there was only milk coffee in the fridge. Heh heh.”

“H-Huh. So… What did you guys talk about?”

I was curious about where they met, but what really caught my attention was that Shinji had come over to our house and Kakeru was casually calling him by his first name. I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. Does Shinji-kun actually like kids? He seems more like the type who would say, “I hate brats.”

“Well, we talked about my school and… love stories.”

“Love stories!?”

“Yeah. But guys don't talk about love stories with girls. I'm not telling you, sis.”

“Why not!? Wait, do you like someone!?”

“It's a secret. Guys only talk about that stuff with other guys. If a guy talks about love with a girl, it means he’s hitting on her.”

“U-Ugh…”

That's definitely something he picked up from Shinji-kun. Kakeru's even starting to mimic his way of speaking, and if my little brother ends up acting like that, I'm really going to be in trouble.

“…Hey, sis.”

“What?”

“Your boobs are so small…”

Without a word, I smacked Kakeru on the head with a bucket. Ka-kon! It made a satisfying sound, and Kakeru sank into the water, falling silent.

“Never say stuff like that, okay?”

“W-Why not…?”

“Why not? Because, of course, I'm self-conscious about it! Are you stupid?”

“But I think it's fine…”

“Huh? Why?”

“I can’t tell you. It's a guy’s secret…”

This kid definitely talked to Shinji-kun about something. The fact that a first grader is getting excited over conversations about breasts with him is just ridiculous.

“Tell me.”

“I can’t. And what would you do with that information anyway? If the guy you like prefers big boobs, you’ll just use it as an excuse to give up, right?”

“Ugh…!”

Even though he’s my little brother, he’s really sharp. If meeting Shinji-kun has sharpened his wit even more, my dignity as his older sister is in serious danger.

“W-well, even if the guy I like prefers big boobs, I won’t give up. So you don’t need to worry about that.”

“That’s a lie. If you were really that determined, you’d have gotten what you want already.”

“Gotten what?”

“Shinji.”

…Looking in the mirror, my face was bright red. Let’s just blame it on feeling dizzy from the hot water.

“Wh-why are you bringing up Shinji-kun?”

“When I was playing games on your phone, I saw your photos. Normally, you don’t secretly take pictures of guys you don’t like, right?”

“You saw them!? No, that wasn’t spying! Those weren’t secret photos!”

“But Shinji said, ‘Kakeru’s sister is seriously creepy.’ You didn’t get his permission, did you?”

“Wh-what!? You told Shinji-kun about that!?”

“Yeah. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known I was your brother.”

Ka-kon!

Out of breath, I yanked Kakeru's shoulders out of the water and shook him back and forth. How can he act like a typical first grader only in situations like this? It's so unfair!

“Why would you do something so mean!? I don't get it!! Did I do something wrong!?”

“N-no, you didn't…”

“Then stop it! You're making me look like a pervert!”

“But… you kind of are a pervert, sis…”

“I am not! I'm totally normal! You'll understand how I feel when you get older!”

“Shinji said guys never understand how girls feel, no matter how old they get…”

“Ugh! Stop using Shinji to out-argue me when he's not even here!! Stupid Shinji!!”

I didn't know what to say, so I just ducked underwater and blew bubbles. When I came up for air, gasping, Kakeru was staring at me with a silly look on his face.

“What are you doing?”

“…Just leave me alone.”

“Hmm. So anyway, Shinji’s zenzai was really tasty. It's the first time I've ever thought beans were delicious.”

He got to eat Shinji's cooking… I'm jealous.

“Oh, and Shinji said that the udon you made wasn't really his udon; it was your udon.”

“Huh? I thought I made it the same way as he does, but maybe I messed up the recipe.”

“I'm not sure, but why don't you go to Shinji's place next time and have him teach you? I know where he lives.”

“…When you're in high school, you can't just go over to a guy's place whenever you feel like it.”

“Hmm, that sounds annoying.”

…Yeah, it really is annoying. I know Shinji would probably let it slide if I showed up with Kakeru, so I should just take advantage of that without overthinking it. Honestly, I'm just as annoying as Shinji-kun when it comes to stuff like this.

“Are you okay, sis?”

“I'm not okay. Today's been a lot.”

“Are you feeling down because you did something wrong?”

I thought it was unusual for this kid to take a bath, but…

“…I don’t know. But maybe he really is betraying us.”

“Hmm. Then why not talk to Shinji?”

“I can’t. Shinji-kun’s job is done. The rest is our problem.”

“But Shinji would help, right? He always has, hasn't he?”

“…If I rely on him here, it’ll just mean I’ve switched to another guy I admire. So, I absolutely can't do that.”

Kakeru, seeing how down I was, patted my head. This had happened before. Being comforted by my little brother like this makes me feel like such a pathetic woman.

“…What should I do…”

I thought I'd take some time to think after getting out of the bath, but I was so tired today that nothing came to mind. So, I decided to just quietly go to sleep.

I don't have the courage, wisdom, or strength like Shinji-kun does, so all I can do is wrack my limited brain and take my time to calm down. There’s nothing else I can do, right?

I feel incredibly depressed.

“Oh, right, sis.”

“…What, is there something else?”

“Shinji called you ‘Michiru,’ you know. Just once, though.”

“H-Huh!?”

“Goodnight~”

That little brat… saying something like that and then disappearing—so irritating. Why does he keep piling up things for me to worry about?

“Idiot.”

I wonder what's going to happen at school from now on. Now that Kou-kun is looking forward, I wonder what everyone will think. And what will I be able to do when that time comes?

“…Goodnight.”

Even if it's just in my dreams, I wish I could hear him call me Michiru and give me the courage I need.

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