Hanako-san spoke in fragments, her hand tracing a slow, repetitive rhythm as she stroked my head.
"That photo... it’s my younger brother."
It was the answer I had expected.
To be precise, since I hadn’t known the gender, I had narrowed it down to four possibilities between sisters and brothers. Since I had anticipated this much, the revelation didn’t come as a surprise.
"Kazunari died when he was still a baby. I was so small that I don't have any memories of him."
...!?
Kazunari... Naturally, she wasn't referring to me.
So her younger brother had shared my name. The kanji were likely different, but it was a striking coincidence.
Somehow, at that moment, I felt like I was beginning to grasp the reason why Hanako-san insisted on calling herself a "Big Sister."
"Because I have no memories of him, I just filled in the blanks myself. I wondered what he would have looked like, what his personality would have been... what kind of brother he would have become."
"……"
"I think there were a lot of triggers. By now, I can't even remember which one came first. But before I knew it, my mind was always on my brother. Between that and getting hooked on light novels, I started wishing he was there. I was lonely, so I read Big Sister-Younger Brother-themed Works like my life depended on it."
Hearing that much, even I could imagine the rest.
She was lonely.
That meant Hanako-san either had no friends or very few.
It might be rich coming from me—someone who had experienced profound isolation in the past—but I didn't think Hanako-san was particularly skilled at making friends. I believed that if people knew the real Hanako-san, she could have plenty of friends, but her personality was easily misunderstood as being cold or difficult.
For someone like her to start longing for a younger brother...
"Thinking about my brother was fun. As I read more books, I began to construct my own ideal. Before I realized it, Kazunari had become my Ideal Younger Brother."
Escapism.
I understood that feeling only too well.
Back then, when I had given up on everything, I existed in the Classroom thinking only of a petty sort of spite. Making my classmates feel uncomfortable just by being there, ensuring things were never peaceful, making the air constantly tense—that was my small revenge.
No matter what anyone said to me, I endured it until graduation for that purpose alone. To put it another way, it was the only thing I had to hold on to.
Devoting oneself to a single obsession just to stay afloat... For me, it was that small revenge. For Hanako-san, it was likely her Imaginary Younger Brother.
"That’s why, when I saw Yamasaki buying every volume of a novel I liked, I called out to him without thinking. Looking back now... that guy was just playing along. I couldn't see it, and I deluded myself into thinking I’d found a comrade. I suspect he probably just bought them as a Present for some girl."
I didn't know what Hanako-san had looked like back then, but if she had even a trace of her current charm, it was entirely plausible that Yamasaki had jumped at the chance to manipulate her.
And then, she had been caught in the crossfire of The Yuzuha Matter.
Still, it was probably for the best that it happened before things went too far. In that sense, it was a blessing in disguise.
"More than being made a fool of myself, I felt like my precious brother had been insulted. I couldn't forgive him. I swore I would get revenge for my brother’s sake, too."
From there, she became the Hanako-san I knew. The pieces of the story were finally clicking into place.
"……My brother is a pampered child. Even when he grows up, he’s a cute younger brother who acts spoiled with his Big Sister. But he has guts, and he shows his manliness when it counts. He steps up when he needs to, he does what must be done, and he is fundamentally kind..."
This was surely the Ideal Younger Brother Hanako-san envisioned. Balancing a pampered nature with true manliness was a tall order for any brother to fill. I suppose that was exactly what made him an "ideal."
Having said that, Hanako-san stopped stroking my head for a moment. She cupped my cheeks in her hands and tilted my face toward her. Looking at Hanako-san from directly below... she was indeed looking at me with a soft smile. When our eyes met, she began stroking my head again.
"At first, I thought you were just a pampered child. Since your name was the same, I thought I was just curious. But it wasn't just that. You have manliness, you have the respect of those around you, and everyone willingly cooperates with you. You have the power to bring people together and overcome difficulties—you’re a fine Boy. You’re a kind, reliable boy who liberated me when I was trapped by revenge. But you're still a pampered child, after all."
Her gaze, which held mine firmly, made it clear exactly who she was talking about. Hanako-san's eyes were pleading, telling me that she wasn't talking about a fantasy anymore—she was talking about me.
However, I certainly wasn't such a grand man. She was overestimating me. Though, considering I was currently lying on a Lap Pillow and acting spoiled, I couldn't exactly deny the "pampered child" part.
"I want to be a Big Sister... no, I want to try being one. Of course, I know we would just be Temporary Siblings. Just until the time comes when I have to return to reality. Just until the moment Kazunari decides that I’m being a nuisance or that this has gone far enough. When that time comes, you can tell me clearly."
This was Hanako-san's True Feelings... the real reason she had been so insistent on the "Big Sister" role. A sister... or rather, a pseudo-sibling. A relationship built on nothing but a verbal promise and a shared understanding.
"I don't intend to get in the way of Kazunari and his Wife. Because I’m your Big Sister. The person precious to my younger brother is precious to me, too."
How was I supposed to respond to this?
The reason Sara-san hadn't rejected Hanako-san was likely because she had realized Hanako-san viewed me as a brother. Or perhaps she had already heard the story of the real younger brother and made her judgment based on that. The latter seemed more plausible.
When Hanako-san said she wouldn't get in the way, she meant she wouldn't try to come between me and Sara-san. She intended to interact with me strictly within the boundaries of a sister.
"I know what I’m asking for. I promise I won't cause trouble. So..."
Hanako-san, who had been speaking calmly, suddenly looked pained. It was the first time I had seen her look so vulnerable. Since she rarely let her emotions show, seeing her display them so clearly was a testament to how serious and desperate she was.
"I want to try being a Big Sister. I want Kazunari to be my younger brother. That’s all I’m asking. And I know what you’re worried about. I don't know if it will put you at ease, but I swear I will never cross that line."
She had even thought that far ahead?
If what she sought from me was truly just the status of Temporary Siblings, I had no intention of forcibly denying her. If Hanako-san was truly satisfied with that...
However, if there was ever a chance she sought more... for Sara-san’s sake, for Hanako-san’s sake, and for my own, we wouldn't be able to continue. But as long as Hanako-san herself accepted those terms, I felt I could accept her request.
Because it was only natural for people to seek salvation.
Everyone has their own form of salvation. The salvation I once sought had been entirely fulfilled by Sara-san. I was quite literally saved by her in every way. By meeting her, by falling in Love with her, and by being loved by her, I had been rescued.
So, if Hanako-san could find salvation by viewing me as a younger brother, I wanted to help her. Because Hanako-san was a Best Friend who was truly precious to me.
But regardless, we had to be clear with each other.
"I understand how you feel, Hanako-san. You've been calling yourself my sister for a while, so hearing the reason why is a relief. But honestly, I’m shocked about your real brother. I don't really know what to say to that."
"…Yeah."
"And hearing the Ideal Younger Brother you described, I don't think I’m a man who fits that very well. Though, as you said, I can't really deny the acting spoiled part."
"……"
"But I’m not the one who gets to decide that. What you think is what’s important, and the choice is yours. So, if you want to overlap me with your brother, you're free to do so."
"…Yeah. The time we've spent together might be short, but I’ve been watching you, Kazunari. So, what I said just now is the truth. That’s how I think of you."
"To be honest, while I think of Hanako-san as a Best Friend, I’ve never once thought of you as a sister. Though I have thought of you as being older than me."
In terms of mental maturity and her way of thinking, I had definitely considered her my senior. That much was true.
"Look, Hanako-san, if I say yes, I still don't think I’ll be able to view you as a sister. I’ll keep interacting with you as a Best Friend, just like before. Of course, you’re free to treat me like a younger brother if you want."
I would allow her to treat me like a younger brother, but I couldn't promise to treat her like a sister in return. It was an extension of our current dynamic. The only difference was that I would accept her "Big Sister" persona, and she might change a little because of it.
"Yeah. If you'll accept me, that’s enough. If you’ll allow me to act as your Big Sister, that’s all I need."
……Since she was going this far, I had no reason to refuse. The only remaining issue was whether Sara-san would be comfortable with it.
"Let me say this one thing. Sara-san is more important to me than my own life. I will never do anything that would trouble or hurt her. So, can you swear to that? Will you really be satisfied with just being sister and brother?"
Even if it was just a verbal promise, I couldn't compromise on this. If this wasn't kept, our trust would be shattered. The promise had to be that strict.
"I swear. If I ever break it, you can perform Severing Ties with me. I’ll even sign a Written Oath if you want."
If she was willing to go that far, I would accept it. Of course, with conditions.
"I’ll tell Sara-san myself, but I want you to talk to her too. You have to promise her that you will absolutely never cause her trouble or worry. If Sara-san doesn't like the idea, then the talk is over. Though, if it stays the way it’s been until now, it probably won't be a problem."
"…Actually, I’ve already talked to her. Satsukawa-san said the exact same thing. She said if I ever caused you trouble or worried you even more than herself, she’d never forgive me. She told me that as long as I could absolutely keep it to a brother-sister relationship, she’d leave the rest to your judgment. You really are a Like-minded Couple."
I see. So Sara-san had already known. In that case, the only thing left was whether or not I trusted Hanako-san as a friend and a Best Friend.
And I did want to trust her. No—I would trust her.
"All right. We have a promise, then. Though even if you call me your brother, I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do."
"……Eh?"
"I’ve decided to trust you, Hanako-san. But I’m new to this, so please go easy on me. Also, don't expect me to 'act like a brother.' I don't know how. For now, can we just keep things the way they've been?"
Hanako-san looked blankly at me, seemingly unable to process my response.
Even though she had been the one to ask, she couldn't seem to believe that I had actually accepted.
"……Is it… really okay?"
To the whispered question she finally managed, I gave a slightly embarrassed nod.
She had been calling herself my "sister" for a while now anyway; essentially, I was just giving my permission to let it continue.
As long as it didn't trouble Sara-san, and if it stayed within the bounds of our current relationship, it would surely be fine.
And someday... when she grows up a little more and the time comes when Hanako-san can overcome her past... we will be Temporary Siblings.
Once she finally fully understood my answer... Hanako-san showed me a radiant smile, like a flower blooming, the likes of which I had never seen before.
"Thank... you. Thank you... I’m so happy. I’m truly happy."
Hanako-san stared at me, her eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture.
"I’m happy... I’m happy... I’m Kazunari’s Big Sister. I’m your Big Sister, okay?"
"Y-Yeah. But like I said, go easy on me..."
"I know. I won't overdo it in front of others. I’ll definitely hold back in front of your Wife. But just for now..."
If she understood that much... then for now, it should be fine.
Looking at Hanako-san, I felt that my judgment hadn't been wrong—and that Hanako-san had finally found a measure of salvation.
The serious talk was over, but because Hanako-san wanted to continue the Lap Pillow for a little longer, we stayed as we were.
What surprised me was Hanako-san's change in demeanor. Perhaps because she was now fully conscious of her role as a sister, she smiled with a gentle gaze, stroking my head the entire time. To be honest, being stared at like that was making me feel incredibly bashful.
"I’m fine with you acting normally most of the time, but I’d like you to call me 'Big Sister' once in a while. I’ll be satisfied with just that."
"I get it... Big Sister."
"!?"
Hanako-san’s eyes widened, and then she laughed, looking genuinely delighted. If she was going to be this happy about it, calling her that every now and then wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Of course, I would be reporting every detail of this conversation to Sara-san later.
"I look forward to our time together... Kazunari."
The voice Hanako-san whispered in was filled with a deep, unmistakable warmth.