A "gentle sister." No such person existed in my life. So then, how had we even made it this far? Wasn't it because we never held back, regardless of whether she was taking out her unreasonable frustrations on me or we were trading insults? Wasn't it because that was the one place I truly belonged?
"The queen who uses me as a gopher, never says thank you, sprawls out on the living room sofa like she owns the place, and scrolls through her phone while stuffing her face with meat buns—that is my Nee-chan. If it’s not that, then she isn’t my sister at all."
"Ugh... y-you..."
I wasn't a masochist. It wasn't like I enjoyed being hit or treated like a random errand boy. If Nee-chan could stay exactly as she was while also being kind, that would be a dream come true. But I couldn't help how I felt deep down. I didn't want her to suppress her true self at home, even if she did it everywhere else. That wasn't what I wanted.
"───At the very least, I like that version of you the best."
"Wha—"
"So, cut it out with the consideration. It’s just a nuisance."
Please, seriously.
This was so embarrassing. I actually said it. What was with this farce? In the end, all I did was tell her, "Nee-chan, please stay the way you are." I’m going to hold this grudge against Yuuki-senpai until the day I die. I am never having a serious conversation in front of my sister again.
"..."
"...What?"
"...Nothing. Forget it."
Nee-chan was looking at me like she had something to say. When I glared back to see if she had a problem, she just met my gaze with a flat expression. I knew what she was thinking. She was probably thinking something like, I can't believe this guy can actually say things like that.
I could tell I had a bitter look on my face. It also kind of ticked me off how she just stood there silently, staring at me.
As I glared back, Nee-chan finally spoke up.
"Are you really sure? This is the last chance I'm giving you to let me be nice to you."
"Wait, why is it the 'last chance'? Just be nice to me normally."
"Hah? Which one is it, then?"
No, that wasn't what I meant, right? Is she totally prepared to bully me now? She's scary. What is with this sister? Does she only have 0 or 100? Even if you aren't being overly considerate, you could still just buy me a meat bun on a whim for no reason, couldn't you? For that matter, you could even share a little bit of your Häagen-Dazs—
"Hah?"
"What do you mean, 'hah'? How many times are you going to ask me that before you're satisfied?"
"No, not that. Wataru, look behind you."
"Huh? Behind me? What are you talking abou—"
I turned around toward the door leading to the roof. A girl was stomping toward us while another girl from the volleyball club was desperately trying to hold her back.
Wait. What? Is this a hallucination? Why are my classmates here? And why is one of them my crush? Also, why does she look so incredibly furious?
"Natsuka—"
"What do you think you’re saying to your own sister!?"
"Ghu!?"
Wait, hold on, my collar... wh-what!? Why, why!? Why is Natsukawa so angry!? More importantly, why is she even here!!? Nee-chan? Huh? What did she mean by 'what do I think I'm saying'... does that mean she heard what I said just now!?
"Uh...?"
"Are you an idiot!? Calling her a 'shitty woman'... it would make your sister miserable! Apologize this instant!"
"Wait, Aichi, stop! Sajocchi isn't moving...! He's completely frozen!"
Ashida was trying to soothe the hyper-furious Natsukawa. Even without looking closely, I could see she was still in her volleyball uniform. Since she still had her knee pads on, she looked like a member of a riot squad holding back a protester. Whoa, her legs illuminated by the sunset were seriously something else... As expected of the volleyball club.
"A-Ashida...?"
"Sorry! Seriously, sorry! It's okay! We only heard the very last part!!"
"..."
What is this? What’s going on? What am I supposed to do...? And so they did hear me?
I stood there, clutching my collar where she had grabbed it. Natsukawa finally let go, but she was still being held back by Ashida. She was scarier than my sister—but why? Between this and what happened at noon, did I do something? Is she trying to retaliate for all the trouble I've caused her up until now? If so, I'll take it without complaint.
In the midst of my confusion, I glanced back and made eye contact with my stunned sister. She didn't look sad at all. She seemed just as surprised by the sudden appearance of Natsukawa and Ashida, looking back and forth between the two of them with wide eyes.
When our eyes finally met, she gave me a look of pure exasperation.
"...You."
"Don't say anything, please."
It was a desperate plea. I had talked big earlier, but now only a pathetic voice came out. I didn't have the guts to defy Natsukawa and speak up to my sister at a time like this. I don't know... I'm just... I've stopped caring about everything.
"Hey, are you listening!? There's such a thing as respect for your elders! If you have a bad influence on Airi like that, I seriously won't forgive you!!"
"H-huh...?"
"Wait, listen, Sajocchi...! There's a dee—p reason for this! Could you just come with us for a bit!? Seriously! Just think of it as helping me out!!"
"O-okay..."
I didn't really get it, but I had no choice but to follow Ashida. Though I kind of wanted to keep watching the summer-uniformed Goddess and the tanned, sporty girl wrestle with each other in front of me.
"Wataru."
"..."
I was called back. Ah, she caught me.
I couldn't deny the feeling that the atmosphere from earlier had been completely washed away by Natsukawa and Ashida's appearance. Well, I guess that was fine. But even so, I'd hate it if my sister got into a bad mood like usual... She wasn't mad, was she?
"I like you best when you follow me like a slave."
"....Take it easy on me, seriously."
I wondered if this sister realized she was saying something outrageous. Or maybe I was the weird one for not being repulsed by it.
So? In the end, she wasn't mad? If so, that was fine. Is she going to charge me for Häagen-Dazs later? Man, I was acting so cowardly.
We were going to see each other at home anyway, so I didn't feel like pressing her any further. She'd probably be lying on the sofa in some unseemly position when I got back. And when I told her she was in the way, she'd tell me I was noisy and kick me again. This casual sloppiness was exactly how my sister and I were.
In the end, I never did figure out what the problem was or if anything had actually been resolved.
◆
The final dismissal time had already passed, and for some reason, I was in a family restaurant with Natsukawa and Ashida. Since it was getting late, I messaged my mom to tell her I didn't need dinner. She sent back a "supportive" message that didn't even try to stop me from a life of crime: Just don't get caught by the police. Mom...
We took our seats and placed our orders. As I poured water for the three of us and set it on the table, Ashida immediately looked ready to talk. She must have changed into her school uniform in a hurry, because it was all wrinkled. It wasn't just Natsukawa; even Ashida seemed a bit piqued, which was scary...
"First off, sorry for eavesdropping on the conversation with your sister. We were looking for Sajocchi... and we saw you heading toward the roof, so we just followed without thinking..."
"Ah, I see. Well, it's fine."
"Y-yeah... sorry."
I did remember saying some pretty embarrassing things... but well, that was just between me and my sister, so it wasn't like they'd bring it up.
To hide my embarrassment, I replied in a light tone. Ashida seemed to regain her composure, leaning in slightly toward me and starting to speak in a low voice.
"So, about Aichi today... things were pretty bad, right?"
"Yeah, she was dangerously cute today, too."
When I replied to Ashida's question with the nuance that she was dangerously cute, she gave me a cold stare as if she had read my mind. As expected of Ashida, who had watched me and Natsukawa from the front lines. Her perception was on another level.
As for Natsukawa herself, she was sitting next to Ashida with her arms crossed, looking away sullenly. Her lips were pouted—what was that about? She was normally cute, but this was something else.
"Must be nice, Sajocchi. Playing the big shot with two girls in tow at this hour, huh?"
"Ah, yes..."
Only after she said it did I realize my current situation. That's right, I was having a meal with two female classmates right now. What kind of situation was this? I still didn't really understand the reason I had been brought here.
Natsukawa turned her head sharply toward the window. Seeing that, Ashida looked even more annoyed and started poking Natsukawa's knee.
"Wait, Aichi! I'm going to say it!"
"...D-do whatever you want."
"I really want you to say it yourself! But if I leave it alone, Aichi will probably never say it for the rest of eternity, so I'm going to be the one to say it!"
"Ugh..."
Yikes, there was a lot of tension there. Was this a fight? Were they fighting?
It was rare for Natsukawa and Ashida to be at odds like this. From an outsider's perspective, it might look like the two of them were fighting over me... then again, maybe not. Excuse me, Mr. Waiter? Why are you looking at me with such annoyance? Shouldn't you be looking at these two? Hey, wait a second.
(Eww... what's with those three...?)