Ichinose-san was still painfully shy. Honestly, though, if I thought about it calmly, buying large-scale furniture was a daunting prospect for me as well. I couldn't really tell quality from junk, so I’d probably end up pulling out my wallet before I knew it, just following whatever the clerk recommended. Besides, as a high school student, I couldn't afford anything that extravagant anyway.
For a bibliophile of Ichinose-san’s caliber, she’d likely need a massive bookshelf. Even if she managed to buy it on her own, she’d probably get stuck when it came to getting it home. She’d have to coordinate shipping procedures and all that with the staff; in that sense, the difficulty level might be even higher than dealing with a pushy clothing store clerk.
"Got it. Let’s go sometime soon. Next Saturday or Sunday—no, that’s no good... How about the makeup day after the cultural festival?"
"I-Is that okay...?"
"Yeah, let’s go. It’ll be our first date."
"Ehh... A-Ahhh..."
When I threw that out there, Ichinose-san visibly flushed and hung her head. I was sure she hadn't invited me with that intention, but from an outsider's perspective, a guy and a girl going out together was exactly that. Hehe, feel the embarrassment, feel it...!
"Wait a second! I've been watching quietly, but you two are getting way too lovey-dovey! If that's the case, we're joining in too!"
"K-Kei...!?"
Ah... wait a minute. Did I just say "date with Ichinose-san" right in front of Natsukawa? Ugh... What am I saying in front of the person I like? And isn't this in especially bad taste considering I've confessed to Natsukawa in the past?
Wait, and what do you mean by joining in...?
"It’s a double date!"
"Eh... What? A double date?"
"It’s the era of diversity! I think it's about time Yuri-pples like me and Aichi get recognized!"
"Wait a minute."
"Hold it right there, you."
Who. Is. A. Yuri-pple, this woman...? I didn't remember ever authorizing such a thing. If you want to claim the title of Natsukawa’s boyfriend, you’d better come back after defeating every Sajou in the country. I can't entrust Natsukawa to someone who can't even do that. The Sajous in our house are strong, you know? Mainly the older sister.
"W-When did Kei and I ever become a couple!"
"Eh... Aichi, do you hate the idea...?"
"Kei's... puppy dog eyes...? Kei's... upward glance...?"
"Hey! It's cheating to stimulate Natsukawa’s 'big sister' instincts! I'll do it too!"
"Stop, that's gross. That isn't an upward glance. That's the face of a predator eyeing laundry on a balcony."
"Who are you calling a panty thief!?"
I had the "little brother soul" after all. There was no way my best puppy-dog eyes, packed with the full weight of a youngest child’s spirit, wouldn’t work...!
...Come to think of it, back when I was small, every time I looked up at Nee-chan, I think she used to grind her knuckle into my forehead... Wait, could it be...? Is my upward glance really that disgusting?
"...Anyway, don't just move the conversation along on your own. You know Ichinose-san isn't good with noisy situations, Ashida."
"Heeh, look at you, acting all considerate. Also, isn't it weird that you're only scolding me?"
"I'm saying it to you because you're the one panting all over Natsukawa."
Seriously, give me your thoughts.
"P-Panting? What do you mean by that...?"
Natsukawa muttered, blushing as she stared at the rolled omelet she’d picked up with her chopsticks. Hmm, she clearly had an idea of what I meant. I wondered if she’d share her interpretation with me. Setting that aside, I wanted to be that omelet. No, the chopsticks.
"How about it, Ichinose-san? Is it okay if the group gets bigger? Uh, Ichinose-san?"
".........D-Date......... date......"
"Eh."
Looking over, Ichinose-san was hanging her head, her face even redder than Natsukawa's. Even her small ears peeking through her hair had turned bright red. I knew she was innocent, but this much? If a beautiful girl had said it, that'd be one thing, but this was me. Crap, thanks to Ashida, I’d started thinking everyone was into girls.
Though, for me, just the thought of going out with a member of the opposite sex—and not just Natsukawa—was enough to make my heart race. Had she not even considered that aspect until now? Was I that far off her radar? Ah, maybe because Ichinose-san usually went out with her big brother, she just didn't have that kind of awareness...? ......Hm?
"Oh, come to think of it, haven't you consulted your big brother?"
"......Th-That's......"
When I asked, Ichinose-san looked startled, a guilty expression crossing her face.
The only male member of the Disciplinary Committee, a man who never missed a day—Ichinose-san's big brother. Commonly known as Kuma-san-senpai. Although a lot happened over summer vacation, Ichinose-san should have been able to speak her mind to him. She was a total brother's girl to begin with, and in reality, he was the one who had looked after her the most. Even if she needed to go out, it seemed like it would be easier on her mentally to go with him.
"......Yuri-san would definitely follow us, and........."
"Ah, I see..."
I felt like I understood everything with that one sentence.
Ichinose-san had declared she would keep working her part-time job to gain independence. She’d probably won that right by persuading Kuma-san-senpai, but that didn't mean her affection for her big brother had vanished. To Ichinose-san, Yuri-chan-senpai was still "the woman who stole my beloved big brother." I’d assumed they’d gotten fairly close since then, but I guess not.
On the other hand, Yuri-chan-senpai seemed like she genuinely wanted to be friends with her boyfriend's sister. It was the same when I met her before. She was just the type who liked to fuss over people.
"Eh, Ichinose-chan has an older brother...? Ah—"
"Ah..."
"Enough. Stop making that 'I just realized' face. Please."
When I spoke a bit sharply, the two of them pouted as if to say, "Whose fault do you think it is?" Stop it, don't both of you emphasize your mouths like that at the same time—are those kissy faces? Don't make me come over there.
"Um... since I'm going, I thought maybe I could look for a mini-sofa too..."
"Ugh..."
Being a bookworm even at home, Ichinose-san used to sit on Kuma-san-senpai's lap and read books using his soft tummy as a backrest. The fact that she was looking for a mini-sofa now... honestly, thinking about it from Kuma-san-senpai's perspective made me want to cry. Moving on from her brother, huh...? I wondered why I understood his feelings so well despite not having a sister. Had I made too many sisters in the gal games I borrowed from Yamazaki...?
"A sofa that feels like Senpai's tummy is going to be hard to find..."
"Uuu..."
Just how comfortable was Senpai's stomach...? Ichinose-san looked incredibly dejected. For a moment, just once, I felt like trying to lean against it too. N-No, I can't...! Right now, Kuma-san-senpai must be resting his head on Yuri-chan-senpai's thighs...! Scandalous! Absolutely scandalous! God, I was jealous!
"Well, Senpai is a third-year, so this day was bound to come eventually. You okay? Want to use my tummy as a substitute?"
"I-Is it okay...?"
"Oh, I don't mind at all. —Huh?"
I’d made the joke with the same casualness as asking if she wanted to stop by a convenience store, but she’d replied so quickly that I reflexively agreed. Wait. Something was wrong. Was I supposed to say okay to this? Letting Ichinose-san sit on my lap... wait. Was this morally acceptable?
"Then..."
"Eh."
While I was still trying to process the situation, Ichinose-san set her lunch box aside and gently placed her small hand on my thigh. Wait, seriously? She was actually going through with it?
"—W-Wait a minute! What do you think you're doing!"
"..!?"
I snapped out of it. To my left, on the other side of Ichinose-san—who was now leaning in so far that her ear was practically against my chest—Natsukawa was shouting, her right hand pressed against the ledge. She must have spoken quite forcefully; her left hand was clenched tightly against her chest.
"I-Ichinose-chan...? You know you’re doing that with Sajocchi, right?"
"? .........Ah...!"
"Whoa, oof...!"
With a small gasp of realization, Ichinose-san practically leaped away from me. At that moment, I realized something was wrong. Having scrambled away while right at the edge of the step, Ichinose-san predictably lost her balance and began to fall. I quickly extended my right arm and managed to catch her, steadying her back as she tilted.
"That was close... Are you okay, Ichinose-san?"
".........Awawaw......... hawawawa......... I-I-I-I'm fine!"
"Eh."
Suddenly regaining her footing, Ichinose-san slipped out of my arms, snapped her lunch box shut with lightning speed, hugged all her belongings to her chest, and sprinted away. I instinctively reached out toward her retreating back, but I’d completely missed the chance to call out. Ichinose-san, could you always run that fast...?
"........."
"........."
"........."
Uh, I don't like this. This is scary. What just happened?