Chapter 109Discussion
It deals with a situation where the relationship between siblings in another family is in danger. Ichinose-san's determination to "detach herself from her big bro" is shown in her attitude toward her part-time job, and more than that, now that I've heard her story, I feel determined to help her. —But I don't know how Ichinose-san feels about Senpai right now. I heard that she used to love her big bro so much that she used his bear-like stomach as a backrest when she was reading a book, but I can't help but think that all of that is suddenly reversed now.
I thought I knew something, but in reality, I didn't. There's nothing I can do about this. But even if I leave here right now, I don't think the problem will be solved. All I can do is wait, sit still, and watch here.
"Mina, will you listen to my words?"
"..."
Ichinose-san was surprised when those words were finally thrown at her. Compared to that annoying customer back then, he was someone Ichinose-san didn't have to fear a hundred million times over. I think Ichinose-san should be able to be more open this time. I think the closer you get to someone, the less you know what to do when there's a rift between the two of you.
Senpai did not turn his face away from Ichinose-san. I could feel his determination to do something about the misunderstanding between him and his little sis here and now. Oh, I see. No wonder since he was a member of the Disciplinary Committee under Shinomiya-senpai's leadership. I sense a similarity between them.
"I-I..."
Ichinose-san was the opposite. When she finally spoke, the voice she let out shook violently.
Ichinose-san, who had been protected, embraced, and warmed by her big bro all this time, was directed by him like a strong will similar to that of Shinomiya-senpai. I wonder if this kind of thing has happened before, but I'm sure it hasn't. Maybe... but he's the kind of guy who reprimands you like he's giving you advice. If I were his little bro, he would probably change my behavior immediately without even realizing he was scolding me.
"—..."
Ichinose-san looked at me as if she wanted to ask for my help. Wait a minute, was that an amazing pass from her? That's impossible, anyway. After all, I had just connected the place and ended up handing it over to Ichinose-san again. Come on, just try harder for a bit and I'll treat you to marshmallows later. I'll also treat you to boba milk tea too.
I shook my head and pleaded with her with my eyes, "Just tell him yourself, please.". Then Ichinose-san's eyes widened, and this time she closed her eyes tightly before looking at her big bro.
"...What's wrong, Big Bro?"
Oh? Has her appearance changed? And what's more, her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked up, as if she was ready to fight. I could see a menacing red panda in the background. I hope she didn't misinterpret my gesture.
Senpai looked surprised as he saw Ichinose-san's demeanor. Drops of cold sweat broke out on my temples. I could imagine a red panda in a suit wiping the sweat off its face with a handkerchief as if it were in trouble. I don't know why this red panda is so much like a character.
"Look, Yuri-chan and I have known each other since we were in the first year of high school. Until then, the two of us only talked to each other when we met at school, so I think it's normal that you don't know Yuri-chan. But still, we've spent two and a half years together as members of the Disciplinary Committee. So to me, she's also a very big part of my life."
"..."
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone since we started dating. Let's read books together like we used to, let's sleep together again."
Wait a minute, did you guys sleep together?
No, okay, then... ...Isn't that unnatural? I mean..., as long as there's nothing indecent, it's fine. As long as their parents allow it, then there's nothing to worry about. After all, those two get along... ...And if Ichinose-san had gotten to the level of Sasaki's little sis or something, I think they'd be in big trouble right now. Cheer up, Sasaki.
"..."
A determination that she could not voice. The look on her face said it all. What's the point of us reading books together? What's the point of us sleeping together? — I could see the frustration in her eyes. I think she'd probably never seen her kind big bro with furrowed brows before, looking at her as if she was glaring at him, then she looked down, and I could feel the conflict on her face, and it was starting to become painful to watch.
Yeah, I'm sure that's not "the" point.
He is my big bro. My big bro. My feelings as a little sis who missed my big bro so much that I had emphasized earlier were destroyed by Y-san, who had taken him. I didn't want to give him to anyone else, I didn't want anyone else to hold him, I didn't want anyone else to notice him, I just wanted my big bro to notice me. Yeah, this is indeed an extreme example.
In other words, Ichinose-san wants her big bro to break up with Yuri-chan-senpai. She can't accept Yuri-chan-senpai, who has usurped the warmth of her big bro's soft stomach and destroyed her exclusive right to have her place. And I'm sure she realizes that it's just selfishness.
"...Mina...?"
There's no way I can say that. Because the senpai are not to blame. The third year of high school— This was indeed the first time they experienced youth in their last year of high school before they took the college entrance exam. I'm sure that Senpai wants to cherish his little sis, and Ichinose-san must also want her big bro to be happy, not just herself.
Will these words be let out or will they be held back?
"—That..."
"Eh?"
"That... ...That's already Yuri-san's current position."
"Mina..."
Her wide eyes were gloomy. Her eyes were fixed on Senpai, and she was trembling. Honestly, I didn't understand how painful it was. I've never had a little sis before, so I can't feel it. If I could, I would have one, no matter what.
"Mina... ...Yuri-chan said that she wouldn't be bothered by that kind of thing."
Yeah, I think I'll get sick of it. I mean, seriously, Yuri-chan-senpai won't be bothered by that. After all, Ichinose-san is Senpai's little sis.
Just like Ichinose-san loves her big bro, it seems like Senpai also loves her little sis, Ichinose-san. Is this a healthy relationship—? It's a healthy relationship, isn't it? Most of all, I'm glad to hear it. They're very different from most siblings. Cheer up, Osaka. My bad, I meant Sasaki.
"But...! I feel bad for Yuri-san...!"
"You don't have to worry about that. You don't have to hold back or anything like that."
Those were indeed cruelly sweet words. Ichinose-san's true intentions could not be conveyed to Senpai.
That was true. The reason why Ichinose-san worked so hard was that she wanted to "break away from her big bro". Ichinose-san was the only little sis in Japan who was willing to work part-time for that reason. There was no way Senpai would understand such an unexpected reason. Moreover, even though she entrusted herself to "Yuri-chan-senpai", that was no longer the place Ichinose-san was looking for.
Which one is right...? And which one is wrong...?
Senpai had just started dating Yuri-chan-senpai, so there was nothing wrong with that. Unable to accept this fact, Ichinose-san ran away. In the end, she ended up working part-time at this second-hand bookstore, and she was still running away to the point where she was so tired that she rubbed her head against the tatami mat.
"Maybe I am the reason you started working part-time, right? I think you wouldn't do that kind of thing because you don't need the money."
"Th-That's not true..."
Don't need the money, huh?
Ichinose-san's hobby was reading books, right? It might cost a lot of money to buy new books, but she wasn't the type to be picky about book genres, so she could get that at this second-hand bookstore. If it's a second-hand book, she can buy it for 100 yen, so she won't have any trouble with the cost. If she gets an allowance of 5,000 yen a month, she won't have enough time to read one book a day.
"I heard that serving customers is difficult. I don't want Mina to experience that kind of hardship."
"I-It's not difficult, really..."
"Mina..."
"Oh..."
He is a good big bro. As a kouhai, I'm proud to have known Senpai, who is so kind. Even if it's just a little, I want to boil his nails and give the stew to Big Sis. I envy Ichinose-san for having such a kind-hearted sibling. No, I don't care who's right or wrong here anymore, do I?
As I was thinking about this, I heard the clatter of a person running near the entrance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Ichinose-kun!"
Now is not the right time, Yuri-chan-senpai.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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