Chapter 105Even Though, A Siscon
If we look at it again, in short, I was being punished. This was because Yamazaki woke me up at midnight, that time with a demonic notification on my smartphone, and in revenge, I changed my icon and account name to something horror-like and forgot to change it back, and that scared Natsukawa. I remember that I was more scared of Ashida, Daimyōjin-sama* than Natsukawa.
(TL Note: Daimyōjin is the name for the God/Goddess (Kami) of Shining/Apparent in Shinto belief.)
The punishment was to find out the situation with the girl who was forced to prostrate herself on the ground in front of me at my part-time job. I guess maybe the point of me having to find out, was to show understanding for Ichinose-san's situation and report it back. Natsukawa put my comfort ahead of her own when there was nothing in it for her. What kind of goddess is she? If she did that to me, I would fall in love with her, wouldn't I? Yeah, I've already been in love with her...
[Sorry, there was Big Sis before...]
[Oh, Wataru's Big Sis?]
[I reluctantly admit it.]
[Don't say that!]
No. How cute.
I'm in my room. Natsukawa immediately replied to my message right after I calmed down as if she was waiting for me. On the other hand, my mind was blank and I couldn't think of any words to say. It was because I was upset by the fact that I was communicating with Natsukawa alone. I'm so happy...! I'm so happy...!
[Isn't that because you said something unnecessary...?]
[No, I didn't say anything, really.]
And today, why am I communicating with a high school girl I once loved like this? I think there's some kind of sexual fetish right now. I do like high school girls, but that's not necessarily Natsukawa, right? No, I'm not wrong, am I...? Yeah, that's right..., I-I don't mind with her, do I...? Haha, I'm being a tsundere! —Okay, I've regained my composure.
[So, how did it go?]
[It's about my part-time co-worker. Um..., she wants to be independent...]
[...Isn't that hard? For that girl?]
It's a bit complicated..., but if I were to explain this topic to girls like Natsukawa or Ashida, I don't know how else to explain it to them. Ichinose-san seems to be having a hard time, but it's also hard for me to explain it right now. I mean, I think it's too hard... ...because I've never met a girl who tried so hard to get away from her Big Bro...
[No, it's not like she has a complicated family situation, but... ...It's because she wants to be independent, you know?]
[Is that so...? I don't think that girl would want to be independent unless she was in a very serious situation. She's a girl our age with a quiet personality, isn't she?]
[Oh, yes, um... ...that's true, but...]
[Then, is there something happen...?]
However, I want to send this message while being a little evasive. Otherwise, this atmosphere will be 100 percent awkward. After all, this is Natsukawa we're talking to, who I've already told her about, right? Even if I explain to her honestly, she'll think I'm telling her something creepy. After this, it will be our last trump card, and no matter what, this is our only way out of it.
[Look, I heard that she has a Big Bro. She wants to be independent so that she can break away from her Big Bro.]
[Break away from her Big Bro...? Heh, eh? What do you mean by that?]
Um... um? Is there something that's upsetting you? Natsukawa cares about Airi-chan very much, so she probably doesn't want to hear those words, since she has a little sister.
But, even if I have to lie, this is a safe explanation. To make it easier to imagine, let's use a common example of a siblings', brother-sister relationship.
[No, put it this way, no matter if it's a big or a little sibling, whether it's a brother or a sister, they will usually find each other annoying once they reach adolescence, right?]
[I don't think so.]
[Oh, I see...]
Eh? You don't think so?
I mean, I'm not sure about it at the moment, but until now I kind of felt bad about it. ...Eh? Is it just me? Do siblings at least middle school age love each other? Is there that much love and peace in this world? I'm almost dead or alive. I'm someone who survived.
[Um, let's talk about the example, okay? If someday in the future, Airi-chan clings to Natsukawa too much, you will feel annoyed, right?]
[I don't understand what you're talking about.]
[Oh, is that so?]
E-Eh...? Maybe she thinks that the way I explained it to her was really bad..., but in my opinion, I'm not that bad at explaining things to others I'm proud of it. Eh? Is it possible that she's saying that I'm really bad at explaining? Is it possible that Ichinose-san is sick of me because I'm so bad at explaining something to her? Eh... ... That's a different matter, isn't it? It's just that Natsukawa is too fond of Airi-chan, isn't it?
[I don't think Airi will ever have days like that in her life.]
[O-Okay! That's right! No matter how old Airi-chan is, she'll love you, Onee-chan!]
....
...Hmm? Um, the message was indeed read, but—
[Stop saying "Onee-chan" to me!]
[Oh, my bad.]
That's right... ...Eh? Is that disgusting? Though I think it's a pretty communicative conversation, you know....
...No, hmm, being considered disgusting is disgusting, right? Let's think about it again calmly, even though I called her "Onee-chan♪" and sounded like I was mocking her, I can say... that it's not mockery, it's just a verbal attack. I want to do that to the people who are engrossed in a moving movie and are enjoying the remnants of the movie, then walk out of the theater. With one hit, I can drag them down to their usual daily lives.
[Okay, I see, then, I'll use another analogy. For example, let's say Airi-chan brings her boyfriend to your house in about 10 years.]
[Huh?]
Hieh...
G-Goddess...? I can't say what. However, did you feel something? I think it's a bit scary... ...Eh? Isn't that up to the level of a second? But isn't that mostly just Ashida's joke?
No, because she let me carry Airi-chan... but wouldn't a true siscon normally not allow that? If I were Airi-chan's Big Bro, I think I'd be considered a siscon just for taking her to school at an all-girls school from elementary school to college. Especially if someone else touches her, I won't stand for it...! I'll tell her to scrub the parts of her body that other people touched with soap.
[What did you say about Airi just now?]
[Oh, um, that's right.]
[Yeah, what is it?]
No, it's scary. It's scary, scary, you know. What's with this fast chat? I can feel a pressure that I can't verbalize. I feel like I'm being crushed— No, wait? The pressure from Natsukawa... ...Does that mean I'm feeling pressure from Natsukawa?
You idiot, calm down. Don't let the momentum get the better of you. It rarely ends well, you know. This might also make Natsukawa uncomfortable again. I'm trying to keep that from happening. Stay calm here, and keep Natsukawa's mood calm....
[N-Natsukawa-san...? Are you angry?]
[I'm not angry. Then? What is it? Please continue?]
You don't want me to continue this chat, do you...?
No, it's my fault, so let's just stop. It hurts to say this, but I'm sorry, so let's just stop this chat. Let's just take a nap and continue this chat later, after Ashida gets home from her club activities. She's the kind of girl who can follow this chat properly.
[Hey. Can't we just continue?]
[Alright!]
Natsukawa won't let me take a nap. That sounds good. I'm so impressed.
[Um... ...oh, no, put it this way, let's say Airi-chan brings her boyfriend to your house in the future.]
[How much is his annual income?]
[Annual income... ...Eh?]
A-Annual income, huh? 10 years from now, Airi-chan will be 15 years old, so even if she brings her boyfriend along, he's probably still a high school student, right? I don't think "annual income" is the right phrase...
No, wait, that's Natsukawa, right? Of course, she took that into account when she asked you, d*mn you, Sajou! I'm sure Natsukawa wants Airi-chan's happiness, but what would she do if she didn't notice such an obvious thing...!
Um...? If she's bringing her boyfriend over, he's probably only two years older than her, right? Most of them probably don't have part-time jobs, so let's just say they don't have any for now... ...um... ...Let's just say their New Year's envelope is low, let's say 10,000 yen or they get more from their parents, and their allowance is 5,000 yen per month... ...Then... ...Well, I guess they'll find more money for New Year's gifts. Otherwise, this chat won't continue. No, I don't want to continue this chat.
[Um, how about about 100,000...?]
[100,000 Dollars, huh? Then, that's fine.]
Eh, hey, that's.
Author's Note:
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TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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