Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 5 - Chapter 4.4

We talked about all sorts of things when I led Tachibana-kun to the school entrance.

Even so, it was more like him talking about his memories with Amanatsu-sensei.

In Tachibana-kun’s heart, Amanatsu-sensei is a free-spirited and determined person. Even though she’s a bit clumsy, she’s a sensitive woman. 

Unbelievably, the teacher we both know is the same person. However, the way he talks about her makes her seem pretty attractive.

“I feel…a bit disappointed. I’ve been overthinking this the entire time. I don’t even know what will happen when I wake up tomorrow.”

Tachibana-kun suddenly said his sincere words and lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Nukumizu-san must think this is just a child’s admiration from a high school student’s perspective, right?”

“That’s not true. I think it’s not necessary to draw such a clear line between love and admiration.”

“Is that- the case?”

His feeling of hesitating between love and admiration seems to be turning into a beautiful memory already.

This is for the best. Love at a young age is just an experience. He’ll find his true love one day.

I pondered these emotional questions for a long time. Tachibana-kun bowed to me deeply when we arrived at the east gate.

“Thank you very much for today.”

“It’s fine. Are you sure I don’t need to walk you to the station?”

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

His smile is very refreshing. It’s as if he has let go already.

“Well, onii-san, I’ll be leaving.”

“Hey, Tachibana-kun.”

I couldn’t help but call him. I continued in surprise.

“You- what do you think about Kaju?”

“You mean Kaju-san?”

Tachibana-kun stood still at the unexpected question. He seems confused.

“It’s because she’s very close to Asami-”

He seems to be formulating his words. His eyes floated around. He then looked at my pupils and spoke up.

“...I feel overjoyed whenever I see the two of them having a good time.”

My expression quickly relaxed upon hearing that innocent answer.

“I see. I’ll leave Kaju in your care in the future.”

If he’s the one Kaju likes-

I believe it will be something incredibly fortunate.

*

I walked toward the school building through the boulevard filled with tulip trees. On the way, I heard energetic and coarse voices from the sports clubs at the playground.

I glanced in that direction. Yakishio can be found within the Track and Field Club crowd. There are some Baseball Club and Football Club members there as well.

She was very sporty in Momozono, but she’s different right now. The girl is checking the visitors’ position. I can tell how serious she is from afar.

That girl will be the senpai in April, and she has to lead the kouhais, right?

I’ll also become a senpai- but we need to get new members into our club first.

However, there’s a problem I need to solve before that.

Kaju disappeared somehow, and Gonto-san left the scene in a blaze.

I don’t believe the two of them disappeared simultaneously out of coincidence.

They must be going for Tachibana-kun.

Even though it was probably a bit rude for me to interrupt, I still feel like I missed something-

“Isn’t this Nukumizu-kun? Did you split up with Imouto-chan and her friends?”

Yanami called me. She returned to the school building after leaving the shoe shelves.

“...Uh, I guess. Yanami-san, are you done with the tour guide stuff already?”

“I split up with the kouhais since they were going to the club activities. Right, Basori-san from the student council was looking for you just then.”

“Me? Why?”

…Did I do something that could get me scolded by her?

I kept thinking about it. Yanami shot mea supiscious stare.

“You’ve been very suspicious with Basori-san these days. What are you two doing? Did something happen between you two?”

“It’s nothing. It’s probably because we were talking about the open day.”

I did help her study sometimes, but it’s actually not like what Yanami and I said.

I pretended I didn’t know anything. Seeing my face, Yanami shrugged deflatedly.

“Let’s go to the club room if you have nothing to do. It’ll be bad if we leave Komari-chan and Konuki-sensei there any longer.”

Yanami said that as she took out a small box from her pocket.

“Is that chocolate? You’re giving them to someone?”

I said that nonchalantly. For some reason, Yanami actually started smiling. Her face looks so smug.

“You’re too naive, Nukumizu-kun. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for giving chocolates. It’s for buying chocolates as well.”

“Buying chocolates? Uh, you have to buy it if you want to give-”

“No, no.” Yanami shook her head and continued.

“The stores stock up on different products during this time. There will be limited stuff on sale as well. So, today is a day for buying chocolates for myself as well. This one on my hand is a rare find. You don’t get to taste these every day.”

Oh, I didn’t know that’s how foodies viewed Valentine’s Day.

Yanami opened the box, grabbed a piece of chocolate, and handed it to me.

“Alright, Nukumizu-kun can have one too. Here, try it.”

It will be troublesome if I reject her. I ignored the chocolate she handed to me and took one from the box.

This one is spherical. It’s almost as big as a 100-yen coin. There’s a layer of cocoa powder outside. This is standard truffle chocolate, but it doesn’t look as strange as I thought…

The taste of cocoa powder and chocolate immediately radiated in my mouth after I put it down the hatch.

Other tastes include- chocolate and, uh, it’s really chocolate. Yep, it’s chocolate-flavored.

“Thanks. …Yanami-san, what are you doing?”

Yanami remained in her pose with the chocolate in her hand as she stared at me ferociously.

“Didn’t you see this hand?”

“But there are things in your hand. I really wanted to say this back in the club room. It feels unhygienic to give something to someone after you touched another thing.”

“............”

Yanami put the chocolate into her mouth silently. She gave me a displeased look. What’s wrong with her…?

“Right, you should watch over the club room. Kaju disappeared. I have to find her.”

“You’re looking for Imouto-chan? Heh, so something did indeed happen.”

Yanami clicked her phone as she said that.

“What indeed- do you know something that I don’t?”

“Of course, I don’t. However, Tachibana-kun is in the same class as Imouto-chan. He should be the suspect, right? I can immediately tell something must have happened from Nukumizu-kun’s attitude.”

Yanami put away her phone and started glaring at me again.

“You dragged me into this, so I’m kind of responsible, right? How can I not care?”

“...Sorry, but I’m not sure what happened either. Anyway, right now, I want to confirm the situation first.”

I thought about how I should explain this to her. Then, a petite girl with swaying long hair dashed out from the depths of the corridor. She’s Asagumo-san.

“You’re here, Nukumizu-san. Here. Please take this.”

Asagumo-san took out a small and thin box. There’s even a ribbon on it.

I took the box subconsciously, and then my eyes bulged in surprise.

“Is this- don’t tell me it’s chocolate!?”

“Yes, it’s because I’m always in your care.”

Asagumo-san smiled and turned around with light steps.

“Well, I’ll be leaving. Mitsuki-san and I have to go on a date right now.”

“Huh? Ah, thanks…”

I looked at the chocolate in disbelief after Asagumo-san left.

Seriously? I already tried a bunch of chocolate in the club room. I wondered whether I should count them as obligatory chocolates, but there’s no need for that now. Even though it’s just obligatory chocolate, I, Kazuhiko Nukumizu, have finally received chocolate from an outsider at 16 years old-

“Hey.”

Bump. Yanami elbowed my side.

“Ouch! What do you want? That was such a good mood, you know?”

“By the way, I still haven’t heard your feedback for the chocolate just then.”

You’re interrupting me because of something like this?

I tried my best not to sigh and put the chocolate Asagumo-san gave me into my pocket.

“Uh, it’s very much chocolate. Yep, it tastes like chocolate.”

“...So, is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s okay. It’s chocolate, after all.”

“............”

Yanami elbowed my side again. She turned around displeased.

Ehh, …even though I praised her already.

I don’t understand why she’s suddenly mad. During this time, she raised her phone above her shoulders and started shaking it.

“I already helped you to find where Imouto-chan is. That’s not the attitude you should give me, right?”

“Huh? When did you find her?”

“I sent a text in our class’s Line group and got replies right away.”

I see. That’s a way to do it. Kaju indeed did come to prepare for Tsuwabuki Fest as well. There should be many people who know her.

Also, I’m not in that Line group yet.

“Thanks. Then, where is Kaju-”

I reached my hand out. Yanami took her phone far away quietly.

“Eh? Tell me where Kaju is.”

“Nukumizu-kun, there’s something you should say first, right?”

“Hmm? Didn’t I thank you already?”

Yanami’s face immediately changed as she turned her head angrily.

…What did I do?

I don’t remember whether I made Yanami mad, but I remember her being pissed of fat me constantly before.

Let’s start with what’s in front of me first-

“Uh, you mean I didn’t take Yanami-san’s chocolate?”

She reacted. Yanami’s eyebrows’ raised. It looks like I’m right.

“That’s not actually what I meant. Look, there’s a flu going on recently, right? Also, we have a bunch of foreign visitors today. I think we should take preventive measures.”

I observed Yanami’s reaction and continued explaining.

“In other words, this is to prevent infections. I’m not saying the resident flora on Yanami-san’s hand has any problems. Even though people are different, resident flora can actually prevent other bacteria from growing if the situation is stable. That’s why their presence is actually good for humans.”

“O-Oh, …I thought you were going to say something else.”

Yanami nodded. Her face looks like she’s observing some kind of rare bird.

“Nukumizu-kun, that’s not the answer I want to hear at all, but I have received your feelings already.”

I don’t know what feelings she received, but it’s good that she got them.

Yanami pointed outside the gate.

“I’ve heard that she’s at the archery range. She’s with a girl from the same school. How about you check out that side?”

“Thanks. I’ll go now.”

I turned around and prepared to leave after saying that, yet I stopped once more.

“Yanami-san. Can you give me another piece of chocolate?”

“Eh? Sure.”

Yanami chuckled and handed me the box of chocolate.

“You actually think it’s good, right?”

“Nope, but it’s addicting.”

I put another chocolate into my mouth and walked out the gate.

A girl from the same school, huh? Kaju should be with Gonto-san, then.

I’m relieved they are hanging out together, yet my anxiety still hasn’t disappeared.

What’s waiting for me in the future- may not be a happy ending.

*

The archery range is located in an even deeper corner of the old building. It’s surrounded by trees.

I nearly bumped into someone while I was walking down the emergency stairs to go to the range.

“Kya!”

“Sorry- oh, isn’t this Teiara-san?”

“What do you mean by that? Also, please don’t call me by my first name.”

Teiara-san sighed in relief. She tidied her bangs and pretended nothing had happened.

“You’re here at the right time. Can I take a moment of yours?”

“Sorry, can we talk about this later? I’m still searching for my little sister.”

I took a step forward after saying that. In the end, Teiara-san followed me as well.

“Ara, I want to talk to your little sister as well.”

“...Eh? With Kaju?”

What is it? I looked at Teiara-san cautiously, yet she just fiddled with her bangs on purpose.

“I met her during the summer. She said she was pretty interested in Tsuwabuki’s student council. That’s why I want to invite her on a tour.”

Oh, I didn’t know you girls met during that summer trip.

But I don’t have time right now. Can she talk about this another time…?

“Uh, excuse me-”

“She’s truly outstanding. That’s Prez’s opinion of her.”

“...Really?”

Teiara-san nodded. Whatever. Let’s hear her out.

“She was already acting as a good leader even though it was only her first time meeting everyone. She also took care of people who weren’t fond of groups. What a thoughtful girl. Her admiration for Tsuwabuki and the most important part-

Teiara-san paused for a moment at this point. A gentle smile appeared on her face.

“It’s her love for her older brother. I’m deeply impressed. However, I didn’t expect her older brother to be you.”

She’s praising Kaju. Why do I have to make myself pissed?

No wonder the student council wants her in. Everyone thinks of Kaju highly.

“But my little sister is 2 years younger. She probably can’t work with you, right?”

Teiara-san nodded. She then looked around.

“-I’m preparing to participate in next year’s student council president election.”

“Ha?”

“I’ll recommend your little sister when it’s time for the next student council handover.”

She smiled faintly after that.

“Of course, I have to get elected as the president first.”

I’m still worrying about what’s happening today and tomorrow, but I didn’t expect Teiara-san to be considering next year already.

She sure loves to worry…

But that’s all she wanted to talk about. I should let Teiara-san avoid seeing this, right? I’ll probably talk about relationships and love with Kaju, after all.

I can already see the archery range. I stopped and faced Teiara-san.

“Basori-san, can you wait for a moment? There’s something really important I want to talk about after this. You should…”

“Ha, something very important?”

I realized we were in a gloomy corner of the old building.

Teiara-san immediately blushed in embarrassment.

“What!? T-This is what you mean by s-something important!?”

“Uh, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, but it’s not what you think.”

“Why won’t it be!?”

Why is she mad? Teiara-san always has such a unique personality. It’s startling me. During this time, I heard noises of girls arguing from the range.

One of the voices belongs to Kaju. I won’t get it wrong.

“Sorry, I’ll be leaving!”

“Ah, hold on, Nukumizu-san!”

I dashed in the voices direction after leaving Teiara-san.

I ran into the woods and immediately saw two girls. They are Kaju and Gonto-san.

I don’t know what they are discussing, but they still seem to be arguing. The two of them are in a heated debate.

So, I dashed before the two of them-

*

Just as Nukumizu is being tangled by a very troublesome girl-

In a quiet corner near the archery range, there are trees everywhere.

Asami Gonto, a second-year student at Momozono Middle School, is standing there silently.

… Bowstring noises can be heard from time to time. A deep sound resonates subtly when the arrow hits its target.

A breeze flew across the woods. Asami shivered.

She turned around and looked upward at Tsuwabuki High School’s building.

She just dashed out of the room with a heavy heart. Then, she soon heard footsteps approaching her.

That’s the vice president of Monozono Middle School’s student council, Kaju Nukumizu.

Good grades and very popular among boys. The only thing she's not good at is running.

It sounds like a joke, but she really does have a fan club.

Kaju nearly tripped over while running in the forest. She stopped before Asami.

“Gon…-chan, …you’re here.”

Kaju put her hands before her chest and slowly adjusted her breathing.

“How did you know I was here, Nuku-chan?”

“I know Gon-chan likes to stay in quiet places. There are even trees as well.”

Kaju wanted to show a smile, but she couldn’t hide her sadness.

“Hey, Tachibana-kun just told sensei-”

“I’ll go join a club after getting into high school.”

Asami interrupted Kaju. She raised her head and looked at the archery range’s wall.

“Archery seems pretty nice, right? The arrow flies out. Whoosh. Sounds cool from just thinking about it-”

“Listen to me, Gon-chan! Uh…”

“-Did Satoshi get rejected?”

Asami said nonchalantly.

Kaju hesitated to speak up several times. She nodded in the end.

“...Tachibana-kun mustered up his courage and confessed to Amanatsu-sensei.”

“I know.”

Kaju pouted after hearing that cold answer.

“Gon-chan, you just ran away at that time.”

“What if I didn’t run away and Satoshi confessed anyway?”

“Yes…”

Asami’s expression is kind of smug and lonely at the same time.

Kaju doesn’t seem to understand her look. She slowly shook her head.

“Hey, shouldn’t you go and stay with Tachibana-kun?”

“...Leave him alone.”

“But Gon-chan has always been into Tachibana-kun-”

“Stop, alright?”

Asami made it clear this time.

“You’re making it sound like I’m just waiting for Satoshi to be rejected and use the opportunity to approach him-”

Asami turned her back to Kaju and mumbled.

“-Do you think I’m so miserable?”

The branches whistled in the wind. Her helpless words are blown away by the breeze.

Kaju stared at her for a while. She then carefully formulated her words.

“That’s not what Tachibana-kun thinks, right?”

“I know. This is my problem.”

Asami seems to have noticed her tone was a bit too strong.

She raised her head slightly and showed more of her side profile before whispering.

“..I didn’t say I want to be with Satoshi.”

“Really? But Tachibana-kun is such a nice person.”

“I feel like our current relationship is already good enough. I won’t mind if he has a girlfriend.”

“...Then why did you run out of the room?”

“That’s because…”

Asami turned around to face her.

She wanted to say something, yet nothing came to her mind. In the end, she just remained there silently.

“You don’t want to stay there because you know Tachibana-kun will be rejected by sensei, right?”

Asami didn’t answer. Kaju approached her.

“He’ll get taken away by someone if you do nothing. You know that, right? Also, you two are aiming for different schools! The two of you can’t always be together! Do you really think that’s good?”

Asami finally spoke up under Kaju’s pressure.

“I want to participate in club activities with him and chat about the weather together. That’s all I want.”

“You can’t do it.”

“...Eh?”

Kaju held Asami’s hands.

“Tachibana-kun can’t hang out with Gon-chan if he has a girlfriend. What if that girl is in a club as well? What if she’s also a member of the Gardening Club?”

Kaju sighed for a long while after saying that.

She wanted to say something else, yet Asami pulled a fast one.

“...You’re talking about your older brother, right?”

Kaju was the one who held her breath this time.

“Nuku-chan, didn’t you say this before? Your brother probably has a girlfriend. You can only stay with him for another year even if you get into Tsuwabuki. The two of you will go on separate paths eventually.”

“...Yeah.”

Kaju lowered her head. She held Asami’s hands even tighter.

“That’s why I don’t want Gon-chan to regret it. You two won’t be in the same high school. There’s a year left until graduation. I hope you can live through this time without any regrets.”

“...Nuku-chan, everything you said is just what you’re trying to force onto me, right?”

Kaju’s shoulders shivered after hearing that.

“You’re worried, so you’re trying to force me into worrying like you, right? You actually don’t want your older brother to have a girlfriend. Instead, you want to make him your own, right!?”

“That’s-”

Asami observed Kaju’s eyes from above.

“Nuku-chan, you’ve always loved your brother, right!? But you’ve never said it!”

“How can I say it!? Kaju is the little sister!”

Kaju let go of Asami’s hand and backed out.

“We can’t be together forever! Siblings will separate one day! Onii-sama will definitely meet a brilliant lover and spend the rest of his life with her!”

Her big eyes are flooded with tears. She seems to be talking to herself.

“But I know there’s nothing I can do! Kaju is satisfied as long as onii-sama is still next to me!”

“I’m the same, too! Nuku-chan, why can’t you just tell your brother how you’re feeling!?”

“I’ll just be bothering him with that! Onii-sama just thinks of Kaju as a little sister. He’s just spoiling his little sister!”

“No way you know that!”

“Kaju knows! It’s because onii-sama has a crush on-”

Kaju put her hands before her chest and took a deep breath.

“ A man!”

*

…Eh?

I ran before the two of them. That shocking reveal made me stand still.

I only heard the last sentence- but I actually have a crush on someone, and that person is a man as well?

I’ve never experienced these things firsthand before. That’s why I’m surprised to hear all that. Kaju soon noticed me. Her face went pale.

“O-Onii-sama!? W-When did you start listening to us!?”

“Huh? Uh, I want to ask about the love and hate thing you talked about in the beginning. …What does that mean?”

My brain is filled with 100% purity question marks. Then-

“Weel, u-uh- I forgot to turn off the stove back home. I’ll be leaving!”

“Eh!? Hold on.”

Uh, my head can’t follow the situation.

I found Kaju and saw her arguing with Gonto-san.

Then I found out I actually fell in love with a dude, and Kaju just went home in the end.

Also, what do I have to do with the three of them…?

I remained at the spot, not knowing what to do. Teiara-san chased me all the way here. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and squatted down.

“What’s wrong, Teiara-san?”

“No, uh, n-nose bleed…”

…Why?

“Uh, are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine! Don’t worry about me!”

Even so, Teiara-san’s face looks really pale.

“Hey, Gonto-san. Sorry, this person-”

I turned around. She already disappeared. So, in other words…

Only Teiara-san and I remained in the woods behind the old building. Her nose is bleeding.

…What’s going on?

“Can you stand up? I can walk you back to the school.”

“I-I’m fine. Go after your little sister. Don’t worry about me.”

“No way I can leave you alone. It’s fine. My little sister should be home already.”

I reached my hand out to Teiara-san. She held it, yet her own hand shivered.

Even though Teiara-san has already been a rigid and stubborn girl, she’s very tame this time.

…If only she’s always like this.

*

I sent Teiara-san back to the student council office. It took way longer than I expected. The sun had already set when I got home.

I told the Literature Club people I would be going home on Line, but then I got text bombed by Komari. It looked like there were a lot she wanted to complain about. How about I just not show up to the club room tomorrow…?

I sighed and looked at the sky. The faint dusk has painted the horizon and is silently bearing with a stroke of dark blue. It’s almost like it’s in a rush to go home.

Ka-cha. I stood before the door. The sensor detected me, and the lights switched on.

I opened the lock as I thought about what I should tell Kaju.

-This story starts with Tachibana-kun’s hopeless feelings for Amanatsu-sensei.

Then the next part is about Kaju, Gonto-san, and Tachibana-kun. The story should revolve around the three of them.

Why did Kaju bring me up, then?

In other words, I just perceived these things as a story between the three people.

There must be a purer answer-

I immediately started worrying. After opening the door, I saw Kaju’s shoes placed tidily on the ground.

There seems to be no one on the first floor. Mom and Dad aren’t home yet, I guess.

I mentally prepared myself and walked up the stairs. I came to Kaju’s room door.

I knocked, but nobody answered. I opened it after a moment of hesitation. It’s very dark inside.

The lights in the hallway trickle into the room. Her room uses pink as the base color. It’s very girly. There’s even a poster of me on the wall. I think she got a new one…

Kaju sat on the floor and leaned on the side of the bed. She’s sleeping.

I finally sighed in relief after seeing her adorable sleeping face.

Right, she said she couldn’t sleep yesterday.

I turned on the lights in the dark and saw an album before Kaju.

The opened pages contain photos of Kaju and me. We were very young at the time.

…Oh, this was taken during Shichi-Go-San. I wore a hakama while Kaju was in a kimono. Both of us stood there with bright smiles.

I ate a lot of chitose ame and got tooth decay. I remember Kaju was really worried about me at the time. She roleplayed as a dentist. It was a lively day in the house. [TL: Chitose ame is a popular candy during Shichi-Go-San. It signifies healthy growth and long life.]

In my heart, Kaju hasn’t changed a lot. She’s still my cute little sister.

However, Kaju had slowly grown up before I knew it.

From now on, this album will have more photos of Kaju without me.

I hope Kaju can still smile inside the photos. However, she probably can’t hold her tears back off-camera, right?

The day when she cries in somebody else's arms instead of mine isn’t far away.

I think true family members are people who are willing to support me unconditionally whenever I want to stop and take a break.

I gently flipped through the album with my finger, yet I accidentally dropped several photos. A “sha” noise is made.

“Ugh, …ugh…”

This string of noises seems to be the last thing needed to wake her up.

A faint voice trailed out of Kaju’s lips. Her eyebrows twitched for a moment.

“Kaju, are you awake?”

“Onii-sama…?”

Kaju doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening. She rubbed her sleepy eyes.

“Kaju fell asleep, …ah, onii-sama!?”

Kaju seemed shocked for a moment. She then suddenly showed a disheartened look and grabbed my clothes.

“Onii-sama! I-In the school! When did you start listening to us!?”

“Eh? Ahh, I think it was from you said the person I loved was a man.”

“What about the part before that!? Did you hear what we said before that too!?”

“Hmm? I didn’t.”

“You didn’t…? Phew, …glad to hear that.”

Kaju sighed in relief.

Wait, if she could let me eavesdrop on something like that, don’t tell me there’s something bigger secret…?

“Right, Kaju. You said I’ve fallen in love with a man. What’s going on?”

Kaju pouted as she threw a fit.

“Please don’t play dumb. Kaju’s talking about the man who hung out with onii-sama during Christmas’s Eve.”

…? What is she talking about? Shikiya-san looks like a girl, no matter what-

“Did you see onii-chan meeting with that male senpai?”

“Yes. Both of you shared the same drink. You two looked so intimate.”

Kaju turned her head around.

“That senpai wanted dinner initially, but he got ghosted, so I just ate with him. There wasn’t anything else.”

“Then what’s with that couple’s straw?”

“That’s- think about it. It just happened like that. Kaju must have experienced it as well, right?”

“Nope.”

Yeah, I guess.

“Anyway, that senpai already has a girlfriend. They are so lovey-dovey. I’m just a replacement.”

“...Really?”

“Yes.”

Kaju stared at my face for a while. She sighed in satisfaction, yet she still had this complicated look.

“Right, Kaju. I want to talk about Tachibana-kun.”

“...Yes, that was unfortunate.”

Seeing the person she loves getting rejected makes her even more worried about him. This is the kind of girl Kaju is like.

However, the uncomfortableness of this is still at the bottom of my heart.

Kaju wasn’t the only one in the woods behind the school. Gonto-san was there too.

-Asami Gonto.

She’s a good friend of Kaju, and she seems to be an old acquaintance of Tachibana-kun as well.

Her alone is enough to take up my entire brain from all these complicated thoughts.

She ran away when Tachibana-kun confessed, and then she had a big argument with Kaju. It ended with Kaju being the one to run away from the scene.

She’s a character in this story as well.

I know- there’s a tinge of sadness in her eyes, and stubbornness, too.

“Sorry, onii-chan misunderstood you.”

I suddenly said that. Kaju shook her head.

“No, onii-sama isn’t at fault-”

“I thought Kaju was in love with Tachibana-kun, but I was wrong.”

Kaju’s head shivered a bit.

She hesitated to speak, so I reached my hand out and interrupted her before continuing.

“Gonto-san likes Tachibana-kun. I know that much. Kaju can understand what I understand as well. That’s why I think Kaju is really weird today.”

“...Weird?”

Kaju repeated in confusion. I nodded at her peacefully.

“I can absolutely tell something isn’t right if my little sister and her friend have fallen in love with the same person. She must be frustrated and upset. In the end, she will be the only one who gets hurt.”

I gently stroked Kaju’s head with my hand.

“So, if Gonto-san is in love with him, Kaju won’t have a crush on him. How was it? Onii-chan’s logic is pretty clear, right?”

“...Yes.”

Kaju looked like a child who just got caught pulling a prank. She plopped her head down in embarrassment.

“Kaju really just thinks of Tachibana-kun as a friend. I don’t like him romantically.”

“Yes, I know. It has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day when you invited Tachibana-kun today. You two had been talking about the open day in the beginning.”

Kaju nodded shamefully.

“What about that date in Toyokawa Inari then?”

“The two of us promised to go with Gon-chan before. A senpai was preparing for the exam. We wanted to get her a charm.”

I’ve been overthinking since the beginning.

I couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

“Then why did you say those things that were prone to over-imagination?”

“It’s because-”

Kaju lowered her head and pondered about it for a moment. She made up her mind and spoke up.

“Tachibana-kun called me when I was making chocolate that day. Onii-sama should know that, right?”

“Onii-sama had been suspecting the relationship between Kaju and him since then- so Kaju had a bad idea. I wanted onii-sama to keep misunderstanding.”

Kaju looked away awkwardly.

“Onii-sama doesn’t have friends, right? Kaju has been staying with onii-sama every day since we were little. Is onii-sama friendless because of Kaju?”

“I’m 100% at fault for why I’m friendless, right?”

She seemed to have treated my honest thought as a joke. She chuckled helplessly.

“That’s why Kaju is pleased when onii-sama got into high school, joined the Literature Club, and made many friends. Kaju probably doesn’t need to take care of onii-sama anymore if you can get a brilliant girlfriend, right? …Kaju is very worried whenever I think about this.”

Kaju flipped the album as she said.

“Kaju has been with onii-sama ever since I remember. Onii-sama has always been next to Kaju, whether I’m happy or sad. It’s natural to stay with your family, after all.”

Kaju peeled open the layer of the album and took a photo.

That was during the entrance ceremony of my elementary school. I stood before the school gate worriedly. The 4-year-old Kaju was crying with red eyes next to me.

Come to think of it- Kaju chuckled.

“Kaju thought onii-sama would never come home after getting into elementary school. I kept crying during the entrance ceremony.”

“I remembered. Kaju wouldn’t let me go that night.”

Kaju put the photo back and started turning the pages again.

She stopped her finger at the next photo. This one should be from around 3 years ago.

We took that while our family went to the beach.

The photo shows Kaju chasing after me with a starfish in her hand. I was running away with my pretty serious look.

“...Weren’t you too mean, Kaju?”

“Onii-sama really liked power rangers, so Kaju thought onii-sama would like starfishes.”

It does look like a weapon.

Kaju pointed at another photo. That was when Kaju first wore the uniform of Momozono Middle School. She took it with me as mementos.

Kaju hugged my arms with a bright smile while I looked pretty upset.

“Do you still remember? Onii-sama even argued with me since you didn’t want to be in the photo with Kaju.”

I remember it clearly.

I didn’t mind not having friends in middle school at all, yet I didn’t want Kaju to see me like that.

That’s why I couldn’t sincerely congratulate Kaju for being in the same middle school as me.

“...I was a brat before.”

I mumbled self-mockingly.

“Kaju is just a child as well. Kaju can see onii-sama slowly changing, so I’m overjoyed, but I feel a bit lonely too.”

Kaju put her head on my shoulder.

“That’s why Kaju wants- onii-sama to pay more attention to Kaju.”

Kaju’s silky black hair slid down. It’s tingling the back of my hand.

The weight on my shoulder has never changed.

Kaju has always been taking the same steps as me as we grow up.

However, from now on, we must go at our own paces as we become adults.

“...Oh, Kaju. What about Gonto-san?”

“What about her…?”

We solved a thing for now. Even though I wanted to say that, something else must be taken care of.

“Did she also support Tachibana-kun’s confession?”

“Not really, right? But-”

Kaju stuttered. I continued.

“She also knew Tachibana-kun would confess, right? Tachibana-kun couldn’t avoid falling in love with someone, but you shouldn’t ask her to help with the confession, okay?”

“But Tachibana-kun likes sensei. Amanatsu-sensei is a serious person. She would definitely reject him. Kaju did this because I knew that.”

…No, that person is way too dangerous. Tachibana-kun would be dead if he confessed 4 years later.

“Gon-chan said it’s okay to keep things as they are. She even said she didn’t want to confess to Tachibana-kun even though there are other girls who like him too.”

Anxiety. It’s not like I can’t understand how she feels.

But why did Kaju spend so much effort intervening in someone else's relationship to the point of ignoring their wishes?

“She already agrees with keeping things as they are. This is a yes, right?”

“Really? Is that what onii-sama thinks?”

I nodded silently. Kaju’s eyes started floating around out of nervousness.

“Kaju and them will be in our 3rd year in April. The entrance exam is right around the corner. Everyone will bid farewell after getting into high school-”

Kaju crossed her fingers and held them tightly.

“Gon-chan will definitely regret it if she doesn’t make a move. The two of them will be in different high schools. They will see each other less and less. Many people eventually break up even when they go out. If this continues…”

I stroked Kaju’s head as I asked her gently.

“-So, you let Gonto-san into this plan to stimulate her?”

Kaju’s shoulders suddenly trembled.

“Kaju…doesn’t want to see Gon-chan being upset. They can’t be together if this keeps up, and they won’t talk to each other anymore- it scares me from just thinking about it.”

I finally realized it after seeing Kaju’s anxious look.

-Kaju projected our relationship to the two of them.

The Kaju in my eyes. The “me” in Kaju’s eyes.

Our parents have to work. That’s why I’m the one who has spent the longest time with Kaju.

However, my ranking will definitely drop from now on.

Who will be with Kaju at the time? I don’t know, but I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t feel lonely.

“...Is Kaju worried as well?”

“...Yes.”

I patted my kneecaps silently.

Kaju immediately sat on my lap in excitement.

“A lot of things will gradually change in the future, and I’m also worried. I want to keep things as they are with Kaju if you wish to as well.”

“...Really?”

I patted Kaju’s head instead of answering.

“But Kaju has been born for 14 years. The times that Kaju and I’ve spent together will never change, right?”

Kaju raised her head and looked at my face quietly.

“For example, I’m patting Kaju’s head right now. This will become the past in the next second. That’s why it’s something nobody can touch nor change.”

I stroked Kaju’s head gently once more.

“Don’t worry about it. There are many memories between us siblings, and nobody can touch them. This won’t change even if we aren’t together in the future- even if you have found that special someone.”

“...Yes.”

Kaju nodded helplessly.

“Perhaps there are a lot of memories between Gonto-san and Tachibana-kun that only they can talk about. No one else can make a decision for her.”

“But, onii-sama, won’t Gon-chan regret it if this goes on?”

I shook my head. There’s no correct answer in interpersonal relationships.

We make mistakes and keep them as memories. Sometimes, we forgive each other, and other times we don’t.

I think this process should continue.

“Maybe Kaju is right. Maybe Gonto-san will regret it one day- however, just because it’s right doesn’t mean it’s the correct answer.”

Kaju tried to say something, but I interrupted her and pressed on.

“She’s your best friend, right? It’s best for you to have a nice, long talk with her.”

“...Yes, Kaju will go to school and talk to her tomorrow.”

Finally, Kaju cleared her thoughts and leaned on my shoulder.

“Please hold Kaju like when we were little, onii-sama.”

Eh, have I done something like that before?

I can’t remember- now’s not the time to talk about that. So, I hugged Kaju from behind.

Kaju pressed her palm against mine as she chuckled gently. She looks like a child.

…I felt the warmth on my kneecaps, and yet another question came to mind.

“Come to think of it, where’s your chocolate? You spent so much effort on it. So, you’re giving it to someone instead of me, right-”

“Onii-sama already got a bunch of chocolate in school even if Kaju didn’t give you any, right?”

Kaju’s cheeks pouted like a pufferfish. She elbowed me.

“If onii-sama has received so many honmei chocolates already, it would be miserable for Kaju to give you another one. Kaju has a girl’s self-esteem too.”

“Wait, I didn’t get any honmei chocolate.”

Kaju overestimated me, as usual. I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“...Onii-sama didn’t get any chocolate? Not even from Komari-san?”

Kaju’s eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Everyone brought chocolate. It was for the visitors, but that was all. I did get an obligatory chocolate-”

“You got it!? From who!?”

Kaju dashed toward me in excitement. I pushed her away forcefully.

“It’s from Asagumo-san. She has a boyfriend, so this is a 99.9% obligatory chocolate.”

“...It’s not 100%?”

“When you buy a lottery ticket, you will wonder how you’re going to spend the money after winning, right? This is as important as that 0.1% possibility. For example, what if the person who gave me chocolate was Asagumo-san’s twin sister? It’s just that I don’t know her. Think about this setting, okay?”

“I…see?”

Kaju rubbed the spot between her eyes with her fingers. However, she doesn’t seem to want to ponder about it any longer.

She wobbled as she stood up and took out something from the desk’s drawer.

She hid it behind her and sat down in front of me.

“Hmm, …onii-sama, I’ll confirm it for the last time. Onii-sama didn’t receive any honmei chocolate, right?”

“Yeah, I didn’t.”

Kaju fidgeted as she lowered her hand and handed out a small bag. The package looks very cute.

“This is honmei little sister chocolate! Please take it!”

I took the bag puzzledly. The transparent bag is filled with Kaju’s chocolates.

“...Are these for me? Didn’t you say you weren’t giving them to onii-chan?”

“It’s because onii-sama didn’t receive any honmei chocolate, right? That means onii-sama has accepted Kaju for giving you honmei little sister chocolate this year!”

I see. It would be unreasonable for me to try and be logical before a concept as mysterious as little sister chocolate.

Kaju blushed really hard. I gently stroked her head.

“Thank you. I’ll try them out with my heart.”

“Okay, onii-sama!”

Kaju’s energetic voice echoed through the room.

-During this time, a familiar car engine noise can be heard outside the window.

“Dad and Mom are back.”

“Yeah, I need to make dinner.”

Kaju held my hand tightly as she stood up.

We finally got the most urgent things out of the way now. Tachibana-kun’s love is over. Kaju is smiling. Amanatsu-sensei is now a bit popular.

Even though the Valentine’s Day incident is over, it’s still lurking in our daily lives.

I followed Kaju as we prepared to leave the room. Kaju held the handle, yet she stopped.

“What’s wrong, Kaju? Are we not going out?”

“Onii-sama just said Kaju should give the chance to them if Kaju has fallen in love with the same person as my friend, right?”

Kaju mumbled quietly as she faced me with her back.

“Eh? Yeah, I did.”

“...It’s probably a little different.”

Hmm? What is she talking about?

Kaju turned around and straightened her back-

She gave me a kiss on my cheeks.

“Hey!? What are you doing, Kaju!?”

Kaju immediately backed away from me. She pointed at her face.

“There’s some chocolate on onii-sama’s cheeks. Kaju helped you wipe it off.”

“Ehhhh, you’re overstepping your bounds.”

“Hehe, make sure to keep it a secret from Mom, you know?”

Kaju said that as her smile blossomed.

I silently shook my head.

-I can only admit defeat if she’s already smiling so much.