Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 5 - Chapter Pr2

Prologue

The sudden splashing sound dragged my consciousness from dreamland back to reality.

The raindrops are hitting the window of the living room.

I stretched my back on the sofa and silently closed the reference book.

It’s the end stretch of the final exam.

Even though I made it through today, I can’t let my guard down yet.

“There are two days left…”

I mumbled to myself and glanced at the calendar on the wall. One of the dates is fixed in my eyes.

The following Sunday is- February 14. Valentine’s Day.

As you all know, Valentine’s Day is when family members give each other chocolates. I will not accept any objections.

However, things are different this year.

I received birthday presents from the Literature Club girls last Christmas.

Based on this trend, it’s very likely that I’ll receive obligatory chocolates this year.

However, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to brag about my popularity or getting chocolates from the girl I love.

It doesn’t matter if someone’s alone or has no interest in actual romantic relationships.

Valentine’s Day is the day when everyone’s a bit restless. They will check for things in their desk drawers or the inside of their shoe shelves.

Even so, a high expectation means a high disappointment from not receiving chocolate.

Anyway, I should focus on the exam right now.

…However, I’m making good progress in my preparation for tomorrow.

Let’s read some light novels for a change of pace.

If I remember correctly, <Let’s Talk About the 100 Days It Took Me to Realize This Is an All-Boys School> is in my room.

This is an ambitious novel where all the “heroines” are cross-dressing guys. However, the support from the stans kept this series going.

Also, this is from the Literature Club. It’s not my personal property.

This is extremely important.

“Well, let’s take a break.”

I put the reference book on the sofa and stood up. A sweet scent radiated from the kitchen during this time. It tingles my nose.

My little sister Kaju is humming a song. She seems to be blending and stirring something.

Her black hair is swaying like silk threads. With a petite body and an even more delicate and well-proportioned face, she looks perfect in an apron despite being my little sister.

I subconsciously approached Kaju and looked at the thing in her hands.

“Kaju, what are you doing?”

There are colorful bowls in front of Kaju. She’s stirring a light green substance.

“I’m testing new chocolate for Valentine's. Onii-sama, please try it.”

She scooped up some of the stuff in the bowl with a spoon and handed it to me.

I tried a little. The refreshing sweetness spreads through my tongue, and a gentle green scent drifts into my nose.

“What is this flavor?”

“Pistachio.”

“I ground it into a paste and mixed it into white chocolate. Though, the texture still leaves a bit to be desired after it’s set. This one has black currant paste instead. Please open your mouth and try it.”

I opened my mouth earnestly. I can feel a slight bitterness and sourness on my tongue.

“Both of them are perfect. Onii-chan thinks all of Kaju’s chocolates are very delicious, okay?”

Kaju barely contained her smile. However, she suddenly turned serious and cleared her throat.

“Ara, onii-sama can get chocolates at school even without Kaju giving them to you, right? Or is it that…?”

Kaju’s cheeks lightly flushed. Her eyes are sparkling with uncontrollable curiosity.

“-Are you giving chocolate to someone else?”

Why would I do that? Kaju can say confusing stuff sometimes.

“I don’t know whether I’ll get chocolate or not. Obligatory chocolates are like New Year cards and gifts, so it depends on the mood. Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year, but-”

I paused for a moment because continuing.

“There may be obligatory chocolates since it’s also the school open day, but I’m not sure. I mean, it’s not like I want chocolates. This is just the general situation.”

Kaju smiled after hearing my speech.

“Yeah, that’s what Kaju thought. There’s someone Kaju wants to give chocolate to this year.”

Oh, I see. Kaju wants to give chocolate to someone…?

“Kaju, you mean-”

Kaju interrupted me by gently poking her own cheeks.

“There’s some sweet and delicious chocolate on Kaju’s cheeks. Onii-sama, can you wipe it clean for me?”

Didn’t she put chocolate on her face just now…?

I searched for paper tissues but couldn’t find them for some reason.

Fine. I took out a handkerchief and wiped Kaju’s cheeks.

“Alright, it’s clean now.”

“...That’s why I don’t like this part of you, onii-sama.”

Why is Kaju upset? I don’t understand why, but this must be puberty, right?

“By the way, which person is Kaju trying to give chocolate to?”

An unfamiliar ringtone went off at this moment.

“Oh! Onii-sama, can you hold this for me for a second?”

She handed me the bowl in the hot water bath without waiting for my reply.

“Eh, what should I do with this?”

“Please stir it slowly until it’s at 45 degrees Celsius! Kaju will leave it to you!”

Kaju took out her phone as she slowly made her way out of the living room.

Eh, is that what I’m really supposed to do? Anyway, I guess I’ll keep stirring it for now…

I slowly stirred the chocolate and took a deep breath to calm down.

She said she wanted to give chocolate to someone. Could it be that she’s not giving it to a boy?

No, there’s no way.

Also, she was practically saying, “Onii-sama doesn’t need Kaju’s chocolate” earlier. It’s a little concerning. Is she not going to give me chocolate?

No, of course, it’s not like I’m really looking forward to my little sister’s chocolate.

Even so, Kaju has never missed giving me chocolate since she was 1. We should sit down and talk if there are some sort of misunderstandings.

“...Ah, I forgot to measure the temperature.”

Shit, it would be bad if Kaju’s mad. I quickly put the thermometer inside. The screen is showing precisely 46 degrees.

Yep, it’s within the range of errors. I took out the bowl of chocolate from the hot water bath and stared at the door that Kaju had just left.

…What should I do next? Is Kaju still on her phone?

She’s still out after a few moments. So, I took the bowl to the corridor’s entrance.

“Hey, Kaju…”

I called her name quietly before peeking out. Then, I saw Kaju standing with her back toward me. She’s whispering to someone at the door.

“Mm-hm, yeah, but, …hmm, indeed. But are you sure it’s fine? Gon-chan’s- okay, she’s fine with it, right?”

Her phone is pressed close to her ear. She frequently nods as she speaks.

Even though they seem to be having a serious conversation, she can’t even wait for me to give her the bowl of chocolate…?

“Let’s go over the details when we see each other, okay? It’s not good to talk about this on the phone, after all.”

Oh, they are done talking. I sighed in relief and walked out to the corridor.

“Alright, I got it. I’m free on the 14th. Well, see you at school next time- Tachibana-kun.”

…Eh? I was thrown into the freezer by that last sentence.

Kaju put her phone back into the pocket of her apron. She turned around with a swirl.

“Huh, onii-sama, how long have you been standing there?”

“Eh, no, I just got here. The chocolate is 45 degrees…”

I lied with ease and handed over the bowl. Kaju dashed over with a smile.

“Thank you. Sorry, I spent too much time on the phone.”

Kaju returned to the kitchen with cheerful steps and put the bowl in ice water.

“I’ll have to lower the temperature with this. …What’s wrong, onii-sama?”

Apparently, I’m staring at Kaju subconsciously. I hastily looked away.

“No, well, who were you talking to on the phone…?”

“It’s my friend from school. We talked about something school-related.”

Hmm, it’s her friend. He seems to be a guy based on the way she addresses him. Also, it looks like their conversation is about freeing up the 14th.

I watched Kaju humming a song as she stirred the chocolate. Cold sweat is dripping down my back.

Her effort in experimenting with this chocolate- and the February 14 promise with a male friend-

This is, …could it be…?

“Hey, Kaju. Who are you planning to give the chocolate to?”

I asked casually. Kaju immediately what she was doing.

“...Who do you think it is?”

Kaju’s voice is unusually composed.

Gulp. My throat made a voice.

“Ah, it’s a female friend of yours- right?”

I said the opposite without thinking too much. However, Kaju showed me a slightly embarrassed smile.

“It’s a secret.”