「Shopping mall?」
「That’s right! Movies, food, clothes! A giant shopping mall with over 250 stores is finally opening tomorrow!」
On a Saturday morning, the sunlight streaming through the living room window heralded the lively arrival of the weekend.
I’ve been spending a lot more time with Satou lately, but of course, that doesn’t include weekends.
「So, Onii-chan, let’s go shopping with Miu tomorrow!」
「Ehh… it’s definitely going to be crowded on the opening day.」
「It’s fine, it’s fine! If it comes to it, Miu will hold Onii-chan’s hand and lead you! So let’s go~ There’ll be lots of cute clothes~」
「At least next week.」
While having breakfast with my younger sister Miu, I engage in a back-and-forth battle with her.
「It’ll be even more crowded next week! Because it’s Golden Week!」
「True… Gununu…」
…No, I have no choice but to retreat or surrender.
Miu, with her flaxen twin tails swaying and dressed in casual clothes, delivers the finishing blow with an “Ple~ase”.
「Alright, let’s go to the shopping mall.」
「Yay~! I love you, Onii-chan!」
「I’m happy to do it for my cute little sister. But don’t wear clothes that are too revealing, okay? There are a lot of weirdos around these days.」
「Weirdos?」
「There are perverts who fall in love at first sight with cute girls like Miu and touch your legs without hesitation.」
「Ugee… Miu’s body is supposed to be Onii-chan’s exclusive property.」
「So if you ever feel like a weirdo is touching you, tell me right away, okay?」
「You ignored that! But, okay. Thank you, Onii-chan.」
「You’re welcome.」
Even though it’s the opening day of the shopping mall, I doubt it’ll be as crowded as a packed train, but there’s a possibility in some areas.
Even without family bias, Miu is quite cute, and above all, she’s just started her second year of middle school, so she’s small, delicate, and not very strong. If I’m going to dive into a crowd with a beautiful girl, I should be on guard beforehand.
「Hmm…」
「What’s up?」
「Hmm, I was thinking, since we’re going, I want Onii-chan to have fun too… What’s a good way…」
「No, I actually like window shopping, you know? And if Miu is having fun, I’m having fun too.」
「Geez, if you keep flirting with Miu, I’ll take it seriously, you know?」
「Flirting?」
「Kaa~ How come you’re not popular when you’re like this, Onii-chan. You’re normally good-looking too… Hey, Onii-chan, what’s your type of woman?」
「Why are you asking that all of a sudden?」
「Just answer!」
「Ehh… let’s see…」
My type of woman, my ideal image of a woman.
I honestly say a few things that come to mind.
「A cute face, good figure.」
「Fumu fumu.」
「Also, someone who’s honest and kind, preferably someone who can be affectionate with me… someone who likes just spending time together, I guess?」
「I see, I see… So basically, Onii-chan loves Miu, right!? Miu loves you too, Onii-chan! …Yeah, that’s right. With such high ideals, it’s only natural that the only ideal person you can find is Miu.」
「A-Also, someone who can get along well with Miu.」
「Miu loves Miu too!!」
Uhh… this devoted little sister really brings tears to my eyes.
However, it’s scary not knowing how many more years until she says “Onii-chan, you’re in the way” and distances herself from me. When is a girl’s rebellious phase supposed to happen?
「Ah! I just thought of something great!」
Suddenly, Miu stood up.
「Let’s invite Onii-chan’s friend to go shopping with us tomorrow! A girl friend! Then Miu will coordinate her to be the cutest in the world!」
Miu looked a bit proud as she said that.
After all, Miu is a second-year middle school student with a huge interest in fashion.
And it’s not just at the level of buying magazines often, she loves “cute clothes” so much that she has a mannequin in her room bought with her birthday and New Year’s money, she’s a fashion otaku.
And that means she’s a beautiful girl who absolutely can’t resist “cute girls when they’re dressed up”.
「Isn’t that just Miu wanting to have fun?」
「T-That’s part of it, but… if Onii-chan brings a nice girl, Onii-chan will get to see her cute appearance as much as you want, you know? If it’s really no good, Miu’s friend could work too, but…」
「…No, I’ll call my friend.」
「Really!? Thank you~Onii-chan!」
There’s no way I can take care of two middle school girls in a crowded, vast area.
Besides, even for the girl being invited, she wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself properly with her friend’s brother, who’s in such an ambiguous position, around.
「See her cute appearance as much as I want, huh…」
…Good thing we exchanged contact information.