Batan!
The door slams shut with force.
「Hey, Michika-chan!? Why did you close it?」
「Haa? Isn’t it obvious! Why is this guy here!? I can’t believe it!?」
Michika suddenly disappeared from view, and Aina-san jiggled the doorknob to try to bring her back. In response, Michika immediately locked the door as if to firmly reject her.
Leaving the two of them behind, I still couldn’t understand the situation.
Huh? Why? Hoshino?
Aina-san is Hoshino, and Hoshino is that Hoshino?
In other words, Hoshino is Aina-san’s little sister, and today’s job is housekeeping at Hoshino’s house?
No, wait.
There’s no way Hoshino would use such rough language. I mean, at school today, she was annoyingly ladylike, it’s impossible. This must be an illusion of sight and sound…
But if that’s the case, aren’t I in trouble in various ways?
About five minutes of head-scratching later. It was Aina-san who put an end to my self-questioning.
「U-Um, are you okay? Taa-kun?」
「…………」
「T-Taa-kun, get a grip!?」
「—Hah!?」
I finally came back to my senses after being shaken by both shoulders.
「Are you really okay? You were frozen… No spirits came out, right?」
「…No, maybe not. I think I’m tired… Seeing that person as Hoshino Michika.」
「Hey! I can’t just let it slide when you call me “that person”, you know?」
「Ah! Michika-chan!」
The front door, which had been tightly closed, opened slightly, and a pair of beautiful eyes were peeking out at us.
「It must be an auditory hallucination… It only sounds like Hoshino Michika’s voice…」
「I said! It’s not an auditory hallucination!!」
「Lies… Hoshino should be more ladylike. You… you’re an imposter, aren’t you!」
「Why do I have to listen to this from you!!?」
「Reveal your true form! You demon!」
「You called me a demon, didn’t you!? Remember this for tomorrow!?」
「Well, well, it’s great that you get along so well, but this is going to disturb the neighbors, okay? Why don’t we go inside the house?」
「Why do I have to let this guy in!? I absolutely refuse!」
「……Michika-chan?」
「W-What… Onee-chan.」
「I thought Michika-chan was understanding… Do I have to say it again?」
I felt as if the room temperature had dropped to freezing in an instant. Aina-san hasn’t lost her smile at all. However, her eyes are not smiling at all.
「F-Fine! But just this once, okay!」
「Yay! As expected of Michika-chan! My understanding little sister!」
「As if you didn’t threaten me…」
「Hm? What? Did you say something? Michika-chan.」
「Nothing…」
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When her gaze fell on Michika again, she turned away as if to escape.
「Good for you, Taa-kun. Shall we go?」
「Ah, y-yes.」
And so, with Aina-san pushing me from behind, I ended up entering the home of that Hoshino Michika.
〇
「So? Why did Taa-kun say such things when you saw Michika-chan?」
The storm was far from over.
If anything, it felt like the real show was about to begin.
「Um, you see. Onee-chan, there are circumstances as high as mountains and as deep as the sea. It would take too long to explain, so let’s just not talk about it this time──」
「I wasn’t asking Michika. Be quiet for a bit.」
「Yes…」
The Aina-san who had been calling her Michika-chan so casually was nowhere to be seen. It was hard to believe they were the same person.
Do I have to talk in this atmosphere…
Needless to say, this space has become moderately heavy, unlike before.
Seeing Hoshino desperately trying to cover up, this must be her true self.
Which means, that ladylike demeanor is a false Hoshino, and she’s putting on an act at school.
When I glanced at Hoshino, she made eye contact as if to say, “Please keep quiet”.
But, sorry.
I feel it’s much better to have you complain to me tomorrow.
Aina-san is untouchable right now. This is what they mean by “Don’t touch the gods, and they won’t curse you”.
I told Aina-san everything about Hoshino’s behavior at school without hiding anything.
「Fuun. I see.」
After hearing everything from me, Aina-san clasps her hands together and thinks for a moment.
Is she angry??
I peeked at her fearfully but couldn’t read her emotions.
「Onee-chan… are you angry?」
It seems Hoshino was just as worried, watching Aina-san’s expression closely.
「No, I’m not angry. Girl relationships can be complicated. I don’t intend to deny Michika thinking she’s the best. But, as for me, I’d like Michika to be herself, you know?」
Continuing to wear a mask means suppressing one’s ego.
That puts a strain on oneself and makes one more susceptible to stress.
So, as a sister who cares about her well-being, she probably wants her to stay as she is as much as possible.
However, from Hoshino’s perspective, it seems that was a request she couldn’t accept.
「It’s fine. I’m not forcing myself.」
She smiled brightly and put on a brave face.
Aina-san seemed reluctantly convinced by that look and said nothing more.
「Then, we’re done talking, right?? I’m really busy! Come on, hurry up and leave, leave!」
Michika tries to forcefully push us out of the room.
But her sister wasn’t going to allow that.
「I’m sorry for you, but the main topic this time is housekeeping (this).」
「Let me tell you straight, I don’t need any housekeeping service. I absolutely don’t need it!」
As Michika declared this while standing firm, I couldn’t help but hold my head, thinking there was going to be another round of trouble.