Chapter 11

「By the way, Onii-chan. You haven’t talked to Natsuki-oneechan yet, have you?」

「Hmm? Ah, yeah. I kind of missed the timing, and the atmosphere in class makes it hard to approach her…」

Just as we were relaxing after lunch, I was hit by a preemptive strike from Hina.

「It’s the same with not coming to see me, Onii-chan, you’re worrying too much. We were really worried about you here!!」

「Well… yes. You’re right…」

I knew I should have shown my face first and reported that I was safe…

「But, you see, given the circumstances, I don’t know what to say even if I did meet you all.」

For example, if I start with “I’m back. I went to another world!! Here’s a souvenir!!”, they’d think I was mocking them after they had been worried.

But even if I make up another reason, it might contradict something else later, especially in my case with my leg. It’s not something that should just suddenly be healed.

「Hmm… It’s true that I can’t fully believe the whole other world thing yet…」

「Right? I know I’ve made everyone worry, and I want to talk properly.」

That said, I’ve managed to tell Kaname-kaasan and Hina, so it’s just a matter of explaining it to Natsu now.

「But you’re in the same class as Natsuki-oneechan, right? I thought you’d have plenty of chances to talk…」

「Yeah, about that…」

When I told her about Hikari or Asaki visiting me every break time and about Amano, I could see Hina’s expression clouding over.

「Ahh… Amano-senpai, huh. I’m not really fond of that senpai.」

「I don’t think I’ll get along with him either. But Natsu and Amano, they’re dating, right?」

「Um, well… that’s what it seems like, but.」

I got a rather vague answer. “That’s what it seems like”. Does that mean they’re not actually dating?

At least, it seemed like Amano had feelings for Natsu.

Although, coming from me, who seems to be surrounded by Hikari and Asaki, it might not be very convincing.

「That’s why I want you to talk to Natsuki-oneechan properly.」

「Uhh… I guess it comes down to that.」

That’s right. In the end, the conclusion is that the people involved need to talk properly.

「Hey, hey, Shou-nii.」

「Hmm? What is it, Hikari?」

Perhaps trying not to interrupt our sibling conversation. Hikari, who had been silent until now, tugs at my sleeve.

「Were you always this much of a coward?」

「Ha?」

Just when I wondered what she was going to say, she suddenly called me a coward. What’s with this girl, is she picking a fight? I’ll take it. I can’t win, though.

「Hikari-san. That’s not true.」

「Asaki.」

As expected of Asaki, I believe in you──

「I don’t think Shou-niisama being a coward is something that just started now.」

「You too?」

Alright then. It’s war.

I’d like to say that, but since I admit to being a coward and can only see a future where I’m utterly defeated in a war, I’ll keep quiet.

I could see Daiki and Kaname-kaasan chuckling. I want to get back at all of them someday.

「Also, Onii-chan, what about your relationship with Hikari-chan and Asaki-chan? I mean, besides Natsuki-oneechan.」

「Relationship? Like I said, the four of us are──」

「That’s not what I mean!! Are you dating either of them? Or could it be both…?」

Ahh, so that’s what you mean. My sister. Imagining things and getting turned off before I even say anything is a bit damaging for me as your brother, you know? Well, it’s true that we’re quite close, or rather, very close.

「Hmm? I’m not dating Shou-nii, you know?」

「I’m not dating Shou-niisama either.」

The two answer nonchalantly, ignoring Hina’s concerns. Yeah, well, if you ask if we’re dating, we’re not.

「Ehh…? But, you see, the way you treat Daiki-senpai and Onii-chan is different…」

「I like Dai-nii, you know? But he’s not interesting!!」

「I find Dai-niisama favorable too. He excels in various ways, but that’s all there is to it.」

「Shougo, can I cry?」

Such is the state of affairs. Serves you right.

Well, I can understand where these two are coming from. Daiki has superhuman specs, but that’s the impression from someone average like me.

For Hikari, who is on equal footing in terms of specs, he probably doesn’t leave a special impression.

「Well, he’s someone I’d like to keep close at hand in the future.」

Asaki goes as far as to say this.

That said, that’s their evaluation of Daiki, and it doesn’t answer the question of why the two of them are by my side.

「But you seem to find it bothersome when boys in your class approach you, like you don’t really respond to them?」

「Because it’s annoying!!」

「It’s just a nuisance when they come after you based on looks alone.」

They cut them down mercilessly. Poor boys. I feel you.

After all, it’s true that Hikari has a bright personality and is cute. Her slightly shorter height compared to the other girls around might also be a point. She has the cuteness of a small animal.

On the other hand, Asaki might come across as cold when you talk to her, but she’s actually a kind girl. Moreover, her appearance, which is the opposite of Hikari’s, undoubtedly appeals to boys.

She has slightly droopy, gentle eyes and a soft, fluffy style? Her glossy hair and graceful demeanor would make most people describe her as a refined young lady.

And naturally, what draws the most attention is her chest. I don’t know the average for girls, but the way her uniform is pushed up, asserting its presence, could be described as armor or even a weapon.

So it’s a bit troublesome when she gets too close. In terms of both sensation and the gazes from around us.

「Then what about Onii-chan?」

「Shou-nii? I like him because he’s interesting and makes me feel safe!!」

「If you ask if I like or dislike him, I love him.」

「Ehh… What does that mean…?」

It’s embarrassing when they express their feelings so openly, but I’m already aware of their affection for me. That said, we’re not dating. So I can understand why Hina is confused.

「Well, a lot has happened…」

「Uhh… Before I knew it, Onii-chan became a harem bastard.」

「A harem bastard.」

That’s quite a way to talk about your real brother. Not that I can deny it.

「So what are you going yo do about Natsuki-oneechan?」

「What about her… For now, I need to talk to her first.」

「I’m not the one to say this, but I’m sure Onee-chan is worried about her relationship with Onii-chan.」

「That’s probably true, but now it’s mutual…」

It sounds like an excuse, but if she’s worried about our relationship, I’m equally concerned about Natsu and Amano’s relationship.

Still, she has tried to approach me a few times, so I’m probably more at fault in this case. I know that, but…

「And if Onii-chan and Onee-chan go back to how things were, are you okay with that, Hikari-chan and Asaki-chan?」

「Us?」

「What do you mean by okay with that?」

「I mean, if Onii-chan gets a girlfriend, are you okay with that!!」

Going back to how things were = becoming lovers with Natsu seems like a bit of a leap, but I refrained from commenting due to my sister’s intense attitude. It’s probably because they’re her newly made friends and she’s worried about them.

「Eh? I don’t mind, really. I’d hate it if Shou-nii changed because of it, though.」

「Me neither. As long as he continues to look at me the same way as before, that’s that.」

「Their feelings are too strong!? Onii-chan, are you okay with this!?」

It seems Hina has reached the peak of confusion. My condolences.

「Calm down, Hina. They care about me like a brother. See, we’ve all lived together as four. We’re like family.」

「Eh? Ah, so that’s… Right, if that’s the case, then still──」

「Ah, but I would like to have children with Shou-niisama.」

「Chil!?」

Asaki, you…

「Ah, me too!!」

Hikari adds more fuel to the fire. Hina’s face turned bright red, and she was opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

「Hikari, Asaki. As I’ve said before, I──」

「You see us only as sisters. Right? Well, that’s enough for me.」

That said, when they show this much affection, I wonder if it’s okay to just have a friendly relationship. I’ve thought many times that we should properly define our relationship, but the truth is, I haven’t had the luxury to think about romance until now.

But even so, I don’t want to suddenly become distant from these two. Uwa, am I really a coward…?

「Um… were they just teasing me?」

「Let’s go with that, or we’ll never end this conversation.」

If someone says this is just postponing the problem, they’re probably right. But I find this ambiguous relationship comfortable, and I realize it’s too late to let it go.

Well, maybe it’s about time I clarify things. I need to think about the two of them properly…

「By the way, Shougo, didn’t you say you had something to discuss?」

「Yeah, although most of it was covered in the conversation we just had…」

When I asked Daiki again for advice on how to approach Natsu.

「Why don’t you try to create a chance to talk somewhere after school?」

He even offered to be present if I wanted.

Even as a coward, I thought it would be better to talk just the two of us, so I thanked him and declined the offer.

After that, we enjoyed exchanging information about how Hina had been doing, what kind of life we had been living, and how things were in class.