"—Eh?"
"L-Like I said…! If you're okay with it, then…!"
I forcefully slaughtered all my poor and innocent wicked desires, and right when I wanted to put on my outdoor shoes, I dropped my loafer shoes to the ground. In a panic, I chased after them to pick them up, showing a lame side to her.
Um…Natsukawa-san? …Are you saying that today is the day…? What a sudden development—No, maybe not as much? I completely ignored the possibility of her bringing me along just like that. Though, I didn't think it'd happen today.
"Eh…Um, didn't you have to prepare some things?"
"T-That's…I had to mentally prepare myself."
"Cute."
"S-Stop calling me cute, idiot!"
"Sorry, my libido just…"
"…Kei said the same thing before, but what do you even mean by that?"
Eh, Ashida did as well…? Ashida felt her libido in the presence of Natsukawa? So she and I are rivals? The scent of yuri sure is strong today. Maybe I should just pull back and enjoy the show. Just please do it in front of me. No, I don't think I can act all luxurious like that. I'm already way too blessed because Natsukawa is actually giving me the time of the day. When can I get the ticket for the handshake event?
…So, what? Am I going to visit Natsukawa's place right now? Isn't this pretty bad? Bad like Ashida said it? What would Airi-chan like? A box of sweets? Haribo?
*
The way home felt awfully nostalgic. Until a while ago, things had been like this, and yet this kind of emotion filled me. How many times did I walk this way home next to Natsukawa? Well, I guess I was just chasing after her. Haha.
Anyway, the only difference is that Natsukawa wasn't speeding ahead of me, but rather walked next to me. It makes me feel a bit embarrassed.
"Hey, Natsukawa."
"W-What?"
"I feel like I'm about to die from the nervosity."
"W-Why are you nervous!"
"Because I'm alone with you right now."
"W-Wha…!?"
"You can't tell? Look at my legs, they're going left and right."
"…You're shaking."
You don't need to say it out loud, okay. You know how I feel about you, don't you? It feels like I'm heaven, yet equally that I'm being tortured in hell. It feels like I'm already full, but I'm forced to eat my favorite hamburger. Then again, that might be the case because I didn't get to mentally prepare myself properly. This isn't the time to be joking around~
"You don't have to be so nervous…"
"Correction, my tension is already changing into power."
"I-I see…"
That's right, think about it. This isn't some erotic development. Natsukawa is just going to introduce me to her little sister. That's all there is to it. We're only going home together in order to achieve this. This situation is like a business transaction.
But, what am I supposed to talk about here? There's lots of things I want to ask. Am I even allowed to know where you live? Are you sure about letting me inside? But, that would get us back to 'Why was I not allowed before?', so that's not an option. I'm sure that Natsukawa is still not over that, so I need to bring up something else.
"…What kind of person is your little sister? I only saw a picture of her. By the way, my Big Sis is a gorilla."
"Didn't you make up with your older sister…"
"I think so. I stuffed some steamed buns into her mouth."
"What are you doing!? You'll just make your older sister angry!" Natsukawa screamed at me.
Man, how cute she is. Of course, I didn't stuff the food into her like that. After all, that primate stuffed her mouth voluntarily. But, that's just how we two siblings work, I guess? Like we're reporting on what happened as of late, something like a timeline. I feel like many other siblings like us would do the same thing.
"We talk with fists rather than words. Not to mention that Big Sis started it all, showing me what's in her gut…Though I don't know how she feels."
Thinking about it, I'm the only guy in this entire world who saw her bare stomach. If that was anybody else, wouldn't that be pretty dangerous? Imagining that with Natsukawa…No, don't. No wicked thoughts.
"R-Really? I guess this kind of skinship exists as well."
"I'm your Senpai when it comes to siblings. Once your little sister slams steamed buns in your mouth, just let me know."
"There's no way Airi would do something like that."
You may never know. Even young girls can change in ten years. It's not like Big Sis was always a gorilla…Wait, I think she was?
"Airi…Airi isn't like that…She's…"
"Hm?"
"—An angel."
"Yeah, I can tell how much you love her."
At the same time, I've seen the picture, so I know. Not to mention that I know another Senpai who loves spoiling a certain angel at school.
"So then? What's the best points about her?"
"Eh? Um…The part where she feels comfortable around me."
"Eh, you can tell?"
"You know, when I raise her up, she leans against me…and then she relaxes, and falls asleep right away."
"..."
Mmm…So cute! Natsukawa's tone goes all soft whenever she talks about her little sister, it's adorable! Has she ever shown such a kind face towards me!? I've never seen this expression on her before!? I'm going to die today, I can tell!
"…Just to let you know, but don't expect some Onii-chan vibe from me like you saw from Sasaki. I never really interacted with children like that."
"Ah…that makes sense. You're a younger brother after all."
"You got your hopes up?"
"I-I didn't! Why'd you think that!"
"So then, I'd like to get some reference on how Sasaki was acting with her…"
"…You're immediately trying to lower the hurdle for you, huh…Just act as you always do."
I mean, I don't want to be hated…How do I act like I always do? All the other times before, she just called me gross…No really, how can I get her to like me? I never really tried to get along with a young girl like that. What about my hair color? She won't think of me as some yankee, right? This is pretty bad…
"Um, Natsukawa-san…"
"W-What?"
"…Can I go home?"
"H-huh!? You're going to say that now!?"
"I feel like the nervosity is getting the better of me y'know…"
"Don't 'y'know' me! That's what I'm talking about!"
"Urk…"
Despite me not feeling hurt no matter what Natsukawa said to me before, hearing a logical argument like that is pretty tough. My self-respect is…it's vanishing…! I feel like I'm going through a poisonous area, gradually losing my HP…!
"J-Just come with me already! I won't allow you to go back this late into the game!"
"Ah, hey…"
She grabbed my arm, and pulled me down the different path I would always take. That way must be Natsukawa's home. Phew…the map inside my head is being filled out, despite me being against it. My body is still all over Natsukawa. Sorry all you Natsukawa fans out there…I'm definitely going to Natsukawa's place.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
"Your voice! You don't need to be that nervous!"
I mean, I'm going to visit the house of the person I loved all this time…You get me, right? You don't? Then please do! Understand my feelings, Natsukawa-san…! I'm happy, but not happy either! I'm scared! What if I act suspicious from start to finish…? Then, Natsukawa won't ever bother with me again…I'm annoying after all, y'know…Ah, this is what she was on about…
"Natsukawa…I know I might be a bit late in saying this, but I'm shocked you can be so assertive in dragging a boy to your home…"
"I-I'm not dragging anybody around!"
"I still think this is pretty bad…"
"Urk…"
Crap. I know I said that I would do anything for her sake, but the realist side of me is screaming and telling me to run. I can't just stay silent and tag along.
"…W-What's so weird about it?"
"…Eh?"
"W-We've known each other for two and a half years, so what's weird with me inviting you to my home…It's not weird at all."
"It's not…weird? Not weird, not weird…"
"E-Ehhh!?"
That's right…Thinking about it, we've always been together for the past two and a half years, just as Natsukawa said. Even if it's the member of the opposite sex, it wouldn't be weird for her to invite me to her home…right? To be fair, I'm pretty surprised to find out that Natsukawa was actually aware of our time together, and to be honest, even I wasn't that aware of it.
Since she's already saying that, I can only bear with it. I can do it, surely. My stomach ache because of me being nervous? I got through even worse things thanks to Big Sis. I just need to run away from reality!
*
It's the Demon Lord's castle…
From the outside, it looked like a normal home…and yet, why does it look so big and imposing? Was my home not a normal house, but some small hut?
"N-Now, let's go inside." (High-pitched voice)
"Don't continue that character in front of Airi, okay…"
"Urk…"
"W-Why are you about to break out in tears?"
My plan to become a girl was denied. Then, what else will I be able to do? I give up. I have to accept my quivering legs, and blank head. Nothing can be done. Take me in Buddha.
"D-Do you hate it that much?"
"Crap, now I really want to meet your little sister. Can I give her a good hug?"
"I'll punch you."
"Woof~"
That was close, I almost got on all fours. I could barely hold myself back barking. She sure is good at not flinching in the slightest and yet emitting scary amounts of pressure. If I was a dog, I would have pulled my tail in, wao~
"Come on, hurry up already!"
"Uwa, I-I get it, I get it…!"
Natsukawa is actually the assertive and seductive type of girl? From an outsider's perspective, this looks like she's shoving a boy into her house. I feel quite honored to have received such a great duty. So, what should I do about my impulses that I can't hold back? I'll take a trip overseas then, got it.
"B-Be quiet, okay."
"Eh, we're going with that template?"
"Otherwise Mom will find out…!"
"So your dear mother is at home."
It was like the spirit of a business salesman suddenly possessed me. Nice judgement, me. Let's go with that in case something happens. Also, is it that bad for your mother to find out? I can just…you know, greet her normally. Though I don't have any gifts. You don't want her to see me? Come on, don't be like that…
I followed after Natsukawa, who was sneaking ahead of me. Is this going to be okay? If they find us now, they'll only think we planned on doing something lewd, right?
"…!"
Natsukawa opened the front door, and I joined her right after. T-This is…! The scent I can faintly pick up from Natsukawa…! Eh, isn't this bad? The entire atmosphere in this house feels like Natsukawa. Well, this is her home, so that makes sense. Even so, it's too stimulating for an adolescent boy like me. That scent of a person's home, you get it, right? When I went to the bastards' houses to play games, I was never too conscious of it. You need to deal with it, me…! This is a do-or-die situation…!
Let me get a grip. Mission starts! The goal of this mission: Meet Natsukawa's younger sister without being caught. The time limit is until it's dinner time at the Sajou Household.
"—Ah! Onee-chan!"
"A-Airi…!"
"Mission failed! Retreat, retreat!"
"Wah, where are you going!"
A girl about five years old poked out her head from the door connecting the hallway to the living room. Through transparent glass hanging in the middle of the door, I could see what seemed to be Natsukawa's dear mother, and my Saint. Mission failed, we'll get them next time! That's why, could you maybe let go of me, Natsukawa-san? It's really bad for my heart.
"Onee-chan! …And, who?"
"I'm Sajou Wataru. Nice to meet you, Airi-san."
"Don't give such a distanced greeting."
It's the spirit of the business salary men who's possessing me, okay! I'm a kind Onii-san. I'm really good at dealing with children, and I need to show that in order to keep my composure. I have little sisters myself—across the TV screen that is.
As I was making weak excuses in my head, Airi-chan was lifted up from behind her back. Because of the sudden appearance of Natsukawa's dear mother, I froze up.
"—Ara? Did you bring more friends over, Aika?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Ah, nice to meet you. My name is Sajou Wataru."
O-Oh…my greeting went more smoothly than I would have expected. I guess my social values really show when the time comes. Maybe I'm not that much of a lost cause after all. In a bit of relief, I looked at Natsukawa's mother. You could see that she had a daughter. Rather than being kind, it felt like she was very diligent and thorough.
"Sajou-kun, I see. Nice to meet—Wait, it's only him today?"
"Urk…Y-Yeah."
"O-Oh my…so today it's your room, Aika?"
"N-No, don't get the wrong idea, Mom! We're using Airi's room, okay!"
"I-I see?"
Ah, so she's that kind of mother. The type who talks with her daughter on equal terms, like she's her age. That left me a bit more relieved. Since this is Natsukawa's mother we're talking about, I figured that she would be strict and impregnable. I'm glad she's not some uptight company president-type…Also, I don't think there's much worth in knowing me. If she knew I was bothering her daughter…
"Staaaaare~"
Oh, Airi-chan is staring at me like crazy. Getting a good look at her, she really is cute. Like an angel, almost. Her big round eyes are adorable, I can see why Natsukawa would be so obsessed with her. I'd love to have a little sister like her. Guess I'll break the TV screen once I get home.
*
"W-Well…sorry about my Mom."
"No, I feel bad for suddenly barging in here."
"Don't worry about that…!"
"Cu—Mgh!"
"H-Hey! Don't do that in front of Airi!"
R-Right. Whenever it's about her little sister, Natsukawa gets really serious. I need to hold off of that kind of stuff, at least for now. I hope I can keep my impulses down…
Natsukawa brought me to a children's room, with a joint-mat on the floor, creating a colorful feeling in the room, together with a small slide and even a jungle gym. Besides those, there are many other things like wooden building blocks. I can tell that Airi-chan really is being loved.
I was told to sit down at the small round table in the middle of the room, and didn't wait long for Natsukawa to return with some tea.
"This is quite the situation."
"D-Don't say that, I'm trying hard not to be conscious of it."
"After going this far to have me meet her…?"
"...…"
Even in this situation, Natsukawa is adamant on making me meet her little sister. If not, Natsukawa wouldn't accept this situation, according to Ashida. I haven't heard it from the person in question, but she didn't deny it either, and her attitude shows.
"Ah."
As we were exchanging words like that, Airi-chan walked towards me, and sat down in front of me, cross legged.
"…Takaaki?"
"…Hm? Takaaki?"
"T-That's…"
Maybe the name of the father? No, she wouldn't call him with his name…Then, it must be the name of another man. Ah, I heard that she was pretty clingy towards Sasaki. I feel like his mother called him Takaaki when Yamazaki and I came to visit him.
"Airi, this Onii-san is 'Wataru'."
"Waataaru?"
"Fufu, what's that intonation."
"..."
What is this scenery…Heaven? Is this heaven? I'm being surrounded by a Goddess and an angel. When was I invited to heaven? Are you fine with me being here? Because of this dazzling sight in front of me, I could only narrow my eyes. It felt like I was watching something I shouldn't be. Just what should I be doing here…
"Come on, introduce yourself, Wataru."
"Y-Yeah."
Natsukawa showed me a gentle expression that I had never seen on her before. Even the tone of her voice was kind enough to keep me spacing out, let alone her calling me by my name. Eh, are all Onee-chans in this world like that? Is it weird for me to be this confused…? No, my Big Sis is the odd one out.
"…Isn't that name pretty hard to say? Airi-chan, just call me 'Sajou'."
"Sajo~"
"That's right, Sajo~"
"Sajo~!"
"Sajo~!"
"You don't need to turn into a child…"
Ah, not good, my desires just…I guess that my internal little brother attribute got attracted to Natsukawa's older sister attribute. Subconsciously, I was turning into a small child there. I give up, I'm a pervert after all. I just want a lap pillow.
Airi-chan kept changing 'Sajo~', while raising one hand like an Ultra*an pose. I'm glad she managed to remember it. I feel like it's a simple name to say.
'Sajo~ Weird head!"
"Natsukawa, let me dye my hair really quick."
"Give up on that right now."
She called my two-tone hairstyle weird…! I mean, I knew. I really need to do something about this hair of mine. Well, leaving it like that will eventually solve things. But, having brown mixed into it must look yuck, right.
"Sajo~ Carry!"
"Eh?"
"Carry!"
C-Carry? How do I do that again? Just normally pick her up…How? Urk…Now that it's come to this, I need to do the classic carry…the 'princess carry'…!
"What are you doing?"
"Ah, well…"
"Stand up."
"O-Okay…"
Natsukawa must have figured out that I was at a loss, and provided a follow-up. I stood up as she told me, and took a 'careful' posture.
"It's not that hard. Just do what comes to your mind."
"O-Ossu."
"Just 'yes' is fine."
"Y-Yesh."
That's Natsukawa for you. She's a skilled Onee-chan. Maybe I might just get through with becoming a little brother and get spoiled by her…I always wanted an older sister like her…
"Airi-chan, I'm doing it, okay?"
"Mmmm?"
"Is this your final answer?"
"No way she would understand that. Just do it."
"Okay."
Ehm, what should I do again…Just pick her up beneath her arms, and put her on my chest…? H-Huh…I feel like that'll be hard to do at her size.
As I was left confused, Natsukawa approached me.
"Listen, you create a chair with your left arm, and put them on there. Your right arm is the back of the chair in that case. That will get them in a secure position, and they can relax."
"O-Ohh..that's much easier."
"Right? Also, put them on the same level as your line of sight. Airi is looking up at you."
"S-Sowwy~"
I put a bit more strength into my arms, pushing Airi-chan up. Right when we were on the same level, Airi-chan put her hand on my head, touching my hair.
"Eh? What is she doing?"
"Touching your hair. How about you dye it soon?"
"Right…Natsukawa, which one do you prefer? Black or brown hair?"
"T-That's—"
"The same as Onee-chan!"
"Got it."
"Hold your horses."
A partner look with Natsukawa…Not bad. We've gotten closer as of late, so now I actually feel like seeing my own hair in a more reddish-brown color. The compensation is the distance of our hearts…What kind of compensation is that…
"Why~?" Airi-chan tilted her head in confusion.
Doing that while up in my arms had quite the destructive power. Really, have two sisters, both of them cute, right in front of me…Am I going to die tomorrow?
"Hey hey, how can you change your color like that?"
"Once you become an adult, you can change it as much as you want."
"Ehhh, not fair."
"Adults are never fair."
"Hey."
"Uhe~"
Adding a needless comment at the end, Natsukawa pulled on my cheek, stretching it to the side. I'm sure that I must be showing a weird face right now. But, Airi-chan is laughing. What a great smile, I'll do the same for you later once Natsukawa isn't looking.
"Ehe, ehehe"
"Nyafu~"
Airi-chan joined in, and pulled on my other cheek. She enjoyed forcefully pulling my mouth open. The more I let out a weird voice, the louder her laughter got. She sure laughs a lot. She'll surely be popular later, maybe even more than Natsukawa.
"Fufu…fufufu."
...…Um? Natsukawa-san…? Aren't you enjoying yourself as well? You don't show any intentions of letting go…Well, whatever. I can enjoy her touching me without being prosecuted later. This is the best ouch ouch Airi-chan your nails are biting into my flesh!