Chapter 195: Brother ♂ Sister After School

The “ice-cold heartthrob” Himekoji, naturally, paid no attention to Kaito, who he still barely knew.

Next were Totsuka, Hayama, and Yuigahama who’d secretly slipped him a note.

Whoa, so he actually did have connections!

But wait!

Himekoji suddenly noticed something strange—

Wasn’t there a weird name mixed into that list just now?

Yeah! Since when does Hayama chat him up like that?

Don’t tell me this jerk had his eyes set on his little sister too?

Ugh! Unbelievable!

…

“It’s great that you’re so close with your Imouto. I envy you,” Hayama began, speaking to Himekoji with a calm smile, “but you should be careful. If you accidentally cross that line… things could get very troublesome.”

Amazing!

No wonder he was called the King of the Normies. The way he phrased the nasty stuff, same as everyone else’s thoughts, somehow made it sound sophisticated and impossible to take badly.

Wait—impossible to take badly, my ass!

Just looking at Hayama’s smile—bright and colorful like a rainbow across the sky—instantly made him annoyed. Ugh!

Seriously, disgustingly handsome!

Though Himekoji thought he was probably, maybe, perhaps… even more handsome himself…

But damn it all, he wasn’t nearly as popular as Hayama! So infuriating!

“No one asked for your advice!” Himekoji shot back, his tone far from friendly.

Still, since when had he and Hayama become close enough for this kind of casual chit-chat?

……

…

This day hadn’t been easy.

Nanami’s icy glares, the whispered gossip around him, and the constant, blazingly intense gaze of brotherly ♂ love directed at his back from his Imouto.

Such bliss… and such troubles!

But these troubles were nothing compared to the real test waiting for Himekoji after school!

How could he tell his dear little sister, who he hadn’t seen in forever, that he… was currently living together with two other girls?

Reply ASAP, please! Super urgent!

Critical! Emergency!

…

Forget it. None of the Danmaku suggestions were helpful!

Himekoji decided on his own plan—

Keep quiet. Sit at his desk and say nothing.

Other students left the classroom in twos and threes. Soon, only Himekoji, Nanami, and Akiko remained.

Akiko rested her chin on her hands, gazing at her Onii-chan with eyes like a painting… full of deep affection…

Huh? Wait! What was with that description?

Good grief, it gave him goosebumps!

And Himekoji was feeling it too.

He felt slightly uncomfortable all over.

Imouto… a close sibling relationship is wonderful, sure, but this… this was practically obsessive!

Finally—

When Akiko noticed the unwanted third person still in the classroom, she finally tore her gaze from Himekoji. She turned to Nanami, looking utterly puzzled and annoyed.

“Aren’t you leaving yet?” Akiko asked her.

…

So annoying! Just totally clueless, wasn’t she?

Couldn’t she tell that the two siblings couldn’t wait to unlock a CG in this deserted after-school classroom?

Honestly, after seven years apart, her brother had really become bold.

The first time… and he wanted it to happen here…

She was shy, but Akiko would try her best!

…

“I’m waiting for him to leave,” Nanami answered Akiko casually. Then, frowning slightly, she looked at Himekoji Akito. “Well? Aren’t you leaving? Just how long are you planning to stay?”

Facing Nanami’s question, Himekoji could only roll his eyes—

Ugh, does she think he doesn’t want to leave?

Maybe she could tell him how he’s supposed to leave right now?

The three of them walking home together after school?

No! Mashiro would be joining them soon too…

Yikes! Could this turn into some crazy four-player co-op game?

He couldn’t imagine that ever reaching a Good End! Would the ending involve a hatchet instead?!

So, Himekoji pretended not to hear. He remained silent.

Himekoji could pretend not to hear, but Akiko couldn’t!

“Huh?! What’s it to you, this classmate, when my Onii-chan and I leave?” Sensing something strange and unusual between Himekoji and Nanami, Akiko’s small face instantly tensed. Her tone carried a hint of barely concealed hostility.

“Because we walk home together,” Nanami shot back firmly, her attitude sharp and decisive, perhaps even more forceful than when she normally scolded Himekoji.

“W-walk home… together?” Akiko’s posture stiffened for a split second upon hearing this.

But it was just for a moment. She quickly gathered herself from the unexpected shock, ready to face this challenge.

“You can walk alone. Isn’t it impolite to interfere with my and Onii-chan’s happy couple-world in this after-school classroom?” She refused to ask why this “suspicious woman” needed to walk home with the brother who loved her and who she loved most. That would put her on the defensive regardless of his answer.

Better to graciously skip that part. Right here, right now, before this possible “homewrecker,” she would reaffirm her claim over her brother!

No matter what kind of ordinary student she used to be, or if they had some secret past… Akiko Himekoji was back by her brother’s side now. From now on, he belonged only to her!

…

“‘Happy couple-world’? Hold on! Akiko, what on earth are you talking about…” Himekoji, who had been watching sidelined, started in surprise.

“Ah! Onii-chan! Keep quiet while the ladies are talking!” Akiko puffed her cheeks, giving Himekoji a resentful, sidelong glance.

“During sister’s battle against the butterflies and bees chasing you, Onii-chan, please don’t drag sister down!” she whispered to him a moment later, a complaint aimed his way.

“It’s not about dragging you down! I’m seriously questioning if your ‘happy couple-world’ is the adult-rated kind! So, don’t say that weird stuff outside!”

“Why can we say it at home but have to avoid it outside?” Akiko frowned stubbornly.

“We can’t say it at home either!”

“Onii-chan doesn’t want it? For sister’s first time… in this holy and thrilling classroom?”

“I don’t! I absolutely don’t! And ‘thrilling’ I’ll accept, but holy?! Since when is this dumpster fire of a classroom holy?!”

“Onii-chan, what are you saying? Can I take this as… yet another rejection of your adorable Imouto’s request?”

“It’s an utterly ridiculous request! I’ll keep rejecting it a hundred times!”

His cute, obedient, adorably moe Imouto from childhood… how did she become like this?!

Something had to be terribly wrong!

“You’ll refuse… no matter how many times?” Akiko dramatically clasped her hands over her heart, putting on a look of utter devastation (whether real or fake was unclear). “This is a crime! Onii-chan’s behavior is criminal!”

“Cut the nonsense! Agreeing to you is the real crime!”

“Onii-chan still hasn’t realized it? Your actions… they are already breaking the Himekoji Hō!”

“That’s enough! Never heard of such outrageous laws!”

Himekoji had gotten completely wrapped up in arguing with his sister.

Just then, someone gently tapped his shoulder from behind.

“Hey Akito… what did the Himekoji Hō taste like?”

…