Chapter 227: The Sister’s War

Since Himekoji attended Service Club activities obediently every day these past few days, his sister Akiko, who hadn’t joined any club yet, would wait patiently for him every day in the classroom.

Even though Himekoji had said more than once that Akiko could go home alone first, that she didn’t need to waste so much waiting time every day just to walk home together.

But Akiko absolutely refused. According to her—

“Walking home from school with Onii-chan every day is love, faith, and a holy ceremony sacred and inviolable for us siblings!”

It almost made Himekoji suspect that his sister also hid an incredible childish behavior…

…

Walking home with just his sister.

Himekoji thought about all sorts of things—

The School Trip, the aftermath of the Yukinoshita incident, the possibility of Yuigahama and Yukinoshita getting together, Nanami’s Seiyuu exam, the results of Mashiro’s manga debut, and so on.

Huh? Since when had he started caring about so many things?

He suddenly felt a bit scared.

This wasn’t a good sign for him.

“Onii-chan!”

“Hm?”

Perhaps noticing Himekoji’s absentmindedness, his sister glared at him.

“Were you even listening to what I just said?”

“Huh? Yes… of course I was.”

Had Akiko said something just now?

Himekoji rubbed his nose, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Um… what did you say just now?”

“See! Onii-chan, you weren’t listening at all!”

“No, I just happened to forget. Lately, I don’t know why, my memory hasn’t been great, right…”

Himekoji chuckled awkwardly, trying to brush it off.

But the excuse was lame.

“Onii-chan! You’re cold! You’re heartless! You don’t love me anymore! Your heart belongs to someone else now!”

Akiko pouted, looking utterly wronged.

“Uh…”

Himekoji suddenly realized that having a sister with a severe Brother Complex could sometimes be more exhausting than dating.

Although he had never actually dated anyone…

“Fine, fine. I’ll say it again for Onii-chan then—”

Akiko generously cleared her throat.

“Onii-chan, listen to me.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

This time, Himekoji pricked up his ears.

“I waited seven years! Endured seven years! Just for this moment to be reunited with Onii-chan after such a long separation. I thought from now on we could live our sweet, loving, blissful life together as a couple! But reality is completely different! Other women are actually living in our home! This is like a nightmare!”

Akiko raised her eyebrows, complaining to Himekoji with a resentful, pitiful expression like a neglected wife.

A nightmare…

Honestly, Himekoji didn’t really feel that way.

Although it was a bit embarrassing, for Himekoji, the nearly week of all four living together under the same roof had actually been quite pleasant and comfortable.

He was enjoying these days.

Because it was lively.

Lively.

It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in so long.

Akiko, however, didn’t stop her complaints—

“During these seven years, no matter how much I missed Onii-chan, no matter how much I wanted to see Onii-chan, hug him, kiss him, spend our First Night together…”

Hold on, the topic just took a sharp turn downhill!

Cough, cough.

Himekoji hurriedly coughed loudly twice, interrupting Akiko briefly.

They were walking on a public road right now, with people coming and going nearby! So she shouldn’t be so excited and loud!

She’d attract attention!

His sister glanced at him, puzzled, completely unaware.

“Is Onii-chan’s throat sore?”

“No… no, go on…”

“Okay.”

Akiko nodded, resuming her previous topic.

“All these seven years, I gritted my teeth through all kinds of pain. We were the only blood relatives left, yet we were forced apart. But I still listened to Onii-chan, always trying to be a good girl. And to one day live with Onii-chan again, I demanded nothing but the best from myself. And as a reward, I finally got my wish. That’s right, isn’t it, Onii-chan?”

“Mhm, mhm, you’re absolutely right.”

“I got top grades to enter the best local school, and after enrolling, I’ve always been in the top three of my grade.”

“That’s amazing.”

Himekoji praised sincerely. He felt proud that his sister was so outstanding.

“And that’s not all! I’ve studied flower arrangement, tea ceremony—all those skills. Cooking, cleaning, even washing clothes—I’m good at everything now. And most importantly—”

Akiko lifted her face slightly, looking directly into Himekoji’s eyes.

“I’ve been working tirelessly to become the kind of girl Onii-chan would like, constantly demanding the best from myself to become Onii-chan’s capable wife. You have to admit my efforts paid off, right, Onii-chan?”

Himekoji pretended not to hear the last part, nodding along.

“Mhm, mhm, absolutely. Akiko is really outstanding. She’s the sister a brother can be proud of.”

“However, given the current situation, I feel the reward I got is far too little compared to all my hard work! Compared to what I put in as a sister, Onii-chan gives far too little in return! You won’t even pat my head! You won’t hug me, and you haven’t even given me a single kiss! Originally, our living together could be so much sweeter and more loving! But what’s wrong with you, Onii-chan? You’re living like a monk in a temple, all celibate—you won’t even touch me! As the saying goes, ‘It’s a man’s shame to refuse what’s offered.’ And that fits you perfectly right now! Honestly, if Onii-chan wants to prove he’s a normal man, he really needs to make a move on me soon!”

Making a move on your own sister? That’s what’s definitely not normal!

Himekoji felt awkward.

“Er… Akiko, don’t you think the topic is getting way off track?”

“In short!”

After yelling this, Akiko stated her position again.

“We of the Himekoji family are firmly against outsiders living here! Even though it’s rude to them and embarrassing, we should kick them out immediately!”

“That wouldn’t be very appropriate…”

Himekoji absolutely couldn’t do that.

Because living with Mashiro is a task given by the System…

Besides, sending Mashiro to live somewhere else? Himekoji couldn’t relax at all about that.

That girl has absolutely zero – no, negative levels of – basic living skills! She’s a super airhead!

As for Nanami, without the shared living expenses, she literally has nowhere else to go.

After getting kicked out, would she have to sleep on the street?

“Onii-chan, you’re saying no matter what, it’s impossible?”

Akiko, who had been walking beside him peacefully just moments ago, suddenly jumped in front of him, planting her hands on her hips and glaring intensely.

“Well, it’s actually pretty nice, everyone living together…”

“Onii-chan! I’m suspicious of you right now!”

Akiko stared fixedly at him.

“Do you feel something for them…”

“Impossible! Of course not! Nothing like that!”

Himekoji caught her drift and rushed to cut her off.

“You do! Don’t think you can fool Akiko! We were apart for seven years, Onii-chan definitely changed! Before, Onii-chan wouldn’t act like this!”

“What would I have done before?”

“Well, back then, Onii-chan would have said this to me—‘Don’t worry, Akiko, you know I see you as the most precious thing in the world. I’ll do whatever it takes to kick those two out of our house! I’ll definitely get back our lovey-dovey life for us two. I love you Akiko, let’s get married right now!’ Like that.”

“…”

You’re not telling a story, are you?

Himekoji felt exasperated.

“After that, Onii-chan gently pulls me into his arms, his lips pressing softly against… Kyaaa~! Don’t! Onii-chan! I’m not mentally ready yet!”

“…”

As for that… well, you can keep going with your performance; I’m out.

Himekoji shook his head, turned around, and walked away.

He completely ignored his sister, who was blushing and squirming where she stood.

…