Vol 1 Chapter 5 (1/2)
｢Hahaha I see, that’s just too much｣
Upon hearing hter
｢To think that you’ve been told the sa twice in a day… What’s up, Akito? Haven’t you taken a bath with all the work frooin’ on?｣
“Don’t even go there! I do bathe properly”
｢I know You’re a iene Neither unclean nor next to a clean freak, just the right balance, I guess And as far as I know, you didn’t s｣
Tsk
I knohat you’re trying to say, but I your voice’s telling that you’refun of me
｢However, seeirl, doesn’t she? The blond-haired young lady without a name I’d like to have a look too｣
”Hmph If it had been possible I’d’ve liked you there as well”
｢Hey, no need to feel down We’re just on a small island nation, but it’s still pretty vast nonetheless, you know? Even Tokyo and Kyoto aren’t close enough that travelin’ as I want could be easy – and you’re not planning to invite me over in the first place, do you?｣
”Don’t get too anxious I’ll invite you in due time even if you don’t push me”
｢Such a relief But you know, Akito, I think I need to coht now｣
”Why’s that?”
｢The tierous｣
“Dangerous? What do you mean?”
｢The latent danger of you two siblings crossing the line’s what I mean｣
”…”
A moment of silence later
“…Oi, oi, Gin Ginbei-san Aren’t you exaggerating here? My sister and I? Ha, no way”
｢That’s why you’re so cute, Akito You understand, and yet you still put up that kinda tone That kinda jokin’ way, you use it ’cause you know there’s a possibility, don’t you?｣
“Uh…”
｢There’s no doubt that your sister sees you as a man Her approaches are all direct and assertive, like an unstoppable runaway train｣
I totally agree with that
｢But you know, she ettin’ about the brakes If necessary, she could step on ’em and calm down｣
”Cals happen?”
｢She can do it We talked about it the other day, right? If your sister was serious, she would’ve pushed you down long already But the reason she didn’t, is because she respects your oishes, right?｣
”…”
｢Well, I’m not really sure how irl that won’t bonkers Goin’ byto worry about｣
”I do agree that she’s a good girl But is that really enough to just leave it be?”
｢No, no, there’s no reason to worry about her What we should worry about is you, Akito, right?｣
”Hey, hey You think I’ll lay a hand on my sister? My blood-related sister?”
｢I just think that you’re a man｣
My friend answered the question with that
｢Everyone can tell frolance that you’re just an ordinary person You look average and have average grades Teachers must be in a bind when they’re supposed to write a record about you From one to five you’d be a three, you’re not really motivated for extracurricular activities and in class you’re easily forgotten You’re the very picture of an extraordinarily normal person｣
”Done yet? Well, it’s true, though”
｢But a someone’s worth can’t just be measured by that all alone To be honest, I used to look down on you… But after that incident I’ve changed my mind｣
”That’s a bit exaggerated”
｢I was surprised when you moved and transferred It hit me out of the blue I didn’t even know you had a little sister You probably decided to go back and live with her long ago You were slowly preparin’ everything to finally reach your goal No one else knew about it, only you So you kept your little sister a secret That was the right thing to do, of course Keepin’ your plan secret’s the most basic of basics｣
“You’re still exaggerating”
｢I’ve no idea how you ed to accomplish or even came up with that plan It can easily be called incredibly in-depth, yet it was boring and repetitive work But you didn’t rely on anyone else, to the point that you didn’t speak to anyone You conificent｣
”I haven’t done anything big It’s so anyone could do if they put their minds on it”
｢You say it’s somethin’ anyone could do, but do you think it’s somethin’ anyone woulddo?｣
”Err, well, that’s…”
｢Not even awa and Takononized it You’ve done somethin’ incredibly difficult, no doubt about that If not, would I keep praisin’ you to the high heavens or do I look like I’ around?｣
”…”
I slowly sank into silence due to either e else I tried to scratchas happening, h on the phone and said:
｢That’s why I understand why your little sister feels how she feels Anyone with a brother like that would be charmed Even if they were blood-related｣
”…In any case, there’s one thing I got now”
｢That is?｣
”It’s pretty mean to make fun of me with such excessive praise, isn’t it?”
｢Hahaha, give up That’s the price of faotta pay for it”
”There’s a tax on that things? Who could pay all that? What an unfair tax”
｢Anyway, another question I wanted to ask is…｣
Trying not to laugh, Ginbei continued:
｢What were your motives? One surely was your deep love for your sister｣
”Well, yeah She’s my dear sister after all”
｢Akito, to be honest, here’s what I think, just like your little sister with you, you see her as a woman｣
”Well, if IThat absolutely impossible”
｢Is that so?｣
”Actually, I don’t get why your faith in s at some point”
｢It’d be good if that were so｣
”Anyway, isn’t the evidence on all that stuff you keep saying about et all this from?”
｢Isn’t that obvious? My intuition, of course｣
”Hey, hey”
I’ve been hearing that often recently
｢I’m just questionin’ your motives because ofbad things like that, you know? So I’m really worried that you’ll stray off the path and become a brute｣
“…Hey, Gin”
｢What?｣
“Could you— Could it be that you’re mad at me?”
｢Hahaha, isn’t that obvious? You just realized that now?｣
My friend burst into laughter and continued:
｢At the very least I thought ere friends, I thought ere close Ita word That’s standoffish and annoying, isn’t it? Is that all I’ totally mad at that｣
“…Ah, sorry I’m really sorry, really”
｢It’s fine I already said it, but I know you didn’tare two separate things I aiven you｣
“I see Well, thank you, really”
｢I said various harsh things, please don’t take theuess I falsely accused you, didn’t I? If you’re thinkin’ of ive me my temperament?｣
“Well, if it’s just that then I’d be happy to, but… is that okay? To be honest, I was expecting to receive a bunch of blows from you”
｢I won’t do somethin’ that inefficient, so don’t worry Besides, just that wouldn’t satisfy me｣
My friend showed a hint of suppressed laughter now
｢As a ood revenge No need for worry there｣
“…Hey, hey You’re not calm at all”
｢I plan to return the ee twofold Prepare yourself｣
“What?! That’s cruel! It’s not like I wanted to keep it a secret from you, you know?! Anyway, since it had been those Families, it was necessary to move in secret… Since you say to be my close friend, can’t you understand the circu angry and forgiving were two things, you said, didn’t you?”
｢Forgiving and taking revenge are also two things｣
“That so? So to persuade me with your infamous rhetoric”
｢Please stop that false accusations, aren’t you the one trying to persuade me with your own beliefs…? Well, no need to let out such an anxious voice yet I said it’s revenge, but it’ll only be mischief While you renew your relationshi+p with your little sister, be patient and wait for that day to come｣
“Dammit That Gin…”
I gru up upon
No need to worry, you say If you’re saying it like that, then I can do nothing but worry
Wait Could it be that it was your plan to make me worried from the start? So ht and cheery personality, and yet you love playing around and teasing me, that Ginbei…
But I guess now that you’ve spoken your mind about my sister andthe initiative and helping -list and such things)
I thought you weren’t that angry with me and hence I felt relieved
Not happening, huh?
You’re mad after all
See out on me at once, doesn’t it?
I’rateful that you’ve taken the tihts, but…
I should go and boost your mood soon, huh?
That cake you like soeither
Well then
Spring break was gradually approaching its second half Here and there cherry blossoan to bloo
Since I’ve tried being independent for the first ti had been the first one of this kind, but… oh dear, housework’s a total pain, isn’t it?
Cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, and all other kinds of things
Trying to count them was useless, it was an endless aain
Theup one after another Main reason was probably that I simply wasn’t used to it, but nonetheless, I was totally busy
However, back then I had wanted to make preparations for the move in advance
At the tis on hold would turn out horrible
Well, laet me nowhere
First of all, I’ll finish some of the stuff at hand Um, let’s see, what’s left?
I’, huh?
Todaythat aside
It wouldn’t’ve been unlikely for et in her ithwas basically better
If that’s done, the laundry’d be left, huh?
My sister always tried to take the initiative and do things, especially when it came to the laundry I had noticed that sheit out to dry
Today our share of clothing had also been swaying in the garden under the spring sun My sister had coh it still hadn’t been dry
By the way, my sister said that the student council had some tasks to do today and was just about to leave
Since we had been reunited, we had done everything together, so she said: ‘I can’t just leave Onii-chan all alone by himself!’, ‘Because, won’t you be lonely?!’, ‘Mainly because I’m not here?!’, stuff like that, and just before she left the house she was hesitating for a long time——
And now…
dingdong
The bell rang
…I wonder who it is…
Even Ginbei hasn’t been here so far, so there’s no way it couldn’t be a friend of mine Not to mention a relative
Could it be the neighbors? Or maybe solicitors…?
“Yes, co——”
Sure enough
I opened the ‘showa era’-like sliding door that contained frosted glass and standing there was…
“Yo This the Arisugawa house or am I mistaken, eh?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Aah Hiht? Mah bad, mah bad”
“…Aah— Yes”
How to put this…
Anyway, let’s point out all of her features that could be seen at first glance
First, red hair
A ruby-like vivid redhead, the hair made up in a casual ponytail
Next, an eyepatch
A sion Masaht eye
But, a japanese sword?
It consisted of sily unfazed to carry around such a dangerous object, she grasped it with her left hand
“Aah, ’tis here?”
She suddenly raised the hand that was holding the longsword, showed it to me, and said:
“Don’t’cha worry It’s just a bamboo sword, ya know?”
“——Ah, it’s just a fake, huh? Well, thatblatant like this is banned by the weapons act[2], it’d be nuts to carry around soht? If it’s a bamboo sword then it should be fine”
“Well, it’s a real sword called ‘Bamboo Sword’, ya see”
“Then it’s absolutely out!”
“Hahaha No, don’t’cha worry!”
Her chest was arched back and she laughed heartily as she said:
“Even I wouldn’t carelessly pull this guy out in town, ya know?”
“Well, that’s true, I guess, but…”
“I only pull it out to trim mah nails”
“That’s way too carefree, also it’s discourteous to the katana, isn’t it?!”
“Hahaha Yer reactions are excellent I like ya”
Rather…
Fro there was one feature that stood out above all – I forgot to mention that
She earing a uniform
It held traditional and ned uniform
Naturally, I was familiar with those clothes
I had already seen those today It were the clothes , I saw them every day
“The name’s Nikaidou, first one’s Arashi+ Third-year student and council president at St Liliana Academy Ya could say I’m yer sister’s boss Pleased to meet’cha, Himenokouji Akito”
“Ya and yer sister don’t resemble each other too much, eh?”
She said, put the katana beside her, and sat doith one knee raised
The above had been the very first thing that self-claimed student council president had said after her introduction
“Ya look average and yer grades ain’t anythin’ spectacular either, that’s what I’ve heard Are ya the kind of person that gets their nutrients sucked out by their little sister?”
“Err, well, if I ?”
We faced each other from across the tea table
Near the both of us were two shi+garaki[3] tea cups with stea from them
“Ah, don’t take it to heart, aight? I didn’t mean any harm, ya know? It’s just mah nature to be direct”
“Even when it’s the first ?”
“Of course this doesn’t apply to everyone Whatever, yer Arisugawa… Himenokouji Akiko’s older brother, so in my eyes yer just like family to me So how yer bein’ disrespectful to a family member, that’s even more rude, don’t’cha think?”
“Haa?”
How should I say it?
Since earlier so me and I just can’t shake it off
“Um, Nikaidou-san, was it?”
“Oh? What’cha want?”
“U that, is it okay for you to talk about it? Or would you rather not?”
Eyepatch
And then the japanese sword
Nor to do However, she was my sister’s superior and moreover the student council president of the school I was planning to attend I had to ask for the reason behind it
“Haha I see”
Nikaidou-san laughed with a broad grin and continued:
“In other words, yer soets aroused by eyepatches ‘n jap swords, eh?”
“…What?”
“Mah bad, mah bad, I ain’t never met someone with that kinda peculiar taste If I would’ve known that, I’d have tried to be a li’l bit otcha hard for no reason But it’s ‘kay, I won’t let it happen again”
“Please don’t just think stuff up I et to that kind of conclusion?”
“It’s ‘kay, I’ll take responsibility If yer interested, I ain’t et off Ya must’ve collected quite a bit with yer endurin’, haven’t’cha? It ain’t good for yer body to hold it in, ya know?”
“No, please listen to me…”
“Hahaha, it was just a joke, a joke”
The student council president’s voice bursted into laughed
Seriously, please stop telling that ugly jokes Talking dirty things is just too much
…Well
I’m fine, for now at least
‘I don’t want to talk about that’, she probably tried to tellto ‘turn a blind eye to it’ is plenty, I’ else than the eyepatch and japanese sword anyway
“U”
“Oh What’cha want?”
“There’s so I’m also curious about”
“Hm?”
“I’m not really sure how to say it”
“Don’t’cha be so reserved Already told’cha, yer like family to me If there’s anythin’ ya wanna say, then just spit it out like a man”
“Ah, thanks Well, then I’ll just say it”
“Oh? C’mon, out with it”
I clearedfeeling said:
“I can see the for a while now Inside your skirt”
Yes
It had already happened, such a pure thing I had seen it all
That area I was hesitating to talk about was covered in thick red tights
It had been possible because she was sitting in full view in front of me with one of her knees raised It had already been past a peek, it had been inevitable to see
“Hahaha Gotcha, gotcha, ya can see, eh? Guess that’s true”
However
Nikaidou Arashi+ laughed heartily and continued:
“Well, don’t sweat it, I don’t mind”
“Even if you don’t, I do I don’t knohere to turn my eyes to!”
“By the way, today’s are red”
“That so? Well, no surprise then Even when I said I could see theht no hts was, it would’ve been strange to not be able to see the color of the underwear through theet it now, if that’s the case then it’s obvious If they were spats or so—— Hey! That’s not what I was trying to say there!”
“I was lyin’, truth is, I’m not wearin’ any”
“I see, so that’s it So you’re using a high tier strategy as daring as to wear deep colored tights to cover up the fact that you’re not wearing any—— As if! If that was true, wouldn’t it be even worse?! Please stop spreading your legs like that!”
“Hahaha That’s a good reaction ya showin’”
She said and let out another hearty laugh
How to put it? She really enjoyed laughing
“Yer sister’s lackin’ that kinda responses It’s somethin’ precious, ya know?”
“Ah, that so?”
“Ye, it is Arisugawa— Oh, it’s Himenokouji now, huh? Well, either’ll do”
“Huh?”
“Anyways, my cute kouhai – I mean the secretary of the student council, ya know? She’s too serious, so no matter what, she always sticks to the rules She’s really capable, so it’s a good thing, but it’s no good bein’ so stubborn But when it co, she tosses everythin’ away and just goes wild, I really don’t get her”
“Um, about that”
The ht up, I finally re I wanted to ask
“So, what kind of business led you here today? My sister said the student council had some kind of work to do and headed out”
“Well, ye, that’s right I’m the one who told her that”
She said and gave off a satisfied smile
…What am I supposed to say to her?
She said that she was a third-year student, so her age shouldn’t be too far from mine She doesn’t look very lady-like, but if I had to pinpoint, she somehow has an extremely important air to her Yeah Rather than a woman, she’s more like a ronin from the end of the Edo era Plus, she looks as if she’d beco about it, the way she wears that splendid ponytail is kind of reminiscent of a top-bun[4]
“Um… I’d hate to be mistaken, but…”
“What’cha want? Just say it already”
“Froave my sister some work so that you could be alone with me in here…”
“It’s not ‘almost’, that’s exactly the case Himenokouji Akito, I wanted to talk with ya alone, ya know? So I had yer little sister step out for a bit”
“Huh With me?”
“Ye With ya”
In contrast to the broadly grinning Nikaidou-san, I was nothing but bewildered
“And, what do you need me for?”
“Whaaat? It’s nothin’ todeal outta”
She said and alternated the way she was crossing her legs
During which various places were revealed and so I avertedaard
With what caaze went back to her…
“Why don’t’cha become my man?”
“…Huh?”
“Why don’t’cha become my man?”
“Ah, no I heard you perfectly fine There was no need to repeat”
“Oh? Well, sorry ‘bout that then So? What’s yer answer?”
“…U?”
“Nope It was a joke”
“I’ that”
“About 10, ya know”
“So the re that”
“Hahaha That was a joke, too”
“Really… Please don’t scare me like that”
“Beco my man was a joke Why don’t’cha become mah cub[5]?”
“Saying that doesn’t make it better!”
Or rather, didn’t o down?!
“Hahaha No, no, it’s a joke, a joke Yer reactions are interestin’, I couldn’t help but teasin’ ya a bit Mah bad”
“Please give hten easily”
“Well, please don’t think anythin’ bad of it, aight? But, ya know, if ya ever want to becoood tiht?”
“No, thank you”
“Eh, how coht be a bit ood woman, ya know?”
“Anyway, no, thank you”
“But let’s say ya were in that kinda intimate relationshi+p with me…”
She said and leaned forward
All the while she stuck to her usual grin