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"Oh, hello, hello. I'm Komachi, the younger sister of the older brother."
"I came all the way to Tokyo today for a reason. Well, I'm just sick of studying for entrance exams, so I just wanted to go see the university I plan to apply to and get myself hyped up."
"Alright, don't you dare say, 'You're always taking exams.' I'm not doing it because I want to."
"So, here I am now, full of excitement after actually seeing the university. I really wanted to see the school festival that's supposed to be held at my brother's university soon, but the dates didn't match up, so it couldn't be helped. Well, I guess I'll just go home now... but no, my parents told me to at least go visit my brother, so here I am."
"Hmm..."
More than a ten-minute walk from the station. In what you'd call a residential area, there was an apartment building where my brother rented a room. It looked like it was easily over thirty years old. Is it a luxury for Komachi to think I'd prefer a condominium...? My brother's room was at the very back on the first floor, and the room next door had no nameplate and tape on the mailbox, so it seemed to be vacant. I wonder if he rented it after confirming that the next room was empty. My brother would totally do something like that.
"Oh, welcome."
A few seconds after ringing the doorbell, my brother appeared, looking a bit breathless.
"Long time no see, big brother."
I said that because, to tell the truth, it was my first time visiting my brother's place. Because it's a bit far and troublesome from Chiba, and I'm an examinee. When I went inside, the old-fashioned interior, just like the exterior of the apartment, came into view. There were frosted glass panels with a "Pikaan!" mark on them, and faucet handles that were oddly shaped, all things I'd only seen at my grandmother's house.
"You must be tired from the long journey. Have a seat over there."
He led me to what seemed to be a combined living room and bedroom, a strange space where a bed and a TV coexisted. From the position of the table, it seemed that the usual way to spend time in this room was to lean against the bed frame and relax. The living room was as simple as my brother's room. I wondered if the stylish little trinkets placed here and there were gifts from someone. Komachi needs to interrogate him later.
"Was tea alright?"
"Yeah, thanks."
I took a sip of the tea he gave me and sighed. It felt like it had been a long time since I had such a moment.
"So, how was it? The university."
"Hmm. Everyone seemed pretty quiet? I thought universities would be more free-spirited, so I expected more boisterous people."
"What kind of image do you have of university students...?"
I looked around the university that was my first choice today, and everyone entering and exiting the university seemed mature and calm. Did I feel that way because Komachi is childish? I want to believe otherwise...
"Oh, I also checked out your university, big brother."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because it's my second choice."
"This is the first I'm hearing of it..."
My brother looked exasperated and troubled, but that was to be expected. Because I hadn't told him. To be honest, even for my second choice, my current academic ability makes it tough. My first choice is even tougher. But I felt a certain conviction that this university was the one, so all I can do is work hard now.
"Thanks for the tea."
"Mm."
Komachi said that and stood up, heading to the kitchen with the empty glass in hand. While I was at it, I decided to take a closer look at the apartment. As soon as I placed the glass in the sink, I immediately noticed a light pink apron. Clearly not my brother's taste. I definitely need to interrogate him later.
And then, what caught my eye next was a familiar mug.
Wait, what? Why is this here...?
"Jiiiii..."
Whether I looked closely or from afar, there was no mistaking it. This mug, I gave it to Iroha-senpai for her birthday last year, didn't I...?
Ding-dong!
As Komachi was confused, a drawn-out doorbell rang. My brother went to the entrance, and the person standing there wasâ
"Excuse me for intruding~"
"Huh, were you planning to come today?"
"No, vegetables were cheap, so I thought I'd make some pre-made dishes."
Iroha-senpai was there, looking as if her presence here was perfectly natural.
"Ah."
When our eyes met, she let out a sound like she hadn't meant to. But her surprise lasted only for a moment. She suddenly smiled and said to Komachi,
"Welcome, Komachi-chan."
Gasp! She's living here! This woman is completely living here already! And what's with that polite smile? She's definitely up to something, this one.
"Long time no see. Um... would you like something to drink?"
"No, I've already had some..."
And what's with this aura of an older sister she's exuding...? No, to Komachi, she's definitely an older sister, but she's so different from the Iroha-senpai in my memory that I can't quite process it.
"Then, I'll borrow the kitchen."
"Alright."
When Iroha-senpai spoke, my brother answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Still dumbfounded, I returned to the living room with my brother, and I whispered to him,
"Brother, by any chance..."
"Huh?"
"Are you dating Iroha-senpai?"
"No, we're not dating, but..."
No. No, no, no, no, no. That's impossible, isn't it? She has her mug here, right? She even comes to make pre-made dishesâthat's completely a girlfriend! ...Phew. Sorry, I'm so flustered that my words are getting jumbled.
"Senpai, for dinner..."
"Oh, ask her to make a portion for Komachi too."
And this person is just casually asking her to cook for him. Well, since she's making pre-made dishes, maybe this is a regular thing.
So, after about thirty minutes of waiting, the table in front of me was lined with very homely dishes like simmered fish and boiled spinach with dressing. She's completely captured his stomach, isn't she? Yes.
" " "Itadakimasu!" " "
When we said that together, it felt like a family. Well, my brother and I really are family, but still. First, a bite of the egg roll, which clearly showed her cooking skills, before the boiled spinach. It had a sweet seasoning with a hint of dashi. Hmm, she completely understands my brother's preferences...
"Ah, Senpai. A grain of rice."
Saying that, Iroha-senpai used her finger to take a grain of rice from my brother's mouth and put it into her own. ...Huh? What is this person doing?
"When the rice tastes good, you always end up like that, don't you?"
"Ah... maybe."
No, wait, big brother! Why are you just accepting it? Are you a normie? When did you become a normie?
"I'm confident in today's egg rolls. Here."
"Mm."
My brother simply ate what Iroha-senpai offered him with her chopsticks. Out! Yes, that's out! This is definitely a couple! It's impossible for them not to be dating with this!
...Ah, yes. I got excited again. I'll calm down.
"Um..."
When I couldn't bear it any longer and spoke up, my brother was still chewing, and Iroha-senpai looked at Komachi while still holding her chopsticks out to my brother.
"Are you two, perhaps, a couple?"
"No, we're not dating, but..."
Huh? What, then did they get married without Komachi knowing? That's the only thing I can think of.
"But big brother and Iroha-senpai... aren't you too close?"
"...Do you think so?"
"It's normal, isn't it?"
No, Iroha-senpai is completely in his personal space. She's practically cuddling him.
"Um... perhaps it's a secret relationship?"
"No, I told you we're not dating."
"But..."
"But..." Komachi couldn't help but notice the slightly dissatisfied expression on Iroha-senpai's face.
"Oh, that reminds me. Can I use your bath today? I still have some cooking to do."
"Well, if that's the reason, I guess so."
"Can I stay over too?"
"Of course not! Don't get ahead of yourself!"
From their exchange, Komachi became certain. Iroha-senpai is trying her best. She's really trying her best, for my brother. And most of all, for herself.
"Komachi, you should probably head home soon after you finish eating."
"Ah, yeah..."
Even if I go home to Chiba from my brother's apartment, it won't be too late. For now, let's enjoy our meal, with these two seemingly stable people as our side dish.
After finishing dinner and getting ready, Komachi went outside with her brother and Iroha-senpai. It seemed they were going to walk me to the station. Tokyo, as we chatted and walked, was more idyllic and warm than I had imagined. Maybe I could make it here too.
"Well, have a safe trip home."
"Yeah. Um, Iroha-senpai. Could you just..."
At the station, as we were saying goodbye, Komachi beckoned Iroha-senpai over. Once we were a sufficient distance from my brother, I steeled myself and whispered into her ear.
"Um... can I call you 'O-neechan' (sister-in-law)?"
Upon hearing that, Iroha-senpai... slowly pulled her face away from Komachi and said with the best smile possible:
"Of course! âŞ"
--- And so.
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