“That felt great~” (Haruto)
While wiping his wet hair with a towel, Haruto appeared in the living room where Yuno and Suzuha were.
“Wow, onii-chan, you’re not in your pajamas because Suzuha-chan is here. Even though, I went through the trouble of preparing them for you.” (Yuno)
“Well, it’s fine to show off a bit, right? Suzuha-chan, you think so too, don’t you?” (Haruto)
“I would like to see Haruto-oniisan in his pajamas too.” (Suzuha)
“I’m happy to hear that, but that’s a no ahaha.” (Haruto)
It might be something everyone can relate to—wanting to show our best side to those we’re close to.
“Just because Suzuha-chan is cute, don’t try to flirt with her.” (Yuno)
“I just didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Besides, even if someone like me tried to flirt with her, it wouldn’t work on Suzuha-chan. Right?” (Haruto)
“Ah…” (Suzuha)
Haruto, confident in his statement, smiled and urged again.
While he’s doing this to facilitate conversation, for Suzuha, it’s an unexpected killer move.
“…” (Suzuha)
Unable to affirm the truth, and too embarrassed to be honest, she hides her reddening face.
“As soon as you come out, you start troubling Suzuha-chan. Onii-chan, how mean can you be?” (Yuno)
“No! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry?!” (Haruto)
“No, I’m the one who couldn’t respond properly…” (Suzuha)
If she could have responded with a joke, it wouldn’t have escalated to this, but it was something Suzuha couldn’t do right now.
Haruto’s hair was a little wet from the bath, and his hairstyle was different from usual.
He looked even cooler to her than usual.
“In the first place, onii-chan, you should dry your hair before coming to the living room. There’s a hairdryer in the bathroom.” (Yuno)
Yuno interjected to keep the conversation flowing.
She only said this because she had figured out why Suzuha was blushing.
“W-Well, how should I put it… Since it’s already late, I thought it’d be better to spend the time talking and playing chess instead!” (Haruto)
“You can be cheerful while you still can. You’re going to get beaten in chess anyways.” (Yuno)
“You think so? But I’ve been studying quite a bit, so I think I can put up a good fight..” (Haruto)
“…Thank you for that, Haruto-oniisan.” (Suzuha)
“Not at all, not at all.” (Haruto)
She knows he made the effort to learn the rules just to play with her. That fact alone warms her heart.
“Now that I can play chess, it’s less likely that Suzuha-chan will be monopolized by Yuu.” (Haruto)
“Hehe, that might be true.” (Suzuha)
“What are you two talking about…? I’m the one inviting Suzuha-chan, so it’s only natural that I’d monopolize her.” (Yuno)
Yuno sighed, placed her hands on her hips, and replied with a half-hearted glare.
She showed such an exasperated attitude because she could see Suzuha smiling, not entirely displeased by Haruto’s joke.
“She’s so easy to read”…she thought.
“Well, from now on, when Suzuha-chan comes over, I’ll lend her to you for two bottles of juice. So if you need to, just let me know.” (Yuno)
“You’re saying this without asking, but are you okay with it, Suzuha-chan?” (Haruto)
“Of course, I’m fine with it, so in that case…” (Suzuha)
“Then I’ll gladly take you up on that offer when the time comes.” (Haruto)
Sometimes Suzuha visited their home just to see Haruto.
Because Yuno knew this, she didn’t hesitate to make such a suggestion. She never intended to say anything that would cause trouble.
She always tries to intervene such that Suzuha would be happy.
“Onii-chan, I want an orange and apple juice.” (Yuno)
“I’ll make sure to buy the 100% fruit juice kind.” (Haruto)
“That’s expensive, so you can go get something else.” (Yuno)
“Don’t worry about that.” (Haruto)
“But I am worried about that.” (Yuno)
“Hehe.” (Suzuha)
Their typical sibling banter continues. And Suzuha can’t help but smile seeing how Haruto didn’t mind spending a little more to make his sister happy.
“Oh, speaking of which, I got a message from Aya-san, who bought the sushi. She said, ‘You’re welcome! Feel free to enjoy it!’ So I thought I’d pass on the message.” (Haruto)
“She replied quite fast… She’s incredibly kind, isn’t she?” (Yuno)
“Yeah. She’s really kind, so I think you and Suzuha-chan will definitely get along well with her.” (Haruto)
From Haruto’s perspective, it was impossible to imagine them not getting along.
“…Um, Haruto-oniisan. Besides being kind, what kind of person is Aya-san?” (Suzuha)
“Well… To put it simply, she’s friendly, cheerful, straightforward, and the type who is liked by everyone.” (Haruto)
Haruto, scratching his cheek, feels a bit embarrassed about giving such descriptions.
“Onii-chan, you sure are praising her a lot.” (Yuno)
“She’s just that nice. Plus, she’s a first-year university student, just two years younger than me, so we have a lot of topics to talk about.” (Haruto)
“Huh? Onii-chan, she’s two years younger… which means… she’s 18!?” (Yuno)
“Yeah, but is there something surprising about that?” (Haruto)
It’s a perfectly normal age gap.
However, seeing Yuno react as if she just heard they were a decade apart makes Haruto wonder if he said something weird.
“Um… this might come out a bit blunt, but it doesn’t seem like the sushi we got was something a person her age would buy… Right, Suzuha-chan?” (Yuno)
“Y-Yeah. I was really surprised when I saw it…” (Suzuha)
“Surprised…? Wait a sec. Let me check!” (Haruto)
With a voice trembling as if struck by a bad feeling, Haruto opens the refrigerator door and removes the lid of the sushi container.
Then, he’s so shocked that he shakes his shoulders up and down, and a loud “Huh!?” can be heard.
He turned back with that expression still on his face.
“Uh, well… What should I do? This sushi is definitely something premium… It’s like she went further beyond what was on the menu…” (Haruto)
“Hey, onii-chan, how did you not notice when ordering? Normally, you’d realize something is off.” (Yuno)
“Well, you see… We were originally supposed to choose our own menu items first, and after I paid half the money, Aya-san picked out this sushi by herself… And she was the one who settled the final bill too…” (Haruto)
“Hehehe.” (Suzuha)
Haruto is being pressed by Yuno, not just with words, but also in terms of physical proximity.
And Suzuha watches this with a fond smile.
“W-Well, I’m happy to have the chance to eat this kind of sushi, but it’s not okay for onii-chan to be fooled like this. The ‘feel free to eat it’ message was probably talking about this.” (Yuno)
“Oh, ah…! So, that’s why she also sent a sorry emoji! I thought it was a bit off!” (Haruto)
“Haah… Seriously…” (Yuno)
Seeing such a clear expression on his face, Yuno’s drive to pursue the issue fades away.
Despite going through a rebellious phase, Yuno genuinely felt that she was fortunate to have her brother around. However, she found this particular issue troubling.
Because of his lack of attention to crucial details, she couldn’t help but worry about him.
If there’s one thing she wanted to change about him, it’s this. But she’s also starting to give up.
She slumped her shoulders, then slowly turned her head to give Suzuha a weary look.
Her gaze seemed to say, “Are you really, truly okay with someone like him? It’s going to be tough, you know?” In response, Suzuha narrowed her eyes and nodded without hesitation as if to say “It’s fine, really.”
Since Yuno had lived with him for so long, it was an unshakeable truth for her.
But Suzuha found even that part of Haruto endearing.
Moreover, the fact that someone as kind, wonderful, and financially stable as Aya is interested in Haruto is proof of just how attractive he is.
Having a rival is certainly inconvenient, but this was something Suzuha had been prepared for ever since she developed feelings for Haruto.
She always thought he was more wonderful than any other man, and it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had gotten a girlfriend at any time.
“…I see.” (Yuno)
“Yuu? ‘I see’ what?” (Haruto)
“Nothing. …Anyways, enough about me. Show Suzuha-chan how you play chess. I’ve set up the board already.” (Yuno)
“Haha, Yuu’s right. Suzuha-chan, shall we play?” (Haruto)
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it, Haruto-oniisan.” (Suzuha)
“Alright! I’m going all out, so be prepared!” (Haruto)
Saying this, Haruto stretched to psych himself up and approached the table where the chessboard was set up.
He then sat down in a chair, facing Suzuha.
“Hey, onii-chan. Since it’s a special occasion, how about making a punishment game for the loser?” (Yuno)
“I’m okay with anything, so I’ll leave it up to Suzuha-chan.” (Haruto)
“Then… how about a best-of-three match, and the loser has to grant the winner’s request… How does that sound?” (Suzuha)
“Sounds good! And for the requests, let’s keep them within reason and things that actually can be done, okay?” (Yuno)
“Okay.” (Suzuha)
“Got it!” (Haruto)
When it comes to competition, Haruto doesn’t imagine losing.
While thinking about what he might ask for if he wins, he calls out to Yuno.
“Yuu, I’m counting on your support!” (Haruto)
“I’m only cheering for Suzuha-chan, though.” (Yuno)
“Wait, not for me!?” (Haruto)
“Yeah, not for you, onii-chan.” (Yuno)
Haruto made a shocked face at Yuno’s immediate response.
And… Suzuha couldn’t help but be captivated by this expression as well.
“Well, if you manage to win even one game, I might consider cheering you on.” (Yuno)
“Is that a promise?” (Haruto)
“Y-Yeah, I get it… So don’t look so happy.” (Yuno)
Yuno averted her gaze.
Because Haruto felt so grateful that it couldn’t be put into words, he couldn’t help but show it on his face.
“Then, I’ll let you go first, Haruto-san.” (Suzuha)
“Really!? Going first is advantageous, you know?” (Haruto)
“I plan to win even if I go second.” (Suzuha)
“Oh, interesting… Then I’ll take you up on your offer.” (Haruto)
With that, Haruto’s expression turned serious as he made the first move.
…
“W-Wait a minute! Hold on! Suzuha-chan, can’t you give me a bit more breathing room?” (Haruto)
“Hehe, it only just started, you know?” (Suzuha)
In the living room, Haruto’s panicked voice could be heard.
“Onii-chan, your position is terrible. Didn’t you say you were going to give her a good match?” (Yuno)
“T-That’s because Suzuha-chan is just too strong!” (Haruto)
As the two of them play chess, Yuno’s voice can be heard happily commenting on the game while holding a stuffed sea turtle plushie.
Illustration of Suzuha playing chess
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
How on earth did MC’s king march all the way to Suzuha’s side of the board? It’s either the angle of the illustration or MC really went and did that. If that’s supposed to be MC’s side of the board, then Suzuha somehow managed to get the rook in the back rank so it’s probably over.
Alright, so we’re nearing the end of this volume. All that’s left is the interlude and epilogue. I haven’t really decided what I want to translate next. Or maybe I should just focus on one series at a time.
Footnote:
- None
thanks for the chapter !!