“............”
Alone in my room, I lay on my bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Even if I read a book, played a game, or ate food, I couldn’t forget what happened during the day.
Kuonji’s weakened face.
Her exposed chest.
Her hot, flushed hands.
And the true feelings that I caught a glimpse of, if only for a moment.
“~~~~~!!”
I thrashed around on my bed.
Damn it, what was that? Is she too cute or what!?
The way she regressed into a child when she had a fever was cute, but... those true feelings she showed while her consciousness was hazy!
I face-planted into my pillow.
“NUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
I screamed for no reason.
I had tried to muffle the sound with the pillow, but it seemed to echo more than I thought. Kotono, from the room next door, came rushing in while holding a wooden sword.
“Onii, Onii, are you okay!? A thief!? A robber!? A murderer!?”
“I-I'm fine. Sorry for yelling...”
“Phew, thank goodness. You really scared me.”
Kotono slumped down on the floor with teary eyes.
No, really, I'm sorry. I did something bad...
As I approached the slumped Kotono, she reached out her arms with an “Mm...”
“Kotono, think about your age.”
“Mm—!”
“...Honestly, you're hopeless...”
She just can't seem to stop being a clingy little sister no matter how much time passes.
I put my hands under her arms and lifted her up.
Despite her age, Kotono's height and appearance were more like those of a college student. She had a decent amount of weight, but perhaps because I've been working out, I lifted her easily.
“Yay! It's been a while since Onii gave me high-highs!”
“Now that I think about it, you used to love high-highs. To think you've grown this big...”
“Boo. Are you trying to say I've gotten heavy?”
“No, no.”
Though I thought that a little bit.
Then, as if she suddenly became demure, her cheeks flushed red.
“I mean, well... I'd be happy if you'd put me down now.”
“Oh, is that so? You used to throw a tantrum for more, you know.”
“Just do it!”
...Maybe she's at the age where she doesn't like high-highs anymore.
It made me feel both happy to see Kotono's growth and a little lonely.
When I slowly set her down, she quickly covered her chest as if protecting herself.
“Pervert...”
...Ah, I see. So that's what it was.
“Hmph.”
“Did you just scoff at me!?”
“Go do that kind of thing to your fated person.”
I gave her a forehead flick.
“Ouch. Mmm—, to have such a reaction after touching the side-boob of a beautiful girl like me... Onii, are you gay?”
“If I reacted that way toward my real sister, I'd be way too much of a pervert.”
“True (lol).”
Don't add 'lol' to your speech.
“Ah—, but I see. That makes sense.”
“...What are you smirking at?”
“I thought that since Onii has a cute fated person like Riran-tan, someone like me wouldn't make your heart flutter.”
Guh... it's hard to react when she pokes at that point right now...
“By the way, Onii.”
“What?”
“Did something happen with Riran-tan?”
...Is this girl an esper?
“That roar earlier was because of Riran-tan, wasn't it?”
“...What makes you think that?”
“I just know. How many years do you think I've been your sister?”
Doesn't this girl love me a bit too much?
It doesn't feel bad, though. I like Kotono too. Of course, as siblings.
“...Today, Kuonji was absent because of a cold. I went to her place to drop off the handouts.”
“Ohh, so you went to visit her.”
“Yeah. And then, seeing her all weakened, I thought...”
I let the silence hang for a while.
And then.
“—Ah, she's cute.”
“What, are you just bragging about your love life?”
“I'm not bragging!”
...Wait, I'm not, right?
Kotono let out an exasperated sigh and dived onto my bed.
“Well, I admit Riran-tan is cute~. It makes me feel lonely, like Onii has been taken away.”
“Don't worry. I'll always be your big brother.”
“Uwah, siscon, gross.”
I should really knock this girl down.
I tapped the forehead of the smirking Kotono and sat down in my chair.
I watched Kotono humming and swinging her legs, but what came to mind was Kuonji, weakened by the cold.
I'm really poisoned, aren't I?
...It's been a while since then, but I wonder if her fever has gone down.
Or maybe she still has a fever and is bedridden.
...For now, I'll just send a message.
Akito: Get well soon
Akito: (Stamp of a dog jumping around)
That should do it.
She also seemed to think that thing was a dream.
“Hey Onii, I'm bored, pay attention to me.”
“You have entrance exams this year. Go study.”
“I still have plenty of time. Besides, if it comes down to it, I'll have Onii teach me.”
She's relying on others right from the start.
It's true that Kotono is naturally smart. Even if she doesn't study, she's near the top of her grade.
“...Seriously, you're hopeless.”
“Just for a little bit.”
“Yay! I love how you're so soft on me, Onii!”
“Should I be strict with you?”
“Then I'll hate you.”
“I'm sorry, I lied.”
“Nishishi. I love that about you too.”
So annoying...
Hmm? My phone rang... Oh, it's Kuonji.
Riran: (Stamp of a dog saying 'Thank You')
...It seems she doesn't have the energy to type words yet.
I hope I can see her at school tomorrow.
“Onii, let's go to the living room.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
◆ Riran at that time ◆
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!?!?!!?! 'Get well soon'! I got a 'Get well soon' from Sanadaaaaaaaaa!!!! Nuhehehehe, uhyoooooooooooo!!!! Ah, my fever's coming back...”
(Rila is so easy... but that's what makes her cute.)