“Thanks for the meal.”
“Thanks for the meal!”
Just as I finished dinner and joined my hands together with my sister, my smartphone vibrated.
Sako Hasu: 『Takuto, sorry. We might be heading out soon. Could you bring the amp over?』
Takuto Konuma: 『I just finished eating, so I’ll be there soon.』
Where would they be heading out to? Maybe a family restaurant or something?
“...Alright, time to go.”
“Huh? Where are you going, Takkun? It’s cold outside, you know? Are you going to buy ice cream? Häagen-Dazs? Is it for Yuzu?”
As I started putting on my jacket after the meal, she began circling around me and asking questions like a dog when its owner is about to go out. ...No, that second half is just your own selfish desires, it’s not cute at all.
“Wrong, I’m going to Sako’s house. To deliver this.”
I picked up the small amp I had placed at my feet.
“An amp? Why? Doesn’t Sako-chan have one?”
I was surprised by the question she asked so nonchalantly, and my mouth hung open.
“Eh, what’s wrong, Takkun? Are you imitating a hippo?”
“When did you learn a word like ‘amp’...?”
“...W-Well, it doesn't matter!”
When I pointed it out, Yuzu blushed and looked away.
“No, why are you being a tsundere about it? Hey, are you maybe interested in instruments? Should I teach you? Guitar? Bass?”
“Shut up! I really hate that!”
“Wha—...!”
Can you believe this? My sister, whom I raised with so much care, just said ‘I really hate that’ in a dead-serious tone...!
“That’s not it. Why are you delivering that to Sako-chan?”
“Are you in a rebellious phase? Yuzu... You used to be such a brother’s girl...”
“I’ve never been a brother’s girl! Just answer the question!”
I let out a sigh to release my sadness before answering.
“There’s someone staying over at Sako’s place today to practice instruments together. So they need two amps.”
“Hmm? ...Wait, could it be Amane-chan!?”
“It’s not Amane-chan.”
In the heat of the moment, I realized a second too late that I had called her ‘Amane-chan,’ and I cleared my throat.
“...Someone else. A person named Azuma.”
I ended up giving unnecessary information just to gloss over it.
And as expected.
“Azuma Yuri-san!? Yuzu wants to meet her!”
“What are you going to do once you meet her...?”
“Give my greetings! Since Yuzu is a brother’s girl, I want to meet my brother’s friends!”
“No, you only say that when it’s convenient...”
As I said that, I looked at my sister’s sparkling eyes and gave up.
She knows where Sako’s house is anyway, so it doesn't really matter if I leave her behind or not.
With a resigned smile and a shrug, I told her my only condition.
“Fine, I guess... Then, you carry the amp, okay?”
“I hate that!”
...Yeah, what a great smile, Yuzu-chan.
As the two of us walked leisurely, we arrived at Sako’s house.
At that same moment, Sako-chan’s mom, Sako, and Azuma came out from the front door.
“Ah, it’s Konuma.”
Azuma noticed us and waved, then shifted her gaze to the side.
“...Eh, cheating?”
“No, this is...” “P-Please stop that! Why would I be with a man like this!”
Just as I was about to explain (?), Yuzu cut me off with an unnecessary move.
“Eh, a second tsundere-type childhood friend...!?”
“You two are as close as ever, Taku-chan and Yuzu-chan.”
Beside a bewildered Azuma, Sako-chan’s mom smiled gently.
“Yurisuke, this is Takuto’s younger sister.”
“Hello! I am the brother’s sister, Yuzu Konuma!”
“Oh, I see, you startled me... I thought it was some kind of ‘moe’ situation...”
Wait, didn't that ‘moe’ just now have a nuance of ‘flaming’ on social media?
“Um, nice to meet you, I’m Yuri Azuma. With Konuma... no, his sister is also Konuma... Um, T-T-T-Takuto-kun’s... wait, what am I to Takuto-kun?”
“Don’t panic... Yuzu, Yurisuke is the one in charge of lyrics for our band.”
Beside Azuma, whose eyes had started spinning for some mysterious reason, Sako gave an introduction.
“I see, so you’re Yuri-neesan! Pleased to meet you!”
“Gah...! This is the first time I’ve been called ‘neesan,’ I’m so happy...!”
Why is Yuzu hitting Azuma-neesan’s weak spot so hard? Or rather, given that Yuzu saw through her as a ‘neesan’ in one shot, Azuma really does exude an older-sisterly vibe (the sister version of motherly)...
“By the way, where are you guys going?”
“The super sento. My dad is going to use the bath at home, so we can’t exactly put Yurisuke in there.”
“I-I see...”
No, that’s quite raw in many ways. Mostly in the treatment of the father. And yet, I feel like, well, that makes sense. The sense of conviction is overwhelming.
“Just so you know, it’s not like I said I didn't want to, okay? It’s not like the water I’ve soaked in has any value or anything...”
Azuma was muttering embarrassedly, but that was also something I couldn’t really comment on... I couldn’t say ‘True...’ nor could I say ‘That’s not true, it has value!’ It’s a trap.
“Taku-chan and Yuzu-chan, why don't you come along? I’ll lend you some towels.”
While I was trying to think of a response that wouldn't result in social death, Sako-chan’s mom threw me a lifeline.
“No, we’re—” “Yes, I want to go!”
Yuzu went out of her way to cut me off just as I was about to decline.
“Hey, Yuzu... you shouldn't be a burden to them...”
“A burden! Taku-chan, geez, you don't have to be so reserved at this point!”
“Calling him Taku-chan is also nice...”
Azuma whispered to herself.
“Look, Sako-chan’s mom is even saying so, right?”
“Of course Sako-chan’s mom would say that. But we have a bath at home, right? I’ll heat it up for you...”
As I was trying to retreat,
“Hey, Takkun?”
Yuzu looked up at me, wrapping both her hands around my right hand, her eyes becoming teary.
“...Is it no good?”
“...!”
...I am weak against this side of Yuzu.
“I-If it’s not a bother...!”
“Yay! Thank you, Takkun!”
The sister jumped for joy, and the brother dropped his shoulders in a quick defeat.
Beside them, Azuma tugged on Sako’s sleeve.
“Hey, Sako-hasu. Doesn't Konuma’s sister’s way of doing things...”
“...Don’t say any more, Yurisuke.”
“...Resemble Amane?”
“I told you not to say it...”