Ore ga Suki nano wa Imouto dakedo Imouto ja Nai

Volume 1 Chapter 1

Mine and my sister’s reason for becoming novelists

Part 1:

"I’m home….oh"

As I opened thedoor of the entrance, I realized that there were shoes neatly linedup. It seems like my little sister is already home. Pretty early eventhough she should have student council activities, I thought, but Inoticed that I was pretty late. Well, I went out of my way to go toAkihabara to get a new book. While holding a bag with light novels inmy hand, I carefully made my way to the stairs but…

"Welcome back,Onii-chan. Took you a long time."

An apron-wearingSuzuka came out of the living room. I gulped like a kid that gotbusted for playing a prank.

"I thought Itold you to call me beforehand when you’re coming home late….."

"W-Well, it’sstill only 6pm you know? It’s not really that late."

"It’s abouthaving dinner. That’s good manners."

Suzuka says thatwhile looking at my bag.

"Did you reallygo to Tokyo again just for another novel?"

"The importantpoint is to get it as fast as possible,you know? Also, there are alot of positive aspects of buying it in the shop. As someone wholoves light novels, I can’t ignore that……!"

"I don’t reallyget it."

Throwing out thesewords deprived of any emotion, Suzuka started arranging the shoes Ijust took off in the hallway. These cold words and attitude are thekey characteristic for my little sister.

Nagami Suzuka -The student council president of the prestige girls-only schoolHakuou, a 3^rd year student. Grades that are always on thetop, very athletic, popular and with a lot of charisma. A real-lifesuper human. Because she is also doing a lot of housework, it’s hardto find a thing that she can’t do. It may sound weird coming from me,her big brother, but she’d probably make 10 out of 10 people turntheir head on the street. That’s how beautiful she is. It might soundsubjective but

that’s just how itis. Even so, saying it out loud wouldn’t help me in this situation soI decided not to.

"Moreover, youwere hiding from me while trying to sneak into your room right?"

"Don’t say stuffthat hurts my reputation. It might not look like it but I’m doingthis for you, you see? You hate this light novel and otaku stuff,right?"

(TLC: otaku =people that like manga/anime/light novel and so on)

"I don’tparticularly hate it or anything. It’s just that I don’t reallyunderstand it."

"Of course youdon’t understand the superbness of light novels if you’ve neverreally looked into it! Alright! Since that’s the case, I’m going togive you a lecture about the awesomeness of light novels!"

"No I’m fine.",declined Suzuka with a straight face.

Well that outcomewas pretty obvious, I thought.

"By the wayOnii-chan, your clothes are pretty messy I see.", says Suzuka asshe reaches out for my uniform, starting to rearrange it.

"Even though Iwashed it only yesterday it’s already this dirty again, includingyour necktie. Not to say your buttons sleeves and shoes. What doesthis mean?"

"T-There was asmall cat stuck on a tree in the park that I passed on my way home,you see? And next to the tree was a crying girl that seemed like theowner, so thought I would help her."

"….That’s verysplendid of you."

"Right? That’sjust like what a light novel protagonist would do in a scene likethat, you know?"

"I don’t getit."

In a second theface of Suzuka switched from impression to coldness.

"After all, asan aspiring light novel author, it’s important to learn andunderstand the feelings of a protagonist in order to make the rightchoices, yes."

"Please don’ttalk to yourself while using words I don’t understand."

"And there’sthat, you know? The story that after turning into a pretty girl, shewill come repay me for saving the cat."

"Onii-chan,let’s go to a hospital."

"N-no, that’snot it. It’s just a "what-if" kind of thing. It’s not like I’mreally thinking that. Having fantasies like that is an importanttrait for a writer is what I’m trying to imply."

"I really don’tget it after all.", sighs Suzuka. "Please pull yourself together,Onii-chan", she says, as always.

Although shecomplains like that almost every day, her saying it in all honestymakes me almost collapse. I knew it before this but my sister isreally a serious person. "Absolutely", i thought.

Growing accustomedto it, i stopped sweating every little detail.

And like that, Iwas always her target. There was never a siblings-like exchangebetween us.

If there wassomething, it would be the selfish little sister facing her bigbrother, who goes like "It can’t be helped, i guess". At least,that’s what i (selfishly) think but other than that, there was nevera cheerful exchange between us.

"Anyways, putyour clothes in the basket and clean your shoes please. I will fixyour buttons myself", ordered Suzuka, while returning to the livingroom. "And since your home now, go wash your hands."

With these words,the door closed.

I let out a sighas i head towards the bathroom. That was basically our daily exchangein a nutshell.

….But still,there are a lot of little sister types in light novels. Not to forgetthe big brother types as well but I’m amazed how they’re all givingtheir best regarding their sisters. I’m trying my here, you know?It’s fine, though. Really, it’s fine….but sometimes I’m envious ofthem.

My name is NagamiYuu. I often claim myself a normal first-year highschool student withgrades in the upper-half and no special skills to name. Myappearance….is normal I would say say. The only thing thatseparates me from other people is that I like light novels(TL: Ya noshit Sherlock). In my case, I do not only read them but I also writethem.

I’m entering alight novel contest every year since my first year of middle school.The thing is, I always lose in the first preliminaries every time.Well, it doesn’t matter, I guess. No matter how many times I lose,it’s still my dream to win and debut as a light novel author. That’swhat I answered as I discussed it with my parents. Nowadays, it’s notthat weird being an otaku anymore, you know?

My family consistsof four people: my little sister, my parents and me. Because both ofmy parents are working, we’re able to live in a decent home withdecent income. They’re very busy so there’s often times when theydon’t come home at all. That’s why it happens from time to time thatme and my little sister live alone for a certain time….but I don’tfell lonely at all.

Never mind allthat, I have a different problem at the moment. To be specific, thecircumstances right now.

"……….."

"…………….."

Suzuka and I weresitting in front of each other in the living room while eatingdinner. We were moving our chopsticks without saying a word. Thecooking of Suzuka was really delicious but in this awkward situationit seemed like the food was losing it’s flavor. That’s why I triedtalking to her a few times but…..

"Hey Suzuka, isit okay if I turn on the TV?"

"Which channelwould you like to watch then?"

"I don’t reallywant to watch anything specific but…."

"That’s a nothen. I hate loud stuff."

And that was howthe ship sank, I would say. Still, today I decided to give it my bestand gave it another try.

"You know…. doyou not feel lonely only having dinner with the two of us?"

"We can’t helpit that father and mother have to be away for work."

"But still,having no conversation whatsoever is a bit weird…."

"That’s a validpoint. Go ahead then."

So that means…that I get to decide a topic? Isn’t it kind of weird to start aconversation between family members with a "Go ahead"? Well,let’s use this chance to start a good talk then.

"Uhhhm, so howis your school life coming along?"

"Pretty normal."

"Hey you can’tjust end it like that! Do you know the principle of "catch-ball"conversations?!"

"Even if you saythat, it’s troubling me if you keep using the vague questions."

"I-I got it.Then, How’s the work as the student council president?"

"We we’refilling out documents today."

"Like I said,can’t you just try to expand your answers a little bit?

"For me, thereisn’t really anything interesting to talk about so I can’t help it.What about you, Onii-chan? Don’t you have anything interesting totalk about?"

"Me? I was…,well, oh right. A while ago, I found an interesting novel. I’ve reada lot of light novels but there are still so many captivating onesout there and……"

"Excuse me buteven if you talk about light novels i don’t really understand it."

"Yeahfigures….."

Conversation overjust like that. Thinking about it, we really don’t have any sharedinterests.

And so the dinnerended as well. My little sister went into the kitchen to wash thedishes and I make my way to my room after preparing the bath.

The relationshipof us siblings was like that from the start. You would think thatthere is a wall between us.

"How did it turnout like this…..?"

I was sitting inthe bathtub while looking at the ceiling. Since when…huh, sincethat time of course.

The memory of along time ago, the picture of a crying face comes to my mind.

"Well thinkingabout it now doesn’t change anything, yes."

I got out of thebathtub while muttering my conclusion.

While making myway to my room, I decided to knock on my neighbors, Suzuka’s room,telling her that the bath was open. After hearing a faint "Yes"on the other side, I went into my own room.

Putting the thingsabout my sister out of my head, I started to line up the new releasesI bought today.

"Eight, nine,ten….. Well then, which one should I read?"

I wondered whichone I should pick. In my current lifestyle, this was the mostinteresting time of the day. After wondering for a while, I decidedto pick up the third volume of [Sky Magic Guardian] or short[Sukamaga]. It’s written by Enryuu Houmura-sensei, an author I reallylook up to. The main plot is about war between factions and magicalbattles in mid-air.

"Last time istopped at a pretty interesting part. Let’s see…."

After putting away the rest of the novels into the bag again, i lay down on my bed and entered the world of Sukamaga.

Reading for abouttwo hours, I felt satisfied and closed the book. Still swelling inthe memories, I slowly stood up.

"Oh endlesslight that travels in the heavens…….. Obey my will and cleansethese impurities! Divine Ray!!!"

Chanting thewords, I reached out into the empty space. Of course, there was noway that there would be any holy light coming out of my hand. Neitherof course that there would be a heroine waiting for me after Idefeated my enemies. Still, it’s normal to get fired up after readinga good novel, right? Lately it feels like I got more into thesefantasies but I want to believe that everybody acts like that oncethey’re alone. In reality, this all helps me in writing a realisticlight novel protagonist and story, so it’s fine I guess.

"This chant isreally cool after all…..I’ll take the same direction in my nextnovel."

Turning to mydesk, I switched the power on on my notebook. I decided to startwriting before the heat that i got from Enryuu-sensei woulddisappear. While starting the software, something fell into my eye.

"The grand-prizewinner huh, that was today yeah."

The grand-prize Iwas talking about was the one i always fantasized about. The gatewayto success for a light novel author. Winning it meant an instantdebut. Sadly, I lost this one as well in the preliminaries.

"Haha! Itdoesn’t matter in the slightest. No matter what happens, I’ll keepputting out applications until I win!"

After encouragingmyself with these words, I opened my browser to look at the winner.Informing oneself is also an important part in this business.

"But…who am Idirecting these excuses at? Ugh, forget it! The result!

I took a look atthe novel that won this time.

[The story of alittle sister who loves her big brother way too much to cope.]

"T-that’s apretty straight forward title alright."

Facing such apowerful title, I let out a groan. Lately, light novel titles seemedto evolve more and more but this is just on another level.

"Judging fromthe name, it seems to be a rabucome (TL: love comedy). The name ofthe author is….uhm..Towano Chikai? What a weird name."

(TLC: TowanoChikai means eternal promise)

Well, it’s notlike the pen name really matters, I guess. What’s important is thenovel itself. To be honest, the title makes me really want to readit. Especially since it’s about a little sister character. I have alot of light novels in my room but the ratio of novels with littlesister heroines are pretty high. Ah! You’re wrong though. It’s notlike I read them because of that. They’re just interesting ingeneral! It’s not because i have a little sister in real life!

"Again… who amI directing these excuses to…..? Still, for a rabucome like this towin, it really shows that the light novel industry has changed."

Stopping myself, Itake a look at the comments. No matter where I looked, there wereonly extremely good comments from the selection committee members.

"This piece putsevery other little sister work behind itself!" or "Theincomparable cuteness (TL: dere in the OG) that comes in like a stormis the best part!" or "When this gets released, it will cause asevere earthquake in the rabucome industry!"

Because ofcomments like these, my expectations grew massively. While making amemo in my smartphone remembering me to buy it.

"Well then, iguess it’s time to keep going with my own novel.", I said and wasabout to start typing on my keyboard.

Then it happened.

Knock knock

"Huh? Yes, I’min."

Answering thesound from the door, I turned my head. Since nobody opened the door,I decided to take the initiative and open it myself.

"Who isit……huh?"

I instantly frozeup. Why? Well there was the never expected Suzuka, just standingthere. For my sister to come to my room, such a thing has neverhappened before.

"Suzuka….?W-What is it?"

"I havesomething I want to talk about…"

I was shockedbecause of the sudden development. Still, Suzuka said that with hertypical bad-mood face.

"Something totalk about…with me?"

"Is thereanybody else for me to talk about besides Onii-chan in your ownroom?"

"Well of course,because my closet could suddenly connect to another world and abishoujo (TL: beautiful girl) would come out of it. The possibilityis low I know but it’s there."

"As always, Idon’t understand a thing you are talking about…..but that doesn’tmatter right now. Can we talk?"

"You really havesomething to talk about with me?"

"Please don’tmake me repeat myself over and over again."

That’s not thateasy, you know? Still, what could her problem be, that THAT Suzukavoluntarily comes to me..? I couldn’t think about anything besidesanother lecture.

……This mightbe bad. It’s probably better to apologize now.

"Sorry Suzuka.Let me apologize for being loud earlier….. Seems like I botheredyou."

"Eh, what do youmean with that?"

"After reading alight novel, I got hyped up and started posing. As someone who loveslight novels, I can’t help it…. It’s important after all whensaying a cool phrase like that. But I didn’t think that you’d be ableto even hear it in your own room. I do feel sorry about that. I’llpay more attention next time."

"Onii-chan wasdoing such things when you were alone in your room…?"

"Hm? Judgingfrom your reaction….was that not it?"

"Let’s talkabout that later okay?"

Seems like I dugmy own grave this time.

"What is it thenthat you want to talk about?"

"Well, it mightturn into a longer talk so would it be fine if i came into yourroom?"

"Haaaaaa?!", I screamed without thinking. I couldn’t really help it though after hearing her words.

"Y-You want tocome into my room?! Why?!"

"Because itwould be unpleasant for me to keep talking in the hallway. Why areyou even so surprised about such a thing?"

"I-It’s not likeI’m shocked or anything. This just never happened before is all…"

"Why are youacting so weird? Is there something in your room that I’m notsupposed to see?"

I made the mistakeand answered with a "There’s nothing like that", making it seemlike the complete opposite.

While answering"I’m entering then", Suzuka walked past me and went into my room.

"Mhm, today it’sreally clean."

Suzuka took a turnand sat straight down on my bed.

"Why are yousitting on that?"

"Huh? Becausethere is only one chair in your room, Onii-chan?"

"Well you’re notwrong about that…. it just felt weird because you instantly wentthere without asking….. and what was that [today it’s really clean]about anyway?"

"What are youtalking about? Are you hearing things per chance?"

"W-Well, it’sfine I guess….So, what’s this you want to talk about? Not to say atthis time."

"I wanted to asOnii-chan for an advice."

"Huh?"

What did she justsay? Suzuka should’ve been speaking english but I didn’t really getit.

"Why are youmaking such a perplexed face?"

"Well, I didn’tunderstand what you meant."

"I didn’t sayanything hard to understand though."

"Uhm, what doyou mean with [advice]?"

"I’m sorry, Iexpected you to understand grade school vocabulary"

"Don’t take mefor a fool! For somebody that’s writing light novels, the vocabularyof that level is a must-have!!"

It’s just the factthat I can’t think of any circumstances where Suzuka would ask for MYadvice.

"I’m gonna sayit again then. I need your help with something Onii-chan."

"Is that reallyit? There are no cameras in here or any sort of trap that I mightfall into, right?"

"I feel attackedif you say that."

"I can’t help itthough? You….asking me…. for advice……, you know?"

"I know that youwant to say. Normally, I wouldn’t ask Onii-chan for advice."

Yeah figures.

"It’s just, Ihave no other possibility expect asking you for advice…."

"What happened?"

Looking at herserious state, I asked her without a second thought.

"Before that,you are familiar with the novel grand-prize yes?"

"Huh? But wait,what happened about the thing with the advice?"

"That’s part ofit. And?"

"Of course I do.You heard of it from me after all."

It’s a story ofthe time I was still in middle-school.

A rare four persondinner with our parents. The normal conversation all of a suddenturned into a talk about the future. I started talking about my dreamof becoming a novelist and winning a novel grand-prize. Since Suzukawas present as well, she must’ve known of it. Speaking of it, I don’tknow how but Suzuka found out that in reality, I wanted to writelight novels. A mystery.

"And what if Iam, what does it have to do with our conversation now?"

"……..prize",mumbled Suzuka with her lips almost shut.

"Huh? Sorry Ididn’t quite catch that."

"…………..grand-prize"

"Can you speakmore loudly, I can’t hear you like that, you know?"

She talked withsuch a small voice that I couldn’t understand her words. As I saidthat, Suzuka started shaking, while her face was getting red.Finally, she came to me face to face and screamed these words:

"I SAID THAT I WON THAT GRAND-PRIZE."

………Huh?

It took me aminute to process her words. As I finally came back to my senses, Ijumped out of my chair and started screaming.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

"Can you pleasenot react like that?", scowled Suzuka as she pouts with her slips.

"What do youmean you won?! Is this supposed to be a joke or something?!"

"Does it seemlike I’m joking? I’m telling the truth."

It really doesn’tlook like she’s joking alright. But still, it’s Suzuka after all. Myflawless, earnest little sister. She’s not the type to make jokeslike that.

"You’re serious,aren’t you?"

"Yes I am."

Suzuka affirms itbut inside my head, everything is rolling around and I can’t thinkstraight.

"Y-You…..uhm,you write novels…?"

That’s why myfirst question went a bit off the mark.

"They aren’treally novels to be fair…..it’s just that I sometimes write downthe things I think about in my notes"

"So you reallydo write them….that’s a bit of a shock……And? Why did your sendyour novel to the contest?"

"That one timeyou forgot your paper book in the living room, I happened to look atthe last page and saw the manuscript advertisement….."

"And by doingthat, you won the grand-prize….?"

"I also forgotabout it until I got a mail today."

"Mail, you say? From whom?"

"A person fromthe editorial department. At first I thought it was a prank orsomething but after checking the contents and judging it, I decidedto trust it."

"Decided totrust it, huh."

"Yes. Recentlythere have been a lot of calls from an unknown number. It seems likeit was the editorial department as well. I ignored it all until nowthough."

Listening to the calm Suzuka for a while, I felt the sweat coming down from my forehead. I felt like I couldn’t think straight anymore.

"But wait…?"

At that moment, Iremembered the important truth. Yes, a few moments before, I checkedthe results of the contest.

"Phew, that wasclose. I almost got deceived."

"Eh, Onii-chan?What are you talking about?"

"It really was ajoke after all. To think that you would try to trick me like that.That’s pretty cruel of you, you know?!"

"What are yousaying? ……Oh right, you lost in the preliminaries if I remembercorrectly."

All of a sudden,Suzuka looks at me with sympathetic eyes. That won’t work though!

"Listen well,right before you came in, I checked the winner of the contest, youknow?"

"You already sawit?!?"

"Yeah, I did.The title of the winning novel was [The story of a little sister wholoves her big brother way too much to cope.], you know?"

Yes, i said itstraight to her face, there is no way that Suzuka could’ve writtensuch a little sister rabucome novel.

"Ugh……that’s…."

"That’s what?"

At that point, shestarted glaring at me with a beet red face. Suddenly, she stood upfrom the bed and went into her own room, only to return a few momentslater. She handed me a stack of A4 sized papers.

"T-This is it."

"Like Isaid…."

I was about tovoice my doubts again when my eyes went onto the papers in my hand.

"What?!"

On the first page,there was indeed the title [The story of a little sister who lovesher big brother way too much to cope.] and even the pen name fit.

"This is themanuscript I wrote……. Will you believe me with that?"

"Eh? But….?Seriously?!"

"I was seriousfrom the beginning!"

Is this really themanuscript? That means….. that Suzuka really won the grand-prizeright?

"I-Is it alrightif I read it now?", I asked enthusiastically.

"Huh? Read it?Now? Here?"

"Of course! Itis a light novel after all!"

"I still don’tget it! What is with that reasoning?!"

"I can’t makesure that it’s the grand-prize winning novel if I don’t read itright?!"

As I said that,Suzuka muttered a silent "But…." with a red face. That’s a newreaction of her alright.

"I-I get it. Ifit’s necessary to make you believe me….."

After a shortmoment of silence, she continued.

"This novel is apure work of fiction okay?! There are absolutely zero connectionswith this book and our relationship okay? There’s now way thatsomething like that would happen in real life, so don’t get anymisunderstandings please!"

"O-Okay i getit. If you say that, then it’s fine. I won’t mix up reality withfiction alright. That said, I’ll start reading okay?"

After getting thepermission from Suzuka, i turned the page and started reading.

……I mean, youwon the grand-prize with that title and even a little sisterrabucome, you know? Such an unbelievable manuscript was right in fromof my eyes right now. I can’t wait to read it.

With aconcentration like never before, i continued to read.

The story startedwith a real world as it’s stage. Siblings raised in a family you canfind everywhere.

The protagonistRyou was written like a real ikemen (TL: gentleman, super handsome)and his Sister Yuuka was a shy and fickle being. Even though theywere quite different, they spent their days in a clumsy relationship.Until one day, when the little sister suddenly confessed to her bigbrother. A bewildered big brother and an approaching little sister.As the approach got stronger and stronger, the daily life started tochange…

To be frank,following the story, it was a rabucome through and through.

But……what isthis? Why is it so fun to read?! Why is the little sister characterso cute?! You can’t help but grin at her cute side when her feelingsstart to overflow!

"………chan?"

And the bigbrother character is way too cool though?! How can you act soearnestly for your little sister! And the fact that he didn’t realizeher feelings makes him a perfect rabucome protagonist!

"……Onii-chan?"

Shit. What isthis? I never read a light novel like this, you know? I’ve read a lotof novels that really absorbed me. But this is in a totally differentdimension. This is just off the charts. Why is it so fun to read? Idon’t understand it. To be fair, the little sister is just too cute!She’s just a perfect light novel heroine!

"Onii-chan!"

"Ha?!"

As I returned toreality, there was the face of a pouting Suzuka in front of me.

"Wha-?!S-Suzuka?! What are you doing?!"

"That’s what I’msupposed to say here. I’ve been calling you for a while now but younever answered me."

R-Really? I neverheard anything.

"Uh, I’m sorry.I got too absorbed while reading…."

"I-Is itinteresting per chance?"

"That’s…"

Interesting.Unbelievably interesting. As I was about to say that, my wordssuddenly stopped.

"W-Well, It’spretty okay, i guess?"

"Uwuu, I see.",pouted Suzuka before she continued. "Do you believe me now?"

"Uhhh, no no nono!"

It’s true that thename of the novel and the pen name match but still? Wait a second.I’m still not really convinced.

"Now listen,this is still a rabucome between siblings, you know? Not to say, it’sthe little sister that approaches her big brother. There’s no waythat you could’ve written such a little sister character."

"R-Really? Itdidn’t really feel like that to me while I wrote it though?

Hey, hey. There’sno way. After even declaring it in the title, it gets even moreapparent when you read it first-hand. For example….

"Let’s look atthis remark for example. [Onii-chan really is warm….Can we sleeplike this?], you see?"

"Wha-?!WW-W-What are you saying all of a sudden, Onii-chan?!"

"What do youmean? It’s from the manuscript that you brought."

Well, it really isa little embarrassing if you read it out loud but I can’t help it inthis case.

"This one aswell. [Heeee, when onii-chan pats my head like this, I start feelingreally good~. That’s why, can you please keep going?]. And this oneis especially straight forward: [The truth is….I Really loveOnii-chan, you know?]"

"Like. I. Said!Can you please not say these embarrassing things right now?!"

Suzuka screamedwith both her voice and body, while she snatched the manuscript frommy hands. Her face was still so red, it looked like it might explodeany second now.

"Why do you haveno restraint at all, Onii-chan?! I’ll say it again but this is purefiction okay?!"

"Do you get itnow? I’m saying that there’s no way that could’ve written such alittle sister character!"

"Ugh! Still,this is the novel that won the first place!"

"Then, why didyou write such a sibling rabucome?"

"T-That’s….."

While listening tomy justified doubts, she started look at me with a grim face. Again,why do you dislike me so much?

"Yes….Yesthat’s right. It’s not good to have misunderstandings so I have toclear that up. It’s simple….It’s because I was possessed.

"P-Possessed?"

"Yes. You get itnow? You have to remember that I was possessed okay? Besides, thereis absolutely no way that i could have written a story about thislittle sister, about how I’ve been hiding the fact that I’m in lovewith Onii-chan for a long time now. This thinking is just absurd,right? Right?!"

"T-That might betrue…. but what’s with that reasoning?!"

I couldn’t helpgetting perplexed after hearing her explanation. Not to mention, herrapid talking confused me even more.

"Or maybe…it’s that? Maybe you think that, because I wrote this novel, I…. wish for something like that to happen? That I….you know…..L-L-Luv onii-chan, you’re nyot really thinkin that, aren’t chou?!"

(TLC: in the OG,Suzuka says that while being embarrassed and starts stuttering. Hopemy translation shows that at least a little bit)

Suzuka screamed,while splendidly biting her tongue. Well, I’m not going to lie but Ialso thought that for a second….that Suzuka might be in love withme…. The next moment though, I instantly dismissed it with an"There’s no way" in my head. That’s just a delusion. I mean,right? It’s THAT Suzuka? My sister….? Yep, there’s no way. I’m sureof it.

Besides…. atthat time, she clearly said [I hate you, Onii-chan].

"No no I don’tthink like that."

That’s why Iclearly responded. Even her explanation of being possessed made moresense than that. Yep, that must be it.

"As long as youunderstand…..huff.."

After answeringme, Suzuka took a deep breath with her usual displeased facialexpression. Oi, oi what is this.

"Calm down, I’veread countless light novels with a plot like that. There’s no waythat I’d believe that something similar might happen in real life. Iwouldn’t make a misunderstanding like that, you know?"

"A-Ahh, yes.That’ right. That’s totally right."

Why do you soundso displeased? I’ve said that for your sake….?

"Well then, doyou finally believe me that I won the first place?", says Suzukawith a vigorous tone.

…..Can’t reallydisagree after all that.

"But what’s thatbeing possessed about? Is somebody else writing it then?"

"Y-You see, evenif you ask me…. I can’t remember anything at that time. It’s like Iwas being myself but at the same time I wasn’t. It’s like I waslooking into an abyss."

"That logic isreally weird you know?"

"S-Since Ididn’t write it myself, this is all I could say."

Yeah, this reallyisn’t something that Suzuka could’ve written.

"I wish iwould’ve been possessed like that as well……"

"Onii-chan?"

"Ah! No, you’rewrong! You know how I wanted to win the first place for a long timenow……But it’s not like I was envious of you winning it aftersimply being possessed okay?!"

"Onii-chan….aren’tyou a little too easy to understand?"

Guh…Ican’t help it you know! I’m really frustrated! Why must you dosomething so cruel, Kami-Sama?! (TLC: God). Not to say my littlesister! Why do you hate me so much?!

"Ugh…. Is thiswhat you meant with advice? If so…then congratulations….Winningthe first place is really great. Yeah….it’s incredible.Really….."

"How much of ashock was that for you….? But the advice part is not over yet."

She intends tokeep going even after seeing my heartbroken state… That’s justcruel.

"I didn’t comehere just to report my win, Onii-chan. You need to listen to me."

I can’t help it,you know?

"There’s aproblem with me winning the first prize. To be precise, it’s that Ican’t become a novelist."

"Ha? W-Why?!"

"I have tworeasons."

Suzuka put up herindex finger.

"Firstly, myschool prohibits having a part-time work. I don’t know if working asa novelist counts in this case but it’s also a question with themoney that I would receive. Additionally, I am the student councilpresident. It would be bad for my status if that would be revealed."

She then put upher middle finger.

"It’s about ourparents. Never mind our mother, our father wouldn’t allow me tobecome a novelist. Him being a strict person, I won’t expect him topermit it."

"Now that yousay it, these two are indeed big problems."

Thinking about it,my old man would be enraged if he found out about the title thatSuzuka decided on. But wait…. doesn’t that mean that Suzuka’s novelwon’t be printed and released..? Even though it’s so interesting?This novel is on a whole other level than the ones I’ve readbefore…..!

"W-W-W-Wait!L-L-Let’s talk this out calmly okay?!"

"UnlikeOnii-chan, I am totally calm."

"Calm down…?R-Right, what is it that you want to do, Suzuka?"

"Me….. I wanta lot of people to read the novel that I wrote."

Being told that soearnestly, I was taken aback.

"I-I see. If youthink like that, then it’s fine. So you came to me to ask for advicebecause of that? Then let’s think about-"

"No there is noneed."

As I was about toenter concentration mode, Suzuka stopped me in my tracks.

"I already havean idea. That’s the main point of the [advice]."

Saying that,Suzuka took a deep breath and continued.

"O-Onii-chan….wouldyou be my stand-in?"

"………….What?"

Even though Iunderstood her words, my brain couldn’t comprehend them.

"Uhm…..what doyou mean by stand-in?"

"I want you tobe my stand-in as an author. It’s true that I wrote it but I wish foryou to be my public substitute."

"Oh okay…..That would solve the problems with your school and the old man."

So it’s like aghost writer thing? But a substitute…. Isn’t that a genius idea? Ifit was me, I couldn’t think of something like that.

"Okay I getit…..but wait?"

There’s one thingthat I don’t understand…

"I understandthe thing about getting a stand-in….but why me?"

"T-That’s…Since it’s Onii-chan, you know a thing or two about the business. Andyou already know about it….."

"Because youtold me about it though?!"

Wait, wait, wait.That’s not it. There’s a more fundamental problem….

"You rememberhow it is my dream to win the first place right?? As if I couldbecome the author for another novel!"

"B-But it’s justa substitute…."

"That’s why it’sa problem! I’m sorry but it’s impossible for me to become yourstand-in…."

Stating my reason,i noticed the watery eyes of Suzuka.

"But! But! Eventhough I asked you…Onii-chan is…."

Seeing thereaction of Suzuka, something inside me changed. Just by seeing herworried face, an unknown pain grew inside me. That’s the feeling Igot. Suzuka is asking me for help. I couldn’t believe it but it wasreally happening before my eyes. The scene was just so surreal. Can ireally turn down the Suzuka in front of me, who tries her hardest tohold back her tears…..? Decline the request of somebody who makes aface like that?….

"Ugh! Okay!"

Muttering thesewords, I made my decision and…..

"I get it! Iwill be your stand-in!"

Even though I’mnot really a big fan of it, those were my honest feelings. Eventhough she dislikes her big brother, she still comes to ask me forhelp because she really wants to be an author…..how can I say no toher now? This time, I have to act like a protagonist.

"Onii-chan?…..Really?",she asked as she looked at me with tears in her eyes.

Yeah, really. Idon’t know why but when she looks at me with straight eyes likethese, I get embarrassed. T-That’s…that you know? If it’d go onlike this, nobody would read the novel that she wrote. It would justvanish like that. As someone who dearly loves light novels, I justcan’t allow that to happen…

"Onii-chan?"

I keep going whilehiding this feeling.

"B-But! Like Isaid before, I still want to become a light novel author. When I winthe first prize, I will stop being your stand-in, alright?"

"Ah….Yes! Igladly accept these conditions!"

"Hey wait! Wereyou relieved just now?!"

"Looking at yoursuccess until now, I can see that things will be okay."

"What do youmean by that?!"

Hearing hermerciless words, I felt like I was about to cry. Saying somethinglike that which gives me no chance to counter is just too cruel….Shit…. someday I’ll definitely become a light novel author andreturn this shame!

"But….I’mglad. I thought that if it was Onii-chan, you would accept for sure.Really…..Thank you very much…."

While having atear in her eye, Suzuka showed me a smile that was worth more thanthousand words. I really thought that I had made the rightdecision…… Huh? Since how long has it been since I saw her smilelike that. When I see her smiling face, I start thinking "Well,it’s fine I guess."

"Of course. Anolder brother always helps his little sister."

While trying tohide my embarrassment with these words, suddenly a sound resounded inmy room.

As I started tosearch for the source of it, Suzuka took out her phone (not asmartphone but a traditional phone).

"Perfect timing.Now then, Onii-chan, if you please."

"Huh? Pleasewhat? You want me to take the call?"

"Yes. When Ianswered the mail, they told me that somebody from the editorialdepartment would be calling this evening to discuss further details."

"Huh?! T-That’sa bit sudden though…."

Editorialdepartment…..it’s that right?…An editor from the publisher?!W-What do I do… It’s the real thing… It feels like I was a realnovelist?! No, no, no. It’s not like I won the first place.

"What are youdoing? If you don’t answer soon…."

"A-Ah, sorry."

Answering Suzuka,I pressed the receiver button while shaking furiously.

"He-!"

….I bit mytongue.

「Hello?This Shinozaki Reika from King (TLC: Originally Ou) Fantasy Library」

Surprisingly, Iheard the voice of a woman. W-What do I do? And no, it’s not becausethe person on the other hand is a female.

「Huh?Hello? Is this the phone of Towano Chikai?」

"Ah, y-yes. Myname is Nagami….Ah no! I’m Touwano Chikai, yes!

「Ohreally? Good. We finally managed to reach you…. We’ve called youover a hundred times now so we we’re really worried.」

"H-Hundred?!"

Isn’t that a bitmuch?

「Yes.After reading such a magnificent novel, we couldn’t wait to talk toyou in detail about releasing it, you see.」

"I see…."

「Oh,that’s right. I’m just making sure but you are the the Towano Chikaithat wrote [The story of a little sister who loves her big brotherway too much to cope.] right?」

"Ah…"

As she said that,I finally realized. If I were to become the stand-in forSuzuka….then that means that I basically am the one that wrote thenovel?! That blunt sibling rabucome!!

While holding thephone close to my ear, I hastily turn around. As if expecting that,Suzuka averted her eyes and looked away.

「Huh?What’s wrong?」

"N-No, that’snot it! Well, you’re not wrong but that’s not it!

Calm down, me! Idon’t understand a thing you’re saying!!

"Y-Yes, you’reright. It was me that wrote the novel."

「Thenlet me congratulate you. Congratulations. It really was aninteresting novel.」

If it really wasmy novel, I would’ve been crying tears of joy at this moment. Butsince it was the novel from my little sister, things are different.

「Really,the characters especially were magnificent. It was the first timeI’ve seen such a cute little sister character. Especially in thelater half, the scene where the jealous sister barges into the bathto wash the body of her big brother was the thing I liked the most. Icouldn’t stop snickering.」

"Bath….barges…..clean…..?"

Is there such ascene in the later half….?

While gulping, Iturned around and saw Suzuka with a beet red face staring at me. "Iwas possessed!" was what she wanted to say it seems.

「Thecuteness of the little sister was superb. To see this cuteness inalmost every little since is a really rare thing.」

"I….see."

This is bad….. Iwant to keep going in the novel.

「Whatabout Towano Chikai-sensei? In which scene did you put the most workinto? Possibly the climax where the little sister barges into aschool meeting to announce that she is the wife of her big brother?」

"Haaaaaaaaaaa?!?!"

Wait a second….How did it turn out like this in the end?! Again, as I turned around,the red-faced Suzuka whispered "This is a fictional story that iwrote while being possessed okay!" Well, i get the gist ofit….but still, how much are you trying to deny this….

"H-Hey,Onii-chan. What are you talking about. Since you’re clearly not up toit right now, how about you stop the call for now?", Suzukawhispered.

After thinking fora bit, I turned to the phone again and began speaking.

"E-Excuse me.Since I was a bit surprised by this call, I can’t really keep upright now."

「Huh?Ah, excuse me. I got a bit excited there. Well then, let’s talk aboutthis in detail at the award ceremony. 」

"A-Awardsceremony…?"

Well, yeah that’sto be expected. As I realized the duty I took upon me, I startedshivering. After discussing the small details for another fiveminutes, I hung up the phone.

"Haaaaaaaa……."

I took a deepbreath. I was so nervous…..

"And? How wasit?"

"Y-You…. Don’tmake me pick up such an important call out of the blue!"

My heart is stillpounding. I was talking with a real editor….

"The editor waspraising your novel like hell. How your little sister character is socute and all."

"I-I see. SinceI was possessed while writing the plot and all, I can’t reallyremember it all but it doesn’t feel bad, I would say."

Hey. Are youreally happy with that as an author?

"Well, we willknow the details after the awards ceremony."

"I see. Theawards ceremony, huh. I’m really glad that I asked you to be mystand-in. There’s no way that I could’ve participated in that.

"Oh yeah, Ireally have to go there, huh."

"Yes, you are mystand-in after all."

After Suzuka bowedto me with a serious face, my shoulders dropped. But well, can’tchange these circumstances, i guess. Suzuka stands out just asherself and information spreads exceptionally fast after all.

"Haaaaa…..somehowI’m really tired. Since it’s already late, how about you go back toyour room now? I will fulfill my role as a stand-in so don’t worryabout it."

"Yeah, you’reright. I was also really nervous today, so I’m also prettyexhausted."

Why are youexhausted…? I did the most work today.

"Well then,let’s talk about this later then. Thank you very much for today."

Suzuka stuck outher tongue while bowing to me. As she went to take the manuscript, Istopped her mid-track.

"W-Wait wait.Please leave the manuscript here!"

"Huh? Themanuscript….Why do you want it?"

At this seeminglyearnest question, I was at a loss for words for a moment. Since thatShinozaki-san gushed about it the whole time, I got so excited….Ican’t hold back anymore. Even though I bought so many novels today, Ionly want to read the manuscript right now.

"Well, I becameyour stand-in after all? There’s no way that the writer wouldn’t knowanything about their own novel, right?"

That’s not my mainreason though. Not like I would ever tell her that though.

"You’re notwrong but….. That’s why I wanted to talk to you about it later."

"But it’s betterto read it in person, don’t you think?"

"I understand.But please keep in my that this wasn’t written by me! I was possessedwhile I wrote it, okay?!

Almost screamingthat, Suzuka put the manuscript into my hands.

"Good night,Onii-chan….."

"O-Oh, yeah.Good night."

As soon as Suzukareturned to her own room, I turned my eyes to the manuscript. Ididn’t wait a single moment and instantly jumped into this world thatwas written in this story.

That day, I didn’t sleep for a single minute because I kept reading until the early morning. That’s because as soon as I finished it, I started reading it a second time. Before I realized, it was dawn. Because I was absorbed into it, I didn’t feel tired at all……So I started reading it a third time. Suzuka’s novel was just too interesting. No, interesting isn’t enough to express it. The story about the little sister that plays pranks on her big brother and her approach because she loves him so much. Giggling about the cuteness of the little sister never really stops, it’s so good. Now that I think about it, until now i never got fired up that much because of a heroine I’ve met in a novel. I wonder if i could manage to write a novel this interesting….? As I finished it the third time, the memories were swimming around in my head. Reading this novel only heightened my desire to write an interesting novel just like this one.

Part 2:

Did you ever wonder how an awards ceremony looks like? I do, or rather did. Every person who shares the same dream as me must’ve wanted to stand here at least once, or fantasized about it. Since I’m just a stand-in though, I can’t really feel happy here. Today is a certain day in April, it’s been a week since my call with the editor. I arrived at the publishing company in Tokyo, of course to attend the awards ceremony. Meeting the higher-ups of the publisher, I expressed my thanks and received the memento for my win. The ceremony was pretty much a standard affair. The bigger problem was celebration party in a nearby hotel hall. Of course, there were a lot of people. Winners, bigger-ups, other authors and even illustrators. To sum it up, a lot of celebrities. I took the suit of my old man and came here…but I must’ve seemed like a frivolous person. Standing on the stage, the winners of the awards were introduced to the other people of the industry.

"Nextis the 32^ndwinner of the our Falling star light novel contest, TowanoChikai-sensei. The name of his work is [The story of a little sisterwho loves her big brother way too much to cope.]"

Hearingmy sign, I took a step forward to introduce myself. Many peoplelooked at me. The spotlight. And the out of place title of my novel.

Since I wasn’t thereal author, I wondered what would happen if they were to find out. Icouldn’t help but wanting to go home after all this stress. After theintroductions, people started to talk to the winners, exchangebusiness cards. I was so focused on giving my best, so I don’t reallyremember what kind of people the other winners were. Even though myfavorite light novel author was also present, I didn’t have thecomposure to go talk to them. At one point, I had gotten so nervousthat I wanted to take a break, so I went to the toilet to calm myselfdown for a bit.

After walkingaround for a while, Shinozaki-san came to me and wanted to talk inprivate.

"Sorry aboutthat, wanting to talk to you in the middle of the party. But I reallycan’t help it right now.", she said, while turning to face me in abig place in front of the hotel.

The business cardI received was simple enough but she seemed like a really uniquewoman.

She was biggerthan the 170cm (TLC: ~5,5ft) me. You’d think she would be a model orsomething. Even her breasts were extraordinarily big. Not to forgether looks, she was really beautiful. The cool -looking type ofbeautiful. The fact one of her eyes was hidden behind her bangs madeer even more mysterious. After first talking to her, she changed herstyle with an "I’m not good with this strict stuff". Even now, Ican’t really grasp her real character.

"No it’s fine,I’m not really good with all that anyway."

"You’re thegrand-prize winner. You can really act like one, you know?"

She is wrong,though. I’m nothing but a stand-in….I bowed down countless times inmy head.

"It’s the samefor everyone. You will get used to it, trust me. Especially when yourbook will sell like a storm."

"If you sayso…"

"I think itwill. Getting a high popularity isn’t a dream with your novel."

"You thinkso…? Yeah, you even said so during our call."

"Yeah, in mycase. The scene where the little sister approaches her big brotherstill makes my body shiver. Not to speak of the variation of yourimagination. He. Hehehehehe."

I got worried fora bit after hearing her laugh but I couldn’t help getting happybecause of her praise.

The fun of talkingabout the same novel with somebody was really fun.

Every Otaku wouldagree with an "I know, right?".

This whole week,I’ve been reading the novel of Suzuka over and over without gettingtired of it. I was starving for somebody to talk about with me abouthow great it is.

"Right? Afterall, the heroine is just the cutest ever! No matter how times I readit, I never get tired of it. What’s up with that?"

"Hey, hey. Youwere the one who wrote it, right? You almost talk like it’s a novelfrom another person."

I froze up atthese words and I felt a cold drop of sweat on my forehead.

"A-Ah! Uhm, it’sthat, you know, I’m reminiscing about the parts like someone thatjust read it instead of, like me, writing it!"

"Hmm, I see.That’s pretty impressive to look at it from an out-standers position.I expected nothing less."

I couldn’t let outanything besides a relieved sigh after hearing herwords…….Shiiiiiiiit! I got so excited I forgot I was supposed tobe the stand-in! I really have to pay attention!

"Still, to thinkthat a young man like you wrote such a novel that was clearly aimedat female readers. The world really is full of interesting people,fufufufu"

Yeah, I totallyagree.

"Oh, I remember,there was something I wanted to ask you. Can you tell me your secretfor writing such a magnificent novel?"

"That’s what Iwant to know…."

"Huh? Did yousay something?"

"N-No! It’snothing!"

Feeling a bitnervous after that question, I decided to change the subject.

"B-By the way,what is the schedule after this?"

"Ahh, in yourcase the level of completion of your manuscript is pretty high,right? So we can basically publish it as soon as we get the okay.Your illustrator was just decided as well."

While putting upher index finger, she struck a pose.

"I almost forgotit. Your illustrator is someone called Ahegao Double Peace-sensei. Doyou know this person per chance?"

(TLC: since youread this novel, i guess that you already know this but I’m gonna tryto explain. Waring: Not PG-13: Ahegao is a type of „face". Itconsists of rolled-back eyes and a stuck out tongue, while smiling.It represents a face contorted by pleasure. The Double Peace partmeans to put up the index and middle finger of both of your hands.Japanese youngsters often do that when taking pictures. You cangoogle it but you’ve been warned by me :P)

"A-Ahegao?!"

I couldn’t stop mysurprise and spit out my coffee while hearing such dreadfulvocabulary.

"W-Wait amoment, please! Is that the real name?!"

"Judging fromyour reaction, you don’t huh? This is the first time this persondraws for a light novel. Before that it was always for games anddoujins."

(TLC: Doujins arefan-made mangas, novel and sometimes erotic books.)

"So…that meansthat…."

"Yeah, shemostly draws erotic stuff. It’s not really that rare, right? Youmust’ve played at least a few eroge as well right?"

(TLC: Eroticvisual novels)

"You areforgetting that I’m only 15 years old though?!"

…….I haveplayed a few eroge before though. Only for research purposes thoughfor my light novels! Really!

(TLC: Yeah, onlyresearch bro)

"To be honest,Ahegao Double Peace-sensei was supposed to attend today as well butsome urgent business came up it seems like. He even said that hewanted to meet you."

To be honest,after hearing the pen name I was basically shaking but maybe itwould’ve been good to meet this person. It’s clearly a man after all.

"Instead, hetold me to give you this. It seems like a token of friendship to thestart of a good partnership."

After saying this,she handed me a big plastic bag. Having it in my hands, I realizedhow heavy it was.

"….What is init?"

"Who knows?Since he didn’t tell me, i don’t know myself. You can check itlater."

I’m surprised.Maybe this person really is earnest even though he has suchan…interesting name. I have to think of something I can give to himin return. Once I’ll get home, I’ll hand this over to Suzuka as asouvenir. Since she’s that one that’s supposed to receive that.

"Alright then."

As I put theplastic bag away, I realized that Shinozaki-san was looking straightat me. Trying to calm myself down, I frantically drank my coffee.

"This isquestion is unrelated to our conversation before but…. you’reprobably a virgin right?"

Hearing thatquestion, I almost choked.

Cough cough"Something stuck in my throat!" Cough

"Oh my, are youalright? Looks like that was painful."

"W-Who do youthink is the one at fault here?…"

"Well, if that’sthe case then there are going be a lot of things you will need adviceon from now on. Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I don’t getyour reasoning! No… I don’t…."

"I see. That’s aproblem…. Ah I have an idea."

As I was about toget worried, Shinozaki-san reached out with her hands. What? She tookmy hands and pulled them towards her chest, so I could touch them.

Q: What?

A: The breasts ofShinozaki-san.

"———————————-?!"

"Remember this feeling well. This is the feeling of a woman’s breast."

While I couldn’tget a single word out, Shinozaki-san said so with faintly red face.The feeling and form was incredible.

"W-W-W-W-W-Whatthe hell are you doing?!"

I somehow managedto pull my hands away and started questioning her.

"Well, I wantedto make you familiar with the feeling of breasts."

"I don’t getthat reasoning at all, yo?! Why would it be important for me to knowthat, ey!"

"Because you’llhave to put a lot of [Lucky Pervert] moments in your next novel,that’s why. So this time, count it as a type of research inpreparation for these scenes."

(TLC: "luckysukebe" moments: protagonist opens the door to the bathroom while awomen is changing her clothes, falls head-first onto breasts whiletripping, touches breasts left and right because of accidents and soon.)

How can youexplain something like that so calmly, Shinozaki-san? To think thatshe would let me touch her breasts just because of that…..

"This wouldn’tbe necessary if you had a girlfriend, you know?"

"No, no, no, no!That doesn’t make any sense to me!"

"I would doanything to raise the quality of your novel, you know?"

Listen…Iunderstand your reasoning…but this is a bit much, don’t you think?

"U-Uhm, in thisindustry..are all editors acting like this?"

"No way. I’mjust not familiar with any other ways since you’re the first person Iwork with as an editor."

F-First person…?I got a really bad feeling about this?!

"Don’t worry.I’m a woman that would offer her everything for the sake of lightnovels. Everything. So come at me with all you got."

"N-No, since Idon’t want to take the wrong path as a human being, I have todecline."

"Huh? Aren’t youmisunderstanding me? I’m not a molester or anything, okay? The limitwould be pressing my breasts against your back, you know?"

"That’s plentyof molesting though!"

"Is that so? IfI had to think about it, a molester would take her underwear of righthere, or something similar to that right? That being said, there’s noway I would do that. It seems like I put you in an awkwardspot…..I’ll be careful next time."

"Naturally, youwon’t transform me into a criminal right?!", I lectured her.

This is bad. Thiswoman is really weird after all….!

"Having goodfan-service scenes is a must-have after all. I want you to rememberthat."

"Well, I knewthat before hand though…."

Suddenly anotherwoman came running from the hall and whispered something toShinozaki-san.

"Mhm. I’m sorryTowano Chikai-sensei. It seems like something urgent came up. We cantalk later on the phone, so you go and enjoy the party for a bitlonger."

"Ah, no. I willtake my leave here. It’s gotten pretty late after all."

"Really? I see.Oh yeah, you were still under-age. Okay, I agree. We wouldn’t want toworry your parents after all."

"Yeah I don’twant that. Since I have a little sister at home, things could bebad."

"…..You have alittle sister?"

As soon as I saidthe word [Little Sister], she stopped in her tracks, turned aroundand came back.

"Huh? Yes, Ihave a little sister that’s one year younger than me."

"Hmm. So that’swhy…?"

"What do youmean?"

"I wondered howyou managed to write all these scenes….so you have some experiencein that regard, huh."

"Aren’t youmaking a mistake here…?"

"Or should I sayfantasy? To write such a little sister novel while having a real oneisn’t something a lot of people do. I respect that."

"As if I couldbe proud of that?!"

"Fufufufu…Veryfunny. Then tell your little sister my regards. Maybe you should askher for help to raise the quality?"

"You’re reallythe worst!"

Going "Fufufu",she disappeared into the crowd.

"The dark sideof the industry is really scary…"

What an exhaustingday this was…….but I was happy……. No wait, I’m not happy atall!

Part 3:

"I’m home…ah"

"Welcome back,Onii-chan."

I was surprised tofind Suzuka waiting for me at the entrance.

"It took youpretty long. Dinner has already gotten cold."

"Ah, I alreadyate dinner at the party…"

"Then, next timeplease inform me of that, please. So, you don’t want it anymore?"

"No, I’ll eat abite or two, I couldn’t eat a lot before because I was so nervous,you see."

After answeringher, I took off my shoes. In the meantime, Suzuka looked at theplastic bag.

"What is this?"

"Hm? Ah, I gotthis as a taken of friendship from our illustrator. It’s a souvenirfor you."

"A..souvenirhuh?"

Suzuka had a happylook on her face. She continued:

"What’s in it?"

"Who knows? Ididn’t take a look yet."

"Is it alrightif I open it?"

As I nodded,Suzuka happily opened the bag.

"………………….."

"What’s wrong?What’s in there?"

Being bewilderedby the reaction of Suzuka, I looked inside as well.

Cough

The next moment,just like Suzuka, I opened my eyes wide. A great number ofillustrations from beautiful girls. Just looking at it for a second,I understood the great quality of them. But all of them were givingof the air that they were made for R-18 purposes.

(TLC: Get to thepoint lol.)

"W-What doesthis mean, Onii-chan…?"

"N-No, you’rewrong! I didn’t know of this either!"

Then I rememberedwhat Shinozaki-san had said. The pen name Ahegao Double Peace-sensei.Their activities in the R-18 field.

"S-So that’swhy.."

It took me toolong to realize it. I should’ve thought about it earlier!

"S-Suzuka? Thisis….a mistake… a prank,yes…."

Trying to makeexcuses, Suzuka shut me down immediately when she said;

"Onii-chan….you’rethe worst….."

She said with anexpression I never saw of her before.

"Well, I’m sorry. Really sorry….."

After that, Suzukadidn’t say a single word for a while. I tried explaining everythingwhile I ate dinner but Suzuka only moved her chopsticks while glaringat me.

"Haaaa….I’mnot mad anymore."

I only heard thesewords after finishing the dinner while we were drinking tee.

"I’m reallysorry. I was careless. I will pay more attention next time."

"Please do that.That doesn’t mean that I forgive you with that."

What’s thatsupposed to mean?

"Still, I didn’tthink that such a person would be drawing our illustrations."

"This happens inthis industry."

"Don’t tellme…you didn’t hope for a person like this, did you?"

"No way in hell!The editor decided this, not me!"

I desperately tryto show my innocence to Suzuka.

"Then that’sfine….. And how was the ceremony?"

Oh yeah, I totallyforgot to tell her because I got distracted. I described hereverything that happened to her. It would be bad to have a rift ofinformation between the writer, Suzuka, and her stand-in, me. Theonly thing I didn’t tell her is the "incident" withShinozaki-san.

"So we give heryour mail adress and my phone number alright?"

"Thank you verymuch. And good work today. I was worried that something might happensince it’s Onii-chan but you managed to clear it perfectly."

"Hey, hey, whatdo you mean by that? As if I’d fuck it up that badly…."

"I was worriedthat you went to hide in the toilet because you were so nervous."

Ah…………This girl… she really knows my personality very good.

"R-Rather thanthat, Shinozaki-san, you know, she really praised your work. That itwill sell without fail!"

"I see. I’mglad."

Even though heranswer might seem short, she really seemed happy about it because shehad a satisfied smile on her face.

"So, the editorthought that it was interesting…..did you think so as well,Onii-chan?"

At that time, mybody instantly froze up.

"W-Well, it’sgood, I guess?"

I knew that wasn’tthe truth though but I couldn’t bring myself to speak my truefeelings. (TLC: We all know buddy) I could never surpass Suzuka inanything but that was fine because i had my light novels. I couldn’tadmit that I had lost against her. I knew that it was my earnestopinion that spoke out right there.

"Good….huh?"

"Yes, yes. Butmy opinion doesn’t really matter. Since all the novels that I likewill be a huge success anyway."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, it wassuper interesting!….Just like what the people on the internet saidabout that other one…..until it got canceled at volumetwo…uuuuuuuu"

"Please don’tstart explaining that here."

"S-Sorry…..Nevermind that, Shinozaki-san said that the seal of approval was given."

"Hmm, is thatso."

"It’s the stamp,you know. There’s no way that they wouldn’t print it at this point.Why are you getting so depressed about it? It wasn’t even publishedyet."

"It’s not like Iwas depressed. It’s just that I want the second volume to be evenmore interesting."

Make the secondvolume more interesting. That’s a pretty self-confident comment….Bring it on! I will definitely go above you, even if you go higherthan this. I won’t be your stand-in forever!

After leaving the living room behind me, I hurry up to my own room. Although I just told her otherwise, being canceled after the first volume is still not impossible. The book isn’t in such a different dimension than what I can do.

For now, selling100.000 books is a must-do. To exceed such a novel isn’t that easybut you got to have the determination or it won’t work.

"Alright. Let’sstart a thorough analysis!"

To exceed your enemy, you must first know your enemy after all. Enemy, huh. An enemy is like a rival after all in this case. Suzuka, I will make you my rival! Prepare yourself! I realize how weird it sounds to start a war all of a sudden after five years. Even so, I’m serious!

Still, at thattime, I was unaware of it. Of the fact that Suzuka’s novel wouldexceed all my expectations.

Part 4:

About one month after that, it was the release date of my little sister’s novel. Going to my favorite book store in Akihabara, I made sure of that in the light novel corner. I wanted to look at how her novel was doing in sales but….

"Ah, uhm. Do younot have the novel [The story of a little sister who loves her bigbrother way too much to cope.] here?"

"I’m sorry butwe just sold the last copy."

Since it’s furtherback, I can clearly hear the voices of the customers and the peopleworking there. Going "It can’t be" in my head, i checked onlinewith my smartphone. On the official twitter of the publisher, theywere announcing that they started an emergency second printing. Onthe sites where they were selling it, Suzuka’s novel got amazingreviews across the board. On Amazon it got 5/5 stars, on second- handsites the price was two times higher. At that point, I understoodthat my "It can’t be" corresponded to the reality that washappening right now.

Yes, the novel of my little sister had become a hit so big, something like this was unheard of until now.