Ore ga Suki nano wa Imouto dakedo Imouto ja Nai

Volume 3 Chapter 3

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Welcome to Hakuou’s culture festival!

Part 1:

"For heaven’s sake! Why did you goand say something like that, Onii-chan!"

After that hellish Q&A session, mylecture was finally over and Suzuka and I went to the backstage.

"How often do I have to tell you? Idid it so that they won’t get any weird misunderstandings about ourrelationship……"

It seems like I angered Suzuka with myanswer because she was questioning me about that for quite some timenow.

"I am perfectly fine with themmisunderstanding and if we were to make this an established fact, itwould make a lot of things easier…."

"What do you mean with establishedfact…."

"N-N-N-N-Nothing! I-In the end, therewas totally no need for you to be worried about me! Instead, you madeit sound like you were searching for a lover….!"

"I-I’m sure that they won’t take ittoo seriously."

"O-Of course they will!"

"…..And why is that? Everybody waslaughing, right. And the questions after that we’re clearly meant totease me."

I’m sure they were merely using me assome sort of Ojou-sama play-toy.

"No, there might be some girls thattook your words serious."

"Now listen, there is no reason forthem to develop an interest in me right? I’m but merely a commonerafter all."

"That….might be true but….."

"And also, because of yourpopularity, they didn’t care at all about the fact that I was TowanoChikai. They only saw me as your big brother, you know? That’s thewhole reason they were giving me so much attention."

"I can’t deny that. However, if therewere any girls that had any interest in Onii-chan as a person, theywould probably prove to be a dangerous rival…."

"What do you mean by rival….?"

From time to time, Suzuka really blurtsout some weird stuff like this.

"Forget about that, let’s just behappy that we safely got through the lecture. I was really worriedwhen they pulled you up the stage."

Still, we managed to pull through. Willthis, we have fulfilled the promise towards Shinozaki-san.

"Good work out there, Towano-sensei."

Speaking of the devil, she appeared outof nowhere.

"Ah, Shinozaki-san. Thanks for yourhard work."

"What, I was merely here as anescort. I didn’t do anything that could be called hard work. On thecontrary, I enjoyed myself very much, watching Sensei together withImouto-san." She said as she looked towards Suzuka. "AndImouto-san, I am really sorry that we forced you to participate sosuddenly. It’s safe to say that you contributed greatly to thisevent."

"No, it’s not like I….."

"I got to say it again but Sensei’slittle sister really is quite the beauty…..I heard from you beforebut I’m really glad that I got to meet you. Really lucky for us thatthis is the school you’re attending."

Actually, we were hesitating until thelast moment if we really wanted to let Shinozaki-san meet Suzuka.It’s not like we were worried about the possibility that she wouldfind out that Suzuka is the real author but, still, you may neverknow. Ignoring the fact that the lecture would take place at Hakuou,forcefully hiding her from Shinozaki-san could evoke some doubts inher.

"I am also very happy to finally meetthe editor that is always giving it her best for Onii-chan."

"I did hear rumours but, additionallyto your top-grades, athletic skills and charisma, you’re also thestudent council president. With such an exemplary little sister, it’sno wonder that Sensei can’t keep his hands of you."

"I’m not doing anything to herthough?!"

"……..It would be fine if youwould…." Suzuka whispered under her breath.

"Mhm?"

"….Fumu. Still, this feels odd. Itshould be the first time I met Imouto-san but it certainly doesn’tfeel that way. It feels as if we were talking to each other before.Why is that, I wonder?"

Hearing Shinozaki-san’s words, my backstraightened in surprise.

"Ahh, I see. Now that I think aboutit, this feels the same like when I’m exchanging emails with Sensei."Shinozaki-san said so with a relaxed expression but for me, it feltlike my heart stopped beating for a second.

When we’re talking via phone, it’salways me but Suzuka is the one exchanging e-mails with her. Herintuition was on the spot.

"….Since we’re siblings, it’s notthat weird, you see."

"Makes sense. At first, I thoughtthat Imouto-san might actually be the real Towano-sensei."

"T-T-T-That’s clearly not the casethough?!"

"….Why are you surprised Sensei?That was clearly meant as a joke?"

"……Can you not freak out so much,please!" Suzuka pinched me into my sides and whispered to me.

What can I do?! Her being on-point justscared the hell out of me!

"Well, it would be really interestingif Imouto-san really was Towano-Sensei."

"That’s impossible. The only personwho could write such a little sister novel is Onii-chan after all."

"It seems like Imouto-san reallyknows her big brother."

I know that you’re just trying to getus out of this situation but can you try a different reason nexttime?!

"B-By the way, Shinozaki-san. Nowthat the lecture is over, we can walk around freely, right?"

"It’s true that there is nothing elseto do. That being said, are you having some plans after this perchance?"

"Well, yes….the truth is, we wereplanning on walking around the culture festival as a research."

"So a research, is it? Well, it’strue that school grounds are an important place in light novels….Isthere such a scene in the next volume?"

"Ah, no, it’s a research for thedoujinshi."

"Muuu, now that you remind me, therewas something like that, alright. We have talked about this in greatdetail already, so I won’t say anything else. Although, I’d reallywish that you would bring in an event like this." Just as shefinished her remark, she looked like she thought of something and shecontinued. "…..This research, are you conducting it together withyour little sister?"

"Y-Yes, that’s right?"

"Don’t tell me, are you always doingyour research together with your little sister?"

Hearing her sharp question, I froze up.

….W-What? S-She’s not thinking thatit’s weird for me to do that, right? It’s not like I can tell herthat Suzuka is the one who wanted to do this but…… is shestarting to doubt me because of that?

"So it really was like that! To raisethe quality of your novel, you’re really putting your hands on toyour little sister! Why are you denying it then?"

"E-Excuse me?! What are you sayingall of a sudden?!"

"No need for you to spell it out!Umu! If that’s the case, I won’t hold you any longer! Please assaulther to your heart’s content! I’m waiting for your next manuscript!"

"What tremendous things are yousaying?!"

"Also, Imouto-san, to support yourgenius big brother, please accept his desires head on! Nobody elsecan do that after all!"

"Can you not put any weird thoughtsinto my little sisters head?!"

Without paying any attention to myscream, Shinozaki-san shook Suzuka’s hands and added "Well then, Ihope the two of you have fun!"After that, she ran off somewhere.

"So Shinozaki-san was someone likethat…"

"Just as you can see, how do I sayit, her thought process is a bit weird, so it’d be the best to deletethe memories of her out of your head… Really…."

"Is that so? She was a nicer personthat I thought she would be……although she said some weird things,you can see that she’s a professional editor. She does have someknowledge. Although it bothers me that her breasts are this big…."

"…..Wow. This might be the firsttime ever where I didn’t manage to understand a single thing you weresaying…." Dropping my shoulders, I felt her grab my sleeves.

"R-Rather than that, Onii-chan….ourjob is only starting. Shinozaki-san said so as well, so let’s collectdata to our hearts content."

"Yeah, I know."

Exactly, we were pretty tired from thelecture but the real deal starts now. We didn’t exactly come herejust to have fun after all. Just for the sake of beating the Kanzakasisters, we decided to collect data here. Since Suzuka’s retirementis on the line, we have to be more serious about this than usual—iswhat I thought but is that really okay? I was still torn on that. Ourenemy is that super famous circle after all and we found out forourselves just how strong they are. It’s true that we have thepopular illustrator Double Peace-sensei on our side but the oneresponsible for the scenario, Suzuka, isn’t that familiar with thedoujinshi industry and the tastes of the readers. We can’t ignore thefact that her novel is really popular alright and Suzuka qualifies asa genius. Though, the battlefield of our competition is the unkowndoujinshi world. She won’t cut it if she writes like she always did.

In the end, the scenario Suzuka decidedupon was [Being all lovey-dovey with the big brother at the culturefestival]. At that time, she seemed to be really serious andself-confident, so I decided to put my trust into her. However, thatsmall doubt still remains. The doubt if we could really [Win] againstthe sisters by [Selling] more than they do with a scenario like this.

It was only two weeks until the day ofour competition. Right after the end of this culture festival wouldbe the deadline for the scenario. After that, we have to leave it inDouble Peace-sensei’s hands to draw a winning comic. Can’t turn backnow. Keeping that in mind, we have to give it our best today. And,the only thing I could do was to support Suzuka with everything Ihad.

"….Onii-chan? What happened? Youwere spacing out."

"Ah, sorry. I was lost in my thoughtsfor a bit."

"Please pull yourself together. It’sfinally our important date—no, research after all!"

"M-My bad. I’m okay now, so let’sgo." I said and I was on my way to leave the backstage when Suzukacalled me back with an "Wait a moment, please!"

"B-Before we leave, I wanted you toknow the concept I thought off for this research."

"Oh that’s right, we were completelybusy with the lecture that you didn’t tell me yet."

As always, Suzuka thought of a plan forit but "Before that day, it’s a secret" was all I heard about it.

"T-There is a reason for that. Theconcept of this research will be [Improvised date]"

"Improvised…..date?"

Her face was getting red as she startedlooking at me with a sulking expression. Then, she continued.

"The stage is the little sisters’school culture festival after all, so that’s not the only thing. [Thedate of the siblings who have started dating] will be the scenario.Since it’s their first date after becoming a couple, they are stillpretty innocent while they are flirting."

"So….basically, to make thisresearch a success, you didn’t tell me anything beforehand so that itseems more innocent?"

"T-That’s it. That’s why, Onii-chanjust has to think about how to be all lovey-dovey with me…..I-Iwill do the same. O-Of course, as an act!"

I-I see, her reasoning makes perfectsense….on paper that is. I mean, going on a lovers-like date withmy little sister….Not to mention on the culture festival of theschool she’s attending….

"T-This is all for our doujinshi towin against these people!…..And I think that it’s very important toget into your role too!"

"Role you say….We’re improvisingall of this right?"

"O-Of course! I was laying down on mybed the whole evening yesterday and thought about all the things thatI want to do and want to be done to me when I finally get to go on adate with Onii-chan, resulting me in getting no sleep at all—-thisis the role that I am acting out!"

"That’s very specific if you askme?!"

"T-This just shows how prepared I am!A-Also, it’s definitely not like I was looking forward to this,s-s-s-s-so don’t get any weird misunderstandings!?"

There is no way that I would make suchassumptions. Still, her enthusiasm is very easy to see. Although Iwas hesitating, I can’t chicken out. And just standing around won’tchange anything either. This time, I will do anythingnecessary…..At the very least, I have to prevent Suzuka’sretirement no matter what it takes.

"No, I got it. I will act accordinglyto this concept too."

"O-Onii-chan…."

"That’s why Suzuka, make sure thatyou get the best out of this and write the greatest scenario thereever was!"

"Y-Yes! Of course I will! I am surethat we can win this!" Since Suzuka thought like that, a small rayof hope appeared in my head. "W-Well then, let’s start! …..Ahhhto think that I would be able to go on a date at the culture festivalwith Onii-chan….!" Grabbing my hand, she immediately startedacting.

I was thinking that before but heracting skills are really superb. It almost seems like she’s reallyfeeling like that.

"Onii-chan! Don’t waste our time!"

"Y-Yeah. Let’s go on our date, then."I agreed with Suzuka.

As I did, Suzuka looked up to me withwet eyes and softly said the following words.

"Let’s be lovey-dovey to our heartscontent today, Onii-chan…."

There is no way that I would becrushing on little sisters. I wholeheartedly believe that it would bewrong of me to have these feelings when I even have a real-lifelittle sister.

….Still, you know….In that moment,at the bottom of my heart, I thought that this smile of Suzuka wasreally, really really—-the cutest I had ever seen of her…..!

Part 2:

"Oh, Suzuka-sama?" "PresidentNagami is with a boy…..!" "Who in the world is that person?!""That person is the big brother of Suzuka-sama!" "It seems likehe came here to give a lecture." "So that is Suzuka-sama’s bigbrother….." "I thought so before at the lecture but they reallyare close!"

……These voices really hurt. And theintensiveness of their gazes also hurt. It was the same at thelecture but the situation is quite different from then.

First of all, I’m not on stage. Beingso much closer to them changes everything. And even more thanthat….

"Ehehe….." The fact that Suzukawas basically clinging to my arm as she let out a weird laugh likethat! I know! I really do!! I’m well aware of the fact that it’s justan act! Still, I can’t help but getting embarrassed! I have to act asmy little sisters lover, you know?!

"Onii-chan, what should we do next onour date?"

Because of Suzuka’s bomb-like words,the girls around us all went [Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!] again. AndSuzuka didn’t pay any attention to that—-rather, it seems likeshe’s trying her best so that everyone can see our acting.

"N-Now that you say it, it’s aculture festival after all, so how about we walk around for a bit?"I couldn’t help but answer a bit awkwardly.

Please spare me of that. It’s more thanamazing that you can act like that right from the start!

"Uhm, I wonder what kind ofattractions they have here~"

Trying my best not to spare any thoughttowards the atmosphere around us, I checked what kind of things wecould use for our research.

"Mhm, what’s that? Over there, a lotof people are sitting on top of a blanket."

"Ohh, this is a meeting sponsored byour tea ceremony club. They are trying to attract new club memberswhile they are at it, is what I heard."

I see, a tea ceremony club, huh….Nowthat I look at it, a few of the girls were wearing kimonos.That’s…no good alright. I don’t think that this will help us increating a lovey-dovey atmosphere. What else—-

"What are these people over theredoing? They’re holding….strings of paper?"

"That’s an event for haiku poets.They are taking a walk while they are creating Japanese poems."

"What’s that thing around that treethere….?"

"That’s the people of the biologyresearch society, I believe. If I remember correctly, their theme fortoday is [Photosynthesis of chloroplasts] and they wanted to presenttheir results outside."

"T-Then, what is that machine overthere about where they’re giving a speech…?"

"They are the people from thescientific engineering club. After experimenting with today’s powergeneration using sunlight, they are planning to add solar panels tothis school."

"….Yeah, I thought so before butyou really are all eccentrics….."

This is completely different from myschool’s culture festival! No, I wonder if you can even call this a[Culture festival]!? If you were to hold a [Festival], you can’t callit one until you sell yakisoba and other different things in booths,don’t you think?!

"H-Hey, Suzuka….isn’t thereanything else, like, more normal around here?"

"…I don’t exactly get what you meanbut inside the school building are a lot of other things, you know?"

"…For example?"

"The tradition researcher’s assemblyis showing classical dances, or the theatre club is performing anopera-like play. The art club is presenting their works and there’s amusical act too."

"Yup, I thought so!"

Even the culture festival of theOjou-sama school was all high society.

"W-What happened, Onii-chan? I reallythink that you should focus on how we can be all lovey-dovey witheach other…..O-Of course, for our research that is."

"No, I know….But still, everythingaround here would make that really difficult…Isn’t there something,like, more commoner-like around here?"

"Then, how about we go to our secondgym hall?"

Second gym hall….? What’s that?—Iwas about to ask her as she responded ahead of me.

"Over there, individuals or smallergroups are also conducting various events and so on. I think that wemight have a better chance over there."

R-Really? Why didn’t you say so fromthe start?—I told her and she pulled me towards that said gym hall.Just like before, all the girls around us where staring at us.

"Ohhh, that’s more like it." Iblurted out as we entered the building. Countless little shops andbooths entered our sight.

Girls that were preparing hand-madestuff, others were making decorative plants. Even shops that wereselling food (although that was more on the sweets type). Now thiswas what I had in my mind when I thought about culture festivals.

"Still, to think that such anOjou-sama school like yours would be doing such commoner-like stufftoo."

"I don’t know what kind ofmisunderstanding you’re having but the majority of the students arenormal girls, you know? Even I am not an Ojou-sama."

You still seem more Ojou-sama-like thanmost of the Ojou-sama’s here….

"W-Well whatever. It looks like we’llbe able to do something over here."

"T-Then, what are we doing?" Suzukalooked at me with an anticipating gaze.

I know that this is an act + researchbut her gaze seemed totally natural to me right now….

Leaving that aside, the problem is whatwe should do here now. It has to be something that would allow us toconduct a [Being all lovers-like with my little sister] research.

……I could buy some sweets and feedSuzuka with that but I could always do that and it doesn’t have to beon the culture festival any—-

"….Mhm? Is that…?" Lookingaround to search for something, a certain sign entered my field ofview.

A love fortune-telling show. The momentI saw that, I immediately thought "That’s it!" With this, I cancreate a lovey-dovey event, even with my little sister!

"Suzuka, let’s try that one out."

"Isn’t that…love fortune-telling?!O-Onii-chan and I will…." Suzuka’s cheeks flushed in an instantas I pulled her with me.

"Oho, how rare to see a couple likeyou here." As we entered, we were greeted with a girl that woremagician-like clothes with a black cape. She looked like she’d beabout the same age as me. "And, aren’t you Nagami-san….? Thatmeans, you must be the rumoured Onii-san. Fufu, this looks likefun…"

"Uhm, we would like to receive afortune-telling."

"Of course. However, since it’s alsocalled a [Show], this fortune-telling will be slightly different."

"Ah, now that you say it, what do youmean with the show part?"

"You have to be aware that we are inan open space where there are people around you."

Well, we’ve come all the way over hereso let’s just this over with….

Normally, I’m not into fortune-tellinglike that but it looks like we can use this perfectly.

"And another thing, I will not onlylook into your affinity. Before that, I will look into the feelingsyou both have for each other and expose them."

"Y-You will expose my feelingstowards Onii-chan?!" Suzuka stiffened up with a red face (duringher acting) but since I didn’t believe in this stuff, I couldn’t havecared less. As long as we can turn this into data, I’m perfectly finewith her doing all the work.

"Then, we’ll ask you to do that."

"O-Onii-chan’s feelings towardsme….!"

"Fufu, then let’s start immediately."Saying that, the girl took out some tarot cards and started shufflingthem in her hands.

"Now, I want you to pick any cardthat you like." With these words, both Suzuka and I took a cardinto our hands. Seeing Suzuka’s quivering hand, I started to getnervous too. I have to be all lovey-dovey with her after all.

"Alright, I think we should startwith Nagami-san’s feelings." She looked at the card Suzuka handedto her. "Wow….Fufu, so that calm and cool Nagami-san has suchfeelings locked inside her…."

"W-W-W-W-What do you mean?!"

"The card you have chosen is [TheWorld]. The card that represents a complete and finalform….Basically, your feelings towards your brother will nevershake in the slightest." The moment she said those words, oursurroundings were getting louder.

"M-M-M-My feelings areso…..hauuuu……..!"

"Fufu, I’m really envious. Maybe yourfeelings are even bigger than what can be described with the card."

Hearing that, Suzuka looked at me.However, the moment our eyes met, steam came out of her ears with onebig explosion and she quickly averted her eyes again.

A-Acting or not, that action had astrong impact. Of course, this result was nothing more than acoincidence but to think that it would be so on point in thissituation is…..!

"Alright then, let’s continue withOnii-san." As she said that, I gulped. No matter the result, I haveto make the best out of it. Improvise, improvise! "Oh? ….This isalso pretty interesting."

"W-What is it?"

"The card Onii-san chose was [TheMoon]. It bears the meaning of illusion and bewilderment,representing the fluctuation inside your heart. You are stilldoubting your own feelings towards Nagami-san. It’s like yourpurposely not looking at her."

"O-Onii-chan?" In one motion,Suzuka face changed into one of worry and doubt as she looked up tome.

The people around us were also gettingnoisy and the good atmosphere from before was getting washed away.

…Ugh, of course there was no way thather predictions are true but this is definitely not good under thesecircumstances!….Ah for crying out loud! This didn’t go as planned!What should I do?!

No, calm down, me….Currently, I’m mylittle sisters lover. How would this character react to this?

"U-Uhm, what should I do then toclear up these doubts?"

"Onii-chan, what are you….?"

"…Mhm. How about you act moredaringly? Since you’re feelings aren’t decided on what you want.Maybe you should put these feelings you have towards Nagami-san intoactions? Like that, your doubts could be cleared up for good."

"Actions…what do you have in mind?"

"Something like a kiss would be agood start, I suppose."

"What?" Confronted with heroutrageous statement, I couldn’t come up with any words. However, inmy stead, all the people around us started whispering about the word[Kiss], resulting in a big uproar.

"A k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-kiss withOnii-chan?!"

H-Hey, even Suzuka reacted like shewasn’t acting at all…..What should I do in this chaos—

But, in that moment I realized.

T-That’s right. Normally, this flow ofevents would be very dangerous…. but can’t I use this as my role ofthe big brother in our research…?

Let’s try this. What would the twolovers do. What kind of developments would the readers of thedoujinshi wish for.

"….Suzuka."

"O-O-O-O-Onii-chan?!"

Having made up my mind, I turnedtowards Suzuka. She, on her end, seemed to have been hesitating a bitbut after a short while, she closed her eyes, seeming like she hadalso made up her mind.

….What am I doing?! It’s true that insuch a flow, it would be the right thing to do but we’re here on aresearch so there’s no way that I can actually kiss her! And why arethe people around us suddenly so quiet?!

"…….."

S-Shit….! A kiss scene would beperfect in the doujinshi but there’s just now way. Ahhh to hell withit! No other option!

Taking Suzuka’s hand, I pointed theback of it upward.

"Don’t worry, Suzuka. We’ll always betogether after all…." Blurting out such a weird phrase, I put mylips on her hand.

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!]

As a result, all the people around usbasically started screaming.

"W-Wonderful! So lovely!""Onii-sama is so cool……!" "Suzuka-sama’s head has gotten sored!" "Please be happy Suzuka-sama!" "CongratulationsSuzuka-sama!" "How nice how nice how nice!!!"

They were all saying what they wantedbut I didn’t care about that.

Just what the hell am I doing?! I knowthat it’s just an act but regardless, doing something like this….!Ahhh for Christ’s sake, someone explain what I just did?!

"O-Onii-chan……Ehe, ehehehe,ehehehehehehehehehhe….." Suzuka collapsed onto my chest, lettingout a weird laugh.

You’re wrong, okay?! It might look likeI’m hugging her but she merely overheated from my weird acting!

"Fufu, then, lastly, let’s pull acard that will represent your affinity." She said as she took asingle card into her hand. She doesn’t care about us at all…..!

"The card shows your affinityis….[The Lovers]. Well, I guess that I don’t have to explain whatthat means, fufu." Laughing at us as if she was teasing us, even myface went as red as a tomato.

Why does it always end like this….!

"T-Thank you very much…..What do wehave to pay?" Hurrying to leave this place, I said so.

"I don’t need anything. Thanks to youtwo, I received good publicity after all. Fufufu….." Sheresponded with mysterious words.

As I tried my best to leave this placewith Suzuka still clinging to me, many other girls were alreadylining up for the fortune-telling.

Oh, I see, so she meant it like that.

"Onii-chan……! Onii-chan gave me aprincess kiss…..! Ehehehehe….."

"…Heeeey, Suzuka, how about youreturn to reality…?" Trying to get through her, I softly shookher body.

"Ehe, ehehehe……Ha?!O-Onii-chan?!" She finally returned to her senses and maybe becauseshe realized that I was holding her, she pushed me away, her facestill as red as before.

"W-W-W-W-What are you doing all of asudden, Onii-chan?!"

"You know that I couldn’t help it,right? I did it for the research after all. We were bothembarrassed….And you even closed your eyes so you must’veunderstood that I was acting…."

"T-That might be the case but! Still,something like that….ehe, ehehehe……" Being confronted withher weird laugh once more, I took a deep breath and changed thetopic.

"….So, was that some good data atleast? I do think that I did a good job, you know…..using theculture festival to create a flirty event….."

"Now that you say it… T-That wassome pretty good data…..although it would’ve been even better ifyou really did kiss me….."

"…..I don’t think that I needed tocontinue after that. Also, I’m sure that you can add that later onwith your fantasy….."

Hearing my words, Suzuka muttered"Can’t help it then." before she continued.

"….And, what are we doing next?"She said something even more outrageous.

"Wha-?! W-We’re going to continue?!"

"T-That should be obvious. I won’tlet it end with just that!…..I-I’m talking about the researchthough?!"

….You still want to continue doingsuch stuff….? Just before, I thought I would die from all theembarrassment…..

"T-This is all so that we can beatthese two people, okay?"

Ugh….if she says it like that, thereis no way that I can refuse. Also, I would be lying if I wasn’tlooking forward to seeing this scene with Yuuka and Ryou…..!

"A-Alright….We’ll continue…..But,can we not do it immediately? Uhm, I have to calm myself down a bitmore…." I feel like my heart would explode if it kept on beatinglike this.

"T-That’s right. That might be a goodidea….." Suzuka agreed with me, as she put one hand on her chestand took a deep breath.

"O-Okay, now that it’s decided, let’slook for a place we can calm down."

"Ah, I think I have an idea for that.Let’s go there and drink a tea. T-Taking your time on a date is alsovery important, I believe." She grabbed my arm once more and tookme out of the gym hall.

"And where is that place you arethinking about?"

"That’s—" Hearing my question,Suzuka only smiled without answering.

"Welcome, dear guests."

Being greeted by a maid, I was takenaback. And it wasn’t just any other girl wearing a cosplay. The themehere seemed to be [Authentic Maids]. Unlike the otaku-customizedmini-skirts, they were wearing normal black long-skirts with an apronon top of that.

"….W-Why is a maid cafe here?" Iasked as I sat down on the other side of the table, facing Suzuka.

Seeing all these authentic maids,taking orders from other guests and pouring tea or the similar, Icould only sit there, spacing out while I was looking at them.

"Every girl in here is actuallyworking as maid. Every year, they are asked to participate togetherwith the students."

"So, this is a cafe with real-lifemaids….?" To think that something like this existed at Suzuka’sschool…..

"Onii-chan, why do you keep staringat them? You really like Maids…." She glared at me as I turned tolook at her, making me gulp.

"N-No it’s not like that, this isjust a weird scene, in a lot of ways….."

"So you don’t necessarily like themthen?"

I really think that your way of askingis a bit unfair!

"Really now……This is whyOnii-chan is so….." Suzuka moved her lips with adispleased-seeming mood but with a perfect timing, our order arrived,letting me take a breath. "O-Onii-chan currently is in the middleof a date with me, so please don’t goggle at the Maids here. Thisreally hurts my feelings as your lover."

"No, it’s not like I meant to—-and,you’re already acting again?"

"O-Of course I am. After all, I’mcollecting data throughout the whole day. And also, us relaxing a bitin here and drinking also counts as a date, doesn’t it?"

It’s true that a cafe isn’t that rareof a place for a date but….

"It’s been a dream of mine to go on aculture festival date with Onii-chan. That’s why I won’t allow that.P-Please look only at me today….." Hearing Suzuka’s charmingwords with the sight of her flushed cheeks, my heartbeat acceleratedonce more.

I do understand that this is all actingfrom her but just hearing this phrase out of Suzuka’s mouth raised mynervousness. That being said, I can’t forget that I also have a roleto fulfil.

"Y-You’re right. We did become loversafter all."

"….Exactly. Onii-chan is alwaysthickheaded and unable to grasp my feelings, so you will have to makeup for that."

"I’m sorry, okay….Still, we’regoing to be always together after this, so there’s no need for you tobe so stressed out about it, right? Wasn’t spending time like thisalso very important?"

"S-Since my feelings for Onii-chanare also on the brim of overflowing, I can’t just calm myselfdown……However, it’s true that Imight be overreacting a little bit." With that, Suzuka calmlybrought her cup to her mouth. As I did the same, I felt like I hadreally calmed down.

….Why is is that, when the atmosphere is like this, I feel like wereally did become lovers…..It’s good since we need this for theresearch but I wonder what that feeling is.

"B-By the way, Suzuka."

"W-What is it, Onii-chan?"

"Say, when exactly did you fall in love with me?" That’s why,before I realized it, I had asked her that question so naturally.

"T-That’s…." Her face went even more red than before. However,she immediately raised her head and replied. "I-I don’t remember sofar back. I have always loved you. So many years….That’s why, I amsure that I was born just to fall in love with you, Onii-chan…."Faced with such a straightforward answer, I felt the blood rush to myhead.

Even though this is supposed to be an act, Suzuka is saying it sostraight like that…..!

"….What about Onii-chan?"

"Eh? W-What about me?"

"Since when did Onii-chan fall in love with me?" I was bewilderedafter hearing her say that. I know that I should be acting incharacter….but I don’t know how I should answer that.

W-What do I do? How would Ryou answer in this situation? And whatanswer would be the best for her research? Ah…to hell with it! Idon’t know!

"W-Well…."

"Well?" As if she seemed to be expecting something, Suzuka lookedright into my eyes.

Being unable to withstand that gaze, I had no other choice but toopen my mouth and spit out what was floating around in my brain.

"I-Idon’t know. But, I do feel like I did a long time ago. That momentyou confessed to me, I thought that [Oh, maybe I do feel the same]and I started realizing it. I’m sure that I just unconsciouslyignored my feelings until that point."

……Why does this feel so natural even though it’s coming out of mymouth?

"….I-Is that so." Without complaining however, her face merelywent red and she fiddled with her hands. "U-Uhm, Onii-chan."

"W-What is it?"

"W-Would it be fine if we stopped our research for a short bit?"Faced with her unexpected words, I could only mutter a short "Eh?"

"D-Did I say something bad….? M-Maybe my answer wasn’t quiteright….!"

"No, you’re wrong! I-It’s not that but, uhm, for what I am about tosay, I don’t want you to think that I’m merely acting….uhm" Withwatery eyes, Suzuka looked straight at me as her body seemed to beshivering slightly. "I-I, ehm, towards Onii-chan…..! N-Not justas acting but really….I really…..!"

"S-Suzuka?" Seeing this weird attitude of Suzuka, my heartbeataccelerated once more.

"O-Onii-chan, I r-really…..L-L-L-L—–"

In that moment, she happened to push her cup with her elbow off thetable.

"Eh? Ah,careful—-"

It happened as I was about to reach out my hand to catch it.

"….Yup, it’s fine." Hearing a voice from besides me, I sawanother hand that caught the cup mid-air.

Looking at it, there were three maids who seemed to have been aroundmiddle school age.

"S-S-Sorry about that."

"No, it’s fine." "I’m glad that I could be of use." That wasclose, alright." All of the maids answered with a smile.

I turned around to face Suzuka once more but I realized that themaids were still standing there, looking at us.

"Uhm, is there anything else?"

"It might be rude but are you Nagami-sama’s big brother perchance?" "You are here with Nagami-sama after all." "Well, wedo have a request." And they all said that out of the blue.

….A request? What’s that about?—-I was about to ask but Ihappened to see Suzuka staring at me and she seemed to be sulking.

"Suzuka? What’s wrong?"

"…It’s nothing…It’s…..just…. the timing on that was justunfair or something…."

"Timing? Ah, you wanted to tell me something right?"

"That’s….! There’s no way I can say that now….!" She avertedher eyes, pouting. However, she continued to mutter something."….S-Still, that was too lose….I knew that he was acting butOnii-chan’s words played with my heart to much that I just happenedto….But, wasn’t that a chance? No no! Don’t take any risks likethat! Ahh but….!"

Seeing her attitude, the maids looked somehow apologetic.

"U-Uhm…" "D-Did we make a blunder? "My apologies…."

"N-No, I don’t think that you did anything wrong. Yes." I saidtowards the three maids who were bowing down to us while apologizing.

Not knowing what exactly happened, I decided to forget about that.

"Uhm, so what did you want? You said something about arequest….?" For now, I decided to give Suzuka some time to calmdown.

"Ah, yes." "There is something that we wanted Onii-sama toteach us" "About the maids in otaku culture."

Hearing their request, I tilted my head.

"Maids in otaku culture?"

After listening to their further explanations, it seems like theirmaster (or should I say mistress in this case) was present at mylecture, and she seemed to be interested about maids in otakuculture. Because of that, she ordered her maids to go ask me aboutthe behaviour and movements of [otaku maids].

"Well, I do understand the circumstances but even if you ask meabout that…."

"If Onii-sama were to tell us, we would be so very grateful""Yes, we have to acquire that knowledge no matter what it takes.""If not, we will be punished…"

S-Seems like these girls also have it pretty hard. Of course, I wouldlike to help them out but what should I do?

"…..Onii-chan? What are you thinking about?" In that moment, Iheard Suzuka’s voice, making me straighten up my back in surprise."Onii-chan is in the middle of a date with me, right? What are youdoing, helping them out and forgetting about me?"

A pouting expression. Paired with a displeased sounding tone.

T-That’s right….I am in the middle of a date—–like researchafter all.

"S-Sorry. You’re right. I’m sorry you all but—-"

"N-No, they do have their own circumstances so we can’t leave themalone. That being said, I can’t allow Onii-chan to be all lovey-doveywith the maids….." She repeatedly glance at me as she continued."Instead, I will become the maid and demonstrate it…."

"…..What?! Y-You will?!" I almost jumped up after hearingSuzuka’s words.

"I-I can’t help it, can I…..! Even I am embarrassed butcurrently, I’m on a date with Onii-chan….! And, becoming a maid infront of him might be good chance—–not! If Onii-chan were to teachme, even I can become a maid!" Suzuka explained in a waveringvoice. "A-Anyway, we will do it like this! It’ll be a researchwhere the little sister suddenly becomes a maid during theirdate…..!"

"I-It’s true that this would a good idea for your research….But,is it really okay do decided on that on the spot?"

"I can’t just let Onii-chan get all flirty with other women whilehe’s on a date with me! O-Of course in the meaning of thescenario…!"

I am reminded once more that Suzuka really is the one and only TowanoChikai. She managed to think of a way where we can help these peopleand still conduct a research…..I’m just confused on why her face isso red.

"Well, are you girls fine with that?"

"Y-Yes! I am so thankful to Nagami-sama!" "To think thatNagami-sama and her Onii-sama would really demonstrate for us!""T-Thank you very much!" The maids also bowed down, giving theirthanks.

Suzuka then continued in a quiet voice with an "P-Please make sureto properly teach me, okay……." before she left the shop withthe other maids.

"….Somehow this turned into a really weird situation alright."As I was waiting for the girls to come back, my omurice finallyarrived.

I was about pick up my spoon to start eating it but I realized thatthere seemed to be a lot of noise at the entrance of the shop…..andwhen I turned over to check…..

"T-Thank you for waiting, Onii-chan."

"…………..Ah." Seeing Suzuka in a maid outfit, I lost myability to speak. Suzuka’s normal calm atmosphere and these authenticmaid clothes really fit each other. It seems like the other peoplearound us also thought like that, resulting in Suzuka getting a lotof attention from the other customers.

"Uhm….first up would be the explanation but it should be fine ifI do it like Onii-chan tells me, right?" Saying that, Suzuka cameover to my side.

Her maid clothes fit her so much that my heart was beating likecrazy—-no, it’s not like that!

Being flustered, I only managed to get a short "Y-Yeah" out of mymouth.

" CoughI want you to know something first. Even if we talk about otakumaids, they aren’t all that different from real maids." Clearingher throat once, Suzuka started her speech. "However, there is onething that is different. I am talking about [Special service], to bespecific, to emphasize their love towards the opposite sex." Aftertaking a glance at me to check if she was correct, she continued."T-Then Onii-chan, please teach me what kind of [Special service]would be appropriate."

S-Shit, to think that I have to make my real-life little sister, whois even dressed as maid, do stuff that like in front of all thesepeople…I really am the worst….! Suzuka is giving it her allthough. This is research….Research….!

Whispering the [Special service] that I came up with into Suzuka’sear, she gulped once.

"I-Iunderstand….! CoughWell then, I will show you while I will pour some tea into this…"

While she was pouring tea into the specifically prepared new cup onthe table, she lifted it up and put it in front of me as she wasfinished. Seeing Suzuka standing there with flushed cheeks, I goteven more embarrassed and that resulted in me accidentally splashingsome tea on my leg as I happened to push the cup.

"A-Are you okay?"

In an instant, Suzuka came over with a dish cloth to wipe it dry.Also—

"Really, Onii-chan has to be more careful. Here, your necktie isalso crooked." She said as she closed the distance even more to fixit.

Skin-ship and meddling with personal affairs are a classic thing thatotaku maids do….!

That being said, my tension kept rising with Suzuka so close to me,so I quickly separated from her when she was finished.

"U-Uhm, now that that is over, I would like you to pat my head as areward….."

She looked like she might explode any second. However, that was justhow I told her to act. This is also an important part after all.

"Y-Yeah, thank you. Suzuka…." And, I pat her head just like shehad asked for. As I did, all the female students around us gasped inadmiration.

"Ehe, ehehehhee…….ha?!" In an instant though, she returnedback to reality and once more turned towards the audience. "J-Justlike you could see, this is only one of the important traits of anotaku maid. O-On an important side note, these relationships betweenmaster and servant only work out like this if you have a goodaffinity, just like me and Onii-chan….." She lowered her head.

The [side note] part was something that didn’t come from me but shethought of herself.

W-Well, it’s fine. She managed to do it in the end……

"Amazing, Nagami-sama!" "What else is there?" "Any otherhidden techniques?"

In that moment, the three maids asked us to show them even more.

"O-Onii-chan. Since they’re asking for it, is there anything else?"

"Y-You’re still going to continue?! And what do you mean by hiddentechniques…?!" With his atmosphere around us however, I couldn’texactly decline.

What else is there…..ah whatever! No choice but to do that!

I told Suzuka what I had thought of.

"S-S-S-Something like that?!" As I did, her face went as red as atomato and she waited a short while before she continued her speech."Well then, I would like to show you an even easier method for a[Special service]! T-This is something you do when it’s time fordinner but it is one of the most remarkable jobs of an otakumaid….!"

With these words, she grabbed a bottle of ketchup that was standingon the table. "O-Onii-chan….please watch my affection foryou…!" She said as she turned towards my omurice that was stillon the table. "H-H-Here I go!…IL-O-V-E…..uuwuuu…..O-NI-I-CHA-N….!" As one could guess, shewrote [I love Onii-chan] with the red ketchup. Her hands were shakingquite a bit which is why the characters were a bit hard to read butin the end, she even managed to put a heart next to them.

"….Love love…..kyun…..!" At last, she said the magic words with a wavering voice.

Yes, this is just another of the many special maid services, the[Ketchup-Art]

…..Even though she did it because she was forced into a corner, Ionce more felt despair at what exactly I had my real-life littlesister do in front of all these people…..but she did her best so Ican’t look away….!

"T-Thank you. I am very, uhm, happy about that…." I said so asI reached out to grab the spoon but Suzuka was one second faster thanme. After scooping out a spoonful of omurice, she pointed it towardsme.

"I-I will feed you so…..! S-Say A-Ahn…..!" Even though sheseemed close to crying, her words were the exact opposite of what youwould expect. Coincidentally, the part she scooped up had the hearton it.

……I-I didn’t tell you to go that far though?! I-Is this reallyimprovised?! S-Shit!

"T-Thanks for the meal. A-Ahn…." I made up my mind and openedmy mouth. Doing so, the omurice entered it and I started chewing.

"H-How….is it?" Suzuka looked really worried.

Of course, I didn’t have the leisure to enjoy the taste.

…..Really, Suzuka should be on the brim of exploding because ofembarrassment but just how far is she willing to go for her researchthat she does something like that in front of her fellowstudents….! As if I could betray her trust as her big brother andmake her suffer through this alone!

"It was very delicious. Maybe because it was handmade by Suzuka."

"T-That’s not the case I think?!"

"I always feel like you put a lot of your love into your cookingwhen you’re doing it for me, maybe that’s why I always think of it asdelicious."

"N-N-N-N-N-No no no no!"

"No, really. I do have to show more gratitude that you always cooksomething so delicious for me." I gently smiled at her.

"N-No! T-This is my duty as a maid—no, as a little sister!"Suzuka was fiddling with her hands.

"I don’t even know how I could show you my gratitude."

"I-I am more than happy just to hear these words fromOnii-chan….!"

"Still, I don’t think that’s enough."

"Eh? O-Onii-chan….?"

Standing up from the chair, I softly took Suzuka’s head and pushed itagainst my chest.

"…Thank you Suzuka. I’ll be in your care from now on as well."

"…………..!" Suzuka looked up at me, red-faced. Her eyeswere shaking and all strength seemed to have left her body."Hya……Nya…." She let out in a small voice. However, shestarted to breath more roughly.

"Eh….? S-Suzuka-san?"

I-Isn’t this really bad? D-Don’t tell me, is she not feeling okay?!W-W-W-What would happen if someone caused a ruckus now?!

"W-Wait Suzu—-" I was about to separate from her when ithappened.

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]

The atmosphere around was wrapped into a huge ruckus, just as I hadfeared.

"Wonderful! So wonderful!" "Suzuka-sama looks so happy….""So this is the power of an otaku maid….." "Onii-sama is socool…." "How lovable a scene that was….!" "I feel like Icould cry….." "How nice how nice how nice!"

"No, everyone please calm down…." I wasn’t even given the timeto continue however.

"Thank you very much!" The three maids bowed down to us ingratitude.

"Thanks to Nagami-sama and her Onii-sama, we got a goodunderstanding of otaku maids!" "With this, we can tell ourOjou-sama about what we learned!" "I don’t know how we couldthank you…..!"

Being confronted with the maids’ honest words, I could only mutter aworried "N-No…."

And did they really understand everything there is to know just fromthat little bit….? No no no, this isn’t the time to be thinkingabout that. Suzuka is still spacing out and everyone’s excitementaround us keeps on going up too so we really should change thelocation—-

"I-I have a favour to ask of you!" However, in that moment, acertain female student appeared in front of us. "I apologize butthere is something that I have to request of you no matter what!"

Saying these words out of the blue, she kneeled down and bowed herhead to us.

"U-Uhm, who are you….?"

"Ah, apologies. I am a member of the theatre club. We had plannedon performing a play in the big lecture hall but two of our memberssuddenly collapsed with a fever! It seems like they caught a coldafter practising for several days…"

"I-Is that so….That really is a big problem but with thatrequest, you don’t mean….?"

"I wondered if you two would be able to jump in for us!"

"No no no! What are you saying?! Are you aware of what you’reasking of us?!" I panicked.

"Of course I am! Seeing that maid play from before, I thought of anidea! I’m sure that you two will be able to do it! Your playing justnow was on point after all!" She bowed down once more.

"No, suddenly participating in a play is impossible! And what kindof play roles are we even talking about?!"

"A prince and princes! It’s a story about a forbidden love betweensiblings!"

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!] went the people around us, making me[Kyaaaaaa] in my chest as well!!! What kind of play is this?! Andwhat is this pin-point accuracy!?

"Because of this story, we had two siblings do the roles too. But,they happened to catch a cold….."

"N-No, we still can’t…." Although I felt really bad, I couldn’tjust accept without hearing Suzuka’s opinion.

"I-I beg you! I can assure you that you both will be the perfectfit! The only scene missing is the confession at the climax!"

…..No no, I really can’t. This is just impossible.

Thinking that I should hurriedly decline and get away with Suzuka, Iwas about to open my mouth when it happened.

"P-President Nagami! I beg you! Please act out the confession scenewith your big brother!"

"Ehe, ehehehe? Confession…..with Onii-chan…..Okay, I’ll doit…."

"Whoa?! S-Suzuka?!"

So she decided to come back to her senses right now?!

"T-Thank you very much! Let’s go and change your clothes now….!Ah, your acting is fine if it’s improvised! I will add a fittingnarration to it!"

"No, wait….! Hey Suzuka?!" Being lost on what exactly washappening, I once more called out to Suzuka. However…..

"O-Onii-chan…..confession…..on stage…..eheheheh. This isresearch after all…..so we have to be all lovey-dovey to our heartscontent…." Suzuka was still spacing out, seeming quite happy infact.

I can’t just say no to the words [Research] but can we take a momentto really think this through?!

"Now that’s decided, let’s hurry on, Onii-sama!" While I was loston what to do, Suzuka grabbed my hand and followed the girl. A lot ofgirls were following us but I didn’t have the leisure to pay too muchattention to them.

……Coming to the culture festival of Suzuka’s school and suddenlybeing forced to participate in a stage play….is this some sort ofbad dream….?

「Bothof the prince and princess realized their feelings for each other,only to be reminded of one fact….They were siblings. The prince wasin mental anguish because of this forbidden love. What kind of answerwill he give—–Thank you very much for waiting! Here is theconclusion!」

Yep, it really wasn’t a dream, for fuck’s sake!

The curtains were lifted. My view was filled with countless people inthe audience and even more girls were peeking into the hall from thehallway. In the middle of that, I was standing on top of the stage,wearing clothes that made me look like a prince.

"I-It really is Onii-sama!" "So that rumour was true afterall!" "I-I have to burn this sight into my memories….!""Maids, are you ready to take pictures?" "F-Forbiddenlove….." "O-Onii-sama…."

The voltage in the hall went to the max in mere seconds but mytension kept on rising even further beyond.

…Is it really fine to put me into this situation without explaininga single thing to me, merely calling it [Improvising]….?! Justcancel it, really….

"Haaa…." Still, it troubles me exactly because Suzuka wants touse this as research.

…..To sum it up, I was force to participate in this play where I ama big brother who has fallen in love with his little sister eventhough it is forbidden….as if I could do that?! I will change allof this so just you wait!……is what I wanted to scream out but themain problem was Suzuka. I do have to match up with her afterall….makes me wonder what she will do on here—-

[Suzuka-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!]

However, before I could finish my thoughts, everyone in the audiencestarted screaming as the spotlight focussed onto the part of thestage where Suzuka was coming onto. Seeing her appearance, Iswallowed my breath.

A pure white dress with a sparkling tiara. Her hair wasn’t tiedtogether with ribbons either, making me question if that person infront of me really was Suzuka. Right now, I saw her more as a[Princess] than a little sister.

「Theprincess spotted her prince. Seeing the person she had yearned for,her heartbeat accelerated. Even if this is supposed to be a forbiddenlove, the princess vowed to herself that she would tell her loved oneof all these feelings she was keeping inside of her. She slowly walkstowards her prince…..」

The narration moved the story forwards. …..So, judging from that,Suzuka, in her role as the princess, will confess her love to me, inthe role of the prince….

Suzuka walked towards me. Red-faced but with a serious expression,she looked up to me and calmly opened her mouth.

"……I……I love Onii-chan…..I have always, always lovedOnii-chan. But, I didn’t have the courage to tell you so and I kepton hiding it…." Not a single sound other than her voicereverberated in the big hall we were currently in.

Even I couldn’t believe that this was supposed to be an acting,making me speechless.

"However, I gave up on running away. If I don’t move forward, theme inside Onii-chan will always stay as a [Little sister]……Idon’t want that. In Onii-chan’s eyes, I want to be seen as a girl.That’s why….."

We are prince and princess, so wouldn’t calling me [Onii-chan]completely ruin the atmosphere?—is what I wanted to retort but Iwas completely taken along by her acting.

"That’s why….I will say it countless times. I love Onii-chan. Ilove you from the bottom of my heart….I love you……!"Finishing her monologue-like confession, she looked up to me withtears in her eyes.

…..W-Wait a moment! Why are you so good at this?! Is the perfectsuper human even a perfect actor?! And, even though I’m aware thatthis is supposed to be a play, what is this weird feeling?!

I was completely lost on what to do. This silence behind me should’vebeen calming but in this case, it hurt.

…..I’m supposed to answer now right? And, what should I answer?W-What is the story….! Where’s the narrator?!

「Theprincess poured her heart into this confession. How will the princerespond? Will he accept her? Or will he push her away?」

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Eh? W-Wait a second?! Why are you stopping?! Where’s thecontinuation?! What should I do?!

No matter how much I screamed out in my heart, the answer never came.The narrator never continued.

……Is it that? I’m supposed to bring the climax to all ofthis…..with my own thoughts? D-Don’t fuck with me?! As if?! What doyou want me to do?!

In the meantime, the hall started to get noisy.

"….O-Onii-chan?" Suzuka on her end looked at me with a worriedexpression while she spoke to me.

However, I didn’t move an inch. Not knowing what to do, I was frozenin place.

….Damn, no choice but to end this some way! I won’t take anyresponsibility for anything that happens after this!

Just before I was about to open my mouth, I was reminded ofsomething.

….N-No, even before this play, we were on a date as siblings onthis culture festival…..as research. In that sense, that confessionfrom before must’ve been in the act of the little sister. That’s why,answering in the role of the big brother is the only choice Ihave……But what should I say?! What would Ryou answer here?! Ahhman! I have no idea!

The growing noise in the big hall. Suzuka’s worried gaze. The successof the research. So many things were rumbling around in my head.. Thenext second, my mind went completelywhite and before I realized it, Ihad opened my mouth already.

"I…..I can’t answer your feelings."

The moment I said that, everyone went quiet and I could hear Suzukataking a deep breath. Still, I didn’t pay any attention to that andcontinued.

"But, wait. After hearing your confession, I don’t know how toanswer. You honestly told me your feelings. I really felt that. Andthat’s exactly why, I just can’t answer your feelings so half-baked."

But—-my words cut through the calm atmosphere.

"But….There is one thing I can say for certain. Hearing yourconfession, I felt really happy. Being told that you love me……Ican’t describe this feeling."

"Eh?"

"That’s why, won’t you give me some time? I want to find out whatexactly this feeling is. And, I will answer your feelings just ashonestly as you did."

"Onii-chan…."

"I really feel bad that I can’t answer your feelings immediately.I’m sorry….However, I will promise you that one thing. We willalways be together….Suzuka." At the same time I finished thatsentence, I reached out with my hand towards Suzuka.

With an "…Yes. Onii-chan…" she responded in grabbing my handtightly, tears in her eyes and the biggest smile I had ever seen onher face.

Seeing her reaction, I felt really relieved—–But…..

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]

In that moment, the whole hall started shaking because every one inthe audience started screaming.

"Congratulations, Suzuka-sama!" "I hope you will be happy,Suzuka-sama!" "She looks really happy!""So President Nagami can make such a face…." "M-Maids?! H-Howabout the photos?!" "No wonder Onii-sama was flattered by herconfession…." "Ugh…how niceeeeee!"

Hearing all these reactions, I returned to my senses.

…..W-Wait? What have I been saying until now? And no, I don’t meanthe specific words but the meaning as a whole…..B-But, sinceeveryone’s seems to be cheering, I guess it was a success?

"H-Hey, Suzuka. Was this good enough for your research—–"

"…..Ehe, ehehehehehe…..A-Always together….withOnii-chan…..Ehehehe"

"S-Suzuka?!" Although I merely wanted to ask Suzuka for heropinion, she suddenly started collapsing and I barelymanaged to catch her.

W-W-W-What’s going on?! S-Seems like she lost consciousness whilestanding. A-And the play is supposed to be over right? Why are thecurtains not going down?! D-Damn, no choice but to hurriedly leave inbackstage direction—-is what I had planned on doing but in thatmoment, THEY came.

"Wait a damn secooooooooooooooooond!!"

Hearing that scream, everyone (including me) stopped their movements.Seeing the source of that scream, I swallowed my breath.

"Leaving behind the fact that you didn’t tell methat you would be performing a lecture here, and now you’regetting a confession from Suzuka-san as you both are cosplaying…..!Yuu! What the hell are you thinking?!"

"Sensei! How rude of you, not calling us over for your research,desu! And you’re even standing on top of a stage in an all-girlsschool!"

"Wha…..! W-Why…..!" Overwhelmed by the situation, my tonguewouldn’t move as I wanted it to.

And why the hell are Mai and Double Peace-sensei here?! Evenbetter, why are they wearing the uniform of Hakuou?! What isgoing on?!

While I was still in a state of confusion, the both of them graduallycame closer to the stage.

"A confession scene with Yuu…..! If you really call this aresearch, then let me help you as well! That’s only fair after Imissed your speech earlier!"

"Yes, desu! As you illustrator, I don’t like being left out likethis!" Both of them were charging at me with their usual tension.

"B-But why are the two of you here….?"

"Hearing that you would be giving a speech, I rushed over here!"

"And you were also here to collect data for a scenario, right? Yousaid that the scenario would be about a date at a girl school, desu.There’s no way that I can miss out on that!"

"B-But, you should only get in here with an invitation….! Andrather than that, why are you wearing this school’s uniform?!"

"All roads lead to Rome, desu…."

"It sounds even more terrifying if you say it witha straight face?!" While I was retorting, the female studentsstarted to get closer to the stage as well.

"W-Who might these two people be?" "They seem to beacquaintances of Onii-sama…." "Both of them are also incrediblybeautiful….." "….A foreigner…? Wow….." "H-Her chestis….." "Don’t tell me, a lover of Onii-sama….?" "B-Butthe both of them?" "Is this the rumoured [Harem]….?" "S-Sothey are President Nagami’s love rivals….?"

U-Uhm? Somehow I feel like the conversation is turning into a weirddirection….? N-No good. T-This is getting really bad! H-Have toleave this place as fast as I can….!

「W-Willthis turn into a fight scene for the favour of the prince….?」

However, the next moment these words came from the speakers aroundus, time seemed to have stopped inside the hall. It seems like thenarrator forgot that she still had the mic in her hand and mutteredthis words….which caused this critical vocabulary to get throwninto the room. And—-

[KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!]

The screams of the female students were even louder than before.

W-Why are they all looking so happy?!

"S-Suzuka! H-Hey, return to reality already!" I once more triedto call out to Suzuka but….

"Ehehehe, in a crisis like this, isn’t it the role of the prince to[Princess-carry] the girl and save her?"

"Oi?! The play is already over?!"

Is she still not up to it?! She even has a happy expression on herface for some reason?!

Still, I didn’t have any other option but to do as Suzuka hadrequested.

"Ugh….I got it already! We’re running away, princess…..!"

"Fue…..? Ah….O-Onii-chan?!"

Grabbing Suzuka with all my strength, I ran away from the stage.

"W-Wait, Onii-chan?! What are you….?!"

"You just told me to do it like this, right?!" Suzuka finallyreturned to her senses but that didn’t make me slow down at all.

「Ahh,the elopement of the princess! This is the answer of the prince?!」

Turning around after hearing that last intermission of the narrator,I saw Mai, Double Peace-sensei….and almost the whole student bodychasing after me?! Are you serious?! Just you wait until I see youagain, you damn narrator-girl!

"O-Onii-chan! What in the world is….!"

"That’s what I want to know?! For now, we’re running away so holdtight…!"

Dashing through the whole school building, I finally spotted oursaviour.

Lockers! That’s it!

"Wai—Onii-cha—woah!" Opening one of the lockers that seemedbig enough for us to fit, I checked that it was empty and stuffedSuzuka into it, following shortly after.

"I-It’s cramped….! A-And Onii-chan is so close…..!"

"Psssst! Be quiet…..!" Suzuka and I barely fit into the locker.

R-Rather than that though…..!

"H-Huh?! W-Where did they go?!"

"They couldn’t have gotten so far, desu!" Mai and the others ranpast us, shortly after them the rest of the student body.

"A-Are they gone?" Taking a glance outside, there were still somefemale students in the area.

N-No choice but to stay here for a while it seems….

"O-Onii-chan…..! Hau…………." Hearing the small voice ofSuzuka, I turned my head towards her.

"……….Uh….."

With a hugging position, Suzuka and I were basically glued to eachother. Being assaulted with the feeling of Suzuka’s soft body and hersweet aroma, my heartbeat just kept on accelerating.

"O-Onii-chan is…….S-So close……!"

"C-C-C-C-Calm down Suzuka!" I said to herbut it’s not like I could calm myself down either while she waslooking up to me with flushed cheeks.

"Muh, they are nowhere to be found, alright."

"They must be hiding somewhere, desu!"

In that moment, we heard the voices of Mai and Double Peace-sensei inthe distance.

"S-Since it’s come to this, we have no choice but to stay here fora bit….."

"T-T-T-That’s right……!" The both of us were whispering toeach other.

The sound of a heart loudly beating reverberated in the locker but ifthat was mine or Suzuka’s, I had no idea.

"U-Uhm, Onii-chan." In the meantime, Suzuka once more startedtalking to me.

Her breath slightly tingled my neck, hindering me from sayinganything else than an embarrassed "W-What is it?"

"I-It’s about your acting during the play earlier….."

"Ah, that was, uhm, my mind just sort-of went blank…..! W-Was itweird after all……? W-What about the data from it….?"

"N-No…..uhm! It was very good….! B-But, was that really allimprovised….?"

"A-Ah, well…..it’s something I came up after rumbling myhead….."

"T-Then, were those O-Onii-chan’s real feelings…..?"

"Eh? Uhm, Suzuka-san?" Feeling lost on what she meant about that,I didn’t know what to respond.

In that moment, Suzuka lifted up her head to look straight up to mewith a red face.

"T-That confession……..W-What I said…..T-These words were myreal…..feelings……! I-I really…..D-Do….F-Feel that wayabout—–"

"They really are hiding somewhere!"

"————!"

Hearing Mai’s voice even more nearby thanbefore, Suzuka suddenly stopped her words.

"That’s right, desu. So they should be somewhere around here."

"But, we checked everywhere, right?"

"They might be inside these lockers over there, desu?" As DoublePeace-sensei let out these words, I could hear my heartbeat evenlouder than before.

"Inside the locker….? Something as cliché like that is….."

"No no! Being glued together in a locker is a typical event in alot of novels, desu! I think it’s better to be safe than sorry,desu!"

"Well….it’s fine I guess, hop!"

Bang

Hearing that sound, both Suzuka and I twitched.

"You see? Nobody inside. It’s really narrow after all."

S-Seems like that sound came from the locker next to ours.

"Now now, Let’s just open every one to make sure, desu!"

With that, I heard the sound of a hand being put on the door ofanother locker.

T-This time it’s ours?! N-Not good!

"Maybe they are in this locker, desu—–"

"The both of you, can I have a bit of your time?"

Eh? W-What happened? T-That’s a voice I’m not familiar with. And thedoor…is still closed.

"You two are wearing our uniform but I have never seen the both ofyou here. What year are you? You look like you’re inhigh school……where’s your class?"

"Eh? W-We aren’t exactly…."

"We are guests of the culture festival, desu?"

"Hum? Is that so? Then, could you show me your invitations?"

"H-Hey you….! Why are you just telling her everything….!"

"Ah, we sneaked onto this festival after we got these uniforms,desu!"

"So basically, the two of you aren’t guests at all. If that’s thecase, I will have to ask you to leave if you would."

"Eh? Kya?! W-What’s up with these girls?!"

"Ohh, magnificent, desu! Suddenly appearing out of nowhere, arethese the so called ninjas, desu?!"

"This clearly isn’t the time to say that?! H-Hey,wait—–!Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

In a matter of seconds, Mai’s scream gradually became more distant.

"Fun, what was up with them, I wonder?" After the words of oursaviour, the scene has once more gotten quiet.

"W-What was that about?" Finally relaxing my whole body, I oncemore glanced outside of the locker.

"I suppose that the two of them were caught by members of thedisciplinary committee….."

"I-I see….? Well, thanks to that, we somehow gotthrough it…..?" As I turnedaround to face the source of that voice, I saw Suzuka, glaring up atme with a displeased expression. "U-Uhm, Suzuka-san? Is somethingthe matter?"

"It’s nothing……"

"I-Is that so? Oh right, before, you wanted to tell me somethingright? Something about your honest feelings—-"

"Uhhhhhh! O-Onii-chan you idiot! I-D-I-O-T!"

"Uwa?! H-Hey?! D-Don’t cause a ruckus in here!" Suzuka’s face hasgotten even more red than before and she had pouting expression.

I was completely lost on what I had done again but as I tried to calmher down—-

"Eh?"

S-Shit!—is the only thing I managed to get out before the door ofthe locker got unlocked accidentally, resulting in me and Suzukafalling straight out of it. I held Suzuka tight as I planted headfirst into the ground. With a loud bang, I felt pain all over and myvision got blurry.

"O-Onii-chan! Are you okay?!" Hearing Suzuka’s distant voice, myvision changed to black and I decided to let it all happen, closingmy eyes in resignation.

Part 3:

"Ouch….this day won’t just end well, will it?" I muttered, as Irubbed my head.

Currently, I was sitting on a bench, reminiscing about what happenedearlier. To my luck, I got away with alight headache. Suzuka on her end kept apologizing to me after I cameback to my senses. I told her countless times that it wasn’t that bigof a deal and in the end, calming her down was more stressful thananything. After that, she went to changeher clothes in a deserted classroom, tryingnot to get any attention anymore from the female students. That endedwith me going ahead and coming to thisbench, hidden in the shadow of a big tree on the school grounds.

"Really…..I wonder if this actually turned into good data….."I was starting to get worried if we’d be able to beat the Kanzakasisters with this. "But, Suzuka said that everything is going to befine…..Weird." I know that I don’t have the right to butt intoher personal stuff like that but I’d really like to know if it wasworth going on a culture festival date with my little sister…..

I interrupted my thoughts with a deep sigh. By the way, we didn’tmeet Mai and Double Peace-sensei as of yet.

"Let’s just forget about them….yup" As I was lost in mythoughts, I saw a few female students walk around the school groundsin the distance. They really do have a graceful attitude, just whatyou would expect from high society Ojou-sama’s……..Huh?

"That uniform….? That’s not from Hakuou, is it?"

In that moment, the female students realized that they were notwearing their uniform. No looking closer at it, there were a lot ofgirls with different uniforms…..?

"Since this is a culture festival, I’m sure that a lot of otherfemale students came over here." I thought that I heard Suzuka’svoice. She seems more calm than ever….?

"Is it alright if I sit down here?"

"Ah–?!" I realized that it wasn’t Suzuka who was talking to me."O-Of course, go ahead!" I turned around in panic, only to bemore shocked because of the person standing there.

"Y-You are…! T-The older Kanzaka sister?!"

"Akino. Good day to you." Direct words. An expressionless face.

I realized her identity in an instant.

"And, can I sit here?"

"A-Ah, yes…….No, not that! W-Why are you here?"

"Culture festival. I was invited." She answered as she sat down.Looking at it, her uniform somehow seemed familiar. "Why are youhere?"

"I-I was requested to give a lecture here…."

"Lecture? I just came here, would’veloved to see that."

What a shame—-she continued but her face showed no sign of afitting emotion.

"Uhm….so you came because you were invited by a student fromhere?"

"Yes. I’m a third-year student at Reihou Girls’ High."

…….Eh? Reihou…..wasn’t that another famous all-girls schoolaround here as well? And did she just say third-year….?

"S-So you were a senpai?"

"I don’t know. I’m a third-year. An energetic 18 years old girl."

So she really was older than me….and what did she mean byenergetic?

"U-Uhm, I’m sorry. I was very rude towards you even though I’m onlya first-year…."

"No it’s fine. You had the right manners."

I was thankful that she wasn’t mad…..but that’s not the point here!

"Uhm….I do understand the reason that Senpai came here but whydid you go out of your way to speak to me?"

"I happened to spot you. Did I bother you?"

"N-No not exactly but….we are enemies aren’t we….?"

"That’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted toapologize."

"Eh? W-What do you mean by that?"

"I’m sorry."

H-Huh? W-What does she mean by that? W-Why would she apologize to me?

"Onee-chan? What are you doing in a place like——aaaaah! Youare!"

In that moment, the younger Kanzaka sister raised her voice as shespotted us. She was wearing the same uniform as the older sister, somaybe they were invited here together.

"Towano Chikai! Why the hell are you in a place like this?! This issupposed to be a girls-only school, right? A-A pervert?!"

"Y-You’re wrong?! I was invited here as well!"

"Haruna, calm down, will you. No problem at all. He came here for alecture it seems."

Hearing the word [Lecture], the little sister tilted her head as ifshe was doubting me.

"Fun……so that’s also a part of a job being a light novelwriter. Well, you will be retiring soon, so it doesn’t really mater Iguess."

Ugh….no restraint like always.

"I’ll just say this but we have no intention oflosing so easily. You probably should do some rehearsal concerningapologizing. It seems like you’d be bad at that after all."

"W-What’s your problem…..there’s no way that we would be losing.Don’t underestimate Ambivalenz."

"I’m not underestimating anybody. We are well aware that you guysare pretty amazing. But, aren’t you taking us a bit lightly?"

"Not really? There’s no way that Ahi can win against me as of rightnow after all."

"Don’t forget that I am the one responsible for the scenario. I’mthe original author, remember?"

"Ha! What about it? Do you think that you’ll be selling more justbecause of that?" It really hurt to admit but I can’t say anythingagainst that. "It’s a competition about sales so that doesn’tmatter in the slightest, right?"

"Ugh….As cheeky as always. Weren’t you a fan of DoublePeace-sensei before? What happened that you got so distant?"Hearing my words, her expression slightly changed.

"….Did you hear about that from Ahi?"

"Hm? Ah, yeah. After you established your circle, your relationshiphas gotten worse, she said."

"Did she say anything about why that happened…..?"

"Eh? No, that’s……I wonder why? She said that she wasn’t thatsure about it either….But it’s probably that, right? She saw thatyou, a genius, was climbing the ranks of the doujin industry."

"H-Ha?! W-What’s up with that! That would make me seem like the badguy who looks down on everyone!"

"You’re not aware of that?! To me, it looks exactly like that, youknow!"

"S-Shut it! I-I was just pissed that Ahi kept on drawing that erostuff…..!" The little sister was glaring at me but it seems likeher leisure from before was completely washed away. "A-Also, it’sAhi’s fault! The reason that our relationship changed……and thatI’m acting like this!"

"W-Why is that?"

"…..We were finally standing on even grounds….Just when shefinally called me her rival….she just kept on wasting her potentialand just drew as she pleased! There’s no way I can keep quiet aboutthat!"

"Wasting her potential?" I tilted my head but her glare onlyintensified as she continued.

"It seems like you really don’t know a single thing about Ahi. Andyou’re still poking your nose into her own personal affairs."

"Wha-?! W-What are you on about?! So you know everything about heror what?!"

"I do!" She stated with a strong voice.

W-Where is that self-confidence coming from…?

"It’s exactly because I know that I’m so pissed about it…..!"

"…………" The older sister didn’t say a single word.

I was taken aback because of her sudden serious attitude.

….There must be a reason for her to actlike that towards Double Peace-sensei.Though I do not know what that is…..

"Hey….." I really wanted to hear her point of view. What didshe mean by waste of potential. Is there really something that Idon’t know about—-

"Onii-chan?! These people are…..!" However, with her (bad)timing as always, Suzuka’s voice reached my ears as she came closer."Why are you here?" Before I could even clear things up, Suzukaasked the Kanzaka sisters.

"You are…Towano Chikai’s little sister? And your uniform is fromthis school right?"

"So you were students from Reihou. Probably invited from thisschool’s students. I thought that you came here to get in the way ofOnii-chan…."

"Hey hey…."

Suzuka’s attitude resembled that of Mai in that moment.

"F-For now, please get away from Onii-chan!"

"W-What? I-I wouldn’t even get closer if you asked me to!"

"W-What did you say…..?!"

"Calm down Suzuka!" I jumped up and held her back from behind.

"Hya…..?! O-Onii-chan….! L-Let me go!"

"N-Not until you’ve calmed down….! And you! Don’t just agitateSuzuka for no reason!"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Ah, this is starting tofeel dumb…." Looking as if she was pissed off, the little sisterturned her back to us. "I can’t stay around these siscon and broconsiblings. Onee-chan, let’s go."

"Ah, hey!" I tried to stop her but she kept going without lookingback.

"I don’t have anything to talk about with you. Just tell Ahi thatshe should admit defeat already. And prepare yourself to retire whilewe’re at it." She only spit out these words as she left us behind.

"……I’m sorry" The older sister muttered these words. "And,a correction…..It’s not [Was]"

"Eh?"

"She was a fan….is not correct….."

E-Even if you say that, I have no idea what you mean.

I was about to ask her but she chased after her little sister with an"See you." before turning around once more.

"Ah, I forgot to tell you……You’re groping."

"Eh?"

"You’re groping her…." This time she was gone for sure.

"W-What was that about…?" I was still confused about a lot ofthings.

And what did she mean by grope….?

"Hauu…..O-Onii-chan….." As I was lost in my thoughts, I heardSuzuka’s thin voice.

"Ah, sorry. I’ll let go immediately——" It happened at thatmoment, when I focussed on Suzuka’sbody.

….Funya funya…..? And what is this soft feeling on my right hand?It’s not necessarily big or anything but… it still fits in my handpretty smoothly….is what you could say. LlikeI’m being pulled in, unable to let go…..some mysterious feelinglike that. Eh? What is this? She said groping so does shepossibly—–

"…………….!" I almost chocked.

Groping her….this soft feeling….don’t tell me?!

With this weird precognition, I slowly looked down at Suzuka. She hadtears in her eyes. A red face. And she seemed to be shiveringslightly.

"S-S-S-S-S-S-Sorry!!!"

I hurriedly put my hands away but it was already too late.

"O-O-O-Onii-chan….!" Suzuka formed a fist as her shoulders wereshaking violently.

Her next words weren’t that big of surprise…… but they closedthe curtains over this culture festival—-and theresearch as well.

"O-Onii-chan……you perverted idiot…..!!!"