Chapter 3.1

“Yesterday was terrible…”

I was left alone so I waited for Nanami to come back, then went home together.

I was worried about Akari, but it seemed that she arrived at home before me.

“Akari…are you okay?”

After that incident, Akari locked herself inside her room. She didn’t show up at dinner, and even took a bath before I arrived home.

That’s why I couldn’t read her notes last night.

I wanted to know her feelings, after everything that happened…

“Oh, crap— I’ll be late.”

When I glanced at the clock‘s hands, it was already time for school.

A lot of things happened, so I guess I’ll need some time to collect my thoughts.

With that in mind, I headed for the door.

“Aah!… A-Akari, good morning.”

I met her as I was about to leave the house.

“…!”

She was surprised when I called her out of nowhere. But as usual, she ignored me (again). She might be upset. I guess I have to start from scratch again.

“A…”

But it’s strange.

Normally, whenever I would call out to her, she would immediately walk away without saying a word. But now, for some reason, she stopped.

Aware of my presence, she then whispered something.

“Akari… What’s wrong?”

I was curious so I tapped her on her shoulder and asked.

I looked at her face, and as usual, her ears were bright red. Maybe she’s still worried about what happened yesterday?

“~~~~!”

She screamed inaudibly and with a bang, she opened the door and ran away.

“What am I supposed to do…?”

The only thing I could do was mutter to myself.

***

“Okay, let’s end here today!”

It was getting late and the manager had finally announced the end of club activities.

Actually, I wanted to leave early so that I could talk with Akari, but I can’t say, “I want to accompany my sister, so please let me take a break from the club.”

No, I have to think of another excuse…

Looking back this morning, I guess it would be more difficult to talk with Akari.

I’ll try my best tomorrow.

“Hey, Yusuke, do you have a little time after this?”

As I was about to leave, Nanami approached me.

“Yeah, I have some time. What do you want?”

“I wanna talk… about what happened yesterday.”

Well, I guess I would have to make things clear…

I don’t know how far into “yesterday” she wanted to talk about, but I couldn‘t refuse.

“Okay, well, I got this strange feeling.”

From the look on her face, it didn’t seem like it would be a pleasant conversation.

“I’m sorry to take up so much of your time.”

I stopped at a cafe near the school and listened to what Nanami had to say.

“No, that’s fine. What’s the matter?”

“Yeah, the thing is… Well, how should I say it?”

She looked as if she was having a hard time saying something and was worried about my reaction.

“Nanami?”

“I’m not sure what to say… Well I know, but I have to tell you.”

—And what is it?

“You know, yesterday when they were arguing, I felt something.”

“Hm.”

“I think Akari-chan likes you.”

“Wha—”

What?

“I’m just making a guess, but it’s possible.”

She continued while I was stunned by her remark.

“I believe she’s ignoring you not because she hates you, but because she likes you.”

“No, no, it can’t be possible.”

What was she talking about all of a sudden?

“I’ve always thought that she didn’t like you. If everyone saw her usual attitude, they would believe that was the case, until now.”

“…”

“But, like I said before, I’ve always thought there was something wrong with her. You used to be so close, but then she changed too much…”

I think that’s what she said when she came to my house on Friday.

“I wanted to check out something, that’s why I invited you two on a date. Of course, it’s also to help you, but…if she didn’t hate you then and if there’s another reason… then what you’re trying to do now is meaningless.”

Her words hit right on the mark.

“So… how did she look in your eyes?”

“To be honest, I don’t think she hates you. Rather, she likes you.”

“But that’s…”

“Remember your argument with senpai yesterday?”

Intercepting my words, Nanami continued,

“Before that, I was alone with Akari-chan. When you left to make a phone call, I told her the reason why we were on a date. I said, ‘The reason why I invited you was because Yusuke’s acquaintance wants to be friends with you. And that’s why Yusuke was trying to fix his relationship with you, Akari-chan’.”

Why would you tell that lie to Akari…?

“And she seemed very upset when she heard that. Rather than being surprised, I saw a very sad expression on her face… After that, she left her seat and ran away immediately.”

“This much happened without my knowledge…”

“And the most important thing happened after that. Do you remember what Akari-chan was going to say when you were arguing with Yamamoto-senpai?”

“That… Akari is…”

“‘You’ve said enough… Don’t you dare to utter a single word about my Onii-chan.’ After that, she said that her brother was more attractive. Without a doubt, you weren’t hated by Akari-chan.”

“Well… it could be true.”

What Nanami said was exactly the truth. Yesterday, Akari was furious for my sake because Yamamoto spoke nonsense about me.

“So, I’m just guessing from here, but I’m sure that Akari-chan likes you. But for some reason, she‘s keeping her distance. I don’t know what it is, but…maybe she ‘likes’ you more than we think.”

Ah… Now I’m in trouble.

It may have been careless of me to ask Nanami and the others for advice.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, but I just can’t believe it. The way she has been acting so far doesn’t seem like it.”

“Well, I’m just guessing. It’s not like I have any proof. But I’m sure I’m not wrong.”

She was confident despite the lack of confirmation.

“But if Akari… likes me, isn’t it strange to keep a distance? We’re siblings, and if she doesn’t hate me, then at least she can be a little more friendly.”

“That’s why. As I said earlier, I think the ‘like’ that she feels is different from what we imagine.”

“Do you mean she…”

“Yes, she likes you as a man, that’s what I’m saying.”

Hypothetically speaking, Nanami was indeed correct.

“So you’re saying that Akari has feelings for me, but she’s holding back because I’m her brother?”

“Well, I think it’s fair to say that. If she keeps her distance, only then she can control her emotions towards you. And this explains why she was acting like that.”

…!!