Kurasu no Daikirai na Joshi to Kekkon Suru Koto ni Natta Volume 4 Chapter 4

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Little Sister Love

Saito and Maho waited in front of the entrance, but the door was locked tight, showing no signs of opening again no matter how long they waited. Even so, they could pick up Akane’s fierce fury even through the thick door.

“That’ll take some time before she’s calmed down…”

If anything, Saito felt worried that such a day might never come.

“What should we do? Sleep outdoors?”

Even in a situation like this, Maho seemed excited at the thought of camping outdoors. You wouldn’t expect her to have been severely sick at one point in her life, looking at how much energy she had now.

“The weather report said it’ll rain tonight, so I’d like to avoid that.”

Not to mention that the neighborhood had its eyes on them, so they couldn’t just sleep in front of their own house. Saito may have been wearing his sleepwear, but Maho was still in her babydoll appearance. If someone were to see them here, it’d cause a ruckus for everybody involved.

“I’ll go buy some clothes, you wait here.”

Saito used his smartphone which he luckily managed to grab amidst all the chaos, and started walking.

“I’ll come with you!” Maho proclaimed.

“You stay here! What if the possible catch us?!”

“What if some stranger were to assault us?!”

“You just scream then, Akane will save you.”

“I’m more worried about Onii-chan!”

“I see no reason to worry about that.”

Maho however fired off a passionate comment.

“If it was me, I’d assault you for sure! Especially with those sexy clothes of yours!”

“You’re the only outlaw in the whole world who would do that.”

Saito fixed his disarranged clothes. He had completely forgotten about Maho having unbuttoned his shirt. If he kept on walking like that, he probably would have been reported for sure.

—Maho probably felt like I was stealing her older sister from her.

While aiming for the nearest convenience store, Saito started thinking. Those two were exceptionally close as sisters. This may have been born from the bonds they forged when Akane took care of the sickly Maho, but Maho now was very attached to her sister. Now that her older sister had gotten off married to a random guy, she probably felt cast aside and forgotten. That’s why Maho attempted to win over Saito to tear him away from Akane. This must be the reason for her actions tonight. And if that was the case, she succeeded with that.

Saito entered the nearest convenience store, looking for any usable clothes. Of course, he wasn’t able to find pants or a skirt. He instead reached for a male-sized t-shirt, paying for it with his smartphone. Bless modern civilization for this. Upon returning back to his home, he found Maho waiting for him, sitting on the floor. She put on the shirt, and thanks to it being too big for her, it at least safely covered her thighs. Any benevolent passersby might think she’s just wearing a shirt with short pants below. However, the person in question didn’t seem to like it very much, as she pulled down the hem of the shirt.

“Woah, this looks so lame~ You have no sense at all, Onii-chan.”

“Stop complaining, they are just temporary for now.”

“I mean, the clothes you wore during our trip to the amusement park were just as yikes. It’s like you were wearing stuff that was popular ten years ago. I could tell they were at least expensive, though~”

“Grandpa sent them to me after all.”

“People with no sense should just walk around with no clothes~”

“You’re not deceiving me.”

Saito and Maho walked away from their home. Deep in this residential district, you barely encountered any cars. The streetlights gave off buzzing sounds, as bugs and insects flew around them. A faint scent of flowers drifted towards them from the invisible hedge. Having their path illuminated by the periodical nightlights, the two walked down the dark path.

“You need to properly dress up, Onii-chan. I’ll teach you the basics next time~”

“No thank you. I see no merit in looking stylish.”

“You’ll be more popular with girls?”

“No need for that.”

Now that he was married already, he would just create more trouble if he was involved with love. Just like tonight, for example.

“You could have all the girls in the world shower you with money?”

“I don’t want to live such a shitty lifestyle.”

“Really, Onii-chan is such a good-for-nothing man…” Maho sighed in disbelief.

Saito was confused why she was so in disbelief. He wasn’t fully denying the idea and value of being stylish, but it didn’t help in realizing his dream, so he’d rather gather more valuable information by reading books.

“Also, you can just go back to your own home, right? I’ll escort you.”

“Kyaaa~ Onii-chan plans to invade my home and ravish me~” Maho embraced her own body, twisting and twirling around.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Seeing me off to my grave?”

“I think you’re still alive.”

“Send-home capybara?”

“Sounds pretty safe to me.”

“Send-home mushroom?”

“How am I supposed to do that, I can’t even move.”

Saito was not some fungus, he was a proper human being.

“What about you, Onii-chan? Are you going back to your main family’s home? If so, then I’ll go with you! I wanna stay over at your place~ Doki doki~”

Saito firmly believed that people who used onomatopoeia in their speech should not be trusted. As always, letting down his guard around her could prove fatal.

“I can’t go back there. Now that I’ve gotten married, they changed the lock on the front door.”

Maho put one hand on her mouth.

“Wha…your parents don’t like you?”

“Well…something like that.”

“H-Huh…Well…sorry?”

“That’s the one part where you should laugh!”

It was a serious topic to Saito, so he felt depressed at such a serious reaction. He had given up on having any expectations from his parents, but it’s been half a year without a peep.

“It’d be great if we could stay over at Shise’s place, but…I don’t want to trouble them this late. I’ll just look for a random cafe to pass the night.”

“I’ll come with you, then! I’d feel bad for you to be all alone.” Maho tapped her fist on her chest.

“No, please just go home.” Saito waved his hand with a serious expression.

“You don’t need to hold back! I’m totally fine!”

“I am fine myself.”

“It’s not good to hold back! Just rely on me when you’re lonely!”

“Please, just go home.”

Saito would have preferred to send Maho home to her parents, but he sadly didn’t know her address. Forcing her to take him there also wasn’t a great option.

“Come on, Onii-chan, let’s check out the city at night!” Maho clung to Saito’s arm, raising a fist. “Ohhh!”

“Ohhh…” Saito wasn’t exactly excited.

It felt like he was dragged along by a drunkard who wanted to visit the next bar. If it was Saito, he could have just stayed at an internet cafe, reading manga all night, but taking a girl with him like this, he was not the biggest fan of.

“Can’t help it then, let’s look for a hotel.”

“A love hotel?! It has to be a love hotel, right?!” Maho’s eyes lit up in excitement.

“Just an average business hotel.”

“Ehhh, not romantic at all~”

“As long as we have shelter, that’s all I will ask for.”

“I’d love to ask for a love hotel! I would die to see those rotating beds!”

“Rejected. If you have any complaints, then go back to your own home.”

Saito’s relationship with Akane was already at a low point, so if he took her little sister to a love hotel, it’ll only make things worse, and probably kill Saito in the process. Stepping out on the main street, Saito used his phone to look for nearby business hotels. In the end, he found a simple ten-floor building. In the large parking lot, several trucks had stopped, the rest of the garage buried with visitor cars.

“Whatever, that’ll do. Doesn’t change the fact that Onii-chan and I will be staying over together, so we might just climb the stairs to adulthood!” Maho said, passing through the automatic entrance door.

Saito ordered two single rooms, handing one key to Maho.

“Here.” He raised his hand, giving the shortest possible farewell, and entered his room.

“O-O-Onii-chan, you idiot! Spineless virgin!”

He heard Maho’s roars of anger across the door, but he didn’t have time to bother with her. He finally managed to have some peace for himself. As he lowered his waist on the sturdy bed, he let out a sigh and looked around the room. From the outside, it looked like a plain hotel, but the interior was oddly luxurious. There was a desk placed at the wall, with a high-value TV. Additionally, there was a sofa that could fit two people, with a mini table, unique floor lights everywhere.

The bathroom was rather small, connected to a shower room, but he had already taken a shower at home, so he didn’t need one. The fridge was full of free mineral water, so he should be good until the morning. Saito put his phone on the charger, taking out a water bottle to take a sip when somebody knocked on the door.

“Ah…yes, present.” He shook his head and gave a vague response.

“I know you’re present! Open the door! If not, I’ll bust it open!” Maho screamed from across the door.

“Do what you want. I doubt you can kick the door open with your fragile legs.”

“Not with my legs! I’ll use the fire extinguisher from the hallway!”

“You’ll get arrested for damaging property!”

“You’ll be the one getting arrested because I will scream!”

“You’re already screaming…”

She was evidently bothering the other customers of the hotel, considering how late it was.

“I’ll scream that you took me to this hotel without the consent of my parents! What do you call this, child abduction? I’m only wearing a t-shirt as well, what do you think the police will think, huh?!”

“Alright let’s talk things through, please?!” Saito frantically opened the door.

Maho used the smallest opening to slip through, leaping inside Saito’s room. In her arms, she still carried the fire extinguisher. She was actually planning on breaking the door down. This realization sent a shiver down Saito’s back.

“Ha ha ha, now that I’m in here, I will be the ruler! I have conquered this room!”

“Could you stop pointing the nuzzle of the fire extinguisher at me?”

“It’s fine! I know how to use this thing, but I don’t know how to stop it!”

“That’s the most dangerous type!”

If the entire room was covered with fire extinguisher foam, the repair fees will cost half a fortune, surely. The police will come, and then their parents would be notified as well. Saito attempted to take the fire extinguisher from Maho, running towards her. At the same time, Maho evaded him, jumping on the bed, kicking over the chair, falling onto the sofa. However, this was still a narrow single-person room, so she couldn’t run away forever. After a few minutes, Saito managed to steal the fire extinguisher from Maho, restraining both her hands in the process.

“Now, it’s time for you to leave…”

“So even you…will chase me out…?” Tears came streaming down Maho’s cheeks.

“S-Stop with those fake tears,” Saito said but was terrified deep down.

“These aren’t fake tears! What’s wrong with me wanting to be together for a bit?! Do you hate me as well now, Onii-chan?!” Maho sunk down on the bed, her shoulders shaking as she was crying.

More and more drops of water fell, coloring the sheets.

“Um…was it actually that much of a shock? You know, Akane saying that she hated you.”

“That’s right! This is the first time she ever said something like this to me! No matter what kind of pranks I would play on her, she never got angry for real! And yet…she now…she now hates me for real…She won’t ever talk to me.” Maho was weeping like a child that was scolded by her parents.

Her usual energetic and cheeky attitude was nowhere to be found.

—What a troublesome girl…

Saito let out a sigh. He didn’t enjoy being teased all the time, but he at least preferred that over dealing with a crying girl. It made him feel like he did something bad.

“This happens from time to time. Not to mention that Akane tells me every single day that she hates me.”

“You’re kidding…”

“It’s true. She wishes for my death every single day, and being woken with screams of anger is a daily routine of mine.”

“How can you even put up with that? Hated by your parents, hated by your wife, I would rather die than keep on living like that…”

“Well, you’re not wrong. I often think about it when I’ve calmed down.”

Even more so since his classmates couldn’t stand Saito either, so it was hard for him in his own right. However, he had Shisei. Simply by having an ally at his side at any given moment, he didn’t feel lonely at all. He could tell himself that he was fine.

“Akane might be a bit extreme with her motions, and often blows a fuse, but she quickly calms down, so I’m sure she’ll forgive you soon enough.”

“Really…?” Maho looked at Saito with dampened eyes.

“Yeah. Though it’ll take some extra time before she forgives me. She’s hated me for the longest time after all.”

“Sorry…”

“Nah…don’t worry about it.”

Hearing an honest apology from Maho made Saito feel restless. That just showed how weak and fragile she was right now. To her, Akane must be everything. Unable to really respond with anything, Saito simply grumbled over a possible response, when Maho suddenly took off her t-shirt.

“What are you doing?!”

“Taking off my clothes.”

“I can see that! Why?!”

“It’s my fault that you got kicked out ofo the house, so I thought I had to at least take responsibility…and offer you my body…”

“No need!”

“Am I…not charming enough?” Maho’s shoulders quivered.

The babydoll was pulled along the t-shirt she was trying to take off, revealing two white bounds and her slender waist. Seeing her weeping on the bed with this kind of outfit, it was plenty alluring to awaken any boy’s instincts.

“You’re plenty charming, but there’s no way I could such a thing with a crying child!”

“I-I’m not even crying anymore! And I’m an adult, so I can do it just fine!” Maho seemingly was agitated by Saito’s comment, forcefully trying to pull his pants off.

“Stop that! What are you, some molester?! Get your hands off me!” Saito desperately held onto his pants.

“You need to let go already! If you don’t shut up and lay down, I will cut it off!”

“Scary! Like hell I can lay down next to someone who threatens me with that!”

“Shut up! I’m trying to serve you as thanks, so just be quiet and accept it!”

Maho lined up ridiculous arguments one after the other, as they both kept on fighting to the point they were both gasping for air. With this still being the same day after the amusement park trip, they were both out of stamina.

“I won’t try to chase you out anymore, so let’s just sleep, alright?”

“Will you put me to sleep…?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Even with an arm pillow?” Maho asked like Shisei usually would.

“Well…I guess I can.”

If he didn’t think of her as a female junior of his, but just as his own little sister, he felt no wicked emotions whatsoever. Saito laid down in bed, Maho laying right next to him. She still wasn’t done crying, as she kept sniffling with her nose, burying her face in Saito’s chest.

—You sisters always cause such a ruckus…

Saito let out a sigh, and gently caressed Maho’s head.

The inside of his arm felt heavy. Something soft and pleasurable was pressed against his body. Sounding relieved, faint breathing, with calm rhythm, reached Saito’s ears. Feeling that all the exhaustion from the previous night had not yet fully disappeared, Saito slowly opened his heavy eyelids. From the curtains of the windows entered the faint morning sunlight. The air conditioning in the room seemingly wasn’t the greatest, as the air in the dimly-lit room felt stuffy, but also had a sweet scent drifting inside of it.

He lowered his gaze down at himself, spotted Maho clinging to him like a spoiled cat—and was bewildered. She was naked. Let alone the single shirt he bought, she had also taken off her thin babydoll. Her slippery skin was glued to Saito. Her slim waist was wrapped around Saito.

—Crap, did I mess up…?!

Saito felt his heart freeze. Sleeping together in the same bed with his wife’s younger sister was already barely acceptable, but if they happened to cross the line right here, he had absolutely no justification. Maho would report the circumstances to Akane, and Akane would break down everything they had worked so hard for. Maybe everything that happened the last night was Maho’s goal. All a calculation so that Saito would show a moment of carelessness.

Saito panicked and confirmed his own appearance. He was properly wearing his sleepwear and the underwear beneath, the sheets seemed clean as before, so they probably had slept this way since last night. Saito sighed in relief when he realized that Maho’s body felt awfully hot. She was wearing like she had been in the sauna for the past three hours, and her breathing felt slow and out of rhythm. Her facial expression was distorted in pain.

“Hey, you alright? Are you not feeling well?” Saito asked, to which Maho reluctantly opened her eyes.

“Usually I drink this medicine every night, but…I couldn’t do it yesterday.”

“I thought you recovered from your sickness?”

“I did…As long as I drink that medicine, I can live like every other person…I just get tired a bit easier, but if I don’t overdo it, I’m fine…”

That didn’t sound like she completely recovered. Saito remembered how Maho would often be out of breath or stagger after running around. Especially back at the haunted house before, that might just have been her actually being sick, and not just faking it. She was just playing it off, trying to hide it—this liar of a girl.

“Why did you not drink it?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Where is it?”

“Onii-chan’s home. I didn’t have it on me when we got chased out. I thought I’d be fine at least one evening…but I guess not, haha.” Maho showed a weak smile.

She had lost all her usual vigor, her smile about to vanish like a torch, making it evident that she was acting tough. Seeing this, Saito reached for the smartphone next to his pillow.

“I need to call an ambulance—”

“Stop!!”

A scream rang out. It must have been a big burden on Maho’s body, as she curled up on the bed, having a violent coughing fit. Saito gently rubbed her back. He couldn’t afford to hesitate now, but he felt worried. Her back felt so soft and fragile, he thought he might break it easily like glass.

“If you call for an ambulance, they’ll contact my family…and it’ll cause a ruckus. Onee-chan will find out…”

“This clearly isn’t the time to say that, right?”

“This happens from time to time…The doctor said I’m fine, and that I can live a normal life…”

“Really?”

“Really. I still have many more things I want to do, so I wouldn’t lie about something like this…”

“If you say so…”

As this was a business hotel, they had paid for the stay the previous night. Saito called the reception, asking for them to call a taxi, and helped Maho put on her clothes. Her skin felt burning hot to the point Saito might burn his fingers. Simply putting up her arms seemed to be a lot of work for her, and her head was swaying back and forth, unreliably. She couldn’t even walk on her own. Saito received information that the taxi had arrived, so he picked up Maho.

“Ahaha…a princess carry, that’s a first for me. You seem used to it, Onii-chan…”

“Because I did this to your older sister before.”

Maho blinked in confusion.

“Wait, so you and Onee-chan actually aren’t on that bad terms…?”

“We’ve been mortal enemies forever. Now…I don’t really know.”

“Because you’re a virgin?”

“Shut up.”

Saito didn’t want Maho to waste her precious energy with idle talk, so he forcefully silenced her. Even though Maho was scolded, she seemed happy about it, wrapping her arms around his neck. However, those arms immediately lost their strength. Saito took the elevator down to the entry hall, putting Maho inside the taxi. He told the driver to take them to the hospital, and the taxi started driving. Inside, Maho’s shoulders leaned against Saito’s, making it evident she could barely even sit up straight.

Saito made Maho’s head rest on his lap, calling the hospital. Maho seemed to still be suffering from a fever, as she tightly grasped Saito’s clothes like a small child. Arriving at the hospital, Maho was immediately brought to an examining room. She ended up getting scolded why she didn’t take her medicine, and why she was so lightly clothed, and then examined in greater detail. Just as Maho stated, there was no danger to her life, but she would have to be hospitalized for a while. Both the doctor and nurses seemed to know her, creating this ‘Back again, huh?’ atmosphere.

“Guess I really messed it up…” Maho laid in the bed of the hospital room, muttering as she looked up at the ceiling.

She changed from her thin shirt, given faint pink hospital clothes. She had calmed down a lot more compared to before, but her breathing still felt a bit heavy.

“Your parents should be here in thirty minutes. Things would only turn complicated if I was here, so I’m leaving now.”

“W-Wait!” Maho stopped Sait, right as he was about to leave.

“What?”

“Please…don’t tell Onee-chan about this…”

“That you ended up hospitalized?”

“And that I collapsed.”

“Akane would want to come to visit you.”

As it was Akane’s dream to become a doctor, she would surely nurse Maho with all her skill and ability. The reason she aimed to become a doctor was all so that she could save people who are suffering like her younger sister.

“You can’t. Because I was always so weak, I’ve been a bother for Onee-chan forever. She always had to look after me, which is why she never had time to play with her friends, let alone making many.”

“That sure doesn’t sound like the only reason, but…the biggest problem seems to be her personality.”

“Onee-chan is very kind. Almost too kind…and I don’t want to worry her more. I want her to focus on herself, instead of worrying about me.” Maho pleaded with all her might.

No sign of her usual attitude was to be found here. Saito felt like this was how she truly was.

“…Got it, I won’t tell Akane.”

“Okay…And sorry to trouble you like this, Onii-chan.”

On the way out of the room, Maho’s expression and gesture looked so sad and defeated, it made Saito’s chest feel painful.

Having left the hospital, he stepped out onto the main street, filled with exhaust fumes, as he called Shisei. Akane was probably still fuming in anger, so he needed to secure temporary lodging.

‘What?’

Shisei quickly answered the call.

“I can’t go home for a while. You mind letting me stay over?”

‘Did you have a fight with Akane?’

“Yeah. A serious one this time around.”

‘Gonna get divorced?’

“Divorced…who knows.”

Saito wanted to think that things weren’t that bad. Nothing beats peace. If Tenryuu and Chiyo learned of this situation, all hell would break loose.

‘Shise is outside for a drive right now, so stay there. We’ll take you right to court.’

“Again, we’re not getting divorced just yet!”

‘No need to hold back like this. I’ll introduce you to a great lawyer of ours. He’s got a 120% court win rate, and he can turn every black piece into a white one.’

“How did he get that extra 20 %, huh?”

‘No idea, but his phrase is that it’s not a crime if nobody finds out.’

“You go fire him right away.”

Even the Houjou Group lived under the principle of not choosing their methods solely using law and people as tools, but that lawyer was even worse. Saito sat down on a car bumper, waiting for the car to arrive when Shisei’s car came. It was a wealthy-class white car. Even the sound of the door opening sounded upper caste. Of course, the same aggressive maid driver was sitting behind the wheel.

“Apologies for the wait, Saito-sama. I tried my hardest to break the sound barrier to get here, but…”

“You don’t need to do any of that.”

“Of course, while abiding safety driving.”

“I’d love to believe you, but the second you tried to break the sound barrier, it really is too hard for me.”

“I simply wish to know the limits of a human.”

“Speed laws are the limit!”

Saito sat in the back seat, tightly closing the seatbelt. This was all to protect his own life. Who knew, maybe that maid driver had put rockets on the back of the car, so he needed any security he could get. Once again, the car shot through the streets. At the same time, Shisei looked at Saito in his sleepwear with a dubious gaze.

“When did you have a fight with Akane?”

“Last night. Stuff happened, and she chased me out as-is.”

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“At a random business hotel.”

“…With somebody?”

Not expecting that question, Saito froze up. How did she realize that Saito wasn’t alone? Sometimes, Shisei was way too sharp.

“That’s…obvious…you know?” Saito showed a wink, trying to somehow cover it up.

Immediately, the cold aura around Shisei grew even stronger. It sent shivers down Saito’s spine, making him feel like he walked into a giant freezer. Shisei moved on top of Saito’s lap, putting her nose to his neck.

“The scent of a woman. Not Akane. So you spend the night with someone other than Akane.”

“W-What are you…”

“Since you’re wearing clothes, the scent shouldn’t be that strong…The other person must have been naked, and Brother as well…”

Saito tried to argue that he was indeed wearing clothes back then, but he bit his lips and silenced himself. This evidently was a lead question, and he was about to play along with Shisei’s game. Shisei’s deductive ability was only second to Saito’s, so he couldn’t fall into her trap. With that thought in mind, Saito was about to use his top-grade brain cells, but—Shisei called out to the maid driver.

“Another 300km/h more until Brother becomes honest.”

“Roger.” The maid driver stepped on the gas pedal, as redshift appeared outside.

“Wait wait wait!”

It wasn’t a battle of brains after all. It was a simple threat and coercion. The maid driver swung around the wheel, announcing.

“I actually bought some nitro recently.”

“Don’t make it sound like ‘Oh, I actually bought a new bag recently~’, alright?!”

Common name: Nitro. It’s a system that, with an extra engine, allows you to gain explosive acceleration.

“I actually use most of my salary to improve this care in any possible way.”

“Are you stupid?!”

The maid driver calmly shook her head.

“It is a perfectly logical decision. Rather than pumping up cars in my own price range, if I keep on improving the car of the Houjou Family, I can create much higher speeds. No matter how recklessly I may drive, the family pays all the maintenance costs.”

“Your master is listening, you know?”

“The lady is my ally.”

Shisei nodded strongly.

“Shise is her ally. Even if she burns up the car during her drive, she won’t get angry.”

“You really should get angry at that!”

“Even if it means misappropriating the budget of the company.”

“That counts as a crime, you now?!”

“Shise did get angry at her when she ate the pudding without asking.”

The maid driver deeply lowered her head, not looking at the street anymore.

“My sincerest apologies. I personally wanted to see the lady anger for once, and…it was a lot more adorable than I had assumed, so I am thinking of doing something similar again in the near future.”

“What an awful hobby you have…”

At the same time, it was very much like Shisei to value a pudding higher than a high-cost car.

“Well, I actually haven’t tested out this nitro system, see.”

Seeing the maid driver out her fingers on and around a switch with a skull symbol on it, Saito immediately confessed his sin. He told Shisei about Maho sneaking into his bed, how they were spotted by Akane in a very unfortunate moment, how she kicked them out, how they stayed at the hotel, how Maho suddenly got sick, and so on.

“My lady, what should we do? Putting his beheaded head on public display?”

“That would be too much. Bury him in concrete.”

“Both of these are way too much!”

The gazes of the maid driver and Shisei were painful. Saito at least wished the maid was focussing on the road ahead.

“It’s fine, Shise fully understands. Brother couldn’t be satisfied with having a beauty of a wife, so he also went for his wife’s cute younger sister. Oh how embarrassed Shise is for having such a brother.” Shisei moved away from Saito.

“Could you stop acting so disgusted? I couldn’t help it—” Saito said, pleading for forgiveness.

“As punishment, Brother is to sleep naked with Shise tonight.”

“Then I shall be the photographer-in-charge.”

“Why are you turning that into a photoshoot?!”

“To create precious memories?” Shisei tilted her head.

“I don’t need any memories that will eventually create a scandal.”

“Only Brother will be naked, so there’s no problem.”

“I see a full buffet of problems here.”

“You want Shise to be naked as well? Shise will do her best.”

“For once in your life, you don’t have to try hard!”

“Then Brother will bite on an elastic band, with an elastic—”

“That won’t be a punishment anymore, but a simple bet punishment.”

Feeling resting anxiety that wouldn’t go away, Saito stayed seated in the moving death trap until they reached Shisei’s residence.

Akane spotted Saito in the hallway at school, rushing towards him.

“Hey, I have something to ask!”

“W-What is it?” Saito showed clear disinterest, wanting to escape as quickly as possible.

However, Akane closed the distance between them, grabbing his necktie so that he couldn’t run away.

“Do you know where Maho is? She hasn’t shown up at school since then, and she wasn’t at my own home either.”

“No idea…Maybe you should ask your parents instead?” Saito shrugged his shoulders.

“I sure did. Both Mom and Dad said ‘She went back to traveling’, not giving me a proper answer.”

“If they say so, then it must be true, no?”

“She would have said goodbye to me before she left. I can’t reach her with phone calls, she’s not even reading my messages, something doesn’t add up…” Akane grit her teeth.

She was probably afraid that Maho might have started to hate her after she chased her out. But, Akane had all the right to be angry. After all, Akane had yet to agree that Maho could take her place in marrying Saito.

“She’ll be back home soon, right?”

“How can you tell? You know something, don’t you?”

“No…just a feeling.” Saito scratched his head.

“You’re not the type of person who believes in that sort of thing. You were awfully close with Maho as well, so you should know something.”

“We’re not that close.”

“That’s a lie! You…did lewd stuff with my little sister, right?!”

“I did not!”

“You sure did! You were embracing each other, half-naked on the bed…Mguh!” She was interrupted by Saito putting his hand on her mouth.

With a pale expression, Saito exclaimed.

“Don’t talk badly about people like that. What if somebody else heard us?”

Akane pushed Saito’s hand away, glaring at him.

“But it’s the truth, right?”

“At the very least, I didn’t do anything like that.”

“Then you and Maho should just explain everything to me! Let me meet her!”

“I can’t help you with that.”

“……!”

Akane seemingly felt agitated that only she was left out, feeling her stomach burning in anger. Even though she was dying of worry for Maho, she didn’t even know where she was. She started making up assumptions that maybe Maho had collapsed again, or that her sickness had gotten worse, which is why she wasn’t meeting Akane.

“Classes are about to start, so I’m going back to the classroom.”

“You better wait! When do you plan on—”

She tried to ask him about his return, but bring herself to voice these words. The one who chased Saito out was herself. She couldn’t ask him to come back quickly. Shisei stopped by to get the absolute minimum of his belongings, so maybe Saito planned on never coming back. Now both Maho and Saito hated her. Akane and he had always been on bad terms, but their relationship had improved a lot lately. Yet, it was all ruined now. Everybody left her.

She couldn’t have said something like that. Akane was riddled with regret, covering her blurry view with the palm of her hand.

As Akane didn’t know about Maho’s situation, Saito was the one visiting her on a daily basis. After classes, he left the classroom, shaken by the old bus outside the town. Inside the bus, an elderly person stood out. Two girls who looked to be grade school students were nervously sitting in their seats. They looked oddly similar, so they may have been sisters.

Since Saito was asked to go shopping for Maho, he got off the bus one before the hospital, stopping by at a fast-food place, and then arrived at the hospital. It was a large hospital with 12 floors, and the reception hall was crowded with visitors. Saito took the elevator up, inspecting himself in the mirror. Despite Maho being the reason why he was chased out of his own home, he oddly enough couldn’t leave her alone. Maybe he still had lingering feelings for her because of that time he met her at the party, it was genuinely confusing.

Maho was laying on the bed, gazing at the ceiling. When Saito entered the room, she shot upwards, frantically wiping her eyes to smile at Saito.

“Yaho, Onii-chan. Came to meet me again? You really like me that much, huh~”

“You were crying just now, right?”

“I-I wasn’t~ Some rain just got in my eyes.”

“We’re indoors.”

Inability to become honest, she really had that from her older sister. She didn’t seem like a person with many friends, so she was probably sad that her older sister wouldn’t come to visit. Saito moved the small table next to the bed, placing the fast food on it.

“Here, got you a souvenir.”

“Yaaay~ The food they serve here basically tastes like anything, and it’s only vegetables~” Maho enthusiastically opened the plastic bag, taking out its contents.

“Only coke and a burger? I said I wanted fries as well~”

“If I spoil you too much, I’ll be the one getting an earful from the doctor and your parents.”

“But you’ll get lots of love from me, no?”

“I don’t need that.”

“You listen to my requests because you want to be loved, right?”

“It’s because you wouldn’t leave me alone otherwise.”

Because she was so adamant about wanting to eat a hamburger when Saito would come over the next time, he saw no other choice but to give in. The healthy and well-balanced food of the hospital may be better for her health, but the well-being of her heart was also important. She probably lacked the energy to take a huge bite, as she slowly chomped away at the hamburger, raising an ecstatic voice.

“Mmmmm! This is it! Eating junk food in secret from the doctors never gets old~!”

“Did you ask Akane for this before?”

“She would never buy it for me, you know. She’d instead feed me some weird seafood, mushrooms, or other healthy nonsense.” Maho put the straw of the coke in her mouth, taking a deep sip. “The MCs in America are pretty different from the ones in Japan.”

“Really?”

“They’re selling those steak burgers first thing in the morning, and even if you order an S-size drink, you’ll get the Japanese equivalent of an L-size, and they have a lot more potatoes.”

“You sure know a lot.”

“I’m a returner after all.” Maho puffed out her chest in confidence.

She put down the half-eaten hamburger on the table, glaring at it with a sharp gaze. She probably wanted to eat all of it, but her body wouldn’t allow it.

“If you’re still that weak, why are you going around traveling the world?”

“It was my dream. Because Mom and Dad worked a lot, earning money for a big surgery, I finally stopped being bedridden, but…I’m still not fully back to normal.”

“Then why are you forcing yourself…”

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

Maho embraced her arms, shaking ever so slightly.

“That I might not be able to get up again one day. I don’t know when my final day will be. So, I want to do everything I want while I still can.”

“…Right.”

Saito felt like he was starting to understand where Maho’s endless energy came from. She was pushed by a feeling of panic and pressure. She was just trying to run from her own fears.

“And, when I’m out traveling the world, Onee-chan will be at peace as well. If I end up sick again, she won’t see me like that at least.”

“Are you keeping all of that a secret from her as well?”

“…Yeah. I’ve always made Onee-chan worry ever since I was small…She just loves me too much…”

Yet she loved Akane as much, is what Saito thought. Because they care for each other, they barely miss the other, hurting them in the process. It really was a weird thought that too much love could hurt the other person.

“So you tried to seduce me for Akane’s sake, huh?”

“Wha…”

“At first, I thought you were simply jealous that I stole your older sister from you. But, that’s not it. You just…wanted her to be happy.”

Maho lowered her head, putting her hands together on the blanket.

“…How did you know?”

“What bothered me was the lack of hostility you had towards me. It’s clear that you don’t like me, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as I expected it to be. I feel true hostility directed at me every day, after all, so I can tell.”

Although he really wished he didn’t. After spending the year in the same class with Akane, and marrying her, he became quite skilled at being able to differentiate the level of hostility directed at him.

“I surrender.” Maho sighed. “You’re absolutely right. I heard about a boy that Onee-chan couldn’t stand. Because of him, she couldn’t be in the top spot of the student year, and she was always frustrated about it. And yet, she was forced to marry him, that’s just too cruel.”

“…Well, it is a ridiculous story.”

They were forcing water to mix with oil. Although their motive of granting their unfulfilled love in a different way, it was far too ridiculous.

“If Onee-chan would just suffer through this marriage, I thought it’d be best if I took her place. So that she can live her life the way she wants to.”

“Even if it meant marrying me, and never being together with the person you might fall in love with one day?”

“If it makes Onee-chan happy, then yeah,” Maho said without hesitation.

Finally, the image of a graceful, honest, and sickly girl, which he was told about from Akane, overlapped with the girl in front of him. Her innocent and cheeky attitude was nothing but a fake mask, and this is who she really was.

“But…I guess I made a mistake. Onee-chan seemed really angry. She even said that she hated me now. I guess…it’s all over now.” Tears started to build up in her eyes, her lips shaking.

“She still likes you even now. And that won’t change no matter what you do.”

Just like Saito would never come to hate Shisei, despite her being difficult a lot of times. Their bonds wouldn’t shatter because of a fight or two.

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right here, so you get some sleep. Get better soon, and then meet Akane.” Saito told her, to which Maho finally laid down.

Her slim hand poked out from beneath the blanket. Saito remembered the time he held Akane’s hand and now grabbed Maho’s. When he wrapped her small palm inside both of his hands, she peacefully closed her eyes.

“Onii-chan’s hand…feels so good. It’s different from Onee-chan, but it’s so calming…”

“I often stay with Shise like this until she falls asleep.”

“Why are you looking after me like this? All I did was trouble you…”

“That’s…”

Saito wasn’t quite sure of it himself. He definitely didn’t hate Maho, and he was aware of the danger if he left her alone. But, that seemingly wasn’t all. He couldn’t allow Maho to be alone. He had to take responsibility and look after her. That’s what he felt.

—Ahh, I see.

Saito finally realized. Awakening to this emotion he never had imagined having, he was baffled. Even though the other person was the single individual who resented Saito more than anybody else.

“I also…wish for Akane’s happiness.”

“You too, Onii-chan…?” Maho blinked in confusion.

“When you’re out of your usual energy, suffering in a place like this, she would be sad. And…I don’t want her smile to disappear.”

“Onee-chan’s smile is super cute after all.”

“Yeah, that I have to admit.”

Saito and Maho smiled at each other.

“You’re probably worried that this marriage will rob Akane of her happiness, but I don’t plan on making her suffer. Nor will I steal your older sister from you. That’s why, stop worrying about it.”

Although it was devoid of affection, devoid of love, nothing but a forced marriage, the two are still living together even now. As they both share the same fate, Saito wanted Akane to be happy, and live her life in peace. He wanted the person he’d meet every morning to greet him with a smile.

“…What, I feel like an idiot now. Maybe I shouldn’t have come home after all.” Maho showed a self-deprecating, but Saito shook his head.

“That’s not true. Akane was pretty sad that she couldn’t meet you for such a long time. That’s why I know she’ll be with you no matter what.”

“Can I really be with Onee-chan?” Maho asked, sounding terrified of the answer.

“Of course. Because that is part of Akane’s happiness.”

Being a handful for someone isn’t always a bad thing. Taking care of someone who feels very strongly about can shape another person’s happiness.

“What abt you, Onii-chan? Are you okay with having me around?”

“I do quite enjoy playing around like an idiot with you.”

“…Me too.” Maho showed her face from beneath the blanket, showing a bashful smile.

After following Saito all the way to the hospital, Akane listened in on their conversation. She couldn’t allow them for keeping her out and didn’t enjoy the fact how Saito was holding Maho’s hand. So, she wanted to step in, fuming with anger once more, when—

“I also…wish for Akane’s happiness.”

Hearing these words from Saito, Akane doubted her ears. She couldn’t believe that Saito would say something like that. She assumed that he only cared about his own happiness. And yet, she didn’t hate this. Her heart rate accelerated, and she felt restless. The inside of her chest felt like it was burning, heat filling her whole body, leaving her unsure of how to even react.

Saito is thinking that her smile looks cute. Saito wished for Akane to be with Maho. Receiving such gentle words from the boy in her class she hated the most, naturally, Akane was bewildered. Even though she should hate him, even though she always wanted him to be gone.

“I’ll go buy some drinks.” Saito left the hospital room.

“Ah…”

“Akane?!” Saito froze up out of shock.

Akane didn’t know what to say, what kind of face to make. Out of reflex, she simply ran down the hallway, storming inside the elevator. Her heart was racing painfully fast to the point she worried it might jump out of her chest. Since she pressed for the elevator to go up, it didn’t move an inch. Even though her legs stood firmly on the ground, her knees were shaking left and right, and Saito’s gentle voice stilled reverberated deep inside her ears.

—What…is this…?!

Akane looked at her face in the mirror. It was as red as a strawberry.