Chapter 2 | May 22 (8:00 PM)

(Dining Hall and Meeting Room)

 

It had been a week since the new manager took up their post.

By the way, as for how much I got chewed out by my friends after Arisa’s grand debut, I’d rather not comment on it. The way those three sharp-tongued folks teamed up perfectly to put me on the spot was less like an interrogation or condemnation and more like a lynching. Even thinking back on it in detail makes my pulse race uncomfortably, and it’s bad for my mental health, so I’d appreciate your understanding and forgiveness on that front.

So, to cut to the conclusion, Takanomiya Arisa’s presence was, by and large, accepted by the student council members.

The reason boils down entirely to Arisa’s good character and the sheer lack of substance behind this whole “engagement” business.

My argument—that the marriage talk was purely a matter of convenience and initiative on the Takanomiya family’s side, that I was more of a victim of their schemes, and that Arisa’s enthusiasm for it was just her being dragged along by her parents, Reiichirou-san and Kyouko-san’s wishes—was mostly accepted.

Below, I’ll briefly note the dorm residents’ reactions.

 

◆◆◆

 

“Well, I never had any issues with her from the start, y’know?”

That’s the take from the student council president, Nikaidō Arashi.

“As you know, I’m the one who scouted Takanomiya Arisa in the first place. Sure, her age is a bit of a snag, but I judged her skills to be perfect otherwise. Heck, we practically begged her to join us. With her family background and personality being top-notch, she’s the kind of talent big companies and elite universities would fight over… And here we are, trying to get her to work for peanuts. If anything, it’d be shameless of us to complain, right? Don’t you think so, Himenokōji Akito?”

“Yeah, I completely agree.”

“Right?”

“But, y’know, if you really understood what kind of talent she is, I wish you’d held off on hiring her in the first place.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You think I, Nikaidō Arashi, would let a chance to snag someone this capable slip by? Plus, this time it’s like a duck waddling in with a leek on its back—perfect setup. I’d get divine punishment if I let this pass.”

“Sigh.”

“Anyhow, I’ve got a responsibility for bringing Takanomiya Arisa here. I hope she can take something from this experience that’ll help her in life down the road. Look, the folks living in this dorm aren’t half-bad either. Just in terms of networking, it’s worth it. I believe her time here won’t be a loss for her, not by a long shot.”

 

◆◆◆

 

“She’s an angel descended upon this world. I won’t hear any objections.”

That’s the claim from the blonde vice president, Nasuhara Anastasia, who’s got a soft spot for cute things.

“This might just be the greatest impact in human history, no exaggeration. Takanomiya Arisa… We ought to thank God that a girl like her exists in this world.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Those eyes, those lips, those soft-looking cheeks. Her slender yet promising long limbs, her huggable waist with that perfect curve, her plump little butt… Oh, where do I even start with her charms? No, wait, that’s not it—listing them out is pointless to begin with. She’s perfect from the tips of her hair to the soles of her feet, flawless in every way. No matter how hard you look, you won’t find a single defect. She’s truly an infallible being.”

“…That’s some high praise. You’re basically a devotee at this point, huh?”

“Exactly. I’m practically a slave to her adorableness already.”

Nasuhara-san nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling while her face stayed expressionless.

It’s a stark contrast to how she reacted when I found out she was into cute stuff and stuffed animals. Back then, she at least tried to keep that hobby under wraps… but Arisa must’ve landed a critical hit so hard it blew all that out of her mind.

“As for the engagement stuff, well, it’s pretty common.”

Nasuhara-san went on,

“She comes from an old, prestigious family, right? In houses like that, parents always stick their noses into who their daughters marry, meddling however they please. If you took it all seriously, it’d never end.”

“Hmm, fair point.”

As someone caught up in this engagement mess myself, I can totally relate.

“Plus, I’ve been through it too.”

“Through it? You mean, like, having an engagement forced on you?”

“Yes, exactly.”

She nodded,

“My father and mother used to bring up that kind of talk all the time, getting all excited on their own.”

“Huh, really? You’ve had that happen?”

“Oh yes, not just once but multiple times. I can’t comprehend it myself, but why do those people feel the need to control others’ lives like that? Do they not trust their own daughter? Or maybe standing at the top of some big corporation has given them some weird sense of omnipotence?”

“Uh… I dunno about that.”

What’s clear is that Nasuhara-san’s fed up with it. She once hinted she’s in the thick of a rebellious phase, and now I get it—there’s this backstory too.

“Well, my personal issues aside, it’s an unshakable fact that Takanomiya Arisa is someone I should welcome and treat with the utmost hospitality. You can rest easy on that front.”

“Got it. Yeah, that’s a relief to hear.”

“Oh… but seriously, how is she that adorable? ‘So cute it wouldn’t hurt to put her in your eye’—that’s exactly what this is. She’s number one on my list of people I’d keep by my bedside, top of the stuffed animal decoration rankings, and hands-down the girl I’d most want to carry around hugging. Yes, I’d do anything for her… even if it meant staining my hands red with blood and defying every law and ethic out there.”

“Haha… well, everything in moderation, right?”

At this point, I’m less worried about whether Arisa gets accepted or if I get flak from weird misunderstandings, and more about keeping her safe. Seeing the dangerous glint in Nasuhara-san’s eyes, I couldn’t help but stay on guard.

 

◆◆◆

 

“She’s fine, I think. No problems so far.”

That’s the stamp of approval from my best friend, Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi, who handles all the dorm’s chores.

“No problems? More like, she’s downright impressive—that’s the only way to describe it. Honestly, I’m floored. I’ll admit I didn’t fully buy into the president’s hype at first… but her reputation wasn’t exaggerated one bit. It’s the real deal. I’m genuinely impressed.”

“…She’s that amazing, huh? Arisa, I mean.”

“She is. For someone her age to pull off what she does—it’s astonishing. She works like a seasoned housewife who’s been at it for years.”

“I see. Well, that makes me proud too. I think of myself as Arisa’s big brother figure, so I’m honestly happy to hear it.”

“Mm. For me, it’s a treat to work alongside someone so capable. Getting dragged down by incompetence is infuriating, but doing high-level work in sync with someone like Arisa-kun? That’s pure joy.”

Ginbei said this with unusually high spirits.

Coming from a merchant family, she’s always been obsessed with talent and connections. Living with Arisa and recognizing her potential must be the biggest win for her.

In fact, as the dorm’s head of household duties, Ginbei has the most contact with Arisa and was quickest to understand her. She surely knows better than anyone Arisa’s straightforwardness, diligence, and sincerity.

“About the engagement thing,”

Ginbei added,

“It’s pretty typical for kids, isn’t it? Everyone’s had a moment like Arisa-kun, rushing ahead with something—youthful indiscretion, as they say. She seems serious about marrying you now, Akito, but as her four-years-older senpai, I’m not gonna make a fuss over it.”

“Hm, gotcha. That’s a relief to hear.”

“It’s all just theoretical anyway, this engagement between you and Arisa-kun. She’s nowhere near marriageable age, and these days, marrying some fiancé your parents picked out? That’s beyond outdated—it’s the kind of nonsense human rights groups could sue over. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“And most importantly… you don’t see Arisa-kun that way, right, Akito?”

“Nope, of course not.”

“If, hypothetically, you did see her that way… you’d be what they call a lolicon, and that’d be a massive problem. The whole student council, me included, would band together to set up a program to fix your pedophilic tendencies, monitoring you 24/7 to straighten out your mind. It’s lucky for everyone in this dorm that it didn’t come to that.”

“Haha…”

Spare me, seriously.

They dress it up as ‘rehabilitation,’ but it’d basically be torture, wouldn’t it?

“By the way, Akito,”

“Hm? What?”

“I think we’ve mostly proven you’re not a lolicon… but even setting aside looks or mental age, do you maybe have a thing for women with, say, slightly childish figures?”

“? Why’re you asking that?”

“Oh, no ulterior motive. Just the flow of the conversation, plus a bit of curiosity. Pure whim, really. Do you ever find yourself drawn more to women with slower development rather than, say, glamorous gravure idol types?”

“Hmm. Not particularly, I’d say.”

“R-really… That’s a shame—er, I mean, got it. So, Akito, you’ve got totally normal tastes in women, huh?”

“I mean, wouldn’t it be worse if I leaned that way? If my preferences skewed like that, everyone’d misunderstand and I’d end up ‘rehabilitated.’ Sticking to normal tastes keeps me safer.”

“Uh, right. That’s one way to look at it… Yeah, it’s probably better if your tastes are standard rather than quirky. Still, I was kinda hoping—”

“Ginbei?”

“N-no, it’s nothing. Anyway, to repeat myself, I welcome Arisa-kun. She’s still a little kid, and for a kid that age to bravely step up and work? Supporting her is only natural as an adult. I’ll likely be the one directly helping her out here at the dorm, so leave it to me with confidence.”

“Yeah, I appreciate that part, but…”

“Something bothering you?”

“Not exactly, but haven’t you been kinda showing off lately? Like, emphasizing how much more grown-up you are than Arisa?”

“Don’t make baseless accusations. I’m not rejoicing over a less-developed kid joining us, nor do I feel some petty superiority about it. Keep throwing around nonsense suspicions like that, and we’ll end up facing off in court. …Anyway, I should get going. I’m a busy person, you know, and I’ve got to teach Arisa-kun some secret recipes next.”

 

◆◆◆

 

—And so, Takanomiya Arisa’s presence was, for the most part, accepted by the student council members.

Sure, the president and I helped out behind the scenes, but this is really thanks to Arisa’s sheer virtue. Always well-mannered from head to toe, she’s a hit with older folks and rarely—if ever—rubs them the wrong way.

But, as is the way of the world, there’s always an exception.

“I’m not convinced at all.”

My unworthy little sister, Himenokōji Akiko, was the sole holdout, still refusing to accept Arisa’s presence.

“A girl from the Takanomiya family, brazenly claiming to be Onii-chan’s little sister and even presuming to call herself his fiancée… Even I, known as the merciful Akiko, can’t just overlook such a dangerous existence.”

The dorm’s dining hall and meeting room.

I’d called Akiko here to talk about Arisa, but she was being unusually stubborn.

“If anything, I think Arisa-chan should pack her bags and go home right now. That’d probably lead to a happier outcome for everyone.”

“Hey, don’t be ridiculous. Kicking Arisa out now? There’s no way we could do that.”

“Why not?”

“Why not? Because… she’s been working hard, hasn’t she? As our dorm manager, she cooks, cleans, handles all sorts of little tasks… It’s only been a week, but she’s doing great for that, and she’s getting the hang of it day by day.”

“I’ll admit she’s capable. But none of those jobs are things only Arisa-chan can do. If it comes to it, I could handle all of them myself.”

“No, no. The whole point of bringing Arisa in was to lighten our load. Firing her and dumping it all on you or me would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?”

“There’s a saying, ‘small matters before big ones.’ A little extra burden is nothing compared to the harm of having a dangerous person like Arisa-chan around.”

“You’re the only one who thinks she’s dangerous. Plus, I’ve got my own position to consider. Her parents, Reiichirou-san and Kyouko-san, told me to ‘take good care of her,’ so sending her back after barely a week… you get it, right?”

“I’ve got a position too. Arisa-chan showing up has weakened my one-of-a-kind ‘little sister’ status. I was already struggling to stand out with rivals like Nasuhara-san, the president, and Ginbei-san crowding around, and now my very reason for being is at stake.”

“That’s not true. You’re my only real sister, and you’re the one I treasure most in the world. Thinking about ‘standing out’ or whatever is nonsense to begin with. Himenokōji Akiko is the one and only, the absolute best—don’t forget that.”

“R-really?”

“Of course it’s true. I wouldn’t lie.”

“…Ehehe. Oh, Onii-chan, I’ve known since forever that I’m the most important to you. Please keep doting on Akiko forever and ever… Wait, huh!? Hold on, Onii-chan, you can’t fool me with sweet words like that!? That’s a separate issue! We’re supposed to be talking about Arisa-chan right now! Whoa, I almost fell for your sneaky interrogation and veered off track!”

“Uh, I wasn’t trying to interrogate you or anything…”

“No excuses! Listen, all this trouble started because outsiders wormed their way into what was supposed to be our little love nest, just the two of us. How about we use this chance to kick not just Arisa-chan but everyone else out of the dorm too?”

“There’s no logic in that. If anything, your argument’s the one veering off track.”

I sighed and said,

“Anyway, Arisa’s staying. There’s no way we’re firing her after a week or so. We’ve got to consider the president and the board’s reputation too.”

“Reputation can go feed the dogs. What about my reputation as your sister? It’s already been crushed flat. You’re so worried about everyone else’s face, but what about mine, Onii-chan?”

“Think about it. A twelve-year-old girl is trying her best to fit into this dorm. Kicking her out would be cruel on a basic level, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s not worth considering. Because I’m just as pitiful, if not more so. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder—between your real sister and a fake one with no blood ties, which one matters more to you, Onii-chan? All you’ve done is fuss over Arisa-chan, and it feels like your cute real sister’s been totally neglected.”

“Let’s not get into pointless debates over who’s more important. I’ve been saying this whole time that you’re the most important to me, Akiko, but Arisa’s really important too. So I’m trying to find some kind of compromise. …Also, what’s this ‘real sister’ thing? That’s a new one to me.”

“Real sister means just what it says—the genuine article, not some knockoff. It’s a word I just made up to emphasize that I’m your official wife, Onii-chan, while Arisa-chan’s just a mistress or side chick at best. I think it’s a critical hit, personally. I’d love to spread it around—maybe even get it into dictionaries like Kōjien or Daijirin someday.”

“I doubt a hyper-local term like that would ever gain enough traction to make it into a dictionary… Also, stop talking like we’re already married.”

“Ugh, anyway!”

Ignoring my protests, Akiko glared at me sharply and said,

“I’m a big-hearted little sister, so I’ll forgive a little cheating. I can even stomach you taking a mistress—it’s a man’s prerogative, I suppose. But don’t you dare forget that I’m your eternal partner, Onii-chan. Everything needs to revolve around that, and welcoming some girl who’s arbitrarily claiming to be your fiancée? That’s fundamentally impossible.”

She huffed with that grand declaration.

…Yikes, this is a mess.

But yeah, it’s true that Arisa becoming the dorm manager poses a direct, tangible threat to Akiko. It’s somehow turned into a rivalry over the ‘little sister position,’ and I’d really like to find a way for them to get along.

“Um, excuse me…”

A voice piped up.

I turned to see Arisa standing there, looking anxious as she watched us. It seems she’d stumbled into the room and overheard my talk with Akiko.

“…Um, uh, did Arisa maybe do something wrong by coming to this dorm? Does Akiko-neesama hate me…?”

“No, no, it’s not like that.”

I hurriedly reassured Arisa as she drooped sadly.

“Akiko’s just, y’know, a bit shy and reserved. She’s happy to have a new friend like you, Arisa, but she doesn’t know how to handle it yet, so she ends up being a little harsh. Right, Akiko?”

“…I’m not shy, and I think I’ve got my own way of dealing with Arisa-chan just fine…”

“See? Total shy girl, huh?”

I conveniently twisted Akiko’s muttered complaints and pushed forward.

“So, Arisa, don’t worry too much about your Akiko-neechan. She doesn’t hate you or anything, and I’m sure she’ll warm up to you soon enough. Okay?”

“Is that… really true?”

“Yup, totally true. There’s not a single person in this dorm who hates you, Arisa. Right, Akiko?”

“…Well, yeah. I still think it’d be best if Arisa-chan went back home, but I don’t hate her, no.”

“See? Told you. So relax, Arisa. You can work here without any worries. Everyone’s got your back, and Akiko’ll come around soon too. Right?”

“…Okay.”

Arisa nodded faintly, still looking down, but it didn’t seem like her inner unease had lifted much.

“Um, Akiko-neesama,”

Then, hesitantly peeking at Akiko, she said,

“Um, uh, Arisa, um…”

“…What?”

“Uh, does Akiko-neesama… not want to get along with Arisa…?”

“Hmph, well, yeah. I can’t exactly say you’re someone I’d love to be buddies with. After all, you’re getting little-sister treatment from Onii-chan and claiming to be his fiancée. As his one and only sister and his promised future partner, there’s no denying you’re a very dangerous presence to me.”

“Um, but… Arisa wants to get along. With Akiko-neesama. I want to be friends, go shopping together, have tea together… and maybe bake snacks together for Akito-niisama to eat. I think that’d make him happy too.”

“Hmph. That’s just your own convenience talking—I couldn’t care less. I’ve got no obligation to play nice with you.”

“Auu…”

“What? If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. Not that it’ll change my answer.”

“Uuu…”

“Hmph. That face won’t work on me. My will’s harder than diamond.”

“……Uuu” (← Arisa looking up at Akiko with teary eyes)

“You’re a stubborn kid, huh? Can’t you understand ‘no’ when you hear it?”

“……” (← Arisa still looking up, tears starting to well)

“Geez, what a persistent kid. No means no. Get it already.”

“……” (← Arisa sniffling, still gazing upward)

“I said no already…!”

“……” (← Arisa still staring up at Akiko)

“…Tch.”

“……” (← Arisa’s eyes now brimming with tears)

“…This is impossible!”

Finally cracking, Akiko clutched her head and squirmed.

“Ugh, Onii-chan! Hey, Onii-chan!?”

“What?”

“What’s with this kid!? Do something!”

“Uh, ‘do something’—like what, exactly?”

“Do something about how cute she is!”

Face flushed red, Akiko shouted,

“This is unfair! It’s cheating—how am I supposed to stay cold to her when she’s pleading like some little animal!?”

…Hmm.

Looks like her red face isn’t from anger—it’s from getting flustered by Arisa’s cuteness.

a violent impact in most cases. It’s on the same level as Son Goku unable to defy Sanzō Hōshi—victims exposed to it have no choice but to surrender. This is exactly why some call her ‘Takanomiya’s ultimate weapon.’ Her youthful fame pales in comparison to this devilish allure.

“Well, no helping it. You can’t handle this right now, Akiko.”

“Handle what!?”

“Resisting Arisa’s charm. It’s like an unblockable move, and she’s doing it completely naturally. There’s no countering it. If you really want to deal with it, you’ve gotta get used to it like I did.”

“Then how do I get used to it!?”

“Simple. Resist her charm, then give in. Repeat that over and over and over again. Eventually, you’ll build up some tolerance—though only to a point.”

“Not some boot-camp mental toughness crap! Isn’t there another way!?”

“Nope. I guarantee it as someone who’s been through it.”

“Mngh…!”

“Personally, I’d recommend just giving up. Making peace with Arisa and getting along is the positive way forward. Forget the sister position or engagement stuff and just open your heart a little… y’know?”

“‘Y’know’ my foot! Those are life-or-death issues for me! I’m fighting to stay me right now! I can’t just back down with a ‘sure, okay’!”

Roaring like a monster, Akiko glared at me again and said,

“Anyway, I’m not accepting this! I won’t tolerate Arisa-chan threatening my position!”

“That’s a problem… Can’t you agree even after all my pleading?”

“No way! Not even my beloved Onii-chan’s words can sway me on this!”

She turned away with a huff, then smirked smugly and said,

“And I haven’t forgotten, y’know? There’s an official trial period before Arisa-chan becomes the dorm manager for real, right?”

Oh. She actually remembered that.

Ginbei was the one who first brought up that condition, and since she’s already fully on board with Arisa, I figured it’d just fade away naturally.

“To serve as manager of St. Liliana Academy’s storied dorm, she’ll need to pass a tough test. Arisa-chan’s only been here a week—she’s still on probation, basically. There’s a long, hard road ahead before she’s fully hired. Right, Onii-chan?”

“‘Right’ nothing. Since when did our dorm manager gig turn into such a high-bar job?”

“We’re talking about someone we’ll be living with for a good while, so it’s only natural to make the screening strict. Don’t you think it’s kinda messed up to have a twelve-year-old girl working here in the first place?”

“Well, the Takanomiya family’s cool with it, and the Liliana board approved it too… Also, why’re you saying this to me instead of Arisa herself? You’ve been staring at me this whole time.”

“Because if I said it to her face, I’d lose to her cuteness and my resolve would break!”

Boldly admitting what’s basically a defeat, my sister went on,

“Anyway, if she thinks she’ll get my approval easily, she’s dead wrong! As long as I’m around, I won’t let her get close to you that easily, Onii-chan!”

With that parting shot, she stormed out of the dining hall-meeting room like she was fleeing.

“Ah… sorry about that, Arisa.”

I gave her a wry smile and patted her head, saying,

“She’s like a cat that doesn’t warm up easily. Once she gets used to you, I’m sure she’ll be friendlier. I’d appreciate it if you could bear with her until then—as her big brother, I’m asking.”

“It’s okay.”

Arisa smiled bravely and said,

“Arisa likes Akiko-neesama. So, I’ll wait. I’ll wait, and I’ll try harder so she’ll like me too. It’s okay.”

Her earnestness just keeps piling on.

 

◆◆◆

 

So, that’s how it went.

Life at the dorm with the newly arrived Takanomiya Arisa kicked off with some turbulence.

While Nasuhara-san, Ginbei, and the president grew closer to Arisa day by day, Akiko alone stubbornly kept her distance.

Of course, I get where Akiko’s coming from.

Unlike the other three, Arisa’s arrival is a real threat to her, so her pushback makes sense. It’ll take time for her to accept this new element, and that’s just how it is. Akiko’s a cooperative kid by nature, and Arisa’s a given in that regard. This awkward phase will sort itself out eventually.

My one worry was that Akiko’s stubbornness might wear Arisa down, but… that seems like it might be an unnecessary concern.

Because, oddly enough, out of all the student council members, the one Arisa’s most attached to is none other than Akiko.

Example one:

“Neesama, Akiko-neesama.”

“…What is it, Arisa-chan? I’m busy right now.”

“Ginbei-neesama taught me, and we made cookies together. Could you taste them for me?”

“…You could just ask someone else to taste them. Ask Nasuhara-san—she’d probably cry with joy.”

“I’ll ask Anastasia-neesama to try them later too. But first, I really want Akiko-neesama to taste them.”

“…I’m on a diet right now. And I’m not that hungry. Maybe another time.”

“P-please, just try them! Even one, or half of one, is fine!”

“…Fine, if you insist that much, just a bite.”

“Th-thank you so much! …How is it? Does it taste okay?”

“Well, it’s decent enough, I guess? Obviously, mine would be tastier, no question.”

“Akiko-neesama, you can make cookies?”

“Of course I can. Not just cookies—I’m confident I can make most snacks. Not as good as Ginbei-san, sadly…”

“Um, then, how about we make snacks together sometime, just me and you? Then we could have Akito-niisama try them. What do you think?”

“No thanks.”

“D-don’t say that! Please, please!”

“…If you’re that insistent, I might consider it if the timing’s right, I feel like it, and a divine wind happens to blow.”

“Yes, thank you! I’ll look forward to it, Akiko-neesama!”

Example two:

“Neesama, Akiko-neesama.”

“…What now, you relentless kid? I’m always busy, you know.”

“Um, here. Do you ever read books, Neesama?”

“Reading? I dabble in it a bit… What about it?”

“If Neesama has any books she’d recommend, I’d love to read them too. Is there anything good?”

“Hmph. Sorry, but I don’t have any books to recommend to someone like you. Ask someone else.”

“Um, really, anything’s fine. Isn’t there something?”

“Nope, sadly. The books I like are for adults. A kid like you, Arisa-chan, wouldn’t get them anyway. Recommending them would be a waste.”

“I see…” (← Arisa drooping sadly)

“H-hmph. That face won’t work, okay? I said no, so give up.”

“Um, but, I heard from Akito-niisama…”

“Heard? Heard what?”

“That Akiko-neesama’s a huge fan of Shindō Kōichirō-sensei.”

“!”

“I know a little about Shindō-sensei too. He’s just debuted, but he’s getting popular lately, writing really unique stories—though I heard he doesn’t like being in the spotlight—”

“Yes! But that’s what’s so great about him!”

“R-really…?”

“Yes, really! Shindō Kōichirō is one of the standout talents in today’s literary world! His youthful style is still evolving, with room to grow, but the fresh passion overflowing between the lines already hints at a future literary giant! I’m convinced he’s the one who’ll shake up the stagnant literary scene—unmatched and irreplaceable!”

“W-wow, that’s amazing…” (← Arisa blinking at Akiko’s fervor)

“Yes, amazing! Arisa-chan, you’ve got some promise if you’ve got your eye on Shindō-sensei.”

“…Ehehe. Thank you!”

“To me, all of Shindō-sensei’s works are masterpieces, but especially his debut, Forbidden Love Story—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reread it. It’s hands-down the book I’ve revisited most in my life, basically my bible at this point. He’s bound to win the Akutagawa or Naoki Prize soon, and maybe even the Nobel Prize in Literature someday… Anyway, I’ve got huge expectations for him!”

“Wow, he’s that incredible, huh? …Oh, then, Akiko-neesama, could you lend me that book? I’d really like to read it once.”

“Heh, easy peasy. I’ll lend you all of Shindō-sensei’s works, and you can join me as a fan—wait, nooo!”

“Hwah!?”

“Gah, when did this happen—I’m chatting all friendly with her… Hey, Arisa-chan?”

“Y-yes?”

“Leading me on like that is sneaky, you know? Taking advantage of my weakness for Shindō-sensei talk to get me going like this. You’re a bad kid, Arisa-chan.”

“S-sorry… I didn’t mean to…” (← Arisa teary-eyed)

“Tch, that sneaky face again… Fine, just this once, okay!? I’ll lend you a recommended book, so read it thoroughly! Since I’m going out of my way, you’d better write a report on it too!”

“Y-yes! Thank you, Akiko-neesama!”

Example three:

“Neesama, Akiko-neesama.”

“…You really don’t give up, huh? I’m busy 24/7, every second, so what is it this time?”

“Ah, sorry… Um, Arisa has a favor to ask.”

“A favor? You’ve got five seconds—make it quick.”

“Yes, um. Do you have any photos of Niisama?”

“Photos? I’ve got some, sure. They’re of my beloved Onii-chan, after all.”

“Even photos from when Niisama was a kid?”

“Yeah, I’ve got those—actually, I’ve got more from back then. It hasn’t been that long since Onii-chan and I started living together, so recent photos are limited.”

“Um, then, if it’s okay… could I see—”

“No way.”

“!?”

“My Onii-chan photos are my personal treasures, a private collection not for outsiders. I can’t just show them off.”

“Not… even a little…?”

“Nope. Especially not to you—someone claiming to be Onii-chan’s fiancée, my sworn enemy. I’ve got no reason to show you even a speck.”

“Really, truly… no good…?”

“You’re persistent. No matter how much you beg, no means no. I’m busy, so give up already—”

“Um, I’ve got some too. Photos of Niisama.”

“—!”

“From the six years Niisama spent at the Takanomiya house. I’ve got lots, all kept safe.”

“……”

“Like his elementary school graduation, middle school festival, high school sports day. Photos in his school uniform, in a yukata, in formal wear. And tons more.”

“……”

“So, if you’d like, maybe you and I could swap photos and talk lots about Akito-niisama?”

“……”

“Um? Akiko-neesama?”

“…Do you have any of Onii-chan in a swimsuit…?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Tch… No choice then—my back’s against the wall. If I turned down your offer here, it’d wound my pride as the world’s greatest Onii-chan lover. How could I look away from a treasure like Onii-chan in a swimsuit? I’ll have to bite the bullet and step into the tiger’s den.”

“Then, Neesama…?”

“Give me five minutes. I’ll grab my secret stash.”

“Y-yes! Thank you, Akiko-neesama!”

 

◆◆◆

 

“…Do something, Onii-chan.”

And so, another week later.

Akiko came to my room to consult me, dragging along a haggard face.

“Arisa-chan is really hard to deal with. Honestly, I can’t stand that girl… Onii-chan, can’t you just say something to her and make it all better?”

“Say something? Like, what exactly am I supposed to say?”

I shrugged my shoulders and said,

“Arisa just wants to get along with you, that’s why she keeps trying to get close. She’s not doing anything wrong, is she?”

“No, that’s not true. She is doing something wrong.”

“How so?”

“Because she’s so earnest, isn’t she?”

My little sister, with a face full of pent-up frustration, continued,

“When she acts so earnestly like that, it gets hard for me to treat her coldly. She’s my enemy, a dangerous person I should eliminate… but at this rate, I’ll end up getting swayed by my emotions and won’t be able to be mean to her anymore.”

“That’s 100% not Arisa’s fault… In fact, your position is something others would envy, you know? She’s always clinging to you like a duckling following its mother, looking up to you at every turn. Nasuhara-san is always gnashing her teeth in jealousy over it. She wants to hang out with Arisa more, but Arisa’s always stuck to you and won’t give her the time of day.”

“I don’t care about any of that.”

Akiko turned her face away with a huff and said,

“The only thing that matters to me is my situation. Anyway, please do something about Arisa-chan. It’s my lifelong request.”

“Your ‘lifelong requests’ sure come cheap, huh…”

“If you do something about it, I’ll hold off on kissing Onii-chan for a whole week.”

“Hold off? I’ve never even kissed you once. And a week’s way too short anyway.”

“Anyway, please, Onii-chan! When I talk to Arisa-chan, I end up noticing how I turn into some nasty mother-in-law type, and I really hate that about myself.”

“Oh, so you were aware of that, huh… But like I keep saying, wouldn’t it all be fine if you just got along with Arisa?”

“No way. Getting along with Arisa-chan is as impossible for me as choosing not to marry Onii-chan.”

“You hate her that much…?”

The analogy’s a bit off, but it’s crystal clear that this little sister of mine is dead-set against ever warming up to Arisa.

“Alright, fine. I’ll at least talk to her.”

With her being this stubborn, it’s not like I can just leave it alone and hope time will fix things. For me, smoothing things out between Akiko and Arisa is a top priority, and if possible, I’d like to find some kind of solution.

So after sending Akiko off, I knocked on Arisa’s door.

“Oh! Nii-sama!”

The moment Arisa saw my face, she broke into a wide grin. She ushered me in eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement.

By the way, with the new dorm manager’s arrival, I’d moved into a regular six-tatami dorm room. In exchange, Arisa took over the 2DK manager’s quarters. She’d initially refused to live in what could be called the VIP room of this dorm… but since the job itself isn’t exactly high-status, it’d be too pitiful if even her living space was downgraded, so that’s how things ended up today.

“Sorry to jump right in, Arisa.”

Stopping her as she started to prepare tea, I explained the situation to her, and she said,

“I see…”

The little hard worker’s expression clouded over instantly, and she murmured,

“I’m sorry, Nii-sama. Arisa’s been a bother to Akiko-nee-sama, hasn’t she…?”

“No, no, don’t worry about it. It’s more Akiko’s fault than yours.”

“Does… does Akiko-nee-sama maybe hate me…?”

“No, that’s not it. She doesn’t hate you or anything. She’s just struggling to figure out how to handle you, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a relief.”

Arisa perked up at my reassurance, her clouded expression turning back into a smile.

If you’re wondering whether it’s okay for her to just take my word for it in a situation like this—you’re still not getting Arisa well enough.

She’s a sharp kid, so she can tell right away what kind of feelings people have toward her. In other words, she knows full well that Akiko doesn’t dislike her as much as she claims. That’s why, no matter how many times she’s brushed off, she keeps trying to connect—and why Akiko, despite being fed up, can’t bring herself to cut ties completely.

Come to think of it, I was probably one of the first people to be stunned by Arisa’s keen insight.

Six years ago, when Akiko and I were sent to live in separate homes, I ended up at the unfamiliar Takanomiya household.

I was suppressing my boiling anger at being separated from my little sister, putting on a front of obedience while secretly resenting it all—and Arisa was the only one who noticed what I was really feeling, early on.

She noticed, worried about me, and clumsily did everything she could to help me fit into the Takanomiya family.

That’s the kind of girl Takanomiya Arisa is. I still feel indebted to her kindness from back then, which is why I can’t outright dismiss the engagement talk that Reiichirou-san and Kyouko-san keep bringing up—whoops, I might’ve veered off-topic a bit there.

Back to the main point.

Anyway, it’s a fact that Akiko and Arisa aren’t exactly on lovey-dovey terms right now.

Since there’s no sign of Akiko making the first move, maybe the next best thing is to ask Arisa to hold back a little. What do you think?

“I see… So Arisa really has been a bother to Akiko-nee-sama, hasn’t she?”

“No, that’s not quite it. It’s just that she hasn’t quite figured out the right distance with you yet. So I’d like you to take it a bit slower with her—like brewing cold-brew coffee, nice and steady.”

“…Okay, I understand. I’ll do as Nii-sama says. I’ll think a bit more about how to approach Akiko-nee-sama.”

With a hint of disappointment but still cheerfully, Arisa agreed.

—Well, jeez, this feels backwards.

Normally, it’d be the older one—Akiko—who should show some maturity and make the first step. Plus, Arisa’s only just started as the dorm manager here and probably doesn’t even know the ropes yet.

And so, from then on, a certain distance was kept between Akiko and Arisa, at least for the time being.

Nasuhara-san, who now had more time to dote on Arisa, welcomed the change with enthusiasm. Ginbei was pleased too, since the small but reliable manager’s newfound free time made various chores easier. The student council president watched it all with satisfaction—while Akiko alone sulked, feeling left out.

That’s how the relationships settled, and for now, the impact of the “Takanomiya Arisa bomb” had calmed down a bit.

Of course, “calmed down” is just a convenient way of putting it. In reality, it’s more like a powder keg waiting to blow—I’m well aware of that.

Still, the fact that the bomb’s effects ended up as a dud instead of an explosion was a promising start for me. If things stay this stable, given enough time, I might even be able to defuse Arisa’s “fuse” entirely and make her harmless. With enough leeway, I could counter whatever plans the Takanomiya family had in sending her here, or any schemes the president might be secretly cooking up.

What I need most right now is time. That’s the key.

Maybe this is just the calm before the storm, but if I can avoid the storm altogether, the calm could last forever. I genuinely hope things stay uneventful—that’s my honest wish.

But then, right at that moment, a little incident cropped up.

 

◆◆◆

 

One day at the student dorm, in the dining hall-slash-meeting room.

A dinnertime gathering with all six members, including Arisa.

“Man, tonight’s dinner is something else again, huh?”

The president smacked their lips in satisfaction, letting out an impressed sigh.

“The food here’s always been top-notch, but lately it’s kicked up another level. I’d say this is three-star restaurant quality, good enough to charge money for—what do you think?”

“That might be overstating it a bit.”

Ginbei replied with a wry smile, adding,

“But I totally agree it’s gotten better. Akiko-kun and I have always handled the cooking here, so it’s not like the bar was low to begin with. But now that Arisa-kun’s helping out, it’s taken off. With new recipes from the Takanomiya family added to the mix, our table’s gotten even more colorful. Right, Arisa-kun?”

“Oh, uh… y-yes!”

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Arisa stammered but smiled shyly, saying,

“If I’ve been helpful, I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if the Takanomiya flavors would suit everyone, so I was worried. But it seems okay, so that’s a relief. If you all don’t mind, I’d love to share even more recipes. It’d make me really happy if you enjoyed them.”

“Well, aren’t you dependable.”

Nasuhara-san jumped in right away, saying,

“Your family’s recipes are more than welcome, Arisa-san. Keep making all sorts of dishes to delight our taste buds.”

“Yes! I’ll do my best, Anastasia-nee-sama!”

“And not just recipes—I’d love for you to tell us about other stuff too. Like, what your room’s like, what kind of clothes you like, what underwear you usually wear—”

“Huh?”

“And honestly, if you could give me a manual on all the ways to make you happy, that’d be perfect. With that, I could keep you in a good mood anytime, and I’d be free to dote on you even more. Don’t you think so, Arisa-chan?”

“Wha—? Uh, um, well…”

“Hey, Nasuhara-san, cut it out. You’re making Arisa uncomfortable.”

And of course, it’s me who has to step in at times like this.

“I’m glad you like Arisa, but you’ve gotta tone it down a bit. Lately, you’re starting to feel like a borderline stalker.”

“How rude. Call me a criminal again, and I might just sue you for defamation someday. All I want is to adore Arisa-san—this angelic being—to the fullest. Like filming her in the bath, sniffing her clothes, sending her a hundred love emails a day—that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, you’ll definitely end up in court someday. Not me, though—you.”

…And so on.

That’s how our usual dinner scene unfolded,

“Hmph. Everyone’s so nice, huh?”

But amid the cheerful chatter, one person sat there with pursed lips.

“Sure, the recipes Arisa-chan brought are well-executed, and the flavor of tonight’s dish she made isn’t bad. But it’s clear she still doesn’t get the rules of this dorm.”

“Rules? What rules?”

I responded,

“Is there some set standard for the food we serve here? I’ve never seen or heard of anything like that.”

“There is.”

Akiko declared without hesitation.

“Take this mitsuba and clam soup, for example. Onii-chan, what did you think when you tasted it?”

“What I thought? It’s really delicious, isn’t it? The clams are cooked just right, and you can tell the broth was made with care.”

“You’re too soft, Onii-chan. This soup should’ve had a stronger salt kick. Arisa-chan, unfortunately, misjudged that part.”

“No, the salt’s fine as is, isn’t it? It’s just right like this.”

“No, no, Onii-chan, you’re wrong. It should’ve been saltier.”

“…You’re saying that with a lot of confidence, but what’s your basis? I’m the one saying it’s fine as is.”

“Hehe, well you see,”

My little sister puffed out her chest proudly and said,

“It’s because Onii-chan definitely said so.”

“Me? When? Said what?”

“You once said something along the lines of preferring a stronger salt flavor in soups like this. Let’s see, that was about eleven years and three months ago, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t remember… Wait, did I really say that? You’re not just making it up because no one else remembers, are you?”

“How rude. Why would I, the Onii-chan Master, ever lie about that? In the sixteen years since I was born, my brain—devoted solely to Onii-chan—has kept every single piece of Onii-chan data stored accurately and securely. There’s not even a hair’s breadth of doubt about its precision.”

My little sister huffed triumphantly through her nose.

Man, if that’s true, that’s something else. It makes Nasuhara-san’s stalking tendencies look downright adorable by comparison.

“So, do you get it now, Onii-chan? Your taste in saltiness should lean stronger, meaning Arisa-chan’s soup isn’t tailored to you—it’s still an immature dish. You’re the dorm leader here, so all the food served should be matched to your standards. I’d like Arisa-chan to reflect on neglecting that.”

“Wait, if you’re saying that, then Arisa’s the dorm manager, so she technically outranks me… Plus, I actually prefer lighter flavors now, so this soup’s totally fine—bringing up my childhood tastes from way back is the real issue here, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Whoa, she admitted it that easily…”

“Of course I did. I’m just nitpicking at Arisa-chan like I’m poking at the corners of a lunchbox.”

“Don’t say something so unreasonable so confidently.”

“Anyway!”

Slamming the table with a bang!, my little sister narrowed her eyes sharply and said,

“The fact that I noticed a preference Onii-chan himself doesn’t even remember proves how well I know him as his lifelong partner. Arisa-chan, who’s only known Onii-chan for six years or so, can’t even touch my level—that’s basically all I wanted to say.”

“That’s some impressively petty bragging…”

“And since I remember every little detail about Onii-chan, I think you should give me a proper reward.”

“Ugh, here it comes again. Akiko’s ridiculous demands.”

“So, can I sneak into Onii-chan’s room tonight?”

“No way, that’s too big a leap, even for your usual nonsense.”

“If sneaking in at night’s no good, then I’ll slip into Onii-chan’s room quietly and hide in your futon without you noticing.”

“That’s literally what sneaking in means, isn’t it?”

“Then how about Onii-chan sneaking into my room tonight instead?”

“Why would you raise the stakes even higher in this situation? I can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Tch, Onii-chan’s as stingy as ever. Fine, I’ll make a huge concession. Since we’re in the middle of dinner, just feed me with an ‘ahh,’ and we’ll call it even.”

“Wait a sec. Hold on. Have you even noticed that I don’t have a single reason to go along with any of this?”

“Ugh, Onii-chan’s so nitpicky for a guy! Keep poking holes in everything I say, and I’ll make you marry me right here and now!”

By this point, my little sister had gone beyond unreasonable demands and was just spewing pure desire.

The student council members watched our exchange with exasperated “here we go again” looks, mostly opting to ignore it. They’re probably too tired to bother commenting, and honestly, I’d do the same in their shoes.

Seriously, what a troublesome little sister.

She’s blatantly hostile toward Arisa, her brother complex knows no bounds… and yet, somehow, she’s supposed to be this refined, elegant young lady at St. Liliana Academy. Now she’s turned into a full-blown weirdo, and as her big brother, all I get is an endless supply of headaches—

“U-Um, Akito-nii-sama.”

Just as I was reeling in disbelief, Arisa timidly raised her hand and said,

“There’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while, and I’d like to ask.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Um, well… it might just be Arisa’s misunderstanding, so if I got it wrong, I’m sorry, but…”

“Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Don’t hold back—just say it.”

“Okay, thank you. Um, so… well, what I mean is…”

Even after I encouraged her, Arisa still hesitated, but after taking a moment to steel herself, she took a deep breath and said,

“Uh, so… I think Akiko-nee-sama really, really loves Akito-nii-sama—like, she’s a total brocon. A super, super huge brocon.”

“Yeah, well, that’s true.”

“But, um… isn’t it wrong for Akiko-nee-sama to like her real brother, Akito-nii-sama, in that way…?”

“…”

I accidentally let a brief silence slip.

What’s this feeling?

It’s like… her words were so natural, yet they hit me with this jarring sense of unease.

But yeah, she’s right.

I’ve gotten so used to it that it doesn’t faze me anymore, and even the other student council members—while they’re exasperated and tease her hard—have started accepting Akiko’s brocon antics as part of daily life. Right now, they’re all blinking in surprise, caught off guard.

Yup. Thinking about it, she’s spot on.

Arisa’s reaction is what any normal person would feel. From her perspective, ever since she arrived at this dorm, she must’ve been totally baffled. We’ve all been treating Akiko’s clearly abnormal behavior like it’s no big deal—she had every reason to be confused.

“—Um, Nii-sama?”

As I was processing this internally, Arisa looked up at me anxiously and said,

“Did Arisa say something wrong? Um, if I did, I’m sorry—I still don’t really understand St. Liliana Academy or the dorm that well, so…”

“Oh—no, no, it’s fine, totally fine. You didn’t get anything wrong. What you said is completely right.”

“Oh, really? That’s a relief.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it, Arisa… There’s someone else here who should be worried about what you just said, right?”

“Urk.”

My little sister’s lips twitched as she caught my sidelong glance.

“Hey, Akiko. Arisa just said that, so—”

“…‘That’? What’s ‘that’ supposed to mean?”

“She said, ‘Isn’t it wrong to like your blood-related big brother?’ What do you think about—”

“Ahh—ahh—ahh! I can’t heeeaaar yooouuu!”

“Covering your ears won’t help. You’re older than Arisa and her senpai, so you’ve gotta answer her questions properly, right? You’re always acting all high-and-mighty, so step up when it counts.”

“Nghh…”

“Come on, Akiko. Hurry up and explain it to Arisa.”

“…Hmph, fine. No matter what anyone says, my stance won’t change! My love for Onii-chan as a man is more certain and absolute than the law of conservation of mass, and no one—no one—can take that right away from—”

“U-Um, Akiko-nee-sama.”

Arisa nervously cut in,

“Liking someone you’re related to by blood is wrong, isn’t it…?”

“Hauah!”

Hit straight-on with pure, innocent logic, Akiko recoiled dramatically.

“No matter what country you go to in the world, that kind of thing isn’t allowed. It’s not permitted by law or ethics either.”

“Fuguuh!”

“And Akiko-nee-sama said she wants to marry Akito-nii-sama, but if you really did get married and had a baby, it’d cause a lot of problems, wouldn’t it?”

“Guahh!”

“Also, if Akiko-nee-sama keeps saying out loud that she loves Akito-nii-sama, it’ll cause trouble for a lot of people, right? Like your family, your relatives, people at school, your friends… and most of all, wouldn’t it trouble Akito-nii-sama, the one Akiko-nee-sama loves most?”

“Funyaaah!”

Arisa pressed on timidly but precisely, hitting all the sore spots.

And Akiko, with no way to argue back, was getting utterly demolished.

…Huh, I see.

I never imagined my little sister—who’s usually unshakable no matter what anyone says—had a weakness like this. Turns out, even she’s powerless against the simple, honest questions of a child.

“O-Onii-chan… Onii-chan!”

“Hm? What’s up, Akiko?”

“G-Give up… I surrender, I’m waving the white flag. This—it’s way more effective than I expected…”

“Yeah, it sure is. I can tell just by watching.”

“Y-Yeah, exactly. So, could you please tell Arisa-chan to stop bullying her big sister…?”

“Well, even if you say that, I don’t think it’s fair to call Arisa a bully when she’s just stating perfectly reasonable things.”

“D-Don’t say that! It’s Akiko’s lifelong request!”

“Sorry, but I can’t do that. It’s just too illogical, even for you.”

“Ugh, no way…”

My little sister slumped her shoulders, utterly dejected.

“—But wait!”

Or so I thought, but only for a moment.

She clenched her fists with gusto, raised her voice, and declared,

“Backing down here would disgrace the name of ‘little sister’! I’ve always known my path is one of hardship, and no matter what anyone says, I’ll stick to my love! Even if it’s a forbidden love, what meaning is there in life if I can’t protect what I believe in!?”

Unfazed as ever, my little sister boldly proclaimed her intent to charge down her abnormal road.

Give me a break.

I knew this already, but a little push isn’t gonna bend this girl’s convictions. No matter who says what, even if it’s wrong, Himenokōji Akiko will always go her own way. Guess that’s one of her good points—

“A-Arisa won’t back down either!”

Just as I was starting to accept it, a voice interrupted.

“I can’t just sit by and watch Akiko-nee-sama head down a bad path. For her sake, I won’t give in here.”

It was none other than Takanomiya Arisa’s voice, no mistake.

She fixed Akiko with a determined stare, speaking out despite knowing it might upset her.

Honestly, this caught me off guard.

In the six years I’ve known Arisa, this is the first time I’ve seen her assert herself like this.

She’s always been reserved, valuing harmony above all, sometimes to the point of seeming like she lacks initiative… In all the time I’ve known her, she’s never once flat-out said “no” to someone’s way of thinking like this.

“Akiko-nee-sama is trying to do something bad. But Arisa likes nee-sama, so I don’t want to just watch silently. I want to pull nee-sama back to the right path.”

“Hoh…?”

Facing her rebellious junior, Akiko gave her a sidelong glare and said,

“Picking a fight with my path of hardship… You’ve got some nerve, huh?”

“N-No, I don’t have any nerve or anything. But wrong is wrong. Please, nee-sama, come back to the proper path!”

“No thanks. I just said I’ll stick to my own way no matter what, didn’t I? Trying to convince me is pointless—give it up.”

“I won’t give up. Arisa wants to turn nee-sama into a proper person. I’ll do anything for that.”

“Heh, how naive. My sixteen years of minority-status love for Onii-chan can’t be scratched by any law or ethics. Your resolve will fizzle out soon enough.”

“That’s not true. Arisa absolutely won’t give up.”

“No, it’s futile, futile, totally futile—a waste of effort that’ll leave you exhausted for nothing. Because I love Onii-chan more than anyone in the world, and before that love, all values become meaningless. Love is everything, love is the only truth… Well, I suppose an immature kid like Arisa-chan can’t understand an adult love like mine yet. Heh heh.”

“Th-That’s not true! Arisa… Arisa loves Nii-sama too! I won’t lose to nee-sama!”

“Oh? You really think you won’t lose to me? I’ve never wavered in my love, despite years apart, despite the guilt of our blood ties, no matter what happened—you think you can beat that? You really believe that, huh? Hehe, I see. Hee hee.”

“…” (← Arisa’s face turned bright red, her cheeks puffing out)

Oh boy, here we go.

I had a bad feeling this might happen… Akiko, who’s normally not belligerent, and Arisa, who’s as peace-loving as they come—this clash was bound to come eventually.

Nasuhara-san, Ginbei, and the president stayed out of it, watching silently.

I figured I’d hold back too and keep quiet for now. My turn will probably come a bit later.

“Heh. Looks like you’re at a loss for words, huh?”

Ignoring everyone else, Akiko snorted smugly and said,

“Well, that’s only natural. The gap between me and Arisa-chan is so wide, it’d take a handicap to even make it fair. Isn’t it about time you admit that and give up?”

“…But… still…”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“…But… Arisa… still…”

“What’s that? I can’t hear you. If you’re declaring defeat, speak up louder—”

“But Arisa is Nii-sama’s fiancée!”

After all that provocation, Arisa finally snapped.

“Arisa’s only twelve, but I’m not related to Akito-nii-sama by blood! And maybe not as much as Akiko-nee-sama, but I’ve lived with Nii-sama for a long time too, so I think I know him well! Arisa’s way more suited for Nii-sama than nee-sama—ah!?”

Realizing she’d lost her cool, her already red face flushed even deeper, and she said,

“S-Sorry, I raised my voice… That was unladylike. I apologize.”

“…Heh. I see. Hmm, interesting.”

Naturally—or should I say, predictably—

Akiko didn’t back down either, saying,

“So you’re dead-set on interfering with me and Onii-chan’s love road, huh? Heh, talk about a reckless fool overstepping her bounds… Trying to wedge yourself between me and Onii-chan, bound by absolute fate? That’s practically defying the gods. I’ll take on that challenge!”

“Uh… B-But Arisa won’t lose either!”

“No, you will lose—I’ll guarantee it. Like I keep saying, the bond between me and Onii-chan is unbreakable, proven by countless examples. Maybe someone who only sees blood ties as a drawback wouldn’t get it, though.”

“But Father and Mother both approve of Arisa and Nii-sama’s engagement—they even support it. Meanwhile, no one approves of Akiko-nee-sama and Nii-sama’s relationship, and no one cheers for it either.”

“Hmph, as if that matters now. I’ve always known it’s a forbidden love… and in the end, what matters most is the depth and size of that love. No hardship can stand in the way if there’s love—everything can be overcome.”

“Arisa won’t lose when it comes to loving Nii-sama either. And Akiko-nee-sama says it doesn’t matter as long as there’s love, but I don’t think the world works that way. Because I think how much the people around you bless your relationship ties into your happiness. A romantic relationship between blood siblings will never be blessed by anyone. But in Arisa’s case, the most important people—Father and Mother—will absolutely bless it. So I think Arisa’s more suited for Nii-sama than nee-sama.”

“No, that’s not true. Onii-chan and I will break that jinx together. Because I love Onii-chan more than you do, Arisa-chan.”

“That’s not true. Arisa loves Nii-sama way, way, way more.”

“No, you’re wrong. I love Onii-chan way more—several times more than you.”

“No way. Arisa loves him way, way, way, way more.”

“No, I—”

“No way, Arisa—”

…Oh boy.

It’s turned into a full-on kiddie fight. Arisa’s an actual kid, so fair enough, but I’d really like Akiko to show some self-awareness. Her extreme brocon tendencies make her lose all restraint and caution the moment I’m involved.

Now what?

It’s just a harmless spat as far as I can see, and leaving it alone probably won’t cause any real harm. Both Akiko and Arisa know where the line is—they’d probably just end up pulling hair or scratching cheeks at worst. I could join the other student council members in sitting this one out.

But still—if they keep bickering like this every so often, it’s gonna get exhausting. As their big brother, I’d really prefer a long-term way to get these two to make up.

“Onii-chan! Hey, Onii-chan!?”

“Nii-sama! Akito-nii-sama!”

And right on cue—or maybe not so much—

Realizing their argument wasn’t going anywhere, Akiko and Arisa both turned to me at once.

“It’s totally provisional, but it seems me and Arisa-chan’s love for Onii-chan is about even. I’m absolutely confident I love Onii-chan more than anyone, though.”

“That’s not true. Arisa won’t lose to nee-sama either.”

“Anyway, we can’t settle this just talking between ourselves, so we’d like Onii-chan to make a fair judgment.”

“Huh? What do you want me to do?”

“Decide whose love is greater—mine or Arisa-chan’s. Or, which one of us Onii-chan loves more. Pick one.”

…Yup, what a textbook setup.

Honestly, I think I’m justified in flat-out rejecting this, considering they’re not even thinking about my side of things. But that won’t get us anywhere, will it?

“Come on, Onii-chan. Hurry up, please. Hurry, hurry.”

“Nii-sama. Please, Nii-sama.”

“I’m totally above Arisa-chan, right? Right?”

“No way. Nii-sama will definitely pick Arisa.”

Not just Akiko, but even Arisa was getting fired up, pressing in on me. It’s like—yep, I feel like the Edo shogunate being strong-armed into opening the country by foreign powers. Can’t they think with a bit more common sense…? There’s no way I can answer something this delicate in a situation like this.

Alright, it’s decided.

Time to put them in their place a little—with the toughest method for these two.

“…Man, I’m such a lucky guy.”

Smiling brightly, I first looked at Arisa and said,

“Hey, Arisa.”

“Y-Yes!”

“You’re such a great kid, you know? Modest, smart, and kind. You always put others before yourself, never shy away from helping out, and you’ve got a solid sense of who you are without just going along with the crowd. A girl like you is rare—you won’t find another like Arisa anywhere in the world.”

“…Ehe.”

Arisa squirmed bashfully under my praise.

“And Akiko.”

“Y-Yes!”

“I think there’s no one as amazing as you, Akiko. You’re attentive, efficient, and you’ve got this natural cheerfulness that never lets the mood turn sour. You’ve got a special gift for making people happy. I can say it with certainty—you’re a one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable girl in this world.”

“Nyufu. Oh, no, it’s not that big a deal…”

Akiko pressed her hands to her cheeks, beaming under my lavish praise.

“So, to me, you’re both super special. Asking me to pick one of you is impossible. It’s like asking which is stronger, the ultimate spear or the ultimate shield.”

“But Onii-chan, please, just this once—”

“Nee-sama’s right. I know it’s tough, but please—”

“Hmm, sorry. I’d love to grant your request, but I just can’t. You’re both my precious little sisters, after all.”

“Hau!?”

“Hanya!?”

“A big brother’s love for his sisters should be equal, no favoritism. Akiko and Arisa are both my adorable little sisters, so you get that, right?”

“Uh… B-But, Onii-chan—”

“Akiko. I don’t like kids who don’t listen (smile).”

“Urk.”

“Um, Nii-sama. Arisa’s not your sister, I’m your fiancée—”

“Arisa. I like you best when you listen to your big brother nicely. You’re a good girl, so you won’t trouble me, right? (smile)”

“Hau.”

With my ‘persuasion,’ both my real sister and my sister-like girl shrank back.

Sure, it’s a bit of a cheap trick, but what can you do? This is the most effective way to get through to kids. Though, calling them kids—Akiko’s plenty old enough, and Arisa’s mature enough mentally—so I’d really prefer they act with a bit more sense.

“Well, talk about predictable.”

The president, who’d been watching silently till now, spoke up,

“Himenokōji Akiko and Takanomiya Arisa—honestly, it was obvious from the start to anyone watching. Himenokōji Akito doesn’t see either of you as women, plain and simple. That’s why we didn’t bother stepping in to mediate… ’Cause from the get-go, you two weren’t even on Akito’s radar. Man, what a farce.”

“Ugh… No way…”

“Hauu… So depressing…”

Hit with the president’s blunt truth, Akiko and Arisa drooped in unison.

Nasuhara-san and Ginbei didn’t comment, but they seemed to agree—they kept eating dinner with neutral expressions, like they’d seen this coming.

“…Haah.”

“…Fuu.”

Faced with reality, the two let out deep, synchronized sighs, their faces marked with vertical stress lines.

After a brief silence,

“…I realized something.”

Akiko lifted her head and gave Arisa a weak smile.

“I always thought of you as a seriously dangerous rival, Arisa-chan. You’re still a kid, but you’re super cute, you’ve spent a long time with Onii-chan, so you know him well—and on top of that, there’s even engagement talk, even if Onii-chan’s not on board.”

“Akiko-nee-sama…?”

“With all those threats stacked up, I was genuinely scared you might actually end up marrying Onii-chan. But I was wrong, wasn’t I? To Onii-chan, you’re completely outside his strike zone.”

“…Yes, that’s right. Nii-sama sees Arisa as a kid, a little sister way younger than him. I’ve been reminded of that over and over, but this time I thought maybe—”

“Same as me, huh?”

“Huh?”

“Every time I make a move on Onii-chan, I think, ‘This time for sure,’ but he’s always so cold about it… I’ve known Onii-chan longer than anyone in the world, I know him better than anyone—it should be my biggest advantage—but being his sister makes it all meaningless—”

“…”

“Arisa-chan, I’ve changed my mind. We’re two peas in a pod, both downtrodden, both licking the same wounds—we shouldn’t be fighting. We need to help each other and improve our situation. Beyond being rivals for Onii-chan, we should work together—don’t you think?”

“Nee-sama…”

Arisa’s eyes sparkled at Akiko’s proposal, and she said,

“Of course, absolutely! Arisa wants to help and work with Akiko-nee-sama. Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend!”

“Deal sealed, then. How about coming to my room tonight? We can snack and bond while figuring out how we’ll team up moving forward.”

“Yes, I’d love to!”

 

◆◆◆

 

…And that’s how it went, apparently.

I’d figured these two had more reason to join forces than stay enemies, so I expected something like this might happen eventually. Still, it came together smoother and faster than I’d hoped, which is a relief.

dorm as our new manager. Considering her arrival was like a bolt from the blue, it’s pretty great that it didn’t stir up too much trouble—and it even lightened my workload. Yeah, I’d say this turned out really well for me.

On a side note, there’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while.

Why was Arisa so attached to Akiko in particular?

Generally, Arisa doesn’t have strong likes or dislikes—she’s got this knack for finding something good in everyone, no matter their background or gender, and liking them for it. She got along fine with the boisterous president, cool-headed Ginbei, and quirky Nasuhara-san, showing each of them affection in her own way—but with Akiko, it felt like her attachment went beyond just her ‘talent’ for liking people.

One time, I casually asked Arisa about it, and she said,

“Oh, that’s because—”

Her face lit up with joy as she explained,

“Akiko-nee-sama was the only one. The president-nee-sama, Ginbei-nee-sama, and Anastasia-nee-sama didn’t take me seriously at all—or rather, they brushed it off like, ‘It’s just a kid talking,’ and never gave it real thought from the start… So when Akiko-nee-sama actually noticed me, it made Arisa so, so happy.”

“Huh. Uh, sorry—noticed what, exactly?”

“That Arisa is Akito-nii-sama’s fiancée.”

“…Ohhh.”

That one word clicked everything into place for me, but Arisa kept going.

“Everyone except Akiko-nee-sama just dismisses Arisa’s feelings because I’m a kid. But Akiko-nee-sama was different. She acknowledged that Arisa’s serious and treated me like a real rival—”

I get it now.

True enough, Akiko’s reactions all hinged on the premise that Arisa’s my fiancée. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have any reason to overreact to Arisa’s presence—she could’ve just ignored her like the rest of the student council does.

Of course, Akiko didn’t mean it that way—it’s just Arisa’s misunderstanding. But there’s no need to point that out. I’ll keep this little fact tucked away in my chest and make sure it doesn’t come up.

Man, talk about a nerve-wracking start.

Arisa’s my benefactor, my cute little sister figure, and she even came here to take over some of the work dumped on me. But with human relationships already complicated enough around here, adding another unpredictable element like this has me worried I might need to start stocking up on stomach medicine soon. Ugh…