Chapter 1

“Please go out with me.”

Kuroneko said without hesitation.

It felt like a bullet went through my head.

Such a simple sentence, yet it contained so much meaning.

She was prideful and stubborn, not good at expressing herself.

I couldn't imagine know how much courage she had to muster just to tell
me that.

While I ...

This was the first time, since I was born, that someone confessed to me.

“...............“

I felt weak in the knees.

I was so happy that I could barely stand. My heart beat faster and faster,
like I just ran an entire marathon.

“.....“

I took a deep breath.

In front of me, still in her white one piece dress, Kuroneko’s hand
clenched, her shoulders trembled, and her eyes moistened.

Why? Simply put, she was awaiting my response.

“……”

Kuroneko was being sincere. I just knew. She told me what she felt, but I
couldn’t give her an answer.

Like ‘that time’, my body froze.

So we stood there in silence.

Finally.

“Oh.”

A single tear appeared in Kuroneko’s eye.

She might think that my hesitation meant that I couldn’t accept her
confession.

“…”

Kuroneko looked away. I couldn’t see her face, but she was biting her
lower lips, preventing herself from crying.

Guilt rushed through my heart. I wanted to answer her feelings, but my

body didn’t listen to me anymore.

Then Kuroneko looked up:

“…Do you like someone else already?”

“…No, I don’t.”

I answered, my throat felt dry.

Kuroneko’s black eyes seemed to ask “then why?”

I looked into my heart and try to find the answer.

But I was unable to find one.

I was confused.

To me, Kuroneko was a very important friend, a very cute kohai. Since
Kuroneko left a kiss on my cheek, I had changed. Every time we met, my
heart would beat faster. Every time we talked, I felt at a loss for words.
Even the silence between our conversations made me feel at ease.

Kuroneko asked like she was about to cry.

“…Do you hate me?”

“No!”

I was so happy when I received her confession. This was the first time
since I was born, that a girl told me ‘I like you'. I have no more regrets
now!

But – then why couldn’t I just say ‘Yes’ in response? I didn’t even have
any reason to refuse!

I was so useless ---

While I was looking away, Kuroneko said:

“Are you hesitating?”

“……”

I couldn’t say anything. Seeing that, Kuroneko sighed.

“...What a useless guy.”

She was absolutely right. Even I had to agree with that.

“Pathetic. Hopeless. Idiot.”

“…..”

Like many times before, I almost burst into laughter. When we just met, I
felt such words were hard to accept, but now it calmed me down.

I let out a nervous breath. Then I heard a mocking laughter.

“…Fine…It was within my expectation…I already expected you to act this

way after I confessed.”

“Really?”

“Who knows?”

Kuroneko smiled.

“What a useless guy. But I like that side of you.”

“!?”

I could feel my face redden. Kuroneko no longer looked like she was about
to cry, she was now flirting.

“What’s wrong? You embarrassed?”

Kuroneko laughed.

“In that case…I should either stop now, or follow it through till the end.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“…..”

Kuroneko slowly walked towards me.

I backed off, step by step.

“…Why are you trying to escape?”

Like a prisoner, I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Ah, I….”

I swallowed. What is this girl trying to do?

Both of us didn’t mention this place, yet both of us managed to meet up

here. I would be lying if I said it was a coincidence. Kuroneko slowly
walked closer until she was right in front of me.

She was right next to me.

This was no longer the distance between kohai and senpai. Nor was this
the distance between good friends.

This was the distance between lovers.

“……….”

“……….”
Kuroneko looked up and talked to me in a demanding voice.

“Senpai?”

She came closer, her lips drew closer to mine….

My vision blurred, my mind remembered her lips…

It was like time stopped – and then, Kuroneko …

“Over there. On your knees.”

She said that.

“…Ah?”
What…did you just say?

“Just now…what did you say?”

“On your knees.”

Kuroneko pointed at the ground.

“…But that is the ground”

“That’s your proper treatment. You're damn useless, got a problem with
that?”

“Of course not.”

Like she said, I knelt down on the ground.

…What is going on? A meeting after school should be a confession event.

What's next? A lecture?

“Hmm…..”

Kuroneko adjusted her tone....

“…First, senpai.”

She was nervous. Because of that, I became nervous too.

“…Yes?”

“You….do you hate me?”

“No way.”

“Ah, I see.”

Stroking her chest, Kuroneko continued:

“Well…then…about…”

“About?”
“Do you like bentou?”

“Bentou?”

How would bentou fit in this situation, especially when I was kneeling on
the ground?

“…If you go out with me, I will make a bentou for you every day – how
about that?”

“What do you mean?”

Could it be…she meant...

“Don’t look down on me, I’m quite good with that. I will not lose to
Tamura-senpai. Although I can’t help you study, I will definitely not
trouble you when you have tests…and…I could make you clothes…we
could cosplay together…If you become my lover, there are many benefits
for you.”

She was no longer speaking in her dominating voice. Kuroneko’s body

slightly trembled. Her voice was full of awkwardness.

“…Kuroneko.”

“…You…That’s still not enough for you? What a greedy male, well I can
also do other things …”

Kuroneko closed her eyes for a while – and then suddenly opened them
again.

“Ah…Ack! About…Ah…That!”

I could see hot steam coming out of her head, her face blushed madly.

“Hey! What did you imagine just now! Don’t look at me like you are about
to cry!”

“I, I didn’t think of anything dirty…”

Judging from your reaction, you clearly thought about it!

“Anyway, that’s what I wanted to say.”

Kuroneko looked like she wanted to change the topic. She breathed out,
blushed and sneak a look at me.

“…How about it?”

As expected.

Although it was hard to understand…but I get it.

What a stubborn girl…she forced me to kneel down there and showed such
an arrogant side.

“Ah…”

“You, what are you laughing for?”

“- No, thank you. I understand your feelings.”

Kuroneko closed her eyes and went ‘Hm’.

“There is one more thing I have to say. I will only say it once. Listen
well.”

Kuroneko looked at me, her face was calm and gentle.

“--- I love you. I love you more than anyone else in the world. Although
we have only known each other for a year, my feelings will not lose to
anyone. Even if my body disappears from this world ---“

“ - I would definitely fall in love with you in the next life.”

What a strange confession. Totally Kuroneko’s style. No matter what

happened, she left behind no misunderstandings and confessed.

However, my response was ---

“Please give me some time.”

Still kneeling in the ground, I replied. Faced with Kuroneko’s honest

confession, I couldn’t give her a half-hearted response. Especially if I
couldn't think of any reasons to decline.

To be honest, I was so happy because of Kuroneko’s confession. She

looked so cute when she confessed.

Hearing that, Kuroneko stayed silent for a while, and then.

“ --- Okay. Then tomorrow, after the party, please tell me your answer.”

“Alright.”

Forcing my messed-up mind to calm down, I nodded.

Kuroneko turned around and started walking, but she stopped.

“…I was planning it as a last resort. But I would hate it if I failed before
using all of my power, so I will let you know.”

Turning around, Kuroneko said in a serious tone, like a warrior before

going into a battlefield.

“If senpai wishes it…I could also start wearing glasses.”

“…It isn’t a bad proposal.”

On my way home, I kept thinking about Kuroneko.

Kuroneko’s figure. Kuroneko’s voice. All of them kept reappearing in my

head. Because of my uselessness, Kuroneko gave me time to think.

“…After the party huh.”

---- This time, I must not fail.

For Kuroneko.

For our Summer Comiket celebration party.

For the party that Saori prepared and we ruined.

I must not fail this time.

When I entered my home, I noticed Kirino was reading a magazine on the
sofa.

She was wearing shorts, which were a little higher than her knees.

“……”

What bad timing.

“I’m home.”

“…Uh.”

Still reading her magazine, Kirino coldly replied.

Our relationship – well, it was kind of hard to describe.

Allow me to explain what happened.

Yesterday, Kirino brought her boyfriend home.

Since I couldn’t accept it, I threw a tantrum.

I told Kirino ‘I hope you don’t get too close to boys’ and to her boyfriend,
I said ‘Then show me! Show me that you care for Kirino more than I do!’.

…Now that I think about it, my actions were so stupid.

Still, I had no choice at that time.

Anyway, after that, I found out that Kirino's ‘This is my boyfriend’ claim
was a lie she made up.

Why would Kirino make this up?

I didn’t ask, and I didn’t plan to ask her.

That happened just the day before.

I had no idea how I should speak to my little sister!

Kirino seemed to have the same idea though.

“Hey.”

She called to me.

“…Yes?”

“Where have you been?”

“There was something at school, so I….”

“Hm-----“

She seemed to think ‘Then it doesn't matter’ and returned her eyes to the
magazine.

“--- Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Did something strange happen?”

“Not really.”

“Hm----“

What is she thinking?

After I finished my tea, Kirino placed her magazine down.

“Hey.”

She threw her magazine on the table, Kirino leaned back, showing her bare
legs to me.

Then she went 'hey' again.

“Is..is something wrong?”

“Come here.”

Kirino signaled me with her finger.

I came closer then Kirino ordered me to ‘move the table somewhere else!’.
I had no idea what she was thinking, but I complied anyway.

“…Is that fine?”

“Yes.”

Kirino’s mouth turned into へ shape, then she pointed at the place where
the table was placed before.

“Good, now kneel down over there.”

“Ack?”

“Ack? I told you to kneel down over there. Do you not understand human
speech?”

“….”

How troublesome. What is with this girl?

The awkward atmosphere which was here just a few seconds ago had
completely disappeared.

“Hurry up.”

“Yeah, yeah! Here, is that okay?”

I knelt down.

What is going on! My female junior asked me to do that not too long ago!

“Fine, what do you want?”

Kirino looked down on me and said:

“’What do I want?’ Of course it’s about yesterday.”

“Ugh….!?”

“Why are you freaking out right now? Isn’t it obvious?”

“You wouldn’t mean…”

Just when I was thinking ‘I don’t plan to ask her’….looked like she wanted
to talk about yesterday.

“It would be troublesome if we don’t make it clear. And I hate

misunderstandings.”

“Yeah…same here.”

“So are you aware of what you said yesterday?”

“…I am.”

“Really?”

Yup, I’m really aware.

“About that…I lied, but…”

Kirino flipped her hair, secretly taking a peek at me before turning away.

“If…if yesterday I brought my real boyfriend home…what would you

do?”

“About that…”

I thought about it, and said:

“I would do the same thing. Because until the end, I still thought that he
was your real boyfriend.”

“You meant like saying ‘I hope you don’t get too close to boys’, ‘Then
show me! Show me that you care for Kirino more than I do!’?”

“That’s right.”

Please don’t repeat them. It's too embarrassing.

“Hm – then…what if Mikagami really loved me, then he quarreled with

you to get your approval…what would you do?”

“About that…”
Why must you ask something so difficult?

What if Kirino really did have a boyfriend, they loved each other, and
there wasn’t any place for me between them…Could I accept Kirino’s
boyfriend?

“ --- Who knows?”

I pretended to be stupid and looked away. Kirino immediately kicked me.

“Give me a good answer.”

“…..”

Damn brat! I scratched my head.

“If you really loved your boyfriend ---“

“Then?”

“I probably will….’

“Will?”

“…I’ll probably cry.”

“…What the hell?”

Maybe my answer caught her off guard, Kirino was surprised. She titled
her head in confusion.

“I will punch him a few times before talking to him…And then….if he

truly loves you…and you truly love him…I would probably cry. Even if I
don’t want to, even if I hate it…but I won’t stand in your way.”

I answered frankly. Even if she called me an idiot afterward, it’s fine.

Because I felt that those were my true feelings.

“Hm – I see.”

Kirino closed her eyes, then suddenly she burst in laughter.

“Just how much of a siscon are you? Gross!”

“Say whatever you want.”

“Yeah, yeah…ah.”

I didn’t know it was because of anger or embarrassment, but I felt my face

become hotter.

But Kirino looked very happy, and she teased me again.

“In other words – you thought ‘my little sister is very dear to me’?

“Ack!”

Kill me! Just kill me already! That much is worse than death!

“Since you said I’m very dear to you, what exactly are you going to do?”

“What exactly do you mean…?”

I had no idea at the time. I was just expressing my true feelings.

“Oh you didn’t think of anything? Really…””

“…..”

I couldn’t stay silent anymore. I thought about it and said:

“About that…as an apology, I promise to do you one favor. You can ask
me anything.”

“Really? Anything?”

“Of course it must be something I can do.”

Like a present or something, I don’t care. Even if you asked me to go buy

eroge for you again its fine.

“Hm----“

Placing her index finger over her lips, Kirino seemed to be deep in
thought. Maybe she got an idea to ask me, she suddenly turned away and
said:

“Then… if sometime soon, a girl who's close to you confesses her love to
you….You must think about it carefully.”

“Because that girl really likes you.”

--- The next day.

I went to the Tamura household.

Today, our circle ‘The sacred Kuroneko knight’ was going to celebrate at
the Kousaka household. I was on my way to buy some snacks and drinks.

“----What should I say?”

For some reason, I felt very down.

When I found out that my sister got a boyfriend, I felt like the sky just fell
on my shoulders.

But when my sister knew that I got a girlfriend, she acted like she didn’t
care at all.

In order to avoid any misunderstandings, I need to remind you all of

something – I really hate Kirino.

But even I had to admit that I’m a siscon.

I only realized it when Kirino got a boyfriend (that’s what I believed at

that time).

Long ago, I already had my suspicions about that, but this event made me
fully aware of that fact.

Kirino-san wants her brother to acknowledge her.

Kirino’s fake boyfriend – Mikagami said that.

“I don’t really think so.”

Maybe I was wrong?

My sister, who was fully aware of my siscon status, still told me to ‘go out
and get a girlfriend’.

“Sigh….”

Looks like I worried too much. To think that I unconsciously remembered

my words ‘I don’t want you to get a boyfriend’….I’m so stupid.

I looked up and realized that I had arrived at the Tamura’s household.

Manami was wearing an apron in the front door. She greeted me.

“Kyou-chan.”

“Ah~”

As usual, I felt at ease whenever I saw Manami’s smile.

“Please take that.”

“Thank you.”

I received the package that I asked her for beforehand.

“Are you hungry? Do you want to come in and eat something?

“Why do you always assume that I’m hungry?”

That’s why she always reminded me of my grandma.

“I will go home now, today I have plans.”

“ Okay ~~”

“Ah right, I want to thank you – it's thanks to you that Ayase didn’t kill
me.”

Manami had a puzzled expression, like ‘what do you mean?’ But she
quickly went “Ah~” in realization.
“You meant what happened between you and Kirino?”

“…Don’t joke with me. You must have heard everything from Ayase.”

“Ah, right.”

Manami laughed ‘Ahaha’.

“We are siblings, so that relationship is impossible. Besides, I didn’t mean

that.”

“You didn’t mean that?”

“It's nothing!”

Damn! What was I saying to Manami!

Seeing that, I hastily stopped myself, while Manami stared at me….

“Kyou-chan, do you have anything to tell me?”

“No, there's nothing.”

I was so frightened right now, but I tried to call forth my courage.

“Oh----“

Manami’s face drew closer. Our noses were almost touching each other’s.

“What..are you doing?”

“Hm~”

Manami’s face relaxed, she was smiling.

“But Kyou-chan looks like ‘I want to talk to Manami about my problem’.”

“Er!?”

I quickly checked my own face.

“What are you saying? I have no such expression.”

“You do.”

“No I don’t.”

“You do~”

“I told you that I don’t.”

“You are so stubborn.”

“So annoying!”

Besides, you are too close.

“I have nothing to tell you.”

I backed off. Still in her normal voice, Manami said:

“Kyou-chan---I’m going to get angry.”

“I’m very sorry!”

I immediately apologized. The last time I saw Manami angry was three
years ago.

She had never really become angry before – but I knew that I must never,
ever make her angry.

I was more aware of that fact better than anyone. To tell the truth,
compared to an angry Ayase, an angry Manami is much more terrible. In
Ayase’s case, the worst she could do is kill me. But in Manami’s case,
death is a preferable outcome.

I had no intention of experiencing that feeling the second time. I bowed

down and apologized.

“I lied. I’m very sorry!!! Yes, there’s something troubling me!!! But I
don’t want to say it! That’s why I ---”

“….I understand. Please don’t kneel down in front of my family’s store.”

“Er!?”
I realized that yes, I was kneeling in front of the Tamura’s household.

And there were some female customers who saw me ---

“ (whisper) Kousaka-san was kneeling in front of Tamura-san…”

“ (whisper) So she found out that he was cheating on her?”

“Isn’t that our classmate?”

“Kyou-chan, you shouldn’t suddenly kneel down like that!”

“I’m sorry.”

…My reputation in my class was officially destroyed.

In the next semester, I got a new nickname ‘The kneeling man’. But that's
a story for another time.

That didn’t change the fact that I got a habit of kneeling down.

“Please stand up? Let’s go inside.”

“Right, right ~”

I went inside with Manami.

We faced each other again.

I was still embarrassed, but not as much as before.

Scratching my cheek, I said:

“…Thank you, Manami.”

“Ah? Why are you thanking me? Because I saw you kneel down?”

“Of course not! Just now – did you force me to say it out loud because you
were worried?”

If I were you, I would do the same thing.

“Yes. I noticed you were troubled about something.”

“I see.”

Right. That was my relationship with Manami.

We could freely talk about anything.

“There is something troubling me. But I don’t want you to know about it.”

“Uh.”

“That’s why I ---“

“Is it about Kuroneko-san?”

“ --- I just don’t want you to --- Ack!?”

Because Manami had the right answer, I was shocked. Is that a lie? Does
she have clairvoyance or something?

“Ah, I was right?”

Manami smiled and clapped her hands together.

“You…you…how could you….”

“That’s normal, Kyou-chan. Don’t you know that there are rumors about
you and Kuroneko at school?”

“…I …I didn’t know.”

Well, I did come to the first year’s classroom to look for Kuroneko. We ate
lunch together a few times, we participated in the same club, we went
home together….that rumor was expected….or I should say it was even
more strange if no rumor appeared.

“That’s why I can guess it. Besides, as soon as I think about it from Kyou-
chan’s point of view, I could get a good guess.”

“…I see. Still…”

If that was the case, why did she still hang out with me?
Like she could read my mind, Manami said:

“If Kyou-chan is troubled because of Kuroneko, then I have something to

say.”

Manami decided by herself. That’s how she always did things.

If I was troubled, she would be the first one to realize and help me.

Truly, the granny bag of wisdom.

Life counseling.

One of the reasons I was so good at giving ‘life counseling’ was because I
learned about it from Manami. Maybe I was happy because Manami cared
for me, so I wanted to share it with someone else.

“Manami, you really are a beacon in my life.”

I once made that comment.

“Ah, are you misunderstanding something Kyou-chan? Because I’m about

to tell you the truth.”

Suddenly, Manami raised one of her fingers.

That was her lecturing position. I liked that pose.

“My words will be a bit harsh, so prepare yourself.”

“Got it.”

“Uhm”

Manami seemed embarrassed, she blushed and said:

“Kyou-chan. Please face Kuroneko sincerely.”

“Right ---“

I nodded obediently, just like when I was listening to my granny’s words.

Her words were rarely fierce, but it brought warmth to my heart.
“Don’t rush it. Think about it carefully. For Kuroneko, please carefully
consider your own feelings.”

“--- I know.”

Sometimes she was like a mother, sometimes she was like a grandmother.
My childhood friend – she was close to me, like my own blood.

“And if you are depressed about something, please come talk to me

anytime.”

“ --- I know.”

“Uhm, good boy.”

Manami laughed.

Today, I once more experienced the feeling of having my grandmother rub

my hair.

It was so warm and nice…

“Still…to think that Kyou-chan already has that kind of problem…time

sure flies fast.”

“Are you my granny? You’re still the same as usual.”

“Ahahaha…I have to go back to my store.”

“I see. Then I should go home too. Thank you.”

“Um.”

In her usual glasses, my childhood friend reminded me as usual.

“Walk carefully, Kyou-chan.”

“--- See ya.”

Later that afternoon, Kuroneko and Saori came to my house. Saori still in
her usual otaku outfit, while Kuroneko – she was wearing her black gothic
lolita outfit. Thank god for that! If she wore the white dress, I doubted I
could remain calm.

To apologize for the disaster at our previous party, we had to have another
celebration.

“Sorry for the intrusion.”

“---- Hello.”

“Welcome! Please come in.”

Those two were the same as usual….But I felt like Kuroneko was forcing
herself to act that way. On a closer look, there were many blood lines
under her contact lenses. Last night, I barely got any sleep. Even someone
as dumb as me could understand Kuroneko’s feelings.

Right after they entered the living room, Kirino came down.

“Ah, you've arrived.”

She still sounded cold, but her face was gentle.

On the table, there were snacks bought from Tamura’s household and tea
that Kirino made.

“Looks like we got everything ready. Let’s start.”

“Uhm.”

Still, there was something we have to do before that.

“Hey, Kuroneko, Kirino.”

They nodded. We used our eyes to signal each other.

“Ah?”

Before Saori could figure it out, we bowed.

“We are sorry for last time.”

We apologized for our previous party.

“Ahahahaha…I’m so embarrassed.”

“Ahaha….”

Saori laughed in embarrassment then turned around.

I expected Saori to act that way.

Kirino, Kuroneko, and I let out a relieved sigh.

“Wow, she really didn’t get angry at all. Really, who said that Saori would
definitely get angry?”

“Wasn’t that you? You just told me on the phone that ‘she will definitely
get angry, what should we do~’. ”

“I never said that!”

The quarrel between Kirino and Kuroneko was proof that our relationship
was back to normal.

“I’m very sorry Saori. Please don’t be angry, okay?”

“Haha, don’t worry about it, I don’t mind it at all ---”

“ --- is that what you thought I’d say!?”

“Ack!?”

With the sudden change in Saori’s tone, we felt something horrible

approaching. Saori turned around, she was wearing different glasses. It
was the same ones we saw when we went to her house earlier.
“All of you! On your knees! Now!”

“Ack!?”

“On your knees! RIGHT NOW!”

Not good. Makishima-sama is angry.

*Whap* *Whap* *Whap*

We hastily knelt down without being able to look at each other.

This was the fourth time in two days, Kousaka Kyousuke had to kneel
down.

“…….”

Folding her arms, Saori stood in front of us. Because of her height, she
looked even more terrifying when she was angry. And the scene when the
arrogant, prideful Kirino and Kuroneko cowered in fear was so hilarious.
If I wasn’t in the same spot as them, I would have burst into laughter.

“Er!”

Behind me, Kirino pinched me.

“That’s all because of you saying that she will not get angry. Do
something about it!”

…I know I know…

“About that…Saori?”

“You there, who said you could speak?”

“I’m sorry.”

So terrifying. She was much worse than the Saori in her otaku outfit.

Besides, Kirino and Kuroneko were both hiding behind me, avoiding
Saori’s direct gaze…they used me as their human shield…
“…..”

Saori’s teeth clenched in anger.

“…I was afraid. What if everyone suddenly separated…I was so afraid of

that!”

She once witnessed her otaku friends break up one by one, so she was
always afraid of that.

She was probably the one afraid of that more than anyone among us.

Saori removed her glasses and wiped her tears.

“…But thank god. Everyone is back together again.”

Behind her otaku personality, she was still a girl who was so afraid of
being lonely.

“Sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

We apologized from the bottom of our hearts.

However ---

“I can’t forgive you!”

Saori put her glasses on again.

“You have to participate in my punishment game today. And do not

quarrel. You hear me?”

“Ack?”

“Is that your answer?”

I couldn’t believe just a pair of glasses could change her personality so

much.
Still in our kneeling position, using our eyes, we agreed with each other.

That was how our celebration party started. We surrounded the table, with
Kuroneko and I on one side and Saori and Kirino on the others.

“Then, what should we do first?”

I started.

“Meruru season 3 has already started airing! I already got it, so let’s watch
it together!”

Of course, that was Kirino’s suggestion.

Kuroneko disagreed.

“…Why should we watch Meruru in a Summer Comiket celebration

party?”

“At the Comiket, I already saw the preview. Compared to before, the
fighting scenes are simply incredible!”

No one asked you that, though.

“…Because that was a preview. Besides, considering how much effort

they had to put into that, I highly doubted it could keep up that quality till
the end.”

“Just you wait. Don’t say it before the end.”

“Ara ara, don’t get excited too soon. First, let’s celebrate the fact that our
‘The sacred Kuroneko knight’ circle sold every copy of our doujinshi.
Cheers!”

“Yeah…”

“You're right.”

Kirino and Kuroneko stopped. After their relationship recovered, it

became much stronger than before.

I felt like – we could overcome any difficulty.

“Cheers!”

Our glasses touched.

Our Summer Comiket was finally over.

“What about the others? What did they say about our doujinshi?”

Hearing that, Kuroneko answered.

“We sold only 50 copies, so no one really paid much attention to us.”

“I see…..”

That was disappointing. I was hoping to see some reaction from the others.

Seeing my expression, Kuroneko quickly added.

“…Ah, but I found out some comments about us on the internet.”

“You mean comments about your cosplay, right?”

Kirino said.

“Really?”

“Yes. But you shouldn’t look at them.”

“Why? Did my cosplay become a hit or something?”

“…….”

“Hey! Why are you looking away?”

Damn. I will definitely go check it out later.

Of course, later when I read those comments, I almost burst into tears. But
that's a story for another time.

“Ah forget it. Kirino, I have something to show you today.”

“Huh?”
So annoying. But I remained calm. Because I accepted Saori’s request ‘Do
not quarrel’. Besides, *cough* *cough* I wanted to say ---

I had decided to become ‘an elder brother who cared for his little sister’.

It was already a few days since the fake boyfriend accident. But I had
thought about it many times. That was the first time I felt so troubled.

Maybe because Kirino cried at the end, despite that she still refused to tell
me her reason.

‘Because….because I…You!’

What were you trying to say?

It couldn’t be something like…I like you…right?

We are brother and sister. Unlike 2D, something that stupid couldn’t
happen in the 3D world.

For me, Kirino is an important little sister. I only became fully aware of
this after this accident.

No – since the day I gave life counseling to my little sister, I had started to
understand it, little by little.

I helped Kirino find friends who share her hobby. To protect her hobby, I
faced my father.

‘Thank you, aniki’[1]

After hearing that, I unconsciously discovered Kirino’s cuteness. To stop

her devil friend, I was willing to sacrifice my standing.

‘I… a-also love my aniki… maybe‘[2]

Even if it was a joke, even I didn’t like it, but deep down, I was moved.

I was jealous of my little sister, but at the same time I did everything to
protect her novel.

Looking at her innocent, happy smile, I truly felt ‘that’s so worth it’.
And one day, when she left me, I realized how much she meant to my
heart. When she was in trouble, I flew to America to cry and beg her to
come back.

After I knew that my little sister got a boyfriend, deep down, the idea that
‘I don’t want to lose Kirino to anyone’ finally surfaced.

I became aware that I’m a siscon.

Of course, it probably wasn’t her intention ( - to let me find out that I’m a
siscon).

I felt like – I was conquered by Kirino.

I never knew what my little sister was thinking. But I don’t think it
matters. Even if she hated me, my feelings wouldn’t change.

My relationship with Kirino had become better.

So, I should act that way.

“What do you want to show me?”

“Wait a second.”

I pulled my cellphone out and showed it to Kirino.

“Huh? What’s with your cellphone?”

“Ah…look behind it, Kirino.”

I flipped my cellphone around. On the back of it was ---

‘The photo we took together in that lover photo sticker booth’

“I decided to put it here! Wah!”

“AAAAAAAA”

Kirino screamed like a bear attacked her.

“AAAAAAA! You! You! What have you done!?”

“I stuck our picture to the back of my cellphone.”

“Don’t say it like it's nothing! What about me?”

Kirino launched her arms, trying to get my cellphone.

“Wah, wah, that’s dangerous.”

I quickly stood up and raised my hand in the air, avoiding Kirino’s attacks.

“What are you saying? This is my cellphone, I can do anything I want to

it.”

“You dare to put that sticker in the open!?”

“By the way, I changed my phone wallpaper to a picture of you in a

swimsuit.”

“DIE!!!!!!!!!”

Like a predator, Kirino launched herself at me - *Bang*. I was knocked

back into the sofa.

“Oh oh oh….”

“You. Stop. Right. There.”

Between my sister who was trying to take my cellphone and me who was
trying to prevent my cellphone from being taken away, a small fight broke
out.

Saori watched us in surprise before bursting into laughter.

“Ahahaha – Kyousuke-shi, what exactly changed your mind?”

“…Although I anticipated it, but now your mind is below the worst
possible expectation of mine….All I could see is your sexual harassment
range had increased to cover your little sister.”

I had no idea what was Kuroneko and Saori talking about, but to me, it
didn’t look like that at all.
“Give it back to me! Hentai! Pervert!”

“I’m not! Even Dad has a collection of your pictures! I only just learned
that from him!”

“It's not the same! You clearly had an unhealthy reason to do it!”

“What are you two doing!?”

Kuroneko interrupted.

“…Didn’t we agree with Saori ‘no quarreling’ for today?”

“This is not a quarrel! This is for my personal dignity!”

“…Tch….”

…Just to make sure, in order to paste this sticker on the back of my cell
phone, I returned to where I hid it, only to discover that the sticker that
belongs to Kirino had disappeared, despite the fact that I hid both of them
in the same place.

After Kirino calmed down, everyone watched Meruru season 3 together

while drinking and eating.

After our celebration party ended safety, I walked Saori and Kuroneko
home. Normally I didn’t do that, but today I had a special reason.

“Bye then.”

“Bye.”

“Saori…”

“Ah, what’s up Kuroneko-shi?”

“Thank you.”

Kuroneko whispered.

“…….”
Saori suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Even I could figure out Kuroneko’s feelings, but I understood her next
words.

“Thank you for inviting me twice.”

“--------“

“I was very happy today. My previous Summer Comiket was also very
fun. Since I met everyone, I always had a lot of fun. All of this was thanks
to you. So, allow me to say that again, thank you.”

“Kuroneko-shi…do you want to make me cry?”

You did, right?

Saori took her glasses off and used her sleeve to wipe her tears.

“I want to thank you too. I pray that our friendship will last forever.”

She clearly was embarrassed. Kuroneko was blushing too.

After Saori said goodbye to us, I was left alone with Kuroneko.

The atmosphere became tense.

“……”

“……”

“Say…”

“Yes! Do you need something?”

Kuroneko replied in a loud voice.

“Say, I have no idea where your house is. Is it nearby?”

“Ah?”

Kuroneko let out a nervous sigh.

“Actually…it is not very far from here…”

“How about I walk you home?”

“…Fine.”

Under the sunset, I walked side by side with Kuroneko.

“About…”

“Huh?”

“…Ah, about our cosplay picture...”

“I see.”

“…I was happy cosplaying with you.”

For that Summer Comiket, I bought a digital camera together with

Kuroneko, we cosplayed together, and we took a picture together.

“Really. It was fun – we should do that again sometime.”

“…Uh.”

Our conversation was cut short again.

“Uhm…”

“Hm?”

“You looked handsome while cosplaying.”

“Haha, Thank you.”

We kept talking for a while, until Kuroneko said:

“…Let’s stop here. My house is nearby.”

“I see.”

“…Uhm.”
We stopped and turned to each other.

“Kuroneko.”

“Ah.”

Her shoulders were trembling. Under the sunset, her black hair fluttered in
the breeze.

The only difference were her clothes. Aside from that, everything was the
same as yesterday.

I wasted the day that Kuroneko gave me.

Today I had to give her my answer.

--- If sometime soon, ‘a girl who is dear to you’ confesses her love to
you….You must think about it carefully.

--- Don’t rush it. Think about it carefully. For Kuroneko, please carefully
consider your own feelings.

I thought carefully about it. I always do.

Without rushing. Looking back at my own feelings…

So, to the girl who is dear to me, I gave my answer.

“Let’s go out.”

“!”

Kuroneko looked up at me. She didn’t seem like she noticed my answer,
her eyes widened.

Her eyes were starting to moisten.

That’s how…

Kuroneko and I became a couple.

 Chapter 2

“Hello?”

“Ah, Kuroneko? It’s me.”

“Uh… I know…Do you need something?”

“Actually...what are you doing right now?”

“…Hm hm…I was about to summon The Flame of Purgatory to this

world.”

“Ah, I see.”

“…….Do you understand what I am saying?”

“Probably – A manga or novel, right?”

“……Manga.”

“So I guessed right.”

“……”

“What kind of manga is that?”

“ ---- Tomorrow.”

“Uh?”

“Tomorrow… I’m going to the club.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“Uh…uhm.”
“Is something wrong?”

“It's nothing…. See you tomorrow… senpai.”

I hung up and let out a sigh……

“I’m so nervous.”

Just a small conversation, but I felt completely different than yesterday.

Even now, I could faintly hear Kuroneko’s sweet voice in my head.

“I’m her lover now.”

Even I felt it was so unreal. In the conversation just now, Kuroneko

seemed unchanged, so much that at one point I was wondering if
everything was a dream.

But it wasn’t. It was real.

--- Please go out with me.

Yesterday, I gave her an answer.

--- Let’s go out together.

After carefully thinking about my sister and my childhood friend’s

advices, that was my answer.

Still, there was a major problem.

…We became lovers… then what? I had no experience dating a girl

before! Someone please give me advice!

--- What would lovers do in this situation?

“Ah! Just now, on the phone… did she mean that I should wait for her at
school?”

Should I call her again? No wait, if Kuroneko denied, then it would

become worse. What now? What should I do now? Should I wait for her in
front of my house?
“Let… let’s just go on with it then…”

It was regrettable, but I had no choice.

Because this was the first time I had a girlfriend, my head was a mess right
now.

It was near midnight, but I had an urge to open the window and shout
‘Kuroneko’.

Of course, I wouldn’t do that. But I think you guys now understand how
excited I am.

“Say, since we are going out, calling each other by family name ….
Doesn’t it seem weird?”

…From now on, should we call each other by our first names?

Let’s imagine about it a bit….

“…Ru…Ruri.”

“…Wh…What’s that, Kyousuke?”

“OOOOOOOOOOOH!”

*Bang Bang Bang* It was too much for me to handle. I banged my head
on the wall.

I couldn’t do it!

*Bang Bang*

“Noisy! Do you know what time it is now?”

From the other side of the wall, my sister’s angry voice came over.

“I’m sorry!”

“If you do that one more time, I will tell Ayase that you tried to take
advantage of me.”
“Please don’t!”

She will kill me!

“Say, before Summer Comiket, you hit the wall all the time! You also
shouted!”

“Ack! That’s because ….!”

“Well, I guess that’s because you were playing eroge! We are even then!”

“Of…of course not! How could it be! Anyway, stop hitting the wall!”

“I know….”

This wall was always thin.

It separated my room from my sister’s. This wall had a special meaning for
me, because since it existed, it made me realize ‘I have a little sister’.

Sometimes she brought her friends home, and I ended up hearing their
conversation; in which they spent almost their entire time badmouthing
me.

Sometime when my parents go out, I could hear my little sister when she
puts on her headphones and plays eroge.

To an elder brother, she was loud and annoying.

But after she went abroad and disappeared from this house, whenever I
saw this wall, I remembered Kirino.

At that time, I always worried about her: what is she doing? Is she well?

After the room next door returned to silence… I felt so lonely.

That’s why I was happy now. Because there was a sound coming from the
other side of this wall.

More than a year ago, we didn’t even look at each other. Every time I saw
this wall, I felt tired and troubled.
Until she came to me for life counseling, we didn’t even go into each
other's room. Until then, we didn’t realize that both of us placed our bed
next to this wall.

In other words, every night, we slept next to each other.

From an outsider's point of view, we looked like a pair of siblings with a

great relationship.

The next day in the morning – well, not exactly morning. It was noon
already.

Because the word ‘girlfriend’ made me so excited, last night I didn’t get
much sleep. I felt like I shouldn’t waste time, so I studied instead.

“…It's nearly noon already.”

I focused on studying from midnight last night until noon today.

I didn’t realize that until I took a look at the clock.

And yet my mind felt so clear, my body full of strength. I felt like I could
take on the Tokyo University exam without any problem. Of course that’s
groundless confidence, but it showed my good mood.

Hm hmm…see? This is how excited a high school student could be if he

got a girlfriend! You guys jealous now?

“I want to see Kuroneko as soon as possible ---“

Even just thinking about what I should do after I meet Kuroneko made me
nervous, but I still want to see her, I want to hear her voice.

I had never felt this way before. Was this because her position just
changed from ‘friend’ to ‘girlfriend’?

There was one more hour before our club meeting time, so I still had some
time left.

--- Should I call her? Maybe she was thinking the same?
It couldn’t be! Ha haha!

While I was daydreaming, the doorbell rang.

“Could it be Kuroneko?”

*Tap tap tap*

I rushed to the front door. What a lovely girl, Kuroneko ~ she wanted to
see me so bad that she came to greet me! So cute! So cute!

“Welcome!”

In a pink-colored mood, I opened the front door.

“Please to meet you, Kyousuke-kun. I’m so happy to see you give me such
an enthusiastic welcome!”

“…What…”

Then my body froze.

Standing in front of me wasn’t Kuroneko. In fact, that person wasn’t even

a girl.

“…Why are you here, Mikagami.”

“Didn’t I tell you before, that I would come back sometime?”

He is Mikagami Kouki, a young and handsome boy. Not long ago, he

came to my house as Kirino’s fake boyfriend. He was a third year high
school student like me, but he also was a designer. A very talented one, in
fact. To be honest, he was like a main character from a shoujo manga. If I
were a girl and met such a boy in front of my house, I would be jumping in
joy.

However, I was a normal male. So the first thing come out of my mouth
was…

“Get lost.”

“Er? What, wait don’t close the door!”

“…Why? Kirino isn’t home. She has been out since this morning.”

“I didn’t come here to meet Kirino. I came here to meet you, Kyousuke-
kun.”

…Hm, so you really had no interest in Kirino huh?

But you still pissed me off. What did you see my little sister as?

“I see. Then get lost.”

“Why?”

“I don’t recall us being friends.”

“What happened Kyousuke-kun? Did something happened between us?”

“I was waiting for a girl, but to see you behind the door…. It is an
unforgivable crime!”

“What kind of argument is that?”

So what? You got a problem with that?

“Besides, I was about to go out.”

“Go where?”

“School.”

“It is still summer break.”

“I have club’s activities. Game Research Club.”

“Game Research Club?”

Mikagami’s eyes sparkled. He pointed at himself.

“Can I…can I come?”

“Why?”

I didn’t even hide my disgust. Mikagami said, embarrassed.

“…I have no friends to talk to about my hobby.”

“Ah… I see.”

This was his reason to participate in Comiket too. He wanted to make

some otaku friends.

That’s one of the reason I called him ‘Kirino's male version’.

To be honest, I didn’t like him. ‘The main culprit that caused troubles’,
‘my sister’s boyfriend that made me uncomfortable’ – even after we
solved it, I’m still unable to get rid of those bad impressions. Of course,
the one who asked him to be a ‘fake boyfriend’ was Kirino, so in some
way he was also a victim. I knew that.

But for some reason, I always felt angry whenever I saw him. I didn’t,
couldn’t like him at all.

“I beg you ~ I am so lonely ~ Please ~ I want some friends~”

“Don’t cry! Disgusting!”

That’s why I didn’t want to waste time and help him find friends.

“..Tch…so do you want to come and see?”

That was my final answer. Why did I say that?

And so, my original plan shifted from ‘coming to school with my

girlfriend’ to ‘coming to school with a handsome boy’. After Mikagami’s
desperate pleadings, I couldn’t help but call my president and asked ‘can I
bring someone from other school’. And strangely enough, he said ‘of
course you can’.

…Still, on the other hand, it wasn’t too bad.

…Even Mikagami was the same age as me, he has plenty of life
experience.

He was such a handsome boy – so he should have a lot of love experience.

For someone who just got a girlfriend like me, he was the perfect person to
ask for advice.

Just to be clear, I didn’t want to chat with him. I hated him.

“…Hey.”

“Sorry, what did you just say?”

“Nothing.”

“Say, Mikagami, girls must like you a lot.”

“That’s right.”

So annoying.

“…Then does that mean you have some experience with girls?”

“Yes, of course.”

I was getting more and more angry now.

“So, I need to ask for your advice about something.”

“…From the way you said it, it must be very important.”

“…Yeah…very important…for me at least.”

I expressed myself as clear as possible.

“But we just met, I’m afraid that I couldn’t give you anything useful.”

“No, that’s wrong…anyway, it was a little embarrassing, so I couldn’t just

ask someone else.”

“…I understand. Then I will try to give you advice.”

“Thank you.”

“Good, let’s help each other!”

…Maybe someday my relationship with him could become better.

“Actually, I got a girlfriend.”

“Congratulations!”

Mikagami didn’t seem too surprised…. He surely has experience.

If I heard Akagi say that, I would probably say ‘Hey, that means we can’t
hang out together again?’ or something like that.

“You mean to ask advice related to your girlfriend? Don’t worry, I can
help with that. So, please let me help.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I didn’t know why Mikagami seemed excited. Well, it was better for me,
but I couldn’t figure out why.

“So…please listen.”

“Go ahead, please.”

“…When I go out with her…”

“Um.”

“…When can I touch her breasts?”

“Cough! Cough!”

Mikagami suddenly choked.

“Ky—Kyousuke-kun… You!”

“I wasn’t joking! It is very important!”

“Still….”

“Last night, I was already thinking about doing that with my girlfriend. Is
that wrong!”

I told him that. I’m sure that if someday, you suddenly got a beautiful
girlfriend, you would act the same too!
“So what is your answer?”

I resumed my question.

“…Even if you ask me…I don’t know…”

Mikagami gave me an awkward smile. I told him bluntly.

“Useless.”

“You are so cruel….”

Mikagami sighed ‘I understand’, then took out his cellphone.

“Since you said it is very important, I think we should ask a woman for
advice.”

“Oh…you mean your family?”

“Yes, Misaki-san.”

This woman huh?

Mikagami called Misaki and repeated my question ‘When can I touch her
breasts’. What a naïve guy. If I were Misaki, I would call the police
already.

Sorry Mikagami, I hoped I didn’t corrupt you into a pervert.

“Yes, yes. Thank you.”

“What did she say?”

“She said it is OK to do it immediately.”

“Impossible! Is something wrong with your mind?”

Was she crazy too?

“She said ‘After you become lovers, you entered a special contract with
each other. It would be strange to be afraid of that’.”
“Mikagami, I want to hear your opinion. Do you think I can trust in
Misaki-san’s words?”

“I can’t decide. But in eroge, if the protagonist does that, the police will
come after him immediately.”

“I agree.”

I shouldn’t believe Misaki-san then.

“Kyousuke-kun, you couldn’t possibly be like a main character in eroge,

who wants to touch the breasts of every girl he sees?”

“Of course not."

I would be arrested.

“You think that I would actually do that?”

“Who asked ‘When can I touch her breasts?’ just now?”

“What are you saying? Because I have a pure heart, that’s why I’m
concerned about her.”

“Concerned? I don’t believe you.”

“Hahaha, I still want to ask you something.”

“You still want to continue?”

“Because you haven’t solved my headache, so I will continue.”

Hearing me answer in a way similar to Kirino, Mikagami laughed.

“Looks like I misunderstood you.”

“What is your misunderstanding?”

Considering what I have done to him…. First I suddenly knelt down, then
I told him ‘I will not give you my little sister!’. It was such a mess.

No matter what, his impression about me should be bad. But he came to

see me. Why? Why did he try to get close to me?

“I always thought of Kyousuke-kun as an ideal older brother.”

“Hm, that’s clearly a misunderstanding.”

Ideal older brother? Me? Impossible. True, I had done many things for
Kirino. I even willingly destroyed my own standing; sacrificing everything
for her.

From an outsider's point of view, he could misunderstand that I’m an ideal

older brother.

But I wasn’t. I did all of that for Kirino, but also for myself.

“I’m not an ideal older brother. I’m just a hot blooded siscon.”

“I know that. Kyousuke-kun is even more easy going than I imagined. You
are not an ‘ideal older brother’, but something completely different.”

…Did you have to say it out loud?

Since he hit the bull’s eye, I felt my face twist. Still, Mikagami continued
in a peaceful voice:

“Still, even if you aren’t the ideal brother, you are able to help Kirino out.”

I casually replied:

“Of course.”

While I was walking together with Mikagami, I noticed many gazes from
all directions. It was a bit similar to when I was on the fake date with
Kirino. I guess the reason was the same too, since there was someone so
eye catching walking next to me.

Above me, there were no clouds, and the sun was hot. From the ground
came the odor of asphalt. Finally, we saw my school.

“Ah, so that’s Kyousuke-kun’s school?”

“Yes.”
“It is a nice place.”

“Really? I think it is pretty normal though.”

“That’s why it's a nice place.”

Now that I think about it, how could I introduce him to everyone?

What should I tell Kuroneko when we meet?

And about Sena… What should I do about it?

While I was deep in thought, we arrived at the club door.

“Forget it, I will just bite the bullet.”

I opened the door and tried my best to give a casual greeting.

My first priority was to find ‘her’ – Kuroneko. But she wasn’t here.

…Ah… Kuroneko still hasn’t arrived?

In front of me was a girl in glasses with huge breasts – Sena. She was the
first one to notice me.

“Ah, good morning Kousaka-senpai.”

“Ah, um – actually, today, there is someone I want to introduce to you all.”

“Someone wanted to join our club?”

Sena didn’t seem like she was aware of Mikagami’s visit.

“Not really…well, hey, come in.”

“Yes.”

After Mikagami came in ----

*Bang*
“Is that Kousaka-senpai’s boyfriend?”

Sena screamed.

“…What are you imagining in the middle of the day?”

“Oh hahaha – I am fully charged now!”

Sena mimicked a super saiyan’s[3] charging pose.

Then she adjusted her glasses, just like she was actually aiming.

“Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep… the pretty-boy meter is going up.. 7000….

8000… It can’t be! It’s still rising!!”

…Can someone please stop her?

Both the president and Makabe were inside, but they just focused on doing
their own work.

After spending time with Sena for so long, we had actually accepted her as
our fujoshi princess. I didn’t know if that is good or bad though.

No choice then, I should stop Sena.

“Hey fujoshi, wake up. Don’t measure the power level before fighting.”

“Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep. Tch, his handsome index is just 5… Useless.

But his moe-power is very high…”

Without saying anything, I hit her.

“It hurt! What are you doing Kousaka-senpai! No violence!”

“You are so noisy. Shut up or I will fondle your breasts, you female pig!”

“Don’t call me a female pig! You sound like a protagonist from a BL

game! Pff… Haha…this is sexual harassment!”

“Your existence is sexual harassment taking form – shut up for now.”

Why are you looking so happy? Where did your self-esteem go?

I turned around and signaled Mikagami to come in.

He stepped forward. Everyone greeted him.

“So you have come.”

In the deepest corner, a skinny glasses man raised his hand. He is Miura
Gennosuke, the president of our club.”

“We have been waiting.”

That was coming from Makabe. He is a second year, the peacekeeper of

this club.

Aside from them, the only member inside was Sena.

Mikagami smiled and greeted them back:

“Please to meet you. My name is Mikagami Kouki. Thank you for

allowing me to visit you today.”

…He is good. To be able to remain calm after meeting Sena, he was very
good.

“Are you Kousaka-senpai’s boyfriend!? Oh no! My poor brother! But you

are so moe!”

“I told you to shut up fujoshi – I met him at Summer Comiket. He told me

that he doesn’t have any friends with the same hobby, so I brought him
here.”

Right after I said that, the president interrupted ‘I see. Welcome!’

“How about joining our group!? I always felt that this group doesn’t have
enough good looking members!”

Of course, that was Sena’s suggestion.

“No, no, Akagi-san. We couldn’t take members from outside school.”

Maybe it was just my imagination, but Makabe’s face showed an ‘it is not
funny’ expression.

Ah…

I realized it already, but Sena was the first to respond.

“Haha, Makabe-senpai. Looks like you are jealous.”

“What! Of course not!”

“Oh really? Aren’t you worried because now you have a rival?”

“…Ack!”

“Don’t worry. The love between the president and Makabe-senpai is not
going to be broken that easily!”

“I wish that thing would break already!”

Even I couldn’t do anything anymore.

“It is such a lively place!”

Mikagami smiled. His ability to adapt was good.

Scratching the back of my head, I said:

“Ha ha, sorry Mikagami. This group only has abnormal members.”

“Please don’t group me with them. I’m completely normal!”

Makabe immediately denied. Even when he was caught in this chaotic

state, he was still able to criticize. Still, I wasn’t very sure about that ‘I’m
normal’ part of him.

”I’m not very sure about that thought.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were the first one to notice the cross dresser during Summer
Comiket, weren’t you?”
“Please forget about it!”

It was a dark history! It was a lie! Makabe began shouting nonsense.

I shrugged.

“In other words… I’m the only normal one here.”

“Look everyone! The one who asked a girl to make an eroge is saying
something!”

“Forget about it immediately!”

I was manipulated! It wasn’t my fault!

While I was busy exposing embarrassing facts about Makabe, Sena had
ran towards Mikagami.

“You guys really. Please behave yourselves, Makabe-senpai, Kousaka-

senpai. Mikagami-san, sorry about that. Don’t misunderstand, I’m the only
normal one here, right?”

“It is not your turn to speak!”

All of us male members said in unison.

“Ahahahaha.”

Mikagami broke into laughter.

“I was right to come here, you guys are so funny!”

…Although all of us were also idiots.

So, I succeeded in introducing Mikagami to my club.

“Ah, so Mikagami-san also cosplayed at the Comiket Market? No wonder

it felt so familiar.”

“Ah right, that meant I wasn’t wrong. There were only a few Judas
cosplays, and I’m the most eye-catching one.”
Mikagami praised himself. His smile was so natural, but that is why I
hated him. Because he was similar to her.

If he became friends with this club, I hoped he will not trouble me

anymore.

After a while, the door suddenly opened.

“!?”

“…Hi everyone.”

Still in her blank expression, but with reddened cheeks, Kuroneko entered.

“Oh, hi.”

“Wow…your skin is so white Gokou. Do you want something for

breakfast?”

“Please to meet you, Gokou-san.”

Both the president and Makabe greeted her.

Next was Sena in her excited voice.

“Gokou-san. Gokou-san! Look, look! Clang, clang! There is a handsome

boy wanting to join our group!”

“Please to meet you, ha ha.”

Mikagami gave a wry smile. Well, he had meet Kuroneko during Summer
Comiket.

I was a little on edge, probably for the same reason like Makabe.

“… I see. That’s nice.”

Kuroneko coldly replied, as if she wanted to say ‘He isn’t worth my time’
then she glanced at me.

Facing my girlfriend, I was nervous. I hope no one blames me for that.

We looked at each other for a while, Kuroneko blushed more and more
before looking away.

Please don’t stare at me; I felt like that’s what she wanted to say.

Unexpectedly, the one who noticed my little conversation with Kuroneko

was ---

“Oh oh? Kousaka, Gokou – what is with that unusual gaze?”

“You…what are you saying president? What, what do you mean by that?”

“Right, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Kuroneko was as nervous as a deer caught in the headlights, but she

pretended to be normal. “Hm? Forgive me if I was mistaken.”

The president glasses flashed once. I felt like he just saw right through me.

…Can we fool him…Actually, there is no need to hide what happened

between Kuroneko and I.

As if she could read my mind, Kuroneko bowed down and whispered

directly to my ear.

“…What should we do? Should we say it out?”

“…What? now?”

“…I will let you decide.”

Kuroneko’s lips left my ear. I realized that she was quietly sitting next to
me. My eyes were drawn to her white thighs that her dress couldn’t cover.

…For some reason, I felt guilty.

I forced my eyes to look up and noticed Kuroneko was staring at me.

“…….”

Her gaze was so cold!

“I’m sorry.”

“…Why do you apologize? Did you do something bad towards me?”

Kuroneko blushed slightly.

“So why, senpai? Why do you apologize? Please tell me.”

“…….”

She clearly noticed my gaze.

Compared to embarrassment, mocking me is funnier huh?

My girlfriend is definitely an S.[4]

We had just started dating, but why do I feel like my treatment is getting
worse?

Thankfully, Sena decided to interrupt:

“Gokou-san. Listen to me Gokou-san. Kousaka-senpai said he wanted to

fondle my breasts!”

“Pfffff!?”

I spit.

“…Really, senpai?”

“Of, of course not!”

I will remember that you female pig! Yesterday, saying that was
acceptable, but not today! If my girlfriend refuses to let me touch her
breasts because of that, I will regret it for the rest of my life! I shot Sena a
glare, but she just laughed it off.

“Ahaha, senpai is angry.”

“It’s your fault!”

“That’s payback for sexually harassing me while you already have a

girlfriend.”

“I say ---“

Er?

“What did you just say?”

“That’s payback for sexually harassing me while you already have a

girlfriend.”

“You…knew?”

“Knew what?”

“…Did I ever tell you that I have a girlfriend?”

“Ah?”

Sena looked like she wanted to say ‘Are you an idiot’.

“Could it be…ah, I see. Hm hm. Everyone knew about Kousaka-senpai

going out with Gokou-san a long time ago.”

“What….?”

Long ago? But I just started going out with Kuroneko since yesterday.

What is going on?

“Aha. Senpai, just because we don’t mention it doesn’t mean we don’t

know.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

I stole a peek at Kuroneko. She was blinking nervously.

So cute… No, wait, no!

“I only started going out with her… since yesterday”

“Wow?”
Everyone in the room was surprised.

Aside from me and Kuroneko, everyone’s jaw dropped.

Even Mikagami did not expect that.

“Kou, Kousaka-senpai! You weren't going out with Gokou-san before?”

Both Makabe and Sena asked.

“Wow, wow! So you guys just started? So that’s why you had such a
mysterious gaze!”

The president added.

“Kyousuke-kun! I thought you were going out with your sister!?”

Last, it was Mikagami.

Everyone seemed to have different opinions…

Wait! What did Mikagami just say!? I hit him on the head.

“Ouch! It hurt!”

“Mikagami…you…you imouto moe eroge maniac!”

So that’s why he accepted my request! Because he thought I was going out

with Kirino!

“Do you think of me as someone who is troubled because he wants to

touch his little sister’s breasts? I’m gonna kill you!”

“But you said you wanted to touch your girlfriend’s breasts!”

How…how did it come to this…. My club’s misunderstanding already

gave me a headache, but Mikagami’s reaction gave me a massive
headache.

“Kou, Kousaka-senpai! Your little sister – you meant Kirino!? Are you
going out with her?”
“I want to ask that too!”

“…Senpai? Just now, just now, there were lots of critical information,
could you please explain it for me? Depending on your answer, I might
have to reconsider our relationship.”

“Ugh…!”

I explained everything – it took quite a while, but I managed to do it.

I almost lost my girlfriend just after a day.

“………”

“……”

I was sitting in front of Kuroneko, we both kept silent.

My mouth felt dry, I couldn’t think of anything to say. Kuroneko was

blushing, her hands and shoulders were trembling, most likely due to
anger.

Did God abandon me already?

Maybe they tried to give us some time alone, or maybe they just didn’t
want to butt in, the other club members and Mikagami distanced
themselves and were chatting with each other.

“Ah, Mikagami-san, can you tell me your Twitter ID?”

Sena asked:

“Ah, right. Here, please take my business card.“

“Business card?”

Receiving the card from Mikagami, Sena’s eyes widened.

“Designer… Mikagami-san…this…”

“Yup, that’s right.”

After hearing Mikagami explains his designer work, even the other
members were shocked.

Just like in a manga, even if he didn’t mean to boast, the others still felt
uncomfortable.

Sena said in excitement:

“Amazing! Mikagami-san! You are so amazing!”

Next to her, Makabe had an expression of disbelief.

“---And so, since I was busy traveling between Japan and abroad, I didn’t
have any friends. I have co-workers, true, but I couldn’t talk with them
about my interest…”

"So, please take care of me ---"

Mikagami bowed. From the way he acted at my home, having no friends

to talk about your hobby was a great trouble.

For example – it could make a sister come to the brother she hated so
much for life counseling.

“Don’t be too modest – let’s be friends.”

The president pats his shoulder. Sena agreed:

“Yes, Mikagami-san! Let’s be friends! There is no need to be formal.”

“…Thank you, Sena-san. But I’m used to this.”

“Wow! What are you going to do, Makabe-senpai? If this continues you
might lose to Mikagami-san.”

“Ahahaha. Should I get angry then?”

Sorry Makabe. I understood your feelings. ‘Don’t compare me to him’ – I

had that thought too.

“Forget it then.”
Makabe coughed before continuing:

“Mikagami-san, let’s get along. Although you can’t participate in club

activities, we can still play together.”

Seeing how Makabe responded, I was so ashamed of myself.

“---Thank you, Makabe-san. Please to meet you.”

Mikagami gratefully took Makabe’s hand.

Seeing that, the president nodded in approval while the rotten junior let out
a perverted laugh ‘hehehe’.

…Isn’t it good, Mikagami? Bringing you here was the right choice after
all.

I looked back at Kuroneko. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought I

heard a faint gentle laugh. However, Kuroneko still remained in her
previous position, her head low.

“…Did you say something?”

“…Nothing.”

Was that really my imagination?

“Good, Mikagami! To celebrate, let me take you on a tour!” The president

said.

“Really?”

“Of course! Right! I will show you the secret headquarters of the gaming
research club!”

“…Do we have a secret headquarter?” Makabe asked.

“Hey Makabe, what are you saying? Isn’t it your house?"

“Don’t just decide that on your own – ah, whatever, I don’t care anymore.”

Makabe stood up. Everyone followed. The president turned to me and

Kuroneko,

“So please, take care of things here while we are away.”

“Sure.”

“Then let’s go ---“

“Kousaka-senpai, Gokou-san. I’m counting on you.”

“See you later, Kyousuke-kun.”

“Oh, oh.”

And that’s how Mikagami became a member of our club.

And so, Mikagami, the president, Makabe and Sena left.

I was left alone with Kuroneko, we were sitting directly in front of each
other.

Good.

“Hey, Kuroneko.”

Hearing that, Kuroneko startled.

“……”

A few seconds later, Kuroneko hesitated and said:

“…Want to touch them?”

“Er…”

Heyheyheyheyhey what exactly do you want me to answer to that?

Backed into a corner, I spoke without thinking.

“Maybe.”

I was such a fool! How could I say that!

“…I see.”

Look! Kuroneko looked down! Is she going to cry?

When I was thinking that ---

“…..I’m not angry.”

“Er?”

“…..Because I also…”

Wh..What? What did you say?

“You..you want to touch my chest too?”

“Go to hell!”

What a terrible criticizing voice.

“…No, this is not what I meant…I meant that I don’t blame you.”

Kuroneko probably felt embarrassed, she looked away.

“……”

We fell into silence again. Suddenly speaking would be a bad choice

because it will startle her again. After a while, Kuroneko leaned backward.

Then she spoke to the opposite direction of mine.

“After I started going out with you, I felt very excited… I don’t know how
to face you tomorrow. There are many things in my mind, I don’t know
what I should tell you. I was so nervous that I couldn’t sleep last night.”

Say, who are you talking to?

So cute.

I see… Just like me, this is the first time you have a lover, so you were so
excited that you keep thinking about him, thinking about ‘what should I do
next’.
“That’s why… Even if you want to do that, I don’t have any right to get
angry… Because we are even… Besides… I heard that all males are like
that.”

I don’t know what she was thinking about, but she was blushing madly.

“……”

Still, what could I say? Both Kirino and Kuroneko are alike, although they
knew a lot about rumors and stuff, but in the end they are just pure
innocent girls. Kuroneko couldn’t understand my perverted imagination
about her. We are not even.

Suddenly, as if she realized something, Kuroneko turned around.

“Of course… I won’t allow you to… Touch my breasts… Don’t be

mistaken.”

What the?

“You… you looked like you can’t accept it?”

“Why does it sound like I won’t be able to stand it without touching

someone’s breasts?”

Of course, It was a little regrettable when you said you won’t allow me to
touch your breasts, but what I couldn’t stand is ‘we are even’. Don’t be
mistaken.

“We weren’t even, because my mind was all about you.”

“…You, how could you say something so shameless.”

Kuroneko continued:

“I..I…I couldn’t pretend like I didn’t hear that… What do you want to do
with me… It can’t be…”

Is she aware of how embarrassed her words sound?

“Why are you blushing?”

“I didn’t…”

“…I don’t believe you. But I have prepared…”

Kuroneko took a notebook out from her bag and pushed it to me.

“Please take a look at this.”

“…What is that?”

Is that the deathnote? It looks quite thick

“…It is ‘Destiny Record’.[5]”

“Please speak Japanese.”

“…To describe it using this world’s language…Hm, this book predicts

your future…You understand that right? Also, it shows me the
ceremony[6] I have to use to reach my Arcadia[7].”

What a troublesome girl

“…So what is written inside?”

I picked my words carefully. Kuroneko looked even cuter when she was
embarrassed, she said:

“…Didn’t I tell you before. Yesterday, I couldn’t sleep because I was so

excited.”

“I see.”

“So I was worried for the whole night… and then I wrote everything that
could happen down…”

Kuroneko opened her notebook. Every page was full of words as if she
wrote a novel

“---In the morning, I realized that I had filled the entire notebook, I even
drew some illustrations.”

“Scary!”
This much love made my eroge fantasies about Kuroneko look cute.

To be honest… I was scared!

“…Hm? So what do you think? Want me to force it into your head?”

Kuroneko raised one of her legs in triumph.

“Well, not bad.”

Just like Kirino said – she is a full emo dark witch.

Becoming lovers with Kuroneko – how will our relationship change?

I finally realized something.

Although my girlfriend was admirable for her efforts, she was also so cute
and clumsy at the same time.

However, there were a lot of potential problems. Although I didn’t regret

my choice….

I broke into a cold sweat.

Kuroneko acted like nothing happened, which she never demonstrated

before we started going out. She said:

“…What do you think? Are…are you happy?”

“Scared is more like it.”

In this field, I’m the straight forward type. That depends on your opinions,
but if the girl I love made something bad, I will say ‘It’s bad’ without
holding back. It’s better for everyone this way.

“…I see.”

Still, I felt kind of guilty to see her look so depressed like this.

“Well, I was happy, that’s true. Although it’s kind of scary.”

Yup, that was my honest feeling.

“Really?”

Kuroneko looked better immediately.

“That’s right.”

“Wow!”

“By the way, that notebook contains what you want to do with me right?”

“Ah…ah…yes, you might say it like that.”

Kuroneko suddenly closed the notebook in front of me.

“Then let me see.”

“…Wah?”

“Let me see that notebook.”

I raised my hand.

“You re…re… Re…re… Really want to see it?”

For some reason, Kuroneko stuttered.

“Weren’t you about to show it to me a second ago?”

“No, no, it was just my imagination…. I didn’t intend to….”

Kuroneko nervously hid the notebook behind her.

Hm – women are the hardest creatures to understand in this world. Why

can’t you just tell me what you are thinking? For such a cute girlfriend, I
would willingly do anything.

“I got it. Since you won’t let me see it, please at least tell me what you
want to do. This is my first time, so I have no idea what to do.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Although it’s embarrassing, but the truth is I don’t know how to
make you happy. Sorry, please tell me.”

“…………………”

This time Kuroneko didn’t say anything. Although her eyes were blinking
nonstop.

After a few minutes ---

Finally, Kuroneko opened the middle part of the notebook and showed it
to me.

“Um? Yes?”

“….This one.”

Kuroneko’s voice was barely a whisper, she pointed at a corner.

What was written there was ---

Go on a date with senpai.

--- I see.

“…I got it, let’s go on a date.”

“…Uhm.”

My girlfriend nodded.

That was how our first date began.

By the way, on the same page, I saw a lot of places which were erased. But
what exactly was under those black marks?

Of course I had no way to know.

And so – I discussed our date together with Kuroneko.

“…Tomorrow… In front of our school…how about it?”

“Can we meet in front of the train station?”

“I prefer school though.”

“I understand…where are we going to go?”

“Let me take care of that…. I have a plan.”

From her way of speaking or her black notebook, Kuroneko wanted to take
the lead during a date.

I didn’t expect that. In my opinion, that meant she knew what to do.

However, shouldn’t the boy take the lead during a date?

Even my little sister insisted for me to ‘take the lead’.

“Thank you, you must give it a lot of effort.”

“…What are you saying… I just decided that on a whim.”

Kuroneko looked down in embarrassment. Actually, I realized that seeing

Kuroneko flushed was quite funny. Because she always looked so cute that
it made me want to tease her. Sometimes I saw Kirino attempt the same
too.

“…If there is somewhere you want to go…. I will go with you wherever
this is.”

“No, you think about it. Tomorrow we will follow your plan.”

“Okay.”

“There is still some time left until summer break ends, right?”

“Yes… there is still some time.”

I said:

“Let’s do our best. No matter how hard it is for us.”

“…Can you? Don’t you have to study?”

“Don’t worry! I will not let something bad happen! I promise you that!”
I confidently said. Because if Kuroneko makes a plan for my sake, then
our date will be ruined.

Hearing that, Kuroneko’s face froze, like she was having a good dream.

“How about that?”

“Er? No, no, it is nothing...*cough* *cough* then I will leave it to you.

We only have the summer break left for us to meet every day.”

Success! I clenched my hand in a victory pose – then I immediately

realized something.

“Ah, what about your part time job? Do you have to work?”

“Yes, but I don’t have to work every day…. I should have enough time to
meet you every day.”

“I see. Then I will walk you to where you work.”

“…Uhm.”

Just like me, Kuroneko wanted to spend time together as much as possible.

I was so happy…. During the remainder of summer break, where could I

go with Kuroneko, what could we do together…. Just thinking about it
made me happy.

Although I need to be aware of my ideas. With my poor dating experience,

I will soon run out of ideas. Then that will leave us without anywhere to
go.

“Oh right, Kirino did tell me about the possible places for a date, I should
follow that.”

My date with my sister left me very unhappy, but maybe it would be a

useful reference.

“………….”

Suddenly, Kuroneko fell silent.

…..I was used to it, so I didn’t blame her.

Probably because she heard that plan was made by Kirino? Kirino and
Kuroneko’s interest were completely opposite, so ---

“Ack – we should avoid those places. How about going to a botanical

garden?”

“…Ah, not a bad idea, senpai.”

You guys hear that? Kuroneko said it wasn’t a bad idea!

If I told Kirino the same line ----

“Idiot! Use your brain once in a while!”

She would probably scold me!

“Thank you… It’s great to be able to become your lover!”

“…Why are you speaking like you are about to cry?”

Unlike my other conversations, ours was short and fragmented. Maybe

because both Kuroneko and I weren’t the type to actively talk about
something.

With Kirino, our conversations were always quarrels and exchanging

verbal attacks.

With Ayase, it’s always a “boke” and “tsukkomi”[8] routine with some
one-sided violence.

With Manami, we could spend a lot of time just conversing.

And unlike them all, there is something special between Kuroneko and I.

“Say, Kuroneko.”

“…What’s that?”

“Just now, ‘go on a date’ was in the middle of the notebook, right?”
“So?”

“What follows them?

I accidentally (purposely) asked. Kuroneko said this notebook contained

what she wanted to do with me. In other words, in this notebook, there
should be a lot of things she wants to do, like where to go for a date, where
to go play. All I had to do is follow them.

Good, then I should ask her now.

“--------------“

Like she was struck by lighting, Kuroneko froze. I somehow can feel her
feelings, which made me uneasy too….

“…About that, if you don’t want to then there is no need to ….”

“…You really want to know?”

Kuroneko whispered without looking at me. She didn’t tell me what

followed those pages, but my eyes subconsciously looked at her lips.

When I recovered, my palm was full of sweat. The room felt so

unnaturally hot.

“ --- I want to know.”

“Good.”

Kuroneko nodded.

“…I also want you to know.”

Kuroneko flipped to a page of the Destiny Record and showed it to me.

“These are my wishes”

“Wah a aaaaaaaaa -----------------------!”

Like I’m about to die, I screamed before turning away.

The reason – well, you guys will understand immediately after seeing it –
it was a creepy illustration over the entire page. It was drawn in painting
brush strokes, like a bleeding tear… Is that Kuroneko’s self-portrait? The
only colors were black and red, just like a devil color.

I could feel regret and despair from that illustration, like it was cursed into
madness, it was like ---

‘The Scream’ [9]

I asked in fear:

“…That… That…is that your wishes?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing my reaction, Kuroneko seemed puzzled.

She checked the illustration and said:

“Wrong illustration.”

“Hey!”

Don’t scare me like that! Letting me see that, I don’t know what my
girlfriend wanted from me.

“Just now didn’t happen. Again.”

Then Kuroneko opened the last page of Destiny Record.

“…..”

On the top, it said the illustration was named ‘The ideal world’.

It was drawn in manga style – Kuroneko’s normal style. Unlike her normal
illustration, this one didn’t use purple and black, and had a warm and
gentle feeling.

Compared to the ‘The scream’ just now, it was completely different.

Surrounding the dining table was me and ---

“Kirino…?”

Why did Kirino appear in a notebook full of ‘What Kuroneko wants to do

together with me'?

In that illustration, I could see that my sister and I were smiling happily.

It looked so cheerful and happy. It didn’t look like an illustration, but

instead I felt like the one in the illustration was calling to me ‘Hurry up
and come here’… Yes, that was the warm gentle feeling.

“…That’s my wishes. I will risk everything for my Arcadia.”

“What does that mean?”

“You don’t understand?”

“Absolutely not.”

“--- I see. Seems like my journey will be long.”

Kuroneko closed her eyes and showed me a mocking smile. She always
spoke by beating around the bush, so it was hard to fully understand her
feelings. But I could clearly feel the gentle atmosphere from this
illustration.

“I don’t know what you want to do, but in this illustration where I and
Kirino look happy. No matter what ‘ceremony’ is needed to do it, I will do
it.”

‘Ceremony’…what a powerful word… Although it surely belonged to

‘what Kuroneko want to do with me together’, but I felt like she had
another goal in mind.

Whatever.
As long as it’s something my cute girlfriend wishes, I will do it.

“Because I’m your boyfriend.”

 Chapter 3

It was a bit surprising, but after I started dating Kuroneko, Ayase asked me
to come to her house.

… She didn’t want to… right?

Ten minutes ago --- Ayase sent me a message ‘Can you come to my
house?’.

Without hesitation, I rushed there.

When she came to the door to greet me, Ayase said in surprise.

“Onii-san… Aren’t you a little early?”

“I couldn't wait to see you.”

“… Really… Still flirting… Please come in.”

This beautiful black haired girl is Aragaki Ayase, my little sister’s best
friend and her coworker in modeling.

She once held a secret meeting with me like this before.

However, now that I've got a girlfriend, I should resolve this ‘secret
meeting’ quickly – with this serious thought in mind, I removed my shoes.

Following Ayase into her room, I said

“This is my second time visiting your room. The door looks better than
before.”

“…What are you saying? I changed the door to better protect myself from
you.”
“….I see.”

I was pulled back to reality from my sweet, lovely dream with Ayase.

*Sigh*…so this girl really didn’t welcome me.

Well, that’s fine. I have a super cute girlfriend.

Ayase opened the door to her room and said:

“Please come in – Onii-san.”

“Please wait.”

“… What?”

Ayase seemed puzzled.

I won't fall for the same trick twice. You won’t fool me again.

“Ayase… let me see what you're hiding behind your back.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb, I saw something reflective – could it be ---“

“Could it be?”

“---Are you hiding a knife?! You want me to lower my guard before

killing me don't you!?”

“Onii-san, who do you think I am!?”

Ayase got so mad that steam was coming out of her head. She then
revealed what she was hiding.

“Really… what a rude accusation. I wasn't hiding a knife, just handcuffs.”

“That's just as scary!”

Why am I handcuffed every time I walk into her room?

“Your hands, please.”

“…Damn.”

If I kept asking questions, she might call her mother. That wouldn't be
good, so I let her handcuffed me and we went in. Ayase locked the door
behind me and acted like nothing happened.

“Right...right... So I heard you've got a girlfriend, Onii-san.”

“You handcuffed me and locked the door just to say that…”

I felt a chill. Ayase seemed to have some killing intent. I hoped that it was
just my imagination.

“--- Congratulations, Onii-san.”, Ayase said.

“Uh, uh…how could you know about it?”

“I know your every move, onii-san.”

“I see…”

The question of ‘Why’ was too dangerous for me to ask.

“--- So...”

“What?”

I coughed and said with a serious expression:

“I won’t be able to sexual harass you anymore… sorry.”

*Pock*

Ayase took out a lighter from somewhere.

“Hot!?”

She was using it to set my handcuffs on fire!

“Onii-san, I’m serious.”

“…I’m sorry.”
Something was strange, but because I was so afraid, I tried to sit normally.

We were sitting in front of each other, our eyes fixed on one another.

I had already broken out in a cold sweat.

“Girlfriend. So what...what about Onee-chan – Tamura-senpai, what are

you going to do?”

“What… am I going to do? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you two have a similar relationship?”

“No, we didn’t.”

“Don’t make excuses.”

“Sorry.”

Please don’t pull the lighter out so easily.

“Ah, forget it. I felt like she was being too nice – Onee-chan looked like
she had her own intentions. Ah, but don't tell her I said that... She also told
me not to get in your way.”

So Manami was the one who leaked my relationship with Kuroneko to

you?

“So forget about Onee-chan for now. What are you going to do about
Kirino?”

Oh? Kirino has absolutely nothing to do with it – although I wanted to say

that, there is no way I could. You guys remember her impression of me?

Ayase misunderstood me as ‘An elder brother who was in love with his
little sister’.

And I had no way to clear her misunderstanding.

That’s why all I could do was:

“That is none of your concern.”

“How could that be!?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because… because… well, because Onii-san has no more value to me.”

“Value…”

“I mean… Onii-san is no longer ‘someone to talk to about Kirino’.”

“In other words, if friction happens between me and Kirino, you will be
inconvenienced?”

“That’s right! If you have a girlfriend, Kirino will… she will… because
she is concerned about your feelings, there might be friction. In that case,
what should I do? Even if I had something to say about Kirino, in your
current state Onii-san is no good…”

“Your words, just now, were a complete mess.”

“They were not!”

Strange… because

“---For you, me getting a girlfriend should be good news.”

“What are you saying?”

Why are you blushing?

“Because that means you can separate the perverted me from Kirino.”

“Oh…”

“Wasn’t that your goal in the first place? Why are you saying that I
shouldn’t do that now?”

“Oh… oh...”

Ayase looked depressed.

“?”
To be honest, I want to fix this misunderstanding more than anyone else.
So why does Ayase look that way? I just don’t get it.

“… Tch”

Unwillingly, Ayase forced herself to close her eyes. Clenching her teeth,
she said:

“ ---That’s enough. Please leave.”

“Whoa, wah?”

“I told you to leave!”

“Hey, hey!”

Ayase pushed my back, forced me to get out of her room, and then ---

“Get out! You liar!”

*Clang* The door was closed. I could just let it go, but…

“Liar? What do you mean by that?”

“Shut up! Shut up, liar!”

*Bang* The sound came from the other side. She probably did it because
she was angry – what is going on here? We started a debate in front of
Ayase’s door.

“Stop it, I don’t understand anything! When did I lie to you!?”

*Bang* - again.

“All of this was a lie. Everything you said was a lie! The last time you
came to my room… you said you wanted to marry me!”

“What is going on Ayase?”

A voice came from another direction.

“Whoa, ah... Ayase’s mother?”

Ayase’s mother (pardon my rude imagination) was a like a demon trying
to pull me into the depths of hell. In a panic – I cut off my conversation
and ran away. Because of that, I tripped.

“Wo wah ah!”

*Thud Thud Thud Thud* I fell down the stairs.

After I got back home, I was relieved to see that no one had followed me.
My shoulders ached…

“It hurts...”

Now that I'd stopped, I realized that my entire body was in a lot of pain.
Looks like I got some injuries while falling. Still, it didn’t have any effect
on my body, and I was so afraid of Ayase’s mother that I was able to pull
myself together and run away.

“… I should get the first aid kit when I get home.”

I said ‘I’m home’ and opened the door to my house.

And I was met by Kirino standing in front of me like a king.

Just like when she found out that I used her laptop to look at porn
websites, she looked ferocious, like she was about to explode.

“You… you… you… you!!”

---What is with you? I didn’t look at any porn sites.

Kirino showed me her cell phone, which showed a picture of the

refrigerator.

“You dared to put that photo booth picture on the refrigerator?”

Ah, so that’s why.

“Yeah, I did.”

“Kyaaaaa! So it was you!!!!!”

With teary eyes, Kirino screamed at me.

“What if my friends see it! They will think I’m a brocon!”

“Sorry. Still, if you don’t like it you could just take it down.”

“What…”

Kirino’s eyes widened. What a stupid girl, she didn't think of the most
obvious solution.

“A-Anyway, Hey! What do you plan to do? Is this another form of sexual
harassment?”

“No, no, it’s not like that. I just wanted to …”

Get along better – Like she wanted to stop me from saying that, Kirino
interrupted me again.

“You really are ----er?”

Kirino suddenly noticed something.

“Wow! What happened? Did you get hit by a car?”

“If that was the case, how could have I made it back home?”

Your elder brother is not that durable. Hey, do I look that bad?

“Do… do you need to go to the hospital?”

Worried, Kirino asked me.

“No need. It’s not that bad. I’m fine.”

“But…”

“I told you I’m fine.”

“Tch… I see.”

Clearly displeased, Kirino disappeared into the living room.

What is with her?

Still, I should at least treat my injures.

“Where is the first aid kit anyway?”

I forgot where I'd seen it last. While I was trying to remember, Kirino
came back and:

“What are you doing? Come here!”

“Huh?”

“Come here.”

“...”

I want to treat my wounds first… why do I always have to give your

business top priority?

Still, I followed her. Right after I entered the living room, Kirino
imperiously said:

“Sit down.”

On the floor again? Just when I was about to do that…

“Not there. Here, on the sofa.”

Kirino pointed at her usual spot.

“What are you planning?”

I had no idea, but I followed her words anyways.

Then Kirino sat down next to me and said something unbelievable.

“I'm going to treat your wounds.”

Say what!? This event? She…

“Tch… what's with that stupid look on your face?”

“...”

The words coming out of her mouth made it seem as if some horrible alien
had taken over Kirino's body.

“What is it with you today?”

Kirino took the first aid kit out and placed it in front of me.

“You are always so clumsy. I will help you out this time – remember to
thank me later.”

“… Right, right... Thanks... It hurts!”

I cried in pain when the disinfectant made contact with my wound.

“Aren't you a boy? Pull yourself together.”

“It still hurts!”

So, my little sister treated my wounds while I cried out in pain.

I was sitting on the sofa, while Kirino knelt next to me.

It was the complete opposite of her normal attitude. It felt very gentle.

This familiar feeling... no, it was a memory.

Although I only remember a little bit.

I was just a little kid back then... Kirino once treated my wound this way...
That time... my relationship with Kirino was not as bad as now... I think? I
wasn’t sure.

“So... what happened? You get into a fight or something?”

“No.”
What should I tell her? I couldn’t say that I fell down the stairs at Ayase’s
house.

“It's none of your business.”

Hearing my half-hearted answer, Kirino let out a sigh. I wanted to sigh too.

Really… my little sister treated my wounds... In our previous relationship,

this would never have happened.

I don’t know when it started, but my thoughts were constantly drifting to

Kirino.

“Say...”

“What?”

“I...”

“Hm?”

...It was hard to say.

Still – I had to make it clear to her.

“I started going out with Kuroneko.”

Right after I said that, Kirino stopped.

But she immediately resumed her disinfection work.

“... I see.”

She wasn't surprised at all... that meant... I asked another question.

“...The other day, when you said... "If there's a girl who's dear to me"... did
you mean Kuroneko?”

Kirino... already knew about it... right?

However, Kirino didn’t answer me. She only said:

“Good! Finished!”

She even hit my wound once more.

“It hurts!”

Paying me no mind, Kirino quickly left the living room.

Damn... what is going on?

After all of that, I met up with Kuroneko in front of our school. This
wasn’t a bad choice, but it raised the question “Why here?”. I got the
feeling that any normal time was fine, the T-corner where we part ways
was also fine. Or my house, her house, a station, all were fine. So why did
I avoid them all?

I arrived at the meeting place 15 minutes early.

“...?”

And I noticed a very strange person standing there.

The most eye-catching thing was her clothes. She was wearing a full
sleeveless gothic lolita dress. The front of her skirt was opened, revealing
her pure white legs. There was a small pair of angel wings on her back,
and she also carried an incomplete mask.
“…What is that mask?”

Also, there was steam coming from the hot ground, so I briefly wondered
if I was hallucinating.

But, the truth is always ruthless.

The very awkward girl, without any doubt, is my girlfriend.

She noticed me. She said in a sharp tone:

“... You have come.”

“... Kuroneko?”

I was a little depressed.

“Ah... no, you are wrong.”

First, she put her mask on. There were a pair of contact lenses in the
mask’s eyes, so her eyes were gold and red.

Then she raised one of her hands, lifted one of her legs – all in slow
manner.

“... I am now the holy angel, Kamineko [10]. I’m constructed of the purest
form of holy light.”

To be met with two serious troubles in the morning.

“... You are... Kuroneko, right?”

“I... I told you that I’m not.”

Kuroneko stood right up, her eyes blinked. I almost made her unhappy.

Looks like I need to play along.

“Uhm... so, Kamineko-sama? Can I ask something?”

“Ha ha. Ask mortal!”

“What’s with that outfit?”

“Holy angel’s outfit.”

Kuroneko did a 360 spin.

Today, Kamineko-sama seemed very confident with her outfit.

It had been a long time since I saw her so happy.

“What about the wings?”

“Since my 「CLASS-CHANGE」 from fallen angel back to angel, my

「SYMBOL」 was able to 「MATERIALIZE」[11].”

I don’t get it at all.

“I see... so that’s the outfit of a holy angel.”

“Yes, I made it a while ago. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to gather
my courage to –“

She blushed furiously.

“But you said white suits me...”

You meant the white dress that Kirino picked a while ago?

That one really suited Kuroneko. So I praised her as Shironeko.

And the result of that was ----

I turned Shironeko to Kamineko. I felt like….

“It suits you very much.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

It was true. Aside from the mask, white suited her. Compared to her black
outfit, this one revealed more skin.
“You look more charming in this one.”

“Really?”

… I didn’t expect for her to be so weak to praise. Looks like the ‘charm’
part got the job done.

In that case, I should continue praising her!

“Ha ha... then I will ask you a question... Which part do you find most
charming? Come – speak your mind.”

Just like I noticed when we first met, her voice is very beautiful. Upon
closer inspection I found that whenever she spoke in that tone she would
become flushed and act all clumsy. Sometimes, she would even stand on
one leg for no reason.

… Is that a habit of hers? Her pose made people want to smile.

If she acted this way while we were walking, I would feel embarrassed.

Yeah… it should be called ‘the raging angel’s pose’.

“What’s wrong? Say something.”

Kuroneko asked in her raging angel pose.

“There is a lot of places where your skin is showing.”

“......”

Crap! I need to say something else, quick!

Her charming... should be...

“Your breasts look bigger than yesterday.”

“......”

Kuroneko kept silent.

Then she blinked a few times before turning away.

“Let’s go then.”

“Hey, what about our conversation?”

“Completely meaningless banter.”

I shouldn’t touch that topic again.

“Got it. Here, let me carry your bag.”

Kuroneko sounded surprised:

“Why?”

“Because we are dating.”

“Stupid... what are you saying?”

Still, Kuroneko gave me her bag.

“By the way, what’s inside?”

“… Boxed lunch.” Kuroneko whispered.

“Really?”

“I will make a boxed lunch for you everyday... didn’t I say that before?”

So she was serious back then!

“My girlfriend’s boxed lunch! Waaa! Awesome!”

“There... there is no need to get so excited.”

Kuroneko turned away.

“It …isn’t as good as Tamura-senpai's.”

“What are you talking about – I'm not going to compare them. But, thanks.
I’m really happy.”

“...I see.”
Kuroneko nodded and looked up at me. Her voice was emotionless, but it
seemed like she was very happy.

We walked side by side. Just like usual, but also unlike usual. Because this
was our first date.

“Ah, where are we going?”

“Let‘s go to Yodobashi first”

A very common store. I thought we were on our way to see some Gothic
lolita outfits or something.

Kuroneko lead me to a computer shop.

“Do you want to buy something?”

“No, I just want to take a look.”

Just like when I went to Akihabara with Kirino, she sounded nervous.
Kuroneko’s eyes were locked on the tablet shelf.

“... This one is brand new, but it has a special price...”

Seeing Kuroneko looking like she had just met her nemesis, I couldn't help
but laugh.

“What are you laughing about?”

“It’s nothing – so, do you want it?”

“Yes. But I don’t plan to buy it now. My mystic eye tells me that if I wait
for a month, the price will drop even further.”

Although she always wore fancy clothes, Kuroneko is actually good at

saving.

Unlike a certain someone who is overly excessive.

“... Only two left?...”

Seeing the flyer, she became worried again.

… You know, her equipment from her PC to her laptop, everything looked
quite expensive. She could also use them to their maximum potential.
However, for a student with limited money, it was certainly a problem.

… She wanted it, right?

“... Hey.”

“Please let me think about it for a while.”

Kuroneko apologized, but she didn’t look at me.

I forced a smile and suggested:

“How about I buy it for you?”

With her hands still against the glass, Kuroneko turned her head back to
me.

“---What? No, there's no need to do that. There's no reason for you to buy
it for me.”

“Don’t be so modest. We have known each other for more than a year
already.”

“-------------“

Kuroneko’s black eyes stared at me, like she wanted to reach the deepest
part of my heart.

I looked back at Kuroneko – she looked away.

“... I feel a bit sick.”

“Hey.”

Er? Did I make the wrong choice?

“You want it right? So if you like it, I will buy it for you as a present – I
have no ulterior motive.”

I hastily tried to explain. Kuroneko, her face blank, then asked

“...You ...you really haven’t dated anyone before?”

“Of course not. Why are you asking?”

“Because... you seem like you know what to say... you are kind... like
you're used to it.”

Phew... I was so worried. I thought that she might have misunderstood

something again.

Looks like I didn’t make the wrong choice. I recovered my confidence and
started boasting:

“When I went out with Kirino, she lectured me a lot in the end. That's
why.”

“... I see … So that’s why.”

Kuroneko smiled. She must be thinking about how much my little sister
oppresses me.

“You really are a siscon.”

“Too loud.”

I turned away.

Kuroneko giggled and said:

“But there is no need to do that. Thank you for the offer though.”

“Really? I told you that you don't have to be modest...”

“Yes. Maybe there's something I'd want even more later. If you spend all
of your money now, you couldn't buy it for me, right?”

“I see.”
It's true, my savings were not unlimited. Still, Kuroneko just politely
refused my intentions. My girlfriend’s got good defences. It looks like
raising her affection points won’t be easy.

We passed the computer store, took a look around in the game store then
got into an elevator.

Aside from this, there were some more places to go. Next, Kuroneko
chose...

“... Let’s go to the bookstore.”

What a normal place. Kuroneko didn’t say anything, she just showed me
around.

“Here is a manga from Maschera’s artist. Although it is a bit different, it

still follows the same formula.”

She wanted to tell me about her favorite book.

Next ---

“Let’s go the game center. Tell me what games you like.”

While we were there, we played Siscaly and some old fighting games.
Once again, Kuroneko showed me her superior gaming skill.

After that we left the game center.

“Where to next?”

“Where I work part-time.“

“Whoa! But you don’t have to work today, right?”

“Yes, but – I wanted to show you.”

“... Hmm?”

What exactly was she thinking? Still... Kuroneko’s part-time workplace...

it got me interested.
It didn’t feel like a date. Kirino, Saori, Kuroneko and me – we hung out
like this many times before. It was just like it was now, except Saori and
Kirino weren’t here.

Actually, there was nothing for me to complain about.

Unlike Kuroneko, Kamineko was clearly very happy. It was very rare for
me to see her like that.

That alone made me happy. It felt like she was also looking forward to our
date.

Still... I also felt like something was missing.

I opened my right palm…

“Do you...”

“Ah, yes?”

Everyone, I’m going to commence an all out attack on my girlfriend.

If things go well, remember to call me Kyousuke the playboy from now

on!

“... Want to hold hands?”

“Oh! Ah!”

Upon hearing my suggestion, Kuroneko hid her hands behind her back.

“You you you… what are you saying?”

“Well, if you don’t want to it’s fine.”

My girlfriend is so pure and innocent.

“Ah, when I was on date with Kirino, she would actively hold my hand~
Kuroneko didn’t want to hold my hand~ it is such a pity~ such a pity~.”

“You... Do you think that by saying ‘my little sister and I do this and that’,
I will let you do whatever you want?”
“Of course not. If that were the case, I would tell you that ‘Kirino let me
touch her breast’.”

“This... You... You touched your little sister’s breast?”

“Of course not!”

If I tell a joke don't just take it as fact! Doesn't this mean she believes
there's a chance I fondled Kirino’s breast? Really... there should be a limit
to your imagination.

You guys might point out the 'parcel delivery accident‘ [12], but that
doesn’t count.

“To hold hands in the street, in front of so many people... what a shameless
boy.”

Damn… from the looks of it, I still have a long way to go before I can get
to the H-event. It's a pity, but if I force her then I might lose both the bait
and the hook.

It looked like I had no choice but to slowly develop our relationship. Be

patient, patient, patient...

Besides, in the Destiny Record – ‘What Kuroneko wants to do together

with me’ – there must be ‘Kiss senpai’.

I believed in Kuroneko! I believed in Kamineko!

“---I understand. I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to do it.”

“I never said I don’t want to.”

“Waaah!”

“Hand.”

With a stiff expression, Kuroneko raised her hand.

Not exactly ‘raised’, it was more like ‘forced’. Her shoulders were clearly
tense.
“Holding hands! If that’s our destiny...”

Hey. Since when did holding hands become something that exaggerated?

“Forget it. Here I come.”

I took Kuroneko's hand, gently holding it.

“Waah.”

“Don’t make such weird noises.”

Wow…so soft.

“That’s because you're so rough...”

“Don’t use such misleading words!”

“That... your mind is just dirty.”

Kuroneko clenched her hand, like she wanted to say ‘Don’t think about
escaping’.

“………….”

We held hands and looked at each other.

“Le-let’s go.”

Kuroneko pulled me forward. I unconsciously remembered my sister’s

date. I had never dated someone before, so please forgive me if I used my
little sister as a reference. Ah, anyway, it was completely different from
Kirino’s date.

That day, Kirino kept asking me ‘Where do you want to go?’, ‘What are
we going to do?’. Besides, her attitude clearly showed that she wanted
men/boys to protect her.

In the ‘my girlfriend pulled me away’ plan, it was somewhat like the time
we went to Shibuya together during Christmas.

“…Where do you work?”

“We're almost there.”

I had already felt dizzy after only a few steps.

… I was so embarrassed. No good, I felt like I was going to get a

nosebleed.

While I was drunk on happiness, Kuroneko suddenly squatted down and

used her handkerchief to cover her mouth.

“Is something wrong?”

“... Oh.”

While I was watching nervously, Kuroneko slowly stood. While still

covering half of her face, she looked at me with moist eyes.

“... I need to go to the restroom. Sorry, please wait for me here.”

“Ah.”

A few minutes later, Kuroneko returned:

“...How about we practice holding hands a bit more before trying it out?”

It was barely a whisper.

Kuroneko’s part-time work place was a small bookstore.

“The owner is my mother’s acquaintance... That’s why I...”

Maybe out of embarrassment, Kuroneko’s voice was getting quieter and

quieter. If you are that embarrassed, then there is no need to force yourself
to tell me.

“Bookstore, huh? Ha ha, what a lovely place for your style.”

“It is. Compared to my previous work, I felt this suited me better.”

“Previous work? Where did you work before?”

“...”
Did I step on a landmine?

“It was a bookstore too – but they fired me.”

She was fired, huh. Well, of course she couldn’t handle customers very
well.

“*Cough cough*, anyway, I’m working here. Maybe we should meet here
on our next date.”

“---Okay. I will come get you here. We can still go home together, right?”

“… Do whatever you want. Even if I say no, what difference will it

make?”

After that, it was lunch time. Kuroneko took me to a nearby park. Under
the warming sun, we sat down on a bench.

“I’m starting.”

“… Please enjoy.”

Kuroneko made some small riceballs.

“... What did you put inside?”

“Mainly seaweed, with sesame cuisine…”

“All of them are vegetables, right?”

“… You don’t like it?”

“… I prefer some meat.”

We were chatting while eating lunch.

Kuroneko suddenly whispered:

“---About that, senpai.”

“Yes?”

“Today... was today boring?”

She sounded on the verge of tears. I was shocked, and immediately denied
it.

“Of course not! What makes you say that!?”

“I see… that’s fine then.”

Kuroneko let out a sigh of relief.

“Together with me… we don’t have much to talk about… I have no

experience with boys… Do you regret it? Going out with me?”

Sometimes she is so shy. Usually, she was very arrogant, but her self-
esteem was very low right now. I wasn’t praising her, I was honestly
speaking the truth. I think that Kuroneko is a very cute girl. But she didn’t
seem to think that about herself.

Normally, she would get flushed if I just praised her a little. She might
even get angry and tell me ‘Don’t make fun of me’ or something.

“I don't regret it. I felt really happy today – because you told me so much
about yourself.”

“… Really?”

“Yes! Still, I’d like your boxed lunches to have more meat inside.”

Every time Kuroneko felt down, I wanted to comfort her. I felt like that
was my purpose.

And clearly – it’s worth it.

“Thank you… you are so kind, senpai.”

To be able to see her smile like that...

--- I suddenly realized. Could it be, today’s date …

Like she could read my mind, Kuroneko took a black notebook out from
her bag.

“... Today's ceremony – completed.”

Kuroneko opened the notebook and pointed at one page.

Here it said:

--- Let senpai know more about me.

… So that’s why Kuroneko brought me to this place. We had finished the

first step of the ‘What Kuroneko wants to do together with me’ plan.

I learned a lot more about Kuroneko – and I also liked her even more.

Kuroneko’s last wish in her Destiny record – I still don’t know what it is,
but it was probably very important. Compared to the usual, Kamineko was
more lively, just like a child.

When I think that I helped to create this smile, I feel happy.

“The notebook has started to move forward.”

“Yes, it has.”

I’m looking forward to the following pages.

Our first date ended well. We walked side by side in the sunset.

“Senpai? May I make a request?”

“Sure. Just say it.”

“Today… I would like you to walk me home.”

---- to let senpai know more about me.

In other words, she wanted to show me her house. In that case, my answer
could only be:
“Of course. I was about to volunteer.”

Kuroneko nodded and kept walking. We walked in silence again.

The sunlight dyed her cheeks red, she looked extremely beautiful.

Finally ---

“This is my house.”

This was a normal one floor house, surrounded by simple walls.

*Meow Meow*

I looked up to see a black cat looking at me. He carried a red bell.

“Is that your cat?”

“Yes.”

“What is his name?”

“Night.”

“I see.”

Our conversation was short, just like messages between boys.

“Thank you for walking me home.”

“I should be thanking you. What about our next date?”

Even if our current date had ended, we still had the next one.

Hearing that, Kuroneko took out her notebook.

“Destiny record predicted our future would be… This one.”

Embarrassed, she pointed to a page.

--- Invite senpai to my home.

…That would be quite a challenge.

The next day, my second date with Kuroneko began. I came to her place
early in the morning.

My girlfriend invited me to her house. What a sweet line. Just like when I
went to Ayase’s house, my heart raced. Although, at that time it was
because Ayase terrified me. Besides, I had already given up on her. But
today – today I was going to ‘my girlfriend’s house’.

I will say it again – my girlfriend’s house.

You guys jealous? Ahahahahahaha.

“Ah – I’m so looking forward to this!”

I couldn’t help it and said it out loud.

Though some bystanders were looking at me like I was an idiot, I didn’t

care.

Today was a hot day, even though I had shorts on I still felt exhausted.

Good, good. I was almost there – Kuroneko’s house. Actually, her house
was quite close to mine. I got the feeling that her house was close, but not
that close. So I ended up arriving early.

It felt so unreal. Kuroneko had never invited us over to her house, so I bet
even Kirino didn’t know where it was. I felt a little bit superior to my
sister.

The first friend to enter Kuroneko’s home was not Kirino! It was me!

“Phew phew! Okay…”

While I was about to ring the door bell, the door cracked open. Half of
Kuroneko’s face was staring at me.

“… Ah, so you have come.”

Today, Kuroneko was in Shironeko mode. Just like during Summer

Comiket, she was wearing the same dress as a character from an eroge.

“It’s not like I was waiting for you. I only wanted to check the mail box.”

I knew that much. There was still 15 minutes before our meeting time.

“---Forget it. Come in.”

“Right, right.”

I entered ‘my girlfriend’s house’.

There was a small hallway, the living room was on the right side after
passing through the front door. I saw a lot of doors too.

“---I must say this beforehand, this is a rented house.”

I was about to say ‘So many rooms’ when I heard that. Kuroneko seemed
like she could predict what I was about to say. I said:

“How… did you read my mind?”

Hearing that, Kuroneko blushed.

“... Hm, this is the 「 SOUL LINK」 [13]between lovers.”

“Isn't that the most embarrassing thing you've said since we started
dating?”

“-------“

Still walking in front of me, Kuroneko shot me a glare.

Unlike Kamineko, she was still shy.

“Ah… hm… what a pity, you cannot see the world as I see it…”

“What…?”

… She wanted me to see the world as she sees it?

Wouldn't that turn us into a chuunibyou[14] couple?

That's not good. If we're really in danger of becoming something like that,
we should have a talk.

“Hey, Kuroneko…”

“Yes? Come, take a look at this room.”

“Really? I can come into your room?”

“Are you an idiot? Don’t say something so shameless… It’s just a tea
room.”

“I see…”

Wait, I shouldn't have said that. I should make it clear that I don't want to
become a chuunibyou couple.

“Say… Kuroneko.”

“What is it this time?”

“ --- Since I started cosplaying, I've come to like Maschera, but I don’t
want to remember the bit about the ‘the fallen beast’ – it’s too
embarrassing.”

“… Ah… so your memories from your previous life have returned…

That’s good.”

Huh? She followed what I was saying?

“What are you standing there for? Come on.”

Kuroneko opened the door and asked me to follow.

“Right, right.”

I entered. It was a very lively room. I could see a kotatsu table[15], as well
as a small TV. I could also see the kitchen inside.

“Sit down – I will make some tea.”

Kuroneko turned on the fan and started walking into the kitchen.
“Thank you.”

I found a cushion and sat down.

Although the house was old, it had a calm atmosphere.

I think that a house’s atmosphere will gradually change the people who
live inside it.

Just like Kousaka’s house, Tamura’s house, Makishima’s house and

Aragaki’s house.

So… Kuroneko’s family… they must be good people.

I looked at the wall. There was a Meruru picture drawn in crayon.

This must be a picture that Kuroneko’s little sister drew.

Next to the TV, there was a Meruru DVD box.

--- That was the one Kirino forced into Kuroneko’s hands long ago.

“Wow, it is still here.”

“Your sister had no intention of taking it back.”

I unconsciously spoke out, but to my surprise I got a response. I looked up

to see Kuroneko return with snacks and drinks.

“Your little sister likes Meruru too, huh?”

“Yes --- but she started crying after seeing the third season.”

“Well, that’s understandable.”

Long story short, in the third season Meruru turned into a dark witch. She
used her overwhelming power to defeat all of her friends, but she revived
them and left. Kirino still found it good, but I think that was too cruel for
her friends.

“It made my little sister cry… what a bullshit anime. I wanted to file a
complaint to the BPO[16].”
Kuroneko placed the snacks and drinks down and said that in anger.

Looks like she is a siscon too.

“Where is your little sister?”

I coolly asked Kuroneko.

“Both of them went to play outside.”

“Ah, what a pity. I was hoping to meet them.”

“N… No! Do you not you know it is abnormal to take interest in your
girlfriend’s family?”

Don’t look at me with that ‘Is he normal?’ expression.

Of course, I only wanted to show concern about my girlfriend’s family.

There was only one person who could be more interested in Kuroneko’s
little sisters than me, but she always gives me a headache.

“What about your parents?”

“They are out.”

Huh? Wait… does that mean…

“So we are alone right now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Kuroneko glanced at me before turning away.

My eyes looked at her pure white neck.

“So what? How is it any different?”

“Yeah, right.”

We had spent time alone together many times before. So this was nothing
new ---
How could it be nothing new! How, how? … this kind of event…

………………

The room was silent. As if we were moved into another dimension. The
only sound was coming from the clock.

My head felt dizzy. My face felt hot. I don’t think I could hold out for
long.

“… Hey, Kuroneko.”

I touched her shoulder, in a ‘please say something’ manner, but her

reaction was unexpected.

Like a rusty robot, Kuroneko stiffly turned around – she was looking
down, biting her lower lip.

“Do… do you need something… senpai?”

She was so cute when she was nervous, but I felt like I was bullying her.

… I couldn’t stand it.

I breathed in and out to calm myself. I put my hand on her shoulder and
said as calmly as possible.

“You are too nervous – I won’t do anything.”

“Wah?”

Kuroneko looked at me in surprise.

“I see.”

But I felt like she just let out a sigh filled with relief and regret.

… I felt like someone was saying ‘What a useless guy’ from another
world.

But I couldn’t help it! She looked so nervous, as if she was about to cry!
There was nothing else I could do! Really, I swear!
“Ah… Haha.”

Confirming that “I will not do anything”, Kuroneko broke into laughter.

“You really have no motivation, senpai.”

You're trying to sound like a bad girl, but remember how you acted when I
just barely touched you? What exactly did you expect me to do?

“Hm, don’t laugh at me.”

I could only respond like that.

“… Ah… I can’t help it, having a big child as my boyfriend is so difficult.

It was such a rare chance for us to be alone… In that case… how about we
watch some anime, Kyou-chan?”

“… Okay.”

--- Invite senpai to my home.

And so, we watched Maschera together.

It was one more step in the ‘What Kuroneko wanted to do together with
me’ plan, but I think something is missing. No, no, I didn’t mean the H-
event[17]. I’m being honest ---

“What about the rest of the day? How about we go somewhere else?”

“… I've got an idea.”

She liked to make plans so much.

Still, I’m lazy, so that’s fine by me.

“… Uhm.”

I answered before looking back at the TV, just in time to see Maschera
season 2's climax scene.

‘The contract with Queen of Nightmare’.

Like the first contract, in order to become stronger, the antagonist Lucifer
was looking for someone to store his soul inside of so that he could make a
contract with his nemesis, the Queen of Nightmare – well, to be honest I’m
not sure what it's all about.

Anyway, the protagonist Shinya will have to enter a contract with the
Queen of Nightmare.

But… how should I put it… this scene… looked a bit like a H-event.

“………”

“…………”

It was so awkward.

Suddenly, Kuroneko paused the video and stood up.

“… Senpai, can you wait for a bit?”

“Ah, sure.”

Did she need to go to the toilet? At first, that’s what I thought, but
Kuroneko was gone for while without any sign of coming back.

“… Isn’t she taking a bit long?”

Feeling bored, I opened the door and poked my head out. And… what
the… why was the sound of water coming from another side of the hall?

The sight of Kirino bathing in the love hotel flashed through my mind.

Then I turned back to the TV and saw the scene when the contract was
completed, the two characters were hugging each other.

“…Wah?”

For real? Kuroneko… was bathing?

I immediately moved toward the sound of water without making any noise.
Yes, the sound of water was coming from the bathroom. Through the
blurry glass, I could barely see Kuroneko’s shadow.
“…………”

Do you guys understand how anxious I am?

Let me re-evaluate my situation – I was invited to my girlfriend’s house.

We were watching anime together until she paused it at the part remotely
resembling an H-scene. Then she told me ‘Wait for me a few minutes’
before going into the bathroom.

This… this…

“Woo oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!”

I must calm down first.

Calm down. Calm down. Should I quietly go back into the tea room and
wait?

It should be the right choice, shouldn’t it?

“But but but! Hey! Aaagh!”

I returned to the tea room and waited.

…..Time passes so slowly…..

No! I wasn't looking forward to this! Definitely not!

“We're home~”

A greeting came from outside. A girl's voice, to be extract.

“Onee-chan, whose shoes are these?”

“Wow – Ruri-onee-chan, brought a friend home.”

The sound of footsteps was coming from the hallway.

“It couldn’t be… Kuroneko’s little sisters?

----- *Clang*
When the door opened, two similar looking girls entered the room.

“Ah.”

“Hi.”

We both greeted each other at the same time.

Okay, what next?

“… Sorry for intruding.”

Let’s start our conversation in a safe way.

“Right~ you intruded our home~”

The girl who answered me was a cute girl with a hime cut[18]. Based on
what Kuroneko said before about her little sister, she took part in a
morning exercise so she must be in elementary school. She was wearing a
Meruru T-shirt, which suited her very much. She was perfectly in line with
Kirino’s interests, so I must prevent them from meeting.

And then…

“… Wow…”

The next girl looked older, but she was still in elementary school too. Her
twin braids also suited her. She looked very similar to Kuroneko, but her
character seemed different. She still looked at me with a surprised
expression.

“… Boy… boy… boy.”

What are you saying, big imouto[19]? Why are you so surprised?

“?”

“Ruri-onee-chan’s boyfriend --------------------!”

“Wah!?”

“Amazing! She really has one!”

The elder imouto was very excited and happy.

“Ah! I knew that Ruri-onee-chan was acting suspicious lately… ’I am

going to make a very important call. In one hour, if you come close to my
room or quarrel… The demon king will curse you into darkness’. And
today she said ‘… Hm… unfortunately… you don’t have the skills to
participate in this battle… Be a good girl and go out until dark’. Sneaky
sneaky sneaky!”

It seems like Kuroneko also acted like that at home… really... the way they
communicated…

The elder imouto said ‘hmm’ and concluded.

“I see… So that is it… Hahaha ~~~”

“Hahaha ~~~?”

What is she thinking?

“Wait a second. You two are mistaken.”

“Oh! Like that?”

“ ---Well, that’s not wrong, but...”

“Forget it! Really, there is no need to be shy! Really!”

Allow me to summarize my situation. I was watching anime at my

girlfriend’s home when a near H-scene appeared on the screen. Then my
girlfriend told me to ‘wait for her’ before taking a shower – and then…

While she was bathing, her family came back.

For me, this development was too much to handle.

Kuroneko! Hurry and come back!

“I’m Kousaka Kyousuke. I’m your Onee-chan’s friend at school. Please to

meet you.”

I wanted to change the subject, but the elder imouto made an unexpected
response.

“Ah! I know your name!”

“Really?”

“You are the brother of the bitch who always quarrels with Ruri-nee!”

“Ah, yes, that’s me.”

… Kirino… Kuroneko’s imouto remembers you in a not particularly nice

way.

“Then… can I call you the bitch’s Onii-chan?”

“Of course not! Use something else.”

“Wah? Then...”

While the elder imouto put a finger to her mouth to think, the younger
imouto asked me with her best smile:

“Onii-chan?”

“Wow!”

“Onii-chan.”

“Ah… ah.”

“Ehehehe.”

Are you kidding me? Such a cute girl exists in this world?

Somehow, I felt sad.

Such a cute little sister, compared to mine…

I wanna cry already.

Still, recently I found out that my little sister has a cute side too!

Anyway, the younger imouto had decided to call me “Onii-chan”.

She was the first one to call me that since Miyabi-chan[20].

On the other hand, the elder imouto still hadn’t decided what she should
call me.

“Anyway, just call me Kousaka.”

“Alright ~~~”

“I’m Hinata. Gokou Hinata. This is my youngest sister, Tamaki.”

The elder imouto – Hinata gently held the younger imouto – Tamaki and
both of them bowed.

“Please to meet you, Onii-chan.”

“That's my line. Can I call you two Tamaki-imouto and Hinata-imouto?”

“Sure!”

We managed to introduce ourselves without waiting for Kuroneko.

Hinata-imouto looked around and asked the obvious question:

“Kousaka-san, where is Ruri-nee?”

“Ah! About that… I looked away for a second and she was gone.”

Not good.

“Huh? Huh? Huh?”

Hinata looked at me in surprise.

“What’s wrong?”

I gave her an innocent smile, trying to buy time, but my efforts were
fruitless.

I didn’t know when, but it seemed like Tamaki had disappeared for a while
and now she just came back.
“----Onee-chan is taking a bath.”

…I’m done for.

Hearing the innocent words of the youngest imouto, first Hinata tilted her
head before showing me a wicked smile.

“So….Ruri-nee is bathing.”

What a brat! Don’t be so keen!

Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud.

“Ah… ha ha… Taking a bath… her guest is still waiting, and she is taking
a bath… a ha ha ha…”

Give me a break already, Kuroneko-chan.

I was just visiting my girlfriend’s home, I had no other motives!

Placing my hand behind my head, I tried to laugh it off.

Hinata suddenly said:

“What a weak excuse.”

So what!?

“Ah, forget it.”

Hinata started crawling toward me. Because she was wearing a slightly
bigger skirt, the shoulder harness slid down.

“Hey, Kousaka-san.”

“Uhm? What?”

That’s not funny. Using an eroge CG to lure me in is not funny at all.

“Kousaka-san, are you going to marry Ruri-nee?”

“Pfff!”
I choked.

“How – how did it come to this!?”

“But Ruri-nee always talks about Kousaka-san.”

“Really? What did she say?”

“‘… Hm… Don’t be stupid. Even I have a male contractor. His name in
this world is Kyousuke. Long ago, when I was still the black beast, he was
my mate…’.”

What has she been telling her little sister?

“At first, I thought that it was an imaginary boyfriend or 2D boyfriend---“

“You are not as nice as you look, are you?”

“I couldn’t believe that it was true! Wah, that means… that means --- ‘the
contract’ meant …..’that’ right? Ahahahaha.”

If this were an anime, then there would be a heart-shaped thought bubble

above Hinata’s head.

“I don’t know what are you thinking! But you are mistaken!”

“So, what is the ‘contract’ about?”

“…I ...I don’t know. Maybe it’s just something from an anime.”

I was going to keep acting stupid, but Tamaki interrupted:

“It’s a kiss, right?”

“Wah!”

This…this girl

*Tap tap tap tap*

The sound of footsteps was coming from the hallway once more.
“So noisy… what are you…”

“Ah, Ruri-nee.”

Hinata turned to her elder sister and greeted her.

Yup, interrupting us was Kuroneko.

She clearly just took a bath, steam was still coming off of her body. I could
still smell her soap.

“What… what is going on here?

“…Well… you see…”

“…!!! Oh…”

Kuroneko gritted her teeth and stared at Hinata.

“… You two… I told you two to play outside until dark. Why are you here
now?”

Both Hinata and Tamaki smiled:

“Because it was so hot outside. Right?”

“Yup.”

Tamaki agreed.

Kuroneko was standing there, her rage built… and then…

“So… are those your last words?”

“Wah! Bad bad! Ruri-nee is super angry… Help us, Kyousuke!”

“Help us, Onii-chan!”

Faced with Kuroneko’s killing intent, the imouto duo hid behind my back.

“Don’t use me as your shield!”

“Ara ara… you guys seem to have gotten along rather well.”
Don’t direct your wrath onto me too!

“… Say something to her, She is your elder sister!”

“Fine. Watch me!”

Hinata volunteered. She poked her head out from behind me and said:

“I have something to ask Ruri-nee.”

“…What?”

“Ruri-nee took a bath because you want to make a contract with

Kyousuke, right?”

“What…”

“Ahahaha, so you are angry because we were in your way!”

I couldn’t believe it. She just poured oil onto the fire!

“No. I didn’t.“

“Then why did you take a bath and leave your boyfriend waiting?”

“… Because I was nervous and sweaty… And we have plans this

afternoon...”

“Is that right, Kyousuke?”

“This is the first time I'm hearing of it.”

“See, you are lying.”

Hinata pointed a finger at her elder sister. Kuroneko stared at me.

“You idiot. I told you that I have plans for later.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

How could I know without you telling me?

Hm… well, it’s understandable that she needs to take a bath. This room
didn’t have air conditioning, so it was quite hot.

And the TV was showing an embarrassing scene.

However, even if I accepted that reasoning, Hinata didn’t.

“Are you sure you aren’t trying to make an excuse? Why are you so
nervous in the first place?”

“… Because.”

“Because of what? What? Speak louder. I can’t hear you.”

“…….(grr)”

Oh damn.

“… Hm… hmm… Ahaha… Ahahahahaha.”

“Kuro... Kuroneko?”

The light in Kuroneko’s eyes faded and she quietly walked behind me.

Then she caught Hinata.

“Sorry, senpai. I have to go for a while. I need to discipline my little

sister.”

“… Please take your time.”

I was so afraid that my body was frozen in place.

“Nyan Nyan ~~~”

Hinata was taken away by Kuroneko-onee-sama.

A few days had passed.

After that, I did many things together with Kuroneko. We even had some
more ‘ceremonies’.

--- Going to the swimming pool together with senpai.

Until one morning, when I was free.

Usually, if Kuroneko had to work part time, I wouldn’t be able to see her
before sunset.

“… I should study a bit.”

I forced myself to get up and go get some tea.

I entered the living room, only to find Kirino sitting in her usual position,
listening to the music via her iPhone.

“Sonna yasashiku shinai de, ~♪ donna kao sureba ii no ~♪” [21]

“Hey.”

I tried to start a conversation, but because she was wearing a pair of

earbuds, Kirino didn’t hear me.

Father had been gone since morning. Mother wasn’t here either.

I took a cup of tea and came back to the living room. Like she just noticed
me, Kirino shot me a glance.

“Come here for a second.”

Kirino signaled me with her finger. Then she took out her earbuds and
showed me a suspicious smile.

… What’s she going to do?

“… Yes?”

“I remembered that I forgot to tell you something.”

Don’t stall. Just say it

“Maisora[22] is going to be made into an anime~”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

Maisora was the cell phone novel that Kirino wrote. It was well-received
among teenagers, especially girls – I knew that already.

I never thought that would get an anime version.

“Wow! Isn’t it awesome!?”

I said seriously.

“Ehehe… of course.”

Kirino was embarrassed, but she was excited. She loved anime so much,
so that was natural.

“Isn’t that great Kirino ---”

I was so happy that I patted her head.

“Don’t treat me like a kid!”

Kirino brushed my hand away… It looks like my little sister still hates me
a lot.

“Sorry, sorry.”

But that didn’t matter.

I’m satisfied as long as my little sister is happy.

It’s the unchangeable big brother instinct.

“That’s great, Kirino.”

I said that again.

“… Gross.”

Because I knew she would respond that way.

“… Hm.”

Kirino’s face showed anger and turned away, but she secretly looked at
me.

“They haven’t announced it on TV… so don’t tell anyone.”

“Sure.”

“I only told you specifically, so thank me.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled. Kirino’s face reddened.

“… You know, you've been really gross recently…”

“… So what? It’s great to have an anime based on your novel, right?”

“Yes. Fate-san also helped me. No matter what happens, that woman sure
has talent.”

“I see. How is she doing lately?”

“‘Listen listen! My circle is going to be commercialized’ – like that”

“… I see.”

Was that really alright? True, she was good at marketing, but… I still had
my doubts. Should I say she has bad luck, or she reaps what she sows… or
that she was just a hikikomori.

Well, if she was that good then I will let it slide, but it doesn’t mean that I
trust that woman.

“Hey, you and the black one both know Fate-san, right?”

“…”

Oh crap. We had decided to keep ‘How did we force Fate to admit her
crime’ a secret from you. How should I say it?
Hey, could it be that Fate-san revealed that? Maybe… or not?

Anyway, I need to invite her to a meal again and ask her to ‘please keep
that a secret from Kirino’.

“Ah, well, I had run into her a few times.”

Just like Hinata-imouto said, such a weak excuse.

“Hm, really? Whatever.”

Thankfully, since it was Kirino, it didn’t matter so she didn’t push the
issue any further. She quickly changed the subject by saying,

“Oh right, oh right! Listen to this seiyuu[23]! I've got a seiyuu collection
here!”

I see. So you're taking part in choosing seiyuu, too. It must be an

extremely happy time for you.

Kirino pushed one earbud from her iPhone into her ear.

“Heehee. Come hear it!”

She handed me the other earbud.

“No, I don’t…”

It was just unrelated events for me anyway. I have no interest in them.

However, Kirino seemed to misunderstand something. She said:

"You're welcome!! Really amazing! Oh!"

“…”

Fine, I get it. I will listen.

I took the earbud from Kirino and sat down next to her.

“Come closer! My earbuds are about to snap.”

“Okay, okay.”

Just after I did what she asked.

“Hey! Don’t touch my thigh! Idiot! Pervert!”

“……”

See what I mean?

You told me to come closer! My leg just touched yours totally by accident.
We are siblings, that much is okay!

“Alright, is that far enough?”

“Okay. I'll kill you if you come even 1cm closer, but I will get angry if
something happens to my earbuds.”

“How about using a computer to play it?”

“Shut up. I’m going to start now.”

“… You can start anytime.”

Completely ignoring me, Kirino reverted back to her excited self.

“Listen to this! It’s totally awesome!”

Kirino touched a few icons on her iPhone, then I heard something.

“ – I’m Hoshino Kurara. Please to meet you!”

“Wow ahhhhhhhhhhh!”

As if she had gone berserk, Kirino jumped backward and then she stood on
the sofa jumping up and down.

“You hear that!? Awesome! Really awesome!”

“Wh... what?”

“Kurara. It’s Kurara. Meru-chan! She is going to be a seiyuu for me!

Ahhhhhh!”

Ah, I see. No wonder her voice was so familiar, so she was Meruru’s
seiyuu.

Still ‘seiyuu for me’… I knew it, the main character of Maisora was based
on yourself. I picked up the fallen earbud and started listening again.

Once more, I heard Kurara’s voice.

“You… do you… like me?”

“I like you! I like you soooooo much!”

What a troublesome girl.

From her crouching position, Kirino suddenly jumped up, she almost
kissed me in the process. Her eyes were full of excitement.

“Ack…”

My head couldn’t lean back any further!

--- Don’t move your cute face this way! I’m on my last leg here!

“Ah… I’m so happy. There are a lot more seiyuu. Want to listen? Listen
with me?”

She was so excited that she had trouble speaking.

She sounded as if, if I said ‘I don’t want to listen’, she would definitely kill
me.

“Ah… sure, of course I will listen.”

“Wah! What should we listen to? I couldn’t choose just one! I can’t ~~~”

You are sooooooooooooo annoying!

At the very least, say ‘please’.

In the end, I sat down next to Kirino and listened for more than two hours.
After that, I felt bored, so I said:

“Hey Kirino, I have heard enough.”

“Ha? What?”

“Er… since I had to listen to the same lines over and over again, I’m pretty
tired…”

“But you said you wanted to listen.”

It was you who told me to listen.

“Tch. Ah~, it's because of you, that I am hurt~. My fragile soul is shattered
into pieces~”

And then she said impatiently:

“--- How are you going to compensate me for that?”

Why does the little sister always manage to piss off her brother?

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Tch… lately… you've been really annoying.”

“What did you say?”

“Do you know how uncomfortable I felt when you said those disgusting
things?”

“No, I don’t.”

Surely you wouldn’t feel as bad as me.

“Then I will show you.”

I've got a bad feeling about this…

Kirino’s hands dug into her pocket, she looked at me and blinked a few
times.
“Oh! But, but. What should I do...?”

What are you still thinking about now?

I still feel uncomfortable even if you don't.

“Hurry up and show me whatever it is inside your pocket.”

“Ehhh! What? You want to know my feelings that much? Gross!

Disgusting! You disgusting siscon.”

Everyone, praise my willpower because I had somehow managed to not hit

my little sister.

“If you say so… I will show you.”

For some unknown reason, Kirino’s face reddened while she was mocking
her brother.

“ ----This.”

It was her cell phone with the photo booth picture of ‘Kirino and I acting
all lovely dovey’.

“ --- I also… stuck that on.”

“Wah -----!!!!”

I screamed.

“Hey, you you you you you… what have you done?”

“I put the photo booth picture of you and me on my cell phone.”

“Why!?”

Can't you see that would make our cell phones match?

That should be reserved for siblings with a wonderful relationship!

“Base on the look you have right now... do you understand my feelings?”
“Sticking our photo booth picture to your cell phone… Does that mean
you like me?”

“No way!”

Kirino tried to punch me,

“Right, right.”

I dodged, and continued:

“Then why?”

“Because --- I wanted to show you what you did to me! See how
uncomfortable it is!?”

Ah, ah – so that’s why. I got it already.

Yes, if siblings didn't have a good relationship then one would be hurt
when the other did that.

I was wondering what it was with her. Maybe just like me, Kirino felt like
‘what the heck did this guy just do?’

“I… I understand… completely understand. Please forgive me.”

“By the way, my cell phone wallpaper is a picture of you in cosplay.”

“No way-----!”

Yesterday, I saw a mountain of negative comments toward my cosplay! I

was trying so hard to forget it! What a cruel thing to do!

“This… that….”

To take the cell phone, I launched myself at my sister, but Kirino used
both of her hands to hold it down.

“If you reflect upon your words, I will forgive you! Even I don’t want to
bring that phone with me outside!”

“Please don’t do this anymore!”

“Annoying! Idiot!”

She kicked me.

“Tch…!”

I caught her leg. Kirino lost balance and fell backwards onto the sofa.

“Ah!”

“Got it…!”

In the instant that she lowered her guard, I carefully launched myself
forward again-----”

“-------“

The result was a super embarrassing pose.

“……….”

Let me make myself clear. Just like when we were fighting over the parcel,
I fell down and touched my sister’s breast. However, there was one
difference ----

“Wahhhhh….”

“Sorry…..”

Our bodies were firmly stuck together.

“That… that… that…”

“So… sorry… I will leave… right now.”

How could that happened? It was almost the same as before ----

How could I …..

“………..”

Even though I said I'd leave, my body was frozen in place, unable to move.
I didn’t know how long it had been, one second or one minute, it was all
the same. I stared directly into my sister’s bright red face, until a slap
brought me back to reality.

“You are the worst! Die!”

Leaving those words behind, my sister ran out of the living room.

“… Ah… I’m such an idiot.”

It looks like my goal to ‘improve my relationship with my sister’ was still

far away.

In the end, what was I doing?

That night, before I slept, I recalled what happened today.

I closed my eyes, the memories flashed in my head.

I realized that there are two types of ‘happy’.

I feel the other type after I endure all of those screw-ups, my stormy life.

--- Although at the time I felt very tired and wanted to die, I felt happy too.

Yes, that was what I felt.

For example – no, not example, it is a true story after all.

Since the day my little sister disappeared, everyday was like that.

Boy meets girl. Hanging out together. Playing together. Just like Kuroneko
said.

Yes, that’s right.

We separated siblings were reunited once more.

My – our story began at that time.

… If I say something that embarrassing to her, she would show her usual
glare and say:

‘Disgusting’.

She would definitely say that. Ah, what an annoying little sister.

But why?

Why is it that every time I remember that moment, I always show a gentle,
bitter smile?

I thought ‘how annoying’, but at the same time I patted my sister’s head.

Is the strange feeling in my heart right now – also happiness?

Ah, right. Everyone has their own definition of ‘happy’. Today, right now,
right this moment – I feel happy.

That’s my life after I became Kuroneko’s lover. I feel happy just thinking
about her. With each day that passes, I like Kuroneko more and more.

I had hoped that this summer break would never end, from the bottom of
my heart.

Your ‘ceremony’ this time is ----

Play in senpai’s room. I felt like we were getting closer to the kissing
part.

Anyway, today Kuroneko came to my house. Not as Kirino’s friend, but as

my girlfriend.

I greeted Kuroneko at the front door.

“Hello.”

“… Sorry for intruding.”

Today, she wore a one piece white dress. She must like it a lot, because I
noticed she wore it once every day.

“... Is your sister home?”

“She went out with her friends.”

Recently, she'd usually be found hanging out with Ayase.

Kirino… what would she think about my relationship with Kuroneko?

---”If 'a girl who is dear to you' confesses her love to you... You must think
about it carefully.”

I thought she would support it.

I brought Kuroneko to my room then got some snacks and tea.

“Okay, what should we do now?”

I waited for Kuroneko to bring out her Destiny record, but instead she took
out her laptop.

She sat on my bed. I was a little confused, but I decided to sit next to her.
If I sat in front of her, she might get angry because I could see her
underwear.

However, in my current position, I couldn’t help but notice part of her

collarbone.

“Today, I want to play a game.”

“Wah!?”

She said so suddenly that I was shocked.

“The game you made with our club?”

“Yes. A shooting game.”

“The one that the president was making originally?”

“Since summer break began, I had began finishing it with Sena.”

Sena huh? Your relationship is good enough to call each other by name
now.

“What about the RPG that you two made?”

“We got stuck midway. So we moved on to this game while trying to fix
that.”

“Ah, I see.”

I felt that Kuroneko was feeling a little depressed, but that feeling quickly
went away.

Kuroneko looked proud, she began to describe the game.

“Because Sena participated, the balancing is much better than usual. She is
worthy of her ‘Mystic Eye’.”

She looked like she was praising her friend rather than explaining. I
couldn’t help but smile.

“So what about you?”

“Hm hmm… wait a moment.”

Kuroneko started the game. First was the opening screen.

The game’s name was “Megidolaon”. The president’s name was just
written using a different style.

“I made the logo.”

“Ah, I see. It is clearly your style.”

The main colors were black and purple, her favorite colors.

“I had no problem with using kanji in the title, but Sena suggested using
this one. She said it looked better that way.”

“Ah.”
… She had started listening to other people's suggestions.

“---Let’s try it out.”

Kuroneko placed her laptop on my bed and gave me the controller.

Because of her excitement, I felt excited too.

“Alright, let me give it a shot.”

In the character selection screen, there were several characters.

I unconsciously chose the girl in the gothic lolita outfit like Kuroneko ----

And then …

“Come! Taste The Flame of Purgatory!”

What an evil voice.

“Isn’t that your voice?”

“Hahahahaha… what do you think?”

“It was scary. So, you recorded your voice for this game.”

I happily played the game, but -----

<Boom boom kyaaaaaaa!>

“You are dead.”

“… That’s because the game is too hard.”

“Really? I think it’s pretty easy.”

For you, sure, but not for me.

“Hey, about --- the sound when the character takes damage, is that...”

“Totally necessary.”

“… Really?”
I sat cross legged on my bed, my hand clenched on the controller.

The dead character revived and the game continued.

Kuroneko placed her hand on my back, like she was taking a peek at the
screen.

I tried my best this time, being extra careful, but ---

“Ah… what’s that…”

“Stop, please stop…”

“Ah ~~~ Kya ~~~”

I kept taking damage. Besides, with that sound, the atmosphere was kind
of awkward. Kuroneko whispered into my ear like a curse:

“… Senpai? Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Of course not!”

“So why did you die so many times? You are too useless.”

That’s because your leaning on my back distracted me!

And …other things which I'd rather not say.

“… Ara ara… No choice then… Move your hand a bit.”

“Move my hand huh…”

Still leaning on my back, Kuroneko’s hand touched mine.

“Look at the screen.”

“Okay.”

“First, you need to find a good position… ah, not there… a bit to the
left…”

“Like this?”
“Uhm, yes… good… now start shooting… faster…”

“……”

“Ah! Don’t! Stop...”

How could I say it….

Based on the sound alone, wouldn’t it seem like we were doing something
perverted?

Am I the only one with a racing heart here?

While I started feeling dizzy…

*Bang*. The door was kicked open. We were shocked to see the person
who entered…

“Whoa, Kirino!”

Kirino came in.

“… Well!”

Somehow, she looked quite pissed.

“Aha, so you are here?”

“--- Since when are you back?”

Both me and Kuroneko asked, but Kirino didn’t answer. She looked at the
laptop, me, and Kuroneko and said quietly.

“…What are you two doing?”

“Playing a game.”

“Ah, I see! So, what about…”

She was clearly shaken.

“What did you think we were doing?”

“Nothing!”

Kirino definitely misunderstood and thought that we were doing

something perverted.

I didn’t know when she came back, but this wall is pretty thin.

I know how you feel. Even I felt troubled when I heard some weird noises
come from the next room.

But even if I understood why Kirino was shaken, someone didn’t.

“?”

It was Kuroneko. With puzzled eyes, she looked at our conversation.

“... You should have come in sooner. From the shoes in the hallway you
should have known that I was here.”

“Idiot. I wasn't interested.”

“You are the idiot.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said you are the idiot. Why do you have to concern yourself so much?
Isn't it better to play together?”

“…What!? There is no way I could do that!”

Hey, hey, are you two going to quarrel here?

“If you felt like you weren't needed, then you shouldn't have come in, in
the first place.”

“What!”

“---What am I to you?”

Kuroneko was staring directly at Kirino. Kirino was overwhelmed, she

didn’t know how to respond.
Then…

“… Friend…?”

That was her answer – that was what she said.

“… Yes.”

She was the one who asked, but Kuroneko was embarrassed as well.

They were about to quarrel a second ago, but now no trace of that
remained.

Kuroneko coughed, then calmly said:

“This is the game I just made… want to give it a try?”

However, Kirino…

“… Maybe next time.”

She whispered, then she almost ran away from my room, but she quietly
closed the door. She seemed to be telling her friend “I’m not angry”.

“…”

Kuroneko stared quietly at the closed door.

Summer break was coming to an end.

I had many ceremonies together with Kuroneko. Even though we met

almost every day, we haven't kissed. I’d say that our relationship didn’t get
any deeper, but… I was happy.

On our first date, Kuroneko had transformed into Kamineko. We walked

together and saw new places, then she told me where she worked, showed
me her home – the more I continued, the more I knew about Kuroneko.

On our second date, I visited Kuroneko’s home. It was a nice, warm home.
I met Kuroneko’s little sisters and we got along quite well. As time passed,
our relationship got better.

“Kousaka, I think you're too plain. In fact, there's nothing special about
you at all.”

Our relationship was good enough to casually say that.

No, Hinata-imouto was like that from the beginning.

“You are clearly the rudest of Kuroneko’s siblings.”

“What? Kousaka, you shouldn’t say that to a girl…”

By the way, this was in Kuroneko’s home, the tea room. Kuroneko wasn’t
here, only Hinata-imouto and Tamaki-imouto were with me. I was talking
with Hinata while Tamaki was sleeping.

If Kirino saw this, it would have turned into 'Wah wah there are two super
cute little sisters! Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah! Here I come ----!’.

Then – Hinata muttered something. I thought she was going to make an

excuse, but…

“Anyway, about you…”

“Hey, so you want to change the subject.”

“I wasn't... anyway, you are plain because of your uniform and hair style!
Since I'm younger than Ruri-nee I want to state my opinions in her place!”

“Well, surely, you are the younger version of Kuroneko.”

“Yep. We share my mother's eyes and she also helped me cut my hair.
Recently, Ruri-nee also made her own clothes.”

“Ah, so that’s how she got that gothic lolita outfit.”

Then Hinata started playing with her hair. She took out a small mirror and
combed her hair straight.

“Look look! How is that!? Kousaka! I look just like Ruri-nee, right?”
Your hair is slightly brighter than your older sister's.

If Kuroneko was in elementary school, she'd probably look like that.

I think I should call you Lolineko from now on, but …

“Kuroneko is definitely cuter.”

“Lover's conversation detected ---! In the eyes of a boy their girlfriend is

the most beautiful woman in the world, right---!?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Clothes? Is that because of these plain clothes!? Just you wait!”

“Don’t undress here! What if Kuroneko see us!?”

I shouted. Hinata still remained in her upright position, ready to undress.

She said in triumph:

“Ahaha… I was joking… I'm not going to seriously take off my clothes…
Still… I fear that Ruri-nee heard you already.”

Oh crap. Because I always had to deal with stubborn people like Sena,
Kirino or Saori, I got the habit of screaming as loud as I could.

“Hinata-imouto! You need to help me solve this misunderstanding!”

“… You are so useless, Onii-chan.”

Yes. I agree that recently, I knelt down and apologized a little too much.

Sometimes, Hinata would casually call me Onii-chan.

Every time she did that, I had a strange feeling.

To be exact… I felt the same way when I played the eroge that Kirino lent
me.

Of course, she didn't realize I was having these strange feelings because if
she did I'd be done for.
“Hey.”

Maybe she took pity of me, Hinata-imouto changed the subject.

“Why do you call Ruri-nee ‘Kuroneko’?”

Why do I call Kuroneko “Kuroneko”?... At first, I thought that was a

philosophical question, but ---- that must be a direct question.

“That’s her nickname and pen name. Ever since we met, I've always called
her that.”

“I knew that. I don’t mean that.”

Hinata licked her lips. She was really like Kuroneko, I got the feeling that
I’m talking with another Kuroneko here.

“Why do you call her by her nickname? Why can’t you just call her Ruri?”

“But, but… I’m embarrassed.”

“Hah ~~~? Are you two really high school students?”

“Tch, so noisy!”

I quickly changed the topic:

“Hey, what about you guys?”

“…huh?”

I looked at Tamaki who was sleeping.

“Why does Tamaki always call Kuroneko ‘Onee-sama’? Isn’t ‘Onee-chan’

enough? And you always call me ‘Onii-chan’ too.”

“Ah, about that.”

Tamaki said:

“Because… Nee-chan… Kuroneko Nee-chan said ‘call me Onee-sama’.”

“--- For real?”

“Yes.”

I got the feeling that was a line she took from anime, but whatever.

“Kuroneko always acts like this? Even at home?”

“About that…”

'… Kuroneko and Tamaki had taken a bath together.

Kuroneko stood in front of the mirror and looked at the steam coming
from her body.

Kuroneko said “Hm… my power is increasing. I can see it with my own

two eyes.”

Innocently Tamaki said, “That is the hot steam from bathing, onee-sama.”

Kuroneko replied angrily “… Hurry and dry yourselves.” '

“That's what happened.”

“It’s more serious than I thought.”

I started to worry if she would have negative effect on her little sisters.

I massaged my temple, and asked the most fundamental question:

“Why – am I sitting in my girlfriend’s home, but playing with her little

sister instead?”

“… I think you asked that same question before.”

--- Watch fireworks together with senpai.

Today, there was a fireworks festival on the coast. Her ‘ceremony’ was all
about that.

“Ruri-nee often takes a long time to get dressed. That’s because she wants
to show Kousaka-kun her most beautiful side, so please forgive her.”

“Really?”

“Yes. To tell the truth, when Kousaka-kun isn’t around, Ruri-nee always
wears sportswear and plain clothes.”

“That has to be a lie.”

I have never seen Kuroneko in sportswear. It would destroy the image of

her in my heart.

“It's not.”

“… I have been waiting.”

The door opened and revealed Kuroneko.

Today, Kuroneko wore a yukata[24].

I don’t know when Tamaki woke up. She rubbed her eyes, then looked at
her ‘Onee-sama’ with envious eyes.

“Waaaaah ~~~”

Her reaction was understandable.

The yukata boosted Kuroneko's beauty to the limit.

“Ah…”

I was intoxicated ---

“….You look like Kaguya.[25]”

I carelessly let my thoughts leak out.

“Wha… what are you … saying…”

Kuroneko surprised and lowered her head. Tamaki smiled innocently with
me.
“Onee-sama looks very beautiful, right!?”

“Yes. She does.”

“S... Stupid.”

Kuroneko used her sleeves to cover her mouth in embarrassment.

Looks like my praise hit the mark. Thank you, Tamaki-imouto.

Not unlike Saori, Tamaki-imouto was a natural peacemaker. She was so

cute that everything around her seemed to calm down. I can't wait to see
what she's like in the future.

“Good – let’s go.”

“Right.”

“Have a nice trip, Onee-sama, Onii-san!”

“Do your best ----“

We left under the sunset with the blessings of Tamaki and Hinata.

I was so happy. Just thinking about it made me want to cry.

We arrived at the coast.

In the evening, at the sea, the lighthouse was the most conspicuous place.

This year the fireworks festival was a bit late, but it was still welcomed by
many people. There was a long line under the observatory tower.

“---- Seems like we won't be able to get into the observatory tower.”

There were a few places in front of the coast, but they were all taken.

We chatted a bit while looking for somewhere to sit.

“There is a stall – want to eat something?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Really? Don’t you feel hungry?”

“No.”

However, Kuroneko stopped like she noticed something.

“Ah, Meruru candy floss.”

“For Tamaki-imouto?”

“…Yes.”

We smiled at each other and continued toward the stall. After buying the
Meruru candy floss, we bought another Maschera mask.

I checked the mask and said, “I didn’t expect them to be selling that during
the fireworks festival.”

Kuroneko looked at me and gave me a wry smile.

“I remember buying the same thing during summer break.”

“Yeah, I unconsciously bought it. Looks like keeping your wallet in check
isn’t easy, especially during the summer.”

“Yes, that’s just how the seller wants it.”

Kuroneko said while looking at some stall owners nearby.

After that, I rarely had a chance to spend my money, because my girlfriend

always refused my help.

Next we went to catch water balloons. Then we went to play shooting. I

witnessed Kuroneko’s supreme shooting skill, the prizes kept falling. In
the lottery, Kuroneko played so much that we almost missed the fireworks.
Then ---

We looked at the reflection of the sky on the sea.

--- Boom ---- boom.

The colorful fireworks started above the beautiful sea.

“... It’s beautiful.”

“... Yes.”

Rather than the fireworks above, I was more interested in the lover on my
arm – but the words left my mouth just the same.

“… Summer break is about to end.”

“… Yes… there is only a few days left.”

Today, our feelings are probably the same.

*Boom boom boom boom*

The fireworks festival ended. Everything became silent once more.

After a while, I noticed the girl next to me moving.

I turned around and looked at Kuroneko. She was blushing red.

“… Yes?”

“… About…”

Her voice was so quiet.

“…..... This summer you spent with me...... how was it?”

Idiot, why are you still saying that.

I looked at the sky and expressed my feelings.

“ --- I was very happy. This summer I spent with you, I will never forget
it.”

“… Really?”

“Yes, I have come to love you even more.”

“… Thank you, Kyousuke.”

Between us, in the beginning we were searching for our relationship… It

looked like I made all the right choices. If this was an eroge, next should
be the end scene and credits.

No, wrong. It was too soon.

There were a few pages left on the “Destiny Record”.

We shouldn’t leave any ‘ceremony’ unfinished.

What is the next objective – ‘Kuroneko wanted to do together with me’ – I

couldn’t wait to see it.

On the way home, I asked Kuroneko.

That was the same question I asked her many times over the summer.

“ --- What are we going to do next?”

“… Next… is this.”

Kuroneko opened the next page on the ‘Destiny Record’ and showed it to
me.

It read:

---- Break up with senpai.

 Chapter 4

A Chuunibyou, a Jyakigan[26], and also a slightly Denpa[27] girl.

That is my girlfriend, Kuroneko's, characteristics.

But despite that, this is too much for a joke.

----"Break up with senpai", or something like that.

It's already been a few days since the 'prediction' was told. What happened
after that was a blur and has hardly left a trace in my memories. During the
fireworks festival that night-------after Kuroneko had broken up with me
on the spot (of course, ending the relationship), I still remember sending
mails after going straight home.

"That was a joke, right?"

------I didn't get a reply.

There wasn't any reply, and Kuroneko didn't call me either.

"What's with that 'destiny record'? Damn it."

This is surely a bad joke, there aren't a lot of days left in summer vacation,
so I'll call her to straighten things out tomorrow and it'll be alright.

Though I had these hopeful thoughts in the beginning, I still wasn't able to
reach Kuroneko. Bearing these unhappy feelings of regret, I drifted
through the next couple of days.

As the days passed, I could mostly be found studying. Though it's not
some great accomplishment, the best way to try and escape reality was to
hit the books, and it's also because it was my remaining connection with
Kuroneko.
“Kyousuke Kousaka failed his exams because he started dating Kuroneko”
--- that kind of nonsense shouldn't be uttered by anyone, and so I made up
my mind to trust my instincts.

After all, this sort of problem could only be resolved through the passage
of time, it couldn't get any worse.

“After the start of the new term, I will surely be able to meet Kuroneko.”

That's why I didn't need to run around frantically.

That was what I thought at that time.

After summer vacation ended, the new term started. In the morning I tried
to find traces of Kuroneko somewhere, but unfortunately I wasn't able to
find any. Though we didn't make arrangements beforehand to go to school
together, we had reached a consensus on the time we'd meet up for school
last term. However, today, I didn't see her, and perhaps that means... she
was avoiding me. To be honest, it was pretty depressing. ----but I still went
towards the first years' classroom during recess.

If we didn't speak, no matter what the problem was it would never be

resolved.

OK! I made up my mind and took a peek into her classroom.------

… Kuroneko wasn't there. Does that mean she asked for a day off as soon
as the term started?

I didn't have any other choice, and greeted Sena.

"---Today, did Gokou not come to school?"

The answer Sena gave me, however, was not what I was expecting at all.

"Kousaka-senpai ---- what are you talking about? Why would she come?"

"Gokou-san has already transferred."

There were mixed feelings of loneliness and anger in her tone.

I felt as if there was an unspoken criticism in her voice, like she was
asking me not to force her to recall something painful.

"Haa..."

Of course, I didn't understand what she was talking about at all and my
brain was plunged into chaos.

"Transferred!? Hey! What!? What happened?”

"Sen- senpai?"

“Hey! What happened!? Why!? ----“

"It hurts... please calm down for a second!"

After being loudly scolded, I finally came to my senses. I removed my

hands from Sena's shoulders and apologized.

"I'm sorry..."

“It's fine... but seeing you act like this makes it seem like you didn't know
anything about it at all... in fact I don't know why either... but to say that it
fits her style would probably be correct.”

Ignore the others, let's go to another place.

A third-year throwing a tantrum after running into a first-year classroom.

That scene obviously drew the attention of everyone else, so Sena's
proposal made a lot of sense.

Speaking of that, she seems to be the kind of person who is overly

conscious of the people around her.

The place we ended up at was the back of the school --- where Kuroneko
confessed to me.

I felt a nostalgic feeling wash over me.

“Alright, tell me everything from the start ---.”

Sena, who was leading me, stopped walking, turned her head toward me
and said:
"Gokou-san has transferred."

“I never heard anything about that. --- Is it true?”

"It's true."

"Is it... for real?"

"Yes."

After I repeated the question a few times, just in case, in the depths of
Sena's glasses there were already a few tears building up.

A good friend of hers transferred away----------she's probably sad.

“Isn't this some kind of mistake...?”

"You're really annoying, senpai."

There's probably no reason for such a serious lie. Could... could it be true?

Did Kuroneko really transfer?

"Why... why hasn't anyone told me...?"

Though when I said it like that, I had Kuroneko in mind, it seems Sena
thought that I was talking about her.

“I thought that Senpai would have known... since you are Gokou-san's -----
boyfriend.”

........I couldn't bear it.

Those words mercilessly pierced my heart.

"What about the game you're making with her?"

“It was interrupted almost immediately, before summer vacation started I

had already heard Gokou-san would transfer, thus, we made the game we
were supposed to be making during summer vacation.”

“Since summer break began, I had begun the process of finishing it with
Sena.”

“What about the RPG that you two made?”

“We got stuck midway. So we moved on to this game while trying to fix
that.”

So that's how it was.

“That's how it was. So... that's... how it was.”

"… Senpai, are you OK? You have a dead air on your face."

"… It's OK. I'm fine."

For the moment anyway. I'm still very angry... My brain had not yet
processed this new information, so it's alright.

After a few moments, after acknowledging that Kuroneko had indeed

transferred --- the emotions suddenly surged forth.

Even still, I still couldn't believe it… that Kuroneko would leave my side.

Until I'd seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe it. No matter
what anyone else said.

It's fine if I've been dumped. Well, no, that's not fine at all, but
comparatively speaking it's relatively acceptable because I could still see
Kuroneko. Even though we wouldn't be lovers, we could still have fun
together and go through more noisy, happy times.

But---

"But!! Kuroneko!! You definitively can't leave like this!"

After school let out I immediately started running. My goal was her house.
The house where I was able to get along with Kuroneko's sisters in a house
filled with a strong traditional atmosphere and warmth.

While I was running I'd been going through the situation in my head. ---
For Kuroneko to leave like this… It had to be some sort of mistake. She
was only absent today because she was sick. If I pay a visit to her house
directly, she would surely retort with “… Idiot. Why did you come here? I
already told you we're broken up, you puny human.” --- or something like
that.

Kuroneko suddenly disappearing --- it's definitely impossible.

"It's a lie… right?"

After I arrived at Kuroneko's house, I just stood there, frozen in place.

What I saw was an empty house. The doorplate had been removed. I, who
was shaken, charged into the house in a panic.

“Excuse me, is there anyone home?”

No matter how loudly I screamed in the entryway, there was no reply.

Even the shoebox was gone.

I hesitated, then entered. The living room, the kitchen and --- Kuroneko's
room.

All the furniture was gone. The TV which I had watched Maschera with
Kuroneko on, the cushion Tamaki-chan used for her nap, the Meruru DVD
Kirino gave them, all of them disappeared as if they were never here in the
first place.

The warm atmosphere was completely gone, all that remained was a cold,
empty shell of home.

".......Haha."

The reality finally sunk in.

Kuroneko had already -----moved somewhere else.

"… Ha…"

After returning home, I immediately threw myself on the bed and tried to
call Kuroneko while lying down. ---Don't answer. It's alright if you don't
answer, since even if my phone was able to connect to yours, I wouldn't
know what to say.

------------------Break up with senpai.

That meant – I had been dumped by her.

Though I should have reflected on this days earlier, even if it's too late
now, I did it anyway.

Even if I felt that something was wrong, even if it was possible that they
were the delusions of a man who couldn't face reality ----

I was once loved by Kuroneko. No – even now I'm still loved by her. I
really believe in that.

I'll love you forever.

The reason I decided to go out with Kuroneko was because I wanted to

respond to somebody as straightforward and devoted as her. It was the first
time that I'd been chased by somebody else that desperately since the day I
was born. I was so happy that I felt like I was going to explode.

What Kuroneko told me that day was definitely not a lie. I believe that.

Is it because she had to move? Is it because she'll be living too far away
that she decided to break up?

No, no matter what she wouldn't break up with me over something that
trivial----there's still the possibility of a long distance relationship.

If that's the case, ----is it because I did something to make her hate me
after we starting going out?

This – is a possibility.

The summer the two of us went through was very joyful.

Kuroneko's prophecy book. According to the 'destiny record', we went

repetitively on many dates.

"--- Go on a date with senpai."

"--- Let senpai know more about me."

“--- Invite senpai to my home.”

“--- Play at senpai’s house.”

“--- Take senpai to my room.”

“--- Go to the swimming pool together with senpai.”

“--- Watch fireworks together with senpai.”

We have done many other things in addition to that. No matter what it was,
I will remember it for the rest of my life.

After we spent that time together, I started liking her more and more.

Though – she might not have felt the same way.

It's possible that – Kuroneko already stopped holding expectations towards

me when we were together.

“--- Break up with senpai.”

To the point she wrote a destiny like that.

To the point she turned her words into a lie.

I'll love you forever.

"Though I don't feel that… I failed."

A short time ago I felt like I had achieved a 'happy end', but it turned out to
be a 'bad end'. This ending had me pushed into hell. I felt like I should do
something, but I was too tired. I lost all of my energy and fell asleep like
an empty shell of a person.

When I woke up in my dusky room it was already late into the night. The
clock's hour hand was indicating one o’clock.

“Did I fall asleep at some point?”

That was too carefree, even for me. I have clearly been dumped by an
important girlfriend.

What actually happened…?

Facing the sudden thoughts surging from my mind, I smiled bitterly. Come
on Kyousuke… don't tell me you still think there's a possibility? Kuroneko
told me nothing and transferred, right? Didn't she also break up with me?

Being in conflict with myself I kept asking the question over and over,
“What actually happened?”.

I was having intense feelings of anxiety and uneasiness, like counting the
number of plates[28].

… What actually happened?------

“This isn't the time to think about that!!”

What a stupid guy I am!

I forcefully got up from my bed.

How long do I plan to keep asking myself the same question!? I'm
forgetting the most important thing!

First of all, first of all! About the fact that Kuroneko disappeared...

Does Kirino know about it or not?

"~~~~~~~"

I scratched my head and recovered my resolution in an instant. I hit my

head against the wall — then took out my cell phone again.

I want to hear a certain person’s opinions. I couldn't stand thinking by

myself.

"When you're in pain, don't be shy, no matter when, you can come and rely
on me."

I dialled the number of the childhood friend who said that to me.

"… No."

I snapped the phone closed.

That room wasn't locked. She probably forgot to lock it tonight. Half of me
had already given up, I turned the knob. With a small 'ziii', the door
opened without resistance.

If the door was locked, I'd probably go back to my room and try calling
Manami.

… It's very dark.

It seems that she's already sleeping. Without thinking I reduced the noise
in my steps.

As I go closer to the bed, what I saw was a serene sleeping face.

Though I knew she was sleeping here from the start, seeing her face, my
heart was still beating very fast.

"Kirino…"

--- Sleeping beauty. That was the first image that came to my mind. It
seems that the siscon inside me couldn't be cured. I really couldn't bear the
thought of waking her up. It's been a long time since I saw her so
defenseless like this, and I felt a pain in my chest.

"........."

After hesitating a bit, I poked her soft cheek.

"Hey."

She didn’t wake up. It seemed that it was too soft.

"Really, how much time are you planning to sleep?”

Though I didn't say that.

Then, I took off her blanket.

---------As I suspected, she still wouldn't wake up. She's sleeping very
deeply. It seems like even if I rubbed her breast she wouldn't be aware of
it.

".............................."

This silence doesn't have any meaning behind it, don't misunderstand.

"OK."

I made up my mind and placed my body on top of her. It's not really
similar to the way a certain person tries to wake up someone. I positioned
myself like a prince who was about to wake up sleeping beauty and glared
at my sleeping sister face-to-face.

I wasn't going to kiss her or anything, of course, I just thought of poking

her to wake her up... but something unexpected happened.

"… Hmm."

Kirino was still half-asleep, and her wrist hooked onto my neck.

---Ha!? You, wait...!

"Hihihihi... Miyabi-chan... ❤"

She hugged me.

"Hey, hey."

I-I'm not Miyabi-chan...

I was completely confused, I was being hugged by my half-asleep little

sister --- and then

"Hn-, kiss. ❤"

"Whaaaa."

Ju-just now... just now did they touch? Wasn't that way too terrible?

"Hey – wake up already."

While still maintaining our near-kissing position, I poked her face.

*Paf Paf*

I gave her a couple light pokes and it seems that finally had some effect.

"It hurts... why...? eh?"

Kirino blinked her sluggish eyes.

"Hey...----that."

After becoming aware that she was hugging me very closely, her eyes shot
wide open.

Hush, if she starts screaming now it would be very bad! I quickly placed
my hand over my little sister's mouth.

"Wu---! Wuwu."

"Be quiet...! What time do you think it is!?"

"Wu---! Wuwuwu-wu-wu-wu."

My sister was resisting even more intensely.

"Be a good girl, that..."

… An elder brother who sneaked into his little sister's room late at night,
threw himself on top of his sleeping little sister and held her mouth closed
while saying “be a good girl” as she was trying to scream…

Looking at it from an outsider's perspective, don't I simply look like a

rapist?

Well, it was suddenly obvious why Kirino would struggle so much.

"Wu---! Wuwu."

“It isn't like that, Kirino! You're taking this the wrong way entirely!”

"Wu---! Wuwu."
Don't cry!

“Listen to me, if I let go you definitely can't scream, OK? You'll definitely
not scream.”

"Wu---! Wu."

Kirino contained her tears and nodded twice.

"OK."

I took my hand off of Kirino's mouth.

"You! You're trying to assault your little sister at night ---?"

"I said that it isn't like that!! Don't be so loud, dad and mom will hear us."

"B-but."

"Please, I have an important matter to discuss."

"Throwing yourself on top of your sister... With that kind of attitude..."

I didn't care about what she had to say and stared directly into Kirino's
eyes.

"… You too, you did the same thing to me."

That day, more than a year ago.

After I said that Kirino immediately calmed down and we glared at each
other.

"Tch..."

Finally, Kirino seemed to have given up and leaned her head to the side.

"… Let go of me first."

After I did what she wished, Kirino slowly straightened her body. It
seemed that she would finally hear me. As I got up with the intention of
turning the light on...
"Don't turn on the light."

"...Why?"

"We can still talk like this."

"Still…"

"… My hair is all messed up and I didn't put on any makeup… don't you
get that?"

Kirino muttered softly.

That doesn't bother me at all, though. Well, this kind of demand didn't
require a lot of effort so I complied.

"Then… what?"

Kirino started to press me.

The words I was going to say have already been decided.

"-------I need life counseling.”

"-----I understand the situation."

Kirino didn't say anything, and listened to my story until the end. The fact
that Kuroneko transferred was also new to her, and probably was new to
Saori as well.

Kuroneko said nothing to us, and left.

Like a cat that sensed it was near death she suddenly... disappeared.

“That damn cat… suddenly bidding farewell… what the heck is she
doing? I don't get it.”

Kirino, who was grinding her teeth, filled the dark room with her
suppressed anger.

She was sitting on her bed, while I sat on the floor.

In the dark, my little sister's sharp gaze went through me.

"And… what about you? What do you plan on doing?"

"… I don't know."

What should I do? I have no idea. That's why I needed life counselling
from you.

Kirino's poker face seemed to say “I see.”, it seems she was disappointed
with her elder brother's uselessness.

No, it wasn't just now--------she was always disappointed in me.

After a moment of silence.

Kirino stared at my face intensely and seemed to be reflecting.

"… Hey-"

She said half of it, omitting the latter part. Since there wasn't enough light,
I couldn't clearly see her expression. Finally, Kirino let out a big sigh, and
said:

"I want to ask you an important question."

"…"

"You... can it be that you really love Kuroneko?"

"----Ah."

"… Even after she did something this awful to you, without explaining
anything?"

"----Ah, I love her, even now."

Even though I myself thought it was inconceivable that I could casually

utter those words.

My little sister didn't answer.

“Ah, so, that's how it is.”

After saying those words unemotionally, for some reason my chest hurt.

My eyes started to burn.

Is it because I had let out my emotions and acknowledged the situation that
I was in?

Or is it…

"… Wu."

I couldn't stop sobbing. I couldn't stop letting the burning tears out.

I'm really useless. But, it can't be helped.

The heat of my body became tears, falling down drip by drip.

Though the AC isn't turned on… why do I feel so cold?

I felt so cold that I could freeze.

In reality I don't want to let others know how useless I really am, that's
why I asked my little sister next door for advice. Instead of my reliable
childhood friend, I cried in front of my little sister.

"Do- Don't cry."

Because I suddenly started crying in front of my sister, even Kirino started

panicking.

"… Take- take it."

After hesitating for a second, Kirino took the sleeve of her pajamas and
moved it toward my face.

After I dried my tears and they slowly disappeared, my hysterical state was
calmed a bit.

"Thanks."
I said that with a nasally voice.

As if she was surprised of her own attitude towards me, Kirino sighed.

"Ha…"

Then she said:

"You, for a moment, turn around."

"Eh?"

"… Quickly."

The room was really dark and my vision was still clouded by tears.

Though I was very close to her I still couldn't make out Kirino's
expression.

"… Like this?"

I slowly turned my back towards my little sister.

"Hn, yes."

"…?"

Even though I waited, nothing happened.

Kirino…? As I turned my head towards her, Kirino suddenly hugged my

neck from behind.

"Eh… wh- what do you want?"

“Don't turn towards me! Did I tell you to face that way?”

"Isn't it because you suddenly hugged my neck…?"

“N- Noisy! Seeing your back… for some reason I'm in a bad mood!”

What the heck is that!?

"Quickly, turn that way----now!"

"......"

I did as she said. She won't start choking me again, will she?… this girl...

However, my little sister's hands didn't grab my neck, but…

Eh?

Something came in contact with my back, something which felt very soft.

A warm embrace. Kirino embraced me from behind.

"You, you…"

After being overly surprised, I immediately went stiff --- after trying to
move a bit, I got hit in the head by Kirino.

"Don't say anything else, and don't move. Stay like this."

Kirino was trying to comfort me.

That's why I lowered the strength in my body, letting my little sister

dispose of it.

"Cheer up!"

Kirino said in a gentle voice and warmly stroked my head.

Ah, a long time ago, when my little sister was ignored during the offline
meeting, I also comforted her like this.

“----You've already put forth enough effort.”

“I'm on your side.”

Until now, our positions have been reversed.

The little sister was comforting her elder brother.

“No matter how useless Aniki is, even if everyone else abandons you, I'll
still be here with you. I will worry about you and scold you until the end.”
Even if it was extremely embarrassing, even if my face felt hot, it gave me
strength. I felt more at ease than anyone.

"--- That’s why… cheer up, Aniki."

The bonds between us were those of family. Blood. Siblings. No matter

which way you say it, it doesn't matter. My ineloquent self can not express
the feelings I have right now.

Only… Only.

"… Thank you, Kirino."

I have been saved by my little sister.

Tears began to flood out again, but they were another kind of tears.

"It's really warm, your body."

"Eh? --- S-stupid."

Kirino finally realized how embarrassing our posture was and started to
justify herself.

"… M-mom… whenever I'm down like this… she would console me in
the same way, so… there's no other meaning behind it."

"So it's like that."

“Hm, exactly, that's why... don't say anything stupid, understood?”

"… Understood."

Though she was clearly overly embarrassed, Kirino continued hugging me

from behind.

She hugged me tightly; until she had warmed me.

In the dark, we siblings were stuck together.

I still couldn't stop my tears. It was great that she couldn't see my face, I
thought.

… It’s already too late.

I've already shown this girl how useless I am, I've shown her my
weaknesses and she held me up in my time of need. I won't be able to rid
myself of the shame for the rest of my life.

I am already beyond help.

How long have I been like this...?

My tears finally stopped, and Kirino said:

"Hey."

"Eh?"

"You… didn't you already say it? If I really had a boyfriend… you'd cry."

"… Ah."

“So, if I found somebody that I loved… and went out with him… then got
dumped by him before he disappeared without a trace… and if I cried…”

“You… what would you do?”

Kirino asked me in a warm voice.

"That…"

“Ah… please don't say anything. I know how you would feel even without
you saying it, since we're siblings. Yes --- you'd also feel the same way,
right?”

"Ah, really, it can't be helped."

Kirino seemed to imitate that tone, and made an intentional complaint.

She separated herself from me, and turned in front of me.

Like the way we parted at that time --- she made an intriguing and fresh
smile.

"Kyousuke, leave it to me."

The next day – Sunday.

Kirino and I took the train to the western part of the city. We didn’t tell
Saori. The ‘fake boyfriend’ incident from the last time hurt her a lot.

We couldn’t let Makishima Saori nor Saori Bajeena be worried anymore.

She would definitely cry.

At first we'd planned to go ask the school for some information, but it
turned out to be unnecessary because we were able to quickly obtain
Kuroneko's current address.

Since Kuroneko forcefully cut off contact with me, Kirino sent her a
message ---

“Where are you?”

This morning, the reply came.

“Where the sight is obscured by white darkness.”

That message aside, she also sent directions to her current place. It seems
like it was part of her new phone's GPS capabilities.

….Why did Kuroneko have to send that message?

“No good, she isn't replying to any of my messages anymore.”

Kirino clicked her tongue and closed her cell phone.

“That damn denpa girl… what the heck is ‘white darkness’? Speak
Japanese, you idiot.”

It was normal for her words to be so hard to understand, but now wasn’t
the time to complain about that. She always made serious messages look
that way.

I remember… when she asked me to come behind the school, she also did
that.

“When I went abroad… Everyone must have felt the same way.”

Kirino closed her eyes and sighed sadly.

The directions that Kuroneko sent us led to a hot spring street.

Since today was a normal Sunday, not many people were around. This
street was surrounded by mountains. The air was fresh and clean, which
made people feel comfortable.

The atmosphere around here made me feel the same way as when I was
walking with Manami… it suited my tastes.

If the situation was different, I could enjoy this moment.

“------ To move away this far… was she really okay with it?”

“I certainly couldn’t. I couldn't go to Akihabara or Chiba station.”

Here in Kantou, people couldn't do anything but accept their geographical

limits.

Oh, right! The 'white darkness' that Kuroneko was referring to in her
message was soon made clear to us.

We were on a hot spring street, and because of that the smell of sulfur and
hot steam was everywhere. The street was covered by a white fog caused
by the hot spring.

“Okay… what next?”

“… Hey, where is that same enthusiasm you had when you came to
America to get me to come back?”
Actually… I felt very strange.

Although the situation is certainly similar, right now I felt extremely

powerless. Thanks to Kirino that I could recover as much as I did, but I
still felt weak.

Just like a divorced husband trying to find his wife together with his little
sister.

“You really --- when others are in trouble, you're the most energetic one,
but when you yourself are in trouble you become so weak.”

“… Maybe you're right.”

“Tch… Don’t repeat what I just said.”

Kirino reluctantly shook her head.

“What a hopeless siscon. No choice then – wait here a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

“Asking around, of course.”

Kirino showed the picture she took together with Saori and Kuroneko to
me:

“This girl is cute and eye-catching… So maybe we could run into some
luck if we ask around.”

“I see. So that’s your plan.”

“So wait here, okay? Don’t get lost and cause more trouble.”

After saying that, Kirino turned around and started walking.

There was a possible margin of error in the distance from the GPS
location, so we couldn't rely on it completely to find Kuroneko. Still, it's
far better than nothing. There were so many unanswered questions...

Why did Kuroneko get transferred?

Why did Kuroneko say nothing to us?

Why did Kuroneko break up with me?

Why did Kuroneko come here?

So many ‘why’ questions danced around in my head.

As for the last question, Kuroneko's new home is somewhere around here.
That much is certain. However, this place…

“It is too far away… ”

Even though Kirino pushed me into coming here… this place is really
far…

It wouldn't be as easy for us to gather together and hang out anymore.

Since Kuroneko dumped me, I didn’t think much about it, but a long
distance relationship wouldn’t be very easy.

We could hardly see each other. That alone was a difficult obstacle.

To everyone who is currently in a long distance relationship, I give you my

blessing. Do your best!

I felt my future was being gradually pulled into the darkness.

“ --- ‘kay, let’s go.”

Kirino’s voice tore through the darkness and pulled me back to reality.

“Someone saw the black one over there. Look like she really does live
here.”

“You are very dependable today.”

I followed her, hoping to be able to say goodbye to Kuroneko at least.

Still holding my hand and leading the way, Kirino turned her head around:

“Didn’t I tell you before? Just leave it to me.”

Kirino looked so cool – I was speechless.

We cased the hot spring street a few times looking for Kuroneko. Still
walking, I said to Kirino:

“Still, we found her easier than I expected. Her gothic loli outfit is
definitely eye-catching.”

“She probably isn't wearing gothic loli clothes today.”

“Why?”

“At first, I asked for a girl in black gothic loli clothes, but no one see her.
However, when I showed them her picture, they recognized her
immediately.”

“… I see.”

Does that mean that today she was Kamineko? Shironeko? Anyway,
neither of those outfits are black so we couldn't find her based on that.

Now that I think about it, your closet seemed like it was lacking, Kuroneko.

We showed her picture to any bystander we would meet and asked about
Kuroneko.

The streets were filled with souvenir shops and small restaurants, because
all of them were traditional style, I got the feeling like we had gone back in
time…

We continued looking for two more hours.

Just when I was about to tell Kirino to sit down and take a break ---

“… Ah, you.”

We found Kuroneko.

At first we thought it was somebody else. Today, Kuroneko wasn't

wearing any of the outfits we'd seen her wear before, just plain, normal
sportswear, but her face was unmistakable.

“… Kuroneko.”

My mouth and tongue were dry. Something grabbed hold of my heart. My

whole body was frozen in place – even though she sent us that GPS map,
Kuroneko probably didn’t expect to run into us here.

Her face was emotionless as usual, but her eyes widened, unmoving.

Kirino was the only one that could still move. She didn't even freeze. Right
after she saw Kuroneko, she hesitated for only a second before she
pounced.

She grabbed hold of Kuroneko’s hand.

“What… you, you…”

“I got you! You! You ---!”

“Hey…!”

I was about to stop them – but there was no need for me to do that.

Kirino retained her clinging posture, she held on to Kuroneko – her friend
who had suddenly disappeared was in her hands.

“… I won't let you run away anymore.”

“… I will not run. It hurts, stop it.”

Kuroneko let out a tired sigh. She shot me a glance before asking Kirino.

“So…? Why did you come here?”

“Hah? What? Of course it is to…”

Kirino tried to suppress her anger and said:

“That’s my line. You – why did you do that? Give me a clear answer or I
won’t let you off this time.”
“… Do 'that'? What do you mean? What exactly have I done?”

Kuroneko was – confused. She tilted her head and asked:

“Don’t act stupid! Why did you suddenly transferred without telling us!?”

“That’s because…”

Kuroneko was about to say something, but her eyes suddenly widened.
She swallowed and asked:

“I will ask you once more – why did you come here?”

“Didn’t I tell you already!? I! Will! Bring! You! Back!”

She shouted at the top of her lungs. Her determination seemed like it could
overcome any obstacle.

… So cool.

The sight of my little sister’s back felt so reassuring.

I understand now why Ayase fell for my little sister. With someone like
that by your side, anyone would fall for her.

“…….I see. You want to bring me back.”

Bewildered, Kuroneko spoke like she was in a trance.

Thankfully Kirino wasn't a boy, if she was she would have conquered
Kuroneko already.

“Don't bring up my case… don't go ahead and disappear like that, alright?
Even I still haven't put much thought into it… but I don't want you to
suddenly run away like that. Let's think about it together – surely there
must be another way!”

With her hands still tightly wrapped around Kuroneko's, Kirino tried
desperately to convince her friend.

“… Maybe… indeed.”
Kuroneko must be very happy to see her friend saying those things. She
blushed and looked down. Was she embarrassed? Hey… you made me
embarrassed too.

However…

“… About that… we will talk about that later.”

Kuroneko suddenly threw off Kirino’s hands. She no longer looked down,
but her eyes were locked on Kirino.

“You, don’t you have something else to say?”

“Don’t pretend to…”

Kuroneko's cold attitude only increased Kirino's anxiety. She also

cancelled her feelings for Kuroneko from a few seconds ago.

“Of course – I've got a ton of questions for you!”

“Really? Then tell me. There's no need to hold back.”

Faced with further provocation, Kirino suddenly turned back to me and

said:

“Why did you break up with him?”

“I dated senpai to – fulfill another wish. To fully realize my dream, we had

many ‘ceremonies’ together, and his current state is the result of all that.”

“Ha? What a denpa girl! Give me a serious answer.”

“… I just did.”

“Tch… speak in a way that I can understand!”

Hearing Kirino’s proposal, Kuroneko nodded, her face still emotionless.

“I… I was going out with your brother… are you really okay with that?”

“---- Ha!? Don't answer my question with another question ---”

“Answer me!”

Gritting her teeth, Kirino said:

“I told you I’m fine with that! By phone! What were you listening to back
then!?”

“Lies. All of it was a lie.”

“It wasn’t a lie. I'm really fine with it.”

“Really?… Even now?”

Kuroneko pressed her question.

“………Yes.”

“… You really are lying. You're obviously pretending to be alright with it,
aren’t you? Or should I say, you're trying to force yourself into feeling that
way, aren't you?”

…What are they talking about?

By phone – that must have been the night of the ‘fake boyfriend’ incident.
Kirino had spoken with Kuroneko by phone for a long time. What exactly
did they talk about?

Did Kuroneko ask Kirino if she could go out with me?

Kirino must have said “You can” to this question. Normally, that would be
the end of it.

Why are they still talking about it now? While I'm stuck in a state of
confusion, the quarrel between them was getting more and more intense.

“Are you an idiot? It wasn't like that – besides, even if that was the case, it
doesn’t involve you.”

“No it does – I am deeply involved. That wasn't the ending that I wanted.
That ending couldn't lead to the 'ideal world' that I desire.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you're saying! Just say it directly to my

face, damn it!”

“I will. To expose your lie is an important ceremony for me.”

“What…?”

The straightforward speech stopped Kirino in her tracks.

“… You want to expose my lie?”

“That's right. You want to settle it here – fine by me. I will take you down
this time.”

As if they were just about to begin a bloody battle, their speech was full of
dramatic lines.

Kuroneko was staring intensely at Kirino.

“ ---- You still hadn’t accepted the fact that I was dating your brother.”

“How many times do I have to tell you – that wasn't the case!”

“Really? So, why did you go through the trouble of causing that boring
'fake boyfriend' incident?”

“That’s because…”

“Sorry. I know that we agreed to 'not talk about it', however, I understand
without you having to say anything --- then, what about something more
recent? --- When I came over to your brother's room to play, why did you
have such a painful expression on your face before running away?”

“Painful expression ---“

“You did have one.”

“…”

“Why is it that after I started dating your brother you always seemed to be
in pain?”

“Seemed to be in pain --- no I didn’t.”

“If you really had accepted our relationship, you wouldn't be showing that
kind of expression right now – I really can't stand you right now.”

Kuroneko's voice was small, but Kirino's expression gradually changed

into a painful one. Still, Kirino didn't acknowledge her lie. The atmosphere
between them was so serious that I felt overwhelmed, unable to utter a
word. Even I had a feeling that I shouldn't butt in.

“So you still refuse to acknowledge it – what a stubborn girl. Fine, I will
switch tactics then.”

“... Do whatever you want. No matter how you say it, I won't admit to
anything – I didn't lie.”

Kuroneko let out a “ ----Ahahaha” mocking laugh, then spoke in a voice

similar to Kirino:

“---Actually... what if I told you that Misaki-san... never intended to follow

us on our date?”

“What ----“

Kirino’s jaw dropped, her mouth was hanging wide open.

What? Just now... Did Kuroneko – didn't you two agree not to talk about
that?

“You, you!!”

“Ahahahaha… Are you shaken now?”

Kuroneko’s mocking laughter forced Kirino into a corner.

“That was just a hypothetical scenario! Don't cause a misunderstanding!”

“Misunderstanding? Isn't it the truth? Hm, hmm... How about you tell your
brother the 'true reason' for that fake date?”

“The true reason for that fake date? You mean when I went on a date with
Kirino?”

I carelessly spoke out.

“You shut up! Cover your ears!”

Kirino shut me up and then turned back to Kuroneko to bite back

aggressively.

“What exactly are you intending to do? That has nothing to do with the
situation right now!”

“Hm, hmm…”

Kuroneko let out an evil laugh.

“Until you admit your lie, I will continue to expose some of your most
embarrassing secrets.”

“You… You have gone too far!”

“Thank you for the compliment. How about we change topics then? Let's
see, you said on the phone ---- 'After I brought my fake boyfriend home,
he...'”

“Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!”

Kirino was screaming over Kuroneko's words. Kuroneko purposefully

covered her ears and closed one eye.

“--- You're so noisy. What made you suddenly roar like a barbarian?”

“I will kill you… I will definitely kill you… So you want to do it that way,
huh? Fine, I will play with you…”

“Hm? What do you think you can do?”

Faced with her opponent who was still very calm, Kirino mimicked
Kuroneko’s voice.

“… One of my friends has a problem… If she got a boyfriend… how

many dates would be appropriate before allowing him to take her body?”

“Hey, that was my friend’s problem. She asked me for help!”

Kuroneko loudly denied. Kirino didn’t stop her attack though.

“Really? How about we go ask that friend of yours?”

“… That…”

Kuroneko’s mouth hung open, unable to say anything back.

“It was clearly about you! I even lent you a lover's guide book – 'The spirit
of love special edition – How to hold hands on your first date', and what
about the time someone said bravely 'Haha, I'm a pro at dating' but then
later that night that same person said in a depressed tone 'looks like I need
to practice holding hands'.”

…….Yeah, I could see that much on my first date with Kamineko.

I feared that my first date with Kirino also took hints from that same book.

Every time I did something that the book didn’t mention, she got angry.
Probably.

After they exposed each others' most embarrassing secrets, those two were
staring at each other intensely.

“--- Wait. Stop. If you continue then it will end in mutual destruction.”

“…….OK.”

Pale, both Kuroneko and Kirino nodded.

Kuroneko coughed and continued. She pointed her finger directly at

Kirino.

“Anyway, what exactly do you think about me becoming Kyousuke's

lover? Confess your true feelings.”

“--- You've repeated that question a lot. Ah, forget it. So what if I didn't
like it? If you understand me so much, why did you confess to him in the
first place?”

“--------------------“

Kuroneko’s eyes widened. Looked like Kirino’s counter attack hit.

“You knew that it was too much for me didn't you? You knew that I'd hate
it, but then why did you still do it?”

Kirino pressed her question. The atmosphere was getting tense again.

“That's because… if I didn't do it, you would keep lying to yourself…”

“Liar! How could it be that simple!? Just like you understand me, I also
understand you! How serious you were… I'm well aware of it! That's
why… that's why I --- endured it!”

“Endured it?”

“Ah…”

Oh hell, Kuroneko caught Kirino’s slip.

“… What is it exactly that you have endured?”

“That… that…”

Kuroneko sighed at the sight of Kirino stuttering.

“Don't lie to yourself anymore. The more you do, the more you will hurt
yourself. Being greedy is in your nature, isn't it? There is no need to
endure or worry. If that continues, I won't be able to experience my ideal
future.”

Faced with Kirino's fierce stare, Kuroneko said truthfully.

“If you consider me a friend, then act like you usually do – show me your
true self.”

“… Tch…”

Kirino gritted her teeth.

“Fine – I will say it!”

Kirino yelled.

“I, I – I hate my aniki! I hate him the most! I hateeeeeeeeee ~~~~~~ him!”
“… Ah… I see.”

Although I had known that for a long time, hearing her actually say it out
loud still made me sad.

No wait, what was Kirino enduring?

My eyes moved away from Kirino…

“Yes, and?”

Kuroneko’s eyes urged on Kirino. She took a breath before continuing:

“I hate my aniki the most, but, but – I hate it even more when he has a
girlfriend! Even though I hate him… I hate it even more if I'm not the one
he cherishes the most!”

Finally, my little sister shouted out her true feelings.

Just like back then, it was pure jealousy.

“That’s why I did such a stupid thing!”

“You mean… the fake boyfriend incident?”

“That’s right!”

Kirino’s eyes were no longer fixed on Kuroneko. She clenched her palms
and looked at me ---

“You… you…!”

Even though she had trouble speaking, she still continued:

“I hate it when you spend time with that plain girl and this black one… I
hate it so much that I wanted you to taste what I had been through! I was
so afraid that you would tell me to do whatever I wanted, or 'go ahead and
date him'… I… really didn't know what to do…!”

“………………..”

I see now.
“Huh? That’s your problem. Why are you asking me now?”

I really wanted to punch the me from the past in the face.

Ah… I see. I understand it now.

You hate it. Just like me, you can’t stand it when your sibling gets a lover,
but unlike me, you did something that I failed to do.

Now that I think about it – 'If a girl who is dear to you confesses her love
to you… you must think about it carefully'.

She forced her feelings down and gave me a push. That's why I could
become Kuroneko's lover.

Wasn't it thanks to my sister that I could face Kuroneko without doubt?

How could I allow myself to get a girlfriend if, at the same time, I was
forcing my feelings on her?

I hesitated purely out of instinct.

I finally understand how much my little sister cares for me.

“ --- Didn't you tell me that you'd hate it if I got a boyfriend? That's why…
if I said the same thing… maybe… you wouldn't have gone out with
anyone.”

It's true. If Kirino herself said that - I wouldn't have gone out with
Kuroneko.

“That night… I received a call from the black one… about the fake
boyfriend incident. I wanted to apologize to her… make it up to her… then
she asked me 'Can I confess to your brother?'. I told her --- 'You can'.
Although I really wanted to tell her otherwise… I still said 'You can'
because unlike me, who was going out with a fake boyfriend – she really
likes you… she is also a very gentle and shy girl, yet she was able to
muster the courage to confess her feelings – how could I stop her?”

Kirino started crying.

What have I done…? I made my little sister cry again.

“But yeah, I couldn't stand it. I started to regret my choice supporting you
two. That's why when I heard you got dumped, the first feeling I had was
relief… but… but after that you were badly hurt. You cried so much that
in the end you came to me. When I saw that I felt even worse. Suddenly, I
was angry at the black one who dumped you and got transferred. I thought
to myself that I had to do something – those are my true feelings, that's
why I'm here right now.”

Kirino held her chest. Full of momentum she continued, but what she said
was slightly different.

“I hated it when Kyousuke got a girlfriend, but I hate it even more when I
see him cry… It can't be helped, those are my true feelings right now. So,
Kuroneko, I will listen to your stupid reasons before I disregard them. I
will force you to apologize to Kyousuke. I will bring you back and I will
make you cancel your transfer – you got a problem with that?”

That was the first time I heard Kirino shout her friend's name like that.

“You two caused a ruckus again. You two are really alike whenever you
lose your temper.”

She was clearly mocking us, but her tone was sincere.

“You clearly don’t want your brother to have a girlfriend, but you allowed
me to confess. You also pushed your brother into accepting my
confession.”

Kuroneko asked Kirino a question that she once asked me a long time ago:

“Why did you do that?”

“Hm, because we are siblings.”

Kirino’s answer was the same as mine.

“Kyousuke – Aniki, is always the one helpng me out.. No matter how far
away he is, he always worries about me, and comes running when I need
help. Whenever I felt down, he immediately came to comfort me. He is
always at my side, and has protected me countless times. When I felt sad
he comforted me, he makes me laugh or even makes me angry. He would
scold me when i did something stupid, and even got jealous for me. When
I felt troubled – he gave me sincere advice..even though i thought he hated
me...even though we ignored each other for so long...."

“ Thats why im doing the same for him.”

Everything Kirino did was something that I once did for her.

And that was how my life and Kirino’s had passed every day.

We lived together, we were separated for some time, we reunited, we

complained and helped each other, then we quarrelled once more before
speaking our minds… we're both okay with that.

I understood what our relationship was without having to say it.

Gradually, we had become closer and closer, until we could hold each
others' hand.

There was no more reason than that. It was that simple.

We slowly… slowly… it took a long time --- but now we had finally
become brother and sister again.

Just like that. It made me very happy.

I've been crying a lot recently.

It couldn’t be helped.

Because – I was so happy that I wanted to cry.

“You were finally able to speak your true feelings – what I've done was
worth it.”

Kuroneko let out a sigh of relief, like she had just dropped a heavy burden
from her shoulders.

“Hm.”

Kirino blushed and looked away.

“… So, what now? I've told you how I truly feel, what do you want to do
now?”

“Now that you've told your brother your true feelings, finally… I could --
-”

Kuroneko became nervous again and looked at me.

“Kyousuke, what are you going to do?”

“You said you liked me, but Kirino said she would hate it if Kyousuke got
a girlfriend. Still, she wanted us to be happy. Since your little sister – well,
if the situation was reversed, you would probably do the same…”

Kuroneko, who was still holding back tears, looked at me...

“About our next ceremony – let me hear your thoughts.”

… and pressed her attack.

“ --- Now that you know Kirino's feelings, will you still choose me?”

A decisive question.

Just like I couldn't stand it when my little sister 'got a boyfriend', Kirino
couldn't stand it when I had a girlfriend. Still, she forced her feelings down
and wished the best for me and Kuroneko.

If the situation was reversed and Kirino really did love her boyfriend ---

I am afraid that I would have done the same thing.

Because we are brother and sister.

Kuroneko stood there motionless, she stared directly into my eyes. She
looked even more nervous than when she was waiting for a response to her
confession. Her legs were trembling, her face was pale, and her forehead
was covered in sweat.
---- Now that you know Kirino's feelings, will you still choose me?

If this question was part of Kuroneko's destiny record, then the situation
right now must have been planned by her deliberately. She broke up with
me in such an unreasonable way so that Kirino would be forced to speak
about how she truly felt – then she waited for me to choose her a second
time. If that was the case, then this is too much.

But… this is my responsibility.

Unlike many times before I couldn't rely on determination alone to solve

it. It wasn't something tears alone could solve, I needed to face it head-on.

“-------“

Just when I was about to open my mouth, Kuroneko trembled.

She was afraid of my answer. She was more afraid of it than awaiting the
response to her confession.

I hesitated for an instant, but I made my decision.

Taking a deep breath, I said ---

“Kuroneko, I ---“

“It was a joke.”

When I was about to tell her my answer, she unexpectedly interrupted me.

“ ---- It was a joke.”

“Oh?”

“… I said it was a joke. Everything was a joke… so you don’t have to

answer.”

Kuroneko closed her eyes and turned away.

Even someone as stupid as me understood what she meant. But no matter

what, I had to ---
“No, listen to me Kuroneko. I ---“

“Stop.”

I was unable to finish my line.

“Um?”

“I will kill myself if you speak another word.”

“Er?”

She said… she will kill herself? Was she threatening me? She didn’t sound
like she was joking.

Terrifying! Sometimes I felt like Kuroneko was so damn terrifying!

She used her own life as a hostage to prevent me from speaking.

“… Hm… hm…”

Kirino then ran to Kuroneko's side. I thought she would be angry and say
something like “What are you talking about? Let him talk!” but…

“Yo-you… are you alright?”

Kuroneko fell down.

“Hey, hey, how do you feel!?”

“…..”

Kuroneko leaned on Kirino and looked at me. She was panting.

This was…

“You idiot…!”

She fainted because she couldn't handle the pressure of waiting for the
answer!

Now that I think about it, that was natural. She was a very shy girl. When
she confessed – it looked like she was about to die, too. It was the same
way when she was having the argument with Kirino, so of course it was
natural for her to faint, or rather, it was a miracle that she could maintain
consciousness up until now.

Kirino lightly slapped Kuroneko’s face, became worried said:

“You… you look really bad.”

“Hm… It seems like my time has come… Oh… Kirino… I can’t see
you… where are you…?”

Is this what you call a 'dying message'? You still have the energy to create
this dramatic atmosphere?

“If you have time to spout that nonsense, take a deep breath instead!”

“… Hm… Huh… Don't think that you've won just yet… I knew that it
would turn out this way… It was only a detour on the road to my
inevitable victory… just like my destiny record predicted…”

Kuroneko was already having trouble breathing but she still found the
energy to speak those drawn-out lines.

Of course, nobody had any idea what was she talking about.

“… Don’t be mistaken… I didn’t run away… It was a tactical retreat.

Remember that well…”

“I know that already! Now breathe!”

“… Even if my body is destroyed… My soul is eternal…”

Leaving those final-boss-like lines behind, Kuroneko fainted.

Those lines didn’t fit her sportswear at all. Not one bit.

And so, this matter has temporarily come to a close.

After Kuroneko fainted, we brought her to a nearby hotel to rest and asked
a staff to call a doctor. Thankfully she was okay, so we let her rest.

After she woke up, Kuroneko told us something unexpected.

“--- Matsudo!?”

Kirino and I yelled in surprise.

“That’s right. I was going to move to Matsudo, Chiba. The flying Chiba,
the Mad City.

The people who lived there are going to be angry. Still…

“This was even closer.”

“That’s right.”

That’s right my ass…

“My father decided to quit living at his current place so that he could live
in the company's staff apartment.”

Hearing her say it like that made it impossible for me to respond, but,
Kirino took my place:

“So… why are you here?”

“Family trip. Our apartment's paperwork is late so I was free for another
day.”

“… Ha… Haha.”

Kirino’s shoulders dropped. I felt the same.

“In other words… you…”

“ --- Yes. Although I transferred schools, this doesn't affect our party.”

“----“

Should I feel happy or angry? Ah, happy then, I guess.

Suddenly, Kirino stared at Kuroneko like she had just remembered
something.

“Wait a second. Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“………….”

“Answer me!”

“… How could I say that… when you were trying so hard to convince
me…”

Yeah right! We will get you back for that!

Don't go on and disappear on your own… I don't want you to move that far
away.

Kuroneko blushed in embarrassment and looked down.

“Oh…”

Kirino recalled what happened and blushed too.

… Truly, that conversation we had was pretty hard to bring up again.

“… Hah…”

In the end, the fact that my girlfriend had dumped me was undeniable and
unchangeable.

But – the bond between those two had become even stronger.

“Is Kuroneko-san’s ‘Destiny record’ the same as Kirino-chan’s ‘life

counseling’?”

On the way home after school, Manami once asked me that question.
At the time I still hadn't known what happened, but because Kuroneko
dumped me, Manami was comforting me. That led to the previous line.

I tilted my head to the side.

“… Really? She has a lot of ‘ceremonies’ and stuff, we did a lot of things
together, unlike Kirino’s life counselling.”

“Unlike? - Yes, if you put it that way, but I meant the difference between
'What should I do?' and 'This is what I want to do.'… do you get it?”

“Ah—“

Well, certainly, Kirino's life counseling was all about “What should I do?”
or “Do this and that for me”, then it ended up with me doing something to
solve it, although every single time was very chaotic.

Kuroneko’s Destiny record was very vague, however, we followed each of

her “ceremonies”, so I didn’t think about it that much.

Kuroneko's wishes – her goals – did she fulfill them or not?

“Uh, but does that mean 'break up with Senpai' was part of her plan too?”

“Um – maybe? Although I'm not entirely sure, isn't it great that Kuroneko
was able to fulfill her goals?”

Because she is a girl. That was what Manami said.

“I don't think that seeing Kirino-chan chase after her was part of her plan
though. She must have been very happy.”

Maybe it was my imagination but recently I feel like Kuroneko had

become a little more like Manami, and vice versa. The way Manami spoke
made me think that she knew exactly what Kuroneko was thinking, and
Kuroneko gained Manami's sharpness… What could that mean?

“… It feels like you understand Kuroneko even better than I do.”

I mean, I was her boyfriend once – it was pretty humiliating.

After hearing my self-deprecating comment, Manami shook her head.

“I don't think so. I think Kyou-chan understands Kuroneko much better
than I do… Still, because we are both girls there are things that I'm more
aware of than you… that's all.”

Manami wore her usual smile:

“Do your best, Kyou-chan. Make sure to confront Kuroneko properly.”

“… Your words always seem to guide me out of trouble.”

“Heehee – because I knew that sooner or later Kyou-chan would come to

talk to me about it.”

“Hah? Does that mean that you knew that I would be as depressed as I
am?”

“Maybe?”

Hey… you…!

Now that you mention it, Manami did say something like “Come talk to
me if you're in trouble”. It looks like she predicted my situation.

“Any girl who would go out with Kyou-chan will definitely face trouble,
so I prepared myself – I could come to help you any time.”

“Am I that unreliable?”

“Yes~”

Why does Manami seem harsher than usual today?

Manami looked at me and said in confidence:

“Kyou-chan is fairly useless, so there's only a small amount of girls who

would be happy after marrying you – I'm very confident in this
prediction.”

“Did you get that from Ayase?”

I wanna cry. Where did my gentle childhood friend go?

“Kyou-chan, you must remember to thank your future wife, because I'm
sure that girl must love you a lot.”

“ --- Yeah.”

I carved those words deep into my heart.

Future wife… I couldn't picture it right now.

We walked toward a T corner. Normally, we would split up around here.

“… Hey, who do you think I could marry and remain happy with?”

I asked this half-hearted question, but Manami went ‘Er…’ and blushed.

“About… for example…”

For some unknown reason, Manami was flustered. She then shook her
head a few times and said:

“Like ….. Ayase?”

“Huh? Hah!?”

Why did you suggest Ayase?

“I think that if it was Ayase, even though you two would have a lot of
problems at first, you could have a happy family.”

“Family… huh.”

“That situation is almost completely out of reach for me“ or “That's

absolutely impossible”. Normally, those are the types of phrases that
would come to mind, but her words felt so persuasive that I didn't know
how to respond.

“Of course, that was a hypothetical scenario. I think that if Kyou-chan

went out with Ayase-chan, even if your relationship was simple, there
would still be a lot of difficulties in your way. That's one of the reasons
Kuroneko broke up with you without saying a word.”

She said my relationship with Ayase was simple?

However, in Manami’s words, there was something else I noticed.

“About those difficulties… what are they?”

“It's Kirino-chan of course.”

Manami said with confidence.

“Just like Ayase, Kuroneko likes Kirino-chan a lot. That's why she couldn't
ignore Kirino-chan's feelings and focus on her happiness alone – of course
if she didn't confess to Kyou-chan in the first place everyone would have
been fine, but she did. No matter what, she had to do it – Don't ask 'Why?',
okay? If you are that dense I will get angry in Kuroneko's place.”

“…………You.”

“Uhm?”

“How could you understand Kuroneko that much?”

I had asked that question before, but I did it again.

Still in her usual peaceful tone, Manami said:

“Of course I understand… because I like Kyou-chan as well.”

“……!”

It was so much of a shock that I stopped dead in my tracks.

“You… what did you say?”

“Heehee.”

Manami smiled shyly.

“So, now that you know how everyone truly feels – what are you going to
do, Kyou-chan? Even if you gave them an answer fitting your 'current
situation', it definitely wouldn't last for long – even if you wish for things
to remain unchanged, there are certain things that will change no matter
what happens. This time, only thanks to Kuroneko's sacrifices, things
turned out for the better, right Kyou-chan? Maybe Ayase isn't the right
answer – but maybe you could find your own happiness?”

Saying that, Manami smiled gently and spoke again:

“Kyou-chan. Don’t rush it. Think about it carefully, and consider your true
feelings.”

Her words pierced my heart like a sword.

A few days later, Kirino and I were invited to Kuroneko’s new home.

It was a staff apartment. It was a little far from the station, but what
surrounded it was a beautiful green garden. It was quite a place.

We came here on Saturday night, now it's Sunday morning. I sat in front of
Kirino at the table, Kuroneko was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, the
two little sisters were still sleeping. Seem like they preferred to sleep in
unless they needed to go to school.

By the way, we have met Kuroneko’s parents, they asked us to come again
sometime.

“Last night was so dark, doesn't Matsudo have streetlights or something?”

While waiting for the breakfast, Kirino complained.

“Didn’t we see some last night?”

“We did? I thought we were in an urban country side. Hey, did something
happen to the streetlights in front of your house?

“… Some times. Maybe you are just unlucky.”

“It is clearly worthy of the name of the 'Mad Town' of Chiba.”

Kuroneko was probably the only person who called it that.

Hey, you shouldn't keep making comments like that. Matsudo's citizens
will get angry.
“… You could just come back to Chiba city.”

That's what you were aiming for, right? If that's the case, then I forgive
you.

“We have a storage closet on the second floor, right? We could keep the
Kuroneko[29] in there.”

“Do you want to keep your friend at home like a pet?”

“… How about you come live in my room then? I could pay for your
living expenses… I would also prefer it if those two could come with.”

“Those two” was referring to Kuroneko’s little sisters.

That was my and Kuroneko’s worst fear: Letting those two small girls fall
into Kirino's clutches. Just as you'd expect, they were a package deal.

“I told you…”

Kirino suddenly stood up.

“Ah! Right, right!”

“… What?”

She seemed like she was about to say something, but changed her mind.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah… About… I… How could I put it…”

“What are you trying to say?”

“About you and the black one…”

“… Ah… about that, huh. In the end, we were still unable to set things
straight.”

After Kuroneko recovered, although I tried to tell her many times, she
always managed to run away at the most critical moment.
She would do the same thing when I tried to talk to her by phone as well,
she'd just hang up on me immediately.

However, unlike before, she didn't cut off contact with me.

She acted so ambiguous. It's just like Manami said, I couldn't give her an
answer fitting my “current situation”, but still… that meant I had almost
no chance of changing her mind.

This summer with her made me feel both happy and lonely.

“Back then… what were you going to say?”

Kirino looked directly into my eyes. I told her the answer that I had
repeated in my mind many times.

“I don’t know what the future will hold. However, I don’t want you to
have a boyfriend. If you think the same, then I won’t get a girlfriend either
– at least for now.”

We are even.

“Hm… until when?”

“Until…”

In fact, I don’t know how to answer…

“…Until you get a boyfriend?”

“But didn't you just say you didn't want me to get a boyfriend?”

“That’s right.”

Feeling like she had been led into an infinite loop, Kirino laughed.

“You are so useless.”

“… I’m very useless.”

That’s right… if this continues, I might not able get a girlfriend for the rest
of my life.
What should I do…

I sighed tiredly.

“You siscon.”

“Oh.”

“Heehee, disgusting.”

“It's the same for you!”

I stood up and said. Mimicking my actions, Kirino also stood up.

“It's fine when it's me because I'm the little sister, but in your case it's
disgusting because you're the brother.”

“What kind of insane logic is that?”

We started squabbling again.

The current situation looked a little bit like Kuroneko's “ideal world” - but
our expressions were completely different.

Did Kuroneko’s plan fail?

I have to question it because there is still a long way to go between this

pair of bickering siblings and her “ideal world” picture.

And then…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

In a maid outfit equipped with cat ears, Kuroneko brought out breakfast. It
had meat, fish and vegetables – a very normal breakfast. Although
Kuroneko was very good at cooking, she still had a long way to go before
she could be a match for Manami. However, Kirino seemed to take them
very lightly.

“Hey, maid! Finally!”

“What a rude girl… Can't you behave yourself?”

Actually, the main problem is with your maid outfit, Kuroneko.

So, I joined their conversation.

“What’s with that outfit?”

“This one? Saori gave it to me.”

“I knew that already! Wasn't that from the party a long time ago? Didn't
you just borrow it?”

“Recently, Saori admitted that she made it herself.”

I see…

“No, wait a minute! I'm asking why you decided to wear it now!”

“… Because it's cute?”

Kuroneko looked up and took a peek at me. She blushed slightly.

………Looks like she wants to take my life so early in the morning.

Kirino interrupted with a blank expression.

“… Hey, you perverted cat.”

“What…?”

Kuroneko looked surprised.

“You, perverted cat. You broke up with him, didn't you? - So what are you
doing in that thing so early in the morning? Care to let us know?”

“……”

Kirino stared at Kuroneko with fierce eyes.

She looked down and said:

“That's right. Kyousuke and I are no longer lovers. We aren't even Senpai
and Kouhai anymore.”
“ --- And so?”

“That’s all.”

“Ha? What kind of answer is that? I was asking why you're still trying to
seduce him after you broke up with him!”

“Hm, hm… That’s a prophecy recorded in the ‘Destiny record’. Our

ceremony still continues.”

----Ha? What did she just say?

“Hey… I thought it was the end?”

“When did I ever say it ended? In order to fulfill my wishes, the ceremony
continues, and it's going smoothly.”

“How-----“

Kirino was frozen in place, unable to say anything. My jaw dropped, I

stared at Kuroneko.

Manami said that Kuroneko's ceremonies are the same as Kirino's life
counseling.

In other words ---

------ Life counseling still continues.

Kuroneko gracefully came closer to me and whispered in my ear:

“ --- Don’t forget. The curse I placed on your body still remains.”

“---------“

My heart skipped a beat.

“Wait a second! What did you just do!?”

From Kirino's point of view it looked like I was sharing a kiss with
Kuroneko, however, Kirino's angry roar filled my ears. I was completely
confused.

… What is going on?

----- Break up with senpai.

I thought our ceremony had ended already.

Even though I concluded that I “don't have a girlfriend”, the memories

from this summer with Kuroneko remained in my heart, also, a curse was
still placed on my body.

I will love you forever.

I wasn’t making things up, she did whisper that to me.

Although it might just have been her hoping to not be separated from her
boyfriend, I didn't think so.

I looked deep into her eyes hoping to find some answers, but Kuroneko
turned around and blushed.

“Ah, right. I will tell you a little bit about this, because this time, my
ceremony warrants an impressive result.”

Changing the topic, Kuroneko took out her black notebook.

Upon closer inspection, this was a new notebook.

“I have a newer, clearer wish.”

She opened up the second ‘Destiny record’ and pointed to the last page.

It showed another illustration, with the same name ‘ideal world’.

It was the same happy sight at the dinner table before, the only difference
was that the older me and Kirino – were waiting for Kuroneko to bring out
meal.

This scene was so familiar.

“…Ha? What is that? Us?”

“… What do you think?”

Kuroneko asked.

“I don't know what you plan to do, but – your skills seem to be degrading.”

“… Yup. This isn't happening.”

We always quarrelled. In this illustration there were only a few similarities

among a vast amount of differences when compared to reality.

Hearing that, Kuroneko showed a satisfied and bitter smile.

“… Hm… It seems like I still have a long way to go.”

And that was how our mess ended.

Now that I think about it, it's extremely similar to what happened before.

When my little sister 'got a boyfriend', I discovered my hidden desires. I

hated the idea of someone stealing my little sister away from me when I'd
just gotten back into a good relationship with her.

“I will not give Kirino to you.”

That incident ended with me shouting out that embarrassing line, then,
after her brother got a girlfriend, Kirino shared those same feelings.

Through Kuroneko's unreasonable ceremony, I became aware of this.

“I hate my aniki the most, but, but – I hate it even more when he has a
girlfriend! Even though I hate him… I hate it even more if I'm not the one
he cherishes the most!”

In the end… she shouted that.

After I became weak and depressed due to Kuroneko abandoning me, she
extended her hand, inspired me – accepted my life counselling, just like I
had done for her in the past.

… Damn this girl. What the hell.

My little sister can not be this cool.

If she wasn’t my little sister, I’d have fallen for her, damn it.

How should I put it?… Well, thanks to Mikagami and Kuroneko, Kirino
and I could understand each other a lot more. If we didn't get this chance,
we might have continued this misunderstanding for a long time. Although
I still believe it will be a long time until we could say 'we have a great
relationship', even if we normally bicker a lot, in times of need we will
lend each other a helping hand.

That’s because we are brother and sister, isn’t it?

… And the price I had to pay, well calling it that wasn’t exactly right,
but… in the end I was dumped by Kuroneko, both Ayase and Manami
scolded me, every female student at my school hates me now. At school,
before they went to Tamura’s house, some of the girls even said to me
‘Ahahaha, Kousaka-san! Come and kneel again!’. Damn those girls!

I think that what I had to endure was simply well deserved divine
retribution.

I understand clearly, this time – I was a fucking useless bastard.

I almost caused my closest group of friends to fall apart.

Not only did I make my little sister cry, I didn't even understand why she
was crying. I told her 'do whatever you want'.

I left my hard-earned girlfriend some bitter memories, even I myself had

some bitter memories this time.

Still, I gained something else.

“Love is so difficult.”

A profound lesson learned.

“… Disgusting. What are you muttering about?”

Finally, I understand my hidden feelings.

“ --- Ah ha. So you also gained ‘The dark power’ of ‘communication’?”

My hidden feelings were quickly getting bigger and bigger.

“It’s nothing.”

My feelings developed as I was searching for them.

I’m neither a good Aniki nor am I a good boyfriend.

That's why, henceforth, I understand that I will probably make a lot more
mistakes. Even if I try my hardest to solve them in my own way… This
time, I failed. Even though I wouldn't change the result of this entire
experience, based on the results alone, I didn't just make a lot of mistakes,
I tasted the pain brought forth by those mistakes while trying to correct
them myself. That's probably how most people live their lives.

Until my little sister gets a lover – I will not get a girlfriend.

That was what I decided. I still don't want my little sister to have a
boyfriend, and she doesn't want me to have a girlfriend either – we both
feel the same way. I know it sounds like an infinite loop, I couldn't say
anything to counter my sister's criticism.

Still, please give me some more time.

We're still immature, can't you guys see that? We make mistakes, we face
failure and we taste defeat until we figure that out. Honestly, our
experience was farrrrrrrrrrrrr from enough to figure that out.

Manami warned me this was only a ‘temporary solution’, Kuroneko also

said that her ‘ceremony’ is far from over.

In other words, my future was like a mine field.

I'm a pretty useless guy. I've only made it this far in life through sheer
determination.
--- Don't rush it. Think about it carefully. Consider your true feelings.

Even if it was difficult I could only move forward.

The only thing I knew is that I could not maintain this level of ineptitude
or I wouldn't be able to live up to their expectations.

---- If a 'girl who is dear to you' confesses her love to you, you… must
think about it carefully.

There is no need to think about it. Next time, I will be the one who confess
first.

That's how my last summer as a high school student came to an end.

The following Monday, we will all head back to school. Even though we
don't go to the same school, we can still meet each other on the weekends.

Maybe I can get the others to join in too, like Saori, Hinata, or Sena.

We could have fun. We could quarrel. We could bicker with each other –
sometimes we might even fight with each other.

There was still an unfulfilled, final page in the Destiny record.

She said she still had a long way to go.

The sunlight that entered from the windows made the room brighten.

It was not so bad… I think.

“---- What did you say?”

Kirino was staring at me, she looked uncomfortable.

Confronted with my little sister's eyes – I got lost in thought.

“Ah, Hey… I-”

It was just like before.

So, all I could say to my little sister was this:

“ ---- Thank you, Kirino.”

Kirino’s eyes widened, blinking. Then she smiled and blushed.

“Ha? What are you saying all of the sudden?”

“What’s with your attitude? I just thanked you – is it that strange?”

I felt my face getting hotter and I said:

“And, sorry.”

Kirino laughed like she was playing with me but she quickly stopped. Her
mocking smile turned into a genuine one. Her face reddened and she said:

“ --- You are welcome, Kyousuke.”

How did I feel after I heard Kirino gave her answer, you ask?

About that, figure it out on your own.

 Translator's Notes

1. ↑ Volume 1, Chapter 4
2. ↑ Volume 2, Chapter 4
3. ↑ From dragon Ball
4. ↑ S meaning sadist; someone who takes pleasure in inflicting pain or
humiliation.
5. ↑ English in the original text.
6. ↑ English in the original text.
7. ↑ English in the original text.
8. ↑ A type of comedy duo in Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai
9. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream
10. ↑ Kami = God, Neko = Cat
11. ↑ Class-change, Symbol, Materialize was written in English
12. ↑ Volume 2, Chapter 1 (probably)
13. ↑ English in the original
14. ↑ http://en.dic.pixiv.net/a/Chuunibyou
15. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotatsu
16. ↑ Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization
17. ↑ The erotic event in almost any eroge between two lead characters.
18. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hime_cut
19. ↑ imouto = little sister
20. ↑ From Sis X Sis – I guess
21. ↑ Irony, OreImo season 1 opening. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjRWUWKBptE
22. ↑ Volume 5 Chapter 3, Kirino’s novel
23. ↑ Voice actress
24. ↑ Yukata = casual summer Kimono
25. ↑ Probably a reference to the Bamboo Princess. More at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Bamboo_Cutter
26. ↑ http://en.dic.pixiv.net/a/Chuunibyou - Chuunibyou and Jyakigan are
both on this page
27. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denpa
28. ↑ Plate counting is one of the methods used in japanese fortune telling
29. ↑ Kuro = Black, Neko = Cat, she's saying they could keep her like a
house-cat in the closet.

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