She Was Actually My Stepsister. ~Recently, The Sense Of Distance Between Me And My New Stepbrother Is Incredibly Close~ - Chapter 9 Part 3
Chapter 9: “Apparently, I’m Protecting My Stepsister…”
Translator: AJ1703
“………………”
“………………”
We are taking a walk.
Me and Akira are just walking down the street in silence.
Miyuki-san said, “Since you’re here, why don’t you go out somewhere?” so we went out together. However, I was so nervous that I didn’t even know where should we go.
Akira was just walking beside me with her head down and her face bright red.
I felt a greater distance between us than usual. This is almost like “Stray Cat Mode,” but there is something subtle and different.
As the older brother, I should probably say something, but I can’t find the words.
But then Akira grabbed the hem of my clothes.
“Where are we going?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Then, I want to go there…”
“Eh?”
Akira pointed to a stylish looking cafe.
Several young men and women are already sitting on the open terrace.
“I-It’s fine, but…”
I had brought my wallet just in case, but I wasn’t expecting to stop at a café, so I was mostly dressed in my regular clothes.
I regretted it a little bit as I should have worn clothes for going out.
“I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“I see. Then let’s go in.”
We entered the restaurant, looked at the menu at the counter, and placed our order.
That’s where things got a lot more strange.
I feel the eyes of the people around me on Akira at my back. Perhaps it’s because my nerves are on edge, but words like “she’s cute” and “she’s beautiful” ring strangely in my ears. Something is not quite right here.
I order an iced coffee, and Akira orders a café au lait.
We moved to a seat in the corner to escape the stares of those around us. There was a sofa in the back and wood chairs in the front. Naturally, I chose the front.
But when I tried to sit in front of Akira, she said,
“Aniki, right here. Come sit here…”
Akira tapped the sofa.
It was a signal for me to sit next to her, but I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable about it.
I did as I was told, and we sat down next to each other, side by side, looking around the restaurant.
I sipped my cold iced coffee to quench my thirst and tried to keep my cool.
Then Akira quietly spoke up.
“I feel like I’m on a date with Aniki…”
The word “date,” which I didn’t want her to say, made me flustered.
“W-We’re siblings, so it’s not a date, right?”
“Yes, but it feels like it’s not…”
…This is a really bad idea.
Every time I think I need to be firm as an older brother, Akira tries to overcome the boundaries of siblings.
The Akira sitting next to me right now, and the Akira lounging around at home in her normal life.
Knowing both sides of Akira, I am still confused as to how I should treat her.
What I have learned since I met Akira until today.
I guess I am just an insensitive, indecisive, and unreliable man.
Thinking this, I was almost crushed by some vague anxiety.
“Haaaa~…”
“Aniki, what’s troubling you?”
“I’ve got to get myself together better…”
“What do you mean?”
“I need to become an older brother who can protect Akira.”
Even now, my heart is still unsteady.
Seeing Akira like this, I’ve been seriously shaken up by one thing Akira has said or done.
I guess it proves that I am not fully aware of myself as an older brother.
Is it because Akira is my little sister or because she is a girl that I want to take care of her and protect her…?
I don’t have an answer even if I ask myself the question.
“Y-You don’t have to protect me that much, you know? I may rely on Aniki from time to time, but I can’t just rely on you all the time…”
I made Akira pay unnecessary attention to me. Even though she’s the one I want to protect…
Anyway, I can’t be the same insensitive, indecisive, and unreliable Aniki I am now. But what should I do?
I need a chance to change.
Something, just anything.
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Translator’s Afterword:
The so-not exactly daily chapters are still ongoing lmao. Idk how long I could keep this up, but hopefully it lasts until I can finish at least volume 1 of JitsuImo (there’s chapter 10 and epilogue left and a fair bit more parts of chapter 9 so we’re getting close to finishing it at least.)
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ahgeesai
This is cute af. He may have been an idiot who couldn’t tell a bit from a girl but he’s got heart. The mom is being weird. Is she trying to get them together? Wtf is going on. Of course aniki would be confused