She Was Actually My Stepsister. ~Recently, The Sense Of Distance Between Me And My New Stepbrother Is Incredibly Close~ - Chapter 9 Part 6

Chapter 9: “Apparently, I’m Protecting My Stepsister…”

 

 

 

Translator: AJ1703

 

 

 

　After that, me and Akira went home in silence.

 

　Both my Dad and Miyuki-san were away for work.

 

　I told Akira to go to the bathroom first and I took off my wet uniform and wiped myself with a towel.

 

　I can’t find anything to say to Akira. Maybe it would be better not to say anything.

 

　I was wondering about it until Akira got out of the bath, and then I just went straight to the bath and regretted it all the more while taking a shower.

 

　I may have said something I didn’t need to say.

 

　Unnecessary meddling, self-satisfaction and self-hatred…

 

　Today is a bad day anyway. In times like this, I should go to bed early.

 

　With that in mind, I got out of the bath.

 

　After a while, when I was alone in my room, Akira came over to me.

 

“Aniki, can I come in?”

 

“Ah, sure…”

 

　I had a feeling that she was going to come.

 

　When I adjusted myself on the bed, Akira sat down next to me on my right.

 

“Are you hungry?”

 

“No, not really…”

 

　Silence followed.

 

　A heavy rain was pounding on the window. It’s not exactly at the strength of sending a warning, but it’s enough to make you feel like it.

 

　As I listened to the sound of the rain without saying a word, Akira suddenly spoke up.

 

“Aniki, about what happened today…”

 

　Akira looked like she was having trouble saying it and turned her head downwards.

 

“Sorry, I just kind of got…”

 

“No, it’s me who should be sorry… But there’s something I have to say to Aniki…”

 

　After saying this, Akira rested her head on my shoulder.

 

“Aniki, thank you…”

 

“Huh?”

 

“For saying so many things for my sake…”

 

“Ah, no, I’m just…”

 

　I’m just meddling. I did a lot of things I shouldn’t have done, a lot of things I shouldn’t have said.

 

　I’m her brother─ no, I don’t want to talk about that kind of thing anymore.

 

　I simply went round in circles for the sake of one girl, Akira. [TLN: In other words, he’s making up excuses.]

 

“Aniki, did you think you did something unnecessary?”

 

“…Yeah, I thought it was for Akira’s sake, but at the end of the day, I think it was just for my own personal satisfaction.”

 

“No, that’s not true, I could feel Aniki’s kindness.”

 

“If you say so…”

 

“Besides, Aniki was really cool today. I was happy that you said all those things to Daddy for me…”

 

　Even those words are just pathetic and embarrassing.

 

　I had many things I wanted to say to Takeru-san, but all that came out of my mouth were my impressions, gratitude and unnecessary meddling.

 

　I didn’t speak for Akira, I just said what I wanted to say.

 

　Such things are troublesome to the one being told.

 

“I’m sorry, I kind of wanted to say more, but…”

 

“Oh, I was moved by that. The part about you being the happiest…”

 

“Ugh… Don’t say it…”

 

“I feel the same way. I’m also happy to have met Aniki.”

 

“Ah…! Can we stop talking about this already?”

 

“Not yet. Please listen until the end.”

 

　I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to just disappear. I know myself that my face is so red that I would rather dig a hole and bury myself in it.

 

　Shame and regret─ these two feelings always came as a package for me.

 

“Aniki, did you actually know that I liked Daddy?”

 

“Well, I sort of figured it out…”

 

“When I thought that Daddy was going to leave me again, I felt so lonely and helpless. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything, but Aniki managed to do it for me.

 

“I see…”

 

“And um, Daddy sent me a text earlier.”

 

“Eh?”

 

“It was from his office. He said he’d passed his audition and got a supporting role in an upcoming drama.”

 

“Wow, that’s amazing. Isn’t that great?”

 

“Yeah. And then, he suggested we have dinner together once filming had settled down.”

 

“Huh? So that means─”

 

“Because Aniki spoke up for me and told him everything I was feeling, I think Daddy wanted to see me again.”

 

“I see…”

 

　As I said that with a sigh, I felt all the tension drain from my body.

 

　It was not in vain. I felt incredibly relieved that everything turned out well.

 

“So, Aniki, close your eyes for a moment.”

 

“Huh? Why?”

 

“Just do it.”

 

　I closed my eyes. In the darkness, the sound of the rain seemed even louder. I could also smell Akira’s sweet fragrance even more intensely after her bath.

 

　I sensed that Akira had shifted her weight towards me.

 

　The bed creaked slightly and Akira’s warmth drew closer to me.

 

　Surely she’s not trying to make me do a funny face again?

 

　Just as I thought that, Akira’s hand landed on my shoulder, and then─

 

 

 

“─…Chuu.”

 

 

 

　Right next to my lips, I felt something warm and soft.

 

　I quickly realised that it was Akira’s lips.

 

　I opened my eyes and looked at Akira.

 

　Akira blushed and held her mouth.

 

“Akira, did you just…”

 

“Yes… I kissed you…”

 

“It’s not ‘I kissed you’! What are you doing!?”

 

“Um, I was happy today, but I’m a bit angry as well. Also, it’s a way of expressing my feelings?”

 

“Huh? You’re angry? What’s all that about?”

 

“…I’ve never once thought of Aniki as a replacement for Daddy.”

 

“Eh?”

 

“Aniki is Aniki. Please don’t take that the wrong way.”

 

“O-Okay. ─So, uhh, why did you kiss me just now?”

 

“Let’s just say… it was a gesture of gratitude?”

 

“…What country’s gesture of gratitude is that?”

 

　Then, after a short chat with Akira, she left the room with a smile and said, ‘See you later’.

 

　Once Akira was gone, I flopped down on my bed and looked up at the blank ceiling.

 

　I am not Takeru-san’s replacement.

 

　Aniki is Aniki, huh…

 

　Then I should be more of a dependable Aniki for Akira…

 

　The sensation of Akira’s lips still lingers on the side of my lips. The heat in my head hasn’t cooled down yet either.

 

　It felt as if I might have caught a cold because of the rain, that’s how much it lingered on my mind.

 

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Translator’s Afterword:

 

Zaaaamn, Akira went on the offensive but where the heck is that form of gratitude, can I go to that country? xD

 

I wasn’t able to translate more during my break because I felt lazy due to the extreme heat we experienced over the entire week. I legit didn’t feel like getting up from my bed with how hot it was. In the living room, where my laptop is, was just too hot even if I focus the electric fan on myself at maximum power. I’d literally sweat a lot in just 5mins it was unbearable with how sticky I became quite easily even if I just took a bath. I’d already start to sweat at 10mins.

 

With that said, I’m now on my midterms week so I may lie low a bit again. Join the facebook group I made for novels by clicking here.