The So-Called 'Solitary Flower' is a British Beauty Who's Awkwardly Attached to Me Now That She's My Stepsister - V1 Chapter 1 Part 5

Volume 1 Chapter 1 Part 5: A New Family

Translator: AJ1703

(**Sophia’s POV**) [TLN: Yes, I was surprised as I was translating this part. It did not explicitly say so by putting a POV part but it’s obvious when you read this xd]

『You were looking forward to having a big brother… Why did you two get into a fight?』

　When she pushed me back and took me to my room, mum looked at me sadly.

　I know it’s understandable to be sad when a daughter and son fight… But to be honest, we didn’t have a fight.

　However, it was a slightly rough exchange.

　It was because I had a lot of irritation towards him.

　I think back to about a month ago― a hot, sunny day.

　I was at the baseball stadium in perfect disguise, wearing a black wig, sunglasses and a mask.

　The semi-finals of the prefectural tournament were taking place there, and our school was playing.

　I have loved baseball since I was a little girl because of my father’s influence, and on that day I even went out of my way to take a day off from cram school to cheer for the team.

　The development was a pitchers’ versus pitchers’ battle.

　Of course, the fielders played good defence, but the aces of both teams pitched close to their best, and no runs were allowed until the seventh innings.

　The score came in the top of the eighth innings― that is, when the opposition attacked.

　They took advantage of a few chances created by an outfielder’s error and scored the first run.

　Then, in the bottom of the ninth innings― when we were losing by a single point, drama ensued.

《―Oioi, they’re bringing out a first-year player at this point?　Are you insane, coach!?》

　With two outs, the only runners on base were the two runners on second and third.

　In that situation, a first-year student like me came out as a substitute batter.

　―A few days later, mum told me that he was going to be my older brother.

　When his name was given over the announcements, I could hear some unease and frustration from the supporters’ seats, triggered by a voice leaked by an Ojii-san who seemed to be a parent.

　I think the parents and the general students who were there to cheer on the team didn’t like the idea of leaving it to the first years at an important moment because they wanted the team to win.

　But― with just one swing, he silenced everyone present with a pleasant sound.

　It was the next pitch, after the first ball pitch had been sent off.

　He did not miss a high, sweetly pitched straight ball and caught it perfectly with the centre of his bat.

　The moment he hit the ball, the hall fell silent and everyone was breathlessly following the path of the ball with their eyes.

　And then, as he stepped into the stands― everyone on our side of the support stands stood up and cheered so loudly that the hall trembled.

　The way he silenced the people around him who had looked down on him with his ability and led his team to victory was cool in my eyes.

　After I got home, I watched the recorded TV broadcast over and over again.

　The look on his face when he was standing in the batter’s box was so serious…

　I never imagined that he would be such a goofy, frivolous-looking man…!

　When mum told me about him, I thought, “Is this fate…!?” I wish I could get the excitement I felt before back now…!

『Sophia?』

　As I was thinking about the semi-final and what had just happened, my mum looked into my face.

　I shouldn’t have, I was talking so passionately about it.

　Well, I was just speaking from my mind, so I didn’t bother anyone.

『I’m not good with people who seem so light-hearted.』

　Changing my mind, I make a slight smile and cover it up.

　But I’m not lying about this either.

　What I hate, or rather dislike the most, are frivolous goofballs.

　I came to Japan when I was five years old because of my father’s work.

　At that time, I still remember that I couldn’t speak Japanese yet and the children around me kept their distance from me.

　And not only that, some of the children made fun of me because I looked different from those around me and could not speak the same language.

　I didn’t understand what they were saying.

　But I only knew that they were making fun of me by the looks on their faces.

　This continued after primary school, and even in middle school, there were boys who made fun of my appearance.

　They were invariably noisy, loud and frivolous goofballs.

　That’s why I hated them.

　Well, when I started to treat them coldly, they stopped making funny jokes.

　Instead, I remain as alone as I have been since I was a child.

『……?』

　Mum tilted her head curiously because I was alone in my thoughts again.

　Although she can be scarier than an ogre when she gets really angry, Mum is basically kind and has a touch of innocence in her.

　I’m sure she’s taken many men captive, not just the two fathers I had.

『Kento-kun is not a bad boy, so don’t try to pick a fight with him. It’s fine to say what you want to say, but you have to think about how you say it, or you’ll be in trouble when you go out in the world.』

　In Mum’s eyes, everyone is a good boy.

　So I don’t trust my Mum’s eyes.

　However― I couldn’t say that because she would be very angry if I did.

『I’ll try to get along with him as well as I can.』

『Yeah, I think that’s good enough for now. If you live together, you’ll soon realise that Kento-kun is a nice boy.』

　Is that really the case?

　I don’t think so.

　The more I lived with him, the more I disliked him.

『Anyway, I understand what you’re saying. I’ll try not to get into a fight with him as much as possible.』

　I don’t want to upset my mum, so I’ll try to avoid fighting.

　If I see him face to face, I’ll probably complain about it… Then I’ll just not get involved.

『Yeah, promise me that, okay? I’m going to go back then, is Sophia going to study again now?』

　The conversation seemed to be over and Mum stood up with a smile on her face.

　Apparently, she didn’t get angry with me.

　I smile back at her, relieved.

『Yeah, I can’t afford to drop my grades.』

　As a special student for my studies, the school has given me a full exemption from tuition fees.

　Therefore, I can’t afford to drop my grades, and daily study is essential.

『Don’t overdo it, okay?　Don’t study all the time, do what you want to do, okay?』

『Studying is what I want to do.』

　I can’t put an extra burden on my mother as long as I’m attending school now because of my selfishness.

　If I don’t have to pay for school just by maintaining my grades, then I can’t force myself to drop them.

『…Children should be more indulgent to their parents.』

　For some reason, Mum patted me gently on the head with a lonely expression on her face.

　Sometimes Mum makes this kind of expression.

　Why did she make this kind of face― I didn’t know.

　Does Mum not want me to do my best…?

　As I stared at the back of Mum’s head as she left the room, I felt bewildered.