kscans

Chapter 873 - Approval

To be honest, I had an idea of how Nia and Ashe would react. That’s because both of them have a fundamental weakness for younger people.

The fact that they get along so well that it baffles me is one thing, but the way they dote on Sora—on a level far beyond that of a mere ‘romantic rival’—makes it an undeniable truth.

So, I had a feeling that in the end, they would both deliver a verdict along the lines of “Well, I guess it’s fine.” Whether that was fortunate or unfortunate, I, still in my state of confusion, couldn’t say, but a nearly certain vision of the future had already been painted.

—However,

"…,…..."

Courtesy call number three. The location: my plain room in the clan home.

It might have been my imagination, but as Ri-na finished her explanation with a different atmosphere than when she had challenged the other two, Sora-san blinked her large amber eyes, showing her surprise for the time being.

"Um, ah… so, yeah. That’s apparently what’s going on…"

I couldn’t imagine what my adorable partner’s reaction would be.

Even now, I have no doubt that we share a telepathic connection without needing a skill, but there are still times, places, and limits. Even if we can read each other’s hearts, understanding is another matter entirely.

Some things, you just don’t know. In short…

"…Ah, um…"

In situations where a maiden’s heart is involved, my Sora-reading ability turns to mush.

"Ri-na-chan, you see Haru… as…"

"Not as a man, no. Strictly as a ‘brother’—or, a brother-like figure."

But still… the tension radiating from Ri-na, something she hadn’t shown in front of Nia or Ashe, was probably not just my imagination.

Which means that if Sora would also easily give a “Well, I guess it’s fine” kind of answer,

"………………………Um…"

My vague feeling that it wouldn’t go that way seemed to be correct.

"Ah, um, I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m… opposed… opposed? Um, I mean, it’s not that I can’t forgive it, or, how should I put it, I don’t have any strange feelings about it, you see…!"

"Sora-san, this might be impossible, but try to calm down. It’s okay, I’m still in the middle of a massive confusion myself. Nia was flustered too, and even Ashe was a little troubled."

"Y-Yes… Um, yes."

And so, she took one deep breath, then another.

"Haaaah… So, to state my conclusion, I don’t mind, but…"

"You don’t mind…"

Just as I felt the conversation was heading in a difficult direction, she dropped a surprisingly simple statement. I couldn’t help but chime in with a teasing remark, but what I received from Sora-san wasn’t a glare, but a troubled, wavering gaze.

"B-Because, we… I’m, still, not, um, you know… h-his lover."

Next came a broken, innocent voice filled with an insane amount of cuteness.

"………………………………………………………………"

Nope, gotta look away for a sec. I’m gonna lose my mind.

"W-Well, that’s…"

"Y-…Yes, we’re not…! A-And asking for our permission, it just feels a bit strange… i-it does…………!"

And, as we suddenly launched into that kind of exchange.

"—Nia-san is an artisan I’m indebted to, and I consider her a friend."

Ri-na, who had been watching without teasing, quietly opened her mouth again.

"The Princess… I’m not sure how to put it, but I feel like we have a certain kind of ‘bond.’ …’Rival?’ That word doesn’t quite fit."

On and on she went. While she usually lets her partner, who is far, far more talkative, take the lead, the girl who was by no means taciturn herself continued to weave her words.

"Sora-chan, when I first met you, I thought you were a lot like us."

"…Huh?"

Her blue eyes looked straight ahead.

"Maybe it’s because Mi-na is like that. Or maybe because, from Mi-na’s perspective, I’m like that. You seemed like an older sister, but also a younger sister… I saw both sides of you."

"…!"

"………………"

When Ri-na said the words ‘older sister,’ I felt that, for a fleeting moment, Sora’s expression… —or rather, her heart, wavered.

The pipsqueak didn’t seem to notice.

"Sympathy? It was the same as when I first met Onii-san. And it wasn’t just me; I think Mi-na also had a different kind of ‘love at first sight’ for you, Sora-chan."

She was simply laying bare her heart with sincerity. That’s why I kept my mouth shut so as not to interfere, instead glancing over at my partner…

"Tha-… Oh, my…………………… You’re making me blush…"

From her expression, which now held a smile that seemed perfectly natural even to my eyes, I swallowed a sliver of concern.

"You’re like the person who’s closer to me than anyone else in the world. …And also, you were just ridiculously cute. So I wanted to be friends without thinking too deeply about it. I still do."

Isn’t the cute part the bigger reason? The thought crossed my mind with enough nonchalance that I had the composure to think it. The immediate glare I received in response was, as expected, a testament to our connection.

"He’s the person people like you like. If I’m going to mess around with him, I have to do it properly. I’m fully prepared to be scolded."

"I-I wouldn’t scold you…"

When she then glanced at me with a troubled look, I was at a loss myself. Nia, Ashe, and of course Sora-san were all as big-hearted as ever, but if anything, I was on Ri-na’s side.

"……………You three are all so strange. I can’t help but wonder why you aren’t jealous."

That would be normal, that would be the natural reaction.

I think so too. As someone who has already received confessions from other girls and has resolved to face them with sincerity, adding another relationship to the mix is hardly a praiseworthy act.

To borrow Ri-na’s words, the one making the move is also at fault. That’s why I was flustered and confused and tried to admonish her over and over, and I even scolded her properly.

So, I too was prepared to be scolded.

Therefore, I’m completely on Ri-na’s side. The ones who are off-kilter here are undoubtedly… the three girls, who trust me so much that their jealousy isn’t directed ‘outward.’

Their trust is so heavy it brings tears to my eyes. There’s no way I could ever betray them.

"…Onii-san."

"What is it?"

"Am I not as cute as I think I am? Am I not a threat? If an idol showed up saying she wanted to be your beloved’s ‘little sister,’ normally you’d absolutely hate it."

"By any normal standard, you’re right. You can be confident in that."

"Am I not as cute as I think I am?"

"Wh-Hey, what? Why’d you repeat that?"

"Do you think I’m cute, Onii-san?"

"You’ve let your guard down, haven’t you? Seriously, stop it, it’s too soon to start playing around."

Look, see? Sora-san is flailing about, unsure if she should jump in—

"Um, excuse me…!"

""Yes!""

But what came flying was not an interjection, but a resolute voice, as if to reset the conversation.

"I’ll say it again, my answer is ‘I don’t mind’…! The fact that Haru is an ideal ‘onii-chan,’ and also a cute ‘little brother,’ is something that, embarrassingly enough, I am also well aware of…!"

"Y-You’re well aware of it…"

It seems my role is to provide the comebacks, after all.

As she declared things I couldn’t listen to with a straight face while blushing… it was as if she was saying it was her turn to bare her heart, following Ri-na.

"And Haru, the fact that you can’t be cold to Ri-na-chan and Mi-na-chan when they dote on you, I am also well aware of that…!"

"Well, the red one is, umm…"

Anyway, I could agree with that.

They’d been attached to me since we first met, sticking to me like glue whenever we saw each other. It’s natural that I’d grow fond of them, and I know that Sora now naturally dotes on them as well.

I’m choosing not to think about their actual ages—anyway, moving on.

She took another deep breath. Calming her breath, calming her heart, my super-cute partner, who is always so earnest when conveying her feelings, looked straight at Ri-na.

"So, I don’t mind… —Ri-na-chan, please promise me one thing."

Her gaze was such that it made you forget the age difference between a fifteen-year-old and a seventeen-year-old.

It was somehow mature, filled with a gentle color.

"I’m not doubting your ‘absolute,’ Ri-na-chan, but if, by some one-in-a-million chance… you really do fall in love with Haru, you have to tell me."

"…………"

That must be why.

Ri-na, too, upon hearing Sora’s ‘request’ which contradicted her own claim of ‘absolute,’ looked just like a ‘little sister’ being gently admonished by a kind ‘older sister.’

"Because bottling up your feelings… is a truly, incredibly difficult thing to do."

"…Okay. I promise."

As the girl with the mature face patted her head.

The girl with the childlike face simply, innocently nodded back.

—And so, all the approvals were gathered.

""………………""

Our amber gazes met once more… My partner, who in the end was just worried that her cute little sister might end up feeling the same way she did.

"So, that's how it is. —Good luck… Onii-chan?"

"…………You’ve got to be kidding me…"

With an angelic smile, she delivered her merciless verdict.

---

Husband (Par), Wife (tner)…?