kscans

Chapter 874 - The Arrangement

And so…

One after another, I’d received three separate approvals: “I suppose it can’t be helped,” “Understood,” and “I don’t mind.” But just because they’d given their blessing didn’t mean the matter was neatly resolved… that would be too easy.

No matter how much Sora and the others had accepted the existence of my “little sister” out of their trust in me, the person in question—me—hadn’t caught up to the situation by a single millimeter.

Thirty seconds had passed since Sora-san left, saying something about having “an errand to run”—whether that was true or not, I couldn’t say. Ri-na, having secured her approval, had regained her usual magnificent look of apathy. She toddled over and reached out a hand to me as I stood there frozen, thinking, Seriously…

"You're loved, aren't you?"

"…I guess so. And stop that, you’re tickling me."

I honestly had no idea how to process any of this.

I wondered what wise historical figures did in situations like these. A girl suddenly appears, claiming to be your little sister, and she turns out to be a nationally famous top idol… No, it makes no sense. Is this one of those light novels that kicks common sense to the curb?

"Uh… erm… well…"

But now that it’s come to this, there’s no point in endlessly trying to escape reality. It would be completely unproductive. So, I forced my mind, which was still dazed from being swept up in this surreal event, to think as calmly as possible.

As I did, I caught the small hand that was tickling my neck.

""………………""

I looked up and met her eyes. Her light blue pupils, which held their usual, slightly sleepy gaze, stared back at me. We just locked eyes—for a full thirty seconds.

"…………A staring contest?"

"Yeah, something like that."

Even as we touched, even as our eyes met, her expression and the rhythm of her breathing remained unchanged… An idol is a type of performer, after all. I, a complete amateur, couldn't possibly hope to read a professional's inner thoughts correctly, but at the very least, all I could see was her usual placid face.

Neither of us was conscious of the other as a member of the opposite sex.

For now, it seemed I could take that fact at face value. And with my heart already occupied by three young ladies, there was no room for a fourth.

That was a certainty. So, as long as I could believe her when she said there was zero possibility of her developing romantic feelings, then a relationship like a 'brother' and 'sister'—well, something like being particularly close friends of the opposite sex—shouldn't be a problem…

"…………Another staring contest?"

"Hmm…"

…Or so I thought, but no.

I’d like to state for the record that I am firmly on the side of common sense here. I mean, come on…

"When’s your birthday again?"

"November tenth."

"Which means…"

"?"

In another month, we’ll be the same age. And even though she’ll be a year younger again a few months after that, we’re still completely in the same age group. Of course, Ri-na doesn't know my real age.

The [Acrobat] hasn't revealed any of his real-life personal information, so that's only natural.

The only residents of the virtual world who know that my appearance in-game is my real-life appearance are the members who went with me to Alicia's villa during the trip in June.

So… ah, well, that's why.

Now that this new relationship has been permitted, and it’s a certainty that the girl before me will become my “little sister,” I have no choice but to explain my biggest reason for hesitation.

So, listen up, shorty. And listen well.

"I’m, uh… turning nineteen this fiscal year."

"…………Yeah?"

This youthful-looking avatar standing before you, the one I admit still gives off a childish vibe in more ways than one, is an exact replica of my real self.

"We’re basically the same age. Once you have your happy eighteenth birthday next month, our ages will line up perfectly for a little over four months. For real."

"………………"

I had no way of knowing how old Ri-na thought I was, but surely, she’d feel some resistance to getting this close to a guy who was her peer.

Even if she declared she wanted a ‘brother as family,’ wouldn't knowing the truth make her conscious of me as a guy…?

I’m sorry for springing this on you, but I hope you can forgive me. Disclosing real information creates a responsibility not just for me, but for the person I’m telling it to.

If possible, I would have preferred not to say anything. However, the girl’s reaction was—

"I know."

"…………Huh?"

—completely flat and devoid of any interest.

"It was easy to imagine we were close in age."

"Wh-how, w-wait, why…"

"Because you’re seriously, openly in love with Sora-chan, Nia-san, and the Princess."

"Eh?"

"I don’t know about the first two, but the Princess is nineteen in real life. If your actual age was significantly different from that, you’re the type who would definitely worry about it."

"You couldn't possibly know that—"

"You shouldn't underestimate the observation skills of an idol, a professional at dealing with people."

And just like that, she continued flatly.

"And… it’s not something I should be proud of deducing, so I wouldn’t blame you if you got mad, but………… you’re probably older than Sora-chan and younger than the Princess, with Nia-san being the oldest."

"……………………………………"

Her words left me utterly speechless.

"…………Did you, by any chance, spy on our trip?"

"That's a dangerous thing to say. It raises the possibility that you’ve met the other two in real life as well."

"Sorry, seriously, forget I said that. Strike it from the record."

Not that Sora or Nia would mind me telling Ri-na a few things if I explained the situation. But for me to just blurt it out without consulting them is a definite no-go.

Still, though…

"Are you a detective…? Wait, is that normal for idols? Do you all come standard-equipped with superpowers that let you see right through people’s profiles…?"

Since she had so magnificently hit the nail on the head, there was no point in denying it. More importantly, the way Ri-na spoke, her voice carried more ‘conviction’ than ‘speculation,’ so all I could do was be pathetically astonished.

So, as I trembled in awe, I asked… and the little one, as if to say “of course not,” let a rare, amused smile grace her cheeks.

"It’s because you’re the person I fell for at first sight. Of course, this is the result of me paying special attention to you."

"………………"

I wasn't sure what to make of that statement.

Combined with the fact that I had just gotten an unexpected glimpse of her seriousness, I couldn't help but feel an infinite well of anxiety bubble up. If Mi-na and Ri-na's fans ever found out, wouldn’t they curse me to oblivion with sheer force of will?

"Anyway, that’s how it is."

"How what is…?"

"The fact that you and I are close in age was within my expectations. In fact, I even considered the possibility you might be younger… so the confirmation that you're even a little bit older just makes me happy, that’s all."

And with that, she proved she was more than just her petite appearance. This girl, who I could no longer underestimate as just a 'shorty,' reached out to me with her free hand and—

"I won't be conscious of it, but—will you, Onii-san?"

—as she gently caressed my cheek, she threw down the gauntlet. Or maybe it was a challenge.

It seemed her earlier words were no exaggeration. This ‘professional who sees people and is seen by people’ had diligently studied how to provoke me, too.

"Huh? Don't underestimate me, shorty. Bring it on."

In the end, I was half-resigned to the fact that I’d just have to go with the flow as usual… But on the other hand, I’ve grown accustomed to the whims of the great universal will that relentlessly throws these events my way.

"Alright, fine. I get it. I’m done putting up a pointless fight. I get it."

And so, someday…

"If that’s how it’s gonna be, don’t expect to be treated like a ‘girl.’ From now on, you’re my easygoing ‘little sister,’ and I’m your awesome ‘big brother’ who will never see you as a girl."

"Hee hee… I doubt you can keep that up. The way you say whatever comes to mind with that kind of careless momentum, only to dig your own grave… I kind of like that, too. It’s cute."

I might one day regret falling for her provocation, but that’s that, and this is this. It’s sadly my specialty to walk on my own two feet even while being swept along.

"Normal little sisters don’t call their big brothers ‘cute’!!! That’s a demerit! Minus one sister point!"

"Sis—… Huh???"

It'll work out somehow. Probably.

---

This is what’s known as throwing in the towel.