NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30
“Is Hana-chi surprisingly possessive?”
I, Shirasagi Hana, was recalling the words of my friend Yayoi-chan.
I’m lying on the sofa at home, just staring at the ceiling.
Hmm… I’m not aware of it myself, but if others see me that way…
Hmm.
I think. I think.
Round and round, round and round and round.
“What’s on your mind, sis?”
Caught in my thoughts, my younger brother Tetsuya—Tetsu-kun—speaks up with a look of concern.
“Um… do you think I’m possessive?”
I was curious about what my family thinks, so I decided to ask.
“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”
“No, it’s just that a friend mentioned it today.”
“Hmm? …!!”
When I say that, Tetsu-kun seems to sense something. He covers his mouth and falls silent for a while.
I haven’t seen this serious expression on him in a long time. And he’s sweating… What is he thinking about?
“Was it a friend who said you’re possessive towards Sato-san?”
“Wow! How did you know!?”
“I see… So that’s what it is…”
Tetsu-kun nods repeatedly, deep in thought.
…What happened all of a sudden? This is kind of scary.
“I see… So sis finally has someone she likes…”
“Huh? Why are we talking about who I like?”
“Well, because you were told you’re possessive towards Sato-san, right?”
“Yes.”
“That means you like him.”
“…Really? Is that so?”
Stop looking at me like, “Is she for real?” It makes your sister sad.
“Haaahhhhh!!”
I’ve never heard such a deep sigh before.
“Okay, I get it. I’ll ask you a few questions then. Answer them. No, you have to answer them.”
“Yes, yes…”
“First off, how would you feel if one of your friends—Kuromiya-san and Kise-san, was it?—were to hang out with Sato-san?”
“Hmm, let’s see…”
I imagine Juubei-kun hanging out with just Nene-chan.
…Hmm, hmm.
Next, Juubei-kun with Yayoi-chan.
…Hmm, hmm, hmm.
“Why didn’t they invite me too!? I would feel left out.”
“Somehow, I feel excluded.”
“…So you wouldn’t dislike it?”
“Huh? No! Because if the two of them are hanging out, that means they must be good friends, right?”
“…Oh? Hmm… I see…”
Tetsu-kun groans with a complicated expression. It seems my response was not what he expected.
“…What if Sato-san were to hang out with the boys in your class?”
“…Huh?”
You mean like today when Juubei-kun could have gone out with Kaji-kun and the others? If Juubei-kun had gone with them today…
I’d rather he not hang out with just the boys…
“…I might not want him to hang out with them.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Because boys probably have more fun hanging out together.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“I might see a side of Juubei-kun that I don’t know about… and he might start getting along better with the boys… and if that happens…”
But that should be a good thing. Juubei-kun should be surrounded by many people who recognize his good qualities.
It should be undeniably a good thing.
Yet…
“…You’re probably afraid that Sato-senpai will drift away from you, aren’t you?”
“…Maybe.”
“That’s understandable given what happened to you in junior high… Yeah, I think these feelings stem from the fact that he’s important to you, not necessarily because you like him.”
“…Because he’s important.”
I see, this isn’t about possessiveness… I might just be a lonely person who lacks confidence.
I might be timid because he’s important to me.
“Ah, I feel so refreshed now! Thanks, Tetsu-kun! I’m going to take a bath!”
“Sure, sure… Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Tetsu-kun says with a warm smile, looking relieved.
“Ah, I forgot to ask this.”
“Hm? What is it? I’m super strong right now, so you can ask me anything!”
“Okay, then I won’t hold back. How would you feel if Sato-san were to go out and play with a girl other than Kuromiya-san and Kise-san?”
“Why would you ask something like that?”
“…Huh?”
“Why would Juubei-kun hang out with some unknown girl? That’s weird, right? Even if it’s a hypothetical situation, I don’t want to imagine Juubei-kun like that.”
“Well, it’s just a hypothetical situation.”
“I don’t want to imagine Juubei-kun like that in a hypothetical situation either.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“I’m going to take a bath.”
“Alright, have a good one.”
“…My sister really is possessive.”