Chapter 15: Knowing Nothing Is a Sin
It's been a while since the stalker case with Chisome.
Chisome and I are still getting along well every day, but with summer just around the corner, my birthday is approaching.
"Nii-san's Birthday, I'll make sure to celebrate it lots 'kay!! I'll return plenty the happiness that time you gave me to my Nii-san!"
I couldn't help but shed tears at those words that were released with the best smile.
I will be 16 years old in August next month..... Well, just the fact that Rikudou Taiga overlaps with the age of being 16 years old is already giving something really moving about it.
By the way, I was the one who celebrated it before but Chisome's birthday is in December.
"This guy did his mouth grinnin' again man"
"This gotta be him thinking 'bout Chisome-chan right."
Shinji and Kouki are saying something, but even if I give a care, it can't be helped.
Today's school time had already ended and it was after school, and today I was wandering around town to play with the two of them.
For some reason, I often prioritize time with Chisome, so even though we are friends, I couldn't really make and spare my time after becoming a high school student.
“In any case, real thanks for inviting me.”
"Just think of it as good."
“I think that if I’m with Taiga, I’ll be able to receive the benefits of riajuu you know.”
"No you won't....."
[TL note: Riajuu is internet slang for somebody who has a good life.]
I'm a riajuu... I'd like to deny that, but I wonder if I'm a riajuu when I'm living under the same roof with a transcendent beautiful girl named Chisome... Hehe.
"....This guy is making that smug face.""
"Well of course he will.... Naa Taiga"
"What?"
Kouki suddenly stopped.
When I was tilting my head wondering what happened, Kouki said something like this.
“You know, ever since Chisome-chan came to Taiga’s side… Really, you've become good didn't you.”
"... Suddenly what's wrong?"
"Don't let him get your butt, don't let him!"
I could feel the wave of love for a moment... It's just a joke.
“I'm begging you, please don't misunderstand me....... well, it’s exactly what I said. Maybe it’s because you’ve made an existence to protect, that your mental have gotten stronger and it makes you looking as good.”
"U~n?"
It's true that in order to protect Chisome, I always hold the feeling that I don't want to make her cry, and the current me is living and in contact with her together, as expected, that kind of appearance would look like that from the perspective of my friends huh.
"But are you okay?"
"e?"
“If you have a sister like that, I understand how you feel about being overprotective, but it's kinda like aren’t you pushing yourself to death or sacrificing your time?”
"... Ah~"
I see, certainly, it is also possible to see it that way.
I first told Shinji by saying that I would never do that, and while thinking about Chisome, I said what I wanted to convey.
"I don't think it's unavoidable for people to think that way, but its not like I did sacrifice anything you know, even though things may look that way. On the contrary, I'm getting along well with Chisome every day, and it's nothing but happy things."
When I told him that, Shinji and Kouki suddenly hitted me on the shoulder.
"I know that already and it damages me to worry for you!"
"Some real envy i'm feeling right now really!"
"It hurts..... DAAaaahhhhh get away from me!!"
Even if the words used are strong and though they are hitting me, it's not like it hurts and in fact they put smile on my face.
No matter how envious or jealous they may be, no matter how far they go, these are my friends who understand me.
When we were playing around like that, the people around me would look at me with a smile, and all three of us were depressed after being looked at by a college-aged woman who thought we were unbecoming... No matter how much time passes, we are such a noisy trio.
(Souma, the main character, hasn't been particularly involved since then, to the extent that I often talk with Misora, and the days are really peaceful.)
No contact with the heroine who can be met at present... so it's peaceful.
By the way, as I said before, the senior (senpai) heroine who will be dating at the earliest stage is now a second year student, so I haven't talked to her yet, even though we are in the same school.
The remaining two are juniors who will be entering school next year with Chisome, and since one of the heroines is a classmate of a returnee who transferred around the same time, we can't meet yet. [TL note: returnee, as in, child who has returned to Japan after living abroad.]
"What are we going to do now?"
"Anyone's fine going bowling?"
"I agree to that."
So we decided to go bowling.
When I was about to start walking after properly doing my business in the restroom, I was stopped by a voice I didn't recognize.
"Sorry for the suddenness. Rikudou-san, is now alright?"
"......me?"
When I turned around, there was a boy, and that boy's uniform was from the junior high school the three of us attended――in other words, he's to be my junior (kouhai).
I don't think I've ever seen a junior with such a face... no good it didn't come to mind at all.
"My name is Tougo. I'm in the same class as your sister."
"With Chisome?"
"Yes. I stopped you not without reason, can you give me a bit of time?"
"......fu~n?"
I told Shinji and Kouki to go ahead.
Without moving anywhere in particular, I decided to sit on a nearby bench and listen to him talk.
What kind of content is it..... As I waited, he said something like this.
"I'm going to be blunt. Please let your little sister... Chisome-san to go free."
"...Hah?"
What the heck is this brat talking about... oops, I'm still old enough to be a brat too.
Looking at me who was dumbfounded, Tougo continued to speak and its like to keep on talking without pause.
"Chisome-san, she does a lot of household chores, right? I heard that she also make lunch boxes for Rikudou-san. Why is Chisome-san doing that? Even though she's still in middle school, to let her do such a difficult thing... to steal her time!"
"......"
I see... this is just somewhat but I figured out what type this guy is alright.
It's true that Chisome is willing to do the housework just like Tougou said, and she prepares lunches as well as daily cooking.
It's not just that I leave everything up to her, even I intent to do the housework I'm able, as best as I can do.
(...I see, the fact that my father isn't there isn't leaking to the outside. Or rather, it's like the very existence of my father is ambiguous, so it becomes a harmful effect that can't be noticed huh.)
Chisome's power to eat is certainly a blessing that does not cause trouble, but she can't cover these little tears, it means that there are people who uselessly talk about our home like this guy.
After that, Tougou said a lot of things, but I had no intention of listening to him――because he didn't know anything, he was just an outsider.
"and then—"
"Okay, okay. For now, just shut up already. One thing I can say is that I have no intention of changing anything, and I have no intention of saying anything to Chisome."
"Wha!? Can you even still call yourself her big brother with that!"
"I am her big brother you know."
".....Chisome-san is unhappy too! a guy like you is her big brother... anyhow all the other family members are ignoring Chisome-san, aren't they!!"
Finally, honorifics have disappeared... but my way of saying it may not have been good too... but I couldn't forgive the words saying Chisome was unhappy.
"Chisome is unhappy? Just what do you know?"
Before she came to my home...... Perhaps, if I hadn't existed, Chisome might have walked the path of misfortune as the original Chisome.
But now it's different, I've always been by Chisome's side, and I know that she's smiling from the bottom of her heart――that girl who told me right in front of me that she's happy now. I won't let him say that the words of that girl who said that in front of me were lies.
Let me tell you, I, to the extent that no matter how bad my friends are put off by it, cherish Chisome so much you got that. I never thought of hurting her even once.
"In that case――"
"Do you mind if I just say a few words? You better stop forcing your opinions on others. There might be some painful reprisals, you know? "
"Are you threatening me?"
No, it's not a threat at all really... it just, it's not me, it's about Chisome.
There are many things I want to say, and of course it's only obvious he would get angry if I say something selfish...
But later on I think it's about us brother and sister that this guy is trying to stick his nose in, and it's because he's imposing a nonexistent imagination on Chisome.
(......Probably, there must have been several people who stepped the wrong way into Chisome like this and were eaten, just without a description.)
However... The more you act according to your own sense of justice, from the perspective of others, there is no existence that is so annoying or troublesome as that.
No matter what I say here, it probably won't reach this guy...... unless it comes from Chisome herself――.
"You're talking about something interesting aren't you, Nii-san. In addition... Tougou-kun?"
I heard Chisome's voice behind me, as if she had been waiting for it.
When I turned around, Chisome was there, but... she stared at Tougou with an expressionless face. The shadow at Tougou's feet was shaking, but on the contrary, just looking at it makes my heart feel tighter.
"Chiso... Rikudou-san! I'm thinking of you――"
"Aa un. It's fine you don't have to say anything. I'm listening to what you were talking about."
"e?"
Chisome stood in front of me with her expressionless expression as before and continued her words.
“Nee, Tougou-kun, if you were looking at the everyday me and saying that to my Nii-san... You, don't have eyes for girls, do you?"
"......Chisome?"
I know this already but, Chisome, you're pretty sharp aren't you.
"First of all, what are you to me? aren't you just a total stranger? I really want you not to just butt in into other family affairs however you want. More than anything, can you please don't judge me as unhappy? I love my Nii-san this much, and I think of him when I cook and make bentou lunches and yet"
Chisome grabbed my arm and let out a final word.
"I hate people like you, never talk to me again."
"..."
This will break anyone's heart I'm sure of it...
Tougou looked down as if he had come to his senses and ran away.
"Haaa *sigh* oh no oh dear...... Right, Nii-san is anything wrong?"
"....Fuu"
I breathe a sigh of relief.
It's true that I had a strong resentment towards Tougou halfway through, but after Chisome showed up, I was rather nervous.
"..... there"
"a......"
I pointed my finger at Kuro Chisome, who was still staring at Tougou's back.... It's a good thing that we are the only people who can see her, this child had her hand on his neck the whole time.
"Ahaha, that's how angry she was. Of course me too♪"
"Yeah I know..... that's right. Naa Chisome, wanna go bowling? ”
"Wanna!!"
So many things happened, but finally I can go bowling.
Shinji and Kouki were overjoyed to bring Chisome along, and including Chisome, enjoyed playing after school.
"... Oh my, that child is--"
"Is something the matter, ma'am?"
"No, it's nothing."
[Author's Note]
Regarding the tag harem, it's just because there are two Chisome, so I'm not thinking about heroines other than Chisome at the moment.