Chapter 36 - Chapter 35 - A scheme by a cold-hearted junior colleague and his sister-in-law (to be).

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Ah, hello, hello.

It's Komachi, your brother's little sister. How have you been?

Anyway, speaking of personal matters, I successfully graduated from high school the other day and will be attending a university in Tokyo.

My first-choice university didn't work out due to my academic shortcomings, so I ended up at my second choice, the same university as my brother. Thinking about it now, aiming for a higher university than my brother, who's reasonably smart, might have been a bit too ambitious. I mean, I was even student council president, so it felt like I could do it, you know? What? You don't think so? Oh, okay...

Well, that's why I came all the way to Tokyo today to prepare.

My destination is my brother's apartment. I think you already know why, without me having to say.

"Hey. Glad you could make it."

When I rang the doorbell, my brother appeared almost immediately. "Excuse me for intruding!" Komachi said as she stepped into the apartment from the entrance, looking around the room.

"Is Iroha-senpai here today?"

"No, she's not."

My brother had a look on his face like, "Why are you just assuming she'd be here?" But considering the past, it's a perfectly plausible assumption. That person seems like she's going from a visiting wife to a real wife.

As before, I was led into the living room, which also served as his bedroom, and my attention was drawn to something on the table. It was a box wrapped in a rather stylish way, and given it's March, it could only be one thing.

"Brother, what's this?"

"Oh, that's my return gift for Iroha."

I see, so it's a White Day return gift. Of course, he must have received Valentine's chocolates from her. It's good that things are going smoothly, but a brother who's living a fulfilling life is a little irritating... (My honest opinion).

"Oh, sorry. I didn't prepare anything for you, Komachi..."

"No, if you had prepared something when I didn't give you anything for Valentine's Day, that would be creepy."

"You're right," my brother said, then walked towards the kitchen. He was probably going to make some tea.

However, so that's how it is, is it? Komachi just had a really good idea.

I took out a piece of paper and a pen from my backpack and quickly scribbled some magic words on it. Then, I quickly peeled back the wrapping, slipped it inside, and put it back as it was. Done! Ah, I did a good job!

"So, when are you moving here?"

My brother asked casually as he brought out the tea.

Yes, today's business was a consultation about moving in, including a viewing. Although our family is relatively well-off with both parents working, they don't want to waste money having siblings attending the same university live separately. Knowing Dad, he probably thinks having me live with my brother will also serve as pest control.

But, Komachi...

"About that, Brother..."

Komachi will resist that proposal with all her might.

"Conversely, when can you move out of here?"

—---------

A swarm of question marks flew around in my head.

My sister, seated before me, looked as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but today's agenda was supposed to be about viewing the apartment and discussing moving in together.

"Wait, Komachi-chan? Why does it sound like I'm the one moving out?"

"Think about it carefully, Brother."

Komachi lowered her gaze, took a sip of tea, and sighed.

"Komachi has a lot of stuff, so two people can't live in this room."

"Then I'll send things you don't usually use back home or something to make space."

"Besides, if Komachi and Brother live together, won't it be harder for Iroha-senpai to visit?"

"Ah... You don't have to worry about that. Lately, I've been going to Iroha's place more often."

"Then,"

Komachi paused, then her eyes snapped open, looking at me.

"Why don't you live with Iroha-senpai?"

"Huh...?"

Wait, how did it come to that?

Seriously, I don't know whose influence it is, but Komachi's suggestion is incredibly out of left field. I've been staying at Iroha's place often lately, so it's not entirely impossible in reality, but... isn't that essentially living together?

"No, that's no good. Living alone in Tokyo is dangerous."

"Then I think it'd be even better to live with Iroha-senpai. Iroha-senpai won the beauty contest before, didn't she? I think a girlfriend that cute faces a lot more danger."

"Wait, Komachi is plenty cute too. Ultra cute."

"Ah, not now, please."

I was about to continue with, "So it's just plain dangerous," but she cut me off without a second thought.

Even so, Komachi-chan is quite stubborn. Does she really hate living with her brother that much...?

"Brother, you need to become independent from your sister soon. If Iroha-senpai were to get into trouble, could you bear it? Would you have any regrets?"

"...If you put it that way, I'm worried about you too, Komachi."

To be frank, it's the ultimate dilemma. It would be terrible if either of them encountered danger, and I don't want that to happen.

At times like these, I genuinely resent Tokyo, a city filled with strange people. Although, it's rich coming from me, since I chose to come here.

"Understood. Then I'll allow you to check in about once a week."

"Hey, wait? This isn't your room, Komachi-chan, you know?"

Komachi-chan is really too forceful today...

Although she presented a compromise, I could see the strong will at her core. What on earth was driving Komachi so much?

"How was it, Brother, living alone in Tokyo?"

Suddenly looking distant, Komachi asked in a mature voice.

I recalled the memories of the past two years since I enrolled. The struggles of handling all the housework and adapting to an unfamiliar environment. Making subtly flavored homemade meals because I was too broke, and then starting a part-time job because I needed money after Iroha entered college. Even now, I rely on Iroha for cooking, but I feel like I gained a lot of experience towards becoming independent.

"Well, it was tough, but I think it was a good learning experience for life."

"Yes, exactly! That's it, Brother!"

Komachi suddenly raised her voice, pointing at me with a sharp "Bish!" What's with that intensity? A little scary.

"For Komachi, it's the Tokyo she's yearned for, her first time living alone... a valuable experience before entering society."

"Oh, oh..."

"Brother, you experienced that for two whole years. So now, please give Komachi a chance to grow as a person."

After saying all that, Komachi bowed her head ever so politely.

When faced with such undeniable logic, I had no choice but to take it seriously. Of course, I hadn't been taking it lightly before, but there was one missing piece in this discussion.

"I understand how you feel, Komachi... But Iroha's opinion isn't reflected in this discussion."

"Yeah, you're right. So,"

Komachi said, glancing at the wrapped sweets. It was the White Day gift I planned to give Iroha.

"Why don't you talk to Iroha-senpai about it? You're going to give it to her tomorrow, right?"

"...Ah."

I replied, sighing.

Tomorrow was White Day. I planned to have dinner at Iroha's house and give her the return gift then.

What kind of reaction would I get if I told Iroha about this? Thinking such thoughts, I tilted my teacup.

—---------

"...So, that's how it is."

The next evening.

As usual, I visited Iroha's house and told her about yesterday's events. Iroha, who had been chewing on a baguette, swallowed it with a gulp.

"Wouldn't it be fine if we just lived together at my place?"

"You say that so easily, you..."

I couldn't help but let out a slightly exasperated voice at her somewhat predictable reaction.

Unmarried men and women living together. That means cohabitation, and society's reactions to that situation vary. Some old-fashioned people might say they should only live together after getting married, while others might proactively suggest it to see their compatibility.

"But we're practically living together already, and Senpai is overthinking it."

While that was true, it wasn't that simple. Some might say there's no need to worry if they genuinely love each other, but that's not how the world usually works.

"Even if we were to live together, we can't decide it just by ourselves, can we? We need to get permission from Iroha's parents too."

"Oh, about that, I've already talked to them, so it's fine."

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

We looked at each other, blinking in surprise. What kind of conversation flow is this...?

Suddenly, I remembered a certain day during the New Year. When Iroha came to my family home in Chiba. Considering the level of collusion between Iroha and Komachi back then, a "what if" thought started to bubble up.

"You don't want to?"

"No, it's not that... But why is this already a topic of discussion?"

"Komachi-chan contacted me before, saying, 'Please take care of my brother; I'll be kicking him out in April.'"

Komachi-chan, what have you done...?

The teamwork between Komachi and Iroha was terrifying, but this wasn't something that could be dismissed so easily.

"Even so, I still have to tell them myself, properly."

"Well, if Senpai wants to do things properly, that's fine."

After that much talk, we returned from conversation to eating.

Revisiting Iroha's parents' place was a daunting thought... but this effectively meant the conditions for cohabitation were met. Even if I were to check in on Komachi periodically, my main base of life would have to shift here.

Moving was a hassle, but spending more time with Iroha wasn't a bad thing. If anything, I welcomed it, but the scary part was the possibility of becoming even more engrossed than I already was.

"Thank you for the meal."

"You're welcome."

While pondering such thoughts, dinner came to an end. As we both cleared the dishes to the sink, I said to Iroha, who was starting to roll up her sleeves:

"I'll wash up today."

"Eh... Ah, okay. Please do then."

I said that, offered to wash the dishes, and began.

If we started living together, I wouldn't be a guest anymore, but a cohabitant. I think I should do my share of these chores and get used to them. Or rather, I've been relying on Iroha too much until now. That's true.

Suddenly feeling a gaze, I looked towards the living room, and Iroha smiled as soon as our eyes met. She was ridiculously cute. Yeah, living together might be dangerous in many ways...

"Thanks for washing the dishes."

"Oh... No, I'm the one who's always having it done for me. ...Thanks."

After finishing the dishes, I headed to the living room and sat next to Iroha. As the sofa sank and our shoulders got closer, I patted her head. Iroha closed her eyes blissfully and rubbed her forehead against my shoulder. Oh my, this girl is too cute...

My head was starting to heat up again, and I wanted to keep patting her forever, but today's mission wasn't complete yet. Taking out the wrapped item from my bag next to the sofa, I cleared my throat with an "Mm-hmm."

"It's not exactly a reward for always working so hard, Iroha, but I have something to give you."

"Yes. What is it?"

Iroha, who knew perfectly well but acted surprised, was indeed adorable, and that's what I liked about her.

When I offered her the White Day gift, Iroha accepted it with both hands.

"Thanks for the chocolate. I hope you like this."

"Thank you. Can I open it?"

"Yes," I nodded, and Iroha began to unwrap the package in front of me.

I had been very conflicted about what to give her. I considered accessories, but since I had just given her something for Christmas, I decided on safe sweets in the end.

"Wow... Is this really okay?"

"Of course."

Iroha happily clapped her hands at the sight of the cookie tin from a well-known sweets brand, something everyone knows and is interested in, but often hesitates to buy for themselves because it feels too luxurious.

...Or so I thought, but what was in her hand wasn't the cookie tin in question. In Iroha's hand was a single piece of paper. Hey, what's that? I don't remember putting that in there...

"I might ask for something pretty intense, you know?"

"Oh, uh...?"

On the paper Iroha held, written by hand, were the words "Coupon for Anything You Want Me to Do."

The familiar handwriting was undoubtedly Komachi's. That girl... Seriously...?

"Yay! I wonder when I should use it."

However, seeing Iroha unusually delighted and even dropping her polite speech, I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth.

In any case, I would probably fulfill Iroha's requests as much as possible, so it wouldn't really be a problem in practice.

"Well, please go easy on me..."

I muttered, and then the smug face of Komachi came to mind.

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