Chapter 7: Really Are a Sister-Con
Renji Miyauchi didn't head to the Miyauchi sisters' place that evening. Instead, he went straight to the Koshigaya household. He wasn't there for Komari or Natsumi, but for their quiet, nearly invisible older brother—Koshigaya Takeru.
Takeru was one of the people Renji had already chosen as a successor. After all, he'd known him for nearly a decade here in Asahigaoka, and in his past life's memories of the anime, he had seen the extent of Takeru's hidden talents.
In the show, Takeru had been portrayed as a background utility character—proficient in crafts, housework, farming, and even music. No lines, no presence, barely even listed in the credits. Yet in reality, such skills made him invaluable: a genius without ambition, someone who could support others endlessly without ever betraying them.
Renji had been cultivating him for years. Takeru had helped behind the scenes with handicraft videos, written outlines for survival content, and taken on technical burdens of filming. All Renji needed to do was set the broad direction; Takeru could handle the rest. A few words were all it took for him to understand Renji's vision.
"I understand. I'll keep things steady here in Asahigaoka," Takeru said, adjusting his glasses. He wasn't surprised that Renji's focus was shifting beyond the countryside. It was obvious: Asahigaoka was too small to hold him forever. To Takeru, Renji wasn't just a classmate—he was a leader whose ambitions reached far beyond their sleepy village.
Renji, however, only sighed inwardly. He had no such grand ambitions. He simply didn't want to show his face and be recognized as the boy who filmed "social shake" videos when he stepped into high school surrounded by well-known anime heroines. But for now, he let the misunderstanding stand. One day, when he retired to Asahigaoka to relax, the truth would become clear.
As Renji prepared to leave, Takeru stopped him with an unexpected question. "I'll handle the plan here. But… how do you plan to explain things to Kaede Kagayama?"
Renji scratched the back of his head, exasperated. "Don't tell me you believe those dumb village rumors? Kaede's four years older than me. When she was in high school, I was still an elementary kid. Our closeness is because of Renge, nothing else."
Kaede Kagayama, nineteen this year, had graduated from the Asahigaoka Branch School. She adored Renge and often visited with snacks and toys when Renge was younger. With the elders busy, Kazuho away at university, and Kouka running around as usual, Renji had been the one watching over Renge most often—so naturally, he and Kaede became familiar.
Later, when Kaede's grandmother passed away, she left high school to take over the family's confectionery shop. Renji, recalling how in the anime Kaede had complained about having no customers, had drawn her into his revitalization plan. With her as the promotional face, Asahigaoka's image grew, and the confectionery expanded into a convenience store chain. Kaede's likeness became a trademark on local products, and her cameos in promotional videos gave her surprising online popularity. For now, she was more famous than Hoshino Ai herself.
Still, gossip bloomed: the idea that Renji had favored Kaede's shop because of romance. In truth, their relationship had always been about Renge—and later, about work. They'd changed diapers together, fed Renge milk together, brainstormed ways to make her laugh. Theirs was the bond of siblings, not lovers. If there had been sparks, countryside norms meant Kaede's child would probably be walking already.
Satisfied with his explanation, Renji left Takeru and went to Kaede's store. Their talk was easy, professional. She supported his plan to step back, shared her ideas for Asahigaoka's future, and gave no hint of being a diary holder. In truth, her role in Non Non Biyori had been small; Komari and Natsumi were far likelier candidates.
They discussed until dinner, and Renji shamelessly stayed for the meal. Talk drifted to Renge. "She's starting elementary school soon. Kouka and I will both be in Tokyo. You know Kouka—she's more mascot than guardian. Renka would love it if you came to her opening ceremony."
Kaede scoffed, a little tsundere. "Why bother with a rural ceremony with only a few kids? I'm too busy."
Renji smirked. "You haven't seen the school since it was renovated. You helped fund it. Shouldn't you at least inspect what your money was used for?"
She muttered, then conceded. "Fine. I'll go. Just to make sure you didn't waste the funds."
When Renji finally stood to leave, Kaede surprised him with a hesitant question. "You'll come back, right?"
He rolled his eyes. "Try winning Renge's heart while I'm gone. If you can beat me there, you're really something."
"You… you're such a sister-con!" she snapped, cheeks faintly pink.
...
[Today I spent the whole day working outside. Being tied down by duties is exhausting. When I first came here, all I wanted was to slack off, but survival meant labor. At least now the handover is nearly complete. Once I step away, I'll finally be free to explore.
The school year begins soon. By my research, many well-known anime stories start this year, their protagonists just entering high school. Different works, different settings—all forced into parallel ages by this world's strange rules. I wonder what awaits.
Houtarou Oreki, Rikka Takanashi, Tomoya Okazaki, Haruhi Suzumiya… each with their own unforgettable first days. Haruhi especially stands out. Her words still echo: "I'm not interested in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, future people, espers, or time travelers—come see me."
If she existed here, with the power to reshape reality itself, the world would be her toy. Thankfully, I doubt she's in this world. Otherwise, balance would shatter instantly.
Yukino Yukinoshita of Chiba—you'll enter next year, but I recall clearly: your driver's accident with a boy saving a dog. Because of that, his entire first month of high school was lost to the hospital. By the time he returned, his class's bonds were already formed. His lonely nature only deepened.
I always wondered: if he hadn't been hit, would his life have been different? Probably not, but the thought lingers.
For anyone reading this diary: your fate is yours now. What once was scripted is now unwritten. Live as you choose.]
At 8:15 PM sharp, Yukino Yukinoshita's diary updated. She noted the time carefully. The irregular schedule had unnerved her, but at least the updates always came daily—without them, no one received rewards.
Still, the revelations shook her. The "truth" she had pursued so desperately was nothing more than a story read by countless others. Only the diary's strange ability to soothe her with sleep had allowed her to recover. Now, as she adjusted, things once unclear fell into place.
In the past, she had chased her sister's shadow, determined to surpass her. But with the diary's words echoing in her mind, Yukino realized she had stepped onto a very different path.