Chapter 92: Volume 12 - CH 5

“Nya? Welcome back, Nii-san.”

It was currently a bit past 8pm. Upon returning home, Kureha greeted me.

“I’m home. Did Suzutsuki go back?”

“Yup. Right after you went out on the date.”

“I see…”

She probably is learning of the condition placed on me if I want to become her butler. Well, there’s not really much she can do in that regard. It’s about a battle with me and the old man.

“I guess it’d be best to sleep early today? We got normal class tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know.”

My little sister was already wearing plain pajamas. Today it’s a normal one, but sometimes she has sheep characters imprinted on it. Naturally, that was the Silent Sheep. I hear there’s even more fans now. Personally, I’d just have nightmares about my clothes strangling me if I actually wore that.

“……”

Well, ignoring that problem.

“Kureha, I have somewhat of a request, do you mind?”

“What’s up?” Kureha tilted her head like a small animal.

I took a deep breath, and then spoke up.

“Won’t you—fight me?”

“Eh? Right now?”

“Yep, right now.”

“Hmm, that’s unexpected. Asking for…Ah, are you just acting, and you actually want to do some nighttime pro wrestling…”

“Hell no.”

“Where? On Nii-san’s bed?”

“Listen to me!”

Who’d do something like that with you, seriously. We’ve been living together for more than ten years, so asking me to feel lust towards my actual little sister is like going on a mission impossible. I’m not Tom Cr*ise, you hear me.

“Then, why? Normally you wouldn’t go out of your way to even train, right?”

“Well…”

Since there was no real reason to hide it, I explained just what happened today at the park to Kureha. Namely, the trial Konoe Nagare gave me, and that I have to win against him in order to become a butler for the Suzutsuki Family. Of course, the fact about marrying Konoe as well…

“Nya…” Kureha put one hand on her chin, and groaned. “That is quite the serial situation.”

“……”

Don’t you mean serious? Who’s a serial killer, oi? Is she taking my earnest problem as some kind of joke?

“Basically, you want me to practice with you, Nii-san?”

“Well, something like that. Honestly speaking, you’re pretty strong after all.”

I mean, the old man definitely is stronger than her, but it’s better than not doing anything at all. Training with Kureha will give me some good experience at least. Basically, I’d love for her to be my sparring partner before the match.

“I don’t mind, but…are you sure? Konoe-senpai’s father is super strong, right?”

“That’s why I’m asking you for help. Right now, my chances of winning are pretty low.”

That’s right, I couldn’t hope to do anything against the old man back then. I only have a few days until the trial. I need to lessen the gap between us as much as possible.

“Hmmm…In your case, there’s another problem besides training…”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Um…” Kureha was thinking about it for a second. “Well, whatever. I guess showing it to you would be faster than explaining it.” She muttered. “Anyway, I’ll prepare myself. Can’t fight you while looking like this.” She said, and walked up the stairs to the second floor.

…? What’s with her? I’m happy she’s willing to help…but what does she mean by that? Is she referring to my gynophobia? I’ve already been cured of that, so no problem. And even if I hadn’t, the old man’s a guy.

“Ah, right.” Right before leaving, Kureha turned around towards me, and continued with a serious voice. “Hey, Nii-san…Did you properly prepare yourself?”

“…Prepare?”

“I told you just now, but Konoe-senpai’s father is very strong. It’s just my intuition, but probably on the same level as Mom. You won’t get out of this fight unscathed.”

“…That sucks, alright.”

When it comes to battling and fighting, Kureha’s intuition generally is on-point. If she says so, then the old man must be on Mom’s level. So far, I never managed to win against her. But…

“Don’t worry, I’m ready no matter what will happen.”

I’ve decided to fight. Daily life, reality, future…I’ve decided to fight whatever gets in my way. If not, I wouldn’t have proposed to Konoe.

“Nyaha, no problem then. That’s my Nii-san, alright.”

“Well, I haven’t been your older brother for the past ten years for nothing.”

Honestly speaking, the only time I won against her was back during the sports festival. Not to mention that I had to use rather unfair methods.

“If you’re serious, then I have my own idea about this, Nii-san.” She said with a serious expression. “I’ll fight you seriously.”

“……”

…Was that just my imagination, or did she just drop a bombshell?

“K-Kureha, what do you mean about that?”

“Eh? Like I said, I’m going to fight you seriously. Over the past few years, I’ve always been holding back when we were fighting.”

“Why would you!?”

“I mean, that would end things far too quickly. Wouldn’t be fun if I killed you in a matter of seconds.”

“……”

Somebody help me. My blood-related little sister is out to kill me.

“That’s why, the only person I fought for real lately is the vice captain. But…today will be different.”

“Urk.”

“Now that you made up your mind, I won’t hold back anymore. I’m going full blast full throttle. I’ll show you the true strength of Sakamachi Kureha.”

“……”

“That being the case, do your best, Nii-san. If not, you’ll get hurt before even fighting Konoe-senpai’s father, nyahaha! Anyway, I’ll see you down at the dojo. I’m looking forward to it, Nii-san!” She grinned, and ran up the stairs.

…Okay, I think I just stepped on an awful landmine. Of course, the name of that landmine is Sakamachi Kureha. Somebody call the bomb squad right now. If not, my HP will reach 0…Still, that’s my little sister for you, I guess. She’s an animal when it comes to fighting.

“…Guess I can’t back down now.” I clapped my palms on my cheeks.

If I had to guess, Kureha is just trying to be considerate in her own way. She said that she’d go all out for me. That’s the best way to prepare me for my battle with the old man. So, I have to respond to her feelings.

“Though, it sure is a wicked way of being considerate…” I let out a sigh, and moved to my own room up on the second floor.

For now, I have to write my testament.

×

“…Gah.”

I let out a sound like a frog that got stepped on, and collapsed onto my bed. Right now, it’s half past midnight, and roughly four hours since I came home. I was finally freed from my sparring with Kureha down at the dojo, and finished my bath to go back to my own room. My arms and legs were shaking. I couldn’t move them properly though. Well, if there is one thing I could say…

“…She’s not human.”

Finally, I figured out what my little sister is. I had no chance when she got serious. It’s like a total beginner went to fight a professional. She’s far too strong. I’m a family member of the Sakamachi family, so I was at least confident in my skill, but I got absolutely obliterated. Rather than becoming stronger to defeat the old man, it’s like my confidence was crushed.

“Not to mention that she still seemed relaxed.”

I was completely serious, but Kureha was all like ‘You can’t give up! You’re still not completely serious! Do your best tomorrow!’. That damn wrestling freak, how can she even say that? It’ll just make me feel even more depressed.

“…I’ll just head to bed for today.”

Judging from Kureha’s excitement, she’ll probably help me train every single day, so I gotta recover as quickly as possible. With a shaking hand, I set up my alarm next to my pillow. Since I have trouble getting up in the morning, Kureha will wake me up with more wrestling techniques immediately. I can only curse my own disposition.

Thinking about it, a lot happened today. I proposed to Konoe at the opening ceremony, went on a double date with the Narumi sisters, was called to the rooftop by Masamune, had a verbal battle with the old man, and was trained by Kureha. Safe to say that I’m exhausted.

“Yaaaaawn…” I turned off the lights, and fell backwards onto my bed.

All the exhaustion stored up today let me blink out faster than usual. Okay, now I’ll be able to get some good sleep—

“My, you can’t sleep just yet, you know?”

However, with the sudden appearance of a dignified voice, all my sleepiness was blessed away instantaneously.

“…!?”

I reflexively tried to push up my body, but as if she had expected my movement, she had sat on my hips. In other words, she was mounting me. On top of that, with a blindfold, she completely robbed me of my ability to see.

“Urk…!”

I tried to jump up, but because of Kureha’s training, I already blasted past my limit. Damn it, I can’t even fight back now…!

“Good evening, Jirou-kun.”

“……!”

More importantly, the owner of that voice is…

“Fufu, you don’t look too well. Am I that heavy? I feel like I’m being quite conscious of my weight.”

“S-Suzutsuki…!”

That’s right, this is Suzutsuki Kanade. Because my sight had been robbed from me, I couldn’t see her at all, but it had to be that sadistic rich lady.

“W-Why are you here!? Kureha said you went home!”

“Fufu, I’m sorry, but I kept a window open while Kureha-chan wasn’t looking. I acted like I had gone home, but snuck inside through the open window.”

“Wha…”

U-Unbelievable…She’s like an invader.

“After I invited myself in, I hid in this room so that Kureha-chan wouldn’t spot me. Precisely, I was waiting in your closet.”

“Waiting…Why? Does Konoe know that you’re here?”

“Of course not. She’s staying over at Usami-san’s home, and I told everyone I’d be home late.”

“Making up your usual nonsense again.”

“Indeed. But, Jirou-kun, I just needed to visit your room. After all…” There, Suzutsuki’s voice stopped.

“Nii-san? I heard some weird noises from your room, are you okay?” A voice passed through the closer door.

It’s Kureha. Seems like she heard the noise the two of us were making, and came to check up on me. Since her room’s also on the second floor, that was to be expected after all. However, this is a chance, if I ask for help here…

“Seems like something troublesome happened, Jirou-kun.”

Right as I was thinking that, Suzutsuki called out to me with a whisper.

“Huh? Like I care. I’m only going to ask Kureha for help.”

“Fufu, are you sure about doing that?” She let out a snicker. “After all, I’m naked right now.”

“……”

Because of this abrupt yet explosive bombshell, my head just flashed blank white for a moment. It was like Ground Zero, as everything previously in my head was now gone.

“That’s why, it would be pretty bad if Kureha-chan saw us right now, don’t you agree? You are dating Subaru, so she might accuse you of cheating.”

“……”

“On top of that, today is the day you proposed to Subaru, right.”

“………”

“Surely, Kureha-chan would get angry at you. She’s really attached to Subaru after all. If she saw me naked in bed with you…she might just go rampant.” She spoke with a calm tone like she was ordering some food at a restaurant.

…This is bad. Just as she said, this situation couldn’t be worse. Why did she come to my room at such a time, not to mention naked? For now, I’ll ignore that. After all, I proposed to Konoe today, and I just declared that she and I were dating in front of Kureha. Yet, if she now saw me and Suzutsuki like this, she would surely kill me.

“Nii-san? You okay? Did something happen?”

Urk…

“Also, can I come in?”

Lord help me.

“If something happened, then I’ll come save you. Honestly speaking, you were pretty cool at the opening ceremony today. That’s why, if something’s wrong I’m here for you.” Kureha said with a somewhat bashful tone.

Waaaaah, stop that! Don’t open the door! If you come in now, your reputation of me will drop to the floor again! Also, you’ll change into a female terminator!

“Now, what will you do, Jirou-kun?”

“Urk…”

“Just to let you know, but since I officially went back home, I can’t help you.”

“Ggggghhh…!”

T-This devil! Fine then, I’ve made it through many battlefields so far. I mean, most of them feel more like romcom events, but it’s true that I was constantly wrapped up in trouble. That’s why, I’ll use all of my experience to make it through this…!

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“K-Kureha!”

I made up my mind, and spoke up, feeling like I was talking with a terrorist holding hostages at gunpoint. What’s most important is to build a conversation, as long as I can stop her from opening that door…!

“Ah, so you were awake, Nii-san.”

“W-Well, I was sleeping until now, but your voice woke me up.”

“Mmnn, sorry about that. But, I heard some weird noises from your room.”

“Weird noises? Maybe it was just your imagination?”

“…Nii-san, are you hiding something from me?”

“O-Of course not!”

“Really? It seems like you’re trying to stop me from entering the room…Is somebody hiding in your room?”

“W-W-What are you thinking!?”

She’s basically analyzing every single breath I take. Damn it, why is she so sharp all of a sudden…I’m sorry, Konoe, it seems like I might die before I get to marry you. I don’t need a funeral, I don’t think you’ll be able to even recognize my corpse…And it’s all because Suzutsuki barged into my room naked…

“………”

No, hold on a second. There is one method of protecting my life against Kureha. But, this method is dangerous. If I use that, I might lose…a lot…

“Hey, Nii-san, can I come in?”

“…!”

…No other choice but to do it. That’s what I decided on. In order to become a butler for the Suzutsuki Family, in order to marry Konoe, I can’t die just yet.

“Wait, Kureha! You can’t come in right now.”

“Eh? Why?” My little sister sounded confused.

I hesitated for a moment, and continued.

“Actually…I’m naked right now.”

“Why are you naked!?”

“Well, I just felt like sleeping naked.”

“T-That sure is one wild style of sleeping. But, why…”

“It’s because I have a girlfriend now.”

“And why does that matter!? I can’t follow at all!”

“You only understand that after getting a lover!?”

“Don’t panic like that. I’m surprised myself. My values changed this much simply because I have a girlfriend now.”

“V-Values…”

“Yeah. I can’t even get proper sleep without being fully naked.”

“……”

An awkward silence reigned between the two of us…I guess that wasn’t good enough? I feel like I’m just making up nonsense as we go along. There’s no way Kureha would buy that…

“I see, so Nii-san has changed.”

You’re buying it!? Come on, be a bit more doubtful, my little sister. You won’t survive in society if you act like that.

“Well, it sounds believable enough coming from you.”

“Eh…”

“Nii-san can’t be helped sometimes.”

“……”

“I’m sure that you must be excited because you finally got a girlfriend. That’s why you can’t sleep without being naked. Right, Nii-san?”

“Y-Yeah, good guess.”

A-Ahahaha, what is even happening. I wonder why, it feels like Kureha lost her last bit of respect for me. Who’d sleep naked simply because they suddenly got a girlfriend…I don’t want to be that kind of character…

“It’s fine. No matter how much you change, I won’t cast you away, Nii-san.”

“R-Right, thanks. But, why don’t you head to sleep now? Like you said, we got classes tomorrow, so getting some more sleep wouldn’t hurt.”

“Yup! Will do! Night, Nii-san! I won’t come to your room again, so you just sleep! Naked, that is!” She said, and I heard footsteps slowly distancing themselves.

…I’m saved. I mean…at what cost. For now, I’ll just ignore that. Instead, I have to focus on the bigger problem.

“Fufu, great work there, Jirou-kun.”

She must have waited for Kureha to leave, because Suzutsuki called out to me with a loud voice.

“…Explain yourself.” I demanded.

Why is she here in my room? Not to mention naked according to what she said. For crying out loud, this is almost as if she—

“My, isn’t that obvious?” Suzutsuki spoke with a teasing tone. “I’m here to do that with you.”

“……”

Don’t joke around. She should know that I proposed to Konoe, and that we’re dating.

“Hey…”

“……!?”

My heart skipped a beat, even if I didn’t want it to. Her slender finger ran along my abdomen.

“Jirou-kun.” She said. “Just tonight is fine…Please, make me yours.”

“…!”

Even I understood the meaning of her words. Also, I’m honestly impressed she can be this straightforward with it.

“That reminds me.” Suzutsuki continued. “Nagare contacted me. He said that he’d see if you’re a worthy butler for my family…But, there’s no need for any of that.”

“Wha…”

“Jirou-kun. Just for tonight…accept me. If you do that, then I’ll make you my butler. I’ll force it past Nagare with my authority. There’s no way he can go against my orders.”

“……”

It was an all too promising invitation. If I simply accept her here, I’ll be made a butler of the Suzutsuki Family. After all, she’s the single daughter of the family, so even the old man has to listen to her. Damn Devil Suzutsuki, every single time she puts trials like these on me.

“…Jirou-kun.”

And then, she whispered with a faint voice, as she caressed my ribs.

“…Please, tell me your answer.”

“……”

Amidst the reigning darkness, the sensation of her palm covering my eyes disappeared. What appeared at first sight was Suzutsuki Kanade herself. Her long and glossy hair, her white skin looking like snow not walked upon, a slender body line, and large eyes. In her eyes, I could see myself. That’s why…

“—Got it.” I simply responded.

“……Are you really sure, Jirou-kun?”

“Yeah, I’ll give you my answer. That’s why, can you get off me?”

“…Understood.”

The sensation touching my abdomen disappeared, as Suzutsuki slowly got off me. At the same time, I pushed up my upper body. Suzutsuki sat down next to me on the bed.

“…Suzutsuki.” Slowly, I took her hand, and put my lips on the back of her hand.

“…Jirou-kun?”

She seemed to be surprised at that, because her voice was higher than usual. I slowly moved my lips away.

“…I’m sorry, Suzutsuki, but this is the best I can do.”

“……”

“You’re my friend, and quite possibly my future master. I will listen to your orders to a certain degree. I don’t mind if it’s a funny prank that we can laugh at together. I don’t hate energetic days either. But…I can’t do any more than that. This…is my answer.” I told her without hesitation.

I chose Konoe, not Suzutsuki. That’s why I have to tell her about my own feelings.

“…Hehe.” She let out a faint snicker. “Thank you, Jirou-kun, for telling me your answer.”

“No need to thank me. Not to mention…you probably weren’t serious either, right?”

She’s Suzutsuki Kanade, Konoe Subaru’s former master, and good friend. That’s why she wouldn’t forcefully try to tie the knot between me and her.

“…You’re right.” Suzutsuki nodded. “I’m sorry, all of that just now was me making up things.”

“Were you…testing me?”

“…Yes. I guess it’s something similar to what Nagare thought of. But, it was a trial for you. If you had accepted me here, I probably would not have taken you as my butler.”

“……”

Well, I guess that’s expected. Konoe and I are dating, and I even proposed. That’s why I can’t accept Suzutsuki. Even if I’m some brat, I wouldn’t do something so irresponsible.

“But, why were you attacking me naked like that?”

“My, isn’t that important to set the mood?”

Inside this darkness, Suzutsuki let out a snicker.

“Come on, put on some clothes.” I turned my back towards her.

Silence—and then.

“Hey, Jirou-kun.” Suzutsuki spoke up with a voice that made it sound like she was close to breaking out in tears. How…did you know that I wasn’t serious?”

“…Moron. We’ve been together for almost a year now, that’s the least I can figure out.”

“……”

“Suzutsuki, you and Konoe are friends, right? There’s no way you would do something like this to her. You’re the type to constantly make up nonsense, but you would never betray Konoe.”

“……”

“Not to mention…You knew that I wouldn’t agree to your invitation, right? You knew…but you wanted to test me.”

“………” Suzutsuki stayed quiet for a moment. “…You’re right.” She muttered, as if she simply wanted to tell herself. “I probably…wanted a definitive answer.”

“……”

—A definitive answer. Basically, a proof that I chose Konoe, and a sign that I was never going to pick her. Just as she said just now, she should have known that I wouldn’t jump onto her invitation. But even so, she wanted a definitive response. That’s why she tried to seduce me. She knew I’d say no, but needed to hear my answer. As a way of fully dealing with her feelings—

“…I’m sorry, Jirou-kun. It seems like I’m the type of woman who doesn’t know when to give up. I should have known better the moment I saw you propose to Subaru at the opening ceremony…”

“…Don’t worry about it, we all are lost from time to time.”

“Hehe, sounding all cool out of nowhere.” Amidst the darkness, Suzutsuki smiled.

That’s right, everybody ends up lost from time to time. Talk about her, she’s accepting the guy who rejected her as her butler. I guess she came to my room to finally get a clean cut on her one-sided love. Just like Masamune screamed on that roof today.

“Well, a kiss on the back of my hand was taking it a bit too far.”

“S-Shut up, I couldn’t come up with anything else!”

“Fufu, I’ll give you a passing grade. After all…you’ll become my butler, so that kind of kiss isn’t as bad. You’re like my knight in shining armor.”

“I feel like I’ve just been employed at a black company though.”

“Of course not? I’m sure that you’ll have fun working for my family. We all have such lively personalities, and I’ll be your master. You won’t ever be bored. That’s why…” She spoke that far, and then tapped me on the shoulder.

I guess she finished changing. Turning around, there stood Suzutsuki Kanade in her usual clothes. No tears were found in her eyes, as she simply smiled at me.

“You must become my butler.”

“…Yeah, leave it to me.” I confidently answered.

Master and butler…that’s the kind of relationship the both of us are aiming for. I may have chosen Konoe, and thus can’t become Suzutsuki’s lover…but as a butler, I can still be with her. As her butler, and as her friend, I want to be with her.

“…Thank you. But, will you really be okay? I heard about Nagare’s trial.”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll do something about it.”

“By the way, what is the trial about?”

“A fight.”

“…Phew, what nonsense. I was expecting something a bit more refined than that. Or, do men just enjoy beating each other up?”

“I don’t particularly mind. Not to mention that it just feels like that old man.”

“Fufu, that makes sense. Either way…Do your best, Jirou-kun.” She said, evidently supporting me.

“Yeah, I’ll definitely become your butler.” I responded to her feelings.

To that, Suzutsuki showed a bright smile, and quietly left my room.

“………”

Thus, all of today’s chaos finally ended. It may have been only a short conversation, but I doubt I will ever forget what happened tonight.

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