c9

Chapter 9: A Change in Feelings

Afterwards, we went and bought some clothes from the various sets arranged. Because a skirt was impossible, I picked out a quiet designed pair of trousers and jeans. They were unexpectedly cheap.

「&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;Alright, it’ll be fine if we get these&h.e.l.lip;.Shall we go home, Oniichan?」

「No, there’s still something left to get.」

「There’s something left&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; like what?」

「Things like underwear」

「Aa&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;」

Well, I had vaguely noticed&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;

「But, does this shopping street doesn’t sell things like underwear?」

「Wait really?」

「That’s right」

「&h.e.l.lip;Well then let’s give up and go home?」

On the way back.

「Hey, Oniichan&h.e.l.lip; from before&h.e.l.lip; you said you’d explain when we got home&h.e.l.lip; but can’t you explain it now after all?」

「&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;Understood」

Oniichan took me to an uninhabited park near our house and sat on an adjoining bench, then started to speak.

「Hey do you&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;know about love?」

「Me (boku)? With who?」

「Me? (ore)」

「Eh&h.e.l.lip;!? &h.e.l.lip;Wh- why!? Where brothers you know!? We’re both guys you know!? And yet&h.e.l.lip;」

Again my words were caught in my throat.

「”And yet” what?」

「Well, I mean, that is&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;」

Why is it, it feels so hard to breathe? It feels like there’s something caught in my throat&h.e.l.lip;.something like that.

I felt a strange cold sweat – Did Oniichan sense that?

「&h.e.l.lip;Shall we go home?」

At Oniichan’s invitation, I gave a small nod—