Chapter 5

Children's energy is really amazing.

I was already exhausted from being dragged around by Nona to various pools.

Tachibana and Saito had already dropped out, and Kario was keeping a protective distance, watching over us.

If I hadn't built up my stamina, I would have given up for sure.

But after moving around at high energy, Nona must have been tired.

When we went to the lazy river, Nona demanded to be carried.

From past experience, this was a sign of fatigue.

However, she still seemed to have more energy, so I decided to carry Nona and soak in the lazy river, letting the current take us.

"It feels so good, Wato-nii. ...Ah, let's go over there!"

"...As you wish."

In the crowded pool, I used the current to kick off the bottom.

...This is exhausting, Nona-sama.

But it's not the kind of situation where I can say that...

I had no choice but to comply with Nona, who clung to me even more.

"Hey, Ayanokoji, you're having quite a time, huh."

A chubby boy in a floatie was washed over from behind.

"Tachibana. What about Saito?"

"He's out of energy."

"Huh?"

"He's completely exhausted and resting in the lounge, reading a light novel."

"Nothing changes with him, wherever he is..."

Even at the pool, he reads light novels.

That's Saito for you.

"Hey, Ayanokoji! Kario only calls me 'chubby boy'!"

"That's fine, isn't it? It's more intimate than being called by your last name."

"Ha! I'd rather be called by my name! Ayanokoji is called 'Wato-kun' so nicely!"

"Well, yeah..."

Because he's Rin's boyfriend.

"By the way, do you know my name, Ayanokoji?"

"Of course. Your name is—"

"Wato-nii, hug me tighter."

Nona, with a coquettish voice.

She clung to my neck and squeezed her thin arms.

It was as if she was saying, "Look at me, not Tachibana."

"...You're getting too attached, you know."

"Nona is just a friendly kid."

"Sure, I can see that... Hey, Nona, how about coming over to me? This belly's elasticity is better than a trampoline?"

"No way. I want Wato-nii."

"Hey, where's the friendly kid?"

"Your invitation is too perverted!"

I don't know what to do with that kind of accusatory look.

What's with the trampoline comparison...

"Hey, Ayanokoji-kun. You seem to be having a lot of fun without me."

"Oh, Saito. You're back?"

Standing by the pool, with a sharp expression, was Saito.

He had a floral floatie by his side.

Behind Saito, Kario was also standing.

It seems Kario was accompanying Saito.

"Are you okay, Glasses? If you're too tired, you should take it easy."

"Don't worry, Kario. I've recovered my stamina from reading light novels. And I'm not wearing glasses right now. In fact, I've never worn glasses in front of you..."

Saito, who was called "Glasses," tilted his head.

Probably, he sensed a glasses-like aura from the atmosphere.

Saito and Kario slowly entered the pool.

Of course, Saito was wearing a floatie.

"Still, Ayanokoji-kun, how do you get along so well with kids?"

"I don't know. I'd like to know too."

Saito looked envious as he watched Nona clinging to me.

This is just my guess, but I think my qualities as a hardcore net gamer make me more likable to kids.

Of course, there's no evidence for this.

Kario gently started stroking Nona's head.

"Nona really loves Wato-kun. At home, she even steals Wato-kun's doll from Rin."

That's scary.

I'm worried about Wato-kun (my doppelgänger).

Then, Nona, with an innocent smile, made a shocking statement.

"Yep. Because I'm Wato-nii's mistress!"

"Wha—!"

Everyone (except Nona) widened their eyes and gaped.

A nearby lady, who happened to be swimming by, let out a "Huh?" and swam away, looking at me as if I were trash.

"...Eh, Nona? Do you really understand what a mistress is?"

"I know. It's someone you love!"

"Damn, that innocent purity is so cute...!"

She's definitely interpreting it based on the atmosphere of the words.

Probably, the last suspense game she played was a copy of a random daytime drama.

Kids absorb all sorts of things, good and bad, like sponges.

"Wow, Wato-kun. You've not only won over Rin but Nona too. So, is the next target me? Are you going to gather all three of the Mizuki sisters?"

"J-Just kidding! Besides, a woman like Kario-san wouldn't even notice someone like me!"

"Not true. You're actually my type... If we were in the same class, I might have made a move on you."

"Okay, that's it! I'll be killed by Rin!"

Kario says it jokingly, but for a naive net gamer like me, it's heart-pounding.

I instinctively tightened my hold on Nona.

"It's okay. Rin forgives anything when it comes to the man she loves. Maybe you should aim for a harem?"

"N-No, I'm only for Rin...!"

Rin has said she would tolerate a certain level of infidelity and that she doesn't expect to have me all to herself.

But that doesn't mean I should go after other girls, let alone her sister and younger sister.

That would be going too far.

Absolutely not!

"No, Kario-nee, Wato-nii is going to marry me!"

"But Wato-kun..."

"N-No, no, no!"

"...Do you dislike me, Wato-nii?"

Nona, with a worried look, asked with teary eyes.

At this close distance, I could see her sad, curved eyebrows clearly.

"No, I don't dislike you... But marriage and being a mistress are not okay."

"No way! I want to be with Wato-nii forever!"

"Then, how about this. When Nona grows up, if you still like me... we'll think about it then."

This is the ultimate deferral strategy.

It's probably the safest way to handle this.

Nona's "like" isn't based on romantic feelings.

It's like when little boys say they want to marry their mom.

It's similar to that.

Surely, when Nona grows up, she'll realize this.

"Is that okay? Nona has the strongest possessiveness in the Mizuki family."

"Please don't play on my insecurities, even as a joke. I have a heart of a flea. I might die."

"Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I won't say it again, so forgive me?"

Kario stuck out her tongue cutely and apologized.

She's not really sorry...

I'm always being dragged around by the Mizuki sisters.

◇

As the day began to darken, Kario declared, "Let's go home now," noticing that Nona's eyelids were fluttering.

We decided to head home as well.

"Hey, Wato-kun. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yes? What is it?"

On our way to the changing room, with Nona in her arms, Kario stopped me.

Saito and Tachibana went ahead, and I stopped.

"Let's get straight to the point. Come over to our place tonight."

"Uh, to Rin's house?"

"Yep. Our parents are on a romantic trip, and I'm planning to stay at a friend's house with Nona for two days. But Rin seems to be free until tomorrow afternoon."

"Is that so?"

"It's not just 'is that so,' Wato-kun! This is a chance!"

"...Huh?"

Kario closed the distance with a serious expression.

"You two have been dating, but things haven't really progressed, right?"

"Ugh...!"

I couldn't help but admit it.

"Wato-kun, take this opportunity to take things to the next level! ...Oh, and use protection! We don't want any kids yet."

"..."

I couldn't say anything.

I felt my cheeks heat up instantly.

"I'm worried about you as a sister. Rin is successful as an idol, but she can't walk around with her loved one in public, right? So, you should seize these small opportunities and get cozy with her!"

"H-Huh...?"

"So, Wato-kun! Get ready to stay over when you get home! I'll come pick you up right away!"

"Wait, um..."

"What? Do you have something to do?"

"No, but it's too sudden... I need to prepare mentally..."

"Don't worry! Once you're alone, your instincts will take over!"

"Uh..."

She gave me a brilliant smile and a thumbs up.

Just like the first time we met, she's trying to push Rin and me together with incredible force.

"Alright, see you then!"

After summarizing the situation unilaterally, Kario walked away to the women's changing room.

"...Sigh, she's still as crazy as ever."

Forceful, or something.

But I understand that she's doing it for our sake.

"One night stay, huh."

Just thinking about it made me nervous.

This... might, just might, be it.