Volume 6 Chapter 4

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It’s no good if you’re not a little sister

Part 1:

We made it through the research onValentine’s day, a few days passed, and Suzuka returned from thedorm.

“I-I’m back, Onii-chan.”

“W-Welcome back.”

It felt like a rather awkward greeting.Well, she had been gone for about a month, so I guess that much wasto expected.

“This kind of feels nostalgic…Anyway, now that I’m home, I have to do some housework…!”

J-Just as you would expect from aperfectionist like Suzuka. My eyes are getting watery.

“But every time you came to visitthis past month, you cleaned the house. You said that it was veryimportant for your commuting wife research.”

“T-That’s… Father and Mother havebeen particularly busy recently, so I was worried since it was justOnii-chan here… A-And also, there were places that I couldn’t getto during that time…! So first up is cleaning!” said Suzuka withhigh spirits.

Maybe she’s excited to finally beback home.

“That’s good and all, but is itfine not starting on your new novel now?”

“I’ll start on it immediately, ofcourse. But I can’t focus without getting some housework done fornow… T-This is our home after all, so I would like to have it theway it usually is.”

…Yeah, that sounds very Suzuka-like.Though I really wanted to be able to read her novel as fast aspossible… I can’t help it, I guess.

“Alright, I’ll help you out. Thesooner we finish, the sooner you can start on your novel, after all.”

“Y-Yes. Thank you very much,Onii-chan.”

And so the first day she returned hometurned into a big cleaning day. On the following day, she quicklybegan work on her novel. Now, as her stand-in, there was nothing leftfor me to do.

On the other hand, Mai, our opponent,seemed to have made good progress writing her rom-com.

“Hehe, just you wait, Yuu. I’llmake you excited with my rom-com, and make you say that it’s themost interesting thing you’ve ever read!”

She said things like that every time weran into each other at school, but her expression looked so livelythat it was actually fun. There was no doubt that she had enoughconfidence to win.

And just like that, the days went byand the situation grew more intense. And, if you were to ask what Iwas doing in the meantime…

“…………Nope.”

I didn’t want to lose against both ofthem, so I worked on my own novel.

…But, well, as you could probablyguess, I didn’t make much progress.

“Ahhh, this one’s a loser too… Ithink that it’s fun to read, but… Mmm…”

I tried writing a chapter as a sort ofpilot. When I read back over it, I felt like it was interesting, andit did seem like I was making progress in terms of my writing.However—

“I wonder… Something still isn’tright. I don’t know what it is, but I know that this is no good…”

In the end, everything I started was afailure after the first chapter, and I never managed to finish asingle novel.

I took a deep breath and stretched myarms while sitting in my chair.

…How should I say it…? This is thefirst time I’ve ever felt something like this. It’s verydifferent from the feeling of hopelessness and despair that I’vehad before. It feels like I’m still making progress, and I can feelsome sort of story building up. Before, I would always scream out’This is the best novel ever!’, only for it to drop out in thesecond or third round of preliminaries. But not anymore. Though itfeels like I’m progressing, I definitely won’t be able to win thegrand prize like this, and I certainly can’t debut as a light novelauthor. For some reason, that was the only thing I completelyunderstood. But I didn’t even know why I understood it…

“Ahhh, I don’t get it…”

I had finally managed to figure out myideal type of girl thanks to Suzuka, and I feel like I was managingto write cute heroines… So what exactly is still missing…? Why doI feel like something’s lacking? …That’s right. Something,something’s lacking. I have all of the essentials, but something islacking. But, what is this ‘something’? I can’t put it intowords. It feels like I’m going in circles. Like I’m trapped in abottomless swamp.

“And this is the first time I didn’tsubmit anything for the contest.”

Since I hadn’t managed to finish anynovel, I couldn’t send anything to Wing Publishing for theircontest. Though this might’ve meant I’d grown, I still felt likeI had received a lot of damage from missing a deadline like that.

“…Suzuka and Mai are probably stillwriting their own novels… Maybe this is just my level as a normalhuman being…”

After muttering these words, I calledit quits for the day and fell asleep.

Part 2:

“My new novel is finished,Onii-chan!”

Just like that, February had ended, andit was now a school-free day. As always, I was thinking about mynovel in my room when Suzuka came suddenly bursting in. She had hermanuscript in her hands, and her eyes glimmered in expectation.

“Y-You finished it already, huh?”

“I wasn’t that fast, you know. Thedeadline is pretty close, after all.”

…Well, she’s not wrong about that.Maybe I just said that since I haven’t made any progress on my ownnovel.

“S-So, Onii-chan, will you read it? Ican’t have my first reader be anyone other than Onii-chan, afterall… O-Of course, only because we’re both the same author!”

“Y-Yeah, I get it.”

Suzuka got all up in my face, and so Iwas overwhelmed and could only give my consent. Of course, beinggiven the opportunity to read Suzuka’s new novel has gotten mefired up too…! I mean, it’s written by the person who wrote thebest little sister novel ever. It’s the new novel from the geniusTowano Chikai, you know? And this time it’s a novel without alittle sister as the heroine. I can’t begin to describe how happy Iam to be the first person to get a chance to read it!

“Then I’ll read it immediately!”

“G-Go ahead!”

With Suzuka watching over me, I startedturning the pages.

The title was— “Even if we’re notsiblings, we’re still connected by destiny”… That title made megrin. I quickly threw myself into reading.

…The story revolved around a normalhighschool second-year protagonist, who started realizing that hisnew Kouhai was actually his female childhood friend. This childhoodfriend of his had grown up to be quite the beauty, and she wasactively pursuing the protagonist. However, said protagonist alreadyhad a big-breasted (this part was emphasized for some reason)classmate at his side, so the two of them got into quite theconflict. Of course, the protagonist didn’t seem to realize any ofit. In order to get the protagonist’s attention, the childhoodfriend visited him like a commuting wife, invited him to her room toplay, and tried her best to look good. After finally making up hermind, she confessed while handing him some chocolate in the bathtubas they took a bath together. The protagonist finally started to seehis childhood friend as a girl, instead of a little sister, andaccepted the confession — That was the gist of it.

Since this was only a one-shot, thestory was complete just with that. Still, it was quite full ofinteresting events. The childhood friend was very cute, and Icouldn’t stop grinning the whole time. That’s how good it was.

“…H-How is it, Onii-chan?” Suzukaasked nervously when I had finished the last page.

…How is it, you ask? Of course, it’scrazy fun to read! Especially the scene where the heroine confessedto the protagonist. Her feelings could be directly felt by thereader. Her approach was also incredibly cute… Suzuka really hadused our research perfectly.

It really is a novel that showcasesTowano Chikai’s skill. With this, she’ll surely beat Mai’srom-com, and there’s no question that this could be turned intoseries.

I wanted to open my mouth to tell heroutright, but…

“………”

“…………Onii-chan?”

…H-Huh? Why can’t I say anything?There’s some sort of uneasy feeling inside of me. When I thinkabout her novel, there’s no mistake that it’s incredible… butthere’s something that feels off… What is this? This feelsfamiliar…

Thinking that, I realized immediately.

…Of course. This is the same feelingI have with my own novels at the moment. Ahh, so that’s what itwas, then — But wait? Why am I getting that feeling from readingSuzuka’s novel? Unlike mine, Suzuka’s novel should be plentyinteresting…?

“What’s wrong? …You look a bitpale, Onii-chan…”

No no no no, wait a moment?! …Thinkabout it one more time. Suzuka’s novel was interesting, right?

…Yeah, it really was. There wasn’tanything to complain about, and it was super interesting. But evenso, this feeling won’t go away. Even though my brain knows thatit’s interesting, my heart is rebelling.

…Really, what’s wrong with me?

“Onii-chan… Onii-chan!”

“…Hah?! Eh? What’s wrong,Suzuka?”

“That’s my line! I kept tryingto ask you, but you were just spacing out the whole time!”

“R-Really? Sorry…”

“I-It’s okay… S-So what do youthink about my new novel?”

“A-Ahh, your novel… It’sreally interesting!”

“…!! Is that so!”

Suzuka looked really delighted to hearthat. Seeing her response, I shook my head.

…Really, what am I thinking about?Suzuka’s novel is so interesting, and I was about to be swept alongby this small, unimportant feeling of mine. Yeah, that must’ve beenjust a mistake or something. It was probably just because I wasfeeling off, and I was unconsciously projecting that onto Suzuka’snovel.

Telling myself that over and over, Itried to rid myself of the feeling.

“Ehehehe, I’m actually prettyconfident in his novel. I’m really happy that you think that,Onii-chan!”

“I-Is that so…? I’m glad tohear that.”

Suzuka once more showed me a smile fromthe bottom of her heart.

…Yeah, this unpleasant feelingmust’ve been my imagination. The person in question has so muchconfidence, after all.

“Ehe, ehehehehehe… I’ll beatHimuro-san with this! Though she’s not familiar with the rom-comgenre, I’m not holding back this time!” Suzuka stated as shepuffed out her chest.

While I was looking at this gleefullittle sister of mine…

Suzuka can write such an interestingnovel… and here I am — Is what I thought.

…Of course, a normal person like mecannot possibly hope to catch up to a genius like Suzuka. She’llsurely win against Mai with this novel.

“W-With this, my feelings arestronger than Himuro-san’s… and my perfect highschool studentlife will start…! Ehehehehehe”

Watching Suzuka, who was twisting herbody with a weird laugh, I was equally certain that she would win.

…However… Shortly after, myconviction would be shaken.

Part 3:

“Hey Yuu, do you have a second?”

It was a day after classes had ended, afew days after Suzuka had finished her novel. When I was preparing togo home, Mai came to me with this question.

“I do, but what is it?”

“Do you have some time after this? Iwant you to come with me.”

For some reason, she had a confidentgrin on her face, which gave me a really bad feeling about what shewanted to do.

…She’s a good-for-nothing stalker,after all, so it could only be something completely useless… Butit’s not like I had any reason to decline.

“I don’t have any work today, and Idon’t have to pick up Suzuka either, so I guess I can… But whatare you planning on doing?”

“W-Why are you so wary? It’s notanything weird. I just want you to read my new work.”

“Eh? What kind of work?”

“Huuuh? What are you saying? What ofwork do you think I’d be talking about at this point? I’m talkingabout my novel for our competition.”

“……Eh?”

Mai said that like it was somethingcompletely normal, but I was taken aback by her words. In that momentof weakness, Mai grabbed my arm, dashed out the classroom, and mademe sit down in the lounge where there was nobody around.

“W-Wait a second, are you reallysaying that? Why would you have your opponent read the novel he hasto win against?”

“It’s not that big of a deal,right? It’s not like it’ll change anything, since people will bevoting for it online. And also—” Mai took her manuscript out ofher bag as she continued, “—I wanted to show you my skill beforethe actual voting starts.” She showed me a confident grin.

…W-What is she planning on doing…?

“It’s not like I’m asking you tolet me read your novel or anything. I just want to see what youthought of my novel.”

“Why would you go out of your way forsomething like that…?”

“You’ll understand once you startreading,” Mai responded, not with her usual flippant attitude, butrather with the air of the light novel writer Enryuu Homura.

Though I still hadn’t really calmeddown, I had no reason to refuse, so I started reading through hermanuscript.

The title was… “I really like youafter all, so I tried my best”…

Gulping once, I flipped over the page.Momentarily, I forgot all of that tension, and I dived deep into theworld of her novel.

…Mai’s rom-com was unbelievably funto read.

The main characters were a maleprotagonist and his classmate, the heroine, with the stage as anormal high school. The heroine was a beauty to behold, but she hadquite a difficult personality. However, once both of them found outabout their respective secrets, they became conscious of each other.The heroine in particular was very attracted to the protagonist, soshe tried to approach him in various ways, but they all ended infailure. On his part, the protagonist was surrounded by countlessother girls, and was oblivious to their feelings. In the middle ofall of them was his little sister. So, in order not to lose againstthe little sister, the heroine tried her best. Although she wasrather clumsy at it, she approached the protagonist in her own way.It worked out for her, and in the end, they both confessed to eachother in front of the entire student body. And like that, the storyended with them becoming lovers.

The story perfectly fit into its nichein the rom-com genre, and just as you would expect from aprofessional author, both the writing and pacing were perfect. Butprobably the most impressive part of the story was the depiction ofthe heroine.

It was just like Suzuka’s, TowanoChikai’s, depiction of her characters. The heroine’s feelings forthe protagonist were directly transmitted to the reader. Though Maihad never tried something like this in her novels before, it wasincredibly accurate…

Before I had even realized it, I hadalready reached the last page. And I couldn’t stop grinning fromthe heroine’s cuteness.

…Is it over already? That’s notgood, I want to read it again!

“H-How is it? Is it interesting?”Mai asked with an expectant gaze as she brought her face closer.

“Y-Yeah, it’s really fun to read…!”

And after hearing my response, Mai’sface looked like it was sparkling.

“I-I did it…! Yuu thinks that it’sinteresting…! ~~~I’m so happy!!!” Mai jumped up and down like asmall kid.

…Well, it is really interesting,after all. I wonder why? I felt my heart starting to race.

“And, and?! You can praise it more,you know?! Come on, don’t hold back. Shower me with praise! Whatare your impressions?! How was the heroine?!”

…Hey, you’re way too excited! Andyour face is way too close!

“B-But, is this really the firstrom-com you’ve ever written?”

That was the most suspicious part ofit. The quality was way too amazing for this to be her first timewriting a rom-com. She should really only be this much of aprofessional when it comes to battle novels.

“I’ve told you again and again thatthis is my first one.”

“Hmmm… considering the fact thatthis should be way out of your field, you wrote such an interestingnovel… Is this some sort of natural talent, I wonder?”

Forgetting to keep up my role as TowanoChikai, I blurted out my true feelings.

I mean, it’s just like Suzuka. Bothof them challenged themselves like this, and both of them landed agreat hit… There’s no point in comparing myself to them, becausethe difference is as plain as day.

Thinking that, I actually felt a bitdepressed.

“……What are you saying?”

Before I had realized it, Mai’sexpression turned into one of displeasure. Her gleeful smile frombefore was gone, and now she was glaring at me, totally serious.

“I’m not talented or anything.Don’t say stupid stuff like that.”

“Eh? But you managed to write such agreat novel on your first try after changing the genre.”

“And I’m telling you that thisisn’t talent at all,” Mai said, cleary mad at me.

However, it wasn’t an explosive rage,but rather a level-headed anger.

“…I don’t have any talent at all.I’m the one who knows that the most. I didn’t write this novelthanks to my talent or anything, but rather thanks to my research.”

“Research…?”

“Of course. I’m talking about myresearch on Towano Chikai.” Mai pouted as she let out a sigh.

“…Uhm, so you wrote this novel byusing Towano Chikai’s work as a reference?”

Truth be told, I felt certainsimilarities between this story and Suzuka’s original novel. But itshouldn’t be that easy to write a novel this interesting just byreferencing and researching another novel. If it was, anyone could bea professional light novel author.

“Well, some of it was because ofthat, but… It’s not like I just referenced your novel, you know?I also looked at the words and phrases you often used, so it was amix of everything.”

…W-Well, since I’m only a ghostwriter, her research was more or less wasted.

“…After meeting you, I always keptresearching you, and as a result, I realized one important thing. Andmy current novel was born from that realization.”

“You realized one thing…?”

“Yeah… Though it’s not anythingcrazy. It’s not some hidden truth or secret or anything.”

“A-And what is it…?”

“I told you, it’s nothing you haveto be so nervous about. Put simply, it’s ‘Don’t force outsomething you don’t have.’ It’s actually pretty obvious,though.”

Mai said it with a relaxed tone, but itfelt like a shock ran through my body.

…Don’t force out… something…you don’t have?

“………Hey, Yuu.”

While I was about to lose myself in mythoughts, Mai suddenly raised her voice, which brought me back toreality.

“Though it might be a bit weird tosay this here… Won’t you listen to my confession?”

“C-Confession?!”

“Ah, N-No?! I didn’t mean a realconfession! And, and why would I have to confess to you?!”

“You were the one who said it!”

“…Haaaah, it’s not that, there’sjust something that I want you to listen to.”

Then say so from the very start!

“You know… I’ve been trying towrite little sister novels like you do… secretly.”

“Eh? A little sister novel? You?”

Since Mai had said something sounexpected, I repeated it with a serious face.

“Exactly. Of course, I wanted towrite an interesting novel just like yours. I wanted to createsomething like that, because I look up to you. So I tried writing alittle sister novel many times… Many, many times.”

“But—” Mai continued.

“It was impossible. No matter howmuch I tried to write a good little sister novel, I couldn’t makeany progress. Forcing myself to write it didn’t make it any moreinteresting, so I didn’t have any other choice but to give up. Ithought that I couldn’t reach your level of talent… It was sofrustrating.”

But, for some reason, her face lookedcalm, and gleeful.

“I thought that there was a giantwall between my talent and yours, and I was about to stop pursuingyou… But, on that certain day, I — Ahh, ignore that part! Ididn’t say anything, okay?! A-Anyway… something happened, and myway of thinking changed completely.”

“…How did it change? Ah, and whatis that ‘something’ you were talking about—”

“A-A-A-A-A-As if I would tell youthat?! The ‘something’ was just ‘something’! Don’t goquestioning me about it!”

“Ehhh?!”

“A-Anyway! My way of thinkingchanged! I thought I would try writing a rom-com instead of a littlesister novel!”

Mai’s face went bright red and shestarted panicking.

…I guess she’s not planning ontelling me.

“Well, it wasn’t like it was aclear feeling, but I started writing on a whim. And when thatincident happened, it became conviction.”

“That incident… You mean the talkabout the rom-com festival?”

“Exactly. And also when I heard thatSuzuka-san took the entrance exam for our school.”

“…Nnn? Why would that be a triggerfor you?”

“Y-Y-You don’t have to read toodeeply into it! Anyways, when I heard that you were going to write anovel for the rom-com festival, I understood immediately. ‘Ahh,that’s right, I wanted to write a rom-com,’ — something likethat. And, I wanted to win against you with my rom-com. I wanted youto think that it was the best novel ever,” Mai said and let out asmall giggle.

“So that’s why you were asking fora competition…?”

“Well, it happened in the spur of themoment. And the result of that is this novel.” She pointed at hermanuscript.

Her expression grew heavy.

“You just said that I have talent,but it’s the opposite. I don’t have any talent at all. If I hadany talent, I wouldn’t have had any problems writing light novels.”

…Why is a professional light novelauthor like her thinking the same things as me…?

“But my desire to write a novel keptme writing… Well, I don’t really know how to say it, but this’desire to write’ wasn’t like me being hungry to write, or thatI had to write or anything, it was just something completely obviousto me… Ahhh, I don’t know how to put it,” Mai showed a troubledsmile before continuing, “Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“What I want to say is that thisnovel came into existence because of this feeling inside of me.That’s why it doesn’t have anything to do with talent.Understand? W-Well, those are my true feelings!” With that, Maiended her monologue with a red face. “And you thought that it wasinteresting, right?! You got excited because of the heroine, right?!H-Hmpf! Hehehehe! Ehehehehehehehe!” Mai slapped me on the back overand over as she giggled to herself.

Though it actually started to hurt, andI was starting to get annoyed, I thought that Mai somehow lookedreally cute when she was happy like this. However, I didn’t havethe time to think about it too deeply.

I was lost in thought. Mai’s wordsfloated around in my head. But just as Mai had problems putting herfeelings into concrete words, I didn’t know why they were stuck inmy head like this.

…Why is my heart beating like this?I, I don’t know. Something inside of me is stirring, but I don’tknow how to put it into words… Ahh, shit! It’s this ‘something’again! Why am I like this?! Why do I have the feeling as I hadyesterday…!

However, Mai didn’t notice myconfusion. She tapped me on the shoulder and spoke again.

“So what about your novel? Sinceyou’re a genius, there’s no reason to doubt that your new novelwill be just as interesting as your previous one, but I won’t lose,okay!”

In that moment, I realized the mostimportant thing I had forgotten until now.

…T-That’s right. This is supposedto be a competition. And after reading both Mai’s and Suzuka’snovels, my impression is…!

“Though it’s written in stone thatTowano Chikai wouldn’t lose against anyone, this time will be anexception! M-My feelings are way stronger… no, my effort for thisnovel is way larger — Kyaa?!”

Ignoring Mai, who was saying somethingabout her efforts and whatnot, I suddenly jumped up from my chair andpushed it back against the table.

“H-Hey, don’t suddenly scare melike that! …Wait, Yuu! Where are you going?!”

“I’m going home! There’s aproblem with my novel! So I have to go now! See you!”

Though I heard some kind of responsefrom Mai behind me, I dashed home nonetheless.

…Huff, I should really be doing somemore exercise…!

“…N-Not good! Not good not good notgood not good not good!”

I didn’t know what I was thinking. Ididn’t know what exactly wasn’t good. There was just an uncertainuneasiness filling my chest. When I arrived home, I hurriedly wentinside.

“I’m back!”

“Welcome home, Onii— W-What’swrong?!”

Suzuka’s eyes opened wide when shecame to greet me. My hair was a mess, and even though it was stillwinter, I was sweating profusely. Not to mention that I was out ofbreath.

…But that isn’t important rightnow.

“S-Suzuka! Please let me see yourmanuscript one more time!”

“…? My manuscript? You mean theone I that I’ll be sending in for the event? But why…?”

“Please! I have to check as fast aspossible…!”

Probably since I was acting sostrangely, she hurriedly went back to her room. But I didn’t havethe time to wait in the entrance, so I took off my shoes and followedSuzuka.

“Here it is… But what exactlyhappened?” Suzuka asked, seemingly worried. I didn’t pay anyattention to her and just focused on reading.

And when I had finished reading throughit, the uncertain doubt inside my chest became clear.

“I-I thought so…”

…I-I see… I finally understand.

It was hard to accept. But it wasindeed reality. I couldn’t just ignore it.

“As it stands… This won’t winagainst Mai…”

The next moment, I had already spokenmy conclusion.

“Wha—?! W-What do you mean bythat?!”

Of course, Suzuka didn’t miss mywords. Putting both of her hands on her chest, she stepped closer.

“Just earlier, I saw Mai’smanuscript…”

“Eh? W-Why would you…?”

“She told me to read it… And afterreading it, I can say for sure… It’s crazy good.”

“W-W-W-What did you say?! Are yousaying that it’s more interesting than mine?!”

As I nodded once, Suzuka once moreclosed in on me. “And why is that?! In what way is Himuro-san’snovel more interesting than mine? Please tell me!”

But I didn’t have the answer to thatquestion. I only vaguely felt that way. The only thing I knew wasthat there was a difference between both of them. Mai’s noveldidn’t give me the same uncomfortable feeling I got from Suzuka’s.Suzuka’s novel felt like something was missing. Like something thatshould be there, wasn’t. That’s how I felt about Suzuka’snovel. Even after reading through it a second time, that feelingdidn’t vanish.

…But…

“Why are you keeping quiet,Onii-chan! This is an emergency situation, you know?!”

“…Guhhh…!”

Ahhh, for crying out loud! I can’tput it into words! I don’t know what this feeling is, so there’sno way I can describe it…! I know! I know I’m irresponsible forjust blurting that out without having any reasoning! This is just howI feel!

I don’t know what it is, but Mai’snovel has something that Suzuka’s doesn’t. There’s nodifference in terms of story and progression between the two of them,but there’s this ‘something’ that makes them different…something like that. Of course, that might just be my imagination.

But now that I’ve said it out loud, Ican’t take it back anymore. So I explained my feelings to Suzuka.

“…W-What’s up with that…?”

In response, Suzuka looked at me with aserious expression.

“There’s something that my noveldoesn’t have… But Himuro-san’s does? W-What exactly is that?”

“Sorry, even I don’t know…”

“But, it’s something that you felt,right, Onii-chan?”

“Y-Yeah… Though it might just be myimagination after all…”

“I don’t care about that. If it’ssomething that Onii-chan felt, then it’s a huge problem no matterwhat!”

Just when I thought that i would beblatantly ignored, Suzuka unexpectedly took me very seriously.

“H-Himuro-san’s novel is moreinteresting than mine…?! I-I might lose against Himuro-san…?!T-To think that my feelings would lose against anyone else’s…!T-That can’t be allowed…! But without knowing the reason…!”

For a short while, Suzuka paced aroundin circles, lost in thought, only to finally dash out of the roomwith “Things can’t stay like this!”

“Hey, Suzuka?!”

As I chased after her, she hurriedlyput on her shoes at the entrance.

“W-What’s wrong?! And where are youeven going?!”

“I’m going to see Himuro-san, ofcourse! I will also check her manuscript! I have to see with my owneyes if it’s really more interesting than mine…!”

“Ehhh?! B-But wouldn’t it be weirdif you suddenly asked her for something like that?!”

“I’ll think of some excuse! Rightnow, seeing her novel for myself is much more crucial! …I simplycannot afford to lose this competition, so I’ll do whatever isnecessary…!

…S-She’s completely serious. Thoseeyes of hers are filled with determination. No matter what I say, sheisn’t going to listen to me.

I decided to give up on trying to stopher, and Suzuka seemed to have understood that. She left me with an”I’ll be going!” and stepped out of the house.

Now that I was alone, I could onlystare at the entrance absentmindedly. When I finally came to mysenses, I quickly threw on my shoes and dashed out of the house.

“…Shit!!!”

It’s not like I had a plan oranything for when I caught up to her. Suzuka would surely come upwith an excuse to see Mai’s manuscript, after all, and if Suzukadeemed it necessary, then I don’t have any reason to stop her. But,even if I understood that, my heart was screaming that I had to catchup with her. If I didn’t, I was worried that I’d regret itforever. Of course, I didn’t exactly know why that was.

…Maybe I was feeling responsible.Responsibility — Yes, because I had blurted out those words, I hadpractically forced Suzuka into a corner. There’s no way I could actlike this wasn’t my fault.

“Haah… Haaah…! T-That’sright…!”

A single thought entered my mind. Irealized what I should be doing in a situation like this. Of course,it was to find out the true nature of this uncomfortable feeling!Since I was the one who blurted that out, it was my job to tell herexactly what she was lacking. That was my duty as her stand-in… no,as her older brother!

While I was dashing after her, I rackedmy brain as hard as I possibly could.

What Suzuka’s novel is missing thatMai’s novel has. This weird, uncomfortable feeling. This feelingthat something is lacking.

“Haaa… Haaaaa…!”

But, as if my efforts were beingridiculed, nothing worthwhile came to mind.

“Shit… What’s up with that?! Whyis this…?! Why…?”

But even though it shouldn’t haveanything to do with the situation, one question stuck in my mind. Ithought that I didn’t have the time to think about it, but thequestion wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

That’s—

“Haaah… Haaaah… Now that I thinkabout it, why did Suzuka stop herself from using little sisters inher novel…?”

Although this shouldn’t be of anyimportance right now, my thoughts continued to drift in thatdirection.

…I had never really given it anythought, but honestly. It was a new novel. That should have beenenough to satisfy me, but there shouldn’t have been any particularreason to prohibit herself from using little sisters. There shouldn’tbe any problem with that at all.

— But that’s not important rightnow. I have to focus on finding out what this ‘something’ is. Even as I tried to collect my thoughts again, this one questionwouldn’t disappear. On the contrary, the question only took up moreof my mind, and before I had realized it, I had increased my runningspeed, chasing after Suzuka with all my might. But she never enteredmy view.

“S-She’s way too fast…! I knowthat she’s good at this athletic stuff, but— Ah!”

Just then, a familiar back entered mysight.

—It was Suzuka.

She was stuck waiting at a trafficlight.

It’s now or never! This is mychance—! I thought as I increased my speed even more.

But next, the traffic light turnedgreen, and Suzuka started running again. She ran through a park nearMai’s mansion, and her back became smaller and smaller. My mind wasa complete mess as I ran out of the air that I needed to supportbodily functions. But, in a last attempt, I mustered the rest of theenergy that I had and screamed after her.

“…Suzuka! Please! Wait!!!”

“Eh?”

Thanks to my loud scream that even Iwas surprised about, I caught up to her in an alley with trees onboth sides. Suzuka turned around, and her eyes opened wide when shesaw me. And, not wanting to let her escape me again, I grabbed herhand with all of my might.

“O-O-O-O-O-Onii-chan?! S-Suddenlygrabbing my hand like that…! N-No, rather than that, what are youdoing here?! Did you chase after me?!” Suzuka looked like shereally didn’t expect me to catch up to her like that.

But, instead of actually taking amoment to catch my breath, I could only think about one thing.

“Haaah… Haaaaah…! S-Suzuka…why… isn’t your new novel… a little sister one…?”

“E-Ehhh? You chased after me just toask me something like that?”

“Ehhhh, ahhhhhh, Cough I-It’svery important… Why did you prohibit yourself from using littlesisters in your novel…? Haaah… Haaah… There shouldn’t havebeen any reason for that, right…?” I was gasping for air.

Suzuka was a bit surprised at first,but she soon realized that I was being earnest, and she looked at mewith a serious expression.

“T-That’s…”

“There’s no deeper meaning to it.”

But something felt off.

“Haah… If there’s no deepermeaning to it, then writing a little sister novel would’ve beenfine, right…? If you did that, you might’ve been possessed andyou might’ve written another amazing novel…”

“…I cannot do that.”

“…And I’m asking you why… Doyou have some reason for it…?”

Suzuka’s body shrank and she let outan “Uuu…” when I asked her.

…There’s one thing I know for sure.Suzuka is hiding something from me… But what in the world is it…?

But she only responded with silence. Acold breeze blew past us, which made the trees rustle. In the middleof that, I silently waited for Suzuka’s response.

“T-That’s…”

Finally, in the midst of that silence,Suzuka opened her mouth.

“I can’t win against Himuro-sanwith a little sister novel.”

“Eh?”

However, the response that I got wassomething that I hadn’t imagined.

“Like I said, I can’t win againstHimuro-san with a little sister novel! That’s why I decided to notuse little sisters in my new novel!”

“W-Wait a second! Why would you—”

“Because I know! I have to winagainst Himuro-san no matter what! That’s why!” Suzuka wasclearly vexed. “Before, didn’t Onii-chan say that I should onlywrite what I really want to write? I want to write a novel that canbeat Himuro-san. That’s why I want to write a novel without alittle sister. There’s nothing weird about that.”

Truth be told, I was the one who hadtold her that. It was back when she was trying to force herself toadd a new heroine to her novel, and I still think that what I saidwasn’t wrong.

But… those words shouldn’t havecaused her to make such a troubled expression.

…If you really wanted to write it,then why do you look so hurt now…? You look just like that timewhen you forced yourself… Why did you have to do it again…? Whydid you have to go this far—?

“…Ah.”

Suddenly, someone’s voice echoedinside my head. At the same time, this unpleasant feeling, this’something’, started taking a clear form, and it felt like allthe pieces were coming together.

—And I clearly remembered that voice.

— Don’t force out something thatyou don’t have.

“Ahhh!!!”

“Eh?! W-What’s wrong, Onii-chan?!”

In that moment, I understoodeverything. The reason for this unpleasant feeling. The missing’something’, and why Suzuka was suffering like this.

…Ahhh, I see. So that’s what itwas!

“O-Onii-chan? Are you okay…?”

Thanks to Suzuka’s voice, I came backto my senses. She looked at me, worried, and waited for my response.

—T-That’s right, now that I’vefound out what exactly is off, I have to tell her as fast aspossible! If I don’t, things will turn out really badly. If Idon’t, she’ll lose against Mai.

That’s what I thought, so I opened mymouth. But, my tongue wouldn’t move. I knew exactly what I wantedto say, but I couldn’t say it. There’s absolutely no reasonbehind this, is there?!

Cursed with my inability to speak in mymother tongue, I shook my head.

—I know. Rather than logic, I have togive her proof!

“…Suzuka! We’re going homeimmediately!”

“Eh? W-Wait, Onii-chan?!”

While still holding Suzuka’s hand, Idragged her along with all of my strength. Of course, Suzuka wasprotesting behind me, but we didn’t have time for that.

After we returned home, we went up thestairs and into my room. And after opening the drawer, I found what Iwas looking for, and brought it out in front of Suzuka.

“…Haah… Haaah, look at this…!”

“W-What’s up with you! …And whatexactly is that?”

What I pulled out was a small box. Andinside of it was—

“…Haah, those are all of the novelsthat I’ve written up until this point. I submitted all of them tolight novel contests, and all of them ended in failure.”

“Ehh?! Why are you showing mesomething like that right now?”

When Suzuka asked that, I took a deepbreath and thought of the right words before I continued.

“Every single one of these storieswere ones that I wanted to write. …I say that, but these were onlyones that I wrote back when I was very productive, or ones that wereinfluenced by novels I had read recently. Of course, they allspectacularly failed.”

“I-I don’t see the reason behindit. Why are you telling me all of this?”

In response to Suzuka’s confusedquestion, I calmly answered.

“I just understood the reason.”

“…The reason?”

“Yeah. Why I lost the preliminaries,and why they were all no good. Until now, I just thought that it wasbecause of my lack of skill — Well, there’s also that, but —it’s not just that, and I just now understood that there was areason for that… Or rather, I just realized it.”

“…And what exactly is that reason?”

“It’s true that I wrote exactlywhat I wanted to read, but it wasn’t really what I wanted to write.It’s as simple as that.”

“It wasn’t what you really wantedto write…?” Suzuka tilted her head in confusion.

“Yeah, the wish to write somethingisn’t born from a light novel contest, nor is it because you wantto win against someone. A real desire to write is born when’something’ inside you is gushing forth.”

—Exactly like the feeling that Suzukahad described as ‘being possessed’.

When I told her that, she gulped.

“And the reason that I’m tellingyou all of this is because I think that this ‘something’ for youis a novel with a little sister character.”

“W-W-W-W-W-W-Why would that…!”

Suzuka’s face turned bright red, andher body started shaking. Explaining my reasoning behind it would ofcourse make me look like a good-for-nothing older brother. But ofcourse, I already was a good-for-nothing older brother, so I didn’tpay that any heed. So I opened my mouth after taking a deep breath.

“…You know, I always thought thatyou were a genius.”

“…Eh?”

“But I’ve now realized that thatisn’t the case. Of course, I think that you’re a genius when itcomes to your own novel. However, you aren’t a genius when it comesto light novels in general.”

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“…Actually, I’ve been feelingawkward around you for a while now. After all, I found out my perfecttype of girl thanks to you.”

“A-Ahh, that’s me, right!”

“Just if I’m objectively looking atyou without thinking of you as my little sister, okay?! …Anyway,after that, I managed to improve the my portrayal of the heroine inmy novels. And just when I thought that I would be able to win thegrand prize, I was completely unsure what to actually write.”

“S-Something like that happened?”

“Yeah. But you and Mai changed yournovels completely and managed to write interesting novels regardless,you know? So I thought that this might be a wall, a wall thatseparates you geniuses from normal people like me. That made me feelreally unmotivated.”

“So the reason Onii-chan was in aslump was actually me…! W-Why did you never ask me for advice?!”

“Because I was feeling awkward aroundyou! I had this sense of inferiority around you!”

…Ahhh, for crying out loud! What kindof lame confession am I making in front of my little sister…!

“…But, I realized that this wasn’tthe case. Of course there’s a wall of skill between us, but Irealized that we’re still worrying about the same things.”

“I-I’m not worrying aboutanything…”

“You were forcing yourself to writesomething other than a little sister novel, weren’t you?”

When I made that statement, Suzukaopened her mouth like she wanted to respond, but no words came out.She probably wanted to voice a rebuttal with something like “You’rewrong!”, but she couldn’t.

“No, you’re forcing yourself, okay?It’s exactly because you’re forcing yourself to write somethingthat you don’t actually want to write. That’s why it isn’tworking out as well as you’d hoped. It’s the same reason why Ifelt like something was lacking. Since Mai was actually writingsomething that she wanted to, I didn’t get that feeling from hernovel.”

This unpleasant feeling that I’d hadthe whole time. This ‘something’ that was missing. That wish, thedesire to actually write the novel. Without having to think aboutsales, without having to think about a competition, or anything else.This didn’t have anything to do with talent. It was just thedifference in how great your desire was to write a novel.

And since Suzuka didn’t do that, Ifelt like something was missing. For me, I didn’t know all thattime what I actually wanted to write, which was why I was unable towrite anything at all. The source of the problem was the same. Thatwas why this uncomfortable feeling was the same for both Suzuka’snovel and for mine.

“That’s why… You just have towrite a little sister novel,” I said as I finished my monologue.

Since Suzuka is more clever than me,she surely will understand immediately.

…Or so I thought, but…

“N-No, I can’t do that…”

Instead, Suzuka confidently shook herhead.

“W-Why? Was there something wrongabout what I just said?”

“T-That’s not it… I can perfectlyunderstand what Onii-chan has been trying to tell me, but… I stillcan’t…!”

…W-Weird. I didn’t expect Suzuka toact so thick-headedly. Normally, she’s more of the logical type.

Still, at that moment, I remembered.That there was still something else that I hadn’t understood untilnow.

“…That reminds me. Why are you sosure that you can’t beat Mai with a little sister novel?”

Exactly. She shouldn’t have anyreason for that, so why?

“Uuuu… That’s…”

“Please tell me, Suzuka. Why is it?”

“Uuuuu…”

Because I didn’t give up there,Suzula’s face turned bright red. But she finally raised up her headwith a serious expression, probably realizing that she couldn’tkeep it hidden any longer.

“B-Because there a limits to how faryou can go with a little sister attribute!” She announced that witha lot of force behind her words.

“L-Limits?”

However, I was taken aback by herchoice of wording.

“T-That’s right…! A little sistercan only stay a little sister, after all…! If there was anothergirl who appeared on the same place — for example a beautifulclassmate or something—! If that happened, the little sister wouldjust be forgotten sooner or later!”

“H-Hey, Suzuka-san?”

“A-And even if we go to the sameschool, we’ll be in different years! A little sister can’t becomeyour girlfriend, and we can’t marry! N-No, even if we could, thepeople around us wouldn’t accept that! Just by hearing that I wasyour little sister, they would immediately understand that I have nochance whatsoever of becoming more than just siblings with you!”

Suzuka’s shoulders shook as she kepther monologue going. With a red face, and tears in her eyes, shelooked at me with a straight gaze.

…I see, so that’s what it was.

—A little sister is the limit — Ifinally understand her words. I see, that’s why she thought thatshe couldn’t win against Mai with a little sister novel… Okay…

That’s — totally simple. Iunderstand her problem. And I understand that this isn’t a problemat all. So I flatly rejected her viewpoint.

“Suzuka.”

“W-What is it? Onii-chan has to agreewith me, right?”

“No, not in the slightest.”

“It figures! I thought so! Of courseit would be—Ehhh?!”

Though Suzuka was nodding at first, shefroze up towards the end.

“Alright, I’ll tell you. You havethe wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea?!”

“Exactly. You think that littlesister attributes have a limit? Don’t make fun of light novels.There aren’t any limits here! In light novels, you have the freedomto do anything!”

“Wha—!!!”

“She would lose her impact when she’spitted against girls with other attributes? Then you just have towrite her even cuter than everybody else! They can’t become loversor can’t become married? Then just have them marry! There’sabsolutely nothing wrong with that! The people around them won’taccept it? Who cares! Write a persuasive plot, so that even thereaders accept it!” I ranted without giving Suzuka any chance tointerrupt.

After all, there was nothing wrong withwhat I just said. It doesn’t matter who you ask, they would say theexact same thing.

“It doesn’t matter if the peoplearound her don’t see the little sister as girlfriend potential! Inthe end, everything will turn out alright! It’s totally possible!So please don’t say stuff like that!”

Having finished my monologue, I staredstraight at Suzuka, whose lips were quivering. And I continued as Ilowered my voice.

“…That’s why you just have towrite a little sister novel. You just have to write what you reallywant. In that regard, you are a genius, and there’s no way that youcan lose against anyone.”

“B-But…”

“There’s no law about how you writelight novels. This is a world of unlimited possibilities, after all.Isn’t it the job of a light novel author to open up newpossibilities? That’s why you just have to follow your own path —and write whatever you want.”

With that, I stopped my explanation.Suzuka didn’t respond, but only sat frozen on the spot.

“…I-I…”

After a moment of hesitation, shefinally started talking.

“…Maybe I was feeling inferiorbecause of the little sister attribute…”

“There’s no reason for you to feelthat way at all.”

“Maybe I thought that being a littlesister wasn’t enough.”

“That was just something you assumedon your own.”

“Then can I just keep the littlesister in the novel like always?”

“Of course,” I replied with asmile, “After all, little sisters are the best thing ever, youknow?”

Of course, there was a differencebetween little sisters being the best thing ‘For me’ and ‘Inlight novels’, but that doesn’t change that fact that littlesisters are the best!

“Ah, uu…. Auuuu………!!!”

Upon hearing my words, Suzuka’s facewent as red as a ripe apple and her body started shaking.

Maybe she’s happy because that burdenhas been lifted from her heart? …No, maybe she’s just embarrassedbecause her older brother said something that crazy right in front ofher. But she should already know that I love little sisters, so sheshouldn’t be so surprised, you know?

“I-Is that so…! That’s right…!”While still slightly shivering, she made fists with her hands.

Since I was still kneeling down, Icouldn’t see her expression very clearly, but I wondered if she wasreally okay. She was red all the way to her neck.

“Being a little sister isn’t adisadvantage at all…! It’s actually an advantage, so I just haveto move forward!”

“That’s right. Please continue towrite your novels the same as always!”

“…T-That’s right! After all,Onii-chan is a little-sister-lover, so there was no need to feelinferior in the first place…!”

“Ah, no, you don’t really have tosay it like that or anything…”

“There was no need to care about thereactions from people around us! I just have to go my own way, andkeep moving forward instead of hesitating!”

“W-Well, writing it how you want tois one thing, but as an author, you really should take the advice ofyour readers to heart, too.”

…Somehow this feels like both of usare talking past each other? Suzuka is talking about lightnovels, right? …Hahaha, of course she is.

“Onii-chan!!!”

“Uwaaa?!”

While I was thinking that, Suzukasuddenly raised her head. Her expression was gleeful and her eyeswere sparkling, which made me instinctively shrink back in response.

…I’m happy that the heavyatmosphere from before is gone and all, but… somehow this feelsvery ominous?

“I can finally see it clearly! Howidiotic it was for me to not use little sisters in my new novel!”

“I-I see, I’m glad to hear that.”

“I won’t lose my way anymore!Little sisters are perfectly fine! I finally understand!”

“Yeah.”

“So with that being said, I willimmediately start rewriting my new novel! I’ll write it like Ialways have been! And I will make it lovey-dovey without anyrestrictions!”

“Restrictions…? What are youtalking about?”

“The new novel will be… I know! Thetheme will be a flirty high school life between siblings! With this,I will surely beat Himuro-san! Ehehehehehe!”

…She beeth not listening, degozaru.

“Thank you very much, Onii-chan!Thanks to you, I’ve finally realized it! It’s perfectly fine tobe lovey-dovey as a little sister!”

“Y-Yeah… Inside a light novel, youmean…”

Though I tried to quantify herstatement, I wasn’t sure if my words actually reached her. She wastoo busy saying “Ehehehehehe” over and over.

“Now then, no more lazing around!I’ll start rewriting it immediately! I’m sorry, but could youwait for about an hour?”

Just when I thought that I knew whatshe was doing, she sat down in front of her laptop and startedtapping on the keyboard at lightning speed.

…Uhm, there’s still some timebefore the deadline, so you don’t have to hurry like that. Andyou’re going to do it in an hour? You’re going to write somethingcompletely new? From scratch? I-I can’t believe it… But, well,seeing as how she finished a volume in an evening, it certainlywasn’t impossible. As always, my little sister is too much of asuperhuman…

As I watched that scene unfold, I couldonly let out a sigh.

“Ehehe, ehehehehe…! Ah, thatreminds me.”

In that moment, I was about to leavethe room, but Suzuka suddenly stopped me.

“There is something that I want toknow, Onii-chan. You said that you were having trouble with your ownnovel, right?”

“Eh? Ahh, yeah…”

“It’s like you said before… Whatexactly do you want to write, Onii-chan? Just like my ‘something’is ‘a little sister character’, what exactly is it for you?”

“Ahh, about that. Though it mightmake me sound a bit arrogant after all that I’ve said, I actuallyhave no clue whatsoever…”

Actually saying it out loud made mefeel like scum, and I lowered my head in shame.

But for some reason, Suzuka’s cheeksslightly flushed, and she said a quiet “I-Is that so,” before shecontinued.

“I-It’s fine. I’m sure thatOnii-chan will surely be able to write something as well… U-Uhm, astory that can perfectly bring out the best in your perfect type ofgirl.”

She was probably trying to cheer me upwith that. But having the person in question bring up my perfect typeof girl caused the blood to rush to my head, and I was sure that Imust’ve looked as red as a tomato. But that was the same for Suzukawhen she realized what she had just said.

“T-Thank you.”

I left her room, as flustered as couldbe.

…But I was really happy that she hadtried to cheer me up. And in order to make sure that her wordswouldn’t go to waste, I had to find something that I really wantedto write.

“…Alright, let’s give it a shot,”I muttered as I returned to my own room.

A thought popped into my mind. Howabout I just write my own little sister rom-com? The moment Ithought that, however…

“…A-As if I could do something likethat…!”

I purged the thought from my mind. And,about an hour later, just like she said she would, Suzuka finishedher new novel.

“Onii-chan! Please read it! Hurry,hurry!”

And I could say with confidence thatshe had written the best novel ever.

Part 4:

I was waiting at the gate of Hakuouwhile watching the falling sakura blossoms. The sky was bright bluewithout a single cloud in it, and a soothing breeze was blowing pastme.

“This is perfect weather for hergraduation, huh…?”

…Right now, Suzuka should be sayingher goodbyes to her classmates while giving a speech as therepresentative of the graduating class, I suppose.

While imagining the figure of my littlesister like that, I took out my smartphone and checked a website.

The spring rom-comfestival of Sumeragi Publishing:

—According to areader poll, the winner of the festival was decided to be TowanoChikai-sensei with their novel titled “It’s a given that thelittle sister and her big brother will marry!” And the firstrom-com novel from Enryuu Homura-sensei, titled “I really do likeyou so I’m giving it my all” came in at a close second! In theend, it was a very difficult battle, but Towano Chikai-sensei emergedvictorious! However, it’s amazing to think about that this wasactually Enryuu Homura-sensei’s first rom-com—

After reading through the result onemore time, I let out a relieved sigh. Although Suzuka’s new noveltruly was special, Mai’s wasn’t any less interesting. The pollwas neck and neck until the very end.

“…Phew, I’m so glad we won.”

…However, even more than my feelingof happiness, the relief I felt was much stronger. Really, I would’vebelieved it if either of them had won.

“Oh, a phone call.”

While I was spacing out, my phonestarted vibrating, informing me of an incoming call. And the personcalling was Shinozaki-san, probably because of the result.

「Hello,Towano-sensei. Though I think that you might’ve already seen theresult, I wanted to congratulate you on taking first place at therom-com festival. Sensei’s novel really was marvelous. Not tomention that Enryuu-sensei’s novel was also wonderful, so youreally had a good fight. It really was great publicity.」

“That’s right. It wouldn’t havebeen weird if I actually lost, either.”

「Fufufu,how modest, Sensei… By the way, do you remember what I said about anew novel series?」

“Of course. I actually wanted to talkto you about that.”

「Oh?Then I’m all ears.」

“As of now, I would like to refuseyour offer. I’m a little-sister-novel author, after all. Even if Itried to write a new type of novel, it would only end up as anotherlittle-sister novel. So for now I want to focus everything on mycurrent series… I’m sorry.”

That was the conclusion that Suzuka hadarrived at. We had expected that Shinozaki-san would call and askabout this, so we had talked about it already.

「Isee… Well, if Sensei says so, then I sadly can’t do anythingabout it. But I kind of knew that you would arrive at this answer fornow.」

“Is that so?”

「Yes.Since your entry novel for the festival was also a little-sister one,I just felt like that would be your answer. But it doesn’t matternow. I’ll remind you of this offer at a later point in time. Inthat case, please focus on your current series with all of yourmight. I want to make sure that your novel will turn into an objectworthy of being a world heritage.」

“Your dreams are going too far…”

It’s really scary that she can saythose sorts of things without joking…

「Ohh,that reminds me. From this spring onwards, your little sister will beattending the same school as you, right? I’m assuming that this wasall your plan, right? Pulling your little sister there and gatheringas much data as possible! Just what you would expect fromTowano-sensei!」

“I didn’t force her or anything,you know?! My little sister decided to come to my school on her own!”

「Fufu fu. Now that she’s a high school girl, there are so many newpossibilities!」

“What do you mean by that?!”

「Oh,excuse me. In Towano-sensei’s case it doesn’t really matter,since you’ve been doing all sorts of stuff with her already!」

“Again, what do you mean by ‘allsorts of stuff’?!”

As always, Shinzaki-san let out a merrylaugh. But since I couldn’t keep up with her train of thoughtanymore, I cut the call right there. Really.

Somebody tapped me on the shoulder, andwhen I turned around, a familiar face greeted me. A face that Ididn’t at all expect to meet here.

“……Mai? What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I came to meetyou, of course… O-Only because of the rom-com festival, though?!”

“I know, but how did you know that Iwas here?”

“Today is Suzuka-san’s graduation,right? It’s not hard to deduce that you would also be present.”

“Ahhh, your stalking skillsaren’t just for show…”

“D-Don’t call me a stalker! Anyonewould be able to figure out something so simple!”

Though she glared at me for a secondwith red cheeks, she quickly regained her composure and continued.

“…I saw the result.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Your novel was amazing. TowanoChikai’s novels really are the best. I almost voted for your novel,you know.”

“Wouldn’t that be a pretty badthing to do during a competition…?”

“W-What about it?! Since I’m yournumber one fan, something like that should be expected! Anyway, theresult wouldn’t have changed because of one vote!”

She seemed to realize that she wasoverreacting, and she took a deep breath to calm down.

“…It’s my loss. I admit it. Myrom-com really couldn’t win against yours.”

“Your novel was also really amazing,you know. Even though I won, it really was a close match.”

“R-Really? …But in the end, myrom-com lost against your little sister novel…” Mai muttered toherself.

Just when I was about to say that thiskind of glum mood didn’t suit her…

“Ahh, for crying out loud! Yuu! Youreally are a helpless little-sister-lover! You really are lost beyondall chances of rehabilitation!”

“Ehhh?!”

Why am I suddenly being dissed likethis?! But, well, this is more like Mai… but this isn’t the timeto say that!

“And this time around, Suzuka-san iseven entering our high school! Are little sisters the only thing youcan think about?!”

“Again, she was the one who decidedon it!”

“H-Hmph! But, I won’t lose heartjust because of that! Someday I’ll write a novel that will make youmore excited than any little sister could, and that novel will setyou back on the right path!”

While completely ignoring what I wassaying, Mai made this bold declaration and pointed at me.

“N-Now listen here… There’s noneed to fuss over me like that… you are a super popular light novelauthor, and you showed plenty of your skill during this festival, soyou can stop trying to chase after me now…”

“Huuh?! What are you saying!? You areof the utmost priority!”

“Why is that?!”

“That’s—”

She was about to say something, but inthe next moment, her face turned red all the way to her ears, and shestopped herself.

“T-That’s because I’m your fan…I’m basically worshipping you… and that’s why I want to write anovel that can make you excited the most… Just get it already,Idiot…” Mai muttered as she looked up at me.

…I wonder; the content of what she’ssaying is the same as always, but I felt really embarrassed all of asudden… And making those eyes at me should be a crime…

Flustered by Mai’s actions, I couldonly avert my gaze with an “I-I see” as an answer. When I did,Mai responded with a nervous “T-That’s right.”

S-Somehow, I can’t calm down… thismood feels weird.

“A-Anyway! Someday, I’ll cure youof being a siscon, so I hope you’re prepared.”

Just when I thought that she was done,she once more opened her mouth.

“…And?”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Mai crossed her arms suddenly, as ifshe were expecting something.

“Like I said… Hurry up and tellme.”

“Tell you what, exactly?”

“The loser has to do anything thewinner asks of them, right?! That was our agreement!” Mai suddenlybrought up our competition with flushed cheeks.

…Now that she mentions it, there wassomething like that…

Though I’d never given it muchthought anyway, so I didn’t know what to say here.

“J-Just tell me to do anything…Since I was the one who requested it, I’ll do anything you order ofme… I-I’ll let you fondle my breasts, a-a-a-and I will show youmy panties…! B-B-But anything more than that, and even I won’t…!”

“Wai—?! Wait a second?! What kindof things are you expecting me to say here?!”

“…Eh?”

What’s with that face?! Why do youlook so disappointed?!

“T-Then, what else are you going toorder me to do…! Don’t tell me; something even more erotic…?!”

“Where did you get the idea that Iwould ask you for something erotic?!”

I never once thought about it! Though Ifantasized about it for just a small fraction of a second!

“…It’s fine. You don’t have todo anything. Your novel was plenty interesting, and our battle was aclose one.”

In the end, I decided to say this.However…

“W-What are you saying! As if I wouldbe satisfied with that! I lost, so give me a proper order!”

“Why is the person receiving theorder giving one to me?!”

Ahhh, what a pain! I didn’t thinkthat she’d be this thick-headed! I know that light novels are herlife, but does she really have to go this far? What should I do aboutthis? She won’t be satisfied if I ask for something boring. I justhave to change the topic!

“T-That aside, your novel was reallycrazy! Especially — uhm… ah! That kiss scene! That last-ditchsurprise attack really had a lot of impact—”

I hurriedly tried to talk my way out ofthe situation, but that was exactly when it happened.

— Kiss

Suddenly, I felt a soft sensation on mycheek. When I turned that direction, I realized that Mai was suddenlystanding next to me. Her face was so red that it looked like it wasabout to explode.

Ehh…? What just happened? D-Don’ttell me?! T-T-That sensation just now was…!

“Y-You were the one that gave me theorder…!” Mai said with a shaky voice.

S-So really, just now… shek-k-k-k-k-kissed me—?!

“Y-You?? W-What are you doing all ofsudden…!”

I completely froze, and I could onlyput my hand on the cheek she had just kissed. A soft feeling stilllingered there.

“Like I said! Y-You were the one whogave me the order, so I couldn’t help it…!”

“I-I never said anything about anorder…!”

“Y-You said something about a kissscene, right…?! S-So, you basically ordered me to kiss you…!That’s why I did it…!” Mai glared at me, flustered.

And, hearing that, I could only screamout inside my chest.

…A-As iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifffffff!What are you thinkiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! I was trying to change the topic,not ask for a kiss! And how would you even begin to have such a crazymisunderstanding!

Mai for her part looked at me inconfusion, but…

“Ah…”

Apparently, she realized her mistake.It was written all over her face that she was embarrassed enough todie. And, as tears started forming in her eyes…

“T-T-T-That just now was anaccident…! Yuu, you idiot——!!!”

Leaving only these words behind, shedashed away at high speed.

“W-What was that, really…?”

I could only watch her as she ran off,until…

“………Onii-chan.”

When I heard that familiar voice behindmy back, a shiver ran down my spine.

“S-S-S-S-Suzuka?! Y-Your ceremony isover already?!”

“C-Could you please explain to mewhat you just did with Himuro-san…?”

Resistance was futile. Was followed wasa harsh questioning.

“N-No that just now was… nothing atall?!”

“W-Why did Himuro-san suddenlyk-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-ki—!?!”

S-She’s mad at me, there’s no doubtabout it. It even seemed like she was close to exploding. The factthat she couldn’t even properly get out the word ‘kiss’ meantthat her anger level was maxed… Wait, this isn’t the time to becalmly analyzing that! Of course she’d get mad from seeing herolder brother do something like that on the day of her graduation!But it’s not like I’m the one at fault here, though?!

“Y-You’re wrong, Suzuka! That wasjust…!”

I tried my utmost to explain thesituation, but to no avail. At least so I thought.

“Uuu… Just because of that….!Using the situation…! I understand…!”

“Ohhh, so you understand…!”

Suzuka finally stopped to take a deepbreath, and it seemed like her anger had disappeared. I let out arelieved sigh. However…

“B-But…! Uhm… Uh…”

For some reason, Suzuka’s face wentred, and she started fidgeting.

“T-There is a certain kind ofresearch I would like to do now…”

“…Research? Right here? Why sosuddenly?”

“I-I just thought of a good idea…You see, I was so hung up on the new novel that I didn’t have muchtime to think about my next volume… So that’s why I would like todo some research now…”

“Well, I don’t mind.”

Though I was a bit perplexed as to whywe couldn’t just do it on the way home, it was my duty as herstand-in to help her whenever she wanted to do research. And beingable to switch the topic away from Mai’s kiss was something that Iwas very thankful for.

“So, what kind of research do youhave in mind?” I asked Suzuka. However,

“T-That’s…! I-It’s the kind ofresearch where Onii-chan has to kiss me…!”

“Ehhh?!”

As she suddenly dropped that bombshell,I unconsciously let out a scream.

…Wait, kiss?! Me?! Suzuka?!

“W-W-W-W-Why something like that…!”

“P-P-P-Please calm down! I-I toldyou, didn’t I?! This is research for my next volume! A-And thatisn’t the only reason!” Suzuka said, panicking just as much as Iwas. “T-This isn’t meant as a competition with Himuro-san oranything…! It’s just… A memory for my graduation!”

“No no no no! A kiss is taking it waytoo far…!”

“A-Also, Onii-chan was the one whosaid that it was fine for siblings like us to be lovey-dovey!”

“I was only talking about lightnovels!”

“A-And also, you just gave that orderto Himuro-san out of selfishness, didn’t you?! Without asking mefirst! That’s why you have to give me a reward!”

What kind of reasoning is that?!

But without listening to me at all,Suzuka just closed her eyes and mouth. With flushed cheeks, she puther face upwards.

…Ahh, for crying out loud! Don’tjust make such an obvious kiss-expecting face here! Anyone who sawthis would immediately fall for it!

“P-Please hurry up and kiss me!T-This is for my research…!” Suzuka continued to pressure me.

D-Damnit, there’s no other option butto do it…! B-But, where do I even kiss her…? On the lips isdefinitely impossible. Even just imagining it is the absolute worst.Then how about on the cheek? N-No, that’s also no good forsiblings! …S-So the only thing left is…!

“H-Here I go, Suzuka…!”

“Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes…!”

After making my decision, I slowlyapproached Suzuka’s face. And, softly brushing away her bangs…

— Kiss

—I softly pressed my lips against herforehead.

“O-On my forehead…?! Funya…”

“H-Hey, Suzuka?!”

Suzuka suddenly lost all the strengthin her legs, and I hurriedly supported her. The person in questioncould only let out her usual laugh, and I wondered why she had forcedherself so much if she knew that she would end up like that. But nomatter what I said, my voice wouldn’t reach her anyway.

“Ehehehehe… D-Did you see that…!I-I won’t lose to anyone… Not even against Himuro-san!Ehehehehehe…”

While holding her back in my arms, Ilooked up the sky.

…Ahh, to hell with it! It seems likethe only thing I could possibly write is a little-sister rom-com!Yeah!