Volume 7.5Chapter 1

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Towano Chikai’s Flirty Coaching

Part 1:

“P-Please take a close look. This isan important flirty thing that couples in light novels do, right,Onii-chan?!”

“S-Sure, I guess?!”

Suzuka was hugging me from the frontwith her arms around my neck, her face bright red and her eyesspinning.

“Wow… W-Wonderful… AndSuzuka-sama looks so happy…”

And there was a female studententhusiastically watching the situation, her face just as red asSuzuka’s.

“I’m not particularly happy aboutthis, you know! T-This is just another part of data gathering, so Ihave to do my part to help Onii-chan, right?!”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right?!”

With Suzuka close enough for me to feelher breath on my neck, I felt just as overwhelmed as her, and it waspretty obvious why.

“S-So this is ‘Being flirty’…”

“T-This is but the tip of theiceberg, Madenokouji-san! This won’t be enough if you want to writea light novel—at least that’s what Onii-chan always tells me!”said Suzuka, selfishly putting words in my mouth.

This time, she sat down on my lap,still tightly hugging me. And then she proceeded to rub her head onmy chest—Wait, this is seriously bad, isn’t it?!

“This is an advanced technique! Whenyou’re as close as this, new levels of flirtation are achievable!”

“Hwah… S-Something like this is…?”

“If you want to act flirty, then youhave to go all the way… is what Onii-chan always says!” Suzukasaid, clinging even closer to me.

Clearly her head was starting to bugout, since her acting was weirdly off this time around.

“O-Of course, I find no pleasure atall in doing this! This is all for Onii-chan’s research! So, pleaseuse this chance to learn a lot, Madenokouji-san!”

“Y-Yes… Thank you very much,Suzuka-sama, Onii-sama…”

…Now, if you were wondering how thisunbelievable situation came about, there are, of course, certaincircumstances that led up to it.

Part 2:

“Uhm… Please accept this…!”

On a certain day, in the evening.

As always, I made my way to Suzuka’sschool to pick her up, as I suddenly heard a voice behind me. When Iturned around, someone pushed an envelope at me. In the midst of thissudden occurrence, I reflexively accepted the envelope, but I had noidea what was actually going on.

“U-Uhm…?”

Upon closer inspection, it was a femalestudent with a small stature, wearing the uniform of the all-girlsinstitute Hakuou. Her black hair fluttered in the wind. Cute andfickle-looking, she gave off the atmosphere of a flower, its beautylost as soon as you looked away. And this girl, clearly nervous andmoving stiffly, was looking at me with tears in her eyes. I wasrather taken aback, of course.

“E-Excuse me…!”

However, before I could ask what wasgoing on, the girl turned on her heel and ran away.

“…W-What was that about?”

So far, something like this has neverhappened during my trips to pick up Suzuka, so it was a first for me.When I looked at the A4-sized envelope in my hands, I of course hadno idea what was inside.

“…It can’t be a misunderstanding,right?”

When that idea crossed my mind—

“O-Onii-chan! What was that about?!”

Suzuka rushed towards me… Why is sheglaring at me…?

“A-Ahh, Suzuka. Is your studentcouncil work over?”

“Ah, yes—Wait, that’s not it!W-Why was Onii-chan talking to a student from my school!”

“Well, I don’t know myself. Shesuddenly handed me this envelope, and that was all.”

“Envelope?! D-Don’t tell me; is ita love letter…?!”

“T-This looks more like an envelopefor office documents, you know? I don’t think that a girl like herwould put a love letter inside this.”

Seeing that Suzuka’s glareintensified, I panicked and tried to dismiss it.

…And also, me receiving a love letteris totally impossible if you think about it.

“See, the contents feel a bit heavytoo.”

“You can just think of this as theheaviness of her feelings. Even I could… No, an envelope wouldn’tbe enough for me…!”

“U-Uhm, Suzuka?”

“Hyaaah?! N-No, it’s nothing.”

Suzuka let out a shriek, and continuedwith “A-Anyway…”

“Since Onii-chan received somethingsuspicious like that, as both his little sister and the studentcouncil president, I cannot overlook this.”

“T-True. This sort of thing has neverhappened before.”

“So who was that girl, Onii-chan?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seenher before. But I’ve gotta say, she was pretty cute.”

“…………………Interesting.”

…Ah, looks like I said somethingwrong. Her gaze went totally ice-cold!

“No, not in a weird way. It’s justan objective opinion!”

“Well, don’t you look happyreceiving a love letter from such a cute girl…!”

“Again, I haven’t even lookedinside yet! And do you really think that a girl from a rich girls’school like Hakou would write a love letter to a commoner like me?!”

“That… indeed is a valid question.”

…It seems like she’s satisfied withthis, but it makes me a bit sad that it happened so easily…

“Then what exactly is that envelopeabout?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.For now, let’s just go home. We can’t check the contents whilewe’re just standing here, after all.”

After hearing my proposal, Suzuka stillseemed a bit distrustful, but she nodded for now.

“…What about you? Have you everseen that girl before?”

I was thinking about it on the wayhome, so I asked Suzuka.

“By the time I noticed her, I couldonly see her back, so I don’t know.”

“Is that so? Then, do you have anyidea what student would do something like this?”

“None at all. In the first place, Itry to make sure that other students don’t get in touch withOnii-chan, so I’m busy keeping everyone restrained.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“Hah?! I-It’s not like I was tryingto prevent the one-in-a-million chance or anything…! You could justsay that I don’t want to reveal Onii-chan’s true nature toeveryone…!”

…True nature, huh.

“S-See, I’m just helping preventthe one-in-a-million chance that they find out about Onii-chan beinga stand-in, right? I was just taking precautions for that, so there’sno deeper meaning to it.”

“Ahhh, is that so?”

I see. Everyone at Hakuou had found outthat I was the light novel author Towano Chikai because of a lectureI gave. It’s not like I would just reveal that I was a stand-in onaccident, but Suzuka probably just wanted to make sure.

“That’s very thorough. Just what Iwould expect from you. Since you’re the student council president,you probably wouldn’t want anyone to find out that your olderbrother is nothing but a lowly commoner.”

“Ah, that’s also a part of it.”

“……”

…I see. Even though I only meant itas a joke…

“Anyways, even though I did all that,Onii-chan still was approached like that, and received something likethis, so this is indeed a very mysterious situation. Let’s hurryhome and check its contents.”

Taking my hand, Suzuka started walkingat a quicker pace. After hesitating for a bit, I chased after her.

After coming home, we immediately wentinto my room, and Suzuka started opening the envelope. While myheartbeat was accelerating, Suzuka took out a bundle of papers, andan envelope.

“I-I thought so! Maybe all thesepapers are love letters…!”

“That’s way too scary! Don’t youthink that this looks like a manuscript?”

“Eh? Now that you mention it…”

Then this envelope here…

Suzuka and I looked at each other.Wordlessly, I took out the letter inside, and Suzuka walked up nextto me and took a peek.

“Umm… Dear Towano Chikai-sama…?”

It was very politely-written letter. Itstarted with a greeting, and it basically had the following threemain points.

I was present at the lecture ofTowano Chikai-sensei, and I was very moved. That’s why I wrote a novel of myown. I want Sensei to read it and giveme his feedback.

“E-Ehhh…?”

“T-This is…!”

Since neither of us expected anythinglike this in the letter, both Suzuka and I were left speechless.

…T-To think that she would requestsomething like this. Not to mention that she’s a student at theprestigious Hakuou…?

“Onii-chan, there should be a name atthe end of the letter.”

“Y-Yeah… Hmm? Ban…ri?”

“D-Don’t tell me,Madenokouji-san?!”

As I spoke those words, Suzukahurriedly took the letter out of my hands and read through it again.

“There’s no mistake, it really isher…”

“What’s she like?”

“She comes from an old, prestigiouslineage. She’s a real ojou-sama. She’s one year younger than me,but I know her very well. She’s serious, calm, and not the kind ofperson who would play any pranks.”

I don’t really get it, but she soundsamazing.

“Madenokouji-san wrote a lightnovel…? And she wants Onii-chan’s advice…”

Since even Suzuka was confused, I alsocrossed my arms in thought. Since I’ve been Suzuka’s stand-in,people like a self-proclaimed number one fan, a self-proclaimednumber one partner, a self-proclaimed soon-to-be little sister, and aself-proclaimed pupil have appeared around us, but someone asking foradvice like this was completely new to me.

…Not to mention that it’s a studentfrom Suzuka’s school… What should we do about this?

For now, I once more focused myattention on the letter. You could almost feel the author’s willand conviction emanating from it. It really felt like this personaspired to become an author like Towano Chikai.

…I think that this girl is serious.

“What a problem… To think thatMadenokouji-san would admire Onii-chan to such an extent…”

“No, wait, the person she admires isTowano Chikai—you, right?”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

Huh? Was that just my imagination, ordid she seem a bit irritated by that question?

“Setting that aside for now, theproblem is how we should go about dealing with Madenokouji-san.”

“I… I think that I want to helpher.”

“Onii-chan?!”

“You must’ve felt it, right? Thisgirl is serious. She even finished her manuscript, and I don’tthink that she wrote it with half-baked feelings.”

“I don’t have any reason todisagree with that, but…”

“How do I say it? I feel sympathywith her has a fellow author. Since she’s asking for advice thisseriously, she probably has the same dream as me.”

“H-However, it will be a bother foryou, Onii-chan…”

“A bother? Not so much. I’ll justread through it and give a bit of advice, that’s all. And also,since she’s asking Towano Chikai, she’s asking for your advice.”

“T-That’s… Madenokouji-san is mykouhai, so I also want to help her out, but…”

“It really isn’t too much of abother.”

“…You seem really motivated,Onii-chan…”

I mean, we’re basically in the sameposition.

“Madenokouji-san is really cute,after all…”

“Eh? No, I just want to help her as afellow author. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Well, I can’t deny that she wascute—but I can’t say that right now.

“…It’s dangerous. These feelingsthat are overflowing from this letter aren’t just simpleadmiration…!”

Suzuka wasn’t listening to me, andshe continued to stare at the letter, whispering something toherself.

“Um… Suzuka…?”

“…What is it, Onii-chan?”

Why are your gaze and tone of voice soscary all of a sudden?!

…I don’t really get it, but Suzukaseems angry. Like, really angry. Maybe because I said something bad?

“…Um, since you are Towano Chikai,I’ll leave it up to your discretion.”

“Uuuu…”

Suzuka looked really torn.

“F-For now, let us meet her tomorrowand talk with her. We can decide after that.”

It was a rather reserved response forSuzuka. But I wasn’t unhappy about it.

“Ahhh, I want to help my Kouhai…But pulling Onii-chan into this is dangerous…! What in the worldshould I do…?!”

Again, what exactly are you worryingabout?

Part 3:

“I-It’s nice to meet you… My nameis Madenokouji Nene…”

It was the next day, after school. Imade my way to Hakuou, just like before. When I arrived at the gate,Suzuka greeted me, this time with a girl accompanying her.

“Ah, hello. We’ve met yesterdayalready.”

“Hawawah… I-I’m very sorry… Iwas so rude yesterday, and I made you come over here just for me…”

Um, you really don’t have to feelthat bad about it. But even after I told her that, she continued tobow down to me.

“Anyways, we can’t talk hereproperly, so let’s go somewhere else. Onii-chan, over here.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Following Suzuka, we made our way overto a summer house on the school grounds. The whole time,Madenokouji-san continued to apologize.

“Um, I went ahead and read thatletter.”

As I sat down, facing Madenokouji-san,Suzuka was clinging to me with a displeased expression on her face,so I wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.

“You admired my work so much that youdecided to become a light novel author—”

“I-I’m really sorry… I was sonervous yesterday that I just pushed it onto you withoutexplanation…”

“Ahh, no! I don’t mind that! Soplease stop apologizing!”

Since she still wouldn’t stoplowering her head, I hurriedly stopped her. Her face looked as red asit could be, with tears building up in her eyes. Even looking at herlike this, though, she was still quite the beauty.

“…Onii-chan? Why exactly are youstaring at her?”

“N-No, I’m not staring at all.”

Suzuka’s small voice reached my ears,and I hurriedly shook my head. I have to act like Towano Chikai here.

“…Anyways, I understood yourfeelings when I read your letter. And, as a fellow author, I want tohelp you.”

“Ah, I know that I’m just selfishlyasking for your help, but I just wanted Towano-sensei to read this…”Madenokouji-san responded timidly.

She was clearly nervous, because hervoice was shaky.

“But why me? You wrote that you weremoved by my lecture, but is that it?”

“J-Just like I wrote in the letter, Iwas greatly moved by Towano-sensei when I heard your story… And, Ithought that I wanted to become a wonderful person just like you…”

I felt my cheeks grow hot, being toldthat so directly. Well, I wasn’t actually that wonderful of aperson, since I’m nothing more than a stand-in—but said person inquestion was puffing out her cheeks next to me.

“I-I’ve always liked books, and Iwas always constantly reading them… B-But I was too embarrassed, soI never got around to reading light novels, and I heard about themfor the first time at Sensei’s lecture…”

After regaining her composure, shecontinued.

“And, reading Sensei’s novel, I-Iwas once more really moved… Before I realized it, I was admiringSensei, and I had a dream to become an author myself…”

And after finishing her novel, shehanded it over to me yesterday, basically.

“Thinking back on it, I’m reallysurprised that I was able to do something as bold as that…Normally, I would always be the kind of person who would hold backout of nervousness… But when I saw Towano-sensei there, thosefeelings of mine just bottled up…”

“And, when you handed it over, yougot so nervous that you ran away…?”

“Hawawawah…”

It looked like my guess was correct.Her face went red all the way to her neck.

…But after listening to her story,I’m now certain of it. This girl is serious. She’s honestlythinking of becoming a light novel author. That was why her normallyquiet personality had become so bold in that moment, which made herable to hand me her manuscript. Thinking that, I really started towant to help her, since she had the same dream as me. Even so, I’mnothing but a stand-in. The person she should be asking is currentlysitting next to me, but…

“……”

Suzuka, why are you gritting your teethwhile glaring at me…?

“…I know… That Madeokouji-san’sfeelings are real.”

She let out a sigh, followed by a quiet”Onii-chan really is just…”

“Madenokouji-san.”

“Y-Yes, Suzuka-sama.”

“Onii-chan will offer his help,”she said with a bitter smile.

“R-Really…?”

Now that Suzuka has decided to helpher, I have to act accordingly as the stand-in, so…

“Yeah, but it’ll only be thingslike first impressions and a bit of advice though,” I nodded.

“Hawawawah… Thank you so much…I’m so moved to be able to get advice from Onii-sama…”

“O-Onii-sama?”

“A-Ah, excuse me, we’ve just beencalling Towano-sensei ‘Suzuka-sama’s Onii-sama.'”

“Ah, is that so? But you can justcall me by my name normally.”

“I-I cannot do something as rude asthat.”

“No, it’s much less awkward thanhearing you call me ‘Towano-sensei.'”

After all, I’m not the real one. I’llgladly be addressed any other way.

“T-Then… Thank you very much,Onii-sama,” said Madenokouji-san. I nodded in response, but…

“Onii-chan? Why do you seem so happyto hear that?”

When that cold voice entered my ears,my smile froze.

“Really, why are you getting soexcited?! I’m Onii-chan’s only little sister, okay!”

“No, she’s calling me ‘Onii-sama’just out of respect, and I don’t think that she’s saying it likewe have a sibling relationship…”

Also, why are you getting mad oversomething like that? I was relieved that she accepted my request, andI wasn’t becoming excited because my little sister’s kouhaicalled me ‘Onii-sama,’ you know? But talking back to an enragedSuzuka is a bad idea, so I’ll just let her calm down for now.

“B-By the way, Madenokouji-san, whatdid you think of my novel?”

Trying to change the topic, I asked herfor her impressions.

“It was simply wonderful!”

“Uwah?!”

Although she was acting timidthroughout our conversation, she suddenly gripped my hand and broughther body closer.

“It was so interesting, and I becamecompletely engrossed in the world of your novel! It was the firsttime I had ever experienced anything like that!”

Her eyes were sparkling, and sheenthusiastically continued. Though I was pretty shocked at firstbecause of the personality gap, she kept going.

“I loved the honest feelings of thelittle sister and the kind accepting older brother, and I completelylost track of time while reading it…”

“That’s… Thank you.”

She honestly stated her feelings, and Irealized that she was another fan like me.

“This is the first time that I’veseen Madenokouji-san like this…”

Suzuka for her part seemed reallysurprised, and she said this with a bitter smile.

“And what scene did you like themost?”

With a red face, Madenokouji-san turnedher head towards me and answered.

“Of course the scene where the twosiblings took a bath! The embarrassed little sister who mustered hercourage to take a bath with her older brother… I could sympathizeso much with that, and I think the scene was wonderful…!”

And, as if she was lost in her owndreams, she suddenly put a hand on the ribbon of her uniform, slowlyloosening the knot—

“”…Eh?””

My voice and Suzuka’s overlapped.

…Eh? Wait a second? What is she…?

“I really understood that! Becauseshe loves her older brother to that extent, it makes sense that shewould want to take a bath with him!”

But, as if to entertain our badpremonition, Madenokouji-san energetically continued while looseningher ribbon—And once that was gone, she slowly started opening thebuttons of her uniform—

“Hey, what are you…?!”

Hey hey hey!? What is this Ojou-samadoing all of a sudden?!

“M-M-Madenokouji-san?!”

Both Suzuka and I panicked as shesuddenly started stripping. The person in question didn’t pay usany mind, and continued to fangirl about the bath scene.

“W-Why is she?! O-Onii-chan, don’tlook!”

“I-I’m sorry?! …No, just hurry upand stop her!”

Suzuka put her hands on my eyes,robbing me of my sight. And Madenokouji-san wasn’t stopping there.

Uwa, her bra…! So grown-up…! Andeven though she should be in her second year here, her bust is prettybig…! Wait, this isn’t the time to be thinking about that!

“S-Stop stop!!!”

I’ll definitely be branded a pervertright here, but I have no other choice…!

Slowly but steady, I reached out withmy hand towards Madenokouji-san’s shoulder, trying to stop her.

“…Eh? Onii-sama…?”

And it looked like she finally returnedto reality, because she looked at me with a blank expression on herface. After a few seconds, she seemed realize her current situation…

“Hawah?! Uuu…!”

Her head went completely red, only forit to turn a pale white as she collapsed.

“M-Madenokouji-san?!”

“O-Onii-chan! W-What are you doing?!You haven’t even hugged me half-naked, so why her…!”

“Wrong! I was just trying to…!Ahhh, what is this situation?!”

And, a few minutes later.

“I’m… very… sorry…”

After regaining her consciousness,Madenokouji-san bowed down and apologized.

“To be seen like this by Onii-sama…And not to mention Suzuka-sama as well…!”

Seeing that she was about to cry, bothSuzuka and I hurriedly tried to cheer her up.

“D-Don’t mind that! I’ll forgetabout it! No, I didn’t even see anything! W-What might you betalking about, tehe~?”

“T-That’s right, Madenokouji-san!I’ll take responsibility and erase Onii-chan’s memory!”

After that, she still continued toapologize to us countless times, but she finally explained thecircumstances.

“W-Whenever I start reading a story,I tend to get into the feelings of the characters a bit too much…”

U-Uhm… that is a bit more than justunderstanding a character’s feelings, though…

“Though it’s often like that withany other novel, Onii-sama’s work left such a great impression onme that I often end up acting like the characters…”

Madenokouji-san’s face was burningred.

“T-That just shows how much I likeOnii-sama’s novel… B-But, to think that I would end up doingsomething like that… I had no idea that I was able to do that…”

She once more was close to tears.

…So Suzuka’s novel had enoughinfluence to make a timid girl like her start stripping like that…

“I never thought that Madenokouji-sanwould be a person like that…” Suzuka muttered, seeming equallysurprised.

“Well, it was a shock, but that justshows how serious her feelings are.”

“…That’s right. And, Onii-chan,you’ll be giving her advice, just like we decided yesterday.”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

“And forget about Madenokouji-san’sstrip show as fast as you can.”

“I-I understand…”

I stiffly nodded in response to Suzukaglaring at me.

…That being said, I can’t reallyforget about that so easily, you know…? Not to mention that herbust size was completely different from that of Suzu—

“Onii-chan…?”

N-No, I will immediately erase thatfrom my memory, yes!

“…A-Anyway, I think that it’stime for me to give you some advice on your novel, Madenokouji-san.”

“Eh? Hawah… Y-Yes, please…”

With the writing advice coming up,Madenokouji-san sat up straight.

“Uhm… I took the liberty to readthrough your novel yesterday.”

“Y-Yes.”

…She’s all kinds of nervous. Well,it makes sense, since she’s about to receive impressions onsomething she worked really hard on.

“First, as a whole, I got a verysensible and delicate atmosphere from your novel. That’s why itfelt a bit unbalanced in certain parts like—”

While I gave my impressions of hernovel, Madenokouji-san continuously nodded as she listened. Ofcourse, since I wasn’t an actual author at all, I shouldn’t havebeen talking all high and mighty, but these impressions were theresult of consulting with Suzuka last night.

“So, I think that some events wouldbe helpful to move the story forward.”

“I-I see, that will be very helpful…”

By the way, Madenokouji-san’s novelwas about a pure love, and I think that it was very well written.However, in order to make it a full-fledged light novel, severalaspects were missing, so I decided to give advice in those areas.

“U-Um, Onii-sama.”

“Hmm? Do you have a question?”

“Y-Yes. Do you have a specificexample of an event?”

…I see, that’s what I was waitingfor. Or rather, Suzuka!

“Let’s see, specifically, you movethe characters towards a certain incident. And, in light novels, it’susually the female characters who make an approach.”

“It is called something like a’Flirty event’… Though I’m not all to familiar with it.”

“Flirty…?”

But, it looked like Madenokouji-sandidn’t really know what that term meant.

“Basically, the girls act accordingto their feelings.”

“Then… for example, holdinghands?””Exactly… But, a bit more of a bold approachwould be better. At the very least, holding onto the main character’sarm would be a good start.”

“A-An arm…”

Madenokouji-san’s face startedburning up.

…That’s not the type of reactionyou would expect from someone who had started stripping just a fewminutes before.

“Fuuu… I did a lot of research likethat.”

…And why is Suzuka looking soprideful all of a sudden?

“U-Um… I don’t reallyunderstand.”

“You can just try it out.”

“T-Try it out…?”

When she heard my advice,Madenokouji-san started thinking.

…Yeah, that’s what I want to see.

“An action, with overflowingemotion…”

While I nodded my head in response,Madenokouji-san suddenly got up.

…Does she have a good mental image ofit now?

“Since there’s romantic feelingsinvolved, an active approach makes sense…”

“…Yeah?”

She slowly started walking towards me.And, reaching out with her hands…

“H-Hey?!”

“Wha—?! O-Onii-chan?!”

S-She suddenly grabbed my arm…?!

“M-Madenokouji-san?!”

“Doing this makes me happy…Directly feeling the warmth of the person I like…”

Even when I called out to her, shedidn’t respond. She seemed to be spacing out, and she looked likeshe was on a trip.

…I-Is this the same thing as when shewas stripping before…?!

“So warm…”

While I sat there frozen in shock,Madenokouji-san continued to push herself onto me even more. And whenI felt the soft sensation of her breasts, I twitched in response.

…T-They really are big…!

“N-No!”

Just when I was wondering what Suzukawould do about this situation, she pushed Madenokouji-san away fromme with great force and took up a position next to me, grabbing myarm.

“W-What are you doing?! The onlyperson who can do that is me! A-And shamelessly pushing yourselfagainst him?! Why is it that even though our height is the same, oursizes are completely different?! No, I’m supposed to be the olderone, so why…!” Suzuka started blurting out mysterious complaintsas she kept clinging to me.

The soft sensation from earlier wasgone, and now it was just a moderate, somewhat lonely—

“What sort of rude things are youthinking about, Onii-chan?!”

She’s glaring at me with full force?!How do you always read my mind so perfectly like that?!

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, Madenokouji-san came to hersenses, and she stopped and looked around. And then…

“Hawawa…?! W-What kind ofembarrassing things did I do…?!”

“Ah, she kept her memories thistime…”

And once more, with a face as red as atomato, Madenokouji-san fainted right then and there.

…Another few minutes later.

“I-I’m really sorry…”

Though she had regained herconsciousness, she was still crying.

“To think that Madenokouji-san woulddo something like that again…”

Suzuka said, having calmed down aswell, though her cheeks were still slightly flushed. Hearing thesewords, it looked like Madenokouji-san shrunk down even more.

“I-I don’t know myself why I keepdoing this and that…”

“T-That is a problem. Grabbing ontoOnii-chan’s arm like that in confusion…”

…No, wait, you did the exact samething, didn’t you?!

“Just like Onii-sama advised, my bodystarted moving on its own, and I moved letting my emotions guide me…”

“So you felt the same way?”

“Y-Yes. Maybe there’s some way thatI could achieve this for my own novel, and not just Onii-sama’s…”

“Madenokouji-san, you said that youliked books. Do things like this happen often?”

In response to Suzuka’s question, sheshook her head.

“Hawawawah… That’s not it… It’strue that I was absorbed in it, but this is the first time I’veactually lost myself like this… even I’m surprised…” Withtears in her eyes, she forced out those words.

I got the feeling that even she didn’tknow.

“…Am I weird?”

Madenokouji-san continued.

“I asked my friends, and they told methat it was weird for me to start feeling so much like thecharacter…”

“Madenokouji-san…”

Makenokouji tightly formed fists whileresting her hands on her thighs. Suzuka looked like she didn’t knowwhat to say.

…But I felt like I understoodMadenokouji-san’s feelings, at least a tiny bit.

“No, it’s not weird at all.”

So I made a confident assertion.

“”Onii-chan (-sama)””

“Becoming a character isn’t weirdat all. On the contrary, it actually makes it possible for you todepict the character even better.”

“T-Then…”

“It’s true that losing yourself inthe process isn’t exactly favorable, but you just have to work onthat. It’s not good to call a talent like that ‘weird,’ youknow.”

Though Madenokouji-san was still closeto crying, she earnestly listened to what I had to say.

“Onii-chan…”

“I also often try to act like a lightnovel protagonist. Suzuka knows about that, right?”

And Suzuka too. She always acts incharacter during our research. Myself aside, if even a professionalwriter like her does it, then it’s definitely not wrong.

“So I think that you should have somemore confidence in yourself, Madenokouji-san.”

“R-Really…?”

“Of course! It perfectly matchesyour dream of becoming a light novel author!”

“Hawawawah… That’s…”Madenokouji-san muttered, her face bright red.

“Have some more confidence inyourself.”

“Um… Thank you very much,Onii-sama!”

Finally, she lifted up her head. Andshe was smiling, I’m sure of it.

“I never thought about it like that!I’m really moved!”

“N-No, I really didn’t do anythingmajor.”

“That’s not true… I’mincredibly happy…”

…I-I do think that she’sexaggerating a bit, but if she thinks that, then I’m happy.

“…Onii-sama really is kind. Myrespect only keeps on growing…”

“Uuuu… I know that this is awonderful thing, but…! Aren’t you acting a bit too kind towardsMadenokouji-san…?”

…For some reason, my littlesister-sama is displeased. What is it this time…?

“U-Um… Onii-sama…”

While I was thinking that,Madenokouji-san looked like she had made up her mind, and she leanedforward.

“What’s wrong?”

“T-Thanks to Onii-sama, my doubtshave been cleared up. And, um… I know that it is a very selfishrequest, but… could you teach me some more…?”

“More…?”

“S-Specifically about how to put yourfeelings into actions… About the ‘Flirty Event’ thatSuzuka-sama was talking about. I would like to experience that withOnii-sama… Hawawawah…” said Madenokouji-san, her face redderthan ever before.

…Um, so basically, it’s somethinglike the research that Suzuka always wants to do? Wow, maybe thisgirl actually has the skill to become a light novel author. And,thinking that I might as well help her out, I was about to give myokay when…

“T-That’s not going to happen!!!”

Suzuka suddenly vetoed the idea.

“L-Letting the two of you be moreflirty than this is dangerous—No, excuse me! That is my duty!Madenokouji-san shall not do that!”

“But, Suzuka, doing research just onher own won’t do her any goo—”

“Onii-chan, please keep quiet!”

Ehhhh?! I-If I go against her now…!

“Listen, Madenokouji-san.”

“W-What is it, Suzuka-sama…?”

“Onii-chan has to undergo rigorousresearch for his light novel, and as his little sister, I will be theone who helps him. That is how Towano Chikai always does it. Right,Onii-chan?”

“Y-Yes! It’s just as you say!”

I nodded forcefully.

…That’s the first I’ve heard ofthis, though!

“For that reason, in order to makesure that there aren’t any negative influences on the novel, Icannot have Onii-chan help you out here.”

“I-Is that so…?”

“And if Madenokouji-san were to gettoo into it again, there’s always the risk that it wouldn’t turnout well, and that the research would be a failure.”

“T-That is indeed correct…”

Seemingly agreeing with Suzuka, shenodded once as Suzuka continued.

“That is why… since I do think thatyou have to learn about being flirty, I will be the one to teachyou!”

“Ehhhh?!”

W-What are you saying, Suzuka?!

“W-What caused it to end up likethis?!”

“I-I can’t help it, can I? I dowant to help her, but letting her be flirty with Onii-chan is…!”

“You’re not wrong, but still…”

“…Or what? Y-You mean to tell methat you want to act flirty with Madenokouji-san…?!”

Seeing tears starting to build up inher eyes, I hurriedly shook my head.

“Then this is the only choice that wehave.”

Suzuka puffed out her lips as shepouted, and I didn’t have any words to refute her point.

…But I see. If the real Towano Chikaisays this is so, then I have no other choice but to play along.

“Suzuka-sama will be the one who doesit instead…?”

“Yes. Though I certainly am notexcited by it, this is my duty as a little sister. So Madenokouji-sanwill learn by watching me and Onii-chan. Right?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Since Madenokouji-san doesn’t knowmuch about being flirty, she should start by watching us.”

“I-I see…!”

After hearing Suzuka’s logic,Madenokouji-san nodded in agreement. She seems way too gullible…

“N-Now then, let us show you what itmeans to be flirty.”

“P-Please do…!”

“Eh? Wait, Suzuka?”

I wasn’t able to follow along withthis development, but Suzuka ignored me completely.

“I-It’s fine. Though I’m worried,I have prepared myself!”

…What kind of preparations would youneed for this…?

However, I could only obediently stayquiet and wait for her to act. And—

“Ah, you’re doing headpats?”

“Y-Yes, this is one of the most basictechniques for being flirty!”

“A-And holding hands like this…”

“Just like lovers, you have to makesure that you intertwine your fingers like this!”

“S-So bold…!”

“Putting your arms around his neckprovides you with an even closer distance! And doing it like this…”

“O-On top of his lap…?!”

“T-This gives off an even greaterflirty feeling…!”

…And well,

Like this, I had to play along withSuzuka. I patted Suzuka on the head, held hands with her, and gaveher a princess carry. It made me have second thoughts about how weeven ended up in this situation.

“W-Wonderful… To think that beingflirty could be something like that… This will turn into a goodreference…” Madenokouji-san showed her gratitude.

…Really, just how simple-minded canyou be…?

“…Phew, it looks like this willhelp Madenokouji-san…”

“Well, that’s a good thing, but…”

“But what, Onii-chan?”

“Are you, um… okay with this…? Nomatter how much this is for research, doing this in front of a fellowstudent is…”

When I said that, Suzuka’s face wentred, and she said, “I-I can’t help it…! This is in order tohelp her out, after all…! I-It’s definitely not that I want to beflirty like this with Onii-chan, nor do I want to show her how closewe are… Huehuehue…!”

I couldn’t quite understand the lasthalf of her sentence, but at least it looks like it was quite hardfor her to put up with it.

…And she probably didn’t want me tobe flirty with her Kouhai, even though it was only for research.Yeah, she’s right. And I made her put up with it. I’m sorry. Andthank you, Suzuka.

“…Ehe, ehehehe, like this, evenMadenokouji-san will understand how lovey-dovey me and Onii-chanare—”

“U-Um…”

“Hyah?! W-W-What might it be,Madenokouji-san?!”

While Suzuka was letting out a muffledlaugh, Madenokouji-san raised her voice with a decisive expression.

“T-Thank you very much… I feel likeI now understand what this ‘Flirty’ means…”

“I-I’m glad to hear that.”

“But, um… I still have a veryselfish wish… there’s still something I really have to see…”

“Something flirty?” I asked.

Madenokouji-san gave a reserved nod.

“I-I don’t really mind. Right,Onii-chan?”

“…I guess? So what is it that youwanted to see?”

“Well, there is this thing called the’Pocky Game’…”

What…?

“If you are able to show me this’Pocky Game’ thing, then I would be very glad…”

“I see. But I myself am not all toofamiliar with this ‘Pocky Game’… Onii-chan?”

No… No no no no…

(TLC:)

W-Wait a second, okay? She means that ,right…?

“Whatever it is, since it counts as aflirty thing that people do, we have to show her… Especially sinceit’s for Madenokouji-san’s research…”

“T-Thank you very much.”

“Wai—?! W-Wait!”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

…S-Suzuka, don’t justhalf-heartedly agree if you don’t even know what the game is about!

“Onii-chan, do you know what thispocky game is?”

“Ugh…! B-But, we would need a pockystick for that, so doing it right now is impo—”

“Ah, I do have some here,”Madenokouji-san said, taking out a box of pocky from her bag.

…Really?

“Then there’s no problem.Onii-chan, explain to me what we have to do.”

S-Seriously…? Well, I guess that I’lljust have to tell her. Maybe she’ll decide against it when shehears what it’s about.

“Um… you put one end of the stickinto your mouth.”

“Yesh.”

“Then, the other person does thesame.”

“Eh…?”

“And the two of us slowly starteating away at it… That’s the gist of it.”

…Ahhh, for crying out loud! What kindof explanations am I giving here at a girls-only middle school!

“I-I-I-I-I-If we were to do that,wouldn’t there be a k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k…!!!”

“Hawawawawawah…”

Both Suzuka and Madenokouji-san must’vegrasped the true nature of the game, and their faces went turned red.

“N-Now you get it, right? This istaking a bit too far just for research…”

No matter how much she wants to helpMadenokouji-san, Suzuka would surely not agree to something likethis—

“…L-Let’s do it.”

“Haa?! Y-You…!”

“N-Now that I’ve agreed to helpher, I cannot run away until it is complete!”

“Isn’t your sense of responsibilitya bit too grandiose?!”

“…A-Also, in the best case… ak-k-k-k-k-k-k—!!!”

“Eh?”

“N-Nothing at all! Anyway, I don’thave any problems with this research! Although I’m not really happyabout it!”

“Mugu?!”

Without giving me a chance to retort,she stuffed a pocky stick into my mouth. She immediately sat down infront of me, directly facing me.

“…!!!”

I felt my whole body tense up fromseeing Suzuka right in front of me like this. Suzuka seemed to be ofa similar mindset, and her eyes narrowed into a glare.

“Hawah… hawawawawah…!”

Madenokouji-san started panicking whileshe watched, her face looking like it was about to explode.

— Crunch .

“!!”

In that moment, Suzuka started eatingthe pocky stick.

…Y-You, forcing yourself like thisfor your Kouhai…

When I saw that Suzuka had made up hermind to that extent, I had no other choice but to play along.

Crunch Crunch —Every time thatsound rang out, the distance between my face and Suzuka’sshortened. Now, her face was close enough for me to feel her breath.At this rate, we really would—

…Wait, how do you even end thisgame…?

Crunch Crunch!

“…!!!”

W-Wait a second, Suzuka! Any more thanthis would be bad! And why did you suddenly close your eyes?!

“~~~!!!”

Suzuka let out an inaudible scream.

And just when the distance between ourlips was about to reach zero—

“Funya?!”

Apparently, Suzuka had reached herlimit. She separated her mouth from the small pocky piece that wasleft.

…T-That was close—

“Funya…”

“S-Suzuka, are you okay?!”

Her eyes were spinning, and I hurriedlysupported as she was almost collapsed.

“Ehe, ehehehe, ehehehehehehe…!”

This is all because you’re forcingyourself too much…!

“Hawah… Hawawawah… That was…wonderful…!”

While I held Suzuka in my arms,Madenokouji-san walked towards us, her eyes sparkling.

“Onii-sama, Suzuka-sama, you two arereally wonderful siblings… I’m so moved…!”

“W-Well, thanks I guess?”

I’m glad that we could help you out,but right now I’m so embarrassed that I could die…

“Ehehehehe… Onii-chan…”

And Suzuka herself was in an even worsestate than I was…

Part 4:

“U-Uhm, Suzuka-sama, thank you verymuch for today…”

The day after Onii-chan’s advicesession, Madenokouji-san called out to me.

“It really turned into good referencematerial. I tried rewriting my manuscript, so if you could be so kindas to look over it again…”

“Yes, I will tell Onii-chan. I’mglad that I was able to help.”

When I replied with that,Madenokouji-san looked relieved.

…I was able to be really flirty withOnii-chan, so I can’t complain.

After giving her my regards, I thoughtthat the conversation would be over, but Madenokouji-san looked likeshe still wanted to say something.

“…Uhm, actually… I had alwayswanted to change…”

“Eh?”

“I really hate this introvertedpersonality of mine, and when I heard Onii-sama’s lecture, I hadthe sudden urge to get closer to a wonderful person like him…”

She continued speaking, while fidgetingand acting bit embarrassed.

“U-Uhm… Onii-sama really is one ofa kind… Helping me with this selfish request, and even supportingme like this…”

“Madenokouji-san…”

“Thanks to Onii-sama, I learned thattaking the initiative is very important. A-Ah, of course, thanks toSuzuka-sama as well…!”

“Onii-chan would be very happy toknow that you feel that way. And the same goes for me.”

“S-Suzuka-sama… Thank you verymuch…”

Seeing her smile, I felt glad that Ihad decided to help her.

“Ah, by the way, Suzuka-sama, there’sone more thing I wanted to tell you…”

“Do you need some advice aboutsomething?”

“Ah, no, uhm… I don’t plan ontelling anyone about this, aside from Suzuka-sama that is…”

…For some reason, this gives me avery bad feeling.

“A-Actually, if I win the grand prizewith my novel, I plan on confessing to Onii-chan…!”

“…Eh?”

C-Confessing?! To Onii-chan?!

“I-I just can’t help myself, but Iwant to honestly tell him my feelings…!”

S-So that’s why she’s working sohard to write a novel…!

Leaving only those words behind,Madenokouji-san turned around on her heel and ran off. Left alone, Icould only stand still in shock.

“O-Onii-chan said that he would lookafter her until the very end, and I had planned on doing the same,but…! But what if she really were to win?! C-Confessing toOnii-chan…?! W-What should I do about this?!