I Promised to Make the Class Honor Student My 'Little Sister'. It Seems She Wants to Be Spoiled a Lot - Volume 1 Chapter 3.2

Me, Determined, Making a Contract with a “Family”

▲　◇　▼　◆

From: Father

Subject: About the Future

Content: I received a call from Kakogawa-sensei earlier and heard about the general situation.

I thought cooling your head for a night would lead to some reflection… but honestly, I’m disappointed.

Whether it’s about your career path or daily life, you never listen to what your parents say.

If you say you want to live there, I’ll allow it. Do as you like.

============================================

“…Annoying. Just reading this text pisses me off, what a talent…”

Anger boiling, I muttered to myself after reading the email from my dad.

And what’s with using carrier email in this day and age.

Can’t this old-fashioned guy use any modern messaging apps like RINE or something?

──”I want to make a ‘Family Contract,’ so please lend me your strength.”

After I bowed my head and asked, Kakogawa-sensei gave a joking reply saying, “Your wish is granted~,” and then… she left the living room.

Shortly after that.

After presumably ending her call with my father, sensei returned to the living room.

And a few minutes later──this email was sent from my dad.

The tone of the email honestly pissed me off to no end.

But… the content of this email.

It means he’s consenting to me not returning home and living at the Kakogawa’s place, right?

“The guy who never listens to others, always thinks he’s right, expects everyone to obey him. That unreasonable and stubborn man… actually agreed to this absurd proposal? Seriously… Sensei, what kind of magic did you use?”

“That・Is〜……Yukari’s seduction skills☆”

“Sorry, sensei. That joke’s a bit too much considering it’s about family.”

I guess she meant it as a cool joke, but why does imagining it make me stone-faced? What are you gonna do about that?

But Kakogawa-sensei seemed to be having fun, laughing out loud.

And Kakogawa──while her eyes were moist.

Gently took my hand.

“Takato-kun… I’m sorry about earlier? Without considering how you feel, I said maybe you should go back home──that was irresponsible of me.”

“No, I don’t think it was irresponsible… Rather, I think you were more responsible than sensei.”

“Should I call your dad and cancel?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Sensei, you’re always a responsible and wonderful adult.”

Watching our little skit, Kakogawa.

Chuckled cutely, with an adorable laugh.

“We all have our own circumstances, for me and for Takato-kun. So──I’ll leave Takato-kun’s matters up to him. I won’t say anymore whether you should go back or not. But if we make a ‘Family Contract’──I promise to welcome Takato-kun as ‘family,’ warmly!!”

“Kakogawa…… thanks.”

Bright and sociable.

Someone who can’t leave people in trouble alone, no matter who they are.

Because of her caring and kind nature, she’s adored by everyone in our grade──Kakogawa Ao.

After talking a lot yesterday and today, I came to understand that Kakogawa is truly such a person.

“Well then. Takato-kun, let me explain again about the ‘Family Contract.'”

Receiving Kakogawa-sensei’s words, the three of us moved from the living room to the dining table.

Kakogawa sat in front of me.

And Kakogawa-sensei sat to her right.

Then, what sensei placed on the table was the revised “Family Contract” and a surprisingly old-fashioned fountain pen.

Though this contract is bizarre──the contents written on it were quite ordinary.

From the moment this contract is concluded, the signatories become “family”… starting with.

Cleaning, laundry, and bathroom cleaning shall be shared by all “family” members… and so on.

Peeking at a “family” member in the bath or using the toilet without permission is forbidden… and so on.

“Family” members must cherish and care for each other… and so on.

And at the end of the contract.

There were spaces to write today’s date and our names.

“Then first, I and Ao will sign. Ao, there shouldn’t be much difference from the previous revision, but was there anything inconsistent?”

“Nope, all good!”

First, sensei signed, followed by Kakogawa.

They finished their signatures using the fountain pen placed on the table.

“Now, Takato-kun. If you have no objections to the content of the ‘Family Contract,’ please sign.”

“It feels overly formal for not being a real contract… handwriting signatures and all, pretty authentic.”

“Hehe. You still have much to learn, Takato-kun.”

Laughing in an incredibly annoying manner.

With her arms crossed, Kakogawa-sensei said.

“There’s a term for family that implies blood relation, right? That means──the connection of blood. Defining families by the blood flowing in their bodies as proof of family. So what should we use as proof for our ‘family’?”

Then, with her slender finger.

Sensei traced the name she had handwritten on the contract.

“If the names lined up on this paper are written with the same ink… it could be proof, just like blood relation. The ink from this fountain pen, thicker than blood──that would be our shared ‘family’ blood.”

What’s that logic?

Ink from a fountain pen is thicker than blood… really?

Carefully explained, but it only raises more questions.

But──.

“…Okay. I have no objections.”

Kakogawa-sensei’s logic is honestly absurd, makes no sense.

Yet, for some reason… my heart’s been racing.

This lineup of names written in black ink.

Feels like the beginning of my new “family.”

──That’s the premonition I have.

Family Contract Signatories:　Kakogawa Yukari　Kakogawa Ao　　　　　　　　 Takato Ryuuki

“Ah. You even left space for Kizuna to sign later.”

“Ah? Oh… I thought it’d be bad to write my name before your sister. After all, she was part of the contract before me.”

“Takato-kun, you’re kind. Thanks!”

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal but… well, okay.

And as I placed down the fountain pen, sensei flipped through the stapled “Family Contract” revision and exposed the second sheet.

Printed on it were four names──Kakogawa Yukari, Kakogawa Ao, Kakogawa Kizuna, Takato Ryuuki.

…Printed?

“Why is it printed from the start! What happened to the fountain pen ink that’s thicker than blood!?”

“Well, of course, we wouldn’t handwrite everything other than the signatures. Isn’t that normal for contracts? Like, party A and party B blah blah blah…”

“…Well, I’m not familiar with contracts, but isn’t it strange that my name is printed on it before I even signed?”

“Soーpickーyー!! Ahー, maybe I should just shred it!!”

Yep, my apologies.

I nitpicked too much.

“Cough. Let’s try this again. From here on, we’ll decide on the ‘relationship’ within the ‘Family Contract,’ which isn’t an exaggeration to say it’s the most important part!”

Kakogawa-sensei said, raising her enthusiasm.

…Decide on the ‘relationship’? What’s that?

Not quite getting it, I tilted my head.

Sensing my confusion, sensei started to explain.

“‘Relationship’ refers to the relationship between relatives. For example, from Ao’s perspective, Kizuna’s relationship is ‘sister.’ And my original relationship is ‘cousin.’ Or ‘paternal cousin,’ to be precise.”

“Original? …Ah, I see. That’s right, the original ‘Family Contract’ said ‘sister’ not ‘cousin.'”

“Exactly! In the ‘Family Contract,’ Yukari-nee isn’t my ‘cousin’──she’s my ‘sister.’ That’s why I treat Yukari-nee like a real sister!”

Sensei and Kakogawa gave an explanation that was both clear and unclear.

Then, using the fountain pen on the table…… they only filled in the “relationship” for the parts decided in the previous contract revision.

Kakogawa Yukari…【Elder Sister】Ao　【Younger Sister】Kizuna　【　　】Ryuuki

Kakogawa Ao　…【Sister】Yukari　【Sister】Kizuna　【　　】Ryuuki

Kakogawa Kizuna　…【Elder Sister】Yukari　【Elder Sister】Ao　　【　　】Ryuuki

Takato Ryuuki　　…【　　】Yukari　【　　】Ao　【　　】Kizuna

“I see… So we fill in what ‘relationship’ goes in these blanks.”

“That’s right〜. So, let’s decide. Ao──would you prefer to be Ryuuki-kun’s ‘elder sister’ or ‘younger sister’?”

“Hauuu!? I have to decide!?”

“The right to choose is with the one who contracted first. The other party has no right to refuse.”

“That’s so arbitrary!? It wasn’t written in the contract, that kind of thing!!”

Though I complained about sensei suddenly throwing scam-like statements,

When I thought about it calmly, this revised “Family Contract” was… something I requested to continue my runaway, asking both of them.

So, whatever “relationship” Kakogawa chooses──I should accept it willingly.

“Okay──Kakogawa. Whether you stew or grill it, choose any ‘relationship’ you like!”

“I won’t stew or grill it!? Why are you trying to cook ‘relationships,’ Takato-kun!”

“Well, well, Ao. Takato-kun just said he’s okay with any ‘relationship,’ right? That means, you can request your ideal ‘family’… Such a delicious situation won’t come twice!”

What kind of sleazy idea is this “sister” whispering to the other “sister”?

“Ah… Fufu〜? What should I dooooo…”

“If you can’t picture it, why not practice? Then choose the ‘relationship’ that felt best after trying!”

“Umm… What do you think, Takato-kun?”

“Well, I mean… that’s fine?”

And so.

Proposed by Kakogawa-sensei──practice determining our “relationships” began, by me and Kakogawa.

We gave it a try.