The Classroom’s Beauty, Becoming My “Sister”

▲　◇　▼　◆

The day after I ran away from home, a Saturday.

After deciding to make a “Family Contract” to avoid returning home, a variety of things happened during the day… By the time things settled down, the sun had already started to set in the west.

And now, I’m in an unused room on the second floor of the Kakogawa house.

I’m calling my friend, Ayumura Chitose, whom I hadn’t contacted since my phone died yesterday.

“Seriously. I was really worried about you yesterday, you know? I couldn’t get in touch with you at all after a certain point.”

“That’s why I’m sorry. My phone died, I passed out, there was a lot going on, okay?”

“Haa. And after all that… you’re going to live at the Kakogawa’s house for a while? What kind of poorly set-up manga story is that? Were you and Kakogawa secretly dating or something?”

“We weren’t dating then, and we’re not dating now.”

“Then that makes even less sense.”

I had explained the general situation to Chitose─after getting permission from Kakogawa and the teacher, of course.

I had to, or else they wouldn’t send me the stuff I left with them.

And well… she’s the friend I rely on the most. I wanted to share at least some of it with her.

But, of course─I left out the part about the “Family Contract.”

It’s too tricky a story, and I wasn’t confident I could explain it well.

And for Kakogawa and the others… it’s probably a topic they’d rather not have touched by others.

“A guy who’s not even your boyfriend living in your house, huh… Well, I guess it’s possible with Kakogawa-san, famous for her helpfulness. But, I dunno, something doesn’t sit right with me.”

“That’s because, Kakogawa-sensei, you see? She guessed my home situation and said it’s okay for me to stay here!”

“That’s also a weird story… Hey, Ryuuki? Just to be clear─you’re not in a sleazy relationship, but not in a clean one either? Like, with both Kakogawa-san and the teacher…!!”

“NO, calm down! Anyway, you don’t need to worry. Thanks, Chitose.”

After ending the call with Chitose, I lay back on the floor of the empty room.

According to Kakogawa, this room hasn’t been used by anyone.

On the second floor, there are also Kakogawa’s room, where I first slept, and her sister’s room. On the first floor, besides the living room and dining kitchen, there’s Kakogawa-sensei’s room.

So, from today, this room─is apparently mine to use.

“…Living under the same roof as girls, huh. Even though I proposed it, it feels unsettling…”

Not dating, yet.

Living with the most popular girl in the grade and a young female teacher.

Any healthy male high school student would─naturally feel restless, right?

But─we are “family.”

I shouldn’t have such corrupt thoughts.

Stay calm, stay calm.

────Knock, knock.

Just as I was trying to calm my mind and closed my eyes, someone knocked on the door.

I jumped up reflexively and responded to whoever was on the other side.

“Uh… who is it? Need something?”

“Ah. It’s Ao. Ryuuki-kun… can I come in for a bit?”

And then, entering the unused room, or rather my room, was.

My classmate, and contractually “sister.”

─Kakogawa Ao.

“Excuse me~”

Directly in front of me, sitting cross-legged.

Kakogawa neatly sat down in seiza.

“…”

“…”

Facing each other in silence, Kakogawa in seiza and me in a cross-legged sit.

…What’s with this silence?

It was Kakogawa who knocked on my room, right?

Then why is Kakogawa─with her lips tightly sealed, glaring at me?

“…”

“…Uh, why am I being glared at… maybe the “relationship” thing? Thinking it over calmly, you decided you didn’t want to be “siblings” after all… something like that?”

I proposed a surprisingly fitting explanation.

Indeed, Kakogawa had performed exceptionally well as a “sister.”

So, in a situation where we had to choose some “relationship,” it seemed like a safe choice.

But─actually, being the “Little sister” of a classmate you’re not even that close with?

It’s understandable to think it was a mistake afterward.

“I, I’m not glaring…”

…As I convinced myself, Kakogawa muttered, looking downward.

“Uh… so, sorry about that? If you’re not glaring, then… um, what is it? Eye strain so severe that you’re frowning?”

“No, that’s not it… idiot.”

Even if you call me an idiot.

I can’t possibly grasp the intricacies of a girl’s heart in this situation. I’d ask an expert for help if I could.

…And as I stood on the brink of confusion.

Bright, caring, and sociable.

A classmate adored by both genders across the grade─Kakogawa Ao said, in a halting tone.

“I, I’m a “Little sister,” right? Big brother… pay attention to me!”

…Huh?

As if responding to that unbelievable line, Kakogawa, with her face flushed red, lunged at me.

And before I knew it, I was pushed down on the floor.

Kakogawa was now─straddling me.

“Kakogawa… uh, what’s this about?”

“Don’t look so serious! And… you can call me “Ao,” okay? Big brother.”

“…Why are you saying that while straddling someone?”

I’m starting to feel dizzy.

What’s this situation?

Is this some bizarre dream, a product of extreme stress from my parents?

Or has Kakogawa been possessed by some malevolent spirit?

Trying desperately to make sense of the situation… yeah, I still have no idea what’s going on.

“Are… are you freaked out? Ryuuki… big brother, do you not like this kind of “Little sister”?”

“Let’s calm down for a moment, okay? Should we call an exorcist?”

“Don’t call an exorcist! Mmu~… the difference in temperature is too much, I’m getting embarrassed. Being a “Little sister” is hard…”

Mumbling something, Kakogawa got off me.

And with an embarrassed look, she faced me.

“…I just wanted to act like a “Little sister” since we made a “siblings” contract, you know? I tried my best to be affectionate… sorry, it seems I’m not your type.”

“So, you mean… you’re not against the idea of making a “Family Contract” with me and becoming my “Little sister”?”

“…I wouldn’t jump on someone I dislike. Jeez.”

Pouting as if sulking, Kakogawa.

Her expression was different from the calm and composed usual Kakogawa.

Innocent, clingy, and somewhat selfish.

Yes, just like a──Little sister.

“Manga has clingy sister characters, tsundere Little sister, and cool sisters, right? What kind of sister do you like, Ryuuki-kun? Tell me, and I’ll try my best to be the “Little sister” you like!”

She’s really fired up, but…

The type of “Little sister” I like? That makes me sound like I have some weird fetish.

Well, probably, Kakogawa doesn’t realize she’s making such an outrageous statement…

“…So? What kind of “Little sister” does Kakogawa like?”

“Huh?”

Confused by my question, Kakogawa gave a puzzled look.

While I’m dumbfounded by her reaction… somehow, it’s starting to feel funny.

“If a super clingy sister character appears in a manga, I’d honestly find her cute. Tsundere is appealing because of the gap, and I don’t dislike the straightforward type either. So─if Kakogawa has a type of “sister” she wants to be, that would be nice.”

Kakogawa is serious, so part of it might be her earnest attempt to fulfill the contract by playing the “sister” role.

But watching Kakogawa interact with me in a completely different manner than usual, I kind of felt it.

Inside Kakogawa, there’s undoubtedly─a longing for a “sibling” relationship.

I don’t know the details, but considering her parents and all, Kakogawa must have… complex feelings about her family.

So I want to─be the “brother” Kakogawa desires.

To repay her for helping me when I ran away from home.

And to have a little fun in our shared “family” life.

“…Can I be spoiled?”

Then, Kakogawa, playing with her bangs shyly.

Spoke uncertainly.

“…If Ryuuki-kun doesn’t mind. I want to be an innocently spoiled… “sister.””

“Okay. Then from today, let’s be “siblings,” alright?”

As I replied,

Kakogawa once again─lunged at me.

“Hehehe! Looking forward to it, big brother Ryuuki!”

Uh, excuse me, Kakogawa?

I did say we’d become “siblings.”

…But isn’t this physical affection a bit too much?