I Promised to Make the Class Honor Student My 'Little Sister'. It Seems She Wants to Be Spoiled a Lot - Volume 1 Chapter 5.2

Chapter 5: Me, Becoming a “Brother,” Thinking About How to Call My “Sister”

Thanks, Kakogawa. It helps when you join in the conversation.

On the other hand, the teacher…

“…Hmm. Calling me with “san” feels kinda formal, you know? And being called the same as the “sisters” doesn’t quite capture the “twin” essence, does it? Doesn’t feel like it’s making the most of being “twins”, right?”

“What do you mean, “twin” essence?”

I’d really like an explanation on how we’re “twins”.

There’s no age similarity, no blood relation, and we don’t even look alike. There’s absolutely no “twin” element, right?

“How about this? “Yukari-sama”.”

“Calling one of the “twins” with a “-sama” …what kind of prejudice is that?”

“Then how about “Yukari-hime”?”

“Should I call you that? I’d think you’d be the one embarrassed, though? …Yukari-hime, 24 years old, oh my!”

“…Hey, Ryuuki? Who taught you it’s okay to tease a woman about her age? What do you think, should we cancel the contract?”

“I’m sorry, I won’t say it again, Yukari-sama.”

Using the contract as leverage, isn’t that sly?

If you say that, I can’t argue back. Totally unfair.

“Well, you know. The difference between “siblings” and “twins” is─we’re pretty much on the same level, right? There’s not much of an “upper” and “lower” feeling, you know? So, just like I call you Ryuuki and speak informally, you should─”

“…So I should call you Yukari by your name and speak informally to you?”

“I don’t mind it at all☆”

But… you might be okay with it, but you know?

From a student’s point of view, it’s telling me to call the teacher by her name and talk to her informally. I’d hesitate, honestly.

Sensing my hesitation, Kakogawa-sensei ──suddenly hugged me tightly.

“…Huh? Wait, Kakogawa-sensei, what are you doing… mugh!?”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Your main goal might be to fully execute running away from home, but… since we’ve made a contract, you thought this too, right? That it’d be okay to become “family” with us?”

Kakogawa-sensei, not as big as Kakogawa but still possessing a generous curvature.

Buried in that softness and warmth.

I──pondered over the teacher’s words.

Indeed, just as the teacher said.

I still think it’s a bizarre idea, this “Family Contract.”

But somewhere in my heart──I find myself hoping for a different kind of “family.”

…So.

Let’s not sweat the small stuff.

“I’ve decided… In the house, it’s “Yukari”, and at school, it’s “Yukari-sensei”. How about that? Calling you “Kakogawa-sensei” feels scary if I slip up. We’ll start changing it little by little from tomorrow─”

“Wait, Ryuuki. Your way of speaking is too formal, isn’t it?”

“…You’re such a pain. Got it. I’ll try to be more casual, Yukari.”

Watching our exchange, the “little sister” Kakogawa was laughing joyfully, “Ahaha!”

▲　◇　▼　◆

After the commotion about how the “twins” should address each other had settled down,

I went back to my room on the second floor for a bit.

Lying on the floor, I took a rest with my eyes closed.

There’s currently nothing entertaining like manga in my room. So lying down like this is the only way I have to refresh myself.

Just gotta endure until Chitose sends over the stuff I left with him…

────Knock, knock.

“Um… it’s Ao.”

The sound of knocking and the faint voice of Kakogawa came simultaneously.

I opened my eyes, got up, and welcomed Kakogawa into my room.

She hesitantly entered the room and… stared intently at my face.

“Uh, need something?”

Having no clue, I asked just in case.

Then Ao, after closing the door behind her, said with all her might.

“I want to decide on how we address each other too, Takato-kun!”

“…What?”

I couldn’t help but let out a deflated response.

But Ao continued without seeming to mind my reaction.

“At school, I’ll still call you ‘Takato-kun,’ okay? But you know… even at home, calling you ‘Takato-kun,’ and when it’s just the two of us ‘Takato big brother.’ That’s not making the most of our ‘sibling’ relationship!!”

“Totally influenced by Yukari, right!? It’s fine, we don’t have to force it! Just calling me ‘big brother’ when it’s just the two of us solves it!”

“…But. Even at school, at home, and when it’s just the two of us, you call me ‘Kakogawa.’ That’s… not very sisterly.”

Well, yeah, definitely.

Being constantly called by the last name by a brother, that sister seems to have some complicated circumstances.

“Alright, how about we try a few things?”

Then Kakogawa said, with a determined look on her face.

──Feeling a sense of déjà vu. Seems like we’re going down the path of confusing simulations again.

“Ryuuki big brother.”

“……Strange. Just switching from last name to first name and it feels so taboo.”

“Ryuuki-niiya. A-o-d-a-yo.”

“Niiya!? Isn’t that a bit too niche!?”

“How about… ‘Ryuuki dear brother.’ Can you dote on me more?”

“…Kakogawa, you turn kind of dumb at home, don’t you? It’s not even about how you call me anymore.”

“Huh… its really difficult.”

Getting all excited on her own.

And then pondering all on her own.

The usually bright and dependable Kakogawa Ao turns into such a klutz and so innocent at home.

Is this the so-called two sides of a girl? If that’s the case, it’s scary.

Or maybe… she’s always so considerate of others that sometimes she just wants to be spoiled.

Maybe she’s been harboring such desires.

“…So, should I just call you ‘Ao’ casually?”

“Nya!?”

The moment I casually called her by her first name, Kakogawa──or rather, Ao, reacted in cat language.

Then, flailing her arms and legs.

“Y-Yes! Please call me ‘Ao’ casually! Hehe… call me one more time.”

“Ao.”

“…Hehehehe!!”

Just by calling her name, she’s this happy.

I’m being thanked excessively to the point of embarrassment…

“At school, it’s ‘Kakogawa.’ When it’s just the two of us and when Yukari and the others are around, it’s ‘Ao.’ That’s how I’ll address you, okay? Now it’s your turn to decide. How will Ao address me?”

“…Fueh?”

Somehow… I think there’s a “I want to be spoiled like this!” image in Ao.

So, I want her to decide.

I don’t mind being called anything by her.

“Wait? What? But… there might be some ways of addressing you that are a bit… you know?”

“It’s fine. Standing firm in such situations is what being a ‘brother’ is all about, right?”

“But if I start calling you… ‘Brother, Ao at your service,’ wouldn’t you be confused?”

“…What? You want to be a ninja instead of a sister?”

Don’t bring up such extreme examples. Really.

And as I was bewildered… Ao burst into laughter.

“Thanks, kind big brother. Then… when it’s just the two of us, it’s ‘big brother,’ okay? I feel a bit ticklish calling you ‘big brother,’ but… it makes me feel like I’m being spoiled, and I love it!”

“O-Okay… then, that’s how it’ll be, Ao.”

Formally saying that makes me incredibly embarrassed.

Normally we’re just classmates, but when it’s just the two of us, it’s “big brother” and “Ao”… Yeah, it feels like being punched by a massive sense of guilt.

“And at school, it’s ‘Takato-kun.’ At home, it’s… ‘Ryu-kun!'”

As I was tangled in my thoughts.

Ao suddenly launched a follow-up attack.

“…’Ryu-kun’? What’s that?”

“In front of Yukari-nee and the others, I can’t call you ‘big brother,’ right? But calling you ‘Takato-kun’ feels too distant… so, ‘Ryu-kun’! Ryuuki’s ‘Ryu-kun’♪”

Singing like it was a song, she said.

And Ao beamed with a melting smile.

“At school, it’s ‘Takato-kun’ and ‘Kakogawa.’ When it’s just the two of us, it’s ‘big brother’ and ‘Ao.’ And then at home with Yukari-nee or Kizuna around, it’s ‘Ryu-kun’ and ‘Ao!’ …How about that?”

What can I say?

When Ao looks up at me with those eyes, most guys couldn’t refuse her, right?

Seriously──innocent, spoiled,

And a natural little devil, our “little sister.”

“Then let’s make it official… nice to be with you, Ao.”

“Yeah! Look forward to it, Ryu-kun!!”

Being called that by Ao with a beaming smile,

Made me feel embarrassed yet happy… it was an odd sensation for me.