I Promised to Make the Class Honor Student My 'Little Sister'. It Seems She Wants to Be Spoiled a Lot - Volume 1 Chapter 9.1

A Sister Admiring Her Older Sister, Deciding on the Conditions for a “Family”

Two weeks have passed since I signed the “Family Contract” with Ao and Yukari. It’s Saturday, and I found myself sitting alone on the living room sofa.

For reference, Ao had gone to wake up Kizuna-chan and Yukari. Even on a holiday, let alone a weekday, those two won’t get up unless Ao calls them. Without Ao, they definitely can’t survive.

“Minor… hiding from parents… staying overnight…”

On the other hand, I was typing such keywords… searching on my phone.

─I’ve been warmly welcomed by Ao and Yukari.

─Even Kizuna-chan gave me permission to stay as long as I like.

But still? I can’t help but wonder if it’s okay to keep imposing on the Kakogawa family.

So, I’ve been searching for my next destination, but…

“…All I get are ‘Yihoo! Answers’ and legal consultations. The usual stuff, or sketchy sites at best.”

But I didn’t give up, scrolling through the search results, and eventually, I stumbled upon something out of the ordinary.

“‘Digging Deeper! Minor Troubles #78 【Hiding From Parents】’… What’s this? Looks like a video…”

Curious, I jumped over to MeTube.

─Alright, next up on underage issues, let’s go!

“Hi Deru-chan, I’m Miyako, a second-year high schooler. I have a crush on a senior. He’s the super handsome captain of the billiards club! I think the only way to win him over is to corner him somewhere and create a fait accompli. Do you know any places where I can take him without my parents finding out?”

─Ain’t no such place! If there was, my radio show would be done for!!

Seriously… Instead of going to extremes, just confessing cutely will be more effective.

Like, calling him out from the classroom to confess… Boys are surprisingly weak to the classics, you know?

“…Why’s Takato-senpai watching ‘Deru Hotta Channel’?”

“Whoa!? You scared me!”

Suddenly being addressed from behind, I was so startled I dropped my phone on the sofa.

Still playing the video, Kizuna-chan, with her ash-gray long hair and large, round eyes, was staring at it from behind me. Despite not wearing makeup, making her look younger than usual… her skin was smooth, and her features were clear. Even without makeup, she’s genuinely cute.

And, she’s dressed in… a onesie.

So, why has Kizuna-chan turned into a bunny? Is this some sort of ‘I’ll die if I’m lonely’ statement?

“Huh!? Are you mocking me!? No, it’s not that. If I’m not all cozy, I can’t sleep properly. So I always wear a onesie to bed.”

“…Really? It’s my first time seeing it.”

“…Ah. I’ve been avoiding being seen by Takato-senpai because it annoys me, always changing before coming out. Forgot today. Well, it’s fine.”

Well, it’s fine… if it’s really okay, why even mention being annoyed?

I might not be fully convinced, but Kizuna-chan seemed unbothered.

And bunny onesie Kizuna-chan casually picked up my phone.

“Deru Hotta-chan is really hot among junior high students now! She does voice acting and stuff, really cutting through with her words, which is so cool!”

Watching the random video I had played… she excitedly talked about Kizuna-chan.

Her expression was different from her usual listless one.

─She really does resemble Ao, I thought.

“There are more interesting episodes in the past, where Deru Hotta gets pranked by two junior voice actors──What? Why are you grinning at my face?”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. It’s just… you and Ao really do seem like sisters.”

“…What do you mean?”

Kizuna-chan looked at me, slightly annoyed. The bunny ears on her hood swayed from side to side.

Looking back at Kizuna-chan, I replied,

“Ao is usually… the reliable, caring, eldest sister type. Kizuna-chan, you seem carefree and free-spirited, like the youngest sibling. But when you laugh or relax… you really resemble each other. That’s what makes you feel like sisters.”

Maybe I’m idealizing because I’m an only child.

Despite seeming entirely different, they’re somewhat similar.

That sibling vibe is… somehow heartwarming and enviable.

“Geez, Ryu-kun… Yukari-neechan won’t wake up at all today.”

As I was thinking this, Ao walked into the living room with a sullen face.

I mean, it’s almost noon, and she’s still not up?

Is Yukari even alive?

“…………”

Then, Kizuna-chan─casually tossed my phone back to me and quickly headed towards the hallway.

“Huh? What’s up with Kizuna?”

“…Nothing.”

Responding bluntly to Ao, Kizuna-chan─gave me a brief glance back and said, glaringly,

“…We’re not alike at all, us sisters.”

▲　◇　▼　◆

After Kizuna-chan returned upstairs,

And Yukari showed no signs of waking up,

The living room was left with just me and Ao.

“…Should I try waking Yukari-neechan again? …But she probably won’t wake up for a while…”

Sitting on the sofa, contrasting with me,

Ao was wandering around the living room… mumbling to herself.

“Uh, what’s going on, Ao?”

“No, it’s nothing, Ryu-kun… Yukari-neechan won’t come, right? …Alright.”

Whatever she concluded, I couldn’t tell.

But Ao suddenly─

Charged from the door towards the sofa.

“Big brother! Since nobody’s here, let me recharge!!”

With incredible momentum… she leaped towards me, seated on the sofa.

We fell back into the sofa’s backrest, and then, sitting on my lap in a pose like she failed a vaulting box. Curling her back, Ao─snuggled up against me.

To put it mildly… this was quite the spectacle.

“What are you doing, Ao?”

“I’m recharging, big brother. It’s also called ‘hug-electricity.’ Because it’s a tight hug.”

“Never heard of it… So, what happens when you recharge?”

“Fatigue recovery, stress relief, autonomic nerve regulation, and it even induces the secretion of happiness hormones!”

Am I a hot spring or what?

Though her reasoning was utterly muddled,

Seeing Ao sticking close, grinning so innocently… she seemed more carefree than usual.

So, I decided not to forcibly peel her off.