While I Was Giving Love Advice to My Best Friend, the School's Most Beautiful Girl Somehow Became the Closest Person to Me - Volume 2 Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4: The Crisis of a Childhood Friend

Time had passed since then, and I had been enjoying peaceful days. Thanks to being able to have a proper conversation with Alisa in the school gymnasium, I felt like we had returned to the easygoing relationship we used to have.

Still, whenever I see Alisa, I can’t help but think she’s cute, which makes me conscious of her.

So today, I’m at Alisa’s house for my housekeeping job. However, the homeowner isn’t around, and I’m left to tend to the chores of this large house by myself.

Today is the day Alisa won’t be back until the evening because of her part-time job. I remember she mentioned she was tutoring when we first met.

She’ll be tired after using her brain, so maybe I’ll bake some pancakes for her.

Where was that recipe for pancakes that taste good even when they’re cold?

I’m grateful that Alisa’s tastes are similar to Reo’s. If I make what Reo liked, she’ll be happy. Just imagining Alisa’s face blooming into a smile in front of the pancakes makes me inadvertently laugh.

Click.

At that moment, I heard the sound of the door opening, and I turned around.

There stood an unfamiliar man…

I was at a loss for words.

“Who are you?”

The sight of the man I’d never seen before sent a chill down my spine. But it was a hundred times better than when I was confronted by Reo’s stalker with a knife.

Cautiously, I observed the man’s figure.

He was tall, with very handsome features, golden hair, and emerald green eyes. He looked like a male version of Alisa, and a name came to mind that fit his appearance.

“Could you be… Alisa’s Onii-san?”

“You’re the housekeeper hired in place of Shizuku? Alisa mentioned you.”

Indeed, it was Alisa’s Onii-san. His name was Shizuru-san, if I recall correctly. He’s incredibly handsome, and he’s one year older than me.

“Um, Onii-san, why are you here…?”

“This is my family home.”

“Of course… Ah, right now Alisa is out at her part-time job.”

“I didn’t come to see Alisa. Hmm, something smells good.”

I had just plated the freshly baked pancakes. Onii-san peered into the kitchen and stared intently at the pancakes.

“I baked them for Alisa, but… would you like some?”

“I’ll eat.”

He talks just like his sister!

“Delicious… Hmm… this is quite good. You’re good at cooking.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Is there no more?”

“Ah, I’ll bake some right away!”

He’s already on his third piece; how many can this guy eat?

But he seems to enjoy it so much. His face, which had been stern until now, softens while he eats. It’s like watching Alisa.

I see. I think I understand why Otsuki-san fell for him.

He’s handsome, and he appreciates good food, which must be irresistible for Otsuki-san.

I’ll tease her about her taste in handsome men next time. She still sends me pictures of Alisa every day.

According to Alisa, he’s a swimmer. And he’s dating Mizuhara Kokoro-san, Alisa and Otsuki-san’s childhood friend.

That whole ordeal was quite a mess…

In the end, Onii-san ate all the pancake ingredients. When he asked if there was no more, I was honestly a bit dumbfounded.

Onii-san asked to talk and we sat face to face, then he said one thing.

“Are you dating Alisa?”

“Pffft! N-no, there’s nothing like that…”

He said it so matter-of-factly that I was speechless.

“I don’t have many friends and don’t know much, but isn’t it special for the opposite sex to come to each other’s houses, even if it’s for a job?”

“That’s true, but… well, Alisa and I are close friends.”

Trying to keep my blushing face under control, I dodged Onii-san’s probing.

I had to ask something too…

“From Onii-san’s perspective, is it okay for me to be in this house? Of course, I have permission from Alisa and Otsuki-san.”

“If Shizuku says it’s okay, I have nothing to say.”

“It’s not Alisa…”

Otsuki-san’s reputation is high.

No, why does everyone think so highly of Otsuki-san?

Her boyfriend Reo, her childhood friends Alisa and Mizuhara-san, and now Shizuru-san, not to mention Tsumugi and Hiyori all say Otsuki-san is a good girl.

Am I the only one who thinks that girl has a bad personality?

I’m starting to think this world is an Otsuki harem.

“But you know… I have a sister too, so I could understand if there is some worry. She’s just a kindergartener, but if she gets close to a boy, I really worry!”

“That’s true. No… normally that would be the case.”

“Huh?”

“Alisa, even though I’m her brother, it’s strange to say, but she grew up too beautiful. As a result, it seems she even feels hatred towards men.”

“That is…”

I remembered the aggressive Alisa I met for the first time. She was even confrontational with Reo… That’s right.

“Honestly, I was more worried about that. But it seems you’ve changed Alisa.”

Onii-san’s eyes, which had been sharp, seemed to soften.

Perhaps he was worried about Alisa in his own way, and maybe he came today not to see Alisa but to check on me.

“Someone who cooks good food can’t be bad.”

“What’s that supposed to mean… haha.”

Being Alisa’s Onii-san, what he says is a little off, but it’s amusing. Before I knew it, I was having a lively conversation with Shizuru-san, talking about Alisa, school, Shizuru-san himself, swimming, and various other topics.

Time seemed to fly by.

“Can you cook other meals too?”

“Yes, I can manage most things. Not as elaborate as Otsuki-san, though.”

“I haven’t had Shizuku’s cooking in a while. But now that Shizuku has a boyfriend, I can’t ask her casually.”

It’s a very complicated relationship.

What if I recommend Otsuki-san’s cooking and she falls for Onii-san again, leading to Reo’s heartbreak, and a rift forms between the childhood friends, causing Alisa to cry…

I mustn’t create such a future.