Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 9

Holiday with My Sister

“Hey, why did you invite Kanade-chan to yesterday’s welcome party?”

On the holiday morning after, with nothing particular to do, I was enjoying a social game leisurely when my sister asked me that out of the blue.

“What’s with that all of a sudden?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re the one who suggested we invite Kanade-chan, right?”

She’s finally asking, huh… I put my smartphone on sleep mode and turned to face her, thinking that it might be most effective to tell her what she wants to know for now.

“I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but it wasn’t me who invited her, it was Yuuya. It seems like it was Hina’s idea to organize it.”

“Is that really true?”

“There’s no need for me to lie. Well, I should’ve told Yuuya that I broke up with Kanade. I’ll make sure to tell him to refrain from doing that in the future.”

“…I’m going to ask Yuuya-senpai, you know?”

“If you doubt me that much, do as you like.”

I deliberately spoke with a light tone. Whether it’s Hina or Yuuya, they should be able to pick up on this much.

At least in this gamble, the advantage is overwhelmingly in my favor.

“…Okay, I’ll trust you, Nii-san.”

Reluctantly, Rio conceded. Perhaps she realized that it was futile to continue against my apathetic attitude.

“Just one last thing, answer me honestly, okay? Do you still—like her… Do you still like Kanade-chan?”

“No? Not at all.”

In the midst of a grave atmosphere, I answered without hesitation, my true feelings.

Perhaps it was a response far different from what she had anticipated, as it took Rio a few seconds to reply.

“…You’re merciless as always, Nii-san. But I’m glad. I’m glad, but—this time, I felt a bit of sympathy for Kanade-chan.”

Rio sighed as if exasperated. It’s rather annoying to be called merciless by my sister, but I’ll let it slide.

“Well, I do want to keep in touch with Kanade as childhood friends. So you too… I’m not going to force you, but just interact with her within the limits of what you can forgive. It’s not like we’ll have many chances to meet right now, after all.”

“Yeah. Thank you, Nii-san. I feel a bit relieved now.”

Rio gave a faint smile. After what had happened, I didn’t expect any reconciliation from the start.

Kanade and Rio. I can only imagine what kind of conflicts they’ve had between them…

“Sorry for creating such a weird atmosphere. Do you have any plans for today?”

“Nothing in particular. I was planning to dive into my social games since it’s a holiday.”

“How about we have breakfast outside then? Yesterday got ruined because of Kanade-chan, so this time, just the two of us.”

“…Yeah, that sounds good.”

It was more your fault than anyone else’s… I thought to myself, but I decided to have breakfast outside with Rio.

***

“(It’s still pretty hot out…)”

Under the mercilessly blazing sun, I walked along a deserted alley with my sister.

Having killed the couple who were like parents to us with my own hands, I’ve gotten somewhat used to living without adults.

Now, it’s become a daily routine to shop for groceries on the way home from school, hoarding discounted bentos every day.

Of course, the living expenses come from the inheritance left behind. That decaying apartment was part of it too.

Our lives are supported by the worst parents imaginable, and the uncle and aunt who were blinded by greed and betrayed Rio.

Thinking about it, it’s quite an ironic story. Hence, sometimes I get confused.

What feelings should I now harbor for the parents who never showed us a shred of affection, and the uncle and aunt whom I had to lay hands on?

Do I have the right to resent them and accept their mercy?

“Nii-san and Rio are still children. Besides, it’s not like we asked to be born, right?”

Apparently, my inner turmoil was quite transparent, and Rio noticed.

Indeed, I might have been overthinking a bit.

“Get that. But it’s rare for you to suggest going out. Found a favorite spot or something?”

“Hmm. Whether it becomes a favorite depends on this.”

Rio took out something that looked like two tickets stuck together from her pocket, grinning smugly.

The paper was gaudily printed with “Experience the highest pleasure with your family!”

“Yuuya-senpai gave this to me yesterday. It’s a bit of a walk to the next town, but if we bring this, we can get up to a thousand yen off per person.”

“…From Yuuya?”

My voice unintentionally faltered. I didn’t know why. I didn’t know, but something incredibly terrifying flashed through my mind.

No, that can’t be. I hesitantly turned my gaze, which I had been avoiding, towards the paper Rio was holding.

I couldn’t see the name of the place properly because Rio’s fingers were covering it…

“Sorry, can I see that?”

“…? Sure.”

Rio handed me the ticket with a puzzled look. It should be obvious what’s coming to mind now.

No, that can’t be the case.

No matter how much of a pervert and mentally disturbed Yuuya was, he wouldn’t give a ticket to such a place to his friend’s sister—

—Pleasure Restaurant.

The paper Rio handed me clearly had that name written on it.

“(Yuuya-kun~? You’re dead, man. Seriously dead. I’ll bury you thoroughly and then toss cockroaches into your grave~~)”

I whispered to my faraway best friend (big laugh) with a smile that was far from my usual demeanor.

“Pleasure Restaurant is open from 10 a.m. on Saturdays. If we go now, we can get in just as they open.”

Suddenly, a voice reached us, and Rio, startled, hid behind my back.

In response, I involuntarily dropped my head.

“Good morning, Kurogane-kun. To be dining out with your sister so early in the morning, you must be very close. Meeting you here must be some kind of fate. If you don’t mind, may I “join” you both?”

There stood the person I should be most wary of.

A beautiful girl in running jersey—Amano Mio.