“I’m home—”

Calling out from the entrance toward the living room, I heard hurried footsteps coming closer.

“Oh, bro. You finally got back.”

It was Mitsuki.

Umi stood beside her, holding her hand.

“Ah, you picked Umi up properly? Thanks.”

“Pain in the ass, but yeah. Couldn’t just not do it.”

Mitsuki grumbled. When I can’t go pick Umi up from daycare, I sometimes have Mitsuki go instead. Even though she and Umi don’t always get along, she’s never skipped it. She’s responsible like that.

And Umi has never complained or cried just because Mitsuki came to get her.

“Nii-nii. Who’s that?”

Umi pointed blankly at Takatsuka-san.

“Hello, little princess.”

Damn it, she followed us in.

“Wow, I’m honestly surprised. I never expected both of your sisters to be this cute.”

She set the shopping bag down and bent slightly to meet Mitsuki’s eyes. Because it was their first meeting, Mitsuki stepped back cautiously.

“That’s a nice ball you’ve got. Mind if I borrow it?”

From my angle, I hadn’t noticed, but she had a futsal ball tucked under her arm. Mitsuki… playing ball indoors again. I told her not to if it hit the window, the glass could shatter and send fragments flying.

“Huh. Big sis, you play soccer?”

“Somewhat.”

Mitsuki handed the ball over. Takatsuka-san began juggling it skillfully, foot to knee, knee to foot, foot to head. The ball bounced across her body like it had a will of its own.

“Whoa. That’s awesome.”

Mitsuki was genuinely impressed. Even Umi started clapping beside her.

The ball bounced off Takatsuka-san’s forehead and drifted neatly back into Mitsuki’s hands.

“Well, just a little demonstration.”

“Bro! Who even is this big sis!?”

Her eyes sparkled. This is bad, she’ll definitely say she’s my girlfriend or something and corner me socially!

“Well… she’s—”

“She’s your brother’s friend.”

“Eh?”

“Hm? Hayama-kun what’s wrong? Surely I’m your friend?”

There was no malice in her smile.

“Bro! If you’ve got such an awesome friend, you should’ve told me!”

Mitsuki puffed her cheeks.

“I seriously thought you were a loner.”

“…Wait, that’s how you saw me?”

That stung. From her perspective, I go straight home after school and don’t hang out. Of course, she’d think that. But that’s for her and Umi…

“Umm, I’m Hayama Mitsuki, and… if you’re okay with it, could you teach me soccer sometime?”

“Of course. I’ll always make time for a cute girl like you.”

She smiled coolly and patted Mitsuki’s head. Because Mitsuki has a complex about cuteness, her cheeks flushed red.

“I-I’m not cute or anything! Skirts don’t even suit me…”

“I used to think the same. Even now, I’m not fond of girlish clothes, yet I wear a skirt with my uniform. Do I seem out of place?”

“N-not at all!”

“Maybe you’re mistaking unfamiliarity for incompatibility. Try abandoning that preconception once. You’ll see things differently. Your choices expand and so does who you can become.”

“R-really… me?”

Mitsuki looked at her like admiring an upperclassman. This might be bad, she’s getting drawn in… Though she’s saying genuinely good things…

“Prince!”

Next to her, Umi burst out excitedly.

“You’re like the prince in my book!”

“How adorable.”

Takatsuka-san knelt and met Umi’s gaze.

“How old are you?”

“Umi is four.”

“And you chose those clothes yourself?”

“Yeah.”

She spun clumsily to show them off. Today she wore frilly clothes again. Our parents tend to spend on the kids out of guilt for being busy and this is where Umi’s share goes.

“If I’m the prince, then does that make you the princess?”

“Yes!”

“Ugh, she really thinks she’s a princess…”

Mitsuki grimaced, but Umi stayed delighted.

“For someone like you, I’d gladly swear loyalty.”

Takatsuka-san gently took Umi’s hand and kissed the back of it. H-hey, what are you doing to my sister!?

But Umi didn’t resist, her cheeks reddened and her eyes sparkled.

“Just kidding. Maybe that was too much for a little princess?”

“Ufufufu.”

Flushed bright red, Umi plopped onto the floor. She just made a four-year-old weak at the knees…

“Alright, Takatsuka-san! That’s enough thanks for helping today! See you tomorrow!”

Sensing danger, I pushed her toward the door. At this rate, my sisters will fall under her influence. With our parents absent, I’m the only one protecting this family. I must keep her from absorbing them!

“My, you’re forceful. Oh, don’t press your palm into my back too much.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’d rather you not use your hand to locate my bra clasp through my clothes.”

“Jeez!”

I crossed my arms and pushed her out so I wouldn’t feel anything.

“Hehe. Every reaction of yours is adorable. Your sisters are cute too, but you’re still my favorite.”

The back-and-forth continued until I finally shoved the troublesome Takatsuka-san outside.