A day off.

I came to a large leisure pool facility with Mitsuki and Umi.

"Big bro I’m going on ahead!"

"Yeah yeah. After you’ve played a bit make sure to play with Umi too."

"I know!"

Full of energy Mitsuki grabs a rental float and dives straight into the lazy river.

"Big bro. Let’s go to that pool."

Umi, who is holding my hand, points toward the other side.

It’s a pool for small children that kids like Umi can also enjoy.

"Big bro can you put your face in the water?"

"I can. But Umi you’re not good at that right?"

Umi can’t swim or dive but for some reason she still likes playing in the water.

"Since we’re here, how about we practice diving today?"

"I don’t wanna. Putting my face in the water is scary."

"It might be scary at first but once you get used to it it’s fine you know?"

"That’s not it. If I’m wearing makeup it might get ruined right?"

"You’re in preschool and you’re already saying that... where did you even learn that?"

Maybe there’s a really mature kid in her class.

Since it’s hard to watch both Mitsuki and Umi at the same time in a large place I had never brought them to a big pool like this before.

At most we’d go to a public pool.

The reason I came to the pool on a day off is because Takatsuka-san basically forced me to come.

As thanks for letting us use her place for the study sessions, what Takatsuka-san asked for was to spend a day off together.

Well more precisely together with all of us.

Takatsuka-san had prepared tickets for this large leisure pool not just for me but for Mitsuki and Umi as well.

She probably thought a pair ticket wouldn’t be enough to lure me.

In the end I gave in to the desire to let my little sisters enjoy their day off and did as Takatsuka-san said.

Umi looks toward the changing rooms.

"I wonder if the Prince is here yet? Not yet?"

Her cheeks are slightly red and she looks unable to contain her excitement.

If Umi went to the same school as me she’d probably be one of the fans always gathered around Takatsuka-san... thinking that makes things complicated.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Takatsuka-san comes out of the women’s changing room.

At school she often hides her body with a hoodie.

That’s why seeing her appear in a pure white bikini was shocking.

She’s tall so her limbs are long but her thighs have just the right amount of softness and most of all her chest.

I almost ended up thinking something crude like, ‘th-they’re huge…’

Even though she’s androgynous and boyish she’s got quite an impressive figure...

It seems like other people around us are also noticing Takatsuka-san since glances keep drifting toward her.

"What’s wrong? Ah this is your first time seeing me in a swimsuit right? Did you get captivated?"

Standing right in front of me Takatsuka-san bends slightly and peers at my expression.

"If you want to see my chest you can look as much as you like. That’s why I chose this swimsuit."

"I’m not interested in your swimsuit Takatsuka-san. Come on, let's go swim already."

I couldn’t let myself get captivated.

Umi is right next to me after all.

To stay a dependable big brother I won’t drool over a girl’s swimsuit!

"There’s nothing good that comes from forcing yourself you know."

"I’ve got my own pride."

"Fine. But I do think it’s a shame you’re hiding your upper body with a rash guard."

"I-it’s fine I can wear whatever I want..."

In my case if I go bare-chested I’d stand out in a different way from Takatsuka-san.

"Big bro let’s play in the water. Prince too."

"Sorry Umi-chan, I've already got plans with Mitsuki-chan."

Putting on the expression of a kind older sister Takatsuka-san crouches beside Umi and gently pats her head.

"I’ll play with you later okay?"

"Okay! I’ll wait! Until then I’ll pass time with big bro!"

"Huh... so I’m just the backup until you can play with Takatsuka-san?"

Finding out I rank lower than Takatsuka-san in Umi’s hierarchy is kind of a shock...

"Big bro let’s go."

"Yeah okay..."

Right from the start I felt like my spirit was getting crushed by Takatsuka-san.