After somehow securing the discounted goods at the supermarket, I returned home and started preparing dinner.

The Hayama household is a detached house.

My father is away on assignment and my mother, who holds an important position at work, often gets home late at night, so all household chores are my responsibility.

It wasn’t forced on me. I volunteered.

I wanted to lessen my busy mother’s burden and didn’t want my sisters to feel lonely with our parents rarely home.

Since they’re busy, I have to step up!

‘That’s how motivated I usually am but…’

Holding a knife in front of the kitchen counter, I sighed.

‘I felt better thanks to Iwabuchi-san but I still can’t think of anything effective to deal with Takatsuka-san…’

When I went to place the knife down on the cutting board, I saw my lips reflected in the blade.

‘…This is bad. I remembered again…’

The memory of the kiss flashed back.

Even if it wasn’t by my own will, realizing I’m no longer entirely a child brought back a hollow sense of loss.

‘Stop stop! If I get depressed now, it’d be bad after Iwabuchi-san cheered me up!’

I pulled myself together and went to check the pot heating on the stove when—

An impact hit my calf.

“Ow.”

“What’s with you, bro! You’ve been sighing nonstop and it’s depressing. Do something about it!”

The one delivering a calf kick to me was Mitsuki.

She has chestnut-colored hair like mine, tied into a ponytail.

Since she’s outside more than inside, her skin’s slightly sun-tanned.

She often wears short pants and sportswear like jerseys or hoodies.

Hayama Mitsuki is my older younger sister, a fifth-grade elementary schooler in her mischievous phase.

She loves boyish things and often plays with boys after school. When she’s home, she plays combative FPS games, competing over kill scores online.

She’s picky about clothing and proudly says, “I won’t wear skirts. They don’t suit me! I’ll pick a middle school where uniforms are optional!” but unfortunately schools in our district require skirts. I’m already worried she’ll refuse to attend.

“It can’t be helped. Something depressing happened at school today…”

“What, bullied? Figures. You’re not manly at all. A weird guy with a girl’s face stuck on a man’s body.”

“Mitsuki, you say that a lot, but it hurts sometimes.”

“But weird is weird.”

“If you keep saying that, no rice for you.”

“Don’t! Rice is my life force!”

“Then don’t say things people hate.”

“Damn it, siege tactics like a warlord. You only act manly in weird ways. Anyway, stop sighing. They say happiness runs away.”

Mitsuki stuck out her tongue and fled upstairs.

‘My sister’s mouth is as sharp as ever.’

To be clear, she’s not bad-natured.

She kicks me and tries joint locks but helps fold laundry, cleans her room and gives me birthday presents every year. Last year, she gave me protein powder. I was thrilled. I treasured it so much that it almost expired, so I mixed it into cookies for sports clubs.

Well, it’s true I’m not manly and someone lively like Mitsuki probably wants her brother to be strong and dependable.

In that sense, my lack may frustrate her.

“Sorry, Mitsuki.”

At least to be a bit of an example, I forbade myself from sighing and continued cooking.

* * *

Eventually dinner was ready and I set plates on the table.

“Dinner’s ready.”

“Heh heh, been waiting for this moment.”

One of Mitsuki’s good points is coming immediately when called. though hunger helps.

“Oh right, where’s Umi?”

“Still in her room?”

Mitsuki said, chopsticks already in hand.

“You could’ve brought her.”

“No way. She can come herself.”

“No, I worry. She’s still small with such short limbs. I’ll get her.”

“You spoil her. I’m eating first.”

“Fine. But no smartphone during meals.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re stricter than the school rules.”

Grumbling, she pocketed her phone as I left the living room and headed upstairs.