Chapter 7

Rin-chan, who is a first year student, told me that although the classes themselves have started, they still have a lot of time to deal with various HR matters, such as physical measurements and taking photos necessary for making student ID cards.

I was told that it won’t be until next week that she will have classes all day long like I do, so we decided to start meeting after school next week to study.

We decided that the location would depend on our mood and financial situation at the time.

“How long do you want to do it?”

“Let’s see, I’ll talk it over with my sister. My parents come home late, so we share the chores when they get home, like making dinner and stuff.”

“…Sorry. I didn’t think that far ahead.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m not doing club activities, so I’m just doing housework in my free time at least.”

It’s only a little late for dinner, and if I tell my sister about it, she won’t feel so bad.

“…You were saying a lot of things earlier, but you’re thinking positively, aren’t you?”

“Why are you a little uptight now?”

Her face turned a little red, and she looked puzzled.

It was a sudden change from how bold and assertive she had been earlier.

“No, I just feel sorry…”

“You’re doing something you’re not used to… It’s not like you.”

Apparently, she was more embarrassed than she thought she would be and felt more and more guilty about her earlier actions.

I guess she was trying to act like a little devil, but Rin-chan’s personality doesn’t fit that well, even if she is influenced by my sister to a certain extent.

However, the power was amazing.

She was ashamed of herself, but she was also very destructive to her opponent.

It was a double-edged sword. I just hope that she realizes this and doesn’t abuse it for fun.

If she does, I’m sure our hearts will be in each other’s hands… and my heart will be attacked one way or the other.

It’s not a double-edged sword anymore.

“Well, I’ll be over here.”

“Okay. See you later.”

I left Rin-chan at the crossroads and headed back to my house as fast as I could.

When I arrived home, the door was already unlocked, and my sister had already gone home.

“I’m home.”

“Oh wow. You were a little late today. Did you take a detour?”

“No, I came home with Rin-chan.”

“Eh?”

I was not expecting it, but I heard a curt voice from my sister.

“You came back together?”

“O-Ohh… Yes, but…”

I’ve done it now. I talked about it as if it was a natural part of the flow.

My sister, who was happy that I had finally made contact with her yesterday, must have been surprised at how quickly things had progressed.

“You guys are getting along so well! Which one of you asked the other out?”

“It was Rin-chan, I guess. She asked me if I wanted to talk about high school and stuff.”

We actually talked about club activities as we left, so I wasn’t lying.

I’ll leave the rest to Rin-chan and let my sister ask all the questions she wants.

“Oh, I see! So is Rin going to be in a club?”

“Rin-chan can tell you more about it, but she doesn’t really have anything she wants to do.”

“Hmm, so Rin’s not a member of any club, just like Nii-san?”

“That’s the thing… Rin-chan wants me to watch her study after school because she’s having a hard time with her high school studies, and I’d like to spend an hour or two with her.”

“Hoho~.  …Or rather, you’ve gotten to know each other very well in a very short time, haven’t you…?”

“W-Well, that’s just how it is…”

As expected of my sister, she was skeptical because the story unfolded too quickly─.

“Why not? If it can have a positive effect on my friend, then of course it’s better than being lazy and not joining any.”

As expected, a positive answer came back.

“Thank God I have an understanding sister.”

“Well, but what happened to make the troublesome Nii-san go that far?”

However, my sister, who knows me a lot better than I usually do, was bothered by the fact that I was so willing to go that far.

“No, because she’s a friend that I’ve been taking care of a lot. I feel sorry for her so many times when you call her to come over and then make her wait!”

“No, you see? No matter what my schedule is, I have to help people when they depend on me. Besides, Rin understands that too!”

“Even if you think so, I feel sorry for her from an outsider’s perspective. That’s why I’m motivated to do what I can!”

Heee~, she replied languidly.

She seemed to be satisfied with the situation, in addition to the trouble of dealing with me.

“Well, this is just part of the story, I want you to talk about it.”

“Don’t put extra care and demands into girl talk, it’s gross. Besides, I don’t need you to tell me everything.”

My sister’s mood was getting a little bad, so I stopped talking further.

Normally it would make me feel slightly uncomfortable, but right now it was very helpful.

I’ll just assume that Rin-chan will take care of the rest.