Chapter 69: Siblings (Arrival of Winter)
One day after school, I stopped by the Wisso Club room.
But the only one there was Hisui—my intended target wasn’t around.
"Hello, Alice, Alicia."
Hisui, who had apparently been doing homework with her notebook open, looked up and greeted me.
We both returned the greeting.
"I don’t think Souta will be coming today either."
"So it’s like that, huh..."
I let out a sigh as I sat down across from Hisui, the study desk between us.
"What’s up with that guy...?"
On the way back from our hot spring trip, I had told Hisui and Alicia that I was planning to tell Souta the truth about who I really was and everything that had happened so far.
Now that the misunderstanding between Souta and Suzuka had been cleared up, there was no longer any reason for me to keep my identity a secret from him.
『If Souta tries to use the fact that you kept it from him as an excuse to do anything pervy to you, just let me know. I’ll punish him.』
Hisui gave me that advice with a deadly serious face... but honestly, I feel like only she would come up with something like that.
Besides, that guy might look intimidating, but deep down he’s even more of a wimp than I am. If he weren’t, it’d make no sense that he hasn’t made a move on Suzuka—a gorgeous, busty girl who’s clearly into him.
That night, I quickly sent Souta a message on my phone.
『Do you have time after school tomorrow? I want to talk—just the two of us. It’s important.』
『Sorry. I’ve already got plans tomorrow… Things are kind of hectic right now, and I probably won’t be able to spare any time. I’m sorry, but could you wait until things settle down?』
『Got it.』
After that, a message was posted in the Wisso Club group chat saying he wouldn’t be able to attend club activities for a while.
I didn’t think much of it at the time. Final exams were coming up the following week, and I figured he was just busy because of that.
But even now, with exams over and December already here, Souta still hasn’t come back to club.
"Maybe… he’s avoiding me?"
Once again, I was chatting with Hisui in the clubroom after school.
I just wanted to tell him I was Ikuto already and go back to being casual like we used to. But that wasn’t happening, and it was driving me nuts.
...I seriously don’t get why he’s avoiding me.
『Souta seems to think you’re planning to confess your love to him.』
"...Huh?"
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why would I...?
『Your little triangle with Suzuka and Souta is kind of well-known at school. Rumor has it you two are secretly competing over him in the club.』
"Why would something like that—"
『Ikuto-san, you told people in your class that you like Souta to keep the other guys off your back, didn’t you? Of course that would spread around.』
...Ah. Right. I did do that.
"...Alice, did you really do something like that?"
"I-I didn’t mean to! I was talking with Souta, and some girls from class saw us and misunderstood, so I didn’t really have a choice and just went with it..."
"Well, that’s fine... But that’s not the only problem."
"...What do you mean?"
"Do you know about that time Suzuka almost got kidnapped by that group of delinquents?"
"I heard about it from Suzuka. That’s when Souta beat them down and got the nickname ‘The Rampaging Wolf of Hirakou,’ right?"
"The leader of that gang got taken in, but some of the lieutenants were let off due to lack of evidence. There’s a rumor going around that they’re planning revenge on Souta. He even told me to be careful."
Hisui lifted her school bag and showed me the personal alarm attached to it.
"...So Souta’s staying away from me so I won’t get caught up in it?"
"I think so. That’s probably why he said to wait. …Sounds like he does intend to give you a proper answer to your confession."
『Don’t talk like a confession is guaranteed... That’s seriously not okay.』
I’m not gay.
I do want to hang out with Souta again, but only as friends—just two guys. He’s the only one I can hope for that kind of connection with, because I can’t tell anyone else the truth about me.
"Still... he could’ve just told me. If it’s a fight, I’d be more than willing to back him up."
"Come to think of it, you guys fought life-or-death battles in another world, didn’t you…?"
『Yes. We can’t expect divine blessings there, so our magic is heavily restricted, but even so, we’d never lose to ordinary, untrained people.』
"With the way you look, though, I can’t even imagine you in combat. I think it’s perfectly natural that Souta wouldn’t want to drag you into anything."
Well, I guess that makes sense.
To someone who doesn’t know the circumstances, I probably just look like a helpless girl.
"If anything ever happens to you or Souta, tell me right away. I’ll be there in a flash."
I puffed out my chest and tapped it with my fist as I said that.
"Hehe… You’re so reliable. Thank you."
Even though I was being completely serious, Hisui responded with a chuckle. I pouted in frustration.
I’m a guy, after all. In times like this, I want to be relied on without question.
"I’m sorry, it’s just… you’re so cute, Alice. But don’t worry. I do rely on you. Ikuto’s always come to save me when I was in trouble… I believe in you."
Hisui looked straight into my eyes and said that so sincerely—it felt a bit unfair. I turned my gaze away, rubbed my cheek with a finger, and tried to calm myself down.
『I’ll support Ikuto-san as well… So please count on me, Hisui-san.』
"Thank you, Alicia."
Alicia’s words loosened the tension inside me, and I let out a quiet breath.
"By the way, Hisui, are you going to the Christmas party?"
Apparently, every year on December 24, our school’s student council hosts a Christmas party in the gym. Since I didn’t have any particular plans for Christmas, I’d decided to go with Yuna.
"My family’s Shinto, so we’re not really into Christmas. Oh, but didn’t this year’s invitation say that costumes are encouraged? Are you planning to wear anything?"
"I’m thinking of borrowing Alicia’s ceremonial robes."
『They’re actually traditional priestess robes from Minstia, but… I guess in this country they’d just look like cosplay.』
"Oh, I know! Hisui, why don’t you come wearing your shrine maiden outfit too?"
"My outfit isn’t cosplay either… But, well, if I say it’s for recruiting part-timers and promoting the shrine, I think my dad might let me. I’ll think about it."
"...Wait, seriously?"
"It’s a rare chance to spend time together at an event like this. I’d like to go, if I can."
The year is almost over. Next year, Souta and Hisui will be preparing for university entrance exams. I haven’t heard what they plan to do afterward, but either way, our time as students together is running short.
"…Just so you know, I do have the evening free after the party."
Hisui said that with a sultry smile. Memories from the hot spring trip flashed through my mind, and I could feel the blood rush to my head.
『Unfortunately, that slot’s already been booked, thank you very much!』
Thanks to manga and TV shows, Alicia had learned that Christmas is meant to be spent with your significant other. Naturally, she wanted us to spend the night together—and of course, I had no reason to say no.
We only spend the night together once a week at most, and there are still so many things I want to try with Alicia.
...But even so, my memories with Hisui were far more vivid. Just closing my eyes was enough to bring back the feel of her skin, her scent.
"Oh, too bad. If you change your mind, just let me know anytime."
Hisui stuck out her tongue and slowly traced it with her finger. It was an obvious provocation—but sadly, my body still reacted to it.
『He will not change his mind! Please don’t try to interfere with our romantic evening!』
Alicia raised her voice, firmly rejecting the notion.
"Sorry, Hisui. It’s just… I already have plans that night."
"Don’t worry about it. It’s fine, Alicia. I won’t make a move or anything… I promised."
Hisui gave us a gentle smile, waved her hand, and walked out of the clubroom.
We were left standing there, alone.
Alicia said nothing.
And I… I had no idea what I was supposed to say to her.
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