Episode 3

Episode 3

May 3rd.

"I want you to grow up as a girl and become my little sister."

My sister started saying things like that. I had no idea what she was talking about.

"What are you talking about..."

"You still can't tell from looking at that, Onii-chan, you're so insensitive."

"Don't mess with me! From the way you're talking, you were the one who did it!? I have no idea what you did, but turn me back!"

I got off the bed and walked over to my sister, wanting to grab her by the collar. However, I couldn't quite reach the collar of her dress. I didn't know her exact height at the time, but she was 167cm tall and I was only around 130cm, so there was no way I could have won against her in a grapple. There was just such a huge difference in our reach.

As I bounced around trying to grab her somehow, my sister hugged me tightly.

"Oh my! Mizuki-chan is so cute!"

"Hey, stop it!"

She picked me up and spun me around, and with that momentum I was thrown onto the bed. I hit my butt and made a strange noise like "kyaaah," which I found somewhat embarrassing.

"I'll explain first, so please calm down. Umm, first of all..."

Then, my sister began to explain the whole story. What she was saying was unbelievable at first, but the impossible things that were speaking to me from her own body and her smartphone became more and more believable.

"Is everything okay up to here?"

"...yeah, there are some things I can't believe, but since they're actually happening to me, I have no choice but to believe them."

I said so in a bold manner.

"I understand your objectives and methods for now, but I think you're meddling. Just turn me back the way I was."

"Even if I change you back, I don't think Onii-chan will be able to return to college."

"That's none of your business. I have my own timing. You may not understand, my genius sister, but average people need to make the preparations they deserve."

She's using her divine authority for something so trivial. I don't know what a genius like her is thinking.

My sister started laughing as if she had broken down.

"Well, it's fine. It's not like I was trying to ignore your wishes. Instead, think of it as a game, if you like."

"Game?"

What my sister said made me look even more suspicious.

But my sister continued talking without paying any attention to that.

"That's right! This is a game! I want Onii-chan to become my little sister. This won't just be a change in appearance, it will be a change to the whole world! For the 11 years since Mizuki-chan was born, we've been close sisters, and everyone thinks the same, from Kaa-san and Tou-san to Tatsuya-san next door! That's how everyone perceive it! The only thing that hasn't changed is my perception of you and yours! During this Golden Week! If you can stay as you are, then I'll change you back to the old Onii-chan! Because you have such a strong will! Then you'll be able to stop being a shut-in!"

"Ahahahaha!" My little sister continued to laugh like a broken alarm clock. Perhaps it was fear that made me think I shouldn't disobey her.

After laughing for a while, my sister suddenly returned to her usual smile.

"Oh no, Kaa-san will get mad at you soon. She'll say, 'How long are you going to sleep?' I'll go first, so get changed and come downstairs quickly. ...You know how to get changed, right?"

With that, my sister left the room, leaving me alone.

"Well, I don't want to upset Kaa-san, so I'll go get changed..."

Saying this, I opened the dresser. When I opened it, all the clothes were bright colors. I was sure all I had were black, gray, or other dull colors. White was okay, but I don't remember ever having any light blue or pink clothes.

Actually, I didn't have this many clothes. With so many, it's hard to decide what to wear. Well, as always, I chose my favorite white skirt...

"Huh?!"

What did I think just now?

"Wait a second. This is weird. Why, why do I remember it being my favorite even though it's the first time I've seen it?!"

I couldn't believe how natural it felt to pick up the skirt and realize that it was one of my favorites and one I wear often. And even now, after my doubts, I still recognize this skirt as one of my favorites.

It feels as though my memories have been invaded by something other than myself.

Anyway, I have to ask my sister what she has to say.

I had no choice but to put on a skirt and a sleeveless shirt, relying on my memory. I took out the brush I'd kept in my desk drawer and fixed my messy hair. Yep, it looked perfect.

"...I've been poisoned in such a short amount of time..."

After getting ready, I went to the living room and found my father, mother, and sister there. My father was drinking coffee while reading the newspaper, my mother had already finished eating and was starting to clear away the dishes, and my sister was munching on toast.

"Oh Mizuki, good morning. You overslept today. Just because Golden Week has started doesn't mean you should slack off."

"Good morning, Mizuki. Finish your meal."

Mother and father called out to me kindly. I timidly replied "Good morning" and sat down in a chair to start eating my breakfast.

The tense atmosphere that had been building since I started withdrawing into myself had suddenly turned into a warm one, as if that was a lie. It was as if I was the root cause of it all.

I'll have to ask my sister about this memory once breakfast is over, I thought, as I slowly ate the toast with my mouth that was no longer able to open as much as before.