Chapter 4: The Existence of Siblings is Important in the Story

[The Heroine's Older Brother]

The term "older brother character" encompasses a wide variety of traits depending on the attributes of the heroine (the younger sister) and the specific work theme.

Therefore, it's impossible to generalize about what constitutes an "older brother character," but they are generally depicted as either having a severe case of sister complex or, at the very least, a very doting personality towards their younger sister.

This is especially true for the older brothers of sickly heroines; they often dote on their younger sisters, and sometimes even stand in Protagonist-kun's way.

A sickly heroine is attractive enough on her own, but she shines even brighter when accompanied by an older brother who loves his sister and works tirelessly for her happiness.

Sibling love is so good... so precious...

★

"Chitose-sama's older brother?"

"Yes. Sakura hasn't met him yet, has she?"

"Yeah. I mean, of course, I knew you have an older brother, but I've never met him in person."

"It can't be helped. Onii-cha— ahem... Onii-sama is very busy."

It's been a year since Sakura-chan came to live with us, and we've grown close enough that we can chat while she helps me get ready in the morning.

Even so, considering she was assigned to another family's child at such a young age, Sakura-chan is incredibly mature, far beyond what you'd expect from someone only slightly older than Chitose-chan.

She efficiently takes care of my hair, dresses me, washes my face, and applies light makeup every morning before Chitose-chan even have to ask, which is truly impressive.

And it's really exciting to see this beauty narrow her eyes as if trying to hold something back whenever she sees Chitose-chan's slender body that doesn't gain any weight and her hair that grows slowly.

'Ahh~ I feel a little guilty... but I'm not going to stop!!'

"I understand he's serving at the Imperial Guard, handling security in the city and fighting supernatural creatures. But is he so busy that he can't return for a whole year?"

"There is the matter of being busy, but more than that.... Onii-sama... he doesn't seem to like me very much."

"I don't think that's the case, for an older brother to dislike his younger sister is just...."

"Everyone in Sakura's family gets along well, right?"

"Yes. However, my older sister and older brother each have their own positions to attend to, and I've also gone to work for the Onjōji family, so things aren't quite the same as before. Nevertheless, we continue to exchange letters. Just a little while ago, my sister sent me a letter—... Chitose-sama, what's wrong?"

"Hehe, nothing. I was just thinking; 'So this is the reason of that time.'"

"What do you mean 'that time'?"

"A little while ago, I was feeling well so I went out into the hallway to get some fresh air, and I saw Sakura. I thought about calling out to you, but you were humming to yourself, which was unusual for the Sakura I knew. At that time you were reading what looked like a letter, so I decided to just watch. I was so sure it was a love letter or something from someone you had a crush on, hehe."

'Sakura-chan at that moment was so cute, I wanted to take a picture of her. It's really nice to see a girl who's usually so composed show such a relaxed expression!'

That's what I thought, and it really did.

"Chitose-sama...!"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's normal for someone your age, isn't it, Sakura?"

"That may be true, but I haven't had anyone like that yet—... Chitose-sama?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought it was nice.... I've never received a letter from Onii-sama."

This is quite sincere.

Since I was born having a sibling, I want us to get along. But for some reason, this Onii-sama of mine won't interact with Chitose-chan.

It's an unbelievable act of madness to neglect such a cute little sister.

If I had a sister like Chitose-chan, I would dote on her like crazy.

".... So that's why Chitose-sama think her brother dislike her?"

"Yeah. He seems to send letters to Otou-sama and Okaa-sama regularly, but he hasn't sent one to me even once since he left home and moved into the Imperial Guard's quarters."

"That is..."

"Well, it's no wonder Onii-sama dislike me... I'm completely useless after all."

"Chitose-sama...."

"Given my condition, without someone's help, I can't even live a normal life. I wonder if there'll even be anyone who will marry me in the future—"

"Chitose-sama!"

"..... I'm sorry, Sakura. This isn't the kind of thing to talk about first thing in the morning, is it?"

"..... Chitose-sama, do you know the term 'Yin-Yang Interdependence'?"

"There is shadow because there is light, and there is light because there is shadow. They repel each other, yet depend on each other; they can only exist because they exist together."

"Yes, exactly. Chitose-sama's circumstances are different from those of ordinary people. However, that doesn't mean that you're unnecessary. There is always someone who is the light to the shadow, and the shadow to the light. ...At least I am very happy that Chitose-sama is here with me."

"Sakura... thank you..."

"I've talked a little too much, haven't I? Now, let's get our morning preparations done quickly."

"Sakura, are you blushing?"

"I'm not blushing at all!"

"Hehe, well, let's just leave it at that."

'What with this lovely creature? I love her so much!'

Well, Sakura-chan is a really good girl.

Thanks to her, I've been able to enjoy countless scenes this past year of her being the best friend character who encourages the sickly heroine who seems like she's about to become depressed.

I've collected tons of event CGs!!

What's great about Sakura-chan is that, besides her hair, she often wears black clothes for work, so it's okay if they get dirty.

That's right!

She's the complete opposite of Chitose-chan, who's pale from head to toe!

The contrast between white and black is striking, isn't it...?

So, my love comedy about a sickly heroine, by me, for me, is steadily progressing, but it feels like a waste that I haven't been able to make any contact with this Onii-sama of mine, even though he's there. 

Well, the way he's so obviously keeping his distance is fine, but being mistreated by a family member makes Chitose-chan seem quite unfortunate and fragile, which is a big plus for a heroine...!

But still, I do want to get along with my Onii-sama.

To put it more bluntly, I want to see an event where Onii-sama, who has a severe case of sister complex, tries to keep Protagonist-kun in check, and I also really want to be the heroine who can move to scold him strictly.

And then, if the heroine me falls ill along the way, the two of them, Onii-sama and Protagonist-kun, work together to help her, and then there's an event where the two of them come to respect each other, that would be amazing...!!

.... This is a big deal, Onii-sama.

You're definitely the kind of character that will push aside the supporting heroines and rank high in the popularity poll!

Well, first of all, to achieve that, I need to build a friendly relationship with my Onii-sama. At the current distance, where he doesn't even send me letters, such an event is unlikely to occur.

Well, even if such an event doesn't happen—I still hope that we as siblings can get along well.

Now that that's decided, let's get straight to the point!

'I'll do whatever it takes to become friends with Onii-sama and turn him into that worn-out, tacky, stereotypical sister-obsessed older brother!

Just you wait!'

★

A few days after making that resolution, when Chitose-chan went to her Onii-sama's room to talk to him after he came home for the first time in a year, only Sakura-chan was let in, and Chitose-chan was turned away at the door.

Why?!!

What is it about Chitose-chan that you dislike so much, Onii-sama...?!

I've tried everything I could, like holding you tightly with these small, cute hands and calling you "Onii-chan," and then changing it back to "Onii-sama" when his reaction was a bit lukewarm!

Onii-sama? Do you really prefer 'Onii-sama' than 'Onii-chan'?!

Please let me play the role of a sickly heroine (with the added trait of a little sister attribute) who is fed up with your sister complex but is happy that you cherish her!!

Oh, and also, please let me play the role of someone who usually uses a formal tone like "Onii-sama," but accidentally says "Onii-chan" when she wants to be affectionate!!