The Dilemma of Not Being Able to Call Her Onee-chan

I was hesitating about various things. My thoughts were not coming together, as if a haze had settled in my mind, and I had been unsure of what to do for quite some time.

However, as I came to understand my own feelings, the fog lifted all at once.

"...Nya!"

To dispel the oppressive mood, I impulsively raised my voice and grabbed the chocolate ingredients roughly.

Shiho was surprised by Azusa's sudden actions.

"W-what? Why did you suddenly make such a cute sound? Could it be that you want attention from the big sister who is absorbed in cooking and made that sound on purpose!?"

"No! That's absolutely not it."

Asserting strongly, Azusa stood beside Shiho.

The kitchen in the Shimotsuki family, which was larger than the Nakayama family, seemed spacious enough for the two to work together.

"It's quite spacious."

"My mom loves cooking, so it seems like she requested it when we built the house. If I could build a house, I'd definitely ask for a proper game room."

"I see. Then Azusa would want a sweets room. A room filled with sweets without having to do anything would be nice."

"In that case, why not make a room out of sweets?"

"What are you saying? If you do that, the room will be full of ants."

"…Well then, making a candy house like in a picture book must be really difficult."

"Yeah. Oh, by the way, I heard that Onii-chan doesn't like things too sweet. It might be better to be careful."

"Yeah, it's okay. I've tested it properly."

"Oh well. Onii-chan has been experimented on... my condolences."

"But I have a sweet tooth... so I have to train him to have one too."

"I see. Be moderate, okay? Because Onii-chan might suffer."

While having a random conversation, Azusa decided to melt the chocolate. Seeing her like that, Shiho stopped her hands.

"I'm relieved... Azu-nyan, you seem to be okay now."

"Eh?"

With a sudden statement, Azusa, this time, stopped her hands.

She never thought that Shiho, who was selfish, stubborn, and overbearing, would be worried about her.

"For some reason, your sound has been trembling for a while... I was thinking that it would be nice if you could feel better even a little — so I joined in making chocolate."

That's why it seems she forced Azusa to participate in making chocolate.

Knowing that, Azusa scratched her cheek with a guilty expression.

"My sound... I don't really understand, but it's okay."

"Is that so? Then it's good."

Somehow, it seemed that Shiho also cared about Azusa.

Surely, if Azusa were hurt, it would make Shiho sad too.

Azusa's eyes widened as she realized that she didn't like that either.

(I don't want that... it's different... Azusa doesn't acknowledge Shimotsuki-san as a Onee-chan!)

Telling herself that, Azusa suppressed the part of her that would be grateful to Shiho. She knew she was being obstinate.

But if she accepted Shiho... somehow, it felt like her big brother would be taken away. For that reason, she couldn't easily accept it.

At heart, Azusa, who was timid and weak-willed, had a strong side only towards Shiho, and there might be such a reason.

And, knowing that Shiho wouldn't dislike her, there was also an aspect of seeking comfort.

To sum it up - In the end, Azusa might be accepting Shiho.

Whether Azusa would be able to call her "Onee-chan" on the day Shiho officially became one, that answer would probably be known within a few years...

Access 10 Chapters ahead of the Novelupdates release on our Patreon. <3