Unconscious Change

But still, I wonder what kind of state Shiho is in.

I think there is something wrong with her when she suddenly sends strange messages.

"What should I send her? Shimotsuki-san, wouldn't she be happy if she got a message from Onii-chan?"

"Well, ... for now, 'How are you?' She'll be happy to hear from me..."

"Understood."

With a familiar technique, Azusa operated her phone and sent a message on my behalf.

Then the reply came back a few seconds later.

"Yes."

"Which one? Let's see... 'Fever finally gone'?"

It seems that she is not yet well.

After all, Shiho, the boisterous and charming Shiho, had been silent for several days. Perhaps she was so sick that she didn't even have the energy to touch her phone.

However, she seems to be recovering.

As proof, she contacted us. I was honestly happy to see that.

"I heard it's called 'Neoki,' Onii-chan."

"...I wonder if she was dreaming about what... you said earlier about being pregnant."

As we continued our exchange, I began to understand more and more.

"Oh, here it comes again..., this time it's 'sleepy'."

"I see. I guess she's not in perfect shape after all."

Although she was on the verge of recovery, she still needed a lot of rest.

There were many things I really wanted to say and ask her, but I decided to hold off on them.

"Can you send a 'take care' message?"

"Sure. Sent it ..."

Then I waited for about ten seconds.

I was looking at the screen thinking the notification would come soon anyway, and as expected, the notification arrived instantly.

On the screen. The words were written as follows.

"'I can't wait to see you' ..., what's that? Azusa is so embarrassed to be involved in your love life, okay?"

The message was directed to me, but Azusa looked awkward when she saw it.

"Send her 'I miss you too, so make sure you get some rest, good night.'"

"Ugh ... at least be shy too, Onii-chan. It's weird that only Azusa seems to be conscious of it."

Azusa did as I asked her to do, despite what I said.

She was honest and cute in that way.

"Hah... 'Good night.' This is the end, right? Oh, don't get Azusa involved in this too much, okay?"

"I'm sorry. But thank you."

I was happy to be able to communicate with Shiho for the first time in a while.

I guess that emotion was showing on my face. Azusa stared at me and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well... Onii-chan, you seem to be feeling a little better, so you shouldn't get ... depressed, okay? I'm worried about you."

Her cheeks relax at those words as well.

I was so happy to see Azusa's gentle concern that I unconsciously stroked her head.

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

It was right after I said that.

Azusa's eyes widened in surprise at my words and actions.

"Huh? Onii-chan is ... that much of a skinship person?"

"…Eh?"

I noticed it after she told me.

Come to think of it, I've been rather tactile with Azusa today.

I rubbed her back, patted her head, and stroked her.

We rarely did such things until now...

"Ah, I'm not saying I don't like it. But I just thought it was kind of ... strange."

"... No, yeah. That's right, I'll be careful next time."

I hurriedly pulled my hand away and stared at it.

I was upset. I was even terrified that I had come to touch another girl so casually.

I'm the type of person who keeps a distance from other people, if I do say so myself.

At the very least, I would not have been the type of person who would casually engage in skin contact..., but I guess this is another aspect that has changed since I became a main character.

(I only have two more days to be this way...)

I am sure that as long as things go back to normal, I will be able to return to my old self again.

Believing this, I tried not to think about it too much anymore.

Otherwise, I would be crushed by the guilt I felt toward Shiho.

She doesn't want me to touch other girls. I would have to be more careful in the future.

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