That evening.
“So, here’s the deal! I decided to invite a friend over, and we’re going to make lunch together! So, keep your schedule open for next Saturday!”
“…Huh?”
Suzuna frowned with a rather suspicious look.
Well, if your stepbrother suddenly barges into your room and fills up your schedule for the next weekend, it’s not exactly welcome news.
By the way, I did knock properly, okay? I clearly heard a cautious “…Come in” in response. I’m a guy who learns from his mistakes.
So, my entry into Suzuna’s room is completely aboveboard! Q.E.D.!
…Still, it’s such a sparse room. It hasn’t changed since that time I accidentally peeked in. Besides the desk and bed, there are barely any signs of use. Most of the boxes she brought from her old home are still stacked unopened in the corner.
I heard somewhere that a person’s room reflects their state of mind… This room gives off an empty, constricted feeling. Just looking at it makes my chest tighten.
“Um, was that all you needed?”
“Oh, yeah. Uh, is that alright?”
“You’ve already told your friend, haven’t you? I’ll keep my schedule open so I don’t cause any trouble for you, Eiji-san.”
She clearly forced herself to accept, suppressing her dislike.
She spoke as if she thought she was an unwelcome presence in this house, yet she couldn’t fully suppress her emotions like an adult could.
(This is still… a good sign, right?)
It’s better than her completely shutting down and responding mechanically. Even if this much already makes my stomach feel like it’s in knots.
“Just to add, that friend is a girl.”
“So… isn’t it that I would be in the way?”
“No, no! It’s not like that at all! It’s not that kind of relationship, and you’re not in the way!”
I added the fact that it was a girl to try and put her at ease, but it just made her more cautious.
“From the start, I wondered… Why do you even need me here when you’re cooking with your friend, Eiji-san?”
“Uh, well…”
This whole event is for Suzuna… but telling her that would just make her feel burdened.
Someone doing something for her, getting dragged into her free-spirited brother’s whims—if I had to guess, she’d dislike the first option more, probably.
“I may have… bragged a little. You know, about my super cute little sister.”
“…Cute?”
“Oh, no, uh… I mean!”
Did Suzuna’s guard just go up? Because I accidentally called her cute!
But Suzuna is cute! Not just her appearance—no matter how cold she acts toward me, I can’t hate her.
Part of it is because I’ve seen into the mind of Kanazaki Suzuna in the game, but that’s not all. Right now, I—this body—share blood with her, at least partially.
To me, she’s my adorable little sister, someone I need to protect.
I don’t want her to wear a gloomy expression. Even if she ends up hating me, I want her to be happy. …That’s just my one-sided feeling, though.
“Anyway, my friend—that girl! Just a friend, not a girlfriend! She said she really wants to get to know you, so…!”
Sorry, Wakana. It was actually me who begged you to help, but I kind of made it sound like you wanted this.
“I see… Alright.”
I thought she might press me further, but surprisingly, Suzuna just agreed without fuss.
Maybe she was looking for a middle ground, too? …No, that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
She probably just realized that arguing more would be a waste, or maybe she’s trying to let me save face like she said… Either way, for now, it’s enough that the conversation moved forward.
“Alright then, thanks.”
“…Okay.”
Seeing Suzuna nod, I left her room.
Once outside, I let out a sigh of relief. If she had flat-out refused, the whole plan would have hit a dead end before it even started.
I already asked Wakana to work out the details for that day… Even I think I’m winging it a bit too much.
(I’ll make sure to return the favor to both Suzuna and Wakana.)
This is all because of my selfishness. And things are moving just the way I wanted.
As long as the outcome turns out well, I have no complaints… but who knows how it’ll actually turn out.
