…30 minutes later.
—Forty, fifteen.
“Ugh…”
Suzuna’s smash hit the corner of the court.
The current game score is 1-5, with Suzuna clearly in the lead.
I tried to make a comeback, but as you can see, this is the result.
Honestly, Suzuna was just better than me from the start. She has a natural talent for this game.
As for me, even when I do play games, they’re usually turn-based RPGs, tactics games, or adventures—anything without action elements.
Even with simplified controls for beginners, this is the best I can do.
Besides… I can’t help but watch Suzuna, too. Seeing her so focused and vibrant isn’t something I get to see often.
“Well, this is match point, isn’t it?” “Hey, the game isn’t over ‘til the bottom of the ninth, two strikes.” “This is tennis, though.” “I know that!”
Honestly, I don’t see a path to victory… But still, I serve.
Suzuna returns it with ease, but I keep fighting with everything I have.
Backed into this corner, I’m the most desperate I’ve been all day.
Because if she scores one more point, this fun time we’re sharing will end.
Sure, there’s the frustration of losing. But more than that, I’m just happy to spend this time with her.
No matter what Suzuna thinks, this moment feels like we’re real siblings, and I don’t want it to end.
“Gah, ugh!”
“Hah…!”
I chase after her with all I’ve got, while Suzuna starts to get frustrated that she can’t finish the match.
That’s it, the only game I managed to win earlier—I got it just by hanging on. It was pure luck, but I somehow pulled it off.
Remember that feeling from back then!
(…Oh yeah, Suzuna looked so frustrated when she lost that game. She was kinda cute like that…)
—Whack.
“Oh.”
In that brief moment, remembering Suzuna’s slightly frustrated expression behind her poker face, I let my guard down. She returns the ball to the opposite side, scoring.
—Player 2, wins!
“Ah…”
“Yes!”
Suzuna clenches her fist in joy.
Losing stings, but seeing her face light up makes it all worthwhile.
And then I catch myself thinking…
(She’s already really beautiful, isn’t she…?)
It’s rare to see her smiling like this since she usually hides it behind a stoic look.
But… it’s not her fault. She has reasons for that.
“It’s… it’s not like that!”
Noticing my gaze, Suzuna quickly hides her smile.
That reaction stings, but I bury the feeling deep down.
“Hey, let’s go another round. Give me a rematch.”
“…I have homework.”
I try inviting her for another match, but Suzuna declines and walks off.
I think about chasing after her, but… let’s not. I should be grateful she played with me even once.
If I push her any more, she’ll just close herself off.
“Feels like I was the only one making a fuss, really.”
I sink into the sofa, feeling drained.
The truth is, Suzuna isn’t actually my real sister.
About two weeks ago, shortly after April began, she was taken in by my family under certain circumstances.
She’s actually my uncle’s daughter, so I suppose that makes her my cousin.
But… I’ve decided to become her brother. Her real family.
“Not that it’ll be easy…”
I pull out a notepad and cross off “Bond over games.”
“…Wait, hold on. She was pretty into the game, wasn’t she? She even knew a lot about Makio Tennis.”
I quickly add an arrow from the crossed-out line, writing, “Next time, I’ll try again!” as a wishful reminder.
“Now, how to approach this next… I don’t have much time to waste.”
I flip through my notepad, looking for hints.
It’s filled with information about Suzuna—or rather, Kanzaki Suzuna.
Or rather, I should say, information about her three years in the future.
I swear, I’m not from the future, nor have I lost my mind.
I just… know.
I know what’s going to happen to Suzuna. And what’s already happening to her.
And I want to save her from it. I want to make her happy—as her family.
My name is Kanzaki Eiji.
I’m a third-year middle school student.
The stepbrother of Kanzaki Suzuna.
And—I’m someone who knows this world’s future, someone reincarnated from another world.
