I only had one option: to conceal the truth from Haruka. Despite that knowledge, I still hadn’t been able to wrap my head around why the pressure in my chest still remained. It was obvious—I felt pathetic. Pathetic because my relationship with Haruka had been built upon such a weak and shaky foundation, one in which I couldn’t be truthful with her. Without a doubt, honesty always trumped lying. If Haruka and I had formed a bond that not even Shigure’s presence could sever, this problem wouldn’t have existed in the first place.
And yet, I hadn’t been able to choose the best option. My inadequacy had led to our current predicament. What’s worse, I had to rely on my younger sister. I hid behind her instead of fixing my own flaws. I was the reason for the concerned look on Shigure’s face. It was an expression that didn’t suit her at all. Seeing that, could I be proud of myself as a brother? As a boyfriend?
No, I’m not proud of myself at all.
I stood up and walked over to my younger sister’s side. “Shigure, I’m not nearly as pathetic as you might think,” I declared.
“Huh?”
“This should go without saying, but I’m grateful that you kept our secret from Haruka. I don’t recall asking you to do anything else, though. You think I’d betray my girlfriend so easily? Seriously—if your head got any bigger, your neck might snap. I don’t know what kind of evil schemes you’re cooking up, but my feelings for her will never change. No matter how much you tease me or try to tempt me like this morning, I won’t give in. Haruka is my one-and-only girlfriend, and you’re my one-and-only little sister.”
“Ah!” she gasped.
“Stop worrying about me so much. You can act as spoiled as you like—I can handle it. After all, I’m your older brother now.”
I probably just dug my own grave... and a deep one at that.
Still, I had no regrets. Sure, I was probably both an incompetent boyfriend and brother, but it wasn’t like I had much experience in either field. Hopefully, they’d cut me some slack for being somewhat inadequate.
I knew I couldn’t just use my inexperience as an excuse to hide behind the two girls in my life, thinking I had no other option, though. Little by little, I would overcome my deficiencies through sheer willpower, all in the hopes that I could tell Haruka the truth as quickly as possible.
As I mulled everything over, my realization finally alleviated the stubborn pressure that resided in my chest.
“Hehe. Haha. Ahahaha!” Shigure suddenly burst out into laughter, the malicious grin I’d come to recognize returning to her face.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“I mean, you freaked out so much over seeing me in a bath towel, you didn’t even notice the string on my camisole. You’re acting pretty cool for some bottom-feeding soy boy who gets sweaty palms around the opposite sex.”
Urgh.
“That was a surprise attack!” I yelled in protest. “Now that I know what you’re really like, I won’t fall for the same trick twice!”
“Aha! I’m not so sure about that. But still...” she trailed off, wrapped her arms around my back in a tight embrace, and buried her face in my chest. “Just now, I could kind of understand why Haruka fell for you.”
“Ah?! Shigure?!” I yelped.
“Despite being completely and utterly out of your depth, you’re still trying your hardest for me. I admire that part of you. Maybe I should get in on the action, too.”
“Wh-What?!”
“We’re twins, after all,” she murmured softly. “Seeing as you like Haruka, I’m sure you could end up falling for me, too. I’m already pretty crazy for you as-is. So how about it, Big Bro? Would you consider having me as your side chick?”
Wh-What the hell is this girl saying?!
“Just kidding!” she exclaimed. “You thought I was being serious?”
“Blurgh!”
“Ahaha, you’re bright red!” Shigure giggled into my chest. “You’re making this way too easy, honestly. I mean, you lose your cool so fast. How’re you ever going to make any progress acting like that?”
Shit! And I fully expected her to pull this shit again and everything!
No amount of mental fortitude had prepared me for the sweet nothings she had whispered into my chest, and I hadn’t been able to stop myself—or my beet-red face—from burning up.
“Are you really okay with giving me permission to do whatever I like?” Shigure asked with an impish grin. “You might find this surprising, but I’m actually quite the bully.”
“That’s not surprising at all. You look like you’re having the time of your friggin’ life,” I grumbled.
“Well, no take backs,” she replied. With a provocative smile, she wound her fingers around my necktie and pulled me in close enough to feel her breath. I had never been this close to Haruka, let alone any other girl. Though I couldn’t stop my heart from practically bursting out of my chest, I did my best to feign composure.
“As a man, I won’t go back on my word,” I declared. “No matter how much my bratty little sister pushes my buttons, I’ll gladly accept her with open arms. Before long, you’ll be seeing monuments built to honor my greatness as an older brother.”
As if satisfied, Shigure pulled away from me. “Either way, we’ll still have to show restraint at school. We’re keeping our sibling relationship a secret, and I don’t want to hurt Haruka. But in this apartment, you’re my older brother, and no one else’s. You said something about pushing your buttons? Well, I’m gonna push each and every one of them. I’m hoping you can still find it within yourself to spoil me—your adorable little sister—absolutely rotten!”
She placed a finger in her mouth, pulling back the corner to reveal a single sparkling white canine tooth. “Can you handle these fangs?” her gesture seemed to say.
Yeah, I probably should have kept my mouth shut...
That much was obvious. But no matter what she was planning to throw my way, I was more than up to the challenge.
“Oh crap!” I exclaimed. “I forgot to buy a curtain!”