Chapter 9 - The Takanishi Sisters' Childhood Friend

As soon as Aisa left the room, I made eye contact with Manami.

“Hey, Manami.”

“Hm? You want to ask why Onee-chan is in such a good mood?“

She lies on my lap and gazes up at me with a look that implies she knows everything.

“Don’t you have any idea?”

The only reason for her change that comes to mind is the fact that I called her by her given name.

“I’ve missed you. And so has Onee-chan.”

“That’s a lie…”

No, right? That Aisa?

“You know, right Kouki-nii?”

The usual innocence of Manami’s expression as she stared up at me had been replaced by a serious look.

“That you’ve been the closest to Onee-chan outside of the family.”

“Is that so…?”

If you say so, then it’s true… probably.

But… no. I had been thinking of her as a distant presence. Maybe there’s something about Aisa that hasn’t changed much.

As I was pondering over this, Manami suddenly got up from my lap.

“Well! While Onee-chan is away, I had something I wanted to do!”

What was that mysterious expression on her face just now? In an instant, Manami returned to her usual cheerful expression with a sudden exclamation.

“What are you doing?”

“Un. I want to make a promise with Kouki-nii!”

“Promise?”

For some reason, Manami sits on her knees and looks straight at me with a twinkle in her eyes.

The difference between her usual cuteness and what I was currently witnessing made me a little nervous.

“If I do well on the next test, I want a reward.”

“Okay.”

“So thoughtlessly? I haven’t even told you what it is yet!”

Regardless of her results, I’ll know how hard she’s worked. That was my original intention.

I think she would be happy if I bought her a cake or something.

“Well then! If I make it into the top 30, you have to do whatever I say!”

“Top 30…..”

I feel that a slightly more realistic goal would be less shocking…..

“Hey! Stop making that face!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But are you sure? I mean, top 30 is no small feat.”

“Rather, Kouki-nii, don’t you want to change the part where you have to do whatever I say?”

Well, that’s because I think that Manami would be fine with a cake or something.

“I feel like you’re thinking about something rude.”

“Well, I promise you.”

“Really! All right!”

For some reason, she turned her back to me and then did a small guts pose. It seemed like she was trying to hide it or whatnot, but it was perfectly visible to me.

“Then, it’s a promise!”

“This is kind of nostalgic.”

Manami, who once again sat upright, faced me and held her pinky out towards me.

I intertwined my pinky finger around the much smaller one offered to me.

“La-dee-dah, Kouki-nii’s embarrassing secret will be spread throughout the school.”

“Wait a minute.”

“I already let go of your finger!”

I was against her promise that she sang with a lack of rhythm, but we had already confirmed it.

“Well, look forward to the results!”

With that, Manami returned to her original position.

As if she had been watching us, Aisa came into the room with sweets and tea, and so we decided to take a break from the study session.

Manami’s big smile, and Aisa’s gentle smile. Looking at them again, I felt nervous and out of place, as they had both grown to be so cute and beautiful.

I remember Akito’s words.

“The fact that you can legally go to the Takanishi sisters’ house is more exciting than winning the lottery for the guys around here.”

I felt like I was able to understand a little of what those guys were excited about now.

EN: Sorry that this took so long to release guys, I should’ve had this done a couple of days ago. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and be sure to join the Discord if you haven’t already to be updated when new chapters release.