Episode 162: Hanako-san POV

「Morning, Riko.」

「Morning, Mom.」

Once I finished getting ready for school and headed to the kitchen, my mom was already preparing breakfast.

It’s a daily scene, but lately I’ve felt like I should be doing my part too, so I jumped in to help.

By the way, I’ve started helping with dinner prep lately as well. I can only make simple things so far, but I want to be able to do at least a little more.

The reason I started thinking this way was after I met Satsukawa-san.

Apparently, she goes to Takanashi-kun’s house every single morning to make breakfast and his lunch for school… then after school, she goes back to make dinner, and on her days off, she’s there doing cleaning and laundry. When there’s such a massive gap in「girl power,」I don’t even feel like trying to compete.

Well, there’s no need to compete with a wife, but as an older sister, I guess I just feel pathetic.

Thinking about that, I finished the breakfast she made and, before leaving the house, I pressed my hands together in front of the family altar.

Kazunari… I’m heading out now.

This is my routine every morning, and the start of my day.

And from here, I head to my boring school again today.

It’s not like anything particular happens at school, and there aren’t any major troubles or nasty things.

It’s just boring.

I never thought it was fun to begin with, but after spending just a few days with Takanashi-kun… and the time I spent with everyone else was so much fun, it made school feel even more tedious.

It’s really a problem.

My name is Hanasaki Riko.

My looks are average… maybe a bit… unique.

Breasts are just for decoration; perverts just don’t get it.

Anyway, I think I’m just one of the many people you find anywhere.

My grades aren’t bad. I studied uselessly hard back when I was a shut-in, so I should be fine for a while.

My family consists of my parents, grandparents, and… I had a younger brother.

His name was「Hanasaki Kazunari.」

The photo on the altar I pray to every morning is of a baby.

My brother passed away from an illness before he even turned two. Since I was so young back then, I don’t remember him.

So… I feel sorry for Kazunari, but I don’t think I’ve ever truly felt sad about it in the real sense of the word.

But in my favorite「sacred texts」and「forbidden books,」older sisters who dote on their younger brothers… whether biological or step-brothers… show up all the time.

To be honest, I’ve always longed for that experience of interacting with a younger brother as an older sister.

That’s why I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if Kazunari were still alive.

I’ve even thought that maybe if I reincarnate in another world someday, I might get a little brother.

Since I developed that kind of complex, I started imagining my ideal younger brother more often.

What kind of boy would Kazunari have been when he grew up? Would he be a pampered baby? I’d want him to have some manliness too, the kind where he steps up when it counts. But basically, I just want to be the one to spoil him…

Maybe because I’m always thinking about stuff like this, I haven’t developed any interest in boyfriends or guys in general.

That’s why I’ll never forget my own stupidity for letting my guard down with Yamazaki, thinking he was a comrade rather than just some guy.

And the humiliation of being tricked and then dumped by someone I didn’t even like will be a stain on my life forever.

The final blow of being mocked by everyone around me was both a shock and a pain, so that’s why I stopped going to school.

I didn’t want to see any of those idiots’ faces, and I didn’t want them saying unnecessary things to me every single time.

My top priority was getting revenge on Yamazaki, and until I achieved that, I sealed away the「me」that he mocked, along with my name. I sealed away my「sacred texts」and「forbidden books」too.

So I wasn’t Riko; I would fight as Hanako until I fulfilled my long-cherished wish.

Well, I had the resolve, but I couldn’t make any progress. The best I could do was follow him around and see if I could discover anything.

But back then, I never dreamed that those efforts wouldn’t be in vain, or that the day would come when they’d finally pay off.

Takanashi Kazunari-kun.

It’s a secret that in my head, I’m quietly calling him「Kazunari」without any titles.

I’d feel bad for his girlfriend, Satsukawa-san…

The kanji are different, but having the same name was the first thing that piqued my interest.

His looks… are average, I think.

I couldn’t quite figure out if he was like the Kazunari I imagined or not.

My first impression was that he was a「pampered baby.」

Being spoiled by his girlfriend (wife?), Satsukawa-san, being fussed over, and having her look after him.

On top of that, seeing those two flirting every chance they got made me sick.

But I didn’t think he was pathetic, and as I spent time with him, I slowly started to envy Satsukawa-san.

I probably couldn’t do as much as she does, but the way I wanted to treat my brother was exactly what I saw in her…

Takanashi-kun had the elements I looked for in an ideal little brother. Plus, having the same name as Kazunari gave me a sense of closeness. We’re the same age, but considering my birthday, there’s a high chance I’m the older sister.

When I heard about Takanashi-kun’s past, he had it much worse than me… or rather, the treatment he received was just too horrible.

I chose the easy way out by running away and not going to school, but I learned that Takanashi-kun had the strength of heart to refuse to run, even out of pure spite.

That part of him was also exactly like my ideal brother. When I reflexively patted his head, I felt such joy that I couldn’t stop for a while.

In that moment, I clearly realized that I’d taken a liking to Takanashi-kun.

I only told him the fact that I liked him, but since he was always flirting with Satsukawa-san, I also showed an annoyed or fed-up attitude.

But the truth was, I was just jealous of Satsukawa-san…

And before I knew it, Takanashi-kun had gathered allies around him like the protagonist of a story and finally took down the evil known as Yamazaki.

He achieved a result I could never have managed alone.

He’s usually a pampered baby, but he steps up when it counts.

As I thought, Takanashi-kun was the ideal brother I’d been looking for.

So the reward, of course, was the classic kiss from an Onee-chan.

I wondered what I’d do if he hated it, but his cute, embarrassed expression was a reward for me too.

It’s not like I want to become Takanashi-kun’s girlfriend.

I support his relationship with Satsukawa-san, and I have no intention of stealing her role.

Besides, I think I understand my own feelings.

So at the very least, I’d be happy if I could continue our current stance, like friends or like a sister.

If that’s the case, I’ll need to talk to Satsukawa-san. I’m sure she has a misunderstanding, and I don’t want to cause any trouble between them.

Satsukawa-san changes completely when it comes to Takanashi-kun, but she isn’t someone you can’t reason with.

She’s the type who will answer seriously if you talk to her seriously… probably.

Besides, there’s another important matter I want to consult with her about.

But I’ll keep this a secret from Takanashi-kun for now.

And so, another day begins…