[LN] Mamatomo ke Sodateru Rabukome - Volume 1 - Chapter 16

 

Chapter 16 - Our Little Brother/Sister is Too Cute

The ball game started with the temperature expected to reach 28 degrees Celsius.

The weather was hot as hell. Why did we have to be out in the sun while the teachers were comfortably watching the game in a closed tent?

However, all the students seemed highly motivated by the feeling of freedom after exams and also by the fact that this was their first event as second years.

The boys' sports were softball and soccer, and I chose softball. Even in this sweltering weather, the boys' morale was very high and they showed a serious attitude towards winning. Ball games are one of the few opportunities for the boys to show off their skills.

But we lost.

Both in the tournament rounds and in the elimination matches between the losing teams, we were beaten mercilessly. We lost so easily that we were done before lunchtime even arrived.

But that's okay. This was our strategy as our classes were more focused on soccer.

I'm sure Mizuki and the others will definitely win! Soyoka, I'm sorry. As your older brother, I failed to win....

Unlike me who was depressed, my other classmates were very excited.

"Alright! Let's cheer for the girls!"

"Wooooooooooooooooo!"

I knew the guys in my class were all idiots. They had no opponent.

They were much more motivated by this than in their own matches.

The women's competitions are basketball and volleyball. The matches are supposed to be on an open court. But, it seems like they play them in the gym.

They were divided into two because the basketball game time was shorter and had fewer players. Their purpose is very clear as I expected.

The softball team climbed the stairs in the inner room of the gym called the gallery.

The girls inside were playing a half-court game on the side of the court.

"Hot!"

It was hot inside the gym. I leaned against the metal railing to get some cool air.

The sun outside was unbearably hot, but the air inside was also very stuffy. It's not June yet, is it? I feel as if the weather is getting hotter every year.

But, I can't stand the enthusiasm of these people clutching towels and cheering for them.

"Hikaru-chan! Fight!"

"Akiyama-san in her sports uniform ...... is too pretty......"

"Hikaru-sama! Drible me, please!"

"Hikaru-chan's drible looks amazing in many ways."

Maybe I shouldn't have followed them ........ their gazes were painful. They were all the worst, but I should consider about hanging out with male friends in my second year. .......

The two prettiest girls in the class, or even in the school year, Hiragi Hikaru and Akiyama, played on the same team. At first glance, it looked like a miracle.

With the loud noises echoing in the background, it would be hard for me not to worry about it, but the two of them were as awesome as ever. Hiragi smiled and waved her hand, while Akiyama just looked forward with a cold expression on his face. Are they used to being the center of attention?

Both of them had their hair tied back with a hairband tied like a bandana. Since the gym is separated for men and women, this is a rare sight to see.

"Sumi, let's do our best in the second round!"

"Yes, of course! We have to win, Hikaru!"

Hikaru and Sumi exchanged words and clenched their fists together. A page from their beautiful youth. It was a sparkling scene that deserved to be displayed as a poster.

It was hard to believe that not so long ago the two of them were on opposite paths.

After becoming friends at my house, they became even closer after the exam period.

With Hiragi on her side, the bullying against Akiyama started to disappear. But it's possible that they were doing it behind the scenes. Well, I don't know.

But at least, I think it's thanks to Hiragi that the situation was resolved so smoothly. She was also happy that she had more opportunities to get in touch with Mizuki as she helped the class president in her work.

"Sumi!"

On the field, a pass floated from Hiragi towards Akiyama. Hiragi was an all-around athlete who could do well in almost any sport other than tennis, which was her main sport. She performed equally well as a member of the basketball team.

She called Akiyama a genius, but I think he's a genius too.

"Leave it to me."

Akiyama was not athletic like the others. His physical abilities were not bad, but his agility was weak.

However, through intensive secret training, she has transformed himself into an excellent athlete. She had no intention of cutting corners not only in her studies, but also in various aspects. I was even coerced by him to join.

Jumping lightly in front of the net, Akiyama released the ball with a beautiful shape.

A ball that took an ideal trajectory, caught the center of the corner, and went straight through the net.

"Wooooooooo!"

"Nice play!"

The cheers of the men shook the gym windows.

Well, after all that training, it was only natural that she could do it.

"Yes!"

Hiragi rushed over and raised her hand in front of Akiyama.

"Uh, uh... uh?"

Akiyama awkwardly responded to the high five. As I watched her, my eyes met hers. I wondered what she was thinking as she raised her hand for a high five and pointed it at me.

She simply raised two thin fingers and stuck them out at an angle.

Her mouth was so slack that no one could tell what she meant unless you looked closely.

"Akiyama-san looked at me and made a peace sign!"

"No, that's for me. Give up."

"What? It's not for me, is it?"

The voices around me were mere noise, which didn't even reach my consciousness.

I couldn't take my eyes off Akiyama. For some reason, time seemed to slow down.

This exchange, which lasted less than five seconds, seemed to symbolize our relationship since April.

I reached out my hand as strongly as I could and gave her a thumbs up, even though she could not reach me even if I reached out to her. A smile naturally appeared on my face.

I thought this distance was right for us.

Akiyama resumed his match after feeling satisfied.

His combination with Hiragi broke through the opposing team's defense again.

"Looks like I don't have to worry about her anymore."

I walked out of the gym, my back to the sound of the ball and my excited classmates.

I was a older sister who loved his little brother.

Akiyama was also a older sister who loved his little brother.

We are mom's friends who are connected through our younger siblings.

It's a strange relationship, but I feel comfortable with our current relationship.

Iku and Soyoka are friends, so I think as their older siblings, we should be friends too.

———Scene Change———

After the ball game, when I went to pick her up from kindergarten, Soyoka ran up to me, holding the blue rubber ball with both hands.

"Soka wants to play ball too!"

She lifted the children's ball from kindergarten over her head.

When I told her about the ball game, her eyes lit up. Even kindergarteners can play it with a simple ball. With a big, soft pole, I don't have to worry about injuries.

"Come on! I thought ball games weren't enough!"

"Who told you to lose early."

"I purposely saved my energy to play with Soyoka."

Akiyama, who had also come to pick up Iku, looked at me coldly.

She's right, I have free time in the afternoon because I get crushed in the morning.

On the other hand, Akiyama and the rest of the girls' team had done well, placing second in the entire school competition.

Even the triumphant smile on Akiyama's face was the only thing I received today..

"Onii-chan lost....?"

I could almost hear the sound effect of her face. The ball fell from Soyoka's hand.

"Onii-chan, not the best...."

"Soyoka....... damn, if only if I was stronger, I wouldn't make Soyoka look so sad......!"

Oh my God. I can't believe Soyoka expected me to win so much.

I feel like I've been a bad ...... older brother.

My fist fell and hit the ground. The ball Soyoka dropped rolled to the side.

"I can beat Onii-chan now."

"Yes, Soyoka-chan. With me being in second place in the whole school, we can easily beat him."

"Sumi-chan is great!"

"Let's beat him together."

You've been destroyed too, haven't you?!

You did manage to get the points, but the victory came from Hiragi's power.

Soyoka looked up at Akiyama with innocent eyes twinkling.

"Was I targeted by Soyoka?"

Oh my god. Soyoka is being bewitched by the bad Onee-chan. I can't lose!

"...... Alright. Let's play catch for Soyoka!"

"Yes!"

I glanced at the kindergarten teacher, and she said, "Go ahead." while pointing toward the playground.

That's good. Looks like adults are allowed to use the park too. There are many parks these days that are not allowed to be used for playing soccer.

Soyoka happily took the ball and headed towards Iku.

"Want to play too?"

"Yes!"

Iku, who tended to be shy, smiled  innocently in front of Soyoka.

The four of us moved to a large area in the kindergarten courtyard and stood some distance away from each other.

"The one who takes the cake is the one who is most interested."

[TL: She's just talking.]

"You definitely don't know what that means, do you...."

Soyoka made a mysterious statement and released the ball with both hands. The ball rolled slowly on the ground and reached my feet.

I picked it up and rolled it towards Soyoka and Iku, who were standing side by side.

The two of them chased after it. Hey, you two are too close!

"Good job, Soyoka! You're a perfect soccer player!"

"Cool ....... oh, no. If Iku starts playing sports, the bleachers will be filled with girls...."

My cute little sister, still looks cute, no matter what she does.

The four of us continued to play ball for a while. I don't know if they got used to it or not, but Soyoka and Iku started playing alone together.

"Kyota."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Akiyama called my name from the side.

Akiyama turned her face away and for some reason, she didn't speak. She just moved the corner of her lips.

"What?"

"No, no. That's ....... me having fun today.

"Oh? That's good, isn't it?"

Akiyama stammered and blushed slightly.

Although I was suddenly told what she was feeling ....... but it was true that Akiyama seemed to be having fun with Hiragi. This was refreshing because she had never been like this at school before.

"Yeah, right. It's thanks to you, Kyota."

"Is it because I'm so cute when defeated so badly?"

"No, no."

She hung her hair over her ears and looked at me from the corner, as if embarrassed.

"I can have fun because Kyota is the one who gave me the opportunity to get to know Hikaru-san ....... if you hadn't done that, I probably would have been hated by everyone."

"I didn't do much. It's all thanks to Soyoka and Iku."

"I agree. I should thank them too."

It was a strange thing that Akiyama could be this honest. I'm sure this must be due to the effects of the fatigue she received from exercising all day, which she rarely did.

"But Kyota was the one who made the first move. You helped me even though it wasn't your business. So, thank you."

"O-Oh. You're welcome?"

"What?"

"No, it's nothing."

This has nothing to do with me?

We looked at our two younger Sisters/Brother siblings who threw the ball to each other in a unique way. Both of them are very talented! Especially Soyoka, who will probably compete in the Olympics in the future. Sorry for being such a genius.

I'll do whatever it takes to keep them smiling.

Of course, with the help of my mom's friend.

"Are Onii-chan and Sumi-chan in love?"

"Of course not. I'm just in love with Soyoka."

"Really?! Onii-chan likes Sumi-chan, right?!"

"I knew that daytime anime is bad for children's education."

"Soka thinks Onii-chan and Sumi-chan are very compatible."

Soyoka smiled and spread her arms wide.

Didn't she know that Akiyama would get angry if she said something like that in front of him?

I braced myself to take her cursing. But when I glanced at Akiyama, I saw that her face was slightly flushed.

"Eh?"

I kind of flinched at her unexpected reaction.

Seeing our gazes, Akiyama hurriedly turned around.

"Kyota."

"Y-Yes!"

"I'm going home."

"O-Oh, is that so? See you soon."

Without showing her face, Akiyama picked up her schoolbag in the corner of the courtyard.

After confirming that Iku was following him, she went to the bicycle parking lot.

What was with that reaction?

"Soyoka, your strange words earlier have made Sumi Nee-chan angry. You should be careful next time."

"No, really."

"Let's apologize tomorrow, okay?"

"I don't want to."

Soyoka lowered her head in disgust.

Soyoka... Oh my God. I won't be able to live if Soyoka leaves me...!

"Should we go home too?"

"Yes! Is there pudding today?"

"Yes! And it's your older brother own!"

"Onii-chan......'s! Great!"

I just need to brew it and let it cool down, that's all.

Thanks to the magic powder ...... it instantly turned into pudding just by mixing it with milk. It tasted great and Soyoka loved it. I can't stop being grateful for the factory's efforts in making it.

I returned the ball and walked towards the bicycle parking lot. I wondered if Akiyama had left by now?

When I saw Soyoka sitting on the bicycle seat, I instantly forgot about what happened earlier.

After all, my little sister is still the cutest girl in the world for now.

Disclaimer :

"If you like this light novel, please help me with a donate to buy raw materials for future projects or encourage me to continue this light novel."

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