Chapter 6

"Look! Tō is dancing in the living room!"

"How cute!"

"Bro, that's gross."

Tō stopped dancing because of his sister's harsh words.

It's all my fault, oh well.

"Sorry, Hanakoi, I got carried away, bro."

"Really, bro. Imagine being a sister who has to see your morning dance of a cult deity."

"Where did you learn such words?"

"Your notebook, all blacked out with oil-based markers!"

"Wait, why do you know about that?"

"Anyway, bro, it's great that Rin and Taso are making your bento."

"Right, right!"

The fact that my dark past was revealed was completely overshadowed by today's big event.

Last night, I was as excited as a child the day before a field trip, and this morning, I was so eager that I almost performed a dance that could summon an evil deity.

"Well, you must have been too good. God is watching."

"That God is super incompetent."

"Isn't that too harsh? I'm worried you might be spreading negativity at school, bro."

"Don't worry, my classmate Ishikawa-kun says talking to me is fun!"

"Is Ishikawa-kun really okay?"

While worrying about the future of a primary school boy I only know by his last name,

"By the way, bro, aren't you going to update your novel today?"

"Huh? Oh..."

When asked, I feel like I'm being asked by my mom, "How did your regular test go?" with a "Gik" feeling.

I was so preoccupied with Rin's bento and still hung up on Nira that I couldn't update this morning.

I realize again how significant Nira's presence is.

"Today, I'm taking a break due to some circumstances."

"Oh, that's rare. You never missed an update before."

"Hey, so you were looking forward to my work, Hanakoi?"

"Amakusa, teach me how to deal with a cocky bro."

*Pirorin!*

'Burn it down.'

"Isn't AI getting a bit too rebellious these days!?"

An AI rebellion might not be too far in the future.

*Meow*.

"Oh, Syrup!"

Hanakoi's voice brightened.

From somewhere, a white, fluffy cat named Syrup came padding in.

When I was in elementary school, on a rainy day, I found Syrup meowing in an Amazon cardboard box and took him in.

At first, he was as small as a tissue box, but because I wanted him to get attached to me, I fed him so much that he's now quite a hefty cat.

*Meow*.

Oh, asking for food already?

But I shouldn't spoil him.

I need to toughen up and start a diet, or his limbs and body will merge into a futomaki roll.

*Meow meow*, rubbing against me.

I need to toughen up...

*Pet pet*.

"Here, here, here, here, Syrup! Special cat food!"

*Meow*!

"Hey, bro! You're spoiling Syrup again!"

"Well, what can I do? When he gives me those big, round eyes and rubs against me, I can't help but give him food!"

Ah, why are cats so cute?

Those big, round eyes, those small paws, that fluffy fur.

And the way they act so aloof most of the time but suddenly get all cuddly with various meows and gestures.

This contrast is irresistible.

Speaking of contrasts, Rin has that too.

She's usually cool and aloof, but sometimes she gets a little sweet.

If, by some chance, Rin got really, really sweet...

"Tō-kun..."

In a room somewhere, with just me and Rin.

Rin opens her arms and says,

"I want a hug..."

Oh, I'd die.

If that happened, I'd definitely be called to heaven.

The cause of death would definitely be a heart attack from sheer joy.

"Bro, your face looks like a melted ice cream cone."

"Nice metaphor for a fifth-grader."

You're my sister, alright.

*Pui*.

After eating, Syrup walked away, as if the previous affection never happened.

It felt like the fireworks that were lighting up the night sky suddenly ended, leaving a sense of loneliness.

"Syrup probably thinks of you as a servant who feeds him."

"Stop it. I might actually think so too."

The theory that the human is the one being kept might not be far off.

*Pin pon*.

"Oh, Rin and Taso are here!"

"They're here!"

I quickly put on my backpack.

"See you later!"

"Bye!"

Unable to contain my excitement, I rushed to the front door as if I was going to cash in a 50 trillion yen lottery ticket.