Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai! - Volume 2 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Sora-chan and the Choir Club 

It was something that happened not long after I started to go for my lessons seriously to make up for my credits. 
Returning home after my classes and part time job ended, I couldn’t help but furrow my brows. 
“Ngh……!? What kind of smell is this!?” 
I subconsciously covered my nose as the house was filled with a strong stench. 
Black smoke drifted faintly before my eyes. It was a disgusting odor similar to that of a burning plastic bag. 
I started to feel somewhat dizzy. It seemed like people would feel dizzy if they take in the smell for a longer time…… 
“Is it possible…… !?” 
An overwhelming sense of unease made me rush through the entrance without taking off my shoes, dashing towards the living room on the ground floor. The living room was filled with thick, black smoke. 
“Sora-chan! Miu-chan! Hina!” 
I loudly called out the names of the trio. 
I once saw on television from some time before that the scariest thing about a fire isn’t the fire, but the smoke. 
If humans inhale thick smoke, they lose consciousness easily, and cannot stop the flames from engulfing them, or even suffocate because of the lack of oxygen before that. As the extremely disturbing knowledge flitted past my mind, I loudly called out for them in agitation. 
“Ah, Oi-tan is back~” 
However, not even a trace of tension could be heard from the reaction from the other side of the black smoke. 
“Where’s Oi-tan? Too much smoke, can’t see~” 
…… Hina? 
And from her tone, it sounded like she was quite carefree as well. 
“Onee-chan, Oji-san is back.” 
“I know! Ah! Geez! Miu, switch on the ventilation fan!” 
“Instead of switching on that, won’t opening the windows directly be quicker?” 
“Then hurry up and open them!” 
Sora-chan was in a bitter battle with the microwave in the kitchen with her face flushed. 
Thank goodness the three of them were safe. 
Miu-chan opened the windows in accordance with Sora-chan’s instructions. Not long after that, the thick smoke obscuring our sight gradually dispersed, while the clouded air turned much more comfortable as well. 
“O- Onii-chan, w- w- w- welcome home!” 
Sora-chan spoke with an exceptionally bright smile, but that was obviously faked. 
Although she tried to block the view of kitchen behind her, the black mess in the wok and remains of vegetables could still be seen behind her small figure. 
As expected of an expert that could leave wounds on the hand holding the kitchen knife. 
After her magnificent failure, the kitchen was as wretched as a bombed out battlefield. 
“…… What did you do?” 
“This- This is just a tiny failure!” 
“Onee-chan just worked too hard…… By the way, the thick smoke just now was due to Onee-chan defrosting meat, but mixing up the controls of the microwave and the oven, roasting it along with the packaging as well.” 
I see. No wonder it smelled like burning plastic. 
“Miu! Didn’t I ask you to keep it a secret!” 
“Ehh~ I don’t really care~ Onee-chan, didn’t you often say that we can’t tell lies?” 
Sora-chan angrily glared at Miu-chan, who continued to fake innocence. 
I already understood the situation more or less. It was just Sora-chan trying to make some sort of a complicated dinner, and failing, huh? Thinking that it wasn’t a fire made me heave a sigh of relief. 
“I’ll remake it right away! Just wait a little longer!” 
“Wait, if you remake it now, it’ll be late night before you finish.” 
I stopped Sora-chan, who was gearing up to return to the battlefield. 
“Uuu……” 
“Um, no! I wasn’t meaning to scold you……” 
Although Sora-chan tried her best to hold it in, she still looked like she was about to cry. 
She was probably feeling regretful as she put in a lot of effort, but was rather unsuccessful. 
“After all, you still haven’t got used to it yet, so it can’t be helped. Even Nee-san was unbearably terrible when she just started to cook. We even ate frozen food and bread for a whole consecutive week once before.” 
“Yuri-san too……?” 
“How is that possible!?” 
Both of them looked shocked as they were unclear of Nee-san’s past. 
That’s reasonable as well, since even I, myself, had almost forgotten about such a matter before seeing the kitchen turn out like this. 
Without realizing it, Nee-san already became a professional cook…… That was one of the comforting changes. 
“Hina likes Mama’s dishes~ Wants to eat it again~” 
“Yeah, Mama’s dishes were really tasty.” 
I stroked Hina’s head. Hina didn’t understand that she could not taste Nee-san’s cooking ever again. However, she seemed to know that her mother wouldn’t return in a short term, so she just didn’t mention it often. 
Hina’s words seemed to have struck the chords of an unbearable emotion. Their expressions instantly clouded over. 
However, perhaps because she acutely noticed the change, the one who spoke to change the atmosphere was Hina as well. 
“But, but, Occhan’s crab balls are tasty too!” 
“Crab balls……? Oh, are you talking about the crab balls fried rice at Suzuki-tei? That’s really lovely as well.” 
Suzuki-tei was the default restaurant for the students of Tama Literary College. 
When I lived at the apartment where Nimura is currently staying at, I often went there to eat as well. 
As its name suggested, crab balls fried rice was a dish that had crab balls on fried rice. 
The crab balls that had large pieces of crabmeat were rather liked by Hina. 
However, I planned to keep the fact that the crab balls only contained crab-flavored fishcakes instead of crabmeat in my heart until Hina grew up a little bit more. 
In any case, even three-year-old Hina was so considerate of us. 
Thus, there wasn’t any reason for me not to go along with her. Besides, if this continues, the kitchen might be completely destroyed. 
“Okay, I’ve decided. Let’s eat outside today!” 
“Ah, agreed!” 
Miu-chan chimed in immediately as well. 
“Oji-san, I want to eat sushi.” 
“S- Sushi, huh……? If you’re fine with sushi-go-round……” 
If it’s just today, then perhaps we can afford to be slightly more luxurious…...? 
“Hina thinks that sushi is good as well, right? Sushi-go-round.” 
“Sushi-go-round?” 
At Miu-chan’s question, Hina looked rather puzzled. 
“That’s right, Hina didn’t seem to have eaten sushi before.” 
Miu-chan started to explain to Hina about sushi-go-round. 
Hina seemed to like the fairy tale-like description of ‘fish on a plate passing by her eyes like a train’, and her eyes thus lit up very quickly, and pranced around while shouting: “Sushi-go-round! Sushi-go-round!” at the same time. 
“Okay, then that’s that. Everyone, finish your preparations and gather here after this!” 
“Okay~” 
“Okay!” 
The two younger ones immediately ran to the second floor at my order. 
Leaving Sora-chan remaining in place. 
“Hurry up, Sora-chan. Why don’t you get changed as well?” 
“But the kitchen hasn’t been cleaned up yet……” 
“It’ll be fine if we clean it up later. Let’s do it together after we return.” 
“…… ‘Kay.” 
Her failure at cooking seemed to have given Sora-chan quite a blow, as she walked to the second floor dejectedly. 
Looking at her forlorn silhouette, I sighed. 
“Sushi, huh……” 
Although they were girls, just thinking of their appetites at the stage of growth and my shriveled wallet in my pocket made me feel sorrowful, but…… their smiles are irreplaceable. 
After that, I experienced the second shock of the day due to the small number of dishes taken by the girls at the restaurant, but what surprised me the most was the fact that Miu-chan gave the suggestion because of her concern for my wallet…… They were doing it so that I could concentrate on making up for my credits. 

The mornings in Hachiouji were rather cold due to the fact that the school campus was on a hill slope, and there weren’t any tall buildings that were able to block the mountain winds. In addition, it was the time of the day when the temperature was the lowest as well. Even though it was only October, the air was already filled with a biting frost. 
Although saying that might make people feel confused, to the current me, it is a matter of life and death. 
“Hanamura-senpai, it’s really cold……” 
“Hold on just for a little while, Segawa! There are just five more left!” 
“I- I’ll try my best.” 
It was six in the morning. The captain of the Rugby Club, Hanamura-senpai, and I were moving crates containing large amounts of bread. 
The Hanamura Confectionery operated by Hanamura-senpai’s family took on jobs of moving pastry, bread and similar items for neighboring colleges, while I was there to help out. Simply said, it was a part-time job focusing on manual labor. 
However, the job that started from five in the morning was far tougher than I first thought. 
The coldness made my hands stiff, and more importantly, there were a lot of places to send to, so even tiny delays could become fatal problems, which was why it was an arduous task. 
It was said that a quarterback of the current Rugby Club clamored after trying out this job on a snowing day that: “I don’t want to do this ever again.” 
In comparison, the condition today is quite good. 
After moving to various supermarkets and canteens of colleges on the truck driven by Hanamura-senpai, our last destination was my own college. After we finished moving the bread, we kept the empty crates on the truck and concluded the work for the day. 
After that, Hanamura-senpai and I sat together on the bench before the automatic vendor to rest ourselves. 
“Segawa, you helped out a lot today.” 
“Not really. Compared with that, is it really okay for you to pay me so much?” 
“Don’t worry! Hahaha!” 
Senpai forcefully thumped my back while laughing heartily. 
I heard that the original workers in charge of delivering the goods fell sick one after another due to flu, and thus the job that was originally carried out using three trucks had to be dealt with by the two of us. 
Although it was rather tough, it allowed me to get an exceptionally handsome pay for the day. 
Thinking of the life of the three sisters and I, being able to get this sum of temporary income was quite gratifying. 
“Speaking of which, how are you and your nieces recently?” 
Hanamura-senpai asked while handing me a lukewarm can of coffee. 
By the way, Hanamura-senpai was holding a can of red bean soup. Due to his family background, he was a person who liked sweet stuff quite a lot. 
“Sigh…… To be honest, I’m still not used to it.” 
After all, I was dealing with girls in their adolescence. 
Despite the fact that our house was bigger, and our privacy had a certain degree of protection, there were still various problems that had not been solved in aspects such as bathing, going to the restroom, washing the clothes and many more. 
“Girls are so mystifying.” 
“Yeah, girls at this age are indeed hard to understand. I have a younger sister about the same age as your niece as well, so I understand how you feel very well.” 
“S- Sister huh……” 
Hanamura-senpai’s sister…… Which means, she has the same DNA as this large man? 
I really couldn’t imagine it, or to be exact, I dare not to imagine it. 
“Don’t worry, that is how adolescence is!” 
“Is that so?” 
“My sister, for example, does nothing but read, and won’t go out at all. Even when I ask her to do muscle training with me, she just answers me with ‘So idiotic’, and totally ignores me. When I think about it, it’s almost half a year since we spoke with each other properly.” 
“About this, I think senpai is slightly……” 
“However, you can’t give up just because of that! After all, you’re a person who took the role of their parents!” 
“Yeah, that’s right.” 
However, a literature-type girl with a macho brother full of muscles…… It was just too uncoordinated. 
In comparison, our family seems to be rather normal. 
But speaking of which, what kind of interests do the three sisters have? 
When I think about it, I never did get to ask them about their conditions at school. 
As a guardian, shouldn’t those things be understood as well? 
They should be about to go to school right around now…… 
“ That’s right, what you lack is…… That’s right! Physique! Why don’t you start by training your body! Us Rugby Club will welcome you any time!” 
“Um, thanks but no thanks……” 
After escaping from senpai’s side with some trouble as he was starting to describe the beauty of muscles, I headed towards the lecture hall of my first lesson while rubbing my sleepy eyes. 
If I can return earlier tonight, I’ll try asking them how they’re doing at school. That was what I thought on the road. 

That morning, Takanashi Sora’s footsteps were rather heavy. 
“Onee-chan, you’re still feeling downcast?” 
“I- I’m not feeling downcast at all.” 
Sora turned her face to a side in displeasure. 
She was still rather mindful of the fact that she nearly caused a fire when she failed at cooking a dish before this. 
In addition, the fact that there weren’t any chances for her to redeem herself after her large failure was another reason for her depression as well. 
Recently, Yuuta would finish his dinner outside as he often returned late because of his classes and part-time jobs, and thus, Sora was not able to wash away her shame of that day. 
If so, breakfast is fine as well. The day before, Sora made that decision and did ample preparations. 
However, Yuuta went out before daybreak that morning as he suddenly took on a job. 
Waking early full of vigor, walking to the kitchen in high spirits, and then her disappointment when she saw the message…… Just thinking of that made Sora sigh. 
“Just you wait, I definitely won’t fail during dinner today.” 
Today, I’m going to make Yuuta happily say that it’s tasty! That was Sora’s aim. 
“I’m thinking that it’s fine even if you fail. And if so, we can eat outside again. Let’s have spaghetti this time.” 
“Miu! Even though I’ve become so motivated!” 
“Hina wants to eat at family restaurants occasionally as well, right~” 
Miu deliberately pretended not to hear her sister’s complaints and asked her younger sister, whose hand was held by her. 
“Family restaurant? 
“It’s like the place where you once got toys from.” 
“Hina knows! Hina once ate cheese hanburger!” 
“Didn’t you! It was tasty, right? You want to go again, don’t you?” 
“Yes!” 
“You two……” 
The betrayal of her two younger sisters caused the veins on Sora’s forehead to pulse repeatedly. 
Even so, I definitely won’t admit defeat so easily. 
If so, the effort I put in when I secretly bought cookbooks to learn how to cook would all be wasted. 
“Eating at family restaurants would be too much of a waste! I’ll cook dinner, and that’s that!” 
And with that, Sora carried Hina and walked out with large steps. 
Looking at Sora’s silhouette, Miu sighed with her usual smile and followed them after that. 
“Wait a minute! I’ll help out as well.” 
After all, if I just ignore this, the kitchen might be charred once again…… Even though her thoughts were the truth, the most important thing was, Miu liked Sora’s look of concentration while she tried her best quite a lot. 

It happened on a certain morning in those days. 
Although they lived at the center of a city like the Toshima Prefecture, the middle school, primary school and kindergarten, the places the three sisters usually go to, were all in walking distance. And the reason for that was because Takanashi Shingo, as their father, wished with all his heart for them to study at schools with a geographical advantage. 
After Sora parted with Miu at the corner of a road, she sent Hina to her kindergarten. 
As the primary school Miu studied at was at opposite directions with the kindergarten, if she followed them there, it would mean that Miu would have to take a long detour. 
Because of that, when Yuuta was busy, Sora would be in charge of sending Hina to school. 
After Sora changed Hina’s sheets for her to be used during her afternoon nap and prepared a change of clothing for her, she left while Hina waved goodbye with a smile. Sora rushed to the school she studied at with a small jog so that she would not be late. 
The private middle school that Sora studied at was one that had rather strict rules. 
As it was a shingakukou [1] , the school fees was comparatively higher, while students who were usually deemed delinquents were comparatively lesser as well. 
By the way, it was a co-ed school. 
At first, Sora’s father hesitated if he should send his beloved eldest daughter to an all-girls school one hour from their house or the co-ed school fifteen minutes away, but after discussing it with Yuri, he decided to apply for that school in the end. 
…… In reality, Sora herself thought that even if a one-way journey requires one hour, she would still rather go to the girls’ school. 
After entering the school grounds, Sora stealthily slipped into her classroom from the backdoor and walked towards her seat. 
After putting down her things, Sora arranged the items required for the first period at the corner of her desk, and when she was about to take a breather— 
“Um……” 
Sora met the gaze of a boy. 
He had short hair and a face that still had a trace of youth. With an expression similar to anger, he stared unblinkingly at Sora. The boy seemed to have been talking to a tall, bespectacled boy, but as soon as he saw Sora’s silhouette, he immediately ended the conversation. 
Not long after that, he headed towards Sora’s seat straightaway. 
“Yo, Takanashi.” 
“G- Good morning…… Maeshima-kun.” 
Sora greeted him timidly. Even during the process, she had her head lowered to avoid meeting his gaze. 
Maeshima Daiki— Sora really didn’t know how to deal with this classmate. 
No, not only him. 
Actually, Sora wasn’t good at dealing with the thing called ‘males’ from the start. 
“Takanashi, why aren’t you showing up at the clubroom these days?” 
“Because…… But……” 
Nervousness caused Sora to be tongue-tied. 
She even had the illusion that he was glaring at her as well. 
“You didn’t come yesterday, the day before, and even before that! Everyone was waiting for you!” 
“That’s because I…… already left the club.” 
“I know that you don’t have it easy since something like that happened, but you don’t need to leave the club just because of that, do you? And the Choir Club didn’t have enough members in the first place!” 
He spoke in a voice so loud that the whole class could hear, while almost all of the responses of the other students were: “Here we go again.” 
As long as one hears the conversation that would happen each morning these days, any of them would understand clearly that the boy called Maeshima Daiki had special emotions for Sora. 
The only person who didn’t realize that would probably be Sora. 
Speaking of which, Daiki himself seemed to think that nobody noticed. 
“Oi, just come back. President and the others…… and even I’m waiting for you to come back! I think…… no, President said that Takanashi’s voice is very melodious, and it’s just too much of a pity if you give up like this!” 
“Ah…… For people to say that, I feel very happy……” 
Seeing Sora smile after being praised made Daiki even more agitated. 
“Ah! That’s right! After the club activities end today, why don’t we all go for okonomiyaki! You know the shop near the bus station, right! After all, we’ll be hungry after the practice! Takanashi, do you dislike eating okonomiyaki?” 
“…… I don’t really dislike it, but……” 
The boy called Maeshima Daiki spoke in a loud voice no matter what it was. Besides that, he often ignored the others’ opinions as well, and talked on by himself. When he got agitated, it would cause his bad habit to be even more obvious. 
And that personality of his was the reason Sora felt troubled as well, but…… unfortunately, he, himself, didn’t know about that. 
“L- Let’s go there together! Okay?” 
“This…… I……” 
Sinking into confusion, Sora couldn’t speak at all, and it wasn’t sure if it was because of embarrassment, even her ears turned red. 
“Can’t you stop that? Takanashi-san is feeling troubled!” 
“Maeshima, you’re anno~ying.” 
“S- Shut up! It’s none of your business! I’m asking Takanashi! Isn’t that right? Takanashi, you’ll go, right?” 
Boos gradually arose from the surrounding classmates. 
As it was on the news, and because of her bereavement leave, Sora was forced to take leave for quite a long time, so her classmates knew of her troubles more or less. 
Sora was thankful in her heart for her classmates for knowing about it and not mentioning it deliberately as well. 
However, the boy was unwilling to let go of her. This boy, who was originally in the same club as her, caused Sora to be unable to react. 
“…… I’m…… Sorry.” 
In the end, she forced out the words. 
“W- Why!?” 
Daiki continued to persist, but Sora did not do anything and continued to stay silent with her head lowered. 
“Daiki, it’s about time for you to stop now.” 
The bespectacled boy who spoke with Daiki before that said with his hand on Daiki’s shoulder. 
“Shuuji…… But!” 
“As Tani-kun just said, it’s high time for you to stop.” 
Right after that, it was the girl sitting diagonally behind Sora who was reading a paperback book’s turn to speak. 
“And you’re just too loud. I can’t read like this.” 
“You…… Hanamura! And you’re actually looking as though it’s none of your business! Aren’t you a member of the Choir Club as well! Why don’t you help out a bit!” 
After Daiki’s roar, the girl who was called Hanamura showed a rather surprised reaction. 
“I don’t recall joining the Choir Club.” 
“Eh?” 
“Daiki, it’s true. Hanamura-san just helped out under President’s request, since nobody in our club knows how to play the piano.” 
“Um…… Shuuji, seriously?” 
In great surprise, Daiki looked at his good friend Tani Shuuji and Hanamura Youko’s expressions in turn. 
“You really don’t listen when other people talk. It’s because of this that Takanashi-san is afraid of you.” 
“T- That’s not it! I’m not afraid……” 
“I- Is that so! Takanashi! Y- You’re afraid of me…… Is that true!?” 
Before Sora denied, Daiki asked frantically. His expression looked rather nervous. 
Finding out that the girl he likes fears him, having such a reaction might have been natural. 
And the girl called Hanamura Youko probably understood that as well, which was why she deliberately said that. 
As for Tani Shuuji, he just looked at his good friend who sank into deep confusion, and Youko, who continued to read her paperback book nonchalantly in turn, while the panicked Sora’s head continued to sink lower and lower. 
Just at that moment— 
“That’s enough!” 
It was a lariat. 
A neckbreaker drop followed closely after that. 
“Good morning! Takanashi-san, it’s been a while~” 
After the girl who suddenly rushed into the classroom dealt Maeshima Daiki with a flurry of vicious attacks, she greeted Sora with a bright smile. 
“Buchou……” 
“You don’t need to feel so awkward, calling me ‘Onee-sama’ like before would be fine.” 
“Nobody addresses you like that, Okae-senpai. No matter in the present or the past.” 
“Oh? Is that so?” 
After the tsukkomi from Shuuji, the Choir Club president, Okae Kiyomi, laughed with faked innocence: “Ohohoho”. 
“B- Buchou…… What’s wrong with you……” 
Lying down on the groud, Daiki said while extending a trembling hand. 
“Oh! I forgot. Take that!” 
“Ngh!?” 
After finishing off her kouhai with a chop, Kiyomi grabbed his leg and started to drag him away. 
“Tani, you come too!” 
“Got it……” 
After Kiyomi gave the order, Shuuji helplessly followed. 
“We’re leaving first, Takanashi-san. See you next time~” 
Before leaving the classroom, Kiyomi elegantly bade farewell with Sora and dragged Daiki away while he bumped into things here and there. 
“Sigh……” 
Seeing her hurricane-like senpai leave the classroom, Sora unconsciously sighed. 
“It seems like it isn’t easy to be you.” 
“Hanamura-san…… Sorry.” 
“Why did you apologize?” 
“After all, it’s all because I left the Choir Club by myself……” 
“I’m from the Literature Club, not the Choir Club, so it does not concern me.” 
“T- That’s true.” 
Youko, who would usually ignored everything, was unusually engaged in the conversation actively, but a few sentences after that, the two of them ended the conversation yet again. 
Not long after that, other girls gathered by Sora’s side, saying things like “It’s best if you talk things out with a teacher”, “Maeshima is really so thick”, and started to chatter on. 
Their concern for her made Sora feel grateful, but to be frank, Sora actually wanted to talk more with that cold classmate. 
Not only was it because she was in the Choir Club with her, Sora could faintly feel a hint of friendliness from the girl called Hanamura Youko as well. Sora also wanted to find out about the contents of the paperback novels and mangas that would always be wrapped in their jackets. 
While being surrounded by other female students, Sora still placed her thoughts on Youko, who was silently reading her paperback novel, for quite some time. 
“What were you doing!? Idiot!” 
An angry roar of the Choir Club president, Okae Kiyomi, rang in the stairwell leading to the rooftop. 
And before her, was Maeshima Daiki, who was forced to sit on the floor in a seiza posture. 
“No, I just wanted to get Takanashi to come back……” 
“I was saying, since you wish for her to return, you should use your brain and think!” 
With short hair and a vicious gaze, Daiki had a formidable presence even when he was sitting on the floor in a seiza posture, but Kiyomi was completely unconcerned and continued to lash out with chops on Daiki’s head. 
“Oh please! Takanashi-san is completely different with over-energetic and totally uncute guys like you!” 
With a disgusted expression, Kiyomi finished speaking while looking at Daiki, and then narrowed her eyes in intoxication: 
“Cute, slender, quiet…… Waking up in twitters in the morning, drinking herbal tea while reading poem collections in the afternoon, sleeping in a bed with a veil at night…… She’s a person that gives off such a feel! Unlike you…… Just eating rice with natto and miso soup in the morning, sneakily finishing off your afternoon bento in class, and eating an extra-large beef bowl after club activities has ended, isn’t that right!” 
“Seems like he’s always eating.” 
“Things like okonomiyaki don’t even deserve a mention! If you want to ask her out for lunch, pick a more suitable place!” 
“Ngh……” 
Daiki was visibly distressed. He originally thought that okonomiyaki was a good idea…… 
“Cool down, Buchou. That’ll probably be enough. After all, when Takanashi-san left, the one who was the most upset was this guy.” 
“T- That’s not it! I just think that Takanashi is very talented, so it’s a big pity if she leaves, so that’s why……” 
“Yeah, yeah.” 
“It’s true!” 
Daiki’s declaration was completely ignored. 
“Anyway, we have to get Takanashi-san back to the Choir Club no matter what. To achieve our goal, we must prepare a more meticulous plan! After all, she’s a quiet girl like a veiled princess, so being forceful is useless. What that girl needs is……” 
Kiyomi hugged her arms and sank into deep thought. 
“T- That’s why, let me convince……” 
“You shut up!” 
“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Yield, yield!” 
Kiyomi used her steel claws to grab Daiki’s face, and a startling noise rang from the skull. As a loyal fan of wrestling techniques, and the Choir Club president- Okae Kiyomi’s impulsive personality, haughty attitude and overwhelming strength caused people to stay far away from her. 
It was probably one of the reasons the Choir Club couldn’t get new members. As the only person with common sense there, although Shuuji thought so in his heart, he was rational enough to keep that thought in his heart. 
Just like that, the members of the Choir Club started to draft a plan to get Sora to return to the Choir Club. 

As I was involved in labor work early in the morning, my sleepiness reached its peak after finishing my classes in the evening. 
“I can’t stand it anymore…… So sleepy…… I think I’m going back.” 
Sora-chan said that she’s cooking tonight. 
As she was regretful because of her previous failure, she’ll probably be full of vigor today. 
Although I think that it’s already great fortune that the girls weren’t hurt, Sora-chan herself seems to think that it’s a great shame. 
I personally thought that wanting a middle schooler who never cooked before this to have skills equivalent to that of a housewife is completely inconsiderate, so Sora-chan didn’t have to be so anxious at all. 
Anyways, it counts as being for Sora-chan’s sake as well, so I’ll just go back earlier today then. Just when I had the thought and was passing by the sakura tree path that had only branches left— 
I saw a lady collapsed on the road, or perhaps I should say, I unfortunately saw her. 
“Uuu~ Uuu~” 
The person giving out rigid moans was of course, the striking beauty that I knew. 
“What are you doing…… Raika-san.” 
I couldn’t help but say. 
No, wait, listen to my explaination. 
Even when the opposing party is the woman I like, anyone would feel like saying something when she’s lying in the center of the road, making moaning noises that sounded obviously bogus, isn’t that right? 
That moment, the other students preparing to return walked by while maintaining a distance from Raika-san and I with troubled or amused expressions. 
You people, shouldn’t there be someone to help out a bit when there’s a beauty you can’t even see on the television moaning by the roadside? Although I had such thoughts, Raika-san’s actions were already known to everyone in the school. 
I stood blankly for a while. 
“Uuu~ Uuu~” 
While saying her monotonous lines, Raika-san secretly turned around to observe my reaction. 
That was probably the signal to urge me to go over to talk. 
To be frank, according to previous experiences, there was only a bad premonition in my heart, but I couldn’t just pretend I didn’t see anything and leave. 
“…… A- Are you okay!?” 
I finally decided to feign worry and ran towards Raika-san. 
I’m not just praising myself, I really thought that my acting was rather realistic. 
“Uuu~ Uuu~” 
In comparison, Raika-san’s acting was seriously…… 
As soon as one hears her speaking, it would make people feel weak all over. 
“Um…… That’s right, hold on! Raika-san!” 
My eyes widened the instant I helped Raika-san up from the ground. 
That was because the chest of her shirt was wide open before my eyes. 
The radiant hills formed from firm fruits was situated at a position that I could almost feel the body temperature from. 
“Ah, um……” 
“Uuu~ Uuu~ I'm having an attack from my old illness.” 
I didn’t know if it was intentional or not, Raika-san squirmed her body as though she was emphasizing her breasts. 
Although senpai wore a poker face as usual, her eyes were unblinkingly glaring at me. 
But even when I understood that, and even though I knew that she was staring at me, I still couldn’t stop. 
My gaze was drawn by the huge breasts…… No, as a person, and as a male, it was correct. 
Helping a beauty, and getting a reward…… I feel not an ounce of regret in the warmth in my arms! 
“Now! Grab him!” 
Just when I was unsure of where the sound came from, a crowd of men wearing judo uniforms appeared from a dark location and subdued me in an instant. After that, they raised me together and carried me away directly. 
Whatever, I already knew that it would turn out like this. Don’t be suspicious, I didn’t say that because I was a sore loser. 
The fact is, I admired Raika-san’s breasts at an extremely short distance, so I definitely earned something from it. 
But no matter how I tried to convince myself, I still couldn’t get used to the chilly feeling of the floorboards. 
“…… Okay, what is it today?” 
As I was brought to the Roary clubroom as expected, I deliberately asked without concealing my displeasure. 
“You don’t seem to be in a good mood, Segawa-kun.” 
“Isn’t that obvious? This happened for a few times already. Can’t you ask for me with a normal way?” 
“Those are two different matters. Searching for surprise and discovery in ordinariness is us Roary’s ideal.” 
“That’s the first time I heard of such an ideal.” 
Although I still wasn’t clear what sort of club Roary is up till now. 
“Nimura, you were captured as well?” 
I asked Nimura at my side, who was in an even worse condition than I was in (simply said, he was tied up in a few circles and was hung upside down). 
“So sorry~ I never thought that I would be fooled by a girl I knew only yesterday at the party. That party itself wasn’t a trick, was it? I felt that there were a larger number of beauties there that day.” 
“Do you need to ask?” 
How much effort did senpai put in this thing….... 
“The reason we brought you here today is for an important matter.” 
Completely ignoring our current state, Sako-senpai started to explain by himself. 
It’s fine for me, but shouldn’t you at least let Nimura down? 
Perhaps because our minds thought alike, Raika-san ordered the helpers from the Judo Club to let Nimura down and loosen our bonds. In the meantime, Sako-senpai continued without waiting for us to adjust to a better pose. 
“As you all know, the school festival of Tama Literary College is coming up soon.” 
When I thought about it, that was indeed so, though I had long forgotten about it. 
But in any case, that should be an event unrelated to Roary. 
“Actually, us Roary applied for the event as well.” 
“Eh……” 
“And also, we haven’t decided on anything yet.” 
“EHH!?” 
“By the way, there’s only two weeks left until the school festival.” 
“W- What do you mean by that!?” 
I couldn’t help but cry out. 
“And also, why didn’t you say this before!?” 
“Regarding this, there’s quite a lot of complicated reasons……” 
“Kaichou forgot.” 
Raika-san directly revealed the inside story. 
“Sako-senpai~~!” 
“Hehe ?” 
“It’s useless even if you act cute! I should say that it’s really disgusting!” 
“You’re really rude.” 
What the heck? What can we cook up in two weeks? 
And from the looks, he probably never thought of anything, did he? 
“Why don’t we just cancel the application directly?” 
“Fool! If we do that, we will be unable to join the school festival for two years as punishment! Don’t you know of the iron discipline passed down by the federation of societies!” 
Of course I don’t know. 
In any case, it seems like the rules for clubs in this aspect were unexpectedly strict. 
“Then what do we do now?” 
“Yes, I’m planning to discuss the event activity right now.” 
As I thought. 
“By the way, if we want to use classrooms or school facilities, we’ll have to apply before five today.” 
“Then doesn’t that mean there’s only an hour left———!” 
Before I realized, I had already picked up the harisen and mercilessly hit senpai’s face with it. 
Although Raika-san gave me the thumbs up at my side…… It seems like I won’t be able to go back today. 

Just when Yuuta was hitting Sako-senpai with the harisen, Sora was hugging a plastic bag full of ingredients, and reached home after some trouble. 
“I’m back.” 
“Back~” 
Returning along with Sora, Hina’s hands held a bag containing snacks as well. 
“Welcome home, Onee-chan…… Um, why is there so much?” 
“Fufu~ Didn’t I say that I’m making dinner tonight?” 
Sora headed directly towards the kitchen right after that. 
“Shouldn’t you at least change your uniform?” 
“It’s fine, and Onii-chan said that he would return earlier today as well.” 
Sora immediately wore the apron on her uniform and started to prepare for dinner. 
Sora’s exceptionally good mood caused Miu to look at her sister’s silhouette for quite some time. 
“Hina, don’t trouble Onee-chan. Let’s play video games.” 
“Ehh~ Hina wants to help too~” 
“No~ We’re letting Onee-chan do everything today.” 
Although Hina puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, she happily started to play after Miu switched on the game. 
Miu knew that her sister kept thinking of today’s menu since the previous day. 
Not easy to fail, and can be completed with minimal use of the kitchen knife and fire…… Under Miu’s suggestion, Sora referred to the recipe in her hands, mustering her vigor to let Yuuta see her best side. 
The conclusion that she got was a rather basic, Japanese style choice. 
Thinking of that, Miu couldn’t help but smile wryly as she played with Hina. 
Just like that, about an hour passed since Sora started to make dinner— 
Trrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnng! 
The telephone at the corner of the living room rang. 
“I’ll get it!” 
When she saw that Miu was planning to pick up the phone, Sora immediately stopped her. 
Usually, there weren’t many people who would call them. 
Mostly, they were relatives, promoters, or Yuuta. 
Recently, nothing happened that would cause their relatives to call, while promoters won’t call at dinnertime as well. 
Thus, the only choice left would be Yuuta. 
Sora picked up the phone after finishing her deductions with the elimination method. 
“Hello? This is the Takanashi residence!” 
‘Hello? …… Is this Sora-chan speaking?’ 
As expected, it was Yuuta calling. 
“Is it Onii-chan? Listen, the curry for dinner is going to be done soo……” 
’Sorry!’ 
“Eh……” 
’To be honest, I have to discuss things about the school festival with someone all of a sudden, so I might not be able to make it back today.’ 
“Is…… that so……” 
’I’m really sorry. The three of you can have dinner first. Calling for delivery is fine as well.’ 
“…… Nn, okay. Onii-chan, you’ll have to do your best as well, all’s fine at home!” 
After forcing herself to speak brightly, she put down the receiver. 
The sound of the phone hanging up seemed to have a strange sense of loneliness. 
“Was that Oji-san?” 
Miu turned around to ask while she played her video game. 
“Nn……” 
In Miu’s eyes, her sister’s expression was rather dark, completely different from before. 
“…… Is it possible…… Oji-san can’t make it back today?” 
“Nn.” 
After clicking her tongue, Miu showed an awkward expression. 
“Oi-tan isn’t coming back?” 
“I think he’s busy with stuff at his college.” 
“Really……” 
Hina turned around to say to her bunny doll: “Adults are so busy~”, a vague conclusion. 
On the other hand, Sora walked back to the kitchen and stared at the large pot of curry that was almost done…… 
“Idiot Onii-chan.” 
Sora covered the pot with the lid after saying so in a soft voice. 

After hanging up my cellphone with a feeling that made my gut ache, I raised my head to look at the moon and apologize to Sora-chan. 
“Sigh…… Sorry.” 
I sighed in the campus, where it had already turned completely dark. 
Sora-chan sounded rather bright in the phone. 
I was originally worried that Sora-chan would be angry, or what I should do if she was visibly despaired, so that made me sigh in relief as well. 
“Yuuta, is it okay?” 
Raika-san turned around to ask. 
“Nn, it seems like there isn’t a problem at all.” 
I stuffed my phone into my pocket and turned around to say to that her. 
“Is that so……” Raika-san said softly and started to walk again. 
“Segawa-kun, if you don’t hurry, we’re leaving you behind~” 
Walking in front, Sako-senpai called me with a leisurely tone. 
We were planning to discuss the problem about the school festival at Nimura’s place. 
In the end, we still applied for the usage of a classroom at the last moment, meaning that we lost the choice of being able to do nothing, that was the scary thing. 
There were only two weeks left until the school festival. 
And I felt that I had immediately sank into a scary situation. 
“Can…… I still go back……?” 
Saying things like this would bring misfortune, that were the rules of the world. 
My initial unease was fulfilled. When I walked out from Nimura’s apartment, it was already the next morning. 
“The sun…… is so yellow……” 
I wasn’t sure if it was just an illusion or because of my lethargy, I spoke weakly with my head raised, looking at the eerie color of the morning sun. 
“Hah~ How exhilarating!” 
And the person who spoke such a thing at a side leisurely was the president of Roary, and at the same time, was known as the man of the source of all evil. 
Seeing the self-proclaimed third year bespectacled fatty standing before my eyes, my indescribable feeling after burning the midnight oil increased in viscosity, making me feel as though I was walking in mud. 
The reason my description of Sako-senpai was so sharp and malicious was because the time for discussion that night was only the starting hour, while the rest of the time was wasted on video games, supper and other actions of accompanying Sako-senpai’s obstinacy. 
By the way, Raika-san had long since left when the discussion started to go off topic. 
Even if we were friends in the same club, wanting Raika-san to stay in a cramped room for the night with three men would make people feel bad no matter what, so it wasn’t really a problem, but the harm that Nimura and I got from losing our sole source of nutrition was quite considerable. 
“Nimura, are you still okay?” 
“No…… I can’t go on anymore……” 
Nimura, who loved cleanliness, would probably have to clean up the apartment that got messed up due to Sako-senpai fooling around in it. 
While I had to use up more than an hour to return home. 
The only fortunate thing was that it was Saturday that day. 
“I’m going home first, remember to think of something by Monday!” 
Looking exceptionally energetic, Sako-senpai left after leaving behind such an irresponsible statement. 
“Goodbye, I have to go home as well……” 
“Okay……” 
I weakly raised my hand to bid farewell to Nimura. 
I lethargically rode a bike and headed towards the station along the familiar streets. 
I went on the train with people that looked like salarymen on duty, shopping housewives, and families preparing to enjoy the break. 
The instant I sat on the seat, sleepiness immediately assaulted me. 
Luckily, my destination, Shinjuku Station, was the last stop, so I could happily sleep on the train. 
After reaching Shinjuku, I went to Ikebukuro, where my house was at, by bus. 
When I arrived, the number of pedestrians naturally increased. 
I still haven’t got used to the changes in scenery when I set out from Hachiouji until I landed at the city center. 
The difference was especially great on the way back home from Ikebukuro Station. 
I finally relaxed after entering the residential area after some time, and an impulse of wanting to rush over when I saw the roof of my house at the end of the slope arose as well. 
There’s probably no other person more unsuited to stay in a large city than me. 
“I’m finally home……” 
Reaching my own house after a long journey gave me an indescribable sense of accomplishment. 
Just when I took out the keys from my bag and was about to open the door to enter the house…… 
“Hmm……?” 
It was the gaze I felt last time. 
I turned around and noticed a female wearing a sailor uniform [2] at the entrance of the house opposite to us. 
From her appearance, that person seemed to be slightly older than Sora-chan, probably a high schooler. 
She had hair that was long, black and straight, and wore a knee-length skirt that was dark blue in color. Of course, there wasn’t any trace of make up or earrings on her face, and only the large ribbon tied on the side of her head had any special features, a rather good attire rarely seen nowadays. 
“Ah…… Hello.” 
Realizing that she was unblinkingly staring at me for quite some time, I hurriedly greeted her. 
Lack of sleep and lethargy seemed to have caused my brain to be unable to function properly. 
However, after the high school girl with a traditional air glared at me for a moment, she turned around and left. 
“What’s…… wrong with her……?” 
Eh? Did I do anything to anger her? 
I only moved here recently, and almost never had any interactions with the neighbors…… 
“…… Whatever, who cares.” 
Although it was somewhat mystifying, I didn’t think much about it and opened the door. 
“I’m back.” 
Thinking that the girls might still be sleeping, I lowered my voice and closed the door as quietly as I could. As I expected, there was only silence in the house. 
Actually, I originally anticipated meeting any one of them. 
“After all, it’s a holiday……” 
Just when I reached the living room while muttering to myself…… 
“Welcome home.” 
“Uwagh!?” 
I turned around in shock and saw Sora-chan poking her head from behind the sofa to look at me. 
“I- I’m back…… Is it possible…… That you slept there?” 
“I- I just woke up early, and was watching the television over here!” 
Although she said that, her messy hair proved that she just woke up. 
Did she wait there all along for me to return…… 
“Curry.” 
“Eh?” 
“There’s still some curry left.” 
Sora-chan turned around and spoke in a soft voice. 
When I had a closer look, there was a large round pot on top of the gas stove. 
That was probably the dinner Sora-chan made last night. 
“Ah! Oji-san is back.” 
“It’s Oi-tan!” 
The other two gradually poked their heads out from behind the sofa as well. 
I hugged Hina, who rushed over to me like a cannonball. 
“Um…… Everyone, I’m back.” 
“Welcome back~” 
“Welcome back!” 
I’m really happy. 
“Hug~ Oi-tan, hug~” 
Being surrounded by them with large smiles, my eyes couldn’t help but tear up. 
Having people waiting for me to go home made me experience once again how happy such a thing was. I hugged Hina, allowing myself to be in her fragrance and lowered my head to Sora-chan and Miu-chan. 
“Sora-chan, thank you.” 
“W- Why are you saying that all of a sudden?” 
“You made dinner yesterday and waited for me, didn’t you? This morning as well.” 
“I said that I just coincidentally woke up early!” 
Seeing Sora-chan’s flushed face, Miu-chan showed a mischievous smile. 
“When she found out that Oji-san won’t be coming back, Onee-chan’s disappointed look was really…… Do you want me to replay it? Oji-san will definitely be surprised.” 
“Hina too, Hina too~ Replay! Replay!” 
“Kyaaa!! Miu! Stop that! Don’t fool around anymore!! Sheesh, even Hina is joining in the commotion!” 
“Ahahahaha! Oi-tan, what’s replay?” 
It’s so lively even in the morning. 
I watched the three sisters’ interactions for some time, even forgetting about my sleepiness. 
“Okay, okay. Oji-san, let’s have breakfast. Although there’s only curry.” 
“If you’re unhappy with that, you don’t need to eat it.” 
“I’ll eat, I’ll eat, because it was Onee-chan’s cooking that you so rarely succeeded in making. Such a precious chance is really rare, so I’m eating it even if it’s breakfast.” 
“M- Miu!” 
“Hina likes curry~” 
“If so, let’s eat together.” 
As Miu-chan said, the curry Sora-chan made was really delicious, just that the serving filled the whole round pot, so I really didn’t know how to deal with it. It seemed like we would be having curry for quite some time. 

Outside the house where the family reunion was happening, there was a silhouette peeping at the Takanashi family. 
“It’s undeniable now, when that man returns, the wails of the girls can be heard……” 
Although it sounded like laughter as well, that might have been the mad laughter of the evil man. 
The sixteen year old high school girl was at an age of sentimentality and delusions. 
1 A school centered on preparing students to get into university. 
2 Japanese schoolgirl uniforms are based on the sailor's uniform.