BSS – Vol 3 Chapter 2 Part 3 – The British Stepsister is Acting Even Stranger

“—I can’t believe she actually wants to stay over…” (Kento)

After practice on Saturday, I returned home with Sophia, just the two of us, and muttered with a wry smile.

“Well, I was serious when I said it… Did you prefer if she didn’t?” (Sophia)

Perhaps thinking I was against it, Sophia looked up at me anxiously.

That was my fault for wording it that way.

“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just… Even though there are younger guys in the house, she didn’t hesitate to stay over. I feel like she’s probably the only one who could be that unfazed.” (Kento)

Normally, a girl her age would be more cautious about staying in a house with boys around.

The fact that she wasn’t concerned at all was typical of Kujouin-san, who could stand her ground even against the coach.

Well, considering how naturally airheaded she could be, it was also possible she simply hadn’t considered that.

“She trusts you, Onii-chan. You wouldn’t actually try anything, right?” (Sophia)

Sophia seemed more concerned about the situation than I was, eyeing me suspiciously with a doubtful gaze.

She must know just how beautiful Kujouin-san was, and it made sense that she’d be worried about whether I’d get any weird ideas.

“If I were going to make a move on someone, I would’ve done it with you a long time ago…” (Kento)

“—! W-Well, I guess that’s true…” (Sophia)

Hearing me say that, she inhaled sharply before turning her face away.

She looked slightly flushed, and she fidgeted with her hair in an unsettled manner.

“U-Um, Nadeshiko-senpai will take a while, right?” (Sophia)

“Yeah, she said she’d be going home first, so it should take her at least an hour or two.” (Kento)

Normally, she would have just come home with us if she was planning to stay over after practice. But her popularity in the club was ridiculously high.

Combined with the fact that I would also be at home, if word got out that she was staying over at our place, the club members would make a fuss.

That’s why Kujouin-san hadn’t brought any of her stay-in belongings with her. Instead, she had deliberately gone home first to get her belongings while ensuring that we left at different times.

As a result, tonight’s sleepover was a secret that only the three of us knew.

By the way, the reason I didn’t know exactly when she would arrive was simply because I had no idea where she lived.

“Well, I guess the timing doesn’t really matter. Our parents are on an overnight trip today and tomorrow, so they won’t be home…” (Sophia)

“Ahaha…” (Kento)

Sophia sounded a bit resentful as she said that, and I averted my gaze with a wry smile.

The fact that our parents, who had just gone on their honeymoon recently, were off on another trip probably meant their relationship was going strong.

I could understand why they’d want to go out—having us around meant they couldn’t completely let loose.

Leaving the two of us alone like this was probably a sign that they trusted us, and honestly, it didn’t feel bad.

“If you wanted them to stay home, you could’ve just said so.” (Kento)

“There’s no way I could do that…” (Sophia)

Yeah, both Sophia and I wanted the parent who had raised us alone all this time to fully enjoy their new happiness.

That’s why, when they said they were going on a trip, we couldn’t tell them no—nor did we want to.

“Anyway, I told them about Kujouin-san, so there shouldn’t be any problem, right?” (Kento)

Of course, I couldn’t just let someone stay over without saying anything, so I had properly informed Jessica-san and the others.

Since this was Sophia’s first time bringing a friend—well, a senpai, technically—Jessica-san had looked delighted.

Since Dad was there, she didn’t say it out loud, but watching Jessica-san’s reaction, I thought maybe she secretly wanted to stay as well.

That must have been how surprising it was for Sophia to bring someone over.

Well, I had never invited a friend over either, so I wasn’t really in a position to talk.

By the way, the reason Kujouin-san’s stay was approved so easily was because of her character.

Jessica-san and Dad had met her at the match venue, so they knew she was a well-mannered person.

If it had been anyone else, Jessica-san and Dad probably would have canceled their trip and stayed home.

“I can’t even serve her a decent meal…” (Sophia)

Sophia muttered, still looking a little dissatisfied.

Seeing that, something clicked in my mind.

“…Oh. So that’s what it is. I was wondering why you were in a bad mood, but you’re just nervous about cooking for Kujouin-san, aren’t you?” (Kento)

If Jessica-san had been here, she would have taken the lead in preparing dinner, with Sophia helping out.

But since Jessica-san wasn’t around, Sophia had to take the lead in making dinner herself.

I’ll help out, but since I can’t cook at all, there’s not much I can do to take over for her.

“But I’ve never cooked for anyone other than for our family…” (Sophia)

Sophia pouted slightly, looking sulky.

Somehow, she’s been acting a bit more childish lately.

But since it was cute, there was no problem at all.

“Sophia, your cooking is really good, so don’t worry about it.” (Kento)

“R-Really?” (Sophia)

When I told her that without any flattery, she loosened her lips slightly and started twirling her hair restlessly.

Her tone was also softer and more casual, which probably meant she was happy.

“Yeah, I eat your delicious bento every day, so I can guarantee that.”  (Kento)

“Hehe…♪” (Sophia)

Sophia smiled even more happily.

What is this cute creature?

The more time I spent with her, the more I found myself drawn to her.

But it seemed like she only saw me as her brother, and with the rules of the club, there was nothing I could do to progress our relationship.

“Besides, Kujouin-san is good at cooking too. She’ll probably help out.” (Kento)

During training camps, the managers sometimes prepared meals for us, and they were always well-balanced and delicious. From what I’d heard, Kujouin-san usually took the lead in cooking, so she had to be skilled in the kitchen.

She didn’t talk much about her home life, but from what little I knew, she seemed to come from a wealthy family. Maybe she had been trained in homemaking since she was young.

It was a private school, after all, and there were apparently quite a few students from rich families.

“She’s the kind of person who looks after others, so—” (Sophia)

Sophia was in the middle of speaking when—

The doorbell suddenly rang.

“Nadeshiko-senpai is already here…?” (Sophia)

Sophia looked toward the entrance, then turned to me with a puzzled expression.

“No, that can’t be. We just got home a moment ago.” (Kento)

We had spent some time talking at the entrance, but it hadn’t been long since we arrived.

It was too soon for Kujouin-san to be back after having gone home once, so it was probably just a salesperson or something.

“I’ll go answer the door. You should go change, Sophia.” (Kento)

Whether it was a salesperson or a delivery, I could handle it alone, so I told her to head to her room.

“Okay…” (Sophia)

Sophia nodded and started toward her room, but for some reason, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Then, she looked at me with a worried expression.

“You don’t have to look so scared. This isn’t some manga—it’s not like I’ll get stabbed the moment I open the door.” (Kento)

I smiled to reassure my cute, anxious little sister.

Sophia gave me a wry smile in response.

“I didn’t say anything like that.” (Sophia)

“Your face did.” (Kento)

She probably didn’t actually think I’d get stabbed, but I could tell she found the sudden visitor unsettling.

Well, it wasn’t unreasonable to be suspicious when someone showed up at this hour.

As we talked, the intercom rang again.

If it was just a salesperson, I could ignore it and let them leave. But if it was a delivery, it would be rude to make them come all this way for nothing.

“If you’re scared, like I said, just go back to your room.” (Kento)

“I’m not scared… Besides, I need to be ready to call the police if something happens…” (Sophia)

What exactly was she so worried about?

I guess Sophia was a bit timid and easily frightened at heart.

That being said, considering she was at high risk of being targeted by a stalker, maybe it was better for her to be cautious and overly worried.

“Yes, who is it?” (Kento)

Since Sophia had no intention of going back to her room, I put on my shoes and opened the door.

And then—

“G-Good evening…!” (?)

—Standing there was a small-framed boy, who looked like a middle schooler, bowing his head energetically.

He seemed polite enough, but… who was he?

“Um… and you are?” (Kento)

There was a chance he was a junior from middle school or high school, but I didn’t recognize him, so I asked.

Or rather, maybe he wasn’t here for me but for Sophia instead.

“My name is Haimiya Riku! I came because I wanted to speak with Shirakawa-san…!” (Riku)

Haimiya-kun introduced himself in a bright and enthusiastic voice.

It was a name I didn’t recognize, but at the very least, he didn’t seem like a bad kid.

“Sophia, he says he wants to talk to you…” (Kento)

Since it seemed like he had business with her, I called out to Sophia.

“No.” (Sophia)

However, whether out of caution toward the unfamiliar boy or simply because she didn’t want to deal with him, Sophia immediately turned away.

She just couldn’t help but put on a mask when dealing with strangers.

“Sorry, would it be alright if I asked what this is about?” (Kento)

I figured it would be awkward if it was a confession, but since Sophia had no intention of engaging, I decided to ask on her behalf.

If he had been some flashy, frivolous guy or someone blatantly rude, I would have sent him away. But since he had introduced himself so politely, I couldn’t just brush him off.

“Ah, no…! The one I want to talk to is Shirakawa-san…!” (Riku)

“Hmm?” (Kento)

Shirakawa-san—so that meant Sophia, or… wait, was he talking about me?

Just as I reached that conclusion, Haimiya-kun once again bowed his head energetically.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude while you’re with your girlfriend!” (Riku)

“G-G-Girlfriend!?” (Sophia)

Sophia reacted sharply to Haimiya-kun’s words, letting out a flustered voice.

Even though she seemed to be flustered, the reason she didn’t switch to English was probably because she just repeated the words she heard.

Now I understood why Haimiya-kun had only used my last name. He probably didn’t know I have a sister with the same last name now.

From his earlier comment, it seemed like he had mistaken Sophia for my girlfriend.

“Ah, I guess it’s easy to misunderstand. That girl is actually my imouto.” (Kento)

“Eh, your imouto…?” (Riku)

Haimiya-kun blinked in surprise and glanced at Sophia.

Given that not just our facial features but also our hair, eye color, and even skin tone were different, it was natural for him to find it odd.

But there was no need to go out of my way to explain that to a stranger.

“Don’t you think we would be a pair?” (Kento)

Sophia was the most beautiful girl in school, while I wasn’t even someone who got talked about much in that regard.

No matter how you looked at it, we didn’t seem like a couple.

“Actually, I thought you suited each other…” (Riku)

But Haimiya-kun really did seem like a good kid—he was clearly being considerate.

He was probably the type to be doted on by older people.

“Onii-chan, isn’t it rude to keep talking at the entrance? Since he has something to say, why don’t you invite him in?” (Sophia)

Just moments ago, Sophia had been keeping her distance with a cold, almost disdainful expression, yet now she suddenly came up beside me and suggested letting Haimiya-kun inside.

Her attitude had taken a complete 180, leaving Haimiya-kun visibly surprised.

To be honest, I was just as shocked. I never expected Sophia to not only allow him inside but even take the initiative to invite him in.

“Are you sure about this?” (Kento)

“Whether I am or not, standing here talking is exhausting, isn’t it? I’ll make some tea, so go have your conversation in the living room.” (Sophia)

What in the world had gotten to her…?

The irritation from before had completely vanished, and now she almost seemed to be in a good mood. Seriously, what was going on…?

“Well, if Sophia’s fine with it… Haimiya-kun, is it okay if we talk inside?” (Kento)

Sophia’s sudden change in attitude was puzzling, but as she said, we couldn’t just keep standing around talking at the entrance.

That said, sending him away felt a bit cruel, so I decided to bring him to the living room.

“Yes, I’d be happy to…!” (Riku)

Haimiya-kun carefully took off his shoes, neatly arranging them before following behind me.

He seemed well-mannered.

“That’s impressive. Not many people bother to line up their shoes properly.” (Kento)

Even among middle schoolers, there were plenty who just left their shoes lying around in a mess.

I didn’t dislike kids who knew how to behave properly.

“Yes, my older sister is really strict about these things.” (Riku)

“Oh? Sounds like a responsible older sister.” (Kento)

“Yes, she’s someone I’m really proud of. She can be strict, but she’s kind, reliable… and she works hard for my sake…” (Riku)

He must really love his sister.

Since he could proudly talk about his sister even to someone he had just met, I figured she must be a well-mannered and dependable person too.

“……….” (Sophia)

As I poured the tea Sophia made into the cups, I suddenly noticed Sophia glancing over at us restlessly.

She looked like she had something to say—or rather, like she was waiting for something to be said.

Ah, I see.

“You’re lucky to have such a wonderful sister. I’m also proud of my sister—she’s great at cooking and excels in her studies.” (Kento)

Realizing what Sophia was expecting, I spoke about her good points, even though it felt a little embarrassing.

Honestly, what am I even doing, bragging about my sister to someone I just met? But since Haimiya-kun started it, I figured it wouldn’t seem weird.

“…♪” (Sophia)

And just as I suspected, I heard Sophia humming to herself.

Looks like she was in a good mood now.

“You two seem very close.” (Riku)

Noticing Sophia’s reaction, Haimiya-kun smiled at me.

Even though I was getting along with someone as stunning as Sophia, he didn’t seem jealous or envious, which really made me think he was a good kid.

He must have been raised well.

“We’re siblings, after all. So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?” (Kento)

If we kept chatting, Kujouin-san might show up, so I decided to steer the conversation toward the main topic.

At that, Haimiya-kun tensed up, just like he had when he first arrived.

“Um… I…” (Riku)

He clenched his fists around his pants, as if trying to squeeze the words out of himself.

I figured pressing him would be a bit cruel, so I stayed quiet and waited for him to find the words on his own.

Taking a deep breath as if steeling himself, he finally spoke.

“I want to be like Shirakawa-san…! How can I be like you…!?” (Riku)

It was such an unexpected statement that Sophia, who had been placing cups in front of us, accidentally set one down with too much force, causing water to spill over the table.

“Ah…! I need to clean this up…!” (Sophia)

As she hurried off to grab a towel, I turned back to Haimiya-kun and slowly opened my mouth.

“Sorry, but… what do you mean by that?” (Kento)

I couldn’t quite grasp what he was trying to say, so I asked him to clarify.

“Actually, I also play baseball… and last year, I saw the game you played with Kurogane-san…” (Sophia)

Apparently, he had watched a match that I would have preferred to stay unseen by others.

Not that it really mattered, but still.

“Ah, I see… and?” (Kento)

Still not fully understanding his point, I urged him to continue.

“Honestly, back then, I felt a sense of connection with you, Shirakawa-san…” (Riku)

A sense of connection?

I wondered what he meant, but since he seemed intent on continuing, I stayed quiet and listened.

“But now, you’re playing in official matches at a top-tier school, making headlines in newspapers and appearing on the news…! Please tell me! How did you become such an incredible player in just one year…!?” (Riku)

I see… So basically, he must have read about me somewhere and, believing that we were once similar, became curious about the secret behind my progress.

“Hmm… First, what’s your position?” (Kento)

I knew nothing about him.

He definitely seemed motivated, and his determination was clear. But I had never heard his name before.

Well, considering he saw himself in me from a year ago, I could more or less guess his skill level.

“I’m a pitcher…!” (Riku)

“…I see.” (Kento)

Ahh…

I let out a small sigh, unsure whether to be impressed or exasperated.

Meanwhile, Sophia had already finished wiping the table and was still sneaking glances at me, as if urging me to say something.

Yeah, yeah, I get it.

“Alright, first of all, let me be clear—I’m a catcher, not a pitcher. That means I can give you advice, but I’m not exactly the best person to ask if you’re looking for firsthand experience.” (Kento)

“Of course! But I still think you can help me…!” (Riku)

Seriously, his enthusiasm was almost blinding.

I scratched the back of my head, trying to figure out how to handle this.

“Well… if it’s about improving as a pitcher, I can at least tell you what I’ve seen from the mound. But, you know, there’s no shortcut to getting better. It’s all about the work you put in.” (Kento)

I wasn’t trying to sound preachy, but it was the truth.

“Yes! I’m prepared to do whatever it takes!” (Riku)

Man, this kid… He really reminded me of a younger version of myself.

I exchanged a brief glance with Sophia, who let out a small sigh but didn’t say anything.

This was going to be a long conversation.

“I want to become a player who can shine as a pitcher, regardless of whether it’s a top-tier school or not…! I want to go pro…!” (Riku)

With a passionate and earnest expression, Haimiya-kun explained his feelings.

Sophia, after looking at him as if she were pitying him, glanced at me with a sad expression.

She probably thought he was dreaming too much and wasn’t seeing reality.

“First, I want to make sure there’s no misunderstanding… I’ve only just started, and I don’t even know if I can make it to the pros myself. So, I don’t have the answer to the question of what the right path is.” (Kento)

I made sure to clarify that upfront.

“But, I did hit three home runs in one game…!” (Riku)

“Well, that was a bit of a special case… But, while I don’t know about your record, if you really want to go pro, I do think you should aim for a top-tier or prestigious school. The training facilities, the coaches, and the level of teammates are all on a completely different level. It’s a given, but if you want to improve, you’ll learn faster in a better environment.” (Kento)

That wasn’t necessarily the case every time.

Compatibility with coaches and teammates also played a role.

More than anything, it depended on one’s own motivation and talent, so simply being in a good environment didn’t automatically guarantee results.

The opposite was also true.

But in the end, what was the right choice? You wouldn’t know until you actually joined.

That said, once you were in, there was hardly any chance to start over.

In that case, it was better to choose the option with the higher probability of success—and which one that was should be obvious.

“If you dedicate yourself for three years at a top-tier school, even without achievements now, there’s a good chance you’ll improve significantly—” (Kento)

“I’m sorry… but I can’t…” (Riku)

As we talked, Haimiya-kun denied it with a pained expression.

Seeing him like that, I started to get a sense of the situation.

“Is it a money problem?” (Kento)

“Yes…” (Riku)

Getting into a top-tier school without any achievements requires paying a high tuition fee.

On top of that, there are costs for equipment, club fees, and travel expenses, making it something that not just anyone can afford.

Of course, there’s always the option of going to a strong public school—but in the end, private schools tend to have better facilities, coaches, and school support.

In fact, in our prefecture, for the past ten-plus years, the schools that have made it to Koshien every year have all been private.

“There are scholarships available, and if you really want to go, shouldn’t you try convincing your parents?” (Sophia)

Perhaps she had been thinking about something.

Sophia, who had been quietly observing until now, sat next to me and spoke to Haimiya-kun.

However—

“It’s impossible… I’d love to go to Seijou if I could… but I don’t want to put any more burden on my sister…” (Riku)

Sister…?

Why was he talking about his sister when we were discussing his parents?

That thought crossed my mind, but I quickly realized a possible reason.

So, before Sophia, who looked dissatisfied, could speak, I held up my hand to stop her.

“What…?” (Sophia)

“Well, right now, this is a conversation between me and Haimiya-kun.” (Kento)

Sophia probably wanted to encourage him, which was why she had something to say.

But no matter how much someone wishes for something, there are things in this world that simply can’t come true.

“It’s not unheard of for public schools to defeat private ones, and there are plenty of strong teams out there. What’s important is figuring out what you need to do and what’s necessary for your growth. Talk things through properly with your coach, stay committed, and don’t neglect your efforts. If you do that, you might just reach the level you’re aiming for.” (Kento)

I stopped focusing on the idea of strong schools and instead gave him the best advice I could.

The rest was up to him.

“You’re right… Thank you. I’ll do my best at the school I get into.” (Riku)

Haimiya-kun smiled at me.

Most likely, the answer he was looking for wasn’t this.

If this level of advice was all he wanted, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to come to me.

“By the way, why do you want to go pro?” (Kento)

When I asked that, Sophia shot me a look like she wanted to say something.

Isn’t it obvious why someone would want to go pro?

Her expression made it clear that’s what she was thinking.

But I had a feeling this was different from what she assumed.

“I want to make things easier for my sister… I’ve been a huge burden on her ever since I was little… The only way I can repay her is by going pro and supporting her for the rest of her life…” (Riku)

“What kind of—” (Sophia)

“I see. That’s a great dream.” (Kento)

I covered Sophia’s mouth before she could finish and smiled at Haimiya-kun.

His eyes widened in surprise.

“Is it really that great…?” (Riku)

“Wanting to make things easier for your sister—there’s no way that’s anything but admirable.” (Kento)

Saying that, I got up from my seat.

“Alright, your sister’s probably starting to worry, so you should head home.” (Kento)

To be honest, I was curious to hear more, but Sophia looked like she was at her limit. Before she exploded, I figured I should get him out of here.

“A-Ah… Sorry for barging in like this and making you listen to all of this…” (Riku)

Haimiya-kun bowed repeatedly, looking apologetic.

He was probably very aware of Sophia’s worsening mood beside me.

“It’s fine. And one last thing—hard work doesn’t always pay off, but if you stop putting in the effort, that’s where everything ends. Believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.” (Kento)

With a grin, I pressed my right thumb against my left chest and said those words.

“Ah… y-yes! Thank you so much!” (Riku)

After hearing my advice, Haimiya-kun bowed deeply once again.

If this helped ease even a little of his hesitation, then that was enough.

He continued bowing repeatedly as he left—but…

“I have a lot of things I want to say…” (Sophia)

Sophia, who had been bottling up her frustration throughout the conversation, was now looking at me like she was ready to unload it.

Kujouin-san, hurry up and get here already…

“Haimiya-kun’s life is his own. We’re just outsiders—no, we only met him today. It’s not our place to interfere.” (Kento)

“But he’s being way too naive…! A kid who can’t even say what he wants to his own family isn’t going to make it…! And aiming to go pro just for the money—!” (Sophia)

“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions based on assumptions.” (Kento)

Seeing how heated Sophia was, I reached out to pat her head, hoping to calm her down.

She might get mad at me, but nevertheless, I decided to calm her down by giving her the head pats she loves.

“…It tickles…” (Sophia)

As soon as I started patting her head, Sophia immediately quieted down.

She grumbled about it, but she wasn’t making any effort to escape.

Her words aside, her body was being far too honest, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Haimiya-kun is probably struggling and doing his best with what he can do right now. I think pushing him any further would only pressure him more.” (Kento)

“Why do you think that…?” (Sophia)

“Well… just a hunch…” (Kento)

The truth was, I had a pretty good idea.

There had been enough hints in what he said.

But since I had no solid proof, and it was a sensitive topic, it didn’t feel right for me to say anything as an outsider.

“You’re really taking his side… based just on a hunch? Even though you just met him…” (Sophia)

“Haha… well, he seemed like a sincere and good kid.” (Kento)

“Your tone was much softer than usual too, Onii-chan…” (Sophia)

“That’s just because he’s younger. If I talked like I normally do, I might have come off as intimidating.” (Kento)

Even if there’s only a one-year age difference between a high schooler and a middle schooler, the older one can sometimes feel much bigger.

On top of that, he had come to a stranger’s house. If I had spoken coldly or unapproachably, he probably wouldn’t have been able to say what he wanted.

That’s why I had consciously chosen a gentler way of speaking.

“Hmm… well, I’ll just say this.” (Sophia)

“What?” (Kento)

“No matter how badly someone wants to talk, it’s pretty crazy to track down your house and just show up unannounced. Be careful, okay?” (Sophia)

“Yeah… there’s no excuse for that…” (Kento)

Sophia was right—showing up at someone’s house unannounced was a bit much.

He was probably that desperate…

That said, Sophia had been handling it pretty well at first. Whatever he said in the latter half of the conversation must have really set her off.

From her perspective, as someone who pushes herself to the limit every day, his words probably sounded like he was making excuses.

Still—there was one thing that stood out to me.

Haimiya-kun didn’t seem very confident, yet he clearly stated he wanted to go pro. And while he acknowledged his lack of achievements, he never once questioned his own ability.

That meant his lack of accomplishments was real—but could it be that he actually had confidence in his skills?

It could just be baseless optimism, but considering his personality, it was worth looking into.

Maybe I should check with the coach…

“—The two of you sure look comfy.” (?)

“—!?” (Kento & Sophia)

While I was lost in thought, absentmindedly stroking Sophia’s head, Kujouin-san’s voice suddenly broke the silence.

When I turned my gaze toward her, I saw that at some point, she had appeared in front of the house, staring at us intently.

“This isn’t what it looks like…!” (Kento)

”Th-Th-That’s right! It’s not what you think it is!” (Sophia)

As I hastily tried to explain, Sophia panicked and started blurting things out in English.

Kujouin-san was most likely skilled in English as well, so she might understand what Sophia was saying.

I usually had no clue what she was saying when she switched to English, but I did know that when she panicked, she had a tendency to let things slip.

So, I gave Sophia a firm pat on the back.

“Ah…” (Kento)

That seemed to snap her back to her senses. She blinked, suddenly looking startled.

Looks like we are in the clear.

“Ahaha… You don’t have to panic so much.” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-san smiled wryly as she looked at Sophia.

But she didn’t seem intent on pushing the issue further. Instead, she turned to me with an apologetic expression.

“More importantly, why are you two outside? Were you waiting for me?” (Nadeshiko)

“No, actually—” (Kento)

Since I wanted to ask for Kujouin-san’s help, I told her about Haimiya-kun’s visit earlier.

Of course, I didn’t mention any of my own speculations.

“…I can’t believe there are kids who show up at people’s houses these days.” (Nadeshiko)

It seemed like even she hadn’t experienced something like this before. She listened intently and then gave a troubled smile.

“His match data, huh… If he’s been making it through tournaments, it shouldn’t be too hard, but…” (Nadeshiko)

As expected, it seemed like my request—asking her to obtain Haimiya-kun’s match data—wouldn’t be easy.

I had already expected that possibility, so it couldn’t be helped.

“No, I’m sorry for asking too much. It was just a thought—please forget about it.” (Kento)

With the China Tournament coming up, I couldn’t put unnecessary pressure on Kujouin-san.

I was curious about Haimiya-kun, but as a team, the China Tournament was overwhelmingly more important.

“Onii-chan, what are you thinking…?” (Sophia)

Sophia seemed to have sensed something and was looking at me suspiciously.

So she noticed, huh…

“No, don’t worry about it. It probably won’t happen anyway.” (Kento)

If what I was thinking now actually came to fruition, it would be nothing short of a miracle.

Honestly, I was clinging to the possibility because of my own wishful thinking.

The truth was, our team was facing a significant challenge—pitcher shortage.

Of course, it wasn’t just a simple matter of not having enough pitchers.

The ace was Shuuto, but we had reliable upperclassmen who could serve as the second, third, and fourth pitchers.

In fact, against mid-tier or lower-ranked opponents, even our second-string pitchers were more than capable of holding them down.

Even against strong teams, if I did my best with my lead, we could probably keep them within two or three runs.

However—when it came to powerhouse schools that competed for the national championship every year, I thought it would be extremely difficult without Shuuto.

There was a high possibility that we’d get hit hard, and at the very least, we would have to be prepared for a slugfest.

That meant that in order to win, we’d either have to put a heavy burden on Shuuto or commit to an all-out battle of runs—but if we were serious about winning the national championship, that approach wasn’t realistic.

That’s why I wanted a second pitcher at a level who could stand alongside Shuuto.

Just like how Shuuto had joined our team this year, I had been hoping that another super rookie would come next year as well… and that’s probably why I found myself looking for that potential in Haimiya-kun.

“…………” (Nadeshiko)

Hearing that Haimiya-kun was a pitcher, Kujouin-san must have realized what I was thinking.

She was trying not to show it on her face, but her eyes caught me with a look of dissatisfaction.

She was a kind person—but no, precisely because she was kind, she must have had her own thoughts on the matter.

I had a general idea of how she felt, so I figured it was best to stop talking about Haimiya-kun any further.

If she were to become an enemy, she’d be more troublesome than Sophia.

“We ended up talking for quite a while in front of the door. Please, come inside.” (Kento)

To change the atmosphere, I smiled and gestured for Kujouin-san to enter.

In response, she returned a smile.

“Yeah, you’re right. Well then, excuse me.” (Nadeshiko)

It seemed like she switched gears as I had hoped, and Kujouin-san followed me into the house.

However—

“A player of Kurogane-kun’s caliber joining our team was already a miracle, you know? Miracles don’t happen twice.” (Nadeshiko)

As she stepped up from the entrance after taking off her shoes, she whispered quietly into my ear.

She was probably being considerate so that Sophia wouldn’t hear, but doing something like this only made it seem like she was upset.

After that, though, there wasn’t any awkwardness between me and Kujouin-san. She acted just as she always did.

◆

<Sophia’s PoV>

“Nadeshiko-senpai, the bath is ready. Please go ahead.” (Sophia)

When the sound indicating the bath had filled played in the living room, I politely called out to Nadeshiko-senpai, who was sitting elegantly beside me watching TV.

By the way, Kento-kun had gone for self-training, so the only ones left in the house were me and Nadeshiko-senpai.

Even though she was here, he still stuck to his usual routine.

If he were a normal guy, he’d probably try to stay around since the school’s madonna was visiting his house.

“Thank you. Since we have the chance, why don’t we take a bath together?” (Nadeshiko)

As I was thinking about Kento-kun, Nadeshiko-senpai invited me with her usual radiant smile.

I think this is the first time someone has tried to close the distance with me this much.

Even Kento-kun has never suggested taking a bath together.

…No, well.

Of course, he wouldn’t.

“I’m not used to this, so…” (Sophia)

“Yes, that’s why you need experience.” (Nadeshiko)

Suddenly, Nadeshiko-senpai grabbed my hand.

It felt like she was making it clear that she wouldn’t let me escape.

“Eh!?” (Sophia)

“Come on, come on, let’s go.” (Nadeshiko)

Without paying any attention to my surprise, Nadeshiko-senpai pulled my arm, trying to take me to the dressing room.

Such a forceful approach was incredibly rare from her.

“Um, aren’t you being a little too pushy…?” (Sophia)

Between the sleepover and this, I couldn’t keep up with her unusually aggressive approach. As I watched her start taking off her clothes, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Fufu, surprised? Well, I guess that’s understandable.” (Nadeshiko)

However, she didn’t seem bothered at all and continued undressing happily, looking entirely at ease, probably because we were both girls.

“What exactly are you planning…?” (Sophia)

“I’m not plotting anything so serious that you’d need to be on guard. I just want to get along with you, Sophia-chan. If I don’t push a little, you’ll just run away, won’t you?” (Nadeshiko)

“Ugh…” (Sophia)

She hit the nail on the head.

She must have figured it out from the way I acted when we first started having lunch together.

“Could it be… you’re taking a page out of Onii-chan’s book to be forceful?” (Sophia)

“You caught on quick! The only person who’s managed to get close to you is Kento-kun, so I figured he’d be the best example to follow—well, that was my thought process, at least.” (Nadeshiko)

Just as I suspected.

She probably said “you caught on quick” because Kento-kun himself doesn’t actually act this forcefully very often.

But when he decides something needs to be done, he will drag me along without hesitation and even resort to drastic measures.

In fact, he once stood in front of my room for hours, and when it came to lunch, he made me start eating with Nadeshiko-senpai to improve my communication skills.

Nadeshiko-senpai understood this side of Kento-kun, and since I obediently went along with it when he was forceful, she must have thought she should do the same.

Kento-kun… I’m going to hold a grudge over this.

“Come on, Sophia-chan, you need to undress too. Oh! Should I help you take it off?” (Nadeshiko)

“Eh!? N-No, I can do it myself! I’ll take it off myself!” (Sophia)

As Nadeshiko-senpai reached out toward me, I hastily started taking off my clothes.

I had always thought this about her—she was very caring, but at the same time, she could be a bit overprotective.

She just had that nurturing nature about her.

That being said, being undressed like a child would be way too embarrassing.

“Fufu, Sophia-chan, you’re panicking too much.” (Nadeshiko)

“That’s because Nadeshiko-senpai is being too forceful… Why do you care so much about me…?” (Sophia)

After taking everything off, I hid my important parts with my hands and asked her.

She pressed her index finger to her lips, muttering “Hmm~” in thought, before slowly opening her mouth.

“Because Sophia-chan is cute, and you feel like a little sister to me. That makes me want to take care of you.” (Nadeshiko)

Like a little sister… Was that because of Kento-kun?

That thought crossed my mind, but I still couldn’t bring myself to step any further into that topic.

There was also a high possibility that she simply saw me as a little sister, nothing more…

“Come on, come on, you’ll catch a cold! Let’s wash up quickly and get in the bath.” (Nadeshiko)

With Nadeshiko-senpai urging me, I was led into the bathroom.

“Sit down, Sophia-chan. Let’s wash each other.” (Nadeshiko)

“T-That’s too embarrassing…!” (Sophia)

Even if she saw me as a little sister, wasn’t she getting a bit too close!?

I really wanted to say that, because Nadeshiko-senpai was being way too pushy.

But with her warm personality and the kind of beauty that could make anyone stop and stare, I couldn’t bring myself to dislike it.

“Don’t be shy.” (Nadeshiko)

“Ehh…!?” (Sophia)

I tried to resist a little, but it was pointless—before I knew it, I had been seated on the bath chair.

Ugh… she’s really too forceful…

And this is all because of Kento-kun, who put weird ideas into Nadeshiko-senpai’s head…

As I thought about that, I quietly let her wash my hair.

“—Alright, next is your body.” (Nadeshiko)

“Eh? You’re not using a towel…?” (Sophia)

Seeing that Nadeshiko-senpai didn’t reach for a towel and instead rubbed liquid soap onto her hands, I hesitantly asked.

“Yeah, this is a rare opportunity, after all.” (Nadeshiko)

What kind of opportunity is this!?

As I mentally screamed in protest, Nadeshiko-senpai’s hands reached for my neck.

“Hyah!? T-That tickles…!” (Sophia)

“Just bear with it for a bit. But wow… your skin is so smooth and soft…” (Nadeshiko)

Nadeshiko-senpai ran her hands over my body, speaking enviously.

Even though she had smooth and delicate skin too…

“—Hah… nn… u-um, isn’t it over yet…?” (Sophia)

“Huh? But I’ve only just finished your back?” (Nadeshiko)

When I asked her to stop quickly, she gave me a puzzled look through the mirror.

Even if she said that, it was incredibly ticklish, so I couldn’t help it.

I felt embarrassed that my voice might escape, and I really wanted this to be over soon.

I never knew being washed by someone else could be this ticklish.

“I’ll move to the front now.” (Nadeshiko)

“Eh, wait— nnngh!?” (Sophia)

The moment Senpai’s hand touched my two protrusions, a jolt like electricity ran through me, and I hastily covered my mouth with my hand.

“Wow, your body jumped so much just now… I was surprised. It’s a strong sensation, but try to bear with it, okay?” (Nadeshiko)

Nadeshiko-senpai spoke gently while carefully washing, repeatedly rubbing in circular motions.

I could faintly hear her humming.

“Hah… hah… u-um, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you…!?” (Sophia)

“It’s an important area, so I have to wash it properly, right? Okay, moving lower now.” (Nadeshiko)

As I let out a voice, Nadeshiko-senpai responded in a cheerful tone and, just as she said, slid her hand downward.

Of course, during that time, I was overwhelmed by an unbearable ticklish sensation.

I figured it out…!

I had been fooled by her usual graceful and refined demeanor, but she was secretly an S…!

Seeing Nadeshiko-senpai in such a good mood, I couldn’t help but think that.

She was probably a very kind person normally, but once her switch was flipped, she became like this.

In other words, my reactions must have unknowingly triggered that switch.

And so, I continued to be washed thoroughly—by the time it was over, I was completely exhausted.

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Thanks for reading!

What was all that from Nadeshiko…? Nothing she did here was in character. Alright, I’m gonna rant for a bit. 

She wants to get along with Sophia, and the best method she came up with was… touching her body in the shower…? I know that it’s a common trope for girls to bond over showering together, but Sophia was clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing, and Nadeshiko knows this but still decides to go one step further and touch her body all-around.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong since I don’t remember every event that happened, but MC wasn’t really that pushy of a person. I remember translating multiple times where the MC knows Sophia is hiding her true thoughts and yet he never highlights it out of consideration for her. The times when MC was pushy were mainly because he wanted to help her, not to get along with her.

Something just doesn’t seem right with how Nadeshiko acted here, so I’m just gonna pretend it never happened.

P.S. I completely forgot to upload this last week.

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