5 Step Sisters Vol. 1 Chapter 7

The Housemates of the Detached House

It was the end of Golden Week. Wednesday, May 7th.

As was obvious from the fact that they were all present for Chinatsu’s birthday, Dad and Natsuki-san had seemingly wrested time off from work to prepare for the first long holiday welcomed by our new family. Natsuki-san, in particular, had apparently struggled since she had just transferred to a new agency, but she said she was saved by the fact that her boss and colleagues were understanding people.

However, unfortunately, Chinatsu and I didn't have a single day of Golden Week.

The reason being, the day after Chinatsu’s birthday. Our location was pinpointed from the caller ID used when reporting to the authorities, and the police readily came to the house to pick us up. The Japanese police are excellent.

Taken to the police station, Chinatsu and I underwent endless interrogation for four days. It was an ordeal, but since we couldn't exactly refuse to cooperate with the investigation, we faced it with a sincere attitude.

We were taken to that abandoned factory and bombarded with detailed questions about which route we took and where we encountered the criminals. A crime scene reenactment, as they call it. While they were at it, our fingerprints were taken for elimination purposes.

Chinatsu looked exhausted from around the second day, and by the fourth day, her eyes were dead, but to be honest, I was quite excited. It was a parade of events straight out of a TV drama.

According to the police, the elementary school girl Chinatsu rescued was a young lady from a wealthy family, and the criminals had staged the kidnapping for ransom. Apparently, they were also suspected of several other thefts.

That child had been made to take sleeping pills by the criminals, but she had no external injuries and was scheduled to return to school after a few days of observation.

I was fidgeting, wondering if we would receive a commendation or something, but instead, we were given a rather serious lecture.

That stood to reason. The only correct response for a regular citizen encountering a crime scene is to call the police. Defeating kidnappers, restraining them, and rescuing the victim on your own isn't written in any textbook.

However, after being thoroughly scolded, we were offered words of gratitude. There was an explanation about preparations to pay a special investigation reward—yadda yadda yadda—but Chinatsu declined it.

In that manner, Chinatsu and I, having been extremely busy, were in no position to go out and play. Dad and the others apparently agonized over whether to take the remaining sisters somewhere even if they had to give up on a trip, but the final conclusion settled on—it has no meaning unless we all go together.

As a substitute, of a sort, everyone gathered in the living room during Golden Week for a gaming tournament. Chinatsu and I also participated in this at night.

Karin was often away, saying she had plans with friends or a boyfriend, but apparently, she joined in just once when we weren't there. Good grief, what a dishonest third daughter.

And so, the first school day after the holidays arrived.

It was a day where the sky was so blue and clear it was hard to believe the rainy season was waiting just ahead. Bathing in the lavishly pouring sunlight, I let out yawn after yawn.

Entering the classroom with a lethargic feeling, less like I was tired from playing and more like a salaryman after consecutive days of overtime, the atmosphere was different from before the holidays.

The one surrounded by classmates was Asahina. That spectacle itself wasn't particularly rare, but what bothered me was the content of the leaking conversation.

"In the end, what was that message about?"

"Is it related to the kidnapping case they talked about on the news?"

"Was Miyanaga-san's little sister okay?"

"U-Um, well..."

Bombarded with questions, Asahina’s gaze was swimming.

Come to think of it, I remembered something important. Despite asking Asahina and Hiruoka for cooperation, I hadn't reported the outcome of the incident. There might have been messages on my smartphone, but I was so tired during the holidays I barely looked at it. Chinatsu was likely the same.

Leaving her like that was, as a human being, not good. I approached the group while feeling somewhat tense.

"Sorry. Regarding that, let me explain."

Several gazes pierced me. Crossing back and forth were voices asking, "Why him?" and "What was this guy's name again?" You guys should remember your classmate's name by now; it's already May.

"Actually. I was the one who asked Asahina to contact everyone."

Just as I began my explanation, Chinatsu entered the classroom. As soon as she noticed the situation inside, she stopped near the door.

Just the right timing. While looking toward Chinatsu, I continued speaking.

"That day. On the way home from school, I saw Chinatsu running around. Since she said she was searching for her sister, I thought it might be better to have everyone help, so I contacted Asahina and Hiruoka."

"Right, right. Human wave tactics, as they say."

Choosing the right timing to chime in was Hiruoka, who was already seated.

"In the end, her sisters came home safely, and they weren't involved in any incident. That is all."

When I, unaccustomed to this, concluded the explanation, Chinatsu, who had approached the circle of people, bowed her head with a serious expression.

"It is as he says. Thank you for cooperating."

So that’s what it was—an air of understanding flowed through the class. Some students quickly left Asahina’s side and returned to preparing for class.

With this, the minimum duty of explanation was likely fulfilled. However, looking at the indifferent faces of my classmates, I—having become Chinatsu’s brother—thought that I didn't want to end it there.

Many of the classmates misunderstand the person known as Chinatsu Miyanaga. Because I think that is tremendously wasteful.

I inhaled lightly, then consciously raised my voice louder than before.

"Ah—. And that’s how I found out, but Chinatsu is a massive siscon."

"Eh? Wait."

Chinatsu was flustered. It seemed she didn't expect to be exposed suddenly.

"I am not a siscon!"

To think the difference in recognition started there.

I unintentionally put on a serious face.

"No, you're a siscon we could proudly show off anywhere, right?"

"Like I said, who is a siscon?!"

If she was saying that seriously, it was almost scary. If you say you aren't, then siscons would vanish from the face of this earth.

Chinatsu was fuming with anger, but I continued without minding her.

"Basically, her sisters had just gone out in secret from the family to buy a present for Chinatsu's birthday. Well, honestly, I understand the feeling. If I had such cute little sisters, I'd become a sisco... a worrywart too, and I'd probably want to be on guard against every single male."

Always straight as an arrow, she yelled at me, her face bright red, without realizing my intention.

"T-That's right. Is there something wrong with that!?"

Not realizing she was gathering the gazes of the classmates all onto herself, she shouted in excitement.

"I have the cutest little sisters in the world, so isn't it obvious! Of course, you are no exception! Just try laying a hand on my sisters; next time I won't stop at just hitting you with a stun gun, I'll snap your neck bones at least five times!"

"Please spare me, make it just once at least."

No, actually, if possible, I'd like to refrain from even once.

Even while we exchanged such back-and-forth, the gazes of the classmates looking at Chinatsu began to change little by little.

"Ah, so that's what it was."

"I might have misunderstood her somehow?"

Looking deflated, and appearing a little apologetic, they exchanged words with each other.

"I mean, a siscon."

"She's a siscon, Chinatsu-chan. That's kinda funny."

I unintentionally laughed.

Chinatsu Miyanaga is kind, serious, strong, hard-working, and just an interesting girl who loves her sisters extraordinarily much.

She might dislike it, but I think it would be good if such talk jumped beyond the class and spread throughout the school. So that no one thinks of her as a scary, unapproachable existence. So they don't build a thick wall.

Several of the girls approached Chinatsu’s side. Among them was the figure of the classmate who had Chinatsu pick up her eraser some time ago.

"Hey, Chinatsu-chan. Do you have photos of your younger sisters?"

Perhaps because it was a friendly inquiry, Chinatsu looked awkward.

"I-I do, but... showing them is a bit..."

"Eh? Why?"

"Because everyone will fall in love with them."

"...Ahaha, you really are a serious siscon."

"L-Like I said, I'm not a siscon."

"Chinatsu-chan, you're the best. Good job."

"Eh? Eeeeh?"

She probably had never been smiled at brightly like that before. While stealing glances at Chinatsu, whose eyes were darting around in confusion, a portion of the male students were whispering amongst themselves.

"Miyanaga-san is a big sister who thinks of her siblings, huh. I've become even more of a fan!"

"Should I confess, prepared to crash and burn? I might just confess...!"

Apparently, there was no need to meddle any further.

Tired from doing something I wasn't used to, I left the circle centered around Chinatsu and returned to my own seat.

As I was preparing my textbooks, the one who tapped my shoulder was Asahina. I unavoidably readied a "Haloha" in the back of my throat, but the words Asahina spoke were not a greeting.

"Rikkun. You became good friends with Chinatsu-chan, didn't you."

"Eh?"

I flinched.

Asahina is a girl who not only has great popularity but also excellent powers of observation. Watching the state of Chinatsu and me, she might have sensed something.

However, our relationship is one we plan to keep hidden going forward. Even if the other party is Asahina.

"Well, that's, since I helped search for her sister, somewhat, yeah."

"I see."

Asahina stared at my face for a moment, then nodded with a smile. Saying nothing more, she simply walked away.

◇◇◇

After school, I had been called to the Second Counseling Room for the first time in a while.

I thought another educational consultation, or rather life consultation, by Aru-sensei was about to begin, but my prediction was off.

"Rikuto, help me organize the reference room!"

"Ehh..."

Seeing him press his hands together in prayer, I hesitated.

Being a new, young teacher, Aru-sensei often had troublesome roles pushed onto him by the surrounding teachers. This was likely one of those cases.

Since it was a request from a teacher who usually looked after me, I wanted to nod without a second thought, but I was tired today. I had been thinking of going home quickly to rest.

"I'm going to the Shizuoka Hobby Show, so."

"The Hobby Show is next week, isn't it?"

Why do the adults around me grasp the schedule of events within the prefecture so accurately?

"Please~, I'll lend you manga again!"

Aru-sensei pleaded with teary eyes. Despite being an adult male, it was frightening how he naturally incited a desire to protect him.

It wasn't that I was lured by the manga, but having caved, I headed to the reference room with Aru-sensei.

The formal name of the reference room appeared to be the School History Reference Room. Its purpose was allegedly to preserve materials regarding students and school events for posterity, but plainly speaking, it was a place to temporarily shove documents that had nowhere else to go.

In the room, which was like an eel's bed—long and narrow—metal cabinets were lined up tightly. When Aru-sensei opened the lock of the front cabinet for the time being, a spectacle that was the polar opposite of the words "organized and tidy" spread out before us.

As I coughed, unable to stand the dustiness, I was handed an unused mask. He was well-prepared.

"I want to separate these piles of documents by year and type. Though I think the majority are unnecessary."

"Essentially, it's sorting work, right?"

I took off my jacket and rolled up the sleeves of my shirt.

The work itself proceeded smoothly. Once I got used to it, it was nothing special. Pulling out documents, inspecting them, and separating them into their respective piles.

What activated my motivation were the four-panel manga published in class newsletters from years ago. These were well done, and I could understand the feeling of wanting to keep them in the reference room, but anyway, missing issues were conspicuous. Would I find them if I checked all the cabinets? I wanted to hope so.

Aru-sensei, who was pounding his lower back like an old man, opened his mouth for the first time in a while.

"It seems your relationship with your family is good."

I formed a facial expression that was difficult to describe. The day I said something like "it would be fine if we could just get by without incident" was fresh in my memory, but not even a month had passed since then.

Not minding my internal conflict, Aru-sensei spoke in a warm voice.

"Cherish your family. Even more so if they are people you can respect."

"Is that true even for step-family?"

"I thought Rikuto had already thrown away such boring boundaries long ago."

The reason I didn't talk back was that it was exactly as Aru-sensei—Aru-kun—said.

"I have to try harder too, so that Rikuto will rely on me."

At his remark, which was far too late in the game, I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm already relying on you, though. Way back since."

Since long ago, Aru-kun would call out to me whenever I had a gloomy face. The times I was saved by such casual conversations were not just once or twice.

—It was three hours later when the bulk of the work was finished.

Though I say that, we only tidied up the contents of two cabinets. The road ahead was so long it made me feel faint. Since just four-panel manga didn't make up for the reward, I wanted to have him treat me to a meal sometime.

"I-I'm tired..."

The way home alone. My worn-out body swayed on the Shizutetsu train. Today I sat quietly in a seat, loosening my stiff shoulders and arms. Mount Fuji was surely looking down on my exhausted self with a "Good work" face.

Come to think of it, today is Wednesday. The schedule where I make dinner for the sisters on Mondays and Wednesdays had also been interrupted by the consecutive days of interrogation.

Getting off the train at Kusanagi Station and following the same path as I did going there, I heard someone's faint laughter from a distance. From some house, a delicious scent drifted out, tickling the tip of my nose.

Tonight seemed to be curry. Smelling that spicy scent, I was forcibly put into a curry mood.

After hesitating a little, I retraced my steps and stopped by the Shizutetsu Store. I put curry roux, onions, carrots, potatoes, and such into the shopping basket. In my house, curry meant exclusively pork belly. Both Curry and Omurice were things Mom used to make often.

I finished paying and left the store. On the road where the May evening sky was still blue, and I couldn't tell if it was heading toward morning or night, I continued to walk ploddingly, carrying my eco-bag.

Even while I walked, the darkness of night deepened little by little, streetlights came on, and lights began to illuminate the houses sporadically. Telling of the beginning of each family's time. I, who disliked this spectacle and usually returned home much earlier, moved my feet while having my loneliness thrust before me.

The reason my feet stopped after turning the corner was that I noticed the lights were on in my own house.

I stood there for a while, but putting strength into both legs, I approached the entrance. Before I could touch the door, it opened from the other side.

There—for some reason, my five stepsisters were waiting.

"Oniisan, welcome home."

"Ah, Niisan."

"Welcome home, Onii-sama."

"Yaaay! Riku-nii is here!"

Words from each of them, welcoming the returning brother.

Karin seemed to be just passing by, but Mio, who opened the door for me, looked behind her with a smile remaining on her face.

There stood Chinatsu, her arms pinned from both sides by Fuka and Sorane.

"D-Do I really have to say it?"

Chinatsu pressed them, looking flustered, but the two of them just looked up at Chinatsu while smiling beamingly.

"O-Okay, I get it. I'll say it, I'll say it..."

Fuka and Sorane let go of her hands. Chinatsu finally looked at me and took a deep, deep breath.

"...Welcome home, Onii-chan!"

Taken completely by surprise, I became unable to say anything.

"W-Wait a minute. Say something. I mean, don't turn your back."

"......"

"Why the silence? Like I said, say something."

"...Of all things, 'Onii-chan', huh."

I haven't taken statistics, but 'Onii-chan' is thought to be the most orthodox way of calling a brother among siblings. Also, it is thought to be the one most yearned for.

When I turned back, Chinatsu glared sharply at me, her complexion looking feverish.

"What? Is that bad?"

"Nooo, not at all."

Hmph, Chinatsu snorted defiantly.

"Let me tell you, me calling you brother is a story limited to inside the house. From now on at school, we are just classmates."

She was prickly as usual, but Chinatsu’s eyes looking at me were faintly gentle.

We are probably still far from the form of a family. But this strange relationship has only just begun, and we will be under the same roof from here on out.

"I'm home."

Thinking such things, I laughed and entered the house.

Into my home, which was much livelier than before.

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