5 Step Sisters Vol. 2 Chapter 4

A Dream Not Acknowledged

Dad and Natsuki-san's remarriage brought huge changes to the household.

One of them was the cabinet in the bathroom. It looked like some kind of shop, with bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body soap, face wash, and so on increasing all at once.

Unlike me, who just bought whatever caught my eye, the women seemed to have their own preferences, and not everyone used the same kind of products. The packaging indicated scents like citrus, apple, lavender, etc... though I hadn't confirmed who used which one.

By the way, the body towels with strings also came in different colors, lined up amicably. Dad's and mine were driven to the corner, looking rather pathetic.

"Hmm hmm~ hmm hmm hmm~"

Wednesday, May 28th, 9 PM. I was humming the tune of "Sweet Pentagon," which I had grown accustomed to hearing, while taking off my sweat-soaked shirt.

The cultural festival was next week. Whether it was the preparations for the Imouto x Otouto Cafe or Fuka's lessons, everything was in the final stage.

The prototype cookies were also well-received. Starting two days before the cultural festival, I would be on standby in the cooking room with classmates who were good at cooking. We would make cookies and waffles together there, stockpiling them. Waffles don't last long at room temperature, so they would be frozen until the morning of the event.

While humming the melody of the chorus, I turned on the light and opened the bathroom door.

"Woah, the steam is thick."

I lightly waved away the smoke-like steam with my towel and grabbed the familiar bath bucket.

However, when I bent down facing the bathtub, my body froze.

"...Ah?"

I widened my eyes.

Karin's face was right there.

Soaking in the hot water, Karin rested her hands and chin on the edge of the bathtub, leaning her whole body against it in a relaxed manner.

Her cheeks were more flushed than usual, and her messy hair draped over her reddened shoulders.

No matter how you looked at it—and since we were in the bathroom, it was only natural—she was naked. Of course, she was naked.

"Mmn..."

While I stood frozen in place due to the incomprehensible situation, Karin's closed eyelids fluttered slightly before my eyes. Seemingly sensing my presence, she slowly opened them.

Before that happened, my body finally moved.

"S-Sorry!"

I apologized while swiftly turning around. As I quickly wrapped the towel around my waist, my heart was pounding violently. I desperately racked my brain, trying to recover from the confusion.

I didn't expect Karin to be taking a bath first. The reason I came in was that the light was off, and there was no sound coming from the bathroom.

Did she take a bath with the lights off? Is that even possible... Although I couldn't completely deny it, it was certainly easy to misunderstand.

However, I couldn't blame Karin here. After all, I was the one who entered without checking.

"I didn't mean to... anyway, I'm getting out first. I'm really sorry."

Making excuses in this state was awkward, so I decided to escape quickly to the changing room first.

However, Karin called out to me with a languid voice.

"If you go out now, I'll scream."

I put my sweat-drenched hand on the bathroom door and answered without looking back:

"Generally speaking, shouldn't it be the opposite?"

If she said she'd scream if I didn't get out quickly, I could understand that.

But needless to say, if she screamed, it would be bad. A few minutes ago in the living room, Chinatsu and Natsuki-san were watching TV. If I were found here, I would be done for.

"If it's normal, isn't it boring?"

I couldn't judge if she was serious or joking. What on earth was Karin thinking... elusive and hard to grasp, just like water.

As I furrowed my brows, Karin let out a soft breath.

"Since you're here, let me wash your back."

"...Hah!?"

My face stiffened. What is this girl saying?

I almost turned my head, but Karin let out a "Mmn~" sigh and slowly stretched her body, so I hurriedly faced the door again. Right, she isn't wearing anything right now. Although neither am I.

Splash, splash, as if blaming me, the seductive sound of water echoed in the bathroom.

"Ah, I broke up with my ex-boyfriend. I was planning to go on a date on the day of the cultural festival."

Karin reported to me in a flat voice, sounding not particularly regretful.

But that wasn't the issue. Whether Karin had a boyfriend or not, a man and woman of this age—step-siblings at that—taking a bath together was simply out of the question.

As I racked my brain thinking if there was any way to leave the bathroom safely, Karin suddenly asked me:

"Hey, Fuka wants to be an idol, right?"

"Eh?"

I exclaimed involuntarily, and Karin sighed exasperatedly.

"She might think she's hiding it well, but putting aside the other sisters, I saw through it long ago."

"......"

Fuka, did you hear that?

"But, is this okay? You supporting Fuka is equivalent to betraying Chinatsu."

My heart jumped. Betrayal—what expression was Karin wearing as she said such a strong word? With my back turned, I had no way of knowing.

"What do you... mean?"

I asked nervously, but Karin didn't answer. Only the sound of splashing water was heard.

This silence felt like she was testing me.

Sharpening my senses towards Karin behind me, I spoke,

"Chinatsu loves her sisters, right? Then she should support Fuka's dream too."

I thought Karin would retort something, but she just gave a faint laugh.

"I think that's fine. I'll support you and Fuka from the bottom of my heart."

Just as I thought her words weren't very credible, splash, a large amount of water moved.

"!"

Karin stood up. To respond to whatever move Karin made, I could only hug my knees, curl my body into a ball, and crouch in front of the door. From behind, my posture probably looked as ugly as a pill bug, but at this moment, it was the strongest defensive posture.

Next, Karin seemed to step out of the bathtub. While sensing her presence, I thought.

Did Karin intend to go out first? Then should I move away from the door?

However, that was just my optimistic speculation to escape reality.

Instead of going out—Karin slowly sat down behind me.

"Hey, isn't it about time you looked at me?"

A sweet yet somewhat poisonous, sadistic husky voice vibrated my eardrums. The fine hairs from my back to my shoulders stood on end. Karin's body existed at an unbelievably close distance.

Mercilessly stimulating the tip of my nose was a sweet scent like pear. It must be the shampoo, conditioner, or body soap Karin used—

"D-Don't say stupid things."

I barely managed to keep my voice from trembling, but my pulse accelerated uncontrollably. Sweat, not from the heat, oozed from my whole body.

Karin whispered in my ear, as if tickling me.

"Are you really going to be like this? If you don't look at me, I'll scream, you know?"

"......!"

I really wanted to look up to the heavens and shout.

This girl... to use such a terrifying threat. She knew exactly what words would drive me into a corner.

"Okay, I'll give you five more seconds... Five, four, three, two..."

The merciless countdown left me with little time.

"One, zero...... Hey, it's over."

But because I didn't act, Karin seemed dissatisfied.

"Why don't you look at me? Isn't there a saying, 'It's a man's shame to refuse a meal offered'?"

It's rare for the "meal" to call itself that.

I said decisively to Karin:

"No matter what you say, I won't do as you wish."

Natsuki-san and Dad trusted me. Because of that, my living together with the five sisters was possible.

If I did something to betray their trust, I could no longer live with them as family under one roof.

"Scream if you want. Compared to seeing my sister's naked body, that's better."

I said resolutely while curling my body.

Although saying such things while stark naked wasn't cool at all, it didn't matter. Whatever Karin wanted to do, however she tried to shake me, my will wouldn't waver. I just wanted to let her know that.

Karin sighed as if finding it boring. If she even calculated blowing that breath onto my bare back, she was truly terrifying. Fortunately, I didn't let my guard down.

"Good grief. That's why you're a virgin, right?"

"Hey, you're really being nosy..."

And that has nothing to do with being a virgin. Probably.

In that case, not looking and leaving the bathroom were the same. Before I stood up, Karin said to me unhappily:

"By the way, I'm not your sister. We're strangers, right?"

Karin probably didn't say that to hurt me on purpose. She was simply stating a fact.

Unlike Chinatsu, Karin called me "Nii-san" without resistance. From the first time we spoke, she called me that.

Although it might be rude to professionals, it was the same as a maid cafe employee calling a stranger "Master" or "My Lady." Because it was a symbol, she could call me that.

Conversely, Karin didn't have any thoughts about me now. Even if there were some misunderstanding, she wouldn't acknowledge me as her brother. That's why she could call me that without any emotion.

"...Even if it's like that for you, I still hope you can acknowledge me someday. I hope you can rely on me in the future."

"...What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you ask me for help for the other sisters? Wanting me to cook."

I clearly felt Karin gasp.

Although Karin did something outrageous like a night raid, her goal was to tell me about the sisters' dining situation. If that hadn't happened, Chinatsu and I might still be unable to close the distance.

However, Karin denied my thought.

"—You're naive."

Her voice was piercingly cold. Although confused, I still didn't turn back. Karin spoke to the back of my head in a flat tone:

"I don't know what you misunderstood, but I didn't talk to you for that kind of thing. I just wanted to bully Chinatsu. All along, just that."

The voice echoing in the bathroom carried no emotion. Yet, I felt like Karin was about to cry.

Actually, I didn't hear her sobbing or sniffing. I exhaled slowly and said what I had always wanted to say.

"Even if you insist on that, I'm still grateful to you. So... thank you, Karin."

I decided to protect the four sisters together with Chinatsu.

Then, I decided to protect the five sisters together with Chinatsu. If I could get close to Karin and know her inner thoughts—I could surely become a bridge between Chinatsu and Karin too.

I didn't know if Karin understood my thoughts, but it seemed to have some effect.

"Ahh—really. You're really good at disrupting my pace..."

Karin clicked her tongue displeasedly. It seemed she no longer had the energy to tease me.

Hurry up and just go out without saying anything like this. I prayed single-mindedly, but Karin didn't hear my silent prayer. Three seconds later, I realized.

"Since it's come to this, there's no other choice."

Karin hugged me from behind.

"—!"

This time, I was the one who wanted to scream.

My heart beat violently like an alarm bell, thump thump thump. Karin must have heard this sound too. Even knowing, I couldn't stop it.

Karin's unbelievably soft arms wrapped around my body. From Karin's hair pressing against mine, cold water droplets fell, sliding from my neck to my collarbone.

On my back, a sensation of being rubbed by soft skin without any gap...

"...?"

I felt something was wrong and frowned. Although I had never been hugged by a girl in my life, I felt this sensation was strange.

If anything, I had a memory of this skin sensation. Right, like fabric that had absorbed a large amount of water—?

Maintaining tension, I timidly turned around.

The answer appeared before my eyes.

"...Swimsuit?"

"Yeah, I went to buy a new swimsuit with friends before."

Karin let go of me dryly and stood up, then spun around on the spot.

She was wearing an off-shoulder bikini that had turned a darker color after being wet, paired with swim bottoms decorated with ribbons on the sides. Although the overall look was revealing, the design looked like wearing ordinary clothes.

"How is it? Does it look good? I was confirming how much water it repels."

Only then did I finally realize that I had been set up by Karin from the very beginning.

Come to think of it, when I turned on the bathroom light—no, when I started humming—Karin inside should have been able to make some reaction. Or rather, she could have made a sound or shouted; actively letting me know her presence like that would have been more natural.

But in reality, she made absolutely no sound, just quietly waiting for the prey to swagger into the bathroom.

After I entered, she showed the white skin of her shoulders and arms, making me misunderstand that she wasn't wearing clothes. To prevent me from immediately realizing she was wearing a swimsuit, she must have paid special attention to the angle.

"...You..."

Understanding everything, I could only groan in shock.

I was played. Or rather, toyed with. Just looking at Karin's expression as she stuck out her tongue, it was obvious she did it on purpose.

A proverb flashed through my mind.

Like a moth to a flame. Of course, that moth was me.

I fell silent as if I had lost my soul, while Karin urged me on, brushing up her wet hair with her hand.

"Hey, Nii-san. I'm asking you, does this swimsuit look good or not?"

"............It looks good."

I could only answer weakly.

There was no need for my praise. That swimsuit suited Karin, who had a curvy figure, very well. She herself should know this very well.

Karin pinched the soaked swimsuit and tilted her head, saying:

"Also, I don't want to get a tan, so actually I plan to wear a rash guard over it."

"In that case, I wish you would wear it now."

"Hah? Wearing clothes in the bath is a hindrance, right?"

Even if she retorted with common sense, according to my common sense, one doesn't wear a swimsuit in the bath.

"You..."

"Then I should probably get out, or I'll get dizzy."

She seemed to sense that I was about to get angry.

Karin prepared to leave the bathroom while laughing. I could only hurriedly move away from the door.

"Thanks, Nii-san."

Karin stood on tiptoe, water dripping from her, and walked out of the bathroom just like that.

Left in front of the closed door, I stood in a daze for a while. The sound of Karin moving and clothes rustling came from the changing room.

"...I really don't understand."

I exhaled deeply. I, who had frozen like a Jizo statue earlier, consciously switched my mindset, scooped hot water with the bucket as usual, and poured it over myself. I felt my tense body finally relax.

I almost forgot due to the various shocks just now, but after calming down, I started to worry about Karin's meaningful words.

I've been helping Fuka up to now at her request... but why can't Fuka tell the family about the audition?

From my perspective, Fuka's relationship with the family is good. Yet the reason she can't confess, just as Karin said, has to do with Chinatsu—?

"Ah, Nii-san."

"Woah!?"

The door suddenly opened, and Karin, wearing a thin hoodie, peeked in. I, who was scrubbing with body soap, let out a small scream and covered my body.

"N-No, don't peek."

Karin didn't mind at all, the corners of her mouth lifting in a smile.

"Sorry to disturb you, but you'd better hurry up, okay?"

"...Eh?"

Saying that, Karin withdrew.

I didn't correctly understand her meaningful words. But clearly, now wasn't the time to soak leisurely in hot water.

After carefully checking for movement in the changing room, I rushed out of the bathroom. I quickly put on the clothes I took off earlier and went to the hallway.

Immediately after, I felt something was wrong. —The atmosphere in the house was strange. Before I went to take a bath, there should have been the sound of the TV and the sisters talking.

It's strange at times like this. It's as if the objects in the house, not wanting to be the target of the residents' anger, held their breath and pretended not to be there. Therefore, only a piercing silence lay before me.

I felt a tightness in my chest, and my breathing became shallow. While feeling goosebumps on my arms, I opened the living room door.

There flowed air that was piercingly cold.

Natsuki-san, Chinatsu, Mio, Fuka, and Sorane were sitting at the dining table. Eight eyes glanced at me, but Fuka, with her head down, didn't look up.

I walked cautiously towards them.

On the table, a familiar document was placed as if on display.

—Idol Recruitment Audition Document Screening Passing Notice.

The addressee was Fuka's name. Just with this, I roughly understood what had happened.

"This was under the living room table."

Chinatsu explained with a cold voice, and I slowly swallowed.

Judging from the meaningful statement and attitude earlier, it must be Karin's doing. She stole the passing notice from Fuka's room and intentionally placed it in the living room. Needless to say, so that someone in the family would find it.

Chinatsu looked up at me, who was holding my breath.

"Did you know about this from the beginning?"

Her eyes and voice were so cold they sent shivers down my spine. It even gave me the illusion that time had rewound to the day I met her.

However, I couldn't back down here. Before helping Fuka, I knew this day would come sooner or later.

"Yeah."

I nodded clearly. Fuka kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Mio and Sorane too?"

The shoulders of the two named by Chinatsu stiffened. Sorane, sitting in Karin's seat, gripped Mio's hoodie next to her so tightly it almost wrinkled. Probably because there was a sense of oppression in Chinatsu's voice.

Hearing this, I frowned. How should I put it—I felt this wasn't like Chinatsu.

I glanced at Fuka, who decided to remain silent. Helplessly, I should explain on Fuka's behalf here.

"...Mio and Sorane only knew Fuka was going to perform on stage at the cultural festival, so they helped. Only I knew about the audition."

I opened my mouth with difficulty and explained from the beginning.

Especially regarding the consent form part, Natsuki-san held her head in distress.

"Why didn't you discuss it with me before?"

"......"

"Fuka is still a middle schooler; at times like this, I wish you would tell me first. If you pass the audition and have to go to Tokyo, don't we need to discuss it properly?"

Middle school students and high school students are the same. Under the protection of their parents, not recognized as independent individuals. Cannot take responsibility for their own matters, and aren't allowed to. These are strict rules made to protect children, and at the same time, social norms made to bind children to where they are now.

However, did Fuka notice? Natsuki-san wasn't unilaterally denying Fuka's dream or the profession of an idol. She just wished Fuka would consult her, speaking from a parent's standpoint.

Looking at this, if they faced each other and talked sincerely, she should understand. Holding such hope, I prepared to interject.

But before that, Chinatsu spoke.

"I oppose her becoming an idol."

Chinatsu said in a cold and sharp tone, and Natsuki-san looked somewhat troubled.

"Chinatsu, now isn't a question of approval or disapproval—"

"Because she might encounter danger."

Chinatsu interrupted Natsuki-san, her brows filled with pain.

"I don't know much about idols either. But idols also receive heartless slander and defamation, right? I've also seen news about idols getting involved in stalker incidents and murder cases. I don't want Fuka to encounter such things. I absolutely... don't want her to encounter such things."

"...Right..."

Following that, Fuka whispered something.

Chinatsu frowned and looked at Fuka in confusion. Standing on the spot, I saw the corners of Fuka's mouth, which had been trembling at first, now twisting as if mocking.

"That's right—whenever I do something that attracts attention, Natsu-nee is always unhappy."

"Eh?"

"It's always been like this!"

Fuka raised her head abruptly, glaring at Chinatsu with tear-filled eyes.

"In elementary school, when I played the lead role in class, Natsu-nee was unhappy too! It was the same when I was scouted as a magazine model! After I said I refused, you became happy—that's why I couldn't say anything! I could only hide the fact that I want to be an idol from everyone!"

The thoughts Fuka had hidden in her heart all along rushed towards the ceiling like an explosion. Then, I heard the story of Fuka and Chinatsu that I didn't know.

Fuka kicked away her chair and stood up, slamming the table in front of her and screaming.

"Even though Sorane goes to soccer lessons—Sorane can do it, but I can't do anything!"

Sorane probably didn't understand what they were saying.

However, children aren't oblivious. She must have sensed Fuka was accusing her, and sensed the strong hostility her favorite sister held towards her.

In an instant, large tears welled up in Sorane's eyes.

"Waaaahhh..."

Sorane cried with her face scrunching up, and Mio hurriedly hugged her head. But Sorane's crying voice only got louder.

Looking at the wailing Sorane, a hint of regret flashed in Fuka's eyes. But as if to shake off the regret, she ran out of the living room.

"Wait! Fuka!"

Natsuki-san hurriedly chased after her.

I wanted to chase them, but turned back because I was worried. Because amidst Fuka's angry roars and Sorane's crying voice—Chinatsu sat in her seat, completely frozen.

Her eyes wide open, lips slightly parted, motionless. It seemed even her breathing had almost stopped. Her reaction showed how great the shock she received was.

"Sorane-chan, it's okay. Fuka-chan isn't angry at you..."

Mio desperately stroked Sorane's head, comforting her.

I thought, then who is Fuka angry at? Is it Chinatsu? Or Natsuki-san? Or perhaps...

After a few minutes, Natsuki-san still hadn't returned. I didn't think that angry Fuka would let her into the room, so she might still be calling Fuka at the door.

Sorane cried for a while, and her tears finally stopped. While sobbing quietly, she looked up. Mio's hoodie chest was covered with a large amount of tears and snot Sorane had shed.

"Uuu, Mio-nee, sowwy..."

Sorane started trembling again. But instead of showing displeasure, Mio gave her a gentle smile.

"Just washing it will do... By the way, Sorane-chan. Want to take a bath with me today?"

"Yeah!"

"Mhm. It's been a long time since we bathed together."

Mio held Sorane's hand to help her stand up, then glanced at me.

"Thank you, Mio."

Mio nodded lightly with a tense face. Having always watched the sisters, she must have predicted days ago that things would turn out like this.

Only Chinatsu and I remained in the living room. Pacing in silence, I thought about Karin's words and couldn't help gnashing my teeth.

Why didn't I notice?

The incident a few years ago where Fuka was almost kidnapped. That incident left an indelible scar in Chinatsu's heart.

Anger towards the kidnappers. Regret for not being able to protect her sister. Anger towards her weak self. That day, Chinatsu must have given up being a protected child. She discarded her past self and chose to become strong alone.

Mio said before that the young Fuka couldn't fully understand the fact that she was almost kidnapped. Since then, a huge gap in perception arose between Chinatsu and Fuka.

I thought I understood Chinatsu's feelings and Fuka's efforts.

But that was really just me assuming I understood.

I sighed helplessly, walked to Chinatsu sitting on the floor, and spoke to her.

"...Are you okay?"

"...Yeah."

Chinatsu nodded expressionlessly.

"Hey, do you remember? I'm your brother."

"...I'm totally fine."

The steel mask peeled off slightly, revealing a girl's weak expression. This was the truest side of Chinatsu Miyanaga, which she would never show to other family members.

"I'm fine. How can I be fine............ Why didn't she say anything all this time?"

Chinatsu's expression twisted as if she would cry the next second.

"I wanted her to tell me. If she told me...!"

"If Fuka told you directly, would you change your mind?"

"......"

Chinatsu bit her lip painfully.

She knew it herself. Even if Fuka told her about her dream directly, she wouldn't support Fuka. Even if the process was different, they would still clash like they did now.

Chinatsu glared at me resentfully.

"...You said you wouldn't leave me alone."

Struck in a sore spot, I fell silent.

Chinatsu grabbed near my wrist almost unconsciously with force. Even though the force was strong enough to hurt, her slender hand was trembling slightly as if beaten by someone, making me unable to shake it off.

"Didn't you say that day you would stay by my side and not leave me alone—Onii-chan."

"But..." Chinatsu continued in a tone like coughing up blood.

"I am, right now, all alone."

Her voice didn't tremble, nor did it show the emotion within. But those eyes of Chinatsu stared at me unblinkingly, filled with anger and sadness.

Chinatsu was hurt. Because she felt abandoned by the person to whom she revealed her inner fragility. But this was a misunderstanding; I absolutely had no intention of deceiving Chinatsu.

What should I say to convey my thoughts? I didn't know, so I could only squeeze out words of apology.

"...I'm really sorry for hiding Fuka's dream from you. I intended to persuade Fuka someday and find an opportunity to confess to the family, but kept delaying it because I was too busy. I'm really sorry."

I bowed my head in apology. Since there was no response, I timidly raised my head.

Chinatsu let go of my hand, her eyes still piercing, her lips pouted like a sulking child. Although she didn't forgive my actions, she seemed to be waiting for me to continue.

I sighed lightly and spoke my true feelings without embellishment.

"But, I intend to form a united front with you—with the sisters to protect Fuka now too. So I'm on your side, and also on Fuka's side."

In the future, there will be many times when opinions differ among family members. But now, what we face isn't opposition, but a clash.

Because Chinatsu, like Natsuki-san, doesn't deny Fuka's dream indiscriminately, but worries that she might encounter danger.

In that case, there should be other solutions. Either Fuka or Chinatsu gives in and cries secretly—such a solely sad ending will definitely not happen.

No, I will absolutely not let such an ending happen.

I looked at Chinatsu with determination, but she lowered her eyebrows and immediately looked away.

"I didn't want to be happy."

Her voice, originally clear, was now so small it was almost inaudible.

"I never had that intention, not even once. I don't think I forced Fuka either. But that child, always, saw me like that."

I didn't agree. Chinatsu didn't want to be despised or pitied, nor did she want to be encouraged or comforted. Because this was a monologue accompanied by pain to sort out her chaotic feelings.

Chinatsu covered her face with both hands, sighed a long "Phew—", and then raised her head. By then, she had returned to the expression of a calm and composed older sister.

"Can I believe you?"

"Yeah. When you feel betrayed, bring on the stun gun or whatever."

I asserted so, and Chinatsu's face, originally devoid of spirit, showed a helpless look.

"You'll dodge it anyway."

"That's a separate matter."

I asserted dignifiedly, and Chinatsu laughed saying "Good grief."

After such a conversation, Chinatsu said timidly:

"Sorry about today. I might have said some strange things. You can forget them."

"I won't forget."

"...At times like this, you should say 'I forgot', right?"

Chinatsu glared at me with displeasure, then shrugged her shoulders.

"I'll leave Fuka to you for a while... because I shouldn't approach that child right now."

Chinatsu walked out of the living room. I could only watch her back, which looked very small, in silence.

 

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