CH 199

“When did you start liking me?”

These were the words I managed to squeeze out. Yumi probably didn’t like me, at least not during her rebellious years. She looked at me like I was trash.

“I think it probably started when I was in elementary school. But I became aware of it when my rebellious period ended.”

“I see…”

There are many things I would like to quibble about, but if I said them all, it would be morning. I would like to finish with the next question.

“What do you like about me, about Reiji Sato?”

I can still understand that you like me in this life. To be honest, I’m not bad looking and I’m strong in my own way. I’m sure there are elements that make her like me. The only thing is that in my previous life, my appearance was objectively considered to be lower middle of the scale. And in terms of athletics and academics, I was about the same as anyone else. I don’t understand why Yumi, who in a previous life had top class looks, athletic ability, and academic ability, would like me.

“I don’t know if I should say this myself, but I only know of one person in a previous life who was more gifted than I am. Maybe there are some if you look for them in history, but I have no way to know more about people in the past. So I believe that in my previous life I was better than everyone except that one person.”

If someone were to say something like this to me in all seriousness, I would normally snicker. But it’s convincing if it’s Yumi.

For example, if Yumi were to play as a hitter against a professional baseball pitcher in a previous life, she would probably lose the first game without her bat even grazing the ball. After all, Yumi does not have much experience with baseball. However, with some practice and study of the pitcher, she would be able to get a hit in every batter-in in about two weeks. Yumi’s ability to do anything was so great that I could say with certainty that she would be able to do it. I know this because I was watching Yumi the closest.

I’m not sure how much I can do, but I’m sure you can do it, too.

“Did I ever have any talent like that?”

In my previous life, I was always losing to Yumi in every way. I don’t think there was anything I could have won.

‘There’s one advantage that you use a lot in this life too?”

“Even in this life…?”

If it’s still being used in this life, does that mean I use it with my skills? If that’s the case…

“Reflexes?”

“Correct!”

“Huh… you like someone for his reflexes…”

It’s common to hear people fall in love with someone based on their looks or personality, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard of someone falling in love with someone based on their reflexes.

“The mental arithmetic ability, the height of the jump or even artistic sense… it didn’t have to be reflexes. It was having something no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t surpass…”

“………”

“I’ll make amends in this life for the trouble I caused you when I was a rebel because of my love that I didn’t want to admit and my jealousy that you had abilities that I didn’t have.”

“I’ve already forgiven you for that, so you can live your life as you like in this life, Yumi.”

“This is not a matter of onii-chan’s forgiveness or unforgiveness. It’s just my self-satisfaction that I don’t think you’d forgive me.”

“I see…….”

I had a hard time when she was rebellious, but I forgive her for that because she properly apologized to me in my previous life. That said, my sister is stubborn in a weird way, so she won’t listen to me if I force her to. So I have no choice but to let her do as she pleases.

“So I’m going to stay with onii-chan.”

“Hm…hm?”

What? Aren’t we getting off on the wrong foot a bit? Where did the atonement go?

“Even in this life, I’m still good-looking, smart, and talented, right?”

“I admit it…”

Sophie is beautiful and pretty by far, even in this world where many people have excellent looks. She is also one of the most talented in magic and other talents. She is also very smart when it comes to coming up with strategies.

“And since I love brother so much, I think I could make you very happy.”

“Oh, oh……”

I know it’s a bit of a rhetorical question, but I understand what she’s trying to say and I agree with her.

“So onii-chan, I want you to marry me.”

I think it’s a little strange when you go beyond dating to marriage, but I have to respond to Sophie’s serious confession with sincerity. I can’t and shouldn’t put off a reply like I did the last time.

“I’m sorry… I see you as my sister, so marriage is out of the question.”

I saw Sophie as my sister completely. When Yumi and Sophie had not yet become “Sophie,” I was wondering if I could have that kind of relationship with Sophie. I even thought that I could have that kind of relationship with Sophie when it had not yet become Yumi = Sophie. The meaning is a little different, but as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and Sophie is an attractive girl in my eyes as an older brother….

But that thought vanished cleanly when I learned that Yumi and Sophie were the same person. For the life of me, I can’t admit to having a male-female relationship with Sophie, who is also Yumi in my head.

‘Yes… I knew brother would say that.”

|”I see…”

“So I’ll give up trying to get you to stop seeing me as a sister.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll make you think that if she’s such a wonderful girl, even if she’s my sister, there’s no problem with marrying her!”

“Huh?”

What? Didn’t the conversation take a right angle turn? Funny… wasn’t Sophie supposed to give up on me just now?

“So I’m going to keep trying to make onii-chan tell me he loves me.”

“Give me a break…….”

I’m a man, too. Even though I consider her as my sister, I don’t have the confidence to continue to endure the pressure from the super cute Sophie, who has no problem with me laying my hands on her. It’s a good thing that my sexual desire is not that high yet, but it’s increasing little by little as I get older. Is it just a matter of time before she reaches her goal?