Volume 3 - CH 4.1

I wake up before the alarm clock, with the sound of “chun chun chun” and the morning sun as my background music.

I sit up abruptly, still in a daze from sleep, and gaze blankly at the wall.

On the cream-colored wall, there are posters of my mom and sister. Mom’s poster is a B1-size, and my sister’s poster has a summer-themed polka dot collage. Seeing them in their swimsuits gives me a sense of summer vibes, but there’s something special about these posters. When you overlay the special polka dot sheets, she appears naked. It’s an incredible and ridiculously unnecessary effort.

Muni. Huh? I feel a soft sensation in my hand. It’s an enchanting touch. It weakens my resistance and makes me helpless. Muni muni.

Still half asleep, I can’t resist the allure of the memory foam-like feeling, so I indulge myself and caress it. Muni muni muni muni muni.

“Hmm… not there… stop it…”

“Why is she here!?”

Startled, I quickly turn around to see my mom in her negligee, sleeping peacefully next to me.

I instantly snap out of my drowsiness. It’s the 11th time breaking my record for the shortest time awake. I have absolutely no intention of reflecting on it.

I recall that she said she would sleep in her own room last night. However, this is also the usual situation.

I suspect that my mom might actually be sick. Despite the breast cancer scare being cleared, she often goes to the bathroom at night and then ends up mistaking her room for mine. It could be sleepwalking.

I am Yukito Kokonoe, a man who never doubts his family. I take everything they say at face value.

Concerned, I ask if everything is alright, but she always evades the question. Is it really that serious…?

Today is a weekday, and I have to go to school. If I stay like this, I might end up falling back asleep, using my mom’s memory foam as a pillow. I get out of bed, trying not to wake her up.

By the way, I remember that I created a social media account but haven’t posted anything yet. Unlike Goddess-senpai, I don’t have much enthusiasm for seeking approval or self-display, but when I do want to post something, I can’t think of what to share.

Should I just post about my daily life? But even if I tweet about my daily life, who would find it interesting?

Ah, of course! It’s too much trouble, so let’s just do this. Tap, tap. ‘If it were my mom, she would be sleeping next to me.'”

“Huh?”

My attention is caught by a DM that piques my curiosity. I thought it might be a prank, but it’s from an official account, so that’s unlikely.

The content is surprising and astonishing, but what should I do? My uncooperative brain can’t make a judgment. I’ll consult with someone later.

Well, time to make breakfast.

During the morning break, for some reason, I found myself being approached by two of Yuri-san’s friends.

By the way, the morning post I made received an overwhelming response, but I ignored it since it didn’t really matter.

“You know, lately Yuri seems down or absent-minded. It’s like she’s not fully present during classes or break time. Little brother, do you have any idea why?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ve noticed it too. She’s been acting strange at home as well.”

“We thought maybe you were the cause since it’s Yuri we’re talking about…?”

“Strange, how is Yuri at home?”

Unlike their usual teasing and playful demeanor, the seniors genuinely seemed concerned about Yuri-san.

Trying to find the cause, I delved into my memories.

“She doesn’t hang around my room as often anymore, she stopped measuring, and she doesn’t accidentally enter the bathroom anymore. But she’s not angry or in a bad mood either. Hmm, it’s just… normal, I guess.”

“…Hey, isn’t that abnormal?”

“I mean, Yuri-san wouldn’t do something like being a normal older sister, right?”

“Argh! I can’t argue with that!”

The seniors seemed frustrated, but objectively speaking, the relationship between Yuri-san and me had become more normal.

It felt like the distance between us had become that of regular siblings. However, there was an indescribable discomfort. It bothered me that Nee-san had been somewhat secluding herself in her room.

Even today, we went to school separately, and we haven’t seen each other once since the morning.

This was something unprecedented. Yuri-san used to make it a daily routine to check on me and my well-being.

Perhaps I did something that bothered her and she was avoiding me, but whenever we did talk, she treated me even more kindly than before. I couldn’t understand what she was struggling with. Even Mom said that Yuri-san was suffering. Yuri-san was different from me. She should be happy. She shouldn’t be unhappy.

“If little brother doesn’t know either, then I guess there’s nothing that we do.”

“Probably, or rather, it’s definitely related to you, little brother. Please be concerned about her.”

Somehow, I was reminiscing about the past. When we were younger, I always followed my older sister around.

Since then, I’ve been disliked and haven’t tried to get to know her. I kept my distance.

But now…

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely do something. Because Yuri-san is… an important family member.”

“I’ll leave Yuri to you… but I also have something to consult about, is that okay?”

Suddenly, Ichiyou-senpai, who had been acting timidly until just now, began to fidget and hesitantly opened their mouth.

When I asked for their names, they introduced themselves as Sera-senpai and Ichiyou-senpai.

“For a love consultation… I have feelings for Saki Kuma from Class D.”

“Not just to me, but why would you come to me for love advice?”

“Well, I mean little brother. You’re like the god of love, the ‘Hero.’ It’s thanks to you.”

“It’s a must to consult with you, little brother, at this school.”

“No wonder I keep getting consulted.”

Unbeknownst to me, I had gained a divine status. The ‘Hero’ referred to Hot-blooded Senpai.

The whole story of how I expelled a hot-blooded senior member from the basketball club was uploaded on video by someone. The video was uploaded by someone. The hot-blooded Senpai, who defeated me dressed as a bunny man and succeeded in publicly confessing his love to her in full view of the public, was called a “Hero” because of his courage, and his fame seems to have spread to high school students all over Japan.

Although the basketball club lost in the fourth round, he was considered a winner in love. How annoying!

“Not only the ‘Hero’ but also Sōu-senpai and the first-year ‘Minstrel’… they’re all your doing, little brother. You’re famous as the Cupid of love within the school.”

“When did this world turn into a fantasy?”

In this world, there are too many goddesses, angels, and holy mothers, don’t you think? Soon, a saint might appear.

Because of these circumstances, I often receive love consultations, despite being someone who has never had a girlfriend.

“Congratulations.”

“…Eh?”

With numerous love consultations being brought to me, I inevitably became acquainted with intricate human relationships. A complex and bizarre network of interpersonal connections gathered around me.

“Even Saki Kuma Senpai approached me for love advice.”

“…No way! Saki Kuma? But, I thought he had no interest in love or anything like that…”

“Hey, little brother. Congratulations, does that mean…?”

“Ichiyou Senpai, that’s great for you.”

“You did it, Mayu!”

“Yeah, yeah! So, Saki Kuma actually… I can’t believe it.”

Sera Senpai clapped her hands in delight. Due to Ichiyou Senpai being friends with my sister, Saki Kuma Senpai approached me for advice, and it was surprisingly resolved quite easily.

This will only further enhance my reputation. Gahahaha!

“But from here on, it depends on you, senpai.”

“Of course! Thanks for your help, little brother! It’s like a dream… I still can’t believe it. I want to show my gratitude somehow. Since I’ve entrusted you with Yuri’s matter, how about letting I let you touch me for a bit? Or maybe Kaoru’s?”

“Hey, Mayu, don’t sacrifice me!”

“Please stop. Can you listen, Senpai? If you genuinely like someone, you should avoid actions that might lead to misunderstandings. Things like buying presents together for the opposite sex as a surprise, testing their feelings, or pretending to feel something you don’t—these tend to set off bad ending flags in this world. So please, treasure yourself and your partner.”

I earnestly explained to Senpai, not in a sermon-like manner but through reasoning. Ichiyou Senpai’s eyes gradually lost their sparkle.

“It was my fault. Oh, Master, I sincerely apologize.”

“Happiness is always right in front of you. Be true to yourself, and the path will open.”

“Mayu, it feels like you’ve been brainwashed, Mayu!”

“Stop it, Kaoru. Master would never do such a thing.”

“And please continue to be good friends with Yuri from now on. Let’s consider that as your gratitude.”

“Yes, Master. Yuri and I will be friends forever.”

“You’re trying to smooth things over, but this is definitely dangerous! You won’t accept any offerings, right? Is this what the Love Fulfillment God is like? It’s not what I expected, and don’t brainwash Mayu!”

“That kind of brainwashing wouldn’t have made him a hero.”

“Himura-senpai used brainwashing!? That wasn’t romantic at all!”

With the love consultations resolved without a hitch, the break time passed by.