SCPK 45

Chapter 45

 Little Sister

“Taiyou-san, there’s something… really hard for me to say.”

It was after club activities.
Tsukiyo suddenly stopped me as we were walking home together.
She’d looked troubled all day, even on the way to school this morning, so I’d been a little worried.

After some gentle coaxing, she finally opened her mouth and said:

“Will you be my big brother?”
“You already have one.”

Honestly, if I could trade my actual little sister for Tsukiyo, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
And I’m pretty sure my sister would be overjoyed if Seiya were her brother instead.

Tsukiyo took out a small flyer from her pocket and handed it to me.

“‘Little Sister Campaign’?”

According to the text, it was a special event at a newly opened dessert buffet.
If a brother and sister came together, the “little sister’s” portion of the bill would be free.
Apparently, entry was limited and decided by lottery — and Tsukiyo had actually won.

“Why not just go with Seiya?”
“He’d probably refuse to pay his half.”

Yeah, that tracks. Seiya’s the type who thinks ‘if you want sweets, bake them yourself.’
He’ll spend money when he has to, but he’s also incredibly stingy when it comes to trivial stuff.
He doesn’t complain about what Tsukiyo buys for herself, but he’s really particular about money that comes out of his pocket.
For a doting brother, he sure has a lot of rules.

I glanced back down at the flyer. There was some fine print at the bottom.
Looks like Tsukiyo hadn’t noticed it yet.

“There’s no club tomorrow, right? So… would you come with me?”
“Sure. I’m in.”

◇◇◇

And so, the next day, we arrived at the dessert buffet.
Even without the campaign, the place was packed — and about 90% of the customers were women.

Tsukiyo handled the registration, and soon we were shown to our seats.

“Alright! I’m going to eat until I drop!”
“Wow, someone’s fired up.”

The price wasn’t cheap, but the selection was impressive — chiffon, shortcake, butter cake, pie, cream puffs, tarts… everything you could think of.

I grabbed a plate and started stacking cake after cake. I’ve always liked sweets, so I might as well enjoy myself.

When I came back to the table with one plate, Tsukiyo had three in front of her.

“You sure you can eat all that?”
“This is what it means to be a girl.”

I see.
At a regular buffet, I might be able to keep up with her, but when it comes to sweets, that’s a different story.

She ate gracefully, one cake at a time, eyes sparkling with happiness.
One bite, then another — each one followed by that blissful expression. She must really love sweets.

Sweet things go great with black coffee, by the way — the perfect sweet-bitter balance.
Before I knew it, Tsukiyo’s plates were empty, and she was already heading off for more.

“You’re amazing. I barely recognize you anymore.”
“Fine, I’ll just accept that I’m the ‘big eater girl’ today. You already know, anyway…”

At least she’s self-aware.
Honestly, watching her eat so happily was kind of nice. If she’s enjoying herself, that’s all that matters.

After one final plate, she finally seemed satisfied, sipping her tea with a small smile.
That’s when a staff member came by with a cart.

“We’ve just restocked the ice cream! Please help yourselves!”

“Ice cream!!”

Her eyes literally sparkled like stars.
Wait— after all that cake, she still has room for ice cream!?

“Taiyou-san, they’ve got ice cream!”
“I’m full already. How do you even fit all that in?”
“Heh heh, sweets go to a different stomach, you know.”
“You’ve been eating nothing but sweets…”

I couldn’t help laughing.
Tsukiyo happily polished off her ice cream, completely content.

Then came time to pay.
She tried to insist on paying half, but I firmly refused.
After all, there was still one last thing she had to do for me.

The waiter picked up a camera.

“Eh? What’s going on?”

Ah, so she really hadn’t noticed.
I showed her the flyer again.

See, during payment, the “little sister” has to say a thank-you message to her “big brother.”
And they take a picture of that moment for the campaign.

“I… I didn’t read that part.”
“I figured. Well then, let’s do it.”
“W-wait! You mean I have to say that… to you?”

Exactly.
That’s why I came here in the first place.

She read the campaign note over and over, her usually fair skin turning pinker with each glance.
Finally, she stuffed the paper back into her pocket and declared:

“Fine! I’ll do it!”

By now, the surrounding customers and staff were watching.
Of course they were — a cute girl like Tsukiyo about to say something sweet to her “big brother”? Who wouldn’t look?

My own heart was starting to race a little.

Then Tsukiyo crouched down in front of me, clasping her hands at her chest.
Her cheeks flushed, eyes glistening slightly as she stammered out the words:

“B-big brother… thank you for everything… I love you!”

◇◇◇

“What’s up with you?”

I stopped by the Kannagi house afterward to drop off some cake for Seiya.

“What’s this?”
“Just a peace offering. I felt kind of guilty.”
“Guilty? About what?”
“Well, I sort of… stole something that was meant for you. I couldn’t live with myself, so here’s some cake as compensation.”

I shoved the box into his hands and left.

“I—I don’t even know what you’re talking about! …And why the hell is she walking around with tissues stuffed up both nostrils?”