Can a Background Character Even Confess?

Gulp. That was probably the loudest gulp Amiya had ever made, his throat dry as he found himself involved in a mess. That’s right Amiya had drunk Pocari Sweat, a drink in collaboration with his favorite ongoing light novel, True Tale of Hearts. The bottle featured an illustration of his favorite character from the novel, Shishie Shinomori. She wasn’t even a side character or a main character, she was just in the background of illustrations and had her presence once in a volume, but it was a sad sight that one who have read the novel wouldn't want to speak about it. Fans like him had no idea why a minor character like her would be printed on the bottle, but they admired the beautiful illustration nonetheless. He had to try the drink after falling for the ad he watched on YouTube: “Just drink and you will meet her.” And now, far from meeting her, he was awake right inside the light novel hilariously.

And now at present, here he was, stuck between two main characters with pinch.

The canteen was a place for lowly plebeians like us, yet why was such a majestic figure standing here, you ask? Yes, because her family’s financial condition wasn’t good. She might look like she came from a rich family with her beauty, her perfect walk, and her ojou-sama demeanor, but there’s no reason to judge someone by their looks. That is somehow cruel of how people judge eachother by their looks.

On the left side of my face, she stood there, looking at the items the canteen had to offer. I’m not a stalker I swear, I do know too much about her I admit—it’s just as it was written in the novel. She had a hard time choosing, as if her brain froze when faced with too many options. Worse, she was calculating how much money could get her the right balance of protein, fat, taste, and so on. I know this because I’ve read her character details on the front page, which gave a little insight into the main characters. It was a funny situation if you knew about her, but despite that, it was somehow scary. It felt like she was radiating a spell that made everyone around her stop and stare. The crowd had already made space for her, letting her buy first, and there she was, taking her good time.

But I was the only one who could take a step. I was daydreaming about the bento I received from my little sister. I admit, saying this sounds creepy, and I’m definitely not a sis-con, but yeah, I just wanted to have a peaceful meal in the classroom, sitting alone as my introverted self, just as I did before in my real body. But here I was, stepping forward right beside her. I already had a bento in my hand, and to others, it felt like I desperately went near her to make a move! But you guys are wrong! Please don’t look at me like I’m a nuisance or dirt! I will definitely leave after I am done here!

A step from between the crowd approached them, and it was obvious for Amiya's guess for the person.

There comes our main character, stepping right beside me with wobbly steps. His eyes looked weary up close. At first glance, one might think he’s a mob character, but nope, these main characters in light novels are always like this. Trust me, they’ll look like a mob at first, but they’ll be the ones to experience romance first, youth with love comedy and drama making singles bite their nails in frustration. Up close, I could tell he resembled the main character just as I saw in the illustrations. There was no way this could be wrong, He wasn't that looker though.

And this is where the scenario takes place—a weird way of “How I Met Your Mother” for Eiji Hitsugi, the main character. I glanced to the left at Fukada Erina in nervousness, her perfect beauty even made my small self confidence shatter. It looked like she was too focused on choosing that she didn’t even feel my presence—or even the main character’s presence. I felt like a big wall between them. Honestly, my introverted heart was about to jump out of my chest.

Eiji Hitsugi scratched his head, his posture lazy and slouched. He looked at us, his eyes meeting mine, but he didn’t pay much attention. Instead, he asked for melon bread from the staff. The staff was baffled that he didn’t even wait for the angelic presence to pick first and just asked for it. Snapping back to reality, the staff packed his melon bread into foil wrappings. “Thank you so much,” Hitsugi said, bowing as he took his food with drowsy eyes. Then, for some reason, he started inspecting us instead of leaving the area.

Amiya felt nervous. Just like during the entrance ceremony, he was once again in the spotlight, surrounded by awkward gazes. The crowd was already watching him, making stinging comments. But more than that, Hitsugi, the main character, was staring at him with curiosity. Hitsugi didn’t seem to care about the gazes, Amiya could hear bad comments about him too, but it seemed like his dense brain just didn’t care.

But wait a minute—isn’t this scenario different from how it was in the novel? Why is he staring at me instead of Erina? In the first chapter of the novel, it was supposed to be Erina who would get inspected by Hitsugi, as she looked weird in his eyes. He was supposed to ask why she was taking so long to pick a simple canteen food and even help her. But here I am, standing here right between them thinking I needed to change the plot with no plan. So why didn’t he just take his melon bread and leave? Meanwhile, Erina was still looking at the counter, trying to pick her food, completely unaware of her surroundings.

“You’re a weird one, huh?”

“Me? You’re talking to me?” I pointed at myself, surprised by the sudden turn of events. I didn’t think the main character would speak to me instead, taking a completely different lead!

“Yeah, duh. Who would stand near the canteen to buy something while holding a homemade bento?” He looked at the bento as he spoke.

He made sense. It was definitely stupid for someone like me to be standing here despite bringing food from home. But hey, I could buy drinks, right? Well, it was still a bad excuse, as I could have bought the drink beforehand and gone back to the classroom to eat my food. So that comeback wasn’t an option.

“I—oh yeah, I’m here to help this lady.” A spark of inspiration hit me, and I gave him a fake reason out of nervousness. There were already many people staring at me, it would be bad if more weird rumors started spreading. I’d already made a scene during the ceremony.

She’s so focused on choosing that she won’t hear me anyway, right? I glanced her way and was correct, she wasn’t even aware I was talking about her. With this, I thought I could slip away smoothly, but—

“Ah, I see. Indeed, she’s been taking her time. What’s wrong with her?” Hitsugi noticed her, his gaze now fixed on her as if wondering who this weird girl was. “Hey, you can go for yakisoba bread, you know. The cost is low, and it’ll even fill you up.” He tapped her shoulder casually and shared his opinion, like touching her was definitely a normal thing to do.

Wait, the scenario didn’t change! Despite my interference, he talked to her—like it was fate! I wasn’t even able to do anything. No way in hell did I mess it up. Well it's not like I did anything but to stand there but still it was unexpected.

The crowd started ranting, as if telling both of us eyesore to step away from Erina’s sight.

“Oh, you’re right,” Erina nodded. She spoke for the first time. Even after homeroom introduction, when she was surrounded by classmates, she hadn’t spoken to anyone. But now, she responded to him, it was the second time one has heard her spoke aside from her introduction. Her voice was like a heavenly tune in my ears. Somehow the real-life scene from the light novel was happening right in front of me yet I wasn't pleased by the scenario. I was right between them, feeling a spine-tingling sensation as I failed to prevent Hitsugi from interacting with Erina. And Erina even responded to him, as if he had saved her from the pinch of death.

Fukada Erina, the winning heroine, when it came to choices, would wholeheartedly give up on others to pick for her or make decisions. It was given that the main character would help her with deciding, and she would respond to him as if it was some kind of help that only reached her. The only thing that piqued her ear was Hitsugi helping her choose, but now there is this change.

I was standing right there. Yeah, when I said openly that I was trying to help her, it was clear that Hitsugi would show no concern with an “Oh, is that so?” and leave without interacting with Erina. But he still talked to her despite that. I mean, I kinda get why he called her out. She stood out from the rest of us. He felt like watching a random kid at a ramune vending machine, unable to choose which one to pick among the marble varieties.

“Hey, yakisoba bread is alright, but don’t you think it’s not good for health?” I came up with my own theory. I had no choice but to convince the winning heroine, Erina, that my suggestion was better than Hitsugi’s. Given his dense personality, he probably wouldn’t try to interfere with my talk to her. I mustered up the courage and directly spoke to her, praying she would at least listen to me and show interest in my suggestion.

“Mmm… but doesn’t yakisoba give a good amount of protein and fat for the price? A full meal, as this person said. I think it won’t be bad for health if I take it for once, right?” Erina, in denial of my words, was pinned on yakisoba. She always went with the most reasonable option thanks to Hitsugi.

Amiya stammered. There was no point in whatever he tried. Erina was fixated on getting yakisoba. This might look like why so much fuss over one yakisoba, but the main reason is that it’s the crucial point where the main character, Hitsugi, gains a little respect and affection points from Erina. Amiya had already lost at the beginning.

Tch, I was late, as I let my guard down while getting my bento. Of course, food is essential, and I needed it. There wasn’t any reason I would skip my lunch, but I didn’t expect this to turn out like this just because I was slightly late. Nothing was planned from the start. One wrong move, and Shinomori-san’s life will be in danger. A rom-com light novel where background characters aren’t even highlighted—so even when Shinomori-san met a tragic end, it was shown like it mattered less than the dramatic comedy and lighthearted youth romance with love triangles. Main characters and side characters were focused on more. Shinomori was treated as a minor prop. Not to mention, this scenario was just to make readers clench their fists with the unexpected death of a mere character. Who would think that in a romantic comedy light novel, a character would die? But it wasn’t even a concern, as she was a typical nobody. And if you compare Shinomori to me, the difference is just like water. She was shown once in a chapter, and her character was well-illustrated despite being a nobody. Whereas me, this character in the body, is just a classmate with no illustration or mention, we both are typically nobody.

Time was running out. The more the clock ticks, the closer Shinomori’s death comes. I only have two months in my hands, but if I fail to change the story’s plot, it will, needless to say, go as the main plot. So—

Erina’s financial condition was indeed bad. Not to mention, her calculation for buying a single food item takes longer than me having to solve a quadratic equation from third-year textbooks. In the original True Tale of Hearts light novel, she gains a little affection point of respect from Hitsugi for helping her make a decision. But here, I meddled in their moment as a third wheel out of nowhere, which means if I can steal the respect toward me, she’ll focus on me instead of Hitsugi. But then comes the major problem.

What if Hitsugi interferes again while I take my step to act? It will come to failure. I’ll lose my self-respect for doing this, but after losing self-respect, if Hitsugi makes a move with his dense, dumb head, everything will be over for me, and I’ll have to put all my prayers in fate. It was now or never. I needed to take her attention toward me instead of Hitsugi.

I grabbed an okonomiyaki pan from the canteen's counter and handed over the amount to the staff from my wallet. I already had a bento in my hand, but I had to get it—yes. Luckily, this body had his phone and wallet. Oh, and I forgot to mention, there were fewer people who brought their bags, as books weren’t distributed, and it was our first day of school, so it wasn’t necessary. Those who brought bento had to come with bags to put them inside, and for me, thanks to my sister, it was passed by her earlier after I called her. Wish I had homemade bento already with my bag when I first woke up in class.

Back to businesses...

So, why an okonomiyaki pan?

Amiya put his arms out, showing it to Erina, who was blanked out. She has this ojou-sama vibe and speaks less, only when it’s necessary. But gradually, thanks to Hitsugi, she started to change, becoming more honest with herself and opening up more to him slowly in future as a result they starts to go out and Ootori Shea loses and chaos befalls on the classroom. But would a step from a random background character work? We’ll find out only if I do something right.

“Okonomiyaki pan, easy to eat, as time is ticking. The recess break will end soon. Yakisoba will take longer to eat than this, and it’s just as filling as yakisoba. And it’s healthy. I admit the taste of yakisoba is superior to this, but it’s the school canteen! And with this comes the cost. The amount—yakisoba wins, but do you have that time with leisure to finish in ten—hm, no…” Amiya glanced at the time on his watch and continued, “—in five minutes? Think, Erina-san!”

Crap, I spoke a bit too much. Please don’t look at me like that, everyone. Understand how that affects me.

But as I looked at Erina, she was staring straight at my face. I thought she was staring at Hitsugi, but it took me a moment to realize she was actually staring at me. “Excellent decision,” her mouth moved, clapping her hands.

“O-oh…” Was that really something excellent to deserve the clap for? I don’t get it, but it looks like it’s different from how she reacted to Hitsugi in the novel. But it has worked out. Needless to say, I stole his place! I stole Hitsugi’s place.

Hitsugi was still standing beside Amiya, just watching. Luckily it didn’t interest him anyway, so he started stepping backward, peeling his melon bread and munching while getting back to class.

Wait, why is Erina smiling? And her ears are kind of red. Did the affection point rise a little more than expected? …Nah, it can’t be. I’m just overthinking it, but—oh yeah, I bought this okonomiyaki pan on a whim as time was running out.

Amiya got closer to Erina to hand over the okonomiyaki pan. He bought it simply for his own purpose as he wanted to get back to class and at least eat a bit of whatever he could in five minutes. Before, what he said was exaggerated, it wasn’t five minutes left but ten. He made it up to prioritize the choice of okonomiyaki pan, which is easily finished in five minutes. And still, he bought it because he couldn’t waste more time than he already did. She would probably take time thinking about the cost, even though okonomiyaki is just 80 yen more than yakisoba. Amiya didn’t want her to start the staring contest with the canteen menu, he couldn't risk if Hitsugi's interest to Erina's weirdness would make him the demanded interaction for ther lovy dovy future.

“No, I can’t receive such…” Erina showed her palm backing off in denial.

Amiya put his arm up, his left hand holding his bento to show her that he wouldn’t be able to eat both at the same time.

“Take this as a treat from me. The time was running out, so in frustration, I bought it for you.” Hearing such a condition from Amiya, Erina, fidgety, couldn’t deny his consideration. She slowly approached me like a pet puppy taking snacks from its owner. She took it gently from my hand.

“Sorry, I… will pay this later.” she whispered with an elegant bow as a thanks.

Oi, I can clearly see the hesitation while saying that! I understand that money is a problem for you, but you don’t have to take a moment to make a decision while saying that. That makes me feel like I’m the bad guy here, forcing you to pay me back.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Like I said, think of it as a present.”

But then I realized, wait a minute, doesn’t that mean I’ve taken over the main character’s place? What’s the chance of her involving me in their romantic comedy in the future? In the novel, it was said that in her characteristics, she definitely repays debts for kindness, so in her perspective, it would look like kindness. Instead of the main character, what if she makes me get involved in the love-comedy mess? So she would definitely approach me for help in some way, and there’s no way in hell I’d be able to ignore such a thing. There would be no way to run away from those scenarios. I don’t want her to gain my affection points either, even if the chance is too low. But wait again, what if instead of affection points, I manage to make her hate me? I’m actually fine with taking her hate as it’s less damaging than getting mixed up in romantic comedy and losing Shishie Shinomori. I can take another path, like changing Hitsugi's route, the main character’s direction, by not letting him interact with Erina in the future but with Ootori Shea. I am sure Ootori Shea will approach him anyways, her pride of making the main character humiliated isn't gone yet, as the second heroine she is bound to make her own steps.

Yes, this will be the best thing to do, Amiya thought to himself. The crowd wasn’t leaving the scene like leeches, and it was easy to say that they would spread rumors about Hitsugi and Amiya trying to make moves on Erina. Fake rumors like that would spread everywhere around the school, and it wouldn’t even take time. It was pointless to evade it, and he didn’t want to get entangled in the main plot with the main or side characters. This would cause more damage than what happened during the entrance ceremony. It was alright to him, even if the damage was big, he was used to it anyway. In his past self, he would be alone anyway. Even here, after getting into someone else’s body, it’s the same—no one even approached him to be friends, except Shishie Shinomori. But isn’t that just because she’s next to his seat? He thought that to himself. There was nothing to lose for him, as nothing in him has changed.

“Fukada Erina-san, please go out with me!” With a perfect 90° bow, Amiya did it. He blew the crowd into chaos, gawking, unable to comprehend what the hell just happened right in front of their eyes. He would definitely be a hot topic for the rest of the school—an ugly nobody asked out the school’s top beauty, the elegant ojou-sama.

Yes, I had no choice. I don’t want her to respect me, but to remove the respect I stole from Hitsugi’s presence, I had to do something. Flipping a girl’s skirt or using slang on them out of nowhere was something out of my ability. Confession was the only thing that came to my mind—to make her hate me. It was a reasonable step. This might look ridiculous to anyone, but yes, I don’t want to get involved with her again.

As rejection was expected, Erina just mumbled, “I see,” and left the area without even looking at me, taking the okonomiyaki pan with heavy steps. Definitely, that was uncomfortable for her, and thus, my work is done here. All I need to do now is interfere with the dense main character to not let him interact with Erina. But please, before that, help me with this crowd.

“Die, plebeian!”

“What a weirdo, trying to stain a flower.”

“Don’t come to school ever again!”

Words were coming to my senses, hard to ignore. Words from background characters stung me no matter how hard I tried to ignore them. After all, I’m just a human, background character like them.

Well, I guess she was atleast able to finish her okonomiyaki pan.

I headed back to my class, and it was out of my time to even start eating my bento. I put it under my desk as the bell rang, and the next class was about to begin.

Between the classes, people gave me weird gazes. Well, there was nothing to lose. I tried to change, but I’m me after all, so it’s alright.

The school ended with the classes over. The teachers just joked around, except for that one ethics teacher who was serious to take the class. Classes were none of my concern anyway, as I was already in my third year of high school in my past body, and now I’m just starting over. The subjects here are the same. I thought it would be different, like how the map of Japan was completely different here. Shinomori sometimes looked toward me, but I couldn’t understand her actions. She was probably trying to say something but was holding back. Needless to say, I know it's about my confession to Erina out of nowhere. The rumors already spread. I blew everything on the first day of school!

As the classes ended, it was time to check the clubs. Students would pick clubs according to their likings, which would even help them improve their skills. But I’m for the “go home club,” as always. Clubs weren’t my thing, so I took the bento I wasn’t able to eat and was ready to get off the desk, but then she spoke—

"Um, Kitsuragi-kun, are you heading to check out the clubs?" Shinomori spoke to me casually, as if nothing had happened, which I wasn't expecting. She didn’t even bring up the fact that I’d asked about Erina earlier. There was no way she didn’t know about that.

"Well, I don’t like clubs, so I’ll just go straight home. Bye."

"Wait, are you avoiding me, Kitsuragi-kun?" She frowned, her expression filled with concern. The sunlight streaming through the window fell directly on her, putting her in the spotlight—even though she was just a background character.

"N-no, I didn’t mean to avoid you... I mean, yeah, it’s better to avoid someone like me who’s already messing things up." It was true—I was messing up the original plot of this light novel. "I think it’s better if you don’t get involved with me anymore, Shinomori-san. People might start spreading weird rumors about you if they see us talking." I forced a smile, holding onto my bento, and started walking toward the door.

There was a long silence, but she broke it again.

"Kitsuragi-kun, are we not friends?"

Her words struck a chord in my heart. It was true—I had been happy to make my first friend. I hadn’t lied when I told my little sister about my achievement of making my first friend. I was the one who had blurted out that I considered Shinomori a friend earlier this morning, and now I was running away. But I couldn’t run from her statement. I hadn’t expected her to still treat me like a friend after everything that had happened. My reputation was already in shambles, and I was sure Shinomori would avoid me, but instead, it was me who was wrong for trying to avoid her. I am naive, I don't know anything about Shinomori-san.

Amiya bit his lips in frustration.

"That’s... we are friends... but..." I didn’t want her to go through any trouble. What if she became a target for bullies just for hanging out with me?

"Ah, I was right, hehe. I almost thought you were avoiding me." Huh? That was the only reaction I could muster. Why was she suddenly talking like that? Was she emotionally unstable? "Come with me! I want to tell you something interesting!" She made a cute little jump, and my gloomy mood suddenly lightened, her mood light up just right after I gave out my honest feelings.

friends huh? Well I guess having one friend wouldn't do any harm.

"..." I was at a loss for words. I had been worrying for no reason.

Amiya didn’t know much about Shinomori-san’s personality or background since she was just a background character in the light novel. There was no valid information about her in the story, and now, in reality, only he could see her true self. He followed her, clenching his bento, and they entered the library.

"Hehe, why not join me if you’re part of the ‘go-home club’?" She walked toward a long desk in the library. The bookshelves were neatly aligned, making it feel like I had stepped into a fantasy world. Dust particles floated in the air, adding to the magical atmosphere. The library was bathed in a red glow from the setting sun, and Shinomori’s white hair took on a slightly pinkish hue. The dust particles around her looked like spirits accompanying a fairy, a truly otherworldly and beautiful sight.

"Sorry, I don’t get it." What did she mean by joining her? Did she mean that since she hadn’t joined any club, we could spend time together in this empty library? Was she inviting me?

Amiya was flushed, his introverted tendency took him over for a moment going into his day dreams.

"The literature club! The thing is, the club doesn’t have a clubroom, so I thought this would be the perfect place for club activities—the holy library!" Shinomori waved her hands animatedly as she spoke, clearly enjoying herself, she was quite different than her usual self, it's like she opened up a little to me.

"So that means you’re the only member right now, huh?"

Now that I thought about it, the light novel never mentioned the literature club. The main characters were all involved in sports, music, drama, or other clubs, so it was left out. Shinomori didn’t have much information either since she was just a background character. That meant she had spent all three years alone in this clubroom.

"Um, yeah. The other students didn’t bother joining a club without a clubroom or a faculty advisor. It seemed useless to them, right?" She tilted her head, reasoning it out.

"I see." Amiya thought about it and then agreed. He wouldn’t mind having to pass time with Shishie Shinomori, needless to say he already loved her illustrations as one of favourite character, a thing for background character illustration who only appeared once in a chapter just to meet tragic end, and about the character which no one talks about despite having a fandom. "I’ll join the club."

"Yay!" She made a cute gesture and jumped, which made me feel lighter. I am glad I didn’t regret getting entangled in this world. If it weren’t for Shinomori-san, I might have lost the motivation to even try changing the plot. Without her, I don’t know how I would have passed my highschool life here, It would be of no reason in this world looking at the colorful youth the main characters.

I wanted to get to know more about Shinomori-san, the background character who wasn’t even given much attention in the novel—a nobody with an illustration. I was hoping to see more of her cuteness! Yes, that lifted my mood! Though it made me a little sad that she didn’t ask me about Erina. Why was I even hoping, like some stupid guy, that she would care enough to feel jealous? We weren’t even dating, nor it will happen in dreams with someone like me.

I am completely out of her league.

After I agreed to join the club, Shinomori packed her bag and left with her two friends as it was getting late. It would have been awkward for me to join them, so I stayed behind them.

Today had been hectic. Who would’ve thought I’d end up in a light novel? What a mess I’d made in the gymnasium, and then I confessed to Erina! For the first time in my life, I confessed to someone, and yeah, it was sad. A really sad sight. But with that, my move on Erina was done. The hate I’d get from her would just help me move on to the next step!

After leaving the main gate, a weird tension hit me.

"What the hell am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to know my god damn address?"

I didn’t even know where my home was. If I went to the police station like a lost kid asking for directions, they’d think I was either high or just plain crazy. I walked toward the nearby park. The sun was setting, and everything was bathed in a red glow. Oddly, the park was still empty, as if no one ever visited it, even though it was in a local area. I sat on the bench and opened up the bento my sister made, it would be waste to throw it so I ate the onigiri it had inside, it was quite big and round quite different as it was homemade, it was delicious though I have no idea if my mother or sister has made it.

I took a deep sigh after a mouth full and called my sister. I couldn’t even ask her about the address or how long it would take to get home from here. Despite the time and distance, I had to ask her to pick me up. Yes, a little sister picking up her grown-up brother from school—what an odd sight.

I reached for my phone, feeling a bit ashamed, and called her anyway, and she picked up.

"Oi, do you have time...?" I asked.

"What is it, onii-sama? Don’t tell me you pooped your pants."

"I wish I had, but this is a different problem..."

"D-don’t tell me you’re p-pregnant!"

"AND WHY WOULD I BE PREGNANT???"

"Bwahaha! Onii-sama, calm down! You’re being loud. Just tell me what’s wrong already without wasting my time."

Weren’t you the one derailing the conversation with your jokes?

"I hurt my leg. It’s just a cramp. Can you come with your bicycle?"

"A-are you alright? Just wait there! I’m coming, onii-sama. Don’t move too much. Where are you right now?"

I felt bad for making her worry. She sounded genuinely concerned. I’ll treat her to something nice someday!

"The park near the school..."

My sister—whose name I didn’t even know, and whom I had already meet during the recess—hung up instantly after hearing that.

It took her barely ten minutes to arrive. Didn’t she come a bit too fast? I had asked her to bring her bicycle because it had a carrier, which I remembered from earlier. Now, this would help me remember the location when she took me back home. I had to etch every alley and road into my memory.

"Onii-sama, are you alright?" She got off her bicycle slightly sweating and hurried over to where I was sitting.

"Y-yeah, I’m fine. See, I can walk. It’s just a little pain, ha ha ha." I felt sorry looking at how serious and concerned she was, so I faked a little and kept up the act, standing up to show that I was alright.

She gestured for me to sit on the bicycle. I was concerned, but I slowly sat down on the carrier behind, and she showed no hesitation or weakness.

Was she really alright? I was letting a girl who looked about thirteen years old carry me. It was embarrassing, but it was nothing compared to the humiliation I’d felt when I confessed to Erina in front of the crowd.

With a swift motion, she started pedaling. She didn’t speak until we reached the way of my house. I managed to memorize the places and the route to my destination. Suddenly, my sister started shaking as she pedaled.

"B-brake." Her voice was small and pale.

"Hmm?" I couldn’t understand what she was saying in that tiny voice, the wind that was blowing making it as barrier to even hear.

"Onii-sama, the brakes aren’t working." She glanced at me sideways with pale face, and I realized she couldn’t stop the bicycle. Her legs didn’t reach the ground, so it was beyond her ability to brake with her feet. Just amazing!

To save us from a potential fall, I used both of my legs to create friction against the ground and stop the bicycle. Luckily, she had told me in time, so I was able to prevent an accident. What terrible timing for a brake failure. I sighed deeply.

As we both got off the bicycle, I noticed the nameplate on the wall: Kitsuragi Residence. Of course, it matched my name, Amiya Kitsuragi. Needless to say, it was indeed my home—or rather, my new home. The brake failure had happened right near our house gate. What a coincidence.

"Nice! I saved us from falling, haha!" I struck a pose, proudly showing off my quick thinking to my sister, but she was in a completely different mood not even thanking me for saving.

"O-n-i-i-s-a-m-a-y-o-u-r-l-e-g!!!!" I felt shivers run down my spine. It was a terrible situation. The whole day had been unfortunate, and now my cat-like little sister had suddenly turned into a fierce tiger! She grabbed the bicycle with her tiny hands and swung it toward my leg like a superhuman.

"GYAAAHAAAA! MY LEG—!!!!!!"