Sister and Brother

I was shocked at the sight without being able to say anything. I took Alda's mobile phone from Ayame's hand and tried to take a picture of them.

"Alright, can you guys come a little closer so you can all be in one photo?"

"Brother, stop playing with me!"

I took their picture and returned Alda's mobile phone to Ayame. I returned to my seat, continuing my dinner session with an empty seat.

"Eh, who was that? Is he your brother, Alda?"

"What! Her brother? The one Alda often talks about at school?"

"Yeah, I didn't expect to meet Alda's brother in this cafe too? What is he doing here?"

"Brother! Why are you ignoring your sister!" Alda shouted in front of me, who was eating quietly.

"Why, you're just enjoying the food here, I didn't realise that my sister also has a cosplay hobby in this place?" I said while chewing the food in my mouth.

Alda's friends moved to my seat and Alda also moved to my seat while asking, "Alda's brother, huh? How does Alda behave at home? I wonder?"

Should I tell the truth or lie without second thoughts? I remember Alda telling me a story once, when she was about to enter high school. She told me that she wanted to make a lot of friends in this high school, so she wanted to build a good image of herself on first impression.

I saw Ayame leave our table to take care of another order without saying anything. She knew what was going to happen here. It's nice to know that she knows whatever is going on around her.

Well, I guess I'll just lie a few sentences. I hope she doesn't bother me again after I return home. I just want to get out of this situation first before it messes up my quiet time here.

"Yes, hmmm she's a good sister, she behaves well at home. She always brings me food when our parents go out because our parents make us eat out. Today I didn't eat her food." I said with a poker face.

I wanted to keep a straight face, because I was spouting empty words there. But after all, there was nothing good or bad in talking about it, and I didn't gain anything from telling the truth or lying either. I just wanted to spend time teasing Ayame.

"I can't believe it, her brother said that, I thought your brother was a real jerk when you talked about it" Her friend said as she covered her mouth with her hand.

I don't know what Alda told them about me. I'll make her spill everything after I get home, but I don't want my reputation to go straight down. I have to maintain my brotherly demeanour for the time being.

"Hah yes, I cooked food for him for a while when our parents weren't home yet." Alda said with a chuckle.

"Why are you eating out when you can cook your own food and his too?" Her other friend asked with a suspicious look.

We were both surprised to hear her other friend's question. Good question, but I can no longer behave like a sibling. I'll answer it.

"My parents are..." Before I could finish my sentence, Alda cut me off and said, "Our parents aren't home yet, so they told us to eat out, we rarely eat out, I also want to hang out with you guys especially outside of school. Right?", Alda poked me with her elbow with her words earlier.

"Yes, our parents said so, so I also want to enjoy food that is different from our parents' food," I said as I scooped another spoonful of omurice.

"But Alda's brother said that Alda can cook, so why not ask Alda to cook your food?" Her friend said this while looking at Alda.

"I don't think I can act anymore, she can't c..." and again Alda cut off my sentence before I could finish it.

"I was going to cook our meal at home, but you guys invited me to eat at the maid cafe so I couldn't refuse, especially since this is a new experience for me." Alda tried to calm the situation down as she continued to speak.

"Oh, I see, it seems we're interrupting your sibling's time with our presence" His friend said as they looked at each other.

"No, no, you're not disturbing us, so can we continue, can we continue eating?" Alda calmed them down and continued eating her curry rice.

It looks delicious, but I can't order more because I've already run out of money to buy this iced chocolate and omurice. So I just keep quiet for a while, I also have to get out of here because I can't tease Ayame as long as Alda is here.

At least no one commented on why I had ordered iced chocolate instead of another drink. I continued to drink my iced chocolate to calm myself down about the situation.

"Hey, Alda, why did you order that iced chocolate right there?" Her other friends asked while looking at me who was still drinking the chocolate ice.

I stopped drinking, then I started coughing a little.

"Sorry if I interrupted you drinking, but I was just curious. You don't have to answer, I won't bother you again." She felt guilty after that.

"No, iced chocolate always calms me down in any situation, it also reminds me of memories that I will never forget." I said while looking at the iced chocolate.

"It sounds childish, but this drink is good, and I enjoy it." I said it out loud.

Alda and her two friends nodded and continued eating. We all finished our dinner today, then I paid for my meal and left the maid cafe. Before I walk home, Alda stops me.

"Brother, can you talk to me for a moment?" Alda said in a small voice.

"Alda, what do you want? I want to go home because I still have club work and homework." I said while looking at Alda.

"About what happened earlier, Thank you for not talking bad about me, I appreciate it, goodbye big brother!" She then left me to join her friends who were walking somewhere.

It seems like my annoying sister is slowly growing up. Damn, I came here to tease Ayame but ended up not teasing her at all. Huh whatever, there's still another time, maybe not today, let's forget about it and continue my walk.