This Brother is a Serious Problem!

 “P-prove it? H-how…?” Akimoto averted her eyes from her mother’s.

“By doing only something couples do.”

“M-mom! You aren’t saying!?

“...Kiss him.”

“Impossible!?” Akimoto and I blurted out in unison.

“I said kiss him!”

“T-thats…”

I didn’t have a good angle on her face but Akimoto was clearly beet red. Was it because she was gonna be caught in another lie? Or was it she was actually considering…. Uh— you know.

No no no, there’s no way. She wouldn’t go that far for a silly little lie. Surely.

I slowly turned to face Akimoto.

Her eyes were shut tight.

Her lips were puckered.

Is this really worth not going to a barbeque for you!? Akimoto! Calm down! Think this through!

I felt sweat spreading across my body, heat rose in my face as my mind began to shut down.

I stole a glance at her mother—she was glaring daggers at us.

D-do I have to…? I don’t think this is worth going this far for a clubmate. If she was a close friend that I knew for like ten years and we had a will they won’t they thing going on and she had like pink hair and was like really nice to me and was my next door neighbor and didn’t throw books at me.

Then yeah, I might’ve.

F-fine… This is out of the pure kindness of my heart. This is me helping out a fellow human.

I shut my eyes—is this really gonna be my first kiss!?

I leaned closer to Akimoto and my other five senses took over. Her breath was warm on my lips, our proximity was so present in my mind. We’re about to do it, aren't we?

I’ve been talking about it for too long… I’m doing it.

W-what… what is this?

I— I’ve only ever sworn my love to 2D girls because… because I thought they’re perfect. But this real girl… she’s so soft. Her lips are so tender. I can’t pull away.

A-are 3D girls the true path!?

I unclenched my eyes and pulled away from Akimoto. As the figure in front of me came into focus, Akimoto’s blonde hair was short… and her chin was suspiciously… sharp.

Huh… weird.

Her features were… Oh my god it’s her brother. No no no! I’m being messed with! Why is her brother standing in front of me!

“Onee-sama, you’re safe now. I took a dangerous bullet, but at least you’re safe from this creep.”

Akimoto and her mom had both dropped the argument about if I was her real boyfriend or not and stared at me with all the color drained from their faces.

Honestly, I think I had a similar expression.

“What? Why is everyone looking so shocked? I saved Kaoru-chan, right?”

Her brother stood stanced up with his hands on hips. Don’t act triumphant!

“S-Souma…”

“Yes, Onee-sama?”

“Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-you… and K-K-K-K-K-Kiyotaka-k-k-k-k-k-kun.”

“Yes Onee-sama, you’re safe now.”

While Akimoto was stunlocked, their mother had regained composure… somewhat.

“Souma Akimoto! G-go help your father at the grill!”

“But dad said I was quote, “a useless pretty boy and gonna mess up the meat”. What does that mean anyways?”

“He’s not wrong…” Mrs. Akimoto mumbled.

“What was that mother?”

“Nothing. Just… go to your room for a while. I’ll be up to talk to you later.”

“Okay!”

Why’re you so cheerful!? You’re denser than a neutron star!

“Haa~” The exhausted mother rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Just go Kaoru. I have something more important to deal with.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. And Kiyotaka-kun, was it?”

I nod.

“Take care of my Kaoru, she doesn’t need another heartbreak. Plus her weight couldn’t handle it.”

“Mom!”

Her mother smirked and turned away with a wave. “Have a good weekend sweetie.”