She Was Actually My Stepsister. ~Recently, The Sense Of Distance Between Me And My New Stepbrother Is Incredibly Close~ - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: “Apparently, I’m going to take a bath with my Stepbrother…”

 

Translator: AJ1703

 

　The incident occurred three weeks after I started living with Akira and the others─

 

　Me and Akira were spending the day together as usual, just lounging around.

 

　Akira seemed to be addicted to an RPG he had recently bought, and went to the trouble of buying a strategy book to get into the game.

 

　Akira, by the way, is the type of person who saves often and proceeds carefully. And since the number of save slots keeps increasing, I can feel the difference in personality between Akira and me, who just keeps overwriting one place at a time.

 

　I, on the other hand, am reading manga and light novels that I have piled up while Akira is playing games,

 

“Aniki, I’m tired, could you take over for a bit?”

 

　While Akira takes a break, I’m left to do some simple leveling up and fighting for item drops.

 

　I feel more like I’m being used by Akira than helping him, but I don’t feel bad about that.

 

“Hey, you two, are you two done with your summer vacation assignments?”

 

　Miyuki-san, perhaps noticing my laziness, asked me for the first time that day.

 

I’m a slow starter, so I’ll be fine.

 

“I do it frequently, so I’ll be fine. If I cannot make it, I will ask Aniki to help me.”

 

“Wait a minute, when was this ever decided!?”

 

“You said it before, didn’t you? You said that you were going to teach me how to study.”

 

“T-That was during the transfer exam, wasn’t it? I can’t afford to help you with your assignments!”

 

　Miyuki-san watched our exchange with a wry smile.

 

　Akira passed the transfer exam without a hitch and will be attending Yuuki Academy from the second semester. When I told Akira that we would go to and from school together, he seemed somewhat happy.

 

　I realized that both Akira and I were spending our time together in a natural way like this.

 

　I was not sure how Akira felt about it, but for me, I thought we had become much closer to each other.

 

　─But then the incident happened.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

“I’m going to go to work now, so you two need to do your summer vacation assignments!　─I’ll take care of the rest.”

 

　In the late afternoon, Miyuki-san, who was getting ready, called out to us, who were still playing in the living room. She said she had to go to work for a drama shooting in the evening.

 

“‘Kayyyy~.”

 

“Take care.”

 

　After we saw Miyuki-san off in the living room, we received a phone call from Dad.

 

“I just called Miyuki-san, but it doesn’t look like she’s going to be home tonight.”

 

“I see. Work is tough, isn’t it?”

 

“Well, it’s the same as usual. The sponsors were on the side of the film and the director lost his temper. They had to start over from the beginning.”

 

“Haha, the adult world is tough, too.”

 

“With that said, I’ll leave the house to you.”

 

“Yeah, you can count on me. Me and Akira will take good care of the house.”

 

　After the line ended, Akira asked, “What’s up?”.

 

“My dad is staying over again.”

 

“Ojii-san must be having a hard time at work too…”

 

“Well, he seems to be having fun, so it’s okay.”

 

“Mom also has to stay late because she has to stay up late filming a TV drama.”

 

“I wonder how the “work style reform” is going?”

 

“Well, she’s a bit of a workaholic herself, so I guess it’s okay.”

 

“But what about those of us who are left at home?”

 

　Akira’s mouth turned up in a giggle.

 

“You know that already, don’t you?”

 

“I know, right? Kufufu~…”

 

　Both of us gave a sly grin.

 

“Anyway, how about we order pizza for dinner?”

 

“That sounds good. I’m okay with anything with tomato sauce.”

 

“I’ll have one with cheese on it. ─Okay then, time to choose!”

 

　And so we made a plan to spend the rest of the day lounging around.

 

　What about our summer vacation assignments?

 

　I think I would be more capable of doing such things if I worked hard on them in the latter half of the summer vacation. I am the type of person who is hard on myself. [TLN: Omg, this MC is so me, procrastinate so bad, then regret it later lmao.]

 

　Therefore, tonight, I will be indulging in pleasure with my beloved brother.

 

　─But most of the incidents that happen at home occur when the kids are alone while their parents are away.

 

　We high school students are no exception.

 

　Or rather, I did it to myself…

 

＊　＊　＊

 

　In the evening, while eating pizza, we were working on our game strategy.

 

　But there was something that had been bothering me for a while. Akira’s mouth was covered with tomato sauce from the pizza. Not just in one spot, but spread over a large area, making him look like a circus clown, to put it bluntly.

 

　Perhaps he didn’t notice, or perhaps he didn’t care, but he was so focused on the game screen that he didn’t even try to wipe it off.

 

“Hey Akira, you have tomato sauce all over your mouth, you know?”

 

“Eh? Where?”

 

“Where you ask? It’s literally all over you.”

 

“Huh? No way, you’re kidding me?”

 

　Akira wiped it off with a tissue, but the sauce was surprisingly tough to handle, and although he had wiped it off, it was now stretched.

 

“Give me the tissue, There, all gone now.”

 

　When I wiped him off with a wet wipe, Akira hurriedly averted his face, which had turned red up to his ears.

 

　Was it because I had seen him make a blunder as cute and endearing as a kindergartener for a high school freshman?

 

“T-Thanks…”

 

“My goodness, aren’t you concentrating too much on your game?”

 

　I tried to smile, but in truth, I felt a little amused to see Akira’s embarrassed face. 

 

　Akira’s face is very beautiful when viewed in this way.

 

　And yet, the changes in his facial expressions are also enjoyable to watch. At first, he was blunt and unapproachable, but now he’s laughing, fuming, sulking, getting angry, and even now, embarrassed.

 

　In a good way, he has let his guard down. As his older brother, I am very happy to see him open up more. Which is why─

 

“…Akira, I am happy that we became siblings.”

 

　I just said out loud how I felt.

 

“W-What’s up with you… suddenly saying that?”

 

　Akira looked embarrassed rather than withdrawn.

 

“If it weren’t for Akira, I’d be spending my summer vacation alone.”

 

　 In fact, the house has become brighter since the arrival of Akira and Miyuki-san.”

 

　These days, we spend time together in a more natural way than if we were just getting along well. 

 

　I was worried about our new life at first, but after opening the lid, I can laugh at how it turned out.

 

“D-Don’t mention it, wouldn’t it be nice to hang out with someone else other than me? Like Aniki, don’t you have any friends? You’ve been spending the whole summer vacation with me, you know?”

 

“Well, I have friends, but not many.”

 

　Well, I have friends, but they are few and far between. The only friend I can think of is Kousei.

 

　When I think about it, if it weren’t for him, I might have been a real outcast at school.

 

“Aniki, you seem like a guy who has a lot of friends…”

 

“I think you’re being too optimistic. If anything, it is better to have a few but deep relationships than to have a lot of friends.”

 

　─This is the “Bocchi” theory. In short, I’m a bit headstrong. [TLN: Bocchi!? Noway it’s Bocchi the Rock!?!? frfr]

 

　I’m not good at being involved with a large number of people, and I find it easier to be involved with a specific few.

 

　In that sense, I think it is much easier to hang out with Kousei, whom I have known since middle school.

 

　As for Hinata… it’s still a little awkward.

 

“What about Akira? Do you think it’s good that we became siblings…?”

 

“That’s…”

 

　Akira’s expression darkened a little.

 

　Is he confused or he doesn’t feel that way?

 

　He was stuttering over his words, not knowing how to answer.

 

“You don’t like it after all?”

 

“N-No, it’s not that… It’s just, when I’m with Aniki, I sometimes feel strange…”

 

“Strange?”

 

“You know that feeling you get inside your chest? I don’t know how to describe it─”

 

　This time he blushed.

 

─Ah, but, I’m having a lot of fun with Aniki, though!”

 

“Then, all’s well.”

 

　At least, I’m glad to hear that he feels that way with me.

 

“But if I were to be greedy─”

 

　I don’t think we’re close enough to reveal our true feelings to each other.

 

“─I’d like to get closer to Akira…”

 

　We have both gone through our parents’ divorces, so much so that I hope to be able to talk to him about it.

 

“Eh!? What did you mean by that!?”

 

“So you should be more relaxed. I may be unreliable, but I’m your Aniki, after all.”

 

“Y-You’re my Aniki, you say? Ahahaha~…”

 

　After another breakthrough, I finally stepped up to the plate.

 

“Alright! Let’s go take a bath together, Akira!”

 

　I decided that this was the only way to shorten the distance between me and Akira, so I suggested to Akira what I had been planning to do for a long time.

 

“Eh? …Eeeeeeehhhhhhhh──!?”

 

　Akira suddenly turned red and exclaimed.

 

“What are you surprised about? I’ve always wanted to try that. Rubbing each other’s backs is something I believe?”

 

“Awawawa, rubbing each other’s backs!?”

 

“Don’t be shy. I’m just going to wash your back.”

 

“;J-Just’, are you serious?”

 

“Yeah. You don’t want to?”

 

“No, It’s not that I don’t want to, but we can’t do that! We’re going to see each other naked, you know!? That’s a little bit more than just being casual about it!?”

 

“I don’t mind, though?”

 

“Well I do─!”

 

　It seems that he is not very confident about his figure, but that’s the same for me. I feel like my body has gotten a little heavier after this summer vacation.

 

“If you’re embarrassed, just wrap a towel around you and we’ll both show our backs, okay?”

 

“R-Really, we’re just going to wash each other’s backs!?”

 

“What else is there to do?　─Ah, I’ll wash my own hair, okay?”

 

“That’s not the problem! It’s just…”

 

“So you don’t want to after all?”

 

“As one would expect of high school students, that’s not a good idea… We’re siblings as well…”

 

“It’s precisely because we’re siblings, you know? Me and Dad sometimes go to a public bath and wash each other’s backs, you know?”

 

“T-That’s just because, you’re parents and siblings though…”

 

“That’s that, and this is this. Akira, when you were in elementary school or middle school, what did you do on your school trips?”

 

“W-Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”

 

“Did you go to a big bath with everyone else?”

 

“N-No… We went to the hotel room and took turns pouring hot water into the bathtub…”

 

“Have you ever been to a hot spring or sauna?”

 

“No, I haven’t…”

 

　I knew it.

 

　Akira is probably not accustomed to seeing other people naked in the first place.

 

　Getting closer to Akira is important, but I’m more worried about that.

 

“We’re going on a family vacation to a hot spring, and we’re also going on a high school field trip. It is not always possible to take a bath in a private room. If you don’t have the experience of taking a bath with someone somewhere, you might be in trouble in the future, you know?”

 

“I suppose, that’s true, but… Why should Aniki and…?”

 

“As an older brother, I’m worried about Akira’s future. I know it’s none of my business, but I thought I’d put my skin on the line for Akira’s sake.”

 

“B-But that’s just not going to happen! If Ojii-san or Mom finds out…” [TLN: Idk if I have said this before, but Ojii-san literally means Uncle.]

 

“Why are we talking about Dad and the others? This much should be fine, no?”

 

“Is this at the level of things we’re going to get away with!?”

 

　But I could guess how they would react when they found out.

 

“My father and Miyuki-san will probably just think, ‘Oh, you guys are getting along so well,’ I guess?”

 

“Nonononono, that’s not the point…! Also, if the two of them found out, it would be a very bad thing…”

 

　He’s very particular about it, isn’t he?

 

　No, but if it’s bad if they find out, that means it’s okay if they don’t find out.

 

“It’ll be a secret between us siblings, so no one will ever find out. Well, Dad won’t be home today, and Miyuki-san will return home late at night, so we’ll be fine.”

 

“Siblings’ secret…”

 

“Yeah. No matter what, we’ll keep it a secret from Dad and the others.”

 

　Akira rubbed his left elbow with his right hand, his face turned bright red, and then he looked at me with a penetrating glance.

 

“Aniki… Do you like me…?”

 

“Eh, yeah… Of course I like Akira.”

 

　I replied, feeling a little weird.

 

　Of course, “as a family member” does not mean anything deep, but it may be important to Akira.

 

“If we get found out, will you… take responsibility?”

 

“Of course. If anything happens, I will take responsibility.”

 

“………………”

 

　It may have been a bit aggressive to invite him like this.

 

　However, I was going to give up if Akira said he didn’t want to go through with it, but─

 

“─T-Then, I-I’ll be washing your back…”

 

　Akira was embarrassed, but he agreed──No, he already accepted it.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

　I undressed first and waited for Akira in the bathroom.

 

　I was somewhat nervous, but in a good way.

 

　Of course, the purpose was not only to shorten the distance between me and Akira, but also to think about Akira’s future.

 

　Akira had once run away in surprise when he saw me completely naked, and I would be happy if this would make him a little more immune to it.

 

　For now, I covered my front with a towel and sat on the bath chair with my back to the door. And then─

 

“P-Pardon my intrusion…”

 

　The bathroom door was opened and Akira finally entered the bathroom.

 

“Oh. Let’s get on with it!”

 

“O-Okay… I look forward to doing this with you…”

 

　Why the honorifics? I thought, but Akira must’ve been nervous as well.

 

　But if this went well, I thought it would be possible for Akira and I to go to the public bath together and occasionally give each other back rubs at home.

 

　Once a person makes a compromise, the second or third time becomes a habit.

 

　So, Akira should not resist so much next time as he did today.

 

　While I was thinking about this, Akira quickly squatted down behind me.

 

　The mirror in front of me was fogged up, so I could only vaguely see what was going on behind me.

 

　However, I could easily imagine what Akira looked like.

 

　He is probably enduring some embarrassment. I thought I should relieve some of the tension.

 

“That reminds me, Akira, have you ever washed someone’s back like this before?”

 

“Only when I washed Dad’s back when I was little…”

“Do you remember how to do it?”

 

 

“No, I don’t remember much…”

 

“First, I need you to scoop the hot water out of the tub and pour it over my back.”

 

“O-Okay…”

 

　Akira scooped hot water from the bathtub with a pail and poured some on my back as he was told.

 

“You can pour some more on me.”

 

“Mhm…”

 

　Akira did as I asked.

 

　I was soaked in hot water all at once,

 

“Oh~… that feels so good~!”

 

　The voice in my heart leaked out.

 

“Kora! Aniki, don’t make any funny noises!”

 

“No, it’s true that it feels good. ─But more importantly, please pour more water on me.”

 

“S-Sure…”

 

　After that, he poured hot water on my back and over my entire body two or three times.

 

“Alright, now I want you to scrub my back.”

 

“Okay…”

 

　I handed Akira the body soap I usually use.

 

　Behind me, I heard the sound of the soap being discharged, followed by the sound of foaming.

 

　─It’s finally here.

 

　The long-awaited fun time was about to begin─.

 

“O-Okay, here I go…──Uhyah!?”

 

“Eh? Huh? Eh? W-What’s wrong?”

 

“Hey, what are you doing, Akira!?”

 

“Eh!? Did I do something wrong!?”

 

“Why are you washing my back with your hands covered in body soap!?”

 

　It’s not like he did something wrong.

 

　When Akira’s soft hands, slick with soap and foam, crawled on my back, the hairs on my back stood on end.

 

“T-That’s because I usually wash by hand…”

 

“I-I see. I’m sorry I yelled at you for that… I sometimes wash my hands, too, but basically, in this case, you use a body towel to scrub, okay?”

 

“I-Is that so!? That’s how it is huh!? No wonder I thought it was weird!”

 

　I grumbled in my mind, “If that’s the case, use a body towel from the beginning.”

 

“As expected, you can’t wash with your hands~… ─Ah, you see that blue one right there? You can use that instead.”

 

“Mhm…”

 

　Akira put a towel with lathering body soap on my back.

 

“All right, you ready?”

 

“Come!”

 

　The force of the towel was… exquisitely lukewarm.

 

　It was as if he was caressing my back, and this was not so different from the feeling of his hand earlier.

 

“Akira, my back is not that soft, okay?”

 

“Eh? I can use more force on it!? This towel is hard like a scrubbing brush, won’t it hurt?”

 

“I’m fine. It’s better if it hurts so much that it turns red.”

 

“A-Are you sure?”

 

“Yep. That’s why I need you to put more force on it and go all out at once!”

 

“O-Okay…”

 

　Akira put a body towel on the center of my back, just below my neck.

 

　Akira’s arm force, or rather a part of his weight, was applied to my back. And then─

 

“Hyah!”

 

“Ow!”

 

　It seems that the moment he tried to apply force, his hand or foot slipped, and Akira’s weight was on my back.

 

　I managed to support Akira as I stepped forward, but─

 

“Are you okay? Aki─”

 

　─… What is this feeling…?

 

　I felt something soft hitting me around my shoulder, around the knuckle of my shoulder.

 

　The soft something was spread out widely due to Akira’s weight pressing against my back, but it was also resilient and showed a very slight resistance to return to its original shape.

 

　The next moment, it separated into two pieces while still touching my back.

 

　When I felt this series of actions on my back, an indescribable emotion welled up inside me.

 

　Unable to resist, I leaned forward further.

 

　But that was not a good idea.

 

“Kyaa!”  [TLN: From here, I tried to not make it repetitive as much as possible since he keeps saying the same things.]

 

　I leaned forward even more, so that Akira’s body was even closer to mine than before.

 

　I felt a soft touch on my back again.

 

　At that moment, I had what might be called a revelation or an overwhelming flash of inspiration…

 

　Knowledge, experience, instinct, imagination, science, and mystery─ they instantly combine to form the identity of that uncertain softness into something solid in my brain.

 

　And so, right here, right now, I finally understood.

 

　─It was, overwhelmingly, unmistakably, without any doubt, “boobs”.

 

　Akira pulled away from me, and there was some silence.

 

　When a drop of water dripped from the ceiling and hit the bathtub, I came back to my senses.

 

“…Um, Akira-san? Can I ask you something…?”

 

　I was the first to break the silence.

 

“W-What is it? Or rather, why the honorifics…?”

 

　Shame and confusion.

 

　I don’t know which came first, but it spread like poison from the tip of my head to the rest of my body, my senses were already paralyzed, and my heart was beating close to its limit.

 

　I tried to remain calm.

 

　Then an important question came to my mind, one that I needed to clarify.

 

“I’m sorry if this is an awkward thing to ask, but─”

 

　I had to ask.

 

　But I am afraid to ask.

 

　I wished this were all a dream.

 

　I truly hoped it was, but the feeling that still lingered on my back told me that this was real.

 

　Then, I opened my mouth in trepidation.

 

“─Akira-san is not my younger brother, but rather, my little sister…?” [TLN: took you long enough.]

 

　As soon as I said it out loud, the events from the moment I met Akira to today flowed through my mind like a running light.

 

　In hindsight, I wondered why I had thought of Akira as my younger brother.

 

　When I heard that I was going to have a “sibling,” I accepted it without hesitation. That was the beginning of my mistake, but I never doubted it for a second.

 

　Looking back, there have been plenty of opportunities for me to realize this.

 

　But I ignored all of them, focusing only on the truth that suited me, and completely believed that Akira was my brother.

 

『Well, you see, you’re a bit dense.』[TLN: This is in Chapter 1, definitely did not change it Clueless]

 

　Suddenly, I recalled my father’s words.

 

　No, no, no, no, this is not the level of denseness that I can get away with…

 

　But the answer is still not clear.

 

　There is even a chance that it could be the younger brother with the bulging chest…

 

　If possible, I would have liked to hear from Akira, “No,” but─

 

“Yes, that’s right, but why ask now…? Also why the honorifics?”

 

　─But reality is just too cruel.

 

“…I’m really, really sorry for all the things I’ve done!”

 

　I washed myself off so as not to see Akira, wiped myself off in the changing room, and went out into the hallway.

 

　My heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.

 

　Soon Akira seemed to be coming out of the bathroom, and I heard her getting dressed on the other side of the door.

 

“Aniki, are you still there, by any chance?”

 

“Y-Yes… I’m still here, I mean, I’m really sorry! Actually, I always thought Akira was my younger brother! I’m so sorry!”

 

　I just apologized flat out through the door of the changing room.

 

　I had no excuse and no face to show for it.

 

　I could barely speak across the door.

 

“Haa~… Aniki, I never knew you always thought of me as a little brother…”

 

“I’m truly sorry…”

 

“…Just drop it already. ─I’ve made a lot of mistakes too…”

 

“Eh? Mistakes?”

 

“I-It’s nothing! Anyway, what happened today is a secret!”

 

“Yes…”

 

　However, I’m sure Akira was shocked.

 

　Unable to bear it any longer, I went to my room alone and went straight into the futon bedding.

 

　Let’s just sleep…

 

　However, remembering the past events, I can’t seem to fall asleep.

 

　I wonder how I should face Akira tomorrow…

 

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Translator’s Afterword:

First and foremost, sorry for taking a long time before releasing another chapter. I was too busy with college and experienced health problems towards the end of the year as well and I still need some funds for it if you don’t mind. Any amount would be appreciated! The full extensive as to what happened was discussed on my other series (chapter is specified, so go straight to end of chapter to read the afterword here). I am focusing to finish the first volume of this series for now and starting from the next chapters, I’ll divide it by parts because of how long they are. The parts will be divided by “＊　＊　＊”. I haven’t started the new semester yet which is why I was able to do this, but soon enough, I don’t want to keep you guys waiting for so long without updates so I think this is the best course of action that I could do in the meantime.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter~