Chapter 10 - My Younger Sister With Glasses Is Cute Too!

"Um ...... Akiyama-san?"

"What?"

"What kind of situation is this? And why are you wearing glasses?"

The day after yesterday\'s incident. Right after I picked up Soyoka from kindergarten as usual, Akiyama came to my house.

Iku asked me to cook a meal for her, and I had no reason to refuse. Just like on their previous visit, the Akiyama brothers came to my house to have dinner together. Since this was the second time, I was already used to it.

If there were no problems, that should have been the situation. But, for some reason, I wasn\'t cooking, and I was working on my math assignment

"Because I\'m going to teach Kyota, so I have to use glasses."

"But, what the hell is that?!"

Yes, even though it looked like it suited her, but...!

Akiyama raised her glasses with her middle finger. Soyoka, who was watching from the side, clapped her hands and said, "Wow!"



"Sumi-chan, you\'re so cool!"

"Right, right? ..... No, I mean no."

Akiyama seemed impressed by Soyoka\'s comment. She looked satisfied. Soyoka also took out a pair of flashy fancy glasses from her toy box and put them on. Hmm, isn\'t that a bit different?

"I\'m cool too, right?!"

"They\'re pretty funky, aren\'t they?"

"Punk? Yes, Soka punk!"

Soyoka crossed her arms with a sharp expression. She didn\'t seem to understand the meaning at all. It was funny, but also cute.

The table in the living room had enough space for two high schoolers to sit side by side. Akiyama, who was sitting to my left, came over and peeked at my hand.

I don\'t know what shampoo and grooming tools she was using, but it spread a sweet, feminine scent.

"What\'s wrong? Why are your hands still silent?"

She peered at my face like that, which made me feel even more mischievous.

I don\'t know why I was the only one who had a lot of assignments to complete? ...... Well, actually I was given a lot of assignments because of my poor grades in quizzes. The teacher was very worried that my midterm would be in danger if I didn\'t do better, so Kijimura-sensei gave me a lot of assignments.

"No, I don\'t need you to teach me...."

"Will you be able to do it yourself? Hmm?"

"No, I can\'t."

If I could, I wouldn\'t have gotten a red mark.

Except for math, I can handle it. I might not be able to get high grades, but if I studied hard, I would avoid getting red marks. However, I\'m really bad at math.

On the other hand, Akiyama, or Akiyama-sama, who was next to me, was a smart student who always took first place in every subject. She was a very good tutor for me, even too good. It\'s a wonder how we ended up in the same school.

I mean, she\'s too perfect, you know?

"Since you helped me the other day, so I\'ll teach you as my thanks. Moreover, I\'m your guest again today, hence, please let me do this."

"Being a goody-goody, huh...."

"Just do it quickly."

"A-All right?!"

I never thought that Akiyama would teach me, and I couldn\'t concentrate at all because of it. Maybe it was because she had no friends, so she didn\'t know the safe distance between boys and girls. What she was doing was no different from teaching a child.

I could hear the sound of the TV that Soyoka and Iku were watching very clearly.

The two of us were so close that I could feel her body heat. Her slightly bent upper lip made her well-defined features shine even brighter.

Her back was so straight and her chest stretched out. She had great posture.

I wonder what the boys in my class will say when they find out that I\'m studying alone with Akiyama Sumi. Just thinking about it makes me feel superior. Well, even though Soyoka and Iku are also here, so this isn\'t exactly a sweet relationship.

I managed to push my thoughts aside and concentrate on my assignment. Although I couldn\'t solve the questions just by concentrating, but at least I was able to answer them even if it was rudimentary.

"So this is it..."

The moment my hand stopped, Akiyama immediately explained it to me. Her explanation was, so to speak, very easy to understand. When I was taught by Mizuki, I couldn\'t understand a single thing because he was too sensory.

But he was very logical, and taught me at my own pace, and was very patient with me. He could instantly pinpoint where I was struggling and solve the problem, which made my learning much more efficient.

I think he\'s the kind of person who understands the feelings of people who can\'t learn.

Based on our previous relationship, I knew that she wasn\'t the type of person who was good at getting things done. However, from the way she taught, I knew that the reason why she got first place in her class wasn\'t based on her talent, but rather on her incredible amount of studying.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a good understanding of math. Although it was just a feeling I had.

"Ah! I get it now!"

"Kyota, how did you get into the second grade of high school? You should still be in middle school."

"Huh? Is it really necessary for you to insinuate me when I\'m in a good mood?"

She had a harsh tone, but her teaching was gentle. Oh no, I\'m getting addicted.

No matter how good the teacher is, my intelligence won\'t improve quickly. However, I think I\'ve overcome some of the obstacles I was facing.

For someone like me who doesn\'t know what I don\'t know, Akiyama is my savior. She taught me so precisely that I felt as if she could see inside my head.

"I think you\'ll be able to do the rest after I teach you this much. If you have any questions, just ask me directly."

Akiyama sat back in her chair and opened her textbook. With slender fingers, she twirled her mechanical pencil... but she failed and dropped it. Then, she picked it up with an indifferent look on her face and started studying again.

Akiyama had always studied in her free time at school, and this week, with the upcoming midterms, her studying had intensified.

"That\'s amazing. You already got first place and you\'re still studying?"

"My goal is not to keep first place, but to go on to college. I\'m planning on getting into a public university, so no matter how much I study, it\'s never enough."

Akiyama then whispered in a low voice, "I have to set aside some money for Iku." for Iku not to hear him. He was a good Younger brother.

"Hmm? What do grades matter if you have to take the exam anyway?"

The only time grades matter is during entrance exams with various recommendations. When I mentioned this question, Akiyama let out a dumbfounded sigh.

"Since I was in class for a long time, why didn\'t I make the best of it? Because I took it seriously, I managed to get good grades."

"That\'s true, but don\'t you usually go to prep school or something?"

When I said that, I realized that it was a stupid question. Because I don\'t go to prep school myself either.

As soon as school was over, she would pick up his little brother from kindergarten, and she would spend time with him until his mother came home. So, there was no room in his life for prep school.

"Sorry, you\'re right."

To be honest, I thought it was wonderful that she didn\'t cut corners in her studies even though she was busy every day.

By the way, I think my grades improved thanks to Soyoka as well.

"Has your mom been busy lately?"

"Yes. She wasn\'t busy last year, but this year she seems to be very busy."

"That must be hard for you."

"Today, I have to clean the house when I get home ....... I also have to wash clothes and get ready for kindergarten ....... then....."

Akiyama folded her fingers as she mentioned the things she had to do.

I realized that balancing childcare and housework was a lot harder than I imagined.

Plus, Akiyama needed to spend some time studying. Even though Iku is a quiet child, we still can\'t let her out of our sight for too long. Especially at this time of year, when Iku is just entering kindergarten, she has a lot to prepare for, and she often faces unplanned problems.

"Don\'t push yourself too hard."

"I know, but until now, I\'ve always left everything to my mom. I want her to enjoy herself after coming home from her busy scheadule."

"That must be hard."

I gently sympathized with Akiyama\'s mother, whom I had never met. Akiyama twirled her hair around her fingertips with an uncomfortable expression.

"Well, if you need any help, don\'t hesitate to tell me."

I\'ve been doing everything since I was in elementary school, so I\'m used to chores. There must be something I could do to help Akiyama.

"You\'ve helped me a lot. I can\'t trouble you anymore. After all, we\'re just classmates."

"Classmates ...... I don\'t think so."

Moreover, we have minimal contact at school.

Soyoka and Iku are friends, and the two of us are their older siblings. That\'s the relationship we have. And that\'s the reason why we have to help each other. As high schoolers who are both raising young children, we\'re in the same boat and we can also share our difficulties with each other.

"If I had to say it, then we are ..... mom\'s friends."

[TL: Mama tomo.]

Neither Akiyama nor I are mothers, but I can\'t think of any other way to describe it.

"Mom\'s friend....."

"Yes, that\'s right. So it\'s natural for us to help each other out. I mean, do you think you can raise a child alone? I\'m sure there will be times when I\'ll have to rely on you too. I don\'t have a clue about girls\' preferences and problems. You\'ll have to help me with that next time."

I\'m not sure if I have the right taste, especially when it comes to girls\' clothes. I thought it was a mother\'s job, but my mother rarely came home and had no interest in children. There was no point in expecting anything from her, so I gave up on her.

Akiyama\'s eyes widened. She put her hand on her chin as if pondering, and then said,

"Yes, you\'re right. If Soyoka has someone she likes, it will be difficult for her to talk about it with Kyota."

"Right, right? Wait, who is the person she likes?! My younger sister can\'t be like that!"

It\'s still too early for Soyoka. Even I think it\'s still 20 years too soon.

Akiyama giggled as she watched me make a fist.

"Thank you. I\'ll probably depend on you for Iku."

"O-Oh."

"I know Iku better than anyone else, but I think his feelings as a man are also important... I\'ve learned before that it\'s important for fellow men to share what they feel."

"Oh, you mean when buying a kid\'s cell phone?"

Although we are all human, there are differences between men and women when it comes to feelings. Because of these differences, it is natural that people of the same sex will be able to relate more easily to each other than to the opposite sex.

"Although I hate to admit it, but ..... I\'ve been having a hard time lately too."

"Well, I guess so. Although I don\'t remember being her brother."

I don\'t mind if they\'re friends, but I won\'t let her try to play around with Soyoka. They were too close these days, so I thought it would be good to monitor her occasionally.

"We\'ve been chatting for too long. You should concentrate on your studies."

"Oh, you sound like a mother now."

"But I don\'t want to have a child like you."

As expected of Akiyama, she had such wisdom that I couldn\'t believe she was a high schooler like me.

Akiyama\'s eyes turned cold when I tried to make a joke, so I hurriedly picked up my pen.

If I study with the intention of teaching Soyoka, I can definitely do my best. ......I wanted her to learn how to write beautifully, so I practiced my writing. I\'ve also been reviewing my math assignments. The reason I can cook and do all the housework as much as I want is also because I think about Soyoka.

But, I can\'t study. What was the point of all this?

Wait.....

If I can teach Soyoka when she\'s in high school, won\'t there come a day when she\'ll say, "Onii-chan! Teach me!" right?

I\'m sure Soyoka will grow up to be the cutest high school girl ever. She\'ll also probably say, "I love you, Onii-chan! Thank you so much!" if I teach her while occasionally giving her a snack.

"Muehehe, I suddenly feel very motivated."

"You must be thinking about something stupid, right...."

"I\'m going to get an all-subjects teacher\'s license for Soyoka!"

I must have big dreams!

"Okay, my first goal is to avoid red marks on the exam. Akiyama, I\'m leaving it to you, so make sure you do your best for me."

"It\'s good that you\'re conscious about your current situation, but, you\'re leaving it up to me...."

Yup. That\'s because I\'m not good at studying.

Akiyama-sensei\'s teachings are great if we exclude his sometimes heart-wrenching words. "Soyoka-chan said she doesn\'t like having a stupid older brother." , "I wonder how Soyoka-chan would feel if her brother didn\'t make the grade at school. If it were me, I definitely wouldn\'t want to leave the house because having a brother is so miserable." , "Look, Soyoka is watching you! Ah, she\'s looking away because her brother is too ugly!"

I was so unhappy that I was forced to dance in the palm of her hand.

However, the effect of all those states of hers was overwhelming, and by the time it was getting dark outside the window, I was finally able to finish all my assignments. Not only did I fill in the answers, but I was also able to understand them. ......Even though I would probably forget it three days later.

"Finally finished too! Thank you, Akiyama. All my assignments have been successfully completed."

"It took ten times longer than I expected...."

I looked at my watch and saw that the short hand showed 6:00. It was almost time for dinner. I had concentrated on my studies for two hours, which was probably a record for myself

Soyoka and Iku were supposed to be watching TV and playing with 3D puzzles, but I noticed that they had become completely silent.

"Soyoka, it\'s time..."

"Shhh..."

The curious me pulled my chair back only to be stopped by Akiyama. Akiyama\'s long, slender finger on her lips traced a path in the air, which pointed towards the living room.

When I looked, it turned out that Soyoka and Iku were asleep on the sofa, probably because they were tired of playing. Soyoka was leaning against Iku.



It was a very adorable sight.

I\'m sure the two of them are having a warm and relaxing time together. I hope they appreciate the time they are spending right now, which they will probably forget when they grow up.

"Iku is sleeping with a woman."

"No!!! Don\'t say it!"

Contrary to his tone of voice, Akiyama\'s eyes drooped lazily. She stood up without making a sound, picked up the blanket and wrapped it around the two of them. After gently patting Iku\'s head, she pushed Soyoka\'s bangs out of her eyes.

Ah, Akiyama really likes Iku, doesn\'t she? She looked down at Iku\'s sleeping face and smiled lovingly. She was the only person who could make Akiyama, who was always on guard, relax.

"Soyoka-chan, she\'s too close to Iku. And she\'s taking advantage of her kindness."

"Hey, Iku. Don\'t tell me that you actually know that Soyoka is weak to sleep, hence why you invited her to play with you on the sofa, right? How sneaky of you!"

Wait, what were we both saying in front of these quietly sleeping children? We looked at each other and laughed unbearably. Of course quietly so as not to wake them up.

"Alright, let\'s get ready for dinner. I\'m sure they\'ll wake up soon."

"Yes, you\'re right."

"Or, should we go to bed after a long day of studying?"

"What?!"

As I said this in a light tone, Akiyama\'s expression turned to panic and shrugged her shoulders. She hugged herself with both hands as if to cover her chest. I wondered if the redness on her cheeks was due to the setting sun?

Seeing her like that made me scratch my head and let out a small sigh.

"That\'s not what I meant...."

Besides, you weren\'t able to cover up everything, were you?

"I-I know. I just thought that Kyota might want to do something like that."

"How many more times do I have to tell you that I\'m only devoted to Soyoka, huh?"

"D-Don\'t tell me you want to do that with Soyoka...."

Huh? Is this guy really the best in the class? As I always suspected, his imagination is far-fetched. Where was the intelligence she had just now?

When I saw Akiyama\'s disgusted expression, I felt that my pride as a man was hurt, so I shook my head and moved to the kitchen.

Since I had been taught by her earlier, so I thought I would try a special dish for her. Fortunately, I still had plenty of time.