Afterword

To those I haven’t seen in a while, it’s been a while. To those meeting me for the first time, nice to meet you—I’m Takinami Shuri.

First, I’d like to borrow this space to express my gratitude: to the MF Bunko J editorial team, to my editor who has patiently dealt with my chaos from planning to publication, and to the illustrator Unamiya-sama, who graced this work with wonderfully cute artwork.

Likewise, I offer my thanks to my parents and extended family, my five dear friends, and my five fellow recipients from the 19th Newcomer Award.

Due to various circumstances, this new work came out before others. To those eagerly awaiting updates like “What happened to that con artist?” or “I want to hear more of that cocky pretty boy’s screams,” I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart. I, too, want to hear it so badly my ears bleed, so I promise I’ll get to it eventually.

That said, I’m delighted to unveil this new work—a romantic comedy. In other words, it’s an exaggerated take on real-life romance, aiming to be feel-good entertainment. I gave it my all.

Now, everyone, have you seen the cover illustration for this book? It’s so breathtakingly beautiful and cute that it might stop your breathing—but I found that mimicking a capybara’s cry mindlessly for an hour helps calm you down. It saved me. Kyurururururu.

Anyway, this work is packed with nothing but the cuteness of Kurono-san, a main heroine-like protagonist with last-boss-level abilities. I’d be thrilled if you enjoyed it even just a little.

November-ish, Reiwa Year 6 (2024)

Takinami Shuri

E-Book Bonus: Exclusive Short Story "The Outcome of a Sibling Fight"

The four-day cultural festival had ended, and normal school life resumed.

During that time, a single compensatory holiday was granted.

While folding laundry, Kai spoke to Sotomichi, who was sprawled across the sofa.

“…Hey, Sotomichi.”

“What’s up~?”

As usual, his so-called little sister was multitasking her decadence with finesse—playing a handheld game, fiddling with her phone, munching on potato chips, and streaming a movie on the TV via a subscription service.

“…I told you to stop tossing your underwear in the wash with mine, didn’t I?”

“Onii-sama, you perv. Creep. Weirdo. That’s sexual harassment, you know.”

“I’m the one being harassed here.”

With a sigh, Kai sorted through the fabrics, avoiding looking at hers and folding only his own.

“I’ll leave yours there. Fold and put them away yourself, got it?”

No response. The sound effects from her game, the movie’s audio, and the rustling of her chip bag filled the silence instead.

Normally, he’d press her to answer, but a heavy lump held him back.

(This feels… awkward…)

It wasn’t because of her underwear.

Ever since the incident at the cultural festival and their reconciliation, an odd tension had lingered between him and his sister.

The silence stretched on. Staring at her small back as she lay there in her loungewear for a few seconds, Kai made up his mind.

“Hey, Sotomichi.”

“…What’s up~?”

“Wanna go out somewhere together?”

“Huh?”

A few dozen minutes later, Kai walked side by side with Sotomichi—who was dressed in a windbreaker thrown over her loungewear T-shirt and hot pants—to a large park one station away.

“Ohh, they’re doing it,” Sotomichi said in a flat, mildly impressed tone.

The park was hosting a nationwide B-grade local gourmet festival, with various stalls lining up colorful regional specialties.

“This is rare. You inviting me out, Onii-sama?”

“Yeah, well, once in a while isn’t bad, right? I was curious too.”

“I see,” she replied.

Kai bought a serving of local yakisoba from a nearby stall, topped generously with a fried egg and red pickled ginger.

He split the single pack with Sotomichi, handing her a pair of chopsticks.

“Hot, hot… It’s decent, I guess. I prefer it with more sauce, though,” she said.

“It’s pretty good. I like this flavor,” Kai countered.

After they finished, Kai casually wiped a bit of seaweed stuck to Sotomichi’s mouth with the wet towel that came with the yakisoba. She squinted ticklishly.

“Hey, anything else you wanna eat? That teppanyaki over there, maybe—”

“Onii-sama.”

“Oh, wait… Are you feeling sick? If so, there’s a bench over—”

“You’re being considerate of me, aren’t you?”

Her dark eyes looked up at him from below.

“Are you scared of me?”

Caught off guard, Kai hesitated before answering honestly.

“…No, well, yeah.”

Sotomichi lowered her gaze apologetically and murmured,

“…I’m sorry for scaring you so much back then.”

Her voice was weaker than he’d ever heard it.

“Thanks for today… Even after all that, I really, really want to keep being family with you, Onii-sama.”