Tokyo: Oreimo

Ever since he started school, Ling Nai would urge him along, saying things like, "You're so slow, we're going to be late," and then drag him toward school.

Today is just quiet.

Ryosuke suddenly realized that he seemed to have gotten used to the presence of his younger sister, Ryouno.

......

Takashiro Ryou arrived at school almost twenty minutes earlier than usual today.

The classroom was empty, with only a few students on early duty bustling around.

She walked to her seat, put her schoolbag on the table, and sprawled out on it.

As time passed, Ruri Aragaki entered the classroom and walked to her seat. She noticed her friend lying down.

It's strange that you're here so early. I always come to the school early to check the schedule.

"Ling Nai? You're here early today."

"Hmm," Takashiro Ryouko responded sullenly, her face buried in her arms.

"Didn't sleep well?"

"Ah."

"Then you should take a nap first. I'll wake you up when the teacher comes."

"Ah."

After giving a perfunctory three "hmm"s, Ling Nai remained motionless in that position.

I can't sleep at all.

Last night I tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning, my mind filled with that image.

He was pinned to the ground, Ryosuke's hand gripping his... The warm touch came through his pajamas, and there was that face so close to his own. His expression changed from surprise to embarrassment, and finally to...

What did it turn into again?

She was running so fast that she didn't dare look back.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!"

"Huh?!" Ruri Aragaki was startled.

"It's nothing, I didn't mean anything by Liuli."

Ling Nai quickly waved her hand, then put her hands together in an apologetic gesture.

"It's alright, but Ling Nai, are you really okay? Do you need to ask for leave and go back to rest?"

Ruri Aragaki looked at her with some concern.

This status seems a bit off; it's quite rare for a friend to be in this state.

"It's ok!"

Takashiro Ryouno lowered her head, then, as if to encourage herself, patted her cheeks hard with both hands.

It was just a touch, right? Anyway, there were clothes between us.

It wasn't intentional! There's nothing wrong with siblings having this kind of contact, right?

What's there to worry about! That guy has probably already forgotten about it!

I've been thinking about this over and over all night, I feel like a complete idiot!

Yes, just forget about it.

Let's pretend it never happened.

Takashiro Ryouno pretended that nothing was wrong and adjusted her mindset.

"By the way, Liuli didn't reply to me yesterday."

"I'm sorry, I stayed up too late reading last night and it was already bedtime when I came to my senses. I was afraid of disturbing you, Ling Nai."

"Hehe, is it that light novel I recommended?"

Ruri Aragaki nodded, her attention successfully diverted by Ayano.

To be honest, this was her first time working with this kind of subject matter. Although she found it very novel, she could understand the meaning it was trying to convey.

but.

"Because I read slowly, I've only read up to Ryunosuke Uryu, and it feels a bit scary..."

"Right? I knew that guy was really good at writing about perverts."

With a topic to discuss, Takashiro Ryouno briefly forgot about what happened last night.

......

That's what she said, but when she got home from school that night, Ling Nai still couldn't face Ryosuke with a clear conscience.

"I'm back... I'm going back to my room."

As she hurriedly changed her shoes in the entryway, she bumped into Ryosuke, who was taking off his shoes. The girl swept through the living room like a gust of wind and went straight upstairs.

"Ling Nai?" Mieko poked her head out from the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready soon, okay?"

"I understand! I'll be down in a bit!"

boom.

The sound of a door closing.

Ryosuke looked slightly embarrassed.

Mieko glanced at him.

He pretended not to notice his mother's gaze, changed his shoes, and went into the living room.

Dinner time.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was so subtle that Mieko almost wanted to laugh.

The brother and sister sat facing each other, one engrossed in eating rice, the other picking up food with her head down. They made no eye contact or communicated verbally throughout the entire meal, only the crisp sound of chopsticks hitting the bowls and plates.

"Ling Nai, the fried shrimp are very fresh today."

"Ah."

"Ryosuke, I gave you an extra bowl of your favorite miso soup."

"it is good."

The two answered the questions as if they were completing a task, without saying a single extra word.

Mieko held her bowl, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the two men before settling on her husband, Takashiro Isao, beside her.

"Ahem, you two..."

The head of the household was just about to say something to ease the tension.

There's nothing there!

Ling Nai suddenly looked up, her voice so loud it startled even herself.

"?"

Takashiro Isao was stunned for a moment.

What's wrong with his own daughter? He hasn't even said anything yet.

He could only turn his gaze to Ryosuke, the son to whom he had been entrusted with such trust, surely he knew something.

Noticing her father's gaze, Ling Nai's face flushed red.

Just then, Ryosuke put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a tissue: "I'm done eating."

He stood up, took two steps toward the stairs, and then stopped.

"Ling Nai, I'll go to your room after I finish eating."

Ling Nai almost dropped her chopsticks on the table.

"W-What are you doing?"

What?! Could it be that...?

"Academic tutoring? Isn't that a daily routine? Or are you saying you don't want to today?"

Ryosuke chuckled, and after saying that, he went upstairs.

Ling Nai stared blankly as his figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, and suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

This guy... is he really just pretending nothing happened?

"What are you still looking at? Eat up." Mieko smiled and put another fried shrimp in her bowl. "Hurry up and go after you finish eating, don't keep your brother waiting too long."

"Hmph, I didn't keep him waiting..."

Ling Nai muttered softly, but buried her face even lower.

Chapter 108 I'll bite you to death!

Half an hour later.

Takashiro Ryouno sat anxiously in her chair, leaning on the table. Ryosuke hadn't come to her room yet.

What's wrong with him? He said he was coming, shouldn't he be waiting at the door?

I've been back in my room for a while now, and there's been absolutely no sound from outside.

"Tap tap tap..."

Just as she was thinking this, there was a sudden knock on the door, which startled her.

Wait a minute! Is it really happening so suddenly?

Takashiro Ryou jumped up from her chair and nervously looked at the door.

no big deal.

It's just normal academic tutoring.