Study camp

“Well then, Kouki-kun. Here’s to a good time!”

“Yeah.”

I greet the aunt and uncle rolling their suitcases at the Takanishi family’s front door.

For some reason I don’t quite get, I’m supposed to stay at the Takanishi house for a while, living as one of their own and under Aisa’s care. Meanwhile, the aunt and uncle are heading to our place to enjoy life as a group of four, or so they say.

They’re awfully close…

“They’re gone, huh?”

“Yeah.”

I catch Manami’s eye as we see them off together from the doorstep. Aisa came to the entrance too, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“What’s that look for…”

“Uh, well… thanks for having me?”

“Right.”

With that, she retreats to the living room.

I’d been feeling like we’d gotten better at communicating lately, but now that I’m staying over for a while, there’s this subtle distance between us again.

Sure, she’s started messaging me out of the blue sometimes, so I know she doesn’t hate me or anything…

But the messages are super awkward and bare-bones.

“You’re getting pretty close with Onee-chan, huh!”

“That’s what you call close…?”

“I mean, I think Onee-chan really trusts you, Kou-nii!”

Maybe there’s some sisterly intuition at play here, but I’m not feeling any of that trust from her at all.

“Well, no matter what happens, you won’t end up hating Onee-chan, right? So that’s good enough!”

“Yeah, I doubt I’d ever hate her.”

There’s no reason to dislike Aisa. Even if she looks at me weirdly, I know she’s not a bad person.

“Hehe! Alright then, let’s get to studying!”

“Sure thing.”

Manami grabs my hand and drags me to her room.

◇

“So, how much have you gotten done?”

The whole point of this study camp is to finish Manami’s homework.

We managed to get a decent chunk done before the last day of school, but the real work starts now.

Stuff like her diary she’ll have to handle later on her own, but I’m planning to wrap up everything else here, including the practical assignments.

For things like her art drawing project, I can’t really give advice, so I’ll just have to keep an eye on her.

“Let’s see… it’s like this!”

She checks her summer vacation planner and goes over her progress for each subject.

Japanese: 20% done.

Math: 30% done.

English: 80% done.

Science and social studies don’t have much, but they’re about halfway done.

For practical assignments, only the art drawing is left.

“You’ve actually done a surprising amount.”

“Ehehe!”

Considering it’s only the middle of summer break, she’s done pretty well. Honestly, knowing Manami, I was half-expecting everything to be at like 10%.

“I knew the second half would get crazy, so…”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

That’s exactly why we need to finish all her homework now.

Manami’s already booked solid for the second half of summer with requests to help out at various clubs.

She loves doing it, so she’s thrilled about her packed schedule, but the problem is her homework.

If she doesn’t get it done now, she won’t have time later.

“So, since I’ve been working so hard, I demand a head pat as a reward!”

“Alright, alright.”

I lightly pat her head, and she beams with a satisfied smile.

It’s cute how something so simple makes her grin like that.

“Whoa…! No, stop it! Why are you giving me such a serious head pat!”

“A serious head pat? What’s that supposed to mean…?”

“Anyway, it’s banned! Too comfy, so it’s banned!”

One minute she’s asking for it, the next she’s telling me to stop—what a busy girl.

“From now on, it’s banned unless I specifically ask for it!”

“Got it.”

“You’re totally brushing me off! I’m serious, okay? Don’t you dare do it to anyone else…!”

She doesn’t need to worry; there’s no one else who’d ask me for something like that…

“Oh, but… maybe with Onee-chan…”

“Aisa?”

“No, never mind! It’s nothing! Anyway, this is just for me! Well… maybe Onee-chan too, if she really wants…”

“Alright, if you say it’s just for you, I’ll stick to that. But in return, let’s focus and get this homework done.”

“Really!?”

“Yeah.”

If something this small gets her motivated, it’s a small price to pay.

“Ehehe… alright, let’s do this!”

“Well, unlike usual, all I can do is keep an eye on you from the side.”

“If I get stuck, I’m gonna ask you a ton of questions!”

“Sure thing.”

Both my parents and the Takanishis told me to study while I’m here, so I’ll take them up on that.

As Manami settles at her desk, I start tackling my own remaining homework.

◇

“You guys are working hard, huh.”

“Oh, Onee-chan!”

Aisa steps into the room while we’re deep in focus. I didn’t even notice her come in; we must’ve been really into it.

“How about a break?”

“Yeah!”

Seeing Manami’s excited reaction, I can tell she’s been pushing herself pretty hard.

When she’s in the zone like this, I need to make sure to schedule breaks. Aisa’s timing is perfect—guess that’s big-sister intuition for you.

“I baked some cookies, so I’ll bring them up. Drinks—coffee or tea?”

“Cookies!? Yay! Tea, please!”

“Tea for Manami, then. Kouki, you’re… tea, right?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

With that, she heads downstairs.

Have I ever told Aisa I’m not a big fan of coffee?

“Cookies, cookies!”

Unable to wait, Manami darts after her, so I follow to help out.

In the end, we all gather downstairs, so we take our break in the living room.

“Whoa, these look amazing.”

The living room table is already lined with freshly baked cookies.

They’re colorful and look so good you’d believe they were store-bought.

“So yummy!”

“You’re already eating…?”

Manami dives into the cookies the moment she sits down.

Aisa watches her fondly while preparing the tea.

“I’m glad you like them.”

Manami devours the cookies like she’s inhaling them.

“You’ve got crumbs on your face.”

“Ehehe!”

It’s heartwarming to see Aisa wipe Manami’s mouth as she brings over the tea.

“These are so good, Kou-nii!”

“Yeah, they’re really delicious…”

I remember Mom once bought some fancy pastries, but these might actually be better.

Aisa’s seriously impressive, going from cooking to baking like this.

“I’m glad you get to eat them fresh.”

“Kou-nii, I want some of those too!”

“Here you go.”

There’s matcha-flavored, tea-flavored, and all sorts of varieties, some of which are only on my side of the table.

When I pass one to Manami, she opens her mouth expectantly for some reason.

“Ahh!”

“Why?”

“Ahh!”

“…Fine, here.”

“Hehe!”

She looks so pleased, but doing this kind of thing in front of Aisa usually puts her in a bad mood, so I’m a little on edge.

But today…

“What’s that look?”

“Oh, nothing…”

I glance at Aisa, relieved to see she doesn’t seem too annoyed. Noticing this, Manami leans forward and starts making a fuss.

“Does Onee-chan want a turn too? You do, right!?”

“Why would I?”

“It’s not fair if it’s just me getting the ‘ahh’ treatment, is it?”

“I don’t need—”

“Come on, Kou-nii! Do it for her!”

Manami shoves a cookie into my hand.

Reluctantly, I look at Aisa, who’s blushing and glaring at me sideways with an expression I can’t quite read.

“What… if you’re gonna do it, just do it!”

“I mean, I don’t want to force you or anything…”

“You don’t want to!? You did it for Manami!”

What am I supposed to do here…?

“Come on, Onee-chan’s waiting!”

“Is that… waiting?”

“She’s waiting! Go for it!”

“Alright… here.”

“Mm.”

I quietly bring the cookie to Aisa’s mouth.

She glares at me with her face all red, but maybe because we’ve been talking more lately, there’s something oddly cute about her expression.

I can’t help but find myself thinking that.

◇

“I’m sooo tiiiired!”

“Yeah, you did great.”

After the break, Manami’s been powering through her homework again and now flops onto her back, sprawled out.

She’s been going at a ridiculous pace today; she’s probably hit her limit.

“My brain’s done for the day…”

As she says that, she scoots closer and plops her head on my lap.

This feels familiar, like it’s happened before…

“Well, you worked hard, so I guess it’s fine…”

“Ehehe!”

I pat her head as it rests on my lap, and she narrows her eyes contentedly.

Looking at her up close like this, she really is Aisa’s little sister. They’re so different normally that I don’t think about it, but their eyes are similar.

Maybe that’s why, even though this kind of closeness is normal for us, today it’s making my heart skip a beat for some reason.

“Mmm… Kou-nii, you’ve gotten really good at patting my head, huh?”

“Is there even such a thing as being good or bad at head-patting?”

I keep running my fingers gently through her soft hair, stroking it.

“There totally is! It’s super important! If you pat Onee-chan’s head like this, she’d be a goner for sure!”

“No way, that’s ridiculous…”

“That’s why, for now, you’re not allowed to pat anyone but me, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

Honestly, I can’t even imagine a situation where I’d be patting Aisa’s head.

Maybe if I had to take care of her while she was sick again or something…

“Oh, Onee-chan! She’s probably starting to make dinner right about now—let’s go check!”

The moment Manami springs up, she’s already yanking the door open, ready to bolt out of the room.

“Think I can help with anything?”

“Kouki-nii, you’re gonna cook with us!?”

“Well, if there’s something I can do…?”

Considering Aisa’s cooking skills, I doubt there’s much for me to do, but I could at least rinse the rice or wash some dishes.

“Yay! I’ll go tell Onee-chan!”

Before I can even respond, Manami leaves me in the dust, charging down the stairs.

“Onee-chaaan!”

“Wah!? What’s that!? What’s wrong?”

I hear Aisa’s voice echoing from downstairs.

Guess I’d better hurry and catch up.

◇

“What’s that look for…”

“No, it’s just…”

I can’t say it.

I was totally staring because she looked so fresh and cute in that apron…

“Hey, hey, Kouki-nii says he wants to help out!”

“You already told me that.”

Thanks to Manami, I might’ve dodged that awkward moment.

I almost got caught staring again at Aisa’s soft smile directed at Manami, but I quickly avert my eyes.

“So, anything I can help with?”

“It’s fine, really. You’re technically a guest, right?”

“Nah, I don’t even know how long I’m staying, so I can’t just sit back…”

The idea of mooching off Aisa’s hospitality forever makes me feel kinda guilty.

“I see…”

Huh? Did Aisa’s expression just dim a little? But before I can dwell on it, Manami drops a bombshell.

“Kouki-nii playing tutor and Onee-chan handling the cooking—it’s kinda like you two are a married couple, huh!”

“Wha!?”

Before I can say anything, Aisa’s face turns bright red in an instant.

“Don’t say weird stuff like that!”

Honestly, I can totally see Aisa being a career woman in the future, not just a housewife… No, wait, I can’t go down that rabbit hole!

Why am I suddenly imagining myself doing the housework instead?

It’s so embarrassing to picture us actually married like that…

“Haha! Come on, cooking together is totally like something newlyweds would do!”

“Newlyweds…!?”

Aisa’s completely overheating now.

“So, yeah, I’m leaving Onee-chan in your hands, okay?”

“Huh?”

“I’m gonna go upstairs and do some homework!”

Like a whirlwind, Manami says her piece and vanishes.

And now, we’re left alone…

“Uh, so…”

“Newlyweds…? Marriage…?”

Yeah, no. Aisa, with her face still bright red, looks like she’s out of commission for a while.

◇

“Since you’re here… maybe you could help out a bit…”

After Aisa finally snaps back to reality, we talk it over and decide to cook together today.

That’s all fine, but I really wish she’d stop muttering newlyweds under her breath. Just standing side by side in the kitchen is making me nervous enough…

“So, uh, we’re making karaage today…”

“Oh, nice!”

I’m already looking forward to it.

“But, uh, I’ve never done any deep-frying before…”

I do cook sometimes, but deep-frying always felt like a hassle with the cleanup, and since I usually just make light stuff for lunch, I’ve never bothered until now.

“Really? I thought you’d at least have tried it since you can cook.”

“It’s just, you know, it’s a lot to deal with at home.”

“Yeah… cleanup’s definitely a pain. And you don’t want to waste oil if you’re only using it once or twice.”

“Exactly!”

Our awkward conversation somehow shifts back to normal.

“Okay, then I’ll teach you. Let’s… make it together.”

“Cool, thanks, sensei.”

“Don’t call me sensei!”

She glares at me lightly, but even that’s starting to look cute to me now.

“I say teach, but it’s pretty much just frying at this point.”

“Oh, really?”

“I already marinated the chicken, so maybe just make the miso soup or something?”

“I can handle that.”

“Since you’re here, why not try frying some? It’s a good chance.”

“I don’t wanna mess up the flavor you worked so hard on…”

“W-Well…”

Aisa turns her face away, but I can see her ears turning red.

I get caught staring at her, and when she suddenly turns back, I’m too slow to react.

“But! You should at least try one… no, a few pieces! Even if you mess up, Manami will probably love it, and… I, uh, want to try it too…”

“O-Okay.”

I answer without even thinking.

Her face was so close when she turned around, and she looked so earnest—it threw me off.

“So, yeah, teach me everything.”

“Right. Leave it to me.”

Aisa gets mad when I call her sensei, but her teaching is genuinely easy to follow.

She shows me how to do it twice, explaining as she goes, and then it’s my turn to try.

“I’m gonna go get Manami, okay?”

“Wait, what…”

“Hehe, don’t make that abandoned puppy face…”

I must’ve looked pretty pathetic for her to laugh and say that.

Was I really making that kind of face…?

“It’s fine. Besides, if I stick around, I’ll probably end up micromanaging, and it’ll mean more to Manami if you do it all yourself.”

“I was kinda counting on you micromanaging…”

“Even if you mess up, it’ll just be a little burnt.”

With that, Aisa leaves the kitchen.

All that’s left is a neatly folded apron.

“Here goes…”

Nervously, I grab the chicken and start dropping it into the hot oil.

◇

“Whoa… the karaage Kouki-nii fried has this, like, aura to it, huh?”

“You can just say it’s burnt, you know.”

Manami’s already trying to spare my feelings.

“Sorry, Aisa…”

“W-Well… I shouldn’t have left you alone, so…”

Luckily, there’s more than enough for the three of us, so even if my share’s inedible, it’s not a big deal—but I still feel bad.

“It might still taste good, you know! Let’s try it!”

“Thanks.”

Dinner with the Takanishi sisters ends up being a little awkward with all their consideration.

“Alright, let’s dig in!”

Manami doesn’t hesitate, reaching for one of my burnt karaage pieces with her chopsticks.

“Itadakimaaasu!”

“Whoa, it’s still hot, slow down!”

“Fho hot!? Haff… it’s hot…”

“Don’t shove a freshly fried piece in your mouth like that… here, water.”

“Fank youu…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Manami struggles with the heat for a bit but finally manages to swallow.

“Huh? Wasn’t that one burnt?”

“Well, yeah, obviously. You saw it.”

“Did I maybe eat Onee-chan’s by mistake…?”

“I saw you pick the burnt one.”

“Weird… it was actually kinda good?”

Manami tilts her head, genuinely puzzled.

“No way…”

To take responsibility—and to check for myself—I pop one of my burnt karaage pieces into my mouth.

“…It’s just bitter.”

At almost the same moment, Aisa takes a bite of the burnt karaage too.

“Huh?”

“See? It’s burnt, right?”

“Well…”

Aisa tilts her head too, then says quietly:

“It’s delicious…”

“Right!? Nice job, Kouki-nii!”

“No, no, Aisa’s karaage is obviously way better!”

Even if mine somehow tasted good, it’s only because Aisa marinated it.

“I like this one better, so I’m eating this!”

After comparing it to Aisa’s, Manami grabs another piece of my burnt karaage.

“Hey… Manami, leave some for me too, okay?”

“What!? But this one’s just… I mean, Onee-chan’s is great too, but!”

“Yeah… it’s burnt, and it is bitter, but… for some reason, I can’t stop eating it.”

The Takanishi sisters have officially lost it…

I stick to Aisa’s perfectly fried, perfectly seasoned karaage, savoring every bite.

Man, Aisa’s cooking is seriously amazing…

“Oh! I got it!”

Manami suddenly shouts.

“What’s that?”

“It’s probably because Kouki-nii made it—that’s why it’s so good!”

“Uh…”

Manami’s Japanese needs a translator.

“I mean, like… you know, cooking is all about love… or something like that?”

Manami’s words make my face flush without warning.

It’s like I’m admitting I put… you know, love into it or something. Not that I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it at all, but…

“So, like, since we both love Kouki-nii, doesn’t that make it taste even better?”

“H-Hey, Manami!?”

“Huh? Onee-chan, you don’t like Kouki-nii?”

Manami tilts her head innocently as she asks.

Aisa, her face beet red, looks down and mumbles in a voice so soft it’s barely audible.

“I mean… well… I like him… but…”

My own face heats up.

She means it in a family way. Like a friend. She’s just going along with Manami’s teasing.

I rally every excuse in my head to keep my sanity intact.

“Hehe! That’s why it’s so tasty, right? If you’re not eating, Onee-chan, I’ll take it all!”

“Wha—!? No way! I’m eating too!”

Aisa snaps her head up, and our eyes meet.

Her face, redder than I’ve ever seen, looks almost teary as she mutters.

“What’s that look for…”

I can’t find any words to respond.

Meanwhile, Manami happily munches on the slightly burnt karaage, looking perfectly content.

◇

Night falls.

Figuring it’d be exhausting to stick with Manami all day, I’m told to rest in my room. With nothing particular to do, I take a bath and flop onto the bed in the room they gave me.

I didn’t make the same mistake as when I came to take care of her.

I made sure to bring clothes to the bath, and the sleeping arrangements are all set, so there’s no issue.

If there’s anything worth mentioning, it’s that Aisa’s karaage was insanely delicious.

“That was so good…”

I want to eat it again. Over and over. If this is the kind of bonus I get, I’d join their study camps or whatever else any day.

I deliberately push the memory of Aisa’s face from that moment to the back of my mind.

Thinking about it feels like a trap I’d fall into, so I should just sleep…

I was worried I wouldn’t sleep well in an unfamiliar place, but it seems like it’ll be fine.

“Compared to sleeping in Aisa’s room last time, I guess…”

Already drifting off in bed, I feel like I’ll fall asleep in no time.

“Good night…”

I mutter to no one in particular and let go of consciousness.

◇

“Nn…?”

A strange feeling pulls me awake.

Right, I’m not at home…

“No, wait, this is weird…”

I remember clutching a thin blanket while sleeping, but it wasn’t this thick or warm.

Hesitantly, I open my eyes—and there’s Manami, sleeping soundly with an innocent expression.

“Why the heck…”

It’s still dark outside.

No idea what time it is, but probably the middle of the night…

“Nn? Nnmuu…”

“Mmmph…!? Don’t cling to me like that!”

I give her a light tap, but she shows no sign of waking up.

“Nn!”

“Ow! Stop grabbing me! You’ve got some serious strength, you know!”

“Nn!”

“Haa…”

“Nn!”

She’s not waking up. And now I’m her personal hug pillow…

I could try harder to wake her, but that’d mean touching her more than necessary in her defenseless pajamas, which I’m hesitant to do.

But if I stay like this and Aisa finds us in the morning… that’s way too terrifying to think about.

“Please, just wake up…”

“Nn!”

“Ow!”

The more I try to wake her, the tighter she clings, and I can’t move.

This is like some kind of wrestling hold from a club activity, isn’t it!? I can’t break free!

Should I just give up and bet on Manami waking up before Aisa in the morning…?

No, that’s a slimmer chance than winning the lottery…

“What do I do…”

As I’m at my wit’s end, help—or rather, disaster—arrives.

The timing couldn’t be worse.

“What are you doing…”

“Uh, well… this is…”

I feel cold sweat trickle down my back.

I scramble for an excuse, but surprisingly, her ire isn’t immediately directed at me.

“Hey, Manami… wake up.”

“Nuu!”

“Huh!? Wait, hold on!?”

Unbelievably, Manami grabs Aisa, who’s come closer, and pulls her into the hug. Of course, I’m still locked in place by her legs, unable to escape.

“Hey… that’s enough… hyah!? Was that you, Kouki!?”

“I don’t even know what’s happening!”

“R-Right… but don’t move too much.”

“Got it…”

Her words make me hyper-aware of where we’re touching, and my mind starts wandering to dangerous places.

“Nn!? How is she so strong… I can’t get free!”

“At least you understand my situation now.”

“Yeah… though it’s not exactly a good thing…”

I desperately try to banish any impure thoughts and focus.

“Hey, Kouki.”

“What…?”

“So, um… I have a suggestion.”

I can’t see her face, but Aisa’s voice sounds serious.

“Yeah?”

“If we keep moving, it’s probably going to get even more complicated.”

“You’re right…”

For some reason, every move we make just tangles us up more with Manami.

And with her already flimsy, barely-there pajamas, it’s a recipe for disaster. Aisa’s probably not far behind in that department either.

“This bed’s a double, thankfully, so… um…”

I get what she’s saying.

This is going to be a night that tests my self-control…

“So, like this, together…”

“No choice, right?”

“Right! No choice! It’s just… unavoidable…!”

Making excuses to no one in particular, we both repeat “no choice” as we try to fall asleep.

“…Good night, Kouki.”

“Yeah… good night.”

Needless to say, sleep doesn’t come easily.

◇

“Ehehehe…”

“That’s not an ‘ehehe’ situation! Why are you in Kouki’s bed!?”

“I dunno, I just kinda wandered in…?”

Manami’s cute head-tilt completely disarms me.

“As an apology, I’ll work super hard on my homework!”

“That’s the bare minimum!”

“No, no, it’s a win for you guys too!”

Manami’s got that mischievous grin she wears when she’s up to something, and Aisa’s always weak to it.

“A win?”

Just like that, Aisa’s already hooked on Manami’s pace.

“Yup! So, Kouki-nii, you’re not getting much pay for this gig, right?”

“Yeah, true…”

It’s just a babysitting job, and I wanted to do my own thing on the side.

To make it easier, I didn’t take my usual tutoring fee this time.

“So, in exchange for me working hard today, I’m giving you two a date as a present!”

“A date…?”

“Yup! You and Onee-chan are already done with your homework, right?”

“Well…”

“Yeah.”

We’re both the type to finish stuff like that early.

I wrapped mine up yesterday, and Aisa probably finished even sooner.

“Hehe! I already cleared it with Mom and Dad! Look!”

Manami flashes her phone screen with a confident grin.

Sure enough, there’s their parents’ approval.

“You move fast…”

“Even if I work hard, it’ll probably take today and tomorrow, so you’ll have to stay one more day, Kouki-nii. But look, they said, ‘If you’re gonna drag it out, might as well make it quick. You’ll probably work faster if it’s for Onee-chan and Kouki-kun’s sake rather than your own.’”

Gotta hand it to their mom—she knows Manami’s personality inside out.

Manami’s the type who gets motivated when it’s for someone else’s sake, not her own.

“But a date…”

Aisa hesitates.

Makes sense. Getting told to go on a date out of nowhere wouldn’t exactly thrill her.

I kinda want to go with Aisa, but jumping at this feels… awkward.

“Listen, Onee-chan, this is a super rare opportunity.”

“Rare opportunity…?”

Oh, here it comes—Aisa’s falling for Manami’s smooth talk.

The vibe’s already completely in Manami’s control.

“Yup. Kouki-nii’s staying at our house, right?”

“Right.”

“And your study camp continues tomorrow.”

It’s supposed to be for Manami, but somehow it’s turned into my study camp. Whatever…

“What’s your point?”

“If you go on a date today, you’ll get to leave the house together and come back to the same house together—a super special date!”

“A special date…”

“Don’t you think this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance? A super rare, special experience for you, Onee-chan.”

“Rare… special… yeah, maybe you’re right.”

Aisa’s face is now entirely focused on the words “rare” and “special.”

Any questions about who she’s dating, whether the experience even matters, or if “special” is even a good thing—they’re all gone from her mind.

I think about throwing her a lifeline, but… part of me is actually looking forward to this, so I hesitate.

And Manami doesn’t miss her chance.

“So, today, I’m gifting you two a rare experience! I’ll study hard! Sound good?”

“Yeah… maybe it does?”

“Kouki-nii?”

Like I could say no.

“Alright, fine.”

“Yay! Oh, and the date plan—Onee-chan already looked up—“

“Wah! You don’t need to say that!”

“Ehehe!”

Aisa cuts off Manami mid-sentence.

I bet Aisa’s got some ideal date course planned out. Probably talked about it with Akitsu and the others in class.

Am I gonna end up drinking tapioca or something?

Well, whatever it is, I’m actually kinda excited.