Takanishi Family Meeting [Manami’s Perspective]

“Hmm…”

Shopping with Kouki-nii and Rikako-senpai was over, and I was feeling a bit troubled.

Things between Onee-chan and Kouki-nii are probably going well. When I think of myself as a rival, though, it feels like there’s absolutely no room to squeeze in anymore.

“But…”

Looking at them as a little sister, the two of them are, how do I put it…

“Hmm… frustrating? I don’t know!”

They’re so calm and composed that I’m the one getting all worked up. I kept pushing them to do couple-y stuff to light a spark, but in the end, Onee-chan’s so chill she doesn’t even mind Kouki-nii going out with another girl like today.

As long as she’s got that kind of confidence, there’s no opening for me, but it also feels like their relationship’s moving at a snail’s pace.

“Ugh… if they’re fine with that, I guess it’s okay, but still…”

Right! If they’d just go all the way already, I think I could finally let it go!

But the way they are now, barely any different from before they started dating, makes me think for a split second that maybe I still have a shot.

For me to fully settle into being just a little sister, I kind of want them to rub their couple stuff in my face a bit more—

“Argh, but that’d probably hit me pretty hard too…”

I bury my face in my pillow, flailing my legs as I think.

“Hmmm…”

Still, I can’t help but feel like I’d be more at ease if they actually acted like a couple.

Seeing them happy together makes me happy too… Hmm…

“Oh…”

I might’ve figured it out.

I love both Onee-chan and Kouki-nii.

That’s why I want them to be happy, but deep down, I’m probably scared of their relationship moving forward—or falling apart—somewhere I can’t see.

“That’s why I keep trying to help Onee-chan.”

Realizing that somehow calms me down.

That’s gotta be it. I want to stay close to them both, so I’ve been pushing Onee-chan to keep up with them.

If Onee-chan and Kouki-nii climbed the adult stairs without me knowing, I’d probably be shocked.

But if I’m the one egging Onee-chan on and it happens because of me, I feel like I could probably celebrate with them.

“Alright!”

If that’s the case, then first, I’ll get Onee-chan to…

“A kiss, maybe?”

That’s gotta be the hallmark of lovers!

“Oh, I might’ve come up with something good!”

Forget just lovers—people already call them a married couple, so why not make them act like one for real?

“I think nobody’s home that day… and then…”

I start planning things out, thinking through the details.

Alright!

“Onee-chaaan!”

“Whoa, don’t just yell like that! You scared me!”

“Hehe, so, Onee-chan…”

And so, I set out to nudge Onee-chan along, scheming to push their relationship forward.