ALL NOVEL 32: Brother Naa - 02
“What sudden change of heart is this, Naa?”
“I’ve had a lot to think about, Aa.”
“That brings back memories… We’ve changed a lot since then, mostly you, Naa.”
“Well, it’s the same for both of us. It’s not just me. You could say it’s because your perspective has changed—no, that’s not what I wanted to talk about…”
“Ahh”
I groan, trying to organize my thoughts and find the right words. After thinking and thinking, and finishing the late-night snack, I came to the conclusion, “Well, it’s best to say everything.”
“So… How do I put this? You just ate the ramen I made and said it was good, but the thing is, I probably couldn’t eat something you made the same way.”
“Do you mean you don’t want to eat my cooking?”
“That’s not it. It’s more like, physically or mentally, I can’t handle homemade food anymore. To put it bluntly, just putting it in my mouth makes me want to throw up.”
“Is that… since your parents passed away, Naa?”
“Well, yeah. It’s just a matter of timing.”
I don’t really know if there’s a direct connection. I mean, it doesn’t make sense, right? Parents die and then you can’t eat homemade food…
The cause-and-effect is unclear, and the crazy girl who just became my seatmate made me a bento that I could eat just fine.
So, maybe there were other factors, or maybe there weren’t.
But undoubtedly, it was one of the clear and major reasons I didn’t go back home.
“I didn’t tell you this to get sympathy… I just wanted you to know. No, it’s more accurate to say you should know. If you’re going to call me ‘brother’ and say you like me, it’s something I shouldn’t hide—especially if we’re going to try to be siblings.”
“Did you ever want to be family with us, Naa?”
“Well, I’d be lying if I said I did. But I thought it was impossible to stay strangers… And I wanted to respond to you calling me ‘brother.'”
Because it was proof that you were welcoming me into the family.
Every time you called me that, I understood it, which made me think a lot.
“So, um, what? I think it’ll take more time with Asahi and Sanae. But I want to start by becoming siblings with you… with Aika. Is that okay?”
“Why do you always get nervous at the last moment… That’s why you’re… why brother is hopeless. And trying to get sympathy with a face like you’re about to cry is a demerit.”
“What? I’m not trying to—wait, am I really about to cry!?”
“Yes, you are. It’s like you’ve gone back to being the crybaby brother you used to be. It’s cute.”
“But you were the crybaby, not me…”
Suddenly, my vision blurred.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to say it, but rather that I couldn’t. Saying it and not being rejected, being understood, and feeling kindness from Aika, who still called me brother.
Holding back the rising emotions with determination, I saw Aika’s tears fall, as if my feelings had transferred to her.
“See, Aika cried first.”
“It’s because you made me cry, brother… Please tell me these things sooner. The worst part is being avoided without any explanation…!”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I was too selfish.”
“Yes, really… But as long as you understand, it’s okay. I’m just happy you talked to me about it. Though I have to deduct points for Kamidama-senpai’s involvement.”
“So you saw through that… Well, she just pushed me a bit, made me feel like I had to do this.”
But that’s all it was. What Kamidama did was just a trigger.
“But facing me like this adds points, brother.”
“That’s good. Well, I’m not really suited to being a brother, but… I’ll try my best, so please take care of me.”
“Yes, likewise. So, let’s sleep together tonight like siblings.”
“That is absolutely not a sibling-like thing to do! Wait, what!? Why all of a sudden!?”
Nagiura Uraku, whether it was about his relatives or his brother, was deeply cherished by Aika Aimoto.
It wasn’t a romantic feeling towards the opposite sex—it was closer to admiration.
They had known each other since childhood, but Uraku, who was only a year older, always seemed very mature to Aika.
He wore his emotions on his sleeve, was bad at lying, and although he was straightforward, his outlook was somewhat twisted.
Aika liked that about him—the subtle mismatch in his personality.
Maybe some would call that a first love.
So, to be honest, Aika accepted Uraku becoming her brother more than anyone else.
She was even happy about it, though she deeply mourned the loss of his parents.
Even so, she was glad that he could be close. He was already like a brother to her.
She arrogantly thought they would get along well. Yes, arrogantly. Or perhaps it was just the naïveté of a child.
‘Ah, um, okay. Nice to meet you, Aa… No, it’s Aika now. Well, I’ll be in your care.’
He spoke in his usual tone, with his usual mannerisms, and a face that didn’t reveal anything.
But Aika understood through his words that this was a clear rejection.
Nagiura Uraku, the boy, was rejecting the Aimoto family as much as he could. She fundamentally understood this, and at the same time, realized her own shallowness.
Even so, Aika stubbornly called Uraku ‘brother,’ understanding that it wouldn’t last long.
‘Oh, this person will break down soon.’
He was the kind of person who tried to bear everything alone.
But if pushed too hard, he would run away.
Knowing this, Aika deliberately called the aloof Uraku ‘brother’—an unspoken assertion that his place was here.
Without getting too close or too distant. Not quite siblings, but not distant relatives either, maintaining a close but cautious distance, just waiting.
Because it had to be his decision to step forward.
Aika did her best to make sure that, even if he didn’t feel at home here, at least when he was near her, he could feel safe.
Aika played a part in ensuring Nagiura Uraku didn’t break down—though it was Kamidama who pushed him forward.
That was slightly annoying, a bit envious, but mostly filled with gratitude and overwhelming joy.
“So, let’s sleep together tonight like siblings.”
That’s why—yes, that’s why, it couldn’t be helped. The emotions Aika usually kept in check burst out.
She ended up saying something embarrassing that she wouldn’t normally say.