My beautiful sister-in-law who is only attached to me, and my childhood friend who just made her high school debut, barged into my house?

Shota left the house with gusto as he called out to his parents, who were still sorting things out, to get some military funds.

He usually rode his bicycle, but since Erika was with him, they took the bus to Koriyama Mall. The Mall, which is considered to be one of the largest commercial complexes in the area, had over 200 specialty stores, restaurants, and a cinema complex.

Shota often went to this place for shopping and just to have fun in general. In a sense, it is the lifeline of the rural city.

———————————————

When I got off at the nearest bus stop, it was filled with people heading to Koriyama Mall as well.

Since it was spring break, there were many people around our age.

And as if affirming Erika’s unnaturally good looks, many stares were directed their way wherever they went.

I inwardly thought that it was to be expected.

The fact that Erika’s appearance is so eye-catching makes me proud as an older brother, but my feelings about it are still complicated.

Erika herself didn’t seem to be bothered by it at all. Her expression remained the same, her eyes were flickering in curiosity, as she let out a bubbly voice tinged with a hint of excitement.

“Has anything changed?”

“Oh, it’s been renovated several times. The inside has changed a lot.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the changes.”

As she fidgeted with a restless expression, she appeared much more like a younger sister fit for her age contrary to her mature outer appearance.

“Hmm…”

“Huh?”

At that moment, my left hand was suddenly enveloped by something slightly cool.

I was wondering what was going on when I looked down and saw that Erika holding my hand.

The sudden situation made my mind go blank as I froze.

Why? What is she doing all of a sudden? While having such thoughts, his imagination began to spiral out of control.

“When we came here in the past, I used to do this so that we wouldn’t get separated.”

“No, well, yes, but…”

“Do we look like a proper brother and sister?”

“…”

However, when she acted embarrassed with a troubled face, I gulped.

It would be a lie to say that I’m not embarrassed to hold hands at my age. Even now, I’m worried that about my sweaty palms.

But I guess this is Erika’s way of trying to fill in the blanks.

I tried my best to smile and act lightheartedly.

“You can easily tell. We have similar hair colours after all.”

Shota then grabbed her bangs, which were a little darker and duller than her father’s.

Their father, who has distinctive red hair, is half Eastern European and half Japanese. While both Shota and Erika are both quarter-Japanese, and it shows in their hair.

Shota, seemed to have more Japanese blood, but even so, the colour of his hair, which is rare in Japan, shows that they are related.

As Shota had a wry smile on his face, Erika returned an ambiguous smile of her own.

Then, without any further delays, they both turned to enter the Mall.

As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a sweet smell.

In front of them was a chain of cream puff stores famous for their appetizing scents of different cream puffs.

Of course, both Shota and Mio had been tempted by the smell several times. In fact, there was a line of people who had succumbed to the same sweet-smelling magic.

Erika’s reaction to the fragrance on the other hand was a pouty face.

For a moment he thought she wasn’t interested in sweets, but then Erika’s stomach rumbled.

Noticing his gaze, Erika inadvertently blushed and averted her eyes.

“Do you want some?”

“No thanks, I’ll get fat and I don’t want to waste money.”

“I see. Then I’ll just buy one for myself.”

“…..”

Erika was at a loss for words and looked at the shop and her brother alternately.

“what will you do?”

“…Eat. Brother’s a mean piece of shit.”

Erika’s lips twitched as she answered sulkily.

They lined up with the crowd and got their food.

———————————————

The crispy pie crust, the smooth custard cream, and the vanilla bean flavour that wafted through our nostrils. It tasted as delicious as ever.

As I lick the sugar powder off my fingers after devouring it in a single gulp, I take a glance at my sister as she pecked at the cream puff with a twinkle in her eyes.

It’s so cute that I reflexively took a picture.

As soon as Erika realizes that she has become the subject of an unglamorous picture by the sound of the camera clicking, her eyes widen and her cheeks puff out in protest.

“B-brother?”

While Erika glared at Shota with resentment, he belatedly realised what he had done, stammering as the gears in his head turn in search of an excuse.

“Oh, Mio told me to send a picture of Erika to her, so that’s why.”

“If you’re going to take a picture…wait Mio? Mii-chan?”

“Yeah Mio Gojo. Even now, she’s still swinging around her bamboo sword, and she often hangs out at our house. She was even there until a little while ago before Erika came.”

Shota picked out a picture on his smartphone and showed it to Erika.

Reflected there was a girl with unkempt hair, sitting cross-legged on a desk in a classroom, pointing and laughing with a wide mouth.

He then picked out another picture showing Mio singing passionately in unfashionable plain clothes at a karaoke bar, and posing in strange clothes at a kendo tournament. However, she has remained the same since childhood.

Shota furrowed his brows at Erika’s excitement towards the pictures.

“She is still the same as ever.”

“I wish you would calm down a little more.”

“I can’t help it. I miss her too.”

“She said she had something to do today, but I’m sure she’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The siblings looked at each other and chuckled.