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Chapter 228: Even If I Fall for Him, It’s Fine!
🕑 Added 2025-03-27 07:54:39 +0000 UTC"I need to make sure Nijika doesn't get caught in Minami's trap, too…"
Seika Ijichi sat at the counter, sipping her strawberry milk while watching Minami Shouji clear out the first-floor room. Her mind was hard at work.
She wasn't stupid.
She could see Kessoku Band's situation perfectly clearly.
First of all, both Hitori Gotoh and Ryo Yamada definitely had feelings for Minami.
Just from how Ryo allowed Minami to touch her face or pat her head—it was obvious.
And Hitori? Even more so.
That painfully shy and self-conscious girl had confessed to Minami on stage at the school festival.
Sure, maybe her brain was short-circuiting at the time, but there was no doubt she was in love with him.
Sluuuurp—pop!
Seika finished her strawberry milk in one go, only to grab another bottle, sipping again while she continued thinking.
Two out of four Kessoku members had already fallen.
If this were the old her, she'd have kicked Minami out of STARRY without hesitation, barring him from ever stepping foot inside again.
But—
She sighed.
It wasn't just Nijika—even she herself had been taken care of by Minami in small ways.
And while Minami did get a little handsy with the girls—
It was always they who initiated, and he just went along with it.
Mutual consent, nothing shady.
She couldn't just flip the table on him like that.
So she came up with a plan.
Or maybe just a mindset.
If she couldn't stop Hitori or Ryo, at the very least she had to protect her sister from falling into the hands of this "Minami the Seducer."
She even secretly tweaked the staff schedule to make sure Minami and Nijika didn't spend too much time alone together.
"Don't even know if this is working..." Seika muttered, sipping her drink harder, her gaze on Nijika's back as she swept the floor.
She had seen Minami's charm firsthand.
Even she, at times, had felt a little flutter.
But then Seika reassured herself.
"I've watched Nijika grow up. There's no way she'd fall for a guy that quickly."
Exactly.
With over ten years between them, and their mother having died early in a car accident, Seika had practically raised Nijika.
Cheerful, generous, and downright adorable—Nijika was beloved at school.
Boys and girls alike surrounded her.
But as her sister, Seika had never once heard about her having a crush.
Sure, Nijika was kind to everyone—but only as a friend. It never went further.
That kindness—was her strongest shield!
Yes, yes!
The more Seika thought about it, the more she believed she was right.
"I just need to trust my sister!"
Minami? Please. Nijika would brush him off just like she did everyone else.
As she was thinking—
Minami, having finished organizing the STARRY drink bar, suddenly called out:
"Nijika, are you done there? Come with me to pick up some groceries."
Hmph!
Hearing that, Seika narrowed her eyes with a smug little grin.
Nice try, Minami.
She had already arranged things so Nijika would go shopping with her instead.
Once they finished cleaning, Nijika was supposed to head out with her.
Seika kept her gaze locked on Minami, her smile widening.
You think you can just waltz off with my sister?
No way.
I'm her big sister.
You really think Nijika would ditch me to run errands with you?
Please.
You've only known each other for three months.
Three months! That doesn't hold a candle to seventeen years of sisterhood!
And then—
"Sure."
Wiping her hands dry, Nijika turned to Minami with a smile. "Minami-kun give me a sec, I'm almost done here."
"Eh?"
Seika froze.
Wait?! Nijika!
Did you forget something?
I-I'm still here!
Weren't we supposed to go together?
Also... Minami-kun? Since when do you call him that?!
Shock.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
Seika stared at her sister's gentle smile, the confidence she had just moments ago completely shattered.
She didn't even finish her strawberry milk—she stood up, forcing a smile.
"H-Hey, Nijika, don't forget—we were going to go together, remember?"
"Eh...? Oh, I didn't forget."
Nijika turned, puzzled by her sister's sudden intensity. "But Onee-chan, you can go on your own, right? Plus, Kikuri and PA-san can go with you. It's not like I have to."
Not like she has to...
IT MATTERS.
From the way Nijika addressed Minami, Seika could sense something had changed.
The progression of their relationship was terrifying.
She could hardly recall a time ever hearing Nijika call a male friend by name since she was a child.
Minami Shouji was in a league of his own.
So much so that Seika Ijichi felt a creeping sense of dread.
Could it be… without her even realizing it…
Her sister had already fallen into Minami's trap?
No, no, no, no! Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
On the outside, Seika kept her usual cool, detached, "I-don't-care-about-anyone" look.
But deep down, she was a hardcore siscon—and well hidden at that.
Right now, her emotions were a raging storm.
At that moment, Kikuri Hiroi, still fiddling with her phone, overheard Nijika's voice and turned with a cheerful grin.
"Go shopping with me? Sure! I don't mind at all."
"Shut up!"
"Eh—? Why are you yelling at me, Seika-senpai?"
Completely baffled, Kikuri opened her mouth in confusion. She had just offered to help, after all—why the outburst?
But Seika didn't have time to explain.
She turned sharply, eyes fixed on the pair in front of her. "No way. If that's how it is, then I'm coming with you two to buy groceries. After that, Nijika, you're coming with me for the supply run."
"...I mean, sure, that's fine…" Nijika looked puzzled, unsure why her sister was going out of her way to make things complicated.
Minami just smiled.
He'd picked up on something.
But since Seika had always treated him well, and she was older, he said nothing. Instead, he led the way with his usual easygoing demeanor.
The walk from STARRY to the nearby supermarket was short.
Seika said nothing the entire way, trailing behind, quietly watching every interaction between Nijika and Minami.
She refused to believe it.
Her sister—who had never shown the slightest interest in anyone—falling for Minami?
No way.
But…
The more she watched, the more she felt something was off.
During the walk, even though Nijika glanced around at items on the shelves…
Her eyes kept drifting back to Minami.
She was trying to hide it, trying to be casual.
But after 17 years together, Seika could see right through her.
It was glaringly obvious.
And every time their arms or hands accidentally touched, Nijika's fair cheeks turned faintly pink.
That look—not just embarrassment from accidental contact with a boy.
No—it was shy excitement, the kind of blush that came from her heart racing.
It's over.
Seika's heart sank.
Even if she'd never been in love herself, she could tell.
Her sister had fallen—and she didn't even see it happening.
Why him…?
Seika pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated.
Why Minami, of all people?
Just because he's a little handsome, a top student, gifted in music, funny, mature for his age, reliable—
No no no!
Why was she only listing his good points?!
She should be thinking about his flaws!
Seika tapped her head, trying to dig up any bad impressions she had of Minami.
But—
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Other than being slightly self-absorbed—and the fact that both Gotoh and Yamada liked him—he was practically perfect.
Seika struggled in silence at the back of the store.
Meanwhile, Minami had already finished gathering everything they needed.
"Well, that's everything."
Paying the bill, Minami picked up two large grocery bags and smiled at Nijika.
"You can go with your sister now. I'll head out first."
He raised a hand toward Nijika, then nodded at Seika with a warm smile.
"See you later."
"Ah... okay." Nijika paused, answering with a soft voice, but a small sigh stirred in her heart.
Done already...?
She'd wanted to talk with Minami a bit more.
Still, she smiled as always.
"See you later, Minami-kun."
Their goodbyes done, Nijika stood there, watching him walk away in the setting sun until his figure disappeared.
Then she turned.
"Onee-chan, let's go."
Seika didn't answer.
"Hm? What's wrong, Onee-chan?"
Still no response.
Nijika tilted her head, confused, and looked back.
My sister usually had that "the whole world owes me 2.5 million yen" kind of cold attitude—
But whenever I spoke to her, she'd always respond.
Today though…
Nijika Ijichi felt a little confused and was about to speak again when—
"Nijika."
Seika Ijichi, who'd been completely silent until now, finally broke the quiet.
She lifted her head and looked straight at her sister.
"Mm?" Nijika blinked, puzzled.
Why is she suddenly so serious?
"You like that Minami kid, don't you?"
"Eh—?!"
The words that spilled out of her sister's mouth struck her like lightning.
Her expression shifted in an instant from puzzled to shocked.
A flicker of surprise and panic flashed through her bright red eyes.
Her breath quickened ever so slightly, and her gaze awkwardly darted away.
"W-What are you saying, Onee-chan?! That's ridiculous!"
Flustered and a bit angry, Nijika tried to push the topic aside.
But the very next second, Seika shook her head and cut through the facade without mercy:
"You can't hide it, Nijika. I've been watching."
Her words hit like a bullseye.
Nijika fell silent.
"There's no point in keeping secrets from me."
Seika walked over to a vending machine at the corner of the street.
She pressed the button for an orange soda and tossed it over to her sister before continuing.
"I've watched you grow up. Of course I can tell what you're feeling."
"...Yeah."
With things laid out this clearly, Nijika knew there was no use hiding it anymore.
She stayed quiet for a moment… then nodded.
"You know that Bocchi and Yamada both like Minami too, don't you?"
"...Yeah."
Her voice was low.
Hitori Gotoh and Ryo Yamada's feelings were plain as day.
Even outsiders could pick up on it.
Let alone Nijika, who was right there with them, part of Kessoku Band.
She felt those dynamics more intensely than anyone.
That's why… she'd been so torn.
"Then why—?"
Seika furrowed her brows, unable to understand. She was about to keep pressing, maybe even scold her sister for letting this happen.
But—
"I don't get it either, Onee-chan!"
Nijika's hand clenched tight around the orange soda can.
She lifted her head.
Those bright red eyes, like twin flames, met her sister's with fierce intensity.
"I just… fell for him without realizing it!"
"I couldn't stop my eyes from following him!"
"Every little thing he did caught my attention, and I couldn't help it!"
"I know it's wrong! I know, Onee-chan! But… what am I supposed to do?!"
Her voice grew louder and louder.
Her emotions surged—growing more intense with each passing second.
What's the right thing to do?
Is hiding her feelings the right choice?
Or should she just pretend none of this ever happened?
For the first time, Nijika Ijichi felt completely overwhelmed, her emotions boiling over. She wanted—needed—to say more.
But then, in the very next moment—
Seika gently pulled her into a hug.
She had never imagined that the sister who always wore a sunny smile could carry such heavy worries.
Softly, she stroked Nijika's hair.
"I've never been in love, so I can't really give you any answers."
"But whatever you decide to do from here… even if you've fallen for Minami, it's okay. I'll support you."
No long lectures.
Just a calm, quiet voice.
Under the golden light of the setting sun, Seika's words held a certain peace, a steady warmth that eased the soul.
Nijika slowly closed her eyes.
She nodded gently. "Mm."
Two blonde sisters stood wrapped in each other's arms, bathed in twilight.
And just around the corner, hidden from view—
Minami Shouji, who had returned without their knowledge, stood watching the scene unfold.
Leaning against a telephone pole, he quietly let out a breath.
It seemed…
There was no need for him to step in—not yet.
