Tsukemono are a Japanese pickle used as a side dish.
Also Japanese apparently have a dish that’s basically leftovers and bread. Sometimes it’s eaten like a sandwich, but recently(ish) they have taken to selling it as its own dish, and baking various ingredients into the dough itself.

---

With the summer break over, I entered term two and began going to cram school like I had hoped.
Oniisama used to go here so it should be quite good. Apparently it’s a really high level cram school, filled with students from private schools and high level national schools.
Completely different from the cram school I went to in my old life, which had but flyers going for it…

At the moment we’re only learning Japanese and arithmetic so following the lessons is no problem at all. Rather, this feeling of invincibility is amazing.
Well, it’s just Year 1 work after all. It would be a problem if I didn’t understand.
One of the reasons I wanted to go to cram school was of course in preparation for my future, but it was the other reason that was the important one.

Eating sweets.

I do go to a few different lessons, but the Kisshouin chauffeur takes me to all of them.
They drop me off in front of the classroom before the lessons begin, and pick me up in front of the classroom when the lesson ends.
Indeed! I have no time to move about freely!
To begin with, I can’t even walk outside alone. Somebody is always by my side.
But that’s troubling.
Why it’s troubling is because I can’t buy sweets to eat.

If you want to laugh at me for my gluttony, go ahead and laugh.
However! Each and every day, the sweets I get are all high class, and even my meals are always a menu like some high class restaurant’s.
I am thankful, you know? It really is delicious, you know?
But this commoner’s tongue from my old life wants junky snack food. It wants to eat simple stuff like tsukemono on plain rice. It wants to eat leftovers baked into bread!

And so I started thinking.
‘Wouldn’t it just be fine if I just went to a lesson where I didn’t have an attendant?’
Cram school has a Japanese class, and then an arithmetic class; between those two classes is breaktime, you see.
‘Couldn’t I use that time to sneak out and secretly buy snacks?’ I thought.

If possible, I wanted the cram school to be close to a convenience store.
If I sneak out too often, the teachers at cram school might find it a problem and report it to my parents, so I need to be careful when doing so.
I’ll only buy things small enough to fit between my cram textbooks and into my bag. No way will I ever get greedy and try buying something as big as potato chips. Even small packets are bulky because of the air in them.
And one day I’ll buy onigiri too.

Whenever I started daydreaming about that, it became impossible to stop.
That’s why I wanted to go to cram school no matter what.

There was a convenience store about 2 or 3 minutes walk from the cram school that Oniisama used to go to.
How splendid.
I was a newcomer, and on top of that a student from the famous Zui’ran, so I couldn’t slip out due to the attention at first.

I go to cram school once a week now, and it was two months since I started attending that I was able to somehow sneak out to the convenience store──

*imouto*

The first thing I bought were two Tirolian chocolates and caramel.
I obviously couldn’t leave the cram school with my bag, so I was limited to buying things that I could fit into my pockets.
We only get fifteen minutes break, so I had to hurry back.
The following 2 hour lesson didn’t sink in at all.

When I returned home, the Tirolian chocolate that I secretly ate in my room tasted so nostalgic that I cried.
I took care to slowly enjoy the other Tirolian chocolate and 8 caramel pieces as well.

Cheap food, banzai.

*imouto*

*imouto*

In autumn we have stuff like the athletics carnival or the Zui’ran presentation day so it’s busy. As for my private life, I have a piano recital as well. It’s so hectic.

Naturally, the two tops of our grade, Kaburagi and Enjou flourished at the athletics carnival. They even overwhelmed some upperclassmen. Thanks to that, their fans increased, in the upper grades as well.
Unfortunately I couldn’t become our class’ hero. I’ll try my best in other fields.

The Zui’ran presentation day is something like a cultural festival, so the place will be decorated with artwork created by the students, and we’ll have a choir contest and a bazaar and stuff too.
It was much harder to prepare for presentation day than the athletics carnival, and so in order to replenish my body, I would eat snacks at the Petite Pivoine in between preparations.
Being able to eat sweets on school grounds really is a special privilege.

Lately at the salon, it’s all been talk about the choir programme or the artwork that each class has been creating.
The class artwork becomes harder as you go up a grade, so it’s tough. Apparently in the upper years of the primary section, they even create dioramas and stuff.

“Reika-san, today we have Pierre Evan macarons, you know. Will you eat some?”

“Gosh. I definitely shall.”

This person is an Oneesama in Year 5, Minazuki Aira-sama.
Unique for a girl in Zui’ran, she has short hair and a bit of a boyish appearance, and gives the impression of growing up to be the lead male-role actor in an all-female theatre troupe somewhere.
Ever since Aira-sama saw me waltz with Oniisama at the summer party, she’s been on good terms with me.
Apparently seeing me try my very best to dance was cute. I’m thankful that she feels that way.
She said stuff like “You have such a kind Oniisama. I sure am jealous.” and although I didn’t know where she got it from, she gave me a picture of Oniisama and I ringing the bell as a present.
As it turns out, apparently an acquaintance of Aira-sama had been there to take the picture.
“They were a lovely couple, so I wanted to give them a picture later.” apparently.
Oniisama, they’ve decided we’re a couple, you know?
I had thought it was a needless and huge embarrassment in front of Kaburagi Masaya and Enjou Shuusuke, but when one door shuts, another opens, huh.

──But there’s just one very big problem with Aira-sama. That is…

“Yurie. This limited-time macaron is delicious, you know.”

Right. Aira-sama is that Yurie-sama’s good friend.

“Mn, then perhaps I’ll have just one more. What about you two, Masaya, Shuusuke?”

“I’ll have one.”

“Hmm, I think I’ll pass.”

The spot next to Yurie-sama is almost always occupied by ‘I ♥ YURIE’ Kaburagi. And Yurie-sama and Aira-sama are close friends. And recently, there’s been this underclassman that Aira-sama has taking a liking to; me.

I’m in a pretty dangerous position.

Lord Emperor basically pays no attention to anybody but the people he has an interest in, so up until now he’s been completely disregarding me.
But one time when Enjou Shuusuke said “Oh, aren’t you the girl from the summer party who did the waltz in the middle of the dance floor?” and Emperor went “Ah… That time.” and looked my way.
Enjou Shuusuke, don’t say unnecessary things!

“Masaya, are you making sure to properly help with your class’ presentation?”

“…Well, I get around.”

“That’s no good. You have to do it properly.”

“Aahh… Mn.”

“What’s with that response? I’m going to see you all the way to class. You know what to do, right?”

“I get it, already. You sure are noisy, Yurie.”

“What was that!?”

“Joking. Geez, sorry. You get angry so easily.”

I sneakily watched them as I munched on a macaron.
Despite his abusive tongue, he looks quite happy, doesn’t he. I see, I see. So that’s what you like?
Emperor is always smiling when he talks to Yurie-sama. Plenty of expressions, like a completely different person from that bored-looking and expressionless Emperor everywhere else.
Geez, look, isn’t he blushing too? Hey, your love is leaking outside, you know?
While I was observing this incredibly funny Emperor, I met eyes with Enjou.
I’m sorry, I won’t look anymore. I’ll still be eavesdropping on their flirting though.

Anyway, while all that was happening, my busy, but peaceful, autumn passed by.

 

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

---

“Unique for a girl in Zui’ran, she has short hair and a bit of a boyish appearance, and gives the impression of growing up to be the lead male-role actor in an all-female theatre troupe somewhere.”
I added in the ‘all-female’ part because she’s referring to the Takarazuka Revue, which English readers might not immediately understand.

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<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

In Japanese, you refer to other people’s family members by their title. Like, “How is Okaasan?” means “How is your mother?”. Imouto-san and Otouto-san are standard polite-ish ways of referring to other people’s younger siblings.

---

We finished the one dance we agreed on, and as I was thinking about how fun that had been, my gaze clicked in place with someone else’s.
And in that instant, I turned to stone.

I tripped on my own legs because of the shock and almost fell, and then Oniisama immediately caught me, but more importantly,

WHY IS KABURAGI MASAYA HERE――――!!

Even though they weren’t supposed to be in Japan for the entire holiday, standing right here were Kaburagi Masaya and Enjou Shuusuke──.

How long have they been there? How much did they see?
Weren’t you two supposed to be in the Mediterranean?
It’s because I thought you weren’t in Japan! It’s because I was relieved that you wouldn’t be here that I casually did something eyecatching as being the only little kid dancing here!
If I knew you guys were gunna come I definitely wouldn’t have stood out so much!

“Reika?”

Calm yourself. Calm yourself.
For now let’s leave aside the reason why they’re here even though they’re not supposed to be, and figure out how to naturally leave the area.
First I’ll remove my gaze from those cursed eyes, and undo the Petrification spell.
Naturally, naturally…
GYAH-! Even though I was supposed to move just my eyes, my neck turned by itself―!
Doesn’t this look like I turned my head in scorn now? Will he think I’m picking a fight with him!?
Can’t be helped. What’s already been done can’t be helped. I’ll just naturally leave the area.
GYAH-! My knees won’t bend! I’m walking like a soldier now―!
Maybe those cursed eyes attacked my brain because I can’t stop all these involuntary movements.
Aahh, what do I dooo?

“Reika, are you listening? Reika―”

Anyway, I need to slip into the crowd and disappear, or else. I’ll make a beeline for the drink corner since it has the most people.

[Monotone:] I am not particularly paying any special attention to you, all right? My throat has simply become parched from the dancing, and I have begun to desire a drink.
[Monotone:] Indeed. That is simply it.
[Monotone:] You, over there. May I have some juice?

“Reika!”

Somebody struck me on the back and dispelled the Confusion spell.
Aahh, I went completely weird just now.
Thanks for returning my sanity, Oniisama.
Casting both Confusion and Petrification at once. As expected of a last boss.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been a little strange.”

Mn, I’m more aware of that than anyone.

“Oniisama, I am going to make a small trip to the restroom.”

I want to be alone for a little to reset myself.
I want to hole up in the toilet and calm myself down.
All the reflecting I need to do comes after that.

“Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? Should I have somebody go with you?”

“No, I am fine.”

“Hmm, but…”

Perhaps I was being pretty suspicious because Oniisama seemed to be worried.
I’m sorry for worrying you, Oniisama.

“Sup, Takateru.”

“Imari.”

With good timing, somebody who seemed to be his friend called out him, so I’ll leave while I can.

“It is nice to meet you. I am his sister, Reika. Oniisama, I will be fine by myself, so please excuse me for a little.”

Giving friend-san a quick bow, it’s now time to GO!

“What’s wrong with Imouto-chan? She seemed to be in quite a hurry.”

“Ahh, the toilet.”

Don’t say it!

*imouto*

I rushed into the dressing room, and after entering a private room, I collapsed onto the seat.
Haah――.
I suddenly felt tired.
It was like the excitement from just now had been a lie.

…That surprised me.
Why were they here?
Was that stuff about them staying in the Mediterranean all holiday just nonsense?
I even heard at the Petite Pivoine that they were going to miss out on the summer party.
Still, that expression.
It suure was scary.
It was like he saw me happily dancing the waltz and thinking, ‘What the hell is this girl doing?’.
I definitely came off as some ugly chick who thought of herself as hot stuff!
If I knew he was going to come, I wouldn’t have gotten ahead of myself and waltzed!

*imouto*

“Hey, Masaya-sama was there, wasn’t he. Wasn’t he supposed to be skipping this party?”

While I was in the pits of depression, I heard the voices of some girls who were probably older than me.
I think they might be from the middle or high school section.

“Right. He was actually supposed to spend the whole holiday overseas, but I heard he came back early enough to make Yurie-sama’s birthday.”

“My, is that so? My younger sister was making a huge fuss about Masaya-sama being there. But with Yurie-sama as the rival, she really doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Huhu! Isn’t it still too early to say? She’s your own sister, so you need to cheer for her. It looks like there are lots of rivals though.”

“True. My, Maika-sama. Gokigen’yoh.”

“Gokigen’yoh.”

Apparently they stopped talking because yet another acquaintance came in, but with this, the mystery was solved.
So it was Yurie-sama’s birthday!

Suzushino Yurie-sama is Emperor and Enjou’s four years elder childhood friend, and shockingly, Emperor’s first love.
In 『you are my dolce』, Yurie-sama was a dignified and radiant beauty who was admired by all the girls in Zui’ran.
Kisshouin Reika admired her as well.
Since Reika also admired Yurie-sama who detested the unjust, I don’t think it would’ve hurt if she learnt from her example a little, but Reika was a villainess character, so I guess it can’t be helped? How pitiful, Reika…

And so, Emperor loved her up until high school, but Yurie-sama had always thought of him as just a little brother.
In the end his love ended in an honourable defeat, and there was also a scene where he lashed out at the protagonist to vent, but before long his interest in the protagonist turned into love, and he completely got over his first one.
But even so, Yurie-sama was a childhood friend who was like an older sister, and as a special existence to Emperor. Being a person filled with independence, when she graduated from university she stood her ground against her parents, and when she decided on her own to go overseas to look for work in an American company, Emperor lent his help in convincing them.
When Yurie-sama was about to leave for America, he said, “If you ever need me, I’ll always come to help. No matter where you are, Yurie,” and the readers remembered her as somebody who would always be special to him.
When the protagonist saw this, she did get nervous and say “Is he actually still in love with Yurie-san?” though.

Being who she is, if Yurie-sama had a birthday, of course he came back. I understand it now.
Even in the Petite Pivoine, whenever he speaks to Yurie-sama he always breaks into a smile after all.
He always goes Yurie, Yurie, and tries to get her attention doesn’t he.
First love, huhh? It sure is bittersweet. Mmn, but that love never bears fruit, does it. Aah, how sad.

Considering how I sneakily observe those two and get all excited about somebody else’s love affairs, my personality is pretty bad, isn’t it.

But wellll, at any rate, I now know why Kaburagi Masaya is here when he isn’t supposed to be.

There’s no use crying over spilt milk.
I can’t change the fact that he saw me doing the waltz.
…Let’s forget about it.
I’ll consider this some dark history and sink it into the swamps of my heart. Mn.

“Upsie daisies.”

Now then, I’ve probably worried Oniisama as well, so I’ll head back.
I spent too long in the toilet, didn’t I. What am I going to do if they get the wrong impression, and my honour as a maiden is besmirched?
Should I really drive in the fact that my stomach is completely fine?

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

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<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

People were already gathering at the hall.

“Fuwahh~”

A stupid sound escaped me because of how moved I was.

The hall was overflowing with Oneesamas in fluttering dresses of various colours. Together with the vivid rings of flowers decorating the hall here and there, the room was like a sea of flowers.
Although the Oniisamas weren’t dressed as gorgeously as the Oneesamas, they were dreamy in their formal attire too.

Hahh, so this is the Pivoine Summer Party that everybody adores.
It’s like everything is glittering!

To begin with, almost all the guests here were students from Zui’ran, so the place was filled with youth.
I’ve been to various parties as the daughter of the Kisshouin family before, but they were focused around the Ojisamas and Obasamas of the upper class, so they just stressed me out and weren’t fun at all.
Because I was still a child, I tried my best to avoid going.
Apparently my parents wanted to bring me with them though.

“Reika? Are you okay?”

Oh gosh. Did I leave my mouth open?
I hurriedly put my fallen ‘ojousama mask’ back on.

“I am fine, Oniisama. But please make sure to stay by my side, okay?”

Although we were only supposed to be lightly linking arms, I was firmly wrapped around.
Sorry if it gets your jacket wrinkly, Oniisama.
But if I let my guard down, I’m confident that I’ll end up lost while my eyes are glued on something.

“Look, Oniisama. Everything is sparkling so radiantly.”

“Isn’t it just the reflections from the chandelier? It’s thanks to the calculated lighting.”

Please don’t pour cold water over a maiden’s dreams.

*imouto*

Now that the party had begun, everybody was chatting and smiling with a glass in hand, so I quickly invited Oniisama to come look at the rose arc with me.

“I wish to see it before the sun sets! You recommended it to me, didn’t you?”

“Yes, yes.”

Oniisama escorted me out onto the terrace and furthest back in the garden with a small white fountain and tables sets… There it was! A rose arch!
It’s even cuter than I imagined!
The arc decorated with red roses was tied by ribbons of white chiffon, and blowing in the wind made it look like a wedding veil.
And at the top was a bell!
I want to ring it!

“Oniisama! Could it be that it’s one of those bells that grants you happiness if you ring it!?”

“I wonder. I haven’t heard that, but… You want to ring it?”

“Uu-”

With such a cute bell, anybody would want to ring it, right!?
I wonder if I can’t. There are lots of people around me, after all.
Would I look like a bumpkin?

“Come.”

Oniisama took me by the hand and brought me in front of the arch.

“Excuse me. It seems that my younger sister would like to ring the bell. Would that be all right with you?”

Oniisama spoke to the senpai closest to the bell.
The senpai happily gave the spot to us, and Oniisama urged me forward. But. With all these people watching now, ringing it needs courage―!
Oniisama sure has guts~

But they went out of their way to give me this chance. I guess I’ll take advantage of everyone’s good will and ring it?
It’s embarrassing by myself, so I’ll do it together with Oniisama.
Oniisama was making a complicated expression, but I won’t mind it.
When the two of us rang the bell, somebody said “My, it’s like a pair of newlyweds at their wedding.” and Oniisama made an even more complicated expression. Don’t mind it.

Apparently girls from the primary section saw me happily ringing the bell because they gathered here and wanted to ring it too.
Right? Right?
I knew it. Everyone actually wanted to ring it. It’s because I did the embarrassing thing of going first that they had the courage to do so, right?
Good job, me.

After having my fill of the rose arch I returned inside to find that people in the middle of the room were dancing the waltz!
Party! Waltz!

“Oniisama,”

Sensing something from me, Oniisama averted his face and tried to head to the buffet corner.
But he had his armed linked to the unmoving me.

“Oniisama, it’s the waltz.”

“Don’t wanna.”

An immediate reply?

As a daughter of the upper class, I take ballroom dance classes as well.
Apparently Oniisama isn’t taking them now, but of course he took them in the past.
Since he went to the trouble of learning it, wouldn’t he want a chance to put it to use? Otherwise what did he learn it for, right?
After ringing the bell on the rose arch I’ve been on an odd sort of high.
Normally I’d be too embarrassed to decide to dance of my own accord.

“Just one song, Oniisama. Okay? Okay?”

Please say yes. It’s to make good memories for your cute little sister.

“Hahh…”

Oniisama gave a big sigh before dropping his head dejectedly.

“Just one song, okay?”

YAYYYY!

*imouto*

The orchestra’s song flowed through the hall.

One, two, three. One, two, three.
Straightenn your back. Don’tt lower your arms. Now! One, two, three. One, two, three.

While recalling my teacher’s lessons, I span around, and around.
The chandelier up on the ceiling sparkled with light.
The hem of my favourite dress danced in the air.
Aahh, this is so much fun. It’s like a dream.

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

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