My name is Nana Ina.
I’m in my second year of high school, and for a reason best left unspoken, my younger sister Akari and I are staying at the home of our teacher… Oka-san.
That day, I had gone for a walk around the neighborhood with my friend Chobi.
Chobi is an adorable, fluffy little dog.
While we were traveling, a mutual friend agreed to look after him.
Today, I went over to that person’s house to pick up Chobi.
Energetic as ever, Chobi seemed eager to go out for a walk right away.
After we finished our stroll and got home… it was evening.
When I unlocked the door and stepped inside…
”…Huh? Midoriko?”
The teacher’s younger sister was sitting on the sofa in the living room. “Hi there.” ”…Hello, um, hi to you too.”
…Midoriko put her smartphone away into her pocket. What should I do…
She’s someone I met recently.
I’m told she’s the teacher’s younger sister, but they don’t really resemble each other.
It’s hard to put my finger on it, but she seems a bit… tense?
Even so, I think she’s not a bad person. She is the teacher’s sister after all…
But, even though this is obviously our first meeting, I’m t-terribly nervous… “Um… by the way” “Yessir!”
”…Why don’t you stop standing there and take a seat?”
“That’s right. Sorry about that.”
Still holding Chobi in my arms, I sit down in front of Midoriko-san.
“No, why are you sitting over there? You can just act normal, no need to be formal.” “Eh, a-y-yes…”
Huh? It doesn’t feel quite so scary anymore compared to this morning.
In the morning, I thought she was a bit like a delinquent, or at least not really my type.
I sit down next to Midoriko-san. ”… … …” Neither of us says anything. Ugh… this is awkward.
I really hate talking to strangers.
Akari calls me a “clumsy fool.” So mean… “Umm, hey.” “W-wha’s up?”
Midoriko glares at me with narrowed eyes. Ughhh. “Stop flinching every time I look at you.” “S-sorry…” My sister’s gaze is way too sharp.
It just feels like a fight’s about to start. Ugh. “So, w-wha’s up?” ”………”
She suddenly reaches out her hand. A-a fight?!
No way! Did we really get in their way that much!?
Cho-Chobi~! Help me~! “Hmm hmn ♡”
Ahhh no, Cho’s just barking like usual. You cute little pet. ”…Hey.” “Y-yes…” ”…Can I hold that dog?” “Y-you want… to?” What did she just say?
”…I mean, can you let me touch the puppy in your arms?”
Midoriko says it, her cheeks turning red.
If I’m not hearing things wrong, she’s asking to touch Chobi. Ping. A lightbulb goes off. Got it,明智-kun! That girl likes dogs! What a brilliant deduction!
Maybe being a detective would be a good career for me later on. ”…Hey.” “Ah, um, g-go ahead.” I hand Cho over. “Whine…”
Chobi is looking at me with sad eyes!
Don’t worry, Chobi. I’m not going to sell you off. I’m just loaning him out, okay?
Okay-wan, Nana-chan! (high-pitched voice)
I finished my one-sided conversation with Chobi and handed him over to Midoriko. ”……”
Midoriko stretched her hands out eagerly, but she didn’t actually try to pick Chobi up.
“Could it be that you… don’t know how to hold a baby?”
Her cheeks flushed a deep red. “I— nothing.”
But the fact that she still wasn’t taking him confirmed it. She definitely didn’t know how to hold a baby. I got it.
This girl is… another social awkward!
It’s fate for two social awkward people to be drawn to each other! It’s the bond of those who live in the shadows!
“You don’t have to make it so complicated. Like this, soft and gentle, just float him up gently.”
I held Chobi up to show her how.
Miadoriko-chan changed her position to make things easier to understand.
Miadoriko-chan watched my gestures intently, nodding along with a fun-fun.
After a while, I handed Chobi to Miadoriko-chan as her partner.
“Mew~ Nana-chan, it’s no good being separated!” (in a high-pitched voice)
“It’s okay, Chobi-kun! We’ll meet again soon!” And with that, the little play was over. ”…C-cute.”
Holding Chobi in her arms, Miadoriko-chan’s expression softened into a smile.
“Hehe, I’m happy you called your friend cute!” ”……What’s its n-name?” “It’s Chobi!”
“Chobi… is that the heroine from Digimas?” “De-ji-mas?” I’ve never heard of it.
”…You’re saying that, living in modern-day Japan, you don’t know about Digimas? Are you serious?”
“Oh, Akari often says it’s been incredibly popular lately.”
”…I’ve seriously never seen it. Wow, a natural monument.”
Judging by our conversation, the scary impression I’d initially had of Miadoriko-chan was gone. She just seemed like an ordinary kid…
“Well then, why is the name Chobi?”
“Taken from ‘Animal Doctor’!” ”……Ani-mal Doc-tor? What’s that?”
“Eh?! Midoriko-chan, you don’t know about Nihon e no Kenkyuu (Japanese Research) manga?!” That can’t be right!
To not know such a fascinating god-tier manga! “You’re losing out on life!!”
”……Uh-uh… you got your energy up high all of a sudden.” This is a grave situation!
It’s unacceptable for someone to not know about the Animal Doctor!
“Just wait a moment! I’ll go get the manga!” ”……Ah, hold on!”
I briefly return to my own room.
I bring back twelve tankobon (single-volume) copies from the bookshelf.
“This is it! This is the famous Animal Doctor!”
I stack the single volumes on the sofa. ”……Oh, it’s a manga.”
“Right! The bunko (paperback) editions are out too, and I have those as well, but which one would you like?”
”……Huh? No, I never said a single thing about wanting to read it…”
“No way! Read it… for your own good! C’mon!”
I held up Volume One and thrust it forward toward Lake Mido.
She pulled back slightly, then let out a sigh. ”……Fine.” ★
“I’m home~. Sis. Akarin’s back.”
That night, Aka came home from her part-time job.
”……This is super interesting.”
“Told you! Yeah, the chibi versions here are so cute.” ”……I get it.”
We were completely deep in conversation about veterinarian anime and manga. That’s just how amazing this comic is. I truly recommend it! Everyone… buy it!
“Sis… also, what about you? What are you doing?”
Aka glared at Lake Mido.
Since the incident that morning, my little sister clearly didn’t have a good impression of her. ”……Nothing.” “What’s with that attitude?”
I… step in front of my little sister and say it. “Akari-chan, calm down.” “O-ona…?”
After widening her eyes in surprise, Akari tilts her head in confusion.
“Midoriko is blunt, but she’s not a bad person.”
Midoriko opens her mouth, stunned.
“What… what’s wrong with you, Ona? Suddenly?”
“You and Midoriko are comrades in arms… united by our love for the same manga.”
“Sorry, I don’t get what you’re saying…”
Akari presses her hand to her forehead as if trying to endure a headache.
“Do you have a headache? Want some Bufferin?” “No, it’s fine, but…”
Akari lets out a sigh. ”…”
Midoriko keeps glancing back and forth between me and Akari repeatedly.
I couldn’t quite tell, but I felt like she had something she wanted to say. “What are you looking at?” “Akari-chan… is it because of ‘me’?”
I tap my finger gently against my younger sister’s lips.
“Midoriko-chan seems to have something on her mind.”
Her eyes went wide, and then she shot up to her feet. And then… ”…Sorry.”
She bowed deeply to us.
”…Yesterday and this morning, um, I’m sorry. I was a bit… immature. Sorry.” Akari’s eyes widened for a moment.
It seemed like doubt clouded her expression.
Because we are twins, because I am the older sister, I understand.
Akari seems unable to gauge Midoriko-chan’s true intentions. So, this is what I do.
“It’s not a problem, okay, Akari.” “O-Oka-san…?”
I know. Akari can be pretty stubborn, and she carries a grudge in her heart.
The number one reason she was angry is that Midoriko-chan hit me with the stick of a lollipop. Akari is… kind.
Every time I was treated harshly by [that person], she would always shield me.
I’m a fool, I have no strength, and I’m weak…
Akari always protects me.
She’s so kind. That’s why I couldn’t stand Minori-ko’s attitude. I think that’s probably what really got me angry the most. But… it’s okay. I don’t mind. “Sis… but this guy…”
“Aren’t we all a little on edge sometimes?”
“That is… well. True, though.”
“And Akari… your attitude this morning wasn’t great either.” “But that was…”
“I know it’s for my sake. But… let’s get along, both of you.”
I look at Akari, and then at Minori-ko.
“Besides… right? We’re living in the same house. It’s better to get along. Sensei will be happier if the house is bright and cheerful, won’t she? Okay?”
Minori-ko, Akari, and me too.
We love Sensei so much.
So… I don’t want to bother Sensei.
I think that’s why we get along so well. We have that in common. “Hey, Akari?”
”…I’m sorry too. It was immature of me.”
Akari bows deeply. “I’m sorry, too.” She bows with a little dip.
“W-Wait, why are you the one apologizing?”
“Well… I mean. You’re not to blame… ah.”
Akari and the others exchange glances.
Looking awkward, she averts her eyes and scratches her head with a few rough strokes.
“I didn’t realize what was making Midoriko so irritated either. So, I’m sorry.” “…huh?”
The tense, prickly atmosphere from this morning had vanished between Midoriko and Akari.
That’s good, that’s really good, being on good terms with everyone is the best! ”…Ashi is sorry too.” “Hmm… well, it’s fine.”
The two of them have made up! That’s great, that’s really great!
“Wait, but where did Akarin go?”
“Um, I’m just stepping out of my seat for a moment.” “Oh, right, so that’s what’s up…”
Akari seemed to catch on to something.
But I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Chobi, do you get it?
Chobi, who was at my feet, looked up at me.
I don’t know either, Nana-chan~ (high-pitched voice), right?
“Since I’m done here anyway, I’m going to text Bro.” Just as she said that. Pop ♪
The LINE notification arrived on my smartphone. “It’s popping up on mine too!”
”…Ah, and on mine too. It’s from Bro.”
I opened the LINE app. [Sleeping over at a friend’s house today] ”…What?”
“Oh, really… wait, what’s wrong with you two?”
Akari and Midori Lake suddenly put on these scary faces.
What am I gonna do, Chobi~? This is scary~.
Leave it to me, I’m gonna give you a big hug, Nana-chan (using my squeaky voice)
I scoop Chobi up into my arms and squeeze him tight.
“Oh? So… he’s staying the night. Hm-hmm…”
”…Onii-san. When we get home, you’re getting an interrogation.” “Oh, I’ll join in too, yeah?” ”…Mm”
N-no way, why do these words feel so ominous…! T-teacher! Please come home soon!