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ResetI change into fresh clothes and head to the living room. This is a unit in a high-rise apartment building that Harushia's grandfather, Kaidaten Takahara, prepared for her (his granddaughter).
Here, Akari, Nako, Ichika, Harushia, Midoriko from Lake Midori, and I—a total of six people—live together. "Ah, Onii-chan, good morning!"
"...Sensei! Good morning!"
My stepsister Midoriko and Akari's older sister Nako welcome me with smiles.
...Honestly, I'm a bit confused by the fact that these high school girls don't seem to find me creepy. From their perspective, I must look like a shady guy keeping a harem of young women. It would be reasonable for them to feel disgusted.
But they smile at me. Even though I know it's wrong, I feel a sense of calm in those smiles, which keeps me stuck in this bizarre situation without being able to break free.
Setting my own circumstances aside, since I was greeted, I return the greeting.
"Good morning. Morning practice, Midoriko?"
I assume as much seeing her uniform perfectly in place.
"Yeah. That's right. Nako is doing morning study."
"I see. Every single morning, huh. You both are great."
Nako looks away shyly. After attending the Hokkaido University open campus during summer break, she has been going to the school's self-study room every morning like this to study.
I bow my head in respect to her diligence. She was smart to begin with, so she’ll surely get into the university she wants to attend.
"T-t-teacher... um, I... er..."
Nanako keeps glancing at me sideways. What's wrong?
"I-I'm going to study hard today too! So... um... that is..." Seeing her like that, I’m reminded of the old days.
When I was still working as a cram school instructor and they were my students.
Nanako used to always come to me before tests back then, wearing a similar look on her face.
She probably wants some encouragement.
"Study hard today, okay?"
Saying that, I pat Nanako on the head. ...For a young girl like her, being touched by an old guy like me should be repulsive.
But Nanako smiles, and it’s a truly happy smile. ...It’s become my source of healing. "Onii-chan..."
Midoriko is glaring at me with eyes that look like they could melt. Her feelings are easier to read. It's clear she has a longer history with me than the others do.
Midoriko is urging him on, too. "Do your best." "Mm♡"
The two of them beamed with wide, joyful grins as they headed to the entrance and walked out.
Feeling a gaze on him, he turned around only to find Akari crossing her arms, nodding solemnly in agreement.
"Isn't that lovely? ♡ You're becoming increasingly unable to escape this harem situation, Karin-kun. ♡" "……Yeah, it seems so."
For some reason, Akari affirmed his presence in this absurd situation.
Even though she admitted to herself that she liked him.
Honestly, I couldn't quite grasp her psychological state.
I understood what she was looking for in me as a man. No, precisely because I knew that, I all the more failed to understand Akari's intent in pushing this situation forward. But…… "Ooooh, Karin-kun! ♡"
Akari wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.
Through her thin clothing came the feel of breasts that had grown quite substantially, and without any resistance on his part…… he found himself soothed by it.
"You don't have to think about things that hard, okay? ♡ Right……? ♡"
Akari whispered into his ear. Previously, he would have brushed her off with a "don't tease me," but the strength to reject her had gradually weakened.
That's how it was…… He had started to find comfort in staying within this sweet, tepid swamp. 【★Author's Note】
The older brother of a famous VTuber is finally hitting the shelves in book form!
Out November 15 from GA Bunko! Preorders are open! Looking forward to your support!