A Brother's Sacrifice

Mon Pigeon Patisserie is a pastry shop, no, more like a cake shop. A bell was installed in such a way up that when someone opens the door, the bell would make a sound loud enough which would inform the staff about the arrival of customers.

Inside were some seats for four-person, three-person or even two people that are arranged in this shop. It acts as a shop as well as a restaurant. Of course, that would mean that there is also food that needs to be eaten here itself. There are also delicious cakes and large pizzas on the menu, which looks very tasty.

There are also dogs and cats inside, which can entertain customers in some way. This interesting and popular shop was filled with only a few clients. Amongst those clients, me, Kinoshita, Aki and surprisingly Sakura, Aki's little sister, were in it.

Sakura is with a group of students, which seemed to be composed of only girls from the look of it. Since she called us, more accurately Aki, out, her friends were curious about who this girl, Aki was to Sakura.

"Sakura..., What are you doing here?"

Aki was kind of shocked but not that much. I too was surprised Sakura was here.

"Well our school organised a trip to here, but I didn't think that you would be here."

Aki slowly changed her expression to an angry one. Has Sakura done something wrong?

"...Hey..."

Before Sakura could start her conversation with her, she turned around and pushed me aside. She put enough force in her hand but I managed to seem unaffected by her action. Kinoshita stepped away from her path and the sound of the shop's bell could be heard.

All of us were silent. It was quite an awkward situation for Sakura because her friends were mumbling to each other about the event.

"*Sigh*...Kinoshita, go and watch over her. Make sure she does not do any stupid thing."

He silently nodded and walked out of the shop. Then I casually returned to the shopkeeper and said,

"Sir, can I have three of these small cakes."

The employer, who was worried about having a commotion in front of him, snapped back to his happy and caring face that would make any customers feel comfortable.

"Yes, would you like to have something else?"

"No."

"Okay. Then it will be 105 ¥."

I gave him the exact amount of cash and received a plastic bag with the tasty-looking cakes inside it.

"Thank you for your service."

After the employer's generous appreciation, my gaze fell on Sakura, who was staring at me worriedly, and I told her,

"Seems like we need to talk."

My eyeball moved towards her friends and I finished my sentence with,

"In private."

Carrying the plastic bag in one hand, I exited the shop without looking back. I know that Sakura is following me because

the bell sound entered my ears when I was at quite a distance from the shop.

I could hear the hurried footsteps of Sakura closing the gap in distance behind me. Her fast breathing was becoming clearer and clearer as she approaches me.

"So, what's been happening in your house? Anything unusual about Aki?"

"Well...No. It is the same as before."

"Like she hates you like before or is it more showing to you."

"...No. Until today, I saw her looking at me this angry expression of hers."

"I see..."

That means that the reason for Aki's anger is, as I thought, her little sister Sakura. And I can already see why she would be angry at her by just listening to their small exchange of dialogues in the shop. But just to confirm it,

"Say, did you inform your sister that you were coming here on your trip. Or let me say it more bluntly. Did you let her know that you even had a trip?"

"Of cour-"

Before she finished her affirmation, she looked at me, though as if she remembered something. Not a good news it seems judging by her expression.

"I...didn't. I forgot."

I stopped and slightly turned my face to the sides and gave her a sidelong glance.

"Do you really care about your sister?"

Thanks to my cold tone, my questions was intimidating enough to her as she stepped back one step. This was a serious question that I really want to get the answers.

There were cold sweats flowing down her neck but that didn't stop Sakura from staring back at me with such resolve.

"Yes. I care about her. And I will do my best to make Sis see me in a different light."

A serious reply was given to me. It almost sounds like a joke to me but, till the time she really tries her best and give a result, then I will know that this serious reply of hers is not fake.

"Is that so? Then why did you forget something like that?"

I resumed walking and she replied to me while following my path alongside me.

"Well... I am a third-year so I need to study really hard to get into the high school that I want to get accepted. Perhaps I was too occupied that I forgot about it."

"Then I'm gonna ask another question. Did Aki inform you about this study camp program?"

"I think...yes."

"Then why did you say that you didn't think that she would be here, although you knew about this program?"

"....I...made a blunder....I think its because of the studies again, that's why..."

"Are you trying to use your studies as an excuse again?"

She could not ignore the annoyed expression on my face. Upon that question of mine, she retaliated by screaming pretty loud that it could rupture my eardrums.

"I'm not!! It is really the truth!!"

"Okay okay, no need to shout that loud. You are attracting too much attention."

The warning that I gave to Sakura has taken effect as she scanned the surrounding. The eyes of the citizens were observing us two, no mostly Sakura. This scenario reminded me of the time at the Supermarket when I first met her.

But this time it was different. I am not feeling that ecstasy when I saw her embarrassed face, this time I was furious that she would forget the things Aki said to her. Now I'm trying to doubt if Sakura really wants to improve her relationship between her and Aki.

.......Hahaha.......

What am I even saying? This girl, Sakura, is being lectured by ME. Is this really a joke? Recalling about the past me, I think that I should refrain from lecturing her about caring for someone. And I can't properly take care of someone else, what I am even trying to teach this girl?

The present me can't erase the deeds of the past me so I should do things that properly fits me now.

Seriously, I'm not someone that should take this role. I should say that Kinoshita would be way more suitable for this compared to me. But oh well, I guess it can't be helped now. For Reika, I have to do it.

Me and Sakura walked to a less crowded area and resumed talking.

"So, remember the deal?"

"...I have to befriend Kimura Aoi, right?

"Yes. What do you know about her?"

"She is a first-year, pretty popular, pretty good grades and pretty beautiful. She doesn't know me yet but after the midterm exams will be over, I'll try to get close to her."

"Good. Take it slowly and don't rush it. When you are completely friends with her, you tell me."

"...Fine."

Kimura Aoi. Daughter of our beloved homeroom teacher, Mr Kimura. She is not a useful piece just yet. And it is not like I'm going to use her for any combat purposes like Kinoshita and Aki.

But in the case where I'm on some kind of danger of being rusticated or expelled, I'll just use her against Mr Kimura himself. It is the worst action to be taken so I will only use it as a last resort.

Really...What a sc.u.m I am.