For Some Reason, My Little Sister’s Friend, Who Is Totally Devoted To Me

　What if I’m not mistaken and Shiori-chan really likes me?

　I was really worried about that.

　Because in that case, I would have to go out with her, right?　

　But the problem is that I have no intention of going out with her.

　Shiori-chan has a strong impression of being Yuzu’s friend, so I can’t see her as a partner for romantic interest. Besides, I’m in high school and they’re in middle school. The age difference between us is three years, but I still feel there’s a barrier.

　I can only hope that I’m just mistaken, but─

“Onii-san, I need to talk to you about something.”

　While I was washing the dishes we had used for lunch and Shiori-chan was using a towel to remove the water, she came up to me with a mysterious look on her face.

“Talk to me?”

“I’m in love with someone.”

“*Cough *cough, Hee, I see.”

“But he’s insensitive and unpredictable and doesn’t notice my affection at all.”

“He’s such a jerk…”

“I’m thinking of telling him soon, but I’m not sure if it will work.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.”

“So I was wondering if Onii-san would be willing to be my practice subject?”

“Practice?”

　I thought she was going to confess her feelings for me, but that was not going to happen.

　I was relieved, but not for long.

“Yes. I’m going to confess my feelings to Onii-san now, so please tell me what you think of it. I’d like to make use of that response when I make my actual confession.”

　Shiori-chan asked me to be her practice confessor.

“…I’m not sure if I’m ready for such a big role…”

“I like you, Onii-san.”

“Oh, I can’t veto that.”

　Shiori-chan stops doing the dishes, stares at me and confesses.

“I like you, Onii-san.”

“Yeah, it’s, uh, direct and easy to convey, don’t you think?”

“I like you, Onii-san.”

“Y-Yeah, okay.”

　Shiori-chan looked at me with a jittery look in her eyes.

“It’s not enough for practice if I just confess. Please give me a proper reply.”

“Didn’t you want some feedback?”

“I want your opinion, but I also want your answer.”

　Well, it’s practice for confession. If you just confess and that’s it, it’s not really practice.

　All right, I’ll ask a little more in-depth question at this point.

　If I’m successful, I’ll be able to make it clear whether Shiori-chan likes me or not.

“What kind of man would Shiori-chan confess to? If I don’t know that, I don’t know how to respond.”

“Well, he doesn’t think of me as a romantic interest, and his lifestyle is a bit sloppy. He’s my friend’s Onii-san, he’s a little blind and unsociable, and he works at a diner in front of the station.”

　T-That’s me, isn’t it?

　No matter how insensitive I am, I’ll notice this. However, I continued to pretend not to notice.

“What do you like about that guy? I don’t think there’s anything good about him at all.”

“No, he’s nice, surprisingly easy to talk to, and he’s really cool. He’s kind and captivating. He’s also a little off, which makes me want to support him. He’s usually unsociable, but he has the cutest smile. He loves his sister and is full of love for his family. If he had a child, he would definitely take good care of her, work diligently and take the occasional day off to take care of his family, and then─”

“─S-Stop, stop! You’re getting more and more delusional! You’re getting sidetracked!”

“Oh, awawa, you’re right. Anyway, that’s how he is.”

　I stopped Shiori-chan from going out of control, and hid my reddened face.

“I know it’s none of my business, but I think you’re overestimating him. If you get to know him better, you will definitely become disillusioned.”

“I’m not disillusioned. Don’t underestimate my one-sided love.”

　Shiori-chan gave me a big smile and looked me in the eyes. I felt a sudden rise in my body temperature and pulled my gaze away from Shiori-chan.

“…W-Well, I hope it works out for you.”

“Yes. So please come practice with me, Onii-san.”

　After that, I couldn’t say no to the practice confessions, and I was told “I love you” for almost 20 times, but I thought it was all just a practice, and miraculously, I made it through that hellish trial.

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Translator’s Afterword: By every chapter that passes, we’re losing Matsu more and more.

Editor’s Afterword: I CANNOT WIN. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME. SHIORI-CHAN UUOOOHHHHHH!!