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“In the end, we’re not sleeping in the same bed.”
“That’s the normal choice…” Kanata commented in an exasperated tone.

I had put two beds in my room and then pushed them together as close as possible, so we could chat.

“Kanata, I said so this morning, but sorry again for causing you trouble while I was gone. I never expected some flowerpot falling from above to kill me.”
“Most people wouldn’t. Well, it’s not like it was your fault, so no need to apologize.”

My younger brother is kind.

“It wasn’t just you; I also caused a great deal of worry for Mom and Dad.”
“Yes… Well, I’m more wondering how you’re going to explain to them the part about you playing the girl here and working as something like an idol, Big Bro.”

Ugh… He hit a sore point there.

“Do… do I have to explain it to them?”
“If you’re feeling guilty, you could always stop doing it.”
“Nope, it’s way too fun.”

I can’t help it, getting spoiled and fawned over so much is fun.

“Just how did it get to this point?” Kanata continued after breathing a sigh.
“First of all, they, starting with Mika, should never have forced me to wear girls’ clothes. The very first time I wore such clothes… or rather, was made to wear them, I was apparently three years old.”
“I see. If I hadn’t put up as much resistance, I might’ve ended up like you.”

Huh? That’s some spiteful way to put it.

“What, if you have something to say, just say it.”
“Well… I think I’ll be fine, seeing I don’t have such a hobby.”
“What did you say, you damn chuunibyou?”
“You heard me, you cross-dressing fanatic.”

My younger brother is awful.
What a way to speak to your older brother! Calling me a cross-dressing fanatic…! Well, it’s not like he’s wrong, I don’t have any counterargument.

“Still, Kanata, what does Sakura think of you acting so edgy?”
“Hm? You know, she gave me an eyepatch she made from magic beast materials we got here. That’s why I think she accepts that side of me.”

I see, he does have a severe case of eighth grader’s syndrome, after all. Right now, he is in eighth grade, so that wouldn’t be unnatural, but he started acting like that all the way back in pre-school.

“Gotcha, that’s good. You found quite the understanding girlfriend.”
“Right? I never expected her to give the OK after my confession. I always thought it was unrequited affection on my part.”

Unrequited affection… huh.

Being brutally honest here would probably hurt him, but… I always thought Kanata acted a bit like a stalker. Although he was rather composed about it. Others in our neighborhood didn’t think so, and judging from how happy Sakura looked, she simply didn’t see it as a problem.

But no matter how you slice it, someone who puts pictures of their love interest into their poetry collection¹… seems slightly dangerous.

“It was obviously mutual.”
“Weren’t you and Mika-nee exactly the same, Big Bro?”
“I guess.”

In the end, Kanata and I resembled each other. Not just our faces.

“So, I heard Sakura always hugs you when you’re sleeping. How does that work out for you?”
“All I can say… is that it feels embarrassing. I used to escape with teleportation once she fell asleep. Until we started dating, that is.”

He fled from her…!? To think he’d do that.

“But even before you started dating, didn’t you enjoy being in an embrace with the girl you love? I mean, I enjoyed it, when Mika did it.”
“Well, I did, but… there’s a difference. There’s more than just one factor. It should be the same with you and Mika-nee, so I assume you know that too, Big Bro. I don’t love Sakura’s body, I love her.”

Just now, he looked quite smug. He was absolutely convinced that he said something profound.

“Shouldn’t you say that you love everything about her?”
“Oh, that’s true. Indeed, I love everything about her.”

He easily accepted those words, likely realizing that he shouldn’t have looked that self-satisfied.

“So? When will the wedding be?”
“It’s… it’s still too early for that… But it will happen at some point.”
“I’m certain it will.”
“Well, I’m not sure…” Kanata replied with a faraway look in his eyes. “Look, there are also examples like you and Mika-nee, Big Bro.”

Thinking of the large effect my death had on those around me, I couldn’t help but feel sorry… but also happy. It was a complicated emotion.

…That’s right, I wonder how Mika was doing while I was gone.
She herself told me that she was heartbroken, but I didn’t know any details. Depending on how bad it was, I planned to stay close to her.

“Kanata, I have a question.”
“What is it, Big Bro?”
“How was Mika while I was gone?”

For an instant, surprise flickered over my brother’s expression, before it immediately turned sad.
Just what in the world happened?

“Big Bro, just in case, you won’t turn your back on Mika-nee if I tell you, will you?”
“H-Hey, what’s going on!? Either way, we’re engaged! No matter what happens, I won’t leave her.”

Kanata should understand that that was only natural.
He nodded, likely having guessed my intentions, and started speaking.

“I guess you’re right, I’ll tell you. In the two weeks after your death, Mika-nee…”

1. I guess that “How to contain the power in your right hand” book from chapter 367 was a collection of Kanata’s poetry. I must’ve forgotten that detail since I read this chapter months ago, or I wouldn’t have had as much trouble interpreting the “Boy K” part.

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