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Humans are extremely social creatures, whilst other animals have also developed methods to interact with one another; humans are the only animals that actively communicate with each other even when not necessary. Sporting smiles on their faces as they conversate with one another even if they may not necessarily feel happy in the moment. Most people have both an inner and outer face..one they show to the public to keep them in other's good graces and away from the bottom caste. Whether intentional or not this is often done as to not be isolated or seen as differently from others; as of course, different is almost always prosecuted. Hey you, you reading this. Did you know humans are the only animal that has a bartering system?
~brrtz~
My pocket vibrated drawing me out from my thoughts.
「There is 1 new message from Kaede」
'She should know that I'm in class right now, surely she won't be annoyed if I don't respond right?'
「There are 2 new messages from Kaede」
'~sigh~ I suppose I'll open the message to see what she wants.'
「Noon. The Student Council Room」~2 mins ago
.
.
「Hey! Oi?!」~just now
'I suppose the second message was just to gain my attention.'
「Alright, I'll see you at noon then.」
「Dafuq?」
「Mf typing like a middle aged teacher LOL」
'It appears even in messages she insults me…'
"Quite the interesting conversation you seem to be having… In. MY. Class Wataru Sajou-kun." Ootsuki-sensei said in an extremely dark tone.
It appears I spent too long on my phone and drew attention to myself.
"Oh it wasn't that interesting Ootsuki-sensei."
"You…. ~sigh~. That's not what I mean, whatever just put your phone away."
"Yes ma'am"
The class continued as usual after that. While she would normally call on me to ask me a question of some kind I guess she gave up after failing to embarrass me so many times. Not that I mind, I end up with more time to monologue to myself to stave off the boredom.
◆
"So, why did you call me?"
"There are a lot of materials that I have to put together for the autumn school festival. Please help me. I don't have enough hands, so I had no choice but to ask you."
"I fail to see how that becomes my problem."
"You are good at office work, right?"
"...And?"
"Your part-time work. I know you were faking your age back then."
"What?"
According to my memory, that was during middle school. The old Wataru was doing his best to make Aika Natsukawa like him. And worked part-time on Saturdays and Sundays in order to obtain 'military' funds. Truthfully as time progresses I realise more and more just how many problems were left for me to clean up.
"What? What is it? Is Kaede's younger brother useless?"
"Nah, he's a serious and hard-working villager."
"Wait, aren't we in a city?"
"Kaede, did you perhaps forget to train your harem?"
Within some of the memories I had received there were a multitude of manga that the original had read throughout the years. Quite a lot of those manga had the 'harem' tag, it's a genre where a person has 3 or more people interested in them at the same time.
My sister Kaede tends to also be surrounded by men that have some interest in her.
~pfft~
"W..what are you talking about you IDIOT!?"
After her outburst I was "forced" to help my sister with her administration work.
.
.
.
"See you again tomorrow."
"What makes you think I'd help you again?"
"...I'll treat you to ice cream."
"Deal."
'How did she find out ice cream was my weakness? Well I suppose it isn't surprising considering every other day I'd walk home eating one.'
Parting in front of the Student Council Room and returning to my own classroom. Coincidentally, I went in the same direction with Yuuki-senpai, a second year student who is also part of the student council.
..To be honest I would rather not walk with him as it would draw more attention to me.
"Wataru-san, you see… Kaede-san was worried about you."
"...Pardon?"
"I was in trouble when I was asked a strange question like, 'Is there anything peculiar that makes a boy worried a lot when they are in the first grade?'"
"I'm sure you could just associate it with a problem like puberty?"
"I wondered who she was talking about. At that time, I wondered if she liked someone from the first grade. I didn't think it was about her younger brother."
'Ah, so is that the reason they were all gathering in the morning? If so, I can understand the menacing gaze of Todoroki-senpai. And, also the reason Yuuki-senpai asked me in detail about the relationship between me and my sister. Did they perhaps think I was a new love rival?'
"And then she said, 'Maybe I wasn't in time, maybe it was my fault."
"It isn't her fault though, I simply changed is all." 'Quite in the literal sense.'
"But Kaede-san feels that way."
"That's on her if she feels that way. There isn't anything wrong with me."
I wasn't about to justify my actions in detail to a sister whom I recently gained. If she felt as though the change was her fault then I'll let her be. It isn't as if the change is in a negative way. On one hand I could use her as a catalyst to teach me familial love; however, I act completely different to the original and no matter how I explain it she may see it in a negative way serving to deepen her pain. While I can make up a reason for my change, do I really want to?
"Kaede-san doesn't seem to be all wrong. Certainly, you look like you've given up somewhere."
"Are you meant to be the reincarnation of Franz Kafka? I don't recall asking for your observation senpai."
"Kaede-san said, 'We should have similar eyes,' but when I actually look at them, they don't even look remotely similar. So, I doubt whether you really are her younger brother or not. Not to mention you don't seem to care about her plight."
"You haven't changed your expression even once even though I'm telling you you're sister is hurt."
"If you intend to make me empathise, could you kindly get to the point and stop wasting time?"
"I dislike you."
"I don't see how that is meant to affect me, to the point senpai."
"I hope someone kicks your apathetic face in ~sigh~ Could you please… just talk to her?"
"Maybe."
"Is that a yes?"
"Who knows."
◆
Returning to my classroom I could see a crowd gathered at Natukawa's desk. From what I overheard they appeared to be exchanging photos of her little sister and talking about how "cute" she was. Based on my memories, her sister should be 5 years old. Well, I'd never seen or met her. Whenever the original would ask, Natsukawa would just look at him coldly.
"Your sister is cute… I'm so jealous…. Natsukawa-san, can't I kidnap her?"
'That's a rather concerning question.'
As I entered through the door on the back side of the classroom my and Ashida's eyes met.
"Ah! Sajo-chi! Look at Ai-chi's beloved sister! She's so cute!"
"I'll pass on that Ashida."
"Mou~ your loss mister stone face."
Recently Ashida and Yamazaki have taken to calling me "Stone face" and comparing me to the moai stones of chile. I of course, rebuffed by calling her a "gender swapped tarzan" to which she poked my back insulting me for the rest of the evening.
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Author note: I wanted to write this chapter a bit earlier to keep my momentum going but I got a bit busy so I apologise to everyone. This chapter may be a treat to everyone saying I butchered Ayanokouji's character as you can see he still thinks in gains and losses, the only difference is he is now more sarcastic and can actually have a damn conversation. So thank you and stop eating my head! Lmk if there are any errors or suggestions for stuff yall wanna see done.
Love y'all
pce out.