"I see~ So Shii-chan is Sota's little sister."

The "Onee-san" figure's name is Hagiwara Hana. As I mentioned, she's a nun from this world's church, but it seems she doesn't have many restrictions on her movements.

I'm not sure how a foreign militia like this can exist in Japan, a country with a proper autonomous government. If this were just a novel, I'd accept it as the author's decision, but this world isn't simply a fictional one. The background is exactly as I read in the novel, but for this world to exist, shouldn't there be some logic to it?

So there must be some political element behind it all that I'm not aware of. I don't want to dig too deeply into that right now.

By the way, even though there's a gap between real people and illustrations, if I had met this person separately for the first time, I probably wouldn't have recognized her immediately. She was indeed a striking beauty as described in the novel, but this world is overflowing with "beauties" and "pretty girls."

...But how did Yuuki recognize her? Especially when she first saw her in casual clothes, not even a school uniform.

Just intuition, maybe?

"Are you Sota's friend?" she asked.

"...I am currently Maid Kurosawa Kotone."

I deliberately tried to keep some distance by saying that.

Speaking of "onee-san"...

Considering my age when I first encountered light novels, she was definitely an "onee-san type" character. Since light novel protagonists are usually high school students, even someone just a year older than a freshman would be called "onee-san," and adult characters would be described as "exuding sensuality."

Those "sensual" onee-san characters were often in their early twenties, often college students.

...Onee-san, huh.

By my standards from my previous life, these are just kids whose "ink behind their ears hasn't dried yet," but they're called onee-san.

I feel like I might cry a little inside. Damn it.

"Hmm, a girl dedicated to her job. I like kids like that."

She seems to sympathize, perhaps because she's also in the cosplay field.

Come to think of it, she was really embarrassed when she first showed her nun outfit to the protagonist.

"S-Shii, have you been working in a place like this?" asked the childhood friend, looking somewhat shocked.

Her name is Nakahara Nanami. She has an energetic personality but gets good grades and is a bit strict—the dictionary definition of a childhood friend. She's the type that often appears in light novels of this era, who would wake up the protagonist in the morning or discover adult magazines under his bed—or at least, she should have been.

I say "should have been" because the one who wakes up Sasaki Sota in the morning is Shii, and the one who cleans his messy room is also Shii.

Because of this perfect little sister, this girl couldn't fulfill her childhood friend duties.

But that doesn't mean she gave up on the protagonist.

"It's just a part-time job, miss," I politely answered on Shii's behalf.

"U-um? S-sorry!"

"Well, Nakahara-chan. It's just a job. All we do is serve coffee while wearing maid uniforms. It's not good to look at it with colored glasses. Besides, Sota's little sister is here too, right?" Hagiwara said in a leisurely voice, but with a sharp edge.

"I-I didn't mean it that way!"

She totally did.

A maid cafe doesn't involve anything extraordinary. This applies to other maid cafes that became popular later too. Usually, they just take pictures with you, sing songs, draw pictures with ketchup on omurice, and things like that.

If they actually provided "services," the Japanese government, which is quite strict about the entertainment industry, wouldn't leave them alone.

"Yeah, yeah. It's not good to discriminate against people based on what they wear."

Hagiwara muttered in a voice that seemed to come from deep within her heart.

Well, technically both Shii and I are working illegally, but there's no need to point that out. It's not like we've ever been caught.

"By the way, I was really surprised when I found out Shii works here."

Sasaki spoke to me, perhaps trying to change the subject as Nakahara started glaring at Hagiwara.

But...

"...What would you like to order? Master, and ladies?"

I completely ignored his comment and asked that instead.

If I'm not in the middle of a harem, I have no intention of handling someone else's mess.

Besides, Shii didn't call me over to resolve this anyway.

After looking back and forth between the smiling Shii and me, Sasaki soon realized I had no intention of getting involved between these two people. With a slightly deflated expression, he ordered coffee.

The childhood friend Nakahara ordered a cafe latte and shortcake. And the senpai Hagiwara, like Sasaki, just ordered coffee.

Nakahara seemed a bit shocked that she was the only one who ordered dessert. And she was the only one who ordered cafe latte too.

Well, it's not that strange.

I bowed politely again and returned to the counter with the order.

"Senpai, senpai."

"...Yeah."

"How did they look? Those two don't seem to be that close to my brother yet, right?"

"...Yeah."

I nodded as I answered.

Seeing me like this, Shii's expression darkened a bit.

"Ah... did I cause trouble? By calling the three of them over..."

"...No."

I don't think so.

Although the cafe was tucked away in a secluded spot, it had gained a decent reputation through word of mouth.

In fact, I met Sasaki and Shii again when they happened to visit this cafe together.

Someday, if Sasaki gets a girlfriend, he might bring her here too.

It was a bit annoying, though.

"It's fine. They're just customers."

"R-right?"

Shii's expression brightened again.

If only my sister had been like this, how nice would that have been.

...

No, that's not right. If my sister had suddenly become like this, it would have been terrifying. Unless she had broken my computer or pushed over my figure display case, there would be no reason for her to act so cautiously.

Well, now I can't hear that chattering voice anymore.

"...Are you satisfied?"

"Ah, yes. But I should keep watching a bit more..."

"That's fine then."

I nodded and went back to work.

Shii quickly followed and started helping me.

...Meanwhile, the other two maids working with us were whispering as they looked at Sasaki's table with two girls and one boy, but since those three probably couldn't hear them, I guess it doesn't matter.

Well, the onee-san Hagiwara might have heard, but since she's pretending not to notice, I decided to leave it be.

*

Shii and I work exactly three hours on weekdays. Our shift ends just after eight o'clock.

Sasaki was waiting outside for Shii until then.

The childhood friend and onee-san on either side of him were a bonus.

"Shii, let's go together."

"Ah..."

Shii looked back at me.

Usually on workdays, Shii returns home with me. I usually treat her to ramen for dinner. Usually the cheapest menu item, though.

Of course, Shii is considerate enough not to always let me treat her.

I always refuse when Shii offers to pay first, but these days, we more often pay for what we eat ourselves.

Not going back with me meant giving up that time together.

"I'm fine with it."

"Oh, do you two usually...?"

I nodded at Sasaki's question.

"Um... would you like to come with us?"

The childhood friend and onee-san looked at me simultaneously.

There doesn't seem to be any wariness... Both of them are fundamentally good people. The childhood friend goes without saying, and the onee-san, though a bit mischievous, was on the side of keeping peace.

But you know, I didn't want to be stuck between harem members.

If I were a man, I might have considered it. None of those girls would like me romantically, but at least I wouldn't be treated as "part of the harem."

When I shook my head, Shii bowed deeply as if truly sorry.

"I actually have somewhere to stop by."

That's what I said.

"Really?"

Of course it's a lie.

"Yeah."

But I answered with confidence.

Even after hearing that answer, Shii still looked a bit uneasy, so I waved my hand and left first.

Well, I'm used to walking alone anyway. This is Japan, right? One of the countries with the best public safety in the world, not just in East Asia, so there's no need to worry that much.

...Though I have been targeted by a stalker before. But that was just bad luck at the time.

After walking a few steps like that.

I heard the sound of running behind me, tap-tap-tap, and then someone tapped my back.

"Hey."

When I turned around, there stood the onee-san... no, Hagiwara.

"It's dangerous for a girl to be alone on a night street like this. Let me go with you to wherever you're going."

"..."

I stared up at her face.

And I looked at Shii too.

Shii was looking at me pitifully.

I let out a light sigh between my lips.

*

Let's have a light meal on the way home.

Sasaki suggested that, and with Hagiwara and Nakahara agreeing, the five of us ended up having dinner together.

The menu was tonkatsu, different from usual.

It was the tonkatsu restaurant where Sasaki had treated me last time.

There was still about an hour left until closing time. Perhaps they were targeting Akihabara employees getting off work?

"You've become good friends with Shii."

Sasaki said that while looking at Shii sitting next to me.

I nodded.

We see each other 4 days a week, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we see each other almost all day, so conversation was inevitable.

Of course, neither of us talked about ourselves in detail. There were too many awkward stories for that.

"Aren't you friends with Sota?"

Nakahara asked.

"We're in different classes."

"Oh... I see?"

And Nakahara Nanami was also in a different class. After meeting him again, she often lingered in front of his classroom to meet Sasaki... according to the light novel.

"How do you two know each other if you don't meet that often?"

Hagiwara Hana asked.

"...We met by chance."

I answered briefly. There was no other way to describe it.

The questions from the two continued, subtly seeming to check me out but not quite. In a way, Sasaki probably learned more facts about me from this exchange than he had known until now.

"Hmm."

Hagiwara tilted her head and looked at me. Her well-maintained hair slid off her shoulder smoothly, like a shampoo commercial model's. I was honestly a bit impressed. My hair is long too, but I could never maintain it like that. Even if I knew how, I probably couldn't stand the process.

As I stared at Hagiwara, who was looking at me and tilting her head,

"Hey, could you possibly—"

She started to ask something but quickly closed her mouth.

All the kids sitting at the table turned their attention to Hagiwara.

...Did she notice something?

I thought maybe as a yokai hunter from an ancient religious organization, she might have noticed something, but I quickly dismissed the thought.

Even Yuuki didn't recognize me when she first saw me, so how could this person?

"Oh, no, nothing."

No, what is it?

But it didn't seem like hearing it would be good, so I just ate my tonkatsu without responding.

It was delicious, as expected.

How could something that combines meat and fried food not be delicious?

...If only I didn't have to worry about tuition, I'd eat this every day.

I let out a small sigh and focused on my meal.

Seeing the atmosphere, no one asked me any more strange questions.

*

The next day, during lunch break.

The sky was quite clear today. The rainy season wasn't over yet, but it seemed like the period of heavy rain was coming to an end.

Should I go to the Literature Club room and wait, or should I go up to the roof?

After serious consideration, I took out my phone.

[I'll be on the roof today]

After sending that message, I soon received a reply: [Got it].

...

Hmm, thinking about it again, I really am getting bread for free every day.

It's not like I'm extorting bread from her. If anything, it's closer to Yuuki giving charity.

After getting bread for almost an entire semester, it might be right for me to start paying for my own food.

But if I suddenly say "I'll pay for my own food from tomorrow," the sensitive Yuuki might get hurt.

Maybe I should test the waters a bit.

With that thought, I put my phone in my pocket and headed for the roof.

The first-year classrooms in this school are on the first floor. The third-year classrooms are the same. The new building is quite wide, so there's not much lack of space.

Of course, you can't fit all classrooms from first to third year on the first floor, so the second-year classrooms are on the second floor.

To get to the roof, I naturally had to pass through the corridor where the second-year classrooms were concentrated. It wasn't particularly time-consuming, though.

I wasn't trying hard to get up quickly; I was just leisurely climbing to the roof with my legs relaxed.

The weather was still heading toward midsummer, and if I used up my non-existent stamina trying to climb up, I might collapse before reaching the top.

With my arms hanging down and my back slightly hunched, I was wobbling up to the upper floor—

"Hey!"

Someone called out to me.

As I was passing near the second-floor corridor.

"..."

I turned around to see who had called me.

It was Hagiwara, whom I had met yesterday.

Seeing me standing on the stairs going from the second to the third floor, Hagiwara looked a bit surprised.

Why?

I tilted my head.

"Do you have business on the upper floor?"

Hagiwara asked.

I shook my head.

"No."

"I... see?"

Her eyes kept going back and forth between me and the stairs.

No, so why?

"Could you tell me where you were going?"

"..."

I thought for a moment.

I didn't want to say the roof. If I did, the question "why?" would follow, and the only answer I could give would be "to eat lunch on the roof."

And that... was a bit... you know.

As I got older, eating alone didn't bother me at all, but in my teens, not having friends didn't feel like something to be proud of. There were hardly any kids standing alone in the school cafeteria without friends. Unlike workplaces or universities, making friends in high school wasn't that difficult.

While it wasn't as extreme as eating in the bathroom, it was still an answer that might feel awkward.

I'm fine with it, but the concern that would follow made me a bit uncomfortable.

"Why?"

So I asked back.

"Huh?"

"Why do I need to tell you where I'm going?"

At my words, Hagiwara looked a bit flustered, which didn't suit her.

In the light novel, she had a position like a "relaxed onee-san," but in reality, she's still a teenager. At that age, life experience is limited to school life, and for some kids, part-time jobs.

"..."

Seeing that Hagiwara had lost her words, I silently turned back and continued climbing the stairs.

Getting involved would be extremely tiring.

It's better to leave Hagiwara for Sasaki, and I'll live my own life—

"Excuse me."

Is this person usually this persistent?

I turned around again.

From the third floor up, there were other classrooms needed for school lessons: music room, audiovisual room, computer room, science lab, cooking room... In short, there were hardly any people during lunch break.

Hagiwara's voice echoed slightly in the corridor.

"Perhaps."

After starting like that, Hagiwara hesitated for a moment, then looked at me with a determined face and said,

"Perhaps, were you the girl who went to the infirmary with blood flowing from your head, supported by another girl?"

"..."

Ah.

Now I get it.

This person had also heard the rumors.

But that rumor is already several weeks old. At first, there was a bit of a commotion and eyes directed at me, but it didn't take long for it to die down.

Unless there was something wrong with my head, the only conclusion would be "maybe they saw wrong" or "the rumor must have been exaggerated."

The first-year students who see me almost every day would certainly have lost interest, but second-year students don't often see me. They probably just heard that there was such a girl in the first year.

How should I answer?

"It's you, isn't it?"

Seeing that I didn't answer, Hagiwara seemed even more convinced.

At this point, denying it would only raise more suspicion.

"I slipped in the bathroom."

I answered.

"...I see?"

Hagiwara answered like that, then looked at the stairs I was about to climb again.

"But why are you going to the roof?"

"..."

How did she know... but then again, the only place to go via these stairs was the roof. There was no reason for me to go to other classrooms.

Hagiwara was looking at me silently.

Wait, no.

Hold on.

Don't tell me this person thinks I'm going to take my own life?

"..."

Judging by her serious expression, that seems to be exactly what she's thinking.

"It's not like that."

I reflexively said that, but my denial seemed to deepen Hagiwara's suspicion.

What should I say here? Should I make a logical rebuttal? That it's been several weeks since that incident, so why would I suddenly think about suicide?

But that might be digging my own grave in a different way.

As I was struggling with these thoughts,

"...What are you two doing?"

I heard Yuuki's voice coming up the stairs.

Hagiwara and I looked at the stairs simultaneously.

Yuuki was holding a piece of bread in each hand, looking back and forth between me and Hagiwara.

...

This conversation seems like it's going to get complicated.