Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 31

Board Game Café.

It’s not just a café filled with various board games.

Its very nature sets it apart from your typical café.

Ordinarily, a café is something you enjoy alone—perhaps even more so when you’re by yourself.

You sit quietly, sip your coffee or nibble on sweets while immersed in a good book. That’s the standard way to enjoy a café.

But a board game café is the complete opposite.

It’s meant for groups—people gathering to enjoy games together.

If I had to compare it to something, maybe it’s like a darts bar?

…Not that I’ve ever actually been to one.

Anyway, I digress.

The real charm of a board game café lies in the kind of fun you can’t find anywhere else.

I was thinking about that while waiting near the entrance for the other three.

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“Hi there, onii-san!”

“Hey, Haruki—”

I turned reflexively at the sound of her familiar, bell-like voice—and froze.

Haruki had her usual blonde hair tied into a side ponytail, and wore her trademark shades of blue and navy.

That part was fine. A little flashy, maybe, but nothing outrageous.

In fact, she looked ridiculously cute.

The problem was what she was wearing underneath.

A plain white shirt that left her midriff boldly exposed, paired with a leopard-print mini-skirt that looked like it could reveal her underwear with the slightest movement.

Let me just say it plainly: way too much skin showing.

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“Come on, onii-san, this is totally normal for a gyaru.”

“There’s no way this is normal! This is absolutely not okay!”

“Ehh, but it’s a date, isn’t it?”

“It’s not like I’m the only one who’s going to see you! That’s exactly why I’m worried!”

Because of how revealing her outfit was—and how naturally pretty Haruki already is—she was drawing an absurd amount of attention.

And not the good kind.

The glances from nearby guys were clearly not respectful. I mean, I get it, I do—but that doesn’t mean I want to leave her looking like this in public. I have to protect her.

Just then, Haruki glanced around, smirked, and said:

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“Wait… are you worried about me?”

“Of course I am…”

“Heh, thank you. That actually makes me kinda happy.”

She flashed a mischievous smile.

Seriously, is she even understanding what I mean the way I mean it?

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“Then why don’t you be the one to protect me, onii-san?”

“…I mean, yeah, I will…”

I stepped a little closer to her and shot a glare around at the guys nearby.

Not that I had any clue whether that would accomplish anything.

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“Hey, onii-san, look that way for a sec.”

“Okay… why?”

“No reason, just do it!”

What now?

I didn’t really understand what she was up to, but I turned around as she asked.

A minute or two passed—maybe longer.

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“Guess who~?”

“Whoa!”

Thin, graceful fingers suddenly covered my eyes.

Well, tried to—because of the height difference, she couldn’t fully cover them, which somehow made it even cuter.

Of course, I immediately realized it was Haruki wrapping her arms around me from behind.

I turned around with a wry smile at her little prank—

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“Whoa…”

—only to be stunned.

Her outfit had completely changed.

Gone was the overly revealing ensemble.

Now she had on a gray hoodie that covered her midriff and shoulders—where did she even get that?

The only thing still exposed were her thighs.

Well, very healthy-looking thighs, to be fair…

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“What’s wrong? Hoping to see a little more?”

“That’s not what I meant. I just wondered where that hoodie came from all of a sudden.”

“Well, we’re meeting your friends today, right? I mean, I can’t exactly show up in front of a bunch of guys with my stomach and shoulders out like that.”

“So… you were aware of it?”

“Of course. I could totally feel your pervy gaze earlier, onii-san~”

“…There’s a chance that was all in your imagination.”

“Oh, look at you, turning away. You’re so easy to read!”

She grinned and poked me in the cheek.

A little annoying—but also adorable. It’s a tough balance.

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“…Wait, so why is it okay for you to dress like that in front of me?”

“…”

Hey, don’t just go quiet on me!

Now I’m the one getting embarrassed.

Even through her makeup, I could see Haruki’s cheeks turning bright red.

I felt my own face heating up in response.

This was getting awkward.

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“Well, well, look at these two being all lovey-dovey.”

“Right? Turns out the ridiculous couple making a scene is our ridiculous couple.”

“…How long have you two been standing there?”

I shot a glare at Marco and Honoka, who had joined the conversation so naturally it startled me.

Anyway, with that, our group was finally complete.