I Confessed to the Three Beautiful Sisters at School and Got Rejected, but After I Became their Stepsister, They Started Doting On Me (GL) - Chapter 19

“U-Um…”

“What are you hesitating for? You’re the one who asked to study, remember?”

Even as Chiya-san’s cold gaze pierced through me, I found myself unable to move.
There’s a good reason for that.

It’s all because of this place.

“Uhm… this is my first time in your room, so…”

To my surprise, she had brought me into her own bedroom.

“So, what—are you saying you’d rather study out in the living room where people pass through all the time?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

Chiya-san’s room was filled with monochromatic furniture, everything streamlined and minimalist.
It gave off a cool, emotionless air, yet was so meticulously organized that it practically screamed “Chiya.”
It was calm, orderly, and distinctly hers.

“Then there’s no issue studying here, is there?”

“Actually, it’s the opposite. I find it hard to focus here…”

“…I’ll ask just in case—why is that?”

Because this room is too much like Chiya-san.

It’s like being inside her, if that makes any sense.

Which is to say, if I had to put my current state into words—

“It feels like… I’ve stepped inside Chiya-san, and it’s making me nervous.”

Eep.
I actually said it.

“…This is the first time in my life I’ve ever questioned someone’s sanity to this extent.”

Ah. That’s bad.

She’s totally weirded out by me.

She even took a step back. Yep, she’s retreating.
This is really bad—my whole goal is to get closer to her, not scare her off!

“W-Well then, maybe we should just use my room instead?”

“I refuse.”

“Eh? Why not?”

I was happy she invited me into her room, so hearing her outright reject mine… kinda stings.

“Well, let’s see… I suppose I’m afraid you’ll consume me or something like that.”

“…Chiya-san, isn’t that basically the same thing I just said?”

Either way, the emotional damage is real.

“Ah…”

Chiya-san’s eyes widened slightly, as if she realized I had a point.

What would she say to that?

“Even if our thinking is similar, it doesn’t mean we perceive it the same way. Enough with the nonsense—let’s get started.”

Heh…

So Chiya-san did acknowledge that we think alike, huh?
I bet she really wanted to dismiss me completely, but she couldn’t.
That’s kind of adorable, actually.

“Eheheh.”

“…Why are you laughing like that?”

“Because I’m happy to be on the same wavelength as you, Chiya-san.”

“…You’re such a weirdo.”

Chiya-san only muttered that under her breath, then gestured for me to sit at the desk.

◇◇◇

“—And that’s how you solve it.”

“Ahh, I see…”

About two hours had passed since we began studying, and we decided to take a little break.

Chiya-san’s explanations were precise and considerate. She adjusted her wording and pace to match my level of understanding.
Honestly, she could start tutoring professionally.

“…You’re not as hopeless as I thought. You’ve got a decent head on your shoulders.”

Maybe I managed to solve enough problems to earn that compliment from her.

“Oh no, it’s all thanks to your excellent instruction, Chiya-san!”

“Since you said you flunked finals, I was expecting much worse. Seems like if you’d studied even a little, you’d have been fine.”

“Ahaha… Honestly, if I’m not interested in something, I just can’t get myself to engage.”

I’m the type who can’t commit unless I’m genuinely invested.

Which means I tend to let class lectures go in one ear and out the other.

“You’re so extreme.”

“Am I?”

Well, if Chiya-san says so, maybe I am.

“…Then why are you so fixated on Hiyori and Karin?”

Seated right beside me, Chiya-san turned to look me straight in the eye.

Maybe it was time to answer her sincerely.

“It’s not just them. I’m fixated on you, too, Chiya-san.”

“And why is that? Ever since you arrived, both Karin and Hiyori have started to change. They laugh more. They seem happier.”

“W-Well… that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Oh gosh.
Getting praised by Chiya-san feels ten times more embarrassing than I expected.

“But if your intentions are impure—if your feelings stem from lust—I can’t overlook that.”

Even so, Chiya-san remained firm.

If my feelings were rooted in romantic desire, she couldn’t, as their sister, turn a blind eye.
She believed that wouldn’t be right.

But I can say with certainty—my connection to the Tsukimori sisters isn’t driven by something so shallow.

“Answer me. Why do you want to get close to us?”

“Because… I’m your stepsister.”

“…What is that even supposed to mean?”

If I weren’t their stepsister—if I were just Akari Hanano, a regular student—
I probably would’ve remained a distant admirer, watching the Tsukimori sisters from afar until the end of my school life.

But I’ve come to understand something.

“By living together as family like this, I’ve gotten the chance to truly know you—Karin-san, Hiyori-san, and you, Chiya-san.”

“…That’s not an answer.”

“No, it is. The time we’ve spent together… it’s made me want to wish for all of your happiness.”

I know it’s presumptuous of me. But even so, I can’t help but hope for it.

Especially if it’s something I might actually be able to reach, even just a little.

“That’s why I just want everyone to get along. You’re sisters—it’s sad not to be able to speak your hearts to one another.”

“That’s just you forcing your values on us.”

“That might be true. But I grew up an only child. And living like this, as your stepsister… it’s been really fun, you know?”

“……”

“That’s why I believe real sisters like you three could enjoy it even more—if only you’d let yourselves.”

I don’t know how she took those words, but Chiya-san looked down at her feet.

Her long black hair slid forward to veil her face.

“…I understand what you’re trying to say.”

“I’m glad.”

I exhaled in relief.

“That’s enough studying for today.”

Clatter.

Chiya-san stood from her seat.

Her tone gave no clue as to how she was feeling.

But still—

“Please wait. You haven’t given me your answer yet.”

“—!”

I reached out and grabbed her hand.

Startled, she turned reflexively, her long black hair swaying with the motion.

Her eyes wavered.

I was certain—Chiya-san was conflicted.

“Let go.”

“No. I won’t. Not until everything’s out in the open!”

—Knock knock.

“Don’t—!”

—Click.

“Excuse me, I hope I’m not interrupting~?”

“Wha—someone’s—!”

Flustered, Chiya-san’s eyes darted toward the door, as if silently begging for help.

But I wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily.

“You can’t hide behind that! I won’t stop until you show me the real you!”

“Y-You…! Do you even understand the situation…!”

“Eh? What do you—”

Chiya-san’s demeanor suddenly shifted as her eyes turned, sharp and focused, toward the door.

A bad feeling crept over me, so I followed her gaze—

“Oh my, oh my~”

Wearing her usual serene smile, Hiyori stood in the doorway, holding a tray with tea and delicate sweets. Steam rose from the cups, the scent unmistakably black tea.

“H-Hiyori-san…?”

“Ufufu, pardon the intrusion.”

She made a quick about-face and stepped back into the hallway.

“Enjoy yourselves~”

—Clack.

The door shut behind her, that gentle smile never wavering.

“……”

“Even you should be able to understand the situation now, so I’ll spell it out.”

“…Yes.”

“This is my room. And we are currently alone.”

“………Yes.”

“You grabbed my hand and said, and I quote, ‘I won’t let go until it’s all over’ and ‘It’s useless to hide—I won’t stop until Chiya shows her true self.’ Correct?”

“………………Yes.”

“Now, when someone hears ‘true self’ in this context, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to imagine something like—oh, I don’t know—nudity, or something similarly disheveled and exposed.”

“……………………………Yes.”

“And to top it off, you’ve already admitted to having certain… feelings… toward us three sisters. Feelings which hint at more than familial affection.”

I… I can’t stop sweating.

“Wait, why did Hiyori-nee just leave the tea like that and walk away?!”

“Ufufu, it seemed like it wasn’t needed after all.”

“Liar! Hey, those two didn’t… do anything, right?!”

“Not yet.”

“Yet?! What do you mean yet?!”

“Karin-chan, you mustn’t interrupt the grown-ups.”

“We’re all the same age! This is way too suspicious!”

Even from behind the door, their back-and-forth was clearly audible—only making my nervous sweating worse.

“Begone, you shameless degenerate.”

“Y-Yes ma’am!!”

Aaaaaaahhhh.

I was so close…!!

Frustrated and flustered, I left Chiya-san’s room behind me.