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 27

“Hey, Akari… are you sure you’re okay? They didn’t do anything to you, right?”

As we stepped into the hallway to return to class, Karin continued to fuss over me with nonstop concern.

“I’m fine, Karin. Look, totally unharmed!”

I waved both hands dramatically to show her I was alive and well.

“…But seriously, what is their problem?”

By they, she meant none other than Riko Saezuki, aka Miss Popular.

“I wonder… I really have no idea myself.”

Honestly, that whole forced confession at the beginning of the semester was still a mystery too.

Maybe she just really hates introverts or something…?

Scary. Seriously scary.

“Did you not say anything back to her?”

“Um… not really, no.”

In the end, I sort of just… accepted it.

“Doesn’t it bother you? Being talked to like that?”

“Hmm. I mean, when you look at it objectively, there’s a tiny bit of truth to it, I guess.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, when a plain background character like me walks with the glamorous Tsukimori Sisters, it’s natural some people would feel bitter about it.”

Karin immediately frowned at my answer.

“I’ve thought this before, but Akari, aren’t you being a little too self-deprecating?”

“Really? I think I’m being pretty accurate, to be honest…”

“…Well, whatever.”

Some might call it self-deprecation, but I call it an honest evaluation of my place.

“Anyway, what you did back there was amazing, Karin.”

“Amazing? Me?”

“Yes! Even though there were so many of them, the moment you showed up, they completely backed off!”

They were practically charging at me a minute before, and yet as soon as Karin appeared, they cowered. The contrast was overwhelming.

“Girls like that… they’re really obsessed with social standing, you know?”

“You mean the classic popular-vs-introvert hierarchy?”

“It’s not like things divide that cleanly. But, well, I am the student council president’s little sister.”

…Ah. So she’s saying her connection to Chiya, the student council president, gives her authority.

“They don’t want to do anything stupid that might make them enemies with Chiya. Losing their place in class would be a big deal.”

“Tut tut, Karin. You’re underestimating your own power.”

“Huh?”

That theory does make sense, sure.

But there’s a much simpler, more obvious reason—one Karin herself seems to have completely forgotten.

“Karin, take a look at that window over there.”

“What? Why?”

The window nearby was catching the light just right, showing our reflections clearly.

“Look. Do you see it now?”

“All I see is the schoolyard…”

“No, not that! Look at you—your reflection in the glass!”

“I mean… yeah, I see it, but—?”

Oh boy.

How can someone be so oblivious to their own charm?

“Look at those big, beautiful eyes. That perfect nose. Your shiny, silky twin tails!”

“Wha—whaaat? What are you even saying all of a sudden!?”

Good grief. I have to spell it all out?

Just how unaware can she be of her own presence?

“When a stunningly pretty and cute girl like you shows up out of nowhere, of course the average girl is going to back away!”

I mean, take me for example.

We’d only just started living together, and it was only recently that I could finally make eye contact with her.

So, for someone like Saezuki-san, who only just became our classmate, it’s no wonder that Karin was too dazzling to face head-on—anyone would want to run away.

“H-Hey! Pretty and cute—who are you even talking about?!”

…Huh?

How can she hear everything else, but somehow not realize that part was about her?

“I’m talking about you, Karin.”

“Geez, stop it already!”

Even as she says that, Karin is squirming and pressing her hands to her cheeks.

Honestly, she doesn’t look like she wants me to stop…

“Ahem…”

She suddenly clears her throat, as if trying to regain her composure.

Maybe she’s already in a different mood now.

“A-Anyway. Whatever Saezuki’s deal is, if anything dangerous happens, Akari—you come straight to me, okay? I’ll be there right away.”

Karin emphasized it firmly.

For her to worry about me this much… it must mean she really thinks of me as family now.

“Thank you. When that time comes, I’ll be counting on you, sis-in-law.”

Ahaha, I actually said it.

I was so happy to be treated like family, the words just slipped out.

“S-Sis… s-s-sis-sis-sis-in-law…?!”

Karin’s eyes darted wildly, and she kept repeating the word over and over like she couldn’t process it.

Something had clearly short-circuited.

“S-So I really am… your sis-in-law…”

She repeated it slowly, as if trying to convince herself it was true.

“Um, if it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t call you that again…”

“N-No! It’s fine! You can call me that anytime!”

With a cheerful hum, Karin strolled back into the classroom—strangely upbeat.