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 32

“You know… isn’t it about time you started speaking casually with us?”

It was during breakfast with everyone.

The one who brought it up, as if it had just come to her, was Karin.

She was clearly looking straight at me—so I knew the comment was directed my way.

“C-Casual speech…?”

“Yeah. I mean, sure, you’re our stepsister now, but we’re the same age, right? Isn’t it weird to keep using honorifics?”

“Um…”

“What, is that a problem?”

O-of course it’s a problem!

Even though I’m technically part of the family now, I’m still at the very bottom of the social ladder—a total background character.

Meanwhile, the three of you are at the absolute top—the Tsukimori Sisters.

Just being seen with you gets me weird looks from the rest of the class. If I start speaking casually with you on top of that…

I don’t even want to imagine the fallout!

“A-Actually, I’ve kind of gotten used to speaking politely… so I was thinking I’d stay like this…”

I tried to decline as gently as I could.

But Karin’s expression only grew more and more disapproving.

“Come on. Don’t you think it’s strange to stay formal forever? Normally, people our age talk casually.”

Ugh… I mean, I’m honored she’s saying that. Truly, I am.

But that’s a line I just can’t cross.

“B-But Hiyori-san also uses polite speech…”

I’m sorry, Hiyori-san. Please forgive me for dragging you into this as my excuse.

When mentioned, Hiyori tilted her head slightly and gently placed a hand on her cheek.

“If we’re just talking comfort~ I’m totally fine with switching to casual speech anytime, you know~?”

“Wait, Hiyori-san casually switched her tone!?”

This feels so off!
And that shift in speech pattern was way too dramatic!

Now she sounds like a completely different person!

“See? Even Hiyori-nee can flip it on and off like that. So Akari, you should try too.”

“N-No, that’s not normal! People can’t just shift their whole personality like that!”

“But think about it. Hiyori-nee’s been calling you Akari-chan from the beginning. You’re the only one still being formal from start to finish.”

“Even so…”

Maybe it’s fine for Hiyori-san, since she’s an actual sister.

But I’m not—I was an outsider not that long ago. It’s different for me.

“Well then, how about we start by changing how you call us?”

Karin’s eyes sparkled with determination.

Why she looked so thrilled about this, I had no idea…

“No more honorifics. If you use -san again, I’m not speaking to you.”

“T-That’s so harsh…”

But I couldn’t keep dodging forever.

So I gathered my courage and—

“K-Karin… sama…”

“Why did you make it even more formal!?”

Ughhh… I can’t do this!

Why are you being so mean about it!?

“Come on! Say it properly!”

“Karin… kyou…”

“Who even is that supposed to be!?”

I don’t know either!!

“You don’t have to add anything. Just say the name—simple!”

“Ms. Karin.”

“That’s not after the name, sure, but now you stuck something in front of it! That still counts!”

Ughhhhh…

I can’t. I just can’t.

This is why I’ve always been alone—my communication skills are nonexistent.
And now that I’m being asked to rebuild how I speak to people, I’m totally paralyzed.

“…Alright. If you’re going to be that stubborn, then we’ll settle it with a test.”

“A test…?”

“That’s right. Midterms are coming up, and I know you’ve been studying. But so have I. If I win, you drop the polite speech. If you win, I’ll let you talk however you want.”

Ughhh… and now she’s gone off the rails!

“Oh my. That sounds like a rather interesting challenge.”

Suddenly, Chiya-san broke her silence.

“W-Wait, Chiya-san! There’s nothing interesting about this at all—!”

“Why not? Haven’t I been personally tutoring you? This is the perfect chance. Accept the challenge.”

Hiiiiieee…
So much pressure…

“I’m going to get crushed by Chiya-san’s pressure…”

“Come on, even Chiya-nee is saying it. There’s no running now.”

“Ugh… okay, okay. I understand…”

There was no escape—not after all this.

I had no choice but to steel myself.

“…By the way, is it alright if I join the contest too?”

“Eh?”

Out of nowhere, Chiya-san suddenly said something unexpected.

“W-Wait, what do you mean, Chiya-nee? You want to join?”

Naturally, Karin was just as confused as I was.

“I mean… if I win against her… then she’ll call me by name too.”

C-Call Chiya-san by name!?

That’s impossible!!

At least with Karin, I might be able to pass it off as a joke.
But with Chiya-san, no one would ever take it that way!

I could already imagine it:

“Did she just call Chiya by name?”

“Who does she think she is?”

“Unbelievable.”

I’d be the center of every whisper and glare in school.

“Oh, how delightful~ I’d love to join in too,” said Hiyori-san, casually jumping in for fun.

This is wrong—so wrong.

Everyone’s completely misunderstood how academic tests are supposed to work!

“Wait a sec! That’s not fair! Chiya-nee and Hiyori-nee are top students! Of course they’re going to beat Akari!”

Exactly.

This “challenge” only made sense because it was between me—a red-flag for failing—and Karin, who isn’t exactly a model student either.

If I have to go up against the two most brilliant sisters in the house, the outcome is already set in stone!

“…And your point is?” Chiya said without a shred of guilt.

“Exactly~ It just means Akari-chan will be calling us by name soon~” Hiyori added sweetly.

The two older sisters… had zero doubts about their guaranteed victory.

“T-That’s not fair!”

“Karin, academics are a free pursuit.”

“She’s right. This is a perfectly equal contest~”

…Excuse me, but—
Let’s take a step back here.

Why did things end up like this?

“Um… may I ask something?”

Since there was no space to naturally jump into the conversation, I hesitantly raised my hand.

The three sisters all turned their gazes toward me at once.

It seemed I had permission to speak.

“From the very beginning… why are you all so intent on making me call you by name?”

I mean, I really didn’t understand it.

If anything, I thought using honorifics with someone like me would be expected… even appropriate.

“Well, you know, it’s just… that kind of vibe?” Karin said, suddenly averting her eyes and fumbling her words.

You started this!!

“Ufufu. Don’t you think calling each other by name is a lovely thing~?” Hiyori offered, though vaguely enough that the actual reason was still unclear.

“…If you have time to worry about that, wouldn’t it be better spent studying?” Chiya added coolly.

Even though she’s the one who joined the bet, too!

Why!?

Why is everyone suddenly being so evasive!?

Are we close?

Are we not?

I can’t tell anymore!!