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 6

It’s morning—meal time.

In the living room, the Tsukimori sisters have all gathered around the dining table.

By the way, since Mom and Dad left early for work, they’re not here.

When do they even stay home, those two…?

But let’s put that aside for now.

On the table are toasts with a nice golden-brown crisp, yogurt, salad, and mineral water.

It’s a lineup that seems healthy.

I wonder, if I lived the same lifestyle as the Tsukimori sisters, could I become a little bit more beautiful?

“Did you wake up with bedhead?”

Chiya pointed it out.

…Sorry, I got carried away.

There’s no way someone like me could become as beautiful as they are.

The others were all already well-groomed.

I was the only one who came in with bed hair and pajamas.

“…I’m sorry. I came in just after waking up.”

“Well, we’re living together, so at least a little self-care is expected.”

“I’ll be more careful from now on…”

I messed up…

Well, lately, I’ve been thinking that it’s not so bad being pointed out by Chiya like this…?

“Well, well, it’s cute in its own way, don’t you think?”

Then, Hiyori’s soft voice.

C-could she be trying to help me…!?

“I wonder, when you’re around lazy people, laziness can rub off on you.”

“That’s just your assumption. Is there anyone who gets lazy while taking care of a baby?”

…Hmm?

Hiyori?

Is she covering for me?

“Ah, Hiyori, does that baby happen to be me…?”

“Yep. It looks like I have to take care of you like a baby. It’s actually quite cute, isn’t it?”

…Hmm?

She sounds really kind, but it also feels like she’s being very sarcastic, doesn’t it?

Is it just me being paranoid!?

“Oh no, I shouldn’t have. Should I have given you milk instead of water, little one?”

Hiyori clapped her hands together and said with mock regret.

Yup, I’m being teased, right? I’m definitely being teased here, aren’t I!?

“Chiya, Hiyori, you’re being too extreme. It’s just that I’m still getting used to the daily rhythm here. You don’t have to be so hard on me.”

It was Karin who bluntly spoke up.

Wait, but… is she the one defending me the most…?

◇◇◇

In the end, I was the last to finish eating, so I started washing the dishes.

Meanwhile, everyone else had finished preparing and headed out to school.

Honestly, I’m just grateful that I was able to see their backs as they left.

“What are you doing just standing there?”

“Wah, Karin!?”

I thought everyone had already left, so I couldn’t help but shout in surprise.

“I’ll wash the dishes for you. Go get ready.”

“Eh, no, really, it’s fine.”

“I said I’ll do it.”

“Ah, wait…”

The sponge I was holding was forcibly taken from my hand, and Karin took my place at the sink.

What’s gotten into her all of a sudden…?

“Don’t hesitate. Go fix your hair and put on your uniform.”

“I-I can really go…?”

“Yeah, go on. Hurry up.”

Ah, she’s so kind…

I quickly started getting ready.

“You’re so slow!”

“Eh?”

When I finished getting ready and came downstairs to the first floor, Karin was standing at the entrance.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Karin, facing away, started putting on her loafers.

Wait… Could it be…? Is this what I think it is?

“You mean, we’re going to school?”

“…Where else would we be going?”

Ah, that’s not what I meant.

What I’m actually wondering about is something else.

“I thought you would be going to school with your sisters.”

The Tsukimori sisters usually go to school together.

So this is a pretty rare sight.

And for me to be going to school with Karin, of all people, is just unbelievable.

“It’s fine, sometimes it’s okay to go separately. Now come on, let’s go.”

“Okay, I understand!”

I was hurried along as I left the house with Karin.

…What is this?

Next to me is one of the beautiful Tsukimori sisters, Karin.

Her long legs and arms move in a rhythmic manner, and with each step, her twin tails sway lightly.

Feeling this up close, heading to school with her… It feels like a dream.

“It’s frustrating, right?”

“No, I’m actually happy about it!”

Being able to go to school with Karin is the ultimate luxury.

“Why?”

“Eh?”

But I could feel a strong rejection in her voice, so I guess that wasn’t the answer she wanted.

Conversations are difficult.

“Look, about this morning, it’s not easy to be suddenly told something like that.”

Then Karin, breathing a little more heavily than me, started talking about this morning’s events.

S-she really cares about me…?

“Why don’t you just say how you really feel? I won’t tell anyone.”

“I’m touched.”

“So, why?”

I-I did it again. I said the wrong thing.

“Ah, no, I mean, I was surprised this morning, but what you said wasn’t wrong. And, um…”

“And?”

Karin tilted her head as if to ask, “Is that all?”

“I’m just really happy that you care about me like this, washing the dishes and even walking me to school.”

Yes, yes.

What both of you said was right, so the fault lies with me.

On top of that, to feel Karin’s concern for me like this—it’s so overwhelming, I could almost cry.

“…I-I’m not doing it because I care about you!”

“Eh?”

For some reason, Karin suddenly seemed to stumble over her words.

“I’m not worried about you at all! I was just in the mood to wash the dishes, and I just wanted to go to school at this time!”

“…Eh?”

But then, Karin raised her voice, seemingly frustrated.

“I was just concerned about the way your sisters treat you! I’m not thinking about you in any way!”

Her face turned red as she spat out the words.

Hmm… So that’s what it was…

“I see. I misunderstood, sorry.”

Since she’s denying it so desperately, I guess that’s the truth.

I must be overly self-conscious, as usual.

“No, don’t just believe it so easily!”

“Eh? So, which is it?!”

“Ah, well, it’s weird for me to say it, but… you were clearly acting like that!”

“Acting like what?!”

“Aaah, forget it!”

Karin started pulling at her hair in frustration.

“Karin, stop! If you do that, your beautiful hair will get ruined!”

“…!!”

Now Karin gasped and took a step back.

I really can’t read her emotions.

“Don’t suddenly say strange things! That’s so unrelated to the conversation, it’s shocking!”

“More important than what happened to me this morning is anything that could ruin Karin’s beauty!”

That’s definitely the most important thing, unanimously.

“…Ugh, this is messing with my head!!”

“I’ll calm down.”

“Forget it! Just be quiet!”

“Okay.”

If Karin wants me to be quiet, I’ll stay quiet.

“You’re too honest! What is wrong with you?!”

Even though I obeyed, Karin seemed flustered.

I still don’t understand why it ended up like this, but it was definitely a fresh sight.