I am back – Chapter 149

“It doesn’t matter whether the roles have changed or not.”

I was happy knowing that my older sister was having such thoughts. The mere idea that someone I had liked since childhood was considering spending a lifetime together was enough to make me glad.

I absentmindedly touched the necklace hanging around my neck.

This necklace was the one my older sister had given me for my birthday. Ever since that day, I had worn it without fail. I wasn’t sure if she was aware of this necklace, but to me, it was an invaluable piece I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Then suddenly, a thought crossed my mind, and I took my hand away from the necklace to look at my own hands.

My hands were smooth. Even though I had been working hard, I wasn’t sure if a few months were enough to make my skin rough, or if it was just that my body’s durability was significantly better than that of an average person.

And on those smooth hands… there was nothing.

I never had a hobby for wearing accessories like bracelets. If it weren’t for this necklace my older sister gave me, I probably wouldn’t wear it every day.

Moreover, I received this necklace on the day that cleared up misunderstandings between us and made us realize the truth about each other.

Having such significant meaning, it naturally became something I wore every day.

However…

Even after we became lovers, there was nothing exchanged on our hands.

Just this one necklace given to me by my older sister was the only proof we had of being in a relationship.

In fact, it might not be that big of a deal. What mattered wasn’t the ring on our fingers, but our hearts.

Just like how my older sister didn’t pay much attention to my gender.

Still, the disappointment was unavoidable.

“…”

Well, there was also no reason not to do it.

The absence of rings wasn’t because we were worried others might find out; we weren’t thinking of announcing it publicly. It wasn’t like we’d break up if someone tried to interfere.

In a way, it just “happened.”

We met again so suddenly,


we confirmed each other’s identities so suddenly,


and we understood each other’s feelings so suddenly.

Even after moving in together and learning our feelings, we hadn’t actually said we were dating, so for a while, we were just in the position of people who liked each other.

Of course, none of these actions were done intentionally…

Then, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have one event happen by “chance” at least?

So, for example…

“Older sister.”

“Hm, yes?”

As I pulled my gaze away from my fingers and called her, my older sister answered awkwardly.

The confident demeanor she had shown earlier in front of Yoori had completely vanished.

Well, it made sense. The attitude she had shown wasn’t intended for me; it was meant to impress Yoori.

After the cheerful Yoori had returned home, all that was left was embarrassment.

My older sister had been cradling her red cheeks with her hands just moments ago.

“Uh, um! What! If you could just forget what I said earlier…”

It seemed she thought I would bring up what she had said a little while ago, and quickly blurted that out before I could say anything else.

“Huh?”

“What?”

When I asked back, she made a surprised sound.

And then her face turned red again. Whatever calm she had regained was completely gone.

“T-This too, please forget it…”

I found that version of her incredibly cute.

“…”

I turned my gaze towards the bakery entrance. There were no people outside. Occasionally, a passerby could be seen outside, but no one was entering the bakery.

Confirming that, I took a big step towards my older sister and stood close beside her.

My older sister, who had become so embarrassed that her demeanor was all crumpled, ended up being nudged towards the corner of the counter. Even though I hadn’t pushed her, she was squished up against the counter with both hands covering her face… to be honest, anyone passing by might consider the situation quite suspicious.

I glanced outside again. No one was there.

After confirming there didn’t seem to be anyone coming in, I turned my gaze back to my older sister.

“I don’t want to forget.”

“Uh, huh?”

“I don’t want to forget what you said.”

“…”

When I said that, my older sister glared at me through her fingers. I could guess she was biting her lips.

…Memories of childhood flooded back.

Our relationship was beautiful and joyful, but that didn’t mean it was completely one-sided with me just following her around.

As we grew older, we both became more reserved, but we were still those kids who spent our childhood together.

To me, my older sister seemed really mature, but to her, I guess I was just a kid her age.

She would sometimes tease me.


Although she definitely didn’t engage in any serious teasing.

She might poke my cheek with her finger and act aloof or suddenly pull me into a hug.

Of course, as we grew older, those moments became a rarity. Even hugs happened only on very special occasions, so it had been quite a while since we displayed such playful behavior with each other.

For some reason, it felt nice to return to those times.

I’m a little taller than my older sister now. Besides, she was shrinking into herself with embarrassment, so as I cornered her against the wall and blocked her escape, she had nowhere to run.

And honestly, I thought I could take charge of this situation since it had gotten this far.

“I’ll never forget.”

“Why?”

As I leaned in closer, feeling our bodies start to touch, my older sister shivered slightly as she spoke.

I slowly wrapped my arms around her waist while leaning against the wall, saying, “You said you wanted to get married.”

“…”

Her eyes, which had been briefly visible between her fingers, vanished completely as she covered her face with both hands, trembling.

“I want to marry you too.”

“…”

In that moment, my older sister froze completely.

After a brief silence, she slowly lowered her hands.

Below her hands, I could see her eyes peeking out, round and wide with surprise, staring at me.

She looked so startled that her eyes weren’t even trembling.

“Let’s get married, okay?”

“…”

My older sister stood completely stiff. Her body was still soft and warm, though.

Slowly, the hand that had been partially covering her face began to lower.

At last, her mouth being revealed was half-open.

…Why was she making such a face now when she had just said she wanted to get married?

No, wait.

Just like how the feelings of confessing differ from those of being confessed to, maybe the feelings of proposing and receiving a proposal are also different.

“…”

“Ah.”

As I stared at her seriously without saying a word, my older sister suddenly seemed to realize I was waiting for her answer.

Then her eyes, which had been fixed on me, began to wander.

“I-I… Of course, yes.”

She answered like that.

“…Why the sudden formal speech?”

I asked, but my older sister had already hidden her face behind her hands again.

“…”

Then, as I quietly watched her hidden behind her palms, a sudden urge to tease her arose.

I glanced around again. No one was coming in.

Surely, this must be the goddess’s blessing.

…Well, I know that saying this while doing something like this would probably anger the goddess. She was a very refined person, from her attire to the clothes she had given me.

But then again, she used to be a pontiff in her previous life, so it makes sense.

I looked back at my older sister.

No matter how much she covered her face, her ears were still exposed. After all, human hands can only cover so much.

So I leaned in closer to her flushed ears and said loudly, “Smooch.”

I deliberately made the sound loud as our lips met.

“Ugh!?”

It must have echoed loudly in her ears.

And in that state, I continued without breaking the kiss.

“My older sister.”

“…”

No response.

“Shall we go get rings today?”

“…”

Still no answer.

But I could feel her head nodding slightly, and I sensed a smile through the barrier of our lips.

I hoped she would be smiling too.