My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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"why?"

"Modern Japanese people don't have children, and the country is moving towards a low birth rate and an aging population, so they don't have time to raise eels anymore."

"Oh, a social commentator~"

I said smugly, and Komachi whistled like a cobra [Note], making a "sounding" gesture. It felt pretty good. [Note 26: The protagonist of the manga *Cobra* by Takekazu Terasawa, who habitually whistles when surprised or moved.]

"Thinking about it that way, eels probably won't go extinct easily. Even the Japanese, who are naturally overworked and grueling, have survived. Maybe the Japanese value eels more than they value being overworked."

"Both of them will eventually become extinct..."

Really. Eels and corporate slaves are both living beings, you know? I'll seize any opportunity to comment on Japan's working conditions, showing my political interest, and maybe even get involved in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' 18-year-old elections in the future. Komachi ignored my ambition, tilting her head in thought.

"Hmm—it's okay if you don't eat eel. Komachi just ate it with her parents..."

"Right……"

Why ignore me, why forget me, why leave me behind? I also want to contribute to the extinction of eels! Well, I've been coming home very late lately, so I can't blame them.

Really? The three of you went to eat eel together...

Besides, my financial situation can't compare to my parents'. I guess I should give up on the high-end gourmet food route.

In that case, I should reward Komachi by using my unique strengths.

A surprise only I could pull off... Come to think of it, there doesn't seem to be one. The only thing I can brag about is having the cutest little sister in the world. And now the recipient of this reward is Komachi herself... What to do? This is a real headache...

"Hey, how about this? Want to go out and have some fun? You need to get some exercise after the exams. We can go play tennis with Totsuka, or go out with Totsuka."

I was troubled for a while, then suddenly had a revelation: "Mikun--!" [Note] Hey, am I a genius? The best way to reward the cutest little sister in the world is, of course, to play with the cutest friends in the world! I think I'm going to win! I won, hahaha! [Note 27: A line from the game *Fate* series, spoken by Tamamo-no-Mae. / Note 28: A catchphrase of the protagonist, Karasuma Chitose, from the same author's work *Girlish Number*.]

However, Komachi looked a little embarrassed.

"Hmm... this is a bit..."

She whispered, making a small X with her finger.

"Yes, really? Your brother wants to treat you properly..."

I didn't want to give up my dream of hanging out with Totsuka, but I didn't have the courage to suddenly ask her out, so I tried to persuade Komachi again. Unfortunately, she still shook her head.

"We don't know the result yet, so it's not necessary."

"Oh, I see..."

A reward that doesn't meet my expectations is meaningless. Komachi's opinion is the most important. In that case, what should I do...? Just as I was lost in thought, Komachi tugged at my sleeve.

"Hmm, so, isn't it perfect if it's just Komachi and her brother...? Doesn't that give Komachi a lot more points...?"

Komachi's gaze drifted elsewhere, as if trying to hide her slightly flushed cheeks. Her pitiful appearance made me inadvertently ask a question I shouldn't have.

"I don't mind... but is this really okay for you?"

Komachi faced me and nodded seriously.

"Mmm. This way it's cheap, easy, and convenient."

"Is this a compliment...?"

Since Komachi wants it this way, there's only one thing I should do—propose a plan that will allow the brother and sister to have the most fun.

"Okay, where should we go? LaLaPort, LaLaPort, or LaLaPort again? Why is it always LaLaPort? There's a vending machine over there that only sells MAX coffee! Let's go buy a can of M. It's absolutely delicious."

"No matter where you buy it, it tastes the same..."

Komachi, her previous pitiful demeanor gone, shook her finger and told me with a helpless expression:

"It doesn't need to be too grand, and there's no need to do anything special."

"Oh? It means—"

I leaned forward, waiting for Komachi's answer. She took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

"Komachi wants to go home and do housework!"

"Huh? What the heck...?"

It's so inexplicable. Ugh... I don't understand, I don't understand... I feel the Sappari fairy [Note] flying around me. Komachi ignored me and stood up. [Note 29: From *Magic Circle Guru Guru*, a fairy who keeps saying "Ugh... I don't understand, I don't understand" while holding a fan. "Sappari" means utterly confused.]

"That's it. Let's go home after we've finished shopping!"

"...Okay."

Regardless, letting Komachi do what she wants is my happiness. I got up and followed her back towards the supermarket.

╳ ╳ ╳

After shopping and returning home, Komachi immediately started doing housework.

Cleaning and laundry were a piece of cake for her, and she also efficiently prepared dinner. One second you could hear the rhythmic chopping of vegetables, and the next you'd hear the rushing water and the sound of dishes being washed. Komachi's ability to cook and do other things at the same time was truly admirable.

During this time, I snuggled up in my futon at the table, stroking my beloved cat, Xiaoxue, who was lying on my lap. The way I petted her, at first glance, resembled that of the leader of an evil organization.

I stared blankly as Komachi worked so hard, and the thought came to me that I should also help out.

"Do you need any help?"

I asked Komachi, who was in the kitchen, but she gave me a cold response.

"No need, no need. Brother, just stay over there and don't make things worse."

"That's so unfair..."

I buried my face in Xiaoxue's back and sobbed. Xiaoxue turned around and looked at me unhappily, and Komachi said impatiently:

"Who taught my brother to be so careless in his work? He doesn't even clean up after cooking."

"...Yes, that's right. I don't know how. Because it's too much trouble...I'm sorry, Auntie."

"Who's the aunt? Komachi is Komachi."

She protested vehemently, turned the faucet on tightly, wiped her hands with her apron, and walked back to the living room. She was probably almost ready.

"Besides, this is something Komachi wanted to do herself, so it's okay. She hasn't had time to do housework while she was studying hard, and she did a sloppy job with the spring cleaning."

She brewed coffee with a thermos. Even though it was instant coffee, the rich aroma still tantalized my sense of smell. As I smelled the coffee, Komachi came over with two cups, sat down diagonally opposite me, and handed me one of the cups.

"...Moreover, Komachi caused her mother a lot of trouble."

She seemed a little guilty. I took the cup, thanked her softly, and then told her what was on my mind.

"Don't worry. You've helped so much all the time, Mom won't mind. You're overthinking it."

"Hmm... okay, maybe so. But they're both very busy."

Komachi wore a helpless smile, seemingly not quite at ease yet.

In fact, my parents are very busy. I don't know when it started, but Komachi and I try our best to help with housework.

When Komachi was little, even though I was a bit clumsy, I managed to take care of most of the housework. By the time Komachi was in the upper grades of elementary school, her housework skills had easily surpassed mine. After that, housework mainly fell to Komachi. Because of this, my housework skills remained at a sixth-grade level.

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I've made my sister bear so much burden...

With Komachi preparing for high school entrance exams and my parents having a heavy workload before the end of the year, I, who have nothing to do, should do more.

"...I'm sorry, I really want to help. But, you know how it is."

I swallowed the bitter coffee, and my words were tinged with bitterness as well.

Don't get me wrong, I really did want to help! But, well, if I insist on helping when I can't do it myself, Mom will get angry...

Whenever I do chores, my mom nags me using what Komachi just said. Doing chores isn't a problem, but I can't meet her standards. Plus, cleaning is my worst skill; I end up cleaning the square room in circles like an old-fashioned robot vacuum…

Therefore, I changed my mindset; rather than causing trouble for my family, I decided to do nothing. However, I still felt a little guilty towards Komachi, who had to prepare for her exams.

However, Komachi didn't seem to care much, and chuckled.

"It's alright. It's just Komachi's interest."

"Do you do housework?"

Komachi pressed her fingers against her cheek, tilting her head in thought.

"Hmm... I guess so. Or maybe it's just a hobby of spoiling my older brother? Hehe."

After she finished speaking, she gave a cute smile.

"Oh my god, I feel your maternal instincts, I want to be taken care of by you. This is wonderful... a complete victory. Mama Komachi..."

I really wanted to shout "Machi-mama—" in my heart, and I actually said it out loud. Komachi looked disgusted.

"How disgusting. My brother is sick."

"Stop nagging and mind your own business. You're the one with that kind of interest, aren't you?"

"Right, right? The score is very high, isn't it?"

Komachi smiled smugly, nudging my arm with her shoulder repeatedly. She wasn't actually complimenting me, was she?

I glared at her sideways, but Komachi ignored me, closed her eyes, placed her hand on her flat chest, and let out a dazed sigh of ecstasy.

"Ah~ Just thinking about Komachi turning someone into a useless person makes me feel so good..."

"You're the one who's sick."

Komachi stuck out her tongue, winked, and tapped her head. Thanks to that exaggerated gesture, I knew she was joking.

As we laughed, Komachi suddenly regained her serious expression. She stared at the ripples in her coffee and slowly began to speak:

"...However, Komachi really enjoys doing housework."

"oh?"

"Well, Komachi is different now than when her older brother took care of her; she's learned to do a lot of things."

I glanced at Komachi, while she looked out the window into the distance.

"Komachi has things she can do, and she can be of use..."

At this moment, she was completely devoid of her usual childishness; her clear eyes exuded a mature aura.

"...This feeling is not bad."

That last sentence sounded a bit like a joke. The shy, bashful look on her face was that of the Komachi I knew.

I think young Komachi must have experienced anxieties I can't even imagine. From an age when she should have been able to freely be spoiled, her parents were often away from home, leaving only the completely unreliable me. Even so, although Komachi would complain, she still got through this period with me, and without realizing it, she even started taking care of me instead.

"Not only is it good, you've gone too far."

This little sister is so capable, while I, the older brother, am utterly useless. I genuinely felt this way, and Komachi puffed out her chest proudly.

"Because Komachi works really hard. Having a useless older brother greatly increases her sense of crisis!"

"Right? Aren't I the best negative example? I've unintentionally helped you grow again. Remember to thank me properly."

So, I flicked my bangs and tilted my head back in a smug response. To my surprise, Komachi actually nodded.

"Yes, Komachi is very grateful to her brother."

"what?"

Wait, this sudden frankness is making me unsure how to react... Isn't your reaction a bit off? I couldn't help but stare at Komachi. She cleared her throat, looked away, and mumbled at lightning speed:

"Actually, it would be better to say this after I pass the exam, but it would be quite embarrassing to say it then. If I fail, I won't be in the mood, so I can only say it now..."

She gave a series of opening remarks and climbed out of the kotatsu (heated table).

Then kneel properly and place your hands on your thighs.

Illustration 007

"what are you up to?"

Komachi stared at me with her back straight, which startled me. Yuki, who had been sleeping on my lap, also woke up and quickly moved away from me.

Unaffected by our presence, Komachi wore a refreshing smile.

"Brother, thank you. I've been so grateful for your care all this time."

She solemnly placed three fingers on the ground and slowly bowed to me.

I couldn't help but hold my breath. My thoughts came to a standstill. It wasn't just that Komachi's behavior was completely unexpected; her movements were so beautiful, so unlike anything I'd ever seen before. I think I was simply stunned.

I found myself speechless and hurriedly tried to think of what to say.

"...Have you gone stupid from studying so much? Don't do this, it's so embarrassing."

"Hehehe. I just wanted to say this. Komachi thinks it gets a pretty high score."