Chapter 26 Kanade Loses Her Composure Around Her Sister

Kanade Loses Her Composure Around Her Sister

Worried about my unusually quiet coworker in the presence of these beauties, I turned to look in his direction.

Atsushi looked like he had just seen something unbelievable, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Yeah, this doesn’t look good. Not at all.

“Hey, Atsushi—are you still with us?”

“…”

“…There is no response. It’s as if he’s a corpse. I’ve seen this before… Is something wrong with him?

“Well, he was shocked by what he saw just now. But don’t worry—he’ll bounce back soon enough.”

“…I see. In that case, there’s no need to call a psychiatrist.”

Hibiki responded with complete indifference, turning away from Atsushi like she couldn’t care less.

Then, as if remembering something, she started rummaging through her bag and pulled something out.

She bent down politely and handed me several pieces of cloth… wait, no, lingerie.

“…Nii-san, please accept this. It’s exactly what you wanted.”

—A working adult receiving lingerie from a high school girl.

From the outside, this scene could only be described as incriminating.

It practically screamed “criminal activity in progress.”

I sighed and pushed the lingerie back toward her.

“I don’t need this, obviously.”

“…Oh, don’t be shy~.”

“I’m not holding back or anything. Just put it back where it belongs.”

“…So, Nii-san, which one do you think is better?”

“Are we seriously ignoring everything we just discussed? Also, I don’t care about panties.”

“…Don’t say that. Please choose. The T-type, the sheer one… or maybe the string?”

“No, I’m not choosing.”

“Ah, as expected of Nii-san. These aren’t good enough for you, are they? You’ve once again defied my expectations. Truly, your desires know no bounds. I forgot you were part of the no-panty faction.”

“Stop making things up!”

When I snapped at her, she smirked wickedly, waving the lingerie in front of my face in a taunting manner.

I tried to wave her off, but she didn’t back down.

She moved the lingerie back and forth like she was trying to hypnotize me.

…What even is this?

If I made a wrong move, I’d fall straight into Hibiki’s trap. This was tricky.

While I was still figuring out what to do, Kanade returned, saw her sister’s antics, and hurried over, visibly flustered.

“Hibiki! What are you doing to Ariga-cchi!?”

“…I was deciding which lingerie would suit Nee-san better. I thought I’d have him help while we’re at it.”

“Enough with that! Put those down right now!”

“…I refuse. As a woman of the Amamiya family, ‘Retreating from the battlefield is a grave offense’.”

“There’s no such rule in our family!!!”

Wait, there isn’t?

I mentally voiced my surprise.

Hibiki always spouted stuff like that so convincingly that I assumed those “rules” were real family traditions…

To think it was all an act was honestly a bit of a shock.

I let out a wry smile as I watched the two sisters bicker.

Kanade reached out, trying to grab the lingerie from Hibiki.

Surprisingly, Hibiki handed it over without any resistance.

Kanade clearly hadn’t expected that.

Tilting her head slightly, she frowned.

“Um… I thought it was too early for Hibiki to have this kind of underwear, so I was going to confiscate it. But why are you being so cooperative?”

“…If it’s too soon for a child like me, then please wear them yourself, Nee-san. I already bought both, so we can’t let them go to waste.”

“When did you even buy these!?”

“…I preordered them yesterday.”

“Why would you do that!? I don’t need them!!”

Kanade puffed out her cheeks in frustration, raising her voice as she shoved the lingerie back at Hibiki.

“I’d prefer something more normal…” “But I don’t have the courage…” she mumbled to herself, though it was better to pretend not to hear.

Seeing her sister flustered, Hibiki smirked mischievously.

“…If Nee-san won’t wear them, then I’ll use this ‘adorable, man-ensnaring magical lingerie’ myself.”

“W-wait, man-ensnaring…?”

“…Yes, that’s how they were advertised. But it doesn’t concern you, right, Nee-san?”

“Oh, but…”

“…Hmm, what to do? Pairing this lingerie with the JK charm might be like giving a demon an iron club. If I use seduction tactics, Nii-san will definitely fall—”

“…Fall? No way. There’s no chance Ariga-cchi, who’s as stubborn and oblivious as a rock, would fall for something like that…”

Hey, stop casually insulting me like it’s nothing!

I grumbled silently.

Of course, I didn’t dare say it out loud.

If I joined this conversation, I’d definitely become their next target.

“…How naive. So sweet, like melted chocolate.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Hibiki? I’m not like that at all!”

“…Listen closely, Nee-san. Nii-san’s gaze kept drifting toward that lingerie. He stared at it for quite a while. This proves its effectiveness beyond doubt.”

“No way…”

“…Even if you don’t want to believe it, that’s the truth. Men are genetically programmed to be weak to such allure. It’s in their nature—it’s unavoidable.”

“Ariga-cchi, weak to lingerie…?”

“…Nee-san, take this lingerie and let Nii-san choose what he likes. Even if you don’t wear it, it’ll leave a lasting impression.”

“Hibiki, you’re a genius!”

“…As a woman of the Amamiya family, ‘Chase two rabbits, and catch them both’. Let’s deliver a decisive blow here, leading to beep (censored sound).”

“Th-that’s way too soon!!”

“…Nee-san, you can’t stay innocent forever. Use your assets wisely.”

“Gah…”

The sisters’ outrageous conversation continued, leaving me no choice but to act like I didn’t hear it.

Whatever Hibiki saw in Kanade to give her that advice, I decided not to question it.

…Couldn’t they discuss this when I’m not around?

My face was probably red with embarrassment, and I felt like my body temperature had gone up by five degrees.

If they’d done this at home, I could’ve just ignored it while sipping tea.

But here and now, that wasn’t an option.

So—

“L-look, you two. Can you take this conversation somewhere else?”

I stepped in between them to put an end to their exchange.

Then, I gestured for them to look around.

““““…””””

Sure enough…

All around us, store clerks and other shoppers were giving us silent but intense stares.

Mixed in were curious onlookers wondering what all the commotion was about.

Finally realizing her mistake, Kanade’s face turned bright red, like a boiled octopus.

Steam practically rose from her head as she trembled.

“N-no way. I-I’ll be right back—I’m going to the restroom~~~!!”

Kanade fled the scene at full speed.

Atsushi, still in a daze, Hibiki, and I were left standing awkwardly.

“…With Nee-san’s embarrassment out of the way, her assertiveness should increase.”

“You’re a demon!”

Kanade completely loses her composure around her sister.

By the way, it took her about 20 minutes to come back.