Chapter 68
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Ane Nats ~The Last Summer Vacation with Big Sis~
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Ah, seriously... These assignments are insane.”
It was an early summer evening when the pale blue sky was starting to blush red.
Miyano Akari sprawled out on the bed in her cramped one-room apartment and let out a sigh.
Her wavy light brown hair splayed across the sheets,
and her ample breasts rose and fell slowly beneath her thin T-shirt.
Sweat beaded on her healthily tanned skin, proving summer was on its way.
‘Vacation’s right around the corner, and here I am doing this.’
She couldn’t shake the thought that watching videos of her favorite band’s live shows would be far more productive.
“Aah~ This sucks.”
She’d thought attending college in the city would open up a dreamlike world.
But between living expenses and assignments, there was no breathing room.
“I just wanna drop everything~.”
She wanted to ditch the assignments, crack open a cold beer, and just lounge around.
Right then, as if mocking her desperate wish, a loud bell rang out.
She glanced at her smartphone screen. The caller ID read [Dad].
What’s he calling for at this hour?
“Hello? Dad?”
As soon as she held the phone to her ear, a familiar voice flowed in.
[Hey, Akari? You doing okay?]
“Eh, same old. Assignments are killing me. What’s up? Kinda late.”
[Nothing much. When’s your break?]
“Huh? Pretty soon. Why?”
[Well, here’s the thing.]
Her dad, who’d usually just get to the point and hang up, seemed to hesitate.
For a split second, a bad premonition flashed through Akari’s mind.
[Here’s the thing... Your mom and I suddenly have to go on a trip.]
“A trip? Suddenly? Where to?”
[Yeah. It’s our anniversary, and she’s always wanted to go to this hot spring. Reservation just opened up. We’ll be gone a few weeks? House’ll be empty.]
“That long? What about the guesthouse?”
Akari’s voice rose without her realizing it.
Sure, that guy was there, but...
A few days was one thing, but leaving the place empty for weeks would be tough.
[That’s why. Could you come down and watch the house? Doesn’t feel right leaving Yuu to handle the guesthouse alone for so long.]
“...With him?”
[Yeah. You’re on break anyway. Come back to your hometown, change of pace. Catch up with your little bro. Okay?]
Ah.
Her grim premonition had been spot on, and Akari sighed silently.
Spending most of her precious summer break in that boring rural village.
With him, no less?
Just thinking about it made her throat tighten.
“Dad, sorry, but I’ve got a ton of assignments this time and some important plans...”
[Aw, c’mon. You can do assignments at home. Yuu handles most of it anyway—you just help out. For your mom and dad’s sake?]
“...Haa.”
Akari pressed her hand to her forehead at her dad’s unrelenting tone.
Her parents knew full well how awkward she found her little brother, yet here they were. It felt unfair.
[Please, sweetie? We’ll pay you for your trouble when we get back.]
His mention of payment perked up Akari’s ears.
Being worked for free was one thing, but compensation changed everything.
She still hesitated at the thought of her brother, but mentally framing it as a few weeks of part-time work made it bearable.
“...Fine. But you better pay me well.”
[Thanks, my girl. We’ll be gone by the time you arrive, but we’ll talk when we’re back.]
After hanging up, Akari couldn’t help but smirk, recalling her dad’s genuinely delighted voice.
But thinking of the brother she’d see back home muddled her thoughts.
‘...It’s summer.’
“Right!”
While staring blankly at the ceiling from her bed, a sudden idea struck her. Akari bolted upright.
She grabbed her smartphone again and dialed a familiar number.
“Hey, Akari! What’s up?”
The cheerful voice of her boyfriend came through after just a few rings, brightening her face.
“Daiki~! Whatcha doing?”
“Me? Just at a PC bang with friends. Why?”
“Listen, I’ve gotta head to my hometown for most of summer break. Wanna come if you’ve got time?”
“Huh? Hometown?”
“Yeah! Parents are going on a long trip, asked me to watch the house.”
“Hmm.”
Unlike her hopes, hesitation tinged Daiki’s voice. Akari quickly added,
“Our village has this big festival at the end of August? Fireworks and everything. Would be so fun with you...”
She skipped the tedious details about chores or her awkward brother Yuu.
The important part was enjoying the festival with Daiki.
“Ooh? Summer festival?”
Interest sparked in Daiki’s voice at the word “festival.”
“Well... If I don’t have other plans during break, sure... Yeah! Let’s go.”
“Really? Yay! I’m so excited! I’ll get ready! Love you, Daiki~!”
“Love you too.”
The moment the call ended, Akari rolled around gleefully on the bed.
She’d been inwardly anxious lately—their relationship felt a bit stale.
But this summer break might reignite the spark. Excitement swelled in her.
A few days later, summer break officially began.
Akari and Daiki took trains and buses to her hometown, Natsuki Village.
As they neared, the earthy scent and grass aromas tickled her nose—nostalgic yet somehow stifling.
Daiki peered curiously at the rural scenery out the window,
though a subtle boredom shadowed his expression.
“There’s really nothing here.”
Akari forced a bright reply to his listless comment.
“It’s the countryside, duh! But the air’s nice, right?”
“Is it?”
By the time they trudged under the blazing sun to the guesthouse “Miyano’s,”
Akari spotted a familiar silhouette a few steps ahead, shimmering in the heat.
A young man sweeping the front with a broom.
He looked even thinner and more shadowed than half a year ago, but Akari recognized her stepbrother, Miyano Yuu, at a glance.
“...You’re here?”
Yuu noticed Akari and Daiki too, greeting them in a mosquito-like mumble, eyes fixed on the ground.
“Yeah. Long time.”
Akari waved half-heartedly, her tone awkward as hell.
“This is my boyfriend, Daiki. Say hi.”
“I’m Daiki, Akari’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you, little bro.”
Daiki offered a friendly smile and extended his hand.
His arm showed nicely toned muscles.
“...Miyano Yuu.”
Glancing at Daiki on Akari’s cue, Yuu gave a curt nod and returned to sweeping.
Daiki awkwardly scratched his head with the outstretched arm at the indifferent, dry attitude.
“Haha. Your brother’s shy, huh.”
“He’s always like that. Don’t mind him.”
Akari snapped curtly, glaring at Yuu’s profile.
‘Same as ever.’
The kid who used to trail after her calling “Nee-san, Nee-san” was just a childhood memory.
Now a full adult, he was nothing but a gloomy enigma.
“C’mon, Daiki.”
Akari grabbed Daiki’s arm and headed inside.
After unpacking and greeting the village folk she hadn’t seen in ages, evening rolled around.
Dinner was unexpectedly prepared by Yuu.
Helping his parents had honed his skills—the table held simple but neatly plated home cooking.
“Tastes good.”
It was praise squeezed out of Akari, but Yuu just silently worked his spoon without reply.
In the growing awkwardness, Daiki boldly spoke up.
“You staying here forever, Yuu? Guesthouse work tough?”
Yuu paused his chopsticks at the question but soon resumed eating wordlessly.
In the end, the meal dragged to a close in stifling silence.
As Yuu quietly cleaned up, Akari and Daiki headed to their second-floor guest room.
It was spotlessly tidied, likely prepped in advance.
“Use it comfortably while you’re here.”
“Yeah. But you and your brother don’t get along?”
Daiki asked bluntly while unpacking.
Was he oblivious, or just straightforward?
Either way, it was a tough question for Akari.
“It’s not like that. He’s just... y’know. Wasn’t like this as a kid. Sigh.”
Akari brushed it off with a sigh, and Daiki lost interest, flopping onto the bed.
“Where you sleeping, Akari?”
“Me? My old room on the first floor...”
Before she finished, Daiki patted the spot beside him.
“Parents aren’t here anyway. Stay with me?”
His voice was low and soft, stirring hesitation in Akari.
Sure, no parents, but Yuu was downstairs.
Still, the rare alone time and Daiki’s initiative melted it away.
‘...Whatever. We’re adults.’
Akari feigned nonchalance and sat beside him.
The silence didn’t last—his arm wrapped her shoulders, lips met naturally.
The kiss deepened, the room heating up.
Clothes scattered to the floor one by one as they explored each other’s warmth and tumbled onto the bed.
After intense lovemaking, an unfillable emptiness lingered in Akari’s heart.
Daiki slumbered contentedly beside her, but sleep evaded Akari.
It had been like this lately.
Her body heated up, pleasure was there, but the old thrill and satisfaction were gone.
She’d hoped tonight would be different.
‘Haa.’
Unable to sleep, Akari quietly slipped from bed, gathered her scattered clothes, and dressed.
She roughly fixed her messy hair and crept out.
“Hm?”
A creak from downstairs—someone heading to the entrance.
Only one person moved around the house this late.
‘Where’s he going at this hour?’
Before Akari could check properly, Yuu swiftly opened the door and vanished outside.
The slam echoed lingeringly in the air.
‘...He didn’t hear, did he?’
A wave of dread hit her, but she shook her head.
‘Who cares if he saw.’
Shoving aside the nagging unease, Akari returned to bed and tried to sleep.
But Yuu’s fleeting silhouette kept shimmering in her mind.
To banish thoughts of him, she forced herself to think of Daiki and the future.
Yuu was annoying, but making great memories with Daiki would make for a fun break.
Clutching unease and faint excitement, Akari drifted off.
The next morning.
Akari woke from oversleeping, messy-haired as she left her room.
Slept too much for break.
Did that guy open the guesthouse properly...?
No. Why am I worrying about him?
Scratching her head, she entered the living room—and out of old habit, looked for the absent Yuu.
“Hey, Yuu... Breakfast...”
Spotting a figure, she reflexively called his name but froze mid-word.
“...Kid?”
Maybe ten years old at most?
Youthful face.
Small build.
A child in oversized clothes stared blankly into space with huge eyes.
“Who’re you?”
Akari’s trembling voice pierced the quiet room. The child’s gaze shifted to meet hers.
A long, long silence stretched between them.
‘Who is this?’
A guest’s kid?
But no guests were staying now, she’d heard.
More than that.
A faint sense of déjà vu from the stranger warped Akari’s expression.
No way.
And that hazy image.
“...Akari-nee?”
Crystallized at the child’s words.
The pale child’s deep maroon eyes held not a child’s innocence, but something profoundly chilling.
