ch41-ch60 · 053-ch52

Chapter 52 - Fellow Younger Brothers

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Our group had grown by the time we reached Rock Kitchen, but we made it.

There were about three parties eating at tables. Since we'd come a bit after the lunch rush, only two people were in line. Yep, just as planned—nice and empty.

Would've been a pain for other customers if we'd all shown up during the busy hours.

"Alright, let's go."

"Ah, wait, lemme fix my face real quick."

Sumi hurriedly opened her compact and started fussing with her bangs and checking around her eyes.

We don't even know anyone here, so what's with all the effort?

"Ah! Ai-saaan!!"

Ah, there we go. Someone we know.

Waving enthusiastically from across the street with a huge smile was Kiri's younger brother Kan-na, a third-year middle schooler.

He used to run up to me like an excited puppy, but now he's more like a Saint Bernard... no, make that a polar bear. A big ol' polar bear.

Once he got close, I had to look completely up at him.

"Kan-na-kun, long time no see~ You've gotten bigger again. How tall are you now?"

"Yes ma'am, 182cm!"

Huge... and not just tall but broad too. Figures, being in the judo club and all.

He's always smiling and adorable when it's not tournament time—hard to believe he does judo.

"Hey, Kan-chan, how come you're only greeting Ai? I'm right here too."

Mirror freshly put away, Sumi spoke up with mild displeasure.

"Ah, Sumi-nee, 'sup."

"That felt~ super light. Am I bein' disrespected here?"

"That's not it. This guy's just been attached to Ai since he was tiny."

Kiri smacked her brother's back a few times.

"So, how'd your match go?"

"I won."

Kan-na-kun said it like it was obvious. He's so strong~

Apparently he practices with high schoolers too, so middle schoolers probably don't stand a chance against him.

"Ah, you must be Onaki Kan-na-kun from judo. You won the national middle school championship last year as a second-year."

Shudo-san made a classic "aha!" gesture, clapping his hands together.

"Yo, Onaki here."

Kan-na-kun gave a slight bow. Not some martial arts pose—just a normal greeting.

"Shudo-san, you're knowledgeable about other sports too."

"My second older brother specializes in martial arts and combat sports. I hear all about notable competitors from him."

Hearing the conversation between Rei-chan and Shudo-san, Kan-na-kun's eyes went wide.

"Could your brother be Shudo Kai from MMA?"

"That's right, you knew him well. Maybe because he used to do judo?"

"I watched the All-Japan when I was in elementary school! He kept winning by ippon, he was so cool!"

"Haha, though he lost in the finals."

Apparently Shudo-san's older brother placed second at the All-Japan Judo Championships at age 20 before switching to mixed martial arts. Quite the athletic family.

As the guys got deep into sports talk, Kiri leaned in close to me and whispered.

"Fighters and judo athletes are strong and all, but after seeing Ai's Papa..."

"...I don't think you should compare them to people from another world."

I mean, transforming is basically cheating. That's something completely different from regular athletes.

"Hey~ a table opened up, let's go already~"

Pointing at Rock Kitchen, Sumi urged us on. She must be getting hungry. Well, me too.

"Sorry, sorry, made you wait. Alright, let's go."

The mature Shudo-san wrapped up the conversation and quickly agreed with Sumi.

Alright then, let's all have a late lunch together.

"...Wait, didn't Kan-na-kun already eat lunch?"

"Yes! But I've still got plenty of room!"

Middle school boys are always hungry, and with that big body of his, of course he is.

Kiri did say her "brother will eat endlessly if you leave him alone."

If I ate more, would I grow taller? Another 20... no, at least 10cm...