arc2 · 041-ch41

Chapter 41: My Little Sister's Popular?

side Soramine Umi

Mom got better! Thanks to Onii-chan getting his hands on expensive medicine for us, she seems to have made a complete recovery. I'm so glad. Just the thought that Mom might disappear made my whole body shake uncontrollably. I couldn't show that in front of Onii-chan, who was trying so hard, but the truth was, I was scared out of my mind.

But it didn't come to that. Thanks to the amazing Onii-chan!

What's more, Onii-chan even prepared a present for me. I never thought he'd actually get them, but he got autographs from every single member of Hyakka Ryouran. After all, Hyakka Ryouran is an explorer party, not an idol group. I'd never heard of them giving autographs before, and somehow they seem incredibly valuable.

"So then, I'm heading to university today, so make sure you lock up properly when you get back, alright?"

After eating the breakfast Onii-chan made and getting ready for school, Onii-chan called out to me. Recently, Onii-chan has been attending university. Up until a little while ago, he was always holed up in his room.

What's more, Onii-chan started working too. Thanks to that, we were able to buy the potion that would cure Mom. I liked the Onii-chan who loved video games, but I like the current Onii-chan even more!

I put my textbooks, notebooks, and the Hyakka Ryouran autographs into my slightly tattered backpack. What will everyone say when I hand these out? They might be too rare to even guess. But I made a promise, so I can't just not give them out. I'd better warn everyone not to show them off too much.

"I'm off!"

After finishing my preparations, I said my goodbyes to Onii-chan and left the house.

▽▽▽

"Morning~"

"Oh, Umi, morning!"

As soon as I arrived at school, my best friend Satsuki called out to me.

"Huh? Did something good happen? You look like you're having fun!"

Best friend as always. Even though I tried not to show it on my face, she saw right through me.

"Heheh, just a little! Oh, that's right. I have something to give you, so do you have time after school?"

I'm pretty sure Satsuki-chan wanted Kaoru-san's autograph, right? Will she be happy when I give this to her?

Takashi-kun, Rei-kun, and Hayato-kun, the three of them, should be Himehana-sama fans. I have three of Himehana-sama's autographs, so I'll invite those three too. Then there's Takako—what should I do about her? I do have Kureha-san's autograph, but for some reason I'm not really feeling like just giving it to her normally. I'll put that on hold for now.

Maybe because I'm in such a good mood today, classes felt faster than usual. I told Takashi-kun and the others to stay after school during break time, and all that's left is school lunch and PE, so easy peasy!

After eating the oden from school lunch and breezing through the vaulting box class, we entered the closing meeting. Takashi-kun and the others were so excited for after school that they weren't listening properly to the teacher and got scolded.

Then the bell rang and the closing meeting ended. Finally, the after-school we've been waiting for. While everyone hurried home, Satsuki-chan and Takashi-kun's group were intentionally getting ready to leave slowly. After all, we're giving out presents in the classroom.

I did get permission from the teacher, but that teacher is staying in the classroom, which makes it hard to give them out...

"Hey, by present, do you mean... that thing? Don't tell me you actually got it!?"

Takashi-kun was leaning forward impatiently, like he couldn't wait any longer. Right, I mean, once I gathered these people together, it's obvious what I brought, isn't it?

Bang!

"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho! Leaving me out and plotting something suspicious, are we?"

"Suspicious, isn't it, fugh!"

"You're definitely plotting something!"

To my surprise, Takako and her lackeys burst through the door with great momentum. Where did they catch the scent? Incredible sense of smell. Even the teacher was completely taken aback by their intensity.

Well, no need to pay them any particular attention, so I'll just proceed with things on my side.

"Um, first, this is for Satsuki-chan."

I took out Kaoru-san's autograph from my backpack and handed it to her.

"Hey, Umi. Is this possibly Kaoru-sama's autograph..."

Ah, it looks like Satsuki-chan noticed too. She figured out right away that the autograph she was seeing for the first time was Kaoru-san's.

"Yeah. You said you wanted one, right?"

"Well, it's true I said I wanted one, but I never thought I'd actually receive it..."

Oh, I thought she'd be more happy, but her reaction is unexpectedly quiet. Maybe she realized the value and can't find the words?

"H-hey, does the fact that you called us three mean..."

Takashi-kun gulped. Behind him, Rei-kun and Hayato-kun were clenching their hands tight. Did they want it that badly?

"Mm-hm, here you go."

I took out three of Himehana-sama's autographs and handed one to each of them.

"Whoaaaaa! Thanks, Umi! I'll definitely treasure this!"

Unlike Satsuki-chan, the three boys were jumping around in joy. If they're this happy about it, it was worth giving them out! Though they don't seem to really understand the value.

"Gyeeeeee! Is that really!? Aren't those Hyakka Ryouran autographs!?"

Everyone flinched at Takako's sudden scream. Including the teacher, of course.

"Cough. To think I would show such an unsightly appearance. So, Umi-san, of course you have one for me too, don't you?"

"You do, don't you, fugh!"

"You definitely have one for me, don't you!"

Hmm, now that it's come to this, it would be mean not to give Takako one too. I don't need it anyway.

"Um, Takako, it was Kureha-san's autograph, right? Here you go."

I handed Takako the autograph with slightly complicated feelings. But this is probably the right choice. Being left out is hard. And if Onii-chan found out I was being mean, I think he'd be sad too.

"Right here right here right here, this is Kureha-sama's au-au-au-au, autograph!?"

Rarely, Takako's hands are shaking—she's always so high and mighty and never shows weakness to people. Maybe she actually understands the value of this autograph after all.

"Umi, is this possibly the only one in existence?"

Ah, looks like Satsuki-chan figured it out.

"I can't say for sure, but if there were other Hyakka Ryouran autographs, it would've been a huge topic already, so I think for now, this is the only place they exist. So, don't brag about it too much, okay?"

After hearing my answer, the boys who had been making noise stopped moving and just stared wide-eyed. Boys are seriously interesting.

"Um, Umi-san. I will graciously accept this. From now on, if anything troubles you, feel free to consult me. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho! Come along now!"

"Takako-sama, wait! We haven't received ours yet, you know! Fugh!"

"Takako-sama! What about ours!?"

After receiving the autograph, Takako said something unlike herself and immediately left the classroom. I wonder, was she embarrassed? But it's good she took her two lackeys with her. I didn't have any for them anyway.

Ah, that's right. There was one autograph left over. Rin-san's. Come to think of it, our homeroom teacher Ken'ichi-sensei said he was a fan of Rin-san. I'll give it to him as thanks for lending us the classroom.

When I gave the autograph to the teacher, he cried with joy, but apparently it got back to the principal later, and it became a bit of a problem. I'm sorry...