#296

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“Happy Valentine!”

In the Shinra household, cheerful voices overlapped as Shizuku and Mom handed me two beautifully wrapped gifts early in the morning.

It was February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

In the world, it’s a day when women give chocolates to men. Recently, it has become common to give chocolates to same-sex friends as a sign of friendship, but the unchanged enthusiasm still colors not only the surroundings but also the streets.

And our house is no exception.

The small packages handed to me by my sister and mother were filled with chocolates from the corner to the corner, adorned with plenty of heart shapes.

If you’re not a sweet tooth, just this much could lead to heartburn.

“Thanks…”

It had become an annual tradition, but it’s always nice to receive something. After expressing my gratitude to the two, I turned my gaze to the other family member sitting on the sofa in the living room.

My father, who usually works overseas, was sitting at home today, reading the newspaper with an innocent expression.

The reason was simple; he had been eagerly anticipating Valentine’s chocolate from his beloved wife and daughter. Even in his busy schedule, this event was an indispensable and crucial affair for him as a father.

“…”

“What…?”

“Nothing.”

I unintentionally asked when I felt his gaze, but as if nothing had happened, he returned his eyes to the newspaper, and the words that came out of his mouth were short.

It seemed that his mood was a bit off, probably because of what I was holding in my hands.

On the table in front of my father, there was a similarly wrapped confectionery.

In terms of order, I don’t think there’s anything strange, considering that my father was awake early to receive it. However…

To my questioning gaze, Kaede spoke as if representing our father’s feelings.

“Dad is sulking because your chocolate is bigger, Nii-san.”

“Is he a child…?”

Come on…

Since it’s homemade, there might naturally be some difference in size. I’m starting to feel like the one sulking here is the one approaching forty.

As I sighed, Kaede raised her eyebrows, murmured in a low voice, and showed a slight smile.

“You’ll understand when you become a father. Whether you find a partner or not is uncertain, though.”

“You’re saying one too many things. Dad was probably the type picked up by Mom.”

Also, this father has children.

Regardless of the outcome, he was picked up by Mom, so I don’t want to hear anything about a partner from him.

“Come on, both of you, no fighting in the morning.”

As a chilly atmosphere lingered between father and son from the beginning of the day, Mom, who intervened, changed the air completely. Just like that, with a single word from Mom, I averted my gaze, and she moved towards the table after pouring vegetable juice into a glass from the refrigerator.

Observing the received gift once again, Mom added some information and opened her mouth.

“Kaede was so determined this year, she even asked your father for chocolates from overseas.”

“Oh, really…”

Even as my sister, admiration leaked out for her enthusiasm. However, there didn’t seem to be a reason to devote more effort than usual this year, as it wasn’t a celebratory year.

Looking at Kaede, who was praising herself, I easily got the answer from my sister.

“There seem to be many rivals this year—Shizuku-san, Rei-san, and even Akane-san. If that’s the case, I have to do my best too!”

“We’re a family, so it should be priceless.”

“After all, not wanting to lose to others is the heart of a maiden! Now, Nii-san, eat it!”

Kaede urged me to eat with her palm pushing my hand from below towards my mouth. I involuntarily flinched.

My stomach, speaking in the manner of a teenage guy, was saying it might survive with minor injuries, but it was definitely claiming that this wasn’t the first thing it wanted this morning.

“Starting the day with a sugar boost… At least after breakfast, please.”

While feeling a bit guilty against my sparkling-eyed sister, I considered begging for vegetable juice at least if breakfast was a no-go. As I returned my words, Mom, unsurprisingly, wasn’t silent.

“No sweets in the morning.”

Of course…

Not many parents would allow their children to eat sweets before having the breakfast their mother prepared.

Taking the package into my palm and placing it gently on the counter nearby, I moved the chair where Kaede and I were sitting back, and Dad moved to the seat opposite us.

“Recently, it seems like my Nii-san has been neglecting family service. So, this imouto wants her brother to show some family love before going to school.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

As I sat down, shoulder to shoulder with my sister, I raised the glass to my mouth with my left hand, while using my right hand to gently pat Kaede’s head, showing a somewhat perfunctory attitude towards my sister’s complaints. This might seem like a small thing, but surprisingly, it’s quite effective.

Smiling with raised corners of her mouth and closed eyes, Kaede presented a passive gaze, as if a cat were being petted. Oh, brother, my sister might be too cheeky, and I might be a bit worried about her future.

Will she be swindled by a bad person? It looks like a lifetime employment for the big brother is needed to protect her surroundings.

“Oh, if you’re going to provide a service to your sister, you should also be filial to your parents!”

“…Why do we have to perform a rigid family friendship drama on a morning with school?”

I unintentionally muttered my honest feelings in response to Mom, who leaned forward from the table, showing her competitive spirit. Unleashing a movie-like drama on family love right from the early morning is an excess of sugar compared to chocolates.

Finally, after sighing, I emptied the glass of the drink and picked up chopsticks to have breakfast. Kaede then leaned her head on my shoulder, making it a bit difficult to eat.

Eating like this is quite challenging.

However, this is Minato-kun’s quality; not pushing her away.

“What’s up?”

While reaching for the fried egg with my chopsticks, I asked. The eternal debate of whether to use soy sauce or sauce on a fried egg could be the subject of an everlasting thesis.

“Hmm, did you feel happy to receive chocolate from me, big brother?”

“Don’t ask the obvious. Is there a big brother who wouldn’t be happy to receive chocolate from his sister?”

“Then… more than from Shizuku-san and the others?”

“…It’s wrong to compare. There’s gratitude, but there’s no need for comparison.”

As I answered Kaede’s question, my sister smiled satisfied. It seemed like she was expressing with her expression that the expected answer had been received.

“Since I’m having breakfast, move away.”

“Just a little more~”

…The food is getting cold.

Even so, the undeniable evidence that I can’t push her away is my sister’s sweetness.

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