Compatibility 6.『Spending a peaceful time with my female friend’s younger sister』


Despite being always together at school, Mikiri’s often found hanging around after class. We share the commonality of being in the go-home club, and working part-time a few days a week If we have free time, we hang around, if there’s work, we kill time in the cafe.

But sometimes, Mikiri gets called over by her classmates and today is one of those days.

「Sorry. The girls dragged me to the karaoke and I can’t say no」

Mikiri bows as she’s holding her bread. I laughed.

「You didn’t make any promises, did you? Go have fun」

「If you ask me, I find it more enjoyable to chat with Mamoru while drinking cofee」

Mikiri tapped my shoulder hard as she whispers softly.

「See you tomorrow then」

「Sure」

After parting ways with her, I wondered how I’ll spend my time until my job shift starts. I guess I’ll wander around the building since we got time.

The school is noisy after school. I hear the shouts of encouragement on the field. I also hear the sound of instruments in the wind ensemble club. The seniors are skilled and the freshmen are still awkward.

「They’re putting in a good effort」

I mean, I can hear the instruments from all sorts of places. The wind ensemble club were told they can practice anywhere they like, such as empty classrooms or hallways. Whether it was group or solo. Thanks to that, I don’t feel lonely wherever I go.

I went to the courtyard. This side is quiet. The wind is cool so I think it’s a good place to practice. I scanned around and spotted someone sitting on a bench in the shade. Casually peering in, I saw a young girl sitting there.

「..Suu, suu… Suu, suu…..」

A girl with medium length hair clutching the clarinet to her chest. That’s Mikiri’s sister, Tochika-chan. She was probably practicing here, but fallen asleep due to the comfort.

「That’s careless of her. Well, it should be fine since the school has good safety record, but still」

Just to be on the safe side, I’ll watch over her. I settled next to her. I glanced sideways and Tochika-chan was mumbling herself in her sleep.

「Mascarpone….The pone…cute」

What is she talking about.

Must be some kind of play of words? She’s even cute when sleep talking. I smiled.

The leaves are rustling from the gentle breeze. The soft sunlight is filtered through the trees. This is a good place to sleep for sure. This kind of situation might be great to earn for reading. It’s a shame that I don’t have paper books but e-books instead. It’s not that charming, but it’s still better than nothing.

I took my phone out of my pocket and I was reading a popular novel recently when I felt a soft weight on my shoulder. I looked to the side and I saw Tochika-chan resting her head.

「Suu, suu. Fufu…」

Tochika-chan, you’re being defenseless. Some might start thinking weirdly if they allow such an innocent and cute girl snuggle with them. I have to protect her.

「Suu, suu…Fuah?」

After a while, Tochika-chan woke up. She looked at me with her drowsy eyes and tilt her head, looking puzzled.

「Good Morning」

I smiled at her, but then she suddenly blushed.

「M-Mamoru-senpai? Why? Ah!」

She hastily backed off, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, tapping her mouth repeatedly.

「I’m sorry. M-My drool. Did I get some on you?」

「I don’t think so. Not that it matters」

「You should worry about it!」

Tochika-chan was biting her cheek, writhing in agony.

「Uuu, why does Senpai keep finding me only in my embarrassing moments」

「You having a nosebleed wasn’t that big of a deal. That was the sun at fault for that」

Well, it might be embarrassing for girls to be seen like that. Not that I know. The hearts of women are hard to understand.

Tochika-chan placed her hand on her chest, took a few deep breaths, and looked at me curiously.

「Mamoru-senpai, why are you here?」

「Hmm. It’s quiet, don’t you agree? This is a nice spot」

「I like this place too. This has always been my practice location」

Tochika-chan is clutching her clarinet to her chest with a serious look. The clarinet looks like it’s seen a lot of use even though she’s in her first year. Speaking of which, I heard that she was also in the wind ensemble band in middle-school.

「While we’re at it, why don’t you play a song?」

Right after I said it, I wondered if she might be embarrassed to play, which made me regret it. But Tochika-chan nodded lightly.

「Yes. Then, here’s something I like」

Then, she raised her clarinet, playing a song beautifully. She’s good at this. I closed my eyes naturally. I listened to her.

When she ended her performance, she bowed. I gave her an applause.

「How was that?」

「That was great. How do i say this… That was a Ghibli song, right?」

「Yes. 「It’s the theme song called “A cat’s repayment”, it’s my favorite song」

I remember it now. That was an idyllic song. That suits Tochika-chan perfectly.

I showered her with compliments.

「The song’s also good, but it’s mostly because you played it so well. It was dignified and impressive」

「Eh, ehehe」

She’s blushing. Seems like she like it.

Tochika-chan took her clarinet and put it on her case, letting out a sigh. And she reached out to the sunlight filtering through the trees with a calm gaze.

「I’m bad at talking to people. I often get stiffened up in front of others. But, having an instrument gives me a sense of wonder and courage」

「So, why did you start playing wind instruments」

When I asked, Tochika-chan nodded bashfully.

「Onee-chan’s always been able to do anything. While I was a complete failure. I might’ve just wanted something I could hold on to with confidence, something I won’t lose」

「I see. That’s wonderful」

I gently brushed Tochika-chan’s hair. I think it’s wonderful that she has an older sister who’s capable and successful, and have that gentle spirit that allows her to discover her own strengths. Isn’t it amazing that she’s cute, and has a good personality?

She blushed, but she didn’t stop my hand. She closes her eyes, feeling comfortable, like a dog being patted.

「Tochika-chan, I think you have a lot of things Mikiri don’t」

「…Fufu」

Tochika-chan covered her mouth, then giggled.

「Mamoru-senpai, you feel like a big brother」

「A big brother you say? What kind of virtue from past life did I accumulate to become your big brother?」

「Hehehe」

Seems like the phrasing hit the mark and Tochika-chan’s laughing. Oh, so cute. I want to protect her!

After having a good laugh, Tochika-chan stood up.

「I need to return now. I had a great time talking, senpai」

「Me too. I get to take a good breather before my work」

I smiled. Tochika-chan clutched her clarinet case and looked up at me.

「Good luck at your shift. Onii-chan」

「Woah」

I aws stunned. Tochika-chan turned red.

「I-I guess I’m not doing that! It’s too embarrassing」

Tochika-chan’s cheeks were bright red, she then ran of trying to escape

She left me behind as I clutched my chest, murmuring

「Must protect」