22 - IMOUTO?

Knock-knock.

Two soft knocks from the door woke me from my sleep. I guessed the person knocking was Nagi because of the routine he always do.

But why is he just knocking this time? Doesn't he usually wake me up by yelling and pressing his face against my window?

Well, he hasn't been doing that much lately. The reason is that I've started to wake up by myself without his help. All thanks to my nightmare about Nagi's kabedon.

I yawned, my eyes still heavy since it was still very early. With all my strength, I forced my body to get up from the bed.

Creeeak...

I unlocked my bedroom door; for some reason, those two gentle knocks at the door made me feel a sense of déjàvu.

Through the gap in the door, I saw a little girl in her sailor uniform, which meant she was still in middle school. The color and style of her twintail hair immediately made me recognize who she was, not to mention her bright pink hair lighting up the whole side of my room.

"What...?" The girl stared at me in confusion. Seeing her act that way made me feel confused too. I knew this girl, but I hesitated to greet her, afraid I might be mistaken.

She looked a lot like someone I knew, but this girl had grown much taller than the last time I saw her.

The girl observed me seriously from top to bottom. "Who are you...?" she asked, bewildered.

I SHOULD BE THE ONE WHO ASK THAT!

I responded by examining her as well. However, she instinctively covered her chest with her both arms. "Pervert..."

Huh?

Who is this girl? Suddenly coming into someone's apartment and waking me up without no reason. She was also checking out my body without my permission, but when I returned the favor, she called me a pervert.

Should I call the apartment owner...? So she could get kicked out.

"Wait wait wait!" The girl waved her hand in front of my face in a panic, apparently realizing my intention to kick her out. "I-I'm not a chicken you can just shoo away!"

I sighed wearily, nodding my head weakly. "Yeah, yeah..."

"Can I call you big sis?" the girl asked.

"Sure."

"Big sis, I'm sorry. I swear. I'm not a weirdo or a crazy person like you think! Please don't kick me out!" she said, looking down.

"My reason for coming here is just to see my big bro. I thought this was the right apartment because my mom said so... But it seems like I'm in the wrong place," she continued.

I just nodded along without paying much attention to her words, even though I thought this was our first meeting. My ears already hurt just from hearing her words and voice.

Even though she was a stranger, and her face was pretty, but for no reason, just seeing her made me feel annoyed.

Do I recognize this girl? Could she be my childhood enemy? Why do I feel so annoyed only by her presence?

"If you don't mind me asking, how old is your brother?" I asked, confused.

"Ah! If it this year... Then... He should be 16 years old."

16 years old...?

I shrugged slowly. "I don't know; it seems like you're in the wrong apartment. Try send some message to your mom again," I suggested.

"A-ah! Okay!" The girl quickly took her phone out of her bag. She seemed to be moving her fingers frantically. Even though I didn't know what she was typing, I could tell from my vocabulary knowledge that she made several typos.

"Did you get a reply?"

"Wait a min.."

Ping!

"Ah! Finally...!"

"..."

"My mom said this is the right apartment location..."

"Ah..."

I tried to think about who's the person this girl was referring to. However, to my knowledge, aside from us, the only other residents in this apartment were one family, and they were all elderly. I didn't remember any other high school students besides me and Nagi.

Then, who is the "brother" this girl is talking about...? Could it be Nagi? Nah, there's no way. He's an only child.

The girl raised her palm as if she were about to ask a question in class while looking at me with a doubtful gaze.

"Big sis, sorry if I'm bothering you... Can I ask you once more, is there someone in this apartment named Ueda Yuichi...?" Her question sent me into shock. My mind raced, but if I connected it with my inexplicable annoyance-

Could it be... She's my mischievous little sister?!

"Um... Wait a minute. Can you tell me your name first?" I asked hesitantly. I was still in denial about the fact that my mischievous little sister, who couldn't let go of our mom's skirt, had grown up so much during the few months I'd been away.

But... What does it mean? If she's looking for me, shouldn't she be searching for "older sister" instead of "older brother"? Didn't she should get affected by the gender bender's magic like the person other than us?

"My name...? I'm... Ueda Natsu."

A- HOW?! That's... my sister's name! So... she really is- ugh... I couldn't find the right words to say.

I sighed.

"Natsu, how about you come into my room first...? I'll give you all the information about "this" big bro you talk about," I suggested while gently holding her wrist.

"Okay?"

***

I hurriedly prepared a few dishes for her, which included a glass of tea and a donut I bought from the convenience store. She seemed puzzled by my hospitality, but- the problem was, I was confused here too.

Not because my little sister suddenly showed up, but because she just called me "brother". What does that mean...?

Could it be... She realized my gender change? Like... Nagi..?

"Sorry, big sis? Is there something wrong?"

"A-ah, it's nothing."

It seemed I had just stared at her too intensely.

After all, her statement had shocked me. Out of billions of people, could she be one of the few who noticed my gender change?

I guess I should ask her directly how she figured it out.

"Natsu-san, I'll just get to the point."

"Mhm?"

"I... am your brother... UEDA YUICHI.!" I deliberately emphasized my name to confirm that I was indeed her big brother.

"Ah... Sorry, big sis, but I don't have time for jokes... I need to find him real quick."

I quickly stood up from my seat, took my ID card from the table, and threw it directly at Natsu's face.

"Ugh! Big sis!? Why the he-!"

"Read... It..."

Natsu then picked up the fallen card, while huffing in annoyance. In no time, her expression suddenly changed after she finished reading everything.

She stared at me intently for a few moments, then looked back at the card sharply, doing it several times until I felt tired just watching her.

"LIAR!" Natsu shouted, looking confused.

"How?"

Natsu pointed her trembling index finger at me, while saying, "Even if I don't believe such guy like him would have a girlfriend. You're... My brother's girlfriend, right?!"

GIRLFRIEND?

"You teamed up with my brother to prank me using a little trick like this... Hmph! Too bad, but things like that won't work on me," she said arrogantly.

...

I pointed at myself in confusion. "But... what if I really am your brother?"

"NO WAY. He's a boy. He Always thinks he's right, and also likes to stick to our mom."

HUH? ISN'T THAT YOU?!

"It's impossible for a brother like that to suddenly change gender magically and become a beautiful girl. Did you think this is a novel or something?" Natsu added.

I sighed in frustration. What other evidence did I need to show her? I had already shown her my ID card, but she still wouldn't believe me. Should I wake Nagi too?

Natsu had met Nagi when we were little because he often came to my house to play. Maybe Nagi could explain everything that had happened to my sister.

"Then, wait a moment. Natsu, do you know Nagi?"

My little sister nodded slowly.

"I'll go wake him up. He'll explain everything to you."

TO BE CONTINUED.