Chapter 216. [Clearly Sweet]

“Why does Ah-nee always decide on my plans, even though it’s a routine?”

“Well, well, don’t worry about it!”

“Sigh…”

There’s a troublesome side to Ah-nee, which I can’t outright call a favor. I have no choice but to give up and accept it.

Of course, I could resist, but I know from experience that I can’t win!

It’s just a waste of energy.

“So, to avoid spoilers, onee-chan will reach out to various people and spread the word! It’s the perfect chance for Ogu to get revenge! Let’s fight together!”

“Hey, winning in the linguistic field against Iroha is tough, though.”

“Why are you being so pessimistic? By the way, the prize for the winner is the ‘right to hear Iroha-chan say their favorite line’!”

“All right, I’m in!”

“Wait, sister! Do you have my confirmation for that?”

I can’t allow that much!

In the past, I came up with a plan just saying ‘fool’ in various languages… I had a terrible experience. I won’t let history repeat itself!

“But if I ask Iroha-chan, she’ll say ‘no’, right?”

“Of course! So, we have to force it, right?”

“Why not give up there, or at least consider changing it?”

“Oh, oh, onee-chan~! How about soliciting ideas from the general listeners as well?”

“Mai… That’s hiring!”

“Mai too!?”

The conversation is gradually getting more intense.

The 3 of them were enthusiastically refining the details of the plan.

“Sigh…”

I sigh deeply and gaze at the ceiling.

Naturally, there was no room for my opinion to be inserted.

***

It was on the way back.

Walking through the city after sunset with the 4 of us, raindrops started to fall gently.

“Ugh, looks like it’s starting to rain.”

“Huh!? I’m more worried about tomorrow.”

“Look, the weather forecast says it will clear up soon, right?”

“Well, if that’s the case, then we’re fine.”

Is Angu Ogu worrying about ‘things that can only be done on Independence Day’?

Showing the smartphone screen, he sighed with relief.

“Haha! It might be just right since it was hot!”

“Well, after such an intense meeting, it’s understandable.”

Skipping through the rain, Ah-nee danced as the car headlights and city lights illuminated the raindrops, giving her a fantastical aura.

“Ah-nee, calm down a bit. People passing by are giggling at you.”

“I look like the ‘Rain-bringer,’ don’t I?”

“It’s fine! That’s exactly what I am!”

“Even if you catch a cold, I won’t care! But now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Ah-nee unwell.”

“Hahaha! I’m invincible!”

I couldn’t imagine Ah-nee being bedridden.

If such a thing happened, it might be a sign of impending disaster.

“Really…”

Mai, looking exasperated, took out a folding umbrella.

Angu Ogu curiously looked at Mai’s hands.

“Speaking of which, in Japan, people use umbrellas when it rains, you know?”

“Huh? Isn’t that obvious?”

“No, look around.”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, no one else seems to be using umbrellas.”

“I don’t bother carrying an umbrella unless it’s a heavy downpour. Almost no one carries a foldable umbrella unless it’s pouring. This is how it is during sudden rain in New York.”

I see. That explains the situation where no one uses an umbrella even in the rain.

“Why is that? Is it because of the climate?”

America is relatively hot and dry throughout the year.

Even if your clothes get wet, they would quickly dry.

“Besides, it’s part of the laid-back national character. People here quite like rain. Also, in the case of New York…”

“Oh!?”

While Angou Ogu was explaining, Mai opened her folding umbrella. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, turning the umbrella into a broken Teru Teru Bozu.

“…In New York, the building wind is quite strong. I was going to say that.”

“If only you had said that 10 seconds earlier!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Angu Ogu went to help Mai, who was dealing with the broken umbrella.

Left alone, Ah-nee called out to me.

“Iroha-chan, over here! Everyone’s walking so slowly!”

“Hah, come on. Ah-nee is just advancing ahead on her own.”

While saying that, I quickened my pace and caught up with Ah-nee. She was walking backward, laughing.

“Make sure to look ahead properly.”

“I know~. Checked the signal, okay? Move on!”

Confirming the green signal, Ah-nee stepped onto the crosswalk.

In an instant, I pulled her arm.

“Ah-nee, be careful!!”

Immediately, with a loud roar, a truck passed right in front of us. Ah-nee hugged my chest and unbalanced herself.

“Whoa, hold on!”

Unable to support her, I fell backward with Ah-nee.

Ugh, my bottom landed right in a puddle!?

Somehow, it looked like I wet myself. But more importantly…

“What are you doing? I told you it’s dangerous! In our traffic rules…”

Without thinking, I shouted at Ah-nee in a scolding tone.

Ah-nee looked up at me with a puzzled expression.

“Ah-nee?”

“…Huh!? Uh, um… I’m sorry.”

Something seemed off. What’s going on?

Why is that Ah-nee acting so… ‘submissive’!?