After that dangerous night, when Anon looked up the deeper meaning of the word "hold" that Hoshino Ai had used, her first reaction wasn't absurdity or confusion, but a sense of awakening, as if she'd been suddenly enlightened.
She had indeed been misunderstood by her classmates in middle school about her relationship with Tetsuya, but that misunderstanding stemmed purely from a lack of information, so Anon had never considered it a big deal.
But Hoshino Ai's situation was completely different. Not only did she know their relationship, but she also knew Tetsuya's earnest and responsible personality. And yet, she had still come to such an outrageous misunderstanding.
What did that mean?
(It means that in Hoshino Ai's eyes, there really is a possibility that my brother and I could become that kind of couple.)
Once Anon realized this, she no longer paid any mind to Hoshino Ai's aggressive words, but instead became deeply intoxicated by the new relationship that was on the verge of emerging—
(I... can also date my brother, and then... do that kind of thing with him.)
From the first day Tetsuya walked through their door, she, already old enough to understand, knew the truth that they were not related by blood. Even so, due to her parents' teachings and her own curiosity and goodwill towards him, she completely ignored their lack of a blood tie and treated him as her real older brother. And Tetsuya, who had always longed for family, devoted an amount of care to her that far exceeded that of a normal sibling, without any reservation.
This life continued for seven years. She gradually adapted to this comfortable and happy relationship, and subconsciously believed it could last forever.
Until Hoshino Ai appeared before her.
She had tyrannically intruded upon the once-peaceful life between them, not only forcefully declaring her love for Tetsuya but also suddenly surrounding him with many other girls.
Because of the job for Hoshino Ai's first costume, Tetsuya met Togawa Sakiko.
Because of Sakiko, Tetsuya learned about [CRYCHIC]'s past and got to know Misumi Uika and Wakaba Mutsumi.
At the same time, because of her own desire to form a band, Tetsuya met everyone in [MyGO!!!!!] and formed a deep bond with them.
Her brother, whom her mother had once worried would end up alone for the rest of his life, was suddenly surrounded by so many cute and outstanding girls. This had once made Anon feel very insecure. Although Tetsuya had promised her time and time again that he would never leave her, and that their familial bond would exist forever...
The problem was, Anon, who was already in the bloom of youth, was actually no longer satisfied with this kind of relationship.
That night, when she and Chihaya Tetsuya were lying in the same bed, she could clearly feel her body being drawn to him involuntarily. If he hadn't reminded her that her already excited body was sweating, she would have continued to press herself tightly against him, seeking even greater intimacy.
It was just that at the time, she hadn't received Hoshino Ai's "enlightenment," so she had merely regarded this excitement as the joy of sleeping with her brother after a long time, rather than a deeper desire.
And now, as she noticed the changes in Tetsuya's body, the scorching heat that had once flooded her entire being returned.
This time, she wouldn't be so muddled as to suppress it with so-called "proper" reasons.
"..."
Anon's hand slowly moved from his ear to his cheek and neck, and continued to explore downwards.
By the time she reached out and undid the top two buttons of his shirt, Tetsuya had finally recovered from the earlier stimulation and couldn't help but ask:
"Anon... what... what are you..."
"It's a massage."
Perhaps because she had just taken a bath, the blush on Anon's face did not arouse Tetsuya's suspicion.
"This kind of gentle rubbing can promote microcirculation, you know. You don't have to worry about a thing, Chihaya-nii. Just close your eyes and enjoy it."
"I see..."
Out of his one hundred percent trust in Anon, Tetsuya did not question this explanation.
Besides, to avoid looking at her currently defenseless and dangerous appearance, he hadn't planned on opening his eyes anyway.
Even if those little hands, gently kneading his shoulders, seemed to have a tendency to explore further downwards...
"Then I'll be in your care... but just a short massage will be fine. I want to take a bath later."
(Today, I should use slightly cooler water,) Tetsuya thought to himself, hoping to calm his currently restless body.
However, the words Anon spoke in the next second nearly made him roll over—
"Perfect! I'll wash your back for you later!"
Anon's enthusiastic voice reached his ears.
"Just like when we were little!"
"...Eh?"
Tetsuya was stunned for a moment, then he hurriedly said:
"H-How can that be okay!? Anon, you're not a child anymore, we can't bathe together—"
"We're not bathing together, I'm just washing your back for you~ Just like how Mother often does for Father."
Anon said.
"It's perfectly normal for family members to help wash each other's backs. Besides, if you're really that concerned, Chihaya-nii, can't you just not turn around?"
"Well..."
When Anon brought up their parents as an excuse, Tetsuya's judgment was thrown into further disarray.
If they were family, then just washing his back seemed like nothing to worry about!
Just as Anon said, as long as he didn't turn around and covered himself properly with a towel, it should be fine, right?
But then again, the reason their parents could do that... was it really just because they were "family"—
Just as Tetsuya was hesitating, Anon's next sentence shattered his final, unformed doubt.
"Or are you saying you're worried you'll do something you 'shouldn't' do?"
"Of course not!"
Tetsuya's eyes snapped open subconsciously, and he stated with great urgency:
"I would never do something so irresponsible to you!"
"Well then, isn't that settled?"
Anon lowered her head, looking at him with a smile.
"If that's the case, what's there to hesitate about? This is just a normal 'token of appreciation' from your little sister."
Feeling the skin of the boy gradually warm up as well, Anon couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
(I finally understand why she's so hostile towards me.)
As long as she used the pretense of "little sister" and "family affection," Tetsuya would tolerate almost anything she did.
Once they get to the bathroom, how far could she go?
Filled with curiosity and anticipation, Anon quietly pushed open the door that, once opened, could never be closed again—