I Want to Fall in Love After Getting Reincarnated as the Heroine on the Verge of a Bad Ending, but My OP Older Brother Won’t Leave Me Alone!? - Chapter 173
Translated by: ShinigamiTori
Chapter 173 ? Older Sister and Younger Brother, Older Brother and Younger Sister 6
Ten minutes later, I was sitting beside Julius in the carriage, my back stretched tautly on the seat.
On the other hand, Julius sat with his legs crossed, chin propped on his hand, looking at me listlessly.
“So, does the unfaithful Rene have anything to say?”
“Everything is just a huge misunderstanding. I’m really innocent.”
After thinking long and hard up until I got into the carriage, I determined that my only choice was to declare it was a misunderstanding.
“You were watching him at the entrance the other day too, weren’t you? Was he your type?”
“That’s really not it.”
“Rene, you’re the only one who toys with me this much.”
Julius lets out a sigh with an exaggeratedly sorrowful expression. Even though I know he’s acting, it doesn’t stop the guilt from creeping in.
“Um, I can’t tell you why, but Luca isn’t someone like that.”
“Why would you be close to someone you can’t even talk about?”
“Ugh…”
It’s so perfectly logical that I have no words to return.
I want to continue to get along well with my younger brother, Luka. But I can’t break my promise, anyone in my position would find themselves at a loss too.
When I said nothing, Julius turned his back to me and shifted his gaze to the window.
“I’m going to be in a bad mood for a while, so just leave me alone.”
It seems like I’ve really made him angry, and the feeling of anxiety only grows.
It’s the first time I’ve been shut out like this, and because I truly feel how much Julius cares for me, my heart aches.
“Julius, I’m really sorry. What can I do to make you feel better?”
As I gently tugged at the hem of his uniform in earnest, Julius turned his head slightly toward me.
“… Will you do anything?”
“Yes, of course! As long as it’s something I can do!”
I was determined to do anything—except reveal the truth about Luka.
When I looked up at him pleadingly, Julius wore a melancholy expression.
“I was so happy when you kissed me after the hunting tournament.”
“Keugh, ugh.“
Please, give me a break. That was an unbelievable twist.
It had been a spur-of-the-moment act, my first time, and I was so mortified afterward that I thought I’d die of embarrassment.
It’s hard to imagine doing it again in this very moment.
“T-That’s something I can’t…”
“You said ‘anything,’ yet here you are, being difficult, Rene.”
Julius smiled as he spoke and tilted my chin upward. Reflected in his clear, jewel-like eyes, my face was frozen in an utterly foolish expression.
“Well then, I’ll do it instead.”
“???????”
I have no idea why, in an effort to cheer up Julius, I’m the one being kissed.
But Julius’s composed demeanor makes me feel like I’m the odd one for doubting this situation.
While I was still bewildered, our faces drew closer. Then, something soft pressed against my cheek, and I let out a small gasp.
“Ah… Wait….”
“You’re adorable.”
With each kiss Julius deliberately made a sound, clearly reveling in my reactions. This embarrassing ordeal felt like a small-scale torture, making me want to flee.
“Don’t ever show that face to anyone but me, okay?”
I nodded desperately, and Julius smiled in satisfaction, saying, “Thanks to you, my mood is much better now.”
As for me, I could only hide my face in my hands and murmur, “I’m glad….”
??I narrowly managed to resolve this, but if I continue to be close to Luka without revealing he’s my brother, situations like this are likely to repeat.
Of course, Julius comes first for me, and I want to give him the highest priority.
But Luka is part of Rene’s family, her younger brother. I can’t let my selfish feelings or judgments affect our relationship, and I have to take good care of Luka. That’s what I want to do, too.
Even knowing that, I couldn’t think of any solution that would allow both things to coexist, and as I silently grappled with it, Julius placed his palm on my head.
“Well, I understand. I know there’s a reason behind it.”
“J-Julius… Wait, in that case, wasn’t all this unnecessary?”
For a moment, I was almost moved by his seemingly understanding words, but then I realized it made no sense at all.
“Well, I was still upset.”
“….”
With that smile, I was left with nothing to say.
“Anyway, if something bothers you, tell me.”
“Thank you. But Luka isn’t like that. I’d even like you to get along with him.”
“That’s impossible. I’m sure he feels the same way.”
Julius bluntly dismissed the idea with a smile, his ice-blue eyes staring directly at me.
“Still, it’s better to be cautious around him.”
“Huh?”
“I can tell, you know. People who have ulterior motives.”
Though he didn’t elaborate further, I knew Julius wouldn’t say something like that without reason.
What could he mean by Luka hiding something? I decided to keep Julius’s words in mind as I asked about something that had been bothering me since we got into the carriage.
“Speaking of which, what’s with that paper bag?”
On the seat across from me, there was a paper bag that hadn’t been there this morning. Peeking out from the top of the bag were several envelopes and small boxes that looked like they couldn’t fit inside.
“Oh, this? They’re letters and presents for me. Mostly from first-year girls.”
“Eh?”
I was shocked, but Julius seemed used to it, saying, “It happens every year.” I’ve only ever seen something like this in shoujo manga.
“They don’t even know what I’m really like, yet they go all out.”
He seems completely uninterested, but do I even have the luxury to wait until after the ranking exam for a confession?
Although I don’t doubt Julius’s feelings, I can’t help but feel uneasy.
“You’re so easy to read, Rene. It’s adorable.”
My feelings must have shown on my face, because Julius poked my cheek with a pleased expression.
“I couldn’t bring myself to throw these away at school, but don’t worry—I only have eyes for you, Rene-chan. Feel free to keep me on my toes.”
“Hmph.”
“Huh, what was that just now? A rebellious phase? It’s cute, though.”
“Just stop talking already.”
Yet, despite his words, I couldn’t help but feel happy, and I realized I might already be in too deep.
TN: See, Rene…. even Julius is suspicious T.T
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