HS Chapter 50: The hopeless sister purchases a swimsuit.

Blue skies, white clouds, and the dazzling glare of the sun in August. The final exam (plus make-up classes and re-testing) went off without a hitch, thanks to the cooperation of Koma, and now it’s time for my fun summer vacation to begin!

“—-Nee-sama. What kind of swimsuit do you think would look good on me, Nee-sama?”

“Hmn? Let me see. Personally…”

It’s a certain day during the summer vacation. While I was picking out a swimsuit in the swimwear section of a shopping mall I’ve visited before, my beloved little sis Koma asked me that. 

A swimsuit that looks good on Koma… After thinking about it for a few moments, the appearance of Koma appears in my mind. That’s—-

“Personally… I think Koma is most beautiful when she’s wearing nothing at all!”

“Eh…?”

“Nm? …. Ah! Ah, no, that’s not it!? That’s not it! I just misspoke! I wanted to say that Koma is most beautiful no matter what she wears!”

As usual, I still say stupid like thing without thinking.

“Ah, I got it. That’s what you meant… Fufu♪ Thank you very much, Nee-sama. I also think Nee-sama looks beautiful in any swimsuit you wear.”

“Ahaha… Is that so? Thank you, Koma…”

More dazzling than the scorching, dazzling sun of summer that shines down on us is the shining, beautiful smile Koma shows to me. 

… I can’t say it. I can’t tell her that I really thought that ‘Koma looks best just as she was born!’  who has such an innocent smile on her face… I’m sorry for being hopeless, Koma…

“Anyhow. There are so many swimsuits, it’s hard to choose one~”

“Right? We’re finally travelling… And we’re going to be staying near the ocean, so we want to wear something nice, but we’re having a hard time deciding what to wear….. (*Mumble*) Truthfully, even now, I’m having a hard time deciding which swimsuit will please Nee-sama the most.”

As if to cover up my mistake, I change the conversation to Koma. Actually, the two of us have been wandering around in the swimwear department for almost an hour, looking for this and that, but we can’t seem to choose a swimsuit to wear. There’s such a thing as having too many choices.

“Jeez… It’s all Aunty’s fault for suddenly saying, ‘We’re going on a trip next week, so you girls better get ready’. I wish she would’ve said that earlier. If I had known ahead of time, I would have been able to pick out a swimsuit or something sooner… Aunty does everything unexpectedly so it’s troublesome.”

“Yes, you’re correct. In a way, that’s just like Aunt-sama.”

Me and Koma chuckle at that.

…. Now. Why are we, the Tachibana sisters, choosing swimsuits all of a sudden? What do we mean by talking of travel? To explain that, I’d have to talk about what happened last night.

◇　◇　◇

“Well then, to me who survived the final exam and retest, and Aunty who finished her work, and then… Finally to celebrate the fact that me, Koma and Aunty finished this semester without any serious illness or injury—- Cheers!”

“”Cheers!””

The night of the day I passed my math exam. Me, Koma, and Aunty Meiko were having a small party to celebrate the end of the term.

Of course, me and Koma are underage and so we were drinking just juice. And Aunty is drinking, as usual even before she raises a toast.

“I was wondering what’s going to happen at one point… I’m really glad I somehow managed to get through the final, make-up, and retest. It’s all thanks to Koma teaching me how to study! Thank you, so, so, much♡ Ah, also, thanks for the help Aunty.”

“No, no. I didn’t do anything special. It’s all because of Nee-sama studying hard.”

“Oi, Mako. What do you mean ‘also’? And what’s with the emotionless thank you?”

Normally, I would have had to retake the exam five times each time, but thanks to the tutoring I received from Koma, I was able to pass the exam on the first try. My homeroom teacher,

‘You passed the re-test in one go… For someone who doesn’t like to study, you did a great job, Tachibana. As I recall, you didn’t get any red marks this time, except for the math exam… Not just that, but you exceeded the average too. I’d be happy if you continue to try a little harder like you did this time.’

Now that I’ve received a (rare) compliment, I can enjoy my summer vacation in comfort. Thank you Koma(and Aunty and everyone!)

“Yeah, yeah. What plans do you two have for the summer vacation? Is there somewhere you want to go or something you want to do?”

I ask them while eating the banquet food I made. It’s summer vacation, and I want to do things I wouldn’t normally do. It would be nice to experience some fun things with Koma and Aunty, so l ask them about their summer plans while we’re at it.

If there’s a day that works for the two of them, we can make plans for the three of us to go somewhere together as a family.

“I don’t really have any place I want to go, especially at the moment… Just that…”

Koma glanced at me and muttered something. Just… What?

“Hm? What is it, Koma?”

“Etto, that’s right. Since it’s finally our break, if it’s possible… I’d like to be together with Nee-sama… Home and outside… always.”

“Ko-Komaa! That’s obvious! You’ll be with Onee-chan all summer long♪!”

“Yes! Always together…!”

“…. You two. It’s summer and it’s hot as hell, can you please stop flirting in front of people and make it even hotter? You’re driving me crazy.”

How rude of Aunty to call us hot and bothersome after witnessing such a beautiful sisterhood up close.

“What about you, Aunty? Do you have something planned? Or maybe you still have some work to do?”
“Aunt-sama has said that she reached a closure, right? Aunt-sama, do you have other things to do?”

“Hm? No, I finished all my work yesterday…. Well, summer—- I do have things planned next week.”

“Hee, is that so?”

Oh… That’s unexpected. I had assumed that Aunty, with her lack of planning, would not have any plans for the summer vacation, but… Apparently, she’s got a good idea of what she’s going to do.

I thought she was just a good-for-nothing hag who lives her life with glee and vigor, but she’s growing up every day.

“… Oops, the summer vacation made me remember. Can I ask you something, Mako?”

“Hm? Un. What is it, Aunty?”

As I was admiring Aunty’s growth, she asked me a question. What does she want to ask me…? I wonder what it is?

“I’ve heard a bit about it from Koma, Mako you…”

“Un.”

“Your breasts have grown bigger again, haven’t they?”

“… I see. Sexual harassment while having dinner, Aunty?”

“… Aunt-sama. What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

I was an idiot for being impressed. What’s with her?

“It’s not sexual harassment. It’s a serious question. If they’ve gotten bigger then it means that, right? Your swimsuits from last year will be too tight in the chest area.”

“Well, yeah… What about it?”

“… Aunt-sama? If you are bullying Nee-sama, I will assume that you are picking a fight with me and I’ll accept it gladly, you know?”

Koma, who seems to be bad at dirty jokes, seems offended by Aunty’s comment. Well, that’s only a given. What is Aunty talking about during dinner?

“Calm down, Koma. I said that it was a serious question…. Mako, make sure you buy a swimsuit that fits you by next week. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.”

“Why?”
“Why, you ask… Oi, oi, isn’t it obvious?”

Then, while drinking a lot of alcohol, Aunty said something like this in an indifferent tone.

“There’s an ocean right next to the place where we’re going next week? It would be a shame if we don’t swim when we have the ocean right in front of us”

“Fuun. That’s right… Un?”

… Wait just a moment. What did you just say, Aunty?

“… Did I imagine it? Aunty, didn’t you say something strange just now?”

“… I felt I heard something strange as well. Aunt-sama, please repeat what you said. What now?”

“Hn? I said, we’ll travel. Next week we will travel.”

“”….. Next week… travel…?””

“… Huh?”

Koma and I look at each other. We haven’t heard any of that?

When Aunty saw mine and Koma’s confusion, she seemed to notice that something was wrong, and she lightly scratched her cheek.

“Ah… Could it be? You girls haven’t been told yet? Our family trip for two days and one night. Well, now you know. Next week we three are going on a trip, so make sure you girls are ready!”

“”…Eeh!?””

◇　◇　◇

—- That’s the gist. Aunty suddenly told us yesterday… We got shaken up by the trip that we had never heard of, since it was a great surprise.

That’s why we hurried to get everything we needed for the trip: toothbrush, change of clothes, underwear, sunscreen, etc… Me and Koma went to a shopping mall to buy a new swimsuit.

“… It’s really too sudden. I don’t know why Aunty made travel plans without thinking about our plans.”

Even though she’s our aunt, I have a headache just from her momentum alone… Good grief… Why didn’t she say something beforehand like, ‘We’re going to the beach,’ or ‘We’re going on a trip, so please leave this day open’?

Rather, what was she going to do if we had any plans?

“Well, I heard that Aunt-sama was too busy with her work to tell us, and in any case, it doesn’t change the fact that she was planning the trip for us. Please don’t be angry at her, Nee-sama.”

“That’s true, but…”

I can’t speak for others, but I think she lives her life with a sense of excitement and vigor… She has no life skills at all, and no subtle communicative skills. 

I’m worried that if Koma and I became independent, she wouldn’t be able to survive on her own. And I haven’t heard any rumors that there are good people who can take care of Aunty… 

“Well, leaving Aunty aside. We need to decide on swimsuits soon.”

“That’s right. What shall we do, Nee-sama?”
“Yeah, what…”

We’ve purchased everything I need for the trip. The only thing left to do is to choose a swimsuit, which is our main goal…. Me and Koma have been trying to decide for a while now. 

Beautiful, cute and stylish— I think they’re all great, but I just can’t seem to find the right one.

“To begin with, I have no fashion sense, so I’m not good at choosing clothes.”
“Eh? I wonder? I like Nee-sama’s fashion.”

“Ahaha, thank you… But in the eyes of the public, I’ve been told that I lack a little (?) fashion sense.”

My friends and Aunty have described my fashion sense as ‘so disappointing it’s unwatchable’. I wanted to cry when they said, ‘You’re better off to wear the school jersey’.

… It’s fine isn’t it, me wearing my T-shirt with my little sister’s picture printed on it. What’s wrong about that…?

“You see,  I can’t seem to make a good choice when I try to do it myself.”

“…. Hm? Trying to choose… having difficulty…?”
“I don’t really know what looks good on me in the first place. And it’s not like I have anything particular I want to wear.”

“……”

Maybe it would be quicker to have the professional clerk help me take care of it for me. 

I mean, I don’t want to spend a lot of time wandering around the store without buying anything, and I don’t want to bother the people in the store… I think I’ll call the clerk and ask her for a recommendation, and then I’ll just pick one of them.

That’s what I thought, and I tried to call the clerk as soon as I could…

“… Ehm… Nee-sama.”

“Hm? What is it, Koma?”
“Etto, that is. I have an idea, but… Would you please hear me out?”

“Ooh! Did you come up with a good idea? Let me hear it!”

Koma pulls on my sleeves and shyly makes a suggestion. I’m sure that Koma’s suggestion will be much better than my own.

I lower my hand that I raised to call the clerk and turn to face Koma.

“Nee-sama said this just now, didn’t you? ‘It’s hard to make a good choice when you’re trying to do it yourself’. And… ‘I don’t have anything particular I want to wear’, right?”

“Un, un. I did say that. What about it?”

“I feel the same as Nee-sama. I can’t choose for myself, and I don’t know what exactly suits me… I’m not really sure what I want to wear, either.”

“Yeah! I understand those feelings!”

It seems that since we’re twins, Koma has been having the same troubles as me… I’m somehow happy. I’m glad to hear that Koma is thinking the same thing as me.

“And then? What is your idea, Koma?”

“Yes. So it occurred to me… If that’s the case, why don’t we choose each other’s swimsuits?”

“… Un?”

… Choose each other?

“In other words. We would choose each other’s swimsuits, I would choose Nee-sama’s swimsuit, and Nee-sama would choose mine. Maybe that would be more interesting than choosing your own, and we may make an unexpected choice.”

“… Etto… That mean that? I… I have been given the privilege of choosing a swimsuit for Koma!?”

“Yes, it’s as you say.”

Is that fine…!? It’s a swimsuit, you know!? Instead of picking out normal clothes like we did on GW, we’ll pick out a swimsuit that’s almost like underwear…

Somehow it’s like I’ll be painting Koma with my colours… It’s really immoral and exciting, but Koma is really okay with that!?

“Ehm… Koma-san? I’ll say it again, I have no fashion sense. Worst case scenario, I might choose something that doesn’t match Koma’s taste…”

“It’s okay… I’m sure that the best for me is the one that Nee-sama will choose for me. If you don’t mind it… Would you please do it? I’ll do my best to choose a swimsuit that suits Nee-sama, too.”

While I suppress my impatience, I emphasize my lack of fashion sense but… Koma tells me it’s fine and looks at me with expectant eyes.

Uuuu…. I can’t say no to her when she’s looking at me like that… I had no intention of saying no to begin with, though.

“I-I got it, Koma. I’m not wholly confident in it… However, I’ll do my best to choose a swimsuit for Koma!”

“Yes! Please do so, Nee-sama ♪”

“Then, let’s choose something in 10 minutes. How about we meet back here when we’re done choosing?

“I understood. I will choose the perfect one for you with all my heart.”

“Un, I look forward to it, Koma. Then, we meet later”

We say that to each other and then split up to pick out each other’s swimsuits, me and Koma.

After I part with Koma, I take my time to look at the swimsuits on the sales floor and think. Now, what will Koma look good in?

So many different swimsuits. There are separate pieces, one-piece, tankinis, bikinis, competitive swimsuits, school swimsuits, and a lot more…

“… I’m stuck. They all look too good on her…:”

I tried to imagine Koma in various swimsuits in my brain, but she looks so good in all of them that I’m stupefied.

Practically, Koma has a great figure and style so probably— Not to mention competitive swimming suits and school swimsuits, I have a feeling that she’ll be able to perfectly dress up in the most strange swimsuits that I might choose. In other words, Koma’ll look good in any of the swimsuits in this store.

“…. Hm. In that case… I’ll just have to pick the one I like best from these…”

… Un, that’s fine. That way, I won’t hesitate. While having that in mind, I wander off to the corner where there is a swimsuit I want Koma to wear, as if I am being lured. 

I heard from Aunty that we’re going to go rather far. A place probably with few people you know… It might be fun to have her wear something different from the ones she usually wears.

“Yeah, for example— How about a bit of a bold swimsuit? Maybe a slightly revealing swimsuit? Maybe a bit perverted swimsuit? How about a slightly erotic swimsuit!?”

“(*Startled*)… Customer-sama…? What happened…? Suddenly raising your voice… Is everything okay…?”

“Clerk-san! Hear this, I’m picking an erotic swimsuit for my little sis!”

“Hahaa…”

…. I’m shouting such OUT things inside a store. My desires are always in full throttle anywhere and anytime.

“First is the bikini! I choose you!”

The clerk looks at me as if I am a suspicious person, and I try to reach for a fancy bikini that is displayed nearby, while my nose is bleeding and drooling with desire…

“… Wait just a sec, me…”

When I come to my senses, I withdraw my hand and shake my head. Wait a bit? It’s true that I’d love to have Koma wear something sexy, but now that I think about it calmly… If I have to dress my Koma in such a swimsuit, won’t I expose my sexy Koma to the hungry bastards of summer…?

If that’s true then, Koma’s well-trained and toned stomach, and an artistic neckline that has been refined by training the oblique abdominal muscles… All of that is going to be shown to the public just like that…? 

And if it’s too revealing or too flamboyant, she’ll say ‘You had such a hobby, Nee-sama ……?’ and then fearfully move away from me…

“… I should give up on this one.”

I part with it with a little bit of painful reluctance, but I’m not going to let that stop me. I can ask her to wear these things when I’m alone with her, if I get the chance. More importantly, on the ocean shore, people of all ages and sexes can be seen, so it’s important to make Koma shine in a healthy way. 

“Etto… Under that condition… As I thought, it’s this one?”

I re-select her swimsuit once again, assuming that not only me but also other people will see Koma’s swimsuit. Once I’ve made your selection, I hurry up and head back to the meet-up place.

“Ah… Nee-sama, good work. Did you finish choosing?”

“Thank you for waiting, Koma. Un, I’m done….. Sorry, did I maybe make you wait for me?”
“No, not at all. I’ve just finished myself and came back.”

As I hurried back, I was greeted by Koma, who had already returned… This feels kind of nice. I feel as if we are a pair of lovers meeting each other in secret.

If I think about it, choosing each other’s swimsuits is like we’re lovers…. Oh no, I’m starting to feel a little like I’m on a girlfriend date with my sister.

“Then, Nee-sama. Let’s check the swimsuits we’ve chosen!”

“Ah, un. That’s right… I’ll start. Here you go, Koma!”

I offer the swimsuit of my choice to Koma. Now, I hope Koma likes my choice…

“Oh my, this is a… One-piece swimsuit.”

“Yeah. I chose it thinking it would be good on Koma…”

This time I chose an orthodox one-piece swimsuit. I thought this would be less revealing, more appropriate for her age, and most importantly, it would be perfect for the innocent Koma, so I chose it. The chest area has a fluffy frill that will appeal to a girl’s fancy, and will enhance the loveliness of Koma even more.

“How is it? Is it maybe childish? Or too old-fashioned?”

“Not at all. I am impressed with your choice of swimsuit, which is very nice, and it’s very Nee-sama like, innocent and graceful.”

“Is that so? I’m gla— Tidy, and graceful….?”

… I thought I heard some unrealistic words at me, but maybe I was imagining it? It’s my imagination… Right…?

“Thank you very much, Nee-sama. I think the swimsuit that Nee-sama chose is excellent. I’d be more than grateful to purchase it.”

Koma says that so seriously… She lovingly strokes the swimsuit I had chosen. I’m saved… I’m glad she enjoys it…

Also, I’m really glad I didn’t choose something flashy overenthusiastically… 

“U-Un! That’s good to hear… But just to be sure, please check the size and whether it’s comfortable or not.”

“Yes. I’ll have it done later. Now, Nee-sana, I will give you the swimsuit that I have chosen for you to wear. Please take it.”

As I’m patting my chest in relief, Koma now hands me the swimsuit she had chosen for me. Uh-oh…Now that she mentions it, she had to make a choice for me too. I was so busy choosing for Koma that I forgot about it. 

Well, unlike me, Koma has a great sense of fashion, and I’m sure she’ll choose something that I can wear, even though I have a disappointing style with a lot of meat, so I’m not worried about anything.

“Fufufu… ♪This swimsuit… I think it will look superb on Nee-sama. I’m very confident in it.”

“Ooh, I’m looking forward to it. Let me see?”

I’m sure it’s a great swimsuit, since Koma says so. With that in mind, I unfolded the swimsuit that she handed to me, and what I see is—–

“… Ehm, Koma? This looks… nice on me? Did you make a mistake…? 

“No? I chose that one without a mistake?”

“…. Ahahaa… Is that so… I look great in this…”

—-It was a bikini. Coincidentally, it was a bikini that’s rather extreme just like the one I had almost chosen for Koma’s swimsuit earlier…. A bikini with a string on the side of the panties. It’s those bikinis so called string bikinis, side-tie bikinis.

And the fabric area of the top is very small. To be more specific, I feel like it’s one step away from a micro-bikini… Hahahaha! Koma-san!?

This is… my swimsuit!?

“Eehm, excuse me but, Koma? This… I don’t need to guess but this is a bikini, right? O-Onee-chan… is happy that Koma has chosen this swimsuit… But, I’m at an age where I’m getting a little concerned about my stomach’s area… I think it’s too sexy to begin with and I’m a decade too young to wear it…”

I don’t have the courage to go out in public wearing this. I think swimsuits like this should be worn by Koma and women with good style to begin with. If they have useless meat like me, you can’t wear something like that… 

I’m sorry for Koma that chose this, but I’m going to have to pass on this one. While thinking that, I tried to convince Koma…

“It’s fine. You’ll definitely look great, Nee-sama.”

“No… As expected this is a bit too revealing…”

“It’s fine. You’ll definitely look great, Nee-sama.”

“N-No, that’s why I’m saying… It’s a bit…”

“It’s fine. You’ll definitely look great, Nee-sama.”

“Ettto… K-Koma? Do you hear me?”

“It’s fine. You’ll definitely look great, Nee-sama.” (TN: This is literally how this went, I changed nothing.)

Koma is not wavering. Even though she’s just smiling… The strong will and gaze of Koma that doesn’t allow me to say anything back is piercing. It’s like a game where you have to select ‘Yes’ to proceed with the conversation…

What’s with Koma today? She’s somehow more aggressive today than usual… This Koma is amazin to— This is not the time to compliment her. Eh? I have to really wear this? I can’t decline it?

“…. I got it… I got it… Well then, I’m going to check if the size fits me…”

“Yes♪”

In the end, I couldn’t argue with Koma and reluctantly walked into the fitting room. I’m weak, too weak…

Anyway, I’ll try it on to see if it fits me…

“… Is this really… fine…?”

… I look at myself in the mirror and think. I’m worried that I’m going to be arrested for public indecency…

Now, to avoid red marks… And then also not to mention Sayuri-san’s story… I have to study hard to become a great sister who can stand next to Koma, who is a talented and hardworking person.

—– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —–
If you like what I’m doing then would you consider this?