HS Chapter 66: The hopeless sister faints.

“Everyone, thank you for waiting! Oh my, sorry, were we a bit late?”

After returning Koma’s taste buds as usual, Koma and I hurriedly rushed back to where we were to meet up with the rest of the track club. 

“You’re laate! We’re already starving, Mako! How long were you gonna keep us waiting!? Come on, sit down quickly!”

“What the heck were you doing, Tachibana… And then, were you intending to starve us to death”

“Good grief… Although you’re a hopeless sister, aren’t you very grandiose to make people wait for more than 10 minutes just to get ready!”

When I returned to the sports ground, I was greeted by the track and field members who had laid out a leisure sheet in the shade of a tree and prepared lunch for us with unfaithful faces.

As you can see, they’re not very happy, probably because they’ve been running a lot in the morning and are hungry. No, no, I said that I’m sorry, didn’t I…

“Ehm… It’s not Nee-sama’s fault we’re late, it’s my fault… I’m really sorry, Everyone. I’m sorry I kept you all waiting so long…”

“Nope. You don’t have to apologize, Koma. Since it’s that, after all? You’re late because Mako dragged your work again, right? It’s okay, I get it.”
“It’s your holiday, but you’re not only helping us out, and you have to work for your own club too, it must be hard.  Thank you for your work, Tachibana-san!”

“Here, Koma-san. This way, please. Koma-san’s food is perfectly ready.”

“Ey, you lot? What’s with the blatant biased difference of attitude towards me and Koma’s?”

On one hand, as you can see, the members from the track club are very polite to Koma. We’re twin sisters, and yet this difference in popularity is making me cry… Ehm, well, it’s not like I don’t understand your feelings either, but…

But I’m the one who made lunch for you, and I think you should be a little nicer to me. I think you wouldn’t be punished if you showed me at least a tenth of the kindness you show to Koma.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Tachibana Mako-kun, Tachibana Koma-kun. It looks like you completed your work peacefully.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry, President-san. I’m sorry to have made you wait for me.”
“Umu, don’t mind it. Anyway, good work… Well, now that you’re both back, let’s eat some lunch. All hands on deck, please!”
“””Yes!”””

As I’m thinking about this, President-san of the track and field club calls out to everyone who’s here. No, I don’t have time to be crying. In a panic, Koma and I also sat down on the seat and put our hands together. And then—–

“Then, everyone, on one. Three, two, one!”
“””Thank you for the food!””” 

Me, Koma, and the track club… Everyone greeted each other with a friendly ‘Thank you for food’ and then it was time to start lunch. 

“Hm♪ As Koma said, it’s delicious! It’s better than I expected! Thanks to this, I can practice harder in the afternoon!”

“Hee… There’s cheese in the chicken cutlet? Wo… I like this one a lot…”

“Eh!? Cheese in the chicken cutler!? Where, where? I want to eat it too!”

“Aah!? Stop right there! That’s my spring roll that I’ve been wanting to eat….!? Why are you eating it!?”

“My, it’s not yours either… This is first come, first serve”

Immediately after the greetings, the members of the track and field club were all stretching out their chopsticks in unison toward the bento boxes I brought. They must have been very hungry, and some people are already fighting over the side dishes. 

…. Oh my, my, my… You don’t have to be in such a hurry, I’ve made a lot of food with your appetites and eating habits in mind, so don’t fight and eat…

“Fufu… As I expected, Nee-sama’s lunch is very popular.”

“Aah, un… It’s right after practice so everyone is really hungry… I didn’t expect them to be as greedy as they are now…”

I am surprised to see the track club rushing towards my bento boxes, just like housewives fighting for a limited time sale at the supermarket in the evening. Koma smiles at me and calls out to me.

“… Not at all. It’s different, Nee-sama. It’s true, I’m sure they’ve all been hungry. But… But more than that, Nee-sama’s lunches are so delicious that they’re eating them with such devotion.”

“Eh? Is that so…?”

“Yes. I’m not wrong at all. Look at the expressions on everyone’s faces as they eat the food Nee-sama made.”

“Their expressions?”

“Yes…. Look at them, they’re very happy, right? There’s very delicious proof. Just like them when I’m eating Nee-sama’s food… I become very happy.”

For some reason, she was proudly sticking her chest out while looking around and eating the food I made for her. Is that… so? I wonder if everyone thinks that my food is that delicious too…?
Of course, I’m happy if they think of my food as tasty rather than as bad…

“Koma-senpai! This is really delicious!”
“Oh… Is that true? I’m happy to hear you say that…. You heard, Nee-sama♪”
“uu…”

As I was talking about it with Koma, a girl sitting next to her (because she called Koma her senpai… probably a first year) gave her impressions of my food to Koma.

When Koma heard her impressions, she secretly whispered in my ear, ‘… See? I was right, wasn’t I?’ and smiled. Mumuu… So my food is delicious…

“You’re really amazing, Koma-senpai! You’re great at athletics and studies… And you’re such an amazing cook!”
“”Huh…?””

The first-year student continued as she chewed on the rice ball I had made for her. Un…? Koma is a great cook…? Koma and I looked at each other when she said that.

“Ah… etto. You’re wrong. This lunch was not made by me… I’m ashamed to admit that I can’t cook.”

Koma gently corrects the girl who is misunderstanding something…. That’s right. Koma is a genius at everything she does, but when it comes to cooking, she unfortunately can’t make it because she has a taste disorder. If only her taste buds were normal, I’m sure she’d be a better cook than I am by now, but… 

“Ah, I didn’t know that. So, was this made by Koma-senpai’s mother? It’s wonderful to have a mother who can cook well.”
“No… It’s not my mother…”

“Eh? Then… was it your father?”

“It wasn’t my father either…”

“…??? Ettoo… Then, it was your grandmother?”
“I told you, you’re wrong… It’s Mako-nee-sama who made this lunch box for us.”

“……..Eh?… Eeeh!?”

While bitterly smiling at the first-year student who, for some reason, is getting further and further away from the answer, Koma introduces me. The first-year student looked at me for a moment when she heard the comment, then turned her attention back to Koma—- The next moment you know, she is greatly upset as hell. Oi, you, what’s with that reaction!?

“I don’t know why you are so surprised, but… Un, well it’s true. I made it, if you’re still wondering.”

“That’s how it is… You know, Mako-nee-sama is a superb cook♪ At home, Nee-sama cooks every meal every day.”

“This lunch… by Mako-senpai… the hopeless sister…? Must be a lie… Mako-senpai is this amazing of a cook!? It’s not Koma-senpai but Mako-senpai instead!? Mako-senpai… You weren’t just a hopeless senpai…!?”
“Aren’t you helluva rude to a senpai you’ve just met for the first time!?”

The first-year student seems to be unconvinced as if never had she imagined that I’d have done it. What a rude kouhai… Rather, how is it that surprising to you…?

“Ah, is that so? I wonder if the first-years still don’t know about the only skill the hopeless sister has, are her cooking skills.”

“Well, if you look at the usual bad behavior of this hopeless sister… I know this may come as a surprise to you because it doesn’t sound like it at all, but this sister is really great at housework. Surprisingly.”
“That’s true, isn’t it? She’s a siscon pervert, and an unbearable failure at studying and athletics, but for some reason, Mako is a professional at cooking. It’s probably that. Every hopeless person has at least one good thing about them.”

“Hahahaha! Thanks for the compliments, My Friends…. Apparently, you all don’t want to eat dessert after lunch…!”

“””Hm, hwa!?”””

The first year student is surprised, and my friends from the second year answer with extra comments. Hey, I’ve been wondering about this for a while… Why do you insert ill-will in the middle of your praises for me? Are you perhaps sick?

In the meantime, the dessert I prepared for you will be eaten by Koma and the rest of the club, so keep that in mind.

“So, Koma, and the third-year senpai and first-year kouhai. Those members(my friends) apparently don’t want to eat the dessert I made, so don’t hesitate to eat all of their desserts♡”

“No, wait, Mako!? I was joking! It was just a funny joke!? I apologize! I’m sorry, so… So please don’t do anything cruel like giving us no dessert after dinner!?”

“Myy, Mako-nee-san’s home cooking is really great! Mako-nee-san is a culinary prodigy! I’d love to be treated to a dessert made by Mako-nee-san!”

“Mako-chan is a wonderful and cute girl who can do everything, not just cooking! Please let us have dessert, please!”

“You lot are really doing well…”

The moment I told them that I was going to confiscate their dessert, my friends rushed to cling to me. You idiots, no matter how much you try to apologize, it’s too late. You can just look at me and Koma eating our desserts with your fingers empty.

“Mako Tachibana, you have my thanks. As the rumours say—- No, it’s even better than rumored. This is a great morale booster for the club.”

“Ah, is that so? If you say so, then it was worth making… It’s not like I need to be thanked for anything.”

Ignoring those who cling to me while crying and apologizing, I also pick at my food, and President-san comes over to me and thanks me.

It’s out of the question to be spoken ill of, like that by them, but on the other hand, it makes me feel bad to be thanked in such a reverent manner… To be honest, I made this gift as an excuse to kiss Koma.

“Not at all, I have to thank you properly. It must have been very difficult to cook for this many people, right? And it’s not just you made them. I finally understood it when I tried it. This lunch is well balanced in terms of nutrition and has been carefully prepared so that it tastes good even when it is cold. It is beautifully arranged and colorful, and that in itself is enough to stimulate the appetite.”

“He…? Ehm, President-san…?”
“In addition, you asked me beforehand and the members of the track club if anyone was allergic, and what our tastes were. Even though it was just good will, you’ve thought so much about it that you made such a delicious lunch…. I’m really grateful for your attentiveness to details. Thank you, Tachibana Mako-kun.”

“No, that’s… I like doing this so… Thanking me formally like that it’s… I’ll feel embarrassed.”

… She surprised me a bit. To be honest, my impressions of her were the worst when we first met… As I thought during the club activities, maybe she’s just a bit of a natural airhead, but this President-san is a pretty great girl… I don’t usually get this kind of feedback from people who just eat my food.

Dear me… I’m a little embarrassed because it’s been a long time since I’ve been so praised by someone other than Koma…

“Even so, it’s really delicious. Tachibana Mako-kun, are you skillful at cooking?”

“Well, yeah. I make this every day as a hobby, so I think I’m a little skillful with it.”

“Is that so? … I really envy you, Tachibana Koma-kun”

“Huh? Envy?”

The President-san mumbles to herself as she moves her chopsticks and mouth in defeat with the other club members. What? What are you talking about envying Koma?

“Umu. Because Tachibana Koma-kun, she must be eating such delicious and wonderful food every day. That’s something I’m very jealous of… For athletes, eating is a form of training. Eating nutritious and calorie-conscious food on a regular basis is a great way to build a stronger body. That’s why it’s so important to be able to eat food that has been calculated with such nutritional balance, taste, and color every day… I’ve never been more jealous of someone.”

“Hee… So that’s how it is.”

She’s talking about something too advanced for me to understand, but… I can understand a little bit about building your body with food. Since I’m also supporting Koma’s taste disorder in terms of diet.

“… Tachibana Koma-kun, I now know the secret to your speed. Aah, I’m really jealous… Aah, that’s right. Hey, Tachibana Mako-kun, are you interested in becoming the manager of the track club?”

“Huh? Ma-Manager…?”

President-san, who had been staring at my food and grumbling something, suddenly said something like that. Me… manager of the track club…?

“Yeah, that’s right. A manager. I’ve been observing Tachibana Mako-kun for a while, and I’ve been thinking… You are the mood maker of the class, a communicative person who can get along with anyone, and you can also pay attention to the smallest details. On top of that, you know how to cook dishes that will raise the morale of the club to such an extent. I think you’ll be a really good manager. How about it? If it’s alright with you, I’d like you to be the manager of our track and field club and show off your abilities.”

“Eh, etto… I’m sorry. I’m happy you think so highly of me, but… I’m also a member of the Seijokai, and too busy with the chores at home to be a manager.”

“Muu… That’s unfortunate. Well, if you’re busy then it can’t be helped. Then, a compromise—- Would you like to be my personal manager ‘…. ah’ Tachibana Mako-kun?”

“I’m sorry. What are you compromising on, President-san?”

…. I don’t get her. I think you’ve raised the bar even higher than being the manager of a club.

“Muu… That’s a no-go as well? I wish I could eat such delicious food prepared by Mako Tachibana every day—-”

“… You can’t.”
“”!?””

Before President-san could say anything else,  in a sharp voice that made my back feel cold she said a few words. The source of the voice came from right behind me and President-san. I looked at her timidly..

“K-Koma…?”

“Tachibana Koma-kun…? What’s wrong so suddenly…?”

There was my beloved little sis, Koma, standing there with a smile on her face.

“… Nee-sama being President-sama’s personal manager….? Wanting to eat Nee-sama’s delicious food every day…? ….. Fufufufufufu…. You can’t do that, President-sama… That’s… just like… just like you’re proposing to her…. Do you intend to create another strange misunderstanding?… Is what I want to say, but you didn’t truthfully propose to my Nee-sama  just now, right? I heard wrong? Right?”

“Umu… I don’t know what you’re talking about but probably you’re wrong, Tachibana Koma-kun. It’s a light joke. So please stop pointing such a powerful smile at me. Also, please stop this chilly air…”

The inexplicable smile on Koma made even President-san flinch… I wonder why. Lately, I’ve been getting a little tingly when I see this beautiful smile on Koma’s face…?

Well, let’s put that to the side for a moment. Just a moment ago she was eating so happily, but what happened suddenly to Koma? She’s smiling, though… I also feel like she’s angry. If she’s angry, what’s she angry about…?

“??? Etto… Koma? Are you okay? You look somehow angry…?”
“… Ah. No, nothing… I’m not particularly angry with Nee-sama, so please don’t worry. Just that… Nee-sama… I feel like you’re my personal manager… I wanted to declare to President-sama I won’t give you to her!”

“I’m… Koma’s personal…?”
“Eh? …. Au…”

Koma said… I’m her manager…? No way… Hold on. What’s with…

“It’s different, Nee-sama!? I just said that in a hurry… I just got caught up in President-sama’s words, and it was never in the sense of ‘I want to make Nee-sama exclusively for me’ or any other dubious meaning!”

“That sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it…! Isn’t it somehow cool to be Koma’s exclusive manager!”
“… Ah, is that so… (*Mumble*)… I’m glad… Nee-sama is a natural airhead…”

I like the sound of being Koma’s manager. It’s as if I’m sincerely devoted only to Koma, which is very nice.

“If I had to pick either one, then… Rather than a full-time manager, Mako is Koma-san’s servant.”

“No, she’s Koma-chan’s slave. Or Koma-chan’s pet helper.”

“More like Koma-chan’s pet?”

“You lot…”

And my friends who haven’t learned their lessons make fun of me. My friends, you… I’m Koma-chan’s servant? Slave? Pet helper? To make things worse… Her pet?

…. It’s vexing. I’m kind of frustrated because I feel like that’s a possibility.

　◇　◇　◇

Well, this is how I enjoyed a nice lunch with everyone. Even so… Maybe I’ve underestimated the appetite of the athletic club. Even though things may appear this way, it’s a lot of food… I made 1.5 times as much as I thought I could afford, but the track club ate it all up…

“—- Un, it was delicious♪ Nee-sama, the sweets were also very delicious! As expected of Nee-sama!”

“Is that so? I’m happy to hear that. I put a lot of effort into making it, so I’m really happy to hear that from you.”

After lunch, we had a tart with pear compote on top. Pears are in season, and tarts are one of Koma’s favorite desserts. I’m glad to hear that Koma is fully satisfied, as I had planned. 

“Fumu. Mellow almond cream goes well with pears. This was also delicious, Tachibana Mako-kun.”

“This… Was also by Mako-senpai…? The amazing dessert… Was also made by Mako-senpai…?”

“Haa… I can’t get enough of the crispiness of this tart… It’s so much better than a tart from a bad pastry shop… Tachibana is really great when it comes to cooking. It’s the only thing I honestly admire about you.”
“The compote brings out the natural sweetness and aroma of the pears, and it’s really good. It’s delicious… If possible, I’d like to eat more of it.”

The reaction of the other members seems to be rather good. They all seem to be eating well… Oh, and by the way, I was going to confiscate the dessert from the people who had teased me, but… They got down on their knees and desperately pleaded, ‘Please let us eat it!’, and after some persuasion from Koma and President-san, I reluctantly decided not to confiscate it from them.

…. Sigh. Feels like I’m too kind-hearted…

“Hey, Mako? If it’s okay with you… Would you be able to bring lunch once again?”
“Eeh… You want me to make more?”

My friend from the track and field club begs me to do so reservedly. Muu… To be honest, it’s a lot of work to cook and bake for this many people…

Well, the tournament is coming up, and it seems like bringing in some food will help boost the morale of the club…. I feel it’s hard to say ‘no’ when you’re staring at me with such expectant eyes. I’ll bring food again when I visit Koma next time.

“Aah, yeah, yeah… Then, if I feel so inclined, I might come back and make it as a pre-tournament parting gift, so don’t hold any expectations.”

“””Oooh!”””

“Th-Then, Mako! Next time, I want to try panna cotta! You can make it, right?”
“Oh, I want macaron!”

“Then, I want a chiffon cake!”
“No, I just told you, If I feel like it! I’d be troubled if you make requests so carefreely!?”

The moment I say that, everyone in the room cheers and makes one request after another as they please… I’ve done it. I might’ve promised a bit too much without consideration…

“Fufu… ♪ You’re really popular with everyone, Nee-sama. My Nee-sama, everyone depends on… I’m very proud.”
“Hahahaha… Me, popular…? It’s not so much that they’re depending on me for something, but rather using me— No, I feel like I’m made to run errands for them…”

It’s not bad to get compliments on the food I’ve cooked and to be expected to cook again.

“However… I wonder how Mako allowed Koma-chan to participate in the tournament as a helper. I wonder if this means she’s starting to separate from her little sister a little bit.”

“Un? Separating from my little sis…?”

As we are talking about this, one of my friends starts to say something like that. Eetto… What are you talking about?

“You see… I thought that Mako, who is a superdreadnought siscon, when the President went to ask you about Koma becoming a helper, you’d say, ‘What? If she participates in a tournament like that, I won’t be able to see Koma as much! I’m against Koma’s participation! I refuse! Get out of my sight!’ and complain while not allowing her to participate. That’s why I’m a little surprised that Mako agreed to let Koma-chan participate in the tournament.”
“Look here, you…”

… I’m shocked by my friend’s words. I wonder how big of a siscon she thinks I am…? I’m aware of it to an extent, but…

“Well… Of course, I don’t like the idea of spending less time with Koma, either… There’s no way I’d stop Koma who said she wants to participate.”

“Aah… I get it. Koma-chan’s priority is always the highest…. I see, I see. Mako did something as a good Onee-chan would do. Nice! Example of an older sister! You’re shining!”

“Umu. It’s okay to praise me more.”

I’m going to miss Koma for a bit, and honestly, I don’t want to, but… If I stop Koma from doing what she really wants to do because of my personal feelings, and if I cause her grief because of it… I hate that even more. Koma’s happiness is my happiness.

“Also. At best, I won’t be with Koma after school or on holidays, right? Naturally, even I can put up with that much. How impatient do you think I am?”

“””Eh…? After school… and holidays… only?”””

At my words, not only my friends who were  talking to me— But also, the rest of the track club and President-san. Even Koma asked me that question back.

“What is it, everyone? What’s wrong? I’m really curious, and I want you to finish what you started saying.”
“uuu… That is… Well, in either case… You’ll get it sooner or later…”

In response to my urging to continue, one of my friends had the resolve to continue.

“Etto… Mako. Then I’ll tell you, but… In the meantime, keep your head calm and listen, okay?”

“Un. Just get on with it, already.”
“I got it. About it. It’s about the upcoming track and field tournament that Koma-chan will be participating in, but…”
“But what…?”
“The tournament will be held in a place that’s almost five hours away from here by bullet train…”
“Ah, okay. That’s a long way from here.”

I see. So it’s not the kind of place I can just casually go and cheer. The cost of transportation is a pain… Well, If Koma is participating, I’ll be there to cheer her on, even if it’s at the end of the world!

“Aah… However, Tachibana. That’s not the end of the story.”

“Eh? There’s still more?”
“Aah, this is the main point… The truth is, qualifying for the tournament, then the finals—-

“—- are on weekdays.”
“…. Ha?”

Wait, hold a minute? Weekdays…? With those words, I gradually began to realize the gravity of the situation. Don’t tell me… Supporting…

“That’s why we, the contestants, as well as the freshmen who are supporting… And, of course, Koma-chan, our helper, will be treated as an official absence… You, who are not directly involved in the tournament, unfortunately can’t go to support them… I think. Because, it’s a weekday after all… You’ll have to take classes as usual.”

“……”
“Also… Travel days, the day before the coordination day, and then the qualifying day… If we qualify well, the finals are the next day— So, Mako it’s three at the very least. If we make it to the finals, you won’t see Koma for four days. Etto… I hope you understand that, Mako…? Did you really not know about it…?”
“…..”

…. At least 3 days… I won’t see my Koma for up to four days….? That is, during that time—- I wouldn’t be able to touch or kiss Koma… I can’t see Koma directly, nor hear her voice directly….? 

Hahaha… Is that so, so that’s how it is… I won’t be able to see my Koma for that long….? I know now… Hahahahaha….!

“Ma-Mako-nee-sama!? Are you… okay? Your complexion is somehow….”

“……..”

“Nee-sama….”

*Thump*!

“!? Ne-Nee-sama!? Get a hold of yourself!”
“Oi, oi, Tachibana Mako-kun!? What’s wrong!?”

“Wai!? That’s why, I told you to keep your head calm!”

“Oi, oi, oi…! Hasn’t Tachibana fainted and foamed at her mouth…!? Rather, is she breathing…!?”

“Holy… In the meantime, rush with her to the infirmary—– No, that won’t work! On second thought, it’s a holiday, so the infirmary isn’t open!”

“Anyhow, someone bring me an AED! Bring me an AED! Right now! And I need an ambulance as soon as possible! Quickly!”

“Nee-sama get a hold of yourself! Open your eyes… Please, Nee-sama… Nee-samaaaaaaaaaaa!?”

The moment I realized this fact, I blacked out.