Asobi Otonari

The Disturbing Class Brother

“Hey, Akito, you've been in a good mood lately, huh? Did something good happen to you?”

During my lunch break, while I was eating Set A in the cafeteria, Akira, who was eating curry and rice in front of me, looked at me curiously.

I was not aware that I was in a good mood, but I realized that something good had happened.

Of course, it was a fact that I was starting to get to know Charlotte-san.

When he made me breakfast this morning, I was so happy.

I'm also very happy that Emma-chan likes me.

I'm sure I'll be treated like a lolicon for saying this to a young girl, but her cuteness doesn't make sense.

She is Charlotte-san's younger sister, so it goes without saying that she is the funniest thing I have ever seen, and makes me want to spoil her all the time.

She seems to be very fond of being carried, and smiles sweetly when you hug her.

She's a really sweet girl.

“O-oiii? Are you all right?"

As I recalled Emma-chan's smile, I saw Akira looking at me with concern.

What could he be worried about?

I'm not sure, but I still nodded.

“There's nothing special about that. It's business as usual.”

I retreated a little, trying to cover up what Akira asked me.

I have decided to keep the matter between me and Charlotte-san a secret, even if it is Akira, because it would cause trouble for her if people found out.

After all, if it was Akira, there was always a chance that he would get angry from jealousy.

Today, he tried his best to make contact with Charlotte-san.

However, for the first time today, I noticed that when Akira and the other boys were talking to Charlotte-san, her smile was a little tense.

If I recall, from the beginning, the smile that Charlotte-san would be displaying as the boys talked to her seemed a bit awkward.

Maybe he has a weakness for a boy.

But maybe I was just imagining something.

In fact, it will most likely be like that.

If he's not good with boys, he won't come to my room or serve me home-cooked meals.

“Fuun~... By the way, have you heard from your parents at this time.?”.

Akira, who was looking at me confusedly, asked me as if he remembered something.

I stopped my chopsticks as I picked up the fried shrimp, the main part of the Set A meal.

I looked at Akira's face.

“Ah... M-Jeez.. That's a bad topic to touch..”.

When our eyes met, Akira apologized to me as if panicking.

I slowly opened my mouth as I took my eyes off her.

“It's not like they're gonna call me. There's no way my parents will worry about me, and they're the ones who kicked me out in the first place.”

The reason I live alone is simple.

I can't stay home anymore.

I still remember how they treated me harshly when I lived with them.

To be honest, I don't think I'll ever get along with them.

However, they still send me enough money every month to live, and for that, I am grateful.

I tried to keep my hands off the money as much as possible, but it was still difficult for a high school student to make a living with just a part-time job.

If there was a better way to make money, I wanted to do it.

"You know what? Don't worry about it. I know I invited you earlier, but you can really come to my house, you know? My parents would love to have you, and they kind of bother me to take you, Akito.”

"Oh thank you. I'll come and visit your parents some time to say hello. But I don't want to make you guys trouble, and I don't have any problems in my life.”

I thank Akira for his attention.

When I told Akira that I would be kicked out of my house as soon as I entered high school, he and his parents invited me to come to the Saionji household.

But of course I didn't want to disturb them, so I refused the invitation.

Akira's parents still care about me.

Akira's parents are more like my parents than my own.

That's how much I've been ignored by my parents.

Well, I guess that's natural.

Besides, I'm not their real son.

I remember my unpleasant past and eat my food in silence.

...----------------...

"Hmm? It feels class is more rowdy than usual.”

Ever since Charlotte-san came to study abroad, people from other classes had gathered here, so every day was noisy, but somehow today felt different.

Besides, I can even hear them screaming.

Akira and I looked at each other and ran straight to class.

“―You guys, enough now! We're the ones who asked her out first!”

“You guys are the ones who need to cut the crap! After all, you're the one who keeps bothering him every day! Don't be arrogant just because you're a senior!”

When I returned to the classroom, some men were arguing, split into two groups with Charlotte-san among them.

It was the second and third year students who had sprung up every lunch hour lately.

My classmates kept their distance from the upperclassmen and Charlotte-san, as if they were trying not to get involved.

Charlotte looks troubled and frightened― as she tries to stop them somehow.

“They..!”

As soon as I understood what was going on, Akira moved to stop the seniors―but before he could, my body involuntarily moved.

“―You guys, what are you all doing..?”

I grabbed the arms of the two representatives who seemed to be holding each other by the chest and squeezed them tightly.

“” Ouch, ouch, ouch! You, what are you doing !? ”

The two of them glared at me, their voices aligned as if they were lying about fighting.

The only thing is― if I put more pressure on them, they will change color and somehow start trying to pull my arm.

I thought they were overreacting, but I released my grip on their arms.

They rub their arms in pain, but I don't care, I look up to the upperclassman.

“What are you upperclassmen doing scaring down lower-class girls? Why did you even come to school?”

""""Ah-!""""

The color of the upperclassman's face changed when they saw my eyes.

They look like they've seen something they shouldn't have seen.

“T-no, it's okay! We were just a little too excited, that's all! So please don't look at me like that!”

The man from the third grade who clasped each other gave me an excuse with a grin on his face.

“I-it's right! We just made a little noise! It was just a joke!”

Men from the second year also make excuses with tight smiles, like the third year.

What joke?

If it was a joke that scared Charlotte-san away, it was even more unforgivable.

“―Relax, Akito.you go back to your old self.”

With that voice, my head was hit from behind.

That's when I came back to myself.

“... Excuse me, senpai. Since the lunch break is almost over, can you go back to your class?”

I took a deep breath to let out my anger and asked the troublemakers to leave.

From the looks of the seniors, there would be no more quarrels.

“A-ahh, sorry for that, I'm sorry for the interruption.”

“Oh, we'll be back soon too.”

The upperclassman seemed to understand and slipped away.

When I saw them, I felt a little sorry.

I was angry when I saw Charlotte-san's frightened look, but it was clearly excessive.

At the very least, it was not a way of treating senpai.

I have to thank Akira for stopping me before I go too far.

"-Oh man, I didn't realize that you were in a bad mood until you returned to your old self … I knew I had to be careful not to talk about your parents in the future … "

"Hmm? Did you say something, Akira?"

“I-it's okay, you know? Yes, it's okay, I promise.”

I thought I heard Akira behind me say something, but it seemed like it was just my imagination.

It bothered me that she was a little confused, but oh well, the class is about to start, so can wait until later.

“U-umm, Aoyagi-kun. Thank you very much."

Just as I was about to return to my seat, Charlotte-san came up to me before I realized it and thanked me in a small voice.

I wondered why he was so agitated and would not make eye contact with me.

Could he be afraid of me…?

Charlotte-san's unwillingness to make eye contact with me surprised and depressed me.

......................