Chapter 53: Consulting with My Sister [Side: Rena Kashii]
I'm pretty busy. On top of being the class president, dealing with various interpersonal issues, club activities, and all sorts of tasks that come my way, I can manage them to some extent, and they don't interfere with my studies or club activities, but I can't help thinking that if I had a bit more time, things would go a lot smoother.
That evening at home, after somewhat venting my frustration by telling Tachibana-kun to come to the art room again the day after tomorrow after school.
'So, that's how we talked, just the two of us♪'
'I don't get the connection between the content of Reina's story and her mood. What are you doing tomorrow?'
'I have a few ideas, but nothing definitive yet.'
I told my older sister that even though I promised Tachibana-kun during the seating change, I ended up pairing with someone else, dragged him to the art room to complain, and let out all the things I'd been holding in.
My sister looked exasperated and said,
'You call that a private conversation between just the two of you? Do you often talk alone like that anyway?'
'Maybe five times in total? Three times in the nurse's office, once walking home together, and once for advice on a problem.'
'That's so few! And isn't the nurse's office a bit much?'
'Ah, it was because of injuries. But in the nurse's office, dyed orange by the evening light, just the two of us, he was too shy to meet my eyes. There was definitely a vibe, though.'
'If you've had that situation three times and still haven't managed to confess, isn't it kind of hopeless?'
'That's not true! He told me he liked me the other day!'
'But out of the three times in the nurse's office, one was about a fight, and another was him saying he wanted to keep his distance, and then he ignored you from fall until the next summer, right? And the "like" just slipped out unconsciously, didn't it? "Like" can mean a lot of things, from love to just being curious.'
'Ugh!'
'If someone as cute as Reina can't find a good man more easily...'
'If just anyone was fine, I wouldn't be this worried! "But that's what makes it good," you know.'
'But even though you're not his girlfriend, aren't you complaining too much to Tachibana-kun? You don't want him to think you're a selfish or noisy woman, do you?'
'That would be a problem... Maybe I went too far. I'll try to make up for it somehow. What should I do from now on?'
My older sister sighed and started talking specifics.
Let's do some coaching.
How do we create results and change?
Clarify the current situation and the goal, specify the differences between them, identify challenges and solutions, eliminate obstacles to results, and encourage effective actions.
We sisters do this often. One of us plays the listener, and we discuss things in the format I just mentioned.
'But before that, don't you think you two talk alone way too little? Even elementary school kids adjust their schedules to walk to and from school with someone they like, you know?'
'...'
———————
My sister, who is so dedicated to others but surprisingly clumsy with her own affairs, finds her little sister adorable and can't help but give serious advice, helping with studies, makeup, clothes, and everything else.
That further accelerates the little sister's growth. The genius-type older sister passes down her know-how, which the top-talent-type little sister absorbs rapidly. Seeing her little sister grow, it feeds back to the older sister, boosting her motivation, creating a mutual learning dynamic between the sisters.
However, since the older sister doesn't have much romantic experience either, these beautiful and talented sisters are both equally clumsy when it comes to love.
But being so capable, they don't come up with outrageous or unrealistic ideas; they have a practical approach.
———————
What came out of the sisters' discussion:
It's not time to rush yet, work on improvements, and make appeals. That was the conclusion.
Goal:
Get him to confess at the graduation ceremony.
To do that, nurture Tachibana-kun's feelings!
Improvements:
Try to increase the time spent together, even just a little.
Make more time for Reina to get things done (reduce workload? Cut back on club activities or socializing? Take more breaks?)
Get to know each other better (increase opportunities to talk).
Help resolve or support the issues he confided in you about (his worries).
Appeals:
Homemade food or thoughtfulness, maybe? (Studying or sports might come off as showing off too much and turn him off.)
Cuteness, beauty, femininity (sexiness?) (both appearance and personality).
Let Tachibana-kun know about your feelings (subtly).
Something like that, right?
I thought it was over when my older sister found out, but consulting with her definitely feels better than thinking about it alone.
———————
The little sister, Reina, trusted her older sister. Though her sister sometimes teased her, Reina respected her beautiful, talented, and versatile older sister. But the little sister didn't know that her older sister was also struggling with a similarly oblivious type in her own grade and was stuck at the same level in romance.
(Reina is drawn to the same type as I am, huh? We really are sisters.)
So, the older sister didn't tease Reina about her crush as much as Reina had expected.
———————
My older sister said,
'It's quite a hassle to deal with each thing one by one, isn't it? What are you going to do, Reina? If you had a good plan to solve everything at once, that'd be great...'
'!... As expected of my older sister! Because you pointed out the problems so clearly, I came up with an idea! And it's a plan to make up for going overboard today!'
An idea so brilliant it felt like a "ding!" sound effect went off.
'I'm looking forward to seeing Tachibana-kun tomorrow.'
'Eh? Reina, are you sure you're okay?'
My sister looked worried. Well, just watch, older sister!
I need to prepare a little, though.
'Ah, older sister, remember the badge that came as a bonus with the brand clothes you bought the other day? The set with two of them, can I have them?'
Next time, Kashii-san's secret plan will come into play.