Candy Time Story Episode 3

"Stop it!"

Ayame's voice echoed from afar.

She seemed cheerful just moments ago, but her voice now clearly conveyed rejection.

I didn't understand the situation, but I couldn't just stand by.

I rushed over to where Ayame was.

"Ayame!"

"Big brother!?"

Ayame noticed me, and the guy she was with looked surprised too.

"O... older brother!?... My apologies!"

He quickly fled the scene.

"Why is big brother here!?"

That should be my line...

Then Emi, who had followed, called out breathlessly.

"Haah... Haah... Takahashi-kun... Is Ayame-chan okay?"

"Emi-san too!?"

Ayame seemed confused, repeating the words "big brother and Emi-san."

Then, as if reaching some conclusion...

"Oh no... I've intruded!" she exclaimed, trying to escape, but I quickly caught her.

"Ayame, wait, it seems there's been a misunderstanding, and I want to hear your story too."

With a gentle yet firm smile, I spoke to Ayame, who seemed to have gotten the wrong idea.

☆☆☆☆☆

"So, you just came to eat, huh? I thought for sure..."

"For sure?"

"That you and Emi-san were dating!"

She had misunderstood after all...

Meeting like this, it's no wonder she thought so.

I glanced at Emi, who was blushing silently.

(Did I upset her...)

It was crucial to clear up the misunderstanding so Emi wouldn't feel bad.

"Let me make it clear, Ayame, we're not in the kind of relationship you're thinking of."

"Eh? Really? But Emi came over to our house the other day?"

"That's totally different! You asked her to teach you cooking, remember? Don't cause Emi any trouble by misunderstanding."

Hopefully, with such a clear statement, Emi would forgive me.

Looking at Emi again, her face seemed normal... well, maybe a bit upset, but it looked like she wasn't angry anymore.

"It's not really a bother but..."

Emi was muttering something, but I hoped she wasn't mad.

What concerned me more was something else.

☆☆☆☆☆

"Ayame."

"Yes!"

I didn't mean to sound so stern, but Ayame straightened up and faced me.

There was no need for her to be so tense.

"Well, let's hear what happened."

"Why were you in that place?"

"Well, looking for a cafe, I guess?"

Upon further inquiry, it turned out she was with a classmate.

She likes cafe-hopping and exploring new places.

"And I heard there was this really delicious place around that area, so we decided to go together."

I see.

Apparently, it's a place known for its special roast chicken... huh?

"Could it be the restaurant we went to?"

"Probably."

As we delved deeper, she mentioned wandering around looking for the place but not finding it.

Then, suddenly quiet, she was invited to take a break in a hotel.

That was the situation we ended up observing.

"Well... young people will be young..."

Even if I am biased as family, I think Ayame is cute.

Wandering around a hotel district with such a girl, I can understand if someone got tempted.

Probably, he mustered the courage to approach her after his own internal struggle.

The fact that he fled so quickly suggests he felt inferior.

I somewhat sympathize with the boy, but my feelings are mixed because I don't want to hand over my sister.

Right, I can't give Ayame away just like that.

"Ayame, you shouldn't just follow anyone."

"Aw, I didn't just follow him around!"

Ayame complained, but I ignored it.

I understood the situation, but Ayame was too naive.

Maybe I should talk to her about understanding how men see her.

☆☆☆☆☆

"See you tomorrow then!"

Now that I understood the situation and things had calmed down, I said goodbye to Emi and started heading home with Ayame.

And as we walked...

"Big brother,"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Thank you... It was really scary when he suddenly changed like that..."

It's natural to be frightened when suddenly approached by a guy.

"No, it was just a coincidence."

"Really?"

What is she questioning?

As I looked puzzled,

"Big brother always seems to save me when I'm in trouble."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah!"

We continued our conversation as we walked home.