A Benefactor, Something You Love to Madness

Shahzad let out a big yawn.

"Come to think of it, you mentioned your internal clock was messed up."

"Yeah. When you're diving into dungeons, it's inevitable."

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

He yawned again.

"Maybe I will."

He started lying down on the sofa.

I pointed toward the bedroom.

"Use the bed. You don't mind, right, Nadia?"

"Do whatever you want."

"No, it's fine. I usually sleep in dungeons anyway. Compared to that, a sofa is like heaven."

"We're the ones who feel awkward if you sleep there."

"…"

Since Shahzad tends to be overly considerate, this was the best way to convince him.

"Like I've said before, why not just set up a room for yourself? Right, Nadia?"

"Do whatever you want."

"Well… but I only come back occasionally, and I head off to dungeons right away. Having a room made just for me seems unnecessary."

"You're way too considerate…"

Since dealing with this was a hassle, I made up my mind to set up a room for him before his next visit.

"Anyway, get some proper rest. You just got out of the bath, so nobody can say you're dirty or smelly."

"Alright then, I'll take you up on that…"

Looking a little reluctant, Shahzad headed into the bedroom.

"Fii~"

Nadia let out a breathy sigh and collapsed onto my thigh.

She must have been keeping up quite a front because she was completely drained.

"Seriously, what's with you lately? Acting like that until you're this exhausted."

"It's not weird. It's my choice."

"But behaving like that is rude to big brother."

"Huh? Rude?"

"Of course! Acting all grumpy like that. And what was with that 'do whatever you want' attitude? It even made me feel bad."

"No, I really just meant 'do whatever you want'..."

"Oh, really? Then do whatever you want too."

"That hurts so much!"

"Right? Big brother is broad-minded and kind of oblivious, so he doesn't seem to mind, but under normal circumstances, you'd probably be disliked for that."

"Disliked… but…"

Nadia glanced toward the dining table.

On it was a fashion magazine she had recently started subscribing to.

"Ah!"

When I suddenly stood up, Nadia, who had been using my thigh as a pillow, toppled over.

But compared to a German suplex, it was nothing.

I walked over to the magazine.

"Ah! No, don't!"

Nadia rushed after me, trying to snatch it back.

But there was nearly a fifteen-centimeter height difference between us.

My reach was even longer.

I held Nadia back with one hand while flipping through the magazine with the other.

My eyes landed on a page with a folded corner and sticky notes attached.

It was an absurd article titled "Special Feature: How to Be an Attractive Woman!"

"Five Reasons Why Cool Beauty Is Adored"

"Do Not Show Your Smile Recklessly"

"Gestures That Instinctively Attract Men"

"'Do Whatever You Want' Is a Magical Phrase"

"The Charm of Stoic Women Will Captivate Any Man!"

The content was just as ridiculous as the title.

"Nadia…"

"N-no! It's not like I was influenced by this article or anything!"

"Nadia."

"I-I mean, sure, I admire cool women a little… but it's not like I was trying to appeal to Shahzad! You know, it's just… practice for someday!"

"Wait, Nadia. I'm serious about this. Listen carefully."

"Huh? Serious about what…?"

"I'm not teasing you or making fun of you. I'm being completely serious. Stop this immediately. If you don't, I'll stop being your friend."

"That extreme!?"

"This is bad. At first, I thought it was kind of cute, like you were just trying too hard, but now it's unbearable."

"Unbearable…?"

"It's painfully awkward."

"Painfully awkward!? What kind of awful massage description is that!?"

Saying this outright was the kind thing to do.

"Painfully awkward… you're being too harsh…"

I had dealt a serious blow.

She looked like she was about to cry.

(But if I don't say this clearly, she won't understand…)

Watching Nadia now, I was reminded once again that she and Shahzad were definitely siblings.

They both act normal on the surface, but something about them is always a little off.

Sometimes, they don't even seem like regular humans.

(Well, that's part of their charm…)

"Ugh…"

"Don't cry. Listen, Nadia. You often try to act tough or hide your true feelings, right? Like how you never even told me the real reason you started streaming."

"That… I'm sorry about that…"

"I'm not blaming you. What I want to say is…"

I crouched slightly to meet Nadia's eyes.

"The real you is the cutest. So there's no need to try too hard or act tough. Understand?"

"…"

Nadia nodded.

"Good."

I ruffled her hair.

Nadia looked up at me with a resentful glare.

But with tears in her eyes, it had no impact whatsoever.

"What's wrong?"

"…Hey, Keya. Did you forget?"

"Forget what?"

"That I'm older than you! I'm a year ahead of you!" Nadia said pridefully.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes! And since today's my birthday, that makes it a two-year gap for now!"

"Ahaha. I was just joking. Of course, I didn't forget. I could never forget what you did for me, Nadia."

"What I did…? You're exaggerating…"

"It's not an exaggeration. It's the truth."

If I hadn't met Nadia, I'd probably still be a shut-in.

Nadia is truly amazing.

She's responsible, reliable, strong-willed, intelligent, athletic…

She's my benefactor and someone I admire.

And yet, the moment Shahzad is involved, she turns into a total mess.

(She's just like Shahzad in that way.)

Shahzad is usually calm, a mature and wonderful man.

But when he's camping, he turns into a complete fool.

His excitement skyrockets, and he does reckless things for no reason.

Like a little boy on summer vacation.

(For Nadia, Shahzad is like camping is for him.)

I felt both exasperated and envious.

Because I didn't have something I loved to madness the way they did.