179: Brother-in-law’s Got You Covered

At the third-floor arcade in Roppongi Hills, Umaru had both hands pressed against the clear acrylic panel of a claw machine, eyes sparkling greedily at the Black Rock Shooter figure inside.

"It finally refreshed."

She had waited a long time for this store to restock.

For this very day, she hadn't visited the arcade for a full two weeks.

No more talking—today she was going all in.

Inserting two coins into the machine, Umaru focused her gaze and began her hunt.

Not far away, a pair of dark eyes observed her.

She's actually got such a good figure? Totally underestimated her.

Takashi was quietly amazed.

She was wearing the same outfit as usual, except today she wasn't wearing tights.

Under those black hotpants, her legs were as delicate as budding shoots—slim and straight.

When she leaned forward slightly to operate the claw machine, her hips naturally lifted a little, forming a perfectly rounded curve that was quite a sight.

Maki probably won't be back so soon.

Thinking of how Maki had just left, Takashi pulled out his phone and called Umaru.

"Yes!"

Successfully grabbing the Black Rock Shooter figure, Umaru raised her snow-white arm and gave a little victorious fist pump.

"Great start, not bad at all."

Stuffing the figure into her bag and getting ready to move to the next machine, her phone suddenly rang. She took it out and saw the caller: Kitahara Takashi.

"Huh?" she let out a surprised sound.

"Why is he calling during the day all of a sudden?"

Hearing her muttering, Takashi smiled to himself.

Ever since he first called her, he hadn't stopped "bothering" her.

He would chat with her whenever he was free, and every night after calling Narii, Eriri, Maki, and Nagisa, he would call Umaru.

With his persistent "harassment," Umaru had gotten used to his calls.

That was a good sign.

Takashi planned to keep it up, slowly turning her acceptance into a habit.

"Hello!"

Umaru's voice came through, and Takashi looked toward the girl standing next to the claw machine. "Doma-san, do you remember what you promised me?"

"What?"

Umaru was confused and had no idea what he was talking about.

"You said you'd go on a date with me if you lost the test."

"When did I promise that?! That was you threatening me!"

Umaru puffed up her cheeks angrily like a pufferfish.

Seeing her like that, Takashi couldn't help but think of another girl who loved puffing her cheeks—Nakano Miku.

Umaru was just as cute, every bit as adorable as Miku.

"The next mock exam isn't until next semester. How about we use the results from the upcoming Seven School Joint Exams?"

"The Joint Exams? That's next month! No way—we agreed on mock exam results. You can't change it on a whim."

Umaru refused firmly.

She didn't think she'd lose, but beating Takashi wasn't easy either. She'd have to rely on her brother to tutor her.

And that would mean less time for gaming.

No way she wanted that.

"Afraid, Doma-san?"

"Give it up, Kitahara-san. That kind of reverse psychology doesn't work on me."

"How about this—if I lose, I'll stop calling you entirely."

That offer was tempting—Umaru was seriously swayed.

"Are you serious?"

Though she always answered Takashi's calls, she would run to the balcony to take them.

She didn't dare answer in the house—she was afraid her brother might overhear.

Running out to the balcony in the middle of summer was hot and full of mosquitoes. She'd gotten bitten several times.

Naturally, Takashi didn't know any of this.

He always assumed she lived in a big villa like the Sawamura family, and that she took his calls from her room.

Umaru's personal image was just that good—everyone who saw her thought she was some rich heiress.

Not only Takashi—her entire class thought she was the heiress of the Doma Group.

"If I'm lying, I'm a dog."

Should she trust him?

Umaru was tempted, but still skeptical of Takashi's promises.

"By the way, Doma-san, where are you right now?"

"I'm at—wait, why do you want to know?"

Umaru became instantly alert.

"I'm at the arcade on the third floor of Roppongi Hills, and I think I just saw a girl by the claw machines who looks a lot like you. Thought I'd check."

What!?

He's here too!?

Umaru panicked.

"I-I-I'm obviously at home studying. Where else could I be?"

This is no place to linger—time to bail!

Umaru gave up on collecting any more figures, slung on her backpack, and prepared to flee.

Takashi, hiding behind a machine, happily watched her dash toward the exit and said casually, "Really? Then let's video call. I've got a question I can't figure out."

"No need for that. Just text me the question."

Umaru raced toward the exit, flustered.

"Eh, that's such a hassle. Oh, that girl who looks like you is running off. That's not you, is it?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why do I hear running?"

"Someone upstairs is running."

"Huh, Doma-san, why are you out of breath while talking?"

Because she was answering while running, her voice came with a hint of panting.

Those who knew would understand she was running; those who didn't might think she was doing... something else.

"I ate something spicy—huff huff."

"Oh right, about the Seven School Joint Exams—you're on."

Not waiting for Takashi to say more, Umaru quickly changed the subject to stop him from pressing further.

"Then please dress cute for our next date. A shrine maiden outfit would be great—especially one that shows off your underarms."

"What's with that overly confident tone? And proper shrine maiden outfits don't expose the armpits! Have you ever seen one like that?"

"Who says they don't? Reimu shows hers."

"Reimu who?"

"Hakurei Reimu."

"Hakurei Reimu… Kitahara-san, are you some old relic from the last century?"

"Say that again and you'll hurt this Touhou fan deeply."

…

The two of them bantered for a bit more before hanging up.

"Maki's so slow—why isn't she back yet?"

During the call with Umaru, Takashi kept looking around nervously, worried Maki might suddenly return.

But even after the call ended, there was no sign of her.

After waiting a while longer, she still didn't return, and Takashi began to feel uneasy.

Damn it—what if Maki got kidnapped?

If that really happened, he was screwed.

The Shijo family would never let him off the hook.

Takashi stood up and walked toward the entrance, planning to look for her.

But before he could reach the door, he saw Maki violently beating up a boy.

Since the system only gave him information about girls, Takashi didn't know who the boy was or what his relation to Maki was.

He just thought they looked a bit alike.

Could that be Maki's little brother?

Takashi paused.

He didn't really want to meet his target's relatives.

Their relationship was fake anyway—no need to make a scene.

But then again, he had already met Eriri's parents—so what was there to be afraid of?

Worst case, he dies.

He stepped forward toward the two.

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