The new name Eris chose so she wouldn't be recognized was Iris. Yes… a little too similar, honestly.
As we walked toward the center of the park, I noticed that more people had arrived, but Eris looked calm, without the slightest trace of doubt.
◇ Onii-chan, can you buy me a chocolate ice cream? I saw an ice cream truck and thought it would be a great idea to share our ice creams! —With a sweet and excited expression, she showed a bright smile.
When I looked into her eyes, I realized something; the Eris I had spoken to just moments ago had disappeared. All that remained was her appearance and beauty.
It's hard to explain in words, but when I looked at her, all I saw was a little sister who just wanted to share ice cream with her brother.
Strange. I didn't feel, nor did I see, even the slightest hint that she was acting.
– Of course, Iris. Let's go get some ice cream —I confidently accepted her request.
While buying a chocolate cone and a mint one, I noticed that everyone around us was staring.
They were looking at Eris, but not because she was famous—because she was simply breathtakingly beautiful. So much so that the ice cream vendor, who must have been around fifty, ended up giving us the ice cream for free.
◇ Really, you're going to give my brother and me the ice cream for free, sir?! —She asked the man in surprise.
"Of course! You two should enjoy life. Besides, you remind me of my grandchildren…"
◇ Sir! I promise I'll enjoy this ice cream to let you know your grandchildren would have too! —Exclaiming with the pure firmness of a young girl, she assured the old man.
I saw how deeply moved he was by her words.
As we walked away, I glanced back and saw the man covering his face with his arm. Perhaps Eris's kindness was too much for him to handle…
We went to eat the ice cream on a bench, where I noticed the glances of everyone passing by. Not fixed stares—just fleeting looks, as if people couldn't help but admire her for a second before continuing on their way.
◇ Onii-chan, this ice cream is delicious! Do you want me to give you a bite?
– Eh?! Are you sure about that?
Sharing ice cream? Even if it was part of her act, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
◇ Yes! And in return… I'll try yours!
I took a small bite of her chocolate ice cream. It embarrassed me, but I managed to enjoy its taste despite my nerves.
Immediately after, she licked my mint cone.
◇ Mmm, delicious! It's so good, Onii-chan!
After that, she went quiet for a few seconds.
◇ I was thinking… maybe later we could go to an amusement park. What do you think?
At first, it didn't seem necessary to extend this strategy that had already worked. It would only expose her to unnecessary risks.
But when I looked her in the eyes to question her request, I saw the gaze of a sad little sister who only wanted to have fun—but who would obey her brother if he refused.
Those eyes pierced my heart like an arrow, making it impossible for me to say no.
– Of course, we can have fun a little longer, I guess
◇ I love you, Onii-chan! Thank you!
As we finished our ice cream, I realized why Eris had come to the park in the first place.
Being near her and seeing her behavior up close, I felt that the reason her act seemed so real was because she truly wanted to do something fun.
It was as if she had simply found a way to entertain herself.
She showed me her phone with an open chat, where she had written that no one should bother looking for her because she'd return to the agency on her own later.
◇ Now we can have fun without any worries, Onii-chan —She told me cutely, without a trace of guilt.
I gave her an awkward smile as I saw several messages filled with complaints about her reckless attitude.
Well… judging by her confident tone in those messages, I concluded that her daring behavior wasn't exactly new.
I thought of taking her to an amusement park I'd heard my classmates talk about.
Once we finished our ice creams, we headed there. It wasn't too far from the park we were at.
◇ I'm so happy to go to the amusement park with you, Onii-chan! —With a cuteness worthy of headpats, she playfully bumped against me.
I wasn't sure if I could keep resisting her adorable comments. Her natural beauty didn't affect me much, but her way of acting around me did—it made me feel like a knight bound to protect her latent innocence.
And it made me realize how powerful girls can be when they know how to use their charms.
– Ehhhhh?! Wha-, what are you— —Blushing down to my feet, I felt a divine sensation in my left arm.
Could this be…? Yes… This must be like the legends about harem anime protagonists—an incredibly soft, heavenly sensation, as if two clouds were harmoniously wrapping around my arm.
This was it…! The scene where the heroine presses her chest against the protagonist's arm! I was now sure—Eris wasn't a B cup. She was… a C cup! The jackpot!
◇ Onii-chan, what's wrong?
– Huh? N-nothing's wrong with me… —Trying to hide my excitement, I answered nervously.
◇ Then let's go have fun together
That innocent smile… even though I knew she wasn't really my sister, that she was acting, that we were the same age, and despite the sensation in my left arm…
Even so, it was impossible for me to have any impure thoughts.
The fact that I enjoyed the feeling on my arm didn't mean I saw her in any other way—it was just… pleasant.
As we kept walking, I somehow got used to it, as she alternated between pressing her chest against my arm and holding my hand.
Maybe I got used to it quickly because I started thinking of her as my actual little sister, so it didn't feel that strange. Though, honestly, my real sister would never do something this embarrassing of her own free will.
We arrived at the place, and I was stealing glances at everyone watching us because I had such a pretty "little sister," who wouldn't stop chattering about what we could do and which rides we could try together.
– We're here. What do you want to do first? —She hopped off my arm after a pleasant walk and her eyes started sparkling.
They sparkled so much that I realized she wasn't acting; her expression made it clear Eris was genuinely excited to try every ride she could.
◇ Onii-chan, what are you waiting for? Hurry up!
Snapping back into character, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a carousel, showing real, natural excitement.
We ate fair sweets and went on most of the rides. Eris told me she had no money, but that she would pay me back when we got to her agency—though I wouldn't have minded if she didn't, since she obviously wouldn't take advantage of me.
Who would want money from someone like me when your album is played all over the world.
I honestly felt grateful to help her unwind on my day off.
◇ Let's ride that one, Onii-chan, it looks fun!
– Yeah, sure… it'll be fun… —I answered somewhat dejectedly as she wanted to hop on another extreme ride.
I don't like rides that lift you out of your seat; they make me uneasy, but now she wanted to ride the roller coaster—the worst of them all.
At the top of the roller coaster, shadows wrapped around Shido, while stars lit up Eris's eyes.
◇ Woohoo! Shidoo! How amazing~! —Confident that no one would hear her at that dizzying speed, she screamed.
– Aaaaaaaah! —I yelled with tears in my eyes and a high voice.
Never in his life had Shido experienced such terror, just as Eris had never experienced such excitement.
I swore I would never ride a roller coaster again.
That's what I thought after that experience, though Eris seemed to be loving it—I couldn't keep up with her.
Back on solid ground, an unexpected conversation arose.
◇ Onii-chan!
– Yes? What's up?
◇ Shall we ride the Ferris wheel?
She suggested it calmly and sweetly. With no will to refuse, I gladly agreed.
A lot of time had passed since we arrived at the fair; the sun was setting and the Moon was rising.
Seated in one of the gondolas, the wheel began to rise slowly.
It felt like something important was about to happen in a video game, but I didn't let myself get carried away and acted as usual.
◇ Hey, Shido… I really thank you for everything you did for me today. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun… —With a hint of melancholy on her face, she said while gazing down at her feet
A strong declaration…
Being grateful for the happiness is fine, but if you say it because you know it's about to end, it can be devastating.
It's like digging your own grave; it's just depressing.
– Don't worry, Eris, we're friends after everything that happened today, right?
Her eyes grew increasingly gray. I don't like to see people being sad, so rest assured that you can count on me, Eris.
– You don't have to thank me
A real answer.
I don't know if she considered my comment bold, but I think we could count ourselves as friends now.
◇ Friends? We're friends…? Of course we are! Right?! —Brimming with joy and a little skepticism, she reached that conclusion.
Her sad expression from a moment ago vanished completely and a smile spread across her face.
If this were a game, I'd have gotten the "bad ending: friends forever," but this is reality, so I can say I achieved a decent outcome.
– That's right, Eris, now let's just enjoy the view
The Ferris wheel slowly reached its peak, revealing a splendid panorama.
◇ Hey Onii-chan. Could I stay over at your house tonight?
After everything that had happened, this request didn't surprise me too much, but I noticed something different: although she called me Onii-chan, this time she asked as a friend.
A slightly embarrassed smile accompanied a request she didn't want to bother me with.
– No problem, although… now that I think about it we'll be alone, my family is on a trip and for the moment I'm living alone in my house
◇ Really!? I can stay at your house!? Fantastic!
Ignoring the first part entirely, she looked innocent and excited at the idea of spending the night.
As time passed, her happiness made me feel strange; I never expected her to get so happy just because I said we were friends.
Throughout the Ferris wheel ride she kept gripping my arm to show me every little thing that excited her so she could share it with me. I didn't know what was happening, but she behaved as if we'd been close friends all our lives.
I decided to enjoy myself as if we had been friends for a long time.
After all, what would Eris think if she knew her only friend got nervous when she tugged his arm or got close to him?
Seeing her so happy to have a friend, I realized I might be her first real friend.
If I showed embarrassment at her happiness, she might hold back and limit her actions to avoid making me uncomfortable, and that would make her sad because she couldn't be authentic with someone.
I can't allow that to happen.
They stepped off the Ferris wheel and headed toward Shido's home. Calm silence reigned on their path to his house, broken only when they reached the door.
◇ Is this your house, Shido? It's very big and pretty, by the way
– Yes, that's right. It has two floors and several rooms
The living room with the TV where I usually play is just past the door to the right, and the kitchen is on the left. There's a bathroom straight ahead next to the stairs that lead to the second floor, where my parents' and my sister's rooms are, as well as mine and a storage room for old things; there are also two rooms we no longer use.
◇ Your house is so clean, Shido! I'm going to stretch a bit
After a long day, Eris looked slightly tired.
When she began to stretch, I noticed how flexible she was. When she did a perfect split, I couldn't help being surprised—it seemed effortless.
– It's amazing how flexible you are, Eris
◇ Of course I am. Who do you take me for! I'm an elite idol, I need to be flexible to perform the dances at my concerts
The confident Eris was back; it was reassuring to see her act naturally.
– Well. You can watch TV or play that game on the carpet. I'll prepare dinner, so make yourself at home
◇ Thank you so much. I hope I'm not too much trouble
– No problem, actually I'm excited that someone like you will try my cooking
I set about preparing an omelette in my own style.
While I cooked, Eris started playing the game she had been on that morning. When she finished, I took it to the sofa where she played while she ate; to avoid spoiling possible responses I hadn't seen, I only glanced occasionally.
Eris was playing the idol route, and after three and a half hours she got the Good ending, which is the second-best ending, not counting the secret one.
Curiosity took over when I saw the final scene she achieved. It seemed to end with the idol becoming the protagonist's friend, but there was some anguish between them; most likely there's an event in the route that must be performed perfectly to get the True ending.
◇ Aaaah… I'm sleepy… Shido, where could I sleep?
– Follow me. You can sleep in my sister's room and put on one of her pajamas to be more comfortable
I left her alone in the room so she could sleep peacefully.
◇ Good night, Shido!
– Good night, Eris. Rest well
And so the day ends, so ends the day… With an unforgettable day.