[CH.17] Sister and Sumire

I Reincarnated as a Beautiful Girl and Aim to Become a Top Actress! (WN)

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[CH.17] Sister and Sumire

"Suu, wake up. We've arrived home."

I could hear my mother's words, and my drowsy consciousness gradually surfaced. I had somehow fallen asleep facedown in the back seat, and as I struggled to keep from sinking back into slumber, I slowly raised myself up.

With unsteady steps, I got out of the car and moved toward our home. I had been thinking that maybe I'd just go to bed without eating dinner today, but before I could open the door, the front door slowly swung open.

"Welcome back!"

Accompanied by a bright voice, my sister's beaming smile, which I had never seen in this world, greeted my eyes. I was so surprised that it jolted me awake, despite the fact that it had been a dream. Nevertheless, the shock was so great that, combined with my cautious nature, it took a while for my body to relax.

"I heard from Dad that you'd be coming back today, so I prepared properly. Welcome back!"

My sister, impatient with both my immobility and my mother's reluctance to move, continued to push us into the house while happily saying the word "welcome" syllable by syllable. Watching her, I couldn't help but think, "This girl really has a bad personality." For a brief moment, a mean-spirited thought crossed my mind—should I mention my plans to go to Tokyo and see her face cloud over? But that wouldn't be the right approach. I hadn't yet confronted my sister and asked her why she disliked me so much. I needed to determine the reason, and then decide whether to distance myself from her or make an effort to repair our relationship.

As I contemplated these things and entered the house, I saw a plate of snacks like potato chips arranged on the table, along with a bottle of orange juice. My sister, who usually didn't help with household chores, must have put in quite an effort. Thinking that, regardless of her motives, her intention to show appreciation to me and my mother might be genuine, I felt a pang of guilt.

"It's already dinnertime, and you've prepared so many snacks... We even bought bento."

My mother sighed as she said this but chose not to scold her daughter, possibly because she wanted to respect her proactive gesture of preparing. My father, who believed "meals are meals, snacks are snacks," didn't seem too pleased, but he refrained from making any extra comments and went to wash his hands before sitting down. Of course, my mother and I also made sure to wash our hands and gargle.

"Ahem... Well then. In appreciation of my sister's reckless challenge..."

"Hey, Tsukiko."

Perhaps in response to the somewhat poisonous toast, my father couldn't help but raise his voice. While I did feel like pointing out that you can't toast with such words, I didn't intend to dampen the mood. If my sister heard about my plans to go to Tokyo, she would definitely feel down. Or perhaps she would get upset... In any case, if things started off in that state from the beginning, it wouldn't be the right time for a conversation. So, I sent a signal to my father with my eyes, indicating that he shouldn't worry about it. I also shook my head a bit, so my intentions were probably understood.

As my parents and I began eating our bentos without any particular ceremony, my sister, perhaps because we didn't join in, reluctantly started eating her own bento. I felt a sense of relief as I tasted the familiar flavors from a nearby bento shop, realizing that I had returned to my hometown. I had no idea that my mother had bought the vegetable stir-fry bento that I usually ate since I had been asleep and didn't know we had even stopped by the shop. The vegetable stir-fry here is really delicious; it's stir-fried properly and has a crunchy texture.

My sister had the chicken nugget bento, while my parents had the makunouchi bento. There was nothing particularly new about these choices since we usually got them. As the four of us quietly enjoyed our meal, my mother suddenly glanced around the room and let out a small sigh.

"It's so dirty after being gone for just three days. We'll need to put some effort into cleaning tomorrow."

Indeed, the room was dusty, and there were laundry scattered about, as well as a ladder left out in various places. This seemed like quite a task, and I wondered if I should help out when I got back from school tomorrow.

Thinking this, I glanced at my mother, and she shook her head while smiling gently.

"You have to bring back souvenirs for Nao-chan and the others, right? It's okay, your big sister will help you."

"Eh, why do I have to do it?"

My sister expressed her dissatisfaction with my mother's words, and my mother's expression gradually changed from a saintly one to a demonic one. While listening to the argument between my mother and sister, where they blamed each other for the mess, I made eye contact with my father and exchanged amused smiles.

After everyone finished their meal and took a break, I decided it was a good time to have a serious conversation with my sister.

"Onee-chan, I have something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

My sister, who had been nibbling on potato chips, said with an annoyed expression. Normally, she would completely ignore me, so today, she was in a relatively good mood.

"Why did you apply for the audition using my name without my permission?"

"What's the big deal? Thanks to that, you got to go to Tokyo. You should be thanking me instead of getting mad."

My sister had said provocative things, but she seemed to be intimidated by my unwavering gaze, and she awkwardly responded.

"I wanted to put you in your place because you were getting too full of yourself. Now you'll realize that even if you're called cute in the countryside, you're just plain ugly in the city."

"Um... You know, Onee-chan, you always say I'm getting too full of myself, but I don't remember ever being conceited."

To confirm if I had unknowingly displayed such an attitude, I also asked my parents, "Am I getting too full of myself?" They immediately shook their heads and denied it.

Seeing this, my sister continued with her words, seemingly aware that the situation wasn't going in her favor.

"Even our grandparents, they've been doting on you since you were born, always paying attention to you. The neighbors, too, and my classmates. Can you understand how miserable I feel when everyone compares and belittles me?"

In my previous life, I had experienced similar situations where people would say things like, "Your sister is so-and-so, and you're not much," which could be hurtful. While it's true that it's frustrating to be taunted for things you can't immediately change, when it comes to appearance or behavior, if you make an effort, you can improve and reduce the criticism from others. So, I wondered why she didn't try.

"Here's an analogy: Imagine there are two stores—one where the service is excellent, and they have everything you want, and the other where the service is terrible, the selection is poor, and they don't change even when you ask. Which store's regular customer would you want to be?"

"...What are you talking about? Obviously, I'd choose the first store. Who would want to use a lousy store like that?"

My sister said it as if she were mocking me, and I nodded in agreement.

"I think this situation is similar to us. I always make an effort to be polite to others and never do the same thing again if someone points it out to me. I do chores even without being asked, and I respond immediately when given instructions. What about you, sis? Do you greet the neighbors? Have you corrected the various things that our grandparents have scolded you for?"

I asked her with a hint of admonishment. By the way, our grandparents had already given up on her because she didn't change her ways despite their repeated advice. The fact that our grandparents, who were usually very indulgent with their grandchildren, had to criticize her behavior was quite alarming. But, I'll leave that aside for now. 

"I... I do things properly..."

"Do you really? Because it doesn't seem like you've changed at all. I'm sorry if this offends you, but I don't see you putting in that level of effort. Yet, you label me as 'getting too full of myself,' belittle me, and even go as far as harassing me to embarrass me. It's really annoying."

It's gratifying that I went to Tokyo, met Mr. Kanzaki, and made a connection with Ms. Oshima, but it's only hindsight. Moreover, while this time it was within the family, if my sister were to use similar means to denigrate someone she doesn't like in the future, there might even be a possibility of legal consequences. Even if I have to use harsh words, I want to create an opportunity for my sister to change here.

"Belittling me won't elevate your status, Onee-chan. We are different individuals. If you want others to praise you, you need to make more effort to change yourself. If you're claiming to make an effort, then perhaps your efforts or direction are misguided."

When I said this, my sister, perhaps due to anger, glared at me with a flushed face. Then, shaking and seemingly trembling, she stood up with a thud.

"If you weren't here, I would have become a better person! Everything is your fault! If only you weren't here...!"

"If I weren't here, would you help mom without complaining? Would you reflect on things and make an effort to improve instead of blaming others for what you can't do?"

"I don't know! Maybe I would! What's wrong with you... saying irritating things all the time!"

It's unclear, but did I just get her to admit something? Well, at the current state, she probably won't listen to what I say, so let's proceed with the conversation. However, in a way, it's tough to be told that it would have been better if I hadn't been born, even though our relationship was thin. I experienced similar things from my parents in my previous life, but it's just as tough as it was then. But I can't leave the conversation halfway, I need to push a bit more.

"In that case, it's fortunate. I'll be gone by the end of summer vacation, so prove that your words aren't lies. I'll make sure to check with mom and dad about you."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I had an interview with a movie director among those who auditioned me, and I'll be studying acting under the actress Azusa Oshima, thanks to the director's introduction. So, after the first term ends, I'll transfer and move to Tokyo."

With an expression that perfectly suited the word 'dumbfounded,' my sister, seemingly on the verge of collapse, turned her gaze toward mom. And mom, as if affirming that my words were correct, nodded firmly.

The sister, who had just mocked my failure in the audition, was unexpectedly noticed by someone important. Furthermore, she must have been jealous of my move to Tokyo. Though it's just my imagination, for my sister, it was probably quite a shock. She seemed like she might collapse, but she managed to stand firm, leaving the living room and likely returning to her own room.

I don't think she would do anything crazy, but as a roommate, I worry about the possibility of being harmed. Perhaps the parents also considered this, as they suggested that I sleep with them from tonight, and I decided to take advantage of their offer.

"Sorry, Mom. I said things like 'by the end of summer vacation' without any plans being decided yet."

"It's okay. We'll work out the details with Ms. Oshima, but I think that's a probable schedule."

Mom said so, stood up, approached me, and gently hugged me.

"Sorry. This is something that Mom and Dad should be saying, but I let Suu-chan say unpleasant things."

"No, it's fine. From now on, we'll discuss the details with Ms. Oshima, but you'll probably follow that schedule."

Feeling that my emotions had been conveyed, Dad said sincerely, giving me words of encouragement. Honestly, it's tough to be continuously targeted with malice when I haven't done anything. But for my sake, for my sister's sake, and for my parents' sake, I hope they can do their best.

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