The sky was clear again today. Great weather.
The morning sun was brutal for someone like me who was running on zero sleep.
I mean, it's one thing to spend a day off with just family, but I was going out with that Liesha-san.¹
Was this... a date?
No, no. We were just going to sign a smartphone contract.
She was just acting as a guardian for us clueless amateurs. Don't get ahead of yourself, Reo.
Speaking of guardians, when I told Mom and Dad about it last night, they immediately handed over all the necessary documents - ID, parental consent forms, proof of relationship, and so on.
"I've been waiting for a moment like this!" Dad shouted.
"Dear, calm down," Mom said.
"I know, I know. I just really wanted to say that once."
Even for my own parents, they were pretty playful. They'd prepared everything just in case they couldn't go with us when the time finally came. Honestly, I had nothing but gratitude for them.
"Kuu... I finally had a chance to go shopping with Reo and the others..." Dad groaned.
"It can't be helped," Mom replied. "The new hires just started, so your workload has doubled."
Just as we had started school, plenty of people were starting their new careers. And it was the seniors who had been there for years who had to support the rookies who didn't know left from right. In the real world, unlike school, you were expected to perform; praise was rare. I offered my parents some words of comfort while silently praying they wouldn't break under the pressure.
I changed out of my uniform and into my casual clothes. I ironed my white dress shirt until it looked crisp. After all, I was going to be walking side-by-side with Liesha-san. I couldn't afford to look slovenly next to her. As for my face... well, there was nothing I could do about that, so she'd just have to deal with it. But a sense of cleanliness was something I could achieve with enough effort! A quick splash of cologne, and I was ready.
I headed downstairs with a light step.
"Morning, Onii," Saki said.²
"Mornin', Aniki!" Taku added.³
"Good morning, Sakaki-kun," Liesha said.
Yeah. Wait, what?
I got a massive sense of déjà vu. Didn't this exact thing happen yesterday?
The only difference was that Liesha-san was in her casual clothes. She was incredibly cute - the outfit suited her so well I couldn't even look her in the eye.
"Good morning to my beloved younger sister and brother," I said.
"Yeah, let's just stick to normal replies, Onii," Saki sighed.
"Sorry. Good morning, Saki, Taku. And good morning to you, too, Liesha-san."
"Why am I the only one you use polite speech with, Sakaki-kun?" Liesha asked.
""That's it!"" the siblings shouted in unison.
"Eh?"
"I'm a Sakaki too!" Saki pouted.
"I'm a Sakaki too, Anego Liesha!" Taku added - ssu.⁴
"Ah..."
"Let's use given names, Liesha-san! You can just call me Saki!"
"Yeah! I'm fine with Taku!"
"H-Hey, you guys..."
Somehow the behavior of my younger sister and brother was different than usual.
"I-I see. Well then, for now... can I call you Reo-kun?" Liesha asked tentatively.
"P-Please. If it's okay with you, Liesha-san... just Reo is fine, or whatever you prefer..."
"(Nice, Taku! That's one step forward!)" Saki whispered.
"(You bet, Aneki! Huge progress!)" Taku whispered back.
I ignored the two of them acting all triumphant and sat down to eat the breakfast spread on the table.
"Yeah, this is great. It was your turn today, right, Saki? You've gotten really good."
"T-Thanks, Onii. It's only because Taku's been teaching me, though..."
"That's not true, Aneki," Taku said. "I just gave a few pointers. You made all of this yourself. Have some confidence!"
"U-Uh-huh. That's enough! Onii, don't look at me like that, it's embarrassing! Just eat!"
"Ahaha, okay. It really is delicious, Saki."
"~!"
"Fufu... you all really do get along. I'm jealous," Liesha said softly.
"Anego Liesha, you don't have any siblings (kyoudai) right?" Taku asked.
"No. I was an only child, and my parents are already gone..."
""Ah...""
Liesha-san's parents had been killed by the Demon Race when she was a child. She'd been taken in by someone who taught her swordsmanship, and after mastering the craft, she was introduced to Sensei Todo through that person's connections. I knew the story, but there was no way Saki and Taku could have.
"Don't worry about it," Liesha said with a smile. "It happened a long time ago. I've already made peace with it."
She was smiling, but there was a flicker of shadow behind it - a trace of loneliness.
"U-Um! If it's okay with you, Liesha-san, you can treat me like a younger sister! Actually, I'd really like that!" Saki blurted out.
"Me too! If Anego Liesha is okay with it!"
"E-Eh?! But... you have Re-Reo-kun, don't you?"
"Onii is Onii. I want a big sister (onee)!"
"Yeah! Aniki is Aniki. I mean, I already have an Aneki, but... I wouldn't mind having one more!"
Taku, that's a bit of a stretch. What was wrong with these two? They usually weren't this pushy.
"I-Is that so? But wouldn't that be a bit presumptuous of me...?" Liesha asked.
""Not at all!!""
"...Hey, Reo-kun, are they always this aggressive?"
"No, I'm really sorry. They're usually never like this... It's probably a nuisance, so please feel free to turn them down."
"It's... not a nuisance," Liesha said softly.
"Eh?"
"I was always alone. In the military, people treated me like I was fragile, and most of the people who did try to get close were... less than honorable."
"""..."""
Liesha-san wasn't just strong; she was breathtakingly beautiful. Even the way she fought turned heads. It was no surprise that people with ulterior motives would try to get close to her.
"Sensei Todo was the only one who truly cared for me. That's why I insisted on following him to the battlefield, even when I wasn't asked. I never thought things would end up like that..."
"""..."""
Saki and Taku didn't know the full context, but they listened in silence, suppressing the urge to ask questions. They were being incredibly considerate, making sure not to overstep. I gave them both a mental gold star.
"So, hearing you say that makes me really happy. Are you sure an older sister like me is okay?"
""Of course!!""
"I see. Thank you."
When the two of them beamed at her, Liesha-san gave a natural smile, one without any lingering shadows. If this helped heal her heart even a little, then I was glad. Though, I was a bit jealous. Having Liesha-san as a sister? What kind of life did you have to lead to get that kind of luck? Ah, right - they were good kids. That explained it.
"Since we're officially family now, I'm giving this to Onee," Saki said, handing something over.⁵
"Um... no matter how I look at it, this is a house key?"
"It's a key. Anego's gonna need one, right?" Taku added.
"...Um, Reo-kun?" Liesha looked at me, bewildered.
"Ah... if it were anyone else, I'd stop them. But if it's you, Liesha-san, I don't really mind."
"Eh?!"
I wouldn't have stopped Yuki Tanaka or the others either, honestly. I didn't think the protagonists were going to rob my house. If I couldn't trust them that much, I couldn't call myself a fan!
"Um, I know I'm the one receiving it, but I think this is a bit strange, don't you?" Liesha asked.
"""?"""
"Yeah, they don't get it at all. I'm going to have to do something about this..."
For some reason, a look of grim determination settled into Liesha-san's eyes. We finished breakfast and got ready to head out.
"So, which phone shop are we going to?" Liesha asked.
"I was thinking the one at Aion Mall.⁶ I wanted to pick up some groceries while we're there."
"I see. Aion Mall is convenient. It's a massive shopping center, after all."
"By the way, Onee, what kind of phone do you have?" Saki asked.
"I have this one."
"Whoa! It's the latest GALAXIAN 7!⁷ That's so cool! It's the super expensive one!"
"Fufu. I wanted to prioritize performance, so I splurged a bit. I get a decent stipend from the military, so I had some extra cash."
Lines I'd love to say at least once were just coming out of her mouth. I knew absolutely nothing about phone models, so I just stayed quiet and listened.
"Hey, Aniki, are there really that many different models?" Taku whispered to me.
I guess Taku didn't know either. Sorry, Taku. I might be a walking Wikipedia when it comes to game info, but I'm clueless about smartphones. But I had to save face. I was the big brother, after all.
"A-Ah, yeah. It's not just the GALAXIAN 7. There are plenty of others. Even within the GALAXIAN line, there are the older models, like the 6 and below."
"Fufu, as expected of Reo-kun. You're very well-informed," Liesha praised.
"Heh. I didn't think you were interested in this stuff, Onii. I'm surprised."
"As expected of Aniki!"
Ugh, faking it like this was stabbing me in the heart. I'm sorry, I really don't know anything. I just assumed if there was a 7, there had to be a 6. Faking knowledge never ends well; I'll have to be more careful.
We arrived at Aion Mall and pushed through the dense crowds until we reached the smartphone shop.
"Whoa... the lights are blinding, Aniki."
"Haha. It's bright in here. And there are way more models than I expected..."
I wondered how many types there were. Each one had a little blurb about its features, but reading them didn't help at all. I picked up one that claimed to have a long battery life.
"Are you going with that one, Onii?"
"Ah, well, it says the battery lasts a long time. I don't really have any specific preferences, so I figured a long-lasting battery would be best."
"I see. I want to play games, so I want something that runs smoothly. I can just leave it on the charger if the battery is bad."
"I'm fine with whatever," Taku said. "I probably won't be using it that much anyway."
"Taku, you're being naive," I warned. "Once you have a smartphone, you can look up anything you want instantly. You'll find yourself using it more than you think."
"I-I see. Then I guess I should pick a long-lasting one like yours, Aniki."
Man, he was so honest. Some people start using social media and end up glued to their phones all day.
"Reo-kun, you sound like you've used a smartphone before," Liesha noted.
Gulp! I actually have, but...!
"Just kidding," Liesha laughed. "I know you're an information expert because of your 'Evil Eye' and what you've told me about Saki and Taku."
"Ha... haha."
I could only give a forced laugh. As we wandered the store, a sudden stir broke out among the other customers. I looked toward the entrance and saw Saionji Momiji walking in, flanked by several bodyguards in black suits.
"Oh? Reo-san and Liesha-san?"
""!!""
Momiji had spotted us and approached with a smile. We walked over to meet her.
"Good morning, Reo-san, Liesha-san. And..."
"Ah, I'm Sakaki Saki."
"I'm Sakaki Taku - ssu."
"I see, Reo-san's younger siblings. My name is Saionji Momiji. I'm a close acquaintance of your brother from Valhalla."
"(Whoa! Taku, a powerful rival for Onee has appeared!)" Saki whispered.
"(Wait, wait, Aneki! We don't know if she's an enemy yet! But seriously, how many beautiful women does Aniki know?!)"
"Good morning, Saionji-san," I said. "Are you here to buy a phone as well?"
"No, no. The reason I'm here today is..."
"Welcome, Lady Saionji!!"
Before she could finish, a door at the back of the store slammed open and a man - probably the manager - came rushing out.
"This way, please! We have everything prepared in the back!"
"Yes, thank you. But could you wait just a moment?"
"Of course!"
The manager stepped back and froze in a deep bow.
"Fufu, I'm sorry. This store is actually owned by the Saionji Group. Are you here to sign a contract for a smartphone, Reo-san?"
"Ah, yes. I came to get phones for myself and my family today."
"I see. In that case... Tamaki, prepare the latest models for these guests."
"Understood! Please wait just a moment!"
The manager, Tamaki, scrambled toward the back. I was stunned by the sudden turn of events. No, no, no!
"Um, Saionji-san?!"
"Reo-san and Liesha-san are essentially scholarship students of Valhalla. This level of support is only natural."
It's definitely not natural! And the latest smartphones cost hundreds of thousands of yen!
"No paperwork is necessary. I'll have my people handle everything. In exchange..."
"..."
I swallowed hard. What kind of impossible task was she going to ask of me?
"Please continue to stay on good terms with me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Everyone, I leave the rest to you. Make sure you are not disrespectful in the slightest."
"""""Yes, Lady Saionji!!"""""
The staff all bowed in unison. She really was the next head of the ultra-giant Saionji Group... After that, we were given the ultra-VIP treatment. They brought us drinks while we waited; as a commoner⁸ at heart, it was an incredibly uncomfortable experience.
In the end, we finished the contracts without a hitch. And apparently, everything was free. The devices, the monthly fees - everything was covered, no matter how much we used them. Was this really okay? My parents were going to have a heart attack when they found out.
"Fufu, that's good, Reo-kun," Liesha said.
Liesha-san taking this as a matter of course made me realize how different the values of high society were. Saki and Taku were just thrilled; they opened their boxes right there and started messing with the settings.
"Onii! Let's register each other's info! You too, Onee!"
"Ah, that's cheating, Aneki! Me too! Wait, how do I even do this?!"
"Haha. Okay, okay, let's figure it out."
"It's confusing at first, isn't it? Let's take it one step at a time," Liesha said.
I helped Taku while Liesha-san took care of Saki, and we spent the rest of the afternoon registering our contacts.
Summary:
Reo heads to Aion Mall with Liesha and his siblings to get smartphones. They encounter Saionji Momiji, who owns the store and provides them with top-of-the-line devices for free. The chapter ends with the group bonding while setting up their new phones.
Trivia:
- Reo's parents prepared the legal documents in advance, anticipating they couldn't go.
- Liesha's parents were killed by the Demon Race, leaving her alone until meeting Sensei Todo.
- The siblings Saki and Taku effectively 'adopt' Liesha as their older sister and give her a house key.
- Saionji Momiji's influence is so great that the shop manager freezes in a bow.
- Reo's smartphone is effectively 'off the books' and entirely free due to Saionji's intervention
Character Insight:
Liesha shows vulnerability regarding her past and a deep desire for family connection, which the Sakaki siblings eagerly fulfill. Reo continues to struggle with his 'Mob' identity while being thrust into 'Main Character' scenarios by the high-status women in his life.
Behind the Scenes:
Author parodies common Japanese staples like AEON Mall (Aion) and Samsung Galaxy (Galaxian) to ground the modern fantasy setting.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ -san: A standard Japanese honorific for equals or slightly higher status.
2 ↩ Onii: Informal short form of Onii-san (older brother).
3 ↩ Aniki: Masculine/Rough term for older brother or leader.
4 ↩ Anego: Respectful term for an older sister figure or 'female boss' in a group.
5 ↩ Onee: Informal short form of Onee-san (older sister).
6 ↩ Aion Mall: Parody of the real-world AEON Mall chain.
7 ↩ GALAXIAN: Parody of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone series.
8 ↩ Commoner: Used here to denote Reo's psychological self-identification as an average person vs the elite.
Notes:
• Reo - Reincarnated HS dude who grinded 'Brave Fantasy' 100+ times, now a bland mob in the game world—black hair, Class E #6 by the back door, F-rank stats but plot meta-knowledge + magic flow reading to sideline-support heroes. Lil' bro to Saki & Taku, survives as background bro.
• Saki - Reo's younger sister, two years his junior. Handles housework and cooking. Has a kind but slightly blunt personality toward her brother. Highly concerned for her brother's safety. A middle schooler with Sage-level magic power who has been scouted by Valhalla.
• Taku - Reo's younger brother. Protective and prone to outbursts of anger against those who hurt his family. A middle schooler. Over 180cm (6 feet) tall with a massive, intimidating build. Skilled in sewing and housework.
• Saionji Momiji - Refined polite 'little lady' with long green hair and model figure—'Brave Fantasy' main heroine, Saionji Group heir, 'Princess of West Middle' in Class A. Big Four member at Valhalla academy, EX-rank magic capacity, Demon King soul tether, rich enough for a private doc on speed dial.