You're Jealous, Onee-chan!

Looking at the three messages on her phone, the usually calm and composed Izumi Kotomi found her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Utaha Kasumigaoka had invited her out on Sunday, Iroha Isshiki had also invited her to eat sukiyaki on Sunday, and finally, her sister Aimi had planned for them to eat tonkatsu that same Sunday. Out of these three invitations, she would have to reject two. Otherwise...

Kotomi instinctively shrank back, suddenly recalling the lyrics of a famous game's ending theme.

—Upon reaching the shore of sorrow, I will need no warmth, nor any tomorrow. In the silent darkness, a presence like a dream descends.

The familiar song lyrics sent chills down her spine. She didn't want to end up dying at the hands of an unknown sharp object while that song played.

Being in a love triangle is thrilling for a moment, but ends with the 'hatchet' murder scene!

Anime and novel protagonists somehow always manage to resolve such situations and end up with all the beauties. But as someone who had 'researched' countless anime and galgames, Kotomi had come to one conclusion.

In real life, handling this hellish scenario is impossible, unless the system suddenly gifts her with a skill like Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"Kazumi, does the system have Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Kotomi asked, using a voice only she and Kazumi, the deity residing in her, could hear.

"Huh? Why would I have something like that? Kotomi, are you half-asleep, or am I the one who's groggy?" Kazumi replied groggily after being abruptly woken up by Kotomi's silly question.

Did Kotomi think she had been reincarnated into Naruto?

"Ugh—figures," Kotomi sighed, deflating like a balloon.

Confused, Kazumi asked, "What's going on?"

Kotomi had no choice but to explain the 'triple whammy' situation that had just unfolded. Even though Kazumi's system was unreliable at times, it was still her golden ticket in this reincarnated life. Surely, in such a dire situation, Kazumi could come up with a solution, right?

After hearing everything, Kazumi paused for a few moments, then in a sorrowful tone, started singing:

—Upon reaching the shore of sorrow, I will need no warmth, nor any tomorrow...

"Shut it! I already thought of that song! If you can't help, just say so—don't rub salt in the wound!" Kotomi groaned, covering her face in despair.

"Honestly, I don't want to see you trigger a bad ending and end up under the 'hatchet' either. But, Kotomi, you were too careless when responding to those texts. You set yourself up," Kazumi remarked helplessly.

"Isn't there any way to solve this perfectly?" Kotomi asked, clutching at straws.

"Doesn't seem likely. You should start by figuring out which two invitations you'll decline," Kazumi suggested.

"I still don't know! It feels like rejecting any of them is bad."

"Maybe you should just buy yourself some armor that can block sharp objects."

"..."

Just then, the school bell rang.

For the first time, Kotomi actually wanted to stay in school a little longer, but since she had promised to tutor Yui today, she packed her things and headed out with her.

Walking through the hallways alongside Yui Yuigahama, Megumi Kato, and Yukino Yukinoshita , a group of second-year students passed by, grumbling with obvious frustration.

"I was all set to relax and game this weekend, but it turns out we only get one day off," one of them complained.

"Right? I even blocked my girlfriend's number just to play Monster Hunter: Rise, and now we only have Saturday off."

"At least you get a day. My Monster Hunter won't even arrive until Sunday, but we've got to come back for school! And my parents won't let me touch my console Monday through Friday!" another lamented.

"Why is there still so much homework even though it's only one day off?"

"Who's going to do the homework anyway? No way! Brothers, this is our test of friendship! None of us do the homework, and we'll just rush it together at school on Sunday!"

"Agreed!"

"I second that! Anyone who writes their homework is a coward!"

"Settled then. Consensus achieved!"

With that, the group of second-years made a pact not to do their homework, each secretly planning to finish it the night before anyway, and seeing who would actually follow through.

As Kotomi overheard their discussion about Monster Hunter: Rise, her attention was drawn back to the game's release. Her phone suddenly buzzed again.

It was a message from Utaha Kasumigaoka.

[Kotomi-chan, bad news. The teachers just announced that the second and third years have to come to school for extra classes this Sunday. Looks like we won't be able to hang out. But I refuse to cancel our first date, so how about we go out tomorrow instead?]

That's right—Utaha-senpai was in her second year. Kotomi realized this, and immediately felt relieved.

The triple-booked Sunday suddenly became a double-booked Sunday.

With a calmer mind, Kotomi replied:

[Sounds good. See you tomorrow, Utaha-senpai.]

[See you tomorrow~]

After sending that message, Kotomi finally let out a sigh of relief. The heavy weight on her shoulders lightened a little. To celebrate, she decided—

—to order the deluxe collector's edition of Monster Hunter: Rise online.

...

Later, at Yui's house, as Kotomi was taking off her shoes at the entrance, little Yuka poked her head around the corner, peeking to see who had arrived.

Seeing both her Onee-chan and "Penguin-neechan," Yuka excitedly dashed forward, shouting as she ran, "Onee-chan!"

"Yuka~" Yui squatted down, opening her arms wide in anticipation.

However, Yuka zoomed right past her like a little bull and crashed into Kotomi's arms instead. The force caught Kotomi off guard, but luckily, thanks to certain "assets," she managed to absorb the impact without being knocked over.

"Penguin-neechan, you really came to play with me!" Yuka cheered, burying her face in Kotomi's chest with a huge smile.

Yeah, I came to see you alright—almost sent me to heaven with that tackle though, Kotomi thought with a wry smile.

"Yuka!" Yui's voice carried a hint of frustration as she pulled her little sister out of Kotomi's arms. "Penguin-neechan is here to tutor me, not play with you."

"You're jealous, aren't you?" Yuka blinked innocently, her wide eyes filled with mischief.

"I am not!"

"Then you are jealous," Yuka replied with absolute confidence, even while dangling in Yui's grip.