"Why should I let a girl ruin my mood?!" Seeing the fierce gleam in Umaru Doma's eyes, Sogo Doma's buried survival instincts erupted.
"Eh?" After the ferocity in Hamster Umaru's eyes faded slightly, she touched her lips with a finger and said, "Not because of a girl? Could it be that Onii-chan's in a bad mood because of a boy?" This time, Umaru Doma's eyes were no longer fierce—they were filled with curiosity.
"Umaru, wasn't that attitude shift a little too fast?" Vein marks kept popping up on Sogo Doma's forehead.
"Onii-chan is avoiding the question. Could it really be because of a boy..." Hamster Umaru covered her mouth with one hand. "Onii-chan, Onii-chan, who's that boy? Umaru can take him out for you—no, I mean deal with him. No, that's not right. I mean bring you two together..."
Had this little dumpling just revealed something? Sogo Doma's mouth twitched. "Umaru, who taught you words like 'take him out'? Girls shouldn't go around saying things like that!"
"But don't Onii-chan and Big Brother Hijikata talk like that all the time?" Umaru Doma blinked her big, innocent eyes.
Sogo Doma: "..."
Umaru, it was all Onii-chan's fault. They said children grew up watching their older brothers' backs—well, actually their parents' backs. Did that mean he wasn't a qualified older brother after all!?
Just as he began doubting himself, Umaru Doma pressed on.
"Onii-chan, forget about Umaru's wording for now. Let's talk about that boy..."
"There is no boy!" Wait, now was not the time for self-doubt. If he didn't deny it, this entire bucket of dirty water would be dumped over his head!
Umaru Doma: "..."
She was silent for a moment before reaching out with her little stubby hand and patting Sogo Doma on the shoulder.
"Onii-chan, although Umaru can't