ATHO Chapter 23

Sibling’s ‘Affection’

Posted by April Fox, ? Views, Released on September 15, 2025

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Chapter 23 – Sibling’s ‘Affection’

Chapter 3: People Who Wish for Happiness, Part 3

Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)

Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)

Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Jade’s soft lips touched mine in a gentle kiss. But then, something that wasn’t his lips brushed against mine, and I couldn’t help but let out a sound.

“Ah! Jade?”

“What’s the matter?”

“You… you l-licked…”

Shocked by the sensation of his tongue, I blushed furiously and tried to protest.

“My lips… Why… why did you lick them…?”

“Did you not like it?”

Jade tilted his head slightly in an adorable manner, as if to ask; “Did I do something wrong?“

Faced with such a look, I couldn’t bring myself to strongly reject him.

“Licking me out of nowhere is… surprising, you know.”

“Then, should I ask for permission first?”

“T-that’s not what I mean!”

“Then, what should I do?”

“Ugh… What should you do…?”

Unable to answer, I lowered my gaze in defeat.

“Nii-san, I want to lick you.”

“Wha… what?! Huh?!”

“Kissing and licking aren’t all that different, are they? You’re welcome to kiss or lick me too, you know.”

What in the world is Jade talking about?!

Thrown off by his outlandish suggestion, I shook my head vigorously.

The thought of licking Jade’s lips…

Just imagining it made my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“In that case, I’ll be the only one licking.”

As though the matter were settled, Jade smiled sweetly. Realizing I couldn’t out-argue him, I reluctantly gave in for now.

Jade placed his hand on my cheek again and leaned in for a kiss. Fearing he might lick me again, I pressed my lips tightly together.

However, Jade didn’t lick my lips this time.

“Goodnight, Nii-san.”

“Y-yeah. Goodnight, Jade.”

Relieved, I also felt a strange sense of disappointment I couldn’t explain.

Without finding an answer, I pressed my heated cheeks with my hands and fell asleep.

***

Spring came for the ninth time in this second life of mine.

Jade graduated from the academy as the top student. He expressed his desire to learn estate management and assist me moving forward. Both Father and I were delighted by his offer and began teaching him about managing the estate.

Jade was a quick learner, grasping anything we taught him with ease.

When we visited the territory, he interacted with the residents with a bright smile and effortless charm.

“Jade, you’re incredible. I could never manage things that well.”

“That’s because the position and responsibilities of the next lord weigh much heavier on you, Nii-san. Compared to you, I have it easy.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I plan to do my best to ease your burden, even if just a little.”

“Got it. I’m counting on you.”

Jade gently held my hand and smiled warmly.

“The next lord, huh…”

I often felt anxious about whether I could fulfill my duties as well as Father.

I wasn’t brilliant like Jade—just an ordinary man.

Recalling the mistakes of my first life, I sometimes worried if I was truly fit to inherit the role of lord.

Wouldn’t Jade be more suited for it than me?

As I absentmindedly held a report from the territory, lost in thought, Jade peered into my face.

“Charles Nii-san?”

“Ah, sorry. I need to read this report.”

“Are you tired? You seem a bit down.”

Jade placed his hand on my cheek and leaned closer.

“J-Jade! I’m fine, really! I’m okay now…”

“I see. That’s too bad.”

Reluctantly, Jade stroked my cheek a few more times before pulling his hand away. His affectionate gestures as a younger brother were so direct that I could barely keep up.

Recently, he often licked my lips, and the other day, he even tried to deepen the kiss with his tongue.

A deep kiss like that clearly wasn’t normal…

“So, Nii-san, what’s the next task?”

“Ah… that’s…”

Just meeting Jade’s gaze made my heart race these days, which was definitely strange. Hoping to hide this odd feeling, I put a bit of distance between us as we walked side by side.

***

When I returned to the mansion after finishing my errands, an unfamiliar carriage was parked outside.

Father must have a guest, I thought as we entered the house. I passed by a young man around Jade’s age, who seemed to be leaving. Standing in the entrance, Jade was seeing the young man off.

“Welcome back, Nii-san.”

“I’m back. Was that guest here for you, Jade?”

“Yes, he’s an old classmate.”

“Oh, so he came to visit?”

“No, it was about business.”

“Business?”

As we talked, Jade and I headed toward the study.

“Back in school, a few friends and I started a project for fun. It turned into a business, and that was a meeting about it.”

“Really? That’s amazing, Jade. But are you sure? You don’t have to be my assistant if you’d rather focus on that work.”

“It’s fine. I enjoy working alongside you more, Nii-san.”

Seeing Jade smile, I couldn’t help but feel proud of my younger brother.

“By the way, Nii-san…”

“What is it?”

“Have you been avoiding me lately?”

“Huh?!”

I couldn’t help but let out a panicked voice. Recently, being alone with Jade had felt awkward, so I’d been handling outdoor tasks on my own.

Even when I was at the estate, I’d spend unnecessary time hanging out in Lien’s room.

As Jade slowly closed the distance between us, I felt cornered.

“Do you dislike being around me?”

“N-no, it’s not that.”

“Then why are you avoiding me?”

“That’s…”

“That’s what?”

“It’s because… you keep kissing me. Kissing you… makes my heart race.”

When I confessed the truth, Jade’s eyes widened.

“Kissing me makes your heart race, Nii-san?”

“…Yeah. You’re used to it, so it probably doesn’t do anything for you.”

“Even I feel my heart race when I kiss you, Nii-san!”

Surprised by Jade’s louder-than-usual voice, I blinked at him. The rare sight of a flustered Jade was unexpectedly endearing.

“So you feel it too, Jade?”

“Yes, Charles Nii-san. I… I feel…”

Jade’s unusually serious expression held my gaze as he slowly opened his mouth to speak—

“―Hello~~?”

A lazy voice interrupted us, and we both jumped in surprise. Turning toward the source, we saw Lien standing at the doorway with an irritated look.

“L-Lien! What’s wrong?!”

Flustered, I hurriedly put some distance between Jade and me. Lien approached with a pout and hugged me tightly.

“Lately, it’s unfair that only you two are spending time together!”

“Sorry, Lien. I haven’t been able to spend much time with you.”

As I stroked Lien’s perpetually adorable back, I heard Jade’s disgruntled voice behind me.

“It’s because of work. Besides, Lien, you’re fourteen now. Stop clinging to Nii-san like that.”

“It’s fine, isn’t it? Right, Charles Nii-sama?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind.”

Delighted, Lien buried his face into the crook of my neck.

I wondered what Jade had been about to say, but I figured if it was important, he’d tell me someday. For now, I decided to enjoy some rare time with the three of us together.

***

After that, Jade and I became busy managing the estate, leaving little time to spend with Lien. It made him feel lonely, and sometimes he’d sulk and say, “I don’t want to go to the academy.”

“Lien, you’re going to help me with my work in the future, right?”

“Yeah, of course!”

“You’ll support me when I’m in trouble?”

“Of course I will!”

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*Translator’s Note: Charles, you were married in your first life. How can you not tell where Jade is getting at? Unless you weren’t physical with your wife in your first life… Lol. -K

*GLOSSARY: