Mash-Up Anime World: Adopted by the Sawamura Family

"That's right! There's only one truth."

"And that is—Akira, you're acting."

Fujiwara Chika somehow pulled out a brown detective hat, a Pocky stick dangling from her mouth as she pointed at Akira with absolute certainty.

Akira: ...

Fujiwara Chika, you menace to the world, just you wait.

"Akira, you're too much!"

Maria, usually soft-spoken and easygoing, suddenly raised her voice in frustration.

"I take it back."

"You're a big liar, a huge jerk!"

"I recognized you the moment I saw you."

"Onii-chan, do you have any idea how much that means to me?"

Maria's voice trembled slightly, revealing the biggest secret she had kept hidden in her heart.

"No wonder you hugged his head the moment you saw him."

"And kept giving him all sorts of benefits."

Alisa suddenly realized the connection and exclaimed.

"Allie, this is just familial affection, not 'benefits.'"

Maria explained seriously.

"Masha-senpai, then how do you explain yourself to Yuki?"

"We went to the same middle and high school together."

"Yet, you knew Onii-chan's identity and never told Yuki."

"How was I supposed to know fate would play such a trick on us?"

"That Yuki's lost brother would turn out to be my childhood friend."

Maria blinked her brown eyes, looking adorably clueless as she explained.

"Masha-senpai, you're lying!"

"You once said that your locket holds a picture of your childhood friend."

"There's no way you wouldn't notice the resemblance between Onii-chan and Yuki."

"You must have secretly investigated his background long ago."

"Which means—your airheadedness is just an act!"

"You're actually sharp, observant, and have an incredible memory."

"Otherwise, how could you recognize Onii-chan at first sight?"

"Yuki-chan is so scary!"

Maria pouted, her soft voice full of grievance.

Ahhh!

She regretted admitting she recognized Akira the moment she saw him.

Now Yuki had completely caught onto her mistake.

"Sister, did you really know Akira's background all along?"

For the first time, Alisa felt that the sister she always thought of as clueless, slow, and in need of care had been hiding something deep.

"It makes sense. Look at how Haruno-senpai pretended in front of Yukino."

"Masha might have been doing the same thing."

Fujiwara Chika, having too much fun playing detective, spoke with suspicion.

"I swear."

"I really didn't do it on purpose."

"And I never investigated Akira's background."

Feeling wronged, Maria clutched her heart and turned to Akira with pleading eyes.

"Akira, do you believe me?"

"I believe Masha one hundred percent."

"Masha may have had her suspicions, but she would never investigate."

"Because no matter what the truth turned out to be, it would only cause her more distress."

"With Masha's personality, she would rather push those thoughts aside and pretend not to know."

"Avoidance is shameful, but effective."

"Just like how she recognized me instantly but kept it a secret until now."

"Allie, Masha may act a little in front of you."

"But her slow and carefree way of life is her own choice."

"She thinks working as hard as you do is exhausting."

"She believes that having just one hardworking sibling is enough."

"She finds fulfillment in supporting you quietly from behind."

"For Masha, everyone's happiness is the most important thing."

Seeing the sadness in Maria's eyes, Akira immediately stepped in, explaining with a serious expression.

"Waaah! Akira, you really do understand me best!"

Maria burst into tears and ran into Akira's embrace.

She had wanted to do this for a long time.

"You perfectly put my thoughts into words."

"I did have suspicions, but I chose to ignore them."

"Just like how fate brought us back together, if Yuki and Akira were meant to reunite, it would happen naturally."

"Tonight's sibling telepathy proves that."

"Akira is just as cool as he was when we were kids!"

"I still remember how you used a wooden stick as a sword to chase away those bullies trying to pick on me."

And just as Maria was deeply touched—Akira, true to his usual self, ruined the moment.

"Masha, I protected you when we were kids."

"Now that we're grown up, shouldn't you return the favor by marrying me?"

Maria: ...

Akira, give me back my moment of emotion!

"Shouldn't you join my harem?"

"Shameless! Stop using moral coercion on Masha."

"I knew it! Akira can't be serious for more than three minutes."

"Akira, offering myself is fine, but joining your harem is out of the question."

Maria angrily pushed Akira away, puffing up her cheeks.

"Allie, I suspect Akira actually knew Russian all along."

"Don't forget—he's a genius."

"From what I know, he speaks Chinese, English, Japanese, and French fluently and can switch between them effortlessly."

"Back in middle school, could it be that he was just messing with you?"

"Eriri makes a good point!"

"Actually, there's no need to suspect—it's one hundred percent something Akira would do."

"Akira, you're the worst!"

"How can someone as awful as you exist in this world?!"

Alisa's face turned red with anger, nearly fainting.

The mere thought of all the embarrassing things she had whispered in Russian in middle school made her want to dig a hole and disappear forever.

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