Mahiro and the Rainy Season

Mahiro and the Rainy Season (まひろと梅雨越し, Mahiro To Tsuyu-goshi) is Chapter 51 of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!. It was originally published on Pixiv on April 24, 2021.

Summary
Mahiro has low energy due to the rain outside making her hair frizzy, so she and Mihari go to visit Kaede and Momiji.

Plot
It's raining outside. Mihari notes that it's finally her day off, but that it is also the rainy season. She notes that it is so gloomy out that she can't even air out the futons. She goes into Mahiro's room to wake her up and tells her that it's morning, only to find Mahiro lying awake in her bed in a listless state.

As MNihari helps Mahiro sit up, Mahiro notes that she has even less energy than usual today. She remarks that she body is so heavy, and suggests that maybe she's sick. Mihari combs Mahiro's hair and tells her that she feels this way because of the low pressure point. A strand of Mahiro's hair bounces up, and Mahiro notes that it looks like her hair isn't playing nice today either. Mihari tells Mahiro that the humidity is making her hair all frizzy. Mahiro collapses in her bed saying that this is a death sentence for a beauty like her, and tells Mihari to just leave her to rot. Mihari is delighted by how feminine Mahiro is acting at this moment.

Mihari drags Mahiro out of bed saying that she gets that she's low on energy, but that she'll feel better once she's up. Mahiro shrugs off that suggestion. Mihari tells Mahiro that she wants to take her somewhere nice, and this gets Mahiro intrigued.

The nice place turns out to be the Hozuki residence. Kaede open the door and welcomes them, thanking them for braving the rain to get there. Mahiro's attitude immediately improves, cheering that they are truly somewhere nice. Kaede is confused by this statement while Mihari laughs at it.

Kaede notices that Mahiro's hair is all frizzled today, and Mihari mentions how it's because it hasn't stopped raining for days. She also mentions how Mahiro has been so depressed over it, and Kaede laughs calling it typical tween behavior. Mahiro gets embarrassed and claims that it's not really like that.

Kaede tells Mahiro not to be so down, and says that she can fix her up in a flash. Mahiro notes that this isn't so bad, causing Mihari and Mrs. Hozuki to laugh. Mahiro asks Kaede if she can make it normal again, and Kaede says that she can't do that immediately. She adds though that there are some emergency treatments she can try, but that Mahiro mostly just needs regular caretaking. Mahiro has no idea what she means, but goes along with it anyway.

Kaede decides that in the meantime, they should look at it from another perspective. She ties Mahiro's hair into a bow in the back that holds up the rest, saying that they are now using that natural curl to her benefit, which Mihari is amazed by. Kaede remarks that it is cheaper than a perm, and Mihari says that it's nice and looks so mature. Mahiro looks into a mirror and her mood immediately improves upon seeing it. She starts glowing, saying that she feels so much better now. Kaede asks Mahiro if it feels great when a look comes together, while Mihari thinks to herself that Mahiro is in for it now.

At that moment, Momiji walks into the room and says "no fair", telling Kaede that she should've said that Mahiro was coming over. Kaede apologizes for that, saying that it slipped her mind. Mahiro flips her fair with her hand and says "A very pleasant day to you, Momiji-san". Momiji is amazed at how elegant Mahiro is acting with her new hairstyle.

All four girls sit around a table. Momiji remarks that all this rain is so boring and suggests that they play a game together or something. Mahiro perks up at the thought of a game, and remarks that she didn't know that Momiji was into games. Momiji rummages around in the cabinets beneath the TV, saying that she and Kaede play together as a family sometimes. Momiji brings out a board game called Monotory, and Mahiro realizes that she was talking about that kind of game. Mihari is excited at the prospect of a board game, Kaede warns them that she is great at this game, and Mahiro agrees saying that they should play. Mahiro thinks to herself however, that they shouldn't expect any mercy from her where games are concerns.

The game begins. On one turn, Mahiro draws and announces that she's taking over all of Momiji's property. Momiji is shocked and tells Mahiro to at least take Kaede's, as she's in the lead. Mahiro just smiles and says that has to defeat her closest rivals first.

Momiji eventually lands on a chance tile and gets a million bucks. Mahiro announces that Momiji has activated her trap card and says that she's seizing her funds. Momiji says that this is no fair and thinks that Mahiro is picking on her, thinking to herself that she doesn't like it.

In response, Momiji demolishes Mahiro's headquarters, causing Mahiro to cringe. The two stare at each other for a second, and Momiji tells Mahiro that she hates her.

Out of nowhere, Mahiro falls backwards on the floor in shock. Kaede notes that she appears to be dead, much to Momiji's shock. As Mahiro's soul starts to leave her body, Momiji starts holding her and crying. She apologizes and says that she was just kidding, telling Mahiro to open her eyes. Mihari does a silent prayer "Namu Amida Butsu", and thinks to herself how Mahiro is still so emotionally fragile. Momiji decides to give Mahiro all her stock certificates, and Mahiro recovers. Mihari notes how kind that was of her to do.

When the game is over, Kaede notes how fun it was and Mahiro lies back on the floor to relax. Momiji says that sometimes it's nice to stay in, and Mahiro is happy that Momiji finally gets it. She remarks that she doesn't mind if it keeps raining forever, though Momiji admits that she would hate that. Momiji suggests that they make Teru Teru Bozu, and Mahiro agrees to it while admitting that they are still kids. Kaede is amused by this.

As the two prepare to leave, Mihari apologizes for barging in unexpectedly for lunch. Mrs. Hozuki says that it's no problem and tells them that they are welcome anytime. Momiji hopes to see Mahiro again and waves goodbye.

As Mahiro and Mihari walk home, Mahiro smiles at having such a busy day and Mihari asks her if she's feeling better now. She points out that Mahiro feels better because they went out, but Mahiro claims that that's what Mihari always says.

Mihari notices that the rain has finally let up, and the two are amazed by a beautiful rainbow in the sky. Mahiro delightfully says that this has happened in time for her to take an afternoon nap, leading Mihari to sigh and say "good grief".

It is revealed that the Teru Teru Bozu dolls that Mahiro and Momiji made are hanging at the Hozuki residence. One has a head that looks like Mahiro, and the other has a head that looks like Momiji. Both dolls appear to be smiling at each other as they blow in the wind.

Characters

 * Mahiro Oyama
 * Mihari Oyama
 * Kaede Hozuki
 * Momiji Hozuki
 * Mrs. Hozuki

Trivia

 * The game that the girls play Monotory is a parody of the hit board game Monopoly.
 * As noted by the chapter, the prayer that Mihari performs for Mahiro is a Buddhist prayer for the souls of the dead.
 * As noted by the chapter, Teru Teru Bozu are dolls made of tissue paper as a charm against rainy days.