Mahiro and the Little Garden

Mahiro and the Little Garden (まひろと小さな庭, Mahiro To Chīsana Niwa) is Chapter 52 of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!. It was originally published on Pixiv on May 27, 2021.

Summary
Mahiro and Mihari start a flower bed and a garden.

Plot
A few weeks ago, Mihari was walking outside. She smiles and notes that it is a perfect day for a walk, and wishes that she brought Mahiro with her. As she's walking, a flowerbed catches her eye. She walks up to them and melts inside, noting how pretty they are. This then give her an idea.

Soon after, Mihari starts working on the flowerbeds outside their house. Mahiro sees her and asks her what's up, noticing that Mihari is digging holes. Mihari says that they've neglected these flower beds for so long that she wanted to make them pretty again. Mahiro remembers that that used to be a thing, recalling how their mom used to water them all the time. Mihari remembers it as well, and hands Mahiro her trowel suggesting that she help her out. Mahiro isn't happy to so, but does it anyway.

The two siblings get to work. Mahiro pulls weeds and arranges everything, while Mihari adds compost to the soil. As Mihari finishes, Mahiro remarks that her back hurts. Mihari tells Mahiro that she's young and tells her to walk it off. Mahiro points out that she's older than Mihari, causing Mihari to laugh as it slipped her mind.

Mahiro continues her work, thinking to herself that Mihari is always acting like she's the older sister, then gets an idea of her own. She smiles and calls out for Mihari, and when Mihari turns and asks her what's up, Mahiro holds an earthworm next to her face. Mihari jumps in terror and falls backwards, much to Mahiro's delight. Mahiro laughs saying that she got her, leading Mihari to tell Mahiro not to be mean. Mahiro tells Mihari that she doesn't need to be mad over a childish prank, but Mihari still grows a bit. She tells Mahiro that earthworms are good for the soil and to be nice to them. Mahiro calmly releases the earthworm back into the soil, and Mihari says that they just need to transplant the seedlings.

Eventually they finish, and Mihari beams as the flowerbed is back. Mahiro is also delighted at their hard work. Mihari hopes that they get lots of flowers, but Mahiro says that she'd rather grow stuff she can eat. Mihari notes that that's always how it is with Mahiro, but admits that vegetable gardens are a thing, and suggests that they could raise cherry tomatoes or something. Mahiro tells Mihari that she's thinking too small, saying that they grow anything it should be bigger than that. Mahiro suggests that they could grow their own watermelons. Mihari thinks that that's impossible, but sees on her phone that you can apparently grow them in planters. Mahiro enthusiastically says "Let's go" after hearing this.

The two return with a watermelon plant in a planter. Mihari tells Mahiro that she'll have to take care of this one by herself, but Mahiro is extremely excited to do it. She starts watering the plant enthusiastic about all you can eat watermelon for free, though Mihari doubts that that'll happen.

The watermelon growing begins. Much to Mihari's wonder, Mahiro has a single minded obsession with food that drives her to put her full effort into the project, noting that it's growing great. Seeing how Mahiro is looking up pruning on her phone one morning, Mihari feels touched at her brother's dedication. She notes that working alongside Mahiro in the garden every morning brings such a wholesome feeling.

Mahiro asks Mihari what she's watering her flowers with, and Mihari says that it's her special homemade growth tonic. Mahiro fears that such a thing might turn her watermelon into a man-eating plant and orders Mihari to keep that stuff away from her watermelon. Mihari notes how rude it is for Mahiro to say that.

Mihari points out how great her flowers are doing, and Mahiro realizes that she's right. Mihari says that every time she looks, there are more flower buds, and Mahiro asks where they are.

Kaede appears with Momiji to pick up Mahiro for school and gets amazed at what she sees. She says that the two of them look downright picturesque, much to Mahiro's surprise and Mihari's enjoyment.

As the three walk to school, Momiji tells Mahiro that growing flowers really suits her, though Mahiro admits that she has mixed feelings about that.

In the present day, Mahiro appears to be pregnant with a large bulge in her stomach. Mihari is left flabbergasted, until it is revealed that Mahiro was just hiding her new fully-grown watermelon under her shirt as a prank. Mihari yells at Mahiro not to play weird tricks on her, but Mahiro just giggles before announcing that it's harvest time. Mihari notes in delight that Mahiro is really excited about this. Mahiro notes that it does look very good and that she's grown very attached to it.

Mihari says that this truly is the fruit of Mahiro's labor. Mahiro tells Mihari not to worry as she'll still share it with her, and Mihari says that they'd better enjoy every bite. Mahiro says that they will start without further ado, and Mihari begins to cut the watermelon. This is hard for Mahiro to watch, and even Mihari admits that it is a little hard to do since they both became so attached to it.

Mihari puts the watermelon slices on plates, and the two prepare to dig in. The two take a bite of their slices and notice something off. They note that the watermelon has a weird flavor, almost akin to that of a sweet cucumber. Mahiro gets a bit embarrassed, noting that she guessses that half-assing it doesn't cut it. She notes that it is a little disappointing but doesn't let it get her down.

Mihari on the other hands starts crying, much to Mahiro's surprise. Mahiro tells Mihari that she doesn't have to cry about it, but Mihari is disappointed that Mahiro put in all that hard work for nothing. Mihari, still crying, suggests that they try again next year, and Mahiro rubs her head saying "there, there" to comfort her.

It is revealed that when Mahiro showed off the watermelon plant to Momiji while it was still growing, and Momiji was impressed by it.

Characters

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

Trivia

 * First appearance of Mrs. Oyama.