Mahiro's Masculine Ego (まひろと男の矜持, Mahiro To Otoko No Kyoji) is Chapter 67 of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!. It was originally published on Pixiv on August 27, 2022.
Summary[]
When Mahiro and Mihari bum around the Neon mall, Mahiro decides to find a way to reclaim her pride as a big brother.
Plot[]
On one of their days off, Mahiro and Mihari walk down the street. Mihari is excited, saying that it's been forever since the two of them went out together. Mahiro agrees, saying that it's a nice change of pace. Mahiro asks where they're going anyway, and Mihari says that she thought that they'd wander around the Neon mall without any particular goal in mind. Mahiro cringes, noting that that sounds so exhausting and wonders why girls are into that kind of stuff. Mihari tells Mahiro that if she's good she'll buy her some candy, which leads to Mahiro being shocked at Mihari treating her like a little kid. Mahiro aks Mihari to at leats buy her a video game, and Mihari laughs at this saying that that is spoken like a little kid at heart.
While walking around the mall, the two come across a pop-up store selling Oshima plushies. Mihari beams over how cute they are and is amazed that she didn't know that they had their own storefront. Mahiro just thinks that it's a weird thing for an entire store to be centered around. Mihari asks which one she should get and Mahiro is confused, asking if they are all the same, to which Mihari calls Mahiro an ignorant amateur. In a sinister tone, Mihari explains that even plushies of the same line have a certain amount of deviation in their sewing which means that they have subtle differences in appearance. She further says that the true pleasure of adopting a new plush is in the carefully searching for one that's uniquely yours and uniquely cute. Mahiro is left a bit chilled after hearing this.
As they leave the store, Mihari feels all giddy as she splurged on a big one, to which Mahiro points out that now they have to lug that big one around all day. Mahiro suggests that Mihari let her "big brother" carry it for her. Mihari tells Mahiro that she doesn't have to, but Mahiro insists that lifting and hauling is a man's job. Mihari is touched at Mahiro's offer to be helpful.
As Mahiro carries around the huge plushie, she looks extremely cute. Mihari beams at how adorable Mahiro looks. Eventually, two women notice the pair and note how cute Mahiro is, as she's carying around that huge stuffed animal like a baby. Mahiro overhears them and then slams the plushie to the ground in anger, leading to a shocked Mihari asking what that was for. Mahiro feels immense frustration, noting that she wanted to play the part of an older brother for once, but in this body she's obviously just a little sister. Mahiro swears to win back her older brother pride if it kills her. Mihari, cradling the plushie, notes that Mahiro still hasn't forgotten that.
The two head to section 2F which contains a woman's fashion store. Mihari asks Mahiro why she picked a clothing store, and Mahiro says that the first ploblem is to solve her looks. Mahiro explains that any guy will look girly if he dresses girly, picturing how Yuta looked in the maid outfit, and believes that the reverse should be true as well. Mahiro tells the clerk that she wants a "bad boy" look and begins to model several outfits including a hip-hop style outfit, a mode style outfit, and a punk style outfit. Mihari beams with delight, noting how they all look so cute, to which Mahiro points out in despair that she doesn't want to be cute. Once she changes back into her normal clothes, Mahiro says that she's going to check out the next store. Mihari points out to Mahiro that she's acting very girly right now by doing that.
Eventually, Mihari collapses on a bench and notes that it looks like she was the one who got exhausted tagging along with Mahiro. Mahiro notes that now Mihari knows how she feels whenever she drags her around. Mihari suggests that they take a break and asks Mahiro if she'd like something from the nearby Star Cafe. Mahiro begins to say that a frappe would be nice, but then changes her mind and says a real man would take it black. Mihari hands Mahiro the black iced-coffee and begins to sip her own drink noting how refreshing it is. Mahiro takes a sip of the black drink but cringes and notes how bitter it is. She asks Mihari to trade, after which Mihari smiles and asks Mahiro what happened to that "pride" of hers.
All of a sudden, the two are noticed by Chitose and Nayuta who are delighted by the coincidence of running into them. Mihari is surprised to see Chitose and Mahiro is delighted to see Nayuta. Nayuta explains that she ans Chitose are on an outing together. Chitose asks Mihari if she and "[her] brother" are on a date as well. Mihari is surprised by that question, but Mahiro realizes that Chitose referred to her as a "brother" and regains her confidence. Mihari feels embarassed and asks Chitose not to say that wchich causes Chitose to laugh. Mahiro thinks to herself how Chitose knows the truth about her and notes how that makes things easier.
Nayuta tells Mahiro that she should come with them, and Mahiro asks where they would be going. Nayuta says that she hear that there are games upstairs, with Chitose explaining that Nayuta has never been to an arcade before. Mahiro beams at the idea of going to the arcade, and smugly says that it's lucky that Nayuta has a guy like her around that can lend her her years of experience. The two head up the escalator with Mahiro raising her fist in the air saying "Let's go!".
Mihari doesn't know how to react to this. She says that gender aside, she really has to wonder about Mahiro's mental age, and Chitose calls this idea very fascinating. Chitose then adds that she has a lot to thank Mahiro for, something that Mihari is confused by. Chitose explains that thanks to Mahiro, Nayuta finally made a friend. She further explains how Nayuta is very shy around people her own age, and Mihari immediately understands. As Mahiro shows Nayuta how to play one of the games in the arcade, Mihari giggles a bit. She notes that looking out for others like this is what Mahiro does best.
All of a sudden, Mahiro collapses on the ground crying. Mihari asks Mahiro what's wrong, and Mahiro says that it was a total knockout; the game was a test to see who could punch the hardest with Nayuta ultimately winning despite it being her first time playing. Mahiro continues to sob, with her upset over being weaker than Nayuta. Desppite Mihari's attempts to confort Mahiro, Mahiro's pride ultimately crumbles to dust.
Soon after, Mahiro feels better by playing a rhythm game called KiraPri, much to Mihari's surprise.
Characters[]
Trivia[]
- Mahiro references how Yuta dressed in a maid outfit for the maid cafe that Class 2-B put on the cultural festival in "Mahiro and the Charming School Festival (Part 1)", "Mahiro and the Charming School Festival (Part 2)", and "The Boys' Shift Change".
- Chitose references how Nayuta befriended Mahiro and the others in "Mahiro's Big Secret (Part 2)".
- As noted by the chapter, "Mode" is a Japanese fasion known for androgenous, bulky silhouettes and use of mostly monochrome fabrics.
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