I was an only child. My father was an businessman, and my mother was a doctor. Their lives revolved around their work, so I often came home to an empty house. It wasn’t all bad though. I had all the toys and games I ever wanted. I studied many hours each day, hoping that if I got good marks, my parents might spend more time with me. I still remember being ecstatic the day my middle exam scores were posted. I had placed third in my grade.

I ran home and eagerly waited for my parents to arrive so I could show them. It felt like an eternity before the lock clicked and my mother walked through the front door. I probably had a dumb smile on my face when I told her about my exams, but what she said stuck with me for the rest of my life. “Why are you so happy about third place? Don’t embarrass me.” I knew then that no matter what I did, I would never be acknowledged by them. That night, I was flipping through channels on TV aimlessly when I stumbled upon an anime about a little sister named Chirino who loved her older brother and stayed by his side, even when everyone else had abandoned him. I was captivated. This was it. This was what I needed in my life.

From that moment on, my life revolved around 2-dimensional little sisters. I played every game that had a little sister route, ignoring all the other girls. Childhood friend? Little sisters are just superior versions. Mysterious transfer student? She’ll never know you like your sister does. I continued to achieve excellent results in school and even worked my body out. Why? I wanted to be the perfect older brother for all my little sisters, even though they only existed on a screen, and in my heart.

One time in high school, a girl confessed to me, and I turned her down. When I told her that I was only interested in someone who was blood related to me, I expected her to look at me in disgust, but the next day she started calling me “onii-chan”. If I were a lesser man, that may have won me over, but I had dedicated myself to my imoutos (little sisters).

I was accepted into a prestigious university far from home and left my parents behind with a nod and a word: “Goodbye.” Living on my own was hardly lonely since I could finally buy all the imouto figures and body pillows I wanted. I had just finished lining up for a midnight release of the newest imouto game masterpiece when it happened. Exhausted, my arms full of limited edition little sister merchandise, I stumbled into the street and was hit by a truck.

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I woke up in a place that looked like my bedroom with all my little sister tapestries and goods.

“You really like little sisters, huh?” A cute, familiar voice called out to me, and I realized that I was not alone. I looked for the source of the voice, and my jaw dropped.

“Ch-chirino?”

“I chose this form because I thought it’d calm you down, but it’s actually having the opposite effect.”

“Wait, you’re not Chirino. Who are you?”

“I’m God.”

"So I really am dead?”

“Yup.”

“No!!! I didn’t even get play Imouto heaven 3! I waited in line for hours!!!”

“That’s what you’re worried about? You’re hopeless.”

“So what now? Am I going to hell for being a degenerate?”

“No, silly. You’re going to get reincarnated.”

“Like an isekai?”

“Exactly, thanks for saving me the explanation. Now pick your cheat skills so I can send you off.”

“Rather than cheat skills, I want to have a lot of little sisters.”

“I don’t know why I didn’t see that coming. Okay, fine.”

“Wait, really?”

“Of course, who do you think I am? I’m God.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry for not having faith in you. You’re the best God ever.”

“O-of course I am. Now hurry up and go.”

“Tsundere? Are you sure you’re not Chirino?”

“S-shut up! Do you want me to transform into an old man?”

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“Sorry, hahaha. And thanks for making this place look like my room so I can leave my old life in peace.”

“You’re welcome, and good luck.” My room faded away like a dream, and a bright white light took it’s place.

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The first thing I saw when I entered the world was a small infant with a few wisps of dark hair clinging onto my wrinkly leg.

“It’s a girl and a boy!”

The midwife excitedly cried out as she wrapped us in soft cloths and gently placed us into the expectant arms of our mother. When I realized that I had a twin little sister, I broke out into laughs of joy. And that was how I was named “Issho”, which can mean “lol”.

The first 3 years of my new life were uneventful. I was the son of the emperor of a small nation that resembled Japan, so life was easy. The people spoke Japanese, and I “learned” to talk and read very early, which amazed everyone. The servants talked about me as the incarnation of some god, but I didn’t care about any of that. I was more interested in my tiny and cute little sister, Himeko.

When I started walking, she would try her best to copy me. I would help her get up whenever she tumbled over, and she quickly learned to walk as well. When we were a little older, I read children’s books to her, especially ones about heroes, which she liked the most. When she couldn't sleep, I would hold her hand until she started snoring softly. I wanted to give her the love I never received as a child.

Thankfully, our parents were completely different from my old parents. Our father, a muscular bear of a man with long black hair tied in a ponytail, Raiden, would often sneak into our room after late meetings to tell us stories. He also bragged about us whenever he had the opportunity.

“I must have passed on my genius to my kids!”

Our mother, a gentle woman who could be described as a yamato nadeshiko (an ideal Japanese beauty), held us in her arms and brought us outside every day for a walk in the garden, showing us all the vibrantly colored flowers. Despite all this, I could not respond to their affection. My mother would look at me sadly sometimes when I chose to do things on my own instead of asking for her help.

In my free time, I read a lot of books and questioned the officials, who were astonished to see such a young boy interested in history and politics, to learn about the world I had been reborn in. Our country, Yama, was located in the center of a large continent with 6 other nations. Those nations were constantly at war with each other, but the mountains that surrounded Yama kept us out of most conflicts. However, it was certainly possible that we could be attacked at any time, especially by the oni country, which we had a long and violent history with.

In order to protect Himeko, I began taking swordsmanship and academic lessons. The lessons also helped me avoid her. It probably seemed strange that I would want to avoid the little sister I’ve always wanted, but there was a reason for it. I was afraid. I was afraid because she was real. The imoutos in my games loved me unconditionally because they were written that way, but Himeko was a flesh and blood person who could think for herself. And what if she thought I was worthless? Ever since Himeko learned to talk, I had been worried that she would tell me I wasn’t good enough. Of course, I couldn’t imagine my polite and sweet little sister calling me an embarrassment, but the pessimistic thoughts wouldn't stop gnawing at me.

One afternoon, while reading up on politics in the study, I heard a shy voice outside the sliding door.

“Excuse me, onii-sama, may I come in?"

“Go ahead, Himeko.”

My younger twin sister entered the room. Her straight, silky dark hair was now past her shoulders, and her cheeks were just slightly chubby, perfectly balanced with her large brown eyes. In short, she was very cute. Her arms carried a tray of tea and snacks.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“I made some snacks with the help of the cooks. I’m sorry if it’s bother to you, onii-sama.” I stood up from the mat and took the tray, setting it down on the table before reaching out to rub the top of Himeko’s small head.

“It’s not a bother at all, Himeko, thank you. I expected her to leave, but she didn’t. “Oh, I’ll try one right now.” Himeko stared at me intently as I picked up an oddly shaped rice cake. It tasted like an ordinary red bean rice cake, but the fact that my little sister made it for me made it a thousand times sweeter. “It’s delicious. Thanks.” I told her. She exhaled the breath she had been holding.

“May I ask a question, onii-sama?”

I started feeling nervous, but I answered, “Of course.”

“Why are you avoiding me?” I gagged on my tea and grabbed a cloth to wipe my mouth. I wanted to say to say no, but it was too obvious. Did she hate me now?

“I’m sorry.” I finally managed to choke out.

“It hurts.” She stated. Oh, no.

“I’m really sorry I haven’t been spending time with you.”

She shook her head. “That's okay, onii-sama is busy, I know. But when I see you, you always look sad, like you want to cry. And it starts hurting here.” She pointed towards her heart. “I asked mommy why it hurts, and she says it’s because when people we love feel sad, we feel sad too.”

“Himeko...”

“I don’t want onii-sama to feel sad anymore, but I don’t know what to do.” Tears started rolling down her cheeks. I stared at her in shock. When I could finally move my mouth, it all came out.

“I was afraid that I wouldn’t be a good enough brother for you. I didn’t want you to reject me...”

“Onii-sama is always taking care of me. You're the kindest big brother ever.” Her gentle words washed over the painful words said to me so many years ago.

“Himeko... are you sure? I'm a failure. I neglected you because of my own worries. It's okay if you don't want me as your brother."

"No! I always want to be your little sister..."

"Thank you Himeko. I’m not sad anymore.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Huh?” She was right, tears had begun falling from my eyes without me realizing. “Jeez, I guess we really are twins.” The two of us laughed.

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“I want to make up for all the time I was missing with you, Himeko.”

“Can I train with you?”

“Alright, let’s ask father.”

Raiden guffawed and said “That’s my daughter!” when he heard that Himeko wanted to learn how to use a sword. Our mother was worried but after a few kisses from father was convinced that it would be good for Himeko to be able to defend herself. And so my little sister started training together with me.