The Kirishima family currently consists of three members. Thanks to my mother’s hard work, both I and Shuka were able to lead comfortable lives.

My Mom seemed to be doing pretty well as a writer, but she said money is always welcome and worked at a snack bar at night. 

Because of that, she’s usually out of the house by 7 p.m., so dinner is usually just the two of us, me and Shuka. 

Since our Mom was usually busy with work, Shuka took charge of the household chores and cooking. She had been doing it since elementary school, and she claimed that by now, she wouldn’t feel at ease unless she was taking care of everything.

On a randomly selected channel, a variety show was playing in which comedians were cracking jokes on the streets. Stir-fried vegetables and simmered dishes were laid out on the dining table. The taste? Needless to say, it was excellent. In fact, they might even be tastier than what Mom made.

“Oh, right.”

When our casual conversation paused, Shuka suddenly let out a short remark as if she remembered something.

“What’s up? Did you forget about your homework? Don’t ask me to help you with it.” 

“I wouldn’t ask you for something like that, Onii-chan. I’ve already finished my homework anyway.”

My little sister was too competent… She finishes her homework, makes dinner, does the housework, and still finds time to enjoy her private life.

“It’s not that,” Shuka said, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

That “Oh, right” from earlier, based on experience, usually didn’t lead to anything good. The fact that she remembered it here and decided to say it aloud likely meant it involved me.

“Today, someone named Kotobuki-san came looking for me.”

“Huh?”

++Kotobuki-san, huh? I don’t know who that is, but what’s the big deal?++

As I was thinking about it, I noticed something odd.

“Hm? Kotobuki-san?”

“You know, the other day when you helped that collapsed person? She’s her daughter.”

“…Ah, yeah, and?”

++Why did Kotobuki-san come to see Shuka? Is Kotobuki the older sister or the younger one? Actually, which one of them was the older sister, and which was the younger one to begin with?  No, wait, how does she even know about Shuka?++

My thoughts were spinning in circles, but I couldn’t arrive at a single answer.

“She said that person survived. Apparently, it would have been dangerous if you hadn’t given her first aid, so you did a great job, Onii-chan.”

“…Is that all?”

If she just told Shuka to thank me, I would have no problem with that. Rather, I was grateful to know that the person was safe.

“Mmm. She also asked about you, Onii-chan.”

++Of course, she did. Those sisters were desperately searching for me.++

“And?”

“I told her you’re Kirishima Ao.”

“…Right.”

When I slumped my shoulders, Shuka tilted her head curiously. She had a look on her face that said, “Why are you so down?”

“She was a super beautiful woman, you know?”

“Oh, I see. By the way, did she say anything else?”

“We talked about a lot of things, but if I had to pick one thing that seemed important to you…”

“What is it?”

“She asked if you had a girlfriend. Does this mean spring is coming soon for you, Onii-chan? I can’t believe such a beautiful woman is interested in you!”

++How on earth did the conversation turn to that? She could have just thanked me and left.++

“By the way, what did you say?”

“I said you were actively looking!” 

!next

“Ah.” 

The next day. When I arrived at school, I saw a female student at the school gate and let out a gasp.

She was leaning against a pillar at the gate, looking around cautiously. She was clearly waiting for someone.

Long, black hair. Every time she moved her head, her hair swayed smoothly. It seemed like she took great care of each strand, which was impressive.

But that wasn’t the point.

The problem for me was that the female student was Kotobuki Yuzuki.

In my subjective opinion, if I were to choose adjectives to describe the Kotobuki sisters’ appearances, I’d say Haruka was “cute” while Yuzuki was “beautiful.”

So, it was probably Yuzuki who visited Shuka yesterday. And if my guess was correct, she was waiting for me.

Even if I wanted to take a detour, the school rules dictated that students had to enter through this gate. That’s probably why she chose this spot.

One hundred percent of the male students passing by were glancing at her. Some even tried to talk to her, but she brushed them off casually.

However, it was no wonder why their eyes were drawn to her. Even though she was just standing there leaning against a pillar, she somehow looked picturesque.

That’s how beautiful she was.

A white shirt, a camel-colored blazer, a ribbon in the school year’s color around her neck, and a green checkered skirt. Even though it was a typical uniform, it made her look like she was at the forefront of fashion.

It made me realize how much the impression of clothes depends on the person wearing them.

“!”

While I was thinking about such things, I made eye contact with Kotobuki Yuzuki. When she saw my face, her expression brightened as if she were a dog who had found her owner.

She moved away from the pillar, but didn’t rush toward me, simply standing there, staring at me.

If she had a tail, I bet she’d be wagging it. She was radiating such a cheerful aura that the surrounding students were looking at her with curious eyes.

The distance between us was about 25 meters. I wondered what I should do, but I realized that there was no escape and started walking. If I stayed there, people would just keep staring at us. At me, and at her.

So, I decided to brace myself and talk to her. Besides, she might just be there to thank me. It might be an event so simple that my overly self-conscious wariness would become embarrassing.

“Good morning, Ao Kirishima-kun.”

When I arrived in front of her, Kotobuki Yuzuki looked me in the face and greeted me. I had the impression she was quite tall, but now that I was standing in front of her, I realized I was still taller, which made me feel a little relieved.

“Good morning, Yuzuki Kotobuki-san.”

++Now, what should I do? No, what will she do?++

As I was thinking, Kotobuki made her move.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

With a smile that looked like it came straight out of a LINE sticker, she said, “Can I call you Ao-kun?”

“Even I know that’s not the first thing you should say!?” 

!next

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