Today the weather was a bit overcast. But the girl beside him was as cheerful as always.
"Big bro~ your uniform is a little wrinkled." Risa smoothed out Kai's shirt right after they had just left their house to go to school.
Even though Risa was still in middle school, her school was quite close to where her big brother went to high school, so they shared the same busway route, but Kai got off before Risa.
The siblings walked along, talking about mundane things, nothing special except for the discussion about their weekend plans — or more precisely, the plans Kai had to go along with for Risa's sake.
They reached the bus stop and got on the bus. The two of them sat on the right side in the back, Kai by the window, his right ear listening to his little sister's chirping — and of course, that chirping went right out his left ear.
"So I want we to go on Friday afternoon right after school, and we come back Sunday morning. How about it?"
"Huh? What?" Kai turned to the side, looking at Risa with a confused face. What did his sister mean by coming back Sunday morning? Wasn't their conversation just about weekend plans? Why would they need to stay overnight? That's what made Kai confused. "Can you explain what you're talking about?"
"Huff... Big bro really wasn't listening. I said, how about we spend time together at South Beach over the weekend?"
"I don't have a lot of money. Besides, where are you planning to sleep if your plan is from Friday night to Sunday morning?"
"Hmm... of course we can stay at a cheap inn. As for money, I have savings... but of course big bro will be the one paying. Me 1/4, big bro 3/4. so... isn't that a fair split for your cute little sister?"
"Not fair."
"Eee~ come on~ for your cutest little sister~"
That puppy-eyed look was truly a cheating move that little sisters could use on their big brothers. There's no way a brother could refuse his sister's request after seeing that fake-cute stare.
So Kai flicked Risa's forehead, not too hard. But the flick was enough to make Risa yelp cutely. She rubbed her slightly red forehead and gave a pout, her cheeks puffing out like steamed buns.
"Hey! Don't be like that, you stupid brother!"
Even though she said it with a slightly annoyed tone and expression, the smile quickly returned to her lips as she snuggled back against her big brother's side.
Flashing a smile at him, she kissed him on his cheek.
"Chu~"
"Yeah, yeah... big bro will try to make it." Kai said in a tone that sounded resigned, making his little sister look like she'd won because her beloved brother agreed.
A few minutes into the ride, Kai got off the bus first because Risa's stop was still the next one.
Walking toward the school, as usual the entrance gate was crowded even though first period was still about fifteen minutes away.
"Good morning."
Kai slowed his steps after hearing a morning greeting that seemed directed at him. A girl with shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes behind the glasses she wore. Iris Campbell, as always, graceful like a princess.
"Ah... Miss Campbell— I mean, Miss Iris. Good morning."
"Looks like you really listened to me about not calling me by my family name." Iris smirked and winked at Kai, then raised her arms to stretch and let out a soft, gentle hum.
"..."
Kai's eyes landed on Iris's armpit. He wasn't trying to be pervy looking at a girl's armpit. No, he didn't have a fetish like that. But his eyes landed on a small lump that was quite visible if someone focused sharply.
Lymphoma. No doubt about it, that was lymphoma cancer, even though it still looked small. Kai wasn't surprised because this girl was truly a "glass" girl. She really had low immunity because of that uncertainty, it's actually quite make sense that "Iris Love Event" always relied on RNG.
But sorry... even if I sound uncaring right now, it's all because I still have to focus on Chloe. But I vowed to try my best for the four of you to get a good ending... even if I don't really know you all that well.
"Kai? Hello~ earth to Kai?"
"Umm... yeah?"
"Hehehe, you were spacing out~" Iris giggled, her eyes closing so her long eyelids formed beautiful crescent moons. "Why? Are you mesmerized by me?"
"Yeah, I mean you're pretty. Anybody would be lucky to date you." Kai said with his default smile that he used for girls. "And you're such a good person, like-"
"Want go date?"
Kai stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened after hearing Iris's words. He turned while scratched his cheek with his index finger. Kai's mind went blank hearing this girl just blurt that out.
"Umm... what?"
"So date me."
"I mean... I am not..."
Iris then put her hands on her hips, stepping forward and stopping in front of Kai. Kai could see the red blush on Iris's cheeks.
This girl was seriously serious.
"Wait, Miss Camp— Iris. We don't know each other yet, and it's not good to just-"
"Hmm... earlier you said anybody would be lucky to date me. So date me and be lucky."
"..."
Umm, she's serious... isn't she?
"Sorry... I have to refuse. And for the weekend, if you're asking me to going out with you, I can't because I already have plans with my little sister."
Iris smiled and giggled before turning her body around, her back facing Kai.
"You're the first person to reject an offer from me, you know that."
Please don't make me feel guilty for turning down your offer.
Iris glanced back over her shoulder, giving a wide smirk. "Hehe~ then I'll go first, Kai Clove~"
With that, Iris walked away, leaving Kai to wait a moment before he continued walking. Talking to an 8K girl like Iris sure will make people would say he was lucky.
Doesn't she already have a fiancé? If I remember correctly, he's supposed to appear in the middle of the second year.
Kai wondered why Iris suddenly asked him out, when she already had a fiancé, even though eventually that she would get stolen by the male lead, Ren, in the end.
"...He's a 'villain' like me, let's hope somehow that fiancé is try his best to win Iris." Kai muttered as he entered the school area heading to his classroom.