Stepping out of the wagashi shop with a beautifully wrapped box of sweets, Shirogane Kei glanced at her brother with a hesitant expression. "Should I tell him?"
Then, she let out a heavy sigh for the third time that day.
Sigh...
Noticing his sister's strange behavior from the corner of his eye, Miyuki turned and asked, confused.
"What's wrong, Kei?"
"Nothing."
Her expression instantly turned cold. She answered stiffly, as if sulking,
She stepped past her walking brother and quickly moved ahead.
Who in their right mind wears their school uniform everywhere, all the time? And what's more, he's being extra by wearing the Student Council President's gold emblem!
Mou! I can't take it anymore! Where did this idiot brother of mine even come from?!
Keeping her head down, Kei grumbled internally about the brother she had just left behind.
Honestly, she was well aware how remarkable it was that her brother, who had entered as an "external student" (not from an affiliated middle school), had earned the position of Student Council President at Shuchiin Academy purely through his own achievements and grades.
Indeed, Kei herself was incredibly proud to have such an outstanding older brother.
But outside of school, her brother still wore his uniform, and moreover, he "seriously" pinned on the pure gold emblem symbolizing his presidential status.
Mou! Doesn't he realize how embarrassing this is?!
Feeling increasingly mortified, Kei instinctively quickened her pace, desperately trying to put distance between herself and her brother.
Completely unaware of the intense embarrassment his sister felt, Miyuki noticed her accelerating steps. Frowning, he hurried to catch up, his mind racing.
What's wrong with Kei? Did she arrange a specific time to meet that Aragaki-kun?
"!"
Whoa! In just one day, my little sister got that close to our neighbor?!
As that thought crossed his mind, Miyuki's shocked expression immediately shifted to one of calculation.
It seems I need to have a serious talk with that Aragaki-kun later.
With eyes narrowed from lack of sleep, the Student Council President suddenly looked far more menacing.
I hope you're not setting a bad example for Kei, Aragaki-kun.
.....
Not long after, at the Aragaki residence.
Hearing the doorbell ring, Miyahito set down his guitar. Gesturing for Ayase to keep resting, he rose and walked to the door.
"Who is it?"
He called out while opening the door.
Then, the figure who had rung the bell slowly came into view.
However, a second later, seeing Kei standing gracefully at the entrance alongside a blond boy who bore a striking resemblance to her, Miyahito asked, slightly surprised.
"Shirogane-san? And this is..."
"Good afternoon, Aragaki-senpai."
Knowing that her brother and Miyahito had never met, Kei greeted Miyahito first, then smiled and introduced them.
"This is my older brother, Shirogane Miyuki."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Aragaki."
"Ah, nice to meet you, Shiro... gane... -san?" Realizing he had mixed up the honorifics for the siblings, Miyahito hesitated for a moment before switching to a more formal address.
Sensing Miyahito's hesitation, and noting his respectful way of addressing his sister, Miyuki's impression of him improved slightly. He proactively extended his hand and smiled.
"Just call me Miyuki."
"In that case, Miyuki-kun doesn't need to call me Mr. Aragaki either."
Responding casually, Miyahito shook his hand and smiled.
"If you don't mind, just call me Miyahito."
After saying that, Miyahito finally realized how incredibly rude it was to let the Shirogane siblings stand at the doorway while chatting.
So, he smiled and invited them inside.
"Sorry for keeping you standing at the door."
"Why don't you both come in? Shirogane-san, Miyuki-kun."
After inviting them in and listening to their brief explanation for the visit, Miyahito smiled.
"There's really no need to be so formal, Shirogane-san, Miyuki-kun."
"This is only proper." Miyuki's impression of him continued to rise. He smiled, took the gift box from his sister, handed it to Miyahito, and continued.
"This is just a small token. Please accept it."
"I really couldn't."
Although he initially tried to refuse, Miyahito ultimately couldn't overcome the siblings' persistence.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"Not at all, it's just inexpensive candy."
Seeing how seriously Miyahito accepted it, and knowing exactly how cheap those sweets actually were, Kei's cheeks flushed as she spoke.
"The cheesecake you gave us earlier, Senpai..."
Noticing the embarrassment in Kei's voice, Miyahito smiled and gently interjected, changing the subject.
"So, how was it? Did you like it?"
"Mhm! The cake was delicious, Senpai." Her attention immediately diverted, Kei nodded earnestly.
"Glad to hear it."
Miyahito let out a relieved sigh.
"I was worried it might not suit your taste."
"Not at all, Senpai's baking skills are truly amazing."
"Kei's right. I've never had cheesecake this good before."
"Really? Thank you both for liking it."
As Miyahito and the Shirogane siblings chatted...
"Brother, did guests come?"
"Ah, Ayase."
Hearing that voice and looking up to see Ayase standing gracefully in the living room, Miyahito turned to the siblings beside him and introduced her.
"Shirogane-san, Miyuki-kun, allow me to introduce you."
"This is my most proud and beloved younger sister, Aragaki Ayase."
"Brother!" Hearing him say something so embarrassing as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the easily-flustered Ayase blushed and scolded him. "Don't say strange things to guests!"
"Eh?" Feeling challenged, Miyahito retorted indignantly. "What's strange? My Ayase is the cutest in the world! That's a fact!"
"Big Brother!"
Watching the Aragaki siblings' interaction, Miyuki and Kei instinctively glanced at each other.
Then, they couldn't help but exchange meaningful smiles.
...
After the introductions were finished, Miyahito and his sister each carried trays out from the kitchen.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Shirogane-san, Miyuki-kun."
"Thank you for your help, Miyahito-kun."
"Thanks, Senpai."
Together with his sister, Miyahito placed the drinks and snacks from the tray onto the wooden veranda floor.
Then, sitting beside Miyuki, Miyahito took the tray Ayase handed him and casually set it down on the floor.
Meanwhile, Ayase sat beside Kei.
Glancing at the two girls, who were already chatting comfortably and getting along, the two older brothers instinctively exchanged a look.
Yes. Just one glance was enough.
They were both guys who had younger sisters.
"By the way, Miyahito-kun." Recalling the title his sister used, Miyuki asked with a smile. "I heard Kei calling you 'Senpai.' Are you a student at Shuchiin Academy?"
"Me? Unfortunately, no."
Miyahito smiled and denied it. "You misunderstand, Shirogane-san. I attend Toyogasaki Private Academy."
"Oh, so you're a Toyogasaki student."
"Yes." Nodding, Miyahito glanced at the pure gold ornament hanging on Miyuki's chest and casually asked, "This..."
"This?" Following Miyahito's gaze, Miyuki looked down at his own chest, pointed to the ornament, and spoke with a hint of pride. "This is just the Student Council President badge from Shuchiin Academy."
"Wow, so Miyuki-kun is the Student Council President? That's cool." Although not particularly surprised, Miyahito feigned awe and praised him.
"Wait a second. If that's the case, then Miyuki... no, I should probably call you Miyuki-senpai now."
"Hm? Why?" Slightly confused, Miyuki instinctively asked in return.
"Because..."
Miyahito said the word in a playful tone, then spoke with a mischievous air: "I only started high school this April."
"So, technically, I should be calling President Shirogane 'Senpai'."