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In a women's clothing store, Suou Yuki folded a long dress with a beaming smile and questioned Masachika, who was standing beside her. "I've been wanting to buy a few summer dresses lately... so, how about this one? What do you think?"
"Why are you asking me again... it's fine, as long as you like it."
"What do you mean? I specifically brought you here because I wanted to cater to my brother's tastes," Suou Yuki said with a harmless roll of her eyes and a flirtatious pout. "Be a little more serious. This is 'service' from your little sister to her dear older brother. Why don't you appreciate it at all?"
"Fine, fine. But aren't you going to spend money at the otaku shops later?" Masachika sighed, pointing at her light, unisex outfit. "If you buy this, will you have any budget left? Let me see the price... Whoa! 15,000 yen!"
"Well, the unit price for women's fabric is expensive..."
Suou Yuki sighed and put the clothes back, looking for a more suitable outfit. As he chatted about everyday things with the dignified and beautiful black-haired girl, a relaxed and doting expression naturally surfaced on Masachika's face.
After all, she was his actual younger sister.
Their so-called "husband and wife look" was actually proof of a blood bond thicker than water. The beautiful girl who was so close to him, Suou Yuki, was his biological sister. Due to family circumstances—their parents' divorce—the boy once hailed as the "Prodigy of the Suou Family" had changed his surname to Kuze, keeping that family at arm's length ever since. But facing the clingy Yuki, even a Masachika determined to change could not find the heart to refuse her.
Because of this, Masachika could only sigh and agree to any soft-spoken request from Yuki, whether it was running for student council president or hiding their relationship in public. No one could imagine that the elegant, dignified black-haired beauty and the lazy boy lounging in the corner were actually biological siblings.
Due to a certain past event, Masachika desired a peaceful life more than Yuki did. With his natural talent, he wanted to spend his high school years quietly, without any waves.
Perhaps because of this, the habitually lazy Masachika didn't notice the beautiful girl beside him glancing at him surreptitiously, a faint, lingering smile on her lips.
Yuki enjoyed this life. Whether it was using the "childhood friend" label to monopolize her brother's side in front of others—binding the boy, who was oblivious to his own charm, to her—or unreservedly infecting him with her 2D otaku hobbies to discuss games and anime, it all brought her satisfaction.
The brother who was omnipotent beneath his lazy exterior, the brother she could talk to about anything while teasing one another, the brother who looked helpless when she intentionally gave him "fan service"... she loved all of it. Thinking that this hidden side of him was shown only to her made the girl feel like she was back in her childhood, sneaking candy when the adults weren't looking—a sweet taste that felt like it transcended the sibling relationship, something secret and thrilling.
Rejecting countless suitors, pretending to act spoiled, and playing the role of a well-behaved sister just to keep her dense brother by her side a little longer—this was the secret Yuki hid in her heart, unknown yet obvious.
"What is it, Brother?" Noticing the tall, handsome boy's attention drifting, the black-haired girl puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "Distracted while shopping with a girl? You'll break a maiden's heart, even mine."
"No, you don't look heartbroken at all..."
Masachika retorted with a deadpan expression, his eyes drifting toward a corner behind them again.
"I say, do you feel like... out of the corner of your eye, you keep seeing something silver...?"
Yuki's eyebrow twitched involuntarily, but she maintained her beaming smile.
"It's probably not an illusion. She's been following us for a long time. My 'sensing performance' is super high, you know; I noticed immediately."
"I can't believe you can say something like that without being embarrassed."
"...It's actually super embarrassing," Yuki said, turning her head as a blush surfaced on her cheeks.
"Then don't say it!"
Masachika retorted, his face full of black lines. He caught another glimpse of the silver figure and saw her duck into a corner like a startled rabbit. He began to calculate in his mind.
Alright, how am I going to explain to her that Yuki and I are on a 'date' this weekend...
Behind him, a small head hesitated before quietly peeking out again. Watching the pair of teenagers who looked like a couple in the distance, Alya gritted her silver teeth. She ducked back and pulled a vanity mirror from her bag. It reflected a pretty, glamorous face. She applied lipstick, pursed her lips, and released them; her glistening, delicate lips trembled, reflecting the warm light.
OK, makeup is fine...
Falling silver hair and the usual red ribbon... OK, hair is fine.
Sleeveless high-neck knit vest, orange jacket, and light green high-waisted skirt... OK, outfit is fine...
Mmm, what else is there to prepare...