"Why are you suddenly asking me? Do you even care about this?"
"Of course I care! I want to be a reliable big brother. If you have any trouble, maybe I can help."
"Then you don't need to worry, because I'm doing great at school. Though it's not a big deal since it's not one of the most prestigious schools in the country."
Ayame-san was right. I guess I really stole my little sister's spotlight, since I'm the one receiving all the praise from the family.
I mean, Erina nee-san even went so far as to put up that giant portrait. But since she spoils me so much, maybe I should spoil Miyuna-chan too.
"Miyuna-chan, just because I go to the most prestigious school doesn't mean your achievements are less important. So… how about your tests? They should be coming up soon, right?"
"Well, maybe because you were so focused on your own studying, you didn't notice… but I already took the test. And I passed. Happy now?"
Ugh! Right. I really didn't pay attention to anything around me before my exam.
But I can't back off now.
"Yes, I'm happy for you! You're really smart!"
"Hmm… well, thanks…" — she muttered softly.
Does she perhaps like being praised? …Good to know.
"She got the top score in her class, too." — Dad added.
"Isn't that amazing!? You should've told me! You're incredible, Miyuna-chan!" — I said.
"It's nothing," — she replied, trying to hide her blush.
When she gets all shy like this, she's really cute.
[Good evening. Tonight, we have the honor of interviewing a leading figure in economic management and the current president of the Edomae Zaibatsu, Edomae Akane sensei. Thank you very much for joining us.]
"Hey! Tomoki! You've met that person, right?" — Natsumi-chan eagerly asked me.
I was honestly shocked. I mean, it's one thing to know someone from social media, but another to have met them in real life.
Mom and my aunts started leaving the kitchen to watch TV.
[The honor is all mine.]
[As everyone knows, the current birth decline, combined with the skewed gender ratio, makes the relationship between men and women crucial for humanity's future. Right now, there's a lot of concern about how difficult it is for them to form healthy relationships. Since the Edomae Corporation is the main sponsor of the male scholarship program in most co-educational institutions, we'd like to hear your opinion.]
Wait… MOST co-ed institutions!?
[As you mentioned, it's vital to encourage interaction between men and women, especially at a young age, when emotional and mental development is significant. That's why we at Edomae sponsor the male scholarship program—to encourage boys to apply to co-ed schools and to support those schools as well.]
[Have you seen signs of improvement?]
[Yes, though not as significant as we'd hoped. While there's a preference for men who can interact easily with women, we can't force them to do so. All we can do is provide a supportive environment.]
[Human interaction is always complicated. Even Sakurazai Academy—the model co-ed school—must face this hardship.]
[That's true. But right now, we have great expectations for change.] — Akane-san suddenly winked at the camera.
She's not… talking about me, right?
[Could you give us more detail? Is there a particular male student who caught your attention?]
[Sorry, I can't disclose that information. The only thing I'll say is: he actively interacts not only with female students, but with male students as well.]
[That's reassuring. Now, regarding relationships between men and women—what's your opinion on encouraging polygamy? We know you yourself have one husband, correct?]
[Yes, I have a wonderful husband and one daughter. I'm blessed to have them. As for your question… it's difficult. Personally, I don't want to imagine my husband having multiple wives. However, I want to make it clear that I'm not against this type of relationship, and I respect it.]
[I think many people would envy your family life, Edomae-sensei. We'll now go to a commercial break. Stay tuned.]
"And you're telling me that my achievements hold special meaning for you?" — Miyuna-chan shot back.
"You should tell that to her, to Akane-san, instead of me. I knew she was rich, but sponsoring ALL the co-ed schools!?" — I was flabbergasted.
"Son, your friend is her daughter, right? You're really something else." — Dad said.
"It's not like I acknowledged her… but yeah, Tomoki, you're really something." — Mom added.
"Dad, Mom, she's only my friend. Sure, she's amazing, but I'm not. Still, I already met Ayame-san's mother in person." — I replied.
"Tomoki, the fact that you got invited to their house and had lunch with them means they liked you at least." — Aunt Sayori said.
"Tomoki, your aunt here never thought in her entire life she'd be connected to the Edomae family." — Aunt Mizuno added.
"Tomoki, I don't want to brag, but I'm a wealthy person. Even if I worked for a hundred years, I couldn't reach even ten percent of her income… or five… not even one percent." — Aunt Serina sighed.
"Tomo-kun… all I can say is, you're something else." — Aunt Yuna said.
Hearing it put that way, I guess I really did connect with someone important. But honestly, it still doesn't sink in.
"Haha… incredible. If Tomoki marries her, he won't have to lift a finger for the rest of his life." — Hiyori-chan muttered with an apathetic face, which caught me off guard.
"Right? And she'd be our sister. I just hope we wouldn't embarrass her." — Natsumi-chan agreed.
"Do you think she'd buy this portrait from me?" — Erina nee-san asked, staring at my giant picture on the wall. I guess money is more important..
Then Miyuna-chan stared at me for a while. I wondered what she was thinking.
"Sigh~ I really don't get what makes her find Tomoki-nii attractive."
"First of all, she's only my friend, and she doesn't see me like that. And second, I have feelings too, okay? That statement hurt me."
"Pfft—" - She burst out laughing before quickly composing herself. "I… I wasn't laughing, okay!?" she insisted.
I guess that's what they call the rebellious phase. Well… at least I made her laugh. That's progress.
"Okay everyone! Dinner's almost ready. Take a bath and come to the dining room, okay?" — Mom called.
"Yes, ma'am!" — me and my sisters replied in unison.