With no training scheduled for the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion and no development meetings for new devices at FLT's Third Division, Tatsuya had a rare day off. He'd planned to spend it with Miyuki, but she had student council duties to attend to at school.
"I'm so sorry, Onii-sama," Miyuki apologized, her voice tinged with regret.
"No worries. Do your best," Tatsuya replied, his tone warm but resigned.
He offered to help, but Miyuki refused to burden him with her work. If anything, she'd rather take on his tasks than let him shoulder hers. It was just how she was.
"Now, what to do with myself…" Tatsuya mused.
He considered tinkering with his CAD in the basement, but he'd already fine-tuned it the night before. Besides, he'd sworn off research and training for the day, and backtracking on that felt like more hassle than it was worth.
"Guess I'll just wander around," he decided.
Grabbing his helmet, Tatsuya headed out. He'd originally planned to spend the day with Miyuki, so roaming alone seemed a better way to kill time than staying cooped up at home.
Meanwhile, the Hirakawa sisters, Koharu and Chiaki, were strolling through town when they spotted a familiar figure approaching.
"Hey, isn't that Shiba-kun?" Chiaki pointed out, squinting.
"It is," Koharu confirmed. "He looks so much more mature out of his uniform, doesn't he?"
At first, the sisters barely recognized Tatsuya in his casual clothes. But Chiaki, recalling the time she'd seen him out of uniform during her decision to step down as representative, quickly made the connection.
"Hello!" Chiaki called out cheerfully.
"Hm? Oh, Koharu-san, Chiaki. Out together?" Tatsuya stopped, turning his attention to the pair.
Their encounter was a welcome distraction for Tatsuya, who had no particular plans. The sisters, too, seemed pleased to run into him.
"Are you alone? Where's your sister?" Chiaki asked, tilting her head.
"Miyuki's at school for student council work," Tatsuya replied. "And Chiaki, Miyuki and I do spend time apart, you know."
Tatsuya's brow furrowed slightly, irked by the assumption that he and Miyuki were inseparable. Chiaki, unfazed, pressed on with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, so it's not that you're the siscon—it's your sister who's the brocon, huh?"
"Hey, Chiaki, that's rude to both Shiba-kun and Miyuki," Koharu scolded, though her reprimand came a beat too late—perhaps because she secretly agreed?
Tatsuya shot them both an exasperated look. Chiaki remained unbothered, but Koharu flushed, panicking. "I-I don't think that, okay? Not at all!"
"…Right," Tatsuya said, smoothly changing the subject to spare Koharu further embarrassment. "So, what are you two doing out here?"
Koharu, oblivious to the hole she'd dug, didn't notice Chiaki stifling a laugh. "We're shopping today!" Chiaki chimed in. "Hey, why don't you join us, Shiba-kun?"
"Me? Well, I don't mind," Tatsuya said with a shrug.
"Won't that inconvenience you?" Koharu asked, concerned. "You must have plans."
"Nah, I'm just out here killing time," Tatsuya admitted candidly.
His honesty seemed to spark an odd delight in both sisters, though Tatsuya chalked it up to his imagination. With nothing better to do, he decided to tag along.
"By the way, Chiaki," Koharu said as they walked, "you've gotten awfully chummy with Shiba-kun since that incident."
"Well, duh," Chiaki replied. "He saved you, and even helped me when I was being fooled by the enemy."
Koharu's voice softened. "You're right. I wouldn't be here chatting and shopping with you if it weren't for Shiba-kun."
Their voices grew quieter, the weight of the past settling in. Tatsuya heard every word but chose not to comment.
"I mean, he saved you and pulled me out of my misguided grudge," Chiaki continued, her tone earnest. "I owe him more than I can repay for all the hostility I threw his way. The least I can do is stick by him and make up for it."
"You don't have to force yourself," Tatsuya said gently, ruffling Chiaki's hair with a touch more force than necessary. "As long as you've reflected on it, I'm good."
Chiaki, startled at first, soon melted under his touch, her eyes narrowing contentedly. Koharu, watching, suddenly spoke up. "By the way, Shiba-kun… thank you. For everything."
"Yes, thank you," Chiaki echoed, her voice softer now. "For saving me and my sister."
Caught off guard by the sisters' sudden bows, Tatsuya glanced around, half-expecting passersby to mistake him for some shady figure being groveled to by two beautiful girls. His less-than-ordinary high schooler vibe didn't help.
"No need for that," he said, waving it off. "I just did what I could."
Understanding his unspoken plea to drop the formality, Koharu offered one last thank you before straightening up. Chiaki followed suit, flashing a slightly shy smile.
"Alright, how about lunch?" Koharu suggested, her stomach growling. "I'm starving."
"Me too! Come on, Shiba-kun!" Chiaki chirped.
Chiaki's playful energy, so reminiscent of a little sister teasing her brother, drew wry smiles from both Tatsuya and Koharu. Not long ago, she'd glared at him like he was her sworn enemy—her quick turnaround was almost commendable.
"By the way, Shiba-kun," Chiaki said out of nowhere, "are you dating one of the Nanakusa sisters or someone like that?"
"What? No, I'm not dating anyone," Tatsuya replied, caught off guard but answering plainly.
"Not even someone from the First Course?"
"I just said I'm not dating anyone," he repeated, bemused.
"Oh… good news for you, huh, Onee-chan?" Chiaki teased, grinning wickedly.
Koharu's face turned beet red. Undeterred, Chiaki barreled on. "Hey, why don't you date my sister? That way, I can hang out with you all the time too!"
"Chiaki!" Koharu shouted, mortified, her voice hitting its loudest pitch.
But Chiaki, unfazed, peered up at Tatsuya. Koharu, not to be outdone, met his gaze with a shy, upward glance. "Um… Shiba-kun… would I… not do?"
Tatsuya sighed, conceding defeat to their combined puppy-dog eyes. "If you're okay with me," he said softly.
It seemed, much like with Miyuki, he was weak to little sisters' pleading looks. With a faint smile, Tatsuya pulled Koharu close and ruffled Chiaki's hair once more.
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