"Aranami?"
"Mhm?"
I paused a little, trying to sound casual and normal.
"Are you sure you want to walk like this… y'know, arm to arm? People might take this the wrong way."
"I don't mind…" she said softly, her voice so low I almost missed it.
For a moment, I wasn't sure if I'd imagined it. But when I glanced at her, her face was turned slightly away, cheeks faintly red, and her grip on my arm tightened just a little.
My chest tightened. Damn it. Why did something that simple feel like it was messing with my entire system?
We started walking, arms still intertwined. The closer we got to school, the more students we passed—each one throwing glances our way. Whispers stirred here and there, curious eyes following us.
Heat crept up my neck, my face burning as I tried to keep my cool.
Ugh, why do I feel like everyone's staring straight into my soul?!
(Aizi's Perspective — Living Room, 8 AM)
"Ruthless brother…" I muttered, stabbing my fork into the egg on my plate. "How dare he choose 'stuff' over eating breakfast with his own sister?"
The food tasted fine, but bitterness coated my tongue. I shoved another bite into my mouth anyway, chewing hard like the rice had personally offended me.
Tch. What 'stuff' could possibly be more important than me?
I glanced at the empty chair across from me, the one he usually sat in. My stomach twisted—not from hunger, but from the quiet. Breakfast felt… incomplete without his dumb face sitting there, pretending not to notice when I teased him.
My chopsticks paused midair. A thought crept in, one I didn't like.
Could it be… a girl?
The fork clattered against the plate.
No. No way. He's too much of a blockhead for that. And if it is a girl… tch. He'll regret not telling me.
I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, a sly smirk tugging at my lips despite the simmering irritation.
"Damn it, brother! Why do you have to be so cruel to your cute little sisterrr!" I shouted before storming out of the room. I went straight to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed into my uniform. Just as I was about to leave, my eyes landed on the manga lying on my table—it instantly caught my attention.
A sly grin spread across my face as a brilliant idea struck me. Grabbing the manga, I tiptoed toward my brother's room. So careless… he never even locks his door when he's out. I slipped inside and made my way to his manga shelf. With a devious little chuckle, I slid my manga neatly between his collection, positioning it so it would be impossible to miss.
The title on the cover stood out boldly: Big Bro Fallen for His Little Sister.
"not even a single WINCEST on his shelf.. tsk tsk..."
(Reui's Perspective, School's main entrance, 8:30 AM)
We paused right in front of the entrance, but she still didn't let go. Her arm clung to mine, her palm tightening around my bicep like she was afraid I'd slip away.
"Aranami."
"Mhm..?"
I glanced at her. Her face looked calm at first glance, but up close, I could see it—her uneasiness. The faint tremor in her grip, the way her lashes lowered as if she didn't want to meet my eyes.
Students passed us, stealing quick glances, some whispering as they stepped inside. My ears burned with every look.
Why isn't she letting go? Why does she look like… she needs this?
A group of girls caught my attention, their laughter carrying over the morning chatter. Most of them I didn't know—but then my eyes locked on one.
Silver hair. Sharp, clear eyes. Tall, slim frame that turned more than a few heads as she walked.
Faye.
Faye Pioneer.
My old childhood best friend.
Even now, she stood out without even trying. She always did. Russian blood, top-10 in the school, grades perfect across the board… and yeah, slim but—well, busty. Not that I'm focusing on that (probably).
For a second, I froze. Memories, half-buried, rushed up—running around the park together, dumb fights over nothing, her laughing at me when I cried after scraping my knee.
And now she was here, laughing with her group like she'd never even been gone.
My chest tightened for a reason I couldn't name.
She caught me looking her way.
For a split second, our eyes actually met—familiar, sharp, unshaken. Then, just as quickly, she turned away, slipping back into the rhythm of her group, laughter spilling like nothing had happened.
No wave. No smile. Not even a nod.
Just… distance.
I felt something in my chest sink, though I couldn't tell if it was disappointment or relief.
Beside me, Aranami's grip on my arm tightened, almost imperceptibly, like she'd noticed too.
I forced my attention back to Aranami.
Her expression was unreadable, but after a moment, she finally let go of my arm. The warmth that had been there just seconds ago vanished, leaving the air strangely colder.
I flexed my hand awkwardly, unsure what to say.
"…We should head in," I muttered, scratching the back of my neck.
"Yeah," she replied softly, eyes fixed ahead, not on me.
And just like that, the noise of the school swallowed us—students flooding through the gates, voices blending into one restless tide.
But even as we stepped forward, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something had just… shifted.
We finally stepped inside the school, slowing to a stop in the middle of the yard. For a second, neither of us said anything—the morning bustle of students moving past us filling the silence.
"See you later, Reui-kun…" Aranami said softly, her eyes lowered as she shifted a step back.
And just like that, the space between us widened.
"Yeah… see you" I replied, trying to sound casual, but it came out weaker than I wanted.
She gave me the faintest smile before turning away, slipping into the flow of students. Her short black bob swayed gently with each step until she disappeared into the crowd.
I stood there for a moment longer, my chest feeling oddly heavy. The warmth of her hand, her grip on my arm, the way her voice trembled… it all lingered, even though she was already gone.
I finally arrived in my classroom, sliding the door open.
Immediately, every single head turned.
Dozens of eyes locked onto me, gazes sharp, curious, way too amused for my liking. A couple of guys had these wild, exaggerated grins plastered across their faces, and the girls? They weren't much better—whispering to each other, covering their mouths, giggling like they'd just seen the juiciest drama of the week.
I froze halfway to my seat.
"…What?" I asked, my voice flat, though my ears were already burning.
Nobody answered. They just kept looking at me with those stupid, knowing smiles.
Great. Just great.
I didn't even have to ask—I already knew. Word travels fast in this place, way too fast.
Aranami. Walking arm-to-arm. Of course.
"Kuziya, my boy!!!"
The shout came from the far corner of the classroom, loud enough to make half the class snicker.
"WHAT?!" I barked back without thinking, stepping fully inside. I ignored the grins, the whispers, the raised brows, and made a beeline for my seat.
Dropping into my chair, I let out a breath. Unfortunately, sitting right next to me was none other than Fritz—my loud, annoying excuse of a friend.
Fritz leaned on his desk, a grin stretching ear to ear. "Well, well, look who finally decided to show up—with a girl on his arm, no less."
I shot him a glare. "Don't start."
"Start? My man, I haven't even warmed up yet!" He nudged my shoulder with way too much energy. "You've got a girl, huh? Honestly, I almost thought you were gay!"
A couple of classmates snorted behind us. Heat crept up my neck.
I slammed my palm on the desk, half standing. "OI—!"
Fritz held up his hands, still laughing. "Relax, relax! I'm just saying—it's nice to know my boy's straight after all!"
I groaned, dragging my hand down my face. "You're a fucking asshole…"
"Correction." He wagged a finger smugly. "I'm not gonna fuck an asshole…" He grinned like the idiot he was, clearly proud of himself.
I groaned, shoving his face away with my hand. "You're disgusting."
Fritz just chuckled, brushing my hand off like it was nothing. "By the way, Kuziya… where'd you vanish off to yesterday during our last subject? Our homeroom teach was looking for you."
I froze for a split second, my mind flashing back to the rooftop, the fight, Aranami's trembling hand gripping mine.
The classroom door slammed open.
Everyone jolted, backs snapping straight as our homeroom teacher strode in. Her heels struck the floor in sharp, deliberate clicks, each step radiating authority. One sweep of her hawk-like gaze silenced the room instantly.
Strict. Firm. The kind of presence that made even Fritz clamp his mouth shut and sit like an honor student.
"Take your seats. Now." Her voice was crisp, cold, and left no room for questions.
She paused at the front, clipboard in hand. "We have a new transfer student today."
A brief glance at the door. "Come in, Miss."
The classroom door creaked open again, and in stepped the transfer student.
My eyes went wide.
Silver hair that shimmered under the fluorescent lights, clear eyes scanning the room with calm confidence, posture straight like she owned the space. She hadn't changed a bit.
Faye Pioneer.
My old childhood friend.
The same Faye who used to drag me around the park, laugh at my stupid jokes, and scold me whenever I cried over dumb little things. Now she stood at the front of the class, taller, sharper, and drawing the attention of every single student like it was second nature.
A murmur rippled through the room—half awe, half curiosity.
Meanwhile, all I could do was sit there, heart pounding, mind stuck between holy shit it's her and what the hell do I even do now?