Oh—the Shiunji sisters.
Jun had only taken the train to the next station, yet here they were—the infamous group he remembered from the anime. Just a glance was enough to recognize them.
Standing at the center of attention was Banri Shiunji, the eldest. Tallest among her siblings, her strawberry-blonde hair shimmered faintly under the morning light, matching well with her sharp purple eyes.
Despite her mature aura, her lips curled into a playful, cherry-like smile as she leaned down to tease the youngest sister. She looked both dependable and mischievous all at once.
The one she was teasing was Kotono Shiunji, the youngest of the five.
With medium-length black hair and bangs long enough to cover her right eye, she wore a small yellow scrunchie on the left side, adding a simple charm to her look.
Her soft golden-amber eyes, wide with shyness, gave her a timid yet undeniably endearing presence. The faint blush dusting her cheeks made her look even more like the idol-type character she was rumored to be—no wonder she had her own fan group.
A few steps away, chatting lively with other students, was Ouka Shiunji, the third eldest. Unlike her quieter sisters, Ouka radiated energy and cheerfulness. Her athletic build and healthy complexion were proof of her being a star in the swimming club, while her sharp yet kind eyes reflected her status as one of the top students in school.
She carried herself with an easy charisma that seemed to naturally attract people—especially other girls—into her orbit.
"Ahh… such a refreshing sight in the morning," one of the boys nearby muttered dreamily.
Jun realized he wasn't the only one who had stopped to admire the sisters. Several guys had subtly gathered, stealing glances at the group as if drawn by gravity itself.
His eyes shifted to the fourth sister, Minami Shiunji, who happened to be in the same year as him. Compared to her siblings, Minami had a sharper look, her short black hair spiking slightly at the edges where it faded into a faint green tint.
Is that… natural? Jun wondered, quickly looking away before she could notice his stare.
Unlike Kotono's timid charm or Ouka's bright presence, Minami had a cool yet approachable air that seemed to attract her own group of admirers—especially female fans.
And finally, standing a little apart from the rest was the second eldest, Mayumi Shiunji. With her pale-blue hair cascading down in neat layers and an expressionless face, she looked every bit the "cool beauty" type.
At first glance, her flat expression gave her an almost unapproachable aura—but Jun knew better.
Having seen her character in the anime, he remembered her oddball personality hidden beneath that calm exterior. A natural airhead wrapped in the shell of an ice queen.
Jun let out a quiet sigh.
They really do stand out… no wonder everyone's staring. The Shiunji sisters are practically celebrities in this school.
The monorail finally arrived, and the crowd surged forward. As expected, the Shiunji sisters boarded the female-only section, leaving the group of boys outside to collectively sigh in disappointment. Still, the sparkle in their eyes hadn't dimmed; if anything, they seemed even more eager to catch another glimpse of the sisters at the next stop.
Especially the students from the same high school. To them, sharing a roof—or even a classroom—with the Shiunji sisters was like being blessed by fortune itself.
Jun, unfortunately, was also lumped into that group, though the envious glances directed at him only made him feel more awkward than lucky. Why are they glaring at me? I've got nothing to do with them…
In truth, he couldn't care less about chasing after the sisters. After all, in the original anime, the protagonist was literally their younger brother—the one who had grown up with them and shared meals, arguments, and daily life.
How could anyone hope to compete with that? Honestly, anyone who hasn't made a move before now might as well forget about it. The main story should be starting any day… what is it, June 15th already? Yeah, not far at all.
Lost in thought, Jun almost missed the fact that Shion Shiunji, the silver-haired brother himself, had taken the seat right next to him.
At that exact moment, a woman stepped aboard, a small child strapped to her back. She looked around for a free spot, but the train was packed.
Ah… right. That scene. Jun immediately remembered what was about to happen and stood up without hesitation.
"Please, take my seat."
The woman blinked in surprise before bowing her head. "Thank you…"
Jun waved it off with a small smile, scratching his cheek. "It's alright. My back was killing me from sitting anyway. I just needed to stretch my legs."
It was a flimsy excuse—he simply wasn't used to being thanked for something so small.
"Is that so?" The woman chuckled softly, adjusting the child on her back. "In that case, let me at least lighten my load a little. Here, this was weighing down my pocket. Please, have it."
She pressed a chocolate bar into his hand before he could protest.
"Eh? Ah, um… thank you." Jun accepted it awkwardly, his face heating a little. He glanced to the side only to find the silver-haired boy stifling a laugh, clearly amused by the exchange.
"…What's so funny?" Jun muttered under his breath.
"Nothing, nothing," the boy replied with a smirk.
Before long, the train reached their stop. As the doors opened, Jun stepped off along with the Shiunji siblings. Just as he was about to part ways, a voice called out.
"Yo, classmate with back pain."
Jun's eyebrow twitched. He turned to find Shion grinning at him.
"…Sorry, but my name is Takihira Jun. Not 'back pain.'"
Shion paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Haha, fair enough. Jun-kun, then. That was pretty funny, though. Are you always that shy when people thank you?"
Jun scratched his head, unsure how to answer. "…I wouldn't say shy. Just… not used to it."
The conversation flowed surprisingly easily after that. Shion was good at breaking the ice, friendly without being overbearing. Still, Jun noticed the way Arata, the dark-haired brother, walked a step behind them, silent as ever. His calm gaze lingered on Jun for a moment, and Jun had the distinct feeling that maybe it was Arata who had nudged Shion into striking up the conversation.
So, he's also a freshman, huh? Jun noted, glancing at the boy's uniform. The differences in style between first-years and upperclassmen made it easy to tell.
"Hello, senior…" Jun greeted with a polite nod when he noticed Arata Shiunji walking alongside them.
Arata gave a small, friendly smile. "Hello. My name is Arata. Just call me that—no need for formality."
Jun blinked at the straightforwardness. For someone who carried the name Shiunji, heir to an influential family, his attitude was refreshingly simple. So this is the so-called protagonist of this world…
Up close, Jun couldn't help but think the boy had the aura of someone dependable. Calm eyes, steady voice—he wasn't the type to buckle under expectations. With all the responsibilities on his shoulders, it's impressive he doesn't shy away. No wonder the story revolves around him.
"Alright then, Arata," Jun replied, forcing a small smile. "Please just call me Jun. After all, I'm the junior here."
The two exchanged a brief handshake. Jun couldn't deny a strange sense of respect bubbling up inside him.
Still, part of him couldn't help but wonder: Was this really just chance? Or… did the system nudge things along? He had slipped so naturally into conversation with the Shiunji brothers that it almost felt staged. That thought made his stomach tighten. If this really is part of some 'conquer route,' then things are moving faster than they should.
As they walked together, the conversation gradually deepened.
"I live in the Kawai residence," Jun mentioned casually. "Chihiro-sensei is like a relative to me, so she's the one looking after me."
"Eh? That's really close by," Shion said, surprised. "Then you should come over for dinner sometime."
Jun chuckled awkwardly, waving his hand. "I appreciate the offer, but… maybe not right away. It would feel strange to intrude so suddenly after just meeting."
To his surprise, even Arata looked a little disappointed. "That's a shame. But we'll be waiting. Come when you're ready."
Their warmth made Jun feel both grateful and uneasy. What are they planning? He didn't dare ask aloud.
By the time they reached school, the notice board with class distributions had already gathered a crowd. Jun scanned the list until his eyes stopped at his own name.
Takihira Jun—Class 1-B.
Right beside him—Shion Shiunji—Class 1-B.