To be honest, I wasn't sure what to call it.
If I call her Hoshimiya-san, it will inevitably make her younger sister Hime react... so I think it's better to call her by her first name if possible.
But if I could casually call a female classmate by her first name, especially since she's so beautiful and popular, I probably wouldn't be living this mob-like life in the first place.
As for Hime, she was a younger child so she didn't have much resistance.
As expected, I was extremely hesitant to do it with a classmate.
I just can't help but feel that it's presumptuous of someone like me to call her by her first name.
I feel like this feeling is unique to adolescence. I can't help but think of them as the opposite sex.
"I don't really mind it. Yo-hee? See, it's normal, right?"
"My sister has no concept of 'reservation'."
"Hmm. That's rude of you, Hime-chan."
"Youhei-kun is a person with a modest charm. So I don't think you need to force yourself -- but, you're right! It's no good after all. It's definitely better to call him by his first name."
Huh? It seemed like Hime was on my side until halfway through, but then she suddenly said the complete opposite.
Then she stood up and brought her face close to my ear.
"(Youhei-kun, you'll marry my sister in the future, so you should get used to calling her by her first name from now on.)"
A secret is whispered in my ear.
Her moist breath tickled a little.
But... well, it's not like that's a certainty that it will happen in the future, is it?
However, keeping this marriage a secret means that they haven't told the person in question yet.
Well, that's a relief then.
Maybe I was feeling strangely self-conscious and nervous. Now that my worries were gone, I felt a little calmer.
"Huh? It's not fair that I'm the only one being left out and having to talk in secret."
"I'm not talking about anything important. So please don't be sulky."
"...Hmmmm."
After that, Hoshimiya-san puffed out her cheeks.
Her sulky attitude is just like Hime's...seeing that somehow made me feel like the tension in my shoulders was released.
If you try too hard, she might feel uncomfortable.
Hime was the same. She seemed to dislike the excessive attention she received from the principal and teachers... In the same way, I think it's easier to interact with my sister if she acts naturally.
If that's the case, I'll just be myself.
"--Is it okay if I call you Hijiri-san? Sorry, but I still get nervous when I have to call someone by their first name... I'd be happy if you could do that once you've gotten used to it."
Be frank and don't push yourself too hard.
I would prefer to call her by her first name if possible, but adding "san" to her name is the limit of what I can do at the moment. When I told her that honestly, she...pushed her cheeks together.
"Hmm, can't be helped. That'll be fine."
Saying this, Hoshimiya-san -- no, Hijiri-san -- smiled brightly this time.
That's good... Although he's not completely satisfied, he seems to have understood.
"Ufufu. Come to think of it, this is the first time a boy has called me by my name. It's kind of embarrassing."
Is this your first time?
She seemed used to it, so I assumed she casually called guys by their first names on a regular basis, but it seems that wasn't the case.
"...Since we're here, let's call you by your first name, Youhei. Or even "Hi-chan" would be fine! I think it would make you feel closer."
However, Hime doesn't seem to be convinced.
She's trying to get me to marry Hijiri... so maybe she wants us to get closer.
However, nicknames are a bit too much, so I wish they would have just left it at this.