The first period ended, and in the end, Kuonji ended up leaving early due to her poor health.
With her face that red, even with medicine, it must still be rough.
Even so, for her to come to school... I guess you could call her dutiful, or maybe just serious.
She should have just stayed home if it was that bad. Honestly.
The second period was Sanzenin-sensei's class.
But since Sanzenin-sensei was taking Kuonji home, we were currently in self-study.
Hardly anyone was actually studying; most were just chatting with nearby friends.
Combined with that, I couldn't concentrate because I kept worrying about Kuonji.
...For now, I'll just send her a message.
Akito: Are you okay?
Ah, she read it instantly.
Riran: I'm okay. Sorry for causing trouble.
Akito: Don't worry about it.
Riran: I'll make it up to you next time.
Akito: I don't need anything. Just focus on getting better for now.
Riran: Sorry.
Hmm... as expected of someone unwell, she seems out of it. I don't feel any spirit in her messages.
Riran: By the way, aren't you in the middle of class?
Riran: Make sure you properly attend the lecture.
Are you a mom?
Akito: It's self-study right now.
Riran: Sanzenin-sensei is right next to me, you know.
Akito: Curse you, are you planning to snitch?
Riran: If you don't want to be snitched on, study seriously.
Akito: (Dog moping stamp)
Riran: (Dog petting stamp)
............
What should I do? This casual exchange is making me grin way too much.
"Hey, hey. Akito, what are you doing all secretively?"
"I-It's fine, isn't it?"
"I knew it, it's Kuonji, right?"
Why is this guy so sharp-eyed?
But I'm not going to get flustered here. I've already factored in their teasing.
"Wrong, it's my sister."
"Ah, Kotono-chan. Is she doing well?"
Good, I managed to dodge it successfully.
"She's so energetic I almost wish she'd settle down. That girl looks like she'll become a grandma with that exact same tension."
"That's basically a monster at that point."
If she becomes a grandma like that and messes with me with that level of energy, I'll be exhausted.
"She's fifteen this year, right? She'll be able to see her 'Red Thread of Fate' next year, so won't she start distancing herself from her brother then?"
"Huh? There's no way my angel could have a Fated Person. What are you talking about?"
"What are YOU talking about?"
Ah, I was just confronted with something I've been trying not to think about...
But it's true. Kotono is growing up, too.
Ryuya let out a sigh as if to say 'good grief.'
"Listen, right now she's a girl who loves her big brother, but you never know when she might say 'I hate you, Onii-chan!'"
"Kotono would never say such a thing...!"
"Do you think people don't grow up?"
"Guh..."
He's been hitting my sore spots for a while now.
"She's got quite a brother complex, but you should also start thinking about distancing yourself from your sister soon."
"Gunuuu...!"
But Kotono is cute. Even through the eyes of a biased relative, she's seriously a beauty.
And that sister is relying on me. I can't just push her away, and hating her is out of the question.
That said, I don't know how I should change the way I interact with her at this point.
...Why do I have to worry about Kotono as well as Kuonji?
"Ah—boring. I'm bored, Akito. Pay attention to me."
"Are you a child?"
"I'm bored—"
"Don't shake my chair, idiot."
Wait, his strength is unnecessarily high...! Good grief, this guy...
When I gave up and turned around, he smiled with a friendly grin. I want to punch that smile.
"Fine, fine. Then shall we talk about world peace? First, starting with non-violent non-cooperation..."
"Pass. Not interested."
"Ryuya, you bastard, go get punched by Gandhi with a running start for once."
Well, I just said that to go along with the mood.
Ryuya seemed to think of something and let out an "Ah.”
"After school today, let's go to that new crepe shop that opened in front of the station. Let's invite Nei, too."
"Oh, that one. If I remember correctly, the place where you can eat the Ultra Jumbo series."
The Ultra Jumbo series, featuring crepes three times the size of a normal one. Apparently, they don't do takeout and you can only eat them inside the shop.
It was featured on TV, so Neika would probably be happy too.
"Sure. In exchange, it's your treat. I don't have a part-time job."
"Akito, you should get a part-time job too."
"Impossible. I'm busy with training."
"...Come to think of it, why are you so obsessed with kickboxing? Are you going to go pro or something?"
"I have no plans for that. It's a hobby."
"To get that serious over a mere hobby, you must really like it."
Like... that's not quite it.
Starting kickboxing was just a coincidence.
However, the reason I've continued is largely due to the influence of an older neighborhood sister I admired when I was in kindergarten.
That person saved a girl who was being harassed by punks on the street with just her fists. I still remember it even now.
Long blonde hair.
A cheerful smile.
And a cool-looking back.
That person said something to me... but what was it? I don't remember that much.
But she lingers in a corner of my mind, and even now, I train to become strong.
When I told him that...
"Chuuni lol."
"Want me to smack you?"