Haruka’s shoulders relaxed. “Jeez, don’t startle me like that. Your bad habit of teasing others hasn’t changed at all, I see.”
“You think?” Shigure asked.
“Yep. You’ve been a bully since we were kids. You never had any interest in dolls, but as soon as I couldn’t handle them anymore because of that horror movie, you immediately started playing with them. And don’t even get me started on all the cicadas you brought home, even though you knew I hated them!”
She hasn’t matured in the slightest!
Seeing I was unable to commiserate with my girlfriend, I merely glared at our younger sister instead.
“It’s in my nature,” Shigure quipped, playfully sticking out her tongue. “I just have to tease the people I love.”
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Haruka shot to her feet.
“Oh no!” she cried. “I have gym class next. I need to hurry up and get changed! By the way, Hiromichi...”
“What’s up?”
“Drama practice is going to run late today, so you can go home without me. I’ll make it up to you plenty this weekend.”
“Got it. I look forward to it. Break a leg,” I replied.
“Thanks. See you later, Shigure.”
“See ya.”
Haruka dashed off to her destination, her short skirt flapping with every step. As soon as she was certain her sister was gone, Shigure spoke to me without a hint of mockery into her tone. If anything, she sounded impressed.
“You’re truly loved, Big Bro.”
“Yeah... Sometimes, it gets a little embarrassing, though.”
“But it still makes you happy, right?”
“Of course,” I replied. I was beyond happy, in fact.
To think I’d managed to find someone on this massive planet of ours who liked—no, loved—me. I could tell just how much she cherished me, and it was a feeling of satisfaction that I couldn’t properly express in words.
“Haruka looks like she’s having so much fun,” Shigure noted with a sigh. “I want a boyfriend, too.”
“Just go out and find one. You’re just as beautiful as Haruka. You could have your pick of any guy.”
“I want a boyfriend who’ll always give in to my selfish demands. One who’s loyal, willing to be wrapped around my little finger, and won’t get upset when I get mad for no reason. Plus, he needs to be at least 173cm, slender with delicate features, make at least forty million yen a year, have property in Tokyo, and be the perfect gentleman—that means no drooling over other girls.”
“In your dreams,” I retorted. Such a man didn’t exist, plain and simple. She’d have better luck looking for Sasquatch. “Well, anyway, this is our only shot at being high schoolers. I hope you can find a good guy.”
“I’ve already found a good guy.”
“Huh? Did you just say something?”
“No, nothing at all. More importantly, we should head back—we’ll be late for class.”
“Oh, crap!”
I grabbed Shigure’s cafeteria tray and stood up. Sure, she’d made me sweat a few times and beat the shit out of my poor shin, but she’d helped me big time today. Returning her tray was the least I could do.