It didn’t take long for me to arrive at the main gate of Trinity. The campus was spacious, but I had already run into the sisters from the Band Club, which delayed my arrival.
Normally, I would have said goodbye there, but…
“But why was Miyako checking out the high school section? We were in middle school until last year, and there’s nothing interesting to see.”
“…That’s because you’re just a pig with your mind on desserts.”
“This scoundrel… Should we throw down?”
“Both of you, cut it out and apologize to each other. Trinity is a beautiful place no matter where you look, Yoshimi. And Kazusa, there’s no bad person among those who love desserts…”
Since Aco and Hina hadn’t arrived yet, I had to spend a bit more time with these three.
It’s a bit unfortunate that my time with the noisy sisters has increased, but… I’m glad to see Atsuko happy. Yes.
Since I was asked a question, I should probably respond. Hmm.
Should I nudge Atsuko’s conscience a little by mentioning T-party?
Honestly, I’m still unhappy about her betrayal for joining the Band Club.
“Well… my dream is to join T-party when I go to high school.”
“…T-party? Isn’t that usually just for highborn ladies?”
“Just look at that kid’s outfit and finish talking, Yoshimi.”
“Oh.”
Hmm, Yoshimi’s words aren’t entirely wrong. The outfit I’m wearing feels like something Nagisa put a lot of effort into…
The material seems quite good, the design is pretty chic, and it screams, ‘I am the daughter of a wealthy family!’ Yes, I honestly like it.
“So, the one we’re waiting for—”
Just then, my phone rang, cutting off Yoshimi’s conversation. I naturally took it out and answered.
[Mika-chi…! We’re almost there, you know?]
Aco’s voice jumped out without even a moment for greetings.
Phone in hand, and at the same time, across the street—
[So, do we just head straight to T-party from here?]
“Huh? Aco, I’m waiting right in front of the gate.”
[What? Then where’s your face… Uh-oh?!]
Seeing Aco staring wide-eyed in the distance, I couldn’t help but start to chuckle. That trademark sound of hers never gets old!
Speaking of which, is that Hina holding Aco’s hand?
It’s definitely odd. Our usually charismatic Student Council President is bowing her head like that.
Looks like Aco wasn’t just making a fuss for nothing.
“…What’s that? Aren’t those students from Gehenna? They were mentioned in the school notice… right, the student exchange week is next week, I think.”
“Maybe they came to discuss it among the high-ups?”
“Maybe. But what about those outfits? Are they nobles?”
“…Pfft.”
Definitely… Yup, Aco really does look like a noble. Yoshimi wasn’t wrong there.
Anyway. Those two sisters probably expected the Gehenna students to just pass by us, but too bad! I have something to take care of on my end!
Yoshimi started to panic as she watched Aco and Hina casually walk toward us.
“W-what’s going on? Why are they coming this way? Did they hear what I said? No way, right?”
“Uh, they definitely look like they heard something. Good luck.”
“Hey, hey! Kazusa! We’re friends, right?! Abandoning friends like this is totally out of line!”
“Who are you to act like we’re close?!”
“Hey!!!”
While they bickered, Kazusa remained next to Yoshimi without moving an inch, glaring warily at the two members of the Student Council.
The comical part is that the targets of that wariness showed zero interest in them at all.
“M-Mika-chi? What on earth happened?”
“…Mika-chi? Wait a second. Didn’t you definitely call me Miyako?”
Now that I think about it, does Yoshimi still not know who I am? Or maybe due to the Blooming Buds activities, she might at least know my name and face now.
“Hey, nice to meet you. I’m happy too, Aco!”
“…This definitely looks like Mika-chi, but why are you calling me ‘older sister’?”
“Well… ’cause I’m younger?”
“No! What the heck are you talking about?! More importantly, the urgent matter here is our President! She keeps going on about ‘Mika…’ since this morning!”
Wait, was I really that obvious?
Did my Hina-nee become a Mika fan just from seeing one photo?
“…Mika?”
Hina’s expression brightened as she heard Aco’s words. She locked her gaze on me and, with trembling steps, approached me as Aco led her.
“H-Hina-nee… Ugh.”
“Is it really you, Mika?”
Hina’s trembling fingertips brushed against my cheek, and after a moment’s hesitation, she cupped my face with both hands.
For the first time, I found myself lifting Hina’s face just a little; I had to admit, she was taller than me.
And then, the next moment…
“Uh, huh? Now that I think of it, that person— E-eek?!”
An ambiguous scream mixed with confusion erupted from who knows where.
But whose scream it was didn’t even register in my mind.
All my attention was on Hina, who had come at me without hesitation, not even a light peck, but something far deeper…
“Are kids these days this fast?”
“No, not just kids these days! I don’t know the details, but she’s the Student Council President from Gehenna…!”
“…Uh?”
I was bewildered. I couldn’t understand why this was happening so suddenly… And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to push Hina away.
While the surrounding commotion faded into the background, Hina’s hands glided past my cheeks and along my neck, smoothly trailing down my back.
Before I realized it, I found myself held tightly at the waist, going along with whatever Hina wanted in a daze. Eventually, she broke the kiss first.
“Uh, onii-chan…”
“I don’t know why you suddenly look so much younger, Mika, but just because your appearance has changed a bit doesn’t mean my feelings for you have changed. So, um, please don’t misunderstand.”
Seriously, how do I express this?
It was incredibly embarrassing, yet Hina continued avoiding my gaze, looking adorably flustered… but still… Ah.
I-I can’t believe how ridiculously embarrassing this is…!
“…So can you please tell me what’s actually going on?”
More than anything, I’m still super embarrassed about the physical distance between us being zero…
“Um… in short, I took a youth-rejuvenating medicine that Nagisa found, so that’s why this is happening. It’s not permanent; it should last a day at most…?”
“…Ah.”
Hina’s face, which had shown so many emotions in that one exclamation, turned red enough to rival a tomato.
Then for the first time, her gaze dropped downwards.
“F-forget about it. Mika, please.”
“…Did you think it was going to be permanent?”
“…”
Hina nodded shyly, and without saying anything else, I hugged her tightly.
This is definitely a secret just for us…
Hmm. One, two, three, four.
Four people…
After sneaking a glance around, I let out a sigh internally. It seems like there are too many witnesses to keep this a secret.
The good thing is, while I expected Aco to look on with a somewhat bitter taste in her mouth, she was actually sparkling with excitement and even taking pictures!
I’m relieved she seems to be handling it well. I should keep checking up on her to make sure she’s okay, but just seeing her like this calms me down a bit.
On the other hand, Atsuko wore a somewhat strange expression. Why is that? Her emotions are so transparent that it’s hard to question it… Hmm.
“W-well, since I’ve confirmed it’s not a big deal… I think I’ll head back now.”
“…Huh?”
“I didn’t really handle my work properly before coming here.”
Wait, seriously? You came all the way to my face and kissed me, and now you want to leave in less than five minutes?
“…It’s just that I couldn’t focus on my work. Even if Aco hadn’t brought me here, I wouldn’t have gotten anything done, so it’s actually a win time-wise.”
You’re saying you want to leave when I’m this cute right in front of you?
Hmm… Though seeing your arms wrapped around me makes me guess that you don’t really want to leave.
“Hina, do you really have to go?”
“…With a position comes responsibility, Mika. You know that better than anyone else.”
“Well, I know that…”
Procrastinating today’s work until tomorrow is a bad habit. I definitely understand that.
But… I didn’t come out here just to see you momentarily!
Glancing towards Aco, it seems she’s not particularly concerned about what’s happening. The Student Council President can say whatever she wants; her opinion seems irrelevant.
It’s good to have clear boundaries at work, but couldn’t you be a little less strict during moments like this?
“Sister, just one hour more… no more, no less…”
“…W-well, that still won’t fly. Mika, I also wish I could spend more time with you, but—”
It seems like it’s time to pull out the trump card allowed to a child.
“Hina-nee… please stay with me just a little longer… okay?”
“…”
Sorasaki Hina, downed.
Just like I planned, perfect♪
