Unconsciously, my sister and I have spent many years in the same school, in the same class.

Every day, I would watch my sister receive praise from the teacher in class for her perfect test scores, while I would scrunch up my face and secretly pout, then pretend to be asleep when she went on stage to receive her awards.

They say "out of sight, out of mind," but...

"Wow, another perfect score!"

"Yukari, you're so amazing!"

All I could hear were the voices praising her, not envy, but the fact that she never paid any attention to me, her little brother.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got lucky this time."

Even though she got those scores through her own abilities, she still pretended to be a good girl. She's really good at lying, just like Mom.

I don't know how many months have passed, but slowly I became ostracized by people around me. Even the teachers didn't bother giving me my test papers anymore.

Every time, I had to wait until lunch or after school to go to the front of the classroom to retrieve my papers.

"86 points, that's 12 points higher than last time!"

That time, I eagerly went home, hoping for some rare praise from Dad.

In my imagination.

"Oh, well done! My son is so smart to get such high scores!"

But then...

On the other side of a wall.

"Hehehe, having a genius and virtuous girl like Yukari as my daughter, our Tsubaki family is truly glorious..."

I wanted to laugh too, but compared to Yukari's brilliant presence, my little progress seemed insignificant.

"Maybe I shouldn't bother?"

So I simply avoided the living room, sneaking up the stairs along the side of the entrance hall.

Quietly returning to my room when my parents and sister weren't paying attention.

"Is it impossible for me to talk to anyone other than her?"

We've never understood each other, nor had the desire to understand.

All my energy was focused on my sister, on my own family.

But I've never paid attention to myself.

"This... Is this the result I wanted? Is this the ending I wanted to be so angry about myself?"

They say that relationships between people are accompanied by conflicts.

Without conflicts and a series of unspeakable events, there would be no bonds. Without bonds, they would just be strangers, right?

"Hey, why are you always so down?"

"..."

"Heh... buddy, you're really pathetic like this."

"Hmph, all I want to say is, who asked you to butt in? You're just ruining the mood. Hmph!"

Beside me, there was Sakai Yuanhui, who acted aloof but paid more attention to me than anyone else.

To call him a friend would be stretching it.

"Hey, how about I take you to a good place to have some fun?"

As he said that, he revealed a somewhat creepy smile.

I responded with an evil expression, as if I knew exactly what he meant.

Seeing his mouth half open and his eyes squeezed shut, a face that girls would find repulsive, I could guess what kind of place it was.

"What... What, is it that kind of place...?"

"Yeah, exactly what you're thinking!"

And so... Maybe it's because I'm too mature in my thinking...

"Hey, just because I don't talk much, you're trying to trick me, aren't you?"

"Well, I think the environment here is quite nice, don't you see..."

He forced me to come closer and made a disgusting face.

"Look at this feel, isn't it comfortable... Hey, why don't you try it?"

There was a dispute between the two of us in the arcade.

My foolish friend always does unnecessary things.

"Are you out of your mind? The joystick in the arcade is all the same!"

"So what?"

Uh, I was the one who asked him "so what", but now I'm intimidated by his innocent words.

"Well, it's up to you."

After saying that, I left him alone in the arcade and planned to go home by myself.

"Don't leave, this is very interesting!"

"Yeah, at least it's more interesting than just standing there doing nothing, right?"

"Oh, come on, try it and you'll know. Magical girls are very fun action games."

"Magical girls? Aren't the games in the arcade usually for three-year-old kids? How come there are magical girls?"

Hearing him say that, I stopped in my tracks before stepping out of the door.

"So, do you want to play a round?"

"...Well, let's just play one round then!"

The next three hours passed in the blink of an eye.

"You jerk, let's play another round!"

"Hahaha, give me another ten coins, and I'll make today a satisfying game for you, boss!"

My palms were already sweating. My mood was fully immersed in the characters on the arcade screen. Though I kept losing, I still fought on!

"Hmph, this time I definitely won't—"

Game over... My character died again. This guy... how many times has he come to the arcade?!

"Do you want to play another round?"

"No, forget it. Even if we play again, it'll just be the same result. You can play by yourself."

I remained expressionless, but the exhilarating feeling from earlier was real and building up inside me, as if it was about to burst.

"Eh... You're not going to keep playing with me?"

"Just go ahead and play by yourself, I'm busy."

It seems that since that day, we lost the connection between us. Panicking, I returned home and locked myself in my room before my father had a chance to ask why I came back so late.

Anyway, my life is always this cheap.

"Sigh, this treasure that holds my childhood memories. Forget it, let's throw it away."

There was no choice but to casually throw the damaged game console into the trash can.

Sitting back on the edge of the bed, my phone suddenly rang. Looking at the unknown number, it was a local one. It shouldn't be a nuisance call.

To find out the truth, there is only one way... answer the call.

While placing it near my ear, I wondered who would call so late.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Ugh, you don't recognize me anymore?"

"Yuanhui..."

"Uh, disappointed to hear from me?"

Does he still not get used to my somewhat indifferent attitude?

"Do you have something to say or should I hang up?"

"Just wait, don't hang up so fast!"

"Then hurry up and speak."

"Well, actually..."

Too much irrelevant talk, let's skip to the main point.

I impatiently pretended to understand and explained it a bit.

"So it turns out that Yu Nai gave you my phone number and asked you to pass on all her messages to me, is that right?"

"Um, it's pretty much the same meaning... Oh, let me clarify for you, I won't help that old lady, okay?"

"Uh, it doesn't really matter, right?"

"But this shows my unwavering loyalty, doesn't it?"

"Unwavering loyalty... such a positive phrase, yet it sounds unconvincing coming from you."

It's really useless. Although he once lent me a helping hand, it only made things worse.

But...

I lightly lifted the corners of my mouth and thought to myself, maybe he did it out of goodwill?

I can only blame myself for why I feel so down, otherwise I wouldn't have so many troubles.

But it's true that I had that moment of passionate blood, so I closed my eyes and pondered deeply.

"What exactly is that feeling of passionate blood?"

Just as I was indulging in my own wise sage state, a voice, more feminine and coquettish than Yukari's, sounded.

"It's a shame play, you know!"

"Huh...?"

Why is this person speaking so boldly? And it's not a shame play at all!

I opened my eyes and looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a beautiful woman with short blue hair... no no, stay calm!

"...Who are you, barging into a guy's room?" (Known: Oh, it's Chiyori)

"Oh dear, how annoying. Do I look that old?"

"...What should I call you then?"

"Please call me Chiyori little sister!"

I didn't expect Chiyori to have the leisure to come looking for someone. Besides Yukari, I really can't figure out who else is worth a visit from this princess of the police station.

"Oh, senior, if you're looking for Yukari, her room is on the left after you leave."

After I said that, she should be on her way out, right?

"Huh? No, today I came specifically to find Juxi junior and do something secretive!"

"Um... speak in normal language!"

Every time I see her shy appearance, I can't help but feel that she's not embarrassed enough.

But one thing is certain...

"It's actually about my boyfriend..."

"Huh? When did senior get a boyfriend?"

"We've been together for a long time."

Although Chiyori senior's popularity as the third most popular girl in school is well known, it's still surprising that someone would accept her mischievous personality.

"So what do you want to tell me...?"

"Actually, last night we were doing those things as usual."

"...Idiot, you don't have to tell me about that!"

After hearing so much, my face immediately turned red, and the temperature began to rise.

"But it's really urgent!"

"So what? It has nothing to do with me... if you want to confide in someone, isn't the Student Council President or the Class President able to help?"

"That's not it, actually it's because..."

In the middle, she took out something extraordinary... buzz! Buzz! (You know...)

Looking at that thick XX, Chiyori had a faint sorrow on her face.

"Ah, last night's vibrating power was a bit off, but I'm too afraid to go to the repair shop and ask someone else for help in case I run into someone I know. It's really troubling!"

"Yes, I will fix it for you and then leave quickly, got it?"

"No problem. Oh, by the way! Just so you know, your boyfriend is being well taken care of, cleaned and all."

"It's up to you. I wouldn't mind either way."

With a forced smile, I finally fixed this thing under Chiyori's gaze.

I returned the toy with the new batteries to Chiyori, my senior, and gave her some advice.

"Just remember not to... uh, I mean, don't let your boyfriend put it in the water again. This time it's just the battery getting damp, but it might be worse next time..."

"I know, I know. A junior like you is lecturing me so confidently."

"Uh... it's nothing."

I could feel myself blushing at this moment.

Ah, being hit by Chiyori, my senior's gentle smile, anyone would be captivated, right?

Indeed, it's been a while since I loosened up my muscles, so I'm sweating a lot even doing a little work!

Suddenly, I recalled Chiyori's words in my mind.

"I came here specifically to find you, Juxi, my junior... " (Let's just forget about the rest)

Is that so? She came specifically to find me.

"When did I become involved with these people?"