Night fell as I arrived home with the telescope just in time for dinner. I knocked and called out, "Open up! I'm back with the big guy!"

Click.

The door opened. A twin-tailed girl in middle school uniform stepped forward. "Onii-chan~ You're finally back!"

Seeing this anime-perfect scene, my arms stiffened shamefully. Don't ask why—if you carried five pounds of gear all the way, your arms would lock up too!

"Xiao Ling... you... you—"

"Oh, Xiao Shan taught me! She said you'd love it if I called you that in Japanese!"

"No, I... I just need help—"

"What's wrong? Got a problem? Take it up with me. Stop stuttering. With such a sweet sister, what more could you want?"

Clang. I set the telescope down. "I just needed my sister to help carry it! I have to change shoes and close the door. Seriously, your imagination runs wild... but thanks. That little welcome healed my heart."

"Stop dawdling at the door, Hua Shu! Come help!"

Huh? At Miko's call, I entered to find the whole apartment spotless—even the keyboard gleamed like new. Miko wore an apron and high-heeled slippers Xiao Ling had bought for her, bustling in the tiny kitchen. I stared. "Tsk, Miko, you're such a homemaker. Why not ask Yating to help?" I grumbled, watching Yating and Xiao Ling lounge on the couch, munching pistachios and watching TV.

"Cut the chatter, Hua Shu. Wash the veggies. Don't let Yating near the kitchen—this space is cramped enough without us bumping hips!"

I glanced at Yating's chest, chuckled awkwardly, and headed to the sink. Unseen, Yating's smile froze. She lowered her head, lost in thought.

...

"Huff... so full~"

"But it's so spicy~"

"Then stop eating! And hey—stop stealing my yam, Hua Shu, control your sister!"

"Yating, something wrong? You've been quiet since dinner. Relax—no adults here." I noticed her picking at her food.

(If you knew eating more made my chest grow faster, you wouldn't say that...) Yating lifted her head and forced a smile, not wanting to ruin the mood. She leaned forward to grab something from the hot pot—but moved too abruptly.

Clatter!

Her bouncy peaks knocked over a water glass. Yating's face flushed crimson. She jumped up, righting the cup while apologizing frantically.

I enjoyed the view—truly breathtaking—but soothed her: "It's fine. No big deal. Don't worry."

"Pfft, Yating. A luxurious problem," Xiao Shan teased.

"Heh heh..." Yating laughed along, but her eyes stayed dull.

"Alright, eat up. We need to catch the meteor shower—almost time!" I changed the subject to break the tension.

"Yeah! What time is it, Onii-chan?"

Tsk. Hearing Xiao Ling say that warmed my heart like a heating pad. Thanks, Xiao Shan.

I glanced at Xiao Shan. She was happily devouring hot pot, her bowl piled with chili peppers.

"Mmm, almost 9 PM. Xiao Shan, you like hot pot?"

"Yep! I love warm food—it makes my whole body cozy, especially my arms~"

I scanned the girls. Most seemed to have... physical quirks. Well, except Xiao Ling.

"Burp~ Full. I'll set up the telescope. Hurry up after."

Stuffed, I carried the scope to the balcony, waiting. They'd brought so much food—I hoped their wishes would come true tonight.

"Hey, Hua Shu, when's the meteor shower?" Xiao Shan whined.

"Soon. TV said 10 PM. It's only 9:30."

"Hua Shu, this is boring~"

"Onii-chan, I'm sleepy..."

I knew they'd be impatient. And Xiao Ling—why'd you stop calling me Onii-chan? My heart sank.

"Ahem. I heard a rumor: if five people light one candle before the meteors fall, make a wish, and blow it out together, it'll come true."

"Oh? Fun. I'm in. You guys?" Miko asked.

"Agreed! x3"

"Here, Onii-chan. The candle." Xiao Ling handed it over. I never knew where stuff was stored—she did.

Huh? A white candle? Whatever. Just a game.

"Let's turn off the lights and hold hands. More atmosphere~" Xiao Shan suggested.

"Eep... kinda scary, but exciting!" Xiao Ling glanced at me and nodded.

"Fine. Hua Shu, your call."

As the only guy, I didn't care. I switched off the lights, lit the candle, and sat at the end.

"Look! Meteors! Make a wish!" Xiao Shan cried from the other side.

We closed our eyes, joined hands, and wished silently.

(I wish for healthy legs.) —Miko

(I wish for warm arms.) —Xiao Shan

(I wish for a flat chest.) —Yating

(I wish Brother would be my wife. Pfft, impossible anyway.) —Xiao Ling

(I wish their wishes all come true.) —Me

(I wish you'd like me, Hua Shu-chan~) —?!

Puff! x6. The candle snuffed out.

A sweet voice whispered in my ear. I chuckled. "Who said that? Wishes don't work if you say them aloud!"

"......" Silence.

Huh? That voice was unfamiliar. Wait—the right side! Who was holding my right hand?

Right... right! No one sat there! Cold sweat prickled my spine.

A blinding light flooded the balcony. We opened our eyes as a streak of light hurtled closer!

"Then, I shall grant your wishes~ Hehehe. Too late to regret!" A mysterious voice echoed. Sharp pain shot through us. My consciousness faded. Faint screams reached me—Xiao Ling's? But I... couldn't...

...

"Mmm... slept so well. Saturday—no school. Yesterday's dinner was so filling. Yesterday..." My voice cut off. Something felt wrong. I jolted awake. That voice—sweet and unfamiliar—came from my own mouth.

I stood, scanning the room. Xiao Ling and the others lay sleeping peacefully... but wearing my clothes from yesterday? Some cosplay scene?

Miko wore my pants. Xiao Shan's sleeves were torn—rough night. Yating had on my shirt. Tsk, it might rip. Rip?! Wait—how could Yating fit into my shirt? I felt the weight on my chest like a backpack. I looked down.

Ouch!

The motion sent stabbing pain through my ankle. I stumbled, my chest jiggling violently.

"What the hell!" I muttered—but a girl's voice answered me.

I checked my ankle. Black stockings covered my legs. I tried to see lower, but my chest blocked the view. I grimaced, slipping a hand into the stockings to feel my 15-year companion. My arm felt slender. I reached... nothing. I tried again—still nothing. My heart hammered like ten thousand screaming marmots.

Farewell, little bro. Now we're all big-chested bros.

I sighed. Time to face it. "Hey! Sun's up. Time for school!" I called in that strange voice.

"Ugh, so loud! Coming!" Four groggy replies echoed.

"My legs—I can stand!" Miko marveled, testing my healthy limbs, ready to jump.

"Finally flat! No more jokes. Hooray—sleeping on my stomach~" Yating cheered, rubbing my now-flat chest.

(Huh? Something extra down there? Could it be...?) Xiao Ling touched her crotch, staring at me oddly.

"Who are you? x4"

"I'm... you tell me who I am!" I groaned. I couldn't see my own face—where was my head?