Just as I was about to retort to Zhao Yi, a twin-tailed girl suddenly brushed past me.

"Ew! Gross, onii-chan!" she snapped, stomping away in a huff.

A male voice echoed from afar. "Imouto~! Wait for your onii-chan!"

Before I could react, the girl vanished down the street without looking back. Moments later, a young man sprinted up to us, panting heavily with two backpacks slung over his shoulders.

"Huff... huff... Imouto... wait... onii... chan..." His face flushed crimson, breath ragged from the chase. I glanced ahead—the twin-tailed girl had already disappeared.

He let out a deep sigh, his voice turning hoarse.

"So it’s... true again? She ran away..." Suddenly, he jerked his head up and leaped backward. "Who are you? Thugs trying to rob me?"

His expression shifted instantly. That blissful grin sent chills down my spine.

"Unless... I saved my imouto from thugs! She’ll be so moved she’ll cry her heart out! Then I can finally—"

Clearly, I wasn’t the only one unsettled by his overwhelming aura. Lin Yuxuan had already ducked behind me again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a strange glint in Zhao Yi’s gaze.

"*Masaka*..."

The newcomer whipped his head toward Zhao Yi, seized his hand, and locked eyes with him. In perfect unison, they declared:

"Brothers of the same path~!"

Well, I was officially sidelined. They launched into a heated discussion—from *Tohka* to *Kuroneko*—wearing eerily identical grins that made my back prickle. The worst part? I’d actually watched all those shows. *Why discuss only the ones I know?!* Ahem... slipped up there.

I shook my head clear and interrupted their fervent chat. "What do you two think of *Himuro*?" The moment it left my mouth, I realized my mistake. I coughed smoothly. "Ahem. Zhao Yi, let’s go. I need to report to the dean’s office."

They turned, fixing me with knowing "*I see~*" stares.

I coughed again, checking my watch. "Ahem... It’s almost eight. I’ll be late."

"Right, right! By the way—" the young man nodded, "I’m Ye Qian. My sister’s probably at school by now. Mind if I tag along? Oh, and your names, gentlemen drivers?"

Before Zhao Yi could speak, I cut in. "I’m Li Ze. The four-eyes is Zhao Yi. And the cute guy behind me? Lin Yuxuan."

Ye Qian gave me a meaningful look, then adopted an archaic tone. "So you’re Brother Li and Brother Zhao! An honor. Lunch is on me today! But—" he grinned, "last one to school pays!"

Before the words faded, Ye Qian shot off like an arrow released from a bow—even two backpacks couldn’t slow him down.