That night, I casually broached the subject when Nee-chan got back from her cram school.
"Does your grade have that East and West thing going on too?"
"Huh? Oh... that weird tribalism stuff?"
Apparently, it was pretty bad back when Nee-chan was a first-year. Teachers showed blatant favoritism. There were budget gaps between clubs and even discrepancies in exam content. It drove the students from the East to become delinquents, while those with the advantage used their position to justify violence.
"Sounds like a mess..."
Surprisingly, the one who mediated it all was Yuuki-senpai, who was a second-year in the West at the time. Apparently, he changed the West from the inside through a noblesse oblige approach. Or so she said, but her expression practically screamed that she’d been involved in the thick of it. What was with that "I've seen far too much" face?
"What’s that blonde girl’s family background anyway?"
"Blonde girl...? Oh, her."
"Yeah, that disappointing mixed-race girl."
You don't hear the name Shinonome much around these parts. She put on quite the wealthy air, so I’d wondered if it was just a roleplay—but according to Nee-chan, she really was rich. Specifically, she was the daughter of the president of a French textile company. Apparently, the company name had nothing to do with her surname. She and Yuuki-senpai were connected through their parents' business ties.
"I see... so that young lady is aiming for Student Council President. Hayato’s family handles local brands and cloth products, so if he really throws his weight around, most students can't go against him. If word gets out that she's his fiancée, Marika might be able to lord it over everyone too."
"What's her actual goal in becoming Student Council President?"
"That’s—... well, I don't know. Who cares?"
"Could you not lose interest so suddenly?"
A look of "Why are we even talking about this?" suddenly washed over Nee-chan's face. She cut the conversation off right there and started watching TV. I’d suspected it for a while, but Nee-chan really looked down on Chromarty. Like she was too much of a fool to even be a topic of conversation. Though, given her attitude, she probably just found her "annoying" at best.
I wanted to complain and make her finish the story, but she was probably tired, so I decided to let it be. In all honesty, it felt a little unfair that she was such a hard worker despite her crude, haphazard attitude. When I saw her looking exhausted, I couldn't help but be considerate.
Ah, if only Nee-chan were Natsukawa-san—
Well, she wouldn't just be my sister anymore. If a girl like that were sprawled out on the sofa in a camisole, some kind of forbidden line would definitely be crossed. Real sisters are a mystery. Even though she’s technically a girl, why do I feel absolutely nothing? In fact, I felt like giving her a sharp slap on the stomach she was exposing. Just as a bit of daily revenge. I wouldn't actually do it, though.
"I'm not losing to you...!"
"Wh-what...?"
A sudden declaration of war. In the classroom, Iiboshi-san pointed a finger at me and made her proclamation with a look of pure regret. Why? Did I accidentally harass her? Just looking is okay, right? It’s not like I was staring, just observing.
"What can I do to make it up to you?"
"You don't need to apologize. It's simply because I wasn't strong enough."
"Wait... what? Was this your fault, Iiboshi-san?"
"No, Sajou-kun."
"Someone, help me!!"
This is exactly the problem with girls! They get angry, but they never tell you why! Just when her reputation was finally going up!
In times like this, someone with a blunter personality is a lifesaver. Someone like Nee-chan is easy to deal with because her attitude makes it obvious what she wants. Well, maybe not "good," but easier.
"What's the matter?"
"What are you doing now...?"
"What'd you do this time?"
"You're a moron, Sajou."
My desperate cry must have reached them, because everyone started flocking over. I appreciated the company, but why did everyone assume I was the one who screwed up?
Seventy percent exasperation, thirty percent curiosity. Looking at their faces, the last two had those numbers reversed. Hey, this isn't a show, you know. This is a fierce battle between me and the Class Representative—
"Y-You're so bold, Sajou-kun! Crying out your love in the middle of the class...!"
"I wasn't crying out any love."
What happened to the Class Rep today? She was being uncharacteristically emotional—or rather, she was speaking purely from her own perspective. Where did the girl with the mature aura go...?
At the center of the commotion—well, it was my desk, so it was actually in the corner of the classroom—a crowd began to form, including Shirai-san and several others. Wait, just how many of you are coming!?
"Oh, I see—this is about what happened yesterday."
"Yesterday? Did something happen, Maichi?"
Saito-san, who had been smiling wryly behind Shirai-san, spoke up as if everything had clicked for her. There was a nice gap between her refined tea ceremony image and the way she suddenly talked like a modern high school girl... but that didn't matter right now. Ashida immediately followed up with a question—nice assist. I hoped she'd hit a good spike today. Not at me, though. Into the opponent's court.
"She got pinned down by Airi-chan."
"Details, please."
"Speak, if you would."
"Back to your kennels, Sajocchi and Yamazaki."
I’m not a dog. I just reflexively asked because I heard something intriguing. Hearing the words "pinned down" from the mouth of the refined Saito-san was scandalous. There was no way I couldn't ask for the details—Natsukawa-san? That look you're giving me, like I’m a piece of garbage, is really starting to resemble my sister. You have the exact same eyes Nee-chan uses to tell me to "get lost" when she's napping on the couch!
"Good grief... yesterday, when everyone came over to visit, Airi tackled Iiboshi-san."
"Why'd she do that?"
"Who knows... but I’m pretty sure she mentioned your name afterward..."
"『You're weaker than Sajoo.』 That’s what she told me...!"
"I win."
"Don't say you won! She just rolled me!"
Is this my fault? Well, it was kind of a heartwarming story, so I was fine with taking the blame. Wait, what did she say before? "I'm not losing"? Well, bring it on. You want to go head-to-head? Ah, wait, I'm sorry. Please don't kill me.
"Wait! Sajou-kun, have you met Airi-chan before!?"
"In the streets of London at night... it was a fateful encounter."
"She's five years old."
The moon was high in the sky—hey, stop looking at me and Natsukawa-san with those expectant eyes. I'm not looking for that, and it’s just a nuisance for Natsukawa-san anyway. Besides, even if I were flirting with someone, could you guys even handle it? Am I supposed to be some kind of heartthrob now?
"That’s a surprise. I had the impression Natsukawa-san was especially guarded when it came to Sajou-kun."
"Didn't she say something like 『I'll never let them meet!』 before...?"
"Eh? Oh, um..."
Natsukawa-san was flustered by the gazes that practically hummed with interest. Personally, I didn't think it was something that needed to be hidden, so I stayed quiet and left it to her. Then, Natsukawa-san looked at me as if pleading for help. Wait, were we keeping this a secret? Was this a "just the two of us" kind of thing? That’s actually a bit much. Stop making my heart flutter so suddenly. I'm going to have a heart attack.
"Ah—well, you see. I was out shopping when, to my absolute shock, a pair of sisters who looked just like the Kano sisters came walking toward me from the other side."
"She's five years old."
I failed. I couldn't believe those were the first sisters to pop into my head... besides, there’s no way they’d be in my neck of the woods. They wouldn't even be at a normal high-end department store. And Airi-chan didn't look anything like them, and neither did Natsukawa-san. I won't specify in what way.
"Indeed... unluckily, Airi-chan and I finally met."
"How can you talk about it so calmly...?"
I said we "finally met," but in reality, I’d been invited over. I never thought a day like that would actually come. Even now, that day still feels like a dream. In fact, I still worry that Natsukawa-san finds me a nuisance. It seems that’s not actually the case, but... it hasn't really sunk in yet...
"Natsukawa-san looked like she was thinking 『He found us!』 while I just froze, thinking 『Ah, this is awkward.』"
"That’s more realistic than I expected!?"
"Then Airi-chan lunged at me."
"Why!?"
"And so, a wrestling match between equals began."
"She's five years old."
That’s not it... Airi-chan's weapon isn't the strength of a five-year-old; it's her limitless stamina and unyielding heart...! Why is that kid so hell-bent on beating me?
"—And so, since I, her worthy rival, wasn't there, Iiboshi-san became my substitute."
"Then it really is Sajou-kun's fault."
"I guess it is."
We settled the score with a single éclair.