Her face felt hot. Even without a mirror, she knew her cheeks must be flushed, and her small heart was pounding fiercely.
This was the first time she had been so bold in teasing Yuu. Though nervous, for some reason, Sora didn't feel scared or want to back down at all. A vague thought floated in her heart—
If she didn't act quickly, it would be too late if Yuu got a girlfriend!
It was strange. She had never heard any rumors about Yuu being close to another girl, nor did she feel that Yuu liked anyone. The prime suspect—that Yuigahama girl—had made no progress in three years and had already been removed from her list of people to watch out for. There shouldn't be anything to worry about.
Yet, the alarm in her heart had been ringing since morning. While waiting for Yuu to return, Sora felt inexplicably anxious. She feared Yuu would come back from Kyoto with a child, making her an aunt prematurely. She couldn't calm down at all.
"No problem!"
After cheering herself up, Sora glanced at her half-slipped dress. While still debating how much to reveal, she faintly heard footsteps outside the door, followed by the sound of a key being inserted into the lock.
(He's back!)
Sora immediately sat up straight, cross-legged at the entrance, striking the pose of a wife ready to welcome her husband home. She brushed her silver hair behind her ear, her clothes disheveled, and her face expressionless as she watched the door slowly open.
"I'm home…"
One second after Yuu opened the door, he slammed it shut. The smile on his face looked a bit stiff.
After a brief pause, he spoke as if nothing had happened: "Sora, I forgot to tell you on the phone. I brought a friend… Yuigahama Yui, to hang out at our place."
(Meaning, put your clothes back on quick!)
(Thank goodness my reflexes are at the peak of human limits. If Yui saw that scene, the impression of living an immoral life at home with my little sister might never go away.)
(Is this what it feels like to be one step away from social death? It's thrilling.)
"What's wrong?" Yuigahama peeked from behind him. She looked at the door, then at him with curiosity.
(Nothing, just my little sister waiting for me at the entrance with her clothes half-off. She has a slightly peculiar way of playing.)
Of course, he couldn't say that. Yuu only answered nonchalantly: "Nothing. I just told Sora to get ready to welcome a guest."
"Eh? No need to be so formal…" Yuigahama waved her hand, a bit embarrassed.
Soon after, Yuu opened the house door again. After ensuring the scene inside was appropriate, he pushed the door fully open and walked in first.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
The flush on her face hadn't faded. Sora stared at him expressionlessly. She unconsciously squeezed the bunny plushie in her hands. Her tone was icy: "You're back later than scheduled. Did you go grocery shopping for dinner?"
"No. We just walked a bit slower." Yuu took off his shoes at the entrance, grabbing his slippers and a pair of guest slippers that hadn't been used in a while. He signaled with his eyes, "I brought a classmate. Say hi to her."
Only then did Sora look up. She coldly stared at Yuigahama as she entered. Pursing her lips, she didn't speak.
Standing beside Yuu, Yuigahama waved and smiled warmly: "Nice to meet you, Sora-chan! I'm your brother's friend, Yuigahama Yui. Just call me Big Sis Yui~"
Sora silently observed her for a moment. Suddenly, she said, "I know who you are."
"Eh?" Yuigahama was taken aback. Before she could feel pleased, the silver-haired girl spoke in a cold tone:
"You've liked him since middle school. That's why you're always clinging to him… But you're still just friends with him now. Were you rejected once? How shameless."
"…"
The overly blunt and sharp words left Yuigahama speechless. The corners of her mouth twitched slightly. She looked at Yuu with a hint of confusion.
An attack far stronger than she'd expected… Was this what Yuu meant by hell?
"Sorry. I usually tell Sora about what happens at school. I've talked about you a lot too… But I didn't tell her those things. She figured them out herself."
Those things naturally referred to Yuigahama confessing her feelings and being rejected by him.
After explaining, Yuu helplessly patted Sora's head, but she brushed his hand away with the bunny plushie, her face displeased. Sora lifted her sad face, glaring at him sharply like a knife.
"Why did you bring this woman home? If you don't explain clearly, I won't let you touch me!"
Wow, that jealous-wife tone.
Yuu didn't know whether to laugh or not. But if he laughed, it would surely make her angrier. He could only explain in a gentle tone:
"Didn't I say I was bringing a classmate to hang out? She's my friend. Don't be rude. Give her a proper greeting."
"I'm not being rude. I'm just telling the truth." Sora glanced at Yuigahama. Her pink lips pursed slightly, showing a rejecting attitude.
"You brought a girl home after not seeing me for four days. Yuu, have you considered my feelings?"
"It's my fault for not telling you earlier. But I don't think I did anything wrong by bringing a friend home… I have social relationships to maintain too."
Yuu smiled. He pinched her soft cheek and leaned forward. He said softly, "You can be jealous and mad at me. I don't care how much you act out later… But my sweet, obedient little sister isn't a girl who lacks manners in front of others, right?"
"…"
Her small mouth opened. Sora seemed to want to argue something. But as her eyes met his, she was slightly startled. Her teary eyes stared deeply into his. After a few shifts in expression, she slowly bit her lip.
"Ugh, you annoying preacher!"
She huffed angrily and pushed his hand away as if sulking.
Just when Yuu thought she'd turn and head back to her room, Sora shifted her gaze back to Yuigahama. Her cheeks, still flushed from being pinched, puffed out. Hostility wasn't hidden in her eyes, but she gave a slightly indifferent bow.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yuu's cousin, Kasugano Sora. Welcome to our home."
There wasn't the slightest hint of welcome. She even emphasized cousin to stress their marriageable relationship.
Yuu shrugged. He wasn't surprised by her behavior. Nor did he plan to defend himself. A proper greeting was already a success—and he'd warned Yuigahama beforehand. If she wanted to come to their house, she had to be prepared for his sister's jealousy.
If it wasn't something rude like earlier, he wouldn't punish Sora, lest she misunderstand again that he'd abandon his little sister for another girl.
Still, her unusually obedient attitude surprised him a bit.
He thought she'd at least throw a tantrum and storm back to her room.
Of course, both Sora and Yuigahama, even if they lost past memories, the accumulated feelings would make them change and grow…
Yuu unconsciously clenched his fist. His expression remained unchanged.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
On the other hand, after witnessing the sibling interaction, Yuigahama still smiled brightly, despite being glared at like a mortal enemy by the silver-haired girl.
She didn't look discouraged at all. She even felt relieved.
"Nice to meet you, Sora-chan!"
"…Don't call me so familiarly. We're not close."