In the spring of her third year, Manaka's surname changed to Shito when her mother remarried.
Manaka, her mother, and her younger sister Marin moved into their stepfather's house—the Shito family residence.
Their new father was affable, well-dressed, and clearly took care of his appearance. As an architect with his own firm, he had often gifted presents to Manaka's mother during their courtship. In short, he was what you might call a "good catch."
"Excuse us for intruding," Manaka said as she stepped through the door of their new home.
"Haha. From now on, this will be your home, Manaka."
"Right... Um..."
"It's awkward to just say 'I'm home' right away, isn't it? That's fine. Just take your time to get used to it."
His manner was gentle, almost as if he were used to dealing with women. It wasn't exactly Manaka's type, but...
He must be quite popular with the ladies, Manaka thought.
When her mother began dating her stepfather, and later when they announced their engagement, Manaka didn't object.
Her real father had died when she was very young, so if her mother was happy, that was enough for her.
But...
Manaka was facing a different problem.
"Ryosuke, say hello too."
"..."
Her stepfather had a son—a younger boy who would become her stepbrother.
Shito Ryosuke.
Every time she saw him, a shiver ran down her spine.
Not this again... I can't get used to this feeling...
This indescribable sensation made her uncomfortable.
Yet Ryosuke was strikingly handsome.
Taller than most boys his age and still growing, he would likely surpass Manaka's height soon.
His delicate, beautiful features seemed genetic, far more refined than his father's. The thinness characteristic of his age made him seem as if he were crafted from glass.
However, I have no fondness for my stepbrother, who seems so artificial.
When speaking to Manaka, who recently moved in, my voice is devoid of any genuine emotion:
"Hello, Ms. Manaka."
"Ryosuke."
He shows no sign of opening up to his new family, nor even to his own father. Perhaps that's why his stepfather's expression when reprimanding him carries a hint of coldness.
It could just be a typical rebellious phase, but something about Ryosuke feels different.
His gaze—
Those clear eyes, fixed straight on you, somehow seem bottomless. Worse still, they make you feel as if he's seeing right through you, which is unsettling.
Takuma wasn't like this...
I can't help but compare him to my childhood friend.
I'd only started dating him recently—Takuma Shimono. We'd grown up practically as brother and sister. Knowing he was joining the baseball team, Manaka had volunteered to be the team manager.
I'd seen him treat his parents casually before, but even then, Takuma still had a certain endearing charm that felt distinctly teenage.
"I'm sorry, Manaka, Ryosuke..."
"Oh, it's nothing."
It was bad enough that I'd never even had a brother before; the future looked bleak.
Still, Manaka, ever the optimist, said with a cheerful smile:
"Ryosuke-kun... I'm still nervous myself. I'd be happy if we could just try to get along, even a little bit at a time."
"..."
Even when I spoke to him with such a bright smile, Ryosuke only narrowed his eyes—like a faint mockery.
How unpleasant...
On the very first day of our move, all I could do was sigh inwardly.
*****
Starting a new life brought another problem along with Ryosuke.
"Sis, I hate that guy."
Less than a week after moving into the Shito household, my younger sister Marin declared it bluntly.
"What's with that guy?"
"He's my stepbrother."
My younger sister may still be young, but her blunt and piercing words make it clear who she takes after. Still, considering our current situation—just the two of us sisters alone without our parents or Ryosuke—she might still be trying to be considerate.
"You'll get used to him eventually."
"No. That day will never come."
Her age-defying composure and beauty—though she loathes the comparison, she's strikingly similar to Ryosuke in this regard.
However, while both are like delicate glasswork, Marin carries a dangerous sharpness, like an unsheathed blade. Her long, smooth black hair and flawless white skin are so striking that even her older sister, Manaka, envies her.
Marin has a strained relationship with their mother but clings to Manaka. Their mother isn't cruel, but she's the type who cares more for men than her daughters. She prioritized her own happiness over Marin's needs, which only deepened Marin's dependence on Manaka.
"Did someone bully you?"
"No. We haven't even spoken."
"Are you nervous because he's so cool?"
"I'm not interested in people's appearances."
"Then there's no need to be so hostile..."
"Towards Nee-san."
"Huh?"
"That person seems like he'd have a bad influence on Nee-san."
"On me?"
Marin's clinginess was somewhat unusual. She tended to overprotect those she liked—Manaka, in this case—to an extreme degree.
For example, she once poured a bucket of water over Manaka's friend who came over to play, simply because the friend had said something negative about her.
Outwardly, she appeared calm and composed, but inwardly, she was fierce and unpredictable. Even Manaka couldn't predict when she might bite someone.
"Should we invite them to play a game together next time? Ryosuke-kun has the same one, too... Hey! Let's ask Takuma to come, too!"
Thinking about her boyfriend lifted her spirits.
It was just a whim, but this might actually be a good idea. Takuma has a personality that allows him to get along with anyone, and even Marin has come to trust him.
"Takuma, you say?"
Come to think of it, Ryosuke is a teenage boy at a sensitive age. Suddenly living with a girl must be awkward for him.
In that respect, Takuma would probably handle it well. Boys might find it easier to connect with each other. He'll definitely warm up to Ryosuke.
"...Oh. But can we really invite Takuma to live here?"
This place still feels like someone else's home.
It's a spacious single-family house. Ryosuke's room was originally on the second floor, and next to it, Manaka had her own room. On the first floor, where the couple's bedroom is, there's also a small room assigned to Marin.
Ryosuke already sees Manaka as a "foreign object" in the house—how could he possibly allow her to invite her boyfriend to live here? Yet Marin seems more enthusiastic about it than I expected.
"It's fine, isn't it? The more allies we have, the better."
"Ally..."
Ryosuke's hostility ran deep, but I think I understood his feelings, just a little.
It feels a bit guilty to say this after being allowed to live here, but this house still feels like foreign territory to me. And Ryosuke is just the way he is.
Manaka figured she'd subconsciously decided to use Takuma's support to fill the emptiness she felt—she analyzed herself that way.
It's a little sneaky, but this will be good for Ryosuke-kun too.
She thought this was the best plan.
—at the time, at least.
*****
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