Chiba City, Central District, City Park.
Click.
"That's a wrap! Great work, everyone!"
Hearing the photographer's announcement, Nakamura Maki, who had been holding an umbrella nearby, immediately grabbed water and a towel and hurried over to Ayase, who was relaxing.
"Ayase-chan, have some water and take a break."
"Yes, thank you, Maki-nee." Smiling sweetly under the shade, Ayase thanked her and took the slightly cool bottle of mineral water.
After a small sip, her peripheral vision caught her friend and coworker, Kousaka Kirino, resting under a tree nearby. No one had brought her water.
Ayase glanced down at her bottle.
Just then.
"Here, give this one to Kirino-chan." Maki, catching the girl's subtle thought, smiled indulgently.
"Hehe, thanks for preparing an extra one, Maki-nee." Ayase took another bottle, playfully pressing it to her cheek with a grin.
"Go on."
"Oka~~y!"
Watching the girl bounce happily to deliver the gift to her friend, Maki's heart melted completely.
Definitely having a daughter after marriage!
Making a silent resolution, Maki conveniently ignored the fact that she currently had no boyfriend, and very few male friends even showed romantic interest in her.
But hey, she'd been single since high school graduation. A few more years wouldn't be the end of the world.
"....."
Daydreaming about her future daughter, Maki's phone rang. She pulled it out instinctively.
Hmm? Miyani? Is it Miyahito-kun?
Wondering why he was calling at this hour, she tapped the answer icon and held it to her ear.
"Hello? Miyani?"
"..."
....
"Phew... Saved."
"You're exaggerating, Kirino-chan." Amused by her friend's dramatic relief, Ayase covered her mouth with her hand, eyes curving into crescents. "But why didn't you bring water today? I thought you always carried a bottle."
"Uh... I left in a hurry this morning and forgot." Kousaka Kirino blushed slightly.
Unlike Ayase, who had a manager and chauffeur arranged by her brother, Kirino, who had just started modeling, still had to prep her own water, towels, and commute to every shoot alone.
"I'm so envious of you, Ayase-chan." The more Kirino compared their situations, the more she felt a pang of jealousy, despite her naturally cheerful disposition.
Private car pickups.
A highly professional manager handling logistics.
Even a lifestyle assistant that only established idols or celebrities usually had—her best friend had it all.
"Uh, you'll have all that soon too, Kirino-chan. Don't be envious of me." Flustered and blushing, Ayase waved her hands quickly. "It's just because my brother worries too much. Maki-nee only helps me because of him."
"That's so nice, Ayase-chan." Comparing their brothers, Kirino's mood dipped. She muttered quietly, "If only Kyousuke were half as good as your brother..."
"Hmm? What did you say, Kirino-chan? I didn't catch that."
"Uh, nothing." Kirino shook her head, smiling up at Ayase. "By the way, didn't you say your brother was coming back today?"
"With the shoot, won't that be a problem?"
Hearing this, Ayase pouted unhappily.
Hmph. He promised to drive me to the shoot this morning. But he didn't show up by ten. Hmph!
Seeing Ayase silently puffing her cheeks, Kirino couldn't help but smile, remembering her friend's usually decisive demeanor at school.
Ayase-chan really is a bro-con.
Kirino covered her mouth slightly. She wouldn't dare say that out loud to a girl who vehemently denied being a bro-con while constantly saying "My brother this, my brother that." Even as a middle school track team member, she knew she couldn't outrun an angry Ayase.
"It's fine!" Still pouting, Ayase answered. "He has a key. He'll let himself in."
Just as she finished speaking.
"Still mad at me? Ayase."
"Sorry, it wasn't on purpose... I just accidentally overslept."
Hearing the male voice behind them, both Ayase and Kirino turned their heads.
Feeling their gazes, Miyahito, dressed in a plain white t-shirt, tailored khaki pants, and white sneakers, smiled.
He proudly held up the bag in his hand and said to Ayase,
"I brought you lunch, Ayase."
"There's hamburger steak in the bento. Your favorite."
....
Ever since meeting Ayase, Kirino had been deeply curious about her brother.
How could she not be? Ayase constantly talked about him.
And it wasn't just casual mentions.
At school, when girls praised a boy's looks, Ayase would say: "Not as good-looking as my brother."
When boys were praised for cooking, she'd say: "My brother can cook too, and his food is amazing."
Sometimes, even when praised by teachers, she'd reply: "My brother taught me how to do this," or "My brother told me to act like this."
As Ayase's best friend, how could Kirino not be curious?
However, Kirino and Ayase's other friends had never actually met this "all-powerful" brother. Ayase always said he was studying alone in Tokyo.
But today, Kirino finally got to meet Ayase's mysterious brother.
And with her own eyes, she confirmed it.
So everything Ayase-chan said was true. Her brother really is ridiculously excellent.
Feeling slightly full, Kirino awkwardly averted her gaze.
Noticing her reaction while packing up, Miyahito smiled, amused.
"Did it suit your taste, Kousaka-san?"
"Mhm, it was really delicious, Aragaki-senpai." Kirino nodded rapidly, quickly adding, "Way better than my mom's cooking!"
"Not at all," Miyahito waved his hand modestly. "I'm glad it suited your taste. I'm still far behind your mother's skills."
Nearby, Ayase was packing up alongside her brother. Noticing her friend flustered by his overly formal phrasing, she pouted and lightly bumped her shoulder against his.
Tucking the last item away, she left only a quick "Kirino-chan and I are heading back to work" before dragging the full Kirino away to change for the afternoon shoot.
Left behind, Miyahito shook his head with a chuckle.
"Yare yare... this little sister of mine really is a handful."
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