"Brother… Wake up, brother…"
Did I return to the past?
This voice sounded eerily familiar.
Where had I heard it before?
My mind was shrouded in a dense fog as I struggled to recall the origin of this voice.
No… it's not that I've traveled back in time, but my sister's voice is no longer sharp and brimming with irritation as it once was.
Instead, it had transformed into something softer, though still tinged with an awkwardness.
Why had her tone changed so drastically?
Did I do something remarkable that prompted this gentleness in place of her usual frustration?
"Sister…?" I inquired, my expression betraying uncertainty.
My question sought confirmation—was this reality, or merely a dream?
Was the sister standing before me truly my sister, or was this just my subconscious yearning for a kinder version of her, a dream conjured to fulfill that desire?
Fortunately, it wasn't a dream.
My sister spoke again, her voice soft and unmistakably real.
"It's time for school, brother." She no longer dragged me rudely as she used to; instead, she simply confirmed that I was awake and then left me in peace.
Unbelievable.
I never imagined such a change could be so fast.
With that, I quickly took a shower, put on my school uniform, and prepared myself for breakfast.
This time, I didn't see my father, but my sister, already dressed in her school uniform, sat across from me, quietly eating her breakfast as I enjoyed the modest bread before me.
We didn't exchange any words; conversation seemed unnecessary—or perhaps we were both too awkward to initiate it.
Even though our relationship had thawed somewhat, it wasn't yet at a point where we could speak freely.
In my past life, I was a reclusive nerd, my social circle consisting of fellow outcasts, introverts, misfits, and problem children.
I had no idea how to converse with the so-called "normies"; we were from entirely different realms.
As for my sister, I wasn't sure if she fit into the normie category or not, but I suspected she did.
She seemed like the social butterfly, the extrovert, so different from me, who preferred to wither away in the solitude of my room, lost in games, social media, novels, and other things I considered the domain of nerds.
Social interaction wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, but I did find some twisted pleasure in doing ecchi things with Loligaki.
"Brother... Did you want to go to school with me?" After a brief moment of silence, she finally spoke. Her tone was awkward and stiff as she asked me this question.
"I would like to, but I promised someone else I would go with them," I shrugged in response.
Her expression shifted noticeably when she heard my words.
"Are they a man or a woman?" she inquired, her tone losing its warmth as she posed the question.
Her reaction might seem a bit exaggerated, but it's understandable. For someone who has read many novels, watched countless dramas and movies, and spent a lot of time playing games, this is a typical reaction of a family member who is protective against the opposite sex approaching the women in their family—usually a father or brother questioning their daughter or sister.
Now, this reaction is directed at me, with my sister questioning her brother. In a matriarchal world, her response makes sense, especially considering how the male population has sharply declined, leading to heightened wariness towards unscrupulous women.
This sentiment isn't confined to fiction; it's rooted in reality. After all, most art mirrors reality.
But right now, the important thing is that I need to answer my sister—I don't want any unnecessary drama in my life.
"You know them; they're one of your council members. Don't tell me you don't even trust your own circle, sister?" I teased her playfully. Though I initially felt awkward conversing with her, it became much easier to communicate as she began to warm up to me.
Instead of directly answering whether they were male or female, I employed a bit of rhetoric, reminding her that they were part of her own circle. This left her momentarily speechless, as she struggled to formulate a response to my emphatic reply.
"If you're telling the truth, then it's for the best. But remember, all the council members are girls, brother. You shouldn't get too close to them. I will refuse their invitation on your behalf, so you don't have to worry about their reaction," my sister finally said.
"We'll go to school together in the future. I'll ensure your safety along the way. You don't need to rely on them."
Should I take this opportunity to strengthen my relationship with my sister or stick to my own plans? If I agree to her terms, not only would this improve my relationship with her, but it would also avoid offending Loligaki, since the refusal would come from my sister, not me.
Moreover, this is my only chance to bond with my sister. Honestly, if she weren't my sister, I would be eager to date a gorgeous girl like her. However, given that my morals have largely been cast aside, I doubt I would refuse if my sister took the initiative and made a move on me.
Furthermore, I don't have to worry about Chika getting jealous over the fact that I spend most of my time close to Loligaki because of it.
Sigh...
Reflecting on it now, I find my emotions to be rather complex. In the past, I would constantly agonize over deciphering the intentions of the girls I pursued, only to be met with the dreaded, "We can only be friends" line.
To be clear, this wasn't even after a confession—somehow, they would preemptively read my thoughts and deliver that soul-crushing verdict. There were even more elaborate excuses like, "I want to focus on my studies first," but the most brutal rejection was, "You're just not my type; I don't have feelings for you."
Now, ironically, the situation has reversed, and they practically throw themselves at me. My concerns have shifted to managing their affections so they don't negatively impact my life.
As my mind wandered through these thoughts, my sister's soft cough drew me back to reality.
"Did I come across as too forceful, brother? I apologize if my question troubled you. If you don't wish to distance yourself from them, I won't push the issue," she offered, her tone conciliatory after noticing how long I had been lost in thought without responding.
"I know that you're looking out for my best interests, sister. If you truly believe it's for my own good, then you can go ahead and tell them," I replied with a gentle smile.
She seemed momentarily dazed by my smile but quickly recovered from her stupor.
"Yes, I will. Don't worry about them anymore, brother. Let's enjoy our meal." She smirked as we began to eat, the atmosphere between us noticeably lighter and more joyful.
Our relationship had shed its previous stiffness and awkwardness, evolving into something much closer and more comfortable.
...
Arisu Sakayanagi POV
"Your mood seems to have taken a sharp downturn, boss," Kamuro teased, her tone light yet observant, as she caught a glimpse of my reflection in the car's rearview mirror. The mirror betrayed my emotions completely, revealing the sudden shift in my demeanor after I received the message from the Council President.
"There's no need to stop by Miyuki's house this time. Head straight to the school," I commanded, my voice laced with irritation.
Kamuro fell silent instantly, fully aware of the consequences of pushing me further when I was in such a foul mood.
I dismissed her presence entirely, hurling my phone onto the car seat beside me.
It appears the Council President's position is no longer stay, and Shirogane Kei is unfit for the role.
The question now is, who should I appoint to replace her?
I have numerous candidates in mind.
Nishinomiya Anna stands out as the most suitable option.
I've made my mind...
She will be the next candidate for the Council President.
...
Shirogane Kei's POV
"Do you usually ride a bike to school, sister?" my brother asked with curiosity, holding onto my waist from behind as I steered the bike.
Hmm...
It seems my brother has really changed.
If this were the old him, I'd be hearing complaints and whining instead of questions fueled by curiosity.
I'm not sure what brought about this change.
"I do. Are you regretting it, brother? After all, you usually go with Chika in the car," I replied.
"Not really," he said, his grip tightening as he rested his head against my back.
This is too close...
Just as I was about to remind him to keep some distance between us, I noticed his eyes were closed, and he seemed to be drifting off to sleep.
I changed my mind and decided not to wake him.
Instead, I slowed down, maintaining a gentle pace to keep him comfortable and undisturbed.