Under the blue sky, the sun shone brightly.
The morning air was fresh and delightful, with a breeze carrying the gentle scent of flowers.
After days of rain, the clear weather lifted everyone's spirits.
"So heavy..."
Sora complained, "I have to pack so many things into my school bag every day. It feels like I'm doing weight training."
Haruto glanced at her school bag and said, "You could pack fewer things."
Indeed, girls often carried more items in their school bags than boys, like lip balm, a small mirror, pepper spray, and so on.
However, Haruto suspected there were many snacks in Sora's bag. No books.
"No way."
Sora shook her head and said sadly, "It's your responsibility as an older brother to help your younger sister carry her school bag. Please take your responsibility seriously."
Haruto looked up and said, "Walking must be exhausting. Do you want me to take you directly to Sobu High?"
Sora hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, "No, that wouldn't go well with mom."
It seemed her concern was about it getting back to the family, not about people misunderstanding or feeling embarrassed!
Had she really thought it through like that?
So, it was clear whose problem this was!
Then, the real issue was this:
The person who attacked Sora should have a broken leg and be sent to a German orthopedic department.
As they passed through the first alley, Haruto felt something. He turned around and saw a small, translucent figure sitting alone in a corner.
"?"
His gaze lingered for a moment, and then he looked away.
It wasn't Rikka.
It was a silver-haired ghost girl he didn't recognize at all.
She might have wandered here from somewhere recently.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, let's go."
After they left, the ghost girl sitting in the corner lifted her head and watched them leave with a blank stare.
This feeling of being watched... Was it him?
The tiny silver-haired ghost girl hesitated for a moment, then floated after him.
Soon, the ghost girl drifted beside Haruto, hands behind her back, tilting her head curiously as she looked at him.
"Onii-chan, can you see me?"
"..."
Haruto didn't respond.
"Ugh... I picked the wrong person."
Seeing no reaction from Haruto, the ghost girl covered her face with her hands and groaned. However, through her fingers, her large, bright eyes kept staring at him without blinking.
Sadly, Haruto still didn't react.
The ghost girl, confused, muttered, "Eh? Did I really pick the wrong person?"
After thinking it over, the ghost girl came closer.
Their eyes met.
Then, the ghost girl made a face—her round face made her look silly!
Haruto kept his poker face.
He didn't feel like moving today. Like the sages of old, he just wanted to lie down quietly and reflect on life's various aspects.
"How strange. I was sure I felt someone watching me just now."
The ghost girl thought for a moment, then reached out to poke Haruto's chest.
'You've done enough. Believe it or not, I'll call the police and have you arrested right away!'
Haruto's face darkened slightly. Even though the other person was making a face and pretending to be pitiful, was she really planning to take action? Bold!
Believe it or not, he might toss her to the oddities and beat her senseless!
In the next moment, her fingers passed right through Haruto's body.
The ghost girl's eyes dimmed instantly, and she mumbled, "Rikka said Onii-chan is kind and gentle, that as long as I found him... But this Onii-chan doesn't seem that special, and I can't touch him. He's probably not the Onii-chan Rikka was talking about, right?"
"No, I'll just go back and continue lurking."
After mumbling to herself, the ghost girl left Haruto and floated back to the alley. Then she sat with her hands on her knees, like a lost pet, gazing hopefully at the passersby.
"Rikka?"
Haruto paused for a moment when he suddenly heard that familiar name, but in the end, he didn't stop.
Random ghosts coming around seeking help.
At this moment, a soft, sweet voice called out.
"Kuromori-san."
Under the rising sun, a girl wearing a Sobu High uniform, her skirt fluttering as she ran, her legs gleaming under the sunlight, approached.
A pair of ribbons resembling bunny ears on her head bounced with her movements.
It was Yotsuba.
The next moment, Yotsuba was beside Haruto.
"Huff... Kuromori-san, good morning."
Yotsuba patted her chest, took a small breath, and smiled with vitality, sweet and cute.
"It's been so long since we last saw each other."
Haruto replied, "We only haven't seen each other for a few days, not that long."
"Eh? But it feels like a long time to me."
"By the way, this is Kuromori-san's younger sister, right?"
Yotsuba looked at Sora, her eyes lighting up with a radiant glow.
Beautiful.
What Itsuki said wasn't an exaggeration at all. Haruto's younger sister was indeed very pretty.
Yotsuba widened her eyes and approached Sora with enthusiasm, saying excitedly, "Hello, I'm Nakano Yotsuba. You can call me Yotsuba."
"Mm, good morning."
Sora responded coldly, uncomfortable with Yotsuba's enthusiasm, and unconsciously moved closer to Haruto.
Yotsuba lowered her hands, looking like she had been rejected.
"Actually, I think Sora dislikes me."
Haruto said, "Sora doesn't dislike you, she's just not good at socializing."
"I see." Yotsuba suddenly realized, "Like Miku."
"Pretty much."
Sora displeased, reached out and pinched Haruto.
*STARE*
Yotsuba widened her eyes and stared unblinkingly.
Sora quickly withdrew her hand, turned her head, and looked away without saying anything.
Seeing Yotsuba staring intently, Haruto casually asked, "What is it?"
Yotsuba exclaimed, "I'm curious if Kuromori-san is a siscon."
Haruto gave her a blank stare. "Yotsuba, come here!"
"Eh? Kuromori-san, do you want to whisper something?"
Yotsuba approached curiously, and then, Haruto pinched her cheeks without expression.
"Oh... Kuromori-san, don't be shy..."
Yotsuba's wide eyes looked pitiful as she spoke in a muffled voice.
Haruto said seriously, "Sorry, I'll be punished for saying the wrong thing!"
The girl's cheeks were soft and smooth, so comfortable that he couldn't help but pinch them a few more times.
This might be like the feeling one gets when petting a cat?
Sora glared at him with unfriendly eyes.
Haruto noticed passersby starting to stare, and some had already pulled out their phones, looking alarmed.
He had no choice but to let go.
Yotsuba rubbed her cheeks, "Kuromori-san, that was mean, too hard, too rough, my face hurts."