Raiden's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly nodded, stepping back into the hallway. As he leaned against the wall, he could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and chatter coming from inside the classroom.
Great, just my luck, he thought, sighing. He took a moment to collect himself, glancing down the hallway.
Back in Class B, Aya was chatting with Yumi and a few other students, her initial nerves fading as they asked her questions about her modeling career and interests.
"What's it like being on a photoshoot?" another girl asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Aya smiled, enjoying the attention. "It's really fun! There's a lot of teamwork involved, and I love getting to express different styles and themes."
Just then, the classroom door opened, and Ms. Miyako peeked in. "Alright, everyone, settle down. We have a lot to cover today."
Aya felt a twinge of anxiety again as the focus shifted back to the lesson, but the friendly faces around her helped ease her worries.
Meanwhile, Raiden stood outside, tapping his foot impatiently. He wondered what Aya was doing in her new class.
After a few minutes, the door to Class 11-A finally swung open, and Takahashi-sensei stepped out, glancing at Raiden. "You can come in now, Midorikawa."
Relieved, Raiden entered the classroom, only to find his classmates already eyeing him with raised eyebrows.
As he settled into his chair, Raiden felt Airi's gaze on him. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and mild surprise, as if she was trying to piece together something she hadn't quite understood before. He glanced over at her and caught her eye for a moment before looking away, a slight warmth creeping up his cheeks.
Great, now I have her attention, he thought, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. The classroom chatter faded into the background as he focused on Airi, wondering what she was thinking.
"Where have you been?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh? I just brought my younger sister here. She switched from homeschooling to a real school," he replied, smiling as he glanced at her.
"Hmmm... you have a sister?" Airi said, her eyes drifting away, as if pondering this new piece of information.
Raiden nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "Yeah, her name's Aya. She's starting in Class 10 today. It's her first time in a regular school, so I figured I'd help her out a bit."
Airi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, she's in the same school as us? That's... interesting."
"Yeah, I thought it would be good for her to experience a normal school life," Raiden replied.
"You said she was homeschooled? Why?" Airi asked, her curiosity piqued.
Raiden blinked and leaned closer to her, whispering, "She's been a model since she was a kid."
Airi's eyes widened in surprise. "A model…?"
After a while, the lesson ended, and break time arrived. Aya found herself struggling to navigate the bustling crowd. Despite her experience as a model, she was used to being in controlled environments, often surrounded by just a few people. Now, she felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of students vying for her attention.
"Ne~ Ne~ Aya, can you follow me back on social media?"
"Aya-san! You're even more beautiful up close!"
The compliments and questions bombarded her from all sides, and she felt her nerves kicking in. Nii-chan... help... she silently pleaded, wishing for her brother's presence.
Just then, a knock sounded at the open door.
"Is my sister here?" Raiden asked, stepping into the classroom.
The chatter ceased, and all eyes turned toward him.
"Sister...?"
"Senior Raiden..."
Hearing her brother's voice, Aya got up and walked over to him. "You're late."
Raiden grinned, spotting Aya amid the curious crowd. "Yeah, well, had some things to handle in my class first," he said casually, trying to diffuse the tension.
Aya glanced over her shoulder at her classmates, who were still staring in disbelief. "You sure know how to make an entrance," she said, trying to maintain her composure despite the overwhelming attention.
"W-Wait... Aya-san is Raiden-senpai's sister… that means…!" one of the boys stammered, his eyes wide with realization.
"Are you guys some kind of extraordinary people at our school!?" another student exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe.
Aya furrowed her brows in frustration. She turned to her brother, confusion etched on her face. "What do they mean by that?"
Raiden shrugged nonchalantly, trying to play it off. "I don't know~ Just rumors, I guess."
But Aya wasn't buying it, her eyes narrowing at him as if to demand answers. Before Raiden could come up with a proper explanation, a voice chimed in from beside them.
"It's because your brother scored 100% in every subject on his exams," Airi suddenly appeared, standing beside them with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Huh?! Wait, oh... you're still following me?" Raiden blinked, caught off guard by her unexpected presence.
Airi raised an eyebrow. "You're not exactly hard to find."
"Niichan, who's this girl?" Aya asked, her gaze traveling from Airi's head to her toes.
Raiden scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward under Aya's scrutinizing look. "Ah, this is Airi," he replied, gesturing toward her. "We're just classmates."
Aya raised an eyebrow, her tone playful but sharp. "Classmates, huh?" She glanced at Airi with a smirk. "Seems like she's more than just a classmate if she's following you around."
Airi, unfazed, crossed her arms. "I'm just here to see if Raiden really has a sister or if he was lying to cover for being late to class."
Raiden grinned, leaning in slightly. "No, you just wanted to follow me around, didn't you?" he teased, his voice playful.
Airi shot him a sharp look, her cheeks flushing just a little. "Don't flatter yourself," she huffed. "I just don't like when people make excuses."
Aya watched the exchange with interest, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "Oh, I see how it is," she said, clearly enjoying the dynamic. "Seems like Niichan has a little admirer."
Raiden chuckled while Airi rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off.
Raiden shrugged casually. "Alright, Aya, grab your bento, let's eat," he said, turning to his sister before glancing back at Airi. "And hey, if you change your mind, you can always join us."
Airi scoffed, clearly flustered but trying to keep her cool. "I don't need your permission. I'll be fine grabbing something from the cafeteria," she said, crossing her arms defensively.
Raiden nodded, unfazed. "Suit yourself."
As Aya watched the brief exchange, she raised an eyebrow at her brother. I don't get it... Nii-chan can talk to girls so easily, she thought to herself, bewildered. It's like he's used to it.
With a sigh, she grabbed her bento, still trying to figure out how Raiden seemed so comfortable around girls.Bottom of Form
As Aya unpacked her bento, she followed Raiden down the hallway, weaving through students heading to the cafeteria or lingering in groups. Raiden led them to a quiet spot by the windows overlooking the courtyard, away from the crowd.
They sat down, and Aya stared at her food for a moment, her mind still on Airi. "Nii-chan," she began, breaking the silence, "why are you so... relaxed around girls? It's kinda weird."
Raiden paused, mid-bite, caught off guard by the question. He swallowed, thinking it over. "Relaxed? I don't know. I just talk to them like anyone else."
Before Aya could respond, there was a soft thud! as Airi plopped down next to Raiden, setting her cafeteria food in front of her.
"Ooh, fried chicken!" Raiden's eyes lit up as he spotted Airi's meal.
Airi raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? What, you want some?"
Raiden grinned. "Wanna trade for my sausage?"
"Deal," Airi replied without hesitation, sliding her fried chicken toward him.
Aya watched the two of them with a slight frown. They're sitting close... talking, sharing food, making eye contact... right... but no way. Nii-chan's way too much of an idiot to be in love. She shook off the thought, convinced there was nothing more to it.
Aya's sudden question hung in the air, cutting through the casual vibe between Raiden and Airi.
"So, how long have you guys known each other?" Aya asked, her curiosity sharpening as she looked from Raiden to Airi.
Raiden blinked, clearly not expecting the question. He shot a quick glance at Airi before responding, "Uh, well... not long. Just a few days, really. You know, since I just transferred to Class A."
Airi, however, didn't offer any response. She stayed focused on her food, almost as if she hadn't heard the conversation, or maybe she just didn't feel like answering.
Aya's eyes narrowed slightly, observing the quiet tension between them. Hmm, interesting...
Raiden grinned, pointing playfully at Airi. "Well, technically, I've known her since I came to this school. She's kinda famous, you know?"
Airi glanced up, unimpressed. "Famous? For what exactly?"
Raiden chuckled, leaning back with a smirk. "For being the one everyone's too scared to mess with. You've got that untouchable aura."
Airi rolled her eyes but nodded slightly. "Ahhh... yeah."
Aya tilted her head, clearly confused. "Untouchable aura? What is that? Are you chuunibyou or something?" she asked bluntly.
Airi visibly winced, as if Aya's words had struck a nerve, her face twitching slightly.
Raiden quickly stepped in, waving his hand. "Nah, not like that, Aya. It just means no one bothers her or talks to her much. She kind of keeps to herself."
Airi sighed, finally breaking her silence. "That's... pretty much it."Bottom of Form
Aya raised an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced. "So basically, you're just the quiet type who doesn't deal with people's nonsense?"
Airi shrugged, poking at her food. "I prefer my peace and quiet. Besides, it's not like anyone here has anything interesting to say."
Raiden chuckled, clearly amused. "See? That's the untouchable aura I was talking about."
"Hmmm... so why do you talk to my brother? If you have that untouchable aura, did my brother break it?" Aya asked bluntly, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Airi paused, her expression shifting slightly. "Maybe he just doesn't intimidate me like everyone else does," she replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Raiden grinned at Airi's response, feeling a mix of pride and amusement. "See? I'm not that scary after all," he said, teasingly puffing out his chest.
Aya rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, right. Just wait until you annoy her enough like you do with me, nii-chan."
Airi blinked and looked at them, intrigued. "You guys seem close..."
"Just him I don't," Aya replied with a shrug, her tone light.
"Oi oi, it's not good to say you're not close with your brother when I'm always close with you~" Raiden shot back, a playful grin on his face.
Aya shot him a mock glare. "I'm just saying! You can be a bit much sometimes."
Raiden feigned a hurt expression. "Me? Much? Never!"
Airi couldn't help but smile at their banter, the warmth of their sibling dynamic easing her earlier tension. "It's nice to see you two getting along," she said, taking a bite of her food.
"Thanks! We're basically a comedy duo," Raiden replied, winking at Airi. "Just don't expect me to share my spotlight."
"Please, as if anyone would want to see your goofy face on a poster," Aya quipped back, and they all laughed.
As they continued to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Aya shared stories from her modeling experiences, detailing the funny mishaps that sometimes occurred during photoshoots. Raiden occasionally chimed in with his own exaggerated tales, making Airi chuckle.
"So, what's it like being a model, Aya-san?" Airi asked, genuinely curious.
"Just call me Aya, no need for formality. Being a model is easy enough for me. It's like a lifestyle. Sure, I have to watch what I eat and pose a lot, but I enjoy it. It's just part of the job," she explained, her confidence shining through.
Airi nodded, intrigued. "It sounds like a lot of pressure, though. Do you ever get overwhelmed?"
Aya shrugged, a faint smile on her lips. "Sometimes, but I've learned to handle it. The key is to find balance. Plus, having a supportive family helps. Right, Nii-chan?"
Raiden grinned, puffing out his chest again. "Of course! I'm the best big brother around."
Airi looked at their dynamic, feeling a bit of warmth in their connection. "It's nice to have that kind of support. I can't imagine what it's like to be in the spotlight all the time... it's really different from my experience."
Aya and Raiden exchanged glances, both sensing the underlying weight in Airi's words. They could tell that she might not have had the same kind of attention or support at home, and it struck a chord with them.
Both of them exchanged knowing glances, their silent communication clear.
Just like Mom and Dad who never seemed to notice us, Raiden thought, feeling a pang of familiarity.
Aya nodded subtly, her expression softening as she glanced at Airi. Seems she has her own struggles too. Parents too busy, maybe.
"Let's not dive too deep into it," Raiden said, breaking the moment. "Let's just enjoy our lunch."
Aya smiled, relieved to shift the focus back to lighter topics. They continued eating, sharing stories and laughter, the atmosphere gradually returning to a more cheerful note.
The school day ended, and the two siblings walked home together.
"Nii-chan…" Aya called, her tone suddenly serious.
"Huh? What's up?" he replied, glancing at her.
Aya shot him a sharp glare. "If you hurt her, you'll have to deal with me."
What's with this all of a sudden? Raiden thought, surprised by her protective stance.
Raiden raised an eyebrow, taken aback. "Hurt her? Airi? I'm not planning on doing anything like that!"
Aya crossed her arms, still serious. "I'm just saying. She's had it rough, and I can tell she's not as tough as she pretends to be."
Raiden sighed, realizing how much Aya cared. "I get it, but you don't have to worry. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her feelings. Don't lump me in with those red flag guys."
"Good. Now let's take the car back home!" Aya replied, her tone lightening as they continued their walk.
As Airi arrived home, the familiar silence enveloped her. The house felt cold and unwelcoming, devoid of the warmth she craved. Her mother was there, but she didn't look up from her phone or offer any greeting. Airi had long since grown accustomed to this lack of attention; it was just another part of her daily routine.
With a resigned sigh, Airi walked past her mother, heading to her room. She dropped her bag on the floor and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Thoughts of her day swirled in her mind—Aya's vibrant personality, Raiden's playful teasing, and the strange sense of camaraderie that had developed during lunch.
Airi took a deep breath, trying to push aside the weight of her home life. Maybe having friends at school will make things better, she thought, recalling the warmth of Aya and Raiden's banter.
Feeling restless, she pulled out her phone, scrolling through social media, but the usual posts felt hollow. Instead, she found herself thinking about how she might connect with Aya and Raiden again. Maybe they could hang out more, away from the pressures of school and family.
With a small smile creeping onto her face, Airi resolved to reach out to them soon. She could use the distraction, and perhaps they could become the friends she never knew she needed.
As Raiden and Aya entered their apartment, the familiar scent of home greeted them. Raiden tossed his bag onto the couch and stretched, letting out a sigh of relief. "Finally home! Today felt like it lasted forever."
Aya chuckled, hanging her bag on the hook by the door. "You're just excited to be out of school. I thought you were the studious type."
"Only when I have to be," Raiden replied with a grin, plopping down on the couch. "So, what do you want to do? We could play some games or watch a movie."
Aya hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to Airi and the quiet atmosphere at home. "Actually, I was thinking—" and with that, she tossed her bag at her brother's face.
Thud!
"Ack!" Raiden exclaimed, pulling the bag away and feigning shock.
"I was thinking that I would just sleep and take care of my belongings," Aya said, smirking as she walked past him.
"Sleep? On a day like this? You're missing out on all the fun!" Raiden teased, but Aya simply shrugged.
"Fun can wait. I need some downtime after today." She headed toward her room, feeling a mix of exhaustion and thoughts about her new school life.
"Also, I need to use new clothes this evening. Wake me up at 18:30!" Aya called out as she walked into her bedroom, leaving her socks on the floor and her bag still with Raiden.
Raiden rolled his eyes, chuckling to himself. "Yeah, yeah, I'll make sure you don't sleep through your own plans!" He glanced at the mess she left behind and sighed, shaking his head with a smile.
He then settled back onto the couch, picking up his phone to scroll through messages, but his mind wandered back to the day at school. Thoughts of Airi and her quiet demeanor lingered in his mind as he waited for the clock to tick closer to 18:30.
Raiden chuckled at the sound of his stomach rumbling. "Ah... time to eat, time to eat!" he said to himself, jumping up from the couch. He wandered into the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge for something to satisfy his hunger.
After a quick search, he found some leftover rice and a few vegetables. "Perfect!" he exclaimed, deciding to whip up a simple stir-fry. As he worked, he thought about how quiet the apartment felt without Aya's usual chatter, a reminder of how different things were for Airi.
Once the food was sizzling in the pan, he allowed himself to relax, letting the comforting aroma fill the kitchen. Just then, he heard a door creak open behind him.
"Nii-chan... what are you cooking?" Aya called from her bedroom, her voice slightly groggy.
"Oh, you're awake already? It's only been 15 minutes," Raiden replied, glancing over his shoulder.
"I couldn't sleep... I think I just want to eat," she admitted, stepping into the kitchen and rubbing her eyes.
Raiden smirked. "Well, you're in luck! I'm making stir-fry. Want some?"
Chapter 3 – Finished.