After putting down her phone, Iroha Isshiki let out a long breath. Having been successfully "counter-killed" by Kotomi, she didn’t feel defeated in the slightest, nor was she actually going to complain to Aimi.
It was as if she enjoyed constantly teasing Kotomi and watching her blush. At the sa ti, she also liked this evenly matched back-and-forth between them—today I tease you, tomorrow you tease .
Aimi Izumi, who had just pre-ordered a special edition bonus version of a new galga on the production team’s official website, looked up and noticed her best friend smiling to herself. Curious, she asked.
Of course, there were also those who had been secretly playing on their phones since class started and were only stopping now because their batteries were about to die.
"I’m so jealous~" Aimi said faintly.
"What happened?"
If her best friend was feeling down, then of course she should help imdiately. Even if it was just listening quietly, letting Aimi talk about what was bothering her would make her feel better.
Whenever Kotomi didn’t reply in ti, Aimi couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild. The more she thought about it, the further her mind wandered. Every ti her phone made a notification sound, her eyes would light up as she hurried to check it—only to find it was just so random app advertisent.
"It’s probably just that Senpai hasn’t had ti to reply yet. Don’t overthink it. How could she possibly block you? You’re her only little sister. The way she dotes on you is beyond words. Honestly, if you said you wanted the moon, she’d probably set up a ladder the next second and climb into the sky to fetch it for you."
"Well, of course. I’m the apple of my sister’s eye~"
Wait... shouldn’t Iroha be siding with right now? Why does it feel like she’s defending my sister instead? Oh well. Just a small detail. No need to worry about it.
"Mm-hmm!"
"Although... it’s not like my sister only has as her little sister..."
This ti, it was Iroha who was shocked. She had always thought Kotomi only had Aimi.
"I an a cousin. My third uncle and aunt have a daughter. She’s in her second year of middle school right now. They live in Kyoto. Since my sister went to Kyoto this ti, she’ll probably visit them too."
After chatting for a bit longer, the bell finally rang.
"Let’s go, let’s go~" Iroha picked up her phone and left the classroom with her.
Iroha Isshiki: [Senpai, rember to reply to Aimi~]
???
"Reply to Aimi... When did Aimi send a ssage?" she muttered in confusion. She didn’t rember receiving anything.
"She changes her avatar pretty often. I rember not long ago her LINE picture was Narina Mikado."
She was about to reply to Iroha with, "Are you joking again?" when a thought struck her.
ssaging apps sotis did that. The other person had clearly sent sothing, but it wouldn’t show until you refreshed.
Back when she was in her third year of middle school, a first-year junior had added her on LINE and often initiated chats. Occasionally, they would talk all the way until midnight.
Even when they saw each other at school, Kotomi never initiated conversation.
It wasn’t until graduation was approaching—after taking graduation photos on the field and heading back to the classroom—that the junior suddenly stopped her.
"Senpai, you’re about to graduate. Why haven’t you replied to my ssages? Am I... really that annoying to you?"
Kotomi had stood there, dumbfounded. She imdiately pulled out her phone and opened their chat.
She refreshed the chat.
Junior: [Senpai Izumi, are you free tomorrow afternoon after school? Could you co to the rooftop of the teaching building?]
[I also prepared a gift for you. You’re about to graduate, so I folded a paper crane for you. Please make sure to accept it—and only open it after you get ho!]
Looking at these ssages—delayed by an entire half year before she ever saw them—Kotomi swallowed hard and looked in the direction the junior had run off.
The countless words in her heart condensed into a single sentence that burst out of her mouth:
Recalling that incident, Kotomi refreshed the chat.
Aimi Izumi: [Onee-chan, it’s getting colder starting today. I put the thick clothes in the top layer of your suitcase. Don’t try to act tough and refuse to wear them.]
[Don’t worry about the money. I’ll support you!]
At 9 a.m., Aimi had sent several more.
[Honestly, I should’ve just gone to Kyoto with you. Then I could’ve taken care of you.]
Then at 10 a.m., more ssages ca.
[If you really don’t feel like replying, just send a period or sothing. At least let know you saw my ssages.]
"Little sister, it’s not that I didn’t want to reply. I only just received these..." Kotomi muttered helplessly with a faint smile.
"Fuck LINE. What a garbage app."
Kotomi Izumi: [This damn LINE had a ssage delay. If I hadn’t randomly refreshed just now, your ssages might not have shown up at all.]
[It’s too cold today, so I’m planning to stay in the hotel and relax. Tomorrow I’ll visit Third Uncle and Third Aunt’s place, have lunch there, and go shopping in the afternoon.]
After sending the ssages, Kotomi began thinking about what gift she should bring when visiting her third uncle and aunt.
Few people realized that the family head actually had a third son as well—Yuki Izumi.
Yuki Izumi’s mother was not the current wife of the Izumi family head, Harumari Izumi.
That was also why, although Yuki Izumi was already thirty-five years old, his seniority ranking in the family was lower than twenty-three-year-old Kazuma Izumi.
However, since both Kaneyoshi Izumi and Kazuma Izumi were born to Harumari Izumi—Yakken Izumi’s first wife—Kazuma’s generational ranking ca before Yuki’s.
Thus, the ranking beca:
Second son: Kazuma Izumi.
Which led to the awkward situation where every ti Kazuma Izumi called Yuki Izumi "little brother," he felt incredibly embarrassed.
Yuki Izumi’s hobbies and personality were very much like his mother’s. He didn’t compete or strive for power. He loved cooking and wanted to beco a chef with a restaurant of his own.
In truth, Yakken Izumi didn’t impose many restrictions on his children’s futures. He often encouraged them not to confine their vision solely to business. Money could never be fully earned, after all. They should slow down and explore the world beyond comrce.
On top of that, although Kazuma Izumi had still been young when he decided to go pro, by esports standards, he was already considered near retirent age.
Until Kazuma Izumi joined Team GMK and began to shine in LL. With astonishing talent and terrifying chanical skill, he swept through competition after competition, fighting his way from regional leagues to the World Championship. In his very first year as a professional player, he claid the first world title of his career—crushing all doubt with absolute strength.
Yuki Izumi married at twenty-one. After graduating from Kyoto Prefectural University and building strong connections in Kyoto, he decided to open his dream restaurant there. He and his wife settled in Kyoto.
Yuki liked fish. His wife liked fish too. On a whim, they nad their daughter Yuyu Izumi.
Yuki Izumi maintained good relationships with both Kaneyoshi Izumi and Kazuma Izumi.
Number one was Aimi.
Yet if they weren’t together, Yuyu would always find her way back to Kotomi’s side.
—
Patreon/DaoOfHeaven
User Comments
0 comments from readers