The Kosaka family dinner concluded to the soundtrack of Kyosuke's muffled lantations. Once the al was cleared and their parents, Kosaka Daisuke and Kano, had retired for the evening, an awkward silence settled between the siblings.
Curiosity eventually overpowered Kyosuke's wounded pride. He sidled closer to where Kirino was tidying up, his voice a hesitant whisper. "Hey, Kirino… about that part-ti job. What kind of work is it, exactly? How can it pay more than Dad's salary?"
Kosaka Kirino tossed her hair over her shoulder with a haughty sniff. "Why should I tell you?"
"Co on, I'm your brother!" Kyosuke wheedled, adopting a pleading expression. "Hook up! I could use a decent job too."
Kirino looked him up and down, her gaze critically sweeping over his ordinary features and slouched posture before landing back on his face with undisguised disdain. "You couldn't do it. The requirents are… specific. You need the right look and a good figure. You have neither."
Kyosuke's eyes widened in dawning horror. "A look and a figure…? Wait, what kind of job is it? It's not sothing like… like…"
"P-Pervert! What are you imagining?!" Kirino took several quick steps back, crossing her arms protectively over her chest as she stared at him with the kind of utter contempt usually reserved for sothing stuck to the bottom of a shoe. "It's fashion modeling! For a magazine! Soone as plain and unremarkable as you would never qualify!"
"Ohhh! Modeling!" Kyosuke's panic instantly morphed into wide-eyed admiration. "Wow, that's seriously impressive!"
"Hmph. I'm done talking to you." With a final dismissive glance, Kirino turned on her heel and hurried back to the sanctuary of her room, leaving a deflated Kyosuke in her wake.
Alone at her desk, Kirino spent so ti on her computer, engaging with the new online community Hozuki Nozomi had helped her find. The exchange quickly grew heated, particularly with a stubborn user nad "Fallen Saint Black Cat," leaving her more frustrated than connected. With a sigh, she shut down the PC, the anonymity of the internet feeling hollow. Her hand drifted to her phone, and almost of its own volition, her fingers began typing a ssage.
Kosaka Kirino: Nozomi, are you there?
The reply was almost instantaneous.Hozuki Nozomi: I'm here. What's up, Kirino-chan? Sothing on your mind?
Kosaka Kirino: It's nothing major. I just… wanted to say thank you. That group is… interesting.Hozuki Nozomi: No thanks needed. But don't get too lost in there, okay? Rember, I'm your primary consultant. My 'life advice' hotline is always open for you.Speaking of which, I realized you and Ayase looked familiar earlier. Are you two models for that fashion magazine, "Raysé"?
Accompanying his text, several high-quality scanned images from the magazine appeared on her screen. They featured Kosaka Kirino, ticulously styled and wearing an elegant white dress that showcased a youthful, radiant beauty far beyond her years. In other shots, she stood alongside Aragaki Ayase, both girls gleaming under the studio lights, embodints of chic, adolescent grace.
Kirino felt a flutter of shy pride.Kosaka Kirino: You found out… Yes, that's Ayase and . We work for the sa agency. She's a professional, I'm just part-ti.
Hozuki Nozomi: You both look stunning. It suits you perfectly.By the way, did Ayase reach out to you?
Kosaka Kirino: She did. She wants to et tomorrow. I'm… really nervous.Hozuki Nozomi: If things get tough, you can always use as a scapegoat. Tell her we've actually known each other for a while, and I'm the corrupting influence who dragged you into the otaku world. Say my visit was partly to gauge her reaction. That way, her anger might be directed at instead of you. At worst, she'll just think I'm a creep. It's no big deal.
Kosaka Kirino: I can't do that! How could I let her misunderstand you like that?Hozuki Nozomi: It's fine, really. Your friendship is what matters most.Kosaka Kirino: Thank you… but let's see how it goes tomorrow. Maybe… maybe Ayase's views have changed?Hozuki Nozomi: That's the spirit. I'm here if you need backup.
Warmth blossod in Kirino's chest as she read his ssages. This… this is what a real older brother should be like, she thought fiercely. Not that useless Kyosuke!
A more personal curiosity then nudged at her.Kosaka Kirino: Um, Nozomi… I heard you have a girlfriend?
Hozuki Nozomi: Oh? Who told you that?Kosaka Kirino: My dad ntioned it. He was using it to criticize my brother.Hozuki Nozomi: I see. Well, it's true. I do have girlfriends. They're all very wonderful.
Kirino's lips unconsciously ford a slight pout. A faint, inexplicable sourness tinged her thoughts. Wait, why do I care?Kosaka Kirino: You said 'girlfriends'? Plural? How many do you have?
Hozuki Nozomi: Probably… several?
Kosaka Kirino: …Is he joking?
Hozuki Nozomi: Changing the subject—I've been trying out the gas you lent . Just kicked another little sister character out of bed.Kosaka Kirino: You're the worst! How can you be so an to a sister!Hozuki Nozomi: Haha, just teasing. Actually, my little sister is the one playing it right now. I should introduce you two soti; she's a fellow otaku. Besides her, I also know another girl who's a lot like you—top of her class, incredibly popular, but secretly a huge otaku.
He was, of course, referring to Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
Kirino's interest imdiately spiked.Kosaka Kirino: Really?! You have a sister? What's her na?
A photo appeared in the chat almost imdiately. It showed a girl with vibrant, cheerful eyes and an impish smile that seed to radiate playful energy.Hozuki Nozomi: Her na is Yuki Suo. Cute, isn't she?
Kirino's eyes went round.Kosaka Kirino: This is your sister? She's super cute! But… why is her surna Suo?Hozuki Nozomi: We were raised in separate households when we were young, so our family nas differ.Kosaka Kirino: I'm so jealous! A cute little sister in real life… I want one too!Hozuki Nozomi: Simple. Just ask Uncle Daisuke and Aunt Kano to make one for you.
Kosaka Kirino: AHHHH! Is that sothing you can just say?! Nozomi, you perv!Hozuki Nozomi: I'm rely presenting a logical pathway to sister acquisition.Kosaka Kirino: Hmph! I don't believe you! You definitely have ulterior motives!Hozuki Nozomi: Guilty as charged. So, does Kirino-chan want to et Yuki? Between you and , her personal collection of gas, light novels, and ani is… legendary.
Kosaka Kirino: Please! You absolutely must introduce us!
The hook was set, and the girl was well and truly captivated.
Satisfied, Hozuki Nozomi turned his attention to the actual subject of the photo. Yuki Suo, who had been gaming beside him, felt her phone vibrate and read the ssage thread over his shoulder. The mont she finished, she let out a dramatic gasp, threw down her mouse, and launched herself into his lap.
"Waaah! I hate you, Onii-chan!" she wailed, burying her face against his chest in a show of profound betrayal. "You're actually using your cute, innocent little sister as bait to pick up girls! This is too much! Unforgivable! I demand compensation! If you don't pay up, I refuse to be your wingman!"
Hozuki Nozomi looked down at the girl faux-sobbing in his arms, her shoulders shaking with exaggerated despair. He couldn't help the amused smile that touched his lips. "Is that so? And what kind of compensation does Yuki require?"
Yuki Suo imdiately stopped her theatrical crying. She looped her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to look him squarely in the eye, her expression shifting to one of serious negotiation. "I want the sa treatnt as the President!"
She was, of course, referring to Yukino Yukinoshita. While Yuki loved playing the mischievous accomplice in her brother's romantic endeavors, she was also keenly aware of the… benefits that ca with a more elevated status.
Nozomi reached out and gently ruffled her already-ssy hair. "Alright, alright. Consider it a deal. Now, why don't you go take a shower first?"
"Wuuu… Does Onii-chan think Yuki slls?" she whimpered, pulling back to look at him with huge, suddenly-watery eyes, doing her best impression of a wounded puppy. "Do you dislike Yuki's sweat?"
Hozuki Nozomi's gaze softened. How could he ever dislike her? She didn't sll of sweat at all, only the light, sweet fragrance unique to a vibrant, healthy girl. Words felt insufficient. Instead, he simply lowered his head, closing the small distance between them to gently silence her playful complaints with a soft, affirming kiss.
User Comments
0 comments from readers