After chatting for a while, Hoshino Miru couldn't pry open Toyokawa Sakiko's mouth and had to give up.
This girl was like a hedgehog—if you weren't careful, she'd bristle all over. Hoshino Miru had thought that with Wakaba Mutsuki beside them, it would at least soften things a bit.
Unexpectedly, her attitude became even more rigid. She clearly didn't plan to let anyone help, though who knew what she was being stubborn about.
So after finishing their food, today's gathering could only end here.
However, Hoshino Miru didn't know that after he left, the atmosphere between the childhood friends became somewhat subtle.
"You two seem to get along quite well. He hasn't made you do anything strange, has he?" Toyokawa Sakiko spoke with a somewhat joking tone. After all, Hoshino Miru would directly bring girls home and wouldn't go easy on girls in games—he was quite a terrible boy.
"No." Wakaba Mutsuki looked at the direction Hoshino Miru had left, then slowly lowered her gaze.
After waiting quite a while, Toyokawa Sakiko discovered she only had this one sentence. Her heart felt somewhat uncomfortable—she wasn't like this when with Hoshino Miru.
"That's good." Toyokawa Sakiko smiled with pursed lips. "Sorry, was it a bit troublesome when I asked you to teach him guitar back then?"
Wakaba Mutsuki shook her head. Then inadvertently, the corners of her mouth slowly lifted—like a child receiving praise, with a feeling of wanting to show off that was somewhat hard to suppress, carrying a bit of girlish reserve.
"He thought my guitar playing sounded very good."
Toyokawa Sakiko felt somewhat blinded. Something was churning, slightly tightening her stomach, her mouth slightly bitter.
Noticing Toyokawa Sakiko's gaze, Wakaba Mutsuki reverted to her expressionless look, as if what just happened was merely an illusion.
"Mutsuki's guitar has always been amazing. If he didn't praise it, I'd have to settle accounts with him instead." Toyokawa Sakiko acted as if nothing happened, gently exhaling as if this could suppress the bitterness in her heart.
She had also praised Wakaba Mutsuki's guitar. When forming the band, the first person she pulled in was Wakaba Mutsuki.
But Wakaba Mutsuki had never shown her such an expression.
Wakaba Mutsuki lowered her head as if adding something: "We also went to the park."
"The park?" Toyokawa Sakiko couldn't imagine why two people practicing guitar would go to a park for no good reason.
Her heart became even more bitter. It seemed Wakaba Mutsuki had already had experiences with Hoshino Miru that she didn't know about.
At this moment, Wakaba Mutsuki should have explained, but she didn't know how to say it.
"We played many pieces in the park. Someone really liked my guitar."
Toyokawa Sakiko forced a smile. So they could already practice guitar in the park?
"Well, since you're having fun together, I won't disturb you." Toyokawa Sakiko pretended to wave casually, as if just chatting. "At this time, I should go back. See you next time, Mutsuki."
Wakaba Mutsuki lowered her head. Had she said something wrong again?
But she'd clearly just wanted to practice guitar together with Hoshino Miru. Why would Toyokawa Sakiko show such a displeased expression?
Did Toyokawa Sakiko really dislike her being with Hoshino Miru?
She didn't want to see Toyokawa Sakiko with that expression, but she also didn't want to give up this friend she'd finally gotten in Hoshino Miru.
This time, Wakaba Mutsuki sadly watched the direction Toyokawa Sakiko left.
...
Spring break was very brief. The school opening season of April was here again.
Kasugano Sora got up early, changed into her brand new school uniform, and excitedly ran to Hoshino Miru's side, spinning around twice in front of him.
"Brother, does it look good!" Kasugano Sora lifted her skirt hem and played with it slightly, revealing a large expanse of fair, tender thigh skin—not wrapped in stockings, without a trace of excess fat, looking very tempting.
This wasn't the first time Hoshino Miru had seen her in a school uniform, but it was the first time seeing Toyosaki's uniform. The white short-sleeved shirt paired with a small vest, the dark blue pleated skirt plus black over-knee socks made Kasugano Sora's whole body radiate that youthful vitality unique to young girls.
Only Kasugano Sora's figure was somewhat petite. Her slightly swelling chest couldn't hide any big rabbit, her waist was also slender, her little bottom couldn't compare to mature women—everything was small. This was also why Hoshino Miru always felt he couldn't make a move—this sister was really too young.
Hopefully, during high school, she could develop a bit.
"Good-looking. My sister looks good in anything, especially today she's a little bit cuter than yesterday." Hoshino Miru unceremoniously praised the girl.
"Hmph, I'm very cute to begin with." Kasugano Sora lowered her skirt hem with satisfaction, then hugged Hoshino Miru's arm. "Are you happy to go to school together with your sister today?"
Hoshino Miru discovered she was clinging to him even more, without any reservations at all. The girl's little bunny, just through clothes, was softly rubbing against his arm.
"I'm definitely happy, but you'd better not give up halfway." Hoshino Miru tried not to feel this unique softness. "If you run home halfway through school, I'll represent Uncle and Auntie in spanking your little bottom."
"Not this time!" Kasugano Sora's mouth corners slightly lifted, especially seeing Hoshino Miru's not-very-natural expression—clearly remembering their previous matters.
Though her pretty face was also a bit hot, the girl was actually quite proud inside.
Hmph, she'd already made Hoshino Miru realize that she, his sister, was no longer a child and could satisfy his desires anytime. Next, with just a little effort, Hoshino Miru wouldn't be able to help making a move on her.
As for Eriri, she could only wish her good luck.
Kasugano Sora didn't believe in harem nonsense. She believed she'd control Hoshino Miru sooner or later, making him an idiot who couldn't leave her, thinking about doing naughty things with her every day.
After finishing breakfast, changing shoes, taking their bags—completing this routine, Hoshino Miru took Kasugano Sora out together.
Perhaps because she hadn't gone out in a long time, Kasugano Sora hugged Hoshino Miru's arm while curiously examining the outside world. Seeing some students on the road, she couldn't help pressing closer to Hoshino Miru with more force.
"At school, if someone talks to you, respond. Don't be silent or ignore people." As her brother, Hoshino Miru spoke earnestly. "This time you need to make some friends. Don't disappoint your brother."
"Why make friends?" Kasugano Sora asked back.
"Because I can't stand seeing you sitting alone in the classroom." Hoshino Miru said irritably. "I'm not forcing you to talk to everyone, but when someone actively chats with you, smile a little."
Kasugano Sora grabbed his arm as if throwing a tantrum, gently shaking it a few times, moving her lips: "You're here anyway... I can come find you after class. I don't need to talk to others."
"I don't mind you coming to find me. I can also come find you." Hoshino Miru reached out and tapped her forehead. "But some topics can only be discussed between girls. I hope when Sora thinks about high school life in the future, she'll have many beautiful memories, thinking of having had very good friends, not just this stinky brother filling her mind."
Kasugano Sora was somewhat dissatisfied, yet also seemed shy, rubbing Hoshino Miru's shoulder with her forehead and cheek. Someone who said such things wasn't a stinky brother—he was the Miru she liked most.