Astavore Alan stared at his phone screen as it suddenly lit up, showing an unfamiliar number from Tokyo. Only the word Unknown appeared, no name he could recognize. His brows drew together slightly.
A heavy feeling crawled into his chest. He slid the green button on the screen and pressed the phone to his ear slowly, as if buying himself time to prepare.
Silence.
That long stillness felt strange, as if the caller on the other side was holding their breath. Just when he was about to hang up, a soft voice slipped through, breaking the quiet.
"Brother-in-law?"
Astavore's lips parted. He wasn't surprised—more resigned. From that tone alone, he already knew who it was. Even without the title, he would have recognized the voice.
Akari Honne.
Akari Hojo's younger sister. Only a year below her.
"Brother-in-law? Brother?"
Her voice carried a hint of anxiety. When Astavore remained silent, she tried again, her tone trembling.
No answer came. His silence only made Honne's voice sound more fragile, on the verge of tears.
"If I kept quiet, were you going to hang up on me?"
Astavore brushed aside the sympathy that flickered in him and cut straight in.
"How did you get my number?"
"Aww, brother-in-law," Honne whined, both playful and bitter, "I haven't seen you for over a month and you won't even catch up with me. Poor Honne."
Faint sniffles followed, clearly staged to make her sound pitiful.
"Eating noodles while talking on the phone is kind of rude, Honne."
The slurping stopped at once. A few seconds later, light giggles spilled out from the other end.
"Hehe, still sharp as always, brother-in-law. sis would've fallen for it."
"Maybe she just loves you more."
"Loves me more? Does that mean you love me too?"
Astavore exhaled faintly. "Your math has improved, but that trick won't work here. So, how did you get my number?"
"Mm, I'm doing well in math. I should be able to transfer to your school once I graduate first year of Senior high school."
Astavore smiled wryly, though she couldn't see it. "My school right now would be far too mediocre for you, Honne. And if you really did transfer, the principal might have a heart attack."
He knew how poor his own grades were. He had spent all his time training Akari Hojo.
"So what? I don't like studying anyway, and I don't want to work either. Brother-in-law, won't you support me?"
Unlike Hojo's soft and refined voice, Honne's was sweet and flirtatious. If he ever dropped his guard down, her words could sink straight into his bones and leave him weakened for half a day.
"I can't afford to support you. And you should stop calling me that. Your sis and I already broke up, on good terms."
"You… actually broke up?!"
Honne's voice shot up two octaves, Astavore frowned slightly
"You sound happy hearing your sis and I split."
"Uh, no, I'm just surprised."
He heard the sound of chopsticks being set down, followed by a little cough, as if she was trying to sound calmer.
"Ahem, why did you break up? You two looked so close."
Astavore couldn't see Honne's barely suppressed grin as he replied softly,
"Nothing special. We just ended it, amicably."
"Really? But sis never mentioned that. I mean, she doesn't even know what school you transferred to. During the holidays she scoured every school in Kyoto."
"Your sister's a bit slow. She didn't realize I'd already moved to Tokyo."
"..."
"Still, makes sense. Lately she's been gloomy, her mood's been off. Mom cooked a big dinner and she only took one bite before locking herself in her room to cry. She never told us what was wrong."
Then Honne added coldly, "Brother-in-law, you're heartless."
Astavore's mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Then, as her sister, comfort her. Tell her to move on. It's only a breakup, not the end of the world. Don't let her hurt herself."
"After a breakup, can't we still be friends?"
Her voice turned sweet again, probably with her eyes gleaming as she tested the waters.
"…Maybe."
"But if we can still be friends, why did you change all your contact info? If this call had been from a Kyoto number, you wouldn't have picked up, right?"
"I just wanted us both to cool off."
"Fine, but it still sounds cruel." Honne sighed deeply. "Brother-in-law, now I'm scared of falling in love."
"If your sister said that about me, I'd accept it."
"Eh? But I really do like guys like you. What if I can't control myself? Won't you take responsibility?"
Astavore fell silent.
When he first met the two sisters, he had briefly considered Honne as a target. Her instrument potential was SS-Rank, already mastery level in piano. But after weighing it carefully, he stepped back.
Partly because she was still too young. Partly because piano didn't make money fast, unlike trending pop. In the end, he had chosen Hojo.
Now, that thought resurfaced. He realized Honne had already dragged him far from the main conversation.
Unlike her sister who drowned in love, this younger one was sharp—her IQ and EQ both off the charts.
"So tell me, how did you get my number?"
Cornered, Honne pressed her lips together before muttering softly.
"I begged Tanjiro-sensei. I promised I'd crack the top three in the next mock exam before he agreed to spill."
"Did you tell your sister?"
"No. If I told her, it'd all be over, right? I figure a clean break hurts less. Right?"
"Mhm. Still, comfort her. Help her move on. At least make sure she eats properly and sleeps well."
Honne narrowed her eyes, her pink lips thinning. Irritation flashed briefly across her face.
"I think my sister would be happier if she heard it directly from you."
Honne knew that if her sis ever found out, she absolutely would never let go. She could "lock him up" for life.
Astavore pictured her beautiful tear-streaked face, and suddenly lost his appetite
"By the way, brother-in-law, did you know sis has a concert in Tokyo next month?"
"I know."
Of course he knew. He could recite Hojo's schedule better than her own manager. He was practically her second manager.
"So, are you coming? I can snag you a ticket."
"No need."
He refused quickly. Of course he would be there—Hojo was the singer he had trained from scratch. But letting Honne give him a ticket would leave a trace of his presence in Tokyo.
"And stop calling me brother-in-law."
"Okay, got it, brother-in-law."
"…Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up. I'm busy."
"Busy? Don't tell me you're busy falling in love?"
Her tone sounded odd.
"I am. Anything else?"
"Then my sister definitely can't know where you are. Who knows what would happen?"
"She won't know unless you tell her."
"Hehe, so you'd better stay by my side, brother."
"What do you want? Souvenirs from Tokyo? I can send some now."
"Who cares about snacks? I'm not like sis, I'm not greedy. I've got a break coming soon. Take me around Tokyo then, okay?"
"Oh, won't your girlfriend in Tokyo get jealous of his boyfriend hanging out with his sister's ex? Brother~"
"…We'll see."
"Hehe, fine. Plenty of time."
"By the way, brother-in-law, even if you're broke and can't support sis or me, it's no big deal. I'll be famous someday. Supporting you will be a piece of cake."
Astavore ended the call.
Silence once again filled the room.