Waiting at the school gate past the library's closing time was unusual for Tatsuya, but with the new student council barely a week old, Honoka's delays were understandable.
"Sorry, Tatsuya-san, for keeping you waiting again…" Honoka said.
"It's fine," Tatsuya replied. "Miyuki's an exception, handling council work for months. Most wouldn't master it in a year."
"But my slowness keeps you waiting…" Honoka mumbled.
"If I'm a turtle, you're a snail…" Shizuku added.
"Don't worry," Tatsuya said. "You'll get the hang of it. It's not that long a wait."
"Onii-sama, again today?" Miyuki asked.
"Yeah, I was researching in the archives," Tatsuya said.
Miyuki knew he'd been buried in the library lately. She admired his diligence but craved his attention.
"Shouldn't you have joined the council, Tatsuya-san?" Honoka asked.
"No choice," Tatsuya said. "Chiyoda-senpai had a point."
Azusa had offered Tatsuya the vice-president role, but Kanon, the new Discipline Committee head, objected loudly, claiming the committee's paperwork would collapse without him. Tatsuya's summer guidelines stated all members should share the load, but Kanon genuinely intended to dump it all on him.
Azusa agreed, though she had her own reasons for wanting Tatsuya on the council. First, his efficiency—when Mayumi enlisted him briefly, he'd cleared a backlog at twice Azusa's speed. Second, and more critical, Azusa couldn't handle Miyuki's outbursts, as seen during the election. Tatsuya's ability to calm her was both daunting and reassuring.
They settled on keeping Tatsuya with the Discipline Committee for the year, with plans to recruit him as vice-president next year.
Tatsuya, however, was frustrated by their misconceptions. Discipline Committee paperwork and council safety weren't his duties. Committee members were meant to act and work together, and council members should protect themselves.
"Onii-sama? Something wrong?" Miyuki asked.
"Just recalling that mess. Gives me a headache," Tatsuya said.
"But you're perfect for the council," Miyuki insisted.
"Yeah!" Honoka added. "You got votes in the election, even if they were invalid!"
"…You both voted for Nakajou-senpai, right?" Tatsuya asked.
Honoka and Shizuku's eyes darted away. Honoka had voted for Miyuki, Shizuku for Tatsuya—jokingly, they thought, since votes were anonymous. But Tatsuya's 203 votes made it no laughing matter.
"Miyuki, who'd you vote for?" Honoka deflected.
"Nakajou-senpai, obviously," Miyuki said coolly.
"R-right…" Honoka stammered.
Miyuki, too, had voted for Tatsuya, a private show of loyalty. The 203 others voting for him were an unexpected blow.
"No point dwelling on it," Tatsuya said. "Just pick your pranks carefully."
"Sorry…" Honoka and Shizuku mumbled.
"As long as you reflect," Tatsuya said, gently ruffling their hair.
His frequent head-pats, now a habit, had shifted Erika's rumor from "Honoka confessed" to "Tatsuya's dating her," and even "Maybe he's with Shizuku." Miyuki, watching, regretted not being honest. What was once her exclusive privilege—his head-pats—was now shared with Shizuku, Honoka, and even Chiaki, unbeknownst to her.
"Onii-sama, can we take a detour?" Miyuki asked.
"Fine. Did you remember something?" Tatsuya asked, knowing she had no errands but was mindful of Honoka and Shizuku.
"Just a little… Will you come with me?" Miyuki asked.
"Sure. Honoka, Shizuku, see you tomorrow."
"Yes!" Honoka replied.
"Yeah," Shizuku said.
In the cabinet, cut off from the world, Tatsuya fixed his gaze on Miyuki.
"What's up?" he asked.
"I've felt… we haven't had much time alone lately," Miyuki said, her eyes misty. "Can we just walk around? Is that okay?"
Tatsuya, indulgent with her, nodded. "Sure. But what's this about? We hung out recently."
"That was with everyone, and Saegusa-senpai joined halfway," Miyuki said.
"True," Tatsuya admitted. "Where to?"
"Anywhere, as long as I'm with you," Miyuki said. "A park, an empty lot—anywhere's paradise if you're there, Onii-sama."
Tatsuya knew her words weren't typical for a sister, but instead of scolding, he offered a gentle smile.
"Let's walk home," he said. "We'll stop if something catches our eye."
"I love walking with you," Miyuki said.
For her, the place didn't matter—only being with Tatsuya did. She could easily shut out the world, and she did.
"By the way, Onii-sama, I heard Hirakawa-senpai withdrew from the Thesis Competition," Miyuki said.
"Yeah. My job was just to stop her from quitting school," Tatsuya said. "Withdrawing was her call."
"I see. And that girl glaring at you?" Miyuki asked.
"No issue for now," Tatsuya said.
"If you say so," Miyuki replied.
Their conversation wasn't light, but Miyuki's radiant happiness made it feel inconsequential to Tatsuya.
Note on the IF Scenario: Adding more Miyuki in the next arc could amplify the emotional stakes, especially with her possessiveness clashing against Chiaki's growing suspicions and Koharu's lingering presence. It'd deepen the romantic tension you're aiming for.
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