Had the captain and lieutenant taken such a keen interest in Onii-sama because they were even more impressed by his sparring and the magic he'd demonstrated?
"That was 'Magic Sequence Dismantling,' wasn't it?"
"And not only that—it looked to me like it also incorporated the effects of the continental ancient magic 'Point Sever.'"
They offered tea, but what appeared before us was coffee. On this side: Onii-sama and me. On that side: Major Kazama and Lieutenant Sanada. A coffee break for four.
To me, this little pause felt strangely surreal. The major spoke only to Onii-sama. The lieutenant spoke only to Onii-sama. I was merely "that person's little sister," occasionally remembered and prompted for a polite nod. Here, Onii-sama was the star—and I was nothing more than his accessory.
"...From what I can see, Shiba-kun, you're not carrying a CAD. What kind of assist device do you use?"
When they said "Shiba," they meant Onii-sama. I was simply "Shiba-kun's sister." This was the first time I'd ever experienced anything like it—yet, oddly, it didn't feel unpleasant at all.
"I do use a specialized CAD, but I can never find one that truly fits my hand... I'm no good at switching between different magics with a CAD."
"Oh? That's surprising. Anyone as fluent with psions as you are should be able to handle a CAD without breaking a sweat."
The conversation had shifted from the non-systematic magic Onii-sama used earlier to his CAD.
"Shiba-kun, if you're interested, would you like to try a CAD I've been developing?"
"Lieutenant Sanada, you develop CADs?"
"My job covers the full range of magical equipment development, CADs included. I have a prototype of a specialized model that uses cartridge-style storage."
Onii-sama's eyes lit up... or so it seemed. Compared to an ordinary person, it was an incredibly restrained reaction, but for him to show curiosity this openly was rare—at least as far as I could remember.
"I'd love to try it."
I'd never heard him state a desire so clearly before... or so I thought as I was led along, still just "Shiba-kun's sister," by Lieutenant Sanada.
The place we were taken to was a laboratory so clean and orderly it hardly felt like part of a military base. I must have failed to hide my surprise—because I'd always imagined army facilities as either filthy and cluttered or barren and cold. Major Kazama and Lieutenant Sanada both looked at me with warm, almost indulgent smiles. That had to be the reason.
Onii-sama was surveying the room with quiet admiration—or perhaps even awe. Today was full of unexpected sides of him. I'd thought he was indifferent to everything, utterly emotionless... but he had feelings after all. He had curiosity.
(Then... what does he think of me?)
The question rose unbidden in my heart. An answer followed automatically. I fought desperately to still my body as it threatened to tremble uncontrollably.
"...Miyuki, are you feeling unwell?"
The tremor stopped the instant I heard Onii-sama's voice. My heart felt like it might stop too. The moment he called my name—"Miyuki"—I hallucinated that he was answering my silent question. I thought he would coldly affirm the answer I'd given myself.
But his voice wasn't cold at all. For some reason, it was filled with gentle concern.
"...No, not really. I might just be a little tired. I think I'll be fine if I sit down. May I borrow that chair over there?"
With the major's permission, I settled into a seat by the wall. Being away from Onii-sama's side brought a small measure of relief. He was holding a large pistol-shaped CAD while Lieutenant Sanada explained its features.
Watching him, the fear from earlier reared its head again—swelling, pressing down on me like a lead weight. No matter how hard I tried to shake it off, it refused to leave my mind.
(What does Onii-sama really think of me? I have no confidence that he loves me. There's no way he could feel affection for me. He might even... hate me.)
If I didn't exist—if only I didn't exist—Onii-sama could live freely. As an outstanding student. As a top-tier athlete. As a military magician who could stand on his own the moment he came of age.
Yet even so, the thought of looking away from him now felt like letting go of his hand. It terrified me more than anything—like he might shake me off forever.
At school, classmates sometimes asked, "What kind of girl does your brother like?" Once he was freed from being my Guardian, Onii-sama could have a girlfriend tomorrow if he wanted.
His voice—cheerful as he handled the rifle-shaped CAD—reached me in broken fragments. We were in the same room, yet I couldn't close my eyes or cover my ears. I could only endure in silence beneath the dark cloud that clung to me, refusing to lift.
I prayed for this moment to end quickly. All the while desperately maintaining a perfect poker face so no one would notice the selfish storm inside me.
––––––––––––––––––––
While enjoying the Ryukyu dance performance and the kimono fitting, my thoughts kept drifting to that brother and sister.
"Honami-san, is something wrong?"
"No... I was just thinking about Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki-san."
I knew everything about this family's circumstances. I knew how exceptional Tatsuya-kun was as a Guardian. But he was still only a first-year middle schooler, the same age as Miyuki-san.
"Miyuki-san will be fine."
"Because Tatsuya-kun is there?"
"Yes. He's in the top tier even among Guardians."
Every time I hear a real mother say something like that about her own son... I think the same thing, but I never voice it. There's no point.
"I just wish Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki-san could spend a little more time as ordinary siblings... at least while they're at school."
"Well... they do have to avoid looking too distant, or people might suspect something... But Miyuki-san is handling it well, and Tatsuya knows his place. I think you're worrying needlessly, Honami-san."
"Is that... so...?"
On this trip to Okinawa, Miyuki-san must have glimpsed Tatsuya-kun's true nature. She must have realized he isn't just an emotionless, unthinking bodyguard.
Yet the mistress showed no sign of changing how she treated him. As a member of the Yotsuba family, that was probably the correct choice. Still, watching a real mother and child maintain such a frozen relationship... it hurt my heart.
(Maybe next time I'll ask Tatsuya-kun directly...)
Observing their icy bond from the outside was painful. But if they themselves were fine with it, it wasn't my place to interfere. With those thoughts swirling, I turned my gaze toward the direction where Tatsuya-kun might be...
I wouldn't know what a "normal" sibling relationship looks like... After all, I'm an only child with no little sister of my own...
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