It seems that Hiiragi Aika moved due to her parents' work.
The seat next to me was empty so I sat there.
Homeroom is over now and we're preparing for the next class.
The target is glaring at me with a terrifying expression, but I'll pretend not to see it.
"Nice to meet you. It's rare to transfer schools before summer vacation, isn't it?" I casually asked.
But maybe they didn't hear me or just ignored me.
The transfer student just looked straight ahead and didn't move an inch.
"Hahaha. Are you nervous? It's okay. You'll get used to it eventually."
"......"
The transfer student nodded slightly.
"Well, the level of this school is high, so I'm worried about keeping up. My sister made me study even cutting down on sleep, and I finally managed to pass."
"..................yes"
The transfer student answered quietly, taking ample space to respond.
I haven't said anything to make you dislike me, right...?
Could it be that he hated me within seconds of meeting me...?
Anyway, I decided to ask about the question I had been wondering about.
"Hey, haven't we met somewhere before?"
"...!?"
As soon as he said that, there was a slight reaction from the transfer student.
He stares at me with his big eyes.
"...Why?"
"N-no. I feel like I've met you somewhere before. Am I wrong?"
The transfer student didn't answer. Instead, he quietly muttered one word.
"You can call me Aika."
"Eh, that's..."
"I'll call you Susumu too."
Aika Hiiragi laughed. It was a smile that seemed to have a hint of sadness in it.
During class that day, I felt like I was sitting on a bed of nails.
Aika was staring at me during class, and when I looked over at the seat in front of me, I saw Shiori typing an email on his cell phone so the teacher wouldn't notice.
When our eyes suddenly meet, he gives me a chilling smile.
I'll check it later...
In fact, I'm seriously worried I might get killed.
Ugh, I think my stomach is starting to hurt too...
I broke out into a cold sweat.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Shindo? You look pale."
Tanoyama of society asks.
"Don't push yourself too hard, why don't you go to the nurse's office?"
"R-Really? Then I'll take you up on your offer..."
"Teacher, I'll take your brother to the nurse's office."
Shiori stood up with a bang and raised his hand.
The action immediately attracted the attention of the whole class.
No, how frail does he have to be to accompany his younger sister even though he's a high school student?
As I was blushing, Tanoyama said to Shiori:
"Well, you can go by yourself. There's no need to go together..."
"Professor Tanoyama"
"Y-Yes!!"
Shiori's tone suddenly became lower, and Tanoyama instinctively replied in polite language.
What happened to the dignity of the teacher?
"What would you do if your brother were seriously ill and died before he could even make it to the nurse's office? If that happened, you would regret it forever. It is your duty as a classmate, no, as a younger sister, to lend a hand to your weakened brother."
I was stunned. Everyone in the class seemed impressed, but the only one looking at us with amusement was the light fixture.
"Sorry, Susumu. Go and visit the nurse's office with Shiori. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's brotherly love, brotherly love."
Tanoyama said with emotion.
No, that's embarrassing enough!
"No, it's fine after all, I'll just attend class..."
That was the best I could answer.
.......
It was lunchtime and we split into several groups to eat lunch.
"Ah, I'm hungry."
Even if I don't study seriously, I still get hungry just like everyone else.
"Brother ♪ Can I ask you a question?"
I nearly fell off the desk again.
"H-Hiroshima... I don't want to die yet."
"What are you talking about? Let's go to the cafeteria together."
I thought for sure he was angry about Aika, but it seems I was wrong.
"Oh, I see...that's right."
I was relieved. My sister seems to be gradually moving away from her brother.
"That's right, let's go... What are you going to do, Aika?"
I asked Aika, who was sitting next to me.
"It's fine... I'll be alone..."
"I see... Ouch!!"
The next thing I knew, Shiori was tugging at my ear, and I screamed.
"Why are you calling me by my first name, Brother?"
"Even if you say that. Come on, come on, come on."
"Well, let's go. There's plenty I want to ask you."
He smiled and pulled my ear. "It's gonna come off, it's gonna come off, seriously."
It seems that it was too early for Shiori to let go of her brother.