Chapter 5

The new semester began as dawn broke.

When I woke up in the morning, Yuni-san had prepared breakfast — freshly cooked rice, miso soup, and natto. Back when it was just me and Dad living together, we always had bread in the morning, so having a proper Japanese breakfast like this felt refreshing. Yuina, already in her school uniform, sat at the table eating. Still in my pajamas, I took my seat.

“You’re not a morning person, huh?” Yuina said that with a smug little smile.

“And I guess you’re the opposite, huh, Miss Yuina?”

“I just don’t want to show any sloppy sides of myself, that’s all.”

Living together for the first time, I was starting to realize that Yuina was surprisingly responsible. On the day she moved in, she had already unpacked and neatly arranged her room. Now, she was up early, fully dressed and groomed. Compared to me, who struggles to get going in the morning, the difference was night and day.

“You’re both off to school today, right? I made lunches for you, so don’t forget to take them.”

Yuni-san said, placing a blue-wrapped and pink-wrapped bento on the table. My dad had already left for work, so he wasn’t home. Yuni-san worked part-time, but her shifts didn’t start early, so she still had time in the morning.

Just having a motherly presence around changed everything. Until now, I’d never had someone make me a packed lunch — and I never made one myself. I always just ate at the school cafeteria. But the moment Yuni-san entered our lives, that changed. It’s going to take some time to get used to this new lifestyle.

“Thanks for the food. I’m heading out first!” With that, Yuina quickly left the living room.

Even though we were now siblings, we’d agreed to stagger our departures for school. We didn’t want anyone prying unnecessarily. Yuina said she didn’t mind, but I couldn’t help but be cautious. Luckily, our schedules were different enough that we wouldn’t overlap too much.

I ate breakfast slowly, then washed my face and changed into my uniform. About twenty minutes after Yuina left, I headed out myself. School wasn’t far — I’d chosen the closest high school when applying, and it happened to match my academic level well. Thanks to that, I could sleep in a bit longer.

I passed through the school gate and made my way toward my classroom. Yuina and I were in different classes, so we didn’t really run into each other at school. Even when we were sex-friends, we never interacted at school. It was strictly an outside-of-school thing.

“Yo, Hotaka! Long time no see!”

That cheerful voice belonged to my childhood friend and the guy who sat in front of me — Ikki Hori. Wearing glasses and sporting a tan from club activities, Ikki looked the part of an athlete. He was the catcher on the baseball team and much sharper than me.

“Yeah, been a while. I heard your summer tournament run was solid.”

“Made it to the third round, at least.”

“Still a long way from Koshien, huh?”

Ikki’s thick arms were a testament to the hard training he endured. And even with all that, they still couldn’t make it to Koshien — baseball really was a tough sport.

“What about you? Anything happen over the summer?”

He asked casually, but it made me hesitate. Should I tell Ikki about Yuina? Our houses were in the same neighborhood, and we’d known each other since elementary school. He was trustworthy. Even if I didn’t tell him, he’d probably find out sooner or later.

After a brief pause, I decided to tell him.

“Actually, my dad got remarried. His new wife has a daughter, so now we’re living together.”

“…You serious? That’s some wild plot twist.”

“Nothing wild about it. It’s a huge pain for me. The girl’s the same age as me, too.”

“Bro, that sounds way too good to be true. I’m jealous as hell!”

Ikki looked at me with a grimace, like he’d bitten into a lemon.

“Come on, Ikki. You’re in the baseball club. You’ve got to be pretty popular with the girls, right?”

He let out a huge sigh and waved his hand dismissively.

“Nah, man. In baseball, only pitchers are popular. I’m a catcher — literally the least popular position.”

He had a point. Pitchers got the spotlight, while catchers worked behind the scenes. Plus, they wore masks, so their faces were always hidden.

“If you tell me you and that girl hit it off or something, I swear I’m gonna deck you.”

“As if. There’s nothing like that going on.”

I broke into a cold sweat trying to cover it up. Not only had we hit it off — we were sex-friends. And to top it off, Ikki was one of the guys who had his eye on Yuina. He was the one who organized the group date where I met her, and he knew we left together early that night. He even grilled me about it afterwards. I remember fumbling an excuse about just wanting to go home early. There’s no way I can let him know now that she’s the same girl.

“We’re siblings now, man. It’s not like that.”

“Yeah, yeah. Still, I’m dying of envy over here.”

“Take it up with my dad.”

“Got it. Anyway, I’ll keep quiet about it.”

“Appreciate it. You’re quick on the uptake, as always.”

That sharp mind of his was what made him a great catcher.

Just as we finished talking, the bell rang. A few moments later, our homeroom teacher walked in and morning homeroom began.

“Today marks the start of the new term. Also, student council elections are coming up soon. If you want to run, come see me.”

Student council elections, huh? Last term’s president was a third-year, but now a second-year or lower would take over. Either way, it had nothing to do with me. I had no interest in standing out — I just wanted a peaceful school life.

After homeroom, classes started. The rest of the day passed without incident.

I wasn’t part of any club, so I went straight home after school. When I opened the front door, I saw Yuina’s shoes already there. She was also in the go-home club, so she got home early like me. Yuni-san was out at her part-time job.

I went up the stairs to my room, turned on the air conditioner, and started taking off my uniform.

“Hotaka, you home?”

Suddenly, the door burst open and Yuina stepped inside.

“Hey! Knock first! I’m changing here!”

“Haven’t seen your body in a while. Nice view.”

“Close the damn door!”

I scrambled to put on my pants as I shouted at her. But she didn’t leave. She just stayed in the room like she owned the place.

After I finished changing into my loungewear, I sighed and faced her.

“So? What do you want?”

Yuina averted her eyes, looking nervous.

“Well, I’ve got a little favor to ask, Onii-chan.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I thought you’d like it.”

“I don’t.”

She was clearly trying to hide something, stalling with jokes.

“Spit it out, or I’m not listening.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll say it.”

After a dramatic little cough, she finally got to the point.

“You know the student council elections? I’m actually gonna be running.”

“You? Why?”

I was shocked. Yuina didn’t exactly scream “model student.” Student council presidents were usually top-of-the-class types. Yuina, who regularly failed tests, didn’t stand a chance.

“Technically, I was nominated. My classmates are really hyped about it. It was unanimous.”

“You’re that popular?”

“Well, I am kind of popular with both guys and girls.”

She wasn’t wrong. She was cuter than most idols. Her popularity with the guys made sense — but with the girls too? That surprised me. Normally, pretty girls attract jealousy. But Yuina’s natural charisma probably helped her build good relationships.

“So what do you need from me?”

“I want your help with the election. You know, as the smart, reliable Hotaka.”

She clasped her hands together like she was begging. I couldn’t help but glance at her chest — which only made it more awkward.

“Ehh, no thanks. I don’t want anything to do with the student council.”

“Please? If I become president, I don’t want some stranger as my vice president.”

“Vice president? What does that have to do with me?”

“Well, in our school, president and vice president candidates run as a pair. So I was hoping you’d be my VP.”

“No way! Why the hell would I want to stand out like that?”

If we suddenly ran as a pair, despite having no visible connection at school, people would definitely start getting suspicious.

“Then I’ll just tell everyone we used to be sex-friends.”

“…Are you blackmailing me?”

That would ruin me. If she told our classmates, I’d be the most hated guy in school. And if she told our parents? I’d have to leave this house. I couldn’t even look Yuni-san in the eye again.

“I’m just showing how serious I am.”

“You wouldn’t come out of that unscathed either!”

“I’m not worried.”

“You don’t even have proof.”

“People trust me. They’d believe me. Besides, I do have proof.”

Yuina took out her phone and started scrolling. Then she showed me the screen. The moment I saw it, my face turned pale.

“Why do you have a picture of me sleeping?!”

“Took it after we did it.”

I was shirtless in the picture. If anyone saw this, my school life would be over.

“…Fine. I’ll run.”

“Thanks, Hotaka. I’m counting on you!”

She winked at me.

“Still… you being student council president is kind of a disaster.”

“Why?”

“You used to be in a not-so-pure relationship, and now you’re running for president.”

Not that I could talk — I was in it too. A president and vice president with a history of “immoral conduct.” Yeah, great image.

“Even idols have their secrets.”

She laughed it off and left the room.

And just like that, day one of the new semester had turned into a nightmare.

I, who wanted nothing more than to avoid attention, was now running for student council.

Would Yuina get mad if I made sure we lost on purpose?

With my head in my hands, I groaned at the problem that had just been dumped on me.