Chapter Text
It was an ordinary day with Ayato, Yanagi, Misato, Hatano—until Ayato's older brother brought two friends home. Their names are Mayama and Minamoto.
According to the surprised exclamation of Ayato's mother, he stopped bringing people home when he succeeded at his driver's license on his first try. A rough time span of three or so years. I assume his newfound freedom as an eighteen-year-old naturally made his house seem boring in comparison.
My boyfriend's older brother is a normal person yet inconceivably strange. He can predict the weather, rain or shine. His uncanny sixth sense isn't only limited to weather. Despite not knowing the Vice President, he hit the bullseye when he said that Hidetoshi confessed his hidden love for me. During the class trip, when Ayato fell through the damaged railing and we slipped down a rainy cliff, he cursed his older brother for being the cause.
Ayato's older brother also guessed my weakness to win his preferred choice of cake. He didn't tell Ayato, for which I'm grateful. I guess it's to tease his younger brother.
Coincidentally, when I got in an argument with Ayato, his car stopped by, and he dropped me off at home. I only have a little sister, but this is probably what it feels like to have an older brother. He quietly supports my feelings for Ayato. I'm grateful. I initially approached him to integrate myself into Ayato's family, but I enjoy his company and witty commentary.
I'm lucky that Ayato likes me back. Boldly yet shyly, he shouted his confession to me. Beyond my wildest dreams, my first love from middle school is reciprocated.
Hatano's love of eight years, though... He confided to me that he must have 'used up a lifetime's worth of luck' to meet him again. Hatano become a cat café employee at Cat Mate by the train station, but otherwise, there's not much progress.
Now there's two mysterious friends.
Mayama is already familiar with their mother, bonding over their shared language of magical girl anime. He reminds me of myself, who asked her for Ayato's childhood photos.
Minamoto has struck up a conversation with Ayato, Yanagi and Misato over online RPGs. Apparently, he is majoring in Computer Science, so he plays and codes games.
To say the least, the current situation is not good.
Hatano is rapidly cycling through determined, depressed and desperate.
As student council president, I had to confiscate Hatano's phone when I caught him looking up guides on how to become a sadist.
At this point, Hatano is only a step above Misato—eleven years of loving Ayato, allegedly, though there is no confirmed childhood memory—who watched a porn sample on a school projector.
Only I know Ayato's older brother's type is an older, taller, busty, short-haired, sadistic teacher. I don't know if it's true or not. He's a perceptive person, to the point that I wonder if he has ESP. Which is silly. I believe in science.
Psychic people don't exist, even though he appears to be borderline psychic.
I'd like to play mahjong with him one day. Regardless of his skill level, he would be a fun opponent. Ayato monopolizes his time with his older brother, so I'm not sure when that will happen.
While I'm still weighing on the best strategy to bring Hatano into the spotlight, Ayato's older brother and mother call from the kitchen. We gather around the dining table. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air.
Unthinkingly, Ayato's older brother passes his coffee to his friends. "Minamoto." A cat-patterned cup. "Mayama-sensei." A second cat-patterned cup.
This is a household that adores cats—ah, Mayama-sensei? Sensei? I ask about this affectionate term of address.
Ayato's older brother interrupts Mayama before he can say anything. "Ah, it's because Mayama-sensei pretends to be knowledgeable about sports, but his knowledge comes from shounen anime. Isn't that funny? Misato-kun probably knows more than Mayama."
Immediately, Misato boasts about his athletic prowess, and the conversation topic changes to which sports are popular in the Kansai region.
I don't forget the accidental slip-up, but I never get the opportunity to mention it again.
Eventually, Ayato's older brother leaves with Mayama and Minamoto, going out to drink with their other friends.
On the way home, I walk with Hatano, who is talking about Mayama and Minamoto. Once again, he is asking for love advice. It feels nice to be relied on.
However, I'm not paying proper attention, because my thoughts are wandering elsewhere.
Mayama
Older △ (unknown)
Taller ×
Big boobs ×
Short-haired ◎
Teacher ◎
Sadist ◎
Hatano
Older ×
Taller ×
Big boobs ×
Short-haired ×
Teacher ×
Sadist △ (negotiable)
...Should I tell Hatano the truth? Is it even the truth? I don't want him to suddenly cut his hair, since it'd probably set back his progress. That would only bring attention to their age gap. Ayato's older brother wouldn't be impressed by such an impulsive action. Eight years of searching and three years of waiting is already a heavy declaration.
A haircut wouldn't help. Appearances are superficial. After all, he's not swayed by Hatano's handsome face.
Setting aside his younger years where he ditched Ayato to chase after cats, he is a responsible person. He would definitely feel guilty for Hatano's sake. Otherwise, he would've rejected his streetside confession from the start.
I can't tell Hatano. His devotion to his sadist training is a little alarming. I hope he'll abandon that endeavor. Isn't it better to learn about Ayato's older brother firsthand?
Now Hatano wants to subtly gather information on Mayama and Minamoto. What a difficult task. We're high school students and shouldn't resort to stalking. Even though Ayato has unsuccessfully stalked his older brother several times. That's different. They're family.
Also, Ayato is slightly cute when he's angry about his older brother. I don't really listen to his complaints—they tend to get repetitive after a while—but his expressions are lively.
Hatano is still talking.
I do agree that Ayato's older brother is uncommonly close with those friends of his. His smiles are smaller and more genuine. He playfully pokes at Mayama, and silently communicates with Minamoto through their eyes. They are clearly comfortable with each other. I can't say if it's anything romantic, but it's possible...
Hatano recounted every detail of his chance encounters with Ayato's older brother. Though he is biased, I can't deny that he might be popular in his college, since he's sociable.
Unlike me, Ayato is well-liked amongst our male classmates. They don't resent him or run away from him. It helps that he doesn't have to collect their incomplete homework and contraband items. Perhaps the two brothers' charisma is a family trait.