How on earth am I going to persuade Sis?

In her room, Akari Honne sat hunched over her desk, scowling so deeply her brows nearly met.

Her slim, pale legs swung back and forth beneath the chair in restless arcs.

She chewed the end of her pen, teeth grinding against plastic, while her free hand clutched at her hair as if she could squeeze a brilliant idea straight out of her head.

Nothing came.

Her older sister wasn’t stupid. Even if Sis lost to her in written exams, she had an annoyingly sharp emotional radar.

If Honne’s true goal was to visit Alan in Tokyo, Sis would sniff it out within seconds.

With a frustrated groan, Honne tossed the pen aside, folded her arms across her chest, and clicked her tongue.

If only Sis were still dating Alan...

Then she wouldn’t have to scheme at all. She could see him whenever she wanted, no questions asked.

Honestly, Sis is useless. If it were me, I’d never let Alan go.

What’s the point of having such a big chest if you can’t even keep a man?

Total waste.

Honne ground her teeth, leaned back, and stared up at the ceiling as if it personally offended her. Her chair spun slowly beneath her, creaking in protest.

Fine.

Time to play the sincerity card.

The success rate might be low, but they were sisters, after all. She could cry if she had to. Tears were a powerful weapon when properly deployed.

The simplest plan was probably the best.

Honne took a deep breath and straightened, forcing resolve into her spine. She rehearsed her speech in her head, running through the scene again and again until she almost convinced herself.

Once she’d managed to stir genuine emotion—even within her own heart—she marched out of the room with the determination of a soldier heading into battle.

She padded through the house in slippers, checking the bedroom, the living room, even the bathroom. No sign of her sister.

Out on a date? Still not home?

I’m definitely telling on you to Alan.

Honne frowned at the clatter coming from the kitchen and hurried over.

"Mom, is Sis still out? Is she staying over somewhere tonight?"

Mrs. Akari, an apron tied neatly around her waist, glanced sideways at her. "She should be back soon. Why the sudden concern? What’s up?"

She gestured toward a pot of fish soup simmering on the stove. "Honne, carry this to the table. Carefully. Don’t spill it."

"Okay."

Honne lifted the pot gingerly, but something in her mother’s tone nagged at her. "I always care! We’re sisters."

Mrs. Akari paused, rolling her eyes. "You care, huh? When your sister was crying her eyes out after the breakup, you were grinning wider than anyone."

Heat rushed to Honne’s cheeks. "I... I wanted to cheer her up! Happiness is contagious, you know. Don’t make me sound so awful, Mom!"

"I’m the one who’s devastated here!" Honne protested. "My sister got dumped, and I’m more upset than anyone, okay?"

Mrs. Akari gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Oh my. That must be why you’ve brought it up seven or eight times in front of your sister today?"

"Forget it. You never understand anything."

If this kept up, she’d be stripped bare emotionally. Honne couldn’t explain the burning shame twisting in her chest. She grabbed the fish soup, ready to bolt.

But Mrs. Akari seized her arm, her expression suddenly serious. "Listen. Your sister’s been struggling alone in Tokyo. She’s finally home. Don’t you dare make her unhappy."

Honne rolled her eyes. "She seems pretty cheerful these past two days."

And wasn’t she? Ever since seeing Alan, she’d been glowing. Keeping all the good stuff to herself, as usual. Going off to Tokyo without even thinking to take her little sister along.

"That’s exactly why you shouldn’t provoke her now that she’s finally feeling better."

Mrs. Akari’s heart ached for her daughter’s breakup, but seeing Hojo looking healthier these past days had eased her worries as well. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Who’s provoking anyone?" Honne shot back. "I’m sad about the breakup too! You think I’d begrudge her happiness?"

She spun around with the soup.

Clack!

The pot tilted. Hot liquid splattered across the floor.

Mrs. Akari looked down, horrified. "My God, Honne! I told you to be careful. Clean that up when you come back!"

"Did you hear me?"

But this time, Honne didn’t answer.

She stood frozen.

Hojo stood before her, calm and composed, the very picture of Yamato Nadeshiko grace. She smiled gently, as if nothing were amiss.

"Honne," she said softly, "so my breakup made you this upset?"

"..."

"Sis, I got you some rice..."

The dishes had barely been set out when Honne came scurrying over, proudly placing a small bowl of steaming rice in front of her sister.

"...?"

Hojo’s instincts flared instantly. She narrowed her eyes, studying the girl.

Caught in that gaze, Honne’s heart skipped, but her smile only brightened.

"What’s wrong, Sis? Sit down already."

She slipped behind Hojo and pulled the chair out with exaggerated courtesy.

Hojo remained standing, lips quirking upward. "What’s gotten into you, Honne? When did you start serving your older sister rice?"

Honne’s red lips parted. She lowered her lashes, suddenly shy.

"I just... missed you. You’ve been away so long..." Her voice dropped, softer than before.

"Is that so..."