Seeing the complex mixture of worry, resignation, and protectiveness play across Kosaka Kyosuke's face, Tamura Manami couldn't resist a final, gentle tease. "You really do care about Kirino-chan, don't you, Kyosuke-kun?"
A faint, defensive blush colored Kyosuke's cheeks.
"Of course I care," he muttered, looking away. "No matter how she acts, she's still my little sister."
His loyalty, however battered by her constant dismissal, remained a stubborn, unwavering fact.
"In that case, don't you want to go check on them?" Manami prodded, her voice light but her eyes observant. "Kirino-chan is incredibly cute. Spending time alone with such an adorable sister… even the most handsome guy might find his heart moved, don't you think?"
Her words planted a seed of acute anxiety in Kyosuke's mind. The temptation to barge in and assert some form of fraternal oversight was strong. But he immediately shook his head, the habitual defeatism reasserting itself. "And how exactly would I 'check'? It's not like that guy would just let me waltz into her room. Forget it, Manami. Let's just go to the study session. If Dad entrusted Kirino with this, then the guest must be a decent person."
A sudden, reassuring thought surfaced. His father was a principled, sharp-eyed detective. He wouldn't misjudge someone's character so fundamentally. If this was some kind of arranged meeting, then his father's approval likely outweighed any of his own misgivings. His personal opinion, in the grand scheme, probably didn't carry much weight.
"Alright then, let's go," Manami conceded with a soft sigh. Since Kyosuke had made his decision, she wouldn't push further. Her reminder had been less about the guest and more a nudge for Kyosuke to actively engage with his sister's life.
Kyosuke-kun, you're just so dense sometimes, she thought with affectionate frustration.
When Kirino was cold to him, couldn't he try a little self-reflection? Though, if she was being perfectly honest with herself, a part of her didn't truly want Kyosuke to change too much. His predictable, laid-back nature was a comfort, and she had long ago decided to match her pace to his.
Her intervention today was simply born from her innate desire for harmony. Families shouldn't stay angry with each other. Mutual understanding was the foundation of a happy home. This gentle, mediating nature was core to Tamura Manami's character and a big reason for her quiet popularity at school. Who could dislike a girl who so sincerely considered the feelings of others?
Yet, Kosaka Kyosuke, bless him, remained oblivious to such nuances, often seeming not to know what was good for him.
The pair made their way out. As they walked, Manami shifted topics, bringing up news from her family. "Oh, by the way, Kyosuke-kun, our shop's renovation and expansion are finally finished. We're going to start moving the new equipment and stock in soon. We could really use some help…"
What else could Kyosuke say? He immediately thumped his chest with a show of bravado. "Leave it to me! I'll definitely be there to help!"
…
Meanwhile, back in Kirino's room.
After being ushered inside by a visibly nervous Kirino, Hozuki Nozomi made a point of not letting his gaze wander intrusively. He simply stood calmly, offering the girl a gentle, patient look. "Kirino, if you have something to say, just say it. I'll be the best listener you could ask for."
His demeanor was so steady and reassuring that Kosaka Kirino felt a wave of relief. Meeting his encouraging eyes, more than half of her tension simply melted away.
"Um, before anything else," she began, clasping her hands together, "I want to ask you something, Hozuki Nozomi Oni-chan. What… what exactly is your relationship with my father? I mean, how do you know each other?"
Nozomi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as if carefully selecting his words. "I'd say it's a senior-junior relationship, built on mutual respect. The first time we met, a classmate of mine was being cornered by some thugs in an alley. I stepped in and handled the situation. After my classmate called the police, your father was the detective who led the team to make the arrests."
He paused, letting the image settle. "Then, more recently, I happened to assist him with a rather tricky case. Uncle Daisuke seemed to think highly of my… aptitudes, and even extended an invitation for me to consider becoming a detective after graduation."
A wry smile touched his lips. "I declined, of course. My primary path is as a creator—a scriptwriter for games and animations. So, with that explanation, does that clear things up for you, Kirino-chan?"
Kirino quickly shook her head, a visible weight lifting from her shoulders. "No more doubts. Actually, it makes me feel… relieved."
She took another deep, steadying breath, her expression now one of vulnerable apprehension. "Then… I'm going to tell you, okay?"
Hozuki Nozomi's smile remained a gentle constant. "Go ahead. Since you're calling me Oni-chan, then that makes you my sister. Whether it's now or in the future, you can always bring your troubles to me."
Kosaka Kirino's heart gave a distinct, traitorous flutter. This… this is it. This was her ideal older brother incarnate: handsome, gentle towards her, supremely capable (he fought off thugs!), and responsible enough to earn her stern father's admiration. Compared to the useless lump that was Kyosuke… there was no comparison.
Clenching her small fists, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and determination, she finally voiced her request. "Nozomi Oni-chan… I want to ask for your advice about… about life!"
Hozuki Nozomi nodded, his smile never wavering. Internally, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The groundwork is paying off. The first crucial step—making Kirino view him as a confidant, a fellow traveler in a secret world—was succeeding beautifully.
He had deliberately revealed his identity as the creator of Magical Girl Misaki to cement the impression that he, too, was part of the otaku sphere. Shared interests create immediate bonds.
Judging by Kirino's pent-up, eager energy, she had been hiding this part of herself for a very, very long time. She was starving for someone to share it with. And Hozuki Nozomi was more than happy to be that someone. He certainly wasn't going to leave this opening for Kyosuke.
Let's keep those particular bone-setting tendencies firmly out of the picture, he thought. His own situation with Yuki was entirely different—no blood relation, no ethical quandaries.
Seeing Nozomi's perpetually understanding expression, Kosaka Kirino's excitement finally overrode her remaining hesitation. She practically bounded over to her closet and pulled the doors open with a dramatic flourish.
Inside was a meticulously organized treasure trove. Shelves were densely packed with game discs and anime boxes, a glittering archive of her secret passion.
Her eyes shone as she began pulling out titles, presenting them with the reverence of a curator. "This… this is the Starlight Little Witch Meruru series! And this one is Sister Elimination Grand Battle! When the sisters fight in this game, their clothes can get… um, damaged! And this is Sister's Whisper…"
The theme was immediately, overwhelmingly apparent. Every single work prominently featured sister characters.
Nozomi had, of course, been aware of her preferences, but the sheer volume and focus were still impressive to see firsthand. He listened attentively as she launched into detailed recommendations on which title to start with, her words tumbling out in an excited, overlapping stream.
Her demeanor, in this moment, overlapped perfectly with his mental image of Yuki Suo in full otaku mode—that unguarded, passionately nerdy glow that was somehow incredibly endearing.
Kirino chattered on, her initial nervousness completely forgotten. But when she reached a point in her explanation about certain games having bonus animated CGs that unlocked after completing specific story routes, her speech hitched. A deep, crimson blush flooded her cheeks.
Noticing Nozomi's attentive gaze, she frantically waved her hands in front of her face. "N-Nozomi Oni-chan, don't get the wrong idea! I just… I super love the sister characters in these games! I only collect the CGs for completion's sake! And I always, always go take a shower right after I finish playing! I definitely don't… stare at the later ones… those… y-you know…"
Hozuki Nozomi knew exactly what she meant—the more risqué scenes often found in such games. Looking at her desperately earnest, flustered expression, he couldn't help but soften his smile further. He raised a placating hand.
"Don't worry, Kirino. I believe you," he said, his voice a study in gentle reassurance. "And even if you had seen them, so what? Appreciating every part of a work you enjoy is a natural part of being a fan. There's no need to be ashamed."
Hearing his words, Kirino felt her eyes grow inexplicably moist. This… this was true understanding. He was so considerate, so utterly non-judgmental. This was, without a shadow of a doubt, her most ideal Oni-chan. If she could trade the useless Kyosuke for Hozuki Nozomi as her brother, she would make that swap ten thousand times over without a moment's hesitation.