The Kosaka family dinner concluded to the soundtrack of Kyosuke's muffled lamentations. Once the meal was cleared and their parents, Kosaka Daisuke and Kano, had retired for the evening, an awkward silence settled between the siblings.
Curiosity eventually overpowered Kyosuke's wounded pride. He sidled closer to where Kirino was tidying up, his voice a hesitant whisper. "Hey, Kirino… about that part-time job. What kind of work is it, exactly? How can it pay more than Dad's salary?"
Kosaka Kirino tossed her hair over her shoulder with a haughty sniff. "Why should I tell you?"
"Come on, I'm your brother!" Kyosuke wheedled, adopting a pleading expression. "Hook me up! I could use a decent job too."
Kirino looked him up and down, her gaze critically sweeping over his ordinary features and slouched posture before landing back on his face with undisguised disdain. "You couldn't do it. The requirements are… specific. You need the right look and a good figure. You have neither."
Kyosuke's eyes widened in dawning horror. "A look and a figure…? Wait, what kind of job is it? It's not something like… like…"
"P-Pervert! What are you imagining?!" Kirino took several quick steps back, crossing her arms protectively over her chest as she stared at him with the kind of utter contempt usually reserved for something stuck to the bottom of a shoe. "It's fashion modeling! For a magazine! Someone as plain and unremarkable as you would never qualify!"
"Ohhh! Modeling!" Kyosuke's panic instantly morphed into wide-eyed admiration. "Wow, that's seriously impressive!"
"Hmph. I'm done talking to you." With a final dismissive glance, Kirino turned on her heel and hurried back to the sanctuary of her room, leaving a deflated Kyosuke in her wake.
Alone at her desk, Kirino spent some time on her computer, engaging with the new online community Hozuki Nozomi had helped her find. The exchange quickly grew heated, particularly with a stubborn user named "Fallen Saint Black Cat," leaving her more frustrated than connected. With a sigh, she shut down the PC, the anonymity of the internet feeling hollow. Her hand drifted to her phone, and almost of its own volition, her fingers began typing a message.
Kosaka Kirino: Nozomi, are you there?
The reply was almost instantaneous.Hozuki Nozomi: I'm here. What's up, Kirino-chan? Something on your mind?
Kosaka Kirino: It's nothing major. I just… wanted to say thank you. That group is… interesting.Hozuki Nozomi: No thanks needed. But don't get too lost in there, okay? Remember, I'm your primary consultant. My 'life advice' hotline is always open for you.Speaking of which, I realized you and Ayase looked familiar earlier. Are you two models for that fashion magazine, "Raysé"?
Accompanying his text, several high-quality scanned images from the magazine appeared on her screen. They featured Kosaka Kirino, meticulously styled and wearing an elegant white dress that showcased a youthful, radiant beauty far beyond her years. In other shots, she stood alongside Aragaki Ayase, both girls gleaming under the studio lights, embodiments of chic, adolescent grace.
Kirino felt a flutter of shy pride.Kosaka Kirino: You found out… Yes, that's Ayase and me. We work for the same agency. She's a professional, I'm just part-time.
Hozuki Nozomi: You both look stunning. It suits you perfectly.By the way, did Ayase reach out to you?
Kosaka Kirino: She did. She wants to meet tomorrow. I'm… really nervous.Hozuki Nozomi: If things get tough, you can always use me as a scapegoat. Tell her we've actually known each other for a while, and I'm the corrupting influence who dragged you into the otaku world. Say my visit was partly to gauge her reaction. That way, her anger might be directed at me instead of you. At worst, she'll just think I'm a creep. It's no big deal.
Kosaka Kirino: I can't do that! How could I let her misunderstand you like that?Hozuki Nozomi: It's fine, really. Your friendship is what matters most.Kosaka Kirino: Thank you… but let's see how it goes tomorrow. Maybe… maybe Ayase's views have changed?Hozuki Nozomi: That's the spirit. I'm here if you need backup.
Warmth blossomed in Kirino's chest as she read his messages. This… this is what a real older brother should be like, she thought fiercely. Not that useless Kyosuke!
A more personal curiosity then nudged at her.Kosaka Kirino: Um, Nozomi… I heard you have a girlfriend?
Hozuki Nozomi: Oh? Who told you that?Kosaka Kirino: My dad mentioned it. He was using it to criticize my brother.Hozuki Nozomi: I see. Well, it's true. I do have girlfriends. They're all very wonderful.
Kirino's lips unconsciously formed a slight pout. A faint, inexplicable sourness tinged her thoughts. Wait, why do I care?Kosaka Kirino: You said 'girlfriends'? Plural? How many do you have?
Hozuki Nozomi: Probably… several?
Kosaka Kirino: …Is he joking?
Hozuki Nozomi: Changing the subject—I've been trying out the games you lent me. Just kicked another little sister character out of bed.Kosaka Kirino: You're the worst! How can you be so mean to a sister!Hozuki Nozomi: Haha, just teasing. Actually, my little sister is the one playing it right now. I should introduce you two sometime; she's a fellow otaku. Besides her, I also know another girl who's a lot like you—top of her class, incredibly popular, but secretly a huge otaku.
He was, of course, referring to Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
Kirino's interest immediately spiked.Kosaka Kirino: Really?! You have a sister? What's her name?
A photo appeared in the chat almost immediately. It showed a girl with vibrant, cheerful eyes and an impish smile that seemed to radiate playful energy.Hozuki Nozomi: Her name is Yuki Suo. Cute, isn't she?
Kirino's eyes went round.Kosaka Kirino: This is your sister? She's super cute! But… why is her surname Suo?Hozuki Nozomi: We were raised in separate households when we were young, so our family names differ.Kosaka Kirino: I'm so jealous! A cute little sister in real life… I want one too!Hozuki Nozomi: Simple. Just ask Uncle Daisuke and Aunt Kano to make one for you.
Kosaka Kirino: AHHHH! Is that something you can just say?! Nozomi, you perv!Hozuki Nozomi: I'm merely presenting a logical pathway to sister acquisition.Kosaka Kirino: Hmph! I don't believe you! You definitely have ulterior motives!Hozuki Nozomi: Guilty as charged. So, does Kirino-chan want to meet Yuki? Between you and me, her personal collection of games, light novels, and anime is… legendary.
Kosaka Kirino: Please! You absolutely must introduce us!
The hook was set, and the girl was well and truly captivated.
Satisfied, Hozuki Nozomi turned his attention to the actual subject of the photo. Yuki Suo, who had been gaming beside him, felt her phone vibrate and read the message thread over his shoulder. The moment she finished, she let out a dramatic gasp, threw down her mouse, and launched herself into his lap.
"Waaah! I hate you, Onii-chan!" she wailed, burying her face against his chest in a show of profound betrayal. "You're actually using your cute, innocent little sister as bait to pick up girls! This is too much! Unforgivable! I demand compensation! If you don't pay up, I refuse to be your wingman!"
Hozuki Nozomi looked down at the girl faux-sobbing in his arms, her shoulders shaking with exaggerated despair. He couldn't help the amused smile that touched his lips. "Is that so? And what kind of compensation does Yuki require?"
Yuki Suo immediately stopped her theatrical crying. She looped her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to look him squarely in the eye, her expression shifting to one of serious negotiation. "I want the same treatment as the President!"
She was, of course, referring to Yukino Yukinoshita. While Yuki loved playing the mischievous accomplice in her brother's romantic endeavors, she was also keenly aware of the… benefits that came with a more elevated status.
Nozomi reached out and gently ruffled her already-messy hair. "Alright, alright. Consider it a deal. Now, why don't you go take a shower first?"
"Wuuu… Does Onii-chan think Yuki smells?" she whimpered, pulling back to look at him with huge, suddenly-watery eyes, doing her best impression of a wounded puppy. "Do you dislike Yuki's sweat?"
Hozuki Nozomi's gaze softened. How could he ever dislike her? She didn't smell of sweat at all, only the light, sweet fragrance unique to a vibrant, healthy girl. Words felt insufficient. Instead, he simply lowered his head, closing the small distance between them to gently silence her playful complaints with a soft, affirming kiss.