"Onii-chan!! Over here!!" Ai's voice cut through the crowd like a firecracker, waving both arms so hard her cap-shaped hair clip nearly fell out.
Shin tilted his head in her direction, smirking. "If you keep flailing like that, Ai, someone's gonna think you're drowning."
"I can multitask!" Ai beamed, still waving with one hand, phone in the other. "Cheering and texting!"
Rika, standing beside her, sighed. "You look like you're trying to signal a rescue helicopter."
"Rescue me from boredom, maybe!" Ai grinned, rocking on her heels. "This is taking forever."
"Be patient," Rika said, folding her arms. "You're going to be here for your own graduation soon enough."
"Yeah, yeah…" Ai's eyes darted back toward the rows of graduates. "Onii-chan looks so weird in a cap and gown."
Shin leaned sideways toward Yuki, muttering, "She's got some nerve. She's next."
Yuki didn't look up from adjusting his tassel. "You do look weird, though."
Aiko laughed softly, leaning just close enough to Shin for her shoulder to brush his. "Don't listen to them, Taa-kun. You look good."
"See, Kiddo? Someone here has taste," Shin said.
"I'm not your—" Yuki cut himself off as the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers. "Forget it. Just… sit up straight or something."
---
The ceremony started, speeches filling the air.
Aiko leaned forward, whispering, "Who bets the principal's speech will be over ten minutes?"
"Fifteen," Shin said.
"Seven," Yuki countered.
"I say twenty," Aiko grinned. "Loser buys lunch?"
Shin smirked. "Deal."
---
From the audience, Ai cupped her hands around her mouth. "ONII-CHAN, DON'T FALL ASLEEP!"
Shin didn't miss a beat. "I'LL TAKE A NAP WHEN YOUR TURN COMES!"
A ripple of laughter moved through the rows around them. Yuki pressed a palm to his face. "You're impossible."
"Admit it," Shin murmured, "you'd miss me if I wasn't."
Yuki muttered something under his breath, too low to catch.
---
Halfway through the second speech, Aiko nudged Shin. "I think you lost the bet."
Shin glanced at his watch. "No, we're still in the safe zone."
Yuki shook his head. "You're both insane. We're literally graduating, and you're timing speeches."
"It's called coping," Aiko said.
---
When Shin's name was called, Ai's scream was instant and piercing. "GO ONII-CHAN!!"
Shin strode up the stage steps, smirk tugging at his lips. As he shook the dean's hand, he glanced toward the audience — Ai was bouncing like she'd just won the lottery, Rika clapping politely beside her.
"Don't trip," Yuki called low from his seat as Shin walked back.
"Worried about me, Kiddo?" Shin said as he sat down.
"Worried you'll embarrass us," Yuki shot back.
---
When Yuki's turn came, Ai yelled even louder. "YUKI-NII!! YOU LOOK COOL!!"
Yuki's ears turned red as he crossed the stage. Shin cupped his hands and shouted, "DON'T FALL, KIDDO!"
Yuki didn't even look at him, but Shin caught the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
---
Finally, Aiko's name was called. She winked at Shin before stepping onto the stage.
From the stands, Rika actually raised her voice. "Congratulations, Haa-Nee!"
Aiko waved toward her, then toward Ai, who was screaming something incoherent that sounded vaguely like "YOU'RE SO PRETTY!!"
---
By the time all the names were done and caps were tossed in the air, the graduates spilled into the open courtyard.
Ai ran toward Shin first, nearly tackling him. "ONII-CHAN, YOU DID IT!"
Shin caught her easily, laughing. "What did you think I was gonna do? Fail out last minute?"
"With you? Anything's possible," Ai teased.
Yuki joined them, still adjusting his gown. "You two are loud enough to be heard in the next city."
Aiko appeared beside him, fixing her cap. "They're just excited."
"Exactly," Shin said. "Show some spirit, Kiddo."
"I have spirit," Yuki replied flatly.
"Sure you do," Shin grinned.
---
They started walking toward the photo area, weaving through the crowd.
Rika fell in step next to Shin. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," he said.
"You've managed not to cause a scene for… what, two hours?" Rika's lips quirked. "That's a record."
"I'll break it soon," Shin promised.
---
Aiko grabbed Ai's wrist. "Come take pictures with me and Rika."
"I wanna take one with Onii-chan first," Ai protested.
"You can do both." Aiko tugged her toward the photo booth anyway.
---
Yuki exhaled, glancing at Shin. "So… now what?"
"Now?" Shin smirked. "We go eat. And I make you pay since you lost the bet."
"I didn't lose," Yuki said.
"Speech was twelve minutes. You said seven," Shin reminded.
Yuki groaned. "Fine. But I'm not paying for dessert."
---
Ai came running back, dragging Rika. "Okay, okay, picture time with Onii-chan and Yuki-Nii!"
Shin leaned toward Yuki. "Smile for her."
"I am smiling," Yuki said, stone-faced.
"That's your angry face."
"It's my normal face."
---
The photographer called out, "Alright, everyone say 'Graduation!'"
"Graduation!" Ai chirped.
"Graduation," Rika said calmly.
"Lunch," Shin muttered.
"My Poor Wallet," Yuki added dryly.
"Future," Aiko said with a smile.
The camera flashed.
---
Ai looked at the result. "Onii-chan, you didn't even look at the camera!"
"I was looking at you," Shin replied.
"…Oh." Ai blinked, suddenly quieter. "…That's okay, then."
Yuki rolled his eyes. "Hopeless."
---
As they moved toward the exit, Aiko looped her arm through Shin's. "So, Taa-kun… serious question."
"Shoot."
"What now? Like… for real?"
Shin glanced at Yuki. "Guess we figure it out. Together."
Yuki shifted his gaze away, but not before Shin saw the small, reluctant smile tug at his lips.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 223 : CAPS IN THE AIR!
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