March 25, 2095, somewhere in Yokohama. This bustling spot, frequented by celebrities and commoners alike, hums with life. Yet today, one figure draws every gaze a young woman, or perhaps more accurately, a girl. Miyuki Shiba, a vision of undeniable beauty, captivates onlookers regardless of gender. Her presence in this haven for lovers is anything but solitary, though. Naturally, she has a companion, but to Miyuki, she isn't merely accompanying him she belongs at his side.
Today's outing is no ordinary stroll. It's a celebration, a dual commemoration of her middle school graduation and her birthday, proposed by the one person who matters most to her. For Miyuki, the invitation alone is a gift, one that sets her heart alight with joy. She needs nothing more to be radiant.
As a universally acknowledged beauty, Miyuki's cheerful demeanor only amplifies her allure. Walking through the crowd, she effortlessly commands attention, monopolizing the gazes of those around her.
"She's stunning," one woman whispers to her friend.
"Is she a celebrity?" another speculates.
"I don't recall anyone that gorgeous in showbiz," comes the reply.
Conversations spark among passersby. Some boyfriends, caught staring, earn sharp reprimands from their partners. To Miyuki, though, such reactions are irrelevant. Her focus her entire world revolves around the person beside her. This outing, tied to her graduation and birthday, surely implies a romantic partner… or so one might assume.
"There's a lot of people here," her companion says, voice calm but firm. "Miyuki, let's hold hands so we don't get separated."
"Yes, Brother!" she replies, her tone brimming with delight.
Brother. The word shatters any romantic assumptions. The one she calls "Brother" is, indeed, her sibling Tatsuya Shiba. While he might be a cousin or a close family friend in another context, there's no mistaking it: Tatsuya is Miyuki's biological brother. They don't share an uncanny resemblance, but to those with a keen eye, their sibling bond is unmistakable. Yet, in Miyuki's gaze, there's a flicker of something deeper, an emotion that seems almost too intense for a sister's affection.
Tatsuya, unlike his radiant sister, doesn't command the same immediate awe. Tall, with sharp, intelligent eyes and a voice that carries a depth beyond his years, he's attractive in his own right, though not dazzling. His appeal lies in his quiet confidence and accomplishments top of his middle school class, unwittingly nominated for student council president, a paragon of academic and athletic prowess. Yet, walking beside Miyuki, his shine dims slightly. Her beauty is so extraordinary that even Tatsuya, impressive as he is, becomes a foil. Alone, he'd be rated highly upper tier, perhaps. Next to her, he's inevitably compared, landing somewhere in the middle.
"Her taste in guys is… questionable," one onlooker murmurs.
"Really? I think he's kind of handsome," another counters.
"He's good-looking, sure, but he doesn't match her," the first insists.
"I guess you're right…"
Such whispers trail the siblings wherever they go. Miyuki, however, is unfazed. To her, Tatsuya's presence is her happiness, and no amount of gossip can tarnish that. Tatsuya, accustomed to such remarks, brushes them off with ease. They're not your typical siblings, though. Born just a month apart—Tatsuya in April, Miyuki in March they're the same age for a brief window, not twins but close enough to blur the line. To those who knew them years ago, their current dynamic might be startling. Through trials unspoken, Miyuki's devotion to Tatsuya has become her life's purpose.
"Miyuki, mind if we stop in this shop?" Tatsuya asks, glancing at a hair accessory displayed in a window.
"Of course, Brother!" she replies, her enthusiasm unwavering.
Tatsuya's gaze lingers on the accessory, then shifts to Miyuki. She, mistaking his look for something more, blushes deeply, her heart racing. To her, his every word is a treasure, and she'd never dream of refusing him.
"Welcome," the shop clerk greets them.
"I'd like to see the hair accessory in the window," Tatsuya says, his tone polite but direct.
"Right away," the clerk responds.
There's something about Tatsuya perhaps his composure, unusual for a recent middle school graduate—that sets him apart. He's no ordinary fifteen-year-old. The clerk brings the accessory, and Tatsuya gently holds it against Miyuki's hair. Alone, the piece is beautiful; on her, it's breathtaking, as if crafted solely for her.
"It suits you perfectly," the clerk says, awestruck. "It's like it was made for you."
No one in the shop would call the praise exaggerated. The accessory, nestled in Miyuki's hair, seems to amplify her elegance tenfold.
"Does it look good?" Miyuki asks, her voice soft but eager.
Tatsuya starts to point her toward a mirror but pauses as she speaks.
"As long as I have your opinion, Brother, that's more than enough for me."
Her words stop him in his tracks. They're not the kind of thing a sister typically says to her brother, but for Miyuki, Tatsuya's approval is everything. He'd chosen the accessory with her in mind, so his answer is already decided.
"It looks great," he says, his tone matter-of-fact. "I picked it because I thought it would suit you."
His words, though perhaps too direct for a brother, solidify her resolve. She'd never question his choices, but his confirmation seals her heart completely.
"May I have it, then?" she asks, her voice carrying a delicate charm.
"Of course," Tatsuya replies. "I chose it for you, after all."
The clerk, captivated by Miyuki's grace and intrigued by Tatsuya's unshakable calm, rings up the purchase. Handing the packaged accessory to Miyuki, the clerk watches as her face lights up with joy.
"Thank you, Brother!" she exclaims. "I'll treasure it forever!"
"Forever's a bit much," Tatsuya says with a faint smile. "If you find something else you like, I'll get it for you."
"No, it's perfect!" Miyuki insists. "Anything from you is more precious to me than the finest treasure!"
Her fervor stirs a slight unease in Tatsuya, though he lets it pass. There's something about him something beyond the ordinary brother that lingers in the air, unspoken.