Tatsuya spending a weekend on someone else's behalf was rare. Typically, his time went to Division 3 development, Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion training, or Miyuki. Today, he chose otherwise.
"Shiba-kun, you're always so busy. What do you do?" Koharu asked.
"Nothing special," Tatsuya replied, deflecting. "I don't think I'm that busy."
"Saegusa-san and Watanabe-san say you brush them off," Koharu pressed.
"Those two? Their plans spell trouble," Tatsuya said. "I decline, even if I'm free."
"Really?" Koharu tilted her head.
Tatsuya sidestepped further probing, unable to disclose his bodyguard duties or military ties.
"You're famous in my class," Chiaki chimed in. "A Course 2 student respected by Course 1 seniors."
"I'm glared at twice as much," Tatsuya countered.
He handled Chiaki's jab with ease, mature enough to manage even those who disliked him.
"So, where are we going?" Koharu asked.
"Up to you," Tatsuya said. "It's for your relaxation. Your call, not mine."
"Then, since Chiaki's here, let's shop for clothes," Koharu suggested.
Chiaki beamed at her sister's glance, and Tatsuya noted their close bond.
"Rumor has it you were on a date with an older woman this summer," Chiaki said.
"What? First I'm hearing of it," Koharu said. "Who said that?"
"A friend," Chiaki replied. "Mid-summer, they saw Shiba-kun with a stunning woman. Looked like a date from afar."
Tatsuya rubbed his temple, likely recalling Kyoko. Not tired, but the gesture was becoming a habit.
"So, is she your girlfriend?" Chiaki asked bluntly.
"Pretty direct," Tatsuya said. "Most people would be subtler."
"I know I can't outsmart you, so why bother?" Chiaki shot back.
Tatsuya sighed under her glare. "I'm not dating anyone. She's a work senior who helped me pick a gift."
"Hmph, okay," Chiaki said, unimpressed.
Koharu, however, looked visibly relieved.
"Onee-chan, you okay?" Chiaki asked.
"I'm fine!" Koharu deflected. "Hey, wouldn't this suit you, Chiaki?"
"No way! I'm not a kid anymore!" Chiaki protested.
Koharu's clumsy topic shift worked, and Chiaki dove into browsing with her.
"What do you think, Shiba-kun? This suits Chiaki, right?" Koharu asked.
"Maybe this one's better," Tatsuya suggested.
Chiaki glanced at his pick. Despite her dislike, his choice matched her taste.
"Not bad taste," she grudged.
"Try it on," Koharu urged.
Chiaki did, and Koharu stifled a laugh. She couldn't fathom why Chiaki disliked Tatsuya, chalking it up to her shy, stubborn nature.
"What about me, Shiba-kun? What'd you pick?" Koharu asked.
"Isn't this off-topic?" Tatsuya said.
"You said you'd go along with my whims!" Koharu teased.
"Fine, but don't complain," Tatsuya said. "I'm no fashion expert."
Koharu smiled at his modesty. Mayumi once said Tatsuya seemed older than his years, but up close, his subtle embarrassment felt age-appropriate, reassuring her.
"How's this, Onee-chan?" Chiaki emerged.
"Looks great. A bit mature," Koharu said.
"I'm a high schooler! Not a kid!" Chiaki huffed.
Koharu laughed, cherishing their sisterly moment.
"Try this, Hirakawa-senpai," Tatsuya offered.
"No way, that's for someone more… mature," Koharu said.
"You're a college student next year, Onee-chan," Chiaki said. "One like this wouldn't hurt."
"You too, Chiaki?!" Koharu huffed, heading to the fitting room.
Left alone, Chiaki turned to Tatsuya.
"Why are you doing so much for Onee-chan? Do you like her?"
"No," Tatsuya said flatly. "We barely know each other. I was just there at the incident and comforted her."
His emotionless response unnerved Chiaki, making her question if he was even human.
"Hirakawa?" Tatsuya asked, noticing her unease.
"N-nothing…" Chiaki stammered.
"You looked off. If it's nothing, fine."
Tatsuya's knack for handling sisters, honed by Miyuki, showed in his subtle care. Unaware of it, he made it worse.
"How do I look?" Koharu emerged.
"Beautiful, Onee-chan," Chiaki said.
"It suits you," Tatsuya added, unfazed.
Koharu blushed profusely, as store staff later noted.
"Just call me Koharu," she said. "With Chiaki here, it's less confusing."
"No need," Tatsuya said. "I use formal speech for you, casual for her."
Koharu's bold suggestion went unnoticed by Tatsuya's obliviousness.
"…Just for today, then," he conceded.
"Really?!" Koharu beamed.
"If we're alone," Tatsuya clarified. "Around others, I'll keep it formal."
Being called by her first name thrilled Koharu. Unlike Mayumi, Mari, or Suzune, whom he called by surname, this felt special, lifting her spirits.
"Where next, Koharu-san?" Tatsuya asked.
"Let's eat," Koharu said. "Chiaki skipped breakfast."
"Fine by me," Tatsuya said. "You good, Hirakawa?"
"Sure," Chiaki said. "Call me Chiaki too."
"Got it."
Chiaki's complex gaze lingered on Tatsuya. The boy she feared might steal her sister was brightening Koharu's heart, leaving her torn.
Note on Chiaki's Turmoil: Chiaki's heart wavers between resentment and confusion as Tatsuya uplifts Koharu. Miyuki's possessiveness could flare, sensing a threat in Koharu, brewing a storm of sibling jealousy.
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