Tatsuya, led by Koharu and Chiaki, entered a nearby café Erika had once mentioned wanting to visit. It was packed with women, male customers scarce.
"Here?" Koharu asked.
"Too girly?" she teased. "I've always wanted to try it."
"If you two are fine with it," Tatsuya said.
He wasn't fazed by the feminine atmosphere but felt mildly out of place. When a waiter moved to pull out chairs for Koharu and Chiaki, Tatsuya stopped him, doing it himself—a reflex ingrained in him.
"You're used to this," Chiaki noted.
"My sister," Tatsuya said. "Comes with the territory."
He answered Chiaki's probe flatly, avoiding mention of the Yotsuba. It was the quickest way to satisfy her curiosity.
"With that sister, no wonder you're good with women," Koharu teased.
"Pretty sharp tongue today, Chiaki," Koharu added. "What's with you?"
"Nothing. Just worried you're getting played," Chiaki said.
"That's rude to Shiba-kun," Koharu scolded.
Tatsuya, uninterested in their exchange, scanned the café. Its upscale vibe explained Erika's hesitation to come here.
"You okay, Senpai?" Tatsuya asked Koharu.
"With what?" she replied.
"Nothing, if you're not worried," he said, eyeing the pricey menu. He could cover it if needed, but doubted Chiaki would accept being treated.
"Looks tasty, Onee-chan," Chiaki said.
"Yeah, I've wanted to come with friends," Koharu replied.
"Third-years are so grown-up," Chiaki said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Koharu laughed.
Tatsuya ate quietly, noting Chiaki's presence helped Koharu relax.
(The food's sloppy. All this decor, but no care for flavor?)
His refined palate—honed by Miyuki's cooking and Yotsuba chefs—found the dish lacking. Still, he kept silent, knowing it'd be unfair to compare. If Koharu and Chiaki enjoyed it, that was enough.
(Others aren't complaining. Maybe I'm too picky.)
He ate on, watching the sisters enjoy their meal.
"Thanks for the food. It was great," Koharu said.
"Yeah, but you sure about the bill, Onee-chan?" Chiaki asked. "My friend said this place is pricey."
"Huh?" Koharu checked the receipt, paling. "…I might be short."
"What now?" Chiaki asked.
Tatsuya, unfazed, grabbed the receipt and headed to the counter, as the café required payment there.
"Thank you," the cashier said.
"Done. Let's go," Tatsuya called.
Koharu and Chiaki hurried after him, stunned by his nonchalance over an amount they assumed was steep for a student.
"Shiba-kun, you sure that was okay?" Koharu asked.
"What?" Tatsuya said.
"It wasn't cheap," she pressed.
"No big deal. I can handle it. If it bothers you, I'll bill Ms. Ono for expenses," he joked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chiaki laughed, catching his humor.
"If it doesn't cover, it's on me," Tatsuya said. "Though I doubt Chiaki's okay with that."
"Hmph," Chiaki huffed.
Calling her by name, as agreed, Tatsuya's casual tone could've passed for sibling-like to outsiders. Koharu, though, felt a pang of unease.
"Koharu-san?" Tatsuya noticed her silence.
"Hm? Oh, nothing," she said, her mood shifting to cheer.
Tatsuya and Chiaki exchanged puzzled glances, unaware she'd been jealous of her sister.
"So, Koharu-san, what about school?" Tatsuya asked.
"I think I can keep going," she said. "Thanks to you."
"I didn't do much. Chiaki being here helped," Tatsuya said, absentmindedly patting Chiaki's head.
Chiaki, initially bristling, softened under his practiced touch.
"Sorry, habit," Tatsuya said.
"…Wasn't bad," Chiaki muttered, looking away.
Koharu laughed. "Chiaki, you're like a moody cat."
"Am not!" Chiaki protested.
"Okay, okay," Koharu said. "Shiba-kun, I'll stay in school, but the Thesis Competition…"
"That's not my job," Tatsuya said. "Leave it to Ms. Ono and Chiaki. Closer bonds and professionals work better."
"Why me?" Chiaki whined. "You're already doing it!"
"If I spend more time on this, I'll need counseling," Tatsuya said. "I've neglected my sister too long."
His words evoked the student council election—Miyuki's psion storm, her standing unshaken at its center. Koharu and Chiaki shuddered, imagining a repeat.
"Everything okay?" Tatsuya asked.
"N-nothing," Koharu stammered. "Say hi to Shiba-san."
"Uh, sure," Tatsuya said. "Mission accomplished. What now? We can part ways."
"Let's head home, Onee-chan," Chiaki urged.
"If you're okay with that," Koharu said.
"Want me to walk you?" Tatsuya offered.
Purely out of courtesy, with no ulterior motives as Chiaki feared, his offer was declined. Chiaki, wary of her growing curiosity about him, hopped into a cabinet.
"What's with you, Chiaki?" Koharu said. "You didn't even thank him properly."
"Do it at school," Chiaki said. "Let's just go."
"Weird kid," Koharu muttered, assuming Chiaki was tired, oblivious to her sister's fear of warming to the boy she wanted to resent.
Note on Chiaki's Position: Chiaki's caught between hating Tatsuya and appreciating his impact on Koharu, complicating her feelings. Miyuki's absence here only heightens her potential jealousy, setting the stage for further conflict.
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