Weekend.
Today, he had to take his sister to the hospital for a check-up, or more precisely, a health examination. Regardless, Yuu woke up early as usual.
Morning exercise and reading were mandatory routines. Around eight o'clock, he knocked on Sora's door, then went downstairs to prepare breakfast.
At half-past eight, a pretty little girl came downstairs yawning, clutching a stuffed animal. Today, it was a dolphin, and her long silver hair was neatly combed.
"Stayed up late again last night?"
"No."
"Is Uma Musume fun?"
"Of course… Tch!"
Met with the annoyed glare of the teenage girl, Yuu's smile was as bright as the morning sun outside.
After breakfast and washing the dishes, they returned to the second floor to get ready. After changing clothes and grabbing their bags, they gathered at the entrance.
In front of the small mirror by the shoe rack, Yuu examined his reflection. Though dressed in ordinary casual clothes, he still looked handsome and stylish. He couldn't resist reciting a dramatic line:
"So, who is this all-talented, gentle, and elegant prince, as if straight out of a fairy tale? That's right—it's me."
"Idiot?"
A straw hat covered her silver hair. Her plain white dress formed a slender, delicate silhouette, her back alone looking fragile, beautiful, and captivating.
Sora turned, rolling her eyes. "How old are you, still being so narcissistic? Hurry up, let's go!"
"My dear sister, you're mistaken—narcissism has nothing to do with age. When I grow up and become a dashing uncle, I'll be even more narcissistic than now."
Yuu touched his chin, imagining his face matured and more refined, nodding with satisfaction and anticipation.
Rather than narcissism, he preferred people call it confidence—confidence that his looks and talents were no less than anyone else's, and that whatever he wanted to achieve, he could with effort.
Of course, things beyond human limits didn't count.
For example, catching the Miss System inside his body to torture it into something R-rated or the like—he didn't have that ability, so he wouldn't have such blind confidence.
The house door closed. The handsome older brother and sweet little sister pulled out a long-unused bicycle from the corner of the yard.
The bike was dusty. Yuu had cleaned it thoroughly yesterday—if only the New Status could be used on objects, he wouldn't have spent so long cleaning it with a hose and rag.
"Here, hop on." Saying this, Yuu sat on the cushioned back seat, his expression as playful as a child's.
Sora kicked him off.
"Move, that's my spot."
"Hahaha, you're so cute~"
Yuu laughed heartily, then skillfully moved to the front seat. One foot on the ground, one on the pedal, he tilted the bike so Sora could sit comfortably sideways.
"What's so cute? You think I want to carry you?" Clenching her fist and smacking his broad back, Sora sighed helplessly at her sometimes silly brother.
Once she was seated, Yuu stopped joking. He pedaled firmly, the chain spun, and the bike moved steadier than a freshly started used car.
Leaving the gate, the open road and sunlight hit them both.
"The weather's great~"
"Hmm." came a faint echo from behind.
Facing the ten o'clock morning sun and riding along the cool river, Yuu spoke casually, "Sora, it's been a while since we went out together, hasn't it?"
"Why go out if there's no need? Isn't staying home nice?"
Hugging his waist from behind, her silver hair fluttered softly like silk. Sora answered lazily.
"Is that why you don't go to school?"
"Exactly. Having you is enough. I'll find a way to make money online later. Going out or not doesn't matter."
Sora said it as if it were obvious. She snorted softly, hugging his waist tighter, pressing her cheek and soft body against him.
"If Yuu's not with me, there's no point in going out."
Yuu paused for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.
"Fair point. If you went to school with me, you wouldn't have to worry about me being kidnapped by some random woman anymore."
"…"
Whatever she was thinking, Sora fell silent.
Her small, soft body still pressed against his broad back. Her arms wrapped around his waist like a warm scarf, swaying slightly with the bike's jolts.
Like two people glued together, the season was reduced to spring alone, with no room for cold winds to slip between them.
Yuu didn't speak either. He kept pedaling, passing quiet streets.
Riding a bike with two people was technically against the rules, but a boy carrying a girl usually didn't care about such minor details.
Two wheels rolled along the road. Cherry blossoms and yellowing zelkova trees swayed their bare branches in the northern wind.
Pedestrians walking their pets occasionally prompted a few dog barks, followed by deliberately hushed scoldings.
Birds flew from power lines, a few remaining green leaves peeked over garden walls.
Startled glances from housewives, and a fleeting glimpse of silver hair at the corner of their eyes.
The city scenery passing by always felt more beautiful with someone by your side.
Blue skies, a sun warm like spring.
"Sora, if I buy a motorcycle later, let's go for a ride, okay?"
"…Sure, why not."
Yuu smiled happily.
After about a half-hour ride, before Sora could complain about her sore backside, they arrived at Chiba University Hospital.
It was the largest and most comprehensive hospital nearby. Sora had always been treated here since she was young. Most of their parents' inheritance went toward expensive medical bills and health supplements, just so she could live as healthily as a normal girl.
It was precisely because he feared that money would run out one day that Yuu worked so hard last summer.
Fortunately, those days ended with the system's arrival.
Sora's condition wasn't incurable. It was congenital—her body was weak, and her immune system low. Even a common cold could knock her out, and she'd been a frequent hospital visitor since childhood.
Though not fragile like a glass doll, a severe illness could be fatal.
Sunlight could be enjoyed on the balcony, exercise could be done with equipment, so staying home was actually the best protection for Sora, even if it made her gloomy and socially withdrawn.
After long, costly treatments, Sora's health had recovered to slightly below a normal girl's a few months ago. At least, she could go to school—she just didn't want to.
Plus, recently, Yuu gave her a Life Potion, holy water from another world said to extend life and strengthen the body.
As long as the system's items weren't a letdown, perhaps from now on, his sister could shed her sickly persona?
Though happy, the knot in his heart, once so complicated, had been unraveled by a single bottle of medicine, leaving Yuu's feelings strangely mixed.
Human capabilities truly had their limits…
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"We're here, get off."
In front of the tall, rectangular building, their two-wheeled journey paused.
After locking the bike, Yuu glanced at Sora, who dismounted from the back seat, smoothing her skirt with a flat expression.
"We're just here for a full check-up this time—if your physical condition is confirmed to be normal, you might not need to come here so often anymore."
"Doesn't matter to me. I'm used to it."
Sora held Yuu's hand, leaning against him as if it were natural.
Having been hospitalized often since childhood, she didn't mind the smell of disinfectant. Besides, as long as her brother was by her side, she felt at ease anywhere.
"Let's go. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can go home."
Pressing her straw hat to cover her face, as if afraid to meet others' eyes, the petite silver-haired girl hugged Yuu's right arm and followed him faithfully.
Yuu didn't mind. He led her from the parking area to the hospital's main entrance.
With slow steps, they passed through the hospital's central courtyard. There, lush trees and stone benches dotted the area. Men, women, and children of all ages in hospital gowns casually enjoyed the sunlight. Wheelchairs glided through golden tree shadows, and occasionally, music and laughter filled the air.
A young man with wine-red eyes and a warm smile played an accordion, surrounded by children listening quietly. A blonde girl cheerfully played a harmonica, swaying side to side in front of elderly patients, sending warm, melodious notes into the breeze, adding a vibrant morning hue to the hospital's pale white walls.
Yuu could feel Sora, glancing over, gradually relaxing her tension. A faint smile appeared on her face.