Yuu and Sora paused for a moment. After listening for about ten seconds, he snorted as if unwilling to be outdone:
"If I brought a musical instrument, I could steal all their popularity right now and hold a concert for you."
"Really?" Looking at him competing for attention like a child, Sora glanced around and pointed at a leaf on the grass. "Then can you play a leaf flute? There's an instrument right there."
Following her finger, Yuu shrugged. "Sorry, not every leaf can be made into a flute. To make a good sound, you need a smooth, flexible, oval-shaped leaf."
"Then forget it." Sora didn't care. If her brother actually started playing a leaf flute there, she'd feel embarrassed instead—though she wouldn't be the center of attention, just imagining squeezing through a crowd to watch his performance made her uncomfortable, like a socially anxious person thrown into a mob.
"The health check won't take long. I want to hurry home and rest."
"Play games?"
The two resumed walking, passing through the relaxed yet lively hospital courtyard, heading toward the main entrance.
At that moment, amid the crowd, Yuu spotted a familiar figure.
As his gaze landed, the person seemed to sense something and turned. Beneath a pristine white beret, bright golden eyes blinked.
"Yuu-senpai?"
Her voice was soft and calm, yet clear amidst the melody-filled breeze.
Before Yuu could respond, Sora reacted first.
"Yuu… senpai?"
Muttering, she lifted the brim of her straw hat with her index finger, frowning as she stared at the white-haired girl not far away.
Then she froze.
"H-Her character overlaps?!"
Their hair was the same long silver-white, their bodies equally petite, and their chests similarly modest.
She called Yuu so familiarly. Plus, Yuu had admitted to being a brocon, meaning he liked petite girls like her.
If there wasn't a blood relation between them…
"Hiss…"
A cold breath filled her lungs. Her body trembled unconsciously.
For some reason, Sora felt an intense sense of crisis, even greater than when she learned her brother had a girlfriend!
"That's Tachibana, what a coincidence."
Unaware of the tense little face hidden under the straw hat, Yuu greeted Kanade. "You here for a doctor's visit too?"
"Yes, I have a heart condition." Kanade answered honestly and flatly, seemingly unbothered by others knowing she was ill. "Senpai too?"
"Huh? My heart's perfectly fine."
Kanade paused, tilting her head as if confused. "Hmm… I wasn't asking about that. But health is better than anything. Congratulations, Senpai."
"I'm not kidding. I'm here with my sister for her check-up." Yuu smiled, patting Sora's head. "Sora, this is my underclassman, Tachibana Kanade. She's your age."
"Nice to meet you." Kanade bowed slightly, greeting earnestly. Her round white beret nearly slipped off her head.
Sora hesitated. Clutching Yuu's arm tighter, she whispered, "…Nice to meet you."
Then she stomped on the back of his foot, grinding it as if venting her anger.
Yuu's expression didn't change; he still smiled warmly and cheerfully—but inwardly, he was full of questions.
(My dear sister, you're shy, sure, but why attack me?)
"Um…" Kanade observed the face under the straw hat. Her puzzled eyes showed concern. "Are you okay? Your expression looks a bit off…"
"I'm fine." Sora buried her face in Yuu's arm, speaking coldly. "Don't mind me. Can we go now?"
The last sentence was directed at Yuu.
Sensing his sister's wariness and insecurity, Yuu didn't say much. He nodded to Kanade, then led Sora away from the hospital courtyard.
Kanade watched their backs, adjusting her slightly tilted beret, muttering expressionlessly, "…What, do I look scary?"
She sighed, as if slightly bothered, before refocusing and continuing to enjoy the accordion and harmonica performance.
"By the way, Yuu-senpai and his sister are really close…"
(If I had a brother, could I act spoiled like that too?)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Why are you mad?"
In the same tone he'd use to soothe a girlfriend, Yuu wiggled Sora's small hand.
Though he enjoyed her reaction, Sora's face didn't soften at all.
"I'm not mad."
"Jealous? Seeing me talk to another girl?"
"Absolutely not. Don't be so full of yourself."
"Got something you want to ask?"
"…Are you and Tachibana Kanade that close?"
"Ha, you are jealous."
"…"
Her small face flushed with anger. Sora grabbed his arm and bit it.
Worried about hurting her, Yuu didn't resist, letting her leave warm teeth marks on his arm.
He laughed casually. "You weren't worried when I got a girlfriend, but I really don't know what's got you worried now."
"You wouldn't understand." Sora puffed out her cheeks, muttering, then turned away as if sulking.
Yuu thought for a moment and quickly drew a conclusion. "Oh, I get it. Tachibana's a lot like you. You're afraid I'll turn to her?"
"Who's worried about that?! I don't care about you, you big idiot!"
As if her little unspoken secret had been exposed, even the tips of her pale ears turned red. Her light-colored eyes glared fiercely at him, and though hidden under the shadow of her straw hat, she still looked shy and charming.
Seeing she wasn't scared at all, her small face puffed up like a steamed bun. Sora finally stomped her foot hard and marched toward the hospital's main entrance alone.
"I'll do the check-up myself. Don't follow me!"
Yuu, of course, didn't listen.
With a doting smile, he slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled leisurely behind Sora, admiring her hurried, adorable back like a little rabbit. He even teased in a flirty tone:
"Sora, don't worry, your brother will never turn away~"
"Shut up! Shut up! Idiot!"
"Keep scolding, keep scolding. Tachibana-san wouldn't scold like that."
"Pervert!"
A rare morning, a rare closeness, rare laughter and anger under the sunlight.
This was the daily life of the Tenkuji siblings, one of its rare scenes.