A Plan for Eriri
"I've got an idea. But I'll probably need your sister's help."
Before the first class began, Minamoto Senya pulled Yukinoshita Yukino aside into the hallway.
He had spent most of the previous night thinking—off and on—about Sawamura Eriri and how to unravel the knot in her heart.
Now, he finally had a solution in mind. But to execute it smoothly, he needed a certain someone's cooperation.
"My sister, huh…" Yukino looked mildly surprised, but quickly asked, "And what exactly are you planning to do?"
Just then, a group of students passed by, carrying inflated balloons, wooden planks, and brightly painted posters.
Senya smiled. "Simple. The annual school festival is coming up, isn't it?"
"…You mean—"
"Napoleon Bonaparte once said: 'Great deeds make great men.' If Sawamura gets to taste the applause of others—if she learns that the things she's passionate about can also be understood and appreciated by those around her—then she'll regain her confidence. And once that happens, the cruel words of others won't cut her so deeply anymore."
"…Napoleon Bonaparte?"
That's where her focus lands?!
"…Never mind. Just a king from a fantasy of mine."
Asking for Help
"It's rare for the two of you to actually ask me out together like this."
In the school cafeteria, Yukinoshita Haruno sat across from Senya and Yukino, her smile playful as she scooped a spoonful of pudding into her mouth.
"Well? What's the matter?"
Senya glanced at Yukino, signaling her to speak first.
After all, if anyone understood Haruno, it was him—she was an unrepentant siscon.
"Big sister, about this year's cultural festival performance showcase—we'd like to participate."
"Oh?" Haruno set her spoon down, folding her hands on the table. "You and little Senya? That's a surprise. What brought this on?"
"We want to help our classmates," Yukino answered seriously. "To help them rediscover the passion they once had for what they love."
Unlike her elder sister, Yukino didn't smile when she spoke. She sat upright, every word crisp and formal, with an air of gravity.
Haruno tilted her head thoughtfully. She didn't see how participating in the festival tied into "helping classmates," but she didn't really need to. As long as she understood their intent, that was enough.
Resting her cheek on one hand, she asked:"All right. So, why bring this to me? What do you want me to do?"
Yukino froze. Clearly, the words she had to say next were hard for her to force out.
Senya wasn't surprised. That was just Yukino's nature—unyielding, unwilling to ask for favors unless she absolutely had to. Admirably principled, or stubborn to a fault, depending on how you looked at it.
Personally, Senya respected that.
"Haruno-nee, since you're on the student council, we'd like your help adding our names to the performance roster."
"I see…" Haruno's gaze shifted from her sister to Senya.
"But here's the problem—the registration deadline for the showcase was last week.
There are seventeen stage performances scheduled across the two festival days, each with strict time limits.
It took the student council forever to balance and finalize the timetable. And now, just because the two of you suddenly say you want in, should we redo the entire lineup? What if the other participants complain?"
Her words were light and smiling, but her eyes glinted with mischief.
As expected, Yukino's shoulders slumped slightly. Against such reasonable arguments, she had no retort.
From her sister's perspective, Haruno was perfectly right. This was the fair, impartial response of a student council officer.
Yukino fell silent, glancing at Senya.
They had agreed beforehand—if asking Haruno didn't work, they'd come up with another plan later.
Now, faced with the flat reality her sister laid out, Yukino was ready to back down.
But Senya motioned for her to wait.
Their subtle exchange of glances only made Haruno's smirk widen.
"So, what you're saying," Senya asked evenly, "is that if we could somehow keep the other performers from being dissatisfied, then it would be fine?"
"Nope," Haruno shook her head. "Even if everyone else agreed, reorganizing the schedule would still be a massive hassle. I'd rather the student council not have to deal with the extra workload, if possible."
"…"
Senya sighed inwardly. Just as he thought—Haruno wasn't being "reasonable." She was just toying with them. Stirring up trouble for her own amusement.
What a sadistic pastime.
Yukino nudged his leg under the table, her silent signal saying: Let's go. It's hopeless.
Haruno's refusal was plain as day. And truthfully, they were in the wrong here. Rules were rules—why should they get a shortcut?
Even if their intentions were noble, Yukino lacked the confidence to push further.
But Senya ignored her signal.
Instead, he calmly took her hand and returned it to her lap, holding her steady.
His heart was light, unshaken.
Because everything Haruno had said was already within his expectations.
What a joke. If I can't handle a sixth-grader, then what's the point of all my years of life experience?
"Relax. I won't let anyone else complain, nor will I burden the student council with extra work."
From his pocket, he unfolded a neatly folded sheet of paper and slid it across the table.
Haruno raised an eyebrow. "And this is…?"
"The original program list from the Drama Club's planned performance, along with their cast roster."
"…And why are you showing me this?"
"I persuaded the Drama Club to reconsider their piece. The cast will gain a few extra names, but the scheduled slot remains the same—seventeen minutes. I'll make sure we stick strictly to that time, so it won't affect anyone else.
As for the student council, the only adjustments needed are a minor title change and an updated roster. Nothing more."
"… … …"
The playful smile vanished from Haruno's face.
Yukino blinked in surprise. She hadn't known anything about this. Senya hadn't said a word to her about involving the Drama Club.
But her sister's expression right now was priceless.
It reminded Yukino of that long-ago evening, when Senya's words had left her utterly speechless. She hadn't seen that look on Haruno's face in years.
A moment ago, Yukino had been annoyed that Senya hadn't told her about this in advance.
But now… she couldn't help turning her head away, shoulders trembling faintly as she fought back laughter.
"You've already planned everything out, haven't you? If it all fits the rules, then just submit the application directly. Why even bother coming to me?"
Haruno pushed the sheet back across the table.
Her amusement was gone. For someone who thrived on messing with others, the worst thing was becoming the one who got played.
And for Haruno—whose pride was even higher than Yukino's—that brief exchange counted as her second defeat against Senya.
It wasn't just that he beat her. He was also three years younger. That, more than anything, made it sting.
"Don't say that, Haruno-nee," Senya replied with innocent cheer. "You're Yukino's sister, and someone I admire. Of course I'd rather ask you than some stranger in the student council."
The boy who had just outmaneuvered her switched seamlessly into wide-eyed, harmless little brother mode.
Haruno didn't fall for the act—but she did chuckle, her mood lifted despite herself.
Because she sensed that his earlier explanation had been partly a smokescreen. He clearly wanted something more from her.
And indeed, Senya revealed it in the next breath:
"Actually, Haruno-nee, I'd like to ask for your help appearing in our performance as well."
This time, Haruno didn't refuse outright. She slowly raised a finger.
"…Fine. I'll agree. But only if you promise me one thing in return."