Takumi Yuuya came downstairs and opened the living room door.
"Kyousaka, I'll head back first."
"I'm planning to go to the convenience store. Let's go together," Kyousuke Kousaka said, standing up.
Takumi nodded.
They changed into their shoes and left the Kousaka residence.
Takumi pushed his bicycle, while Kyousuke thought carefully about what he should say.
Once they were a safe distance away, Kyousuke finally spoke.
"The thing you mentioned during lunch… was that about Kirino and me?"
"Yes."
"You were pretending to be Kirino's boyfriend to test my reaction?"
"Yes."
"What was Kirino's reaction?"
"She was disappointed… but not enough."
Takumi stopped and looked at Kyousuke.
Kyousuke understood immediately. His eyes hardened with determination.
"I'll make sure Kirino feels disappointed."
"Remember, showing indifference is the correct approach. The more you care, the more complicated things become."
"I understand. Thank you, Takumi."
"You're welcome. I'll be off now."
Takumi patted Kyousuke on the shoulder.
Kyousuke returned home.
Manami Tamura didn't ask any questions.
He sipped his drink, glancing at her, deciding that this matter wasn't something to discuss with her.
Then he remembered what Takumi had said: it wasn't enough.
What more could he do to make Kirino truly disappointed?
Indifference was the first rule.
The second?
"Leave the house as much as possible and avoid seeing her."
"And the excuse for leaving…"
"Extra lessons. Right. I can go to a cram school. Use the need to prepare for university entrance exams as an excuse, rent a room near Soubu High, and study there."
Kyousuke considered the plan. It was perfect.
Using university preparation as a reason, his parents would never refuse.
His father had even said before that it was okay for him to attend cram school.
Back then, he thought it was a waste of money and preferred Manami to tutor him.
Now, leaving home was necessary. As a brother, this was the right thing to do.
"Click."
The sound of the front door opening reached him.
Kyousuke got up and saw his mother returning from shopping.
"I have something I want to discuss with you," he said.
"Seeing you so serious is rare. What's the matter?"
"I want to attend the same university as Manami. I need to focus on improving my grades now," Kyousuke said, already having prepared his reasoning.
Upstairs, Kirino had just stepped out of her room and overheard him.
She clenched her small fists.
Kyousuke's words made Kayo Kousaka pause. Then she covered her mouth, smiling.
"You like Manami?"
"N… no. It's just that as childhood friends, I don't want to lose to Manami," Kyousuke replied.
"Alright, alright. I understand."
"I want to attend a cram school near Soubu High, rent a room there myself, and you can cover two months' rent. I'll get a part-time job to cover the rest."
"Fine. I'll talk to your father when he comes home," Kayo said, relieved.
"Thank you," Kyousuke said, bowing.
"Ah, excuse me," Manami stepped out of the living room.
"You're here too?" Kayo asked, surprised.
"My home is a little noisy today. I wanted to study here," Manami explained.
"Then stay for dinner before heading home."
"Sure, I can help prepare dinner."
"Manami really is a good girl. Kyousuke, if you ever disappoint her, don't come home again."
"Aunt…"
Manami blushed, looking at Kyousuke.
Kyousuke scratched his head, unsure how to respond.
Around the corner upstairs, Kirino listened to their conversation, her eyes clouded with disappointment.
She knew her parents held Manami in high regard.
At Kisou School, Takumi went upstairs.
Shouko Nishimiya was communicating with another girl in sign language. Upon seeing Takumi at the door, her face lit up.
She signed a quick greeting and walked over to him.
Takumi handed her a bag of candies.
Shouko understood immediately, took the candies, and distributed them to everyone in the classroom.
"Affection from Nishimiya Shouko +50"
After she finished, she packed her bag and left the classroom.
Takumi reached out his hand.
Blushing, she still extended her small hand.
On their way downstairs, they ran into a teacher.
The female teacher froze briefly upon seeing them.
Shouko introduced Takumi through sign language.
After seeing this, the teacher smiled warmly and said,
"Take good care of Shouko. She's the kindest girl I've ever met."
"I will," Takumi promised, holding her hand tightly.
Outside Kisou School, Takumi patted the bicycle's back seat.
Shouko obediently climbed on.
Takumi rode with her to a fast-food restaurant and ordered their food.
They sat by the window.
Takumi pulled out the notebook.
"Did you think about me today?"
Shouko nodded at the line.
"Do you want to attend a regular school? Yukino can teach sign language. I can arrange for you to be in the same class as her."
Shouko shook her head and wrote her reason in the notebook.
"I really want to go to a regular school, but I don't want to trouble anyone. It's fine here, and my mom won't worry."
Takumi read and wrote again.
"Then I'll buy a house nearby this week and have a girl help take care of you. How about that?"
Shouko shook her head.
"I can take care of myself. My mom will pick me up in the afternoon."
"You need a friend."
"I have friends at school. Their families also pick them up late."
"And what if I want to tease you?"
Shouko's face turned bright red at that.
Takumi kept writing.
"If I buy the house, I'll have a place to rest. We can read, watch movies, or play games together."
"Every time I come see you, I have nowhere to go. I can't exactly take you to a hotel, right?"
"Of course. If you want, we can check out a hotel now."
Shouko's face turned even redder at Takumi's words.
Takumi took out his phone and called Yaeko Nishimiya.
Seconds later, Yaeko answered.
"Master Takumi, what's the matter?"
"I want to buy a house near Kisou School for Shouko. Can you go check some out?"
"…Understood."
"Make sure she can move in this week."
"Okay."
"Bring several options so she can choose. Don't worry about the price."
After speaking, Takumi hung up.
Shouko looked at him, unsure who he had called.
Takumi wrote the phone conversation in the notebook.
"I've asked Miss Nishimiya to find houses. You'll visit them with her. Don't worry about price; what matters is that it feels like home."
Shouko opened her mouth, then wrote a reply:
"You're giving me too much."
Takumi smiled.
"This way, you'll never be able to leave me."
"Affection from Nishimiya Shouko +50"