Chapter Six: Is It Really Acting?
After Yukino’s explosive statement.
The first to break the silence in the Super Research Department was—
“Konagi, are you okay?”
Kanon rushed to Nagino’s side, very worried after hearing the noise she just made.
“Ah? Um, I’m fine… just a little careless…”
Though Nagino was startled by Kanon’s sudden closeness, she voiced that she was okay.
However, Kanon didn’t seem relieved.
He extended his hand.
He held Nagino’s soft and delicate little hand in his own, examining it repeatedly.
As if worried that her fair hands might be cut or burned.
“Um, Kanon-kun, I’m really fine, the cup didn’t break, and it was just chilled barley tea…”
Meanwhile, Nagino’s face turned crimson as she lowered her head.
—The plan worked.
But deep down, she wore a triumphant smile.
The previous panic was all a performance, showcased through her skills as a former “genius child star.”
After all, she had played “Star Pull 2” countless times.
She was well aware of Yukino’s devilish, dark personality.
She loved to utilize her persona as “the protagonist’s little sister.”
Stirring the main character’s jealousy toward the heroine, feeding off their panic-stricken expressions as her form of sustenance, she played the “bad woman.”
While she typically presented a composed and elegant demeanor around outsiders, that was merely her mask.
Her role was similar to that of the protagonist’s “adorably troublesome friend.”
Having grown up without knowing how to interact with the “brother” living in her home, she eventually developed this little devilish “disguise.”
Thanks to her, the protagonist in the original story was able to spend his childhood relatively normally after losing his parents.
In this world.
Because Nagino had been by Kanon’s side since childhood, she had long established a relationship with Yukino.
Her “persona” had already been seen through by Yukino.
Thus, she would occasionally launch a “sneak attack” on Nagino like this.
However, today was the first time it was a direct assault.
But Nagino was already well-prepared for this.
Since her persona was that of “the childhood friend who has a crush on Kanon.”
Naturally, she had to display her flustered reaction upon hearing Yukino’s confession.
After all, she was a top-tier actress.
She had to make these small details perfect so that no flaws would be discovered.
“By the way, Kanon-kun, isn’t your heartbeat a bit too loud? Just holding hands makes you this nervous?” Nagino thought inwardly as her thoughts returned.
But as she slowly raised her head and glanced at Kanon’s expression.
She found that he had no signs of shyness at all; instead, he wore a face of worry and seriousness.
The sound of her heartbeat was so loud.
Huh?
Is that my heartbeat?
Her small hand, damp from the cold tea, was tightly held in Kanon’s warm hands.
Compared to a girl’s soft, delicate hand, a boy’s hand appeared larger, with protruding knuckles, feeling somewhat hard and rough to the touch.
Nagino’s delicate and sensitive fingers were pried apart by Kanon’s slightly rough fingertips, as his unique fingerprints gently brushed against her soft skin.
The cold barley tea combined with the rough fingertips stimulated the sensitive nerves on Nagino’s palm, causing her slender fingers to twitch slightly.
Crystalline drops flowed through the delicate, slightly pink creases between her fingers, dripping onto the floor and leaving dotted wet spots.
The unusual sensation made Nagino gently bite her full lips, trying to suppress the sweet breaths that almost escaped her.
Stars twinkled chaotically.
“Um, um… I’m fine—”
Finally snapping back to reality, Nagino abruptly withdrew her hands.
But the lingering warmth from Kanon’s hands seemed to remain in her mind.
Feeling inexplicably shy, she couldn’t help but look away, glancing at the nearby window.
Reflected in the glass of the window was a black-haired beauty, her face flushed, hands tightly clasped before her chest.
Her bright, moist eyes were currently filled with uncertainty and confusion.
The starlight in her dark eyes flickered wildly.
Why?
I didn’t intentionally stir up the starlight, did I?
Why is my heart racing so fast?
“Nagino-chan, hurry and dry your hands.”
At that moment, Mahiro reached out to help.
She took a white handkerchief from her pocket and helped Nagino dry her hands.
“Th-thank you…”
“Sis Nagino, are you okay?” Yukino also approached with genuine concern.
“I-I’m fine, sorry to worry everyone…” Nagino forced a smile to reassure them.
After all, genuine regret was evident on Yukino’s face.
In the original “Star Pull 2,” while Yukino had a bit of a dark side, she was fundamentally good-hearted, understanding when to prank and whom to target, and would apologize promptly if she truly did something wrong.
So at this moment, she was probably really a bit worried about her.
“All of this was because of this guy Kanon, making such a big fuss.” Rin approached Kanon and helped him clean up the spilled cup and barley tea.
“Sorry, I was a bit flustered,” Kanon realized his mistake and apologized with his head lowered.
This was all because just a moment ago, he had focused all his attention on Nagino.
Especially after hearing Yukino’s mischievous remark.
He grew inexplicably anxious and tense, worried that Nagino might misunderstand his relationship with Yukino.
That’s why that scene unfolded.
Only now did he realize how bold his actions had been just now.
At the same time, a very inappropriate thought suddenly crossed his mind: “Oh? Nagino’s hand, did it always feel this nice?”
Ever since he entered second grade, he had not held Nagino’s hand again.
This long-lost sensation suddenly made him feel that Nagino’s hand was so small and soft.
The sensation was pure bliss… no, no, Kanon, what strange thoughts are you having!? Get a grip!!!
As he shook his head to dispel the youthful notions in his heart, he slowly returned to his seat.
Once Yukino was back in her own place,
Kanon took the initiative to ask:
“So, what were you trying to say earlier?”
“What? Are you really planning to respond to my confession, Onii-chan—”
“That’s absolutely out of the question.” While saying this, Kanon couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Nagino.
Just as their eyes met, he realized that her face was still flushed and looked enticing under the light.
Then they both unconsciously looked away.
Seeing this scene, Yukino’s eyes glinted with mischief.
“By the way, didn’t Onii-chan just now act rather rude, completely ignoring the girl who confessed to him~ That was totally a scummy guy move~”
“No, who would treat their sister as a woman?”
“Wow~ Such outrageous commentary~ Onii-chan, saying this will get you beaten up by all the brother-complex fans in the world!”
“Before that, I’d rather deal with you first.”
“Domestic Violence!? Is it DV? Though you’re my Onii-chan, I should really think twice about DV boys…”
“For some reason, I suddenly really want to become a DV boy.”
The banter between the siblings eased the atmosphere a bit.
Everyone probably understood this was their usual joke.
“I see, no wonder Kanon’s sharp wit is so strong, I guess I see where it comes from,” Rin expressed in sudden realization, nodding her head.
It seemed she had unraveled a mystery.
Mahiro was somewhat surprised.
That weak and introverted Kanon would show such a dominant side in front of his sister.
“So, Yukino, are you currently troubled by the boys confessing to you?” Mahiro picked up on the previous topic.
As a mixed-race girl, Mahiro was liked by many boys in Starlight Academy, and she might just be able to provide advice to this cute junior.
By the way,
The boys who had their confessions rejected by Mahiro had yet to summon the courage to face her again.
She was gradually earning titles similar to “Ice Queen” or “Sharp-tongued Pixie” among the boys.
“Yes~” Yukino gave a bitter smile and continued:
“Every time I reject someone’s confession and see the sadness on their faces, I can’t help but feel sad too…”
“No, you definitely didn’t think that way,” Kanon called out Yukino’s insincere words.
“So I thought of a good idea!”
“Wow, ignored. This guy really ignored my statement.”
“As long as Onii-chan and I pretend to date, others would think ‘this kid is a hopeless brother-complex person’ and give up on pursuing me, making it a plan where no one gets hurt, right?”
“Aren’t the victims right here!? Have you considered that I could also be seen as ‘Oh, this kid turns out to be a hopeless sister-con’?!”
“Ah, my bad, so you are a person after all, Onii-chan?”
“What exactly do you think I am in your eyes!?”
“It’s just my oversight, but it’s fine; even if Onii-chan resembles a human now, this plan would only lead to damage to our reputations.”
“Wait, if that’s the case, I have an even better idea to avoid unnecessary reputational damage,” Rin chimed into the siblings’ conversation.
“Yukino, you can continue to pretend to be sister-con, but let me and Kanon date instead—” Rin spoke solemnly and passionately.
“This way, others will understand that you’re just a girl who prefers ‘the super friendship between guys,’ and other boys will no longer pursue you. What do you think?”
“Why does it feel like my reputation is damaged even more?!” Kanon felt like the outcome had gotten worse.
“I see. If that’s the case, I won’t be seen as a person who is dating the now lifelike Onii-chan.”
“Wait, so Yukino’s reputation is being saved!?”
…
Watching the three continue their silly banter, Mahiro couldn’t help but smile helplessly.
If Yukino really joined the Super Research Department, it would definitely become lively in the future.
Meanwhile, Nagino seemed still shaken from the earlier shock.
Her adorable face remained as flushed as an apple.
At that moment.
A knock on the door broke up Kanon and the others’ comedic performance.
“Yahallo~ Sorry to bother you~”
The new student council president, “Iketani Mika,” entered.
“Today’s Super Research Department is as lively as ever… wow~ such adorable kids~”
The scene before Kanon felt oddly familiar; he seemed to have witnessed it last year.
“Hello, I’m Tsukimi Yukino. Please take care of me.”
Upon seeing Mika enter, Yukino immediately adjusted her posture, revealing her dignified and graceful side.
“Hello, I’m the student council president, Iketani Mika~” Mika returned the greeting but seemed to notice something.
“Tsukimi… could it be…”
“Yes, I am—”
“How many times are you going to drag this out!? Get out of my way!” Kanon rushed out to interrupt.
Mika had come to bring a request for the Super Research Department.
