Misaki, can you give us a moment? I said to the girl thats trying her hardest to cling to me while also enjoying my caresses on her head.

She nodded and stepped away, albeit reluctantly. As my hand slipped off of her head, I grabbed her cheek and squeezed in lightly, making the girl produce another pleased smile.

Yep. The girls adorable innocence had already grown on me. The way I treat her is already close to how I dote on my girls

Its quite certain that I would lose the challenge I placed on myself to only see Misaki as my first friend Id be an idiot to not notice that.

Well, for now, I would try my best not to take advantage of her innocence.

Misaki returned to the chair at the other end of this room, leaving Itou and me standing before each other.

I gestured for the girl to follow me to the corner where another set of chairs was conveniently placed.

Upon sitting down, the two of us stared at each other, waiting for who would open up the conversation.

In the end, I took it upon myself to start it. I mean, despite this situation being something she devised, I could instantly see her conflicted emotions through her eyes.

Whatever was in her head, it most likely concerned her sister, Himeko, or perhaps, even Misaki.

Despite her smile-less face, the girl was still as beautiful. She wouldnt be popular if not for that, after all. And although her graceful aura was somehow nonexistent whenever she was with me, that didnt diminish her attractiveness. At least, thats how it was to me.

If other students, especially those who were crushing on her or just her admirers, theyd be shocked to see their ojou-sama acting out of that character. Thats her established image.

Alright Before we start with what were going to do with educating Misaki, why dont we start with whats bothering you?

What are you talking about? Nothings bothering me.

Yes. There is Though I dont mind if you continue bottling it up, I dont want Himeko to be affected by it in the long run. Youre her precious little sister, after all.

As though I triggered a bomb from what I said, Itous facial expression instantly twisted into a frown. However, instead of throwing a fit, Itou only did what she always did. Glare at me.

Oh. Right. She also clenched her fists tightly, enough for them to shake and turn a little red. Itou was clearly seething in anger yet she couldnt express it verbally and its not in her nature to get physical. Thats why this was all she could do to show me how angry she is towards me.

Thats pretty cute. But as always, its not something I will be moved about. Its another thing if she cried though

Itou. We both know that our conversation wont progress if you dont start taking out your issues on me. You can be angry, thats fine. Although I can guess the reason for that, I wont get ahead of myself and assume that is truly the case. Since she was not talking, I had no choice but to continue. I pushed my chair a little closer to her and leaned forward before saying that in a lower volume.

Misaki was looking at us curiously. Shed probably be confused if she heard the topic of our conversation. She never thought that something was going on between us, after all. For her, were both her friends who cared enough to help her understand things shes unaware about.

Take it out on you? As if thats going to help. Im just your girls little sister, right? You cant see me beyond that identity. Itou scoffed but her words were filled with bitterness.

Yep. This girl is truly mad because I keep sticking Himekos name whenever we would interact with each other. She hates that I only treat her as nothing more than Himekos little sister.

Anyway, despite what she said, shes finally letting her real feelings out.

Shes unaware of it though.

Itou As someone aware of most of my secrets, shouldnt you be already aware of how I am as a person? Im someone who can say Im interested in you in front of your face even after showing you my relationship with your beloved sister. Oh. For the record, that hasnt changed.

It's not that long so I still remember telling her that. And what I got from her was just her usual glare and angry reaction. However, following that day, our interactions became less and less. Nonetheless, I was still updated about her thanks to Himekos doting elder sister act who always bragged about her amazing little sister.

I guess that particular part was one of the factors why I keep bringing up her Himeko whenever I would interact with this girl.

Itou took a while to digest what I said. And when she finally reacted, her frown disappeared and what replaced it was a flabbergasted expression as though she heard something she didnt expect.

She then replied stutteringly, W-what did you just say?

Im still interested in you. But Itou, you hated it, right? You hated me for your sister. And you hated how shameless I am. Has that part of you already changed?

Although I already know the answer to that, I wanted to hear it directly from her. Shes already too obvious. She just couldnt be honest in front of me.

O-of course, it hasnt! I still hate you for taking Nee-samas purity. And I still hate you for being the person to solve our situation That should be me She started strong but with each word, her voice grew weaker to the point that the last word was almost a whisper. She averted her gaze and refused to look at me. However, she didnt do anything else.

But even though I could only see one side of her face, I could easily read what was written on it Shes preventing herself from exploding in front of me.

Shes being difficult to herself.

Anyway, what she said was clearly not something she made up. Thats also part of what shes feeling for me Shes working hard to take her sisters place in their company and her end goal was most possibly being allowed to get close to her again.

And when I solved that for them, this girl was naturally grateful at first but as days passed, she probably started piling up possible actions that she shouldve done before I became involved with them

This was just a guess but that negativity from the phrase I shouldve done that before him was conflicting with her growing interest in me.

Have you forgotten, Itou? I never wanted to take credit for it. The reason why youre together again is because of your desire to be reunited I only made the initial push. If thats enough then youre free to throw all your hate at me If that is whats going to make you comfortable. Youre her sister, I will always try to accommodate you.

This time, calling her Himeko's sister again was intentional Shes already pretty agitated and her real feelings started leaking out, after all. This way, I could hear what shes still holding back

And I wasnt disappointed

You I dont want to be just Nee-samas little sister to you! Look at me without seeing the shadow of her! For the first time, she finally made a move. The girl grabbed me by my collar and blurted that out to my face.