Because of how suddenly Itou did that, Misaki, who was watching us from the other side of the room, got a little startled. With a look of concern, shes about to stand up and check on us.

Before responding to Itou who was unaware of it, I turned my head to Misaki and gestured that it was fine.

Fortunately, she understood it. The girl sat back down but she put her hands on her chest, still appearing concerned. If the situation progressed further in this direction, the girl would surely run to us to offer her help.

And because of that, instead of intentionally agitating Itou further, I backtracked and calmly faced her.

I placed my hands on top of hers and gripped them gently as I focused all my attention on her. Without letting go of her, I replied to her outburst with a question, Itou, tell me one thing Is that really what you want?

Upon hearing that, her hands noticeably stopped shaking. She calmed down or it was just a question that made her stop everything else to think of an answer.

While waiting for that, I observed the girl thoroughly. Theres no doubt that shes Himekos sister. They have the resemblance but if Himeko was the shy girl whos finding it hard to socialize with other people, Itou was different. Although shes the type whos hard to approach, the way she looked at people carried some sort of respect. She always meets people through their eyes and not any other part, smiles as a common courtesy if she finds the person favorable, and looks indifferent if shes uninterested.

Ive never seen her get mad about something or someone except when shes dealing with me I guess I get that special treatment.

Anyway, this girl has a straightforward personality. I just dont know why she kept on bottling up her opinions of me.

If I had to guess shes just as inexperienced with romance. She didnt know how to approach it so her head became filled with uncertainty. Shes afraid to face it head-on

But thats until I backed her into a corner right at this moment.

A minute later, Itou opened her mouth. Yes, its what I want to happen. Stop looking at me with a label on my head that reads Himekos little sister.

After saying that, she sat back down but her hands, even though she already loosened her grip on my collar, remained captured by me. Her eyes focused on them but when she noticed that I was watching her, she quickly raised her gaze and acted unperturbed.

I could feel them turning a little cold Shes nervous. But not in a way of being scared of something. She just didnt know what to do in this situation.

And so, she just continued speaking.

I-its a fact that Im her little sister but Onoda, Im also my own person. Please remember that.

She closed her eyes for a bit and exhaled, trying to expel the nervousness she was feeling.

Im used to being labeled with a title; the next head of the Itou Family, the genius princess, the most popular girl in class, and many more. However, those are what people wanted to see me as Is it the same for you? If youre interested in me like you claimed, do you only want to see me as Nee-samas little sister?

Ending that with a question thats clearly just a reverse of what I asked her, her cold hand had begun to warm up again. She regained her calm and confidence.

See, Itou. I started treating you as just Himekos little sister because thats what I picked up from the few times we interact with each other. Youre the one who always went on and on about your Nee-sama. I picked that up and acted accordingly. To satisfy you.

I never asked you to

Yes, you didnt ask me to do that. Like I said, its to satisfy you. To stop you from always being hostile to me. Guess that failed, huh?

Y-you stole her from me.

That I did. However, shes not yours, to begin with. Himeko is also her own person. She has her own choices.

R-right Having realized that shes also somewhat acting the same as me, the girl became downcast. She lowered her head and started muttering silently.

Shes becoming depressed so I gave her hands a tight squeeze which successfully brought her back.

As she slowly raised her head again, I continued. This time, I dropped the question that she would probably say no right away before all this

Itou, do you like me?

As I watched her face put on different sets of expressions as though she was experiencing something unexplainable, I pressed my thumbs in the middle of her palms before gradually filling in the gaps between her fingers with mine

As soon as our fingers interlocked with each other, Itous face settled on one particular expression. Shes not blushing but a thin smile stretched on her beautiful face, washing away any other emotions that she showed throughout that short struggle

And as a reply to my question, Itou bashfully nodded.

I see. Am I the first? I followed it up quickly with another question. This was to take advantage of her current mood. And also to clear up what shes keeping inside her chest.

Within a heartbeat, she nodded once more without saying a word.

Mhm Im honored.

Whats there to be honored for? Im not special. Besides, that just means I also got tricked by you. The same as Nee-sama.

I dont recall ever tricking you. But you know what? This is also a surprise for me. To be liked by the one and only, Itou Maaya, its certainly an honor.

Lies. Youre aware. Youre aware yet you kept acting oblivious. That means you dont like me at all.

Youre making your own conclusion, Itou. I said it a few minutes ago. Im still interested in you.

That doesnt equate to liking me, does it?

Ah. I guess thats true. So, do you want me to say I like you?

Dont ask me. Im not going to answer a shameless guy like you.

Duly noted.

See, this is why I hate y"

Before she could finish her exasperated rant, I leaned forward, pushing my face closer to her ear. After blowing air to it, I affectionately whispered, I like you, Itou.

As soon as she heard that, Itou shuddered and almost jumped from her seat as she hurriedly blurted out, completing what she failed to say, Y-you. I hate you!

The girl tried pulling her hands away but failed to do so completely. In the end, she gave up and sighed.

While I amusedly watched her reaction, I shrugged my shoulders and acted disappointed, I guess I got rejected. Alright then, lets move on to another topic.

Tell me, how did I come to like you? As Itou settled back on her seat, she heavily sighed as she voiced her grievance,

Dont ask me. You see, I also want to know how. I answered before turning my head to Misaki, signaling to the girl that everything was alright.

Yep. Seeing the progress of our talk, even if she couldnt hear it completely, the girl once again reacted when Itou blurted out I hate you to me.

On the other hand, Itou also looked at her friend, sighed for the third time and slid her fingers out of my grasp. Youre right. Lets move on to another topic