Chapter 16

As the fourth grade approached and the weather began to get warmer, the incident occurred.

A male student from another school had confessed his love to Yurie-sama. It was right after school when this information reached us, and I was at the salon of Petit Pivoine to pass the time before my lesson. I was there, too, and I witnessed the moment when a human transformed into a demon.

Daitokuji Masaya dashed out of the salon, and Enjo chased after him. The rest of us, left behind, exchanged glances, unsure if it was appropriate to discuss the matter.

In the end, the male student from the other school was instantly taken down by the Emperor who arrived on the scene, and Yurie-sama was taken away in the Emperor's car, leaving only the fallen student behind.

Since then, the Emperor, in an effort to eliminate any male who approached Yurie-sama, insisted on riding in the Daitokuji family car to and from school, had Daitokuji family-affiliated students at the middle school keep an eye on her when he was away, and even picked her up from her lessons whenever possible.

The Emperor, who was the object of admiration for all the female students, had become a formidable stalker in the making.

Even Yurie-sama, who was usually so composed, felt suffocated by this. No matter how much she loved her adorable younger brother, there was a limit to her patience.

Naturally, she scolded him and, to make him reflect on his actions, issued a no-approach order for a while.

Of course, that was to be expected. By the time you're in the second year of junior high, you might want to go out and play with friends after school or have some time alone.

Being watched all the time, constantly followed, and growling like a fierce dog at any male who got too close to Yurie-sama—frankly, it was a testament to Yurie-sama's broad-mindedness that she had tolerated it for so long.

Now, the Emperor, who had been banned from approaching Yurie-sama, was utterly dejected.

He looked completely deflated.

Even though he wasn't a conceited person, he had always exuded confidence backed by his abilities, and his aura suggested that he could claim the world as his own. But now, that confidence was gone. He slouched with dead eyes, radiating a negative aura.

Even Enjo, who was usually so resourceful, seemed at a loss and could only watch helplessly from the side.

Fewer people were attending the salon recently, perhaps to avoid the negative energy.

Indeed, a wise person would do the same.

But I, being a bit careless, opened the salon door without a second thought, seeking today's sweets. It was a serious lack of foresight.

I quietly drank tea with a few other absent-minded companions. Today's tea was a brand favored by the British royal family.

The ginger cookies that came with it were sweet and delicious. However, I felt I had gained some weight recently, probably because I had quit swimming lessons. I had heard that fat cells increase during puberty and once they do, they never decrease. It was a scary thought.

I had to be more careful. I would eat just one more of these delicious ginger cookies and then stop.

"I'm done for..."

I heard a line I shouldn't have.

"Yurie won't even answer my calls..."

Even now, he was still making persistent calls. That would only make her angrier.

"Yurie..."

He clutched his head, looking like a failed husband whose wife had run away. I couldn't bear to watch.

But I knew Yurie-sama's true feelings.

Since April, I had been attending an English class where I sometimes ran into Aira-sama, who also attended the same class. The other day, Aira-sama told me about her close friend, Yurie-sama.

According to Aira-sama, Yurie-sama felt that the Emperor's excessive restrictions were not good for "cute little brother, Masaya," and she wanted him to grow out of his childish whims. She was trying to make him reflect by pushing him away, hoping he would mature.

"She wants to give him a little wake-up call," Aira-sama said.

I thought it was a bit too effective.

It was clear to anyone that the Emperor was not just thinking of Yurie-sama as a sister but was a lovesick boy. But did Yurie-sama really not realize this? I asked Aira-sama about it, but she was also unsure.

"Probably, she knows Masaya's feelings, but she might not want to clarify them and ruin their current relationship. Yurie only sees Masaya as a younger brother."

For a second-year junior high school student, it would be too cruel to face reality and firmly reject a fourth-grade boy.

Poor Emperor. I remembered a manga where Yurie-sama had broken his heart, and he had been devastated. It seemed this had been a long-standing issue.

As I was lost in these thoughts, the Emperor suddenly glared at me, as if sensing my wild instincts.

"Hey, you."

"Y-Yes!"

Oh no, this is bad. I had stepped on a wounded tiger's tail!

"If you have something to say, say it."

"S-Something to say?"

What do I want to say? My mind was in a panic from fear.

"Um, well, Yurie-sama is just trying to give him a little wake-up call!"

"Huh?"

Oops! I let it slip!

"Why do you know that?"

"I, I heard it from Aira-sama!"

Aira-sama, I'm sorry!

"Aira? You're close to Aira?"

"We attend the same English class!"

"English class... I see."

The Emperor muttered something to himself, but then he suddenly looked up and fixed his gaze on me. His eyes, which had been lifeless a moment ago, were now full of determination.

"Alright, you. Spy for me from Aira."

What?!