Chapter 23

The Founding Day was a clear, cloudless sky, perfect for a day at the amusement park.

Surrounded by the three sparkling girls, I was in high spirits.

We arrived just before the park opened because we wanted to ride as many attractions as possible.

The first ride we chose was, of course, the popular roller coasters. We had to ride them when there weren't many people in line.

Some kids from wealthy families hired people to wait in line for them and then switched places when it was their turn, but we decided to wait in line ourselves.

It felt a bit unfair to the other customers, and I thought it was kind of cheating.

Standing in line for a long time was tiring, but it was fun chatting with everyone!

The Pivoine of the Junior and Senior High School divisions are combined, so it seems that Aira-sama and the upperclassmen aren't that close, but they have talked a few times.

Aira-sama is listening to Iware-sama talk about the Senior High School with interest.

I'm glad. I was worried that Aria-sama might be bored being with the upperclassmen she isn't that close to.

If she's enjoying herself, I'm happy too.

The other customers in line were glancing at us.

Ah, I see. They're curious about the sparkling girls. I understand.

It might not feel good to be the ones being looked at, but think of it as providing entertainment during the boring wait, and forgive them.

Looking around, most people came with friends, but there were a few couples too.

Objectively speaking, we look like we're on a double date, don't we?

Iware-sama and Aria-sama look like a beautiful couple when they stand together. Yes, indeed.

What about my brother?

Is he the poor guy who couldn't find a girl to invite on a double date, so he brought his sister?

No way! My brother can't be seen as a loser!

My brother is popular too! He gets a lot of chocolates on Valentine's Day!

He's not a poor guy who can't find a girl to invite!

"Reika, you're thinking something strange again, aren't you?"

My brother looked at me suspiciously.

What are you talking about?

I rode the attractions with Aria-sama.

After all, it's the knight's duty to escort the Queen of Rococo!

Iware-sama looked a bit hesitant about riding with another guy, but it's only natural.

Besides, I have to protect Aria-sama from Iware-sama's charm!

Hmm? Am I being a third wheel?

After riding all the roller coasters, we decided to head to the more relaxing attractions when, to our surprise, Iware-sama bought us churros!

Walking and eating!

I've always dreamed of this!

I'm so happy! It's delicious!

Walking and eating is something that, as a daughter of the Kichijouji family, I would never be allowed to do.

But today is special! It's amazing, I'm so glad I came!

Thank you, Iware-sama for buying us churros.

You really understand girls' hearts! I might fall in love with you.

Feeling happy, I was walking and munching on my churro when my brother and Iware-sama were approached by a group of girls.

They seemed to be from the Senior High School of Suiran. They must have come to play on Founding Day too.

"I can't believe we'd meet Kichijouji-sama and Iware-sama here!"

"Iware-sama, you turned us down when we invited you before."

"Iware-sama, I went to the archery competition the other day. You were amazing!"

"Oh, me too!"

Wow. They look like fans who found their idol.

They're so excited.

Aira-sama and I stood a bit away, quietly eating our churros and watching the situation.

Maybe some of these girls gave my brother chocolates on Valentine's Day?

He usually gets about 20 to 30, including obligatory ones.

Ah, there are girls swooning over my brother too.

Alright. Little Sister-in-Law Radar, ON!

"Kichijouji-sama, Iware-sama, are you two here together today?"

"No, no, not at all. We're with my sister and her senior."

"Sister, sama?"

You just noticed?

"Nice to meet you, I'm Reika, Kichijouji Takaki's sister."

"I'm Mizunozuki Aria, a second-year in the Junior High School. Nice to meet you, seniors."

It's not very ladylike to greet someone with a half-eaten churro, but I smiled and greeted them.

"Oh! Kichijouji-sama's sister?! Nice to meet you!"

They introduced themselves.

However, while they smiled at me, a mere elementary school student, their gazes at Aria-sama were a bit intense.

Do they see her as a rival?

But Aria-sama's enemy is my enemy!

My little sister-in-law radar is beeping.

Besides, it's rude to look at her like you're sizing her up, especially when she's been introduced as my senior.

They seem a bit intimidated by Aria-sama's beautiful and dignified presence.

Aira-sama, who remains calm in any situation, is amazing.

Hmm? There's a senior blushing while looking at Aria-sama. Is she my rival?!

"Kichijouji-sama, can we join you?"

"Yes, it would be a waste not to. What do you say, Kichijouji-sama, Iware-sama?"

"Kichijouji-sama, it's so nice of you to spend your day off with your sister."

"Kichijouji-sama, have you had dinner yet? Would you like to join us?"

"Iware-sama"

"Sorry, but—"

My brother smiled gently.

"I promised to spend the day with my sister and her friend Aria. I'm sorry, but maybe another time?"

"But—"

"I don't want my sister to dislike me. Sorry."

My brother said with a troubled smile.

They seemed unable to push further when they saw his face.

"I don't want to be disliked by my sister either. Sorry. See you at school tomorrow."

"...Understood. It's a shame, but—"

Iware-sama also went along with my brother. I don't doubt my brother's love for me, but Iware-sama is definitely using me as an excuse?

But he bought us churros, so I'll forgive him.

I thought the girls might follow us secretly, but they seemed to respect the boundaries.

We resumed enjoying the amusement park.

In the evening, since I'm in elementary school and Aria-sama is in junior high school, we decided to leave early.

Our family cars came to pick us up, so we dispersed on the spot.

I got into the Kichijouji family car with my brother.

"Reika, why don't we have dinner out?"

"Really?!"

Dinner with my brother alone!

I definitely want to go!

"I want to go!"

"Okay. What do you want to eat, Reika?"

What do I want to eat?

Hmm. I want something simple and down-to-earth. I'm craving the taste of ordinary people.

My brother might allow it.

Curry rice, pork ginger stir-fry, grilled fish set, ramen...

"Omelette rice!"

The omelette rice at a local diner is delicious.

The cook at the Kichijouji house has made it a few times for lunch, but the omelette rice at a restaurant is in a league of its own.

"Omelette rice, got it."

But the place he took me to was a high-end restaurant in Marunouchi, far from a local diner, with a view of the city.

The table had a spotlight from the ceiling, making it very atmospheric.

Hmm? This isn't what I imagined.

The price of the omelette rice on the menu was astronomical, far beyond what I, a former commoner, could imagine.

It's so expensive... for something that's supposed to be a commoner's food.

The omelette rice that was brought to the table was golden and glistening under the spotlight. I almost wanted to call it "Omelette-sama."

The taste was far from common, but it was so delicious that my cheeks almost fell off, so I decided it was fine.

"By the way, my brother and Iware-sama were quite popular today, weren't they?"

When I said that, my brother made a slightly annoyed face.

"Sure, but I wonder if Iware-sama would have had more fun playing with those girls rather than with us kids?"

"...Iware has a girlfriend."

"Really?!"

I had no idea!

"I didn't know!"

"Of course not, I didn't tell you."

"But then, it's a good thing he spent his day off with us, right?"

"The schools are different."

What?!

Iware-sama has a girlfriend! It's not surprising, given how cool and kind he is.

Aira-sama seemed to get along well with Iware-sama at the amusement park, but I hope she didn't fall for him.

On the way back in the car, I immediately sent a thank-you email to Aria-sama.

I preemptively added, "I was surprised to hear from my brother that Iware-sama has a girlfriend! What's she like? Oh, let's keep this a secret between you and me."

I don't think she likes him, but if she ever confessed, "Actually, I like Iware-sama," it would be awkward.

I don't want to have an awkward situation with my beloved Aria-sama.

Aira-sama's reply read, "I also heard about his girlfriend from Iware-sama today. I even heard how they met. Do you want to know?"

It turned out my worries were unfounded.

What am I doing?