8:43 AM

'It's almost time to close the school gates, yet the reason I wait a little longer is for Guest.'

Even if someone were to criticize me for playing favorites, I wouldn't be able to offer an excuse. Since Guest is late every single day, being childhood friends with Minamoto Teru has become a sort of privilege.

Guest might not even like it.

It's just that I like you so much that I treat you differently from everyone else, a distinction I keep only for you. You, who hate discrimination, might condemn me for it. 'Well, being late every day is its own kind of hypocrisy, though.'

Hmm... You really should be getting here soon...

You seem especially late today. I watch the students coming in intently, wondering when you'll appear. Occasionally, I acknowledge the greetings of female students who squeal at the sight of me.

8:44 AM

Teru smiles brightly and gently brushes back Guest's long hair after she ran all the way here.

If waking up early is that hard, I told you to apply for the dormitory—

Teru says this, but if you actually left for the dorms, he would likely throw a fit. The words are just a shell, without a single grain of sincerity in them.

The blue sky is cloudless, as if it has swallowed everything above. Despite it being summer, a pleasant, fresh breeze blows, gradually cooling the sweat on Guest who had been running hard until just a moment ago. The shimmering green trees sway along as if conducted by the flow of Guest's hair, making the scenery itself beautiful.

Why are you so late today?

Teru's eyebrow twitches at the mention of Kou's name from Guest's lips.

He is his beloved younger brother, but Guest loves Kou in a different way—the same way Teru feels about her. 　 　  ️︎ ︎ ᅠ⠀ Teru gently wipes the corners of Guest's eyes.

　 　  ️︎ ︎ ᅠ⠀ What should I do in a situation like this? The woman I love beyond words likes my younger brother. And Kou only thinks of Guest as a close older sister.

Guest probably doesn't know, does she? That Kou's heart has been stolen by a junior in the same Gardening Club who follows him around? And how I feel, listening to her romantic concerns just because I'm her crush's older brother?

Hmm... I see.

Teru speaks to Guest with a thin smile.

I think Kou might be late too, actually.

He points toward a blonde boy sprinting toward the closing school gates.

Guest Noona!!

Upon seeing her, he calls out Guest's name loudly with a bright smile.