Lily POV
Once my Brother and I arrived at school, for some reason, he decided to walk me to my homeroom.
When I was younger, I would've been embarrassed to be seen with him. But nowadays, I don't really care.
That didn't stop me from complaining about it and telling him to leave alone, though.
That didn't mean there weren't downsides, either. For better or worse, my Brother kind of attracts attention—and not the good kind.
Maybe it was because he always breaks the rules and stands out like a sore thumb, or maybe it's because he's so blunt, but whenever we passed by someone in the halls, their gaze would always linger on him. And by extension, me.
It was annoying. But with him next to me, I was able to continue walking without even so much as a hesitant stride.
As we navigated the halls, we coincidentally ran into Luna and Remi. I was already acquainted with Remi, as we are both in the student council, but Luna was a friend I met because of my Brother.
Luna's eyes lit up the moment she saw us. "Ah! Hoshino and Little Hoshino! Good morning!"
She lunged at me, trapping me in a hug so tight I could feel my ribs protesting.
"Luna… I can't…" I said between struggling breaths.
"Oh! My Bad!" Luna pulled back, scratching the back of her head with a sheepish grin. "Hahaha... Sorry about that—but you're just so cute! I can't help myself!"
I fought to keep a composed, yet friendly expression as a bashful smile threatened to break through. I liked Luna. She always treated me like a little sister—but at the end of the day, she was my Older Brother's friend. So I had to look at least somewhat "chill" in front of her.
"Says you!" I exclaimed with girlish excitement. "You're getting prettier by the day!"
Luna covered her face, hiding her embarrassment. "Aww, stop it. You're going to make me blush!"
"Okay, yes, yes," Remi interrupted, stepping between us. "You guys get along. Now, how about we get moving instead of crowding the halls?"
My Brother scoffed from beside me, a sarcastic grin etching itself on his face. "That's the best excuse you could've found? Aren't you just feeling left out?"
"W-what?!"
Remi flinched back, her face full of embarrassment. She tried to put on a menacing frown, but she just looked like an enraged puppy.
Since she was older than me, I tried to suppress my laughter.
But…
""HAHAHAHAHA!""
Luna and my disrespectful Older Brother laughed in unison. So loud, in fact, that the people in the hall turned to stare, but neither of them cared in the slightest.
"Awwww, is someone maddd?" My Brother teased, his voice cutting like a knife.
"If you were lonely, Remi, you could've just said so!" Luna added, obnoxiously giving Remi "supportive" pats on the back.
Remi's fist trembled. It looked as though she were holding back tears.
Poor girl…
Remi looked around the hallway until her eyes landed on me, sending a silent, desperate plea for help.
Don't look at me like that… I'm trying...
Then—"Pftt."
Despite my best efforts, the laugh leaked out.
Crap!
I quickly slapped my hands over my mouth, but it was already too late.
The anger on Remi's face had vanished deep within the shadow of abandonment that loomed over her face.
She sniffled pathetically, wiping her imaginary snot with her sleeve.
"I see how it is… You guys are all out to get me..."
I quickly rushed over to Remi, holding her by the shoulders. "N-No! It isn't like that! I thought it was pretty funny—but I wasn't laughing at you! I was… laughing with you!"
What a terrible excuse! No way she's going to believe that!
"Really?..." Remi whimpered with watery eyes.
I cleared my throat, pushing down the remaining giggles. "Yes, really!" I said, my voice dripping with fake sincerity.
A wide, relieved smile started to form on Remi's face.
Seeing that, the tension in my shoulders released.
Thank goodness…
"Are you stupid? My sister is obviously just trying to make you feel better. Even my cousin—who's in the sixth grade, by the way—would figure that out."
A cold voice shattered my hard work in the blink of an eye. Remi's smile froze in place, never fully reaching her eyes.
I whipped my head around and gave him a sharp glare.
This stupid Brother of mine! Where is your compassion?!
He simply shrugged before walking up toward us and patting Remi on the shoulder.
"Better luck next time."
That was the final blow. With that, Remi dramatically collapsed to her knees on the floor.
I felt a little… bad for her.
"Remi…" I crouched down to help her, but Luna grabbed my wrist.
I looked up at her, confused, but she simply shook her head. "I'll take care of her. You just go to class, okay?"
"Okay."
I stood up to leave, but just before I did, Luna called out to me one more time. "Oh! I almost forgot. Good luck on your test in three days!"
My eyes widened as I stared at her.
How did she know about that…?
But before I could ask her about it, she slung a catatonic Remi over her shoulder and marched toward their homeroom.
I stood there, watching them go, before my gaze drifted back to my Older Brother.
He was still walking toward my homeroom, not even looking back to see if I was following.
Seeing his retreating figure, a breath of exasperation escaped me.
Seriously… you talk about me to your friends too? Why can't you just admit you love me?
Even though I complained about it, I already knew the answer. This is just who he was. And as much as it annoyed me—I wouldn't have it any other way.
I pushed myself off the ground and, without even dusting my uniform, ran towards him. When I caught up, I gave him a quick slap on the butt.
"Ow! What was that for?!" he hissed, glaring daggers at me.
I couldn't help but giggle. It was easier to laugh than to explain myself. "Hehehe! No reason!"
He rolled his eyes before continuing toward my homeroom.
We didn't say anything for the remainder of the walk. But I was never unsatisfied.