Chapter 492

"Ah, I think I understand now..."

Gotou Hitori glanced weakly at Ogura Asahi, then immediately looked away, not daring to look at him.

'Ah, saying you can understand what Hikaru Nijika and Kita are thinking, isn't that a bit too arrogant?!'

'But, but, I think I can really understand what they're thinking...'

'So, so beautiful... If she's Mr. Talent's sister, and possesses similar abilities—she's practically a walking fairy!'

'...'

Watching Shiina Rikki brew tea for them, Ogura Asahi pondered with a thoughtful expression.

He hadn't prepared that many pastries, so he couldn't send them any—but even if he had, he wouldn't have given them any anyway.

Appearances aside, if their skills are identical, that's highly suspicious.

Unless he does absolutely nothing under both identities!

"That, before the Asahi... before the Asahi tree,"

To avoid misunderstandings among those around her, Chihaya Aine changed her form of address, asking, "What kind of person is your brother?"

In the spacious hall, as soon as these words were spoken, everyone, including Shiina Rikki who was making tea and preparing snacks, pricked up their ears and listened intently.

Without batting an eye, Ogura Asahi replied, already prepared, "Um... how should I put it, you're like the male version of me."

The five members of the Kessoku Band, as if they had rehearsed beforehand, nodded in unison, their expressions solemn and in agreement.

"A male version of Asahi- san...?"

Chihaya Aine tried to imagine it in her mind... but it was still difficult to imagine.

Is there really another "senior" like this from Asahi —so versatile, outstanding, beautiful, capable, and elegant?

How handsome would he be!

"Simply put, he's just an older brother who's similar to me in every way, only the gender is different. Don't worry about it."

Ogura Asahi added some water to his cup with the teapot, speaking slowly.

"... The second Asahi-chan?"

Nagasaki Sōse stared blankly at his face, her mind reeling.

Is there really another "monster" of this caliber in the world?!

"I understand!"

X N.

Kessoku Band, the members nodded in unison like ducks, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Before today, they didn't believe that there could be another Mr. Talent (predecessor) in the world.

While it's hard to believe that their abilities are equally powerful, it's not so strange that they even look alike...

"Are abilities the same? And grades too?"

Chihaya Aine uncertain.

"They're pretty much the same, since they received the same education."

"Really...?"

She was babbling incoherently, practically drooling.

"Doesn't that mean that Asahi Sang's brother is also number one in the country?"

"That can't be right, hahaha..."

As she spoke, she began to doubt herself.

But when she met Ogura Asahi's ambiguous smile, a chill ran down her spine.

"No, it shouldn't be possible, right...?"

Hehe~

"..."

Seeing his reaction, the MyGO members, who had prior knowledge of the situation, fell silent.

What kind of monsters are this family!

"So, what's this about being number one in the country?"

Ichiji Nijika couldn't help but ask a question.

Gotou Hitori and the others froze, pretending to be ostriches.

I feel like I heard some really powerful word, but I'd better pretend I didn't...

For them, who struggle to even achieve an average score, the title of being number one in the country, or even number one in the school, would be enough to make them feel suffocated!

Among them, the one with the best grades is probably Ichiji Nijika, who is sure to get into the prestigious Houbun University. This is the source of her confidence to ask.

--It's hard to imagine that she is actually the younger sister of Ichiji Hoshika is so poor that calling her a slacker would be an insult to her, and whose academic ability is comparable to her womanizing skills.

Secondly, there's probably Yoro, who doesn't study much, likes climbing trees, often skips classes, and doesn't pay attention in class... but in order to play the guitar, her grades are actually quite Kanau.

Next up is Kita Ikuyo, who is decent but playful.

Then Gotou Hitori, despite her hard work, just couldn't improve her grades and had to get tutoring to pass—she was simply not cut out for studying.

Finally, there's that debt-ridden heiress, guitar Bass collector, master of eating grass at the end of the month, the demon king of the Second-hand Store in Shimokitazawa, the same blue-haired, golden-eyed Chu Zihang, the inheritor of Yui Hirasawa's single-minded thinking, who forgets all the knowledge points after the exam, and boasts that he can get into the University of Tokyo — Yamada Ryo.

This place is truly full of talented people!

"Ah, well, actually..."

As a social butterfly, Chihaya Aine proactively acts as a bridge between the two sides.

After observing the band's demeanor, she felt quite fond of them; they seemed easy to get along with—although they also seemed to have strong personalities, which was a good thing.

After hearing her explanation, Ichiji Nijika also fell into a daze.

"What... Miss Asahi actually got the top score in the whole country for her first year?! Isn't that even better than Mr. Talent?!"

She worshipped him with the same reverence one would show to a genius, no, a celestial being.

Could it be that the younger sister is actually more outstanding than the older brother in terms of academic ability?!

No wonder Mr. Talent rarely talks about his sister. He's so talented yet so humble. So that's why... Poor Mr. Talent!!

Ichiji Nijika's eyes welled with tears as she clutched her heart, heartbroken at the imagined fate that befell her beloved!

He wanted to avenge him, but the thought vanished the moment he caught a glimpse of "her" out of the corner of his eye.

I'm sorry, Mr. Talent... My sister is too majestic a mountain; she's simply not someone a mortal like me could even slightly shake... She resolutely raised the white flag of surrender in her heart.

Leaving aside their innate talents, even in terms of appearance, she couldn't help but feel that her sister's looks were the perfect match for the two siblings... Could it be that Mr. Talent was the inferior version?

No, I don't want that kind of thing...

"Huh? But Asahi- san said that she and her brother are pretty much the same in every way?"

"Uh... eh?"

Ichiji Nijika looked at Ogura Asahi, who was elegant and refined like a white lotus, with surprise in her eyes.

I never imagined that my little sister would not only be incredibly strong, but also so gentle and humble... Ugh! I misjudged her!

"To be honest, we never asked about Talent's achievements; we only knew they were excellent..."

Kita Ikuyo Kokoro pointed it out, her tone hesitant, as if the words related to grades were a bit too hot to swallow.

"He did say he was number one in the whole school, though I don't know which school it was."

Ichiji Nijika froze, as if she had thought of something. Could it be... really?

A genius like her is right here among us? Her pupils contracted and dilated in disbelief.

Who said that the top student in the school can't be the top student in the country...?

"As expected of Asahi- san's older brother, it must be a very famous school, right?"

Chihaya Aine speculated.

"Maybe not, didn't she come to our school too?"

Shiina Rikki looked down at someone with a sarcastic expression.

Ogura Asahi, feigning indifference, rested his chin on his hands and whistled—a gesture so uncouth yet still considered elegant by the others.

Okay, what a playful and elegant feeling... Everyone swallowed hard and forcibly looked away.

"Well, as for him, you should ask your elder brother himself. We haven't seen each other much lately, so I don't know much about him either."

"Don't Asahi-chan and her brother live together?"

Nagasaki Sōse's eyelids tightened, and she asked in confusion.

"No, it's because we all have our own things to do, so we've been living separately since we returned to China."

"Ah, we've heard of that!"

Ichiji Nijika took over the conversation.

"Yes, that's right, but we do see each other occasionally, after all, we're siblings!"

Ogura Asahi gave her an approving look.

"Eh, eh...? Asahi- san, did you live overseas before?"

Chihaya Aine was startled, a wave of dizziness and nausea washing over her.

Shiina Rikki brought over the last order, returned to her chair, but didn't sit down, glancing over with one eye.

In Ogura Asahi's social network, this matter was only mentioned during her last conversation with Toyama Kasumi and the others, but they were not present at the moment.

"Yes, I lived in New York with my parents before, and only came back with my older brother a few months ago."

"Have your parents come back too?"

"No, not at all, just the two of us, but they did come back to visit us during Golden Week."

Don't you feel lonely?

Nagasaki Sōse couldn't help but press for more information, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Ogura Asahi glanced at her sideways. "I'd say I don't have time to be lonely, because I have too many things to do every day."

"I see... that makes sense, after all, Asahi-chan is very busy."

She lowered her head, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

"Is Asahi- san's English very good?"

As soon as she asked the question, Chihaya Aine wanted to slap herself twice. Why did you have to ask such a stupid question!

"It's alright, for normal conversation..."

"I know!"

Yamada Ryo proudly puffed out his chest, which was much larger than Chihaya Aine's, and said as if it were his own achievement, "Talent says his sister speaks several languages, right?"

"You actually remember that..." Ogura Asahi looked at her thoughtfully. Considering her memory, remembering this was indeed commendable.

Especially considering that this was something he mentioned casually a few months ago.

"I suppose so."

"Okay, several kinds?"

Nagasaki Sōse, who usually crossed her fingers with ease, had long since stopped, and gave a somewhat embarrassed, dry laugh.

Which types are they?

Takamatsu Akari asked hesitantly.

Anyone could see that she was simply curious.

"Common languages such as English, Chinese, and Russian..."

"And things like that..."