These Siblings Are So Tsundere! 7k (continued)
However, if we're talking about looks, Horikita could also win.
"..." I always felt that this battle of the command towers could become something magical.
So the two of them went out for dinner together.
After lunch, I went to the supermarket to replenish my supplies.
But.
"This is—" Hachiman was carrying his shopping bag as usual, but noticed that Suzune Horikita had taken out a dark blue scarf from her items.
"You were staring at me the whole time you were leaving the building, weren't you?" Suzune Horikita said. "The weather's getting colder, don't you even notice?"
"Although I know that some boys may be lacking in self-care."
"But if your goal is to become a stay-at-home dad, then you'll need to pay attention to and prepare for things like weather changes."
As she said this, Suzune Horikita took out the dark blue towel.
"..." Hachiman.
He felt that wasn't what he meant.
But we can only accept Horikita's interpretation. I saw it at the supermarket; she bought a dark blue men's scarf.
I thought she was going to give it to her brother.
But it seems that's not the case now.
"That--"
Suzune Horikita, who was holding a dark blue scarf, seemed a little embarrassed.
"When this month ends, then this semester will also end."
"This past year..."
"I've received a lot of care from you. So please don't find it offensive." Even though she felt a little embarrassed to say it, Horikita finally looked up.
She looked over with her radiant gaze.
Forehead.
Don't use this kind of offensive.
Hachiman felt that Horikita clearly wanted to perform well in this exam, but he didn't give her the opportunity, which was a bit too much.
Result.
The other person didn't mean it that way; instead, they misunderstood that he felt cold. So, feeling that she had grown up and should finally reciprocate, she gave him a scarf.
Although I can understand Horikita's thought process.
However, this scene easily gives people...
"Thank you then," Hachiman said.
However, he is now carrying bags in both his left and right hands.
So he didn't have a free hand to receive Horikita's gift.
But that's what I was thinking.
"Lower your head a little," Horikita noticed his expression.
Then she opened the scarf.
It seemed like they were trying to help him put on a protective shield.
Um.
It's quite cold now. I didn't realize my neck felt so bare before, but now I really feel like I need to protect it.
"Um."
Because it was the other party's kind offer, Hachiman did not refuse.
So, as Horikita requested, he lowered his head slightly.
"Wow, the boy is really tall." Suzune Horikita seemed to have noticed something she needed to pay attention to.
However, she only said that.
Meanwhile, Hachiman felt the girl's hand brush across his neck. Her fingers seemed a little cold, but because they were so close, he could smell more of her scent than usual.
Suzune Horikita's voice has a faint jasmine fragrance.
But.
This is probably the smell of a brand new scarf.
"Today isn't February 14th yet, how annoying—"
Because it's a small path that's the only way from the Shopping Street to the dormitory, it's not deserted.
People have already noticed this place.
They probably mistook the two for a couple.
Or rather, their current actions are indeed very similar.
"That's about right." Suzune Horikita wrapped the scarf around Hachiman's neck and tested the tightness with her fingers.
She is very good at housework. Although she is not good at interacting with people, it is undeniable that she is very good at taking care of people.
Hachiman updated his evaluation of her.
And at this time.
"Cough cough—"
There seemed to be someone coughing nearby.
Or rather, a male voice suddenly broke into their midst, saying, "Although disturbing you isn't a good thing, I think it's good to pay attention to the atmosphere at school."
Horikita was startled when she looked at the source of the sound.
Because there was a man wearing glasses standing there.
She was serious and rarely smiled, yet she bore a resemblance to her.
This is her older brother, Manabu Horikita. The Student Council President of this school. A man who leads an entire class all by himself.
He is also Suzune Horikita's older brother.
"Elder brother--"
However, Horikita was so frightened that she couldn't even utter the words "brother".
Manabu Horikita didn't seem to care either.
"There's something I need to ask Hachiman. Can I borrow him?"
Manabu Horikita adjusted his glasses and said.
Keep in mind that this is the way back to the dormitory from the Shopping Street, and Manabu Horikita's sudden appearance is indeed stressful.
At the same time.
Hachiman was sweating a little.
Because.
It is impossible to determine how long Manabu Horikita observed from that location.
"I... I understand." Suzune was still afraid of her brother, as expected.
Or rather...
She finally realized that she hadn't done anything wrong, but it felt like she'd been caught cheating.
Suzune Horikita is not shameless.
Hachiman, seemed calm and collected. He placed his shopping bags on a bench and said, "Wait here for me."
Then, after glancing at Horikita, he followed the Student Council President forward.
The two were neither too close nor too far apart.
However, Hachiman did not appear as composed as he did.
Hachiman knew that many people would misunderstand his relationship with Horikita, but to avoid trouble, he didn't explain.
But what just Matoba must have seemed quite unusual to Horikita's brother.
So.
Hachiman is actually under some pressure right now.
He wants to ask now.
How long did you stay there? And how much did you see?
Manabu Horikita saw Hachiman obediently walk out, but didn't say anything, only tightening his tie.
"You two seem to have a pretty good relationship," Manabu Horikita said. "I saw you two from the Shopping Street."
"So today is—"
Hachiman noticed that the Student Council President was radiating heat.
"I went to the sauna," Manabu Horikita said. "I need to take care of my health occasionally too."
Is that so?
Treating bathing and sauna as a form of health maintenance?
You must have worked very hard.
This is probably the only time I can Matsushita.
As he said this, Manabu Horikita suddenly fell silent, then walked ahead.
Hachiman followed in the footsteps of the other.
It took about five minutes to walk.
"You don't seem to have any opinions at all," Manabu Horikita finally spoke, because he realized that Hachiman had been following him without saying a word the whole way.
She simply followed him, maintaining a calm demeanor.
"More than that, I want to know why you sought me out," Hachiman said.
But Manabu Horikita smiled, a rare occurrence for him. "I do have something to discuss with you. You seem to know that very well."
The subtext of this sentence is that he didn't intentionally go to the Shopping Street to spy on them.
However, this brother was probably well-intentioned.
Hachiman felt that his earlier guess might have come true.
Because during his walk, Manabu Horikita repeatedly pulled up his shirt collar as if to cover his neck, which was a gesture to keep warm when he felt a bit chilly.
Manabu Horikita is a student in Third-year Class A, and he's a prodigy who can carry 39 others.
He has always approached every school exam with a very serious and meticulous attitude, and he knows his importance to the class.
So.
He must have been quite attentive to his health, taking a bath whenever he felt he needed rest.
And naturally.
You also shouldn't easily catch a cold or get sick.
So.
Hachiman speculates.
Horikita's brother probably noticed the change in the weather, so he decided to buy a scarf at the supermarket.
As a result, they accidentally discovered that Ichimoku and Hachiman Hikigaya were also there.
Then I saw that someone had bought an extra blue scarf.
Then perhaps he thought it was meant for him. But his sister is a rather awkward person, so he felt that waiting for the other party to give it to him would take some time, so it was better to just appear in front of the other party directly.
As a result, when they followed, they discovered... that a certain person was wrapping a scarf around Hachiman.