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“I never thought I’d become your senior here too, Uemura.”

“Seriously, I’m just as surprised. Who knew someone like you could get into this university, Napolitan-Senpai?”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment, or are you looking down on me?”

“Oh! It must be through some special talent admission, right?”

“Gah.”

In this short exchange, I scored a victory by hitting the nail on the head. This guy is like a bundle of athletic prowess, though he’s quite small.

The girl next to Senpai laughed, covering her mouth lightly. Oh wow, she’s a real beauty. Long black hair and big breasts… Oops, we made eye contact.

Better play it safe.

“Uh, and who’s this? Your guardian?”

“I’m going to punch you. This is my childhood friend and basketball buddy, Yoshioka Kayo. She’s visiting from another university.”

“Right, you did play basketball in high school… Ow, my head.”

Napolitan-Senpai’s high school basketball team was pretty strong. But to me, it just reminds me of a troublesome girl from my class who was also on the team. I heard she got into some women’s colleges on a basketball scholarship. I wonder what she’s up to now, that Midorikawa girl.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoshioka Kayo. Thanks for taking care of Naobo-chan.”

“Oh, you don’t have to be so formal with me. Just like Senpai here, you can tackle problems with a punch!”

I grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Something about it made Yoshioka-san laugh again, covering her mouth.

“You two are kind of alike.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

They started a conversation that only they seemed to understand. I noticed a large scar on Yoshioka-san’s left wrist as she covered her mouth.

It’s probably best not to ask about that.

It’s time to introduce my companions.

“These are Kurebayashi Mii, from the same university, and my sister, Ange.”

As I introduced them, Kurebayashi-san and Ange gave a slight bow. But Ange looked unusually stern. What’s up with that?

“Wait, Uemura, you have a foreign sister? She's adopted, right? She has to be; otherwise, you're crossing a line here.”

“Could you stop making me out to be some kind of freak? She's my half-sister. We don’t look alike, I know.”

As expected, Senpai's reaction didn’t disappoint. No one guesses that Ange and I are related by blood at first glance.

Ange’s expression remained as stern as Mount Fuji. Kurebayashi-san seemed unsure of how to react. Well, my job is done with introducing them, so I'll just let it be.

“Man, you're always surrounded by beautiful girls, huh?”

“Having pretty girls around doesn't do much besides boost your ego. I'd rather gain the right to love them or at least touch them.”

“If it’s me, Yuuta-kun, you can have that right anytime…”

“Why do all these beautiful women flock to my brother?! Sure, he’s handsome and reliable, but still!”

“Can you two calm down for a second?”

Things were chaotic enough without their outbursts. I kept my tone polite for Yoshioka-san’s sake. A gentleman’s touch, if you will.

But seriously, we need to get to KYOKO's stage soon.

“Okay, we should head to the stage now. Senpai, Yoshioka-san, see you later.”

Pressed for time, I tried to wrap things up, but Senpai’s face turned serious.

“Are you guys going to the stage? Listen, Uemura, you’re not allowed in the central courtyard after 3 p.m. That’s not a warning; it's an order.”

“Huh?”

“Just don't come. Unless you want to eat my shining wizard.”

“That’s so unreasonable.”

KYOKO's stage ends before that, but at 3 PM, there's the Miss Spring Festival Contest, right? KYOKO, or Kenzaki-san, was supposed to be a judge for it.

There's a prize for it too.

Ah, I get it now.

Chapter 108: The Stage is an Extra Stomach

Just after parting ways with Napolitan-Senpai, Ange piped up.

“Onii-chan, you're really popular with little girls, aren't you?”

“Why would you say something like that out of the blue?”

First, she talks about being surrounded by beautiful women, and now this?

“But that senpai… Is she really your senpai? With that height and that body, isn’t she younger than me? She looks like an elementary school kid even without a backpack.”

“Watch your mouth, or she’ll beat you to a pulp. Despite her looks, she’s a dangerous fighter. If we fought seriously, I doubt I could win.”

“Really? It’s not because she’s too cute to hit seriously.”

“Do you think someone like that could become the top of our high school? No offense, but even if you and ten of your friends teamed up, you wouldn't stand a chance.”

“Don't judge by appearances. Unbelievable.”

I explained it to Ange carefully. Meanwhile, Kurebayashi-san, who had been listening with an open mouth, quickly jumped in with a question once we finished.

“But, but, you two seemed really close for just Senpai and Kouhai. Were you maybe lovers in high school or something?”

She seemed flustered. No, that’s not it at all. She’s not a bad person, and sure, if she had the right “features,” she could be an attractive heroine, but flat-chested lolis are not my thing.

“Don’t say weird stuff based on your imagination. Even if it’s legal, I prefer curvy women over flat-chested lolis.”

For some reason, Ange and Kurebayashi-san put their hands on their chests.

“Well, for a middle schooler, I think I’m doing okay. Probably good enough.”

“Ah, I want to punch myself for thinking smaller was okay.”

“If flat-chested is out, maybe it's better to be natural? How should I groom?”

“I've been slacking off since I didn't have a chance recently… This is bad.”

“What are you two talking about?”

I wanted to add, “I wasn’t talking about you, so don’t misunderstand,” but I kept quiet to avoid any further complications. My tendency to make comments can be a curse.

Anyway, Napolitan-Senpai was quite popular among certain perverts, but I heard she had a big heartbreak in the past and hadn’t been in a relationship since. I can’t remember who told me that, and I don’t really want to.

More importantly, if I don't head to the courtyard stage soon, Kenzaki-san will get on my case, so I started walking briskly.

—

When I arrived at the courtyard stage, I was shocked by the size of the crowd. It’s the debut performance for KYOKO, after all. There were even a few media people around.

Wow, there are some serious-looking security guards here too. It looks like they beefed up security after the threat. With this many guards, the person who made the threat can't try anything.

Hopefully.

Is this foreshadowing?

“It’s so crowded… I can’t believe it,” Kurebayashi-san muttered, looking around. She seemed to be coming to terms with the fact that her childhood friend Kenzaki Asuka was now the idol KYOKO.

It’s understandable. Kurebayashi-san and Ange might have the looks to rival KYOKO, but the number of people they’re captivating is on a different level.

Even in a small venue like this, it’s clear. Imagine how it would be in a bigger venue.

Ange seemed to be thinking the same.

“So this is… a celebrity…”

She looked dumbfounded, overwhelmed by the energy around her. It’s not “celebrity,” it’s “idol.”

“What’s this? Are you thinking about aiming for the entertainment industry too, Ange?”

“Not exactly… I was just thinking, Is this what it's like to be envied by everyone?”

I made a casual jab, but her answer was confusing. However, since KYOKO herself scouted Ange, she could cross over to that world if she wanted. Maybe it’s just a brother’s bias.

While I pondered that, the crowd suddenly erupted in cheers.

I instinctively turned my gaze to the stage where KYOKO had appeared.

“Thank you for coming today! I hope you have a great time!”

With just a few words, the crowd’s excitement peaked. The charisma of youth, indeed.

I was surprised by KYOKO’s casual attire of a cut-off shirt and shorts, despite it still being spring. She probably didn't have time to change into a flashy costume. Well, it meant she had more time to talk with Kurebayashi-san. Those long legs are something, though.

As a singer, this was Kenzaki-san’s virgin stage. I hope nothing happens to ruin it. Especially by certain 9-cm dude.

For the first time, some beginner’s luck can be forgiven.