Child-Rearing Romcom

My little sister is the cutest little girl in the world.

I was spending time before my homeroom class looking at photos of Soyoka.

Look at this photo I took this morning!

Her cheeks were stuffed with bread like a little squirrel. Somehow she even managed to get jam on her forehead. Is she a genius or what?

Hehehe . . . Soyoka is so cute, as usual.

She was an angel. An angel smiling at me. Ah, seeing my little sister's smiling face felt like the warmth of spring.

She had been adorable since she was born, and she only got cuter and cuter as she grew.

Soyoka Kuremoto was the name of my three-year-old little sister, and she just started kindergarten this spring. I, Kyota Kuremoto, was a sixteen-year-old who just started his second year of high school. That made us thirteen years apart.

I just could not wait to see what kind of girl she would grow into over her next three years of kindergarten. At the same time, I hoped she would stay exactly the same.

Look, it's Akiyama.

She's so beautiful, like always . . .

As I was lost in thoughts about Soyoka, the classroom began to buzz with activity.

Who dares to bother me when I am trying to think about an angel?

I looked up, wondering what was happening, and immediately understood.

A female student had just arrived at school.

I still can't believe I'm in the same class as Akiyama.

Akiyama's so cool.

Voices of admiration could be heard from various corners of the classroom.

She had transformed the atmosphere of the classroom from the moment she entered the front door.

Her walk alone turned the room into a fantastical space.

She looks like a model.

Her long black hair flowed smoothly down to her waist. In contrast, her sharp eyes and composed expression showed no flicker of concern despite the attention.

She was tall and slender, with a delicate body and a beautifully arranged face, and she possessed a beauty that seemed almost like a piece of art.

Even her modest bust accentuated her ephemeral beauty.

Her name was Sumi Akiyama, and she was a beauty known by everyone in her grade.

Along with her blessed looks, she also dominated the top ranks in every exam.

Brains and beauty, she was the envy of the class. Her reputation was well-deserved.

I had heard rumors about her since first year, but having her in the same class as me really emphasized her presence.

Indeed, there was no denying that she was a total knockout.

But I'm not really interested in her . . .

I glanced at her briefly before returning my gaze to my smartphone screen.

Maybe I'll try talking to her today.

Forget it, man. She won't give you the time of day.

Right? She doesn’t really hang out with anyone. It’s like she lives in a different world.

I had heard the same conversation every morning since the new school year began.

Yet, no one actually tried to talk to her.

Akiyama was famous for not being close with anyone. She kept her conversation to a minimum and generally gave off a cold vibe. She was always seen alone, like an unattainable flower perched on a high peak.

Her mysterious aura only boosted her popularity; beauty certainly had its advantages.

I would be lying if I said I had absolutely no interest in her. I could appreciate a beautiful woman just as much as the next guy. I totally got why the guys were making a fuss over her.

But I was too busy admiring pictures of my sister.

Soyoka . . . Why am I even a high school student? I wish I could be her guardian angel; that way I could always be by her side.

Sumi Akiyama was already out of my mind.

Was there anything in this world more important than Soyoka?

As I was lost in thought, a handsome guy blocked my view of the desk.

Good morning, Kyota. Still making that creepy face, I see.

Ah, Mizuki? I can't help it, Soyoka is just too cute.

You didn't even try to deny that you're being creepy.

Mizuki chuckled, his shoulders shaking with his laughter.

He was dazzlingly handsome, so much so that it nearly blinded anyone who tried to look at him. If Sumi was the top female student, then Mizuki was certainly the standout among the boys. Why did they end up in the same class . . . ?

Well, your sister-complex isn't exactly a new thing.

I've been like this since she was born.

Wait, how old is Soyoka exactly?

Mizuki had a reply for everything. Even before Soyoka was born, I was fated to be her big brother.

Oh, dear. Even though Mizuki had been in the same class as me since last year, he still did not quite appreciate Soyoka's charm.

He nonchalantly sat in the front seat and crossed his legs.

Normally, this would be a moment for casual conversation, but somehow, the mood just was not there. I averted my gaze from Mizuki, trying not to show him my gloomy face.

Hey Mizuki. I really don't think I should be at school right now.

. . . Okay, I'll bite. Why not?

You know why, don't you? Tomorrow is Soyoka's kindergarten entrance ceremony! She's finally becoming a kindergartener. I should skip school to prepare for tomorrow.

Yeah, that makes no sense to me.

I flipped open my phone to show Mizuki photos of Soyoka striking various poses in her brand-new uniform. I had carefully selected the best twenty pictures of all the ones I had taken. I had been showing off her cuteness to other students in my class all morning. After all, Soyoka's cuteness was a national treasure; singing her praises was practically my duty.

Hey, Soyoka's not even looking at the camera in that one. Don’t tell me you were secretly taking pictures . . . ?

She got annoyed at me because I was taking too many.

Ouch. You're one hell of a stalker.