Omake: Expanding the Coalition to Protect Chii-Chan (ft. Louis)

Louis, here. I'm Chii's older brother and the eighth son in the family. 

Chii and I first met before our parents got married. I'd passed out in the hallway upstairs, too tired to make it all the way to the couch. At the time I'd only been vaguely aware that we were gaining a new sister. Seeing her for the first time made me realize how real it was. 

I feel bad for startling Chii that time, though she was happy that I ended up being okay in the end. She was so concerned for my well-being over her own, even though she was the one who'd moved to a completely new place filled with strangers. If I were in her position I would've been really scared. 

Ever since then, I decided that I was going to protect Chii. I joined forces with the squirrel, Juli, and together we formed the Coalition to Protect Chii. 

Protect Chii from what? you may ask. According to Juli, my brothers are predators who can't be trusted around Chii. I have mixed feelings about this, since they're my brothers and all. However, I understand that Chii comes first. She's the one who's surrounded by a number of boys and men she's still getting to know. She trusts us too easily because we're family, when in reality she should be on guard more.

"I've marked the brothers who are especially dangerous," Juli said to me one day. He point out that the extra-flirty brothers like Kaname and Tsubaki are in the danger zone because they get too close to Chii and make her uncomfortable. Being the nice person she is, Chii doesn't want to push them away too harshly, as she's afraid they'll think she hates them. 

I doubt my brothers mean any harm, but you can't deny that if Chii's uncomfortable then there's a problem. That's why it's my job to help her when she needs it. 

Only... I worry that Chii won't have her brothers to look out for her in school. Subaru-kun may also go to Meiji, but he's away in Kyuushuu for training. And Yusuke won't be in her classes anymore. One may call me overprotective for worrying about her like this, but I am her older brother. It's only natural that I'd want to be there for my little sister.

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Lately Chii's been on edge. This is her first year in university, so I can't blame her. It's more intense than high school, but with a whole lot more people and responsibilities as an adult. I remember back when my older brothers started university. They were stressed to the brim as they packed their schedules with classes, clubs, and jobs. For most of them, their momentum hasn't slowed down since. I hope Chii will remember to take a break and relax. 

Dinner has been served and those of us who are here share how our day went. We're most keen on hearing how our younger siblings are, since they started school this week. However, it's clear to see everyone's more inclined toward Chii rather than Yusuke and Wataru. As for Iori... We haven't seen much of him since Christmas. 

Wataru isn't too bothered that we're asking about Chii first. He's just as eager to hear what university life is like. He's only just started middle school, yet he's already thinking about the future. If Masaomi were here he'd despair about how quickly everyone is growing up. 

As for Yusuke, he looks a little put out that no one's asked him about his day yet. He defers to Chii, since he wants to hear about her too, but I make a note to talk to him as well. In a family of so many siblings it can be hard to get heard.

"The club fair went alright, although there was a bit of an incident..." Chii admits, trailing off. At Ukyo's prompting she tells us that a senior at the fair grabbed her and tried to get her to sign up for the club then and there. Chii's uncomfortable recalling it, so I can imagine it wasn't a pleasant experience at the time. I smile tightly, wondering in what world would a stranger grab another stranger like that.

Juli bristles. "Did someone try and make a pass at you already? Can't you men keep your hands to yourself? It's a school! You go there to study, not date! What's the point of being a bodyguard if I can't go guard Chii?!"

It's a good thing no one else can understand Juli. Since he's sitting on Chii's lap and mostly out of Ukyo's sight, no one's asked him to leave the room. 

"Sorry, Juli, but I don't think squirrels are allowed on campus," I say. 

Juli crosses his arms. "Hmph. This is why I can't help but worry about you!" He shoots a glare at Chii, who smiles nervously. She probably told him not to worry when she first set out. 

I understand Juli's frustration all too well. That feeling of wanting to protect someone, but not being able to see them... It's part of growing up, though. For both the person being protected and the one who wants to protect them. We have to learn to let go eventually.

There is a silver lining to the story, though. 

"Another student was kind to help me," Chii explains. 

"Another student?" Juli's voice is still on edge. Meanwhile, I think that anyone who helped our Chii must be a good person.

Chii nods. "Mn. She ended up punching them because they wouldn't let go." She sounds a little embarrassed for causing a scene, but also relieved that the senior was stopped. 

"P-Punched?" Wataru's eyes widen in shock. He slams his hands on the desk. "Was there a fight?"

Ukyo pales a little. "I hope not. Fighting isn't allowed on campus."

Fighting isn't allowed on any campus, but I keep that thought to myself as I eat. 

"So what happened next, Chii-chan?" I ask, calmly glancing over at her. Given that she isn't more flustered, I imagine she got along well with this student. Juli relaxes, too, upon hearing that the student isn't a boy.

"She told the senior off for being too intense on a first year," Chii continues. "Some of the seniors' friends didn't like that, but the senior understood he was being too forceful and apologized. I think he was scared of her. I would be, too." 

You say that, Chii-chan, but you're laughing.

"Were you alright after that?"

Chii lowers her head and smiles. "Hai. I thanked her for her help, and we ended up doing the rest of the orientation together. Her name is Tsukiyo Mai, but she let me call her Mai."

"Cool!" Wataru beams. I wonder if he's picturing some heroic scene. "You think you'll be friends?" 

"Maybe. I have her LINE, so maybe we'll chat sometime. We only have a mandatory class together, but otherwise I hope we'll see each other on campus."

"Glad to hear everything worked out in the end," I say. I set my chopsticks on my plate, signalling that I've finished eating. "That person sounds like a good ally. She sounds a lot like Yusuke-kun."

At the other end of the table, Yusuke startles. 

"Wha-? Whaddya mean by that?" His mouth flaps open and shut like a fish.

Juli smirks. "You may be less pervy than the others, but you can't tell me you've never punched anyone in your life."

Chii pets Juli's head worryingly, but I don't plan on scolding him here. 

"I mean that you stand up for others," I say, flashing Yusuke a supportive glance. He's surprised that I'd compliment him, but he really shouldn't be. "I mean, you've been looking out for Chii-chan for as long as I can remember. I bet you wanted to be there for her today."

Yusuke's face turns the same colour as his hair. How adorable.

"Hmph." Juli scoffs. He's not open to being nicer to Yusuke at all. Oh well. At least I tried.

"Mai-san reminded me of Yusuke-kun a little," Chii admits. "Though she's more like Natsume-san in my opinion."

"Oh?" I picture my older brother. He's the next oldest in the family after me, and moved out shortly after high school. He's straightforward, which some people find off-putting, but I have a feeling he just wants to get straight to the point. Quite the opposite of Tsubaki. 

"We went around to the different clubs together, and I said I'd think about what to join. But Mai-san said that she was only looking, and told them that before they could invite her to the club. Some people were really surprised, but she explained to me later that she works a lot. She seems like the kind of person that people might misunderstand."

"Oho. So Natsume-san is often misunderstood?" Ukyo chuckles. 

Chii blushes, matching Yusuke. "Ah! I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just that Mai-san says what's on her mind, like Natsume-san does. That's all!"

I smile. "Sounds like she'd be a good friend, then. Maybe we'll get to meet her someday."

"Maybe." Chii's shoulders relax a little. "I'm not sure how often we'll see each other since we only have one class together. But yes. If possible, I'd like to be friends with her."

Her smile is genuine, and I'm really happy she's made a new friend. Going to a new school is always tough, so it helps to have people around you who are going through the motions as well. Besides, Chii only has brothers at home, so having girl friends is probably a breath of fresh air. I know Juli would prefer it, too.

Chii recounts more events of the day, and when there's a break in the conversation I take the chance to ask Yusuke if his day went just as well. My younger brother says that nothing much happened to him, as though it couldn't possibly have been more exciting than seeing someone get punched on the first day. 

I should be glad that nothing happened to my younger brother, but in all honesty my worries revert to Chii. It's true that she and Yusuke aren't in the same classes anymore, so he won't always be around to protect her. I know Juli doesn't trust him, but it would put me more at ease if we had another of my brothers at school watching out for her. 

Dinner ends, and I consider asking Juli to extend an invite to Yusuke to the Coalition to Protect Chii. He probably won't agree right away, but we've all got to start somewhere.

And who knows? If Chii becomes friends with Mai-san, I'll ask if we can invite her, too.