A Proposal?!

Seeing that Izumi Aimi had remained silent for a while, Iroha Isshiki asked again:

"Aimi, what do you think of my suggestion?"

"Huh?" Aimi snapped back to reality and quickly replied, "I think it's better to let my sister decide for herself. Whatever choice she makes, I'll respect it."

"You're right," Iroha agreed, then added, "I'm really jealous that you have an older sister."

"Huh?"

Iroha smiled softly and said, "I've always thought about how great it would be if I had an older sister. That way, when my parents leave for work every day, I'd still have someone to play with, someone who could take care of me... even if it's in a clumsy way."

"I guess..."

"Well, I'm also jealous that your sister is so beautiful," Iroha continued, her tone suddenly shifting as she grinned mischievously. "If I were your sister's little sister, I'd probably propose to her right away!"

"P-Propose?!" Aimi's face instantly turned red, and she shouted in alarm, "You're not allowed to propose to my sister!!!"

Her loud outburst on the street caught the attention of several passing pedestrians. Their confused and curious glances suggested they had just mentally drafted a hundred-thousand-word romance novel based on Aimi's declaration. A romance, perhaps, with just a hint of a certain orange hue.

"My dear friend, I was only joking! You didn't have to shout it out so loudly," Iroha said, clearly startled by Aimi's intense reaction. Although she had suspected Aimi might have a bit of a sister complex, she hadn't expected it to be so extreme—almost like a full circle of obsession.

Realizing her outburst, Aimi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. A soft blush spread across her face, turning it a lovely shade of red.

"I-I just got nervous when you said that all of a sudden," Aimi mumbled, blushing as she tried to justify herself.

She quickened her pace, dragging Iroha with her as they hurried away from the spot.

After walking for about ten minutes, they reached the point where they usually parted ways—Aimi needed to continue straight to her home, while Iroha had to turn right to head to hers.

If there was nothing special going on, they always walked together after school and parted at this intersection, heading in opposite directions.

"I'll head this way now. See you tomorrow!" Iroha pointed to the right.

"Yeah, take care on your way home," Aimi nodded.

Just as Iroha was about to leave, she suddenly turned around with a teasing smile and said, "Oh, and Aimi, don't worry! I won't propose to your sister, so you can stop watching me like a hawk starting tomorrow~"

When she said the word "propose," Iroha emphasized it heavily, making it sound as if she was truly planning to ask Kotomi for her hand in marriage.

Aimi's face turned bright red again, and she snapped back, "I know!"

Meanwhile, Izumi Kotomi was walking home with Megumi Kato after leaving Sobu High School together.

It was quite a coincidence—every time Kotomi stepped out of the school building after class, she would see Megumi walking toward the building from the library. So they never had to wait for each other; they could leave together right away.

As they walked, Kotomi was venting her frustrations, and Megumi softly repeated what had been bothering Kotomi recently:

"You want to enter the National Youth Art Award at Tokyo Metropolitan University, but you still haven't decided on a theme?"

"Yeah, it's so frustrating! I already have a rough idea in my mind, but I can't seem to make that blurry image in my head any clearer."

"Even though I don't know much about the creative process, it does sound like a headache," Megumi replied with a helpless smile.

"Senior Naegi has already decided on her theme, though. She said she's going to paint a scene of two sisters playing together, using herself and her sister as inspiration."

"That's a great theme. Family, friendship, and love are common themes in paintings. Why don't you try painting something along those lines too?" Megumi suggested.

"Huh? But if I paint my sister, wouldn't that be too similar to Senior Naegi's theme?" Kotomi hesitated.

"You don't have to paint sisters. You could paint classmates, friends, or even lovers. For example, you could paint the two of us," Megumi said thoughtfully, offering her suggestion after a brief pause.

"Paint me and you?" Kotomi was taken aback.

It did seem like a good idea, but... for some reason, it made her feel a little shy.

That touch of shyness made Kotomi feel like it would be difficult to sit down and actually draw it.

"Don't be nervous! I was just giving an example. Classmates, friends, lovers—these three relationships may seem unrelated, but they can actually develop from one into another," Megumi explained. "For instance, you can start as classmates who just met, then become close friends, and eventually, you might even become lovers. If the relationship lasts long enough, you might end up as lifelong partners, even spouses."

Megumi's words, and the way she looked at Kotomi as she spoke, revealed a complex emotion flickering in her deep eyes.

She wanted to reach out and touch Kotomi's cheek, to run her fingers through her snow-white hair.

But in the end, she held herself back.

Taking the initiative at the wrong time would only make the other person feel awkward.

After hearing Megumi's explanation, Kotomi nodded thoughtfully. "When you put it that way, it does make sense."

"My suggestion is good, right? You don't have to paint sisters—you can paint classmates, friends, or even lovers," Megumi said with a playful smile. For some reason, there was an underlying depth to her expression at that moment.

"I'll think about it."

"You should. After all, this could determine whether or not you get into college. You've got this, Kotomi! And once you win the award, I'll take you on a trip to celebrate," Megumi suggested, then added with a smile, "It'll be my treat. You just need to enjoy the trip."

"Where will we go?" Kotomi asked instinctively.

Ever since she and Megumi had spent a night together, Kotomi had grown closer to her.

Now, when Megumi mentioned going on a trip together, Kotomi didn't hesitate about whether to go—her only question was where.

"That's a secret for now. But I'll give you a hint—the hot springs there are amazing. After soaking in the hot springs, you can enjoy a fried onsen egg. It's heavenly."

Fried onsen eggs!

Kotomi's eyes lit up. One of her favorite anime and manga from her past life, Laid-Back Camp, had featured fried onsen eggs. She had always wanted to try one, but she never got the chance before she was hit by that truck.

Well, now that I've been reincarnated, I'll make sure to fulfill all my previous regrets!

Kotomi giggled. "I can't wait to fast-forward to the day we're soaking in the hot springs!"

"I can't wait either~," Megumi replied with a smile.

But this time, Megumi's smile had a more predatory edge to it.