Chapter 44 — The Sisters' World
Part 2: Quiet Currents
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the library, painting long golden rectangles across the floor. Dust particles floated lazily in the air, illuminated like tiny stars. The library was full, but not loud — the sound here was a controlled hum: pages turning, fingers tapping on glass screens, the soft scrape of chairs being pulled back.
Komi adjusted her glasses and scrolled through her tablet, eyes moving quickly as she reviewed a research paper. Around her, students worked just as seriously. This was the heart of the university — not where gossip was loudest, but where it lingered the longest.
A few rows behind them, two girls leaned closer, pretending to review notes.
"She's incredible, honestly."
"Who?"
"Komi Takahara. Top scores, leadership track, calm under pressure."
"And still has a brother like that."
There it was again.
The sentence no one ever finished properly.
Mizuki felt it before she heard it — that subtle tightening in the chest that came whenever Haru was mentioned indirectly. She kept her head down, pen moving steadily across her notebook, even though she'd stopped actually writing.
Another girl whispered, not unkindly, just wistful,
"I wish I had a younger brother like him."
Her friend sighed. "Same. Imagine someone that gentle in your house. Someone who listens."
"That's what's unfair. Not just that he's a boy… but that he's kind."
Mizuki's fingers paused.
She didn't turn around. She didn't need to. She'd heard this exact tone dozens of times before. It wasn't greed. It wasn't hostility.
It was longing.
And that made it harder to respond to than jealousy.
Across the table, Komi noticed the slight change in Mizuki's posture. Without looking up, she said quietly, "Focus on your notes."
Mizuki nodded, grateful. Komi always knew when to ground her without making it obvious.
A little later, Arisa joined them, dropping into the chair with a tired sigh.
"Lab was hell," she muttered. "Someone tried to flirt using calculus."
Mizuki blinked. "That's… possible?"
"Apparently," Arisa replied dryly. "She brought up my brother within thirty seconds. New record."
Komi didn't react. "What did you say?"
Arisa shrugged. "Nothing. I ignored her."
That, too, was normal.
They ate quietly for a while, the kind of silence that only came from familiarity. Outside the library walls, campus life continued uninterrupted. Students walked past with purpose, others lingered in small groups, talking about upcoming exams, future plans, corporate sponsorships.
A trio of girls passed by the table slowly, one of them glancing openly at Mizuki.
"She's the youngest one, right?"
"Yeah. Psychology major."
"Bet she knows everything about him."
"Or nothing. They're very careful."
Mizuki pretended not to hear. She was good at that now.
At another table near the shelves, a group of students leaned together, voices low but animated.
"If I were them, I'd monetize it."
"That's gross."
"Be realistic. A brother like that is leverage."
"But they don't."
"That's what makes them dangerous."
The word dangerous wasn't said with fear. It was said with grudging respect.
Komi closed her tablet and stood. "I have a seminar."
Arisa stretched. "I'll walk you."
Mizuki gathered her things. "I'll stay here a bit longer."
Komi looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "Message if anything feels off."
"I will," Mizuki replied softly.
As they left, Mizuki remained seated, watching the flow of people from behind the safety of her desk. She liked observing — it helped her understand patterns. And lately, the pattern was clear.
Haru wasn't just rare.
He was desired.
And not always in healthy ways.
Two girls nearby were talking openly now, no longer whispering.
"I heard he helped someone pick up dropped books and apologized three times."
"That's it. I'm jealous."
"Right? Even basic kindness feels special when it comes from a boy."
"I'd probably cry if someone like that talked to me."
Mizuki's grip tightened slightly on her pen.
She didn't feel proud.
She felt… protective.
Not possessive. Not controlling.
Just aware.
Aware that kindness, in this world, was dangerous.
---
The Study Hall
Later in the afternoon, Mizuki moved to one of the quieter study halls — long wooden desks, tall shelves filled with physical books few students touched anymore. She liked it here because people tended to keep their distance.
As she sat down, she noticed a familiar pattern repeat.
Two girls entered together, stopped when they noticed her, exchanged looks.
"Should we?"
"…Maybe."
They approached slowly, smiles practiced but nervous.
"Um… Takahara-san?"
Mizuki looked up, polite. "Yes?"
"We were just wondering…" one of them hesitated. "What's it like… having a brother?"
Mizuki blinked once.
She'd been asked this question in dozens of forms.
She smiled faintly. "Normal."
The girls looked confused.
"Normal?" the other repeated.
"Yes," Mizuki said gently. "He eats too slowly, forgets his phone sometimes, and apologizes even when it's not his fault."
There was a pause.
"That sounds… nice," one of them said quietly.
Mizuki nodded. "It is."
The girls thanked her awkwardly and left, disappointment and envy mixing on their faces.
Mizuki stared at her notebook afterward, thoughts drifting.
They always imagined something extraordinary.
They never imagined the responsibility.
---
Arisa's Perspective
On the other side of campus, Arisa exited the engineering building, shoulders tense but expression neutral. She'd overheard enough conversations today to last a week.
"She must be intimidating."
"Anyone with a brother like that would be."
"I wonder how much security they have at home."
Arisa scoffed inwardly.
If they knew how often she worried.
How often she checked messages.
How often she thought, Is he safe right now?
She didn't slow her pace.
Let them think whatever they wanted.
---
Komi's Calculation
Komi stood at the edge of the seminar hall, listening as a professor spoke about social power structures and public attention.
The irony wasn't lost on her.
She understood better than anyone that Haru's existence wasn't just personal — it was political, social, cultural.
And attention didn't fade.
It accumulated.
That was why she stayed calm.
Why she planned.
Why she said nothing.
Because panic attracted predators.
And calm starved them.
---
Evening Approaches
As the sun dipped lower, the campus gradually shifted into evening mode. Study sessions wrapped up, lights warmed, conversations softened.
The sisters regrouped near the exit gates, walking side by side again.
Another day completed.
Another hundred glances ignored.
Another dozen rumors overheard.
Mizuki adjusted her bag. "Today felt louder."
Arisa nodded. "Because he's getting more visible."
Komi didn't deny it. "And it won't stop."
They walked on.
Behind them, a girl watched quietly, envy clear in her eyes.
"Those sisters…" she murmured to her friend. "They don't even brag."
Her friend sighed. "That's why everyone notices."
The gates closed behind the sisters as they left the campus.
And inside the university, the whispers continued — soft, persistent, unresolved.
— To be continued..