I used to think everything would stay the same.
Same house. Same quiet mornings. Same voice calling my name from the other side of the hallway… Shiori, telling me to hurry up like she always does.
It was normal. Simple. Comfortable.
We never needed to prove anything to each other.
She was smart. I knew that.
I was… good at my own things too.
And somehow, that was enough.
At least, it used to be.
Then one sentence changed everything.
"Only one of you will inherit the future of this family."
It sounded so simple when Mother said it.
Like she was just deciding what to have for dinner.
But ever since that day… everything feels different.
Every test score.
Every small achievement.
Every glance we exchange.
It all means something now.
We're competing.
Not because we hate each other.
Not because we want to.
But because… we have to.
Or maybe…
Because a part of me wants to know.
If I stand at the top…
Will she still look at me the same way?
…
Shiori.
You're the only one I never wanted to compete with.
And yet…
You're the only one I can't lose to.