Long time no see.
Some days earlier...
(Mrs. Nagoya's POV)
I folded another set of neatly pressed clothes, smoothing out the fabric with practiced ease before placing it into the box. The familiar rhythm of the task should have been comforting, but today, something felt... off.
A soft sigh escaped me as I glanced up, my gaze landing on the girl sitting at the edge of the bed.
Aiko-sama.
Her chestnut brown hair was pinned up in a tidy bun, her blue eyes distant—tinged with something almost... nostalgic. Her delicate brows furrowed ever so slightly, lost in thought.
I had been working under this household for three years now. I had come to know Aiko-sama as a bright, lively young lady, full of warmth and mischief. But today, she was uncharacteristically silent.
Was it because she would be starting high school in a few days?
I hesitated for a moment before calling out, the words slipping from my lips before I could stop them.
"Aiko-sama, is something the matter? You're spacing out again."
At the sound of my voice, she stirred slightly, as if pulled from whatever thoughts had consumed her. But instead of answering my question, she let out a soft sigh and turned to me with a wistful smile.
And then, she said something I hadn't expected.
"Nagoya-san... can I ask you something?"
I stiffened.
There was something about her tone—something I wasn't used to hearing.
Hesitation.
Aiko-sama had always been straightforward, effortlessly charming, and full of life. But now… now she sounded uncertain, almost vulnerable.
I forced a gentle smile, hoping to ease whatever was weighing on her mind.
"Of course, Aiko-sama. What's on your mind?"
She watched me carefully, her blue eyes studying my face as if she were searching for something.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
The silence stretched between us, but I waited.
Perhaps she had changed her mind. Perhaps she wasn't ready to share her thoughts just yet.
I sighed softly, shaking my head as I reached for another pile of clothes—
"Did you know..."
Her voice was quiet, but clear.
I froze, my fingers stilling against the fabric as I looked up at her.
"I once had a brother."
My breath caught slightly at the unexpected revelation.
A brother?
I met her gaze, noting the small smile still lingering on her lips. And yet… there was something beneath it. Something unspoken, something distant.
"A younger brother?" I asked before I could stop myself.
For three years, I had served this household. I had never once seen a boy living here. I knew of Aiko-sama, of her mother, Yuri-sama, and of the divorce that had separated their family.
But a brother?
What had happened to him?
"A younger brother?"
Aiko-sama only smiled softly in return.
"Not quite," she murmured.
"He was my older brother."
My brows furrowed.
Older?
I had never heard a single mention of him before.
Curiosity burned in my chest, but I hesitated. Perhaps this was a sensitive topic. Perhaps—
"Did something happen to him?"
Aiko-sama paused.
For a moment, she seemed to be carefully weighing her words, considering how much she wanted to reveal.
Then, with a calmness that sent a quiet chill down my spine, she simply said—
"He ran away."
"Ran away?"
The words lingered in my mind as I folded yet another piece of clothing, my hands moving on instinct, though my thoughts were elsewhere.
Had it been any other child, any other family, I might have expressed disapproval. The idea of running away from a household as privileged as the Kotsuki family—where wealth, status, and opportunity were abundant—seemed almost unthinkable.
And yet…
There was something in Aiko-sama's voice.
Something that stopped me from voicing those thoughts.
It wasn't just a passing mention. This brother of hers—she had cared for him.
Deeply.
Unable to stop myself, I found the question slipping from my lips.
"What was he like?"
Aiko-sama let out a small sigh, but there was no hesitation in her answer.
"He was everything a parent could ask for."
Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying note I couldn't quite place. Something between admiration and something… heavier.
"Talented, charismatic, handsome, and intelligent. He could master anything after just being taught the basics. A true child prodigy—there was no doubt about it."
I listened in silence as she continued, her words carrying the weight of years long past.
"I was always overshadowed by him. No matter what I did, people never saw me as just 'Aiko.' To them, I was always the prodigy's little sister."
I frowned slightly, trying to piece together the reasoning behind his departure.
"Then why did he leave?"
For a long moment, Aiko-sama didn't speak.
Then, in a voice so soft I almost missed it, she murmured—
"So he could live."
A chill ran down my spine.
I watched as she lowered her gaze slightly, her fingers absently brushing against the fabric of her skirt, lost in a memory.
"At first, he didn't mind it. The competitions, the victories… winning first place again and again. He overwhelmed all his opponents, and with each achievement, people expected more."
Her voice was quiet, almost distant.
"But after a while, he started to realize something. No matter how many times he won, no matter how much he proved himself… he never really had a say in the life he got to live."
I could feel my heart grow heavier with each word.
"Each time he came back from a competition, he thought he'd finally done enough. That he'd finally earned a moment of rest, or even just a word of praise."
She exhaled softly.
"But my mother never told him he had done well. Instead, she would remind him of the next competition he had to prepare for."
I felt a dull ache settle in my chest.
"It didn't matter what he did or what he achieved. There was always another burden. More expectations. More pressure."
A ten-year-old.
He had only been ten.
"At some point, my parents began arguing about his future. They wanted different things for him, different ways to push him further. And in the end… they got divorced."
I blinked.
"And your brother?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aiko-sama smiled faintly, but it was a wistful, hollow thing.
"He saw it for what it was. To them, he wasn't a son. He was a tool—a means to recognition. And when he realized that…"
Her blue eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite name.
"He fled."
The room fell into silence.
"In the middle of one of their fights, he left. He ran away to our grandfather's house and has been living with him ever since."
I let out a quiet breath, unsure of what to say.
The privileged son of a prestigious family. A boy who could achieve anything.
And yet, all he ever wanted was something most people never had to ask for.
The right to choose his own life.
"What happened after that?"
The question left my lips before I could stop myself. My voice was softer than I intended, laced with a hesitation I hadn't felt in years.
Aiko-sama's lips curled into a gentle smile, but something about it felt… distant. A smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"After that, his grandfather decided to raise him," she said, her tone calm, almost practiced.
"And once he was gone, my mother's attention finally turned to me. From then on, I had to be the perfect picture of a composed and regal daughter—polite smiles, graceful laughter, everything when cued."
She let out a soft breath, the weight of her words settling between us like a quiet storm.
"Perhaps mother even decided to be more lenient with me, just to make sure I didn't run away like he did."
My hands stilled over the fabric of her neatly folded dresses.
She said it so plainly, so effortlessly, as if it were just another fact of life.
I waited for a second, feeling an unfamiliar tightness in my chest. I wasn't sure if I should ask.
But before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.
"Do you despise him for leaving you behind?"
Aiko-sama blinked once, then let out a quiet chuckle—light, airy, but entirely devoid of mirth.
"Ahh, now that would be natural, wouldn't it?"
I found myself holding my breath.
But then, her expression softened.
"After everything that happened, I still can't bring myself to hate him for what he did. It was selfish to an extent, but..."
Her voice lowered, and for the first time, I heard the raw truth behind her carefully measured words.
"He's still my brother."
A silence stretched between us. A quiet understanding.
I forced a small smile, not trusting myself to say anything more.
"Anyway, it's getting late, Aiko-sama," I said gently, steering the conversation toward something lighter. "Get some sleep. I'll take care of the rest of the packing. After all, your high school life at Seirei High begins tomorrow, right?"
I watched as her expression shifted—just barely. Her blue eyes flickered with recognition at my attempt to change the subject.
And then, just like that, her usual composed smile slipped into place. Effortless. Regal. As if our conversation had never happened.
"Of course… thank you," she murmured, nodding once.
I turned back to the suitcase, folding another dress into its place.
But as the night stretched on, I couldn't shake the feeling that some part of Aiko-sama had never stopped reaching for the brother who had left her behind.
--
Back to present...
(Tamaki's POV)
The student council room had a quiet yet commanding presence, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the rustling of papers. At the round table, six of us sat in attention, all eyes drawn to the radiant figure at the head of the table.
Yumeko Narahashi.
The student council president exuded confidence, her bright smile as dazzling as her presence. Her lilac hair cascaded down her back, catching the afternoon light in a way that made her seem almost ethereal. But it wasn't just her appearance—there was something undeniably magnetic about her. A natural charisma that made people listen.
I straightened in my seat, my focus unwavering. This was the position I was aiming for.
Student Council President.
Yumeko clapped her hands together lightly, her eyes sweeping across the room as she began to speak, her voice warm and filled with energy.
"Welcome, everyone! First, let me say how excited I am to see all of your faces here today. Each and every one of you is here because you have something special to offer, and I have no doubt that together, we'll accomplish amazing things this year!"
She flashed a grin, her enthusiasm contagious.
"To our returning members—you've already proven your dedication to this council and this school, and I trust that your experience will help guide us forward. And to our newcomers—welcome! You're stepping into a role that comes with great responsibility, but also incredible opportunity. The student council isn't just about leadership—it's about making a difference, about being the bridge between students and the administration, and most importantly, about making our school a place that everyone can be proud of."
She leaned forward slightly, her violet eyes shining with determination.
"We don't just make decisions in this room—we create change. Every event we plan, every policy we push forward, every voice we amplify—it all starts here, with us. So, I encourage each of you to speak up, share your ideas, and never be afraid to take initiative. Because at the end of the day, the student council isn't just about one person—it's about teamwork, about collaboration, and about striving for something greater than ourselves."
Her gaze swept across the table, pausing ever so briefly when she met my eyes.
"So let's work together, let's challenge ourselves, and let's make this year unforgettable. Welcome to the student council!"
Applause filled the room, light but sincere.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
This was it. The first step toward the goal I had set for myself.
I glanced at the girl sitting beside me—the other newcomer. A first-year, with chestnut brown hair elegantly tied in a bun and striking blue eyes that shone with warmth. She smiled at me politely, effortlessly composed.
Aiko Nanako.
I had heard about her before—her reputation as a refined and well-mannered young lady had already preceded her.
I returned her smile, albeit a little more guarded.
This year was going to be interesting.
Yumeko's ever-bright smile never faltered as her gaze flicked between Aiko and me, her enthusiasm practically radiating from her.
"So! Can you both start by introducing yourselves so we can all get along better?" she asked cheerfully, as if she wasn't already the most popular person in the room. "My name's Yumeko!"
I doubted there was a single student at Seirei High who didn't know that, but her energy was contagious.
Aiko moved first, rising from her chair with an effortless grace that spoke of years of proper upbringing. Her smile was warm and inviting, her voice gentle yet confident.
"My name is Aiko Nanako from Class 1B. It's a pleasure to be working with you all, and I hope we can all get along!"
The effect was instantaneous. A few council members visibly softened, already charmed by her elegance. She had that innate ability to make people feel at ease—like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
As Aiko took her seat, I rose to introduce myself, keeping my posture straight, my expression calm.
"My name is Tamaki Nanase from Class 1A. I'm looking forward to working with you all this year."
I wasn't aiming for warmth the way Aiko did—rather, I wanted to make an impression with composure and confidence. My introduction was met with approving nods from the senior members, a few exchanging brief glances as if noting something to themselves.
"Well, now that we have that out of the way," Yumeko clapped her hands together, her bright smile unwavering, "let's introduce ourselves as well, guys!"
Her eyes shifted to the composed upperclassman sitting beside her, his sleek black hair framing a calm yet vaguely resigned expression.
"Come on, Ken-kun! Say hi!" she encouraged with a grin.
The aforementioned 'Ken-kun'—or rather, Kenzaki Ryuga—let out a quiet sigh, the picture of reluctant obligation. He gave a polite yet measured smile before speaking.
"My name is Kenzaki Ryuga, the student council Vice President. Nice meeting you."
The moment his introduction ended, the blonde-haired beauty sitting beside him smirked knowingly, her golden locks shimmering as she tilted her head with mischief.
"Aww, Ken-kun. You actually care about making a good first impression."
The teasing lilt in her voice was impossible to miss.
Kenzaki sighed, clearly regretting all his life choices that led him here. "Don't start, Yuki."
The girl—who I now recognized as Yuki Tsukumo, president of the Handicrafts Club—rested her chin on her hand, looking far too entertained.
"What? I'm just surprised! Usually, you're about as friendly as a wall."
"And yet, I still have more patience than you," Kenzaki shot back flatly.
Before Yuki could counter, a male voice cut in, filled with exaggerated ease.
"Jeez! Relax, Ken-kun... we're all friends here, aren't we?"
The voice belonged to a tall, messy-haired blonde who leaned back lazily in his chair, the epitome of laid-back energy.
Kenzaki exhaled sharply, already seeming done with the conversation. His dark eyes landed on the grinning troublemaker as he spoke with deadpan bluntness.
"Easy for you to say, Yuuichi. You're not the one on the receiving end of her constant teasing."
"Oh? Are you saying you'd prefer my teasing instead?" Yuuichi smirked, waggling his brows.
"I'd prefer neither," Kenzaki retorted dryly.
Yuki gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Ken-kun, I'm hurt! Are you saying I annoy you?"
Kenzaki shot her a blank look. "That would imply this is a recent development."
"And yet, you still put up with me," she mused, tapping her chin. "Could it be... deep down, you actually—"
"No." Kenzaki cut her off before she could even finish.
Laughter rippled through the room at their antics.
I exchanged a glance with Aiko, who stifled a small chuckle behind her hand. It was clear that this was a common occurrence—this particular trio seemed to thrive off playful squabbles.
Yumeko, still smiling, shook her head fondly.
"Alright, alright, let's get through introductions before we descend into total chaos, yeah?" she said, though there was no real authority in her voice—just amusement.
I exhaled lightly.
This council… was going to be livelier than I anticipated.
Yumeko's bright gaze landed on me once more, her eyes practically twinkling with excitement.
"Ahh, come to think of it, Nanase-san… you were the one who gave the opening speech for the first years, huh? That's incredible!"
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sheer enthusiasm in her voice. There was something almost childlike in her fascination, as if I had done something truly spectacular.
Schooling my expression back into composure, I shook my head lightly. "It's really not that big of a deal."
Before Yumeko could respond, Kenzaki—who had been poring over some paperwork for the past few minutes—finally looked up, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.
"I heard that your class was the one appointed for the planning of the first year's Spring Festival."
At his words, Aiko's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Yeah! Something about selecting the two most capable students according to the school's data records or something like that."
My expression remained neutral, but my fingers curled slightly against the table as an all-too-familiar name surfaced in my mind.
Before I could dwell on it, Yuuichi's voice cut through the air, his sharp eyes catching the ever-so-subtle furrow of my brows.
"What's that? You don't seem too happy about it. Could it be that you dislike the responsibility?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "No. It's not that… it's just that… my partner isn't exactly the cooperative type."
Yuki, who had been idly tapping her fingers against the table, perked up with clear curiosity.
"Cooperative? Now that's interesting. Pray tell, what is the name of this partner of yours?"
I exhaled, already bracing myself for the inevitable headache just from saying his name.
"His name is Rem Kotsuki."
A brief silence followed. It wasn't noticeable to most, but I caught it—the faint hesitation, the slight disruption in the air.
Aiko, seated beside me, stiffened ever so slightly. It was subtle, but for someone as naturally composed as her, the reaction stood out.
Her warm smile faltered—just for a fraction of a second, but I saw it.
"Nanase-san… what did you say just now?"
I turned to her, slightly puzzled by the sudden shift in her tone.
"I said… his name is Rem Kotsuki."
Aiko let out a soft chuckle, her smile returning—but this time, something about it felt… off. It was the same graceful, pleasant expression she always wore, yet it no longer reached her eyes.
"I see…"
I frowned slightly, the brief crack in her demeanor sparking curiosity. But before I could press further, Yuki's voice cut in with a smile.
"Is something the—"
"Ahh, it seems our time is far spent… right, Yume-chan?"
I turned back to Yuki, who, for some reason, had taken it upon herself to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Yumeko blinked, glancing at her wristwatch before letting out a small gasp.
"Eeh? It's already time for lessons! I totally lost track of time."
From across the table, Yuuichi smirked.
"Well, at least it's satisfying to know that our president isn't some freak who's naturally gifted at everything."
Kenzaki scoffed, shutting his folder with an air of practiced exasperation.
"Everything except bluffing, that is. You should have seen her when—"
"Let's head to class, Ken-kun!"
Yuki interjected smoothly, grabbing Kenzaki's arm and pulling him away with an apologetic smile directed at Yumeko, whose ears had already turned a shade of pink.
"Have fun, yeah?"
As the council members started filing out, I lingered for a moment, watching Aiko's retreating figure. Her steps were graceful as ever, her posture impeccable—but that fleeting moment, that brief hesitation, lingered in my mind.
What was that?
I exhaled, shaking my head as I finally stepped out into the hallway.
It wasn't my problem. Not right now.
With that, I pushed the lingering thoughts aside and made my way to class.
--
(Rem's POV)
Ahh, can't this day go any faster?
I sighed, lazily propping my chin up with one hand as my eyes drooped, half-listening—or at least pretending to—to the mind-numbing droning of Kamaguchi-sensei's mathematics lecture. I was teetering dangerously between dozing off and maintaining the illusion of paying attention.
"Tell me about it."
A similarly exasperated sigh came from my side. Haruto, my ever-suffering companion in the battle against academic boredom, slumped in his seat, equally mortified at the cruel reality of math class. His gaze flicked toward me, a furrow forming on his brow.
"Where were you during the lunch break?"
I met his questioning stare with my usual nonchalant grin, eyes gleaming with lazy amusement.
"Ahh, nowhere really. Didn't feel hungry, so I just headed out to the courtyard for some fresh air."
Then, with a teasing glint, I added, "What? Did something happen?"
Haruto glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping, before leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Word went around that during lunch break… a girl was asking after you."
My brow arched slightly at that. Now that was rare.
"Oh?" I mused, tapping my fingers lazily on my desk. "I wonder what she was after… You think it was a love confession?"
Haruto let out a chuckle, shaking his head.
"Yeah, because every girl secretly dreams of dating the most lethargic and unmotivated guy in school."
I smirked, stretching my arms as I let out a slow, exaggerated sigh.
"Hey, could've fooled me. The charm is effortless, man. Comes with the territory."
Before Haruto could retort, the classroom air suddenly grew heavy. A familiar, piercing gaze swept through the room, instantly silencing the murmurs around us.
Uh-oh.
"Kotsuki."
The sharp voice of Kamaguchi-sensei cut through the air like a guillotine.
I blinked, meeting his stern stare with a carefully crafted look of innocence, as if I hadn't just been caught slacking off.
"Yes, Kamaguchi-sensei?" I drawled, dragging out the words just enough to sound polite but not particularly remorseful.
His eyes narrowed, suspicion practically radiating from his very being.
"Would you be so kind as to enlighten us on what I just explained?"
I sat up a little straighter, glancing at the blackboard for the first time since class started. Equations. Symbols. Something that vaguely resembled numbers. Great.
I hummed in thought, placing a hand on my chin as if I were in deep contemplation.
"Ah, well… you see, sensei, I could tell you, but then I'd be robbing my classmates of the opportunity to figure it out themselves. And as an advocate for personal growth, I wouldn't want to take that away from them."
Haruto choked on his laughter beside me.
A tense silence stretched across the classroom before Kamaguchi-sensei slowly inhaled through his nose.
"Stand outside."
I sighed dramatically, dragging myself up from my seat with the reluctant grace of a man heading for execution.
"Truly, a cruel world we live in," I muttered as I trudged toward the hallway, ignoring the snickers from my classmates.
As I stepped outside, I heard Haruto whisper behind me, "Don't worry, buddy. You'll go down in history as a martyr for our cause."
I shot him a lazy thumbs-up before stepping into the hallway, resigned to my fate.
As I made my way out of the classroom, I passed by Tamaki's desk. She was hunched over, pretending to be engrossed in her notes, but I knew better. She just didn't want to make eye contact with me—not after witnessing my little math class exodus firsthand. I smirked slightly but let it go. No use teasing her when I had my own punishment to deal with.
With a sigh, I leaned against the doorframe, scrolling idly through my phone as I waited for the final bell. The hallway was mostly empty, save for a few murmured conversations drifting from other classrooms. Peaceful. Quiet.
No point in stressing over this.
Minutes blurred together until, at last, the final bell rang.
Right on cue, the classroom door swung open, and Kamaguchi-sensei stepped out. His sharp gaze immediately landed on me, still slouched lazily against the wall.
"You could at least pretend to be remorseful, Kotsuki."
I glanced up, raising a brow before flashing a lopsided smile.
"Ahh, I am remorseful, sensei. I just don't show it that well."
Kamaguchi-sensei pinched the bridge of his nose, as if physically restraining himself from further engagement.
"Don't let this happen again… Kotsuki."
"Hai, hai~" I called out brightly, watching his retreating figure disappear down the hall.
The classroom began emptying out as students filed past me. I weaved my way through the crowd, slipping back inside just in time for Haruto to approach, my bag in hand, already packed.
I grinned, taking it from him with a nod of appreciation.
"So," I mused, smirk playing at my lips, "did anything worthwhile happen while I was gone?"
Haruto scoffed, shaking his head.
"You tell me—does anything worthwhile ever happen in math class?"
"Good point."
With a hearty slap on my back, Haruto grinned.
"I'm heading to basketball practice now. You coming? Could use a supporter."
I stretched lazily before shaking my head.
"Nah, seems like too much of a hassle."
Haruto chuckled, not even remotely surprised.
"Yeah, figured as much. Catch you later, man."
With that, he headed out, leaving me standing in the near-empty classroom. My gaze drifted toward the window, watching as the fading sunlight cast long shadows over the school grounds.
Across the room, Tamaki quietly packed her things with her usual precision before slipping out without a word. Even when she was leaving, she moved like a composed storm—silent, calculated, but always carrying some underlying tension. I let her go, deciding not to push my luck today.
A few more moments passed before I finally sighed, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"Ahh, what to do now?" I mused aloud as I stepped into the now-empty hallway. "Maybe I'll head to a café. I'm kinda parched… or maybe—"
"I had a feeling you'd still be here."
I froze.
That voice—soft, refined, yet laced with something sharper beneath. It was familiar. Too familiar.
Slowly, I turned around, my lazy demeanor almost slipping as my gaze locked onto the girl standing before me.
Perfect posture. Chestnut brown hair tied up in an elegant bun. A flawless, composed smile.
Perfect. Too perfect.
"It's been a while."
I chuckled, straightening slightly, my amber eyes meeting her piercing blue ones. There was something beyond familiarity in that gaze. Something unreadable.
"Indeed it has been… Aiko."
Aiko smiled softly, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Rem-nii."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: ( "Nii" is a japanese honorific used to refer to an older sibling)
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