"What?! Big brother, you're my sister's friend?!"
Futari Gotoh looked at Lucas in surprise, clearly skeptical.
"To be precise, what you just said is correct."
"Boyfriend?"
Futari's disbelief turned into outright shock.
She knew her sister's personality.
Hitori Gotoh, who had already returned to their parents' side, looked increasingly uneasy watching Lucas and Futari talking and laughing together.
She knew what her sister was like.
Futari's personality was the complete opposite of hers: a lively and cheerful younger sister, and a socially anxious older sister.
"I—I get it. Brother-in-law, wait here!"
Futari ran back to her sister and stared at her in disbelief.
"Sis, you got me a brother-in-law and didn't even tell me?!"
"Brother-in-law?"
Hitori froze at the words, but when she looked at Lucas's amused smile, she understood immediately.
Lucas-san… you…
What did you tell my sister?!
She looked at Futari's questioning eyes.
Unable to say a word, she slowly lowered her head, giving no answer.
"Mom, did you know my sister has a boyfriend?" Futari asked their mother.
"I had no idea," their mom replied.
"Dad, what about you?"
"If your mom doesn't know, why would I?" their father added with a shrug.
"Young man, come here for a moment," Hitori's mother said, calling Lucas over.
"Oh—okay."
Lucas walked over to the Gotoh family.
"How did your relationship with my daughter start?"
Lucas tilted his head, pretending to think.
"Third year of middle school."
"Third year?" her mother echoed.
"I remember Hitori didn't even leave the house after she graduated middle school. She locked herself in her room the entire time," she said, clearly unconvinced.
"It was the start of the school year, actually," Lucas admitted honestly.
Hitori had been listening to the conversation with her head down the entire time. Right now, she desperately wished she could evaporate into thin air.
"Sister, come with me," Futari said, grabbing her sister's hand.
"H-Huh?"
Hitori was pulled aside by Futari.
"Futari, what are you doing?"
"Sis, be honest. Are you really dating that guy?" Futari asked seriously.
Hitori, lost in a storm of thoughts, didn't know how to respond.
If she didn't answer today, Futari would definitely pester her again tomorrow.
She had only two options now: deny it or admit it.
But she was socially anxious.
"We… we talked. We're dating…" Hitori finally said.
"That's amazing! I was really worried you wouldn't be able to make any friends in high school."
"…"
Even though Hitori wasn't good at communication, she went completely silent at her sister's words.
What do you mean I wouldn't make any friends?
I swear, one day I'll bring a whole group of friends to our house!
…But the moment the thought popped into her head, she dismissed it.
That idea… is way too sinful.
Meanwhile, back with the parents—
"Lucas-kun, so you're really my daughter's boyfriend."
"Please help look after Hitori at school. Her father and I worry about her because of her personality," her mother said seriously.
"Yes, ma'am," Lucas replied with a polite smile.
He decided to play along with Futari's misunderstanding, since it seemed to help Hitori—and it definitely matched her personality better.
Looks like high school is going to be a lot more exciting than I thought.
Gotoh-san… let's make the most of it together.
***
"Do your parents know about this, Lucas?"
"Um, ahem… well, no. Not yet. They're working in Chiba, so I've been living on my own."
Lucas hadn't expected Hitori Gotoh's mom to suddenly bring up his home life. He'd only meant to play along with the misunderstanding—not turn it into something serious.
Do her parents trust her that much?
Thinking this, Lucas glanced at Hitori, who had just returned, and couldn't help feeling a little pity for her.
"Is that so? Then… would you like to live with us?"
"Huh?"
"HUH?!"
Both Lucas and Hitori froze at her mom's sudden suggestion.
Hitori entered full-blown panic.
Mom, what are you saying?!
Live with Lucas?!
I'd rather crawl inside a closet and stay there forever.
"Ahem, Auntie, thank you, but that won't be necessary," Lucas quickly replied, trying to sound calm. "After all, Hitori and I just started dating. It's not that serious."
He was used to living alone. At this point, he'd practically evolved into a higher-order hermit.
Still, who would've thought that just by getting involved with an old classmate, his life would start heading toward "normal"?
Maybe the ones who say they don't want to get involved are the ones who fall the hardest.
"Well, Lucas, if you ever feel uncomfortable living alone, you're welcome here anytime," Hitori's mom offered warmly.
"Ah… thank you, Auntie. I appreciate it," Lucas said politely.
"I should get going now."
He reached out and grabbed Hitori's schoolbag.
"Uncle, here—please help me with this."
Handing the bag over, Lucas turned and left.
"Hitori, looks like you found yourself a good boyfriend."
"Mom, no, it's not…"
"Not what?"
"…Nothing."
"Come on, let's go eat. I made your favorite—fried chicken nuggets."
The Gotoh family headed inside.
Meanwhile, Lucas opened the door to his small apartment, kicked off his shoes, and set his schoolbag down.
He poured himself a glass of water and pulled a folded slip of paper from his pocket—the address his mother had given him.
"This doesn't make sense…"
Hitori's mom and sister are completely normal, but she's full-on socially anxious.
Where did she even inherit that from?
"Whatever. No use thinking about that."
"What I should be thinking about… is how I'm going to survive."
He checked his PayPay balance.
One glance was enough to crush his soul.
Only a few yen left.
Guess it's time to find a part-time job…
Lucas stared at the screen, mentally bracing himself for job-hunting hell.
Back at the Gotoh residence—
Hitori sat on her bed, guitar in her arms, quietly strumming a few soft chords.
Her fingers moved without thinking, each note carrying the weight of the day.
"Mom and Dad accepted Lucas-san."
"They talked like everything was fine."
"But I didn't feel even a bit of happiness."
"All I wanted to do… was run away."
Her voice trembled into song.
Lucas might be easier to talk to than most, but he still made her nervous.
Even now that everyone believed they were dating… it didn't make things easier.
If anything, it made it harder.
Let it be?
I don't think I can.
Today I said I'd bring friends home. I bragged about it. Even though I said I didn't mean it, deep down, I kind of did.
I'm just… competitive like that.
But society is terrifying.
And Lucas…
Why did he say I was his girlfriend? We barely even know each other. We just met today.
I hope… I can face him tomorrow.
***
"Gotoh-san."
Lucas Amaki greeted Hitori Gotoh as she entered the classroom.
"O-Oh… Amaki-san," Hitori mumbled, setting her schoolbag down before immediately slumping over her desk like a deflated balloon.
Lucas watched her for a moment, then let out a small helpless smile.
Still the same as always, huh.
"Gotoh-san, why don't you sit up for a bit?"
Lucas gently tugged on a strand of Hitori's messy hair.
The moment her hair was touched, Hitori shot upright like a startled cat.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"I brought you something to lift your mood."
Lucas took off one of his Bluetooth earphones and placed it on her ear, then pulled out his phone and tapped play.
The music began.
And just like that, energy flickered back into Hitori's eyes. Her posture straightened, her gaze focused.
"You… you like this kind of music too, Amaki-san?"
"Ahem. Yeah. Of course."
That was a lie.
Lucas had only learned about this genre yesterday—after secretly asking her mom.
Honestly, it was still a bit too "advanced" for him. He preferred anime openings and otaku songs.
I don't even get what's going on in half of these lyrics.
"Amaki-san, your earphones sound a lot better than mine."
"…Huh?"
The sudden voice startled Lucas. But something was off—it wasn't Hitori who had spoken.
He turned and saw the speaker.
It was Iiya, the second-best student in the class.
Lucas glanced at Hitori. Her eyes were darting away nervously.
…Don't tell me.
"You mean these? They're from last year's premium line. Almost sold out when I got them. I had to ask the store to hold a pair for me."
"Last year's series, huh? Looks like I'm still behind on digital gear. But thanks for the info."
Iiya gave a polite nod and walked away.
Lucas turned back to Hitori.
"Gotoh-san… tell me honestly. Why did you give the earphones to Iiya just now?"
"Because… because she asked for them. It was the first time someone spoke to me so directly… I didn't know how to say no."
Lucas let out a sigh.
"Alright. Next time someone asks to borrow something, tell me first. I'll help you decide if it's okay. Especially if they ask for money—you have to let me know."
(Not that I'm trying to control you or anything!)
He said it in a lightly scolding tone, like a big brother looking after a younger sibling.
Hitori nodded quietly.
"…Okay."
There was a strange feeling in her chest.
Is Amaki-san… being nice to me?
No, no, no, it's definitely just my imagination.
This is all Mom's fault.
"Hey."
Lucas reached over and gently patted her head, a small smile on his face.
Hitori froze.
Her mind went completely blank. She wanted to pull away… but couldn't.
Her cheeks turned bright pink.
And just then—
A not-so-subtle whisper came from nearby.
"I knew it! There's totally something going on between Amaki and Gotoh. It's only the second day and he's already patting her head!"
"Your priorities are weird. Can't you see Gotoh-san's super flustered? But she's letting him do it. That's the real mystery."
"Oh, come on. I've said it from the start—they're a perfect match. She's adorable and he's cool but soft underneath. What's not to like?"
Hearing the classmates gossiping, Hitori grew increasingly uncomfortable. Her hand subtly tugged at the hem of Lucas's sleeve.
"Amaki-san… can we go outside for a bit?"
"As you wish."