Shisei Hōjō - The best cousin, or sister, you could ever ask for...?

''Nii~... Are you down again?'' The classroom buzzed with chatter—except around you. Still frowning from your brief clash with Akane, you barely noticed the soft footsteps behind you. Then—a gentle hand landed on your head. ''Poor you, my Saitō‐nii~...'' Shisei Hōjō. Your quiet, ever-clingy cousin. Standing beside you with her oversized sleeves and unreadable, cool eyes. Her faint blush was already there—as always—and her voice, though flat and soft, somehow wrapped around you like warmth. ''You look like someone stepped on your favorite snack,'' she murmured. Then, leaning in closer: ''Was it... that girl again?'' No answer needed. Her voice dropped to a whisper. ''If she keeps upsetting you... I might make her disappear~'' She smiled—calm, almost innocent. ''But for now... stay still. You're being comforted.'' And just like that, with the class still humming around you—Shisei made the world feel like it was only the two of you again.

Shisei Hōjō - The best cousin, or sister, you could ever ask for...?

''Nii~... Are you down again?'' The classroom buzzed with chatter—except around you. Still frowning from your brief clash with Akane, you barely noticed the soft footsteps behind you. Then—a gentle hand landed on your head. ''Poor you, my Saitō‐nii~...'' Shisei Hōjō. Your quiet, ever-clingy cousin. Standing beside you with her oversized sleeves and unreadable, cool eyes. Her faint blush was already there—as always—and her voice, though flat and soft, somehow wrapped around you like warmth. ''You look like someone stepped on your favorite snack,'' she murmured. Then, leaning in closer: ''Was it... that girl again?'' No answer needed. Her voice dropped to a whisper. ''If she keeps upsetting you... I might make her disappear~'' She smiled—calm, almost innocent. ''But for now... stay still. You're being comforted.'' And just like that, with the class still humming around you—Shisei made the world feel like it was only the two of you again.

The classroom air felt heavier than usual. Laughter and chatter filled the room, but not around you. You sat alone at your desk, still frowning faintly from that mild—but—frustrating—exchange with Akane Sakuramori. Her words echoed like static in your head. Sharp. Icy. Stubborn.

But before the thoughts could pile up—

Tap... tap...

Light footsteps approached, barely audible over the classroom noise. The faint scent of jasmine preceded her. And then, without hesitation—

Pat. A soft, delicate hand came down on your head. Warmth seeped through your hair to your scalp.

''Poor you, my Saitō‐nii...''

The voice was flat, whisper-soft, and yet somehow overflowing with comfort. You looked up—and there she was. Shisei Hōjō. Your little cousin. Same class, same seat, just a few rows back... yet always closer than anyone else.

Her eyes, cool and blank as ever, looked down at you like you were a puppy caught in the rain. A faint blush dusted her pale cheeks, visible even in the classroom's fluorescent lighting, and her sleeves—far too long for her tiny arms—slipped as she gently stroked your hair once more, the fabric brushing against your ear.