The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?!

A Sudden Chill

Mizuki's awkward expression went unnoticed as a new issue arose before Erika could comment.

It shouldn't have been a problem, but others made it one.

"Onii-sama, sorry to keep you waiting!" a joyful voice called.

From behind Tatsuya, who was talking in a corner of the auditorium, a girl approached. Tatsuya didn't need to turn to know it was Miyuki. Erika and Mizuki, aware he was waiting for his sister, glanced over, relieved she'd arrived.

Tatsuya nearly said, "You're late," but sensed a crowd trailing Miyuki and swallowed the words. Knowing she'd likely wanted to break through them to reach him, he held back out of courtesy to her entourage.

"We meet again, Shiba Tatsuya-kun," another voice said.

"Yeah, hi…" Tatsuya replied.

A student council president approaching the freshman representative was normal, but Tatsuya wasn't thrilled about reuniting with Mayumi. Her friendly smile raised his suspicions—not quite distrust, but a sense of wariness.

While Tatsuya observed Mayumi, Miyuki was fixated on something else: the two girls beside her brother.

"Onii-sama, who are they?" she asked.

Despite arriving with her own crowd, Miyuki questioned why Tatsuya wasn't alone. Tatsuya, unfazed and expecting the query, answered instantly.

"This is Shibata Mizuki, and this is Chiba Erika. Both are my classmates," he said.

His neutral introduction didn't fully satisfy Miyuki.

"Ugh, I feel a chill…" Erika shivered.

"It got cold suddenly…" Mizuki murmured.

The crowd around them felt it too. Tatsuya, clueless about Miyuki's mood, couldn't defuse the situation.

"Classmates, I see… So, Onii-sama, care to explain why you're already on a date with them?" Miyuki pressed.

"A date?" Tatsuya sighed inwardly, realizing her irritation. He wanted to explain for the crowd's sake but—

"N-No way!?" Mayumi gasped, looking shocked.

"?" Tatsuya paused, staring at her.

Mayumi averted her gaze, embarrassed. Miyuki's mood plummeted further.

"They just kept me company while I waited. That accusation's unfair to them," Tatsuya said.

"My apologies," Miyuki said, bowing swiftly.

She understood Tatsuya's words, apologizing for her misunderstanding and for presuming he'd been swayed.

"No big deal," Mizuki said.

"Yeah, everyone misreads things sometimes," Erika added.

Both accepted her apology graciously.

"I'm Shibata Mizuki, nice to meet you," Mizuki introduced.

"I'm Chiba Erika. Can I call you Miyuki?" Erika asked.

"Of course. It avoids confusion with Onii-sama. May I call you Erika?" Miyuki replied.

"Totally! You're pretty chill, Miyuki," Erika grinned.

"You're just as lively as you seem, Erika," Miyuki countered.

"Can I call you Miyuki-san too?" Mizuki asked.

"Of course, Mizuki," Miyuki smiled.

Seeing his sister bond with his classmates, Tatsuya glanced at the crowd Miyuki had (unintentionally) brought. Mayumi wore her usual smile, but the others First Course students showed frustration and irritation.

"They're upset she's friendly with Second Course students," Tatsuya realized.

To protect Miyuki's standing, he steered the conversation.

"Miyuki, done with the student council talk? If not, I can kill time elsewhere," he offered.

"No need to worry," Mayumi interjected.

It wasn't Miyuki who responded.

"A greeting's enough for today. If you have other plans, prioritize them," Mayumi said.

"President!?" a male student protested, unconvinced.

"But, President, this was important!" he argued.

"We didn't schedule this. Respecting her plans is natural," Mayumi countered.

"I…" The boy relented, understanding her logic.

Tatsuya knew his feelings mirrored the First Course students' resentment at losing to Second Course peers.

"Well, Miyuki-san, let's talk another time. Tatsuya-kun, we'll chat properly soon," Mayumi said.

"Uh…" Tatsuya muttered.

"See you later, President," Miyuki said, bowing politely.

Mayumi chuckled at Miyuki's courtesy and Tatsuya's confusion, walking away. The male student followed, but after a few steps, he glared back at Tatsuya.

Another hassle, Tatsuya thought, masking his exasperation with a flawless poker face to shield Miyuki.

The anime had ended, leaving a quiet void.

After-School Chatter

Tatsuya had managed to irk nearly every senior in the First Course, not just the student council, but such matters didn't faze him.

"Ready to head home, Miyuki?" he asked.

"Yes, Onii-sama," Miyuki replied softly.

With no pressing errands, the siblings planned to go straight home. But Erika had other ideas.

"Hey, why don't we grab some cake together? There's a great place nearby!" Erika chirped.

"Cake, huh?" Miyuki mused, her eyes lighting up.

"Sounds nice. Onii-sama, what do you think?" she asked.

"I'm fine with it," Tatsuya said.

"Settled, then!" Erika declared.

Watching the trio's excitement, Tatsuya felt he couldn't back out. If Miyuki weren't there, he might've declined, but seeing her joy, he knew she'd stay back if he did. So, he went along.

One thing nagged at him, though. "By the way, Chiba-san, you didn't research the entrance ceremony, but you know all about the local shops?"

"Of course!" Erika scoffed. "Checking out the area I'll be at for three years is basic!"

Tatsuya couldn't quite grasp if that was "basic" or not. He thought she'd be better off studying the school itself but kept that to himself.

"Onii-sama," Miyuki whispered, "Erika's just like that girly. No point arguing."

"True," Tatsuya agreed. "And these hangouts are good for you, Miyuki. Friends your age are important."

"What about you, Onii-sama?" Miyuki teased.

"Shiba-kun's all about his sister, huh? Forgets himself completely," Erika quipped.

Ignoring her jab, Tatsuya turned to Mizuki. "Looking forward to getting to know you both."

"Y-Yes! Same here!" Mizuki stammered.

"Wait, what about me?" Erika pouted, nudging Tatsuya as if offended. Her antics made Miyuki and Mizuki giggle.

"What's so funny?!" Erika huffed.

"You too, Chiba-san," Tatsuya added with a smirk.

"Fine, I'll accept your 'nice to meet you,'" Erika said, feigning reluctance.

"Erika-chan, you can't hide how happy that makes you," Mizuki teased.

"Onii-sama, you're so mean sometimes," Miyuki added, laughing.

Near the school gate, their playful banter continued before Erika led them to the promised cake shop a French restaurant with delectable desserts. They decided to have lunch there too.

While the three girls chatted over cake, Tatsuya sipped coffee, browsing a favorite book site on his device. He listened closely, ready to chime in if needed, but he wasn't exactly versed in their worldly topics.

"Shiba-kun, bored?" Mizuki asked.

"Hm? Not really. Why?" Tatsuya replied.

"You're fiddling with your device," she pointed out.

"Just catching up on a story I was reading," he said.

"Really?" Mizuki asked, curious.

"Onii-sama listens perfectly while multitasking and can join any conversation," Miyuki boasted.

"Wow, really?" Mizuki said, impressed.

Erika, rolling her eyes at Miyuki's brotherly pride, shrugged. Tatsuya didn't react.

"Time to head out?" Erika suggested.

"It's about that time," Miyuki agreed.

"I'll get the check—" Mizuki started, but the bill vanished.

"I've paid. Let's go," Tatsuya said, standing.

"Thank you, Onii-sama," Miyuki said sweetly.

Erika and Mizuki hesitated. "I'll pay my share," Erika insisted.

"Yeah, it's too much," Mizuki added. They'd each had three slices of cake—not a small tab for a new acquaintance to cover.

But Tatsuya and Miyuki didn't respond.

"Hey!" Erika protested.

"Miyuki-san?" Mizuki ventured.

Miyuki smiled. "It's Onii-sama's treat. Don't worry about it."

"But—" Erika started.

"It's fine. Onii-sama earns plenty," Miyuki assured.

"Earns?" Mizuki echoed, confused.

Erika and Mizuki exchanged puzzled looks, but no explanation followed.

Parting ways with Erika and Mizuki, Tatsuya and Miyuki rode a cabinet—a sleek transport system—back to their spacious home, where just the two of them lived.

"Shall I prepare a drink, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked.

"Coffee, please. But change first, no rush," Tatsuya said.

"Understood." Miyuki bowed politely and left.

Watching her, Tatsuya wondered if he'd raised her too formally. But it was a fleeting thought, barely worth voicing.

His gaze fell to his blazer. (This uniform distinction… someone's got interesting taste.) The thought amused him briefly before he moved on.

"Onii-sama, coffee's ready," Miyuki called.

"Coming," he replied, heading to the living room.

Miyuki waited, dressed in an outfit far too elegant for home hardly something one wore for a brother. Tatsuya sighed inwardly, again questioning her upbringing but keeping it to himself.