Just so you know I had a pretty hard time getting this one done. Seriously had to put some thought since this is kind of like a branch point. Whole story could be sitting on this chapter. What a better way to kick it off than with writers block am I right?

"Here's what we know." Yukino pulled out her laptop. "I've managed to find the faults in the image and I sent the proof to sensei. She should be taking care of this with the staff. The question is how to prove Iroha was the one who doctored the photo." I would propose an anti-Iroha campaign but her social status would nullify the effects. Yui came into the room with several drinks handing them to each of us. I received the green tea much to my dismay as I prefered other choices more.

"Well you can explain that the photo was doctored?" I asked. Yukino nodded holding up her presentation. "I think we can use this to get more people involved. We not only clear me and Komachi's name but we can also get people trying to find out who doctored out."

"Oh suprising of you to hear Hachiman." Huh, what why is that surprising to hear? "Rare of a good idea from Hachi as usual." Yui said jokingly as she sipped her drink. "Hey." I answer quickly without much to back me up. Damn frustrating when that happens. Looking down I see Komachi lying on my lap still asleep. "Hm don't want that circulating." Yukino joked as she closed her laptop. Yui nodded in an agreeing tone before also standing "Hey cut her some slack she's had a long day. I can only hope her friends are as understanding as you guys."

"I doubt it." Yukino said bluntly as she began to leave the room. 'Still, I never knew you had a soft spot for your little sister." I threw her an uncomfortable look. "That's wonderful of you to say. Send me a message when you've got the explanation out there." All Yukino could muster was a nod before leaving the room. Yui following suit gave a curt bow before shutting the door.

"Komachi get up." I shake her head a little. The young girl began to stir, her body rising up to level off with my head. "Brother? Oh what time is it." She asked as a yawn escaped her mouth. "Well it's five in the evening. Yukino and Yui managed to come up with something for us and they're getting started on it." She perked up at the announcement, a slight grin crossing her face. "That's wonderful." I nodded in agreement.

"Well then, why don't we get some of that melon bread you like."

"Oh yay! I'll go get dressed." With that she rushed out of the room. So beginning my Komachi destress mission for tonight. Best she be in a good mood tomorrow morning. The way the meeting went got the planning done. However the mere thought of this being full proof was simply a bluff to our confidence. A society of self righteous people simply can't change their minds. That just doesn't happen.

Given I don't have that many friends, the damage should to me will be minimal. Plus over half of my friends had already sided with me and I already intend to attend university in Hokkaido. But Komachi on the other hand. A well endowed social life and much more to go until the finishing line. This was a gamble, one that I can't take lightly. I'll need to think of a fail safe later. Maybe asking our parents to get her transferred to a high school close to my college. That might just work….

"I'm ready, lets go!" Komachi yelled from the hallway. I stood up making my way to the hallway. Relieving my feet of the much needed blood flow. Closing the door we made our way onto the fairly thin walkway. Komachi's continuous chanting of melon bread flavors being the only thing breaking the silence. I guess everyone's right when they way a good rest can cure any amount of stress. "Oh oh, what are you getting?" Her question caught me off guard. Putting my hand to my chin, I began to think. Well kind of, I had a little too much to think about right now so I think I'll give the answer some of that excess energy.

As we approached the crosswalk, it came to me. "Probably green tea melon bread What about you?" Probably one of the few instances of I absolutely green tea was in melon bread. So it was my go to. "Mango melon bread. It's so fruity!"

"Oh, just like your personality right?"

"What?"

"Nothing."

After several minutes of melon bread related small talk, we made our way into the store. It was a brightly lit dessert place. All the chairs where of varying color probably to cater to younger customers. "Ohhhh! Ahhh! The new place looks so cute!" Komachi cooed, her face covered in absolute awe. I walked up to the counter, thankfully no one we knew was going to take my order. "Welcome to Melon Pan! What would you like to order?" The service lady said. I could sense the struggle in her voice, she clearly didn't like her job. Though I'll give her kudos for at least making her misery humorous. Having to work on new year's day. That's a good reason to be miserable.

"I'll have two mango melon pans and one green tea melon pan."

"To go or for here?"

"For here. Can I pay right here?"

"Yes sir, the total is two hundred yen." Ack, expensive. I handed her the money in absolute defeat. The things I do for you Komachi. "Wait I could of paid for my own."

"Let me be a good big brother for once.." I interjected as I patted her on the head, a forced smile coming onto my face. She stayed silent in defeat. "Think of it as my apology bread for last night."

"Hmph. I accept." This girl sometimes. "Here's your food. Please enjoy." I was handed a tray with the three pieces of 's aroma attacking every bit of energy I had within me. Damn was I hungry! We took our place in a corner of the cafe,. The sounds of vehicles passing by increased and decreased with varying intensity. "Alright let's dig in." She compiled as she took her bread. It was only a matter of seconds before a massive hole appeared on the side of the pastry. "Oho your hungry."

"Oh shush. I've been asleep all day and we never even had breakfast. What about you. You're only gonna eat one of those?" She asked, a piece of bread rudely hanging onto her mouth. "Eat with your mouth closed." I say immediately. "Also, I've got a lot on mind I can't really think about eating right now."

"The thing with Iroha right?" She asked which I answered with a nod. "Yeah. That and I guess college as well."

"Really. It must be nice you're actually gonna drop the house husband thing." Not like I wanted too you idiot. "I just need a fail safe incase it doesnt work. If I can get away with it that'd be great. Well that's still pretty far off. I've got something even more urgent than those two things on my mind."

"Hmmmm? What would that be?"

"You. You have more at stake right now than I do. I need a fail safe in case this doesn't work." Komachi's face turned a bright crimson prompting her to stare downwards. Ah shit, I let her know. I should really do more to keep my mental wall up when I'm hungry. "I-I'm sure you'll think of something." She stammered. "Well I've got a decent idea of what we can do. If it doesn't work out. It's just, I'm not sure if you'd be ok with it."

"And what would that be? I can't really think of anything that would work besides-. Wait a minute."

"You figured it out?"

"Yeah. I attend a high school close to your college."

"That's about right. I'm not going to be dorming while I'm there. Sensei hooked me up with an apartment building her grandmother owns. She said I can stay there on the condition that I manage it. Hell I'm even getting paid to do it."

"Ehhhh do you think your up to it?" A smirk appeared on her face. "Do you think I'm not?"

"I never said your not." Her victory smile soon replaced the smirk. She'd won the confrontation as usual. "I like the idea though. What do you think our parents will think?"

"The electricity bill will go down by a lot given we'd be on our own money, and I think if we explained the circumstances they'd agree. It's worth a shot."

"Oh ok then for now why don't we search for high schools in the area." She seemed more enthusiastic about the idea than I expected. Rather it's like she wants to move already. I wasn't going to deny her the excitement though. We need to be ready for whatever happens tomorrow. "Sure thing, we can get started first thing we get home."

"Yay I'm so excited!" Komachi exclaimed. "Mhm." A slight grin crossing my face. I guess Yukino was right. I've grown a soft spot for my little sister.

Huh, well I think this is a good chapter. I think that is. I'm not making any promises on my schedule for updates and all that. I'll just try and not go silent for six months like I've done twice. Some ground rules I wanna lay in. I'm not jumping straight into anything lemon like nor am I jumping straight into their relationship. I want something more tender and perfect for that confession. So the pacing will be slow for now. Expect the tempo to change later on in the story.