The Commander stood straight in his office, putting on an imposing figure while addressing the four Takao class girls.
"I've called you all here to disclose something...that I've had on my mind for a while now." The Commander looked over the group.
They all remained silent, signalling the Commander to continue.
"I...remember part of a previous life I lived." The Commander paused and laughed slightly, hardly believing what he was saying. "You four were all in it."
"Huh?" The Takao class said in union.
The Commander raised his finger and traced it over the women in front of him. "You, haha...you were all m-hahaha...my big s-sisters..."
The four girls stared at him, dumbfounded, secretly hoping for him to say this was a joke.
"Before you make any judgements on my sense of humour, I assure you that this is the truth." The Commander tried his best to stifle his laughter.
Atago spoke up. "Now, now, Commander, I know I call myself big sister, but this is a bit of a stretch."
"Don't complain to me, complain to the master of universes." The Commander's steadfast posture convinced the girls that he was not joking.
"How do you know it was us?" Maya asked, with a fake skeptic expression.
"You looked the same, had the same personalities, well, you, Maya, you were a bit more shy." The Commander felt more laugter building up inside.
"Were we ships?" Takao inquired, sounding impatient, but secretly wanting to learn more.
"No, you were biological humans." The Commander stared dreamily. "And so, you aged like them as well."
He looked at Atago. "You were the oldest sibling, at 24."
Atago subtly smiled at that.
"Takao, you were 22." The Commander continued.
Takao softened her demeanor.
"Choukai, you were 20."
Choukai didn't change her expression at all, she still looked very bemused.
"And finally, Maya, you were 18." The Commander looked at the wall, contemplating how best to break down the story locked in his brain.
"H-how old were you?" Maya turned the questioning on him.
"15-16 in the period I can remember." The Commander answered with ease.
"Did you have a name?" Choukai suddenly asked.
"Yes, my name was Kojou." The Commander laughed again. "Oh, I can't believe my own words even though I know they're true."
"How long have you remembered this for?" Atago shot her own question.
"Ever since you first arrived here." The Commander smiled at her. "Since you were the first of the Takao class to arrive at this base, it was you who rekindled my memory I guess."
Silence.
"Anyway, since you are all here I'm going to recount what I can remember...brace yourselves."
I sit at my desk in school aimlessly staring out the window at the bright exterior.
It's the last day of the school year, meaning that summer holidays start soon.
I couldn't be happier, since it's a whole 6 weeks where I can keep to myself.
...Well, it depends on what my sisters drag me off to.
Hopefully, they don't bother me too much.
They all have jobs, so...should be fine.
I don't even have any friends I can escape to.
I've never really fitted in, being the so-called rich kid and all.
Seriously, it's not even like my family is minted, we just have a nice house and a nice car.
Well, that and a butler, gate openers and guard Rottweilers.
But still, I don't deserve to be ostracized like I am.
Guess there's nothing I can do about it.
I'm lowkey glad I don't have any friends.
When it comes to guys at my school, from my observations, they just seem like a bunch of horny baboons.
And I know this is morally wrong, but...I think my sisters could be an easy thing to pester me about for them.
Eh, no point in worrying about that.
It's never going to happen...
The bell rings.
Yes!
I immediately sling my bag over my shoulders and make a beeline for the exit.
I feel my arm being yanked.
"Hold it, Rich Kid." Ugh...
"Yeah, you haven't got priority here."
I elbow the initial kid in the jaw and shove my way through the small crowd to escape.
I run until I'm far enough away to lose the inevitable pursuers.
Home is only a few minutes away now.
I begin a slow walk to my house.
Some neatly dressed men open the gate for me.
"T-thanks..." I stutter out.
It's a struggle to even maintain common courtesy for me.
Still, I continue down the driveway to the front door.
I knock it a few times and the Butler answers.
"Welcome, Kojou." He says in his grovelly, old voice. "May I take your bag?"
"That'd help." I pass him my aforementioned bag and begin towards the kitchen.
"Welcome back, Kojou!" A sweet, comforting voice calls.
It's one of my big sisters, Choukai.
"You're home early." I remark as I fix myself a drink.
"Didn't you know, my work was off today. They were doing renovations." Choukai turns to me and takes a sip of her own drink.
"Lucky..." I look away.
"Hey, at least you have the next 6 weeks off." She sets her drink down. "Think about your poor, overworked sisters."
She giggles as I roll my eyes at her feign pity attempt.
"Anyway, we might be doing some stuff over this summer, as siblings, you know." Choukai explains. "Me and the rest of your sisters have arranged some days off together, and you're coming with."
"It better not be something like shopping." I immediately reply.
"No, of course not." Choukai smiles. "Things like going to the beach, fine dining and amusement parks. We got our parents permission to spend money."
"You didn't notify me of this." It's my turn to try and deceive. "How dare you spring this on me?"
Choukai giggles again. "Oops!"
"Well, I'll be in my room." I finish my drink.
"Don't become like Maya over this summer, it was hard enough getting her to agree to join us for the activities." Choukai calls after me.
"Yeah, sure, I know." I call back from the stairs.
She acts like a parent sometimes...
I guess someone has to, my real parents are pretty much always abroad nowadays.
Still, it's not as bad as Atago's attempts at being a substitute parent.
I change into something more casual and then lay on my bed.
Immediately, I feel sleepy.
I try to keep myself awake by scrolling through my phone but it doesn't help much.
Slipping...must...stay...aw...
The Takao class had even more confused expressions as the Commander finished his first tirade.
"I'm not done yet." The Commander laughed. "Oh no, not even close."
"Wait, wait!" Maya had a sudden outburst. "What did Choukai mean, don't become like me?!"
"I'll get to that part, just have patience." The Commander steadied himself for a second monologue.
"Kojou!"
I jolt awake and see Atago's face smiling at me.
"Woah! Easy...easy." She pats my shoulder.
"Don't scare my like that..." I feign anger.
"Oh my, were you really that scared of your big sis?~" Atago pursed her lips as she spoke.
"Don't start this..." I find myself rolling my eyes for the second time in a day.
"Give your big sister a hug." Atago outstretches her arms, invitingly.
"Do I have to?" I desperately try to get out of this situation.
"Yes, I will be very sad if you don't..." Atago takes a step closer.
I'm frozen in place...
Whether by actual fear or mock fear, I'll never know.
Regardless, I'm stuck long enough for Atago to catch me and lock me in her embrace.
"Good boy.~" She says mockingly without releasing me.
"Don't treat me like a child." I say, while muffled by her chest.
"I'm not letting go until you return it." Atago explains.
I hesitate.
Do I really want to have someone know I hugged my big sister because she practically bullied me into it?
Meh, it's not like my reputation can get much worse.
I apprehensively put my arms as far around her as I can manage.
"Thank you!~" Atago releases me, and steps back. "Takao's cooking dinner, you don't want to be late."
"Don't have to remind me..." I look to the side, still well aware of my burning face from the earlier hug.
Last time I was late to Takao's dinner, she gave me a lecture worse than school.
I'm extra vigilant as to make sure not to make that mistake again.
"I'll be there as soon as it's ready." I tell Atago.
"Takao'll hold you to that." She giggles on her way out the door.
I lay back on my bed.
I'm glad I have a good relationship with all my sisters.
It certainly would not do me any favours to fight with any of them.
Maya is the only one I don't really have much of a connection with.
She barely leaves her room when she's not at work.
I can't blame her, since I practically do the same.
It feels to me, that Atago's personalty was made to fit a big sister.
While she can be overprotective and overaffectionate a lot of the time, it's the fact that, deep down, she cares for me that's enough to make our relations good.
Choukai is just a very kind and sociable person.
She does the talking so I don't have to.
And that is enough reason for me to respect her.
Takao keeps me in check.
She is tough on me sometimes, but most of the time, she tries her best to be a supportive, caring sibling towards me.
For that, she is a great person to have in life.
"Kojou! Maya! Dinner's ready!" Takao calls up the stairs.
"Yes I'm coming!" Me and Maya call at the same time.
I exit my room and begin down the stairs.
Halfway down, my senses are captivated by the smell of Takao's cooking.
She knows her foodstuff.
I enter the dining room to see Takao, Atago and Choukai all sitting at the table.
"Kojou, please take a seat." Choukai pulls a chair out between herself and Atago.
I silently take it.
"Where's Maya?" Takao asks.
"I don't know." I shake my head defiantly. "I heard her affirm your call, but didn't see her leave her room."
Takao sighs. "I'll go and get her..."
She stands and heads towards the stairs calling Maya periodically as she does so.
Atago suddenly leaps forward, takes some food and stuffs it down.
"Atago!" Choukai bats her hand away from taking more.
"It's so good though..." Atago looks dejected.
"Have some manners please." Choukai sighs. "Maya and Takao will be here soon, so can you please wait a little?"
Atago pouts slightly but still nods.
Choukai takes my shoulder and whispers to me, deliberately loud enough for Atago to hear. "Kojou, don't be like her.~"
"Hey, what are you telling him?" Atago fakes agression.
"Just to avoid picking up your bad habits." Choukai smiles mischieviously.
This is a side of Choukai I've never seen before.
I'm a bit taken aback...
A commotion can be heard approaching the dining room.
"Owwwww..." Maya complains as Takao drags her, by the ear, into the room and sets her down at the free seat.
Takao then takes her own seat.
"You could have done that a nicer way." Atago remarks.
"She was stubborn..." Takao retorts.
"I was not, I just needed to finish that passage I was writing." Maya defends herself.
"That can wait, for now, let's just enjoy dinner." Takao defiantly turns her attention to the table, lined with food. "Let's eat!"
The Commander let out a long breath as he recovered from his long speech.
The Takao girls just stared at him, not being able to muster a word.
"We've got a lot to get through, so make yourselves comfortable." The Commander sat in his chair.
All the Takao class assumed synchrony as they sat on the sofa, secretly eager to hear more.