After I helped Riku with his problem (it's math), I'm ready to hit my bed. However, the vibrations from my phone takes my attention away. Who is it? It's rare for someone to call me.

When I picked the phone, I see an unfamiliar number. "Yes? This is Hanazono speaking."

"Ah, Hanazono-san. It's me, Hyoudou."

Oh, it's Hyoudou. "Troubles already?"

"No, um, well… how should I say it? Hmm… the truth is, I want to message Yuuma-san, but I don't know what to text her! Please help me!"

If we're talking face to face, I imagine he's doing the same pose as this evening. Has he no shame? If I were him, I would feel ashamed doing it towards a girl I barely knows.

"You don't know what to text her, and yet you can call me?" I deadpan. "First lesson, don't make her a second. You want to text her, text her first, then you call me."

"Wait, I still don't know what should I-"

I disconnect the call. He's truly an idiot of the highest degree.

Eh, maybe I was too harsh on him. Well, too late for any damage control. I just hope he would not text her something awkward like 'What a fine weather tonight.'

Elsewhere, Raynare, under the guise of Amano Yuuma, receives a message from her target, Hyoudou Issei.

To: Yuuma-san

From: Hyoudou Issei

Subject: Umm…

What a fine weather tonight, huh?

She laughs hard.

Ugh, how many times do I have to say it, I don't like being the center of attention. Why can't you remember that, Hyoudou! Why the hell do you approach my desk?! Go away! I hate attention!

As I move my eyes left and right, I could see my classmates staring at me and whispering things. Ugh, this is why I hate attention. The one who caused this is sitting on the desk in front of me. My seat is far from his. Mine is on the second row from the front and in the middle, while his is somewhere on the back. I don't care where he sits, why the hell should I know his seat?

Seems like Hyoudou doesn't see the grimace on my face because he keeps sitting there, waiting for the answer to his question. That's right, when the bell rang, he suddenly approaches me and asks me a question.

'Hanazono-san, what should I do next?' while showing the messages on his phone.

I do not move, nor do I answer his question. Essentially, I ignore him in favor of the beautiful white clouds on the blue sky.

"Hanazono-san?"

I decide to reply his question.

"Have we ever talked before?"

I don't want to be seen associated with you, idiot! My nonexistent reputation won't stay nonexistent if we converse!

Under my desk, I texted him, Don't talk to me casually. Do it after school outside the class or somewhere, I don't want to be seen with you!

Issei seems to get the message as he makes an expression of hurt on his face. I'm sorry, Hyoudou… Actually, I'm not sorry at all. Don't casually approach me, idiot!

"I'm sorry, I think I mistook you for someone."

Good, it's better this way. For me, at least. I could care less about your negative reputation.

After that, the whispers died down and soon, the others do their own things. I open my lunch box, which I made myself. I also made one for Riku, full of my love for him. No, I'm not a brocon. I just care for his health and don't want him buying dangerous foods and drinks on his school.

As I am eating my lunch, my phone vibrates. I check its content. Great, it's from Hyoudou.

Texting is okay? Need ur help. Yuuma wants 2 meet after school.

Is he a buffoon? Just meet with her! What's so difficult about that?! I reply, just meet her!

Soon, he replies, but I don't know where, and what should I do after meeting her.

Goddamn, Hyoudou. How much of a loser is he? Doesn't even know things to do when dating. Well, not that I know anything about dating either. It's just, asking what to do to a girl seems like what a loser would do.

Don't ever forget to compliment her. I'm sure you can wing it. Just walk around with her, it's not a date, right? Just walk, right?

After I send that message, I glance at him, and found him staring at his phone. Soon, there is a determined expression on his face. It kinda reminds me of Riku's face yesterday night when I helped him with math. Heh, seems like he knows what to do. And don't make that kind of expression! You almost trigger my big sister switch!

My phone vibrates. I know it's from Hyoudou. Thanks. N sorry 4 making u stand out earlier.

Now you're trying to be considerate? I-It's not like I'm grateful or anything, idiot. If I were a tsundere, I can imagine myself saying that. Fortunately, I'm not, so I just reply with, just don't do it again.

When I lay my eyes upon him, he shot me a grateful look. I just raised the corner of my lip upwards.

Matsuda n Motohama doesn't believe me.

I finish my lunch before I reply. I would also if I didn't see it for myself.

I know. U said it yesterday… that's y I don't want 2 fuck this up.

After I read this, I glance at him, only to see a self-depreciating smile on his face. What does this mean? Seeing Hyoudou with that self-depreciating smile is… odd. Someone like him shouldn't make that kind of expression. Does this mean that he knows that the students here are avoiding him because of his actions with the other two?

I shake my head. In this kind of situation, clearly there's one thing I need to do first. The rest can wait.

You won't. I'm certain. I know this sounds cliché, but you definitely can do it. Are you doubting yourself?

Maybe he just seeks a comfort, or maybe he truly doubts himself. I don't know what's in his mind. But I don't need to know it because all I need to do is convince him that he can do it.

…Yea. I'm scared. I'm afraid I will fuck this up. I'm afraid that she'll leave me. I'm afraid she'd hate me. I'm afraid that I'd end up alone.

He truly doubts himself. I send him a concerned look, but he just smiled softly, masking his vulnerable side from the outside world. I am the one whom he poured all his emotions. I cannot say this for certain, but I think he is kind of detached from his family. I would not want my son to be known pervert like him, and there's a big chance Hyoudou's mother shares my sentiment.

Listen. If you can't believe in yourself, then don't believe in yourself. Just believe in me who believes in you.

Thank you, Kamina, for the awesome line I can use. I love you, my brother, for asking me nicely to watch Gurren Lagann with you. Sacrificing my Modern Japanese test is worth it.

I believe you, who believes in me, Kamina.

I smiled at his reply.

Don't be a smartass now, Simon.

Should I call u Aneki now?

No. Don't fucking do it, Hyoudou! You're one centimeter away from triggering my big sister switch! Don't fucking do it!

That's what I want to tell Hyoudou, but I don't. It'd be too embarrassing to admit he's close to trigger my big sister switch, a feat that only Riku has done. So I just attack him with my words as a mean of defense. What do they say again? The best defense is offense?

Any big sister would be ashamed if their little brother is like you.

The bell signaling the end of lunch break rings, overshadowing the vibration of my phone from Hyoudou's text.

I take back what I said. I don't want 2 have a smart-mouthed big sister like u.

My fingers were itching to reply him, but the teacher has entered the class. Just this once, I let you have the last laugh, Hyoudou. The next time, I'll be the one laughing in the end.