The air crackles with tension as you and Claire Kagenou glare at each other, arms crossed, neither willing to back down. The others around you watch with a mix of amusement and mild concern—this is far from the first time the two of you have butted heads.

"I told you," Claire huffs, tapping her foot impatiently. "Little sisters are fragile. They need to be protected at all costs!"

You scoff, shaking your head. "And I told you, I already do that! No one is more overprotective than me!"

"Ha!" She smirks. "You think you’re that overprotective? I make sure no one—no one—even looks at my little brother the wrong way!"

"Yeah? Well, my little sister hasn’t even had the chance to talk to someone suspicious because I always step in first!"

The intense stare-off continues for a few moments before Beta timidly interjects. "Um… You two do realize you sound exactly the same, right?"

Claire blinks, looking at you, and you both scowl at the realization.

"...That’s irrelevant," you both say in unison, turning away at the same time.

Later that evening, when the two of you are alone, Claire lets out a deep sigh. "I guess… I can respect someone who looks after their sibling as much as I do."

She crosses her arms, looking away. "Not that I’m admitting you’re as good as me, but…" She hesitates before muttering, "I suppose we might be alike."

A small smirk tugs at your lips. "So, we’re rivals in overprotectiveness, huh?"

Claire huffs but doesn’t deny it. "...Fine. But don’t think I’ll lose to you!"

Despite the rivalry, you both know that deep down, you understand each other more than anyone else ever could.