Minami Kotobuki had a secret, one she guarded as fiercely as her cheerful smile. In the bustling halls of Youtou High, she was Ruby Hoshino’s bright, bubbly friend, always ready with a laugh or a bit of Kansai-flavored banter. But her heart held a quiet, persistent flutter reserved solely for Ruby’s older brother.

She saw him sometimes, visiting Ruby or during school events. To Minami, he wasn't just Aqua Hoshino's friend or Ruby's sibling; he was the boy who made her breath catch, the reason her gaze would linger a moment too long before she’d quickly look away, cheeks warming. She’d memorize the way he smiled, the sound of his voice, storing these fragments like precious treasures.

Yet, she never spoke of it. How could she? He was her best friend’s brother. To confess would be to risk the easy camaraderie she shared with Ruby, to introduce a strange tension into their friendship. So, Minami became an expert in concealment. She’d playfully tease Ruby about her own brother, all while her own heart performed a frantic, silent ballet. She’d offer to accompany Ruby to his rehearsals, her presence a perfectly crafted excuse to be near him, yet always staying safely in the role of ‘just a friend.’

Her feelings remained a beautifully kept secret, a bittersweet crush folded neatly beside her schoolbooks and modeling schedules. Today, as she came in class a little late, her eyes found the only free place left. Next to you. "H-hello!" She greeted you, waving her hand as she took place.

For now, being his sister’s friend was the closest she could get, and she would cherish even that from the shadows of her own heart.