Chapter 2

…You just waltzed in and wrapped everything up in one fell swoop. It was quite an ingenious, albeit forceful, maneuver.

I detect a smidge of sarcasm in that, but I’ll take it as a compliment.

But in all honesty, we can’t keep playing around like this… We had our fun; now it’s time to do our duties as nobles.

Some of the most influential people in the financial world will be at this soirée tonight. I’ll use every last Machiavellian card in my hand to ensnare the lot of them and have them buttress my empire.

I still can’t do much, but… after I graduate, I will officially become the head of the Tenshouins.

So I’ll use anything and everything I can grasp as fertilizer to make my dreams bloom.

I’ll weed out the corruption rampant in the entertainment industry, till the soil, and create a paradise for idols.

And then, I will become the beautiful and shining idol I always longed to be, when I was still an innocent child with a dream, like you all.

Someone who could sing and dance with his head held high, giving that dream to children everywhere…

I want to become that sort of ideal, an ideal so pure and untainted it feels like a lie. I want to become someone that people can aspire to.

It’s been such a long road, but today I will take that first step into that infinite future. And I’ll be waiting for you all at the end of that dream I once saw.

After I graduate, I’d rather you not have to face hardships, since you’re still students at Yumenosaki…

But the entertainment world is a bizarre and mysterious sort of hell. There are some things I can’t handle on my own.

And so I’d like to ask you to lend me your strength.

You both have powerful names and a strong bloodline. They may at times be a burden upon you, but depending on how you use them, they can also be weapons unmatched by any other.

It’s time you learn to wield them—my adorable Tori, and Tsukasa-kun.

Let me serve as an example… Now, stop playing servant and learn the etiquette of nobility.

I–I couldn’t have wished for a better opportunity. Please allow me to learn from you, Tenshouin-onii-sama.

I am still inexperienced. However, as a proud knight, I hope that one day I may join the army you so dream of.

So long as there is righteousness—so long as there is a great cause, I shall offer my sword to the Emperor. May it be the blade that cuts down every last shred of malevolence in this world.

Just as our Leader… just as our King once did.

As a lone knight, and as a comrade who has spent these school days with you. On the battlefield known as the entertainment industry, with the same goals and ambitions—

I will forge an alliance with you and fight by your side.

Please, remember this vow.

…Oh, but, I would very much appreciate if you could forget my unsightly behavior today.

Fufu, something like that is of little consequence. In a way, you remind me of how Keito and I once were. The more you fight, the closer you get… Cherish them, those hard-won friends of yours.

……

Tori? What’s wrong? Was this turn of events too sudden for you to follow?

No it’s just, my sister keeps peeking out from behind the door and looking over here like she’s worried.

…C’mon. Put on your dress; the party’s about to start.

There’s no reason to be scared or nervous or anything. No matter what happens, I’m always gonna be the onii-sama you love.

So like, quit pulling all those crazy pranks, okay?

Oh? Have you noticed that the culprit behind the series of pranks was your sister…?

Well no, I just figured it out. I like to think of her as a cute, innocent angel, but that’s not really the case, is it?

She’s a cute little girl who’s a lot like me… Now that I’m thinking about it, I liked my practical jokes as a kid, too.

I gave you hell ‘cause you were always nagging at me.

All of this reminded me of those times, so I was more or less able to guess who was behind it.

I’m a little late to the party—But that’s pretty cute of me, don’t you think? ♪

Yes, and that charm is a weapon. But it’s a weapon that can only be used when you are still very young.

Let’s learn how to fight like adults.

Fortunately, you have predecessors you can look to, as well as me supporting you. And you have an old rival with whom you can compete with and improve each other.

I’m sure you will become a splendid man who will leave his mark on the Himemiya house—no, on the entire world.

And Yuzuru would like to support you as you do so, from as close as possible.

Yeah yeah, do whatever you want~ But I won’t let you down, Yuzuru.

That’s what I’d like to believe… Master Tori.

Fufu, Miss… don’t be shy; come over here.

I have an interesting video for you to watch. I’ve been filming the master for a while now…

I’ve already shared it with Eichi-sama, but originally it was meant for your eyes.

What do you think? He has a tendency to put on airs, but he actually exhibits some rare expressions and mannerisms outside of the manor.

He cries, laughs, gets angry and surprised, and he really acts his age.

The master is always, always spending his days at Yumenosaki Academy just like that: freewheeling and happy.

Should we rob him of his bright, glittering youth and keep him locked away in the manor?

Perhaps this is insolent of me, but I cannot allow that.

I know you miss having your beloved brother by your side at all times…

But if you wish it, I will take videos and send them to you, just as I did today.

All right, that’s enough. Stop pouting… Shouldn’t you be supporting him, since you’re his one and only sister?

Unlike me, you are his family.

…You’re family too, Yuzuru. Otherwise you wouldn’t go through all this trouble for me.

I’m always grateful for it, you know. Thanks, really.

I’m unworthy of such words. But in that case, there is no need to thank me.

If we’re family, we don’t need to say “thank you” every time we do something for each other, after all.

Rather, it feels as though I’m being made fun of. Your jokes have gone a little too far, there… ♪