"Obviously I want to know about the mysterious older sister who pretends she's not interested in me," Haruto replied with a smirk. "But it seems you are more fun than your sister nanami-chan."

  Nanami, 13, looked a lot like Yumi—,same dark, silky hair but cut shorter, ending just above her shoulders. Her eyes were shaded like Yumi. Though her figure was slimmer compared to her she still resembled Yumi, like a younger, more carefree version of her big sister.

  Yumi's sister nanami ughed. "I knew it. Well, she's in bad mood today, so you're stuck with me."

  "It's Perfect," Haruto said, leaning back. " Can you tell me a bit more about Yumi."

  Nanami giggled. "Oh, about Yumi-nee, I see. Well, let me tell you a secret." She leaned in closer. "She actually talks about you a lot when she thinks no one's listening."

  Haruto listened with interest. "Really how? And what does she say?"

  Nanami leaned back, crossing her arms confidently. "Oh, you know... things like 'Haruto's so annoying,' 'Haruto always gets under my skin,' and 'Why does he keep staring at me?' But," she added with a sly grin, "she never stops talking about you."

  Haruto chuckled. "Sounds like I'm living rent-free in her head."

  "Totally!" Nanami ughed again. "But you didn't hear it from me."

  She put a finger on her head and asked haruto wondering. "But Why are you so curious about her onni-san? Do you like her?"

  Haruto's smirk widened. "Maybe I just want to know more about the girl who's always so adorable."

  Yumi's sister snickered. "I knew it, Are you are the one who gave Yumi-nee that costly tea set? Good luck with her, you have my support but she's a real handful sometimes."

  Just as Haruto was about to respond, Yumi walked in, her eyes becoming annoyed as she saw him with her sister. Her hands flew to her hips, her gre shifting between the two of them. "What the hell is going on here? Why are you two so... chummy?"

  Yumi was dressed in a smooth blouse and medium level skirt, her legs are toned.

  Nanami blinked innocently. "Nothing, Yumi-nee! We were just chatting."

  Yumi shot her sister a death gre before turning her attention to Haruto. "Why are you here?"

  Haruto stood up, stretching casually. "Just bonding with your sister. Didn't realize I wasn't allowed here."

  Yumi's cheeks puffed in frustration. "Well, you have. You should leave."

  Haruto replied. "You are cruel, Yumi. I was just trying to learn more about you. Your sister has some great stories."

  Her sister grinned. "Oh, definitely. I've got plenty more."

  Yumi's face turned red, and she pointed at her sister. "Stop encouraging him!" She turned her gaze to Haruto, her voice flustered. " Why are you even here?! Can't you give me some privacy at home"

  Haruto leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "Or what, Yumi? Are you going to punish me? You know, I wouldn't mind if it's just the two of us this time."

  Yumi's face flushed an even deeper shade of red. "Y-You absolute idiot! Despisable"

  Nanami leaned in, resting her chin on her hand, grinning at Haruto. "So, Onii-chan, how long are you gonna keep messing with my sister before you make it official?"

  Yumi shot a look at Nanami, face fring up again. "Nanami! Don't encourage him. He's nothing but a—"

  "A charming pyboy?" Nanami interrupted, throwing a wink at Haruto.

  Haruto fshed his smug smile at Yumi. "Look at me Yumi I am charming."

  Yumi clenched her fists, trying not to lose her cool. "You're impossible. Both of you."

  Nanami ughed, crossing her arms with a smug look. "C'mon, Yumi-nee, having two girls isn't that big of a deal nowdays. You can't tell me you haven't noticed how much fun you have with him around."

  Haruto chuckled, sipping his drink. "See? Nanami gets me."

  Yumi's eyes widened as she gred at her sister. "Don't be ridiculous! He's... he's a pyer! He already has other girls after him, and—"

  "I am a good Badminton pyer though" Haruto responded earning a gre from Yumi

  "Yeah, yeah, but that just means he's popur, right?" Nanami teased. "Besides, he still makes time for you, doesn't he?"

  Haruto grinned, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, clearly enjoying how the conversation was going. "You know, Nanami, you're really good at this. Maybe you should be my wingman more often."

  Yumi let out a frustrated groan, throwing her hands up. "I give up. You're both hopeless."

  Nanami just giggled, winking at Haruto again. "Well, there should be someone's gotta help push things along. Besides, I think you two would be cute together, right?"

  Yumi's gre deepened, but there was no stopping the redness spreading across her cheeks. "I don't like him. He's just... infuriating. Always teasing me and—"

  "Yeah, 'cause he likes you, duh!" Nanami teased, poking Yumi's arm. "You're just too stubborn to admit it. You should go out with him more, Yumi"

  Yumi's heart raced. Deep down, she felt a flutter she can't describe. She clenched her fists. "I-I don't need to go out with him! He's... annoying!"

  But despite her protests, she couldn't ignore the warm feeling spreading through her chest even if she didn't want to admit it.

  Haruto, leaned in closer. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. Just wait until our next date."

  Yumi's sister nudged her, grinning. "Come on, Yumi. Just admit it—you like him!"

  Yumi stumbled, tripping over her own feet as she tried to escape the room. "I do not! I'll never like a guy like Haruto! Never!"

  Haruto chuckled softly, watching her retreating figure. "We'll see about that."

  Her sister smirked. "I am sorry, Haruto. Onee-san can be stubborn sometimes"

  He just grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

  Nanami, suddenly pushed Haruto with more force than expected, sending him flying straight toward Yumi. "Oops!" she chirped, feigning innocence as Haruto stumbled helplessly toward Yumi

  Yumi barely had time to react as Haruto crashed into her, their bodies colliding awkwardly. Instinctively, her arms shot out, catching him in strong embrace, preventing them both from toppling over.

  For a moment, they were pressed close together. Haruto blinked, his face mere inches from Yumi's, and his eyes naturally wandered for a split second. He couldn't help but notice her features. She had sweet smell of jasmine close to her.

  He saw all the delicate features of her face: her smooth, porcein skin, the soft sexy pink lips, just inches away. Her dark eyes, which are now staring at him. Then he felt it—her chest lightly pressing against him, her soft slightly exposed from her blouse fabric. Her body is making him heat up inside of how his body desired hers, as he could his feel lower region getting heated up with her embracing him.

  Yumi's entire body tensed, she was horrified and embarrassed as Haruto leaned in so close. Her gaze instinctively dropped to his face, and she felt that all-too-familiar flutter deep in her chest.

  Yumi, suddenly felt that familiar burst of energy. Her instincts kicking in. Without thinking, she grabbed Haruto by the waist, ready to hoist him into the air for German supplex.

  Her hands gripped tight, her legs bracing for the lift—and just as Haruto felt the ground beneath him, Yumi stopped.

  She hesitated, catching herself mid-move, her breath catching in her throat. "Tch... I almost lost my cool," she grumbled, setting him down slowly, her hands shaking vigoursly as she tried to maintain composure. What am I doing? she scolded herself internally.

  Haruto blinked, looking slightly dazed as he barely avoided the supplex.

  "Uh... Yumi?" Haruto asked, still a little shaken but unable to hide his amazement. "How... how are you this strong?"

  Haruto realized she might have tough personality but to be able to german supplex haruto so casually! Yumi needs to hesistate a bit

  Nanami grinned like a cat that caught a fish. "Oh, Onii-chan, didn't you know? Yumi-nee's a total powerhouse. She's been training at the dojo since she was little! She's practically a warrior princess," Nanami giggled, clearly enjoying the moment.

  Yumi clicked her tongue, as she covered her face with her palms out of embressment. "Nanami, stop it..." she muttered, avoiding eye contact with Haruto. But even she knew she couldn't escape it now.

  Haruto, still processing the idea, replied. "Now it makes sense why all the guys at school say your sps hurt like hell. I thought they were exaggerating, but..." He trailed off, gncing down at her arm. Yumi arm looked small but it held strong grip over haruto arm

  Yumi's face grew more flustered, as she replied in frustration as she remembered the incident. "They deserved it! Every time they think they can get away with something, like putting an arm around me without asking or making some disgusting comment about my legs," she muttered, her voice growing more heated.

  Nanami's eyes gleamed with mischief as she chimed in, "Oh, and don't forget that one time they made a bet on who could make Yumi-nee blush first! Didn't end well for them..."

  Yumi clicked her tongue in disgust, her cheeks burning a little brighter. "Of course, I spped them. Hard. It's like they didn't get the message that being decent isn't that hard." She let out a breath, her eyes flickering over to Haruto as if to say, 'See what I have to deal with?'

  "But how do you become this strong, you look so slim and beautiful but I don't find any muscle " Haruto asked confused.

  Nanami replied. "If you ever meet our parents, you'll get it. Our dad's this crazy martial arts master, and Mom's... well, let's just say she trained Yumi to the beauty and eleganto she is. They're super strict about training, right, Yumi-nee?"

  "Spy x reference? " Haruto asked

  "One stel for you " Nanami gave him some paper badge

  "Um what " Yumi asked confused

  "Nothing important carry on " Nanami replied to yumi as she gotten annoyed

  Haruto tilted his head, curious. "Wait, I mean they sound really dedicated, what's the big deal about it?"

  Nanami, leaned in with a wicked grin. "Because, Haruto that's where the problem is, Yumi-nee here isn't just being trained in how to be the perfect wife. She's also a beast in martial arts. And guess what? Mom and Dad have this weird idea that these two things make her, like, the ultimate catch." She giggled. "Strong enough to protect, but also graceful enough to serve tea. Kinda wild, right?"

  Yumi shot her a venomous look to tell him about her, but there was a certain fear in her eyes. "It's not just that," she began, her voice strained. "In their heads, all this training—being a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko and mastering martial arts—is supposed to... I don't know, mold me into some kind of fwless wife who's graceful and delicate, yet can still break an arm if needed. It's insane."

  Haruto raised an eyebrow, trying to piece it all together. "Wait, so they expect you to be both the picture-perfect traditional wife and someone who could take down a guy twice your size?"

  Yumi groaned, nodding. "Exactly. My mom's always saying that a perfect wife is supposed to 'uphold her husband's honor while being his gentle support.' And then my dad... ugh, he just adds in all this martial arts stuff, saying 'a woman should be able to protect her family physically, too.' So, yeah. They think it's all complementary, but it's a nightmare." She shuddered. "You should hear them when they get going."

  Nanami just shrugged nonchantly, twirling a strand of hair. "Well, they're not totally wrong. I mean, if you can serve a meal with grace and beat up creeps, that's kinda awesome. I mean men would line up for you Yumi"

  Yumi looked horrified. "Nanami, it's terrifying! They think that any guy I bring home will have to be 'worthy' of this whole package. And if they even suspect I'm interested in someone—" She gnced nervously at Haruto. "—they'll grill him. Test him. It'll be like some weird ancient matchmaking trial! It's creepy how I don't get to choose."

  Haruto chuckled nervously, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I get it. Sounds like I'd be dead if they saw me here."

  Yumi nodded rapidly. "You don't understand. My dad would drag you out to the dojo and challenge you to a match just to see if you could 'handle me.' And my mom... she'd try to teach you tea ceremony etiquette and see if you're 'refined enough.'" She clenched her fists, her voice lowering. "It's a nightmare. The thought of them even suspecting you're here—" She cut herself off with a shiver.

  Haruto raised an eyebrow, curious but not entirely fazed. "Tea ceremony? How bad can that be?"

  Yumi shot him a desperate look. "You don't understand... Imagine hours—literal hours—of sitting in perfect posture, doing everything by the book. If you even blink the wrong way, she'll make you start over from the beginning. And the whole time, you have to be completely silent, graceful, and... ugh, submissive. It's hell."

  Nanami, who had been quietly enjoying Yumi's meltdown, grinned casually. "She's right. It's not just tea. It's a whole philosophy of being perfectly elegant while serving tea, and if you even flinch, Mom can smell it. She's terrifying."

  Haruto blinked, trying to visualize it. "So... she's like a drill sergeant, but for tea and posture?"

  "Exactly!" Yumi excimed, throwing her hands up. "My dad would test you with a sparring match, and then Mom would test you with a tea ceremony. Between the two of them, you wouldn't survive a day."

  Nanami giggled, completely unfazed. "Aww, Yumi-nee, you worry too much. Besides, it sounds kinda romantic in a super old-school way. You know, proving yourself for love and all that."

  Yumi shot her a gre. "This isn't some light novel, Nanami! It's real life! And Haruto is not going to be forced to fight my dad or, worse, sit through one of Mom's tea lessons!"

  Haruto, though slightly concerned, couldn't help but grin. "Sounds intense, but kinda interesting. I mean, the idea of you being both delicate and fierce... it makes sense now. The way you carry yourself—graceful, but always strong. I really like you even better"

  Yumi's eyes twitched at his words. "It's not some romantic thing!" she snapped, though her voice was disleveled. "I'm not some... some fantasy heroine! This whole situation is impossible!"

  Nanami ughed, patting her sister's shoulder. "Oh, come on, Yumi. You're basically a real-life Yamato Nadeshiko warrior! Who wouldn't be into that?"

  Just as Yumi buried her face in her hands, a familiar car engine rumbled to a stop outside the house. Her heart skipped a beat as she peeked through her fingers. "Oh no... they're back already!" she whispered, panic seeping into her voice.

  Nanami peeked through the window, her mischievous grin unwavering. "Yup, that's Mom and Dad alright. Looks like the fun's about to start. We're on a timer, Haruto-nii."

  Haruto tensed, throwing a quick gnce towards Yumi, who looked ready to colpse from the stress. "You didn't mention I'd be running from your parents..." he muttered, unsure whether to ugh or start strategizing his escape.

  Yumi buried her face in her hands, groaning. "I'm so dead if they find out I am hiding a boy. Especially you"

  Nanami leaned over to Haruto, whispering just loud enough for Yumi to hear, "So, Onii-chan, when are you pnning to fight our dad for Yumi-nee's hand? I'll bring popcorn."

  Yumi shot up from her seat, gring at both of them. "No one is fighting anyone! And stop joking about this, Nanami!"

  Yumi's face turned pale as the realization hit her. She sank down onto a chair, burying her face in her hands. "Oh god... If my parents see Haruto here, it's over. They'll get the wrong idea. No, the worst idea!"

  Haruto tilted his head, still half-smirking but curious. "Wait, why? I mean, what's the big deal?"

  Nanami tapped her chin thoughtfully, still grinning. "Rex, Yumi-nee. I know a way out. Haruto-nii can escape through the top floor. The ground floor's windows are locked tight, but the attic window isn't. I'll distract Mom and Dad. You help him escape."

  Yumi sighed, a deep breath escaping her lips as her panic calmed. "Fine, but if this goes wrong, I'm bming you for everything," she muttered, shooting her sister a weary gre.

  Without wasting time, Yumi grabbed Haruto's wrist, tugging him up the stairs, their footsteps quick and quiet. "Follow me, and don't even think about making a sound," she ordered, clearly not in the mood for jokes. Haruto complied, trying not to trip as Yumi led him through a narrow hallway and up into her room.

  Her room was simple but clean, with neatly organized bookshelves, a polished desk, and a bed with a soft pink bnket that matched the rest of the room's understated aesthetic. "Wait here," she said, running to her closet. She grabbed a couple of long dresses and her bnket, quickly tying them together into a makeshift rope.

  "You sure this will hold?" Haruto asked, gncing at the 'rope' with uncertainty.

  "It'll have to," Yumi replied dryly, her voice tinged with nerves. "It's either this or you face my dad, and trust me, you'd prefer falling out the window."

  Haruto chuckled, sensing how tense she was. "You're actually worried about me? That's sweet."

  Yumi's eyes narrowed as she tossed the tied fabric out the window. "I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about you getting caught here and me getting a lifetime ban from leaving the house. Just go, and don't drop dead."

  Haruto grabbed onto the makeshift rope and began to climb down, feeling the chill of the evening breeze as it hit his face. "You're concerned about me, admit it," he teased, turning his head slightly as he descended. "Even though I torture you, we had fun today, right?"

  Yumi crossed her arms, her lips pursed, but a small blush betrayed her irritation. "Don't get cocky. It's not like I had a choice," she muttered, though her voice was softer, cking her usual sharp tone.

  Haruto grinned, touching the ground safely, and looked up at her. "Still, thanks for today. It was fun pushing your buttons. Guess I'm a little lucky you didn't kick me out earlier."

  Yumi gnced down at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. "Just... be careful, okay? And stop talking like we're in some ridiculous romance novel." She paused, her voice turning almost shy. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

  With a final ugh, Haruto waved as he darted off, disappearing into the night as Yumi watched, her heart still racing from as she saw him running away. "Idiot..." she whispered under her breath, closing the window with a soft sigh, knowing she wouldn't forget this day anytime soon.