Kotetsu Isane bent over, moving the tissue briskly across Nobu's waist and stomach. Gradually, she realized how improper the action looked—and just as her thoughts began to fluster, a pair of hands suddenly reached out.
She froze completely. Nobu's hand tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his eyes.
Their faces were suddenly close—so close she caught the warm rush of sake on his breath, and saw that disarming softness in his gaze that made thought slip away.
What is he trying to…
Her ears flared hot. In a rush, Isane straightened back, putting distance between them.
Nobu seemed momentarily surprised by her sudden retreat. She stood still for a beat, then silently stepped forward again, took up the tissue, and resumed wiping at the damp patch on his clothes. But the water had already soaked into the fabric—no matter how she tried, a dark stain still spread across it.
Seeing this, she rose and went to refill his cup, setting it on the desk before leaving the office without a backward glance.
Nobu sat where he was, watching her go. He rubbed his forehead once, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.
Maybe I rushed it…
He glanced at his system interface. Isane's affection level was fluctuating wildly, jumping up and down without settling.
Outside, after closing his office door behind her, Isane leaned back against it. Her hand rose to her cheek—it was burning hot, just as she feared.
Her heart was hammering without pause, not calming down at all.
What on earth was wrong with today? Was Nobu… doing something so improper just because he'd had too much to drink?
She felt—more than offended—awkward and embarrassed. They were already close: senior and junior, vice-captain and third seat in the same Division, and Nobu always called her nee-san.
So she couldn't summon much anger.
"Vice-Captain Kotetsu?"
The voice pulled her from her scattered thoughts.
Looking up, she remembered who it was—Aoshika, a same-year graduate as Nobu, and one of his close friends.
"Ah. Did you need something?" she asked, regaining composure, her tone calm.
"I'm here to see Nobu."
He pointed at the office door she was standing in front of, looking puzzled.
"Is it… not okay to go in?"
"It's fine," she said quickly, and then walked off at a brisk pace.
Aoshika stared after her in confusion.
"She's so gentle and beautiful… what a shame," he muttered.
He meant her height—just shy of a meter ninety, a figure that intimidated plenty of men.
Even Aoshika, tall himself, felt the pressure when standing next to her.
Nobu hadn't drunk much to begin with. An hour or two later, his mind was perfectly clear.
In the afternoon, he took a team on another field mission. By the time they returned to the barracks, night had fallen.
But Fourth Division's lights never went out—there was always someone on duty in the Comprehensive Treatment Unit.
On his way back to his quarters, Nobu noticed the vice-captain's office still lit. After a moment's thought, he walked over.
Isane was inside, working through some paperwork. At the knock on her door, she answered absently, "Come in."
Looking up, she saw Nobu—and felt that faint ripple inside her again.
"Nobu… you're back," she said, forcing composure and a small smile.
"How was the mission?"
"Someone got injured. I healed them—they're fine now," he replied.
"Then they're definitely fine," she said with a continued smile.
"Why's nee-san still here?"
"Some files to finish."
Nobu glanced at the papers—it really was just minor squad work.
"Don't overwork yourself. You can do this tomorrow," he said.
Head down, Isane kept sorting. "It's not much. Won't take long."
"I'll help."
"No, no. It's late. Go rest… I can handle it."
"…"
He noticed her manner toward him had grown overly polite—none of the warmth from before.
"Nee-san," he called softly.
"…Mm?" She didn't lift her head, eyes still on the same few sheets she'd been shuffling through repeatedly.
"About earlier—sorry."
"…"
Her shoulders gave the smallest tremor. A moment later she raised her head, smiling gently. "It's nothing. I didn't mind. You'd been drinking—don't dwell on it."
"I wasn't drunk," Nobu said.
Her smile faltered.
"Nobu, you…"
"I wasn't drunk," he repeated.
Their eyes met; Isane's lashes fluttered. She instinctively glanced away, the office light warm on her skin, and felt her ears heating again.
"Nobu, what are you saying…"
Her voice was unsteady, her heart a tangled mess. She had the faint, unsettling sense that he was about to say something dangerous.
"You've always taken care of me. I've always been grateful. In my eyes, you're kind, beautiful, gentle—and what I said earlier was the truth."
"…"
Her lips pressed together. She forced a dry laugh. "You call me your sister, so of course I see you as a younger brother."
"I know," he said evenly. "But I don't see nee-san entirely as a sister."
Clatter
She stood abruptly, the sudden motion tipping her chair over onto the floor.
The warm light in the room seemed to thicken.
"Nobu…"
The word caught in her throat, her heartbeat ticking like a frantic second hand. His gaze stayed clear and bright, and that openness made her even more flustered.
"Sorry, nee-san," he said with a trace of apology. "Maybe I've spoken out of turn and offended you again."
No…
Isane opened her mouth, unsure if any sound came out. Her thoughts were scattered, making it hard to think.
She tried to steady herself, avoiding his face, eyes fixed on the floor.
"S-sorry, Nobu… Let's… not talk about this, okay?"
Nobu only smiled softly. Her words, tinged with avoidance and refusal, didn't seem to disappoint him.
"I'll go for now. Nee-san, rest early."
Head bowed, she murmured almost to herself, "Okay…"
The click of the closing door jarred her. Lifting her head, she saw he was gone.
Silence settled over the office. A vague sense of loss drifted in. She righted the fallen chair and sat down, dazed.
The window was open, the curtain folds caught in a posture of almost taking flight. From outside came the faint, receding sound of footsteps—like a pebble dropping into a deep pond, its ripples yet to reach the corners. With it, something unnamed spread slowly through her heart.
"Ah!"
Suddenly she clawed at her head, mussing her silver hair into complete disarray.
---
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