Mrs. Mira was not home, leaving only the Tsubakihara sisters. Alex also didn't see the unfortunate adopted son of the Tsubakihara family, Yuji Tsubakihara, whom he had crippled. Rumor had it Yuji was still in the hospital.
Alex wasn't too concerned. However, with only the young man and the two young women in the spacious house, and with the mysterious and unpredictable Alex under the same roof, wasn't the atmosphere strange?
Yuna Tsubakihara seemed oblivious to the shift in atmosphere. She casually pulled a drink from the refrigerator, her smile appearing genuine. Her sister, Nina Tsubakihara, on the other hand, sat down several feet away from Alex, pretending to look at her phone.
However, her mind wasn't on the screen at all. She was secretly glancing at Alex, and also... at her sister.
"Speaking of which, how did you two know about the Student Council twins?" Alex asked while sipping the juice Yuna poured for him.
"We just heard it from others... Your club has quite a reputation, after all," Yuna Tsubakihara's expression was subtle. Thinking of him usurping the role of president of the [Erotic Guidance] club made her feel a little odd.
Heard from others? You clearly went out of your way to find out, Nina Tsubakihara grumbled silently, overhearing the conversation.
"Is that so? Perhaps, Yuna-san, you're thinking of joining my club?"
This question touched Yuna Tsubakihara's heart. She genuinely had that idea but was too shy to bring it up directly, so she beat around the bush. "After that dangerous incident last time, being with you would be much safer."
"Safer? You can't be serious, right?" Alex felt like laughing. "Have you forgotten what happened between Mrs. Mira and me? You know about my abilities—do you still find me safe?"
"Even so... it's still better than that Tanaka Hajime," Yuna Tsubakihara whispered, occasionally peeking up at him. "Besides, I trust you, Alex."
"..."
I want to join your club was practically written all over her face. Alex contemplated for a moment, rubbing his chin curiously. "Don't say anything you might regret. I don't know if I'm better than Tanaka Hajime, but this club... isn't a respectable one."
"Yuna-san, I'm not a good person, you know. If you join, you'll inevitably have to do that sort of thing... just like Mrs. Mira, your mother, did back then."
"Even so, are you still willing?"
His words were quite direct: joining the club meant engaging in sexual activities. This fact was laid bare before Yuna Tsubakihara. Any other girl would undoubtedly refuse, but she...
Nina Tsubakihara, listening nearby, looked conflicted. My sister is actually willing. She wondered what was wrong with Yuna to feel this way towards that scoundrel.
As she thought this, another voice entered her ears: "If you agree, I can let you join. But there's one condition: your sister, Nina Tsubakihara, has to join with you. How about that?"
"What?"
"..."
Nina Tsubakihara hadn't expected the fire to jump to her. She was an innocent bystander, yet she was targeted. She was even more surprised that, upon hearing this, a flicker of joy actually sparked within her. Then she saw both her sister's and Alex's eyes turn to her, making her instantly flustered.
"Me? Huh? Well..."
"Why do you need Nina..." Yuna Tsubakihara widened her eyes, as if realizing something. "Alex, you're not interested in Nina too, are you...?"
She was suspicious.
"Nina-san is excellent in her studies, outstanding in sports, and also skilled in social interactions. She's the perfect model student at school. Of course I admire such an exceptional girl."
Alex smiled.
He was speaking the truth. Compared to the introverted and socially anxious Yuna Tsubakihara at school, her younger sister, Nina, was the perfect student template. Hearing Alex's words, Yuna Tsubakihara's expression immediately dimmed.
Even she felt she couldn't compare to her sister.
"If you truly want Nina to join, Alex..."
Yuna's mouth felt bitter.
"Wait, why is this about me all of a sudden? And I have no interest in that weird club," Nina Tsubakihara lifted her chin proudly, like a haughty peacock.
"Nina..."
Yuna wanted to persuade her but felt bad about dragging her sister into this predicament. As she wrestled with her dilemma, Alex rested his cheek on his hand, changing his position on the sofa. "If Nina-san isn't willing, then forget it."
"Huh?" Yuna Tsubakihara froze. "But, Alex, didn't you just say..."
"Nina-san is indeed outstanding and flawless. But if I think about it, Yuna-san, you're not bad either. Besides, compared to a stuck-up model student, the girl-next-door type is more popular, and I really like that type."
The girl-next-door type? Is he talking about me?
Yuna Tsubakihara's face flushed. Her heart thumped, and her cheeks burned. "If you like it, Alex, then I... Mhm, well, I'm willing to join the club."
After a brief struggle, the outcome hadn't changed, yet it had left Yuna Tsubakihara even more enamored, her eyes practically melting into pools of water. Her sister, on the other side, had a face dark with annoyance.
He did that on purpose, didn't he? Alex definitely did that on purpose!
"Yuna-sis, come with me!"
She stood up and grabbed her sister's shoulder. "I need to talk to you about something."
"Huh? Nina, what do you need to talk about? There's no need to hide from Alex."
"Just come with me—"
Watching the two sisters bicker as they left, Alex took a sip of juice, a wide smile on his face. "I didn't expect Nina Tsubakihara to be the first one to panic... But seriously, does Yuna Tsubakihara really want to join? Does she actually like me?"
Rumble—
A clap of thunder outside the window interrupted Alex's musings. The morning had been bright and cloudless, but now the sky was suddenly overcast and filled with rumbling thunder. It seemed a thunderstorm was about to strike.
July weather changes in an instant.
Rumble—
Soon, raindrops began to fall, accompanied by strong wind and lightning. Alex seemed to remember something. He leaned his head toward the window and spotted the little cat sheltering under the eaves outside.
Unfortunately, the gusting wind still blew the rain onto the kitten.
Click—
The door opened. Alex stood at the entrance and beckoned to the little white cat. "Little guy, want to come inside and wait out the rain?"
"Meow?"
This time, Alex didn't use his ability, and the kitten didn't run away. It tilted its small head, looked at the gloomy, wind-swept sky, and then glanced back at Alex.
It blinked, thought for a moment, and finally got up, padding closer before darting into the house.
It shook its wet body, splashing water onto Alex's face.
"You little rascal..."
Meanwhile, in an upstairs bedroom—
"Sister, are you really going to do this?" The two sisters were talking. "Are you truly going to join that strange club?"
Nina was still worried.
"I've already decided, Nina. You don't need to persuade me. Besides, that club... it's not as bad as you think," Yuna Tsubakihara said shyly. "I trust Alex."
"..."
He's the one who... did that to Mom. And she still trusts him?
It's over. Looking at Yuna-sis, she has completely fallen for him.