Asahi didn't consider himself to be a very sociable person, but he genuinely enjoyed talking to the 2 girls next to him. They had starkly juxtaposing personalities, and he enjoyed seeing how their takes differed, yet they were still able to communicate freely. It was rather heartwarming.

The end of the maths lesson signalled lunchtime. Nishita was going to go out with her other friends, and Leigh decided to play some badminton.

"Hey, er, can I come with you?"

"Wait, you want to play badminton?"

Leigh was surprised to see him take initiative.

"Haha, yeah, Evelyn keeps beating me at it, so I need to get to her level at least."

He's a liar. He was extremely proficient at the game.

"Fair enough, but let me tell you, I'm the best female player in the country!"

"Well, do I look female to you?"

"No, not unless you wanted me to," She giggled.

"Exactly. You haven't proven yourself better than me, then."

"Wow, you must really like the game - you seem a lot more confident than you did a few moments ago,"

"Yeah, I guess,"

They both quickly got changed and entered the courts. There was no one there to disturb them, so it was the perfect environment. They both did some stretches and got into the game.

"Alright, I'll serve first,"

Leigh tossed up the shuttle and hit it hard. As she jumped, her shirt went up, showing off her pierced navel and toned abdomen. Inevitably, Asahi got distracted and conceded the point.

"Haha, 1-0 already!"

"Sh-Shut up... I got kind of distracted!"

"With what? A butterfly?" She teased.

She didn't realise how good she looked.

"Oh well, whatever, play the next one".

She threw up the shuttle, and this time, Asahi was not distracted. Her serve came at a rather strong pace, but it was nothing a couple of steps couldn't handle. Asahi flicked the back of his wrist and dragged the shuttle to the corner of her court. She lunged and performed a drop. Asahi had anticipated this and sent a hammering smash down the centre of her court.

"Well, it's 1 all, now,"

"All right, it's time to get serious, then."

She took on a much sterner look, completely contrasting her generally bubbly personality.

Asahi served a trick and placed it much shorter than he originally intended to. Leigh immediately caught on to this and flicked it high into the air.

That's a little foolish. I can just smash it, now.

He jumped and put all his strength into the trajectory, slightly angling his racket to get it just out of her reach. To his surprise, she caught it instantly and returned it, parrying the strength Asahi had applied to it before. He reflexively caught the shuttle, but Leigh was near the front of the net, ready to punish him.

The game ended 21 - 12, Leigh's win.

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"Well, I guess you are a girl!" She sneered.

"You'll have to teach me how to put on my mascara then."

They carried on talking about nothing as they sat to the side, catching their breath.

"How did you get into badminton, Asahi?"

"When I was in my old school, we took some athletic tests. I ended up doing alright in speed and reflexive aptitude, so I realised I would get on with badminton quite well."

"That is the most uninspiring story I have ever heard,"

"I never said it was going to be very exhilarating. What about you?"

"I wanted to get out of the house because my parents were fighting, and I wandered into a random gym. The only available thing was a squash racket, so I started playing that. Afterwards, someone invited me to play badminton, and I ended up enjoying that more, so I stuck with it,"

"How old were you?"

"I think around 7, but I'm not too sure,"

"Yeah, I think I started around that age as well, but I never took it all too seriously,"

"What? I can't hear you. Is that, perhaps, an excuse?"

"Oh, sorry, Mistress Leigh,"

"Hehe, I kind of like that~"

They carried on chatting before realising it was 2 p.m and they were late for their next lesson. They got changed quickly and rushed back to the classroom. They got an earful from Miss Lock about tardiness and went to their next class.

After Asahi got home, he noticed Ayana playing the piano.

"Hey Ayana, how was school?"

"It was alright, nothing too special."

...

"Happy Birthday, Ayana."

Her eyes lit up, and she gave her brother a big hug. He slowly noticed his shirt getting damped as she buried her head into his neck.

I... why is she...

"H-Hey, Ayana, why are you crying?!"

"B-Because you were the only one who wished me a happy birthday... Oh Asahi, I wish I would have some friends"

I... didn't think wishing her a happy birthday would mean so much to her...

Her naturally cocky aura wore off, and she exposed her vulnerability. Asahi's guilt stung him, as he remembered considering eating the sweets he was going to get her and ripping the sketch he made.

"Hey, Ayana, I sketched something for you,"

"R-Really? You haven't drawn in ages, Asahi,"

She lifted her head, and her eyes revealed their red tinge. Her hair was a mess, so Asahi began braiding it. He got out the flower and placed it in her hands.

"Hehe, is this some sort of riddle?"

"Maybe, maybe not, who knows?"

"You know you won't ever be able to make a riddle that I can't crack,"

She beamed in pride.

"Yeah, yeah, you're a genius, alright,"

"Oh, do you want to hear a new song I made?"

Asahi had heard her practicing, but he didn't mind fulfilling her innocent wish.

"Sure, but it better be something good,"

"Alright, I'll do my best!"

She turned off the lights, and her piano flashed as she struck the notes. Her fingers trailed like the delicate legs of a spider dancing over the notes. Every arpeggio was played in a blended rhythm, and her delicate touch guided the lengths of the notes. Her elbows stayed fixed, letting her forearms sway across the notes as she slowly executed her chords.

Her playing was melancholic. It was as if she was letting out all of her distress into that one piece of music. Her pain emanated through the chords, and it was beautiful. It reminded me of something, of the lack of touch I've encountered. It feels awful. And It feels scary. I hope this is not how she feels, because I couldn't bear to imagine the pain this would have on a poor human girl...

"Ayana, that was *sniff* amazing..."

His eyes were red too.

"Wait no, brother, please don't cry!"

She began to cry again. He laughed as she tried her best to console him.

"Ayana, I'm not crying because I'm sad. Your music was just so... entrancing... it feels as if I was in a dream."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah! Well done, that was amazing!"

She smiled innocently and pulled her favourite teddy bear towards her.

She might be a prodigy, but I guess she's still my little sister...