The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?!

On April 25, after finishing his after-school patrol, Tatsuya was about to head home when Shizuku and Honoka approached.

"Miyuki, wanna go shopping?" Honoka asked.

"Now?" Miyuki said. "Tomorrow's fine, isn't it?"

"There's a sale today—tons of stuff's cheap!" Honoka said.

"Oh, really?" Miyuki said. "Then let's go."

Honoka's enthusiasm felt a bit pushy, but Miyuki agreed, and the two headed off to shop. Tatsuya turned to Shizuku.

"You're not going, Kitayama?"

"I don't live alone," Shizuku said.

"Honoka lives alone?" Tatsuya asked.

Shizuku gave him a surprised look, as if it was odd he didn't know. Classmates from different classes didn't share such details, but her expression caught him off guard.

"What?" he said.

"I just thought there's something Tatsuya-san doesn't know," she said.

"I'm not omniscient," Tatsuya said. "How would I know if Honoka lives alone?"

"Couldn't you find out easily if you tried?" Shizuku said.

"What kind of person do you think I am?" Tatsuya said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Shizuku's overestimation of him was almost amusing.

"Well, I'm heading home," he said. "See you tomorrow, Kitayama."

"Wait," Shizuku said.

"Hm?"

At the station platform, Tatsuya was about to board a cabinet when Shizuku grabbed his uniform sleeve. He could've shaken her off easily but didn't.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I need you to come with me somewhere," Shizuku said.

"Me? Sure, but now?" Tatsuya said.

"Yeah," she nodded.

Scratching his head, Tatsuya sighed. "Alright. Get in, then. People are waiting."

"Oh… sorry," Shizuku said softly.

The platform wasn't too crowded, but a line had formed. Shizuku apologized quietly and joined Tatsuya in the same cabinet.

"So, where are we going?" he asked.

"The shopping mall," she said.

"Couldn't you go with Miyuki and Honoka?"

"It has to be you, Tatsuya-san," she said.

Her determination made Tatsuya want to sigh again. Here we go, another hassle. "Fine. What's this about?"

"I'll tell you later," Shizuku said. "Just come with me for now."

"No plans anyway," Tatsuya said. He knew Miyuki would make a fuss if she found out, but Shizuku's request won out. He was surprisingly accommodating.

"Hey, Tatsuya-san," Shizuku said.

"What?"

"Call me Shizuku."

"Got it," he said.

Most of his classmates, except Shizuku and Honoka, he called by their first names, so her request was a relief.

"Let's go?" Shizuku said.

"Already here?" Tatsuya said.

"You were lost in thought," she said.

"Not really," he said, though Shizuku seemed to think he was being modest.

"Hey, Shizuku," he said, glancing around the store. "This is a men's shop. Buying a gift for someone? Your dad?"

"No," she said.

"Brother?"

"Nope."

"Then who?" he asked.

"You, Tatsuya-san," she said.

"Me?" Tatsuya's rare look of surprise flickered across his face. He hadn't expected to be dragged along to pick out his own gift.

"I didn't know yesterday, but I want to get you a birthday present," Shizuku said.

"You didn't have to," Tatsuya said.

"No way!" she said firmly.

"Alright, alright," he said. Shizuku's rare assertiveness carried an air he couldn't argue with, so he agreed to accept the gift.

"Welcome," a clerk said. "Looking for something?"

"Something that suits him," Shizuku said, gesturing to Tatsuya.

"For him? How about this?" the clerk offered a drab handkerchief, hardly suitable for a high schooler.

"Something more youthful," Shizuku said.

"How about this?" The clerk presented another item, completely mismatched to Tatsuya's vibe. Shizuku realized the store's staff wasn't well-trained.

"Forget it," she said. "I'll look myself."

"Of course," the clerk said, bowing and retreating. Tatsuya's sharp ears caught the clerk's subtle tongue-click, but he kept it to himself.

"Tatsuya-san, what color do you like?" Shizuku asked.

"Color? Mostly black, but I like blue too," he said.

"Blue… that'd suit you," she said.

Tatsuya wondered what made her think that but held back a retort since he'd mentioned it himself. "How about these?" Shizuku held up two handkerchiefs. "Which one?"

"This one's less flashy," Tatsuya said. "But isn't it pricey?"

A few thousand yen for a handkerchief seemed steep to him, but Shizuku didn't bat an eye and headed to the counter.

"Hey, Shizuku?" Tatsuya called.

"It's fine," she said. "I've got allowance from Dad."

"That's not what I meant," he said.

High-priced gifts were more trouble than they were worth, but Shizuku wasn't listening. She paid and had it neatly wrapped.

"Here, Tatsuya-san," she said. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks," he said. "You sure about this?"

"Don't worry," she said. "It's normal."

Our money senses are way off, Tatsuya thought, but he carefully tucked the wrapped handkerchief into his bag, determined to treasure it.

"One more thing," Shizuku said. "I need to tell you something."

"To me? What?" he asked.

"Not here," she said. "Come with me?"

"Sure," he said.

Blushing, Shizuku tugged his hand, leading him to a quieter spot. Tatsuya had a hunch about what was coming but followed quietly.

"Here's good, right?" he said.

"Yeah," she said, hesitating. "Um, Tatsuya-san…"

"Go on," he said.

"Would you… go out with me?" she asked.

It was exactly what Tatsuya had expected. With a nod, he gave his answer.