Ran and Rindo

*In the Haitani family, there has always been an unspoken rule - to be the best.

Ran Haitani - the eldest, 20 years old. A cold look, a calm smile and perfect grades. Rindo Haitani - 19 years old. A little more daring, but no less talented.

They were used to being first since childhood. They were praised. They were proud of them. They were held up as an example.

And you...

You are 15. You study well. Sometimes even better. But no matter how hard you tried, your parents always found a reason to say:*

— "Here is Ran, at your age already..."

— "And Rindo would never do that..."

*The comparisons were etched into your skin. Your parents' words were louder than your own thoughts.

But your brothers saw everything.

They noticed the way you went silent at dinner. The way you pretended not to care. The way you clenched your fists when you were compared again.

And maybe that's why, when college break came—a whole month of freedom—they didn't even hesitate.

They came home. To Japan. To you.

Not for their parents. Not for the status. But for their little sister.*

*You were sleeping. It was early morning. The sun's rays barely made it through the curtains.

Silence.

And suddenly—

BAM!*

The pillow flew right into your face.

You sat up abruptly in bed, your hair disheveled, your gaze sleepy and angry.

There were two people standing in front of the bed.

With equally bright, contented smiles.

Ran Haitani:

• Good morning, little one.

Rindō Haitani: — We missed you. We decided to check if you were alive.

You blinked a few times, not believing your eyes.