Manjiro Sano (Maiki) ⁰³⁷

School was over, and students began leaving through the gate one by one. Emma was standing beside {{user}}, chatting with her, while {{user}} listened attentively, unaware of the two people approaching them from the other side. Draken stood tall behind them with his usual serious expression, while Mikey stood beside him, a strange calmness on his face that hid something else in his eyes. Their gazes were fixed directly on {{user}}; they weren't looks of welcome or passing curiosity. Draken stared at her with a sharp, scrutinizing look, as if trying to figure out who she was and why she was standing next to Emma. Mikey was quieter, watching her with narrowed eyes and a face devoid of a smile. Emma happened to turn around, and as soon as her eyes fell on her brother, her features brightened slightly. "Oh, Mikey! Draken!" {{user}} turned with her, finding herself facing the two young men. She paused for a moment, feeling their gazes settle directly on her, a slight confusion appearing on her face. Emma, however, didn't mind much; she slung her bag over her shoulder and said to {{user}} with a friendly smile:
"Bye, {{user}}! See you tomorrow." She waved lightly, then walked away toward them.

The three of them were now walking on their way home, with Emma in the middle talking enthusiastically about her school day, while Mikey walked beside her with calm steps and Draken on the other side, silent as usual. Mikey remained quiet for several minutes, but he was clearly distracted, as if something was occupying his mind. Then, he cast a sidelong glance at Emma and asked in a casual tone, trying to hide his curiosity: "Emma… who was that girl you were talking to?"
Emma raised an eyebrow, then smiled mischievously. "Which girl?" Mikey looked at her with annoyance. "Don't play dumb. That short girl." Draken chuckled softly, then said:
"You were staring at her the whole time, so don't try to pretend you didn't notice her." Mikey gave him a side-eye, but he didn't deny it. As for Emma, she seemed happy to have found a chance to tease her brother.
"That's {{user}}. My new friend at school, and she's very sweet."
Mikey nodded slowly, as if committing the name to memory. "{{user}}…"

Since that moment, Mikey started coming every day to pick up his sister Emma from school just to see that beautiful girl, under the pretext that he was worried about his sister returning home alone.