The Shiunji Family Children (紫雲寺家の子供たち)

But... Do you remember?

We always thought we had some kinda telepathy going 'cause we shared the same womb.

We assumed we had a good idea what the other was thinking.

And when we played rock-paper-scissors and drew ten straight times,

everyone was just like, "just twins things."

Wh-Why are you bringing all that up now?

I love you.

What?

The Shiunji Family Children

The Shiunji Family Children

The Shiunji Family Children

Did you see that just now?

I totally did.

Ever have those moments?

Where you see one of our sisters like any other girl?

Huh? Where'd that come from?

I mean, now that you know we don't share any DNA,

that just makes them girls you're very close with.

And Kotono told you she loves you even before all that.

Nope, I don't.

And I know you don't, either.

Well, I do have Yuu and all.

When'd you start calling her "Yuu" and not "Yuu-chan"?

Yesterday.

Did something go down?

There's always something going down.

There's always something going down?!

Every day is an adventure.

So something did go down. I get it now.

Sorry. I told Ouka.

About what happened with Kotono.

Why her?! I bet she didn't buy it.

Have some faith in your ex-twin.

She never thought you'd do something like that in the first place.

Sh-She said that?

I guess she's a tsundere.

I love Ouka-oneechan, too.

Like I told you two days ago,

we've been siblings for sixteen years.

It doesn't matter if we found out we're all adopted.

We're still siblings, period.

But...

If the boys in class found out,

there'd be nothing to keep their imaginations in check.

"Here begins a live-together romcom with five of the prettiest girls ever!"

It'd feed families and sell Blu-rays.

Don't you dare tell them.

Even I don't wanna watch the world burn, okay?

"Rom-com," eh?

How I'd love to star in one...

If they play out in real life, that is.

What?

I figured I should make that crystal clear and set the record straight.

I'm always picking on you, and now we find out we're not related.

Still, know that I'm proud to call you my twin brother.

Shion told me what happened with Kotono, too.

I think you handled it perfectly as the big bro.

She's still young. The whole thing was nobody's fault.

W-Way to freak me out!

She meant that platonically? Make that more obvious, idiot!

I guess that should've been obvious. We're twins, after all.

Hell could freeze over, and she still wouldn't develop feelings for me.

You're such a tsundere.

Wha? Shut up!

I need to hit the bathroom.

Could you let Seiha know that it has to be blue?

What has to be blue?

Souvenir.

I can't believe I just heard Ouka say all that.

I guess she's worried about our relationships changing, in her own way.

She sure could learn to phrase herself better, though.

Ever have those moments?

Where you see one of our sisters like any other girl?

Gah, nope! What am I even thinking?!

I love you.

She said she liked him?!

Kotono told Arata that?

I think I saw Kotono cling to him in the bath.

So stupid.

Of all the cringe things for me to say.

Hey, Shin-nii.

Hey, Minami. Never skip a day, huh?

It's part of my routine.

Nothing beats working out on a Sunday morning, huh?!

Sorry, tone it down a little. I'm not in that zone yet.

Anyway, you're here early. You usually start much later.

Oh, uh, I just woke up too soon.

Sleep is vital in health and conditioning! Better get it right!

Still not in the zone.

You never skip workouts, either.

And it's not like you wanna be a pro athlete.

Your body and health affect all walks of life.

And I've been doing this since I was a kid. I don't feel right if I skip.

Not to mention, there's a lot I've needed to take my mind off of lately.

Daddy did drill that "a leader takes care of himself first" mindset into you.

Burpee

You two used to work out until late at night, yeah?

All through the night, sometimes.

Looking back, I don't know what part of that was "self-care."

You were the only one who worked out every single day, though.

And that explains your success.

Respect, honestly.

Who knows? Might just be my genes.

Again, too soon for those jokes.

Purple for Ouka?

I'd say blue.

Huh?

Where'd Ouka-chan and Shin-nii go, anyway?

Want me to go find her and ask?

Yes, please.

Oh, there they are.

Hey!

I love you.

Gah, it's so hard to bring it up!

I can't just ask him, "Did Ouka-chan really tell you she loved you?"

I know I could've just misheard, but there's no denying what it sounded like to me.

And if I'm right, what's their deal now?!

What are they getting up to, living under the same roof?!

What, not gonna work out, Minami?

Oh, uh, I am! You got it, boss!

Why am I your boss now?

This is fun! Dumbbell flys are the best way to start your day!

Your form's all out of whack.

Say, Shin-nii...

Anything happen with Ouka-chan?

Huh? Like what?

Uh, if nothing comes to mind, just forget I asked.

Now you've got me curious.

I guess we do fight a lot.

Sorry if that worries the rest of you.

We do get along, though.

If anything, I'm worried you get along a bit too well...

Oh, great. Glad to hear it.

Huh? Done with the gym?

I think I'll come back later.

Your inter-highs are coming up, right?

Don't overwork yourself.

R-Right. You're very giving, Shin-nii.

Like a soft tennis ball.

Wha?

B-Bye!

What's with her? What a weirdo.

Ugh!

I got nothing out of him! It was too much for me!

It seemed like nothing had changed...

but she said "I love you," y'know?!

Argh! What am I supposed to do?!

Anyway...

Why'd Minami randomly ask me if anything happened with Ouka, though?

Did she pick up on some subtle difference between us since Dad broke the news?

Does she have time to worry about this with her tourney coming up?

I wish I could help her. She is my dear li'l sis and all...

W-Would it kill you to lock the door?!

I can't call myself an expert in anime and manga...

What?

But in your usual rom-com shenanigans,

the protagonist only overreacts to underline the absurdity of the situations—

and play up the sexual tension in the air.

All I did was point out the need to lock up.

It's nothing new, is it?

True, this one is certainly on me.

But, as Dostoevsky wrote, "Man is a creature that can get accustomed to anything."

You could've just as easily brushed it off with,

"You forgot to lock the door, my dear Onee-chan."

H-How are you still taking off your clothes?!

All that said...

If this boring old body of mine threw you for a loop, then I must apologize.

I'm sorry.

Th-That's not really the problem...

Our bodies are just part of the furniture now.

Yeesh, these sisters of mine.

Actually, it's rare for her to be taking a shower at this hour.

Nothing changes Seiha, though, huh?

I guess she's not the type to get hung up on blood ties and all that jazz.

The ring fits now?

It's still a bit loose, and it's an important keepsake of Mom.

I take it off before bathing just to be safe.

I see.

She can't have many memories of her,

but I guess a mother would hold a special place in the heart.

I was gonna wash off the sweat, but oh, well. I guess I'll go do another set.

Oww...

I think I went too hard.

Come in.

Do you have a moment?

Banri?

Wow.

So this is the room of the famous Kaname Shiunji's eldest son.

It's surprisingly uncluttered for the smallest one.

Don't act like it's your first time here.

And Dad's always made all of us keep our rooms clean.

I remember how you used to get yelled at as a kid for leaving crumbs on the floor.

He drilled that habit well out of me by the time I was eight.

So, what's up?

Is wanting to see my dear li'l bro's room not reason enough?

I was hoping for a room that really screamed "teenage boy," though.

And what kind of room would that be?

One that shows you've grown up in more ways than one.

Uh-huh.

"Lovey-Dovey Drive Date With the Prettiest Girl In Class and then Car Se—"