Bonus Story: Is it Wrong to Spy on a Little Sister?

The streets near Rei’s school bustled with students finishing their day, the soft glow of streetlights flickering on as the sky turned shades of orange and pink. Ren and Mira crouched behind a vending machine, looking every bit like two poorly disguised spies in a cheesy drama.

“Remind me again why we’re doing this,” Ren said, tugging the brim of his cap lower over his face.

Mira held up a pair of cheap binoculars she’d borrowed from Rei’s room. “Because something’s going on with her! She’s been giggling while chatting with someone, sneaking out after school, and saying things like, ‘Don’t wait up.’” Mira gasped, clutching Ren’s arm. “Ren! What if she has a boyfriend?”

“I was just messing around with that comment that time but…” Ren raised an eyebrow. “What if she does? She’s a teenager. Isn’t that, like, part of the deal?” Although I wouldn’t recommend it.

Mira spun around to face him, her expression a mix of panic and determination. “No! She’s too young! What if he’s a bad influence? What if he’s some delinquent who rides a hovercycle and calls people ‘babe’?”

Ren smirked. “Honestly, sounds like your kind of guy.”

Mira swatted his arm, whispering sharply. “This is serious!” She peeked out from their hiding spot, spotting Rei walking down the street, her schoolbag slung over her shoulder.

“She’s meeting someone,” Mira whispered dramatically. “I knew it!”

Ren sighed. “Alright, Sherlock. Let’s get this over with.”

Rei stopped outside a small café, pulling out her holographic phone as she leaned casually against a lamppost. Her confident posture and relaxed expression were at odds with Mira’s growing anxiety.

“She’s waiting for him,” Mira whispered, crouching lower behind the vending machine. “This has to be a date.”

“Or,” Ren said, glancing at the sign above the café, “she’s meeting a classmate to work on a project. You know, because she’s a normal teenager.”

Before Mira could respond, another figure approached Rei. It was a boy, about her age, wearing the telltale uniform of a neighboring high school. He had messy brown hair and a shy smile, holding a folder stuffed with papers and what looked like a small bouquet of flowers.

Mira gasped. “Oh no. He’s cute. This is bad.”

Ren sighed. “You’re unbelievable.”

The boy handed Rei the flowers with a bashful shrug. She smiled softly, accepting them as the two exchanged a few words and headed into the café together.

“That’s it,” Mira hissed. “We’re going in.”

Ren grabbed her arm. “Are you kidding? They’ll see us!”

Mira puffed out her cheeks, determination gleaming in her eyes. “Not if we’re careful.”

Ren groaned. “Fine. But when this blows up in your face, I’m not taking the fall.”

The café was warm and cozy, filled with the chatter of students and the smell of fruity pastries. Mira and Ren slipped in as inconspicuously as possible—which wasn’t very inconspicuous at all. Mira had donned a pair of oversized sunglasses, while Ren kept his cap low, muttering about how ridiculous they looked.

“There they are,” Mira whispered, pointing to a corner booth where Rei and the boy were sitting.

Rei was laughing at something the boy said, her shoulders relaxed as she sipped on a brightly colored bubble tea.

“They look... happy,” Ren observed, his tone neutral. “Disgusting.”

“Happy or brainwashed?” Mira countered, her eyes narrowing as she watched the boy. “He gave her flowers, Ren. Flowers! People are just starting to understand that custom.”

Ren smirked. “Jealous?”

Mira glared at him. “Not the time.”

They settled into a booth a few tables away, with Mira positioning herself so she could keep a close eye on Rei. Ren slouched back, pretending to study the menu, though his attention was half on Mira’s antics.

As the minutes ticked by, Mira grew more agitated. She leaned forward, trying to hear their conversation, but the café’s soft music made it impossible.

“What are they talking about?” Mira whispered.

“Probably school, or hobbies, or whatever normal teenagers talk about,” Ren replied, barely looking up.

“I need to get closer,” Mira said, sliding out of her seat.

Ren grabbed her wrist. “Don’t even think about it.”

But Mira wasn’t listening. She edged toward Rei’s table, pretending to browse the café’s display case of desserts. Ren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he watched the inevitable disaster unfold.

Sure enough, Rei looked up from her drink and spotted Mira hovering a few feet away. Her eyes narrowed in disbelief.

“No way,” Rei muttered, setting her drink down. “Mira?”

Mira froze, her sunglasses slipping down her nose. “Oh! H-hi, Rei! Fancy seeing you here!”

Rei stood up, crossing her arms. “Are you spying on me?”

Ren, realizing there was no salvaging the situation, decided to embrace it. He walked over casually, hands in his pockets. “Hey, Rei. Nice flowers.”

Rei groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose in a gesture eerily similar to Ren’s. “You two are unbelievable.”

“Look, I just wanted to make sure you were okay!” Mira said, her tone defensive. “You’ve been sneaking around, and I was worried!”

Rei rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, Mira. And for the record, this isn’t a date.”

“It’s not?” Mira blinked, her bravado deflating.

“No,” Rei said firmly. “This is Yuki. He’s in my biology class. We’re working on a project about flower pollination.”

Yuki gave them a small, sad smile. “The flowers were for the project, but, uh... I thought it’d be a nice gesture, too.”

Rei’s expression softened slightly, though she quickly turned back to Mira. “Next time, just ask me what I’m up to instead of stalking me like a weirdo. Got it?”

Mira nodded meekly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Got it...”

On the walk home, Mira dragged her feet, her head hanging low.

“I can’t believe I embarrassed her like that,” Mira mumbled. “She probably hates me now.”

Ren smirked. “Nah. She’ll get over it. Siblings are supposed to annoy each other—it’s practically a law of nature.”

Mira glanced at him, her expression uncertain. “You think so?”

“Sure,” Ren said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Just maybe lay off the espionage next time. Or at least get better disguises.”

Mira managed a small laugh, the sound lightening her mood. “Okay, no more spying. For now.”

Ren rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice as he replied. “You’re hopeless.”

They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence, the city lights flickering softly around them.