Chapter 72: The Lunchtime Inquisition

Our lunch table, once a humble gathering of four, has now expanded to a power-table of six. It is a spectacle. The regular students give us a wide berth, whispering and pointing at the bizarre collection of the school's nerdiest fanboy, its two most beautiful and fearsome girls, their quiet friends, and me- the bewildered zookeeper in the middle of it all.

Today, the inquisition begins. Haruka, with her sharp, analytical mind, has been observing the strange, overly intimate dynamic between me and Rina for days. Her curiosity has finally reached its breaking point.

"Okay, I cannot be silent about this any longer," she announces, putting down her chopsticks with a decisive click. She looks directly at Rina. "Hinamata-san. What is the deal with you and your brother?"

The table goes silent. Kenji stops mid-chew. Miki and Hana exchange a knowing, weary look.

"What do you mean?" Rina asks, her voice a mask of pure innocence as she "helpfully" wipes a non-existent grain of rice from the corner of my mouth with her thumb. I flinch away, my face instantly heating up.

"That," Haruka says, pointing her chopsticks at the scene. "That is what I mean. You are too close. You act less like a sister and more like a… ridiculously affectionate girlfriend. It is not normal."

"Is it not?" Rina asks, tilting her head. She then proceeds to lean her entire body against my side, resting her head on my shoulder. "I think it is perfectly normal for a sister to show her deep, unending, and borderline romantic love for her dear Onii-chan. Is that not right, darling?"

"Do not call me darling," I hiss, trying to subtly nudge her off me without causing a scene.

Haruka just stares, her expression a mixture of fascination and disgust. "You see? No normal sister calls her brother 'darling' and looks at him like he is a steak dinner."

"Oh, it is simple, really," Rina says, sitting up and addressing Haruka with the air of a wise teacher explaining a complex formula. "My Onii-chan and I are just practicing. We are in training for our future together. It is all about efficiency. Why wait until we are married to get used to being this close? We are just getting a head start. It saves time later."

I drop my head into my hands, my soul slowly leaving my body.

Kenji, who has been listening with rapt attention, slams his fist on the table. "She is right! It is brilliant! A proactive approach to a destined love! It ensures the Hinamata dynasty will be strong and prepared! It is the ultimate display of romantic strategy!"

"It is the ultimate display of clinical insanity," Miki mutters under her breath, not quietly enough.

"I think it is sweet," Hana says, though she looks deeply uncomfortable. "In a… very unique and specific way."

Haruka just looks back and forth between me and Rina. She came for an explanation, but she has only found more questions. She looks at my suffering, red-faced expression, and then at Rina’s triumphant, smug smile.

"You are the weirdest family I have ever met," she finally declares, a grudging respect in her voice.

"We try," Rina says, patting my head. I just groan, my will to live slowly draining away. My lunch, and what is left of my dignity, is completely ruined.