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You aren't fond of anyone in your class. They tried to invite you to the school Line group but you haven't gotten around to accepting the invitation. It sits in your cellphone, a lonely message not yet opened. All 30 students of the high school share one room, meaning all 3 grade levels are together. So as a result, the students are pretty tight-knit with each other. They've known each other for years.
As an outsider, they sometimes forget you don't really know the ins and outs of who is friendly with who. Or who did something stupid last summer with classmates. Or why one student refuses to eat sweet potatoes anymore.
They've made some attempts to involve you but your social skills suck. Sometimes, you just can't read the mood in the classroom. When they started asking you how tasty and interesting having Korean BBQ must be with friends back in the city...
"I don't know. I never had a friend who ever invited me out to eat Korean BBQ with them."
The silence was so thick and awkward, you could cut it with a knife.
Your little sister Kasumi is well aware and used to your failings. It's just easier to get your fill of socialization by bugging her rather than some stranger. Sometimes, you forget she's your younger sister. She acts like some weary 20-year-old lady stuffed into the body of a 15-year-old girl at times.
Wait, you should get an ice cream and buy her one too. That's what a good older brother would do.
"I'll get a black sesame soft cream. Oh, and I'll pay for my little sister's ice cream too." You barrel into her little social group to put in your order and prevent her from handing any money over. The friendly face of Kasumi rapidly transforms into annoyance by your sudden intrusion.
"Itsuki?!"
Your name perks the attention of her classmates, who openly stare at you.
"Oh, so this is your older brother."
"Wow Kasumi-chan, he looks buff!"
"I've literally never seen him before until now. Where the heck has he been hiding?"
The three girls giggle before they turn their attention to the list of ice cream flavors available to order. The list is unusual. There's nary a mundane choice, like chocolate or vanilla. Instead, there are flavors like houji-cha, youkan, mitarashi dango, matcha and other Japanese traditional sweet flavors. It's apparently a draw for tourists, people actually travel to this particular Ministop to try them out.
"I don't need you to pay for my ice cream." Kasumi loudly whispers to you and bats your money away.
"Come on, don't be like that. There's literally nothing to spend money on for miles around and the dividends from my stock investments have been steady. Heck, I'll pay for everyone's ice cream. You don't need to worry about it." You poke your finger into Kasumi's forehead to annoy her. The reaction of her classmates is cheerful as they bow in thanks to your generous offer.
