Mei-chan, still in her magical girl outfit—sparkly, overly revealing, and designed purely for fanservice—twirled dramatically in front of the crowd. Her voice, bright and exaggerated like a game show host, rang through the cafeteria.
"Round 15 is underway! The challenge: Make Akashi-kun angry! But not too angry—just enough to ruffle that serious boy's feathers!"
She arched her back, struck a pose, and winked at the crowd. A group of male students dropped their phones in unison, overwhelmed.
Somewhere in the back, a voice murmured, "I'm converting religions… to whatever she's into."
Shin sat calmly on his chair, arms gently cradling Ai on his lap like she was the most precious pillow in the world. Ai was curled up comfortably, her arms wrapped around his neck and her cheek pressed against his chest. She giggled softly, unconcerned with the spectacle around them.
"I like sitting here… don't mind them, Onii-chan," she whispered.
"Not a chance. You're not going anywhere," Shin replied with a warm smile before planting another soft kiss on her cheek.
A visible wave of jealous tension swept through the competitors.
---
Yuki's Turn
"First up—Yuki! You've got five minutes to make Shin mad!" Mei-chan announced.
Yuki clenched his fists, taking a deep breath. He's distracted. But I can do this.
He walked up to Shin, planted his feet, and crossed his arms dramatically.
"You know, I don't see the big deal. Your little sister is just average."
A beat of silence.
"…What did you just say?" Shin said coldly, his eye twitching.
Ai blinked up at him. "Eh?"
Yuki hesitated. Then he doubled down.
"I-I mean, she's not that cute. A bit clingy, even. You might spoil her too much."
Shin's voice dropped to a flat, deadly calm. "Take that back."
Yuki blushed and forced himself forward, heart hammering. "N-No! You're blinded by affection! You need to see it!"
Shin's brows furrowed as he tightened his arms around Ai. "You've got three seconds."
Mei-chan leaned into her mic, eyes gleaming. "Ohhh, and the fire's lit! Yuki's struck a nerve!"
"A-And her cooking is average!" Yuki added quickly.
That was it.
Shin's dark aura pulsed into existence. "…Average?"
"Onii-chan… calm down, remember the rules…" Ai said gently.
Shin exhaled through his nose. "Right. Lightly angry. He succeeded."
"Point to Yuki!" Mei-chan declared.
Yuki nearly collapsed in relief. I did it. I annoyed him. I win.
---
Aiko's Turn
"Alright, next challenger—Aiko!" Mei-chan announced.
Aiko smirked confidently and sauntered up to Shin. She tapped her cheek playfully, eyes gleaming.
"Hey Taa-Kun, remember that time you cried watching that kid's anime?"
Shin narrowed his eyes. "…It was emotional."
"The hero turned into a potato," she teased.
Laughter rippled through the cafeteria.
"And when Ai had that tummy ache, you cried harder than she did."
"I was worried!"
"You even offered to donate your appendix," she added.
"It doesn't work like that!" Shin snapped.
"You're such a softie," Aiko grinned. "Honestly, Ai's more mature than you."
"She is mature, but—!"
"She told me she bathes you."
"She does not! That was once! I was feverish!"
The crowd exploded in laughter.
"That's true," Ai said sweetly, blushing. "Onii-chan did ask for help…"
"AI!!"
Mei-chan struck another ridiculous pose, her bust wobbling dramatically. "Another successful irritation! Point to Aiko!"
---
Yuki: 13.4
Aiko: 11
---
"And that concludes Round 15! Both contestants managed to ruffle Shin's cool exterior! It's a tie!" Mei-chan announced.
Shin, flustered, sank back into his seat. Ai nestled back against him like a warm kitten, nuzzling his chest.
"Don't let them tease you too much, Onii-chan. You're perfect."
"You're the only one who gets me…" Shin murmured.
Somewhere in the crowd, Yuki's soul cracked.
Tch… I'll win. No matter what.
"Round 16 is next! Don't go anywhere, folks!" Mei-chan shouted, twirling her wand. "The heart-throbbing battle continues!"
---
Round 16: Make Him Say 'Wow!'
Mei-chan shamelessly flaunted her sparkly, ultra-revealing magical girl costume as she introduced the next challenge.
"Ladies and gentlemen—and Shin's precious little sister on his lap—welcome to Round 16: Make Him Say 'Wow!'"
She spun her magical wand and wiggled her hips dramatically. Several more male students collapsed with nosebleeds.
"The goal is simple: impress, surprise, or stun our beloved Akashi-kun until that elusive 'wow' slips from his lips."
Shin raised an eyebrow, still holding Ai close. "Wow? That's it?"
"Do your best, Onii-chan~ Just don't 'wow' for the wrong girl," Ai giggled.
---
Yuki's Turn
Yuki stepped forward, heart pounding. Shin stroked Ai's hair calmly, watching him.
I can do this. I HAVE to do this…
From his bag, Yuki pulled out… a flute?
The crowd murmured. Even Aiko looked surprised.
"This is… the one I practiced every night. I never showed anyone this…"
Lifting the flute to his lips, Yuki began to play.
A soft, gentle melody swept through the cafeteria. Haunting, sorrowful, beautiful. Like rain through cherry blossoms. The entire room fell silent.
Shin's eyes softened. Ai looked up at him, curious.
As the last note faded, a beat of stillness passed.
Then—
"…Wow," Shin whispered.
Yuki blinked, stunned.
"HE SAID IT!! POINT TO YUKI!!!" Mei-chan exploded into sparkles.
"That sound… that sound healed my acne…" someone whispered.
"I saw my dead grandma. She was dancing," another murmured.
Yuki turned away, cheeks pink.
---
Aiko's Turn
Aiko clapped sincerely, but stepped up confidently.
"Impressive, kitty-boy. But now it's my turn."
She tapped her phone. A large screen descended behind her.
"Huh? What's—" Mei-chan started, confused.
The screen lit up with footage—secret clips of Shin's childhood: rescuing animals, singing to Ai, karate training, building a treehouse.
Even Ai stared, eyes wide.
"When did you—" Shin began.
"I've been documenting you since we were kids. You're more amazing than you realize," Aiko said softly.
The final clip showed teen Shin reading to a sleepy Ai, her head resting on his lap.
"You don't just make people fall in love… you make them feel safe."
A stunned silence.
"…Wow," Shin said, blushing.
"DOUBLE WOW!! POINT TO AIKO TOO!!" Mei-chan screamed mid-air.
"Give her three points." Shin said with smile.
"Really? You heard it guys. 3 points to Aiko." Mei-Chan announced.
---
"Both contestants win this round!! Who knew Shin could say wow twice in one day?" Mei-chan sparkled.
"…I didn't," Shin mumbled.
"You're only supposed to wow at me…" Ai pouted.
"You're always a wow, Ai," Shin smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Tch…" Yuki grumbled.
"I think that flute helped, but my nostalgia bomb was better," Aiko teased.
"Let's see you play the flute in heels and panic," Yuki muttered.
Aiko leaned toward him with a smirk. "That's two rounds I've matched you. Get ready to lose, kitty-boy."
---
Yuki: 14.4
Aiko: 14
---
END OF CHAPTER : 20 :
ROUND 15-16: MAKE HIM ANGRY (LIGHTLY) / WOW HIM! : PART 7
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