Jikirukuto: Takoyuki Arc

Taiyo stood near the hallway, his yellow eyes still scanning for any sign of Yuki. He couldn't shake the image of her panicked face, and guilt gnawed at him. He muttered under his breath, "Why did I have to laugh? She probably thinks I'm some kind of jerk…"

Before he could move further, a loud, lively voice pierced the air.

"Oi, Taiyo! What're you doing just standing there like a lost puppy?"

Taiyo turned to see a group of gyarus heading his way, led by none other than his older sister, Kitsune Naboru. Kitsune had the classic look of a Japanese girl—her silky black hair framed her face, her straight bangs brushing her eyebrows, while the rest cascaded down her back to her waistline. But her style? Completely gyaru. She rocked a short, plaid skirt paired with a crop top, chunky platform shoes, and accessories that jingled with every step. Her expertly done makeup and nails screamed confidence.

Behind her were two of her gyaru friends, both dressed in similarly flashy styles—short skirts, loose socks, and too much attitude. They trailed after her like an entourage, their chatter stopping the moment Kitsune reached Taiyo.

Kitsune crossed her arms, towering over her brother despite being only an inch taller in her chunky platform shoes. "Spill it, squirt. Who's the girl you're staring after like she's a goddess or somethin'?"

Taiyo blinked, his face flushing slightly. "W-What? I wasn't—"

"Don't even try to lie," Kitsune interrupted, leaning closer with a teasing smirk. "I saw you gawkin' at her like a starstruck idiot. Is that why you don't have a girlfriend yet? 'Cause ya keep freakin' out the cute ones?"

The other gyarus burst into laughter, but Taiyo groaned, feeling his face heat up. "It's not like that, okay?! She was… I just— I think I scared her off, and I'm trying to find her and apologize!"

Kitsune raised an eyebrow. "Scared her off? Geez, Taiyo, what'd you do? Step on her toes? Call her a weirdo? Or were you just awkward as hell, like usual?"

"I laughed, okay? She was acting funny, and I couldn't help it!" Taiyo admitted, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Kitsune's teasing grin faded, replaced with a flicker of genuine concern. "Wait, hold up. You mean she's upset 'cause of somethin' you did?"

Taiyo nodded. "Yeah. And I don't even know her name! She ran off before I could say anything…"

Kitsune tilted her head, her expression softening slightly. "Well, that's just great. Now I gotta clean up your mess."

Before Taiyo could respond, Kitsune turned to her friends. "Alright, girls, we've got a mission. Let's find this mystery girl and make sure she's not crying in a corner somewhere 'cause my dumb brother doesn't know how to talk to people."

As they started to move, Kitsune's mind began to wander. The brief glimpse she'd caught of the girl from afar—her panicked movements, her wide, innocent eyes—made Kitsune's heart skip a beat. She wasn't usually one to gush over anyone, but there was something about this girl that was… different.

Cute, nervous, and probably easy to tease. Oh man, I could have so much fun with her… Kitsune's thoughts veered into more questionable territory, a sly smirk creeping onto her lips. Bet she'd turn bright red if I called her my girlfriend. Maybe I should—

Kitsune shook her head, snapping herself out of it. Focus, Kitsune. Don't get too carried away. She's upset, and she probably needs someone to cheer her up… Someone who's not Taiyo.

She glanced back at her brother, who was trailing after the group with an awkward, embarrassed expression.

"Hey, squirt," she called over her shoulder. "Don't think I'm doin' this for you. I feel bad for her, not you. Honestly, with how clueless you are, it's no wonder you're still single."

Taiyo groaned again. "Can you not make this about me right now?"

Kitsune ignored him, her smirk returning. "Tell you what, though—I'll let you have a shot with her… if you don't screw it up again. But if you do, she's fair game, got it?"

Taiyo froze, his eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Kitsune said with a playful wink, already striding ahead.

The group continued their search, Kitsune's sly grin hiding her true intentions. She might have been helping out of genuine concern for the girl, but she wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to mess with her little brother—or maybe even steal the spotlight herself.