After school in the morning, Hoshino Hikari had been waiting at the fork in the road leading to the high school section, hoping to catch her brother coming out.
Unfortunately, no matter how long she waited, he never appeared, so she had no choice but to venture into the high school area herself.
Unexpectedly, when she arrived at Class A, there wasn’t a single person inside.
She couldn’t see any trace of her brother anywhere, and she had no way to contact him.
Hoshino Hikari was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
After searching for a long time, she finally spotted her brother’s figure and excitedly rushed over to him.
However, when she threw herself into his arms and pressed against his chest, expecting the familiar head pat, the other person remained completely still.
Feeling strange, Hoshino Hikari looked up and finally realized something was wrong.
“Brother? What’s wrong with you? Brother?”
Hoshino Gen’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, seemingly without any autonomous consciousness.
This dazed appearance was extremely similar to when she had controlled him using her Heart Gem.
Then, she saw two girls following a few steps behind her brother.
One was a senior she had fought alongside, while the other she didn’t recognize.
“Senior, what’s going on?”
Seeing Ziteng Sayaka, Hoshino Hikari quickly stepped forward to demand an explanation.
It was obvious.
Besides herself, the only ones who could have turned her brother into this state were fellow Magical Girls.
She needed an explanation.
Why, on the very first day of school, had they targeted her brother?
Seeing Hoshino Hikari’s expression full of suspicion, clearly on the verge of anger at any moment, Ziteng Sayaka felt utterly unlucky today.
How could she have coincidentally gotten involved in this situation with her junior’s brother?
Ziteng Sayaka took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts.
“Little Hikari, please don’t be anxious. Listen to me explain slowly.”
After Ziteng Sayaka detailed the events of the morning, the expression on Hoshino Hikari’s face finally softened somewhat.
“So, you’re that very powerful new Magical Girl?”
Shiratori Shiori looked Hoshino Hikari up and down, then swept her gaze over Hoshino Gen a couple of times before continuing, “The two of you are actually siblings? You don’t look anything alike at all.”
Ziteng Sayaka couldn’t take it anymore, glaring fiercely at Shiratori Shiori.
‘Can you not stir the pot for even a moment?
Hoshino Hikari refused to be outdone.
“So, you’re that willful teammate who abandoned her post and disobeyed orders and commands? You don’t look much like a Magical Girl either.”
Many people don’t know how to retort when faced with someone’s malicious words, yet it’s a very important skill.
Much bullying starts with this kind of verbal abuse, slowly escalating to physical conflict.
If you encounter someone’s malicious verbal attacks, it’s best to return the favor right from the start.
The old Hoshino Hikari couldn’t have done it.
It was her brother who taught her.
In this tense atmosphere, as the captain, Ziteng Sayaka knew she had to mediate immediately.
“Little Hikari, we didn’t know you had experienced such things. I’m sorry…”
Hoshino Hikari said expressionlessly, “It’s fine. That’s all in the past.”
After saying that, she took Hoshino Gen’s arm and prepared to leave.
Ziteng Sayaka was immediately startled.
“Where are you taking Hoshino Gen?”
Hoshino Hikari said, “Of course, I’m taking him home. I won’t let my brother return to school.”
“Please, don’t. If you take him home now, it will conflict with the consciousness we modified earlier. That could easily cause him to become mentally disturbed.”
“I know you also have a Heart Gem, but this thing really shouldn’t be used recklessly. Especially if the same person’s consciousness is modified multiple times in succession, it can easily cause irreversible effects on the human brain.”
Ziteng Sayaka looked at her sincerely.
“Just follow the instructions we gave earlier. Let Hoshino Gen hold on steadily until school ends today. Then, when you take him home, it’s less likely to cause problems.”
Hoshino Hikari glanced at Shiratori Shiori.
“Do I still have to let her stay with my brother? What if this young lady’s temper flares up again?”
“You!”
Shiratori Shiori stamped her foot in anger.
“I was even thinking of helping your brother some more. Since you say that, then this young lady won’t keep you company either.”
After saying that, Shiratori Shiori left without a care, leaving only the two of them behind.
Almost the entire school belonged to the Shiratori family.
She could go wherever she wanted, even skip class every day if she wished.
No one could really control her.
Seeing this, Hoshino Hikari also prepared to leave with Hoshino Gen.
Ziteng Sayaka felt her head was about to explode, but as the captain, she had to learn to handle these situations.
She quickly blocked Hoshino Hikari’s path.
“Miss Hikari, please rest assured. I will handle this matter properly. This isn’t just about secrecy; it’s also for your brother’s health.”
“Please believe in your captain. I will absolutely handle this matter appropriately and return a completely normal brother to you, okay?”
Hoshino Hikari was very angry inside because, in essence, this situation was caused by the two of them.
Now, for the sake of her brother’s health, she couldn’t even distance herself from them.
Regarding consciousness modification, Ziteng Sayaka was very experienced.
Although Shiratori Shiori had left, Hoshino Gen was still in a state of unclear consciousness, with his subconscious exposed and easily manipulated.
As long as she guided him properly, no major problems should arise.
Hoshino Hikari calmed down and thought it over again and again, finally deciding to trust the captain.
Her earlier impulse to take her brother away directly was wrong upon careful consideration.
It carried the risk of mental issues and would make it impossible for her brother to stay in school.
In the end, Hoshino Hikari released the arm she was holding.
“Alright, I believe you, Captain.”
The afternoon class bell soon rang.
Ziteng Sayaka, while whispering something into Hoshino Gen’s ear, gently led him back to the classroom.
To avoid another accident, Ziteng Sayaka decided to switch seats with Hoshino Gen.
She would sit on the aisle side to block the swarm of admirers who would try to approach after class.
Perhaps the power of the bullying had left a deep impression.
This time, the girls didn’t dare to get close again and could only admire Hoshino Gen’s stunning beauty from afar.
He was indeed handsome, but unfortunately, he seemed to have some issues with his brain.
During this sensitive period, these girls wouldn’t risk being bullied to flirt with a handsome guy.
Under Ziteng Sayaka’s guidance, Hoshino Gen actually sat properly through the entire afternoon.
His posture was upright, his eyes fixed on the blackboard without ever looking down.
The teacher couldn’t detect anything amiss.
However, just before school was about to end, Ziteng Sayaka noticed Hoshino Gen’s chin kept nodding, as if he was about to fall asleep.
Hoshino Gen had been in a dazed state for too long.
Although his consciousness wasn’t clear yet, his body wanted to shut down and reboot.
There was only half a class left before dismissal.
After that, Hoshino Gen could sleep however he wanted.
But if he collapsed onto the desk now, the teacher would definitely call on him.
Then, the situation would develop beyond her control!
Ziteng Sayaka was frantic with worry.
She tried whispering in his ear again, but indeed, too much time had passed.
The previous verbal suggestions no longer worked.
Hoshino Gen’s brain was now so fatigued that even receiving information was difficult.
In such a situation, only a strong measure would work.
Ziteng Sayaka gently took Hoshino Gen’s hand and whispered softly, her breath like orchid, into his ear, “Brother, you need to perk up. Don’t fall asleep.”
Ziteng Sayaka was forced into a corner.
Based on the earlier situation, Hoshino Gen cared most about his sister.
In her desperation, this was the only method she could think of.
Unexpectedly, her words were so effective.
Hoshino Gen actually nodded in this state and stopped dozing off.
Then, Hoshino Gen reached out and patted her on the head.
“Mmm, don’t worry. Brother will perk up.”