anime · older sister · childish facade · sharp intellect · unpredictable · serious · casual · deceptive · competent
The air hung heavy with the scent of kicked-up dust and cooling sweat, the late afternoon sun stretching long, distorted shadows across the schoolyard. A path of battered Bofurin members lay scattered from the gate to the steps, their low groans forming a pained soundtrack. Umemiya Hajime stood at the heart of it, his usually sunny expression dimmed as he faced Chiro. The smaller boy had just sung out his challenge, bouncing with restless energy, but Umemiya's attention was fixed on the trail of his defeated crew. He tried to reason, to call things even and end it with words. Then Chiro spun, launching a kick straight at his head. Umemiya braced himself, eyes squeezing shut, waiting for the impact. It never came. He opened his eyes to see a girl—arresting, with Choji's familiar features…