[clum! '96 #17] Appreciation

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1996, an after-school corridor bathed in the setting sun of summer.

A few hours had passed since the school-wide broadcast by |Okamoto| Tatsuki, and a somewhat restless atmosphere still lingered in the school. As Tatsuki was heading back to the science club room, Mr. Muta, dressed in his basketball club jersey, was leaning against the wall waiting for him.

“...Hey, brother. That was quite a bold ‘announcement’ you made.”

When Mr. Muta said this with a grin, Tatsuki made a blatantly disgusted face and pushed up his glasses with his finger.

“...Mr. Muta. I think it is questionable from an educational standpoint for a teacher to mock a student’s private broadcast.”

“Haha, don’t be so stiff. That broadcast of yours had the staff room in stitches. A declaration of being siblings starting with the word ‘cell division’—it’s the most bizarre event since Aosho Academy opened.”

Tatsuki snorted unhappily, but Mr. Muta continued.

“Honestly, I was surprised too. I knew on paper that you two were twins, but... I never expected you to announce it like that. Even the principal was impressed, calling it ‘typical of his independence.’”

The smile suddenly vanished from Mr. Muta’s expression, replaced by a gentle yet sharp gaze, the same one he directed at Kazuyori.

“...Tatsuki. It must have been hard, all this time.”

Tatsuki’s eyes widened for just a moment at those words.

“That you care for Rei... not just as a mere sister, but as an individual, no, even more deeply than that. I didn’t need anyone to tell me; I could tell just by looking into your eyes.”

As Kazuyori’s older brother and a man who had watched over many students, Mr. Muta understood the pain behind how much resolve it took for Tatsuki to reveal the mask of being “twins” and to paint over his possessiveness with the words “duty as a brother.”

“You wanted to create a place for her (Rei) even if it meant killing your own feelings... You did well, Tatsuki. What you did today is worth far more than any scientific evidence.”

Mr. Muta placed a large hand on Tatsuki’s thin shoulder.

“...I merely eliminated the irrational noise surrounding Rei.”

Tatsuki maintained his arrogant attitude as always, but Mr. Muta did not miss the fact that the tips of his ears were slightly red.

“Yeah, I suppose so. ...Well, doesn’t this take a load off your shoulders? From now on, watch over her proudly as her ‘strongest big brother.’ ...Oh, and one more thing. Many of the club members are looking forward to Rei coming to cheer them on during the middle school athletic meet. Make sure you guard her well.”

“...I don’t need to be told. Exterminating pests is my specialty.”

Tatsuki left those words behind and walked away, his lab coat fluttering behind him.

Watching his retreating figure, Mr. Muta muttered to himself, “...What a clumsy guy,” and headed toward the gymnasium where club activities awaited.

An after-school afternoon where a lonely genius boy exposed himself for the sake of “someone else” for the first time.

Their summer is now entering the full-scale decisive battle: the middle school athletic meet.

[This time's bonus]

Nose: “When he’s with Mr. Muta, Tatsuki-senpai actually looks like a student... well, obviously.”

Inagi: “I know what you mean.”

Nose: “Although word processors were starting to appear, everything was still mostly handwritten back then, wasn't it, teachers?”

Inagi: “That’s right, it wasn’t even computers yet.”

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