They are really too low!

Chapter Eighteen: I Want Them All

"Who is this person named Toyokawa Shoko?"

Kasugano Sora raised her pretty face and stared at Hoshino Mi with great suspicion.

She had only let her guard down slightly when Hoshino found herself with another stranger as a friend.

“She’s a friend I’ve known for a short time. She’s the one I mentioned last time who was standing in the rain on the street.” Hoshino’s expression was natural. “Later, she wanted to return my jacket, so we added each other as friends.”

Kasugano Sora looked at him and saw that he didn't react suspiciously.

"Hehe, is she pretty?"

"Why do you ask this?"

"Because my brother would never talk to an unattractive girl."

"Your prejudice against me is a bit too strong. If we're talking about looks, don't I have the prettiest girl right next to me?"

Kasugano Sora gave a soft hum. Although she knew Hoshino Mi was flattering her, girls still felt a little comfortable hearing such words.

Hoshino could tell from her humming that her mood was basically written on her face, making her very easy to guess.

"Since I've already returned the jacket, I might as well delete it. Anyway, he's just a stranger."

"Your idea is a bit scary. Can't your brother make friends freely these days?"

"As the younger sister, I have to strictly control my brother's circle of friends. After all, he's a bad matchmaker. Once he starts playing dating games, all he can think about is building a harem and cheating."

"What infidelity? A harem is the perfect ending. If you only choose one person, the others will be heartbroken. Can you bear to see them cry?"

Kasugano Sora first looked at Hoshino Mi in disbelief, then her gaze turned particularly unfriendly and icy.

"It seems you really intend to build a harem, brother. Didn't many girls confess to you before?" Kasugano Sora said expressionlessly, "Why didn't you accept them? Wouldn't that satisfy your desires perfectly?"

Although Hoshino Mi doesn't know exactly how charming he is, girls keep confessing their feelings to him; otherwise, Junda Mana's manager wouldn't have tried to trick him into becoming an idol or actor.

More importantly, Kasugano Sora remembers these things more clearly than Hoshino Mi.

“Because they’re not as cute as my sister,” Hoshino said seriously. “If I were to build a harem, I would definitely look for girls as cute as you.”

Kasugano Sora had originally intended to continue giving him a cold look, but after seeing his expression, her cheeks gradually burned, and she finally looked away shyly.

"If... there were girls as cute as me, would you start a harem?"

Girls are particularly sensitive when it comes to finding key points, and Kasugano Sora is no exception.

"I also wish I had a girl like that, but I'm still single, I haven't even seen a glimpse of a harem yet." Hoshino said uncertainly, "Maybe I'll see them in my dreams tonight?"

Although she was happy, Kasugano Sora was still a little angry.

Hoshino even dreams of having a girl like that, which means he's obsessed with building a harem, even though she's right beside him.

However, Kasugano Sora was too shy to argue with him about it for the time being.

Hoshino saw the girl's blushing face and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. This little sister was too easy to handle; her current reaction was no different from when she was a little girl.

Kasugano Sora ate his pudding, trying to calm himself down a bit.

"What kind of girlfriend does your brother want?" the girl suddenly asked, as she was very concerned about this.

"Probably a girlfriend as cute as you," Hoshino said dismissively.

"Don't joke with me." Kasugano Sora puffed out her cheeks. "I'm serious. What kind of girl does my brother like?"

Hoshino thought for a moment and then said, "I don't know. You know I've never been in a relationship before."

Kasugano Sora knew, of course, that he had never been in a relationship before, otherwise she wouldn't be chatting with him so calmly right now.

"You don't even have an ideal girlfriend?" Kasugano Sora asked, somewhat surprised.

"As long as they're good-looking, does that count?" Hoshino blinked; he wasn't picky about food at all.

"Of course not!" Kasugano Sora said angrily. As long as someone is good-looking, does that mean she has to build a harem everywhere?

"No means no, I can't just make something up, can I?" Hoshino said innocently. "Or are you planning to find me a girlfriend?"

"No, I don't. If we're talking about girlfriends, isn't my brother very close to Eriri?" Kasugano Sora quickly changed the subject. She was too embarrassed to say her own name, so she had Eriri take her place.

However, she wasn't just making things up.

A few days ago, Kasugano Sora saw Eriri chatting with someone, but unfortunately, Eriri reacted too quickly and blocked the phone screen, so she didn't see the specific content.

However, Eriri's panicked reaction at the time was too suspicious.

Kasugano Sora suspects that Eriri may be plotting something bad, and that she might be targeting Hoshino.

Girls have incredibly sharp radars. Even though Eriri thought she was hiding it well, Kasugano Sora noticed long ago that she was eyeing Hoshino Mi.

Kasugano Sora is very concerned about Hoshino Mi's opinion of Eriri, and if it exceeds her tolerance, she will immediately interrupt.

"She's very cute, and sometimes quite fun."

Kasugano Sora bit her lip. She had just told Eriri that she was cute, but now she was saying Eriri was cute.

“But, I feel like my relationship with her is stuck somewhere…” Hoshino Mimi had just gotten to this point when she noticed Kasugano Sora’s sullen expression and couldn’t help but find it a little funny. “I just complimented her and you got angry?”

"No, after all, I see she's very close, why would I be angry?" Kasugano Sora said somewhat stiffly, still sulking. "So, does she plan to date her?"

She was just praising him, and now he doesn't even call her "brother" anymore. Isn't that a bit too much jealousy?

"Didn't you say it first?" Hoshino blinked.

"It has nothing to do with me. If you want to date her, I won't mind." Kasugano Sora turned her head away, not wanting to see his face.

“If I’m going to date someone, I’ll tell Sora in advance and let her decide who I should date.” Hoshino reached out his hand and took her small hand in his.

Kasugano Sora kept a straight face. She didn't want Hoshino Mi to hold her hand, but after struggling a little, she found that she couldn't get rid of him, so she let him continue to hold it.

"Where's Mana?" The girl was still a little awkward. "She's a popular idol. Having her as your girlfriend must be a very prestigious thing for you, right?"

"Don't worry, if I really want to date them, I'll definitely include Sora." Hoshino Mi also had a stern face. "I want all of you."

Kasugano Sora finally couldn't hold back any longer and gently raised the corners of her mouth. She wanted to hit Hoshino Mi, but then she felt that such a reaction would be too much. Girls should be reserved and not let him know what they were thinking.

"Idiot, no one would agree to something like that." Kasugano Sora scoffed. "Go back to dreaming."

The girl didn't believe it at all; she didn't think anyone would be willing to share their boyfriend, so she thought Hoshino was just trying to fool her.

“I’m already working hard, and I’ll make a lot of money sooner or later, and then I’ll support you all,” Hoshino said earnestly. “Then, we’ll live a happy and wonderful life together.”

Kasugano Sora sighed deeply, then reached out and patted Hoshino Mi's head. Men really are all such daydreaming creatures.

It doesn't matter, he's her brother anyway. Even if he's an idiot, she'll grit her teeth and accept it.

Although she sometimes felt quite resentful that she couldn't have Hoshino Mi's place by her side all to herself, she trusted Hoshino Mi completely.

No matter how many girls coveted Hoshino Mi, even Eriri and Junta Mana, Kasugano Sora never doubted Hoshino Mi.

The logic is simple: if Hoshino Mi really had nothing but lewd thoughts in his head, he would have already devoured himself.

If Hoshino Mima has this idea, Kasugano Sora will not only not mind, but will also actively cooperate.

To be honest, if Kasugano Sora hadn't been sneaking peeks at Hoshino Mi's browsing history, she probably would have thought Hoshino Mi had no desires. After reading it, Kasugano Sora was completely relieved.

Therefore, Kasugano Sora was in no hurry at all; she had plenty of time to let Hoshino Mi make a move against her.

……

That evening, Kasugano Sora stared expressionlessly at the girl Hoshino Mi brought back.

Haha, yet another girl I've never met before.

Chapter Nineteen: Deep Father-Daughter Bond

When Hoshino got his phone back, Junta Mana was still texting him.

"Mana Junda: Sho's piano playing is really amazing, his technique is truly professional!"

"Junka Mana: She seems pretty serious!"

"Mana Junda: Did you watch the video? That's me playing it. Isn't it different from my previous level?!"

"Junka Mana: Don't pretend you didn't see this! If you've read it, hurry up and reply to Mana!"

Hoshino watched the video for a while. The camera showed the girl's profile as she sat in front of the familiar grand piano, her hands pressing the black and white keys, playing Chopin's etude.

The video is only about a minute long. Hoshino did not see Toyokawa Shoko, but her voice could be faintly heard off-screen.

To be honest, he hadn't seen Toyokawa Shoko for several days.

Hoshino Mi: Weren't you supposed to be practicing your new song? Why are you playing Chopin?

"Junka Mana: Today is our first practice session! Sho wants to teach us some basics so that once Mana gets used to the finger techniques, she can go on a rampage!"

Hoshino: You played very well, but why did you have to start by practicing fingering?

"Junka Mana: Hey, hey, hey, whoever has been out of practice for so long needs to get back to familiar with things, okay?!"

Immediately afterwards, Mana Junda posted another video, this time featuring Shoko Toyokawa playing the piano.

Before Hoshino could appreciate Toyokawa Shoko's profile, the girl's black and white piano keys, and the music, completely different from Junda Mana's, immediately captured Hoshino's attention.

If Junda Mana is like a toddler learning to speak from sheet music, Toyokawa Shoko is definitely an adult capable of whipping a toddler. She is very skilled at handling melodies and has her own rhythm and understanding.

In the past, Hoshino would hardly have noticed the difference in skill level between the two; at most, he would have felt that the latter played more comfortably and pleasantly.

Now, under the influence of "music theory", Hoshino was deeply moved as he looked at Toyokawa Shoko's pretty face.

This girl is a complete professional. Was the band she joined before a top-notch band?

No wonder the band disbanded after suddenly losing such a great teammate.

"Junka Mana: Is it nice?"

Hoshino Mi: It sounds good.

"Junka Mana: How does it compare to Mana?"

"Hoshino Mi: With such a great teacher, I'm really looking forward to seeing what amazing performances Mana will deliver in the future."

Junda Mana: Ugh... You always do this!

"Junka Mana: Damn it, Mana will show you right now!"

Hoshino could almost picture the girl throwing down her phone and angrily crumpling up the panda-shaped pillow.

However, it seems she gets along quite well with Toyokawa Shoko, so there's no need to worry about that.

Hoshino thought for a moment, then opened Toyokawa Shoko's chat page.

Hoshino: How was your first time tutoring today?

……

At the same time, Toyokawa Shoko was holding her phone when Hoshino Mi's message startled her slightly.

Toyokawa Shoko looked up and saw that Junda Mana across from her was practicing the piano. She seemed to have talked to Hoshino Mi about something, angrily abusing the panda body pillow, and then went to practice the piano.

After hesitating for a moment, Toyokawa Shoko began typing on her phone to reply to messages.

"Toyokawa Shoko: Thank you for your concern. I had a great time with Mana-san today."

Hoshino: That puts my mind at ease. You're really good. Don't be too nervous. Just treat Mana like a silly student.

"Toyokawa Shoko: Thank you for the compliment. I think Ms. Mana is not a stupid student; she is quite capable."

Hoshino: Right now, all she can think about is performing. Once that energy is gone, she'll become a complete couch potato.

Toyokawa Shoko: No, as long as she is still her teacher, I will encourage her to continue learning.

"Hoshino: I'm really looking forward to Toyokawa-sensei teaching Mana. Could you send me a video of it?"

Toyokawa Shoko: I...would never do that.

Toyokawa Shoko waited for a while but did not receive a reply from Hoshino Mi, and felt a slight sense of disappointment for no apparent reason.

However, she composed herself and realized that work was the most important thing now.

After Junda Mana finished playing the etude, Toyokawa Shoko went up to correct some of her mistakes. This was the first time she had taught someone, and she was particularly serious.

The two practiced until 2 p.m., when their basic lesson for the day finally ended.

"Today was really fun. Mana learned a lot from Sho, and now she's full of confidence!" Mana couldn't help but play a few more notes, imagining herself stunning the audience on stage, while her partner looked on in surprise.

"If you have time, Ms. Mana, you should practice the finger techniques I taught you more often," Toyokawa Shoko reminded the young idol.