Kotori's Deluxe Kids Plate

The soft clinking of cutlery against plates was the backdrop to the morning as Shido and Kotori sat at the dining table, savoring breakfast.

The aroma of freshly prepared rice and miso soup filled the air.

Kotori, on her imouto mode, swayed her legs cheerfully while nibbling on a piece of tamagoyaki. Shido glanced her way occasionally with a faint smile on his lips.

"Hey, Onii-chan!" Kotori's voice broke through the peaceful silence. Her tone was mischievous, a clear warning that whatever she said next would be unusual.

Shido raised a curious eyebrow, his chopsticks pausing mid-air.

"What is it, Kotori?"

"For lunch, let's eat at Danny's, the family restaurant around the corner," she declared enthusiastically.

Shido tilted his head, bemused. "That's not too odd. Sure, we can go there. Any specific reason? Or… menu?"

Kotori puffed out her cheeks slightly and crossed her arms, clearly gearing up for a grand proclamation.

"I… I want the Deluxe Kid's Plate!" she declared as though announcing her intention to conquer a kingdom. The confidence and earnestness in her voice made Shido blink several times before processing her words.

"Wait… the Deluxe Kid's Plate? Isn't that for, well… kids? Kotori, you're a middle schooler now."

The temperature seemed to drop in the room as Kotori froze mid-sway, locking her scarlet eyes onto Shido.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment before twisting into indignation. "So what? Does a middle schooler need to give up cute plates and fun meals just because of age? Are you saying I'm too old? Huh? Onii-chan?!"

Shido rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, regretting his choice of words.

It wasn't that he cared much, if Kotori wanted a colorful plate filled with tiny sandwiches and animal-shaped omelets, she could have it but before he could clarify, Kotori's eyes watered comically, her lips trembling like she was on the verge of a tantrum.

"Please, Onii-chan! Pleeeeeease!" She leaned forward dramatically, her twin tails bobbing as she grasped her hands in front of her chest. "I promise I won't ask for extras! I'll even… I'll even share the little pudding cup that comes with it…!"

Shido opened his mouth, still baffled, but Kotori's whines continued. Then came the final blow.

"Onii-chan~" she whispered, drawing the word out in a singsong plea that hit Shido like an arrow to the heart.

Her expression melted into an adorable pout, her ruby eyes shimmering. She swayed her head slightly, like she knew full well the power of her tactic.

His lips parted to say something, but no words came. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but mutter in his thoughts, 'Kotori is dangerous…'

After what felt like an eternity of her exaggerated pleading and his stunned silence, Shido finally relented, sighing dramatically.

"Fine! We'll go, and you can have your… *Deluxe Kid's Plate."

Kotori immediately broke into a wide grin, her previous theatrics vanishing without a trace. "Really?! Yes! You're the best, Onii-chan!" She raised a triumphant fist in the air like she'd just secured victory in some epic battle.

Shido shook his head, half-amused and half-resigned. "You're too much sometimes."

After finishing breakfast, the two got ready to leave for school. As they walked along the neighborhood streets, the morning air was crisp and refreshing.

Kotori trotted beside Shido, her lollipop making the occasional clink against her teeth.

When they passed the family restaurant, Kotori stopped abruptly and pointed to it as though marking the sacred location. "I'll be waiting right there at lunch, Onii-chan!" Her voice was firm, even slightly commanding.

Shido chuckled. "You act like I'd forget or ditch you."

Kotori turned around to face him, a determined glint in her eyes as she declared, "Even if terrorists come to our neighborhood... no! Even if there's a Spatial Quake, I will not leave until you show up!"

Her over the top proclamation left Shido laughing softly. "Alright, alright. I'll be there, no matter what."

Kotori's pout softened into a small smile. Shido ruffled her hair affectionately, causing her to groan and swat his hand away, though she didn't seem particularly upset. "H-Hey, don't mess up my hair!"

Nearby, an amused trio Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii observed the siblings' interaction with varying degrees of interest and judgment.

"Wow, Shido is such a siscon," Ai remarked with a smirk, crossing her arms.

Mai tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. "Is it that bad? They're just… close, maybe?"

But before Ai could respond, Mii interjected with the only line she seemed capable of. "That's so lame."

After Kotori parted ways for school, Shido continued walking toward his own, humming softly to himself. He had barely taken a few steps before an all too familiar voice called out to him from behind.

"Yo! Itsuka!"

Shido turned to see Tonomachi Hiroto, the original Shido's self-proclaimed best friend, jogging up to him. He gave a half-wave, somewhat uneasy.

"Morning, Tonomachi," Shido greeted with a forced smile.

The casual use of "Itsuka" sounded odd after everything, and while Tonomachi remained blissfully unaware of anything unusual, Shido couldn't shake the slight awkwardness of the encounter.

Ai, Mai, and Mii still nearby caught sight of Tonomachi joining Shido.

"Oh no," Ai said with a mocking grin, elbowing Mai. "Now he's got a boy sidekick? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Mai raised a brow. "You're about to say something dumb, aren't you?"

Ai laughed before adding dramatically, "He swings both ways, huh?"

Mai rolled her eyes. "I regret asking."

"That's so lame," Mii chimed in.

Shido noticed none of this banter, but something else did catch his attention, a faint figure hiding awkwardly behind a utility pole.

Tobichi Origami, dressed immaculately in her school uniform, was watching him with an intensity that bordered on creepy.

"Um, that's a little concerning," Shido muttered to himself, shifting his gaze forward and pretending he didn't notice.

On the other side of the street, Ai nudged Mai with her elbow. "Why's Shido glancing that way?"

Mai squinted in the direction of Origami before realization dawned on her. "Oh, her... the super genius, Tobichi Origami."

Ai's expression turned into confusion. "Why is she hiding there and so... obviously...?"

And Mii, as expected, added blandly, "That's so lame."

As Shido walked on, the morning continued as though nothing unusual had happened, even though to Shido, his world was on the verge of becoming much less ordinary.