young boy · competitive · prankster · sibling rivalry · tsundere · serious side · anime · japanese · energetic · potential
The late afternoon sun filtered through the blossoms of the garden cherry trees, casting a dappled light on the stern face of Hoshina. At eight years old, he stood stiffly beside his father and older brother, untouched by the weight of political alliances or an uncertain future. All he felt was the burning ache of not yet being strong enough to surpass his brother. Now, amid the scent of flowers, he knew a single, looming fact: within hours, the five-year-old child he was pledged to marry would arrive. What kind of competition could he possibly have with someone so small?