"You heard? Kojiro is an S-class. What a genius!"

"Kojiro always gets the perfect score. Mom is so proud of you."

"Kojiro-senpai is so handsome. Does he have a girlfriend?"

"That Kojiro is so popular. I'm jealous"

"..."

"I heard he's got a twin brother. The name is.. Koyuki? We were in the same class for 5 years but I can't remember him."

"Really? I've never heard Kojiro talked about his twin brother, either."

"Maybe they're not that close?"

"Who knows."

"..."

----------------------------------------------------

In this world, everyone can use magic to some extend. Upon reaching the age of 7, a child has to attend the national magic exam. During the test, their magic type and level will be identified and measured.

There are several types of magic:

Elemental: The user has control over elements.

Physical: The user has increased physical strength, speed, endurance, etc., very suitable for close combat.

Psychic: Other kinds of superpower which don't belong to the other two. 

There are several magic levels:

D-class: Very weak

C-class: Weak

B-class: Pretty strong

A-class: Strong

S-class: Very powerful

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Kojiro is identified as "Elemental user - S class". He was one of only few S-class discovered that year. 

Koyuki, on the other hand, due to his overly shy nature, unconsciously limited his psychic power and ended up with a B+.

As Kojiro was trying to cheer his brother up, the two were surrounded by a huge crowd. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

Koyuki got terrified and unconsciously made a wish to "disappear", which awakens his unique skill: "Presence concealment"

With Koyuki's presence temporarily erased from everyone's mind, all the attention immediately shifted to Kojiro.  

Koyuki noticed how everyone suddenly stopped looking at him and asking him questions. He didn't know what was happening so he tried to pull Kojiro's sleeve to make his younger brother notice.

Kojiro, however, under the effects of "Presence concealment", had totally forgot about Koyuki. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Look at the Nakamura twins. They're always together, aren't they?"

"You're right. I wish my kids were as close as them. They're always fighting" *sighs*

"Kojiro. Why didn't you go play with Nakamura? I remember this is the third time he invited you."

"I prefer being with you, nii-chan."

"?"

"B-because, I don't feel uncomfortable around strangers."

"So, Kojiro is also shy. So cute."

"Nii-chan, you're messing my hair!"

"So, let's always be together?"

"Of course, nii-chan!"

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Look at the Nakamura twins. They're always together, aren't they?"

"Aren't they autistic? They never played with the kids in the neighborhood. My kids might be naughty, but at least they're sociable."

"Koyuki is shy like a girl. Why don't you wear a skirt? Hahaha"

"Kojiro is so pitiful. I bet Koyuki force Kojiro to play with him because he has no friends."

"Koyuki is such a weirdo. I want to be friends to Kojiro, tho."

"..."

Koyuki had always chose to not listen to those cruel words, because he was sure Kojiro was also as shy. But now,..

As Koyuki watched his younger twin being totally comfortable around stranger, very happy even, he realized Kojiro had always lied to him for his sake.

Koyuki let go of Kojiro's sleeve and ran away.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sitting alone and crying quietly in the park nearby, Koyuki recalled how many times Kojiro got into a fight because of him, as well as how many relationships Kojiro had to give up just to be with him. Quickly, Koyuki was overcome with guilt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If I could just, disappear. Then Kojiro wouldn't have to pretend."

"..."

"That's right! If Kojiro stopped paying me attention. Everything will be fine!" O w O

Thought he'd found the answer, the 7-year-old Koyuki was determined to free his younger twin from his worries.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Th-this is too hard. I can't take it anymore."- Says 8-year-old Koyuki, lying on his bed completely exhausted.

The first day Koyuki tried to maintain "presence concealment" for a whole day at school was a lot harder than he thought.

"Although I hid myself in the washroom for the whole lunch break, I couldn't recover enough mana."

"I felt so tired the whole day I couldn't concentrate at all."

"Good thing even if I slouched on the desk, no one would notice"

"Why did we have magic combat today? I thought I wouldn't make it."

"I want to give up.."

"But.."

"Kojiro looked like he had a lot of fun with his new friends."

"..."

"I have to work hard, for Kojiro's sake!"

"Koyuki! Fighting!!!" > A <)/

----------------------------------------------------------------

*Bam Bam Bam*

"Nii-chan, it's time for dinner!!!" - Kojiro

"C-coming!" - Koyuki

"By the way, I have something to ask of you, nii-chan."

"What is it?"

"it's a  sec-ret. I'll tell you after dinner, okay?"

"O-okay..."

----------------------------------------------------------------

-During dinner-

"Our little Kojiro is so popular at school. Daddy is so jealous." - Dad σ(≧ε≦ｏ)

"Honey. You were also PLENTY popular in high school. Re-mem-ber?" - Mom ( ︶︿︶)

"W-when? I-I don't really remember. Ha-haha." - Dad ＾▽＾!

"So, boys. How was school?" - Mom ＾▽＾

"I had a lot of fun today, especially during magic combat practice. Our teacher is really cool. You know Nagawa Katsuki? He's our combat teacher. You must see how he uses 4 elements at once! It was so cool! I could only use 2, tho." - Kojiro ＾▽＾

"No way! you mean, THAT Nagawa Katsuki who won the Magic Combat Tournament 3 years ago?!" - Dad ∑(ﾟﾛﾟ〃)

"I remember him now! He still is among the strongest in this country, is he not?" - Mom O w O

"Yes. He wanted me to become his pupil. He said I have potential." - Kojiro ＾▽＾

"...Kojiro, dear. Mommy is really happy to hear that but you know, we don't have a lot of money.." - Mom 

"Don't worry, mom. Nagawa sensei said he'd do it for free." ＾▽＾

"For real???" Mom and Dad. ∑(ﾟﾛﾟ〃)

"Yes." ＾▽＾

"That's to be expected. Our Kojiro is a genius after all." - Dad ＾▽＾

"That's right. It's only natural Nagawa-san teaches him for free. One day our Kojiro might become this nation's no 1, after all." - Mom ＾▽＾

"Mom! Dad! You're embarrassing me!" - Kojiro ＾▽＾

"Anyway. Let's eat! Let's eat! I'm starving" - Dad ＾▽＾

"..."

----------------------------------------------------------------

After dinner, Mom is washing the dishes.

"Huh? I forgot to ask Koyuki how he was doing." 

"How careless of me." 

"Poor boy. He's gotten really quiet after the magic exam."

"His brother is so excellent it must be hard for him."

"I wanted to talk with him for a long time now but somehow I always forgot."

"I'm such a terrible mother."

"Koyuki has always been the quiet kid. If no one asked, he'd just keep it to himself forever."

*sighs*

"Koyuki, you can rely on Mommy more, you know? Mommy is always here for you, you know?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Koyuki's room-

"Without knowing it, I used my power again."

"Everyone was talking so happily.." I didn't want to disturb them.

"Before last year, Kojiro would be here right now, then we'd play and sleep together." 

"Somehow It's a bit lonely."

"..."

"It's okay, if it's for Kojiro's sake."

"..."

"Kojiro, nii-chan is trying his best. Nobody looked at me the whole day at school. Nobody was picking on me, either."

"That's why.."

"..you don't have to worry about me anymore."

"Please be yourself, Kojiro."

"..."

*Koyuki fasts asleep due to exhaustion*

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*bam bam bam*

"Nii-chan? Are you awake?" 

"Nii-chan?"

"..."

"He's asleep already?"

"..."

""Nii-chan. We haven't talked much after the magic exam. Are you still angry with me for leaving you alone that day?" 

"I always wanted to apologize but somehow when I saw you I always forgot."

"That's strange. How could I always forget something so important?"

"By the way, Nagawa sensei said it's okay for you to join us. It will be a lot of fun. I promise."

"Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[End of chapter 1.]