After Being Betrayed by My Girlfriend, I Kiss Her Little Sister

Hina’s House (3)

“Why…did your last name change to Mitsuki?”
“……”
A heavy silence falls between us.
“You probably already know without me having to say it…Kanata, you’re smart, after all.”
“……”
That’s right…there’s really only one reason why her last name has changed.
A lot must have happened to Hina while I’m in the city.
But when we were kids, her mom and dad seemed so happy together…what could have happened?
As I think about it, my eyes meet Hina’s. She is looking at me with a lonely expression on her face.
What can I do for her in this situation?
I gently pat her head.
“You know…”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not greedy. I don’t care about money, or popularity, or any of that…but there’s just one thing I want—happiness. And right now, the only happiness I have is the time I get to spend with you, Kanata.”
“Really…? I’m glad to hear that.”
“Yeah. Right now…I’m happy.”
Hina says so with a smile on her face.
Her smile is so beautiful that I can’t take my eyes off her. But even though she’s right in front of me, why can’t I close this distance between us? She’s so close that I can reach out and hold her in my arms, yet she feels far away. So far away—
I guess…I really am hopeless.
It’s too late to talk about happiness right now…why are we even talking about this?
I want to ask her about that moment back then…
But I can’t.
Because I have done something unforgivable to Hina in the past—something I should have never done.
And now, after seeing what’s inside that box, I remember the meaning of the things inside that box.
I’m just as much of a worthless jerk as Umi.
Hina has always been by my side no matter what, and yet, I just let myself get swept away by everything around me.
I know it’s useless to dwell on it now. I deserve to be hated by Hina.
But yet, Hina acts like nothing ever happened, telling me that spending time together like this makes her happy.
I also feel the same way…I’m also happy when I spend my time together with Hina.
So, I think it’s fine the way it is for now…maybe…
“Hina…your hands are cold.”
“Ah, r-really? I forgot to turn on the heater. Ehehe…”
Saying so, Hina casually hugs me.
“If you’re cold, get under the blanket, Hina.”
“But you’re warm too. Hehe.”
“Hina…you still love to cling onto me, just like always.”
“…it has become a habit. I don’t think it will ever change no matter how old I get, it brings back memories, right, Kanata?”
“Yeah, it does.”
“You should be happier about it! I-I’m cute, am I not? Aren’t you lucky to be hugged by a such cute girl like me?”
“Yeah, Hina, you’ve always been really cute ever since you were in kindergarten—ouch! Eh!?”
Before I can finish my words, Hina gives me a headbutt while still hugging me.
Did I say something wrong? I have no idea.
As Hina tightens her hug, I start to struggle to breathe. As I thought…I probably did say something wrong. Please forgive me—
“……”
Hina’s cheeks are secretly blushing while still hugging me tightly.
“It’s time to go to bed, Hina.”
“Y-Yeah…hey, Kanata…Carry me like a princess!”
“Eh? No way…”
“You used to do it all the time…you even used to call me princess…”
“W-When was that…?”
Hina looks away from me and mumbles something to herself.
Back in grade school, she used to read shoujo manga a lot and would ask me to do weird things all the time.
At that time, I didn’t really understand how embarrassing it was, so I casually carried her like a princess. But now, we’re in high school—
Besides…why are you saying stuff like that while dressed so defencelessly, Hina!
“Are you really…not going to do it? Hmph…”
“……”
She is speaking in a sulky tone…but it also feels like she’s expecting something. There is no way I can just ignore her like this.
Guess I have no choice.
“Alright, alright! Just for today, okay?”
“Yeah!”
Hina spreads her arms and hugs me tightly, then I lift her up.
I knew that she’s light, but she’s even lighter than I thought. So, I’m a bit surprised when I pick her up. She really is like a princess…as I gaze at Hina who has her eyes gently closed, I find myself briefly lost in childhood memories.
As always, Hina is my princess. She’s truly cute.
“Is this good enough? I’m putting you down now.”
“Y-Yeah! Kanata, you’re really strong…”
“You are just light, that’s all. Now, get under the covers and go to sleep, Hina.”
“Okay…? What about you, Kanata?”
“I’ll sleep later…I can’t fall asleep yet.”
“Then stay here. Stay by my side.”
“Hina… you can’t sleep alone?”
“I’m scared to sleep alone…”
“Ah.”
That’s true, Hina has never really been alone since she was a little child.
Even when her parents got busy with work, Umi was always at home…
But still, we’re in high school now, Hina.
“……”
“……”
She is looking at me intently…there is no way I can refuse.
“Alright, alright, alright! I get it, I’ll stay by your side, so don’t make that face.”
“Yeah…!”
With no other choice, I decided to stay by her side until she falls asleep.
Then, suddenly, I flinch as Hina quietly holds my hand.
“Kanata…”
“Yeah, Hina? What’s is it?”
“I want you to promise me something…”
“A promise? All of a sudden?”
“Yeah…is it a no?”
“No, it’s fine. What kind of promise?”
“Promise me…that you’ll always make me happy. And…that you’ll stay by my side, just like you did when we were kids. Kanata.”
“What’s with that…?”
“You broke your promise to me once before, Kanata…so this time, no matter what happens, you have to keep your promise to me, okay? And this time, it’s an order. So you have no right to refuse.”
“……”
Hina is so cute even when she’s mad. That promise I broke…it’s probably…
No, thinking about it now won’t change anything. If this is what Hina wants, then I’ll do it. We link our pinkies together, sealing the promise. Hina’s smiling face—it’s the same smile she made when she was a child when we made a pinky promise.
No matter how much time has passed, Hina is still Hina…
Then once again, she hugs me.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Just so we’re clear…I’m not clingy or spoiled, okay? It’s just…cold, that’s all.”
“Yeah…”
“And no matter what happens, believe in me. Because I believe in you too. I’ll always be on your side, Kanata.”
“Yeah…”
It’s the same for me.
With those words…I feel like something that had been holding me back for so long has finally disappeared.