After My First Love Who is My Classmate Became My Family, My Childhood Friend Became Really Sweet to Me - Chapter 5

Balcony/Broken Heart/I’ll pet you, okay?

As soon as I stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air, I felt my entire body relaxed.

“…Hinata is my sister…”

Even when I tried to put it into words, it didn’t seem as if it were real.

No, I didn’t want to believe this was real. When I was told that Hinata was my sister, the first emotion I felt was neither surprise nor confusion.

It was despair.

It’s the worst kind of heartbreak, to think that my first love will never come true.

“How is this even possible?”

Oh man, I’m about to cry.

If I knew it would turn out this way, it would have been better if I had confessed my feelings to Hinata and been clearly rejected by her. I’m sure it would have been just as painful, but at least I could have given up on her.

But if Hinata is my half-sister, I’m not even allowed to confess.

Even if she was a classmate who was a good friend of mine until yesterday.

“Yuto, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly, I heard Tsukino’s voice.

I looked and saw Tsukino leaning out from the balcony next to me, staring at me.

My room and Tsukino’s room are next to each other, so our balcony is only separated by a single separating board. We often had conversations like this in the past.

“O-Oh… its Tsukino. It’s nothing…”

“You’re lying. Because, when Yuto said, “Ah,” “Uh,” “Uh-oh,” and so on. Yuto sounded like a freshly bitten zombie, you know?”

What I normally would say is “I didn’t know I sounded like that…,” but right now, all I could say is “I see.”

“Hey, Yuto. You’re really strange, aren’t you? Is something wrong?”

“…yeah, a little bit. But it’s okay. But don’t worry about it Tsukino.”

“Wait for me. I’m on my way there. Tell me your story slowly.”

“Yeah… Wait a minute. Did you just say you’re coming to my room?”

“Yeah, why? I can see Yuto’s face better that way.”

“I’m glad you’re worried about me…, but I’m not sure I can do that right now. I’ve got a guest right now.”

After all, Hinata is in my room right now. I can’t let Tsukino find out about that.

“Maybe the reason why Yuto is depressed is because of that guest?”

“…well, you know. It’s not the guest’s fault, but I am going through something though I couldn’t help it.”

“So, there’s something made you really sad… Hey, Yuto, come here.”

“…? Like this?”

A single board is separating me with Tsukino.

Then Tsukino stood on tiptoe, leaned over the balcony railing, and reached out for me, she was wobbling and shaking.

“Hmmmmm…!”

“I know you’re trying really hard to do something…, but what are you doing?”

“I thought I’d pet Yuto’s head…! Yuto, you seem depressed, but it looks like I’m not allowed to go to your room…!”

That’s when I finally understood.

Oh, I see. I didn’t know anything about the situation, but she was trying to cheer me up just because I was depressed.

But Tsukino. I don’t think you can reach my head at that height.

I swallowed my own words and leaned over to the balcony.

I felt Tsukino’s finger touch the top of my head.

“All right, all right…! Good boy, good boy…!”

It’s not like it’s being petted, it’s more like it’s being squeezed by a finger. It is not as comfortable as being petted and fondled, to be honest.

But even so, Tsukino’s kindness trying to cheer me up is something I can’t get enough of.

“Thanks, Tsukino. I feel a little better.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear it… I haven’t seen Yuto that depressed in a long time.”

“Is that true?”

“But you must feel like you have to be strong in front of other people, right, Yuto? If you were the usual Yuto, I think you would have at least smiled when you realized I was there.”

“…I see. I guess you’re right.”

Indeed, Tsukino may be right. If I had a little more time to prepare, I would have at least put out a little more energy so Tsukino wouldn’t worry.

“So then, I’ll go inside. I have someone waiting for me in my room.”

“Yeah, okay. If you ever get lonely again, you can call me anytime, okay? I’ll pet you again.”

“Yeah, I appreciate your concern, but can’t we do this another way? We’re not in grade school anymore.”

“Well…  I’ll think about it next time.”

I moved away from the balcony railing and slapped myself on the cheek.

Hang in there. You can be devastated by a broken heart later.

While thanking Tsukino one more time in my heart, I returned to the living room.