The Girl Everyone Admires Loves Me… and I Don’t Remember Why. - Chapter 11: The Moat Slowly Filling In.

The Moat Slowly Filling In.

After school.

It happened while I was shopping at the mall.

“…Sniff… sniff…”

“…Hm?”

I spotted a little girl crying nearby.

…What’s wrong?

From what I could see, her parents or whoever she was with weren’t anywhere close.

Could she be…

My guess turned out to be right. In a trembling voice, the girl murmured,

“…Mama… where are you?”

She was lost, just as I’d thought.

Now that I’d noticed, I couldn’t just pretend I hadn’t seen her.

“What’s the matter?”

“…Who’re you, Onii-chan?”

“I’m Miyase Tomoya. Nice to meet you. Did you get separated from your mom, maybe?”

“…Sniff.”

The girl gave a small nod.

“I see. But it’s okay. You’ll see your mom again really soon.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. There’s a place over there called the information desk. The people there will call your mom for you.”

“Infor…mation?”

She tilted her head in confusion.

“Then how about we go there together right now?”

The girl shook her head slightly.

“…Mama told me not to go with strangers.”

“I see. You’re doing great keeping your promise to your mom.”

“I’m not great at all… I got lost anyway.”

Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes again.

“That’s not true. Besides, I get lost all the time too, so you really don’t have to worry.”

“You do?”

A little white lie never hurt anyone.

Right now, keeping her from getting any sadder was the top priority.

“Yeah, all the time.”

“Onii-chan, are you directionally challenged?”

“…Huh. Y-Yeah, that’s right.”

I was honestly shocked she even knew the word “directionally challenged.”

“…Ah, excuse me.”

Perfect timing—a store employee was nearby, so I called out to her.

I explained the situation to the approaching staff member.

“I understand. Thank you for letting us know. Shall we head over there with this Onee-san?”

Before the girl could repeat what she’d said earlier, I jumped in.

“It’s okay. This lady works at the store, so she’s not a bad person or a scary person.”

“…”

The girl stared at me intently.

Then, slowly, she came closer and grabbed the sleeve of my uniform.

“…I want Onii-chan to come too.”

“Got it. Then let’s all three go together.”

“…Okay.”

The three of us headed to the information desk, and soon an announcement played over the mall speakers.

“To the mother of Takanashi Misaki-chan, currently visiting our store. Misaki-chan is waiting for you at the information desk.”

…Takanashi?

No way… nah, it’s probably just a coincidence.

“Misaki-chan, you’ll see your mom really soon.”

“Yeah!”

After her energetic reply, Misaki suddenly looked puzzled, as if she’d just realized something.

“Hey, how do you know Misaki’s name?”

“They just said it over the announcement.”

“Oh, right!”

“Yep. By the way, I’m Miyase Tomoya.”

I’d introduced myself earlier, but just to be safe, I said it again.

“Got it! Tomo Onii-chan!”

It’s “Tomoya,” not “Tomo,” but whatever’s easiest for her is fine.

As I thought that, I spotted a woman approaching from a distance.

“Ah! Mama!”

That must be Misaki’s mother—her face lit up instantly.

“Misaki!”

The two reunited safely.

“Misaki, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“Yeah! Thanks to Tomo Onii-chan.”

“Tomo Onii-chan?”

Misaki’s mother turned to look at me.

…Wow, she’s stunning.

And she looks incredibly young.

If I didn’t know better, I’d have mistaken her for Misaki’s older sister.

I briefly explained what had happened.

“I see. Thank you so, so much.”

“Please don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re reunited.”

“Um, is there some way I can thank you…?”

“No, really, it’s fine. Well then, I’ll be going.”

As I turned to leave, I saw Misaki waving enthusiastically.

“Tomo Onii-chan, thank you!”

I waved back at her and left the scene.

Still… Misaki’s mom really reminds me of Takanashi somehow.

Could those two be…

…Nah, no way.

***

Takanashi Mitsuki’s POV.

“We’re home!”

“Welcome back, Misaki, Mom.”

I was relaxing in the living room when the two of them returned.

“You’re a little late today.”

“Actually, I got separated from Misaki.”

“Eh? You mean she got lost? Is she okay?”

Misaki nodded vigorously.

“Yeah, I’m fine! Thanks to Tomo Onii-chan.”

“Tomo Onii-chan?”

Mom explained what had happened afterward.

Apparently, a boy from the same high school had found lost Misaki and helped her.

But I don’t know any guy named “Tomo.”

Though Misaki has a habit of calling people by the first two syllables of their name, so it could be someone “Tomo-something.”

Come to think of it, Miyase-kun’s name is Tomoya.

Maybe…

Well, probably just a coincidence.

“I wanna see Tomo Onii-chan again.”

I never imagined Misaki would take to a stranger she’d just met this much…

“He must be a really nice person.”

“Yeah! And he was cool. He’d match super well with big sis. He said he’s directionally challenged, so you gotta hold on tight or he’ll get away.”

“…Misaki, where did you learn to talk like that?”

I suddenly felt a little worried about her future.

“Misaki, don’t tease your Onee-san too much. Fufu… right, Mitsuki?”

This feeling… Does Mom suspect I have someone I like?

“But I’d like to meet him again too. I really should thank him properly, after all.”

And at that moment… none of us could have imagined that, before long, I would end up bringing that very person home.