Unexpected Reconnection With My Distant Childhood Friend—What Could Go Wrong? - 4 - A Goddess's Blessing on This Wonderful Session

By the time I had packed up my things and went outside, Kisaki was already standing by in front of the school gate, waiting for me with an amused smile.

“Well? Ready to get tortured by math?”

“No, but I guess I don’t have a choice.”

“At least you’re self-aware. Come on, let’s go.”

We walked together through the school gates, earning some side glances from our classmates. It wasn’t every day that the ever-popular Kisaki walked home with someone—especially not with me. To them, it’s like seeing your favorite celebrity with a partner— the fans confused or little startled, maybe both. But sad to say, that’s not really the case here.

We continued down the familiar route to her house. It had been a long time since I last time I walked here with Kisaki, but the path was still deeply ingrained in my memory.

I found myself standing outside Kisaki’s house, staring at the door like it was some kind of final boss battle. It had been years since I was last here. Back in middle school, I used to come over often, usually to borrow a book or play house because our parents’ house was close. But now, it felt different.

“Well? Are you just going to stand there?” Kisaki teased, tilting her head as she unlocked the door.

“I was just… preparing myself mentally.”

“It’s just studying, not a life-or-death situation.”

Easy for her to say that, considering our current relationship.

She was good at math. I, on the other hand, was already mourning the time I could’ve spent playing my new game.

“Sorry for intruding in!”

Kisaki led me inside, and I took a cautious step into the familiar yet slightly different space.

“Hm, I guess my parents aren’t home yet. Come, Taki-kun. Make yourself at home.”

Even though it’s been three years since I’ve been inside Kisaki’s home, nothing has changed. Even the furniture where she usually put her books has little to no change. And the once chaotic pile of books in the corner was now neatly organized. Her house had always been cozy, but it felt even more so now that it’s just the two of us.

“Go ahead and take a seat. I’ll bring some drinks.” she said, pointing at an empty table in the living room, while she disappears into the kitchen.

I sat down and pulled out my notebook and my reference book, nervous on what might happen to me in the upcoming hours.

This is going to be a long night. I thought.

Kisaki came back a few minutes later with two cups of cold tea and a small tray of goodies. I take a drink of the tea, it tastes all right. The snacks, on the other hand, are little, round biscuits. I take one taste of it. I guess it’s fine too.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

Our math teacher gave us five problems, each of which has random difficulties. I try my best to look on my reference book on how to solve a problem similar to my assignment, but no matter how much I look into it, I can’t understand any of it.

“Have you already answered the first question?”

“Yeah, in another timeline. I don’t think I can solve this, Kisaki.”

Seeing my struggle, Kisaki took a seat next to me, a little closer than I expected. I could catch the faint scent of her shampoo in her long, silky hair—something sweet but not overpowering. It was distracting, but I had to focus.

“Alright, let’s go over this problem right here,” Kisaki said, pointing at my notebook. “Solve for x.”

I stared at the problem like it was written in an alien language.

“Uh… pass?”

Kisaki sighed, shaking her head with a smile. “No passing. Come on, Taki, I know you can do this.”

I groaned and attempted to solve the problem. It didn’t take long for Kisaki to notice the disaster happening on my notebook.

“You’re still bad at this, huh?” she giggled, leaning over to correct my work. “See? You forgot to divide here.”

“Math and I have a long history of not getting along.”

“I remember,” she said with a knowing smile. “Back in middle school, you used to complain every time we studied together.”

I sighed. “And yet, here we are again. It seems like it happened yesterday.”

Kisaki chuckled at my comment. “At least you have me to help. Imagine if you had to do this alone.”

“That sounds like a nightmare.”

“Then consider this a blessing.”

“A Goddess’ Blessing on This Wonderful Session.”

I glanced at her. She seemed to be enjoying herself, which was unexpected. She was always good at tutoring, but I never thought she actually liked doing it.

“Alright,” she said, tapping my notebook. “Let’s try this next question.”

We went through several more problems, and with her help, I was actually starting to get the hang of it. Just a little. The frustration was still there, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Huh. This seems to be much easier than I thought. Is it because of how she teaches?

After a while, we took a break. Kisaki stretched her arms and let out a small sigh. “See? You’re getting better.”

“I’ll believe that when my grades say otherwise.”

She chuckled and took a sip of her tea.

“So, what have you been up to lately? Other than struggling with math, of course.”

“Not much. Just school, playing games, and—well, you already know the rest.”

“Still a gamer, huh? What game are you playing now?”

I perked up. “Oh, it’s this new RPG that just came out. It’s got an open world and—wait, you’re actually interested?”

Kisaki laughed. “Of course. You used to talk about games all the time when we were kids.”

“Yeah, and you used to get annoyed.”

“That was because you wouldn’t stop talking about them.” she said with a teasing grin. “But I don’t mind listening now.”

That caught me off guard. Kisaki was always popular and busy with different things. I never thought she’d have the time—or interest—to talk about my hobbies.

“Well, in that case…” I started explaining the game, and to my surprise, she actually asked questions and seemed engaged.

We kept chatting like that for a while. It felt natural—just like old times. I had almost forgotten that we were supposed to be studying. Well, almost.

“Alright, let’s get back to work.” Kisaki eventually said, snapping me out of it.

I groaned. “Can’t we just talk about games instead?”

“Nope. We need to finish this math homework, remember?”

“Ugh… fine.”

The study session continued, but this time, it felt less like torture. Kisaki had a way of making things seem less dreadful, even when it came to something as frustrating as math.

After what felt like hours, we finally finished the assignment. I leaned back and stretched. “I survived.”

Kisaki smiled. “Good job. See? It wasn’t so bad.”

“I still would’ve rather been playing games.”

She shook her head in amusement. “Well, at least you learned something.”

By the time I checked my phone, the screen glowed with 9:20 PM. I blinked in surprise. Time flew faster than I expected.

“Crap,” I muttered, hurriedly stuffing my notebook and pencil case into my bag.

“Heading off already?” Kisaki tilted her head, still seated at the table, a half-empty cup of tea in her hands.

“Yeah. I forgot to tell my sister I’d be late today. She’s probably mad at me by now.” I said while slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Kisaki stood and walked me to the front door. As I opened it, she looked like she wanted to say something.

“Hey um, Taki-kun… If you don’t mind ummm…”

“Yeah?”

Her lips parted slightly, but the words didn’t come out.

“Nothing. See you later.”

I paused. “Yeah. Thanks again for tonight.”

Then I left.

.

.

.

.

As I headed home, the wind had gotten colder. The muted residential streets made me feel curiously nostalgic, and the streetlights buzzed softly. Once again learning with Kisaki. It brought back me to my middle school recollections. It feels like nothing had changed. But I knew better. Things had changed—that is.

“Change is constant, they say.”

By the time I reached my house, the porch light was on.

As soon as I stepped through the door, a voice greeted me from the hallway.

“Welcome back, Nii-sama.”

Standing there was Hina Ishigami, my younger sister. She had long, flowing blonde hair that shimmered under the hallway light, and she wore her school uniform… with an apron on top. Classic Hina.

“Sorry I’m late, Hina.” I said, slipping off my shoes.

“So? Why are you late today?”

And there it was—the interrogation mode.

Hina Ishigami, first year in high school, and not related to me by blood. My dad remarried back when I was still in middle school, and she came into my life with my step-mother soon after. At first, things were awkward between us. She was quiet, distant. But slowly, we got used to each other’s presence. Eventually, we got along surprisingly well.

Now? Well… let’s just say she’s a bit too comfortable around me.

“I, uh… had a study session. With Kisaki,” I said quickly, bracing for her reaction.

“…Wait. Kisaki-san? The childhood friend? That Kisaki?”

“Yeah.”

She stared at me, dead serious, and then… burst into laughter.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“I’m just wondering if this is the real you or an imposter,” she grinned. “You, studying? With a girl? And with your childhood friend? My real brother doesn’t do that!”

“It’s not like that.”

“Mhmm. If you say so.”

I made a beeline for the fridge and pulled out a small box.

“Here,” I said, handing it to her.

“…Strawberry shortcake?”

“I bought it today, just in case.”

She gasped like she’d just been handed a sacred offering. “Kuhhh, so you remembered my weakness…”

“When you’re mad, sweets always do the trick.”

She smiled triumphantly and placed the box on the kitchen counter. “You’re forgiven, for now.”

“Lucky me.”

“Now go take a bath, get changed, and come eat dinner.”

“Yes yes, my dear sister.”

I headed upstairs, changed out of my uniform, and freshened up myself by taking a bath.

By the time I got back down, Hina had already set the table. A steaming bowl of miso soup, grilled fish, and some pickled vegetables were waiting.

“Did you cook all this?” I asked, surprised.

“Of course. You think I’d let you starve?”

“Nice. You have my gratitude, dear sister.”

I took a seat and started eating. The meal was warm and comforting—just what I needed after getting mentally wrecked by math problems.

“So,” she said, spooning rice into her bowl, “how’s Kisaki in school?”

“Same as always. An unobtainable flower.”

“Ehhh? I thought you two are as close. You’re practically both childhood friends.”

“Well, you know, she’s good at everything—academics, sports, talking to people. It’s like she’s living in a completely different world.”

Hina paused, then leaned forward with a cheeky grin. “Huh. So… are you still in love with her?”

I choked on my soup.

“W-What? No! What kind of question is that?”

She giggled. “You totally are.”

“I’m not! She’s just… someone I’ve known for a long time. A childhood friend, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Oh, sure, sure. Just a friend, right?”

“Exactly. Just a friend.”

Hina twirled her chopsticks thoughtfully. “You never know, Nii-sama. Maybe there’s still a small spark hidden between your heart.”

I didn’t reply immediately. Instead, I stared at my half-eaten meal.

Was there?

I hadn’t thought about it in a long time. Back in elementary school, I used to think I liked her. But we drifted apart. Our paths split in middle school. I figured those feelings would vanish with time.

But lately…

“I don’t know,” I muttered under my breath.

“Hmm?” Hina asked.

“Nothing.”

She smiled and took another bite. “Well, either way, I’m rooting for you.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“But you didn’t deny it this time.”

“…Shut up.”

She giggled again, and just like that, the tension melted.

After dinner, we cleaned up the dishes together like we always did. Despite the teasing, despite the craziness of the day, it felt nice. Calm. Familiar.

As I climbed into bed later that night, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Kisaki.

[Didn’t get to say this earlier, but thanks for coming over. Let’s do it again sometime.]

I stared at the screen for a while before typing back.

[Thanks for helping me survive math. I owe you one.]

She sent a quick reply.

[You owe me big time]

I smiled.

Somehow, I didn’t mind that at all.

***
A/N: I wish I had a sister like Hina lol