When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade.

After a few minutes, the two of them had stopped crying. However, their expressions remained somber, and silence lingered.

The surroundings were already pitch dark, and with each touch of the cold wind on their skin, they shivered.

“Ayano-san, did you contact your mom?”

“Yeah, I sent a message.”

“Sorry too, Kuroda.”

Though I couldn’t see Natsuno’s face well in the darkness, I could sense it in her tone. She sounded deeply remorseful. While it was okay by me, Natsuno must have been feeling like she had done something terribly wrong.

Natsuno was feeling regret, and Ayano had said “I’m sorry,” yet the atmosphere was still heavy. I couldn’t help but wonder why.

This heavy atmosphere didn’t suit these sisters at all. That thought had been with me for a while.

“Well, how about making up for now?”

“Making up?”

Natsuno and Ayano echoed each other inquisitively.

Hearing that, I let out a heavy sigh.

“Don’t you two, as sisters, know about it?”

“W-well, we didn’t really fight.”

“Yeah, Natsuno did something wrong, so…”

“No! It’s not Natsuno’s fault, it’s mine.”

“Big sis isn’t at fault!”

I couldn’t bear watching this exchange for the third time and blurted out, “Are you both idiots!”

“If you’re just going to compromise like this, then just apologize to each other for both being at fault! Then, shake hands or hug and make up!”

Saying that, I patted both of their backs. Even if I hadn’t said it, I was sure they would have made up eventually, but considering today was Natsuno’s birthday, it was better to be more cheerful than stuck in this somber atmosphere.

Or rather, the cause was that Stepfather… But somewhere in my mind, I was still hoping he had prepared a surprise.

“With this, you’ve made up…”

“Yeah, you both like each other, right?”

“N-no…”

Huh? Was there something wrong with my ears? Did she just say “no”?

“We love each other!”

“Big sis… It’s embarrassing.”

“Really, Natsuno, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay now!”

After that, Natsuno said, “Big sis, you’re so warm,” and her voice had returned to its usual cheerful tone.

“Shall we head back then? Mom must be worried.”

“Yeah!”

“Oh, wait a second!”

I said that, stopping the two of them. Then, I took a small bag from my backpack.

“Natsuno, happy birthday.”

“Thank you!”

“Thanks, Yuusei-kun… But why now?”

“Well, maybe things will turn out better if I’m not around.”

“What? What are you saying, like something out of a manga?”

Saying that, Ayano laughed. Natsuno joined in, laughing too.

***

The way back home had a completely different atmosphere compared to when we were searching for Natsuno.

Natsuno also seemed full of energy, chatting with Ayano.

“It went by in a flash, didn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Natsuno, if you found it hard at any point, you could have…”

“I’m okay!!”

Saying that, she opened the front door.

“I’m home…”

“Natsuno!”

Saying this, her mom came running over. Then, she immediately embraced Natsuno.

“I’m so sorry. It’s your birthday and yet… I’m, I’m a terrible mother.”

“That’s not true! Natsuno’s mom is the only mom there is! You’re not disqualified or anything!”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

Saying that, she held Natsuno while crying.

“Listen, it seems Stepfather has something to say.”

Her mom said, “Look! Your Stepfather,” and from the living room door, Stepfather came out, his nose twitching.

“Natsuno…”

“What is it?”

“Come here.”

Saying that, without a change in his expression, he invited Natsuno into the living room.

“Wow!”

Natsuno let out a surprised voice, so following her, Ayano and I entered the living room.

There, on the table, was a homemade cake that looked very much homemade.

“Your stepfather, today, he said he’d make it himself, and he practiced saying so. He practiced cooking too, but he couldn’t get it right till the end.”

“Oh! You mean the ingredients I bought…”

“The ingredients for the dish he was trying to make.”

“Next year, I will definitely… make it successfully. I’m truly sorry for today.”

Wow, what a clumsy and awkward person. That was my first impression.

“No, I’m sorry too, Natsuno… and Stepfather! Thank you!”

Saying that, Natsuno had tears in her eyes, but her expression was a bright, smiling one.

Watching Ayano and Natsuno talking with their Stepfather and mom, I felt I shouldn’t disturb and quietly left the living room.

“Yusei-kun!”

Perhaps noticing that, Ayano made a tapping sound and came over to me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, I just thought that spending time with family is better today. I’m still an outsider.”

“Still…”