When We Found Out We're Not Blood-Related, My Little Sister Became Seriously Love-Brained ~When a Little Sister Stops Being a Little Sister, the Ultimate Heroine Emerges!~ - Chapter 35 & 36 & 37 & 38 & 39
Chapter 35: The Protective Cord.
—A cable car with just the two of us.
“Don’t lose this again.”
The moment I took the earring out of my pocket, it made a clink and the star dropped onto the floor.
“Ah…”
Suzune covered her mouth.
It’s because I stepped on it earlier.
The earring post is bent.
There’s no way she can wear it on her ear like this.
“Sorry.”
“Mm. It’s fine. I’ll have a shop fix it.”
Suzune smiled, but her shoulders sagged a little.
Clack-clack.
The cable car made the sound of crossing over a joint.
“Oh—this might work.”
I undid the braided cord around my right wrist.
I opened the little ring that fixed the star in place just a bit, and threaded the cord through it.
“Lower your head a little.”
I said that and reached my hand around the nape of Suzune’s neck.
The scent of sweat rose from her skin, mixing roughly with the fresh scent of shampoo.
“That tickles.”
I looped the cord around her neck twice and tied it behind her.
Then Suzune’s breath brushed against my neck.
“For now, move it here.”
Suzune closed her eyes and touched the star at her neck.
“Yeah. Yuuma tied it around my neck.”
“Sorry if it smells sweaty.”
Suzune brought the cord close to her nose and inhaled softly.
“…Yeah. It’s a calming smell. Is this cord the one we bought back when we went to Nara?”
“You remember that well. The grandma at the souvenir shop said if you untie it, you can wrap it around your neck too, didn’t she?”
This cord is something I bought at a crafts souvenir shop when I was in sixth grade.
After that, I found the blue stone at the riverbank.
“Right, right. Was it called a ‘protective cord’?”
Suzune touched the cord.
“Yeah. We’re hiking today, so it’s like a charm. I’m glad I wore it.”
“Hey, Yuuma.”
“What is it?”
“The cord is a tiny bit loose. Retie it.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
When I brought my face close to Suzune’s ear, I heard her swallow—gulp.
Chu.
She kissed my lips.
“H-hey. Don’t do that out of nowhere—you’ll surprise me.”
Suzune traced her small lips with her fingertips.
“Because… my feelings were overflowing, and I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“That’s already the second time, you know?”
At this rate we’re going to use up the kiss limit fast.
“It’s your fault for making me like you too much. Idiot.”
Suzune looked down.
Screeech.
The cable car’s brakes squealed.
When we arrived at the station at the base, another ranger was waiting in front of the first-aid room.
On the top line of her name tag, it said “Nurse.”
“Today I’m on duty. Let’s see—your left ankle, right? Come in the room for now.”
Thank goodness.
A female ranger.
“Yuuma.”
Suzune grabbed my sleeve.
The ranger smiled.
“I know it’s scary, but I want to check your whole condition, so first—just you alone, okay?”
“Please.”
When I bowed, the ranger whispered in my ear.
“She’s really attached to you, boyfriend. She’s like a little sister close to your age. Hehe. I’ll call you again when we’re done.”
While I waited in the hallway, I called home.
After explaining what happened, Dad said he’d come pick us up after work.
The sound of the clock hands echoed in the hallway.
Even sitting on the bench, I couldn’t calm down.
It felt like only my feelings had been left behind here—like none of this was real.
After a while, I got called into the first-aid room too.
The ranger was touching Suzune’s foot.
“It’s not broken. I checked her whole body too—she doesn’t look like she hit her head, so I think it’s fine to go to the hospital tomorrow.”
“I see.”
I let out a huge breath.
Finally, my mind caught up with reality.
The ranger continued.
“But it’s a bad sprain. It isn’t a fracture, but you should still go to the hospital properly. I’ll put a patch on it, but when you get home, cool it well.”
She did a lot for us, so it probably should’ve cost money, but when we said we were high school students, she refused.
Suzune and I thanked her over and over.
When I looked at the clock, it was already close to 8:00 PM.
No wonder—there were hardly any people around.
Suzune and I sat down on a bench side by side, sank deep into it, and let out a huge breath.
“Well… anyway, good work.”
When she heard my voice, Suzune smiled.
Looking again, we were both covered in mud.
Our shoes were caked with mud too.
“Ah!”
Suzune cried out.
“My shoes—there’s a tear on the side. I was so desperate I didn’t even notice.”
It must’ve happened when she slid down the slope.
Suzune’s shoes had a big rip along the side.
They were still usable for the moment, but as trekking shoes, they probably weren’t going to be usable anymore.
“Ugh…”
Suzune started crying.
Watching her, it didn’t feel like something that “couldn’t be helped.”
“I’ll buy you the same ones again.”
When I said that, Suzune shook her body side to side like a little kid.
“No. New ones won’t do. I want these.”
That’s… a problem.
“Then let’s ask the store where we bought them if they can repair them.”
“Really? You won’t tell me to throw them away?”
Somehow, Suzune had already taken the shoes off and was hugging them.
“Yeah. But more importantly—put them on. We can’t get home otherwise.”
“No… um.”
Suzune wrapped the shoelaces around her finger and tightened the hug.
“Your kindness, Yuuma… I’m not telling anyone.”
Hey, come on.
“Then nobody will learn how great I am.”
“They don’t need to. Your kindness is something only I need to know.”
What an extreme brother-lover.
“…Fine. Anyway, put your shoes on.”
Then Suzune looked up at me.
The fluorescent lights reflected in her dark eyes.
Suzune said:
“I’m not putting them on unless you kiss me.”
—“If you kiss three times, you get a baby.”
Suzune… she definitely said that, didn’t she?
Chapter 36: That Little Sister Is Pretending to Sleep.
“Because the next kiss would be the third one, you know?”
When I said that, Suzune laughed.
“We’ll end up having a baby.”
“Will a stork bring it?”
Suzune shook her head.
“No. We’ll take a detour for our ‘playing adult’ thing.”
I lowered my gaze to Suzune’s left foot.
A compress had been put on, and it was wrapped up thick with bandages.
“Suzune, do you want my child?”
Suzune put a hand to her mouth and nodded.
“You want to meet the baby of the person you love, don’t you?”
I was simply happy.
Having the woman I love feel that way felt like an honor.
But I also understood that doing it now wouldn’t lead to a good outcome for us.
Protecting Suzune is my job.
“Say those words again when we graduate.”
When I said that, Suzune puffed out her cheeks.
“…You say it first.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
(Yeah. When we graduate, I will.)
We looked into each other’s eyes and laughed together.
“Dad will be here soon, so let’s wait here.”
Bump.
Suzune’s cheek tapped against the bone of my shoulder.
“Zzz… zzz…”
She was breathing like she was asleep.
Suzune was leaning on me and sleeping.
I’m really sleepy too.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
“Suzune, are you okay?”
Dad’s voice woke me up.
When I opened my eyes, Dad was pressing an ice pack to Suzune’s ankle.
“Dad, sorry you had to come after work.”
Dad patted my shoulder.
“The lecture can wait. First things first—you made it back safe. Get in the car.”
From the back seat, I could see Dad at the wheel.
The navigation screen showed one hour to home.
“Both of you, get in the back.”
When I opened the front passenger door, Dad said that.
Normally I sit in the front passenger seat, but he must be worried about Suzune.
Dad is a tax accountant.
It wasn’t his job from the start.
After Mio-mom—the mother who gave birth to me—passed away, he got the certification.
Thinking about it now, maybe he earned that qualification for me and Suzune.
He’s stubborn most of the time, but he’s principled.
That’s why I respected him.
Suzune fell asleep again.
She must be exhausted.
“Hey, Yuuma. Is Suzune okay? Does she have anything she’s worrying about?”
Does Suzune have worries?
It doesn’t look like it, but…
“No, not really. It seems like she lost her earring and slipped when she tried to pick it up.”
Dad let out a breath.
“I see. It’s good you two were able to make up, but there was also that running away from home incident. Make sure you protect her properly.”
Suzune left a note and ran away, everyone searched, and we learned we were step-siblings.
That was only three months ago.
He’s probably worried about a lot.
The fact he doesn’t pry too much is very “Dad.”
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
That was all I said.
The turn signal clicked.
After that, neither of us spoke.
I don’t hate Dad.
But for reasons I can’t explain, I’m a little uncomfortable around him.
When I try to talk to him, part of me always braces myself.
When the car got off at the nearest interchange, Dad spoke again.
“Want to stop at a convenience store and buy something?”
“No, I’m good. Hey… um.”
“What is it?”
“If Suzune got someone she liked… what would you do?”
“Is there someone like that?”
Dad’s tone dropped.
“It’s just an example.”
When I pushed back, Dad glanced at Suzune.
“…Well. I wouldn’t approve.”
“Huh? Then Suzune can’t get married.”
“Hah. That would be a problem too.”
Dad’s voice softened just a little.
“Then what kind of guy would be okay?”
“Well. A guy who thinks, with no basis, that ‘as long as feelings are strong, it’ll work out’ is out of the question.”
Oof.
That hits home.
Dad continued.
“I can’t entrust precious Suzune to a man who can’t even face his own life seriously.”
“T-then… what if it was a guy about as good as me?”
Dad glanced at me.
“That’s not even worth discussing.”
“…But, Yuuma. I heard you’ve started training again lately. And your mom said you’ve been studying hard too.”
“Yeah. I actually have been trying.”
Dad sighed.
“You idiot. Don’t say things like that until you’ve at least beaten Suzune.”
“Fair.”
“I won’t say you’re a zero, but you’re about a five.”
“Out of how many?”
“Hm? Out of a hundred, obviously.”
So I’m basically hopeless.
“Yeah… not good at all.”
“Yeah. Not good at all.”
“But the ranger said this. Apparently you protected Suzune with your life on the line.”
The car turned at the last intersection.
While looking for the garage remote, Dad spoke.
“Well, I do think that feeling matters most. What is it—did you get a girl you like too?”
“No. Not really.”
Dad cleared his throat.
“Listen, Yuuma. Love doesn’t have a shape. That’s why, if you leave it alone, it disappears. Protecting it and raising it—that’s your effort.”
“Got it.”
Just then, Suzune squeezed my hand.
“Alright, we’re home. First, go reassure your mom.”
When Dad said that, the back seat door opened.
It was Mom.
“Suzune, wake up. We’re here.”
Suzune rubbed her eyes, and the blue star at her chest glinted.
When Mom touched the protective cord, she whispered into my ear.
“You gave her a protective cord?”
“No. Her earring broke, so…”
“Hm. I see. Your dad has it rough.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who knows. Dinner’s ready.”
That night, I had a dream.
A dream from when we went on a family trip.
Suzune beside me was still small.
An old woman was holding a protective cord.
She held it out and said:
“Boy, do you have someone you like?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I see. You know, I braided this. It’s a cord that connects people to people, made by braiding many threads together.”
When I accepted the protective cord, the old woman wrapped it around my wrist.
“I hope one day you can give it to the person you love. That cord will tie your fate together.”
When I woke up, only the feel of the knot remained in my fingers.
I touched my wrist—empty now.
—The voice in my heart that swore “On graduation day” kept repeating inside me.
Chapter 37: Put “I Love You” on the Second Layer.
“Hey… I need to talk to you.”
When I was about to go to the bathroom at school, someone unexpected spoke to me in the hallway.
It was Hotaru Houjou.
A beautiful blonde girl.
Flashy, and gorgeous.
“Flashy = easy.”
The guys in class slap that label on her on their own, and they’re always laughing about it like it’s funny.
That kind of thing is what I hate most.
Well, I get turned into a joke too.
Even earlier, some girls were whispering, and between their giggles, my name came up.
It doesn’t matter.
But it still gets depressing.
Still, Hotaru isn’t part of that kind of circle.
She doesn’t even seem interested.
And now, that Hotaru was standing in front of me, waiting for an answer.
“What is it?”
When I answered, Hotaru’s ponytail swayed.
“Um… don’t tell Suzune about what we talk about here, okay?”
“I seriously don’t want Suzune to hate me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw Suzune and Saitou on a date.”
When Hotaru clasped her hands behind her back, the collar of her shirt loosened a bit.
A clean, soap-like scent drifted over.
“No way.”
“But I actually saw them smiling and shopping together.”
“And you’re close with Saitou, right?”
“Tell me what kind of guy Saitou is.”
I see.
She’s worried about Suzune.
“Saitou is… well.”
“He’s an idiot, but he’s a good guy.”
“Sometimes he’s creepy, though.”
“Ah—yeah, I think that too!”
“Sometimes Saitou stares at me, and it’s creepy.”
Hotaru smiled.
Her healthy tan skin made her white teeth stand out.
She’s always prickly, but she can smile like a normal person.
“Maybe it’s because Hotaru is pretty, so he can’t help noticing you.”
Honestly, he probably was staring like he was licking her with his eyes.
It’s too easy to imagine.
“Pretty…?”
“I don’t know.”
“No guy’s ever said that to me, so I can’t tell.”
“Oh, and…”
“What?”
“Hey.”
“Back then, you warned those guys who were gossiping about me, right?”
“Um… thanks.”
“And—here.”
“You can eat what’s inside.”
After she said that, Hotaru shoved a paper bag against my chest and walked off.
It wasn’t even “warning” them.
I just don’t like that kind of thing.
Did she go out of her way just to say thanks?
“She’s a conscientious one.”
“Hotaru’s basically just a normal girl.”
But still…
Saitou and Suzune?
No way… right?
Ah—right.
I opened the paper bag.
“…Huh?”
—Lunch break.
Today, Suzune said she had club business, so she went to the clubroom.
“Yo.”
“Been a while since I ate lunch with you, Shinomiya.”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry for making you keep me company.”
I turned my chair around and put my lunch on Saitou’s desk.
It was the bento Suzune made for me again today.
With my back to the rest of the class, I quietly opened it.
…Whew.
Good.
A normal nori bento.
No giant hearts drawn on it.
When I told him I’d run into Hotaru, Saitou put his right index finger to his forehead and said, with an unnecessarily sharp glare:
“With that setup, there’s no way Houjou didn’t give you food.”
“About that…”
I opened the paper bag.
“What’s that— a photo book and… apple pie?”
“Yeah.”
“Apparently she wanted to return something she borrowed from Suzune.”
“Kuhuhuh…”
“Isn’t that just being an errand boy?”
“Right?”
“Then it’s really okay to eat this pie, isn’t it?”
I took the apple pie out and set it on the desk.
“Whoa.”
“That looks expensive.”
“If she said so, then sure, right?”
“Oh—right.”
Saitou stuffed his face with a katsu sandwich.
I took a bite of my bento too.
(Oh—today’s fried chicken is good.)
Saitou was staring hard at the apple pie.
“What?”
“It’s small, but it isn’t cut, right?”
“This is the kind of thing you should eat before handing it to Princess Suzune.”
“Why?”
“There was this ‘pi’ promotion at sis’s store once.”
“Like ‘endless love’ because of pi.”
“…Well, maybe I’m overthinking it.”
“Also, Suzune has a strong attachment to food.”
“If she finds out you ate it without permission, she might get mad.”
“Then let’s hide the evidence and go for the perfect crime.”
Saitou laughed loudly.
“Hold on.”
“I’m going to finish my bento first.”
While I was eating, Saitou’s expression changed.
“Shinomiya.”
“It says ‘I love you’ on the second layer under the seaweed.”
When I looked, the letters were written in mentaiko.
Maybe it was a surprise because she couldn’t eat with me.
I shoveled down the second layer of rice.
Then Saitou grinned.
“Shinomiya.”
“Please don’t quit school for a shotgun wedding.”
“Seriously, don’t raise flags like that.”
We laughed together.
Maybe I should confirm what I asked Hotaru about.
“By the way.”
“Did you go shopping with Suzune?”
“Yeah.”
“Sort of.”
“For details, ask Princess Suzune.”
What’s with that?
That answer’s weirdly evasive.
After school, I accompanied Suzune to the hospital.
She didn’t have a fracture, but they told her to rest for a while.
On the way home, we walked side by side.
Suzune was on crutches.
“Give me your bag.”
I took Suzune’s bag.
“Thanks.”
“Yuuma, you’re always kind.”
“…Hey.”
“Did Hotaru say anything to you?”
“Yeah.”
“She handed me some K-pop idol photo book, you know?”
“Tell Hotaru not to use me as an errand boy.”
I opened the top of the bag and showed her the edge of the paper bag.
Suzune tucked her crutches under her arm and scratched her cheek.
“Yeah.”
“Hey… I got into a fight with Hotaru.”
I see.
That’s why Hotaru didn’t hand the stuff to Suzune directly.
“But that’s rare.”
“What happened?”
“Hotaru kept nagging me to get a boyfriend.”
“Well… it’s my fault for keeping things with you secret.”
She’s probably worried about Suzune.
“Huh.”
“Hope you two make up soon.”
“Why not tell her about us already?”
“No…”
“At this point, it’s kind of hard to bring it up.”
Suzune looked down.
She didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about it.
Better change the subject.
“Oh, right.”
“Hotaru said you went shopping with Saitou?”
“Ah—yeah.”
“I ran into him by chance.”
“When he saw me on crutches, he carried my bags.”
“Saitou-kun is kind, right?”
“Creepy, but kind.”
Poor Saitou.
Both Suzune and Hotaru rate you as “creepy” in the exact same way.
“Yeah.”
“I got kind of worried.”
“Ah.”
“Were you jealous?”
“Yeah.”
“A little.”
“Enough that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
“Hmph.”
“That means you’re super jealous!”
Suzune looked happy about it.
“What are you grinning about?”
“No.”
“I’ve always been only about you, Yuuma, so relax.”
“Oh—give me my bag.”
I handed it over.
“Onii-chan.”
“It’d be a problem if you went crazy with jealousy, so I’m giving you this.”
Suzune handed me a box.
“Happy birthday.”
“Until my birthday, you’re older than me.”
“You’re a real big brother.”
“Oh.”
“Today is November 11.”
“Yeah.”
“I wanted to prepare last year’s gift too, but my leg’s like this, so I couldn’t go shopping freely.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Can I open it?”
When I opened the box, it was a leather bracelet.
“Because I’m using the protective cord.”
Suzune touched the blue star at her chest.
“I’m really happy.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah—yeah, we have to get the earring repaired too.”
“I want to keep using this cord.”
“Um, with this, I can wear it at school too.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Yay.”
“Thanks!”
Suzune looked really happy.
“Can I try the bracelet on?”
It was a black leather bracelet, with silver on the clasp.
Suzune smiled.
“It looks great on you!”
“And—can I ask one more thing?”
Suzune lowered her voice, so I leaned in closer.
Clatter.
Her crutch fell onto the ground.
The next instant, an arm slid behind my neck and pulled me in tight.
Suzune’s hair brushed against my cheek.
Her breath had a hint of mint.
Chu.
Suzune’s lips were pressed against mine.
“Huh?”
“This is last year’s present.”
“Yuuma, I love you.”
“Yuuma is mine.”
“Huh, but—”
“…Is this not enough?”
I shook my head.
After taking a few steps forward, I turned around and said:
“A birthday kiss doesn’t count!”
Behind Suzune, the sky spread out orange.
Ah.
So today’s sky was this beautiful sunset color.
—That night.
Someone knocked on my bedroom door.
“There’s still a present I haven’t given you.”
It was Suzune’s voice.
Chapter 38: Suzune Wants You to Accept It.
Bathed in moonlight, her white skin stood out.
Suzune shifted slightly and said:
“There’s still a present I haven’t given you.”
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
After we got home.
When we returned, both our parents welcomed us.
It seems Dad came home early too.
(Maybe they’re going to celebrate my birthday?)
But when we sat down, there was no cake.
No decorations either.
It was the usual dinner table.
It made me a little lonely.
Mom being in the kitchen is normal, but today Dad was in there too, which is rare.
Dad opened the oven and brought over a cast-iron pot with oven mitts.
A nice tomato smell drifted up.
“Alright, you two, step back a little.”
He set it down with a heavy thunk and lifted the lid.
Steam rose.
A layer of cheese covering the whole pot came into view.
At the browned edges of the cheese, I could see minced meat and tomato sauce.
A savory, sweet, slightly tangy smell.
Somehow, it felt a little nostalgic.
“What, what—this looks insanely good!”
Suzune leaned forward.
“Hey, Suzune-chan, sit down.”
Mom warned her, and Suzune puffed out her cheeks.
“Buuut, someone ate the whole apple pie, so I’m hungry—”
As she said that, she swung her legs and pouted.
Huh?
Apple pie…?
“Today’s your birthday, so first, Yuuma—try it.”
Dad served me a portion.
Between slices of fried eggplant, layers of meat sauce were stacked, and the cheese on top had melted.
I took a bite.
“It’s crazy good! What is this? Dad, you can cook?”
It was so good my hands wouldn’t stop.
“Mom, seconds!”
When I held out my plate, Mom narrowed her eyes gently.
“That dish… actually, it was Mio’s specialty. She told me, ‘When Yuuma grows up, let him eat it.’ Before she passed away, Mio left the recipe. …Is it good?”
“Yeah. It’s delicious.”
Dad just watched me eat.
“I was going to make it last year, but a lot happened. I’m glad I could make it before you become an adult.”
“I see. Thanks.”
I ate like I was possessed.
Then Mom wiped under my eyes.
“Come on, Yuuma. Is the cheese hot? You’ve got sweat coming out of your eyes, you know.”
This is…
a mother’s taste, times two.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
November 11, 11:50 PM.
“There’s still a present I haven’t given you.”
Someone knocked on my bedroom door.
Gulp.
I swallowed.
“What is it, coming here this late?”
When I opened the door, the scene was beyond what I expected.
Suzune was standing there.
The moonlight was like backlight, making her white skin look pale and bluish.
Only her collarbones were outlined by the spilled moonlight.
…I reflexively held my breath.
Even though she was in pajamas, she had our school uniform ribbon tie wrapped around her neck.
And she was fidgeting.
“This is the real present. Um… I— I can’t do it after all!”
“A-anyway, get inside!”
If Dad saw this, that alone would be enough to convict me.
Suzune had put on a cat-ear headband from somewhere.
She lightly clenched her fists.
“Um… yeah. I’ll do my best.”
“What?”
“You can do whatever you want with me, meow.”
“…Bwahaha. What even is that?”
Her desperate expression was so cute I burst out laughing.
“Ugh. I wanna die.”
“No, I’m happy just knowing you tried. But where did you even get that idea?”
“Saitou-kun. Because when I asked how to make you happy, Yuuma, he told me to do this.”
“I see, I see. Anyway, go back to your room.”
“Huh, but… I’m not wearing anything underneath.”
“And?”
“So I might get attacked on the way.”
“We’re inside the house. You don’t need to worry.”
“But I’m anxious.”
“About what?”
“If a girl cuter than me confessed to you, I might lose you. I want to feel secure.”
“You won’t lose me. I’m not popular.”
“But Hotaru is… kind of sexy. And compared to Hotaru, I’m an inexperienced kid.”
Lately she’s weirdly fixated on Hotaru.
Suzune started crying.
This might not be the best way to put it, but…
“Between us, Suzune is way cuter. So relax.”
“Then… if I’m 100, what is Hotaru?”
That’s a hard question.
“Hmm… maybe 98?”
“That’s basically within the margin of error! If you round, it’s the same!”
“But if it’s a test, 100 and 98 are worlds apart. Because there’s nothing above 100.”
“Then that means I’m the prettiest girl in the world?”
“…Yeah. I guess it does.”
I scratched the tip of my nose.
“Then how do you feel being invited to a night visit by the prettiest girl in the world?”
A “night visit,” like it’s the Edo period?
“I feel like I’m about to get a nosebleed, so I want you to go back to your room.”
“Yuuma, you’re cute!”
Suzune hugged my face.
I could hear her heartbeat clearly.
And it seems the “no underwear” part was true.
“H-hey—”
I pushed her back and chased her out of my room.
When I looked at the clock, the short hand was pointing exactly at twelve.
I sat down on the bed.
“Haa…”
If a girl like Suzune is coming at me every day, I want her to think a little about what it’s like for the one trying to endure it.
I held my head.
I messed up my hair.
I know Suzune is devoted.
But originally, she’s not a girl someone like me should be able to reach.
I knocked on the wall between our rooms.
“What?”
It was Suzune’s voice.
She sounded a little sulky.
“Are you free on your next day off?”
After a beat, Suzune answered.
“I had plans with Hotaru, but they got canceled… yeah, I’m free.”
“If you already had plans, it’s fine. I can do it some other time. But is it really okay?”
“Yeah. We didn’t make a firm promise. And she hasn’t messaged me. It’s fine. I’m okay.”
Suzune’s voice sounded lonely.
“I see. Then let’s go get the ribbon shoes repaired. They got damaged on Mount Takao.”
“Is that… you asking me out on a date?”
“That’s what I mean, yeah.”
“Hmph. I guess I can go with you.”
Her voice bounced.
Her emotions really swing around.
That part is kind of cat-like.
“Hey. If something like that happens… would you be speaking ‘cat language,’ Suzune?”
“If Yuuma wants it, I’ll do my best, meooow…”
Then Mom’s voice called up from the bottom of the stairs.
“You two, you have school tomorrow, right? You need to go to bed already!”
“Sorry! Good night!”
Suzune and I shouted back.
A little inconvenient, and a little free.
We can’t do everything, but we can treasure what we have.
My family celebrated my birthday for me.
And I got to spend the end of it with Suzune.
This environment feels comfortable.
Someday, whether I like it or not, I’ll become an adult.
For now, I want to stay in this environment a little longer.
When I got into bed, a notification popped up on my phone.
Was it Suzune?
No.
It wasn’t.
It was a message from Hotaru.
“I want to make up with Suzune, so help me.”
A request from my little sister’s best friend.
Guess it can’t be helped.
Chapter 39: Building Blocks of True Feelings.
A stylish café.
Sarasa-san stared at my face.
Her gaze was serious.
“Yuuma. You’ve actually noticed how Hotaru-chan feels, haven’t you?”
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
That morning.
Right now, we’re in the shoe store at the mall.
The person who accepted the shoes was, by coincidence, the same staff member from when we bought the pink-ribbon pair.
“Wow… you really tore them up pretty badly.”
“Sorry. Even though you went to the trouble of selling them to us.”
Suzune said it meekly.
My little sister.
That’s much better than an attitude like, “We paid, so it’s our business.”
At Suzune’s words, the staff member smiled.
“If enough force was applied to tear them, that means these shoes worked that hard. I’m sure they’re happy they were able to help their owner.”
“Um… can they be fixed?”
Suzune asked, sounding anxious.
“Of course.”
With a smile, the staff member opened a big binder.
“Let’s see… the repair fee is…”
How much does repair even cost?
It wouldn’t be surprising if it cost more than a brand-new pair.
Besides, my pair was super cheap.
If mine had been the one that tore, it definitely would’ve been cheaper to buy a new pair.
When I handed over the receipt from when we bought them, the staff member stopped tracing the documents.
“You bought these with the couple discount. As a benefit, there’s a one-month warranty. We can exchange them for a new pair at no cost, but…”
Suzune hugged the other shoe tight.
“I want this one. This one protected me, so please repair it.”
“I see. I also recommend repair. We’ll need to keep them for a while, but we can do the repair within the warranty.”
“Thank you.”
When I thanked her, the staff member smiled.
After we handed over the shoes and left the store, Suzune spoke.
“Yuuma. It’s like your present protected me. If I’d gone in normal sneakers, I might’ve broken something.”
That might be true.
If the shoes I gave her protected Suzune, that makes me really happy.
Tap.
Suzune is still on crutches.
She can move short distances on one leg, but it looks like a lot.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Oh—good idea.
“Suzune, I’ll help you trim your toenails.”
Smack.
She whacked my thigh with her crutch.
“S-so that means you’d touch my feet, right? You pervert! That’s like a hundred times more embarrassing than ‘usan-yan’!”
Suzune’s eyebrows were raised.
“What’s ‘usan-yan’?”
“It means, ‘Dote on me, meow.’”
Suzune said it with her hands on her hips.
…There isn’t even a millimeter of “bunny” in that.
“Ah!”
Suzune suddenly yelped.
“What?”
“I forgot to do twin tails the other day… even though Saitou-kun told me I absolutely couldn’t forget!”
“No, it’s fine if you forget.”
If she came at me with a different hairstyle (and one she would definitely pull off), I might’ve lost.
“Hmph. So you’re saying it wouldn’t suit me?”
Suzune stopped walking.
My internal danger radar is blaring.
Time to change the subject.
“No— I didn’t mean that… anyway, why did you and Hotaru end up fighting?”
“I don’t want to say.”
Suzune answered quietly.
This is a problem.
I scratched the back of my neck.
“You want to make up too, right? Then I want to at least understand the cause.”
“It’s your fault.”
Her voice was quiet, but sharp.
“What does that mean?”
“There’s no way I can say it. Idiot.”
Suzune pouted.
Clap.
I heard someone clap and call out to us.
“Ah, Yuuma. Whoa—Suzune-chan looks like she’s hurting. What are you two doing here?”
Standing in front of us was Sarasa-san.
“Sarasa-chan! We’re getting the shoes repaired.”
Suzune answered.
She looked happy.
She was pouting a moment ago, too.
Sarasa-san adjusted her lime-green mini bag in front of her body and said:
“If your errand is done, want to have lunch together? I know a place I recommend.”
“Huh? Really? Yuuma, let’s go.”
She really does like Sarasa-san.
So we ended up going to lunch.
When we left the shopping mall, Sarasa-san hailed a taxi.
“Is the place that far?”
When I asked, Sarasa-san laughed.
A sweet, adult scent tickled the back of my chest.
“It’s only a few minutes on foot, but you can’t drag an injured lady around, can you?”
That line sounded like something a charismatic host would say.
Ah—right.
Back when she was active in karate, she was insanely popular.
In the back seat, the three of us sat in a row.
I got stuck in the middle seat, which was a bit stiff.
The women on both sides were pressing against my right arm and my left arm.
“Yuuma… I feel like you’re closer to Sarasa-chan…”
From the right, Suzune shoved herself against me harder.
Seeing that, Sarasa-san looped her hand around my left arm.
Like she was about to hold hands, Sarasa-san lightly poked the back of my hand with her fingertip, as if to show Suzune.
(This woman is definitely enjoying herself.)
This is seriously uncomfortable.
And sure enough, Suzune glared at me.
Sarasa-san casually brushed her hair back and smiled like she had plenty of room to spare.
Grind.
For a moment, my breathing stopped.
Suzune’s left elbow drove into my solar plexus.
(Sarasa-san. My little sister is really simple, so please don’t provoke her any further…)
“Suzune-chan really does love Yuuma, doesn’t she?”
Sarasa-san laughed.
The place she took us to was a stylish bakery.
Inside the attached café, the sweet, toasty smell of roasted wheat filled the air.
Apparently, their salty croissants were popular.
All three of us ordered a lunch set with salad, ham, and a croissant on one plate.
“Are you going back to your shop after this, Sarasa-san?”
When I asked, Sarasa-san answered with a sigh in her voice.
“No. After this I’m going to go tighten the screws on Shouta… no. I mean, I’ve got an errand with my ‘little brother,’ so I’m heading back to my parents’ place.”
Did Saitou do something again?
My friend—rest in peace.
Sarasa-san looked between the two of us and rested both elbows on the table.
“So. What are you two worried about?”
Then Suzune whispered something into Sarasa-san’s ear.
It must’ve been something she didn’t want me to hear.
Sarasa-san sighed.
“Hm. Well, well. That sounds tough, Suzune-chan. Yuuma is dense, after all.”
Apparently, on the big picture level, I’m the useless one.
“I don’t know what to do.”
Suzune looked down.
Sarasa-san took Suzune’s hand.
“What you need, Suzune-chan, is to trust yourself… no— to trust the person you love. And to trust Hotaru-chan too, right? Your best friend.”
“What do you mean—”
I started to say, but Sarasa-san pressed her index finger against my lips.
“And one more thing. Trust is like building blocks. The only thing that can become the foundation is the truth. If you put truth on top of lies, it collapses. Well, it’s weird for a liar like me to say that.”
Sarasa-san stuck her tongue out.
“Oh—bathroom.”
Suzune said that and reached for her crutches.
“Want help?”
When I held out my hand, Suzune glared.
“Don’t follow me to the bathroom! You pervert big brother!”
After watching Suzune head off, Sarasa-san looked straight into my eyes.
“Yuuma. You’ve actually noticed how Hotaru-chan feels, haven’t you?”
—Exchange or repair.
Let it go, or tie it back on.
Soon, I’ll be forced to choose.
A park at the start of night.
Hotaru stood up from the bench and brushed dirt from her skirt in front of me.
“Shinomiya. If I want to make up with Suzune, there’s something I have to say. Um… I’ve been thinking about you…”
Comments for chapter "Chapter 35 & 36 & 37 & 38 & 39"
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