Yayoi Can't Hide Her Secrets - 17 - Epilogue
Epilogue
“Oh, Mom’s home.”
When I returned back home, in an unusual situation, I saw my mother wearing an apron and preparing dinner.
She’s the one in charge of the Kinoshita family’s agent business, and she’s always out on business meetings. She was away on a business trip for a few days the other day, and usually comes home late at night, so it was rare for her to be home before I was.
“Welcome home. You’re early”
“Can I help?”
Without changing out of my uniform, I threw my bag out in the living room, put on my apron, and went into the kitchen.
I loved my mother. She was a good cook, tall and stylish, and always put us first. She never forced us to work as agents, my dad doesn’t either.
“Thank you. Then, can you bring out the plates?”
Mom’s back figure was beautiful today as she sliced the vegetables in a rhythmic motion.
Her waist was tightened by her apron, and she looks very stylish. I always wish I were as tall as my mother.
“Where’s dad today?”
I rolled up my uniform and opened the cupboard.
“He’s away on a business trip until tomorrow. So today is for the three of us.”
“Copy that!”
He’s been away on an agent’s job for quite a while now. He seems to be a shrewd businessman, but I don’t know where he is right now. In this business, secrecy always comes first. I don’t ask for details either. It’s a tacit understanding in the Kinoshita family.
“How’s school? Are you having fun?”
I glanced back at my mother and saw a small earring shining in her ear through her hair.
I remember when I wanted to get my ears pierced in junior high school, she got mad at me. I like such a strict mother.
“It’s fun! Next week we’re going on a field trip to Onomichi! I told you to make me lunch, remember?”
“I remember. I’ll fill it with all your favorite things.”
She smiled happily at me, and I was happy to hear that.
I was worried about whether or not I would be able to make friends, but once I started going to school, things were going well.
I tried out for the brass band and the older students were nice to me, and I found a stylish café on my way home.
High school life is short, and it would be a loss if I don’t do what I want to do, right?
“By the way, can I ask you something?”
As I put the ingredients into the pot and turned on the heat, my mother put her hands on her hips and turned towards me.
Her voice was a little bouncy, and I had a bad feeling.
Is she going to ask me to do a new job again, or is she going to…
“It’s about Satsuki-senpai, isn’t it?”
My mom smiles at me.
I laugh along with her.
“What do you think, Uzuki?”
She calls my name and asks me what I know about Satsuki-senpai.
I guess my mom is concerned about it too. She can’t ask my sister directly about it, can she?
“What’s wrong…? Aren’t you and your sister getting along well?”
Sis was in her second year and seemed to be enjoying every day a bit more than before.
I had noticed that she was prioritizing her work as an agent and was trying not to make any friends at school. It became even more pronounced when I got to high school and had to work as the vice principal’s supervisor. It’s like a clumsy big sister sacrificing herself so as to not make her private life meddle with her work life.
But after being in the same class as Satsuki-senpai, her hidden feelings gradually came out.
Big Sis was trying to keep Satsuki-senpai away from her. But just because she’s an agent doesn’t mean she has to give up on love too.
My sister’s feelings were obvious and I decided to support her. I guess you could call it an assisting love, right? Because I want you to do what you want to do. And, of course, love someone too.
My sister is shy, but she has recently become more honest.
I’m grateful to Satsuki-senpai for helping me find my real big sister.
“I’ve never met him, but I’m kind of curious about him.”
Mom put her hand on her chin and thought about something.
I’m sure you’d be concerned if your daughter was getting along with boys too, wouldn’t you? I wonder if she would be worried if I got a boyfriend, too.
“I can see you and your sister are getting along well. You’re so naive that it makes me nervous to watch you grow up.”
“That’s true, but…”
The distance between the two of them was so awkward that it makes me feel uncomfortable even when I look at it.
Satsuki-senpai also looks a bit awkward, but he’s also blunt in a weird way.
“You don’t have to worry about it, okay? Satsuki-senpai is not a bad person.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I can tell when I see Yayoi looking so happy that he’s not a bad kid. I’m not doubting you. You know?”
The way she said it, including something, reminded me of my discomfort with Satsuki-senpai too.
“But, I’m kind of doubtful about Satsuki-kun…”
“Doubtful? Do you think he’s suspicious?”
I don’t have any proof, but something in my head seemed to click together.
That was the first day we met. I was working with my sister.
There is a reason why I held Satsuki-senpai’s hand.
When a person has a secret, he or she unconsciously tries to hide it. It was both my intuition as an agent and my experience that made me feel uncomfortable.
Satsuki-senpai usually keeps his left hand in his pocket all the time and always stands on the left side when he is with me or my sister. He keeps his left hand away from us at all times…
My sister probably doesn’t notice it because she’s floating around when she’s with him, but I’ve been noticing it.
“It’s not a bad feeling, it’s more like an occupational hazard.”
I’m using an obnoxious tone, but mom used to be an astute agent too. There must be a good reason for her to suspect Satsuki-senpai. Mom’s intuition is exceptional, even in the Kinoshita family.
“Uzuki, can you do me a favor?”
“Eh? What?”
Mom’s face turned serious, much like my sister’s at school.
It was the face of an agent.
I listened to her without joking around.
‘Would you do some research on Satsuki-kun?’
Is that request as an agent or as a mother?
I don’t think Satsuki-senpai is a bad person, but I feel suspicious when my mother tells me.
“…Yeah. I understand.”
I felt bad for Satsuki-senpai and my sister, but I couldn’t suppress my curiosity either, so I quietly shook my head.
I don’t want to explore Satsuki-senpai’s secret, but this is for her sake too, right?
But I also found myself a little bit jealous of my big sister.
—
Author’s afterword
It has been a while. My name is Hama Kazushi.
First of all, thank you for picking up this book.
It’s been a year since my last book, “My Tutor Is Too Aggressive, I Can’t Study!’ This is the first new work in a year since the last one. It seems like it was long, short, or just right.
I came up with the idea for this piece last summer. A street piano was to be installed in my neighborhood, and I thought it would be cool to play the piano there.
This small idea grew and took the form of weaving this story in a retroactive manner.
Yayoi refuses to communicate with Satsuki because of her secret.
Satsuki struggles to communicate with Yayoi because he knows her secret.
Communication is not only about words. There should be many ways to convey your feelings. I hope that Satsuki and Yayoi’s feelings and actions to communicate with something other than words will reach your hearts.
Now, I would like to thank the many people who helped me this time as well.
Mr. Koyama, the person in charge. Thank you again for all your advice from the planning stage. The decision to separate the Satsuki part and the Yayoi part was also something I came up with based on Mr. Koyama’s advice. We are delighted if the work has turned out as we originally intended.
Thank you to Mr. Pulp Piloshi for the illustrations. I was trembling when I saw the character design, which fits the image perfectly in every way. Thank you very much.
To the editorial department of Gaga Bunko and everyone else involved in this book.
And to the readers.
I can only express my gratitude. Thank you very much.
I have written an unprecedentedly serious afterword.
The epilogue of the book ends in a significant way, but God only knows if a second volume will be published. I hope to be able to write the continuation of this story, but we will see what happens.
Your support will be a great help to me, and I would be very happy if you could give me some feedback. Thank you very much.
I wish you all good health and hope to be able to publish the second volume. See you soon!
TL: ”
ED: Spynine01
TL Afterword: I made my ed mald everytime he edits these so can you pws consider donating to his ko-fi