Prologue
This is the second time I’ve seen her standing on that stage.
It was the day of the closing ceremony, with summer vacation looming just around the corner. After the principal’s long-winded speech, certificates were to be awarded to the top-performing students from each grade.
Among them was her—Hime Hoshimiya.
(Hime… she’s so small today, too.)
Sandwiched between a third-year senpai and a first-year kohai, Hime stood in the center, looking dainty and delicate.
Compared to the students on either side, she was about two sizes smaller. Well, that’s only natural for an eight-year-old girl.
I couldn’t help but be captivated by her.
Her faintly shimmering silver hair, her snow-white skin, her deep crimson eyes that reminded me of rubies… and her very existence itself.
Everything about her was extraordinary.
To someone as ordinary as me, Youhei Ozora, she didn’t even seem like the same species.
(She’s so… distant.)
She felt like an inhabitant of an entirely different world.
Come to think of it, I had a similar thought during the entrance ceremony.
Even though it was over a year ago, that vivid image is still etched in my mind.
Her background, her abilities, her status—everything about her was different.
The thought made me feel a pang of loneliness.
She was someone I, in all likelihood, should never have been able to reach…
But that feeling lasted only a moment.
“Oh!”
After the award ceremony, Hime returned to our class lineup. As she passed by me, our eyes met.
“…Hehe.”
Hime gave a small smile.
That warm, familiar expression blew away the faint sense of loneliness that had begun to take root.
(Distant? Not at all.)
I couldn’t help but smile back.
She wasn’t in some far-off world. Hime was right here, by my side.
She directed that adorable smile at me.
It was strange how just that was enough to warm my heart.
Once the closing ceremony ended, we were dismissed immediately.
It was only noon, and school had let out early.
My classmates, excited about the upcoming summer vacation, were already heading home. Glancing at them out of the corner of my eye, Hime and I took our time.
As usual, we were waiting for Sei-san. She had a brief student council meeting, but she said it wouldn’t take long.
“Youhei-kun, look at this. I received a certificate.”
Right next to me, as I sat in a chair, Hime stood delicately, holding up her award.
On stage earlier, she’d maintained a composed expression… but now, she seemed genuinely happy.
“That’s for getting the top rank, right? That’s amazing.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Hime had performed brilliantly on the recent final exams.
I recalled how her name had been proudly displayed at the top of the ranking list posted in the hallway. As expected of a genius girl who’d skipped grades to attend high school… I found myself admiring Hime anew.
“…”
She leaned closer, as if expecting something.
Her large eyes were fixed directly on my hand.
(Could it be…?)
I had a hunch about what Hime wanted, so I decided to act on it.
“Hime, you did great.”
I reached out and gently patted her head.
My fingers wove through her silver hair, ruffling it playfully from side to side.
Immediately, Hime’s cheeks softened.
“Nn!”
She looked satisfied, her eyes narrowing in contentment.
My guess was spot-on. As I’d thought, Hime had wanted to be petted.
It started a while back, when I invited Hime to my house. Since then, she’d occasionally let herself be spoiled like this, and I’d pat her head each time.
Of course, it was never for long—just a brief moment of playfulness.
“Um… just a little longer, please.”
Today, though, something was different.
When I started to pull my hand away, Hime pressed her head closer.
“We won’t see each other for a while starting tomorrow… so I’d like it to last a bit longer, if that’s okay.”
Her expression clouded slightly. She must have been thinking about that.
“Right. You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll be in America for about three weeks.”
I’d heard about this during the exam period.
Apparently, the research Hime was involved in had gotten busier, and she needed to go overseas where the facilities were better equipped.
Since it was summer vacation, it wouldn’t interfere with her studies, which was a good thing.
“Three weeks without seeing each other… it’s kind of lonely, isn’t it?”
But it meant I wouldn’t be able to see Hime.
I felt lonely too, of course. Still, Hime seemed to feel it even more deeply.
(…She’s so cute.)
When we first met, I never could’ve imagined she’d grow this attached to me.
That’s why I found her all the more endearing.
Perhaps because of that, my hand moved more boldly as I petted her head.
Squish.
After her head, I moved to her cheeks.
I pinched Hime’s soft cheeks, giving her a gentle smile. Then, I lifted her cheeks slightly, as if to coax a smile from her.
I wanted her to smile.
“Remember our promise? We said we’d have lots of fun this summer.”
“…Of course I remember. I’d never forget your words, Youhei-kun.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to playing a ton when you get back. So stay healthy while you’re overseas, okay?”
Don’t be sad.
I’m happier when you’re smiling, Hime.
“—Yes!”
At my words, Hime smiled again.
It wasn’t quite a full-blown grin. Like a sky after the rain, there were still a few clouds lingering.
But the sun was shining through. It was a bright, radiant smile.
“I’ll stay healthy. I want to make fun memories to share with you, Youhei-kun.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.”
“…If I do get lonely, I’ll let my teddy bear comfort me.”
“You’re bringing that too? Isn’t it kind of big?”
“It is big, but that’s what makes it perfect. It’s just right for hugging when I sleep… Oh, and I need to keep an eye on Onee-chan to make sure she’s doing her assignments.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you for that.”
Sei-san, who’d failed her finals and was now buried under a mountain of makeup assignments, was a bit of a concern. But with Hime watching over her, I felt reassured.
“And you, Youhei-kun, don’t stay up too late, okay?”
“I-I’ll try.”
“If you play games and mess up your sleep schedule, we won’t be able to hang out when I get back.”
She had a point. Normally, I’d end up flipping my days and nights within a week of summer vacation starting, but this year, I’d have to be careful.
I needed to keep my body clock in check so I could play with Hime when she returned.
“…Thank you. I feel energized and motivated now.”
“Good girl. Do your best overseas.”
“I will!”
I gave her head one final light pat before letting go.
She no longer looked lonely, so I figured she’d be okay.
“By the way, Onee-chan’s taking a while. She said she’d be here early today…”
As if on cue, the classroom door swung open with a bang.
“S-sorry! I’m a little late!”
Sei-san rushed in, looking flustered. Her chestnut curls were even more disheveled than usual, probably from hurrying.
“You two, sorry for keeping you waiting!”
“It’s fine. I was chatting with Youhei-kun, so it wasn’t a problem.”
“With Youhei… huh, is that so~?”
Ugh. Lately, I’ve had one particular worry.
It’s that Sei-san’s been acting weird around me.
“What? What’s that look?”
“Nothing~! It’s totally nothing~!”
Her face screamed that it was definitely something, but whenever I asked, she brushed it off, so I’d given up.
“Oh, Youhei. Hime-chan and I are off to America starting tomorrow!”
“We were just talking about that. Take care of Hime, okay, Sei-san?”
“Of course! I’m gonna have Hime-chan all to myself~!”
“…I’m going to have Onee-chan all to myself too. Now I can make sure she does her assignments properly.”
“Gah! Youhei, help! I don’t wanna do homework!”
“You can’t complain. Honestly, after all the studying Youhei-kun and I helped you with, you still failed?”
“B-but! It’s Youhei’s fault!”
“Don’t blame Youhei-kun. I’m going to be strict this summer, got it?”
“Eek!”
“Haha, good luck~!”
As I watched the sisters’ heartwarming exchange, Hime gently poked my arm.
“Well… since Onee-chan’s here, shall we head home?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Prompted by her, I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder.
At that moment, I glanced at Hime beside me and had a sudden thought.
(Huh? Has Hime… gotten a little taller?)
Compared to a year ago, when we met at the garbage dump, she seemed to have grown.
I’d been seeing her almost every day, so why did I only notice now?
(Well, she’s eight. It makes sense she’d grow.)
Physically, she was definitely getting taller. I chalked it up to my imagination and didn’t dwell on it.
A girl’s growth is fast.
Fast enough to make me realize I can’t keep treating her like a child forever—
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