Chapter 4
Only one week of summer vacation remained.
(I still haven’t finished my assignments…)
Being a long break, we’d been given a fair amount of homework. I’d been chipping away at it bit by bit, but about ten percent was still left undone.
According to my plan, I should’ve been done by now. But for the past few days, I hadn’t been able to muster the motivation to touch my assignments, leaving them neglected.
It wasn’t just homework. My favorite games, the daily video streams I usually watched—none of them appealed to me. I’d been spacing out, doing nothing.
I had the TV on, more out of habit than anything, but its contents weren’t registering. My mind was elsewhere—exactly as the phrase described.
The reason for my lack of drive was clear.
It was because of the summer festival a few days ago.
(…What should I have said back then?)
To be specific, I’d been agonizing over how I responded—or failed to respond—to Hime’s confession.
I hadn’t said anything meaningful.
Hime had told me it was fine.
It wasn’t necessarily a mistake. But I couldn’t shake the feeling there’d been a better choice.
“Ugh… I’m hopeless,” I muttered quietly on my bed, rolling over.
It was noon. I’d been sleeping until just a bit ago, but as soon as I woke up, my thoughts drifted to Hime. Today, too, would likely be spent in a daze.
I knew I couldn’t go on like this.
(I should see Hime.)
I made up my mind.
Since the festival, I hadn’t heard from her at all.
Not that our relationship had become awkward. Hime and I typically only contacted each other for a reason, so this was normal.
Neither of us was great at online communication.
But for some reason, I’d been checking my phone constantly these past few days, hoping for a message from her… What was I expecting?
And what were my feelings toward her?
I still hadn’t sorted them out.
But if I stayed like this, it might make things unnatural when I saw her next.
At the very least, I wanted to meet her once more before summer break ended. The thought of letting time pass felt unsettling.
So, I acted.
“Sorry for the sudden message. Can we meet up soon?”
“My sister got me some souvenir snacks, and I wanted to share them with you.”
I sent Hime a message.
The part about my sister’s souvenirs was true. She’d apparently gone on a trip and bought some for me, separate from my parents’ share.
But it was too much for me to eat alone, and my parents weren’t fond of sweets.
So, sharing with Hime and Sei-san was a perfect excuse—a convenient stroke of timing.
I was a bit nervous now.
But talking to Hime in person would probably help settle my feelings.
With that thought, I waited for a reply.
Hime often didn’t carry her phone, so her responses were usually slow.
But today, she was quick.
(Oh, it’s here… wait, what?)
The notification chime sounded, and I checked my phone.
“Sei-san?”
The message wasn’t from Hime—it was from Sei-san.
What a coincidence. Odd timing, I thought, as I unlocked my phone and opened the messaging app.
The single sentence I saw made me bolt upright.
“Sorry, Youhei. Hime-chan caught a cold.”
A cold. Hime was sick.
Why? She’d seemed fine at the festival. Did something happen afterward?
…Could it be my fault?
I hadn’t given her a proper response to her confession. She’d acted cheerful, but what if she’d been forcing herself, secretly upset…?
The thought made me even more restless.
“Hime-chan says, ‘Please don’t worry.’”
“It’s just a summer cold, so don’t stress.”
Sei-san was probably taking care of her.
My message must’ve reached Hime, but she likely didn’t have the energy to reply, so Sei-san was messaging me instead.
Colds are contagious. Sei-san, being family, had no choice, but as an outsider, I shouldn’t visit.
I knew that.
Even so, I couldn’t help thinking:
“Can I come see her?”
Even if I caught it, I wanted to see her.
I was worried. Imagining Hime suffering made it impossible to sit still.
Of course, this was purely selfish. Visiting wouldn’t cure her cold. But even just a quick word—I wanted to be there for her.
It wasn’t rational. My emotions were overwhelming.
“I figured you’d say that, Youhei.”
Sei-san’s reply carried a sense of “What am I gonna do with you?”
“She’s been in bed since last night, and I was debating whether to tell you.”
“But I knew you’d come if I did, so I was torn.”
“Didn’t expect you to message first, though!”
Her messages came one by one.
None told me to stay away.
“Hime-chan wants you to come, too.”
…Thank goodness. Even Hime herself was okay with me visiting.
So, it was settled.
It was a bit sudden, but I’d go see her now.
After a bit more back-and-forth with Sei-san, she arranged for a car to pick me up.
I’d planned to take the bus, but this would save time—much appreciated. Mei-san was busy tending to Hime, so, like last time, their grandfather, Haruya-san, would drive.
We agreed to meet in thirty minutes at a nearby convenience store, and I ended the chat with Sei-san.
For the visit, I’d bring the souvenir chocolates… and grab some sports drinks and jellies at the convenience store.
With that plan in mind, I quickly got ready.
It was 2:00 PM.
Only about two hours had passed since I woke up, but I was already at the Hoshimiya residence.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said to Haruya-san, who’d driven me, before hurrying toward the grand Western-style building.
By the way, I hadn’t gotten much detail from Haruya-san in the car. That man, for better or worse, was so laid-back—he’d only said, “She’ll be fine,” about Hime’s cold.
Because of that, when Mei-san greeted me at the entrance, I immediately asked about Hime’s condition.
“Just a summer cold,” she said.
Her answer was much like Haruya-san’s.
While I stood there, too anxious to even take off my shoes, Mei-san was her usual calm self. If anything, my behavior seemed a bit off to her.
“Youhei-sama, calm down. We took her to the hospital this morning, and it’s really just a summer cold. She got a proper checkup and medicine, so don’t worry.”
…I might’ve been overreacting again.
Her careful explanation helped me cool off.
“Sorry. I might’ve gotten a bit carried away.”
“Fufu… You care about Hime-ojousama a lot, don’t you?”
Mei-san’s eyes softened with a fond smile.
It was a little embarrassing. It felt like she could see right through my feelings for Hime.
“Hime-ojousama catches colds often. When she was younger, she’d get sick every other month.”
“I heard she’s not the strongest physically… So that’s how it was.”
“She’s been much healthier since last year. She hadn’t caught a cold once since starting second year. But as a child, she was frail and often bedridden like this, so we’re used to handling it.”
That’s why Haruya-san and Mei-san were so calm.
To them, it was routine. She’d already been to the hospital, so there was no cause for alarm.
“That said, we’d prefer to avoid visitors to prevent spreading the cold.”
“…Sorry for being selfish.”
“It’s fine if it’s you, Youhei-sama. As long as you promise to wash your hands and gargle, I’ll let you in.”
“Yes. I promise.”
I nodded, and Mei-san gestured for me to come inside.
She was kind, accommodating my selfishness without complaint… Despite her youthful appearance, her maturity and composure were evident.
Thanks to her calmness, my anxiety had mostly faded.
Good. I’d be able to act normal when I saw Hime.
“Here you are.”
Mei-san led me to the sisters’ room and opened the door.
She didn’t seem to plan on entering. Once she confirmed I’d gone in, she quietly closed the door behind me.
“Oh, Youhei’s here.”
“Sorry for coming so suddenly.”
Sei-san was sitting on the edge of a large bed by the wall.
But I couldn’t see Hime. She was hidden from my position, so I approached the bed… and finally found her.
“Ah!”
She must’ve spotted me at the same moment.
Hime was in the center of the bed, tucked under the covers up to her neck, with only her head peeking out.
“Hime, I’m here.”
“Youhei-kun. Onee-chan, Youhei-kun’s here… cough.”
“Hime-chan!? Don’t get too excited, geez!”
“Ehehe. Sorry, I got a bit happy.”
Hime was smiling.
Her face was flushed from the cold, and she looked weaker than usual. But her expression was bright, and seeing it eased my tension.
She seemed healthier than I’d feared.
Well, maybe I’d just been overly worried.
“Thank you for coming, Youhei-kun.”
“No problem. Oh, I brought some things for you.”
Besides my sister’s souvenirs, I’d picked up some easy-to-eat items for a cold at the convenience store. When I offered them, Sei-san took them.
“Thanks. Hime-chan doesn’t eat much when she’s sick, so this helps.”
“Because I don’t have an appetite.”
“But if you don’t eat, you’ll lose strength. You’ve gotta eat properly when you’re weak.”
“…That’s rare. Onee-chan’s making sense.”
“What’s with calling me ‘Onee-chan’ like that!? Oh, you, Hime-chan!”
…The sisters’ banter was as lively as ever.
Hime got a bit cheeky with Sei-san, who seemed to find it adorable, playfully poking her cheeks.
“Cough, cough.”
But Hime’s occasional coughs reminded me this wasn’t quite normal.
“Hime, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Aside from a sore throat, feeling sluggish, and a foggy head, I’m okay.”
“That’s not fine—you’ve got a full-on cold.”
“Ehehe. Can’t fool you with fake energy, huh?”
…Yeah, she might be pushing herself.
Her smile was genuine, but it felt a bit forced compared to usual.
Not quite a fake smile, but like she was trying too hard to seem cheerful.
Probably to reassure me.
Even now, she was thinking of me… She’s such a caring girl.
“Youhei-kun, do you have any drinkable jelly?”
“Yeah, I brought a few. Three, I think.”
“Could I have one, then? I haven’t eaten anything today.”
Saying that, Hime slowly sat up.
The room was cool with the air conditioning on, but she was sweating lightly.
It wasn’t just the long sleeves or the heavy blanket. She was probably feverish.
Her immune system was fighting the virus, burning energy. She needed some nutrition, even just a little.
“Youhei, feed it to her.”
“Huh? Oh… yeah, okay.”
For a moment, I thought Sei-san should do it.
But since she handed it to me, she must’ve thought it was better this way. I followed her lead.
“Here, Hime.”
Sei-san stood, so I took her spot on the bed’s edge, opened the cap of a familiar energy-recharging jelly drink, and offered it to Hime.
“Thank you. Here goes.”
Instead of taking it, she leaned forward… and sipped from the packet while I held it, just like when we share snacks.
(…Whoa.)
Her body was unsteady from the cold, so I supported her back with my free hand. It seemed to help her drink easier, and the jelly packet in my grip gradually shrank.
“Phew… cough, cough.”
She paused occasionally to breathe and cough.
It took about a minute instead of ten seconds, but Hime finished it all. The packet in my hand was left crumpled, like an apple core.
“Thank you. It was cold and tasty.”
“Glad you drank it all. Oh, by the way, I brought some overseas souvenirs from my sister, so eat them when you’re feeling better.”
“Yes. Since you brought them, Youhei-kun, of course I will.”
…Her expression seemed to soften a bit.
Was it the jelly? Or… maybe because she’d started holding my hand at some point after finishing the drink?
“Your hand’s warm, Youhei-kun.”
“Is it? Yours is cold, Hime.”
Despite her sweating, her fingertips were surprisingly chilly.
I couldn’t help but hold her hand tighter to warm it.
“Ehehe.”
Hime gave a soft, relaxed smile.
But she still wasn’t fully herself—talking seemed tiring. Keeping her upright for too long might not be good.
Even so, she didn’t seem ready to sleep.
“Look, Youhei-kun. It’s the bunny from the festival.”
She kept talking, as if she wanted to keep our conversation going… I couldn’t ignore that wish.
“Oh, yeah. You put it next to the bear plush.”
“Yes. I think they’re good friends… They’re kind of like you and me, so I can’t help but stare at them.”
It was both embarrassing and heartwarming.
Then, Hime pointed to the wall, toward a fishbowl on a dresser.
“The goldfish you gave me are in a proper bowl now. Both are swimming happily.”
…I must’ve been really out of it.
I should’ve noticed the fishbowl sooner, but I only saw it when she pointed it out.
I’d been so worried about her that my focus had narrowed.
“Mei-san says they’ll grow bigger. We plan to move them to a larger tank based on their size.”
“Really? Wonder how big they’ll get.”
“It depends on the fish, but a few more centimeters… cough.”
Hime seemed eager to keep talking.
But her body was clearly craving rest.
“Hime-chan, maybe it’s time to sleep? Resting lots will help you recover faster,” Sei-san said.
She must’ve been thinking the same as me.
Hime seemed aware of her condition and obediently lay back down.
(…She’s still holding my hand.)
Hime kept her grip on me.
Of course, I didn’t pull away. Since I wanted to tuck her in, I adjusted my position while keeping our hands joined.
“Thank you for everything, Youhei-kun.”
“If it helps you recover faster, it’s no trouble at all.”
“…If you say that, I’ll have to try hard to get better.”
“You don’t need to try. Just rest, and that’s enough.”
“Okay.”
With that, Hime quietly closed her eyes.
Greeting me must’ve tired her out. Sleepiness was probably setting in.
“Good night, Hime-chan. If you need anything, your big sister’s right here, so just call, okay?”
“Yes. But I’m worried about you catching my cold, Onee-chan.”
“Hah… If I caught it, maybe you’d feel better. If that’d work, I’d catch it a hundred times!”
“You never get sick, so that’s impossible. You’re too silly.”
“Ugh. They say idiots don’t catch colds, right? If I weren’t so dumb, I could take your cold and make you better…!”
“I’m kidding. You’re not silly, Onee-chan. Just bad at studying.”
“That’s what being dumb means!”
“Ehehe.”
The Hoshimiya sisters’ heartwarming exchange.
Hearing their usual playful banter put me at ease. If she could joke like this, she’d be fine.
“…Zzz.”
After my conversation with Sei-san ended, Hime suddenly fell silent. I watched her for a few minutes, and soon, I could hear soft, steady breathing.
“Hime-chan’s asleep, huh?” Sei-san said.
“Yeah. Sleeping soundly.”
“Phew… That’s a relief…”
Sei-san, now beside me, checked Hime’s sleeping face and let out a relieved sigh.
Her demeanor shifted slightly from when Hime was awake—she looked a bit anxious.
She must’ve been worried about her little sister’s condition. Yet, in front of Hime, she’d stayed cheerful to lift her spirits.
As always, she was a wonderful and admirable big sister.
“It started around noon yesterday, I think? She suddenly said she felt sluggish. She barely ate dinner, and I was getting worried… Then she developed a fever. By midnight, it hit thirty-eight degrees.”
“That’s pretty high.”
“Yeah. She was really out of it and didn’t sleep much that night. We went to the hospital in the morning, and the medicine helped calm things down… but she still had no appetite. Haruya-san and Mei-chan prepared all sorts of things, but she wouldn’t eat, and that had me concerned.”
Meeting Hime in person, I’d thought she seemed better than expected.
But apparently, she’d been quite unwell.
“She was listless until noon, barely responding when I talked to her… But after your message came, Youhei, she suddenly perked up. She drank the jelly, and now she’s sleeping so peacefully—it’s such a relief.”
Sei-san gave a small smile, her gaze settling on my hand.
Hime was still holding it, which made me a bit self-conscious. But there was no point hiding our closeness now.
Because Sei-san had seen everything all along.
“…Thanks for coming. Hime-chan looked so happy because of you, Youhei.”
“No, no. I didn’t do anything worth thanking… I was just too worried to sit still.”
“Even so, seeing your face gave Hime-chan a boost. That alone took a huge weight off my mind.”
Murmuring this, Sei-san gently touched Hime’s hair, smoothing out a few stray strands.
“You’re that special to her, Youhei.”
“…Am I?”
“Yeah. I mean, no matter how much I held her hand or stayed by her side, she didn’t perk up. It’s frustrating, but I’m not that kind of presence for her.”
“—That’s not true. I don’t think I’m more special to Hime than you are, Sei-san.”
I denied it immediately.
It felt like we were being compared, and that made me uneasy.
Sure, my visit might’ve cheered Hime up temporarily. But now she was exhausted and sleeping.
If anything, Sei-san’s constant presence was what let Hime relax.
In other words, we just had different roles.
I didn’t want her to misunderstand, so I hurried to clarify, but—
“Ufufu. I know, I know~ No need to panic, Youhei. I’m well aware Hime-chan loves me.”
My worry was apparently unfounded.
I’d jumped to conclusions, but she understood perfectly.
“Well, I’m a little miffed, okay? I’ve been with Hime-chan way longer, so it’s not fair you’re just as loved!”
“Unfair? What am I supposed to do about that?”
I was at a loss for how to respond.
“Nya…”
It wasn’t quite sleep-talking, but Hime let out a strange little sound.
Her cute voice snapped my attention back to her.
Right. She was finally asleep. I didn’t want to disturb her rest.
It was probably time to wrap up the conversation. Lingering too long might be intrusive… Maybe I should head home.
That’s what I was thinking, but—
“Youhei, wanna step outside?”
Sei-san suggested it.
She didn’t seem done talking.
…Or maybe there was something specific she wanted to discuss.
“Alright.”
It worked out, since I had something to ask her too.
I nodded and carefully stood from the bed. Hime was fast asleep, her grip on my hand loosening at just the right moment.
Slowly, so as not to wake her, I let go.
“Sleep well, Hime.”
With those final words to her, I quietly left the room with Sei-san.
She led me to the sprawling garden of the Hoshimiya residence.
The ground was covered in lush green grass, and trees were planted at regular intervals near the walls. It felt like a small park—comfortable and inviting.
In one corner, I spotted a vegetable patch. The garden was meticulously maintained.
“Haruya-san was originally a gardener,” Sei-san explained, noticing me looking around. “He doubles as a driver now, but usually, he’s out here tending to things. Mei-chan manages that patch over there, growing vegetables.”
She pointed to a tree. “Those bear persimmons in winter. See the green fruit?”
“Wow… Are they all persimmon trees? That’s gotta be a ton of fruit.”
“Yup~ They’re tasty, but we can’t eat them all, so we give some to friends. I’ll share with you this year, Youhei.”
“Really? Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.”
We chatted lightly as I followed her at a leisurely pace.
It was midday, and the sun was still blazing. Standing in the open felt hot, so we moved under a persimmon tree, where Sei-san stopped.
“…”
The garden tour seemed to wrap up, and a silence settled in.
I had things to say, but cutting into the topic felt awkward, and I hesitated.
Come to think of it, it’d been a while since I was alone with Sei-san. Hime was almost always with us.
The only other time was shortly after I got close to Hime—when we talked in the classroom after school.
“Ufufu. Our relationship’s kinda weird, huh, Youhei?”
“Well, I think of you as a friend.”
“Yeah, same… But we’re not exactly close.”
She hit the nail on the head.
My dynamic with Sei-san wasn’t what you’d call intimate.
We trusted each other, sure, but that was about it.
“Without Hime-chan, I don’t even know what to talk about.”
“It’s not awkward, though. It’s not your fault, Sei-san… I’m just not great with people.”
“Hmm. And yet you’re so close with Hime-chan.”
The air shifted.
Sei-san, usually so warm and bubbly, tightened her expression—a rare seriousness.
This was it—the real conversation was starting. I braced myself.
“Did something happen with Hime-chan?”
…As expected, she’d picked up on it.
Of course—how could a sister miss her sibling’s change?
“After the festival, Hime-chan was super excited… and acting off for a while. Three days, maybe? She was so hyped up, I got worried, and then she caught a cold.”
That tied into what I’d wanted to ask.
Why had Hime gotten sick?
Could it… be my fault?
“—She confessed to me. Hime said she loves me.”
I hadn’t planned to hide it.
I’d decided long ago to tell Sei-san.
She’s Hime’s sister—not some stranger. She deserved to know.
“…I see. Hime-chan confessed, huh?”
Hearing me, Sei-san let out a deep breath and gave a wry smile.
Her reaction caught me off guard.
“You’re not surprised?”
“Nope. She told me beforehand she likes you, Youhei.”
“What? If you knew… did you know about the confession too?”
“Nah, not that. Though, at the festival, I did drag Mei-chan around to give you two some alone time.”
So that’s what was going on.
Sei-san had been looking out for Hime even then. That’s why she didn’t stick with us—I only realized it now.
“I was surprised when I heard you had a stomachache, but I guess it makes sense.”
“W-Well, that part was true…”
I kinda wished the stomachache had been a lie.
Still, she’d succeeded in leaving Hime and me alone, so her plan worked, in a way.
“That’s not important!” Sei-san cut in, clearly not wanting to dwell on her stomachache. “If Hime-chan confessed, what did you say, Youhei?”
She was probably embarrassed, but I didn’t mind.
Time to get back to the point.
What I’d said in response to Hime’s confession.
“She stopped me… said I didn’t need to answer.”
The truth was, I said nothing.
Hime hadn’t wanted a reply.
I’d been too conflicted to say anything anyway.
In the end, as she wished, our relationship stayed the same.
But I’d been haunted by it ever since.
“Still, I don’t think saying nothing was the right call… I feel like my half-hearted attitude made her worry, and that’s why she got sick.”
I laid bare my fears.
I was ready for Sei-san to scold me—or maybe, deep down, I wanted her to, like a confession to ease my guilt.
That’s how much I regretted my choice.
And it frustrated me that, despite knowing I regretted it, I still couldn’t sort out my feelings.
I was such a pathetic person—beating myself up over it.
“No, no, it’s not your fault, Youhei.”
But Sei-san tilted her head, looking puzzled.
It was as if she couldn’t fathom why I was blaming myself.
“Hime-chan catches colds a lot. She went abroad this summer, then hung out with you and went to the pool—she was probably exhausted. The festival was just the final straw, pushing her past her limit.”
She echoed what Mei-san had said.
“In fact, she’s been really healthy this year. When she was younger, she got sick way more often.”
Hime’s cold wasn’t my fault.
Sei-san was clear about that—not lying to comfort me, but stating objective facts, concluding I had no responsibility.
“Oh, I get it. Are you blaming yourself, Youhei? You couldn’t answer her confession properly, she got sick, and now you think it’s all your fault?”
“…Y-Yeah.”
“Ufufu. No way~ You’re always thinking of Hime-chan first. I’d never blame you.”
Sei-san smiled gently.
It wasn’t Hime’s innocent smile—it was a warm, enveloping one.
“I’m honestly so grateful you’re taking Hime-chan’s feelings seriously. You’re really kind, Youhei.”
She was acknowledging me.
Her kindness, different from Hime’s, warmed my heart.
She called me kind, but she was just as kind herself.
That warmth loosened something I’d been holding back.
“…But I’m still conflicted. I can’t believe that was the right response to Hime.”
My weakness slipped out.
The truth I’d suppressed started to spill.
I tried to clamp my mouth shut, but—
“Hime-chan was satisfied just confessing, right? So, isn’t saying nothing the right answer? Why do you… look so pained, Youhei?”
Sei-san’s prompting kept me from stopping.
“…I don’t know. I can’t sort out my feelings for Hime. At first, I thought she was cute, like a little sister. That’s true, not a lie. But as we got closer, it started feeling different from that…”
I couldn’t meet Sei-san’s eyes anymore.
Looking at her was impossible. My rational side was screaming warnings—don’t say any more.
But I couldn’t stop.
Head down, the emotions I’d buried deep came flooding out.
“Of course I love Hime. But I don’t know what kind of ‘love’ it is. As a sister? Or… maybe—”
A question I’d mulled over endlessly, never finding an answer.
What did my feelings for her mean?
“Do I love her as a girl…? I just don’t know.”
I’d probably keep agonizing until I found that answer.
My vague feelings left me uncertain.
That uncertainty fueled my self-blame, my frustration, my anxiety.
That’s why I’d jumped to thinking her cold was my fault.
“…I see.”
Sei-san listened quietly to the end.
She didn’t interrupt or tease—she took me seriously, which is why I’d bared my soul.
“Uh… sorry.”
Suddenly, I felt bad for unloading on her.
Dumping my feelings like that must’ve put her in a tough spot.
“You’re really struggling, huh, Youhei?”
“I think so.”
“…Hmm. Sorry, but I’m kind of a dummy, so I don’t totally get how you feel.”
That’s fair.
Even I didn’t fully understand my own heart.
No need to force it. Sorry for saying weird stuff, I wanted to say.
But I couldn’t get the apology out.
“You don’t dislike Hime-chan, right?”
“Of course not.”
“You’re not planning to reject her confession, are you?”
“Rejecting her never even crossed my mind.”
“But you’re not sure if you want her as a sister or a girlfriend… Is that it?”
“A sister… Yeah, something like that.”
If I saw Hime as a sister, not a romantic interest, then maybe wanting her as a sister was my ideal.
“Then, do you want to marry me to make Hime-chan your sister?”
“Marry you, Sei-san?”
Funnily enough, that was something Hime used to say.
It had been her ideal—me marrying Sei-san would’ve made her happiest, she’d mentioned offhandedly.
But not anymore.
Now that Hime’s feelings had shifted, her ideal had changed dramatically.
And for me… marrying Sei-san wasn’t something I’d seriously considered.
“If making Hime-chan your sister is your biggest wish, I’d marry you, Youhei.”
“Huh? But…”
I hesitated.
I’d never once thought about that.
“Ufufu. Right? You don’t see me romantically. Even when Hime-chan kept bringing up marriage, you never took it seriously, did you?”
“That goes both ways, doesn’t it?”
I didn’t think I was the only one without romantic feelings.
I’d never sensed that kind of affection from Sei-san.
“I wouldn’t have minded if you were into it, though?”
“…Wait, hold on. That’s not how love works, is it?”
“Isn’t it? I’ve never fallen for a guy, so I wouldn’t know.”
Then I don’t know either.
I was about to say that when it hit me.
“See? You don’t want to date me or fall for me. So, you don’t want to marry me to make Hime-chan your sister, right? Which means your ‘love’… it’s that kind, isn’t it?”
Sei-san added, guiding me to clarity.
She’d sensed my true feelings from the start.
(Was I overcomplicating it?)
I’d gotten lost in my own head. My doubts twisted my reasoning, leaving my thoughts a tangled mess.
Sei-san, on the other hand, saw things simply.
Calling herself a dummy wasn’t quite right, I thought. She struggled with studies, but her mind wasn’t dull.
That’s why she’d said she didn’t get why I was struggling.
“Phew. Finally got it out…! I’ve been wondering for a while, Youhei. It’s obvious you love Hime-chan just watching you two.”
…Now that I thought about it, Sei-san had seemed like she wanted to say something about me and Hime lately.
I’d wanted to talk about it too, but the timing never felt right.
I see. She’d noticed all along.
“You love Hime-chan as a girl, Youhei!”
With that, Sei-san slapped my back hard. The whack! rang out like a pep talk, the sting hitting a moment later.
But I didn’t mind the pain.
If anything, it was a refreshing jolt, clearing my head.
“Come on, cheer up! If you’re moping, Hime-chan’ll be sad. And if you make my precious sister cry, I’ll never forgive you, got it?”
She was laughing—a kind smile, encouraging me.
“…!”
Her kindness nearly brought me to tears.
“Am I really okay for her?”
“Hime-chan wouldn’t settle for anyone but you, Youhei.”
“I’ve got nothing special about me. Can I make her happy?”
“Only you can make her happy.”
“…But I—”
“Ugh, enough already! So stubborn!”
She’d been smiling, but my constant whining finally irked her.
“You’re the one Hime-chan loves, so get it together. Otherwise… I can’t feel at ease. She’s my treasure, so take good care of her, okay?”
…Right.
For Sei-san, this was like entrusting her sister to me.
There’s no way she wouldn’t have feelings about that.
“Ugh. I’m the one who wants to cry! My Hime-chan… sniff.”
From anger to tears—Sei-san was crying now.
Then, as if overwhelmed, she threw her arms around me tightly.
“Whoa, Sei-san?”
“Waaah! Youhei, take care of Hime-chan, okay? Make her happy! Love her lots and lots! But if you’re ever in trouble, you can rely on me too! No matter where I am, I’ll come running for you and Hime-chan!”
…She must’ve been overcome with emotion.
I couldn’t see her face while she hugged me, but her trembling voice told me she was crying—probably sobbing.
Still, it’s not like Hime and Sei-san were being torn apart.
“Sei-san… You’re getting ahead of yourself. Hime’s still your sister.”
Marriage was a long way off.
Heck, even thinking about marriage was premature. We weren’t even dating yet, but Sei-san was already imagining the future.
“If you’re gonna be my brother-in-law, you can call me Onee-chan, you know?”
“…Nah, that’s too embarrassing.”
“Why!? Call me Onee-chan! I’ve always wanted a brother—it’s perfect!”
“We’re the same age… Also, can you let go? It’s getting hard to breathe.”
“No way. Don’t look at me right now. I’m all ugly from crying.”
“It’s not a big deal… I’ve seen you cry before.”
“Still no! An Onee-chan doesn’t show weakness to her sister or brother!”
She was fully in big-sister mode already.
The hug was embarrassing, but… it felt nice, and I relaxed.
“—Thanks, Sei-san.”
I clenched my fist, gratitude swelling.
I’d spilled so much weakness. I’d shown Sei-san my pathetic side and even got a pep talk.
Thanks to her, I’d made up my mind.
“I’m going to tell Hime how I feel.”
At that, Sei-san finally let me go.
When I looked up, her tears and sniffles were wiped away. Her eyes, nose, and cheeks were red, but her resolve not to show tears was firm.
“…You don’t have to rush, you know? Hime-chan said you didn’t need to answer.”
“No. Not answering feels like I’m dodging her feelings—it makes me feel guilty. I can’t just act normal like this.”
I know I’m oddly rigid about it.
But I couldn’t just leave her confession unanswered.
I wanted to be sincere with Hime, at least.
I didn’t want to be unfair to her, of all people.
So, I decided I’d give her a proper response.
“Of course, I’ll wait until she’s better.”
“I see… Alright, good luck! I’ll be rooting for you.”
Sei-san cheered my resolve.
Her support was reassuring. Without her, I’d probably have kept agonizing for ages.
I might’ve even started acting unnatural around Hime. If that happened, she might’ve regretted confessing, and our relationship could’ve soured… Imagining that worst-case scenario sent a chill down my spine.
I was glad I could clarify my feelings here.
(I love Hime.)
I reaffirmed my resolve.
Not as a sister—I love her as a girl.
So, this time, I’d be the one to confess—
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