Chapter 8: Siblings
#24OchitaKanojoSiblings
After finishing my conversation with Takato-senpai, I returned home.
It seemed my sister had already come back from university, as she had changed into her loungewear and was reading a book in the living room.
“Oh my, you’re home late today.”
“Yeah, I got caught up with a weird person.”
“Eh? Are you okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
As always, my slightly overprotective sister hurried over and examined me from head to toe.
“I’m fine. That person was just saying strange things, not actually dangerous.”
“Really? Considering what happened yesterday, I was worried since you were later than usual.”
“Sorry. I should have sent you a message.”
“No, it’s fine as long as you’re okay… So, who was this weird person?”
My sister asked with a puzzled look.
“A senpai at school—she’s the ex-girlfriend of Yuna’s new boyfriend.”
“Eh? And you really walked away unscathed after getting involved with someone like that?”
“Hmm, she put me on the spot, but other than that, there wasn’t any real problem.”
“What do you mean, ‘put you on the spot’? It was something weird, wasn’t it? You did turn her down, right?”
My sister knows me well and worries about me.
But it was already too late.
“Well… Since I broke up with Yuna and had some free time, I ended up accepting.”
“…Sigh. And what exactly is this favor?”
Seeing my sister’s exasperated expression, I explained what Takato-senpai had asked me to do.
“…That’s completely one-sided! There’s no benefit for you at all, is there?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Is it for Yuna-chan?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. After what happened yesterday, I don’t have any lingering feelings for Yuna anymore, so I don’t think that’s it… But for a moment, her face did cross my mind.”
“I see. In a way, you’ve been with her longer than I have. Maybe there’s something you just can’t let go of so easily.”
“I wonder. But I don’t think I can trust Yuna herself anymore.”
“I see. I still feel more disappointment and anger toward her, but… if she truly reflects on her dishonesty, realizes the value of what she lost, and looks forward properly, then I think I could forgive her.”
“I see. You’re kind, Nee-san. But I think for me…”
For me, it’s not about forgiving Yuna.
It’s more fundamental than that—I probably won’t feel anything for Yuna anymore.
“Yeah, you don’t have to forgive her, Yuki. You’re the one who was betrayed, and I think the person who was hurt has both the right to forgive and the right not to.”
My sister really is kind. She tells me it’s okay not to forgive, for my sake.
“Yeah… Thanks, Nee-san.”
I honestly expressed my gratitude to her.
She’s one of the few precious people I have left.
“Uh, there’s no need to thank me. More importantly, the problem is with the girl who dumped this troublesome matter on you.”
“Ah, you mean Takato-senpai? Apparently, she also works as a reader model. I didn’t know, though.”
“Wait… Could it be Takato Mizuho?”
“Yeah, I think that was her name. So, she’s famous, huh?”
“Not to the point where everyone knows her, but she’s recently started appearing in teen magazines as a rising new model… But was she even in our school’s affiliated system? Well, never mind that—more importantly, can you actually compose music in your current state, Yuki?”
My sister looked me straight in the eyes, her gaze sharp and serious.
I unconsciously averted my eyes.
“Honestly… I heard Senpai’s story in detail, but I don’t really understand the feelings she wants to express.”
She left out names, but according to her story…
Senpai had an old childhood friend she liked, and when she finally mustered up the courage to confess, he accepted her feelings.
But then, a friend of her boyfriend—probably that senior from the drama club—told her bad rumors, saying that her boyfriend was dating other girls, and even showed her evidence.
While she was shaken by the shock, that guy confessed to her as well. She tried to reject him, but he forcibly kissed her, and her boyfriend saw it.
As a result, they broke up, and her boyfriend, devastated, transferred to another school.
That’s where the emotions behind those lyrics came from.
Remembering the past in an unexpected moment, realizing too late the importance of what was lost, regretting, and wishing she could return to those days.
“Hmm… Then why did she continue dating that drama club guy?”
“Apparently, she was waiting for the chance to get revenge. But in the meantime, he moved on to Yuna.”
“…I see.”
My sister tilted her head slightly and muttered something, but I continued speaking.
“She said Yuna might have felt the same way, but I just can’t understand it.”
My sister nodded once, then looked up at me and said.
“Maybe you can’t feel the same way, but you might understand something close to it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yuki, can I say something that might hurt a little?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
“If there were a future where Mom didn’t die, wouldn’t you want to redo everything?”
“Ah…”
My head reeled at her words.
That’s right. I, too, have lost someone precious and wished countless times that it had all been a lie. I had regretted not stopping them that day.
“So that’s what you mean.”
The situation is completely different, but the feeling of cherishing someone, the regret of losing them because of oneself, and the wish to return to that day—
While the intensity is different, at its core, I felt a faint connection.
“Sorry for making you remember something painful.”
My sister apologized with a pained expression.
“No, thanks to you, I finally understand. I’m always relying on you, Nee-san.”
“It’s mutual. I can keep going because you’re here. I will never betray you, so don’t worry.”
With those words, my sister gently embraced me.