Episode 22: You Like Kissing, Don’t You, Big Sis
The next morning.
Yuno had apparently been on the night shift again, and was curled up small on the sofa, sleeping soundly. A slow, steady breathing filled the quiet living room.
I’d had to work late myself, so by the time I got home Yuno had already left for her shift. These near-misses had been happening more often lately.
I crept over and peered at her sleeping face.
Long lashes casting shadows. Lips parted just slightly. An unguarded, sleeping face.
A strange protective pull spread slowly through the back of my chest, and I looked away.
I tiptoed to the fridge.
Cereal again, probably.
The pancakes Yuno had made a few days ago drifted through my mind. Those were good.
Though perhaps partly because of the person sitting across from me, chewing away with a look of such happiness.
Mechanically I tipped cereal into a bowl, poured milk, made instant coffee.
Just then —
Beep beep beep, beep beep beep.
An alarm went off. Yuno’s phone.
“…Mmh…”
A half-asleep sound from the sofa. Then a “fwahh” of a yawn, and the rustle of someone pulling themselves upright.
“Mm… big sis, morning.”
Yuno slid off the sofa and turned, giving a soft, drowsy smile.
Eyes still hazy with sleep. Hair sticking up in every direction. A faint shadow of tiredness under her eyes — and yet when she smiled, her cheeks rounded softly.
Something ached in my chest before I could help it.
“…You were up late. You could have slept in. Use the bed.”
I said it bluntly, looking toward the bedroom door, then turned back to my cereal and ate in silence.
“Mm-mm,” said Yuno, opening the fridge.
“I was thinking — we hadn’t talked yesterday at all. So I just… wanted to see your face when I woke up.”
That last part came out a little quieter.
My heart gave a small, sharp thud.
What is that. What does that mean. What does she mean by it.
“Is that so. Do as you like.”
Frustratingly cute.
The words that came out were spiky despite myself. I hated that about myself.
I was heading out first again today. The season had turned to spring.
I put on the trench coat. The one we’d chosen together at the department store when Yuno had come along.
I swung my bag onto my shoulder and headed for the door —
Tug.
My sleeve was caught.
I turned around. Yuno was standing there, still half-asleep. Hair still everywhere, eyes only half open.
“What.”
“Mm?”
“I said what. I’m trying to leave.”
I turned to go, and again —
Tug.
“…What is it?”
“Heh. Copying big sis from yesterday. The work thing.”
Yuno’s eyes crinkled with that teasing smile.
The incident in the president’s office yesterday came flooding back.
Sweat broke out all over me. Hot. All the way to the tips of my ears.
“…Quiet. Yesterday I was just… not myself. That’s all.”
Right. The night before, Yuno had left me in that state mid-way through. That was all that was.
“Today, can big sis do it?”
She tilted her head to one side, corner of her mouth lifting. That upward gaze. Eyes still drowsy, and yet they alone were glinting with mischief.
“Do what.”
“You know perfectly well.”
She said it and gave my arm a playful little poke.
It was unbearably endearing, and my heart gave a loud thud.
I slowly brought my face close, and pressed my lips to Yuno’s.
The moment they touched it deepened at once. Tongues winding together, pulling her closer, deeper and deeper still.
My head went entirely white. I couldn’t think about anything.
How much time passed.
“Heh.”
Yuno gave a small laugh. Through the gap in our lips.
“What.”
“Just — a goodbye kiss that long. I think that’s funny. That’s all.”
“What?”
“You like kissing, don’t you, big sis.”
“…Quiet. I’m going now!”
I hurried out the door. From behind me, a small voice reached me: “Have a good day~”
Spring was supposed to be a season I couldn’t warm to — everyone around getting giddy and restless. And yet today, the mild air outside felt unreasonably pleasant.
＊＊＊
When I got to the office, Saeko — who had been away on a long business trip — was back for the first time in a while.
She was going from desk to desk with souvenirs, her bright laugh ringing out. Just Saeko being in the room made the whole office light up.
She headed to Matsuyama’s desk and held something out. “Here, Maho-chan. A souvenir.”
“Th… thank you…”
“Did you miss me while I was gone?”
“Hweh?! No, I, th… th-that’s not, not true…!”
Teased like that, Matsuyama’s face went red in real time. Saeko laughed her easy laugh and ruffled her head with practiced ease. Pom, pom.
I watched Matsuyama’s expression go soft and melting, right before my eyes.
That girl is not going to get a scrap of work done today, I thought, and suppressed a small smile.
＊＊＊
In the conference room, I had a meeting with Saeko fresh back from her trip.
I heard out the results from while she was away and my hands stopped, surprised despite myself.
Six new clients signed during the trip. Every one of them a major account. Revenue growth was outpacing projections by a wide margin.
“Truly, this is all down to you. Thank you.”
The words came out honestly and without hesitation. Saeko gave a small nod and smiled, quiet and warm.
Having Saeko here has been lifting not just the company’s numbers but something in me too, I think. My own motivation.
She’s an invaluable presence.
I’m glad she came over.
In all kinds of ways, she’s probably out of my reach.
I felt that, sincerely.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock at the door.
It opened, and the cleaner — Yuno — came in.
I felt the corner of my mouth begin to soften and quickly looked down.
“We’re in a meeting right now. Could you come back for the cleaning?”
“Of course.”
Yuno used stiff, unnatural formal language — the kind she wasn’t used to.
Then, suddenly, her gaze drifted toward the table.
The next moment — she stopped.
Yuno’s eyes went wide. The expression around her eyes froze into something tense.
“………..Eh?” A sound barely audible, just barely a voice.
At the other end of Yuno’s gaze — was Saeko.
Yuno hurriedly tugged her cap down lower. With her eyes now covered, her expression became completely unreadable. Then she turned on her heel.
Across the table, I sensed Saeko rise quietly to her feet.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s pick up the meeting later. Go ahead with the cleaning. I just remembered something I need to do.”
Saying that, she moved toward the conference room exit, passing right beside Yuno.
— In that moment.
“Thank you for your work.”
Saeko leaned in slightly toward Yuno and rested a hand briefly on her shoulder. Gentle expression, calm voice.
Yuno’s back went absolutely still.
Click.
Even after the conference room door closed, Yuno stood frozen for a while.
Then she cleaned up quickly, and left the president’s office that day without a word, walking fast.