Episode 6

“I’ve spent long enough being your practice wall, so now you’re going to listen to me for a bit.”

She points a finger at me while rattling the ice around in her glass.

“Do you actually have things to worry about, Tsumugi?”

“Of course I do. I’m a human being, unlike you. Oh — although you’ve gone and become one too, haven’t you.”

She seems to be fairly drunk herself. I’ve only had two glasses, but I’m fairly sure I’ve watched her glass change about six times.

“Please come again whenever you like. Next time perhaps for a meal as well.”

I’d been somewhat hungry, but we’d launched straight into talking and I missed my chance to eat. Looking at the menu now I could see it offered a proper selection — pasta, sandwiches, stew.

“Thank you — I really took to this place. Next time I’ll have the beef stew, I think.”

Please do. She gave a smile that resembled Tsumugi’s — but quieter, more settled.

All that time together, and I hadn’t even known Tsumugi had a sister.

I should face Tsumugi more properly. I found myself thinking that.

◇

I took my leave of Tsumugi and began the walk home.

The night breeze against my flushed skin felt wonderful.

I was glad I’d let Tsumugi hear it all. No answer had arrived, but something had cleared significantly.

One notification on my phone. The name I’d most wanted to see was right there.

Good work today! I found a place for the celebration! What about next Friday??

Friday works for me. I’m looking forward to it.

My face softened. Only two drinks, but it had been a long time since I’d had alcohol at all — I was apparently quite drunk.

Work would probably be quiet for a while. Hayama-san would be back from her business trip at the start of the week. I’d have to make sure I got plenty of souvenirs out of her.

The celebration was waiting at the end of the week. What Seriha and I would talk about, and how I might change from here — I didn’t know yet.

But I was looking forward to it. Very much. So much.

Borrowing Tsumugi’s words: for the first time in a long time, I felt something like a human being.

I bought a sweet from the convenience store — the kind I didn’t usually pick up — and walked home in good spirits.