Episode 28: My Adorable Little Sister

My little sister is the cutest in the whole world.

She’d call out “Mayo-nee-chan, Mayo-nee-chan!” and follow me around desperately.

She adored me more than anyone else, and she loved me dearly.

When did we start growing apart?

When did such a huge rift form in our family relationship?

　I think I understood the family situation from the moment I became aware of things.

So I tried to navigate it skilfully.
But the results only ever went badly.
I can never regret my past actions enough.

Takizawa Mayo seemed to be a slightly more gifted person than most.

She could understand lessons just by listening to the teacher, her athleticism wasn’t bad, she was dexterous with her hands and overflowing with artistic talent.
　She particularly loved creating things, excelling most at embroidery.

She was sensitive to shifts in people’s emotions and adept at interacting with others; nothing ever went wrong for her.

From childhood, my father hammered into me that I should become a doctor, and I worked hard alongside my sister. Since my parents treated my sister the same way, the pressure on me was considerably less.

I truly believe it was wonderful that Hoshizora was there.

　Hoshizora, who was slightly less capable than me, was obedient to our parents, striving to meet their expectations as if she’d never had a mind of her own to begin with.

From my perspective, I envied her.

I wanted to walk the path I chose for myself.

I strongly wished to live honestly according to my own feelings.

Somewhere deep down, I thought it would be fine if my sister shouldered this family’s destiny.

That’s why I got my comeuppance.

　The discrimination against me and Hoshizora began around the time I entered the top school in the prefecture through my high school entrance exams.

Whatever I did, I was favoured and cherished, and in return, I had to shoulder all the family’s expectations.

Meanwhile, Hoshizora failed her high school entrance exams.

Some pass entrance exams, while others fail. Hoshizora was simply one of those who failed.

From then on, I think my parents’ discrimination grew even worse.

　They started treating Hoshizora as if she weren’t their own child. Even now, I find it utterly baffling how they could treat their own child so cruelly.

Ever since I was little, I’ve always protected my precious sister from anyone who might hurt her. The reason? I adore her, I love her more than anything.

And she loves me back.

Given that, there was only one thing for me to do.

To shoulder everything and live on.

　Kill my own heart and live bearing everything.

At the time, I believed that was the only path.

Hoshizora strongly wished to meet her parents’ expectations and, perhaps believing her parents would never betray her, seemed deeply shocked and became withdrawn.

　Whereas she used to play with me, she now said she’d rather study than waste time playing, and I vanished from the world she saw.

Worse still, Hoshizora began to dislike me, always looking at me as though I were a traitor. I could no longer see that beloved smile she used to show me.

I want to make Hoshizora happy again.

I want to see that smile once more.

　I would have given up everything to see Hoshizora happy. So I took on all the household responsibilities, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve it.

Friends, lovers, even family – I could use them all. Everyone changes their attitude and how they interact with me the moment I put on a friendly face.

It’s simple.

Life has always been easy for me. Anything works out if I put in a little effort.

　But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make Hoshizora happy.

So now, I find myself feeling a little jealous of the beautiful girl standing before me. She isn’t smiling, but I can tell Hoshizora has opened up to her.

Having been together for years, I should know. The way Hoshizora behaves with her now is very similar to how she used to act with me when we were close.

—Hoshizora has found a good person, hasn’t she?

　I don’t know what the girl before me means to Hoshizora, but I hoped peaceful days would come for her from now on.

After the study session ended, as we were leaving, Hoshizora went back for something she’d forgotten, leaving me alone with Hina-chan.

Having bullied her too much earlier, Hina-chan seemed wary of me.

“Are you Hoshizora’s friend, Hina-chan?”

“Friend… I’m not sure I am…”

　Hina-chan’s face clouded over.
I had known they probably weren’t friends and asked on purpose. Because if they were friends, the way these two interacted with each other was far too clumsy for that.

“Hoshizora’s clumsy but a good kid, so please look after her.”

This question might have been too soon for the two of them right now.

I’ll do my best to make my little sister happy.

I found myself wanting to make her happy, just as much as Hina-chan does.