Episode 43: Autumn Breeze (2)

When I got home, my older sister was there. It seemed she’d come back because she’d happened to have some free time. Lately, I’d been agonising over whether to ask Mayo-nee for advice about university.

I really didn’t want to rely on her, but when it came to university, there were probably too many things I couldn’t sort out on my own.

Before I knew it, I was standing outside her room.
Just as I was about to knock, the door opened and I froze.

‘Hoshizora? What’s up?’
‘What about you, Mayo-nee?’
‘Oh, I was just thinking of popping to the loo.’
‘Sorry for interrupting.’

It was bad timing. Just as I turned to leave, she pulled me into her room.

‘What’s the matter? Hoshizora, you look like you want to talk about something.’

She’s sharp. She’s right.
　It was just hard to put into words; I’d lost track of what to say.

“Well… it’s about university…”

I glanced at Mayo-nee; she was looking at me intently.

“Yeah, so?”
“I know I’ll be letting my parents down, but I don’t want to go to medical school… But that would mean leaving the family responsibilities all on you, Mayo-nee, and then you’d…”

　Tears were welling up in my eyes.
I held them back with all my might.
I hated crying in front of Mayo-nee. Not just in front of her, but I hated showing my weakness by crying in front of anyone.

I didn’t know if the heat building up in my eyes was sadness at not living up to my parents’ expectations, or guilt at burdening my sister with everything.

Seeing me like this, Mayo-nee gently hugged me.

‘Hoshizora, you must follow the path you wish to take.’
‘But then, what about you, Mayo-nee…’

I spoke in a weak voice.

‘When did I ever say I’d take over the family legacy?’

Mayo-nee looked at me with a gentler expression than usual.

‘I’ve kept this from you all this time, but I don’t want to take over the family legacy either. I do want to be a doctor. That’s how I truly feel. I want to help lots of people. But not as Dad’s heir, I want to become the doctor I’ve always dreamed of. That’s what I’ve decided. You know, we aren’t just tools for our parents, are we? You’re such a kind girl, Hoshizora, so you’ve probably been trying your best for their sake, but isn’t it okay to live a life for yourself too?”

I’d always thought Mayo-nee was obedient to our parents. No, she certainly had been until very recently.

Why had she changed her mind like this?

　As I stared at Mayo-nee in bewilderment, she gave a look that was something between a wry smile and a grimace, and continued speaking.

‘I was taught by a cheeky little brat. She asked me why I didn’t live for my own happiness. She’s really cheeky for someone four years my junior.’

Saying that, my sister chuckled softly.
It had been since primary school that I’d seen her laugh so naturally.

Who on earth had changed her so much?

‘We’re allowed to live for ourselves, you know. Tell me about you, Hoshizora. Do you have any idea what you want to be?’

Saying that, Mayo-nee gently placed her hand on my head.

‘I haven’t decided exactly what I want to be yet, but I’ve realised I like teaching. So, I’d like to go to the Faculty of Education—’
‘Is that because of Hina-chan?’
‘It wouldn’t have been just because of Endo-san; I think I’d have felt the same way if I’d been teaching anyone else.’

　That’s right, it just so happened that Endo-san was the catalyst.

My sister gave me a look of exasperation and patted my head gently.

‘We’ll need to have a family meeting one day. It’s a bit of a drag, but I’m going to ask them to cover at least the basic living expenses for Hoshizora’s university life! Though, they might not agree, or rather, there’s a chance we’ll be kicked out of the house. So, I’m planning to start saving money now by doing part-time work.’
“Then I’ll get a part-time job too.”

I’m not sure if I’m cut out for part-time work, but I want to do my best alongside my sister.

“Hoshizora, can you handle customer service or anything like that?”

I couldn’t say a word in response to my sister’s worried tone. Still, I thought that if it was for our future, I’d just have to do my best.

“There’s actually a part-time job that’s perfect for you, Hoshizora. It’s only once a week, but how about tutoring?　The younger sister of a classmate who lives nearby is starting her third year of middle school, and apparently she wants me to help her with her entrance exam revision.”

Teaching isn’t a struggle for me. It’s just that the fact that I’d be getting paid for it feels like a big deal to me. However, if I want to become a teacher, it might be good experience. I decided to take my sister up on her offer, thinking of it as a chance to change myself.

“I’ll give it a go.”

I know I’m speaking on impulse, but it’s precisely when you’re feeling that drive that you should act.

“Right! I’ll have a chat with her then. Do I need to get Hina-chan’s permission?”

It bothers me a bit, and actually pisses me off, that Mayo-nee’s on such familiar terms with Endo-san that she calls her by her first name, but more than that, I’m annoyed by the very fact that she’s even asking the question.

“It has nothing to do with Endo-san.”

“Hmm… well, never mind. I’ll probably get told off for it, though.”

　She’s talking utter nonsense.
Why on earth would Mayo-nee get told off?

“Right, I’ll go ahead with this then. Oh, and by the way, this is completely unrelated, but I’m having a right old time being hassled by this one annoying person.”
“Annoying?”

Mayo-nee’s cupboard suddenly clatters open.

“Hello! My name’s Abe Hikari! So this must be Mayo-nee’s little sister! How cute!”

　A girl who introduced herself as Abe Hikari started touching me all over.

‘I met her the other day when I went back to the university, and she’s been staying with me ever since.’

It was all becoming a bit of a confusing mess. I could see why my sister felt like clutching her head in despair.

‘Right, shall I tell you more about her?’ My sister seemed to be thinking it over.

The room was in chaos, and a silence fell.