Episode 54: Mayo and Hikari

‘Gosh, we had such a lovely time at Hina-chan’s house!’

‘Though the two of them were absolutely fed up with us, weren’t they?’

I chatted about this with Hikari on the Shinkansen journey home. I felt terribly sorry for having dragged not only my younger sister, Hoshizora, but also Hina-chan, who had absolutely nothing to do with any of this, into the mix.

‘We really must thank them properly next time.’
‘You’re right.’
“The person Mayo used to like was your little sister, wasn’t it?”

I looked at Hikari with a surprised expression, and she smiled, looking as though she’d expected as much.

“Why did you think that?”
“From what I’ve heard so far, and because you’re always staring at Hoshizora-chan, it’s pretty obvious, Mayo.”

Hikari is sharp in the strangest ways. It’s true I might have been staring enough to give myself away, but is it really that easy to figure out?

At this point, I realised there was no point in hiding it, so I answered.

“Yeah. That’s right. But I don’t have romantic feelings for her anymore. I just want her to be happy.”
“Then who’s this person you said last night that you can’t compete with?”
“She was right next to Hoshizora last night.”
“Hina-chan?”
“That would be the one.”
“Hmm.”

Even though she’d asked the question herself, she didn’t seem particularly interested. It was a mystery why Hikari had asked, but I continued the story.

‘I’d been estranged from Hoshizora for ages. I’d given up on ever getting close to her again. But a few months ago, Hoshizora, who’d been distant for years, actually spoke to me. I’m sure she’d have rather not spoken to someone like me, and changing oneself isn’t exactly easy…’

As I spoke, I felt a slight tightness in my chest, so I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Perhaps seeing how I looked, Hikari gently took my hand.

‘Thank you, Hikari. And you know, I think Hoshizora has changed more and more since she started spending time with Hina. And Hina inspired me to try and change too.’

On the day I spoke to Hina, she told me off, telling me to take better care of myself.
To be made to realise something by a girl the same age as my little sister… I felt I still had a long way to go.

“Well then, I suppose I ought to thank Hina.”
“I suppose so.”
“By the way, I think Mayo is the nicer person.”

Hikari wouldn’t let go of my hand.

Normally, I’d just brush it off as business as usual, but because of what happened last night and this morning, I couldn’t help but notice.

“Why don’t you go for me? I could make Mayo happy.”
“Maybe so. But I’m not interested in childish people.”

I said it as a joke, but to my surprise, Hikari took it rather badly and snapped at me.

“I’m going to become a beauty. I’ll learn to cook, do the housework, get a qualification, get a job, and grow up.”

Hikari said this, puffing out her little cheeks, before turning her back on me.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Saying that, I squeezed Hikari’s hand back.

　I’m definitely already drawn to Hikari.

From the moment we met, she knew no such thing as reserve, barging right into my heart.
Living together, I’ve finally met someone I can pour my heart out to.

I wasn’t reserved with Hoshizora either, but perhaps because she’s my younger sister, I felt I had to be responsible, and subconsciously, I couldn’t quite show her everything inside me.

　If I were to voice these feelings I have for Hikari right now, I can just imagine her getting a bit too full of herself, and that makes me feel a bit resentful, so I’ve decided to keep quiet for a while.

“Is it okay if we keep living together? I’ll sort out the money and everything, and I’ll do most of the housework anyway.”

It feels like I’m looking at a puppy that’s worried I might abandon it.

I don’t need money, and I don’t even mind her not doing the housework, as long as I can be with Hikari. Maybe I’m going a bit mad.

‘You’ll be the doctor for people’s hearts, and I’ll be the doctor for their bodies, let’s help lots of people, shall we?’

Saying that, I planted a kiss on her cheek, which had been puffed out just a moment ago.

She looked at the spot I’d touched, her eyes wide with surprise, and she looked so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

The sky is beautiful today.

May this ordinary, everyday life continue forever.

Yes, that was my wish to the sky.