Chapter 4.1

“Well, it’s summer vacation starting tomorrow, but you have to act like you’re a student of our school…”

Closing ceremony.

As I listened to the principal’s speech, I couldn’t get that scene out of my head for a while.

The day ended without me seeing Akari, who had gone home before me, and when I saw her in the living room this morning, she had left the house without calling out to me.

Last week, Akari had always greeted me with a “Good Morning” whenever she saw me, and we had even gone to school together on occasion.

But today, it seems as if it was a lie… It’s as if we’re back to the old days again.

I think she’s doing it for the sake of Nanami… In the end, I was so worried about Akari that I couldn’t stop worrying about her.

And before I knew it, the end of the school year ceremony and the last homeroom before summer vacation were over.

“Yusuke, let’s go to the club together.”

I was lying on my desk in a daze when Nanami called out to me. So it’s time for the club…

“Yeah, I guess so.”

When I replied with no effort, Nanami seemed to have noticed something.

“Hmm, did something happen this weekend?”

What happened this weekend?

“You went to the pool with Akari-chan this weekend, didn’t you? Did something happen there?”

“… Nanami is very perceptive. That’s what I call a true childhood friend.”

“Nope. Anyone would notice regardless of childhood friends. If you show your attitude in such an obvious way. Besides, you didn’t even come to school with her this morning.”

Do you see through all of this?

Heh… I wanted to say something cool, like to face Nanami, but… I’m no good.

“Well, let me know after the club. See you soon.”

“Eh?”

“I mean, we’re still dating, right? So I think it’s natural for us to discuss these things… Am I wrong?”

“No, well… okay, I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Yeah. Let’s go to the club first, shall we?”

Now, how much should I tell Nanami?

“Excuse me, can I have an ice coffee, please?”

“Oh, I’ll have the same.”

We stopped by our usual coffee shop and told the waitress our order.

This is the place where Nanami confessed her feelings for me last week…

“So what exactly happened…?”

As the waitress walked away, Nanami quickly cut to the chase.

“Well, where should I start?”

From there, I explained the whole thing in a bit of detail, adding some footnotes.

As Nanami said, Akari was fond of me. However, I rejected her feelings. And this morning, we were back to our original relationship.

I kept quiet about Akari’s true nature and her plans, but I think I was able to tell her about the situation.

When the coffee I had ordered was finished, I finally finished my story.

When Nanami heard my story, she said,

“Hmm, I see…”

She mumbled and kept silent.

Well, even though it was something Nanami had expected, it was still a strong shock.

But in order to face Nanami, I have to tell her this for sure.

“I’d like to ask you something.”

Nanami, who had been pondering for a while, suddenly opened her mouth as if she had thought of something.

“Yusuke, you’re not going to answer Akari’s feelings, are you?”

“She’s… my sister.”

“If that’s the case, why do you look in pain?”

“Eh?”

It was only when she pointed it out, I realized.

Did I have that expression on my face?

“So, in short…”

Nanami paused for a moment.

“In short?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I think her expression clouded for a moment, but when I looked at her again, she was as usual.

“Hey, why don’t we continue our conversation at my place? It’s almost time for the store to close, and I want to talk about the future.”

“Nanami’s house?”

“Well, since none of my family is home today, you don’t have to worry about anything. Besides, my house is just around the corner, so you won’t have to worry about getting home late.”

It was a development I hadn’t expected, but Nanami was certainly right.

She wanted to talk to me about the future…

“All right, let’s continue at your house.”

“Oh, excuse me.”

I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve been in Nanami’s house.

Even though we were friends since childhood, it was still her house. I’m a little nervous.

“Phew, don’t be so nervous. I told you no one would be here today.”

“Even so, you know…”

“Well, my whole family went to my grandmother’s house, so no one’s at home. I’m the only one left.”

“I see.”

I wonder if it was okay for me to come in without permission when no one in her family was home.

“Anyway, since we can’t talk in the living room, let’s go to my room.”

Nanami’s room… It’s been a long time.

“Do you remember where my room is?”

“It’s a corner room on the second floor, right?”

“Yup. I’m going to prepare some tea, so you can go ahead.”

“Okay, got it.”

I headed for her room, relying on my old memories.

As I walked up the stairs, I felt nostalgic. To be honest, I don’t remember much about the past, but I guess my body somehow remembered.

“Let’s see, is it here?”

I went upstairs and reached the farthest room.

I put my hand on the doorknob and stepped into her room for the first time in years.

“It’s dark… I should turn on the light.”

I found a string hanging from the light and pulled it once to turn on the light.

It was suddenly bright and for a moment I couldn’t see what was in front of me, but I soon got used to the light and could see around the room.

“Whoa?”