Chapter V | Turning Point. “顛”

 

♡♡♡

 

Nihonbashi Station.

Even when the appointed time came, my sister didn’t show up.

Yuu-kun and I were left waiting for her. While watching the office workers and OLs heading home, we killed time with a flower language quiz.

“Yuu-kun. What about Casablanca?”

“‘Nobility.’”

“Bellflower.”

“‘Eternal love.’”

“Then, iris.”

“Um… ‘Unchanging heart’… No! ‘Good news’!”

I checked on my phone, and it was correct.

As I clapped, Yuu-kun made a small fist pump. He got everything right without even looking. Yuu-kun looking a little proud was adorable.

“You almost got the last one wrong.”

“I was thrown off by the bellflower. ‘Unchanging heart’ is the flower language for statice. Iris also has a similar vibe, and both are purple-ish flowers.”

I see, I thought as I searched on my phone.

Indeed, they do seem similar in atmosphere. But Yuu-kun remembering all of this is amazing. He really loves flowers, huh.

Yuu-kun looked at the office workers in front of the station and spoke.

“But Kureha-san is really late, huh.”

“Should we just go back?”

“No, that’s not an option……”

“It’s not our fault she’s late. Besides, it’s a waste of time to keep waiting for her during our trip.”

“Enomoto-san, you’re really harsh on Kureha-san……”

It’s only natural.

If she’s the one who abandoned our relationship, and she’s the one who left the house on her own, then I don’t have any attachment to her.

Honestly, her role was over the moment she brought Yuu-kun here. The fact that she’s trying to meet us with all these excuses makes no sense.

“……!?”

I shuddered as a certain possibility dawned on me.

No, that can’t be…… But it’s possible. No. In fact, it’s the only explanation. My sister is capricious, but she wouldn’t go this far for someone she’s not interested in……

The thought flashed through my mind with a sense of certainty.

“Could it be that my sister also likes Yuu-kun……?”

“No, that’s definitely not it……”

Yuu-kun retorted, looking exasperated.

I puffed out my cheeks in protest.

“But Yuu-kun has a weird tendency to attract people……”

“You’re one of them, Enomoto-san……”

As we were talking,

“Riiioooooon_♪~ It’s your beloved big sister~ ~☆”

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. When I turned around, my sister appeared, wearing sunglasses and smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh my~? Could it be that you’ve grown again~? It’s true that love makes a maiden more beautiful~♡”

“…………………………💢”

I twisted her head, hat and all. As I tightened my grip, my sister flailed around.

“……Onee-chan. Yesterday, I watched a professional backbreaker. Should I try it here?”

“Ahh~! I’m just kidding~!!”

My sister straightened her crumpled hat and pouted dramatically.

“Mou~. I came all the way here to deepen our sisterly bond, and this is how you treat me~……”

“Then stop with the harassment.”

My sister thought for a moment, then flashed a mischievous smile. She then puffed out her chest, as if showing off her superiority.

“Alright then. If that’s the case, you can feel mine too~☆”

“…………”

I let out a sigh. I held up my right hand and wiggled my fingers, making a small clicking sound.

“I can do it, but I hope your ‘tools of the trade’ come out unscathed……?”

“I-I’m just kidding~! Rion, you’re so cute~ mou~!”

My sister quickly hid her chest with her arms and backed away. ……Honestly. Finally, some peace and quiet.

Yuu-kun hesitantly joined the conversation.

“Um, Kureha-san? So, what did you want to talk to us about……?”

My sister smiled and said, “Ah, that’s right~,” then clapped her hands dramatically.

“Alright then, let’s talk over dinner, as promised~♪”

 

♡♡♡

 

Western-style restaurant, Taimeiken.

We were seated on the second floor, enjoying the dishes my sister had ordered. When I stuck a fork into the omelet on top of the rice, the soft egg spilled out like cracking a piñata. It was Yuu-kun’s first time having such a fancy omelet rice, and he was impressed.

“Enomoto-san, it looks delicious.”

“Yeah. It’s really beautiful.”

Yuu-kun seemed to be enjoying himself, and the omelet rice was really tasty.

“I wonder how they make this egg.”

“Maybe they’ll tell us if we ask……”

“I think it’s probably a company secret.”

As we chatted about the omelet rice, my sister across the table turned to us with a smile, her cheeks flushed from the red wine.

“I’m glad you like it~. I love the food here too~☆”

“Onee-chan, be quiet.”

Yuu-kun flinched. My voice must’ve been colder than he expected.

But my sister remained unfazed. She quickly emptied the wine bottle she’d just opened and ordered another one.

“Rion, you’re so mean~. I worked so hard to bring Yuu-kun here for this trip~”

“I’m grateful for that, but you’ve done way too much besides that.”

“Ehh~? Since it’s just the two of you, wouldn’t it be more fun to stay in the same room~?”

“Even in the same room, that was too much.”

Yuu-kun awkwardly took a bite of the omelet rice, his face lighting up. I thought the same during the mille-feuille earlier—Yuu-kun’s face immediately shows when he’s eating something delicious. It’s so cute. When summer break ends, I’ll bring him more of my cakes.

While I was distracted by Yuu-kun, my sister smirked and provoked me.

“Getting so flustered that you called me just because there was a double bed~ Rion, you’re still so innocent♪ ~Even though you dragged Yuu-kun all the way to Tokyo, you’re still like a child when it comes to the important stuff~ ~☆”

“…………💢”

As I stood up, Yuu-kun hurriedly stopped me.

“Enomoto-san, there are other customers here! This isn’t the place to casually throw an iron claw!”

“……Mu.”

Reluctantly, I sat back down.

Whatever. Talking to my sister just irritates me. It’s not like she’s serious about this anyway.

(She’s not actually interested in me……)

Meanwhile, Yuu-kun was talking to my sister.

“Kureha-san, so what did you want to talk to us about?”

“Muu~. I wanted to deepen my bond with Rion’s best friend, Yuu-kun, but that wording hurts~?”

“I can’t tell if this person is joking or serious……”

Yuu-kun looked exasperated.

It’s not worth taking my sister’s words seriously, but he always listens properly. That’s kind of him. This “important talk” is definitely going to be useless.

Ugh. I want to finish eating and go back to the hotel.

This trip with Yuu-kun has been perfect so far. I don’t want my sister to ruin it.

That’s right. When we get back to the hotel, let’s play that card game we couldn’t do yesterday. And tonight, we’ll sleep together in that fluffy bed! ……Of course, not in a weird way!!

“Enomoto-san? Your face is a bit red……”

“It’s nothing!”

I was startled by Yuu-kun’s timing and hurriedly returned to the meal. My sister was smirking, so I cleared my throat and spoke.

“So, what’s your business, Onee-chan? Keep it brief.”

My sister shrugged and swirled her wine glass.

“I promised to introduce Yuu-kun to some creators in Tokyo, right~?”

“…………”

I frowned at those words.

“What’s that?”

I looked at Yuu-kun, who tilted his head with a serious expression.

“……What do you mean?”

My sister looked like she was about to fall over. It was rare to see her react like that, so I was surprised too.

My sister puffed out her cheeks.

“I said it in Sakura-chan’s car on the way to the airport~!”

“Huh, Sakura-nee’s car?”

Yuu-kun thought deeply.

Soon, he muttered, “Ah,” and nodded.

“……I think she might’ve said something like that.”

My sister nodded in satisfaction.

“See~? So, Yuu-kun……”

“Wait!”

I hurriedly stopped my sister before she could continue.

“I didn’t hear about this.”

“Well, duh~. I didn’t tell Rion~☆”

“Don’t just do things on your own. I only asked you to bring Yuu-kun here.”

“That’s Rion’s business, right~? This is my business, so don’t worry about it~~ ♪ Oh, this place has really good Hayashi rice too~. While I’m talking to Yuu-kun, you can go ahead and eat that~?”

Yuu-kun cautiously interjected.

“Uh, Kureha-san, we just had omelet rice……”

“Onee-chan, I’ll eat the Hayashi rice, but that’s a separate matter.”

“Oh, you’re eating it……”

“And since we’re at it, make it omuhayashi.”

“You really like eggs, huh.”

Yuu-kun was making a weird face, but I ignored it.

As she opened her third bottle of wine, my sister gave Yuu-kun a meaningful look.

“I’ve been investing in a few talented kids to prepare for when I start my own agency~. Among them, I’ll introduce you to the ones who are free~. I think it’ll be good stimulation for you~.”

“You’re investing? In accessory creators?”

“That’s part of it~. Reaching out to Himari-chan is also part of that~♪”

She took a sip of wine and smiled softly at Yuu-kun.

It felt insincere. ……Ever since my sister moved to Tokyo, she’s started smiling like this. It’s a beautiful smile, but it’s hardened with a strong determination to never show weakness.

“Of course, those kids are already professionals, just like you, Yuu-kun~. What do you think~? Doesn’t it sound interesting~?”

“That’s more than I could ask for, but……”

Yuu-kun, unaware of my sister’s fake smile, got reeled in. I raised my voice to stop him.

“Onee-chan, what are you plotting?”

My sister’s expression seemed to cool down a little…… or so I thought.

If anything, that seemed more like her real self, and I felt reassured that my intuition was right. She’s definitely plotting something.

But that change in expression lasted only a moment.

My sister returned to her doll-like smile and tilted her head at me, as if prompting me to continue.

“Onee-chan, you’re not the type to help Yuu-kun’s dreams, are you? You only lost the last time because of Shii-kun’s interference, and you weren’t satisfied with the outcome.”

“…………”

My sister let out a small sigh.

“Rion, you’ve changed a bit~. When you were little, you used to believe everything I said so innocently~?”

“……That’s only natural. I’m a high schooler now.”

Bringing up the past made my cheeks heat up.

To avoid being pushed further, I quickly urged her to get to the point. My sister crossed her arms, lifting her chest, and declared boldly.

“I haven’t given up on getting Himari-chan~☆”

“Eh……”

“Wha……!?”

We were at a loss for words.

In response to our reactions, my sister giggled happily.

“Oh my~? Why are you so surprised~? You know I wasn’t satisfied with the result of the last match, right~?”

It was Yuu-kun who spoke up.

“But Himari said she won’t become a model……”

“That’s the current information, right~? Right now, she’s so happy with her lovey-dovey high school life with you, Yuu-kun, that she can’t think about the future~?”

“……!?”

Yuu-kun fell silent.

I understood what my sister was getting at. ……She’s really good at hitting people where it hurts. She wasn’t this unpleasant back in high school.

“Where does a happy ending for a couple lie~? The moment their feelings connect~? Or their first kiss~? Maybe their first time~? Or the one-year anniversary of their relationship~? Some stories even end with them deciding to move in together~? Or maybe it’s the wedding, which feels like such an important event~? But, but~, all of that could still be flipped upside down, right~?”

She laughed like a witch.

“No one knows the future~? So no one knows what will lead to their happy ending~☆”

“Are you saying our way is wrong?”

“I can’t say~. I’m a model, not a god~?”

My sister dodged Yuu-kun’s challenge with a roundabout reply. Then, teasingly, she slowly raised her glass to eye level.

“In the last match, I saw how strongly you and Himari-chan are connected~. So, I’ve decided to change my approach to achieve my own happy ending~☆”

“Change your approach……?”

“That’s right~. If I can’t destroy your love, I’ll destroy your dreams instead~”

“Destroy our dreams……”

What does that mean? Is she going to interfere with Yuu-kun’s work as a creator? But that doesn’t seem like her.

She’s the same type as Hii-chan’s brother. Her actions may seem chaotic, but there’s a solid core to them. Back during the whole scouting incident with Hii-chan, what she said was logical. That’s why she had no choice but to rely on a risky gamble.

Yuu-kun asked nervously.

“How does meeting these creators destroy my dreams?”

My sister nodded confidently.

“Yuu-kun, you’re a frog in a well~. Once you see the vast ocean, you’ll realize how small you really are~. If you give up on your dreams on your own, Himari-chan will be free. That’s the angle I’m going for now~”

She snorted.

“Yuu-kun, now’s the time to step out into the world and learn your place~?”

“Your wording……”

Yuu-kun looked exasperated. He seemed to be struggling to figure out if my sister was joking or serious.

……I’ve been quietly listening, but I’ve reached my limit. My sister’s words are way too one-sided. There’s no benefit for us in this. Hii-chan isn’t being held hostage this time, so we should just refuse.

I slammed the table with a determined expression.

Then, as my sister looked surprised, I declared──

“Your order of omuhayashi is here, sir.”

“Onee-chan…… ah, thank you.”

The omuhayashi arrived at the perfect timing, and I hurriedly accepted it. ……I cleared my throat as my sister’s shoulders trembled slightly.

“First of all, there’s no need to go along with your plans. Yuu-kun can aim for the top in his own way. It’s stupid to jump into a trap you know is there.”

“……Huuuh~?”

My sister looked at me with an appraising gaze.

She leisurely rested her cheek on her hand and asked playfully.

“Then, what is Yuu-kun’s way?”

“W-well, um……”

“You don’t have anything specific, right~? It’s only been a day since yesterday~?”

“T-that’s right. I’ll figure it out from now on.”

“If you take my offer, it might give you a clue~?”

“But it’s definitely a trap……”

“There’s a saying, ‘If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, you can’t catch its cub.’”

“Y-you’re the one who said it, though. That you can’t know what’s the right path……”

“I did say that~, but it’s not an excuse to take the easy way out~?”

“It’s not an excuse……”

“Besides~, I said this is a conversation between me and Yuu-kun~? Shouldn’t his feelings take priority over yours, Rion~?”

“Uu……”

I messed up.

I realized I’d made a mistake. I got pulled in without thinking. I knew I couldn’t win against my sister’s silver tongue, which is why I’ve always relied on brute force to get by……

My sister’s smile had an indescribable pressure.

“Rion~? What’s your real feeling~?”

I flinched.

“W-what do you mean, real feeling? I’m saying this for Yuu-kun’s sake……”

“You’re lying~? I know Rion’s always been a good girl, so she can’t say what she really wants~?”

“U, ah……”

I averted my gaze.

I clenched my skirt tightly. The spoon from the omuhayashi reflected my tearful face.

And then, I couldn’t help but shout.

“This trip is my reward for working hard! Things I didn’t plan are a no-go!!”

“Enomoto-san……”

Yuu-kun looked at me with a complicated expression.

Uuu~…… I felt like my face was on fire as I shrank in my seat. This is my trip, after all. It’s the perfect opportunity to be alone with Yuu-kun without Hii-chan around, and I don’t want my sister to ruin it.

But Yuu-kun should refuse now. After all, he wouldn’t betray me, right?

Our bond is special──

“Kureha-san. Please arrange the meeting with that person.”

──Huh?

Did I mishear? As I was dumbfounded, Yuu-kun scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“I’m really sorry for making this trip about me, Enomoto-san. But I want to take Kureha-san’s offer. I’ve never thought about other creators’ activities before, but I think it’s necessary to surpass my past self.”

“B-but, Yuu-kun. The trip……”

“I’ll make sure you enjoy the trip too, Enomoto-san. So, just let me have this one thing. If it’s not enough, I’ll make it up to you when we get back home. I promise.”

“Ugh……”

When he says it like that, I can’t refuse.

Yuu-kun’s eyes weren’t looking at me. It felt like he was looking somewhere far away…… and I felt a strange unease in my chest that I’d never experienced before.

It felt like Yuu-kun wasn’t noticing my feelings, as if he was only looking straight ahead. Like he was only seeing the future, and nothing else mattered.

For some reason…… it made me feel just a little sick.

“I can’t back down when it comes to accessories. I didn’t do anything in the last match. Now that I have a chance for revenge, I can’t grow if I just back down here.”

“…………”

I could only nod. That was all I could do.

My sister smiled sweetly, then spoke in a voice that sounded almost demonic.

“Well then, I’ll look forward to watching you lose in life and break down~♡”

── Flag 4.  To be continued《Part Two〉 ─