Chapter 3 | Family Scenery

 

My visitation with Dad was something properly settled when he and Mom divorced.

Until I graduate high school, depending on Dad’s schedule, we meet about once a month—eating together, catching up on recent events.

Lately, his work’s kept us from meeting, but before that, we stuck to the plan. I didn’t have much to say about school, but we talked about other stuff just fine.

Just because they’re divorced doesn’t mean I hate Dad. Plus, we usually eat at fancy places, so I kinda looked forward to it.

…Until today, that is.

“He usually works around my schedule, but he said if it’s not that day, it’ll have to wait till next year. I put it on hold, saying I’d check with you first, Maki… So, it’s really okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Dad’s been sending money properly, right? That’s why we can live comfortably.”

I don’t know how much he pays monthly, but the allowance I use for clothes—like what I’m wearing now—probably includes Mom’s salary and Dad’s child support.

So, I’d rather not refuse if I can help it.

“…Hey, Mom.”

“What?”

I’m thinking about Minato-san.

Does Mom know about her? Minato-san’s a section chief, so she’s worked under Dad for at least a few years. But after today, a suspicion’s been gnawing at me.

Did their closeness start after the divorce—or was it going on before?

If it’s the former, I’ve got no complaints. I mean, I’ve got no right to say anything. They can do whatever they want, then.

But if, by some mistake, it’s the latter.

If Mom didn’t know about it.

What kind of face am I supposed to make when I talk to Dad?

“—Maki, Maki?”

“—Huh? W-What, Mom?”

“What’s with you? You suddenly look pale. Tired from your date?”

“Oh… Yeah, maybe. I was restless and woke up early, plus we went to karaoke.”

“Really? Then eat quick, take a bath, and sleep. Oh, but text Umi-chan before bed—thank her for the date. Aftercare’s important, y’know.”

“I-I got it. You’re so nosy.”

I swallow the words that almost slip out, forcing them down hard.

Of course, saying I don’t want to ask Mom about Minato-san would be a lie. But asking now won’t change anything, and it might mess up the peace we’ve finally settled into.

That’d be bad, no matter how you look at it.

“…Well, I’ve got an early start tomorrow, so I’m hitting the sack first. Night.”

“Yeah, night… Oh, Mom, one thing I wanna ask.”

“What?”

“…Do you still like Dad?”

The moment I ask, Mom freezes mid-step toward her room.

“…Why—”

She’s got a face like, Why ask that now?

“…S-Sorry. It’s been a while since I last saw Dad, so I asked something weird… Forget it.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s all our fault—me and him. You’re not to blame for sticking with us without a word, Maki.”

Saying that, Mom turns back to the living room, lights a cigarette from the table, and takes a drag.

Her profile looks painfully lonely.

“Do I still like your dad… Hm, well… We divorced over a bunch of stuff, but I think somewhere in my heart, I still like him. There was a time I couldn’t stand his face, sure, but I couldn’t toss the album with pics of the three of us—I brought it here.”

“There’s an album?”

“Yeah. Fifteen years—no, more, since before you were born—we were married that long. Plenty of happy memories stuck around… Wanna see?”

“Yeah, I’d like to.”

Mom grabs an old album from her bedroom closet.

Inside are pics from right after I was born.

It starts with newborn shots—my first Shichi-Go-San, kindergarten sports day, family trips, graduation, elementary school entrance ceremony. Mostly from infancy to seven or eight, stuff I don’t remember but I’m in a lot of them.

“I’m crying a ton in these… Don’t recall it at all.”

“Hehe, yep. Little Maki would bawl his eyes out if anyone but family held him. For photos, he would hide behind me the second he saw a camera—only got good shots when he wasn’t paying attention.”

Like Mom said, solo pics of me barely have me looking at the lens. There’s some as a baby, but by kindergarten, once I got shy, almost none.

I thought I was just a quiet kid, but seems I was wrong about that.

“Mom, can I borrow this?”

“Sure. I brought it on a whim, but it’s just been collecting dust. Did Umi-chan beg you to show it to her or something?”

“…Kinda.”

I promised to bring it if I had it, so I will—but I should pull out the naked baby pics first. Even if we’re close, showing that to girls like Umi or Amami-san’s too embarrassing.

Though, the missing pages’ll leave obvious gaps, and sharp-eyed Umi’ll probably grill me later.

“Anyway, it’s yours—use it however. I’m off to bed… Night, Maki.”

“Yeah, night. I’ll handle the ashtray.”

“Thanks.”

After smoking the cigarette down to the filter and putting it out, Mom heads back to her room.

“…No way I can ask, huh.”

Running my finger over a photo of me, Dad, and Mom together, I mutter to myself.

It’s been exactly a year since we left that house and started living just the two of us.

Mom and I are finally used to it. She’s thriving at work, and I’ve got new ties—Umi, Amami-san, Nozomu.

Our life’s getting peaceful again—I don’t wanna mess it up.

That’s my wish right now.

So, I’ll swallow everything from today and forget it.

That’s gotta be best for Mom and me.

After my date with Umi, it’s Monday—the weekend’s over.

I screw up right away.

What’d I screw up? The album.

When I looked at it with Mom on Saturday, I’d noted the embarrassing pics from babyhood to two or three (mostly lower-body-related), planning to pull them before bringing it to school.

“Whoa, cute! So Maki had a phase like this too, huh~”

“Yep, totally. Back then, he’d cling to me going ‘Mama, Mama’ all the time—so spoiled.”

“Hehe, I can picture it.”

…But of course, this is when Umi shows up to walk to school together.

Naturally, I haven’t touched those pics.

In other words, game over. Done. I can’t get married anymore.

“Oh, morning, Maki. Looks like it’s gonna be a great day!”

“Really? I’m feeling awful first thing in the morning.”

“Oh? I saw the pics—your little—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

Another thing for her to tease me about. And it’s a real mortifying one.

“Oh, it’s no big deal. Sooner or later, Umi-chan will see the current Maki’s—”

“Hey, Mom.”

If they hadn’t seen that page, I might’ve had a chance, but too late now.

“It’s fine. I made sure Yuu won’t see it—I pulled out that stuff.”

“Hmm… So where are those pics now?”

“Huh? In my bag. Auntie Masaki said it’s cool.”

“Don’t just casually take them! And Mom, don’t okay it!”

I wrestle Umi off, snatch the pics from her bag, and lock them in my desk drawer back in my room.

I rested all Sunday to recover, but… well, I’m partly to blame for not dealing with it sooner.

I fuss over Umi and others but get lazy with my own stuff—that’s my bad habit.

“Oops, gotta head to work. Umi-chan, take care of Maki, okay?”

“Yes! Leave Maki-chan to me!”

“Why’d you add ‘-chan’ just now?”

“Off I go, Maki-chan. Be good, alright?”

“Don’t you jump on that too… Ugh.”

Mom and Umi drain my energy first thing this week, but finals start this weekend.

For now, I gotta focus on studying—my duty as a student.

Then Mom’s voice calls from the entrance.

“Maki, sorry! Forgot my cigarettes and lighter on the table—can you grab ’em? The yellow pack.”

“Oh, yeah—”

It’s her usual brand, but lately, she’s smoking so much the pack’s emptying crazy fast.

I get that adults smoke to cope, but as her son, I wish she’d care about her health a bit more.

“Here ya go.”

“Thanks… Oh, and one thing.”

Checking no one’s behind me, Mom gives me a heads-up.

“—Don’t tell Umi-chan too much about home stuff, okay?”

“…Got it, don’t worry.”

I trust Umi, and Mom knows that, but Dad stuff’s family business.

I want to talk it over with her.

But I should put Mom’s feelings first here.

Plus, I don’t wanna drag Umi into unnecessary drama.

“Thanks, Maki. Love ya.”

Taking the cigarettes, Mom pulls me into a gentle hug.

She never does this—nothing seems off health-wise, but she’s definitely not herself.

“Off to work—gonna crush it!”

“Yeah, see ya.”

After seeing Mom off, I head back to Umi waiting in the living room. A chilly breeze brushes my cheek.

“Oh, sorry, Maki. Thought I’d air out the place a bit.”

“No, it’s cool. Actually, it was kinda smoky. Mom’s brand got a strong kick.”

“Geez, say that and it sounds like you’re smoking. Anyway, something up with Auntie Masaki?”

Coming in to that harsh cigarette smell—unusual for her—it’s natural she’d wonder.

“Dunno. Mom gets whimsical sometimes. Better to leave her be—she’ll sort herself out.”

After airing out the smoke, Umi and I have breakfast as usual.

Today’s hotcakes. I eat mine plain; Umi piles on maple syrup and butter. Having her around helps clear out ingredients we barely use, which is handy for fridge cleanup too.

We both have milk.

“Hey, Umi.”

“Munch munch?”

“Swallow first.”

“Gulp… Okay, what?”

“About this Friday.”

“Oh! Exams start, but what about us? Study over dinner—”

“…I’m meeting Dad.”

“Huh—”

Umi’s chipper morning vibe stiffens in an instant.

After last week, even she’d be worried, huh.

“…Maki, you sure that’s okay?”

Sitting across from me, she can’t reach my hand, so her toes nudge mine instead.

“It’s routine. Just eating together, that’s all.”

“What about that subordinate lady?”

“I’ll ask, I guess. Can’t stand not knowing—it’s too weird otherwise.”

Knowing Dad, there’s probably nothing off with Minato-san.

Visitation day’s shaping up to be a night of confirmation too.

“So, I gotta study hard beforehand. Study group—when’s it set?”

“Ojou-sama’s like, ‘Let’s do it every day!’ She’s freaking out—the range is huge this time. Even I think it’s bad.”

“Got it. How about today then? Maybe right before too, if we’re free.”

“Sweet. I’ll tell Yuu.”

I’ll study with Nozomu too, but whether he joins depends on Amami-san.

Rare for me, but this week’s packed. Lots of worries and hassles, but I’ll tackle ’em one by one.

The after-school study group’s set at my place.

We weren’t planning to hang out, so we thought classroom or library at first. But complete dismissal time’s short, study time’s limited, and the library’s packed with others, so we had to switch spots.

• Closest to school
• Somewhere warm’s better

So, my house it is. A family restaurant was suggested, but I’d get antsy, so I vetoed it.

“Ehehe, been a while since I’ve been to Maki-kun’s place~”

“Sorry it’s kinda messy, but don’t mind it.”

“Why is Umi acting like she owns the place? It is messy, though.”

Unlocking the door, I tidy the entrance quick. I’ve only got one pair of daily shoes, but Mom’s got a bunch, taking up space.

“Come in.”

“Pardon the intrusion~ Oh? Smells different from last time. Cigarettes?”

“Yep. Maki is turning into a real delinquent.”

“Wha—? T-Tobacco’s for adults only! That’s no good!”

“I don’t smoke. Amami-san, you don’t have to play along with Umi’s jokes.”

“Hehe, busted.”

Amami-san sticks out her tongue playfully. It’s a study session, but being at my place, she’s hyped for ‘something’—hence the energy.

“Maki-kun, what’s today’s snack?”

“We had hotcakes this morning and have leftovers, so I figured pancakes.”

“Ooh, nice! Let’s get—ngyah!”

“Hehe, study first, Miss Barely-Passing-Sometimes-Supplementals. This is Maki’s house, but I’m not going easy on you.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am…”

Grabbed by the scruff, Amami-san’s dragged to the living room by Umi.

The kotatsu’s been a star lately, so we’ll spread out textbooks there. Today, we’re focusing on day one’s subjects, skimming key parts of the rest that’ll definitely show up.

“…Hey, Maki. You’re kinda amazing, huh. Serious respect.”

“R-Really? I’ll take it as a compliment, I guess.”

The last guy to enter’s all emotional, but I’m worried he’ll burn out before we even start studying together.

Today’s study crew: four people.

Me, Umi, Amami-san, and finally, Nozomu.

“I’m glad you invited me, but… you sure it’s cool? Me barging in like this?”

“Hm… Well, Amami-san said okay, so it’s fine, right?”

This study session was set to have me and Umi focus on teaching Amami-san, since it’s not long after Nozomu’s confession.

As for Nozomu, we tried arranging it the next day, but—

“Then let’s all do it together!”

Amami-san suggested that after hearing the deal, landing us in this odd lineup.

We didn’t plan it this way, so me, Umi, and Nozomu were a bit thrown.

Umi double-checked with Amami-san on the sly, but her answer stayed the same.

It’s very Amami-san, if you think about it.

“Anyway, we’re not here to play, so focusing might be tough, but let’s do our best.”

“Y-Yeah. I don’t wanna hit supplementals either.”

I have the three settle at the kotatsu while I prep drinks, nibbles for breaks, and pancakes for Amami-san.

“Fuu~ Kotatsu’s the best… zzz”

“Yuu, no sleeping right off! Seriously, I’ll smack you.”

“Urk… I-I’ll try, Drill Sergeant!”

And who sits where at the kotatsu? Since I’m mainly on Nozomu and Umi’s on Amami-san—

(Amami)

(Seki) [Kotatsu] (Asanagi)

(Maehara)

That’s the setup.

“By the way, Asanagi, where do you rank in exams? I know you’re smart, but…”

“Good days, single digits. Bad ones, I still hold teens.”

“Damn, that’s nuts. Then next year, me and Asanagi are definitely splitting classes. You, Maki?”

“I hover around 50th.”

Aside from the top-tier advancement class, I hear second-year classes split roughly above or below the halfway mark in test ranks.

If possible, I’d love to stay in Umi’s class next year… but that means I gotta step up my studying.

Four months till we move up to second year.

Back when I barely knew anyone, class changes didn’t matter. Not anymore.

Now I get why people freak out over new class lists.

Everyone wants to be with someone they like or good friends.

“Ugh~ Studying sucks… but being split from Umi sucks more…”

“Then you gotta aim above halfway. Stop griping and move your hands.”

“Yessir…”

We set a break in an hour and dive into test prep, the four of us.

I’m strong in humanities, so I handle English, classical lit, stuff like that.

Umi’s a math-science whiz, so she takes math and chemistry. Together, we strategize for Amami-san and Nozomu, who struggle across the board.

“Hey, Maki, this page is in the range too, but can we skip it?”

“The tough practice problems are for 80+ scorers. Half-studying them won’t get points—better to lock in 60 points for sure.”

If you’re not used to nailing everything, time runs out, you miss review, and careless errors pile up. Skipping them entirely and focusing on sure points is smarter time management, I think.

“Hey, Maki-kun, how do I translate this sentence?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s—”

Leaning forward to help Amami-san—

—Squeeze.

My hand under the kotatsu gets gently gripped.

“? Maki-kun, what’s up?”

“…Oh, sorry. Nothing.”

Both Amami-san’s hands are above the kotatsu, so the sneaky grabber’s obviously Umi.

“Seki, your math on (2)—second step’s wrong. Check the parentheses.”

“Huh? Oh, crap, you’re right. Sorry.”

Umi’s eyes flick to me for a sec while she’s on Nozomu’s math.

—Tap tap.

Hidden by the kotatsu blanket, Umi’s fingers keep poking mine.

…Seems she wants a lover’s handhold.

Probably on the down-low, so Amami-san and Nozomu don’t notice.

“…”

“…”

While the other two wrestle with textbooks, Umi and I intertwine fingers under the kotatsu.

My heart’s racing.

We’ve held hands plenty, but doing it secretly with friends right here? First time.

Holding hands openly’s no issue—we’ve done it—but sneaking around like this feels… naughty.

…No, it is naughty. Today’s about studying, not flirting with Umi. I can’t get swept up.

“H-Hey, Umi. It’s been an hour—break time?”

“…You sure?”

“Y-Yeah, sure.”

“Hehe, got it. I’ll help, then.”

Umi lets go like nothing happened and heads to the kitchen.

Watching two people’s studies and keeping Umi happy… Why am I the only one juggling three? Kinda unfair.

After a snack break, we keep grinding on studying.

Sugar and kotatsu coziness bring sleepiness, but we’ve got key stuff left, so they’ve gotta push through.

Especially Amami-san, who demolished the leftover-material pancakes solo in seconds.

“Ngh… Umi, I’m getting sleepy…”

“Oh? Need a wake-up smack?”

“Oof… I-I’ll keep going, Sensei Umi!”

“Good.”

Did Umi’s clenched fist snap her awake? Amami-san faces her textbook again.

I thought about a nap if she’s that tired, but Umi says once Amami-san crashes, she’s out for two or three hours minimum.

Sleeping kids grow… not saying where.

It’s harsh going full Spartan, but I’ll leave it to her bestie, Umi.

Nozomu’s skipping sweets—just coffee. He overate this fall, blew past his ideal weight, and started cutting back this winter.

He laughed it off, but next to him, Amami-san piling ice cream on her pancakes looked less angel, more devil just then.

Nozomu loves sweets—ice cream’s his fave. Must’ve been rough.

I had some too, by the way.

“Oh, Maki, cream on the corner of your mouth.”

“Huh? For real? Where? Right? Left?”

“My right, so your left.”

“Here?”

“Yeah, but a bit higher.”

“Uh… How’s this?”

“Still a little left… Geez, no choice. Face me.”

“Okay.”

Umi’s finger brushes my lips, scoops off the leftover cream, and pops it in her mouth.

“Mmm… There, all good.”

“T-Thanks…”

“You’re welcome. Geez, Maki, you’re such a kid.”

“It’s just today, okay?”

“Sure, sure.”

My mouth’s small but I eat fast, so with pizza or burgers—stuff you gotta open wide for—this happens sometimes.

When I miss a spot, Umi spots it and butts in when she doesn’t need to.

It’s our usual thing, but—

Today’s not just us—it’s four.

Meaning the other two are watching our lovey-dovey act.

“Umi? Maki-kun?”

“You guys are basically dating… so I don’t mind, but—”

“‘—Could you save that for when you’re alone?’”

“Sorry…”

Amami-san and Nozomu call us out in sync.

“See, Maki, your sloppiness got us scolded.”

“No, it’s ’cause you did that…”

“Oh, c’mon—you were secretly thrilled~ My finger on your lips, and your face went beet red.”

“That was… Y-You’re imagining it!”

“Acting all tough now~ So cute, Maki!”

“Ahem!”

Noticing their judgmental coughs, we bow silently.

A little sweetness is charming, but overdo it, and it’s just annoying.

Even with close friends, we gotta learn some restraint.

I don’t mind being seen as a lovey couple—just not the obnoxious kind.

“Still, Umi and Maki-kun’s vibe is nice~ Seeing you two so close makes me want a boyfriend too.”

“If you feel that way, Yuu, get one. Go all out—you could pick anyone.”

“Hm~ But I don’t feel that way about anybody. I’m not uninterested in guys, though. Wonder why?”

“—!”

Nozomu takes a quiet hit from Amami-san’s words.

She didn’t mean it that way, but it’s like getting rejected twice.

While the two top-tier beauty queens chatter about love, I console a slumping Nozomu beside them.

“Ahh~ If I had a guy like Maki-kun, that’d be great. Kind, makes snacks when we hang out…”

“Yuu would do better with someone high-spec and athletic. No one else could keep up with your energy.”

“Maybe? But high-spec and athletic… Oh, like Umi! If Umi could clone herself, problem solved!”

“As if! What’s with that smug ‘Eureka!’ face, you octopus?”

Listening nearby, I think dating Amami-san’d be fun but exhausting—her energy’s nonstop. Umi handles it, and it looks tough.

Spec-wise, Nozomu could match her pace, but he doesn’t quite fit her type… Rough spot.

“You two, enough chit-chat—back to studying. We’ve still got stuff left.”

“Yup. Yuu, next—classical lit.”

“Ugh~ Old Japanese is hard~ ‘Very interesting~’”

“Yeah, yeah.”

After that, we tweak our teaching to keep Amami-san’s fading focus, borrowing Umi’s love taps (forehead flicks) to finish today’s plan.

Three hours with breaks—my own progress lagged, but teaching reinforced stuff, and working with Umi cleared my mix-ups. Worth it.

There’s more to cover, but at this rate, Amami-san and Nozomu might dodge the red-line duo this time.

“Maki-kun, thanks for teaching today! Snacks were yummy too!”

“Sorry, Maki… and Asanagi. Thanks to you guys, I think I’ve got a shot.”

“No red marks for sure, Seki-kun! Let’s keep it up!”

“Y-Yeah. Let’s both dodge ’em, Amami-san.”

I see off a satisfied Amami-san and Nozomu at the door. They were awkward at first, but studying together got them talking a bit.

Still, if he misreads this, he’ll just get shot down again.

Amami-san’s sense of distance is, well, off.

“Umi, no forgotten stuff?”

“Probably not. If I did, I’ll just come back anyway.”

And Umi, today’s MVP. Top grades in our year—she’s a pro at teaching, and even I learned from her.

Her poking me under the kotatsu nonstop was typical… but I don’t hate that needy side of her.

“See ya tomorrow, then.”

“Yeah… Hey, Maki, wait a sec.”

“Hm?”

“—Sorry. Lend me your back for a bit.”

At the goodbye, Umi hugs me tight from behind.

“Umi, what’s up?”

“…Really, sorry. I know I’m being a pain, springing this on you, but I got a little anxious.”

“Anxious… Something happen today?”

“Y’know, what Yuu said earlier… ‘A guy like Maki-kun’…”

“Oh, that…”

Amami-san probably meant it casually, and I thought Umi brushed it off as a joke, but it shook her inside.

“So, um…”

Her arms tighten around me.

“…I don’t want that. Sanae and Manaka—it was fine with them, but…”

“If I went somewhere else, you couldn’t handle it?”

“Yeah… If someone took you, Maki, I’d never recover. I’d probably shut everyone out completely.”

“Umi…”

She hid it perfectly in front of Amami-san, but alone with me, she’s trembling like a puppy.

She made up with Amami-san, and it looked fine on the surface, but inside, she’s still fighting anxiety. For her, nothing’s over yet.

That’s why I wanna be there for her, even a little.

“Umi, can you let go for a sec?”

“No way.”

“Please.”

“But my face is a mess right now.”

“I don’t care. I’m used to your crying face.”

“…You jerk, Maki.”

She loosens up despite that, so I turn around, pulling her into a light hug.

“Umi.”

“…Yeah.”

“It’s okay. You’re the only one I’m looking at.”

“Yeah… Sorry for being such a hassle.”

“It’s fine. I think that part’s cute too.”

“…Geez, seriously. Calling a mess like me cute—you’re such a weirdo, Maki.”

“You’re the same, calling a guy like me cute.”

“Hehe, true.”

We should go—those two might get suspicious—but right now, I don’t care if they’re annoyed.

I just wanna prioritize the girl in front of me.

“Heh, thanks, Maki. I’m a bit calmer now.”

“Good… I can walk you home if you want.”

“I can’t lean on you that much… I’ll be fine. I’ll act normal around Yuu too, like always… But—”

“But?”

“I wanna stay like this a little longer… Okay?”

“…Sure.”

“Thanks… Hehe~…”

“W-What?”

“Nothin’~”

We hold each other, feeling each other’s presence, till Umi calms down.

I see her off to the entrance where the others wait, and sure enough, Amami-san and Nozomu roll their eyes at us, muttering, “These lovey-dovey idiots.”

Days you look forward to crawl by, but ones you dread zoom right up.

Friday. Test day. And visitation day with Dad.

Not the tests—I mean Dad. Studying’s my decent suit, so early dismissal’s a rare perk.

I never disliked visitation days before. I loved Dad—his big, cool back working hard for us is burned into my kid memories.

Waking up, Mom’s rushing through her morning prep.

“Morning, Mom. See ya.”

“Off I go. Sorry for pushing this on you, Maki.”

“I said it’s fine. 7 p.m., that family restaurant a bit from the station. I’ll order the priciest stuff.”

“Hehe, do it… Oh, here’s this week’s dinner cash.”

“Dad’s paying today, so I don’t need it.”

“Weren’t you gonna hang with Umi-chan? Take it as an apology—add it to Christmas Eve’s budget.”

Well, I’ll take it then.

Amami-san’s joining too, so it’ll help with food costs.

“Cigarette count’s up again…”

Eyeing the ashtray’s pile of stubs, my phone on the kotatsu buzzes.

A message from Umi.

(Asanagi) Sorry

(Asanagi) At Yuu’s place now—early morning cram sesh

(Maehara) Got it. See you at school then

(Asanagi) Yup

(Asanagi) Maki, you really okay today?

(Asanagi) Might be overprotective, but I can tag along partway

(Maehara) I’m good. No worries. Just stuffing my face at the family restaurant

(Asanagi) Fine, I’ll come all the way. That fancy place, right? Get the A5 Kuroge Wagyu filet steak with jumbo shrimp fry set, extra-large rice, and the super deluxe strawberry parfait for dessert

(Maehara) Noted. Ordering that

(Asanagi) Damn it

(Asanagi) Jealous of your free feast~

(Maehara) I’ll text you after. Keep an eye on Amami-san

(Asanagi) Yup, will do

(Maehara) Thanks for worrying, Umi

(Asanagi) Yup

(Asanagi) Go get ’em

Boosted by Umi’s cheer, I head to school for finals’ first day.

Feeling solid—studying paid off. Except for shaky math, I nailed everything. Math’s probably 80+ still.

Amami-san and Nozomu were stoked too—our predictions hit. Some subjects might even reach average.

Hope we all end with good results after the effort.

Day one’s done, and I’m relieved—but my day’s not over.

I study for days two and three at home to kill time, then head to Dad’s meeting spot on schedule.

Lately, I’ve walked here with Umi or Amami-san, so coming alone feels rare.

For visitation, I always wear my uniform. Casual’s fine, but since it’s ‘Visitation Day,’ I feel it should be proper. Dad’s always in a suit too, so I match him.

Waiting by the entrance, a minute later, Dad’s company car pulls into the lot. A subordinate’s driving—not Minato-san.

Dad says something to them, gets out, and walks over.

“Sorry, Maki. I ran a bit late.”

“It’s fine—I just got here a minute ago. You got work in the middle of this?”

“Kinda. I meant to clock out, but an urgent call came up. I got our seats reserved, so let’s head in. Don’t worry—I made time to eat slow.”

Inside, we’re led to a back table. Maybe the building’s layout, but a pillar juts out, making it feel secluded. After Minato-san, I’m glad—less chance of our talk leaking.

“I’m starving—let’s order first. What you getting, Maki?”

“A5 Kuroge Wagyu filet steak with jumbo shrimp fry set, extra-large rice. Super deluxe strawberry parfait for dessert.”

“Whoa, no holding back, huh? You used to play it modest.”

“It’s been a while. Should I have held off?”

“Nah, if you eat that much, I’m happy. Alright, I’ll go big too.”

Dad orders a sirloin steak set. While waiting, we grab drinks and soup from the self-serve bars.

“Felt it last week too, but you’ve grown, Maki.”

“In weight.”

“That’s good. Five months ago, you were scrawny—bit of belly fat’s fine. Train from there, and with your growth spurt, you’ll bulk up fast.”

“What’s with that baseball-team physique plan?”

Still, it’s very Dad. He never shows me a gloomy or down face. Same old Dad.

But some things have definitely changed.

Anyway, before the main topic, I focus on enjoying the food.

Worth every penny of a high schooler’s saved allowance—it’s insanely good.

The steak bursts with juices the second I bite in—leagues above usual grub. The jumbo shrimp fry’s plump, rice is perfect.

If I ever get spare cash, I’d bring Umi here.

“…Dad, can I ask something?”

“Hm?”

With just dessert left, I bring it up.

Same question I asked Mom.

“Do you still like Mom?”

“What’s this out of nowhere?”

“Nothing big. Just curious—”

“Nah, probably not anymore.”

“…Got it.”

Instant answer.

He might mull tough calls sometimes, but once decided, he’s refreshingly clear-cut. Unlike Mom, that part of Dad hasn’t changed.

That’s how it looks so far.

“She worked hard as a wife and mom, so I respect her as a person—still do. But living together again? Different story.”

“What about with me?”

“Just you? That’s another story too… You’re my son. Between us, custody was the last sticking point in talks—fought over who’d take care of you till the end. …Just between us.”

So both Dad and Mom wanted me.

They love me, care about me, that hasn’t changed—but they still chose divorce.

Their feelings must’ve drifted that far apart.

That’s why, maybe—

“You stopped liking Mom… because of Minato-san?”

Steeling myself, I dive in.

Dad’s face stiffens for a sec, then relaxes as he lets out a big sigh.

“…Guess you saw us last time, huh.”

“! You noticed, Dad?”

“Haha, ’course I did. No matter how you tweak your hair or clothes, you’re my precious son. Don’t underestimate your old man… That girl—friend of yours?”

“Yeah, sorta. We got close recently.”

He dodged it—probably for Minato-san and Umi’s sake.

Seems I’m the one who underestimated Dad.

“Forget me—what’s with you and Minato-san? Arm around yours, looking real chummy…”

“What, suspecting an affair? I swear on my life, meeting outside work like that started a while after the divorce. Before, she was just a stellar subordinate… but seems she didn’t see it that way.”

Story goes, they got close about a month post-divorce. Dad didn’t broadcast it, but Minato-san stumbled on some family status docs for HR, confessed after, and after some twists and turns, here they are.

If that’s the case, Mom and I can’t do anything about it.

“You like Minato-san?”

“She works under me, gets my struggles. She helps me out a lot.”

“So you like her?”

“…Feel free to think so.”

“You don’t?”

“…Yeah, well. I do.”

That’s a super cagey way to put it.

Just say you like Minato-san and have no lingering feelings for Mom—clear and simple.

I’m not some brat trying to get them back together.

I just want the truth about what I saw—Dad’s real feelings.

The Dad now isn’t the one I’ve always known.

He’s definitely hiding something.

Not about Minato-san. Then what?

“Maki.”

“What?”

“I noticed it last time too—your hands are rough. Put on hand cream before bed, got it?”

“Huh?”

“—Sorry, I’d stay longer, but my ride’s here. Gotta go. See ya, Maki.”

“W-Wait, Dad! We’re not done—”

As I jump up to stop Dad rushing off—

—Huh!? Wait, what’re you saying!! No way, seriously!!

A loud voice booms across the restaurant floor.

Every guest, me included, turns toward it.

A girl in a sloppy Joutou High uniform—my school.

More like a classmate I know well.

“Nitta-san…?”

“Huh? …Ugh, C-Class Rep… Why’re you here…?”

The lone girl at the table? My classmate, Nitta-san.

This place’s pricey—some lunch items aside—so students rarely hit it for dinner.

Never thought I’d run into Nitta-san here.

“Friend of yours, Maki?”

“Ah, yeah. More like a classmate than a friend, though.”

The only one sitting at the table is Nitta-san, and there’s no sign of anyone else, so it’s probably just a coincidence.

“Nitta-san, what’s wrong? You suddenly raised your voice like that.”

“Oh, no… I just got into a bit of a mess. …Like, wallet-wise, I mean.”

“Wait, are you saying you don’t have any money?”

“…Uh, well… yeah.”

After letting her eyes dart around, Nitta-san nodded as if she’d given up.

On the table are drinks, light snacks, and even desserts. At this time of day, each menu item easily exceeds a thousand yen, so judging by the plates, a rough estimate puts it at around three thousand yen.

“…The thing is, I was supposed to meet my boyfriend here. He said he’d come later and told me to eat something first, that he’d pay for it. But then he called me just a bit ago, and…”

“He can’t come, and naturally, he’s not paying either, huh?”

“Yeah… In short, it was like, ‘Sorry, I made plans with my real girlfriend,’ or something…”

“Oh…”

Now that I think about it, I vaguely recall her mentioning something about getting confessed to during the cultural festival. It’s probably that guy.

From what I’m hearing, it sounds like he was two-timing her… or maybe even more than that.

I suddenly recall Nitta-san’s face when she used to talk about it all lovey-dovey back then… Well, either way, it’s a pity.

“So, yeah, I could let it slide up to that point—well, not really—but I totally forgot I only have about a thousand yen on me until just now… And since he was supposed to treat me, I got carried away and ordered a bunch.”

“I see…”

Ordering without money and then not being able to pay at the register would count as dining and dashing. Nitta-san’s at fault for trusting a verbal promise, but I can understand why she’d want to yell about it.

“Have you contacted your parents?”

“Well… they’re both working, you know? I called, but they haven’t picked up yet.”

“Then, anyone else you could rely on… like friends?”

“I could ask, but… do you have any friends you’d feel okay asking to pay for you, Class Rep?”

“…Sorry, I don’t.”

If I asked Umi, she’d probably help out while grumbling, but unless it’s some special situation, I’d feel too pathetic to do something like that.

“…How much are you short?”

“Huh? Oh, uh, about two thousand yen, but… um, Ojisan, you’re…”

“I’m that kid’s father, Maehara Tatsuki. My son’s always in your care.”

“Oh, n-no… Ma-Maehara-kun’s… I mean, thank you for always looking after him too.”

It seems Dad overheard the whole situation from the side, holding a ten-thousand-yen bill in his hand.

“Dad, you’re not seriously going to pay, are you?”

“If we leave it like this, it’ll be dining and dashing, right? I wouldn’t care if it were a stranger, but since it’s my son’s classmate, ignoring it would leave a bad taste.”

True, if we just abandoned her to her own mess, in the worst case, Nitta-san might end up dealing with the police.

That could even lead to some sort of punishment from the school.

I’ve heard her story, and I’d like to help if I could.

“B-But, that’d be too much trouble for you, Maehara-san…”

“If it bothers you, let’s just call it a loan for now, and you can pay my son back later. I’m not planning to chase you down for it if you don’t, though.”

“U-Uh…”

Nitta-san glances at me briefly.

It seems even she has some common sense, hesitating over whether it’s okay to just accept the offer.

“Nitta-san, agonizing over it won’t make money appear in your wallet. It’d be better to just accept it honestly. Probably better for the shop too.”

“Right… Yeah, you’re right… Now that I think about it, my parents said they’re busy today… which means I don’t even know when I can reach them.”

As far as the shop’s concerned, it doesn’t matter who pays as long as they get their money. The waiter who approached earlier seems to have sensed the situation settling and is now just watching from a distance.

“…Then, I’ll take you up on the loan for now. Um, really, I’m so sorry.”

“No problem. Then, I’ll handle our bill along with—”

The moment Dad raised his hand to call the waiter, pulling a card from his wallet,

“No, I’ll pay for Nitta-san’s share. Dad, just take care of ours, please.”

Grabbing Dad’s wrist, I said that.

“What are you saying? I don’t know what you’re worried about, but adding this small amount won’t make a difference… Besides, you don’t even have that much cash on you, do you?”

“I got money from Mom for today, so with that, I can cover it easily. I don’t have any urgent expenses coming up, and if she pays me back later, it’s no issue at all. …Nitta-san, that’s okay with you, right?”

“Hm… Either way, I’d be repaying you, Class Rep, so I don’t mind where the money comes from…”

“Then, that settles it.”

I immediately pressed the button to call the waiter and handled Nitta-san’s table’s bill.

With what’s left from last week’s date and what I got today, paying the difference is no problem at all.

It’ll cut into the budget for Christmas ingredients, but I can just figure something out.

“Maki, you…”

“Nitta-san’s ‘my friend,’ so I’ll pay. …Dad, you’re already more like a ‘stranger,’ so you don’t need to meddle this much.”

Even though he’s my flesh-and-blood father, Dad and I haven’t lived together since last year.

From our exchange just now, I’m pretty much certain of it.

Dad has no intention of getting back with Mom.

The scenes from those old photo albums will never come back.

If that’s the case, my family now is just Mom.

I’m grateful to Dad, but he’s already got Minato-san, a new woman in his life, so he should just build a new family with her.

It probably wouldn’t feel great for Minato-san if the shadows of me and Mom kept lingering around.

“Let’s go, Nitta-san.”

“Is that okay? Your dad looks kinda frozen back there…”

“Uh… I’d appreciate it if you could just read the room a little.”

“Well, from the conversation so far, I’ve kinda grasped the situation.”

In exchange, I’ll pretend I don’t know about Nitta-san’s mess. As for the money, she can pay me back whenever it’s convenient.

“Dad, can I ask one last thing?”

“What?”

“Do you like Minato-san?”

“…”

After a brief silence, Dad averted his eyes from me and said,

“…You’ll understand someday, Maki.”

“…If that’s your answer, then I get it. See ya.”

With that, I left the family restaurant with Nitta-san, practically fleeing from Dad.

I’d always liked Dad. There was even a time I thought I wanted to be like him someday.

But that day, as we parted, Dad looked more pathetic and uncool than any adult I’d ever seen.

Without looking back, I parted ways with Dad and headed toward the station to go home, walking quickly.

Nitta-san was following behind me, but I didn’t have the energy to pay much attention to her right now.

“…Hey, Class Rep.”

“What?”

“Wanna stop by a convenience store or something? It’s cold, and I’m kinda in the mood for coffee. I forgot to drink mine earlier because of all that.”

“That’s on me too, right?”

“It’s fine, I’ll pay you back for that too.”

“Geez… Just coffee, okay?”

“Thanks!”

Well, I’m not exactly in the mood to head straight home either, so that’s fine.

Why it’s Nitta-san of all people, I don’t really get, though.

So, we slightly altered our route home and decided to warm up at a nearby convenience store.

I bought coffee for myself and Nitta-san, then headed to where she was waiting at the eat-in seats.

“Here.”

“Thanks. Oh? Class Rep, you got a nikuman too?”

“Yeah. I ate properly earlier, but for some reason… Want it?”

“Sure, gimme! I only had a light meal, so I’m still kinda hungry.”

“You ate quite a bit for that… but whatever.”

I bought it, but my stomach’s actually full, so I handed it over to Nitta-san as is.

…What’s this feeling? My thoughts just won’t come together properly since earlier.

“Ahh, fancy family restaurants like that aren’t bad, but I’m so used to this kinda place that it feels more relaxing.”

Nitta-san took a big bite of the nikuman I gave her, sipped her coffee, and let out a satisfied breath.

She probably hangs out like this with friends on the way home all the time. Just your average high school girl, I guess.

“For me… even a place like this is new, so I can’t really relax.”

“Oh, right, you were a loner until you got close with Asanagi, weren’t you, Class Rep? Didn’t you say you never had friends?”

“Well… because of Dad’s job, we moved around a lot. With a personality like mine, I figured there was no point making friends since I’d just leave again soon. Too much hassle.”

“Ohh, we had a kid like that at my elementary school too. Back then, I used to wonder, ‘Why doesn’t he make friends?’ But yeah, everyone’s got their own circumstances.”

“…Huh.”

“What? Huh? Did something in that exchange surprise you?”

“No… just thought it was unexpected.”

This is the first time I’ve talked to Nitta-san like this, but hearing her out, it feels like she’s got her own solid way of thinking.

Normally in class, she just goes along with others, reading the room and avoiding trouble, so this feels especially fresh.

“Hey, just so you know, I’ve dealt with way more people than you have. Sure, some might see me as a follower, but that’s how I’ve carved out my place and survived. So don’t you dare look down on me just because you were a loner for some lame ‘too much hassle’ excuse, got it?”

“Right… Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“As long as you get it, we’re good. Then, since this is on you…”

“The nikuman’s on me, but you’re paying me back for the coffee, okay? With the family restaurant bill, that’s 3,100 yen total.”

“I know, I know. Geez, you’re so stingy, Class Rep… Ugh, I wanna get a part-time job, but my parents won’t let me since they’re both around… Can’t exactly lie about it either.”

I’m pretty sure the student handbook says something like, ‘Part-time jobs are prohibited in principle, except in cases of special circumstances.’

‘Special circumstances’ is vague, but it basically means single-parent households like mine.

“Not really the place to ask, but… are your parents close?”

“Not bad, I guess? When they’re together, stuff flies around pretty often, though.”

“You call that close?”

“They fight, sure, but they usually make up by the end of the day. Then at night, I’ll notice them going at it in their room—creaking and moaning. It’s exhausting, seriously.”

“You didn’t need to share that much detail.”

Still, it doesn’t seem like she’s wrong about them being close.

As far as I can remember, my dad and mom… didn’t have anything like that, I think.

“…Our fights are wild, though. Dad and Mom go at it like raging fire. Sometimes it’s so intense the neighbors come check on us. I’ve got an Onee-chan, and she’d sense the vibe starting and retreat to her room.”

Nitta-san’s knack for reading the room probably comes from stuff like this.

Or rather, she had to, or she’d be in danger herself.

“Living with family, I guess irritation just builds up no matter what, right? Like me and Onee-chan not studying, or work being busy, or this month’s living expenses being tight—not direct grudges, but little triggers turn all that pent-up anger loose. That’s what Dad and Mom said after making up.”

I thought maybe if Nitta-san studied properly, it’d lower the explosion risk a bit, but I don’t love studying either, so I get it and let it slide.

Taking a sip of coffee like a breather, Nitta-san keeps going.

“Our family’s probably weird, but I think that’s why it works out somehow. They let it all out and feel refreshed, so maybe that cools their heads enough to make up.”

“Yeah. I think you’re right, Nitta-san. It’s definitely unusual, though.”

But that’s just their way, and if it works for them, that’s fine.

Maybe our family ended up like this because we didn’t have that.

“So, I kinda get it, you know? Whether someone’s ‘building up’ right now or about to blow. I can tell just by looking at their face.”

“…Then, my dad too?”

“Yeah. It’s kinda awkward saying this about your family, Class Rep, but… his face was one of the worst I’ve ever seen.”

“Really? I didn’t think he seemed that explosive.”

“Well, true. Your dad’s more like an unexploded bomb, I’d say. He’s totally missed the timing to blow up and now it’s just hopeless.”

“Like it needs a disposal team to handle it?”

“Maybe? You can’t just detonate an unexploded bomb, right? I dunno.”

Still, that’s not something Mom or I can deal with anymore.

If it’s gonna blow, I’d rather it happen somewhere that doesn’t mess with us.

“Forget about your dad for now… the real problem’s you, Class Rep.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yup. You’re acting all uninvolved, but you’re kinda turning into an unexploded bomb yourself. Just my hunch, though.”

“Me… becoming like Dad…”

I look at my face reflected in the convenience store’s window.

The usual dull face. Compared to my loner days, it’s gotten a lot better, though.

“Well, if something’s up, make sure to let your mom or Asanagi drain it out of you properly. Otherwise, you’ll end up breaking down someday.”

“Your phrasing… Well, I get you’re worried, so thanks.”

“Exactly. If you’re off, it drags down Umi and Yuu-chin’s vibes too. I don’t care about you as much, but those two are my precious friends. Anyway, I’m heading out. Thanks for the coffee and nikuman!”

“Oh, yeah. See ya.”

“Yup.”

With a little wave, Nitta-san left the convenience store.

She was all meek earlier over nearly dining and dashing, but after saying her piece to me, she seemed refreshed—her shrinking figure looked oddly bouncy as she walked away.

She’s got quite a personality, really.

“Guess she’s saying to vent properly so I don’t explode…”

What flashes in my mind is what Mom said to me back then, her face serious.

—Don’t tell Umi-chan too much about our family stuff, okay?

My honest desire to talk to Umi about it clashes with not wanting to drag her into unnecessary trouble and wanting to respect Mom’s feelings too.

Nitta-san makes it sound easy, but for me, it’s a pretty tough ask.

That night, I had a dream.

The setting was the living room of the house we lived in until the winter of my third year of junior high. Four adult gazes were fixed on me, still in my school uniform.

Dad and Mom were sitting across from each other. Next to each of them was a stranger in a suit—faces blurred by a haze, unrecognizable.

“I’ll take care of this kid. I’m the mother, so that’s only natural, right?”

“No, I’ll take him. Income-wise, it’s better for him that way.”

“That’s just about money. You’re going to leave him all alone at such an important time?”

“And you’re going to make him struggle financially at this crucial stage? Give me a break.”

Ignoring me standing in front of the table, Dad and Mom went at it.

For the record, I don’t have any memory like this. All the divorce talks happened outside the house—at lawyers’ offices or wherever—and I was never there.

So, this scene I’m seeing now, the argument between my parents, it’s all just a phantom my dream’s conjuring up.

Probably triggered by hearing about the divorce talks from Dad earlier—stuff I hadn’t known before. Why now, of all times… or maybe because it’s now?

“Without me, this kid—”

“No, without me—”

In the dream, both Dad and Mom desperately want custody of me, refusing to back down. They’re even willing to compromise on alimony, property division, child support—all the divorce details—just to claim me.

“I’m better for him” “No, I am”—as their argument runs parallel, I just watch, until,

“So, Maki, which one of us do you want?”

They both turn to me at the same time and ask.

“I… well, uh…”

“It’s Mom, right?”

“It’s Dad, isn’t it?”

“…Uh…”

Overwhelmed by their intensity, the dream-me can’t answer.

I mean, I can’t choose one.

Even if Dad and Mom are strangers to each other now, I’m a kid born from both their blood.

Kind Mom, cool Dad.

I’m proud of both, and I love both.

I can’t pick one. I don’t want to.

But Dad and Mom are getting divorced.

I’d seen them clash plenty of times before. Pretending to sleep in my room, I’d hear them arguing in cold tones.

Then talks started, with a bunch of adults I didn’t know getting involved.

I’m not a little kid anymore—I’m old enough to know that no amount of whining will change this.

“Maki!”

“Maki.”

“Dad, Mom, I…”

Looking at Dad’s face, then Mom’s, then all the others staring at me.

“…I’ll go along with whatever you all decide. I don’t mind either way.”

I don’t mind. Either way.

That’s not what I want to say at all.

But that’s all I could squeeze out.

“—Gah…!”

That’s when I finally woke up from the dream.

I must’ve been thrashing around. My body’s hot, my heart’s pounding, and I’m drenched in sweat.

I take slow, deep breaths to calm my racing mind and body.

“Haah, haah…”

It felt like a really long dream, but the clock on my phone by the pillow says it’s just past midnight.

After parting with Nitta-san at the station and getting home, the day’s exhaustion hit me all at once. I’d changed and fallen asleep right after—around 10 p.m., I think. Barely two hours have passed.

Then I notice the missed call notifications on my phone’s screen.

[23:01 Asanagi Umi]

[23:10 Asanagi Umi]

[23:22 Asanagi Umi]

[23:30 Asanagi Umi]

[23:39 Asanagi Umi]

[23:55 Asanagi Umi]

“Oh, crap…”

Seeing Umi’s calls coming almost every ten minutes snaps me back to reality.

With everything that happened and how tired I was, I totally forgot to contact Umi. I’d promised to let her know when I got home.

Nervously, I send a message.

[Maehara: Sorry, Umi]

[Maehara: You awake?]

—Bzzz!

“Whoa!”

The moment I send it, my phone buzzes right back.

It’s the usual vibration strength, but for some reason, it feels like the phone’s mad at me.

Umi’s definitely pissed, isn’t she?

“Uh, h-hello…”

“…Idiot.”

“Sorry. I fell asleep as soon as I got home and forgot to message you… Really, I’m sorry.”

“Well, since you finally contacted me, it’s fine… But really, just sleeping? Nothing happened with your dad or anything?”

“That’s all good. I made sure Dad paid for the expensive stuff, asked about Minato-san, and got everything I needed to ask out of the way.”

Not that I got the answers I wanted, though.

For now, I fill Umi in on what I can about Minato-san.

That their relationship started after the divorce. That she’s supporting him both as a subordinate at work and as a girlfriend in his personal life.

Since that’s the case, he might already be starting a new life in what used to be our home.

“I see. Well, that’s about what I expected. If it were an affair, there’s no way Auntie Masaki would’ve let it slide.”

I agree with Umi there. Dad kept things clean until the divorce, which is probably why Mom still has some lingering feelings. If he hadn’t, Mom would’ve cut him off completely and wouldn’t even let him see me.

“Anyway, I think I’m done with this topic for today. If we keep making a fuss, it’ll just bother Dad and Mom more.”

“Yeah. I’d love to give your dad a piece of my mind, though.”

“Well, maybe next time.”

I forgot to mention it during our first date, but the real big day was supposed to be Christmas, and that plan hasn’t changed.

So, it’ll be fine, I’m sure.

“Alright, it’s late, so let’s call this done for now. Good night, Umi.”

“Yeah. Good night, Maki. Sleep warm, okay?”

“Yeah, I will.”

After ending the call, I put my phone back where it was and flopped onto the bed.

“…This is fine, right?”

Wiping the sweat off my forehead with my sweatshirt sleeve, I think it over again.

Dad and Mom’s stuff is over. Dad’s reaction today bugs me a little, but that doesn’t mean they’re getting back together.

So, I just need to focus on myself now.

Umi’s always by my side now. Someone who puts me first and cares about me more than I deserve. Amami-san, Nozomu, and even Nitta-san too, probably.

From now on, I just need to focus on having fun with them.

“It’s fine… There’s nothing I need to worry about.”

Thinking that, I lay back down, but the dream from earlier kept flickering in my mind. That day, and through the rest of the break, I couldn’t fall asleep properly.

“…Ugh…”

Then came the day after the break. The second day of final exams.

Honestly, I’m not in great shape. I went to bed early to get enough sleep, but I only managed to doze off between 3 and 4 a.m.

I’m sleepy but can’t sleep—a rough spot to be in. Still, the scheduled tests come for everyone equally, so I’ve got to pull myself together and push through.

“…Phew.”

I splash cold water on my face and slap my cheeks to sharpen up.

There’s still some fatigue behind my eyes, but once the exam starts, I’ll probably forget about it.

“Morning, Maki.”

“Morning, Mom. You’re taking it pretty slow today, huh? Even making breakfast and all.”

Coming back from the bathroom to the living room, I find Mom, already awake, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Normally at this hour, she’d gulp down a piece of toast with milk and rush out the door.

“Well, lately I’ve been leaving all the housework to you, Maki, so I figured I should act like a mom once in a while. Here, it’s ready.”

Rice, miso soup with tofu and wakame, and tamagoyaki. The faintly sweet smell of the usual tamagoyaki wafts up—this is something Mom taught me how to make.

I take a bite right away. It’s been a while, so it feels tastier than usual.

“How is it? Mom’s cooking after so long?”

“…It’s decent, I guess.”

“Good. Glad to hear it.”

We eat quietly, facing each other.

Lately, Umi’s been over a lot, but eating with just Mom like this still makes me happy.

If I could be greedy, I’d want mornings like this at least, but I get that work’s important, so I’ve got to support her there.

Plus, I don’t dislike the working Mom either.

“…Hey, Maki.”

“Hm?”

“I’ve decided to take a break from work for a while.”

“Huh?”

Finishing the meal and cleaning up, Mom says this while smoking on the balcony after breakfast.

Honestly, I’m shocked.

Yesterday, a Sunday, she worked overtime despite it being a day off. A workaholic who’d grumble but never take vacation, suddenly announcing a break?

That’s why she could have such a relaxed morning today, huh.

“A break? Seriously?”

“Seriously, super seriously. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this, Maki.”

“For how long?”

“For now, two or three months. Anything beyond that, I’m still thinking about.”

“Did you get sick or something?”

“No, I’m perfectly healthy… Well, if I kept going like this, I’d definitely ruin my health, so I thought I’d rethink how I work. Oh, and they told me to cut back on cigarettes, too.”

Any doctor hearing about her current lifestyle would say that, and they’d probably give that advice too.

But she must’ve known that when she went back to work—so why would she suddenly change her mind now?

Wait, is she hiding some serious illness…? No, Mom’s not the type, and nothing’s seemed off in daily life.

“The company wasn’t thrilled since it was so sudden, but… anyway, I’ll be handling the housework for a while. Sorry, Maki, for putting so much on you until now.”

“No, I didn’t mind the chores, so it wasn’t a burden…”

If Mom’s doing it, I’m fine with that, but what worries me is money.

Two or three months off means a big cut in income—any kid could figure out that’d make living expenses tight.

“Oh, don’t worry about money, okay? Taking a little break won’t even dent our savings. If you need cash for dates with Umi-chan or whatever, just let me know anytime.”

“…Really? You’re not gonna wake up one day and bolt in the night or something?”

“No way, no way. You’ve been watching too much TV, Maki.”

I figure she got a decent chunk from Dad during the divorce, but still, I should probably hold back a bit from now on.

Maybe it’s time I started looking for a part-time job too.

“Alright, then. I think I’ll do a thorough room cleaning today. Maki, if you’ve got any naughty magazines you don’t want me seeing, lock them in a drawer, okay?”

“Th-There’s nothing like that!”

Not exactly true, but these days you can find most stuff online, so there’s no dramatic stash for her to uncover.

After that, we spent a rare slow morning together until it was time for school, but Mom’s face—despite her eagerness to clean—looked far less lively than usual.

After that, despite feeling off, I somehow got through the second and third days of finals. That afternoon,

I decided to talk to Umi about Mom.

“…I see. Well, even to me, Auntie Masaki always seemed like she was pushing herself too hard, so taking a clean break like this is probably a good thing… But that means we can’t hang out as freely as before, huh.”

“Yeah, exactly…”

That’s the real issue.

It’s great that Mom can step back from work and rest her body.

But with a parent around, we can’t just laze about like we used to.

Eating pizza straight off the box on the carpet while gaming, sprawling out munching snacks and reading manga—sure, we clean up when Umi leaves, but that’s how we’ve been spending our sloppy Fridays.

Mom’s given us the okay to ‘do whatever,’ but Umi’s not shameless enough to act like it’s her own house in front of her.

“So, what about this week? Stick to the usual at your place, or switch it up and do something else?”

“Hmm… I’m fine either way, but… Oh, hold on. Mom’s calling. …Hello? What’s up?”

While Umi talks to Sora-san, I keep brainstorming ideas.

As we’ve gotten closer, lately our weekends have turned into sneaky cuddling sessions, but originally, it started so Umi—who’d been worn out from middle school stuff—could relax a bit.

Especially with finals last week and this week, plus Dad’s mess, I’ve been a burden on her, so I want to do something to make it up to her.

If only there were a place where Umi could unwind without worrying about anyone else.

“…Yeah, I think the schedule’s still fine… Okay, I’ll ask him now. Bye then.”

“…You were on there a while. Something happen?”

“No, not a big deal, but… Maki, this Friday, wanna eat at my place? That’s what my dear mother’s suggesting.”

“Huh?”

“…And here’s the main thing.”

With an apologetic look, Umi continues.

“…That day, my dad’s coming home too, apparently.”

“No way.”

The words slip out reflexively.

“No ‘no way.’ …You know Mom’s told Dad about you, right? He says he wants to get a good look at your face.”

“No…”

“No ‘no way.’”

And just like that, an eye-opening event got crammed in before Christmas—meeting Umi’s dad, Daichi-san. It was bound to happen eventually, but maybe I should’ve been more worried about my own survival before the family stuff.

“Ohh, so it’s finally happening, huh? Maki-kun joining Umi’s family reunion after so long… My condolences.”

The next day at lunch, after hearing about Friday from me and Umi, Amami-san said that.

Normally, Amami-san would go,

“Ahh! So nice, so nice! I wanna eat with you two too!”

But this time, there’s not even a hint of envy.

Amami-san, who’d follow Umi anywhere, of all people.

That alone tells me how bad this is.

“Alright, Maki, wanna practice bowing now? If you apologize sincerely with, ‘I’m so sorry about your daughter,’ they might spare your life.”

“No, I haven’t even done anything yet… Should I rub my forehead on the floor, though?”

“Yeah, that’d show more heart.”

“Hey, you two idiots, snap out of it!”

Watching me and Nozomu discuss bowing, Umi cuts in, exasperated.

“It’s just eating at my place, not some big deal. My dad doesn’t talk much at home, and he’s not scary or anything… Yuu, don’t freak Maki out with weird stuff.”

“I didn’t say Uncle Daichi’s scary or anything.”

“Right. What you’re scared of is our Riku, isn’t it?”

“Riku? Oh, right, Umi’s Onii-chan? Was there someone like that?”

“Don’t try erasing him from your memory.”

She’s supposed to be Umi’s best friend, but Amami-san always reacts like this about Riku-san.

If Daichi-san’s there, Riku-san’s probably joining too, so I was kinda curious about that side of it.

“Umi, why’s Amami-san so freaked out by Riku-san?”

“Aniki’s actually super into Yuu, kinda? He gets all weird and creepy around her—like, only then. Normally, he’s just a shut-in jobless guy.”

“Jobless is whatever… well, maybe not, but what’s this ‘creepy’ stuff like?”

“Like crawling toward Yuu for no reason or walking on all fours.”

“I tried defending him, but I can’t.”

From what I’d heard before, Riku-san used to be a Self-Defense Force guy like Daichi-san, so the crawling might be a leftover habit, but the four-legged thing? No clue.

I get why Amami-san’s creeped out now.

“Still, even with that, I’m jealous of you, Maki. This week’s Asanagi’s place, then next week’s the Christmas party with her, right? Me, I’m stuck with Onee-chan. She’s like, ‘If you’re free, help with chores.’ Can’t deal.”

“I’m not in the party yet, so I can’t go… Wait, with your Onee-chan? She’s at our school too?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Seki Tomoo, the current student council president… Wait, didn’t I mention her? I’m sure I brought her up during intros. She was vice president back then, I think.”

Me, Umi, and Amami-san exchange looks, but none of us remember that.

“That’s awful. Especially you, Maki—you got a keepsake from her at the cultural fest, remember?”

“…No, I was so nervous then, I barely recall her face.”

I’d heard the name, sure, and vaguely thought she shared Nozomu’s family name, but I didn’t know they were siblings.

“Anyway, back to it—Maki, you’re not joining the party?”

“Nope. I’d think about it now, maybe…”

Back when I was the class’s ‘weird unknown,’ sure, but now with Umi and Amami-san, I wouldn’t be alone and could probably enjoy it.

“Got it. Then I’ll go ask Onee-chan if you can join.”

“Huh? Can you do that?”

“Who knows? But it’s a big event, so there might be cancellations or something.”

I think our student council planned this one. Since the president’s Nozomu’s Onee-chan, maybe she could squeeze me in if I ask.

“Plus, I’d rather have you there than be the only single guy among all the couples in our group. Makes me feel less pathetic… What do you two think?”

“Well, Yuu and I will probably just zone out that day, so having Maki around’s fine by me. Yuu?”

“I’m cool with it too. I’d be bored anyway, and helping the president means backstage stuff, right? I’ve never done that—it sounds fun.”

No objections from either of them, so we decide to head to the student council room where the president usually hangs out.

“—Nozomu, why are you always like this…?”

Eating lunch alone in the slightly-too-big student council room, the president pressed a hand to her temple after hearing her brother’s request.

Second-year Seki Tomoo-senpai. First time I’ve really seen her clearly—tall like Nozomu, with long black hair tied back, striking features.

She’s grimacing a bit now thanks to Nozomu’s ask, but her face is sharp and really pretty—ow, Umi just pinched my side hard, so I’ll stop there.

“I know it’s sudden and a hassle, sorry. So, can you do it or not?”

“…True, we’ve had a few cancellations, so numbers-wise it’s fine, but—”

“Sweet, then just add Maki’s name to the list—ow!”

“Listen to me, you idiot!”

The president lightly bonks Nozomu’s forehead with the corner of her file.

Watching them, it’s like the Seki family’s got a ‘responsible Onee-chan’ and a ‘rowdy little brother’ vibe.

According to Nozomu, she’s a ‘demon woman who slaves her brother,’ but I’ll hold off on that—seems like she’s got her side of the story too.

“Maehara-kun, right? First, thanks for being friends with my brother. As his big sister, I worry about his social life, so it’s nice knowing he’s got someone serious like you around.”

“No… Uh, more importantly, sorry for the trouble. Asking to join so last-minute like this…”

“Yes, exactly. We expect cancellations from people who paid, so we prep for that, but we don’t usually allow new joiners this late.”

For parties like this, they make a list beforehand and ask for invites to keep outsiders out. Even if I’m from our school, willing to pay, and cleared it with the president, with other schools involved, redoing the list now’s a hassle.

“Seriously? So I’m stuck as ‘the guy who bragged but ended up spending Christmas with his sister,’ ruining my life—gah?!”

“I said listen to the end! …I haven’t said no yet.”

“So…”

“Yes. We’ve got some openings in the student council crew since a few dropped out. It’s backstage work, so no games, but you can eat during breaks.”

In other words, I can join with conditions.

“…Thank you, President!”

“Well, this is the most I can swing with my authority. …Sorry for dumping work on you out of nowhere.”

“No, just being able to join is enough.”

This means I can spend a decent chunk of Christmas with Umi.

That’s honestly a relief.

“Good for you, huh, Umi?”

“…About what?”

Since Umi and Amami-san are dressing up a bit for it, I’m kinda looking forward to that too. Especially Umi’s outfit.

“Okay, since it’s settled, I’ll explain what you’ll be doing that day, so all four of you, take a seat.”

“Yes, President.”

“Sure, sure.”

“Yaaay! Come on, Umi, Umi!”

“Hey, I get it already…”

There’s a lot to do, and it’ll be busy, but it’ll keep my mind off things, which is good.

Christmas… Hope it goes smoothly.

Why do the days I dread always come so fast?

Friday afternoon rolls around like lightning. After parting with Umi at school, I head home to get ready in my room.

“Umi said casual’s fine, but… what should I wear?”

She’ll be in loungewear waiting, so my usual hoodie might do… but maybe the date outfit? No, that’s too much effort.

After agonizing, I settle on the date jeans, a gray hoodie, and a black down jacket. Shoes’ll be the new sneakers I got recently—good enough.

“Sorry, my son’s visiting today… No, no, feel free to go all out and give him a good scare!”

While changing, I hear Mom’s polite voice—probably Sora-san on the phone.

It’s just dinner at their place—why the ‘scare’ part?

“Yes, looking forward to it. Yes, yes, bye then.”

“…You didn’t need to call them.”

“I know, but still. Plus, I wanted to chat with Sora-san—it’s been a while.”

Mom’s voice was chipper on the phone, but once she hangs up, it drops back to that recent low energy. The ashtray in the living room’s piled with cigarette butts.

“Hey, Mom.”

“What? Just so you know, if you’re staying over at Umi-chan’s, call—”

“…Did Dad say something to you after all?”

Instantly, Mom’s face goes blank.

“What do you mean? Your dad’s calls to me are the same as—”

“Mom.”

“…Okay, fine.”

“So he did, huh.”

I hesitated to ask since she wasn’t bringing it up, but I couldn’t hold back.

I mean, she decided to take a break right after meeting Dad that weekend—easy to guess.

“…Yeah. Your dad found out about my job. And he got mad. I knew it was bad too, of course.”

I hear a bit more—Mom had been hiding how brutal her current publishing job was from Dad. He grilled her about putting extra strain on me.

The trigger? My hands, rough from winter dishwashing.

Come to think of it, he’d nagged me about hand care when we parted last week. Guess he’s sharp about little stuff like that.

“But he’s got no right to chew you out that much… We wouldn’t survive otherwise.”

“…”

Mom just looks down, silent.

That’s when it hits me.

“Mom… that’s not true, is it?”

“…Yeah. Sorry, Maki. Truth is, your dad’s been sending enough money each month that we’d be fine without my job.”

“So all our living expenses are from your salary?”

“Yup. I haven’t touched his money at all. I got stubborn—like, I’d show I could handle me and you without it. Work kept my mind off everything too.”

But when we ran into him at the station or last week’s visit, Dad got suspicious about me and pressed her. He came down hard, apparently.

That was right after we split last weekend—must’ve called her the second I left.

She dodged the details since ‘it wasn’t pretty,’ but it clearly shook her bad. That’s why she put in for the break.

“Sorry, Maki. I dragged you through our mess and made you lonely. But it’s okay now. We can’t be a family of three again, but I’ll always be here for you.”

“…And you’re okay with that?”

“Yeah. Work’s fun, but you’re my top priority, Maki. If I lost you over it, I’d be missing the point.”

She gives a weak smile.

Quitting a job she loves—behind that weekend smile, she must’ve agonized alone.

But should I just accept her choice like this?

“…I like the working Mom too, you know.”

“Heh, thanks. Then maybe I’ll go back to work after you graduate college and marry Umi-chan. Oh, how about a student marriage after high school? I’m totally fine with it!”

“I’m not!”

Even if Mom’s cool with it, the Asanagi family wouldn’t be. That’d be way past ‘scaring’—I’d be toast.

Plus, in Mom’s head, me marrying Umi’s already a done deal.

We’re not even dating yet, technically.

“Anyway, enough about us—get going already. Oh, here, some snacks from work. Give these to Sora-san too.”

“Got it, but…”

“It’s fine. Hurry up, or you’ll be late!”

“W-Wait… Okay, fine. I’m off then.”

She shooed me out with it all left vague—should I really let it end like this?

Either way, tonight’s gonna be a long one, I can feel it.

The walk to the Asanagi house is familiar by now—I’ve dropped Umi off plenty—but stepping inside’s only my second time, since that day after her sleepover at my place.

“It’s cold today, so we’re doing hot pot. You don’t have anything you hate, right, Maki?”

“Oh, nah, I’m good.”

“Cool, then you can have my carrots.”

“You’ve got stuff you hate? I won’t force you, but you should eat some, you know.”

I meet up with Umi near her place, chatting idly as we pass through the Asanagi gate.

“Go on ahead. Door’s unlocked.”

I hear Umi locking the gate behind me. No turning back now.

“E-Excuse me…”

Stepping into the entryway, Sora-san greets me right away in an apron.

“Oh, welcome, Maki-kun. Sorry for dragging you out here today.”

“No, thank you… Uh, this is from my mom. It’s not much, but…”

“Oh, thank you! Come in, come in.”

The house feels different from last time—maybe the smell or the vibe.

At the entrance, there’s a pair of shoes about one-and-a-half times bigger than my sneakers. Worn but spotless, polished to a shine—probably Daichi-san’s. Tells you a lot about him.

Which means he’s just a few steps away.

“Maki, you okay? You look like your heart’s about to stop.”

“I-I’m fi…ne. Sorta.”

I take a small deep breath, swallow my nerves, and head to the living room.

First, a greeting. Nail that, and I might avoid getting glared at.

“Excuse me. Uh, I’m—”

“—Mmph!”

“! Gah!”

But as I try to speak, something blocks my view.

I crash into it hard and end up falling on my butt.

“Hey… Maki, you okay? Nothing hurts?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just overreacted a bit when I fell.”

Taking Umi’s hand to stand, I see a tall guy in front of me.

A young man in sweats… probably Umi’s Onii-chan, Riku-san.

“Hey, Aniki, you know someone’s coming home—don’t pick that moment to leave the living room!”

“Huh? Let me go to the bathroom in peace, you idiot.”

“Huh? The bathroom? Didn’t you just go a minute ago? And don’t call me an idiot!”

“…I drank too much coffee, idiot.”

Glancing at me briefly, Riku-san brushes past and heads to the bathroom.

“Uh, um, I’m Maehara. Nice to meet you.”

“…Oh, yeah.”

He only gives a slight nod, but I don’t get the vibe of, “How dare you mess with my little sister…” or anything like that. Well, judging from their exchange just now, it doesn’t seem like their sibling bond is all that tight, so maybe that’s to be expected.

“Geez, that kid… Oh, Dad, I brought him.”

“Right. Since he’s here, have him sit over there.”

“Sure. Maki-kun, could you head over there for now?”

Following Sora-san’s instructions, I sit on the living room sofa.

“—Hey there, Maehara-kun. I’m Umi’s dad, Daichi.”

“H-Hi, uh, I’m Maehara Maki.”

The moment I face Daichi-san, the biggest wave of nerves today crashes over me.

He’s huge. Just… huge all over.

It might be rude to say it fits his name, but that’s my first impression of Daichi-san.

Of course, I’d seen the family photo Umi showed me before, so I was somewhat prepared, but seeing him in person feels totally different from a smartphone screen.

“…Maehara-kun, first off, thanks for coming out here during the busy year-end. …And for looking after our daughter too.”

“N-No, uh… I should be thanking Umi—er, I mean—”

“You can call her how you usually do, no problem. She’s a high schooler now, and at a co-ed school, it’s not weird to have a close opposite-sex classmate.”

He’s incredibly polite, but maybe because he’s so serious, his expression doesn’t budge from that straight face.

He’s staring right at me without even blinking.

The pressure’s intense.

Maybe it’s like being a frog stared down by a snake.

“Oh, honey, come on. If you keep making that super serious face with that big frame, you’ll scare Maki-kun. Look, soften those facial muscles and give a nice smile. Here we go!”

“Wh— Hey, Mom, what are you doing in front of a guest—?!”

“Oh, it’s fine, isn’t it? Maki-kun’s probably going to be around for a long time from now on. And you don’t get to see him that often, so you should get friendly while you can.”

“Your reasoning makes sense, but there’s a proper order to these things—”

“Umi~! Help me loosen up this stubborn stone-faced old man, will you?”

“Got it!”

“Hmph… H-Hey, both of you, cut it out…!”

“Hehe, no way. Umi, let’s do it.”

“Roger that.”

With that, the two start massaging—or rather, manhandling—Daichi-san’s face.

Daichi-san makes a half-hearted attempt to shake them off, but he’s basically at the mercy of the two women of the Asanagi household.

I think I get why the Asanagi family works so well together.

Maybe Umi and I look something like this from the outside too.

“Maehara-kun… sorry, could you tell these two to—”

“No, honey, it’s not Maehara-kun—it’s Maki-kun, right?”

“M-Maki-kun… please…”

Watching the three of them, I fully grasp the power dynamics of the Asanagi household.

I’d misunderstood because she was so kind and easy to talk to when we first met,

but the hierarchy here is [1st: Sora-san, Tied 2nd: Umi and Daichi-san, 4th: Riku-san].

“Uh… Sora-san, Umi, it looks like Daichi-san’s struggling, and I’ll talk normally like always, so could you stop…?”

“Oh? Alright then, Umi, we can stop.”

“Sure, sure.”

With a relieved sigh, Umi lets go, and Daichi-san is finally free.

“Ahem… Maki-kun, uh, sorry you had to see something so embarrassing. This is pretty much how it is around here.”

“Hehe, that’s right! Fun, isn’t it?”

“Y-Yeah, it is.”

Anyway, I’m glad Sora-san seems to like me. That sleepover incident, where I properly apologized, probably left a good impression on her.

“Mom, enough with the theatrics—let’s eat already. I’m starving.”

“You’re right. We’ve gotten Dad and Maki-kun’s meeting out of the way, so let’s do that. Honey, go call your son who ran off to his room after the bathroom.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Come to think of it, it’s been about ten minutes since Riku-san went to the bathroom, and there’s no sign of him coming back. I get that it’s awkward with a stranger like me here, though.

So, Daichi-san presses a button on the phone in the living room.

“—Riku, come down.”

“…Yes.”

A quiet single word. Riku-san surrenders without a fight.

…Am I the only one who thinks Daichi-san’s kinda scary?

A few seconds later, Riku-san returns to the living room, and dinner begins for the Asanagi family plus me.

I was worried my nerves would keep me from eating, but the steam and aroma rising from the freshly made hot pot bring my appetite right back. Guess the human body’s pretty resilient.

For seating, they set up a chair on the side where Umi and Sora-san usually sit due to space. Daichi-san and Riku-san are both big guys, so it makes sense, but—

“—So, Mom,”

“Hm? Umi, what’s up?”

“Why’s Maki sitting here?”

I’m just a guest, so I’d have been fine at the edge of the table, but before I knew it, I was sandwiched between Sora-san and Umi.

“Huh? Well, it’s been a while since we’ve had a guest, so we’ve got to treat him properly.”

“Th-That’s something I can handle—”

“But then I wouldn’t get to dote on Maki-kun. Umi, I think it’s unfair if you hog him all to yourself, don’t you~?”

“So that’s your real motive.”

Looks like this spot was Sora-san’s idea.

Now that I think about it, last time I was here, Umi sat between me and Sora-san.

“But still, I never got to fuss over a boy this age much. Riku hit his rebellious phase early and took forever to grow out of it, and now he just calls me old every chance he gets. But Maki-kun’s so polite and cute, I can’t help wanting to spoil him.”

Thinking about it, it makes sense why Umi likes me too. Sora-san and Umi might differ in personality, but they look alike, so maybe their taste in guys is similar too.

At least, it’s definitely not just about looks.

“Mom, Umi.”

“See, even Dad’s telling us to stop, so let’s leave it there. Don’t worry, Maki-kun, I’ll let Umi handle the ‘feeding you’ part.”

“Th-That’s… Geez, Mom, you idiot!”

Umi’s face turns red as she puffs up and chomps into the meat in front of her, but she doesn’t forget to occasionally put some of the pricier ingredients on my plate. Since I tend to hold back in places like this, her thoughtfulness really makes me happy.

“Oh, right. Hey, Maki, wanna play a game after we eat? That series we always play at your place—I got the latest one.”

“What? Seriously? Yes, I’m in! That series is so expensive, I could never justify buying it.”

“Cool, then it’s a match after dinner. …So, Aniki, we’re borrowing your room.”

“It’s my game, and now you’re casually invading my private space? Where am I supposed to hang out while you’re with your friend?”

“Huh? The job center?”

“Is that even open right now?!”

“I know that. But you can look for jobs on the PC, right? Hey, Dad?”

The moment Umi tosses the question to Daichi-san, Riku-san’s body freezes with a jolt.

“Riku.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure you go on Monday.”

“…Understood.”

It looks like a tense exchange, but somehow the mood stays light, probably because the four of them balance each other out. Daichi-san’s strict but gentle, Sora-san’s always smiling, Riku-san’s surprisingly serious, and Umi keeps everything in check.

All four of them are enjoying the meal together, in their own way.

It’s really nice. It warms my heart.

But at the same time, a certain memory flickers through my mind—

“Geez, sorry, Maki. We finally got you over here, and all you’re hearing is this dumb stuff—”

As the conversation settles and Umi turns to me, her expression freezes in an instant.

“? Umi? What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

“No, it’s not that… Maki, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”

“Huh—?”

At that moment, a single clear drop falls onto the table.

That’s when I finally realize I’m crying.

In my mind, vivid memories of when the three of us in the Maehara family were still happy together surface.

※※

Memories of those happy childhood days float up and fade away, one after another.

“Mom, what’s for dinner tonight? It smells good.”

“Hmm, what do you think? Guess, Maki!”

“Uh… hamburgers?”

“Ding ding! Correct. As a reward, here’s some freshly made glazed carrots.”

“Ugh, I don’t like carrots~”

“No way! You’re a boy, so you’ve got to eat everything without being picky.”

“I’m home! Hey, you two, I’m back.”

“Oh, Dad! Welcome home!”

“Hey, I’m back. Were you good today?”

“Yeah!”

“Don’t fall for it, honey. He was just whining about not wanting carrots.”

“Oh, really? Then you’re not such a good boy after all, huh~”

“…Okay, I’ll eat them.”

“Wow, good job, Maki! You’re a great kid.”

“Hehe, Maki really loves his dad, doesn’t he? Alright, it’s just ready, so let’s eat together.”

“Yeah!”

…Back then, I thought days like this would last forever.

A slightly naggy Mom and a gentle Dad I’d never seen get mad.

But over the next few years, those scenes slowly started to disappear.

“Dad’s late, huh.”

“Yeah. He said he’d be home today, though.”

“…Mom, I’m hungry. Let’s eat first. If we wait, it’ll be the middle of the night.”

“You’re right. I worked hard on it today, but oh well…”

At first, it was once a week, then twice, then three times, until eventually every day, one person vanished from the Maehara family dinner table.

Dad used to apologize for it at first, but as the late nights became routine, even that stopped.

For a while, it was just the two of us at the table, but as I grew up, the conversations dwindled too. As Dad climbed the ranks at work, transfers piled up, and with each move, I had to switch schools, struggling to make friends and fit in.

“Mom, uh…”

“What? Did something happen at school?”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Truth is, I was troubled by that “nothing,” but in the heavy, near-silent atmosphere, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

I knew Mom was struggling with Dad too.

There were supposed to be two of us at the table, but it felt like an invisible wall had split us apart, each alone.

And then, after my parents divorced,

“(Mom) I’ll be late from work, so eat dinner by yourself, okay?”

I was left completely alone at the table—

※※

The moment I realize I’m crying, it hits me clear as day.

In the end, the one with the most lingering attachment to our old family was me.

Going along with everyone’s decision? No way.

The words I wanted to say over and over in that dream, but could never get out.

“I don’t want you to get divorced. I want you to make up and live happily together as three again.”

For Dad’s sake.

For Mom’s sake.

For the peaceful life ahead.

Since their divorce, I’d just been making excuses to hide my true feelings.

The childhood scenes I wanted to see again flashing in my mind—knowing they’d never return filled me with regret, and that’s probably why I’m crying now.

I’m jealous of Umi’s family.

But I feel pathetic for thinking that as a high schooler.

“Uh, sorry. I don’t know why… I didn’t mean to—”

Even if I’m crying, why does it have to be at the worst possible time? I scrub my eyes with my sleeve, but my tear ducts ignore me, threatening to make it worse.

“Maki-kun…”

“Oh my…”

“H-Hey…”

Daichi-san, Sora-san, and Riku-san are all thrown off by this sudden outburst.

Well, we’d all been eating together peacefully until now, so it’s no wonder they’re confused.

Umi seems to get it, but she’s hesitating on what to say.

“Maki, um, here’s a handkerchief…”

“Th-Thanks… Sorry, Umi. I’m gonna step outside for some air to cool off.”

“M-Maki…!”

After taking the handkerchief from Umi, I shake off her attempt to stop me, bolt out of the Asanagi living room, slip on my shoes, and head outside.

It’s predictably cold out, with a strong wind blowing.

I don’t even know what I’m doing. I’m not going home—just running out here, troubling everyone for no reason.

“Goddamn it, what am I doing…? They’re all being so nice, and here I am, crying alone over something else, making it weird…!”

I’m supposed to become Umi’s boyfriend, show her my good side, and yet I’m bawling like this in front of her family of all people.

Embarrassing.

Pathetic.

Uncool.

Gross.

Like a little kid.

Even as a high schooler, I’m such a spoiled brat.

“—Maki, wait…!”

“Umi…!”

Turning at her voice, I see Umi chasing after me in thin loungewear and sandals. She probably ignored Sora-san and Daichi-san’s attempts to stop her and ran out too.

“That’s way too light for this cold! I’ll be back soon, so go inside, Umi!”

“Shut up, you idiot Maki! Dumb Maki! You think I’m the type to just sit there after seeing my precious friend’s face like that?!”

“…B-But for now, just leave me alone!”

“Shut up! Stop running away already and let me catch you like an adult!”

Even though I’m a guy and she’s a girl, we’re about the same height, and Umi’s way better at sports. Plus, she’s got more stamina.

The outcome was obvious.

“Haa… G-Got you.”

“Ugh…”

About 30 meters from the Asanagi house, Umi’s hand firmly grabs my wrist.

As she pulls me closer, our eyes meet.

“…Idiot. Your face is a total mess now.”

“…Sorry.”

“It’s fine… Come here.”

“U—”

With that, Umi pulls me into her chest.

Maybe because she’s in thin clothes, I feel her softness, her warmth, and the rapid thumping of her heartbeat more than ever.

“…Umi, this is embarrassing. Doing something so childish.”

“Even as high schoolers, we’re still kids who can’t drink or smoke. So it’s probably okay to lean on someone like this, at least barely.”

My face must be a wreck with tears and snot, but Umi holds me tight, not caring if her clothes get dirty.

The faint, familiar sweet scent from her body slowly calms my shaken heart.

“There’s no one around now, so no one’s gonna laugh at you. So just don’t think about anything and lean on me as much as you want, okay?”

“…Sorry.”

“That’s where you say ‘thank you,’ right?”

“Yeah… Thanks, Umi.”

“Yup.”

From there, I let myself surrender to Umi completely.

Until my heart, startled from running, settles down.

Until my jumbled thoughts, stirred by unexplained tears, sort themselves out.

Like a little kid, I entrust myself to Umi’s warmth.

Once I calm down, we decide to head back to the Asanagi house since staying out in the cold in thin clothes isn’t smart.

After apologizing to the three who greet me with concern, I head up to Umi’s room on the second floor.

“Maki, come in. It’s a bit messy, but we can talk alone here.”

“…E-Excuse me.”

She calls it messy, but it’s just some study stuff and makeup scattered on her desk—way tidier than my room, where clothes and manga are strewn across the floor.

And, of course, it smells really nice.

Even now, I’m thinking about that.

I’m hopeless, aren’t I?

“Maki, over here.”

“…Yeah.”

Drawn in, I nestle back into Umi’s arms, just like before.

Umi said, “You don’t have to hold back just for today,” but… I’ll need to apologize to Daichi-san and the others again later.

Still, how many years has it been since I last leaned on someone like this? It’s been so long I can barely remember.

“You’ve been worrying about your dad and mom this whole time, huh.”

“…Yeah. I thought I’d moved past it, though.”

Mentally apologizing to Mom for breaking our promise, I decide to tell Umi everything.

About the divorce back then, my talk with Dad the other day, and even running into Nitta-san by chance.

Umi makes a slight face when Nitta-san comes up, but otherwise, she just listens quietly, gently stroking my head.

“…I see. You did great, Maki. Now that I think about it, December’s been a whirlwind, huh? Christmas, that idiot Nozomu, finals, the party prep next week, finding out about Minato-san, and all the stuff with your dad and mom… Even I’d lose it with all that.”

“Half of it feels like my own fault, though…”

“Maybe. But because you pushed yourself, you don’t have to bottle it up anymore. If it’d been just bearable, you’d have kept it all in without telling anyone, right?”

“…Probably.”

I’d have kept pretending I didn’t notice my real feelings, living with this vague haze forever.

And like Nitta-san warned, I’d end up like Dad—an unexploded bomb that missed its chance to go off.

Well, this time I didn’t, and here I am, clinging to Umi like a baby.

“Anyway, just lean on me without thinking for now. The rest can wait until you’ve slept well, eaten your fill, and gotten your energy back. You haven’t been sleeping much lately, have you?”

“Yeah. But now, I feel like I could sleep any second.”

“Really? Then just sleep here till morning. It’ll be a sleepover, but Mom and I will handle it.”

“…Okay.”

If Umi says it’s fine, I’ll let myself rely on her today.

As for the sleepover part, I’ll apologize to everyone at the Asanagi house tomorrow once I’ve regained my energy and composure.

That bowing practice I did with Nozomu might actually come in handy.

…I’m even joking around a bit now, so I guess I’m starting to relax.

“Good night, then… Thanks, Umi.”

“Yeah, good night, Maki.”

—Maki, I’ll always…

Whispered gently in my ear, I fall into a deep sleep in Umi’s arms.

…And just like that, morning comes.

In the bed of the girl I like.

Held by the girl I like, clinging to her like a toddler.

After restless nights all last week and yesterday, it’s the first time in a while I’ve slept so soundly.

I didn’t wake up once, and by the time I notice, it’s morning.

Perfect sleep, which is great, but—

In exchange, I’ve totally screwed up.

“…Hey.”

“Hey…”

When I open my eyes, Umi’s face is right there, smiling softly.

Just like yesterday, she’s ruffling my hair with gentle hands.

“Umi, what time is it?”

“Hm? Uh… a little past 8. Good thing it’s a day off. I wouldn’t have woken you even if it was a school day, though.”

“If you were up first, you could’ve gotten out of bed.”

“True, but moving would’ve woken you. Anyway, I only woke up an hour ago, and watching your sleeping face made time fly, so it’s fine.”

“Is that really fine?”

I might be the first person whose sleeping face could steal that much time.

“So, how was it, all things considered?”

“H-How was what?”

“Sleeping while clinging to my chest.”

“…That’s blunt.”

“Hehe. I figured I could ask now… So?”

“…Do I have to say it?”

“Not if you really don’t want to, but I’d be happy if you did.”

“I see.”

“Yup.”

It’s been half a day in this position, and now I’m suddenly shy, but if Umi wants to hear it—

“…Maki, your face is bright red. Now, of all times?”

“Sh-Shut up. I wasn’t exactly calm or thinking straight yesterday.”

“Sure, sure. So, your thoughts?”

“…Don’t laugh, or I’ll get mad.”

Looking away from Umi’s face, I mumble,

“It was… soft, and”

“And?”

“Warm, and”

“Yeah?”

“It… smelled nice… or, well—”

My face burns with embarrassment.

Even if Umi wanted me to say it, what am I even blurting out?

In front of the girl I like.

…I’m an idiot. I must still be shaken from yesterday.

“So, it was perfect for sleeping, huh? Then it was worth lending it to you.”

“…You’re not teasing me?”

“If you want teasing, I could poke at you about it for a week straight.”

“N-No, stop.”

I thought she’d call it perverted or something, but Umi’s been nothing but kind since last night.

No, too kind.

I’ve shown her such a pathetic, disgraceful side—something that could’ve made her despise me or give up on me—but every time, Umi hugs me, pats my head, and comforts me.

“…Umi, that’s too much. I haven’t done anything to deserve this from you.”

“That’s not true. You’ve done tons for me, Maki.”

Umi shakes her head at my words and continues.

“You might not realize it, but since we became friends, your kindness has saved me over and over. When I was struggling with Yuu, you stayed by my side, and that gave me the courage to make up with her. I didn’t end up alone. You did that for me, so I’m just doing the same… That’s all.”

So in Umi’s mind, we’re even, but still, doing this much for a guy who’s technically just a “friend” feels excessive—

“…We’re both bad at holding back, huh. Clumsy.”

“Hehe, yeah. You and I both go all out when it comes to spoiling each other.”

If I’m kind to Umi once, she doubles it back, and I triple it—our give-and-take will probably never balance out.

But maybe that’s okay for us.

Because we’ve long stopped being just “friends.”

“…Umi, can I lean on you a bit more? Got time?”

“Hehe. Geez, Maki, you’re hopeless… Well, you gave me your thoughts, so as a reward, I’ll grant one more request. What is it?”

“…About a kiss.”

Pushed by the sweet, private mood, I muster my courage and bring it up.

This time, it’s Umi’s cheeks that turn red.

“Hey, Umi, remember that morning last month when you answered my confession? When you kissed me on the cheek?”

“Yeah. That was… honestly, so embarrassing I can’t forget it.”

She’d said the lips would wait until we were really dating… back then.

Originally, I planned to bring this up on Christmas Eve. I’d confess properly this time, and we’d become real “lovers.”

But now, after all this, I feel like the timing’s right here.

I want to thank Umi for everything she’s done for me.

I want to get even closer.

To do that, I need to take one more step forward.

“Umi… Sorry for springing this on you right after waking up. But I want to do it now.”

“…Yeah, I figured. You’ve got that look. Yesterday you were like a little animal, but now you’re all fired up.”

“R-Really? If so, sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who’s sorry for dragging it out. …After yesterday and today, I’ve made up my mind too. I’m ready anytime.”

“…Thanks, Umi.”

“Hehe… Th-Then, let’s get up first.”

“Yeah.”

We pull apart from our closeness and sit facing each other on the bed, kneeling formally.

“Umi.”

“Hm…”

At my call, Umi quietly closes her eyes and puckers her lips slightly toward me.

All I have to do is lean in and meet her lips with mine.

“O-Okay, here I go.”

“Y-Yeah…”

Placing both hands on Umi’s shoulders, I slowly bring my face closer to hers, her cheeks flushed red.

My heart, calm when I woke up, is now pounding so loud it’s ringing in my ears.

I focus on Umi’s small lips to make sure I don’t miss.

“Umi, I—you’re—”

“Mm—”

Feeling each other’s breath on our lips, Umi and I—

“—Umi, Maki-kun? What are you two doing up there this morning?”

“…!”

Right as our lips nearly touch, Sora-san’s voice reaches us.

We creak our necks toward the head of the Asanagi household, and there’s Sora-san in her apron, standing tall with a smile.

“S-Sora-san…”

“M-Mom…?! W-Wait, k-knock on… the door first…”

“Huh? Did I knock? Of course I did! Breakfast’s ready, and it’s getting late, so I came to wake you. I knocked a bunch of times.”

Seems like Umi and I were so caught up we didn’t hear a thing.

And when she got suspicious and peeked in, she found her daughter and her friend (a boy) about to get busy first thing in the morning.

“…Umi, Maki-kun?”

“…Y-Yes.”

“After breakfast, we’re having a talk, okay?”

“…Yes.”

Looks like our kiss is on hold a little longer.

Umi and I head down to the living room and have breakfast before the lecture.

The main dish is miso soup made from yesterday’s leftover ingredients, plus white rice and tamagoyaki. The Asanagi family’s tamagoyaki is saltier and stronger-flavored than ours, probably due to Daichi-san’s taste, making it perfect with plain rice.

“Maki-kun, you couldn’t eat much yesterday, so now that you’re feeling better, you can eat a lot, right? You too, Umi.”

“Y-Yes. Thanks for the meal.”

“Y-Yeah.”

As Sora-san says, Umi and I eat quietly, finishing off even the fruit dessert. Everything was delicious, of course.

Afterward, Sora-san gently scolds us.

Umi takes most of the heat, but apparently, when she slept with me last night, the condition was “just sleeping, nothing else.” Sora-san convinced Daichi-san, then called my mom for permission.

That was the plan, but when she came to wake us—well, you know.

“Umi, you could’ve just told me if that was the case.”

“Well~ I thought a quick ‘chu’ wouldn’t get caught… And, uh, I wanted to… with Maki… you know?”

“I-I see.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“You two~?”

“Sorry!”

Seated formally in the tatami room next to the living room, we bow to Sora-san, who’s sitting across from us in the same position.

Her usual smile is there, but she’s clearly upset—her eyes are sharp.

Yeah, she’s scary.

“Alright, good. …I’m not saying you can’t kiss, okay? Just pick the right time and place.”

“Right. Otherwise, it might… escalate, or something.”

If it’s not just a kiss, we might get carried away and charge ahead.

“Hehe, exactly. Otherwise, it could get messy like it did for us—”

“? ‘Us’? Mom, what do you mean?”

Umi’s eyes dart between Sora-san in front of us and Daichi-san relaxing in the living room.

“Wait, did you have a phase like that too, Mom…?”

“…Well, yeah.”

Sora-san blushes slightly as she continues.

Her gaze lands on Daichi-san, obviously.

“Let’s see… I think it was our third year of high school. Dad came over to my place, and since my parents weren’t home—”

“—Mom, I’m getting hit by stray bullets here.”

“Oh, really? Must be your imagination.”

Sora-san brushes it off, but it seems the Asanagi couple had a similar slip-up in a situation like this.

Now that I think about it, they’re in their early to mid-40s, and Riku-san’s 25… It’s vague, but I can kinda guess what happened.

“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. To Maki-kun: ‘Pick the right place.’ To Umi: ‘Keep your promises,’ plus ‘Don’t get too swept up in the mood,’ ‘Don’t be too reckless,’ ‘Focus on entrance exams when you’re a senior,’ ‘Learn to cook already,’ and ‘While I’m still healthy—’”

“Whoa, whoa, I’ve got way too many! And past the third one, those can wait!”

But it’s proof Sora-san cares about us that much.

Since I’ll need to keep a good relationship with her going forward, I take it to heart on Umi’s behalf.

With Sora-san’s talk done, I start to let out a sigh of relief, but—

“—Maki-kun, let’s chat, just the two of us.”

“Hrk—”

My sigh gets sucked right back in.

“No need to be so scared. It’s just a little small talk.”

“I-Is it actually ‘small talk’ with fists or…?”

“No fists. Well, if you want them, I could oblige.”

“Normal, please!”

Daichi-san leads me to the Asanagi family’s garden. Umi stays with Sora-san, who remembered more to say.

Sitting under the eaves as a slight cold breeze blows, Daichi-san speaks.

“Last night, my wife and daughter filled me in a bit.”

“…About yesterday, I’m really sorry. I lost it.”

“It’s fine. Even adults like us can break down over stuff like that. For a high schooler—still a kid—and someone as sensitive and kind as you, holding it in alone must’ve been tough. …You did well, Maki-kun.”

“…Yes.”

Daichi-san’s big, rough hand rests on my head. His kindness seeps into my chest, and I nearly cry again, but I bite my lip to hold back and avoid looking too pathetic.

With a preface that he’s not in a position to meddle too much, Daichi-san continues.

“That said, I think you tried a bit too hard. It’s not bad to care about both your parents equally when it comes to the divorce, but completely bottling up your own feelings isn’t good. Push yourself too far, and your heart will burst eventually. You get that now, right?”

“…Yes.”

Yesterday’s tears were a perfect example. Umi being there saved me from the worst, but without her, I might’ve ended up an empty shell.

“Um… But even if I’d been selfish, it wouldn’t make Dad and Mom reconcile, right? If crying and whining now would just trouble them for no reason…”

“True. Like you said, Maki-kun, nothing would change. A kid’s words can only fix a minor spat. They’re long past that stage—that’s why it’s a divorce.”

“Then it really is pointless—”

“No, there’s meaning.”

“Huh?”

“If you cry, scream, and act selfish, at least your own heart will feel lighter.”

“Oh—”

Daichi-san’s words click perfectly.

Changing others through my actions is hard, but acting can definitely change me.

That’s probably what Daichi-san means.

“People say ‘think of others’ feelings,’ and that’s not a bad idea, but overdoing anything is no good. In the end, the only one who can save you is you, so it’s okay to act more true to your heart.”

“…But doesn’t that make your job tough, Daichi-san?”

“Yeah, it does. Private companies might be different, but at my workplace, selfishness is a no-go. It’s all situational, I guess.”

“True… Being an adult sounds complicated.”

“Yup. Society’s a messy place. And you’ve got plenty of time for that mess and unfairness after high school or college.”

So for now, it’s okay for me to be more selfish.

Daichi-san’s words give my faltering heart a boost of courage.

“That’s about it from me. I got a bit preachy meddling in someone else’s family, but I’d like to build a good relationship with you, Maki-kun, going forward. It’d make things easier for me too. Honestly, keeping up with my wife and daughter at this age is rough.”

“…I get that.”

This is probably something only Daichi-san and I can understand.

Umi and Sora-san are just that energetic.

“She’s pretty selfish and wild, but… Maki-kun, keep getting along with Umi, okay?”

“Yes. Looking forward to it.”

Daichi-san and I share a quiet, firm handshake.

From last night to today—sudden tears, a sleepover in Umi’s room, a near-kiss, and a scolding—it’s been an overly eventful revisit to the Asanagi house. But thanks to their kindness, I’ve managed to pull myself together.

After thanking Daichi-san, Sora-san, and Umi over and over (Riku-san was asleep, so I asked them to pass it on), I head home feeling refreshed.

“I’m back.”

I got a message from Mom earlier saying, “Heading out to shop,” so I know no one’s home, but I feel like saying it anyway.

Maybe because she’s off work, Mom’s smoking way more lately.

She’s trying to be considerate of me, but more than the smoke, it’s the pile of yellow cigarette packs in the trash that catches my eye.

“Mom was looking at the album…”

Next to the ashtray, the album we looked at before is open to a certain page, left out.

It’s a photo of the three of us—our family.

“…This takes me back.”

Probably from the Christmas just before I started elementary school.

With a small Christmas tree in the background, Dad and Mom have their arms around my shoulders while I hold a gift box tightly with both hands, grinning ear to ear and flashing a peace sign.

I had times like this too, once.

And probably, my heart’s still stuck as that boy who believed this happiness would last forever, unable to move forward.

Maybe Dad and Mom are too.

Like this old album, with nothing but blank pages after this.

“This picture’s really nice…”

Tracing the faded scene with my hand—probably from poor storage—I mutter to myself.

“I want to go back…”

Before I know it, tears spill from my eyes again.

…If I could, I’d love to live those happy days again.

Coming home from school to Mom cooking dinner, talking about the menu or school while Dad gets back, and the three of us eating together.

But no matter how hard I reach, it’ll never come back.

It’s been almost a year since Dad and Mom divorced. Just one year, but long enough for their hearts to drift apart.

Dad’s already got a new woman, and Mom and I are slowly adjusting to life now.

So saying it now is too late.

You can turn back a clock, but not the time we spent together.

So stop being a selfish kid and forget the past—

I get that way of thinking too.

But then, Daichi-san’s words echo in my ears.

—It’s okay to act more true to your heart.

“Yeah, that’s right. I can be more selfish.”

Being selfish now won’t bring back the past. I know that.

But if it helps me put my heart to rest,

if it lets the boy stuck in my childhood take a new step forward—

“…Yeah, I’ve decided.”

Wiping my wet cheeks with my sleeve, I close the album.

Christmas Eve is coming up.

On the day marking a year since their divorce, I’ll make it a turning point and take a new step with the people who care about me.

I grab my phone and start messaging my friends.

“—I’ve got a favor to ask.”