Chapter 4: The moon doesn’t appear during the day

“Nffu, so cute~”
A stag beetle scampers across the table. Its proudly curved horn, dark brown sturdy body, and thick legs are impressive.
“I could watch it forever.”
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved stag beetles, and every summer, I go to the woods on the outskirts of town to catch them. This one was caught early this morning when Dad took me to the woods.
“Hey, get up… oh? You’re already awake?”
Past eight, Misora comes to wake me up after morning radio exercises, but too bad, I’m already up today.
“Hey, Misora, morning.”
“Morning. Wow, you’re up early today… ugh!”
Misora glances at the table and takes a step back.
“W-What’s that?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? It’s a stag beetle. I caught it earlier.”
“Again…? Why’s it out of its cage? Put it back properly!”
“It’s fine. The windows are shut tight. Oh, close the door, will you? Wanna take a look, Misora? It’s cute.”
“No thanks, it’s creepy,” she says in a cold voice.
“It’s not creepy, it’s cute!”
“It’s creepy. Super creepy.”
Ugh, modern kids are so weak, it’s a problem.
“You can use it for your summer project, you know? I used to make a stag beetle observation diary every year.”
I pick up the stag beetle and hold it near Misora’s face.
What’s cute about stag beetles? They’re the kings of the forest, yet when you pick them up, they flail their legs in a panic, which is just adorable.
“Look, isn’t it cute?”
“Eek!”
Misora recoils like she’s been flicked.
“So dramatic.”
“I don’t want it! What’s the difference between that and a cockroach?”
“Right? Cockroaches and female stag beetles aren’t that different, huh?”
“That’s not what I meant… Oh, right. Yuu-san said he’d come over after changing.”
“Yuu-nii? Oh, got it.”
“Make sure you put it away, or it’ll escape.”
With that, Misora leaves.
Oh, right, Yuu-nii’s coming over today.
We’ve been working on a mystery novel together, and the rough plot is finally done, so I invited him to check it out. Brainstorming ideas together was so fun—it brought back childhood memories—and I was happy to spend time alone with Yuu-nii.
By the way, since Yuu-nii’s new to writing, I’m handling the plot and actual writing.
“Let’s see…”
I set the stag beetle on the table and head to my desk to grab my notebook and laptop.
I should put the beetle back in its cage. Yuu-nii’s bad with stag beetles—bugs in general, really. I remember when he fainted just because one got stuck to his face. That was hilarious. Thinking of those nostalgic summer memories, I smile.
“Come on, back to your home… huh?”
When I turn around, all I see is an empty table.
“What? …W-Wait, what?”
Cold sweat runs down my neck.
“…”
I definitely put the stag beetle on the table. Then I went to my desk to grab my notebook and laptop. That was maybe ten seconds…
“No way!”
In just ten seconds, the stag beetle vanished.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no!”
I check under the table—nothing. I lift cushions, look at the bed, flip through sheets, pillows, and blankets—no sign of the beetle.
“Ugh…”
This is bad.
I have to find it before Yuu-nii gets here. If he runs into it, he might faint again…
Luckily, the door and windows are closed, so it can’t have escaped. It’s definitely in this room somewhere. I peek under the bed.
“Hmm, not there.”
I stand on the bed, stretching to get a higher view of the room. A palm-sized creature moving should catch my eye.
But nothing in my field of vision moves. I strain my ears to catch any sound of footsteps, but there’s nothing like that either.
That little guy must be hiding in some shadow, waiting. Did it sense it’s being hunted?
Then, I hear a familiar engine sound outside.
“Oh no, he’s here!”
It’s Yuu-nii’s car. This is bad. I hurry and move the cage to the balcony.
“Hey, Yuu-kun,” my mom’s voice comes from downstairs. A few seconds later, Yuu-nii opens the door.
“I’m here, Miya.”
“Oh, hey, Yuu-nii, morning.”
“What’s up? You’re sweating.”
“Huh? Oh, it’s just, you know, summer. It’s hot.”
“The AC’s blasting, though. You okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Yuu-nii sits on a cushion between the table and bed.
“Man, I was shocked yesterday. Who would’ve thought Shimomura and Tatsuki-chan were mother and daughter?”
“Haha, yeah…!”
Oh no. Of all times, it shows up now…
On the third shelf of the bookcase by the door—the foreign mystery collection section—it’s there. If Yuu-nii looks slightly to his left, he’ll see it. It’s about a meter away.
Calm down, me. I know where it is. All I need to do is catch it. Quietly, slowly, so Yuu-nii doesn’t notice.
“Your bed’s a mess. Bad sleeper, huh?”
“Huh? No, there’s a reason for that… Anyway, here, Yuu-nii, take a look.”
I hand him the laptop and show him the plot I wrote up in Word.
“Thanks.”
“I made a rough flow from the incident to the resolution.”
“Nice, nice.”
Yuu-nii stares at the screen intently. Now’s my chance. While his eyes are glued to the laptop, I’ll catch it quick.
I casually move toward the bookcase.
Good, good, it’s in front of The Roman Hat Mystery now. Stay there. I approach slowly, careful not to startle it. I’ll grab it, slip out to the balcony without Yuu-nii seeing, and put it in the cage. That’s all.
Then, the door hits the right side of my head.
Thud.
“Guh!”
“Yuu-kun, want some tea? Miya, what are you doing in front of the door?”
Mom’s brought drinks.
“Ouch!”
“Thanks, I’ll take it.”
“Ow, ow…”
“Miya, clumsy as ever.”
Ugh, who do you think I’m doing this for? So oblivious.
Yuu-nii’s distracted by the commotion and hasn’t noticed the beetle.
Good boy, good boy. Stay there…
I endure the pain and crawl toward the bookcase.
One meter to go.
Fifty centimeters.
Thirty centimeters.
Then, I lock eyes with the stag beetle—or so it feels.
A bad feeling hits me.
Please, just stay still.
Buzz, its wings open.
And it takes off.
“What was that sound… whoa!?”
“Oh no, no, no!”
The stag beetle flies around the room. Yuu-nii panics, flailing in surprise.
“Why’s there a stag beetle here!?”
Fair question.
“Come down here!”
I climb onto the bed, chasing it.
The beetle, circling the room, suddenly dives toward Yuu-nii.
“Ugh!”
“Kyaa!”
Yuu-nii instinctively jumps onto the bed, hugging me from behind tightly. His face is so close.
He smells nice. His arms are strong, and it feels… nostalgic.
“Hey, Yuu-nii, where are you touching!?”
His hand’s on my chest, but he’s too freaked out to notice, hugging me even tighter.
“Ugh, come on… eek!”
“Miya, catch it quick!”
“Let go of me first!”
Yuu-nii’s hands move across my body.
“Eep!”
“Uoooh!”
It takes fifteen minutes to calm Yuu-nii down and catch the beetle.

2

Soon after opening, the bell chimes ding-dong.
“Welcome!”
I head to greet the first customer of the day, and there’s Shimomura Hikari. She’s wearing a white blouse, light-colored jeans, and arm covers to protect from the sun.
“Hey, Shimomura.”
“Working hard, Aritsuki-kun?”
“I’m here too!”
Tatsuki pops out from behind Hikari.
“Tatsuki-chan’s here too, huh?”
She’s wearing a cap with a Pre○Cure design, a black T-shirt, and shorts—an energetic outfit. With a backpack on, she’s probably on her way somewhere fun. The Shimomura mother and daughter settle at the counter.
“It’s been a while since I came here.”
Tatsuki looks around the shop curiously.
“Here you go.”
I serve Hikari a cider and Tatsuki a cola.
“Phew, ugh… cough, this hits the spot!”
Tatsuki chugs the cola and chokes a bit.
“Hey, don’t drink like that, silly.”
“Okay!”
Hikari gently scolds her, looking every bit the mother. Right, she is a mother. I found out they’re parent and child at the shrine festival the day before yesterday, and the shock still hasn’t worn off.
After a breather, Tatsuki pulls a sketchbook from her backpack.
“Oh, Tatsuki-chan, what’s that?”
Mom leans over from behind the counter.
“This?”
“It’s for her summer project, right?”
“Yup, I’m making a guide map of our town, Fujinomiya.”
Tatsuki proudly shows the first page, with “Our Town, Fujinomiya” written in colorful letters.
“A map?”
“Shiraito Falls, Makaino Farm, Sengen-san, I’ve visited tons of places.”
She flips through the pages, showing photos, pamphlet clippings, and her thoughts written in light-colored pencils. By the way, locals call Asama Shrine “Sengen-san.”
“Yesterday, I went to the Strange Stone Museum.”
“Nice, maybe you can include us too.”
“Yup, that’s why I came today. Can I include Moonlight Terrace?”
“Of course, right?”
Mom glances at Dad, who smiles and nods.
“Yay, thank you!”
Tatsuki starts taking photos of the shop’s exterior and interior.
“She’s doing some serious stuff.”
Was summer homework ever this intense? Thinking back, I did things like a mini-tomato plant observation diary or a report on a Gun○am factory tour.
“It’s a two-birds-one-stone deal—she gets to play while doing her homework.”
I see, using the project as an excuse to get taken to fun places. Tatsuki’s pretty clever.
“I get it.”
“We’re heading to the World Heritage Center next,” Hikari says.
“Oh, that big building? I’ve never been inside.”
While I was in Tokyo, Mount Fuji became a World Heritage Site, and they built that place to commemorate it. I only learned about the designation after coming back, and it shocked me.
“It was built while you were in Tokyo, Aritsuki-kun. Wanna come with us?”
“Yuu-san’s coming too? Yay!”
“Is that okay?”
“No customers yet, so go ahead,” Mom says.
With Mom’s permission, I leave the shop with the Shimomura duo.
In the city center, south of Asama Shrine, stands the peculiar building. Its exterior, like an inverted cone with a square plate on top, is meant to represent an upside-down Mount Fuji. Reflected in the water in front, it’s designed to look like the mountain. A giant torii gate faces the road, full of impact.
Tatsuki snaps photos of the building’s exterior.
I hear it was completed in 2017. Thinking back to that time, nothing special comes to mind. For the past ten years, work consumed all my time, leaving no room for events—just monotonous days.
We enter, pay the admission fee, and get tickets and pamphlets. Kids get in free.
“Wow, this is cool.”
Inside, there’s a giant cone with a gentle spiral slope leading up.
“Let’s go!”
With Tatsuki in the lead, we climb the slope. It’s dimly lit and spiraled.
“Whoa.”
A projector displays images on the right wall.
“Look, Tatsuki, that’s Mount Fuji from the sea.”
The images change every few seconds, showing Fuji from various places. As we go up, forest scenery starts appearing.
“Nice vibe.”
Bird calls echo from somewhere. It really feels like walking in the mountains… I get it, it’s a simulated Fuji climb. Cool concept.
Photography’s prohibited inside, so Tatsuki takes notes in the dim light.
“Have you ever climbed Mount Fuji, Yuu-san?”
“Not to the summit, but I went up to Hoeyama in elementary school.”
As a Boy Scout—Cub Scout from third to fifth grade—I joined summer camps and climbed from Fuji’s fifth station to Hoeyama’s crater.
“Hoeyama’s that bump on the right side?”
“Yup.”
“Wow, cool.”
“I’ve been to the summit, though,” Hikari says.
“Don’t one-up me!”
“Haha.”
The scenery shifts to the harsh environment above the tree line—rugged rocks, clouds below, Fujinomiya’s night view, sights only climbers see.
Finally, we reach the summit.
“Goal!”
We emerge into a wide space with chairs and a vending machine, perfect for a break.
“There’s an exit over there.”
The north side has a glass wall leading to a rooftop terrace with a grand view of Mount Fuji. Stepping out with Tatsuki, the harsh morning sun beats down.
Tourists snap photos, and it feels like the real Fuji welcomes those who completed the simulated climb.
But—
“You can see it better from the Ion rooftop.”
Kids say exactly what they think.
“Hey, Tatsuki!”
“Haha, I kinda get it.”
Living in Fujinomiya, where Fuji’s visible from anywhere, we don’t fully appreciate it.
Tatsuki, either bored or overwhelmed by the heat, takes one photo of Fuji and heads back inside.
“Mama, can I buy juice?”
“Sure.”
Hikari follows Tatsuki with her wallet. I stay to look a bit longer. The deep blue mountainside, clouds around Hoeyama hiding its distinct bump.
“Hey, Yuu-san!”
Tatsuki runs up.
“Whoa, careful!”
She stumbles forward, so I catch her.
“You okay?”
“Hehe, thanks. Here.”
She hands me a tea.
“Huh? For me?”
“Yup, Mama said to give it to you.”
“Thanks. Hey, let’s take a photo with Fuji in the background.”
“Really?”
Tatsuki stands right by the fence, making a peace sign. I snap a few shots, and an elderly woman nearby turns to me.
“Such an energetic daughter!”
“Huh?”
Tatsuki and I both freeze. Did she think we’re parent and child?
“No, it’s not like that, this kid is—”
As I try to explain, Tatsuki cuts me off.
“Papa, just kidding!”
“Hey, Tatsuki-chan!”
“Hehe.”
Tatsuki, looking embarrassed, takes the camera and heads inside.
“Papa, huh…”
First time I’ve been called that. I know it’s a joke, but it feels awkward, ticklish even. Hikari and I are the same age, so having a kid Tatsuki’s age isn’t impossible, but still.
I head back inside and join them. Tatsuki’s grinning, scribbling her thoughts in her notebook.
“Hey, Shimomura, let me pay for the tea.”
“It’s fine, it’s just a drink. So, what were you talking about outside?”
“Uh…”
She saw us. I think husband talk is off-limits. I scramble for an excuse.
“Just, you know, how it’s still hot out—”
“Someone thought Yuu-san was my papa!”
“Hey, Tatsuki-chan!”
Even Hikari gives an awkward laugh.
“R-Really? Haha, sorry about that, Aritsuki-kun.”
“It’s fine by me.”
“Really?”
It didn’t get too awkward, so that’s good. We grab a light meal at the first-floor café before heading back.

＊

Wherever I went, it was with friends or Mom.
I’d never had an adult man my mom’s age in my daily life. Grandpa doesn’t feel like a dad, and the guys at Mom’s company have scary faces. I’ve lived happily enough without a father, but today felt fresh and fun.
Maybe this is what having a dad is like, Tatsuki thought.

3

“Nooo, I’ll be good, don’t go!”
Tears streaming down my face, I pull on Yuu-nii’s hand. Miya and Asaka, faces wet too, cling to him, shouting to keep him here.
“I won’t play pranks anymore, please don’t go!”
A kid’s weak strength can’t hold Yuu-nii back.
“No! No!”
“I’ll definitely come back.”
Yuu-nii said that, and I woke up.
“Ugh, a dream.”
I sit up, looking at the sunlight streaming through the window. I’m drenched in sweat. Must be from that bad dream. It’s been a while since I dreamt of that farewell day.
“Phew.”
I get out of bed, grab a change of clothes and a towel, and head to the bathroom. A hot shower washes away the nightmare. To think I’d dream of that now—what’s wrong with me? Yuu-nii’s back now, so it’s fine.
“…Yuu-nii.”
My heart feels warm. You only realize what’s precious when you lose it. After that farewell, it felt like a hole opened in my heart, and I couldn’t focus on anything. I was always distracted, thinking of Yuu-nii. But thinking of him made me sad, so I’d try to focus on something else, but I couldn’t, and he’d come back to my mind.
It was sad, lonely, and for a while after he left, just living each day was painful. The worst part was realizing, after he went to Tokyo, that I liked him.
Every morning, I wished it was all a bad dream. That if I went to Moonlight Terrace, Yuu-nii would be there, and our noisy days would return.
But reality didn’t change, and I spent my days bored without him.
Still, there was hope.
Even as a working adult, he’d have vacations. Adults told me he’d come back for Golden Week or summer holidays. So I decided to be good and not trouble him anymore.
But Yuu-nii never came back. “Next time,” “Next time,” I kept hoping, only to be let down, and slowly, I started to feel angry.
Why won’t you come back?
You promised.
Do we not matter to you?
The anger built up, but I couldn’t hate him. It would’ve been easier if I could.
Loving him made it painful.
My feelings didn’t fade; they grew, tormenting me.
“Phew, refreshed.”
I dry my hair, eat breakfast, and return to my room.
I change into practice clothes, apply sunscreen, put on a tracksuit, roll up the sleeves, and put a wristband on my left hand.
Ready, I check my phone and see a Line from Yuu-nii. He was hesitant about read receipts at first, but Miya and I convinced him to start using it.
“Camp starts today, right?”
“Yup.”
“Do your best.”
“I will.”
He sends a macho pig flexing sticker.
“Pfft, what’s this sticker?”
These casual chats are fun. The everyday life with Yuu-nii I craved for ten years. I don’t want to lose this normal happiness again.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I arrive at school. It’s not a faraway camp; we just extend practice hours and stay at the school’s lodging, Hokureikan. With a kitchen, bedrooms, separate baths for boys and girls, and a meeting room, it’s well-equipped, so our school’s camps are held here.
“Alright, everyone, let’s give it our all for the next three days!”
“Yes!” everyone responds in unison.
We drop our bags at Hokureikan and head to the gym. The sun’s strong. The soccer team’s practicing briskly on the field, and we pass students attending summer classes or other clubs.
I rub my wristband, slap my cheeks to psych myself up.
“Let’s do this!”
Practice, lunch, then more practice. Hit, jump, bounce, dodge, jump again. By sunset, everyone’s exhausted.
I gulp sports drink and wipe sweat with a towel. Sweat’s pooling in my cleavage—gross. I want a bath.
After cleaning the gym, we return to Hokureikan.
“Oh, it’s Mickun!”
“The soccer team just finished too.”
On the way back, the first-years glance at the soccer team boys and stop. Seems some have boyfriends there.
“Come on, keep moving.”
“Yes… Oh, Ryuushaku-senpai, a guy in our class, Takamoto, said he’s interested in you. He’s in the soccer team, number fifteen with the yellow vest over there.”
“Who cares? Let’s get back and shower.”
“No, no, Takamoto’s tall and—”
I push the first-years along.
“Just hear him out sometime. He’s serious, a rare hot-blooded type these days—”
“Not interested. Move it!”
“Yes!”

＊

“Phew, feels good.”
I take a bath before dinner. The hot water soaks into my tired body.
“Hanayama-senpai trained here too, huh?” a first-year mutters.
Hanayama must mean Koharu Hanayama. A national team player and star in a corporate team, Koharu Hanayama is an alumna of our Kita High. I think her team’s in Kyushu or somewhere.
“We’re having the same experience as Koharun right now, right?”
“That’s wild!”
Kita High has produced many famous athletes, but Koharu Hanayama’s the most popular, with tons of fans among the younger students.
“Whoa, Mahhi, did they grow again!?”
“No way!”
“Hey, don’t grab them!”
Kaori and others hug me from behind.
“They’re practically floating!”
“My hands are in heaven!”
“Stop, it tickles!”
“What do you eat to get these so big?”
Kaori asks with a dead-serious face.
“How should I know!”
I splash them with bathwater.
After the bath, we make katsu curry for dinner. I eat two plates to refuel. I wanted another, but I can’t fall asleep during the meeting—it’d kill morale if the captain’s dozing.
We hold a meeting in the first-floor conference room, and the day finally ends.
Slipping into my futon, I check my phone and see messages from Yuu-nii and the others in our four-person chat, “Morning, Noon, Night, and Moon.” It used to be just “Morning, Noon, Night” for me, Miya, and Asaka, but we invited Yuu-nii when he started Line.
“Hehe.”
Looks like Yuu-nii went to the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center for the first time today. He didn’t even know Fuji was a World Heritage Site until he came back—how busy was he over there?
“Mahhi.”
Kaori slips into my futon.
“Whoa, what’s up?”
“Hehe, camp nights are for love talk, right?”
Before I know it, the third-years have gathered. Why are they so obsessed with other people’s love lives?
“So, Horaguchi from Class 2 confessed to Togami-chan.”
“Wait, didn’t Horaguchi have a first-year girlfriend?”
“They broke up, apparently. And, well, he got rejected hard.”
“As expected of the Ironclad Maidens.”
It’s almost past eleven. We’ve been chatting for an hour despite tomorrow’s 6 a.m. wakeup. We had intense practice today, yet they’ve got so much energy.
“Speaking of Ironclad Saintesses, we’ve got one here too.”
“Right, right.”
“So, Mahhi, what’s up?”
They turn to me.
“Huh?”
“Got any guys you’re into? Be real, there’s gotta be at least one guy you think is nice.”
“Spill the beans.”
“Nope, I’m not into that stuff.”
“Drop the act, you’ve got someone, right?”
“Nope.”
“Liar.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why do you sometimes stare at your wristband all spaced out? Who’re you thinking about?”
“Huh? W-What!?”
My whole body heats up.
“That reaction—you’re totally into a guy!”
Oh no.
“Spill it.”
“No way, Mahhi, you actually like someone?”
They crowd in.
“No guy could resist if Mahhi confessed!”
“Go for it!”
This is bad, help!
“Hey, how long are you all staying up!?”
The door flies open, and our advisor’s angry voice echoes.
“Lights out at ten! Upperclassmen, act like it!”
“Crap!”
“Yikes!”
“Going to sleep!”
The team scatters to their futons.
“Jeez.”
The teacher turns off the light. Saved. I pull the covers over me. Closing my eyes, Yuu-nii’s face appears. I don’t dream of dating him—that’s too much to hope for. Being his girlfriend would be amazing, but…
“…”
If I let these feelings out, our current relationship would probably end. There’s no guarantee he’d accept me.
Love doesn’t work one-way.
If he rejected me, I couldn’t go on. I can’t get greedy. I’m finally with Yuu-nii again.
That’s enough.
Just being near him is enough. I’m satisfied. I want to stay by his side, laughing together, forever. The pain from ten years ago, when he vanished, is still a trauma. I don’t want to be apart again.
I don’t want to be apart. I don’t want to be apart. I don’t want to be apart. I don’t want to be apart.
I’ll do anything, just let me stay by your side forever, Yuu-nii.
The next morning.
“Ugh, hm?”
I wake up to find my teammates surrounding me. They’re all in pajamas, looking worried.
What? Did something happen?
I look around.
“Jeez, you scared me. What’s up?”
“You were crying, Mahhi,” Kaori says.
“Huh?”
“You were crying in your sleep, so we got worried.”
“Me, crying?”
“Yeah, and you were tossing and turning.”
“I wasn’t crying…”
Now that she mentions it, my eyes feel a bit irritated, and my pillow’s slightly damp. Did I have a dream that made me cry? I try to recall it but stop.
It was a dream about Yuu-nii going away.
“Mahhi, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Probably just yawned and teared up or something.”
I get up, forcing a cheerful voice. The captain can’t let the team worry.
“Come on, get ready, let’s eat breakfast.”
We fold up the futons and file out of the room.
There’s no way I’d be separated from Yuu-nii again. What’s the part of my brain that controls dreams thinking?
Yuu-nii’s not going anywhere.
He’s with us forever.

4

August 9th.
“Ugh, Dad, drive a bit quieter!”
“What’s that, Miya? You’re messing with your laptop in the car?”
“I’m writing a novel. Don’t look—look at the road! It’s dangerous!”
“Which is it?”
“Focus on driving!”
God, Dad’s car shakes so much. My hand slipped and hit enter in a weird spot. I wonder what Yuu-nii’s doing. Mahiru’s at camp since yesterday, and Asaka—
“Ah!”
“What’s with the loud voice?”
“N-Nothing!”
If Asaka’s alone with Yuu-nii, she might go wild without us watching. She’s been acting like a kid again since reuniting with him after ten years. Better send a Line to be safe.
“Man, the road’s empty today. Oh, a 180! Nostalgic.”
The car enters the Tomei Expressway. Today’s destination is an open campus at a university in Shizuoka City. I’m a bit nervous with Dad as my chaperone.

＊

“Miya-chan’s at open campus, Mahhi’s at camp since yesterday…”
Which means,
“Ufufufufu.”
I can’t help but drool. Today, I get to spend the whole day alone with Yuu-nii. And he said he’s off work too.
“Fufu, ufufufu.”
I go to the window and open the curtains. The green garden stretches out, and cicadas and birds chirp from the woods beyond. The sun’s strong today—super hot.
I grab my phone and send a Line.
“Yuu-nii, you awake?”
A pig giving a thumbs-up sticker comes back.
“I wanna hang out.”
“Cool.”
“I’m coming over now.”
“It’s hot, I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks ♡.”
I strip off my pajamas. Ping, a message from Miya-chan.
“Asaka, don’t do anything weird to Yuu-nii.”
“I know, I know.”
“Ufufu.”

＊

I climb the long hill to the Gendoji house. No cars in the parking lot. I park the Civic and head to the entrance.
“Yuu-nii, good morning!”
“Hey… what’s with that outfit?”
Asaka’s in a thin camisole and thigh-revealing shorts.
“It’s hot. It’s summer.”
“Sure, but you can’t go out like that.”
“It’s just for the house, so it’s fine. Come in. Have some tea first.”
“Thanks… the AC’s blasting, huh?”
I’m led to Asaka’s room.
“Barley tea okay?”
“Yeah, thanks…”
Asaka leans forward to serve, her camisole’s low neckline almost revealing too much. I quickly look away.
She’s way too unguarded. I’m a guy, you know. I’m glad she trusts me, but being so carefree in a room with a guy—she’s gonna worry me in the future.
Trying not to show I’m conscious of it, I grab the barley tea and take a sip.
“Phew, delicious.”
Asaka pours her own tea and sits next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder. A sweet scent wafts from her. She sniffs.
“Yuu-nii, did you shower?”
“Yeah, I played basketball with Misora-chan and the others this morning.”
“Oh… too bad.”
“What?”
“We’re all alone today.”
“Yeah, Miya’s with Tatchan at open campus, and Mahiru’s at camp.”
“By the way, the maids are off too.”
“Really?”
“Just the two of us, for real.”
Was that detail necessary?
I turn on the TV, and a morning show’s doing a camping special.
“Camping, huh? Looks fun.”
“It’d be great if we all went.”
“Yeah, let’s talk to Miya and Mahiru about doing one at Fumotoppara or something.”
The northwest part of town has tons of campsites.
“It’s an anime pilgrimage site now. It was the setting for a camping anime.”
“Oh?”
Didn’t know my hometown got famous.
“You’re into anime, huh, Asaka?”
“My school friends got me into it—”
We chat casually. The show shifts to a viewer pet segment. “Oh,” Asaka says, standing up. I watch as she leaves the room.
“I’ve got something good, wait a sec.”
A few minutes later, Asaka crawls back in like a baby, wearing dog-ear headbands and a leather collar around her slim neck.
“Woof, woof!”
“Whoa!”
She leaps at me.
“What’s with that getup?”
Second time I’ve said that today.
“Hehe, I found it cleaning the storage room. Remember? Miya-chan brought it when we played house way back.”
“Now that you mention it…”
I dig through my memories. Right, there was something like that.
“I was supposed to be the dog, right?”
We did rock-paper-scissors to decide, and Asaka was picked, but putting a collar on a first-grade girl seemed wrong, so I took the role instead. And got misunderstood for it…
Asaka’s a third-year high schooler now. A collar shouldn’t look that bad… no, it does.
“What do you think?”
What do I think? I have no idea how to respond.
“Woof!”
Asaka leans into me.
“When a dog cuddles up, you pet it, right?”
“…Alright, there, there.”
I pat her head. Her silky hair feels nice under my fingers.
“Woof.”
If Asaka had a tail, it’d be wagging like crazy. Her clinginess isn’t getting better—it’s worse.
Having a high school girl wear dog ears and a collar, petting her like a dog—if she wasn’t like a little sister, this would be insanely inappropriate and criminal.
“You’re really like a dog.”
“Woof.”
Asaka takes my hand, brings it to her mouth, and presses it to her peach-colored lips.

“Huh?”
A soft, squishy sensation brushes my fingertip, and then,
“Smooch.”
“What!?”
She starts licking. She’s carefully licking the tip of my index finger. Asaka’s tongue feels warm, soft, and pleasant… no, wait.
“Hey, Asaka!”
Dogs lick their owner’s hands or face, but this is too much.
“Stop it!”
“Smooch, slurp.”
“Asaka!”
“Woof.”
Asaka doesn’t stop. If I pull away too forcefully, she might think I’m rejecting her.
Wait a sec? She’s a dog right now, so…
“Asaka, sit.”
“Woof.”
Asaka pulls back and sits down on the spot, striking a sitting pose. She gazes at me with dreamy eyes.
“Paw.”
“Woof.”
“Beg.”
“Woof.”
This is getting kinda weird.
“Asaka, it’s about time. Shall we head out?”
“Yes, walkies, right? I’ll get the leash.”
“No way!”
Taking a high school girl out on a leash would definitely get me reported. Memories of various misunderstandings from the past flash through my mind.
“Come on, dog playtime’s over.”
“Okay!”
Asaka removes the dog ears and places them on the table. Finally, it’s done. I haven’t even left the room, but I feel exhausted.

“Where do you wanna go?”
“Anywhere’s fine. As long as I’m with Yuu-nii, it’ll be fun.”
“Hmm, how about a drive then?”
“Sure.”
“But first, change into proper clothes.”
“Got it.” Asaka grabs a summer knit from the closet and puts it on over her camisole. Her collarbone’s visible, but this level of exposure should be fine.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah, but… take off the collar too!”

＊

An hour later.
We’re driving along Mount Fuji’s climbing route. There’s a spot on the Fuji Skyline with a view of the city, so we decided to have lunch there while driving. We grab Mc○nald’s at a drive-thru and head to our destination.
On a winding uphill road, there’s a spot on the shoulder facing a slope to the left. The trees have been cleared, offering an unobstructed view of the city below. The air’s clear today, and you can see all the way to Suruga Bay in the south and even the Izu Peninsula beyond. The buildings look like tiny specks. The faint blue of the sea is gentle on the eyes.
“Nice view, huh?”
“Yup.”
“That forest over there must be Sengen-san. Oh, that’s City Hall, right?”
“Your house is probably around there, Asaka.”
Looking down at our town from Mount Fuji like this makes me feel like a god or something.
“Yuu-nii, let’s eat.”
“Yeah.”
“Here, say ‘ahh.’”
Asaka holds out a double cheeseburger.
“Hey, Asaka, I can eat on my own.”
“I’ll feed you.”
“Huh?”
“Go ahead.”
Asaka holds the burger with both hands. I lean in.
“…Munch. Delicious.”
From the burger to fries, nuggets, and even the drink, Asaka feeds me everything. I feel like a kid.
“But this way, you can’t eat, Asaka.”
“You can feed me my share, Yuu-nii.”
“What?”
Asaka opens her mouth.
Feeding each other like this feels like something a lovey-dovey couple fresh in love would do.
“Yuu-nii, I’m starving.”
“Alright, alright.”
I peel the wrapper off a teriyaki Mc○ and hold it to her mouth.
“Munch. Tasty.”
“Good.”
“Everything tastes good when I’m with Yuu-nii.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Asaka always exaggerates. Saying stuff like that could make a guy get the wrong idea. She’s like a little sister to me, so I shouldn’t think of her that way, but…
That aside, Mc○nald’s tastes amazing outdoors, especially in a place with a view like this.
So, we feed each other, enjoying a fulfilling (?) lunch.

＊

So fun. So much fun.
Everything sparkles when I’m with Yuu-nii, no matter what I’m looking at, doing, or where I am.
“Asaka, let’s head out.”
“Okay.”
We return to the city and head to I○n. It’s a weekday afternoon, but it’s packed.
I link my arm with Yuu-nii’s. It’s rugged and wonderful. He must’ve been hot earlier—there’s a faint smell of sweat. Nice smell…
I wonder if people think we’re a couple. Let’s get a bit closer. I press my chest against him, and his body jolts.
Cute.
“Asaka, it’s hard to walk when you’re clinging like that.”
“Okay.”
Since camping came up this morning, we stop by an outdoor shop.
“Wow, there are so many kinds of tents.”
“For four people, this size should work.”
“Yuu-nii, you’re planning to share a tent with us?”
“What!? No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Ufufu, I’m okay with it.”
“Asaka, stop teasing.”
“If anything, let’s buy two smaller tents and split up—Miya-chan and Mahhi-chan in one, you and me in the other.”
“Asaka, enough with the jokes.”
“Okay.”
I wasn’t joking, though.
Yuu-nii heads to the small items section.
“Drinking coffee from a wooden mug like this would be great. Under the stars, by a campfire, sipping hot coffee.”
Yuu-nii seems to like that kind of scene. Romantic and cool.
“Oh, look, matching mugs!”
Wooden cups with red and blue hearts carved on them.
“Those are for couples.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
A store clerk approaches us.
“You can have names engraved on these.”
“Really?”
“Yes, we can add your boyfriend’s and girlfriend’s names in English under the hearts.”
Boyfriend and girlfriend… So everyone does see us as a couple. My heart feels like it’s burning, and my cheeks melt into a smile.
“Huh? No, but…”
“Yuu-nii, let’s do it!”
“No, an old guy and a high school girl buying matching mugs feels kinda criminal.”
“You’re not an old guy, Yuu-nii.”
“Around thirty is old. Besides, we haven’t even decided on camping. Sorry, we’re good. Let’s go.”
“Muu.”
Yuu-nii worries too much about appearances. I’d do anything for him, but he’s always so guarded, caring about what others think. Who cares how others see us? As long as we’re happy.
Maybe it’s because of all those misunderstandings in the past. We almost got in trouble with the police a bunch of times.
“Yuu-nii.”
“Hm?”
“No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, so it’s okay.”
“Thanks… what’re we talking about?”

＊

“Okay, break time. We resume at one.”
I’m exhausted. My practice clothes are soaked with sweat.
Hearing the noon bell, we return to Hokureikan. On the second day of camp, practice gets even tougher. Gotta eat well to recharge.
Stepping outside, the breeze feels nice despite the heat.
“Oh, Mahhi, go ahead.”
As we leave the gym, Kaori slips away from the group. Wondering what’s up, I see a male student appear from behind the school building. It’s the guy from the public pool.
“That’s Kaorin’s boyfriend.”
“Huh? He’s super hot!”
“But kinda scrawny, no?”
“Hmm, not really my type.”
“What’s your take, Mahhi?”
“Huh?”
Since they asked, I observe the two.
“Looks good, right? They both seem happy.”
“Really? But look closer—Kaorin’s taller than him.”
“Oh, you’re right.”
“A guy shorter than me is a bit…”
“No way, height doesn’t matter.”
When I say that, the vice-captain, Chisato Omiya, gets serious.
“No, no, it’s a big factor. If you wear heels, the gap gets bigger. And guys definitely care about people’s stares or feel intimidated if the girl next to them is taller.”
Chisato’s 175 cm and pretty tall, so I can sense her own struggles.
“Mahhi, you wouldn’t date a guy shorter than you, right?”
“Nah, I don’t care about that stuff.”
“Really?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Hey, you all, get to lunch or you’ll run out of break time!”
The advisor yells from inside, urging the team on.
“Crap, let’s go.”
Height difference, huh.
I’m 176 cm now—pretty tall for a girl, or even among guys. Yuu-nii’s probably around 170 cm.
I passed him in height in ten years, when he used to seem so big. I don’t care about height differences, but do guys?
Does Yuu-nii dislike girls taller than him? But we’re not even dating, so thinking about this is pointless.
Still…
Lunch ended up being a brooding affair.
That night, during bath time, I ask Kaori.
“Hey, Kaori.”
“What?”
“About your boyfriend…”
“Huh? B-Boyfriend? W-What’re you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. You snuck off to meet him during lunch break.”
“Huh? You saw?”
“Everyone knows.”
“Seriously!?”
Her tone sounds grim, but Kaori looks kind of happy, blushing shyly.
“Yeah, so, you’re taller than him, right?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
“So, like, how’s that?”
“How’s what?”
Kaori looks genuinely puzzled.
“No, like, doesn’t it feel weird when the girl’s taller, or…”
I can’t find the right words.
“I mean, who cares about height?”
“Really?”
“We don’t care at all. Oh, Mahhi, you’re tall, so you’re worried about that, huh?”
“Not really…”
Yuu-nii’s face pops into my head.
“If you like each other, height doesn’t matter at all.”
“I see.”
But that’s just Kaori and her boyfriend’s opinion.
“I get it, I get it. The guy you like is shorter than you, huh?”
“Huh? No way!”
“That’s totally what this conversation’s about.”
“It’s not!”
“Hey, everyone, Mahhi’s love life—splash!”
I splash water on Kaori’s face.
What about Yuu-nii? Would he not see a tall girl as a romantic option?