The feelings of sisters [Aisa’s Perspective]

What are you up to right now?

Just started on homework. You?

I’m starting homework too.

Nice, let’s both keep at it, yeah?

Yup.

Messaging with Kouki. It used to be hard to send him casual texts like this, but lately, he’s been replying when I reach out.

I’m glad, honestly. I’ve realized that the time when I couldn’t talk to Kouki felt pretty lonely.

“No, that’s not it! I don’t just want to chat about random stuff like this!”

Sure, it’s great that we can message so easily now, but today’s not about that!

“And I even lied about doing homework…”

I feel a pointless pang of guilt while rolling around on my bed, clutching my phone.

“Ha… a date, huh…”

Right. I recall the advice Rikako and the others gave me.

“How am I supposed to invite him on a date all formally at this point?!”

I take out my frustration on my bear plushie, squirming, when a voice calls from the next room.

“Onee-chan! I’ve got some great news!”

“What’s up, Manami?”

Manami dives onto a cushion the moment I let her into my room. She’s as adorable as ever, unchanged, though I do wonder when she’ll finally calm down a bit.

Still, I was eager to hear this “great news” of hers.

“Listen, listen! Kouki-nii’s coming to stay over!”

“Is he…?”

I mean, we kinda let him crash here last time, but why again this time…?

“I asked him to! It’s a study camp with a tutor!”

“A study camp…?”

Staying over just for that feels like a lot, but knowing Manami, she probably strong-armed him into it…

Sorry, Kouki…

“So, how long’s he staying?”

“Hmm, two nights, maybe three?”

That’s pretty long.

And…

“Why isn’t it decided yet…?”

“Uh… until I finish my homework, I guess?”

Got it… Well, it’s impressive that she’s aiming to finish everything quickly, but poor Kouki getting dragged along…

Oh well.

He seems to have fun hanging out with Manami, at least.

But with me… how does he feel?

He said he enjoys it, so it’s fine… right?

Yeah, let’s say it’s fine.

“Onee-chan? You okay?”

“Oh, sorry!”

I need to focus on Manami’s story right now…

“So, Mom and Dad are going to the Fujino house during that time!”

Got it… Mom and Dad are heading to the Fujino house… Wait, what!?

“Why!?”

“They’re saying Kouki-kun can use their room while they’re gone.”

“Oh…”

I’m not sure it’s necessary to go that far, but knowing our parents, they probably decided it just because it sounded fun.

Yeah, that’s probably exactly how it went down.

“So, that means Kouki-nii’s gonna be here from morning till night! And I’ve got a favor to ask…”

“I know, I know. I’ll take care of cooking and the other chores properly.”

“Thanks! I love you, Onee-chan!”

I pat Manami as she enthusiastically hugs me, already thinking about meal plans.

Kouki probably likes… fried stuff, mostly, but I can’t just make that every day…

He likes egg dishes too, right? He can even make omurice himself.

Kouki’s omurice… I clearly remember him making it for me back in the later days of elementary school, when we were already starting to drift apart.

It’s pretty amazing that he could cook back then. Could I even make anything?

No, it was seeing him cook that made me want to get better at it…

Back then, I probably couldn’t make a thing.

“Hehe, you look like you’re having fun, Onee-chan.”

“I’m not making that kind of face.”

Embarrassed, I turn away, but Manami just giggles.

Geez… what’s with her…

“At night, it’s free time, so let’s hang out together, the three of us!”

Manami’s eyes sparkle.

When she looks at me like that, I can’t help but want to go along with anything.

I bet Kouki feels the same way.

“Make sure you actually get some homework done, okay?”

“But if I finish too fast, Kouki-nii might leave early…”

Fair point…

“Anyway, that’s the deal! Counting on you, Onee-chan!”

“Yeah…”

After seeing Manami off, I bury my face in the bear plushie on my bed again.

“What does Kouki think of Manami…?”

She’s so cute even I, her sister, get flustered sometimes.

And unlike me, she’s honest and straightforward.

“If I were Kouki… I’d pick Manami…”

Saying it out loud makes me feel down.

Manami’s a great kid, and if she can be happy, I’d be okay with that.

If it’s Kouki, I’m sure he’d make Manami happy. I’m certain of it.

—But

“While Kouki’s staying over, I’m gonna ask him on a date…!”

I can’t just let myself lose.

“Besides, Manami’s already got way more chances to connect with him as his student…”

Even if Kouki ends up choosing Manami, I don’t want to have any regrets…

At the very least, I want to make a move so I can feel that way.

“Ugh… I think I’m starting to get how Manami feels…”

I bet a big part of Manami’s goal is to bring back the close bond the three of us used to have.

For me, it’s about my own feelings, but…

“It’s not just about me—it’s something precious, isn’t it…”

Honestly, I’m lucky to have such an amazing little sister.

She’s a good kid who works harder for others than for herself.

“And I’m up against that good kid…”

I’m losing confidence.

Not that I had much to begin with…

“Saying it doesn’t change anything, though…”

But thanks to Manami, I feel like I’ve found the courage to ask him out.

“No time to chicken out, right?”

For that… uh…

Does Kouki even have any places he’d want to go?

I start searching for ideas on the phone I’ve been gripping tightly.

“Ugh…”

Looking up date destinations.

Naturally, I end up typing things like “date spots” or “couple recommendations.”

“This is… kinda embarrassing…”

Even though I made up my mind, staring at the screen feels mortifying.

Feeling my face heat up, I browse through various destination ideas.

“What do I do…”

I ask the bear plushie lying on my bed, but of course, it doesn’t answer.