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Translator: AJ1703
Editor: Matsu
On the dining table of the Kirishima family, Haruki was vigorously chewing on a bowl of ratatouille pasta.
“Ugh, it’s so good! It’s so delicious that it’s frustrating! Even though he’s just Hayato!” (Haruki)
“Right? He’s too good at cooking, so I can’t improve my cooking skills.” (Himeko)
“I know!” (Haruki)
“Don’t ‘I know’ me, Haruki. And I’ll remember that, Himeko.” (Hayato)
Haruki told them that she had come to the convenience store to buy some food, so Himeko invited her instead to join them.
It was as if she couldn’t stand to be in front of the convenience store after shouting so loudly.
Hayato’s mouth loosened up when he saw Haruki eating so well, even though she was swearing in some way.
“It was so delicious, thanks for the food! I even had a second serving! It’s Hayato’s fault if I get fat from this!” (Haruki)
“His cooking is delicious, but he always makes things that make me want to eat more… This is the enemy of women.” (Himeko)
“Yeah, the enemy of women.” (Haruki)
“Right?” (Himeko)
“Right~” (Haruki)
“Heeee~…” (Hayato)
Haruki and Himeko nodded to each other.
Although it had been a long time since they had seen each other, they didn’t feel like they had been apart for a long time and started talking like long-time friends.
For whatever it’s worth, Himeko and Haruki are two of the few children of the same age in Tsukinose, and they often play together, following Hayato’s back.
The bond that they shared at that time is still alive and well between Haruki and Himeko― even if the time and distance of seven years had separated them.
“Even so, Haru-chan, you’ve become an incredibly beautiful girl. I didn’t notice it at all at first, I was so surprised.” (Himeko)
“Haha, my mimicry is quite good, isn’t it?” (Haruki)
“Yeah, I was totally fooled! I thought you were a boy, you know. Onii even said you haven’t changed at all, in fact he said you’ve become more aggressive, from a monkey to a gorilla.” (Himeko)
“Hmmm~, Hayato~?” (Haruki)
“Woops, I forgot that I still have to wash the dishes.” (Hayato)
“You owe me!” (Haruki)
Haruki’s stare made Hayato feel terrible and he hurriedly ran to the kitchen.
He had made it clear that he, like Himeko, thought Haruki was a boy back then. Feeling uncomfortable, Hayato washed the dishes to cover it up. Haruki and Himeko looked at each other and laughed at the back of Hayato’s face.
“…Yeah.” (Himeko)
“What’s wrong, Hime-chan?” (Haruki)
“Just like you said, Haru-chan is Haru-chan after all. I don’t know how to put it, but…” (Himeko)
“Oh, what’s with that? But I see, that’s what Hayato said too…” (Haruki)
“That reminds me, Haru-chan, let’s exchange contact information. Unlike Onii, I have a smart phone. Yes, unlike Onii~.” (Himeko)
“Oh, yes, let’s exchange! I knew Hayato was weird for not having one.” (Haruki)
“You know, Onii had always been―” (Himeko)
“Yes, that’s true, Hayato had always―” (Haruki)
Haruki and Himeko, two girls who have known each other since childhood, got excited about the topic of Hayato.
They talk about the country and the city, blank memories, the past seven years, and so on.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and the night goes by with laughter.
“Ugh, I really should go home soon… Hey, where’s auntie and uncle?” (Haruki)
“Hmm, they’re late again today.” (Himeko)
“I see. Well, sorry to bother you.” (Haruki)
“Yes, please contact me, Haru-chan.” (Himeko)
It was a little after 9:00 p.m. and Haruki wondered if she had overstayed her welcome.
Not just only Haruki and Himeko showing their painful reluctance, but also Hayato too.
“―I’ll take you home.” (Hayato)
“Hayato?” (Haruki)
Haruki, and even Hayato himself, were both taken aback by the sudden offer.
Hayato didn’t know why he said that. Both Haruki and Hayato had dumbfounded looks on their faces, meanwhile Himeko was impressed.
“Yeah, Onii, make sure you send her home safely, okay? Haru-chan is so cute to be left alone.” (Himeko)
“Ueh!? U-Umm, it’s fine! It’s only a short run away, so I don’t mind.” (Haruki)
“Well, you know… this is a great opportunity to make a loan.” (Hayato)
“Oh, Hayato!” (Haruki)
Hayato goes out of his own way to make such excuses, and Haruki follows him out of the Kirishima house.
“Good grief, you owe me so much, mou~!” (Haruki)
She was swearing, but her face looked happy.
◇◇◇
Unlike the road to the convenience store on the main street, the residential area where Haruki’s house was located was less crowded with people and cars. Because of this, only a few houses in the area were lit up with the lights of life. It seemed to be a time of reunion for everyone.
On such a street, Hayato and Haruki walked shoulder to shoulder.
It was a strange feeling for both of them. But it wasn’t a bad feeling.
“Hey, you know…” (Haruki)
“Hmm?” (Hayato)
“Hime-chan, she’s gotten prettier.” (Haruki)
“Eh, did she? I’m not sure about that.” (Hayato)
“How nice, I wish I had a little sister or brother like that.” (Haruki)
“It’s not that good, you know? You have to wake her up a lot, she’s got a big attitude, she’s selfish, she’s got a TV in the living room that she refuses to give up.” (Hayato)
“It’s just like Hime-chan that I can easily imagine her like that.” (Haruki)
“Right?” (Hayato)
“But still― oh, here we are.” (Haruki)
“Oh.” (Hayato)
He’s been to Haruki’s house several times. It’s an ordinary house, but the lights are off.
But for some reason, just because the lights were not on, it seemed distorted to Hayato.
“I’m a little jealous that Hayato has Hime-chan and Hime-chan has Hayato.” (Haruki)
“Haruki…?” (Hayato)
As she said this, Haruki took the key out of her pocket, as if she didn’t feel anything at all, and was sucked into the darkness.
“I’m an only child, you know.” (Haruki)
Haruki turned around, smiling a little sadly.
Hayato wanted to say something― but he couldn’t find anything to say to her.
“Good night then Hayato, I’ll see you later!” (Haruki)
“Oh, yeah, see you later Haruki.” (Hayato)
The door was closed with a special emphasis on “See you later”.
This left him with a feeling of incomprehension.
Hayato scratched his head with the hand he had raised to say goodbye.
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