Chapter 22
"Sis, I got you so rice."
The dishes had just been set out and Shione hadn't even taken her seat when her younger sister ca scurrying over, proudly placing a small bowl of steaming rice in front of her.
?
Shione's radar pinged instantly. She narrowed her eyes and studied the girl.
Caught in the beam, Suzune's heart skipped, but her smile only brightened.
"What's wrong, Sis? Sit down already."
She slipped behind Shione and pulled the chair out with exaggerated courtesy.
Shione stayed standing, lips quirking. "What's gotten into you, Suzune? When did you start serving your older sister rice?"
The girl's red lips parted, then she lowered her lashes. "I just... missed you. You've been away so long..." Her voice dropped, suddenly shy.
"Is that so."
Shione nodded slowly, reached out, and brushed Suzune's bangs aside to check her forehead. No fever. She held the girl's gaze. "I missed you too. Funny, though—you didn't miss yesterday, or the day before. Only today?"
"......"
Suzune's toes curled inside her slippers; her hands clenched at her sides.
You old fossil—don't you dare ruin this!
She bit the tip of her tongue, lifted her head, and let tears shimr in her eyes.
"I really did miss you! When Mom ntioned you just now, I felt awful..."
Seeing her sister's watery lashes, Shione's heart softened. She ruffled Suzune's hair, voice gentle. "Look at you, all grown up."
Before Suzune could answer, their mother bustled in from the kitchen, yanked out a chair, and sat.
"About ti too. She'll be eighteen in a few days. If she doesn't grow up now, life will smack her down later."
Suzune endured the head-patting—every stroke supposedly stealing centiters from her height—eyes darting, saying nothing.
"Let's eat," Mrs. Hojo declared, looking contentedly at her two daughters. At least the lecture she'd given Suzune earlier hadn't gone to waste.
"Where's Dad? Aren't we waiting for him?" Shione asked, settling in and eyeing the empty head-of-table seat.
Her mother's expression cooled. She picked up her chopsticks. "No need. He told he's drinking with coworkers tonight."
"Oh..." Shione frowned but didn't press. She had grown up with this routine.
Better this way—saved them another squabble over nothing.
As usual, the al went smoothly even without Hojo Makoto.
"Sis, try this."
"Sis, the fish cheek's the best part—you work so hard, you need the protein."
"Sis, why aren't you touching your soup..."
Suzune buzzed around like an industrious bee, ferrying food to Shione's bowl and edging entire plates closer to her. In minutes Shione's rice towered into a small hill, broth pooling dangerously near the rim.
She lowered her chopsticks, helplessly amused.
Mrs. Hojo set her own chopsticks down and watched her younger daughter in silence.
"Sis—"
Smack!
Mrs. Hojo slapped her chopsticks onto the table; Suzune jumped, turning wide eyes on her mother.
"Sit properly and eat, Suzune!"
Suzune's lower lip jutted. "I am eating! I just want to be nice to Sis."
"Then why don't you feed her mouthful by mouthful while you're at it?"
Suzune glanced at Shione, teeth worrying her lip. Actually... not a bad idea...
The room froze. Shione laughed softly. "All right, let's eat. Thank you, Suzune. I missed you too—you've lost weight. Eat more."
She flicked a glance at Suzune's chest and slid the prized fish cheek into her sister's bowl.
Suzune caught the look, irritation flaring behind a grateful smile. "Thanks, Sis."
...
Dinner ended in harmony.
When Mrs. Hojo had retired, Suzune eyed Shione on the sofa, sidled over, and parked herself an awkward hand-width away.
Shione pretended to watch TV while tracking every movent out of the corner of her eye.
Definitely suspicious.
She knew her sister better than anyone. Suzune could out-sleep a dog, out-eat a pig, and out-stubborn a mule—especially the stubborn part. In junior high she'd once vanished to Hokkaido without a word, refused to admit any wrongdoing, and could fire back ten retorts for every scold.
Gifted at piano, she swaggered through school like she owned the place, treating club rehearsals like public toilets—co and go as she pleased. When she'd been cut from the wind-orchestra competition lineup, she'd thrown a tantrum demanding a fair rematch. She won, of course, and the girl who'd gotten the spot through connections left in tears.
Only Shiratori Seiya could make her listen; the rest of the world got her nose in the air. Even Shione had endured her barbs—especially during the year Shione dated Seiya. Suzune had practically glued herself to him, draping over him at every chance.
Shione had noticed long ago but let it slide; sisters were complicated enough.
So when Suzune claid she'd be heartbroken over the breakup, Shione hadn't believed a syllable. If Suzune refrained from setting off firecrackers, it'd count as conscience.
And now this sudden angelic routine? Impossible.
"Sis—bath first?" Suzune chirped, smile syrupy.
"I'm in no rush. You go ahead."
"Oh... I'm not either. I'll run the water for you."
Ten minutes later she reappeared, T-shirt damp, clutching a new bag of chips like treasure.
"Sis, fresh from the store—want so?"
Shione smiled thinly. "On a diet. No snacks." She cleared her throat. "And my throat's a little scratchy..."
Suzune's eyes lit up. "I'll make you honey water."
...
Soon she returned, carefully setting a steaming cup on the coffee table.
"Here you go."
"Thanks, Suzune."
"Don't ntion it—we're sisters. You work so hard..."
Shione lifted the cup, peered inside, and arched a brow.
"Nothing... unusual in here, right?"
Suzune froze—last ti she'd salted the honey water. She forced a wounded look.
"If you don't trust , I'll take the first sip..."
"I really want to be good to you—please don't talk like that."
Shione acted as if she hadn't heard a word. She took a quiet sip of honey water, set the glass back on the coffee table, and kept her eyes on the television.
"......"
The room froze. Suzune rubbed her fingers, pressed her lips together, then glanced at her older sister.
"Sis... I'll be eighteen in two days."
"I know."
Shione nodded. "Tell what you want for your birthday. I'll co ho for it."
What I want is sothing you could never bring back.
Suzune swallowed the retort and said carefully, "You're so busy, there's no need to fly back just for my birthday..."
When Shione stayed silent, Suzune pushed on. "I'm almost an adult and I've never really seen Tokyo. I'd love to take photos there for my coming-of-age day."
As expected.
A flicker crossed Shione's mind. She glanced at her younger sister, reluctance written on her face. "But if I'm in Tokyo, I won't have ti to show you around. Too many people know there..."
"Oh... I see."
Suzune let disappointnt show, yet her heart began to race; the hand hidden at her side clenched tight.
Now or never.
She drew a shallow breath, brightened as if struck by inspiration. "Speaking of which, sis—have you talked to Shiratori-kun lately?"
Not calling him "Seiya, Seiya" anymore?
Shione hid a cold smile behind a look of hurt. "No. Why?"
"Nothing special. I heard he's studying in Tokyo. If you're busy, maybe he could show around? What do you think?"
Shione didn't answer at once. She lowered her legs from the sofa, sat upright, and fixed her sister with a serious stare. "You've already spoken to Seiya, haven't you?"
Suzune's heart lurched. She forced an awkward smile and shook her head. "Of course not, sis..."
Shione lifted a hand, cutting her off. "Don't talk. Let guess."
"You found Seiya's number sowhere and told him you wanted to spend your birthday in Tokyo."
"He said he'd take you only if I agreed?"
"......"
Suzune's smile vanished. Her fine brows drew together, eyes darkening.
Seeing her sister's face, Shione knew she'd hit the mark. She sipped her honey water again and said softly, "Am I wrong, Suzune? You look upset."
At that, Suzune dropped the act. She stared coldly at the girl in front of her. "So will you agree or not?"
"Agree? Of course I'll agree."
"If you don't—"
Certain her plan had failed, Suzune spun to leave and find another way—but half-way through the sentence she froze, disbelief written across her face.
"You'll really agree?"
"Why wouldn't I? You're the sister I love most."
Shione gazed at her for a long mont, then smiled and reached out to stroke Suzune's cheek.
Suzune swallowed hard, heart pounding, unable to believe her ears.
Just as she opened her mouth, Shione asked sothing odd.
"Suzune, didn't Seiya once say you had a real gift for piano?"
...
Reviews
All reviews (0)