Himegi-san a Bride from the Future Begs Me to Confess My Love to Her Again - Volume 2 Chapter 2.7

Touka Himegi – Reminiscence 3

It’s been almost a year since my sister left this world.

Alone, I stood before her grave.

“…I knew it… you really are gone….”

I thought I had come to terms with it, but seeing her grave makes it undeniable.

Ah, you’re not anywhere in this world anymore…

“I’m sorry. I haven’t visited in so long…”

In my defense, I couldn’t come here with a pathetic look on my face.

But today, I have good news that would make Natsumi-neesan happy…

“There are many things to talk about, but first, I’ll do some cleaning.”

And so, I quietly cleaned my sister’s grave.

The grave was not as dirty as I had imagined.

Surely, either Mom or one of the maids has been visiting regularly.

It feels hypocritical coming from me, who neglected this place for so long, but I felt a little relieved knowing someone had been maintaining it.

When I get home, I’ll have to thank the person who has been tending to the grave properly.

I place yellow sunflowers, my sister’s favorite, in the water basin and offer her favorite pudding.

“Sorry it’s imported sunflowers…”

Then, lighting the incense with a lighter, I bring my palms together and face the grave.

“Nee-san, everyone is doing fine…”

These words probably won’t reach my sister.

Maybe this may be nothing more than just an empty act.

But even so, I believe that this simple act of bringing my palms together is the only thing we, the living, can do for her, who has passed on.

Nee-san, there are many things I must apologize to you for today.

Our family broke the promises we made with you.

Our family trivialized your death.

Our family learned nothing from your passing.

We continued to fail, using your death as an excuse.

The year since you’ve been gone has been incredibly difficult.

『The most terrifying caves hide the greatest treasures.』

That’s a saying Natsumi-neesan often used.

True to that saying, it’s been a year of confronting the weight of responsibility and reevaluating what’s truly important.

Our family has reflected and turned over a new leaf.

We took a roundabout way, but I think we finally understand what really matters.

So please, give our family another chance.

This time, let us keep the promises we made with you.

Because, within this year, I have come to understand the gravity of responsibility and obligation… And at the end of that responsibility lay the real treasure.

That’s the answer we’ve arrived at, after all our trials and tribulations.

“…Harune, she’s seriously practicing the violin now.”

The girl who despised even looking at a violin since that birthday is now happily playing it.

Dad and Mom were on the verge of divorce, but now they’re incredibly close.

You won’t believe it, but they even went on a date together recently.

Even that idiot Takashi is doing well.

He’s currently working part-time feverishly to buy a gift for his girlfriend.

“Also… Nee-san, I have someone I like now.”

Ultimately, the reason Harune started playing the violin, the reason our estranged parents are now reconciled, the reason I made up with a childhood friend I’d fought with— it’s all thanks to him.

It’s pathetic, but I don’t think things would have turned out this well if it were up to me alone.

But that’s okay.

I found something far more important than my silly pride.

For the sake of what’s truly important, my own pride seems irrelevant.

“He has a complex about his name, he’s kind, funny… and in some ways, he reminds me of you, Nee-san.”

So, don’t worry about me, I’m doing well…

“The one I like… I wish he could have met you, Nee-san…”

I imagine you two would hit it off right away because you’re so alike.

My mind drifts into fantasies.

I couldn’t help but imagine introducing him to you and seeing you jump for joy.

I also found myself thinking of how thrilled you’d be if Hakuba-kun showed you one of his magic tricks.

—But that’s an unfulfillable dream.

—It’s an impossible wish.

“…I guess it’s still a little lonely without you.”

Ever since I met him, I’ve been chasing an unattainable illusion.

Maybe I’m seeking happiness beyond what I deserve now.

“I’ll come again…”

Next time, I’ll bring him along.

I gave a light wave to the gravestone and turned my back on her.