Chapter 5: Stepsister, Invasion

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August 16th. In Kyoto, a traditional event called “Gozan no Okuribi” is held.

At the end of Obon, fires are lit on five mountains to send the spirits of the deceased back to the afterlife. From our apartment, we can see the “Daimonji” fire.

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

Standing on the sidewalk along Nishioji Street, we watched the “大” character lit on the mountain. Nanase had invited me to go watch it together, so I came out as I was, in a T-shirt and shorts. There were many people around us also gazing at the mountain.

Watching the flames floating in the darkness, I thought about my grandmother who passed away when I was little. I didn’t remember much, but I recalled that she was pretty kind… As I was lost in thought, Nanase looked up at me and smiled.

“I’m glad I got to see it since I missed it last year.”

Come to think of it, Nanase was back at her parents’ house around this time last year. Curiously, I asked,

“You’re not going home this year?”

“Hmm, I might go back during the long weekend in September… What about you, Sagara-kun?”

“…I’ll pass.”

With my stepfather and stepsister at home, I didn’t feel like going back. My mom had sent a message asking, “Aren’t you coming home?” but I replied, “Busy with work and studying.” It’s only a two-hour bus ride one way, so if I really wanted to go back, I could anytime. My mom probably saw through my excuse.

Nanase just said, “I see,” and didn’t press further.

“Shall we head back?”

We walked side by side back to the apartment. There were many people along the main road where we could see Daimonji, but once we took a side street, there was no one else. The distant murmur of the crowd felt like it belonged to another world. Summer nights were faintly bright, and a particularly bright star shone in the whitish-navy sky.

Nanase’s hand brushed against mine and then awkwardly held it. Startled, I looked at her, and she gave me a shy smile. I loosely held her hand back.

…Somehow, this feels like natural affection…

There was no need for us to be trapped by the idea of an “ideal couple.” We could go at our own pace. With that thought, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. We walked the short distance to the apartment, hand in hand.

At the door to our rooms, Nanase suddenly stopped. She looked up at me with a tentative gaze.

“…Souhei-kun.”

Nanase called my name naturally, as if she’d been doing it for a long time.

Standing on tiptoe, she gently brought her face close to mine. Before I knew it, her lips lightly touched mine.

“──…!?”

“…Good night! Sleep well!”

Blushing to her ears, Nanase hurried into her room. Left standing there, I touched my still warm lips in a daze.

…What just happened?

The bold move filled me with both joy and confusion.

Though we said we’d go at our own pace… Do Nanase’s and my pace match?

◇◇◇

I was humming a tune in the kitchen while busily making dumplings. Next to me, Souhei-kun frowned, struggling with the dumpling wrappers.

Usually, I make dinner alone, but today we decided to cook together, making dumplings.

Tasks that are difficult alone become enjoyable with two people. The small kitchen felt cramped with both of us, but I enjoyed being close to him. Souhei-kun, a bit clumsy, was producing misshapen dumplings and lamenting, “I have no talent for making dumplings.”

“Souhei-kun’s dumplings are cute.”

“…They look completely different from yours. What do we do with them?”

“You fold this side over like this.”

Taking his hand, I showed him how to fold the dumpling properly. His serious expression as he focused on the dumpling was so adorable that my heart fluttered. Cooking dumplings with my boyfriend was a delightful new experience.

After we finished folding the dumplings, we cooked them and sat down to eat, saying “Itadakimasu!” Souhei-kun’s dumplings burst open, spilling their contents. As I picked up a misshapen dumpling with my chopsticks, he looked apologetic.

“No, Nanase, you should eat the ones you made. I’ll take responsibility for these.”

“Why? I want to eat the ones you made, Souhei-kun!”

The misshapen dumplings tasted better than the neatly folded ones I made myself.

“Souhei-kun, your dumplings are delicious.”

When I said that, he blushed slightly and muttered, “You have strange tastes…”

Even if they weren’t perfect, even if they were misshapen, anything Souhei-kun made for me made me happy. …And that sentiment wasn’t limited to dumplings.

After cleaning up, I sat on my bed. Smiling at Souhei-kun, who stood awkwardly, I invited,

“Come sit next to me.”

Hesitantly, he sat beside me, and the pipe bed creaked under our weight. Though the bed was cheap, it should hold the weight of two people, right?

I leaned against Souhei-kun, who looked a bit troubled, his eyes wandering. I gently placed my hand over his.

…There are many things only couples can do, more than I imagined.

Even without feeling pressured, even without comparing myself to others, I realized I wanted to deepen my relationship with Souhei-kun.

I don’t want to do these things with anyone else. It’s because it’s Souhei-kun that, even though I’m scared… I want to try. Not out of obligation as his girlfriend, but because I genuinely want to with him.

However, he gently removed my hand and stood up from the bed.

“Sorry. I have work early tomorrow, so I should go.”

Feeling a bit disappointed, I nodded, “Okay.”

“Good night.”

I hoped he’d give me a goodnight kiss, but Souhei-kun just put on his shoes and left the room. Watching the door close with a click, I flopped onto my bed.

Am I rushing things again? Despite knowing there are still many things only couples can do…