Chapter 5: Stepsister, Invasion

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Recently, Nanase has been unusually forward.

“Souhei-kun, is it good?”

Nanase, resting her chin in her hand, smiled brightly while watching me. I took a bite of the rice dish packed with ingredients and replied, “It’s delicious.”

After finishing dinner and cleaning up, Nanase pulled me to the bed and sat me down. Our bodies touched through our T-shirts, making me nervous.

Ever since we returned from Lake Biwa, it had been like this. Whenever we were alone, Nanase was unusually close, snuggling up on the bed or sometimes even kissing me. Her aggressive approach was making my heart race dangerously.

“It’s hot today too.”

…If it’s hot, why are you sticking so close? Not that I want her to move away, so I won’t say it out loud…

“They say tonight will be a tropical night, so we should sleep with the air conditioner on to avoid heatstroke.”

“…Right. But the electricity bill…”

I no longer endured the heat like last year, but running the air conditioner constantly was expensive. I wondered if there was a way to save on costs.

As I pondered, Nanase hesitantly made a suggestion.

“Um, then… how about… we sleep in my room tonight?”

“…W-What are you talking about?!”

I couldn’t help but shout, my voice cracking. Nanase blushed and gripped the hem of my T-shirt tightly.

…Maybe this is what “going at her own pace” means for Nanase. Come to think of it, once she decided on something, she’d go straight for it. She had said, “I’ll give my all to you, Sagara-kun!” but I hadn’t realized she meant this…

“T-That’s a bit much. It’s not right.”

“W-Why not? If we sleep together, it’s economical. Only one room’s electricity. Plus, I can wake you up in the morning, so you won’t oversleep. A-And also…”

Nanase spread her arms wide, looking embarrassed.

“We can cuddle a lot…”

…That’s very appealing.

Thinking that seriously, I snapped back to reality. I was clearly losing my IQ.

Even I knew I wouldn’t be able to do nothing if I slept in the same bed as her. Nanase must also understand this and still suggested it.

It’s not that I don’t want to. But… is it really okay?

Having a physical relationship comes with responsibility. I shouldn’t approach it lightly. I should at least become more deserving of Nanase before taking that step.

My thoughts swirled in my head. After a mental battle, cautious reason won.

“N-Nanase… I think…”

As I tried to pull away, grabbing her shoulders, my phone on the table rang.

Like a lifeline, I jumped up and grabbed my phone. The caller ID displayed “Mom.” As annoyed as I was, I also felt a sense of relief.

“Y-You can answer it.”

Nanase said, so I apologized and took the call.

“…Hello?”

“Oh, Souhei. S-Sorry for the sudden call.”

Mom sounded unusually flustered. Trying to stay calm, I asked, “Is something wrong?”

“…Actually, Ichika hasn’t come home yet.”

“What? She hasn’t?”

“I don’t think so, but she hasn’t gone to your place, has she?”

Mom’s question made me respond, “She’s not here.” Mom quickly replied, “I thought so.”

“I can’t reach her, and I’m worried. This has never happened before… She’s probably hanging out with friends after cram school, but still…”

Mom’s voice was fast and anxious, trying to reassure herself. I tried to calm her down, “It’s only 9 PM. She’s probably just a bit late.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Sorry to bother you. Talk to you later.”

With that, Mom hung up. The dial tone echoed coldly.

“…? Sagara-kun, what’s wrong?”

Sensing the tension, Nanase asked anxiously. I opened my mouth to explain.

“…My stepsister hasn’t come home, and Mom is worried.”

“What!? Is she okay? That’s worrisome. I’ll try to contact her via LINE.”

“Thanks. Sorry to involve you.”

I felt bad involving Nanase, but I didn’t have Ichika’s contact information. I should have asked for her LINE…

“…Oh!”

Nanase, holding her phone, suddenly exclaimed and tugged at my T-shirt.

“Sagara-kun. Ichika-chan contacted me.”

“What!?”

“She said, [I’m in Kyoto, can we meet?]”

…That brat. Dragging Nanase into this again.

“I’ll call her,” Nanase said, bringing the phone to her ear.

“Oh, Ichika-chan? It’s Haruko.”

Apparently, Ichika answered immediately.

“…Are you okay? Where are you? …Okay, I’m coming now.”

Nanase hung up and said, “Ichika-chan is at Kyoto Station.”

“I’ll go with you.”

I couldn’t leave my stepsister’s situation entirely to Nanase. If Ichika had run away from home, part of the responsibility lay with me.

Nanase said, “Let’s go together,” and stood up.

To the north of Kyoto Station, on Karasuma Street, stands Kyoto Tower. It’s not particularly tall compared to Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower, and even lower than Nagoya TV Tower. But in Kyoto, where building height is restricted, it stands out.

At a fast-food restaurant at the base of Kyoto Tower, Ichika sat by the window, charging her phone and drinking orange juice. As usual, her flashy makeup, crop top, and denim shorts stood out. Her only luggage was a large black backpack. In the late-night fast-food crowd of young people, she fit right in.

“Ichika-chan.”

When Nanase called her name, Ichika looked up and tilted her head curiously. After staring for a while, she noticed me standing next to Nanase and widened her eyes.

“S-Souhei-kun is here… So, Haruko-san?”

I realized that Nanase was barefaced, wearing glasses, and half her face covered by a mask. Normally, she would never go out without makeup, but she came just for Ichika. She’s so kind.

I addressed Ichika directly.

“What’s going on? Did you have a fight with Mom?”

Ichika silently sipped her nearly empty orange juice through a straw.

“Mom’s worried because you haven’t come home.”

“I really don’t like paper straws.”

“Hey, listen to me…”

“Ichika-chan, are you okay?”

Nanase’s caring voice made Ichika glance at her, then look down apologetically.

“…No fights. I just didn’t want to be at home.”

Ichika didn’t say much, but her feelings came through clearly. Memories of feeling like I had no place to belong resurfaced, making my chest ache.

Maybe the reason Ichika had come to me repeatedly was because she felt she had no place at home. With no friends or anyone else to rely on, she ended up here.

“Do I have to go back?”

Ichika clung to Nanase’s clothes, looking desperate.

There must be unresolved issues with her family that only she understood. I couldn’t and didn’t want to dismiss her feelings.

…But I can’t let her stay with me.

Even though she’s my stepsister, she’s still a high school girl with no blood relation. I could swear nothing would happen, but sharing a room would be inappropriate.

As I contemplated, Nanase gently called, “Ichika-chan,” and held her hands tightly, looking her in the eyes.

“You can stay with me for a while. High school’s on summer break, right?”

“Huh…”

Ichika’s eyes widened in surprise. She hesitantly asked,

“But… for how long?”

“Until you feel ready. Sagara-kun lives next door, so if it’s hard to explain, I can talk to your parents. Right, Sagara-kun?”

Nanase looked at me and smiled.

I didn’t want to trouble Nanase with my family issues, but I couldn’t just send Ichika back.

“…I’ll call Mom.”

Taking out my phone, I called Mom. Ichika looked up at me anxiously.

“Hello, Souhei? Did you reach Ichika?”

Mom answered immediately, probably waiting with her phone. I tried to explain the situation without raising suspicion.

“Uh, she came to Kyoto to see a friend. She’s with me now. She forgot to contact you. Sorry.”

“What…”

Mom was speechless. I quickly continued, as if making an excuse.

“She made a friend at the open campus recently. It’s someone I know too, not a bad person.”

“Really? It’s not someone suspicious?”

Hearing Mom’s doubtful tone, I hurriedly reassured her.

“No, not at all! She’s a girl from my seminar. Uh… my…”

Struggling to explain, Nanase offered, “Let me talk to her,” and reached for the phone. Reluctantly, I handed it to her.

“Hello, Mrs. Ichika’s Mom? I’m Haruko Nanase from Risseikan University. Yes, I’m Souhei’s classmate, and I live next door.”

Nanase’s polite and fluent introduction was impressive. Her calm, clear voice and manner were just like a model student’s.

“I became friends with Ichika-san when she visited recently. I was wondering if she could stay with me for a while… Yes, Souhei-san is next door too. Thank you.”

After a polite bow, Nanase handed the phone back. Mom’s voice on the other end said, “She’s a very well-mannered young lady.” I was glad Mom seemed to like Nanase.

“I understand the situation. I’ll inform her father.”

Mom’s voice still sounded uncertain, but she didn’t press further. She seemed to want to avoid conflict with her teenage stepdaughter as much as possible.

“And, Souhei?”

“What is it?”

“That Nanase-san… is she perhaps your…”

Mom paused, and I tensed up. When I didn’t respond, she sighed, “Never mind.”

“I’ll call again. Take care.”

“Okay… I’ll look after Ichika.”

With that, Mom ended the call.

Turning to the anxious Ichika, I said,

“…Go back when you feel ready.”

Ichika looked relieved and murmured softly, “…Thank you.”