Chapter 5: Stepsister, Invasion

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We took the last bus from Kyoto Station and returned to the apartment. At the door, Sagara-kun bowed deeply.

“…Sorry, Nanase. I have to ask you to take care of her. I have work after this…”

“Don’t worry, leave it to me!”

With a reluctant look, Sagara-kun returned to his room.

After welcoming Ichika-chan into the room, she seemed restless, her eyes wandering nervously. Maybe she was a bit tense.

“Ichika-chan, take a bath first! I’ll get you a bath towel!”

I nudged her into the bathroom, and soon the sound of the shower filled the room.

Alone, I quickly tidied up the table and made the bed. I cleaned and did laundry regularly, so it should be fine even if it’s a bit cramped.

…I wonder why Ichika-chan came here.

──You think I have to go back, right?

Ichika-chan’s words overlapped with Sagara-kun’s past self. The Sagara-kun who had once shut himself off, refusing to go home. It might seem nosy, but I felt I couldn’t abandon her.

Ichika-chan’s father remarried Sagara-kun’s mother, and now the three of them live together. I don’t know the details, but surely both Sagara-kun and Ichika-chan have feelings I can’t imagine.

…Even now, Souhei-kun seems awkward with his family…

“…Um. Thanks for the bath.”

Ichika-chan emerged from the bathroom, her makeup removed, looking much younger and more innocent than before (though I’m not one to talk).

“No problem.”

“Sorry for being a bother.”

Ichika-chan looked down, dejected. Without makeup, she seemed more subdued. I knew how it felt to lose confidence without makeup.

“You’re not a bother at all! Feel free to use the lotion and other skincare products! This serum is highly recommended! And here’s the hairdryer.”

Handing her the skincare products and hairdryer, Ichika-chan smiled and said, “Thank you.”

“…Haruko-san, you’re really kind. Beautiful and nice, you’re perfect…”

“Huh? N-No way. Look at me without makeup…”

Of course, she’d seen my bare face now. Even though she complimented me, I worried I might have disappointed her…

Seeing me downcast, Ichika-chan blinked in confusion. Then, tilting her head curiously, she asked, “Like this?”

“I don’t like showing my bare face because it’s plain…”

“Really? But you do look different with makeup. Your makeup skills are amazing. Teach me sometime!”

“…O-Okay!”

Her straightforward comment finally allowed me to lift my head. I felt ashamed for being so self-conscious and was sorry for worrying Ichika-chan.

By the time we got into bed, it was past midnight. I turned off the lights and spoke to Ichika-chan.

“Is it too cramped? If you’re hot, I can lower the AC.”

“No, it’s fine…”

“I’m going to radio exercises in the morning… Want to join?”

“Radio exercises? Really?”

Ichika-chan giggled and said, “I’ll go with you.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

Sleeping next to a girl I just met felt strange. Being in a single bed meant we were quite close. Who would’ve thought I’d end up sleeping next to Sagara-kun’s stepsister before him…

Maybe suggesting we sleep together was too much. Sagara-kun seemed visibly confused.

…Does Sagara-kun not want to do those things with me?

I often heard from girls like Tsugumi-chan and Nami-chan about their boyfriends being too eager. But Sagara-kun didn’t seem very forward.

We agreed to go at our own pace… Forcing it isn’t good either.

Trying to shake off my worries, I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

◆◆◆

The morning after Ichika arrived.

I had worked a night shift from midnight to 7 AM. The bright sun hurt my eyes as I walked back to the apartment, listening to the loud cicadas.

From the park, I heard the lively music of radio exercises.

Thinking it was quite lively for early morning, I glanced over and saw a dazzlingly beautiful woman doing exercises among elementary school kids and local seniors. With a stamp card around her neck, Nanase was energetically waving her arms, stretching, and jumping.

When the music stopped, Nanase noticed me. Her face lit up with a bright smile, which was blinding after my night shift…

“Good morning, Sagara-kun!”

“Morning…”

Next to her was Ichika, rubbing her eyes sleepily and yawning widely.

“…You do radio exercises?”

“Yes! I did it every morning last summer too. Otherwise, I’d oversleep and get lazy.”

I see. A sound mind in a sound body. She really is serious. If I were an elementary school kid, I’d wake up early every day just to see a beautiful lady like her doing exercises.

“I’ll get my card stamped!”

Nanase said and walked away. Left alone with Ichika, I felt awkward.

I didn’t expect Ichika to join Nanase for radio exercises. Unlike Nanase, who was fully made up, Ichika was barefaced.

“…You’re up early.”

“Yeah, I’m sleepy but… I always wake up early at home. I get up at six every morning to make lunch and breakfast. I’d feel bad leaving it all to my mom.”

“Wow…”

That was admirable. She must be a diligent and good girl at home. Maybe the accumulated stress led her to run away.

“…..”

The conversation quickly died. I thought of asking why she ran away, but I didn’t want to upset her. I realized I was always making Ichika mad. She played with her hair, looking bored.

…What am I supposed to talk about with a high school girl who dislikes me?

“Today’s stamp was a crab! I want to complete the set!”

Nanase returned with her stamped card, bringing relief. She always seemed to enjoy even the smallest things and could lighten the atmosphere. That was one of her great qualities.

Returning to the apartment with Nanase and Ichika, I went to my room, took a shower, and went to sleep.

I slept deeply but was woken by the sound of my phone ringing. Groggily reaching for it, I saw “Mom” on the caller ID.

Still half-asleep, I answered the call.

“Hello…”

“Oh, Souhei? Were you still sleeping? It’s past noon.”

“I worked till morning…”

I yawned widely and sat up. “What’s up?”

“…Is Ichika doing okay?”

Mom seemed concerned about Ichika. I hadn’t checked on her, but she went to radio exercises, so she must be fine.

“Yeah, she’s fine. Probably.”

Mom sounded relieved, “That’s good.”

She genuinely seemed worried about Ichika. It didn’t seem like they fought… So what happened?

“How is Ichika at home?”

“She’s a very good girl. Cheerful and well-mannered. It’s natural to find a stepmother bothersome…”

Mom’s voice had a slightly self-deprecating tone. Something in her tone made me ask,

“…Do you know why she left?”

Mom was silent for a while, making me worry she’d left the phone. Finally, she spoke.

“It’s probably my fault.”

“Huh?”

“The day Ichika-chan left, I ran into her on my way home from work… She was dressed up and having tea with friends.”

It seemed Mom had seen Ichika in her gyaru mode. The stark contrast to her home self must have been shocking.

“I spoke to her, and she looked really surprised… She seemed very upset. She probably didn’t like her stepmother talking to her in front of her friends.”

I silently shook my head. Would she really run away for such a trivial reason? But maybe that’s how sensitive teenage girls can be.

Mom continued in a pained voice.

“It’s my fault. Her parents suddenly remarried, she got new family members, and her last name changed… She must have been under a lot of stress.”

“Yeah, probably.”

I couldn’t deny it. Having suffered through my parents’ fights and divorce, I felt a lot of sympathy for Ichika. I wished they could have waited until she graduated high school, but it was too late now.

“So if she’s happy away from home, that’s fine too. I’m sorry to trouble you, but please look after Ichika.”

“…Okay.”

I was frustrated with them for dragging Ichika into their mess, but I didn’t voice it. Mom’s concern for Ichika seemed genuine.

“And, also.”

“What?”

“…Please thank Nanase-san too.”

I nodded vaguely, “Yeah.” Mom seemed like she had more to ask but ended the call with, “Bye.”

Mom probably had an inkling about my relationship with Nanase. I should formally introduce her someday, but I wasn’t ready.

…Will there be a day when I can proudly introduce Nanase to my family?

Not being able to take the next step with Nanase or introduce her to my family was due to my lack of confidence. Whenever I tried to advance our relationship, I hesitated, thinking about “what comes next.”