Chapter 5: Stepsister, Invasion

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Ichika-chan has been in Kyoto for two days now.

After leaving Ichika-chan and going to work, I did some grocery shopping for dinner and returned to the apartment. The lights in Sagara-kun’s room were off, so he was probably at work too.

Unlocking the door and stepping inside, I saw Ichika-chan, barefaced, talking into her phone.

“…Yeah, I’m doing fine. I’m getting along with Souhei-kun, and Haruko-san is being really kind. So, don’t worry about me.”

It seemed she was on a video call with someone. I quietly closed the door to avoid making noise.

“Sorry, I wanted to ask about university and other things… Yeah, I’ll study properly.”

She was probably talking to her family—maybe her mom. She was smiling and trying to be as pleasant as possible. Without makeup, Ichika-chan looked like a serious honor student.

“…Got it. I’ll let Souhei-kun know. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Ichika-chan ended the call and seemed to relax a bit, letting out a sigh of relief. Then she looked at me and said, “Welcome back.”

“I’m back. Were you talking to your mom?”

“Yes. I thought I should keep in touch.”

Keeping in touch with home despite running away… She’s quite the responsible runaway. She even joined me for radio exercises. She might be a much more straightforward girl than I initially thought.

…I want to get closer to Ichika-chan.

Ichika-chan is a good kid, and she accepted my bare face without a second thought. Plus, since she’s Sagara-kun’s sister, if Sagara-kun and I get married, she might become my sister-in-law. I’d love to get along well with my potential future sister-in-law.

But how do I get closer to her? Is there a way to bridge the gap with Ichika-chan…?

──I’ll come over next time. Let’s have a pajama party!

Suddenly remembering Sacchan’s words from before, I looked up with determination.

“Ichika-chan!”

“Yes?”

“Let’s have a pajama party tomorrow night!”

“…Huh?”

My sudden proposal made Ichika-chan tilt her head in confusion.

I’ve been an honor student for twenty years, so I have a stronger sense of guilt when it comes to “bad things.”

I strictly follow social rules. I don’t do immoral or unethical things. That’s what being a decent person is. But even I sometimes… want to let loose a little.

It was midnight. On the table were potato chips, chocolate, and cola. Normally, I wouldn’t eat snacks after midnight, even if I were studying. Drinking cola was out of the question.

But tonight was special. It was a fun pajama party, after all!

According to Sacchan, a pajama party is about wearing cute pajamas, chatting all night, eating snacks, and watching movies. Like the takoyaki party, there were many kinds of parties I didn’t know about.

As I opened a bag of potato chips, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

“Eating snacks at this hour feels so naughty!”

“…Really? Haruko-san, you’re actually quite serious, huh.”

Ichika-chan was wearing a satin pajama set with short sleeves and shorts. Today, we went to a nearby shopping mall and bought matching sets in different colors. Previously, I’d been wearing my middle school gym clothes or a jersey at home, but I was glad to finally have cute pajamas.

Pouring cola into two glasses, I handed one to Ichika-chan.

“It’s just cola, huh? Not beer?”

“N-No alcohol until you’re twenty! You’re still a high school student!”

Seeing me flustered, Ichika-chan chuckled, “Just kidding. I’ve never had alcohol.”

I composed myself and raised my glass.

“Cheers.”

“Cheers.”

Clinking our glasses, we took a sip of the cola. The carbonation fizzed in my mouth. I reached for the consomme-flavored potato chips spread out on the table. Midnight cola and potato chips—delightfully sinful!

Enjoying the guilty pleasure, I smiled at Ichika-chan.

“Pajama parties are for sharing love stories, right? Do you have someone you like, Ichika-chan?”

“Not at all. I haven’t had a boyfriend for about six months.”

“Wow. So you had a boyfriend… Ichika-chan, you’re so mature…”

When I was in high school, I only studied at my desk. Ichika-chan, a high school junior, might be more experienced in romance than I am.

…Instead of acting like a senpai, shouldn’t I be learning from her?

“What about you and Souhei-kun, Haruko-san?”

Ichika-chan’s question made me hesitate, “Well…”

“We get along, but…”

“But?”

“…Sagara-kun doesn’t make any moves on me…”

Ichika-chan widened her eyes, “Huh?”

“I’ve pushed him down, kissed him, suggested we sleep together, cuddled on the bed… but nothing happens…”

“That’s… wow. Haruko-san, you’re too forward… Is Souhei-kun some kind of paragon of self-control?”

Ichika-chan shrugged in amazement.

“Well, some people just don’t have those desires. It’s hard to say.”

“Right. I know I don’t need to rush, but… I’m a bit worried I’m not attractive.”

“No way. It’s a miracle someone as wonderful as you is Souhei-kun’s girlfriend.”

“No, that’s not true. I confessed once and got rejected…”

“What!? Souhei-kun rejected you!?”

Ichika-chan’s eyes widened in shock. I laughed and nodded.

“Yes. I couldn’t give up, so I tried again and eventually got Sagara-kun to confess to me.”

“Wow. Haruko-san, you’re so determined.”

“Hehe. I take pride in my determination and persistence!”

When I said that and pumped my fist, Ichika-chan squinted as if dazzled.

Then, we watched a movie while munching on snacks. Ichika-chan wanted to watch a bright and fun home comedy, which ended with a happy ending. I preferred love stories, but watching a different genre was nice for a change.

“That was fun! I’m glad the family got back together in the end.”

Ichika-chan looked satisfied. After watching the two-hour movie, it was already 3 AM. Normally, I’d be asleep by now. I was starting to feel sleepy.

“Yawn… Let’s clean up and brush our teeth…”

“I’m not sleepy yet.”

“We have to go to radio exercises tomorrow…”

“What!? We’re going tomorrow too? Haruko-san, you’re so serious…”

Even as she complained, we cleaned up the table and brushed our teeth before getting into bed. Lying down next to each other, I smiled at Ichika-chan.

“Hehe. Pajama parties are fun… I never imagined I’d show my bare face to someone like this.”

“Why? You should show your bare face more often.”

Ichika-chan asked curiously. I hesitated but replied in a small voice.

“…I didn’t have the courage to.”

After moistening my lips lightly, I continued.

“…In high school, I was really plain and had no friends. I wanted to change that, so I made my university debut.”

“Really? I didn’t know…”

“I was afraid my friends would hate me if they saw my bare face…”

“You shouldn’t worry about that.”

“Looking back, you’re right.”

In reality, no one cared about my bare face or my university debut. But a while ago, I was genuinely worried.

“It was a big deal for me… So now, being able to show my bare face to you, and you accepting it, makes me happy.”

Ichika-chan casually replied, “That’s just normal.” It was truly normal for her, and that made me smile.

We lay in silence for a while. The only sound in the quiet room was the air conditioner. The streetlight outside softly illuminated Ichika-chan’s face. Her large, dark eyes stared at me.

Breaking the silence, Ichika-chan’s quiet voice spoke.

“…In front of my mom, I act like a good girl.”

“…Huh?”

Ichika-chan began to speak hesitantly.

“I’m not really good at school. I don’t think I can get into Risseikan University. At school, I mess around with my friends instead of studying.”

“…”

“I do like dressing up, but I’m afraid my mom will hate me if she knows the real me.”

Her voice carried a hint of gloom, reminding me of my past fears of being disliked for showing my bare face.

“But… even though I tried so hard to hide it… Mom saw me anyway. That’s why I ran away…”

“…Is that so?”

“She didn’t say anything, but… she must have been disappointed.”

Ichika-chan said, lowering her eyes gently.

Ichika-chan now was like the past me, believing she was deceiving everyone and feeling needless guilt.

I reached out and cupped her cheeks gently.

“…That’s not true.”

“Huh…”

“Didn’t you just tell me not to worry about it? Your mom probably feels the same.”

Just like Sagara-kun recognized my effort in changing myself with makeup, I wanted to acknowledge Ichika-chan’s effort in being a good daughter.

For a moment, Ichika-chan looked like she was about to cry. After blinking rapidly a few times, she murmured softly, “…Thank you.”

Holding Ichika-chan’s small hand gently, we fell asleep, still holding hands.