Chapter 6: Becoming a Family

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“Ichika-chan, you’re going back home tomorrow…?”

Facing Ichika-chan, who was packing diligently, I asked.

As soon as we returned from Kiyomizu-dera, Ichika-chan announced, “I’m going back home tomorrow.” I had a feeling she might be going back soon, but this was so sudden. With only a few days left of summer break, she had no choice…

“Yeah. Thank you for everything, Haruko-san.”

“Yeah… It’s going to be lonely…”

Even though we only spent about ten days together in this room, it felt hard to part since we were always together.

As I felt down, Ichika-chan turned around and said, “Oh, by the way.”

“Can you come with me tomorrow, Haruko-san?”

“Eh…! With you… to your family’s house?”

I was flustered by the sudden request. Ichika-chan’s family home also meant Souhei-kun’s family home. Last time, I only got as far as the front of their house and didn’t meet the family.

Is it okay for me, someone with no relation, to suddenly show up…? I-I’m not even mentally prepared to meet his family…!

Ichika-chan, seeing me in a panic, grabbed my hands tightly. “Please, Haruko-san,” she pleaded, looking at me with earnest eyes.

“I’m still a bit scared to meet my mom… It’d be reassuring to have you with me, Haruko-san.”

“Ichika-chan…”

A strong protective feeling welled up inside me.

If my beloved Ichika-chan was anxious, I wanted to help her. If my presence could make her feel a bit more secure… there was no reason to refuse.

“…Alright! I’ll go with you.”

“Yay! Thank you! Oh, and Souhei-kun is coming too.”

Ichika-chan resumed packing, humming a tune. Where had her shyness from earlier gone?

…Tomorrow… I’m going to meet Souhei-kun’s family…

Thinking about it made me suddenly nervous. I’m only going for Ichika-chan’s sake, but it still made my heart race.

I need to dress as neatly and respectfully as possible. With that thought, I opened my closet and started planning my outfit for tomorrow.

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When taking the Shinkansen, Kyoto and Nagoya are surprisingly close. It takes less than an hour to get there. I had only ever gone home by express bus, so the speed astonished me.

Ichika suddenly declared she was going home—and for some reason, said, “Souhei-kun, come with me.” I could understand her wanting me to come, but involving Nanase too? What was she planning?

We boarded a bus from Nagoya Station and headed to my family home. The last time I went home was when Nanase dragged me there.

Nanase and Ichika didn’t speak, staring out the window. Ichika looked a bit tense, while Nanase seemed even more nervous. Her face looked pale.

“…Nanase. Are you okay?”

“Huh, y-yeah. I-I’m fine.”

Nanase said, her colored lips curving into a weak smile. She didn’t seem fine. Was she feeling pressured about meeting my family? It made me feel bad.

“I just realized… I came in my usual clothes without thinking. Mom might be shocked.”

Ichika murmured anxiously. Today, she was dressed in her flashy gyaru style, not the clean look she usually showed her family.

“She’s seen it before, so it’s fine. But I’ll just take out the piercings…”

Ichika said, removing the jangly piercings from her ears.

“W-Will my outfit be okay? I-Is it weird…?”

For some reason, Nanase also asked worriedly. She was dressed in a white blouse and knee-length skirt, looking like a proper young lady. She always dressed neatly, so there was nothing to worry about.

As we were talking, the bus stopped.

The street leading to my family home looked quite different from last time. The change in seasons made the scenery look very different. We passed a park where kids were catching cicadas and stopped in front of my family home. Last time, Ichika had called out to me here, and I had run away.

But today, I pressed the intercom without hesitation.

“…! W-Welcome home.”

Mom opened the door and came out. Seeing Ichika, her eyes softened with relief.

“…Ichika-chan. You came back.”

Ichika murmured a troubled “I’m back.”

Then Mom noticed Nanase standing behind me. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh. Souhei, is this…?”

“…N-Nice to meet you! I’m Nanase Haruko!”

Nanase said, bending in half with a vigorous bow. She timidly handed Mom some sweets we bought at Kyoto Station.

“U-Um, these are for you. I hope you like them.”

“Oh my. Thank you for the gift.”

After handing over the bag of sweets, they exchanged awkward bows. Neither was particularly sociable, making the air a bit stiff.

“…This is the person Ichika-chan stayed with, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Thank you so much. Please come in.”

After taking off her shoes, Nanase neatly arranged them. Mom kept glancing at Nanase, seemingly curious.

In the living room, we found my stepfather in the kitchen, pouring barley tea into glasses. He smiled warmly.

“Ah, Ichika. You finally came back. Welcome home, Souhei-kun.”

I replied awkwardly, “Th-Thanks.” It still felt strange to say.

Following his lead, the three of us sat on the sofa while my stepfather and mom sat across from us. Ichika and Mom exchanged uneasy glances, quickly looking away.

We needed to resolve the tension between this mother-daughter pair quickly.

“…Mom, about Ichika.”

I paused, glancing at Ichika. In her gyaru mode, she fiddled with her hands, looking uncomfortable.

“What do you think about her dressing like this?”

“Souhei-kun!”

Ichika shouted, hitting my back hard.

“Ouch. What?”

“Wh-Why ask so directly!”

“It doesn’t change anything to ask indirectly.”

“But still…!”

As we bickered, Mom looked down apologetically and murmured, “…I’m sorry.”

“I knew Ichika-chan was forcing herself to dress like a good girl.”

“…Huh…”

Ichika gasped. Mom smiled wryly.

“Ichika-chan, you like dressing like this, right? Your dad often showed me pictures. You’re good at makeup.”

Ichika glared at my stepfather with narrowed eyes. He calmly sipped his tea, “Is there a problem?”

“But… I’ve been pretending to be a good girl in front of Mom. But I’m really like this.”

“That’s not true. You’re a good girl no matter how you dress… Unlike me, I’ve been a terrible mother. I said awful things to Souhei.”

A memory stabbed my chest. The words that had haunted me for years had scabbed over but still ached at unexpected moments. Mom probably still regretted it. She didn’t need to worry anymore.

“So, when I found out I’d have a daughter, I was worried I’d fail… But I was happy you tried to get along.”

“Mom…”

“So I noticed you were forcing yourself but couldn’t bring it up… I’m sorry.”

Mom bowed deeply. Ichika shook her head desperately.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize.”

“It wasn’t a lie. The face you showed me… That’s also the real Ichika-chan.”

Ichika nodded with a tearful smile. Just like that, the small misunderstanding between them melted away.

In the end, their issue was just a minor miscommunication. It wasn’t as big a deal as Ichika feared. I was relieved it didn’t turn into something more twisted like my situation.

“From now on, dress however you like in front of me.”

“Okay. But I’ll keep it gradual… I don’t want to shock you.”

They laughed together, their misunderstandings resolved.