Chapter 1: For only this much…… I won’t be branded as a hentai… would I?

(POV: Jun Shirasaki)

My eyes opened up due to that bright sunlight. My mother must have entered my room without permission and as usual opened the curtains. I would like to wake up at my own time on holidays.

The time of waking up is just the worst.

Another reason for my bad incomplete sleep. It is – dreams.

Dreams of the time when Rumi and I were dating ─ they say that dreams are a way to organize memories, but it’s been a little over a month since we broke up, it seems that I still have memories of that time. Even now when I think I’m finally getting used to it, due to this unexpected impetus, I start remembering those days once again.

Really, just how many times has this occurred already?

When I looked up, I saw someone sitting on the edge of my bed. Even with my blurry vision, I immediately recognized who it was.

It was not a continuation of the dream ─ The person sitting in front of me was no longer my girlfriend but just a childhood friend.

“What is it, so early in the morning?”

While wearing my glasses and my head not even fully awake, I asked Rumi.

“Early morning? Is there no clock in this room? It’s almost noon.”

“It’s my day off, so it’s up to me when I wish to get up.”

“What do you want …?”

“So, what is it this time? You need some help right? If you’re wearing a uniform, does that mean you’re going for club activities now? Or are you on your way home from school?”

“I will be going for my club activities. And well, just around the time I came in here. I was just thinking that – your sleeping face really is like a child.”

Saying, “… That’s a bad taste.”, I got up and staggered my way, sat on the chair, avoiding Rumi.

I thought it would not be proper for us to sit side by side on the bed.

We’re no longer in that sort of relationship anymore. We shouldn’t make that ambiguous anymore. And the most important thing, what is she even thinking by coming to the house of the guy you just dumped the other day.

“Thanks. By the way, you really have bad bed-hair. It’s standing like a pinpointed tornado.”

“I can’t help it since I just woke up from bed. … So, what’s your business? You must have some kind of business to come all the way to the house of the guy you just dumped, right?”

While fixing my hair with a hand comb, I pushed her to talk.

Unlike me, who still can’t quite digest the situation of getting dumped; Rumi, who was in the position of the person who dumped me, treated me as usual.

However, the distance between us is just a little more distant than we were before we started going out. I can’t put it well into words, but it’s a distance that shows up when we converse with each other and also when we physically meet with each other.

Of course, it was not so much that she was avoiding me, but I felt as if she had drawn an invisible line and interacted with me from behind that line. While there is a part of me that is relieved by such behaviour, there is also a part of me that feels a sense of inadequacy.

In other words, I haven’t fully sorted out my mind yet.

“For the time being, how about washing up your head? It’s kind of hard to talk to you while looking at that head.”

From the feeling I got from touching earlier, it does seem that there is a really bad bed-hair sticking out …, but I can’t just accept the fact that everything was going according to Rumi’s plans and intentions.

Well, I’ll fix my bed hair. Including that, I really don’t want to be seen the way I wake up from sleep. I even said this a lot of times when we were dating.

I wash my face in the bathroom, brush my teeth, and straighten my bed hair.

Thinking that it was unexpectedly quiet, when I looked into the living room there was no one there.

So, I was alone with … No, don’t think any more than it actually is.

Rather than that, where did my parents go anyway?

Even though we’ve known each other since childhood, it wouldn’t be like she has a duplicate key to our house. … So perhaps they are at the house next door, that means at Rumi’s house huh?

When I returned to my room, Rumi was sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, looking at her smartphone. Her tight leg calves were peeking out from her school uniform skirt. With a sideways glance at Rumi’s complexion, I turn my chair around and adjust my sitting position. When I leaned against my backrest, a sound of ‘Gee’ got sounded.

“Were my parents already gone when Rumi came in?”

“They were there. When I came in, Aunt said to me, “Rumi-chan, you’ve come at a really good time, we were just about to go out. That sleepyhead is still sleeping, could you wake him up for me while you are here?” And then he went off with uncle.”

“That way of speaking. It’s eerily similar, so please stop that. …Waa we’re already old enough, so don’t be so casual about asking her to do that kind of thing, damnit.”

“I don’t think our parents ever thought of us like that anytime. Or what is it~, you’re getting a little conscious about it~?”

“As if I would… It’s just a general term. So, what is your business with me?”

“What a boring response. Well, never mind,”, saying so, Rumi put her smartphone on the bed from her hands.

“Then, coming to the reason for my visit, ─ when is Jun planning to go out with Naori? Don’t tell me that you forgot …, well you can’t, can you. Since you are quite confident in your memory, aren’t you.”

“How can I ever forget it … After being told such an outlandish request in the time we parted our ways? There is now way I could ever forget…… Even so, in the first place, just how serious were you saying that?”

Exactly one year after the day we started dating, as soon as Rumi told me she wants to break up with me. Furthermore, she added a request to date her little sister, Naori in return. She requested me without even telling me the reason why she had even dumped me.

‘Oh, is that so, Ok then, I guess.’

There was no way I could say that.

Thinking about it rationally, there was no way I could honestly accept such a request in the first place. No, I don’t even need to think about it.

And yet, the girl who was my first girlfriend is asking me to go out with the girl who was my first love.

“Just how ser— ?“

“… I am very serious about it. There is no way I would say this as a joke. Are you stupid?”

“Don’t call people ‘stupid’ from so early in the morning. Damn it, don’t you realize that what you are asking me to do is something that really sounds like a joke?”

“I know that sort of thing. I understand how troublesome it is when I ask you to do such a thing out of the blue. But because it’s Jun …, something I can’t ask to just anyone other than Jun, like this, I am requesting you”

After saying this, Rumi muttered, “Otherwise, there was no point in breaking up with you.” in a soft-fading voice.

If I had not been listening to her words carefully, I probably wouldn’t have caught on what she said just now. Then, with a downcast look on her face, she continued in a weak voice, “Naori has always loved you, Jun.”

When Rumi had told me back then that “Naori can’t live without you, Jun.” it was not that I did not think about the meaning behind that statement. But I tried to keep a demeanor as if I did not think about it. Since I felt that if I didn’t do that, I would be denying the relationship between me and Rumi. So, I pretended not to notice ─ Rather trying to attach a different meaning to that statement.

I gave up on Naori and decided to date Rumi. That is a fact. But as time went on, I fell more and more in love with Rumi. I would be lying if I said I was not reminded of Naori at all, but more than Naori, the place occupied by Rumi in my life had become much larger.

It was way, way larger.

Why does it even matter that I had mutual feelings with Naori at some point of time. It’s already in the past.

“But … even if you say … such kind of thing.”

“Even Jun has feelings for Nao ─ no, let it be; rather, this is a request from my side. I want you to return to me the status of being the elder sister of Naori again. Only Jun is capable of doing that. This is the only way I can think of.”

When I thought that her sharp-rounded eyes widened and looked straight as if they were about to penetrate me, her line of sight dropped all of a sudden. To shift the focus from that subject, Rumi starts brushing up her hair bangs, as her silky smooth hair slides through her fingers.

Oh, now I see. So that’s how it was. Rumi was always aware of my first love for a long time. She knew how I felt at that time. The words that were left unspoken and cut off from between probably hinted to those things.

Even a thick-headed person like me could tell that.

So, when she said, “I’m not good enough for Jun.”, she wanted to say that sort of thing to me huh.

Really, what an idiot she is.

I had already sorted out my feelings.

Even so, to ask me to return her being the elder-sister is my problem … so that is what she meant.

─ So, is that why you decided to end the relationship with me?

Just because of that?

If it is really that, then you really are an idiot. A FOOL OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

Does she even understand, that how insincere, rude, and stupid you make of Naori by that?

“… I can’t change my feelings that quickly. Besides, it’s too rude to go out with Naori with these lingering feelings.”

“You don’t hate Naori, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then all’s fine.”

“IT’S NOT! Really you… Even if it is easier to say that up front, you also understand that it’s not that simple, don’t you? Rather, more than that, … I’m still … about Rumi.”

“─ STOP! DON’T SAY ANYMORE! I won’t go back to you no matter what you say!”

Rumi shouted in a voice – as if squeezed-out, as if still trying to hold onto something.

Her voice pierced my eardrums.

The lonely tone which was lurking in my conversation with Rumi. An intent to subdue the impulsive emotions. The fading smile which she would show from time to time. Whenever I found these signs, I had always searched for possibilities.

I thought, what I needed to do in order to start fresh all over again.

I was feminine, shallow, and unable to get back on my feet, and that was Rumi’s reason to reject me. That I would not be satisfied unless I was with Naori, no matter how hard I tried.

But are you really sure you are okay with that?

“Are you really sure you won’t regret this decision? Would you really be satisfied if I went out with Naori?”

“…Yes,” Rumi nodded slowly,

“I’m sure, I will be alright.”

Say, Rumi. You are really an idiot. You are a fool beyond belief.

Just for the sake of Naori’s love.

Just for the sake of my first love.

I stepped aside. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

To protect her pride as an elder sister.

“So, all this time, is just a well wished dream .., are you ok with that?

It’s really stupid. This is ridiculous.

“So, the reason why you broke up with me was…” but I stopped.

Since the most idiotic person is probably, definitely me. The reason is that I’m trying to fulfill Rumi’s last wish.

“But well, that’s what it is all about, isn’t it?”

[TL note: Probably Jun is hinting towards the meaning of Love.]

※　※　※

(Jinguji Naori)

The beginning of the fifth lunar month.

Such a wonderful and dear day it is.

A lovely holiday that allows you to indulge in either reading novels until late at night or watching movies until dawn.

Consume!

Consume the stories!

Being single is the best! I can use the time allotted to me to the fullest.

Following the voice in my heart, I start an extremely irregular life starting from Sunday. Strictly speaking, it is from the previous night itself.

At the dinner table the day just before Golden Week, my father suddenly said that he didn’t want to go out because it would be crowded during these consecutive holidays. Looked cool after a long time.

I felt a little of my father’s dignity.

Me and my dad love to stay at home.

While mother and onee-chan, loves to travel out.

This was the deep-rooted confrontational structure that lies in our house.

The capitalists and communists.

We got to watch out for that secret police!

Nn, Which side is the capitalist camp, you ask?

Shut it!

I want to stay at home!

I don’t want to go into the crowd!

[TL note: Hitogomi… She literally said that. It means ‘Garbage made of peoples’]

I will protect my 4 walls!

Below is the conversation that happened without me.

MY mother said, “Even so, it’s the holidays, so I want to go somewhere,” and then onee-chan followed up, “Everyone at school was making a fuss about the overseas and the too hot, hot springs.”

“That being said, almost all places are crowded during Golden Week. I am sorry, but I don’t want to be trapped in a road jam while on our way to enjoy the vacation. Since I’ll be the one who’ll be driving.”

“I will also drive. If we take turns driving, wouldn’t it be fine?”

“Come to think of it, on the television, they did a program about the cherry blossom season coming a bit earlier!”

“Ara, isn’t that nice, but as far as I remember, isn’t the cherry blossom season supposed to fall later this year?”

“Wouldn’t that perhaps be the greenhouse cultivated cherry blossoms?”

Father!

Resist your desire to flaunt your knowledge!

You should be denying it with all you got over here!

“Let’s go there then.”

“But don’t you think it would be way too crowded?”

That’s right!

Tell them!

“I agree that it might be a little crowded, but it’s not really that far. Won’t it be fine”

“Ah well, if it’s to that degree, I guess it won’t hurt.”

So much for his dignity. Not cool. You’ll lose your daughter’s trust if you accept defeat so easily like that.

Remember that—

—Our house is always like this.

While recommending a hen, we went for a rooster. And I become the scapegoat.

[TL notes: A parable of a husband being moved by his wife’s opinion.]

“And what about you Naori? We will be going to see the cherry blossoms, doesn’t that sound fun?”

Like this, only onee-chan would ask for my confirmation

…, However…

It’s already been decided that we will go! We were definitely going! It’s horrible of you to try to show that you will acknowledge my decision, my confirmation after pretty much everything already got decided!

It’s cheating, just like that passerby culprit who glanced at the screen after everything was already over!

Anyway, it’s my turn, and I have no choice but to agree with them… With this sort of flow.

“Yeah. I think it’s a good idea.”

Okay, I’ll give you one day. This is also to keep the peace within the family. I know how to read the air of the room properly. Don’t you dare look down on me. Although, I don’t really want to go!

Also, father, be aware of the reason behind your disappearing dignity and reflect on it.

I am not going to forgive you for that.

“Then it’s decided.”

I’m able to see my onee-chan’s delighted face. So, for now, I will accept that.

“Come to think of it, Shirasaki-san’s father is coming home, isn’t he?”

“Isn’t that good news? How about we have a barbecue together tonight? Let’s ask them.”

Don’t you say some good things too, father. You are doing well in restoring your daughter’s trust in you.

“I want to eat red meat. But for starters, let’s ask them about it.”

For this, even I shall give my consent as well. It’s been a long time since I had a barbecue with Jun-kun. And if it’s a barbecue in the garden, I don’t need to go out either. I don’t have to care about crowds.

Nothing is posing a problem. I have no objections.

And above all, meat… Bristling fat… Enveloped in smoke… And that sizzling music the moment you put the meat in with the sauce.

“Then I’ll tell them that later.”

My mother, I will entrust you with that.

I want to eat meat. If possible, I want to eat Tarafuku meat.

When I suddenly looked at my sister’s face and saw that she had slightly tricky emotions showing through her face.

.

It must be pretty complicated. Even though father didn’t know anything about this, he was her ex-boyfriend after all, and they had just broken up recently.

But here, let’s have her show a little patience. After all, I also agreed with participating in the cherry blossoms. It’s her turn next. Meat-chan, wait for me. I’ll soon come to pick you up right away.

With this, It’s fair.

The only ones you can shoot are those who are prepared to be shot, Onee-chan. Was it Lelouch? Well, that is so, but this was originally the dialogue from Marlowe.

[TL notes: Phillip Marlowe was a detective series by Raymond Chandler. Termed as Los Angels’ toughest detective.]

Try not to get wrong on that part! The works by Raymond Chandler are a must-read.

I woke up in the early afternoon on the second day of Golden Week. I was able to use my first night to the fullest, consuming till I am incapable to do so more.

You could call it my complete victory. I slept after the surroundings start to become bright.

Vampire? They are dead, though?

When I entered the living room, scratching my head, I saw that my father was watching a movie. No one else, all by himself. Did the dogs of capitalism go out shopping? So, is consumption now praised as the present’s virtue?

Well, I guess onee-chan has club activities to do today.

After parting(breaking up) with Jun-kun, She’s become more enthusiastic about club activities than ever.

As soon as I looked at the TV to see what was ongoing, I became completely awake.

———————————————END OF CHAPTER————————————–