CH 47

(POV Chiharu)

The cooking practice class was scheduled for the next day, and our homeroom teacher reminded us in the classroom not to forget essentials like aprons and ingredients. 

“Sigh…”

“H-hey, cheer up! H-Here, I’ll give you one of my snack biscuits! If I get the whale-shaped one, I’ll let you eat it first!” Chiaki said.

“Okay…”

“And I’ll give you a Pino (snack brand) too! If I get the star-shaped one, I’ll give it to you, Chinatsu!” Chiaki added.

“Thank you!”

As we rode the bus and got off at the nearest station near our house, while walking from there, Chinatsu seemed a little down, so Chiaki tried to cheer her up.

“I’ll give you a hug.” I suggested.

“No thanks.”

“Oh, Okay…”

Chinatsu, aren’t you a little too distant? In the past, you used to receive lots of hugs from me, and it always cheered you up.

She continued walking without stopping. Then, Chifuyu walked up next to her, wearing a smile on her face, though her expression seemed a bit tense.

“T-today Chifuyu will help you with your homework!”

“Yeah, I’d appreciate that.”

“Well, leave it to me.”

As they walked and walked, they arrived home. Opening the door and stepping inside, we proceeded to wash our hands and do other customary tasks before sitting down around the desk in the living room.

“…I appreciate your concern, but you don’t have to treat me like a princess.” Chinatsu said.

“No, I’m not really treating you like that.” Chiaki said.

“Chifuyu too.” Chifuyu added.

“Yeah, me too.”I said.

“No, you were really taking care of me. It’s not like the greedy Aki would ever offer me her snacks like that. Also, Fuyu always tells me to do my homework by myself, but now she says she’s going to help me. Well, Haru is just the same as always, though…”

“I… I’m not greedy as you say.” Chiaki retorted.

“When I asked for just one Apollo candy before, you made a face like, ‘Huuh?’ or something like that. And even though you gave me one, you looked really unhappy.” Chinatsu said.

“I didn’t do that. I didn’t do anything like that. I gave you ten Apollos with a bright smile.”

“That’s a completely distorted memory you have there.”

It seemed like she understood that we were concerned about her. Perhaps when she told us not to worry and to treat her normally, she was also considering our feelings.

“I prefer things to be as they always are because that’s what’s best for me,” Chinatsu said.

“Then, let us start with a hug…” I suggested.

“No need for that.”

“Sniffle…”

Maybe this is what they call the rebellious phase. Chinatsu slightly distanced herself, as if saying, I wouldn’t do it no matter what. 

It’s lonely. Lately, there have been too many lonely moments. Will there be more lonely times ahead?

With that thought lingering, I shifted my focus. How can I make tomorrow’s cooking class enjoyable for Chinatsu?

That was the only thing I directed my thoughts toward.

◆◆

(POV Chinatsu)

I was preparing for tomorrow. I put the textbooks for tomorrow’s classes in my backpack, sharpened the pencils, and stored away the apron.

Tomorrow, there would be a bothersome cooking practice class, and I wasn’t particularly excited about it. However, thanks to Kaito-san preparing a cute apron for me, I had a little something to look forward to.

The apron had an embroidery of a cute dolphin leaping over the sea. It suited my taste perfectly.

Honestly, I don’t dislike these kinds of cute things.

“I’m so sleepy already…”

“Aki-nee… Your eyelids are starting to close.”

Aki had an expression that clearly showed how desperately she wanted to sleep. Due to our ingrained healthy lifestyle, Aki usually went to bed by 10 p.m. on weekdays, except for Fridays.

As an exception, on Fridays, movies were aired from 9 to 11 p.m., so I would enjoy them, and on regular weekends, we would watch variety shows or something.

“Hey, Chiaki, come to my bed…”

“Goodnight…”

Aki drifted off to sleep, completely exhausted, while Haru let out a sigh, looking somewhat lonely. It must be her sisterly heart at work, making her want to sleep together.

“Natsu-nee, can you sleep? If you can’t, you can use come in Chifuyu’s bed.” Fuyu said.

“I’ll pass. Don’t worry about me, just get some rest for tomorrow.”

“Well, then, goodnight…”

“Goodnight.”

Even our reliable fourth sister showed concern, but I insisted on letting her sleep first. Surely, she must be tired as well, given how deeply she has ingrained that healthy lifestyle into her body.

Fuyu and Aki must have stayed awake with me because they thought I couldn’t sleep at night. However, as the second eldest and in the position of an older sister, I had to refrain from relying too much on my younger siblings.

It wasn’t an absolute rule, but when I looked at Haru, a sense of duty welled up inside me, urging me to act in the same way.

“Haru, you should go to sleep first.”

“I’ll stay awake with you. Even if it’s an all-nighter.”

“No, it actually makes it harder for me to fall asleep…”

“Really? But either way, I don’t think you’ll be able to sleep right away, will you?”

“That might be true…”

“In that case, I’ll stay awake too. Want to play a word chain game?”

“Not interested…”

The room was bathed in soft, brown ambient light. According to Kaito-san’s advice, it’s better to sleep in complete darkness, but it scares me, so my sisters and I always sleep with this gentle illumination.

Usually, I would fall asleep right away in this light, but tonight, I couldn’t. It was probably because I was anxious about tomorrow.

I lay down in bed, hoping to fall asleep as soon as possible. Suddenly, Haru moved her own futon and placed it next to mine.

“…What’s this for?”

“I’ll stay here until you can fall asleep.”

“…Thank you.”

I couldn’t help but rely on Haru, my older sister, even though I knew it could be burdensome. It was a habit of mine, both in the past and now.

“Hold my hand…”

“Sure.”

I only dared to ask for such comfort when my younger sisters wasn’t looking. Perhaps I was the most spoiled child among us. Haru’s hand felt warm.

It was similar to my own hand, yet distinctly different, as if it belonged to someone who had faced different struggles.

In the past… we used to do this often. It was our way of enduring the loneliness and fear, by maintaining this delicate physical connection.

Wrapped in nostalgia and a sense of safety, I gradually… 

◆◆

(POV Chinatsu)

The room we found ourselves in was cramped and grimy, with walls covered with unsightly stains and the floor marked by numerous burn scars. The old windows creaked and groaned as they swayed in the wind, casting an eerie atmosphere.

The toilet and the bath were also old. The lighting flickered on and off repeatedly.

One day, I…..we found ourselves confined to this place.

We were rejected and isolated, even by our own parents. Ever since I can remember, it was Hau who supported us, taking care of us in the bare minimum way.

She was always there for us, supporting us through thick and thin. There were times when I admired her and wished I could be like her someday.

But things took a turn for the worse and changed when my supernatural abilities awakened. It was then that I abandoned my aspirations, realizing they were impossible to achieve.

Haru was the first to awaken her powers, followed by Aki, and then me.

Our parents, consumed by fear of the anomaly called supernatural abilities, weren’t satisfied with just isolating and rejecting us. Driven by guilt for neglecting their responsibility of raising their own children and overwhelmed by their own fears, they attempted to kill us. 

Once upon a time, I believed that revenge would come.

“You shouldn’t have been born…”

I never saw her as a mother. There was no gratitude, no affection, and no trust. I was nothing more than a stranger to her. But I never imagined that she would raise a knife—a blade—against me.

We were supposed to be connected by blood.

I despised my parents with all my heart. I hated them to the point of death.

I held onto my anger for so long. Why didn’t they take care of me? Why didn’t they provide satisfying meals? Why didn’t they celebrate my birthday like other children?

Why wouldn’t they hold my hand?

But when I saw my mother pointing a knife at me, with my father standing idly by, not intervening, my anger disappeared.

I had some expectations of them. Even though they were awful, despicable, and at the bottom of society, maybe they could become normal.

Maybe they could have a change of heart and become a loving family. Maybe they could love us, the rejected.

That’s where my anger stemmed from. But it disappeared.

I gave up on them.

Simultaneously, fear welled up within me. The sharp tip of the knife. The clear premonition of death. I was terrified. The image of death consumed my mind relentlessly.

In that moment of impending death, a large icy barrier formed in front of me. Aki and Fuyu trembled, crying slightly behind me. But she was different. Standing in front of me, Haru protected me.

It was unimaginable, and it terrified our parents. As a chilling breeze gradually enveloped them, they were overcome by fear and left the room.

“Are you okay…? It was scary, wasn’t it? But you’re safe now…”

My sister embraced me. Tears wouldn’t stop, and the tremors from the lingering fear continued to shake my body. Yet, thanks to her, I felt a little better.

From that day on, I truly couldn’t trust anyone anymore. I started to fear my own self.

I lost the ability to fully trust anyone. I, who could assume an adult-like form under the full moon’s glow, was plagued by an unrelenting fear of death. There were days when those memories overwhelmed me, causing me to vomit. 

Each time, my sister supported me… In the midst of such a life, my world gradually became restricted to the depths of my own being. 

◆◆

(POV Kaito)

The alarm clock chimed, stirring me from my sleep. I followed my usual morning routine: descending the stairs, brushing my teeth, splashing water on my face, tidying my hair, and changing into fresh clothes. 

I started making breakfast just like always. Chifuyu, who always woke up early, had already made a habit of studying in the living room.

I never studied this much when I was a child…

While I busied myself with breakfast, my thoughts wandered. Today was the cooking practice class, but I couldn’t help but wonder if Chinatsu would be alright. It seemed odd to expect her to participate in cooking when she had a fear of knives. Allowing her to rest would have been a reasonable choice. 

There’s no need to push yourself too hard. It’s important to go with the flow sometimes.

While I was thinking about such things, the door to the living room opened, and Chiharu, Chiaki, and Chinatsu came in.

“Good morning. It’s time for breakfast, but give me a moment to…”Just as I was about to finish speaking, I noticed something strange about Chinatsu. Her cheeks were flushed, more so than usual. She also seemed a bit sluggish.

“…Onii-san, Chinatsu seems to have a fever.”

“Shall we take her temperature?”

I began searching for the thermometer. Where did I put it? I remember using it myself before… I think I stored it on the shelf next to the television.

“Natsu-nee, are you okay!?” Chifuyu asked.

“Yeah, it’s just… a bit hazy.”

“I-is there there something I can do…” Chiaki added.

“It’s okay.”

As I listened to the voices of the four of them, the only thought that came to mind was how wonderful they were as sisters. I could feel their strong bond.

“Found it! Alright, clip this under your armpit and wait a moment.”

“Yes, thank you…”

I had a feeling that she had caught a cold. She was coughing a bit and her nose was stuffed. It seemed highly likely that it was a cold.

“Kaito-san, I measured my temperature…” Chinatsu said.

“She has a slight fever… It might be better for her to stay home from school today.”

Even though it was just a slight fever, I couldn’t force her to go to school. We would go to the hospital early today, get a diagnosis, receive medication, and rest.

That’s the plan.

“Well then, I’ll stay home too!” Chiaki said.

“If Natsu-nee is staying home, then Chifuyu should too.”

“Me too…” Chiharu added.

It would be nice if all four of them could stay together… but what should I do? They didn’t want to do the cooking practice or go to school on their own, without Chinatsu. It was clear that they were genuinely concerned.

“You guys should go to school…” Chinatsu said.

“But… we…”

“Go, otherwise I’ll end up worrying even more.”

“Y-Yeah, I see…”

As the three of them were about to stay, Chinatsu uttered a single decisive word, and the three fell silent. Despite their complex expressions, they headed towards school as they always did.

“Well then, let’s go to the hospital.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Um, what about your work…”

“I’ll take the day off.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize.”

I was relieved that I received immediate approval after notifying my workplace about taking a day off. With Chinatsu in the passenger seat, we set off.

On the way to the hospital, Chinatsu occasionally held her hand over her mouth and coughed, looking down.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine…”

“We’ll be there soon.”

“…Thank you.”

She doesn’t often speak in an assertive tone to me. While she may use assertive words with her sisters, she tends to come across as timid when it comes to me.

However, today she seemed even more weakened. It’s common for her to adopt such a demeanor when she’s feeling unwell.

I was unsure whether it would be better to avoid mentioning the cooking practice class or if it would be beneficial to address it directly. Lost in various thoughts, we arrived at the hospital.

◆◆

(POV Chinatsu)

“Yes, here is your medication. Please take it after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, by the way…”

“I understand.”

Kaito-san kindly received the prescribed medication for me at the reception. Afterward, we went to the supermarket to buy some drinks and headed back home.

I had a cooling sheet applied to my forehead and lay down on the futon in my upstairs room. Kaito-san tucked me in and left the room.

He must be aware of my tendency to worry when he’s nearby. He understands my difficulty in falling asleep. 

I rarely slept in places other than with my sisters. Even if the classes were boring at school, I never fell asleep. It was because there were people around whom I couldn’t trust.

Honestly, I think catching a cold today was a good thing. After all, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the class anyway. Being in a space where untrustworthy people brandish knives around me was nothing but terrifying. I hated the idea of someone having something that could harm me or, in the worst case, kill me.

However, there are times when I wish we could have done the cooking practice together as sisters.

Lost in my thoughts, I heard a knock on the door.

“May I come in?”

“S-Sure.”

Kaito-san entered the room, carrying something that resembled a rice porridge. He placed it on the desk.

“It’s a light and easily digestible porridge. Sorry for the mild flavor, but please eat it quickly, take your medication, and go to sleep. That’s the best course of action.”

“Yes.”

“…Would you like me to feed you?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Oh, I-I see…”

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but this person resembles Haru a bit… He had that overprotective nature and seemed highly capable.

“Well then, I’ll…”

With a wry smile, Kaito-san seemed about to leave the room. It would have been fine for him to just bow as usual, say a few words, and leave. However…

“Um, would you mind staying with me…?”

Unconsciously, I called out to him. Perhaps it was because he resembled Haru, or maybe it was because I felt lonely being sick and my thoughts were clouded, or simply because I wanted to talk to him a little more.

Even I couldn’t fully grasp the reasons behind it.

“Hmm? …Of course, I don’t mind, but won’t having me around make it harder for you to rest?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so… then it’s okay.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Kaito-san sat down near my futon. Several seconds passed without much conversation.

Following Kaito-san’s instructions, I picked up the rice porridge from the desk and brought it to my mouth.

“The flavor is too mild, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is…”

“When you get better, I’ll make you some Neapolitan.”

“Thank you… but why Neapolitan?”

“I thought it was your favorite. You had seconds when I made it before, didn’t you?”

“…Oh, right.”

This person, he really pays attention to others. He genuinely sees us. It makes me feel a little happy. 

Having finished my rice porridge, I endured the bitterness of the medicine, forcing it down my throat. A slight grimace passed over my face, but I managed to swallow it all. 

“Well, it’s probably best for you to go to sleep now.”

“Yes…”

“If you can’t sleep, would you like me to sing a lullaby?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Oh, okay…”

My stomach was full, and as I lay down on the futon after taking my medicine, drowsiness naturally overcame me. I was somewhat surprised by the fact that I was trying to sleep while someone other than my sisters was right in front of me.

“Hand…”

“Hm?”

“Could you… hold my hand?”

“…Ah, of course, I can,” he responded.

Kaito-san’s hand was warm, a sensation completely different from Haru’s. He gently clasped my hand in his.

“Actually, I really wanted to participate in the cooking class…” I confessed.

“…I see. Well, when you feel better, you can do it at home,” he suggested.

“…Yes.”

“But don’t do it on your own with the others. It’s dangerous. The condition is that I have to be there when you guys do it,” he added.

“Yes…”

“…Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

Gradually, mu consciousness started fading, and my eyelids grew heavy. There were so many things I wanted to discuss, so many things I wanted to ask.

Kaito-san’s hand was warm and gentle, and it brought me a sense of reassurance as drowsiness washed over me…

“For now, it’s okay… But, will you listen to my…our story someday?” I asked.

“I will,” 

“…Yes, thank you… Kaito-san… Also, I’m looking forward to the Neapolitan,” I added.

“Understood. So, go to sleep now. Get better soon,” he said.

I nodded once, and just like that…

◆◆

(POV Chinatsu)

In our bedroom on the second floor, I found out that the cooling sheet had already been removed from my forehead, and the news reached me through my returning sisters. 

“So, how was the cooking practice?” 

“It was terrible, a complete failure. It’s Kaito’s fault! Kaito always makes delicious dishes, so my taste buds have become too refined! Thanks to that, it tasted even worse!” Aki grumbled

“I see…”

“Chifuyu… mistakenly used salt instead of sugar and turned the dessert into a salty mess…” Fuyu added.

“Well, that’s quite a mistake…”

“I didn’t make any mistakes. Although I did break a couple of plates.” Haru said.

“Ah, you seem like the one making the most mistakes!” 

Strangely enough, I quickly returned to my usual state of health. When I woke up earlier, the lethargy had disappeared, and I found myself holding Kaito-san’s hand.

“How was Chinatsu’s day?”

“For me… I felt better, so I had some ice cream. It cost 300 yen.”

“What!? That’s unfair!” Aki exclaimed. 

“And I also drank strawberry milk.”

“So unfair!”

“But you see, I was already feeling better around 3 o’clock. He asked if I wanted to eat, and I just said yes.”

“So unfair, unfair, unfair! Meanwhile, I was forced to eat a disgustingly bad dessert because of Chifuyu!”

“Well, that’s a bit hurtful, you know…” Fuyu muttered.

“And Chiharu’s stew had overly sweet broth and crunchy potatoes!”

“I’m sorry…”

Aki, my younger sister, attacked Haru and Fuyu with her sharp tongue.

“In other words, it’s safe to say that your cooking practice was an absolute failure, right?”

“Yes… Ugh…”

“Aki, cheer up. Kaito-san said he’ll do a cooking practice session at home next time.”

“Really!? Is it true?” Aki asked.

“It is. And by the way, it seems like it’ll be filled with sushi.”

“Oh wow! sushi, huh!”

Aki was delighted, and I could sense a hint of joy from Haru and Fuyu as well. Involuntarily, I squeezed the right hand that was holding Kaito-san, remembering that feeling.

It was a gentle and warm hand, unlike any I had ever felt before. If I were to continue walking, led by that person, perhaps I would be able to see something else—something beyond. Maybe even see both the path I should take and the path I shouldn’t…

◆◆

(POV Kaito)

Yesterday, it was a huge relief to see Chinatsu recovering her health so quickly. However, somehow or another, I ended up offering her a treat in the form of ice cream and strawberry milk, despite knowing that rice porridge would be better for her digestion. In any case, since she appeared to be feeling better, I couldn’t resist giving her a little something special.

As per usual, I prepared breakfast while occasionally catching glimpses of Chifuyu studying. It was the typical morning scene that I had grown accustomed to.

Then, just like always, the living room door opened, and Chinatsu, Chiaki, and Chiharu walked in.

“Good morning… What’s wrong?”

“Onii-san…Chiaki seems to have a fever….”

“Is that so?”

“U, unn…”

Chiharu hesitated with her words, which was unusual. Chinatsu looked at Chiaki with a dismayed expression, and Chifuyu, sensing something, forced a smile.

“U-um, I, somehow, have a headache… So, I’ll take the day off today…”

“I-I see…”

“So, give me a 300 yen ice cream and strawberry milk! And also, some potato chips!”

“Huh? What?”

“Oh, and one more thing! Sashimi!”

“You still have an appetite…”

“U-um, I wonder… I just thought it would be better to get some nutrition… Ahh my stomach hurts…”

“So, the pain wasn’t in your head…?”

“Huh?!”

Well, this is definitely a feigned illness… But can I just outright deny it? Maybe it’s better to start by believing… But still…

“Kaito-san, please ignore Aki’s feigned illness.” Chinatsu said.

“Huh? It’s not a feigned illness!”

“Liar! Then, shall we take your temperature?”

“Fine, go ahead.”

“Even if you rub it on your clothes, it’s useless. We’ll be monitoring, so if it’s a lie, we’ll catch you immediately.”

“…Ughh.”

“It’s still not a feigned illness?”

“Tch.”

Chiaki clicked her tongue and made a displeased face. Even those aspects of her are adorable. In the purest sense.

“This angry Chiaki is cute to. Onee-chan thinks so,” Chiharu said.

“This is because you spoiled her that she’s like this,” Chinatsu retorted.

“But younger sisters are meant to be spoiled,” Chiharu replied.

“No, that’s exactly what I mean…”

With that, it seemed like there would be no issues in resuming breakfast preparations. As I watched the slightly noisy quartet from the kitchen, I stylishly made some tamagoyaki.