CH 81

It was a little after 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon.

I was on the train to go to the park where the fireworks show was to be held.

As the story went, I decided to take Yuika and Aina to see the fireworks display, and we were meeting up at a family restaurant near the park at 5 pm.

But I had one worry.

“Aina went ahead of me, is she gonna all right?”

I was late in leaving because I had an urgent matter that I had to do.

Aina, who was in her first year of middle school, therefore went out ahead of me.

I was sure Aina knew the geography of this area, so I thought she would be fine, but as her older brother, I could not help but worry about her.

I tried to stop her, but she quickly said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry.”

I had a positive image of a man of action, but it was times like this that troubled me.

Pirorin♪

I received a LINE from Aina.

Apparently, she had already arrived at the family restaurant where we were meeting.

So, I guess she was able to meet up with Yuika.

At any rate, it was a relief.

There were many people on the train.

Probably due to people going to a fireworks display.

The train was not that packed, but it was crowded to the extent that I felt suffocated.

I was leaning against the wall of the first car, as I always did, when a woman approached me.

“Um, …, Sasamiya-san …?”

It was Otomizu, my junior.

She was wearing her hair down, but there was no mistaking her friendly, droopy eyes.

“Otomizu? What’s wrong?”

“Haha. …. I’m about to go back to my parents’ house. My parents were really nagging me to come home for Obon.”

That was a natural concern for a parent with a daughter.

Especially for those of us who worked mainly in the event business, holidays were irregular.

This year we happened to be able to take the Obon holiday, but some years there were no consecutive holidays until late August.

Even if we got consecutive holidays when the rest of the world was working, it didn’t really feel like a vacation.

However, I understand going home for Obon, but going home on the 15th?

It seemed a bit late to go home. ……

And her expression seemed a little dark.

“Hey, Otomizu. Are you taking a proper rest? It must have been tough this time because your compensatory day off got pushed back.”

“I’m fine. I was trained properly under Sasamiya-san!”

Otomizu smiled with a victory pose, but there was still a shadow on her face.

Maybe she was holding something in her heart again.

That said, it was also rude to force her….

I hated myself for not being a good communicator at times like this.

“Well…. That’s it. If you want to rely on me, I’ll be there for you. That’s why don’t push yourself too hard. For my sake, too.”

“What!?”

Otomizu’s cheeks flushed as she suddenly let out a strange voice and trembled.

“…. your face is red. Are you tired after all?”

“N….. no! This is because, due to certain circumstances, the sympathetic nerves have become too active, how should I put it…”

“How can it be cured?”

“If only Sasamiya-san would give me a hug!”

“Really?”

“It’s a lie!”

Hmmm ……. If we could joke around like this, it looks like it was not that serious.

Then Otomizu giggled and looked at me.

“Actually, my parents have taken the liberty of arranging a blind date for me, and I’m leaving today to decline.”

“Is…. that so”

To be honest, I was surprised by the term “blind date.”

Nowadays, it is rare for parents to arrange an arranged marriage on their own.

“I feel invigorated when I talk with you. What you said earlier really touched my heart, Sasamiya-san.”

“I was just trying to be cool. Although, …, I would go crazy if someone I knew saw me like this.”

That’s really it.

I was trying to act the part of a good senior in front of Otomizu, but if anyone I knew heard this line, I would want to run through the Sea of Trees at Mt. Fuji in embarrassment.

But I was on a train.

And it was Obon season.

I was sure that my acquaintances would never find me.

Then, I heard a childish voice right behind me.

“Ah. Sorry, Bro. … actually, I was behind you the whole time.”

I slowly turned around to see my sister, Aina.

She saw something she shouldn’t have seen and awkwardly put her hands behind her head.

“….. how long have you been there?”

“Since you got on the platform.”

“Didn’t you say on the LINE that you were already at the rendezvous point?”

“That was a lie. I was hiding the whole time because I wanted to surprise you. …. Sorry.”

I looked up at the train ceiling and covered my face with my hands.

Why? Because I was embarrassed!

“I want to jump off the train right now. ……”

“Please be patient as it is a nuisance to other passengers.”

Otomizu calmly retorted.

As expected of my junior.

You’ve upped your game, haven’t you?