"Hic, hic, sniff..."
"Uh, uhmm, is there something... Honoka-san, are you alright...?"
Upon reaching the beach she had broken down and began crying in earnest, and in confusion Mizuki who didn't know what had happened was trying to comfort her. The other three — Shizuku, Erika and Miyuki stood around the two in abject embarrassment.
"Hic... that's why, hic... I told him... sniff, to waaait..."
Of course, the one who felt the most awkward was Tatsuya. Truth be told, he would have wanted nothing more than to run away.
However, this wasn't something he could just hide from.
"That, well... Tatsuya-kun was just trying to help..."
Erika's words naturally had no effect. Miyuki wasn't able to find words for either party, not even Tatsuya.
"Honoka, I uh... I'm sorry."
Tatsuya himself had had no malicious intent, and although he held no accountability in that regard, he couldn't just keep an indifferent face. Thinking so Tatsuya bowed low, as Shizuku whispered something in Honoka's ear.
"Honoka, you know that Tatsuya-san isn't to blame."
A quiet voice only Honoka could hear.
"He gave you plenty of time to fix your clothing after."
Despite the small volume, and despite the numerous contradictions, Shizuku's words seemed to have a calming effect.
"This wasn't exactly according to plan, but..."
However, it also seemed something suspicious had gotten mixed into those comforting words.
"This is a good chance."
That line was somewhat conspiratorial.
Shizuku had a few more inspirational words with her, then Honoka finally looked up.
"Tatsuya-san... are you really sorry?"
"I am being perfectly sincere. I truly am very sorry."
As Tatsuya bowed again, Honoka muttered "Then..."
"...just for today, listen to everything I say."
"Come again?"
At those totally unexpected words, confusion settled on Tatsuya's face. Honoka didn't fit the image of someone who would say something like that at all. Not just Tatsuya, but Miyuki and Erika wore similar expressions.
"If you do, I'll forgive you. Is that ok...?"
Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged glances.
Miyuki's crooked smile seemed to suggest 'it can't be helped'.
"...If that's what you want."
Although she had said 'whatever she says', he knew she wasn't a girl who would make malicious requests like in the 'King's game' that was popular several decades ago. As he nodded yes, Honoka happily cried 'it's a promise!' with a broad smile.
By the time Leo returned from his looo-o-ong (both in distance and duration) swim, he was just in time for tea on the balcony.
Cold drinks and colorful fruits were arrayed all over the table.
The acting waiter Kurosawa didn't wear a costume underneath her apron, but a light, mini one-piece. Her shoulders were bare, and her slender limbs peeked out from behind the apron that was larger than the dress itself. The sheer sex appeal it exuded would have instantly attracted the eyes of any teenage male, but today there were four more powerful swimsuits alongside her.
Taking a step back and looking maturely, two were beauties and two had already surpassed the level of the word beauty. For Leo, however, who distinctly felt 'food before romance' before these four swimsuit clad forms, not even Kurosawa's 'adult appeal' was a match for him.
But that didn't mean he was insensitive. Recognizing those four swimsuits, Leo remarked 'oh?' as he looked around.
"Where are... Tatsuya and Mitsui?"
"They're in, the boat, way over there."
The answer came not from the table, but from behind.
Tired all over and dripping seawater, Mikihiko breathlessly answered as he pointed.
Tatsuya and Honoka were heading out to sea in a retro rowboat.
"...What the heck's going on?"
"Stuff happened. Yeah, stuff."
At Leo's question, Erika answered toothily.
Rather than curt, that expression was almost a sulk, and as she turned away, Leo, rather than being offended had his curiosity piqued further.
Seeing Mikihiko watching the scene with interest, he also immediately looked over to sea.
Wearing a straw hat, Tatsuya's expression was hidden under its shade and indiscernible.
Honoka held a parasol and had her back turned to them, so her expression likewise couldn't be seen.
Even so as the small boat receded from the shore, Mikihiko could feel the exceedingly peaceful air they gave.
"...That's quite the nice atmosphere isn't it?"
"You two, hey,"
You morons, she left unsaid.
Even as Erika freaked out, a cold air cut through the room from the opposite seat.
Snap snap snap... Mikihiko could hear these ominous sounds coming from the girl sitting next to him, reminiscent of deepest winter.
"Mikihiko-kun, won't you have a chilled orange?"
Talking affably, Miyuki laughed as she passed a far too cold orange to Mikihiko.
With perfect timing, Kurosawa passed him a spoon.
Mechanically, Mikihiko took the sorbet spoon from her.
Miyuki had another piece of fruit in her hands. Once again, that snap snap snap... sound could be heard, and immediately she was holding a raw mango sorbet. Removing her frozen gaze from the fruit she had been staring at, she offered it to the person across from her with another bright smile.
"Saijou-kun, won't you have one too?"
"Ah... thanks..."
Leo decided that answer would be for the best.
Miyuki directed her gaze back at the mountain of fruit before her, but perhaps losing interest, glumly looked away.
"Shizuku, I'm sorry, but I feel a bit tired. Could I rest somewhere for a while please?"
"It's fine, don't worry. Kurosawa-san?"
"Of course. Miyuki-ojousama, right this way."
Following Kurosawa, Miyuki slid away into the villa.
Compared to Mizuki's cringing expression, Shizuku's signature poker-face was a marked contrast.
Dinner was a barbecue.
Eight people gathered harmoniously around the console, with Miyuki perhaps calming down after resting going back and forth between the table and the barbecue.
Before going off to incessantly pester Tatsuya, Honoka happily chatted away with Erika and Shizuku.
Perhaps because of the trauma incurred during teatime, Mizuki sat away from Miyuki and the others, engaging in conversation with Mikihiko.
Leo was wolfing food down with gusto. Kurosawa was almost exclusively serving him.
Of course the groupings weren't exclusive, with Honoka joining Miyuki's group sometimes, and Tatsuya getting into a foodfight with Leo.
But somehow — somehow compared to usual, there was an awkward air floating in between them.
It was the calm before the storm.
It's impossible to be sure of what will happen, but something definitely was going to happen — the one who broke that position and raised the curtain, was someone unexpected.
As soon as the card game the five girls had been playing ended in Mizuki's defeat, Shizuku asked Miyuki "Will you come with me for a bit?"
"...Sure."
Her confusion lasted only for a second.
Almost immediately, Miyuki was smiling again.
"...Um, are you guys going for a walk? I'll come too."
"You can't Mizuki. You have to go through the punishment game."
As Mizuki rose to follow after Miyuki, Erika grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her back down.
"Ehhh!? I didn't hear anything about that!"
"The loser obviously has to go through a punishment game. Anyway with that being said, you two take care."
Whether reading the air or not Erika subtly bound Mizuki, and pretending not to notice the tensions between them she waved Miyuki and Shizuku off.
The ones who sensed the tense atmosphere weren't just the ladies. After finishing dinner, Leo grabbed the pudding and took off, probably realizing the situation and Mikihiko, who was unable to concentrate on his game of chess, shot side glances at the girls.
"Checkmate. 10 more moves."
"Ehh, already!?"
Cried out at Tatsuya's ruthless sentence.
Leaving the villa, they turned left onto the beach.
Shizuku walked on in silence, and Miyuki followed in silence.
They proceeded in that way and when the lights of the villa could no longer be seen, Shizuku turned around.
Her normally expressionless face was tense.
Miyuki simply smiled, but that expression was an archaic smile from which no emotions could be read.
"Sorry for making you accompany me all this way."
"It's fine. Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
Even at Miyuki's prompting however, she couldn't bring herself to immediately cut to the chase.
After counting 10 rounds of waves washing gently over the shore, Shizuku opened her mouth.
"I want to know."
"About what?"
"Just how does Miyuki feel about Tatsuya-san?"
At Shizuku's question without any covering or roundabout approach, without any explanation or reason of intent,
"I love him."
Miyuki answered in a single word with absolute calm.
"...Is that, as a man?"
Rather, the one who seemed upset was Shizuku. She keeping her cool was probably just another aspect of her personality.
"No."
Miyuki's answer came without the slightest hesitation.
Her expression was serene.
"I love and respect Onii-sama more than anyone. But, that's not as a woman. These feelings I have for my brother are not romantic love. There could never be such a love between him and I."
Meeting Shizuku's gaze,
"I'm curious to know, why would you ask such a question of me?"
She gave a sly grin.
"It's fine. I have no intention to interfere with Honoka whatsoever. ...Just so you know, I will feel really jealous though?
So rest assured, although I guess that's going to be difficult."
As Miyuki gave a light laugh, Shizuku's expression seemed to be nearing tears.
"...Why."
"Why what?"
"Why...do you try to detach yourself like that? I mean, when it's so evident that you love Tatsuya-san so much."
Miyuki took a step towards Shizuku.
Shizuku visibly stiffened, but, she didn't flinch.
Miyuki walked past her in that way, until they were back to back.
"...It's difficult to explain the relationship between us siblings to someone else. There are too many speculations intertwined. But the feelings I have towards Onii-sama are not so simple as that."
"...Are you really siblings?"
As Shizuku turned around,
"You've asked a pretty well worn question."
Miyuki answered with her back still turned.
"...I'm sorry."
"No, I'm not blaming you or anything."
Shaking her head, Miyuki's smile was carefree.
"Very well... since you have a friend who really is trying her hardest."
"I... also think of you as my friend."
"I know. Which is why you're so conflicted right? You're doing your best not to hurt either of us."
At Miyuki's gentle gaze, Shizuku abashedly looked away.
"As I was saying... Onii-sama and I are true siblings. Or at least that's what it says on the records, and DNA tests have always confirmed that relation."
"But..."
"I know what you want to say."
As Shizuku stammered, Miyuki nodded understandingly.
"These feelings I have for Onii-sama, even I know it transcends the realm of normal sibling bonds."
Shizuku fell silent in embarrassment.
"You know... in truth, I died three years ago."
"Huh?"
In light of this confession, not even she could suppress her voice.
"Or maybe it's better to say I should have died? But at that time, I truly could feel my life fading from my body, so I suppose 'I really did die' isn't that inaccurate either."
As Miyuki spoke her smile was so fleeting, and the line 'I really did die' delivered with such conviction that Shizuku couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine.
"It's because of Onii-sama that I can stand before you like this. Being able to cry, to laugh, to speak with you right here and now, is all thanks to him. I owe my life to him, and all I have and all I am belong to him alone."
"That's..."
The question 'what does that mean?' remained unspoken, and no answer to it came.
"The feelings I have for Onii-sama are not romantic love."
The answer she gave instead referred to the second question 'as a man?', and the conviction in her voice was no less than before.
"Romantic love, means you want something from that person doesn't it?"
Even if she could have conversely asked Miyuki 'isn't love wanting that person to be yours?', Shizuku didn't reply. She believed it wasn't suitable, and besides,
"But, there is nothing I want from Onii-sama. Because I have already received me myself from him."
She instinctively understood Miyuki wasn't searching for an answer.
"I don't desire anything more from him. I won't even ask him to accept my feelings. In the end... I guess, love [2] is the only word I could use to describe it."
"...I got it."
At Miyuki's confession, Shizuku could do nothing but raise the white flag.
"Miyuki, you really are the real deal."
"I think it's a somewhat warped way of looking at things myself."
As Shizuku just shook her head, Miyuki closed one eye and gave a mischievous smile.
Soon after Shizuku and Miyuki left, Honoka went to check herself in a mirror. When she left the room, she said she was 'going to pick flowers'.
While she looked herself over, she ran through the words Shizuku had said. 'I'll take Miyuki outside, so you invite Tatsuya in the meanwhile'.
She had immediately known what she meant. Shizuku understood Honoka's feelings perfectly well without needing to consult her. Truthfully speaking, the capsizing incident earlier had also been something 'orchestrated' by Shizuku in an attempt to bring Honoka and Tatsuya together. She had informed him earlier that Honoka was not a good swimmer, and her plan had been that Tatsuya would save her then Honoka could use that as a pretext to approach and thank him. In case Tatsuya didn't make it in time, she also had a followup plan prepared. What had eventuated was a complete accident, but as a result Honoka had been able to monopolize Tatsuya for the day, so even as Shizuku felt guilty she was also rather happy.
Now, Shizuku had set the stage for Honoka's confession. Apprehensively, Honoka applied a light covering of pale rouge. Touching up her hair and rechecking her attire, Honoka muttered 'alright!' as she psyched herself up. According to plan she was to lure Tatsuya away while Miyuki wasn't here, and Honoka proceeded back in to the living room.
She wasn't even aware that her feet were trembling slightly.
Walking next to Tatsuya and stealing a glance at his face every now and then, Honoka was troubled as to when she should start talking.
So far everything was going as envisioned. When she had asked him 'would you come outside with me for a bit?' he had immediately replied yes, which puzzled her somewhat.
In a way, the far too smooth start had shaken her slightly. Tatsuya was silent.
Out from the villa they had turned right, and as if to shelter Honoka from the waves Tatsuya had walked on the sea side throughout.
Somehow, it felt to Honoka as if he had already guessed her intentions and was avoiding reaching the conclusion.
A growing sense of crisis welled up within her that if she didn't act herself, nothing would be resolved.
"Tatsuya-san."
After opening and closing her mouth countless times Honoka finally managed to let out a strained voice, and Tatsuya stopped and turned around.
By now the lights of the villa were out of view.
Other words which were even now being exchanged that same night were lost to the sound of surf and never reached them.
Under the endless starlit sky, accompanied only by the murmur of the waves, Honoka stood looking at Tatsuya face to face.
However, she couldn't proceed. Even as he encouraged her with his eyes, Honoka could only glance aside and start chattering.
"I..."
At times she would look up, meeting his gaze as if trying to say something, then with a strained expression stammer something out; this process was repeated numerous times.
"Yes, what is it?"
Tatsuya encouraged her in a softer tone than usual, with softer words than usual.
Perhaps encouraged more by his voice than his words,
"I... uhm, I... I like you!"
These words that Honoka finally managed to squeeze out, after all her hesitation, may have even managed to penetrate through to the other side of the darkness.
But Honoka didn't think about that at all.
Right now, to her, the two of them were the only ones in the whole world.
"—So how does Tatsuya-san feel about me?"
Unable to look him in the eyes Honoka squeezed her eyes tightly shut, yet an answer didn't come.
"...Did I cause you trouble?"
Gingerly opening her eyes Honoka asked in a tearful voice, but Tatsuya simply shook his head with a smile.
"Not at all. I had a feeling you might say something like this. Though I only realized around afternoon today."
As they looked at each other, Honoka felt she could sense a deep indescribable sadness in his eyes.
Preparing herself for the sorrow that was sure to come, Honoka squeezed her hands tightly. But Tatsuya's response, for better or for worse, was something unexpected entirely.
"...You know, Honoka, I'm actually a human missing part of his soul."
"...eh?"
"When I was a child, I was involved in a magic accident of sorts... some of my mental functions were erased."
Honoka's face paled visibly. Her pallor was evident even in the dark night.
Her eyes were open wide, and only a 'no way...' leaked out as she covered her mouth with her hands.
"At that time, I guess, I lost all of what you could call feelings of love. They weren't sealed, so they can't be released. They weren't broken, so they can't be fixed. That which is lost, cannot be recovered."
Tatsuya spoke casually as if it were someone else's affair.
"I can't feel love. I can like someone, but I could never fall in love with them. In a way, only the knowledge remains. Searching my mind, I can tell a part is missing."
As Honoka covered her mouth, she didn't utter anything like 'that's a lie' or 'I don't believe it'. She was literally shocked speechless. Only Tatsuya's profession rang though her mind.
"This may be an underhanded way of speaking, but, I do like you. However, that's only as a friend. No matter how hard you try, I will never be able to think of you as a special woman. That will definitely be something painful for you — something that will hurt you."
Saying so, a powerless smile drifted across his face.
"Which is why I cannot answer your feelings."
Tatsuya fell silent.
Honoka likewise.
Only the sound of breaking waves filled the dark night.
As the tide gradually crept up the shore,
and at length, finally reached their feet,
Honoka raised her head.
"Please don't be mad... you know, I had thought, Tatsuya-san liked Miyuki. Not as a sister, but as a woman."
"...That'd be a misunderstanding."
"Yes, it seems so. Tatsuya-san is smart, so... if you were lying, you'd definitely be able to come up with something more credible. I've never heard of a magic capable of erasing partial features of the mind, yet even so, I believe you. Still, that being said, it also means you'll never be able to love any other girl right?"
Somewhat puzzled at this unexpected turn of events, Tatsuya answered 'well, yeah...' with a nod.
"...If so, then it's fine."
"?"
"From now on always, Tatsuya-san will never have a lover right? If so, for me to like you, wouldn't turn into an illicit love right?"
"That's... true, I suppose."
"Then there's no problem. From now on as well, I'll continue to like you! Um, until I can like someone else that is!"
Her declaration was bright.
"...I don't mind."
Tatsuya nodded with a wry smile.
He wasn't so dull as to not understand why Honoka had purposely added 'until she likes someone else'.
The sun aggressively asserted itself the next day as well.
The temperature was in excess of 30°C from the morning.
In that sweaty weather, upon the sandy beach—
A fierce scorching battle was being waged.
"Onii-sama, my back. Won't you help me with this sunscreen?"
"Tatsuya-san, want some juice?"
Or,
"Shizuku is lending us her jetski. Want a ride?"
"Apparently there's a nice dive spot just over there, want to go?"
And so on, while the others around felt the oppressively heated atmosphere.
"Miyuki, you really were holding back yesterday, huh..."
"Honoka-san, it seems a great weight has been lifted from you, huh..."
As Erika and Mizuki looked on in amazement,
"..."
Shizuku's face was troubled,
"Well, it seems he really has it tough."
Leo's face was filled with compassion,
"...Yoshida-kun, what's the matter?"
"Eh, no, it's nothing."
and Mikihiko was — no, well, for the sake of his honour it'd be best not to say.
Anyway as their friends each had their own separate thoughts as they gazed their way, Tatsuya alternated between Miyuki and Honoka's requests, sighing at every turn.
When jet skiing, he rode tandem with Miyuki in the passenger seat (afterwards was Honoka).
Truth be told, Honoka was actually a fairly competent swimmer — yesterday she had panicked for a different reason — as he went with her via motorboat to the dive spot (Miyuki also came along).
After applying sunscreen (or rather reapplying), he had food pushed into his mouth one after the other, like a goose being fed for foie gras ('ahhn's accompanied and all).
Being caught in this pressure hotter than the Ogasawara air mass (love pressure?), Tatsuya who was being constantly buffeted around in this burning atmosphere...
More than yesterday, more than ever, looked forward to being able to relax again.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login