Chapter 158: Please

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

“Onee-chan is amazing☆”

“R-Really?”

As we left the club, I walked alongside Hiiragi-san. Naturally, she's a VIP too. I mean, of course—she's her sister, and they seem close.

“She knows way more people than I ever could! Not just the club, but she owns all kinds of stores in different industries!”

“R-Really… (Terror)”

“And they’re all super successful! People like me and others could just blow away☆”

“I see… (Me = trash)”

What does she mean by ‘can’t even compare to her’? Is she saying Haori-san knows everyone we pass on the street? I wouldn’t be surprised at this point, and that’s terrifying.

Meanwhile, I've barely got a handful of connections… (Sad reality).

“Seriously, I look up to Onee-chan so much!”

“Haha, if you're saying that, she must really be amazing.”

Hiiragi-san’s eyes were full of admiration, a look I hadn't seen before.

Haori-san really is something, huh? Having so many connections, running successful businesses—that's all impressive, of course.

“Yeah!”

But what I found most remarkable was the way she made her “little sister” look up to her with such admiration.

And I couldn’t help but envy that. It's probably something I could never achieve.

“…I see.”

I thought back to Haori-san, just a while ago.

I had always wanted to be someone like her.

A brother who his sister looks up to. But looking at myself now, I realize I'm the complete opposite.

“Toumachi?”

“Oh, sorry.”

I know I shouldn't compare myself. But the image of the Hiiragi sisters was etched strongly into my mind.

“Well, see you at school tomorrow☆”

“Yeah, take care.”

“Bye-bye☆”

It was already 7 PM.

I stood there for a while, watching her glowing figure walk away.

And soon after, I went through the station gates.

“…Yeah, that's right.”

I muttered to myself as I walked.

I could never become someone like her sister. Someone admired by everyone.

[――”I like you!”――]

But… there are people who say that to me.

Friends and family.

It's not something you can put on a scale.

They're both important.

That's why there's no clear answer.

That's why I'm still confused.

“…It's Wednesday, isn't it?”

Meeting Haori-san lightened my heart, just a little.

I pulled out my phone and typed a message.

[――”But before you make that decision, lean on the people around you as much as you can.”――]

It's unfortunate, but I can’t lean on my family.

But maybe I can lean on my friends.

Maybe I just want to talk. Perhaps that's what “leaning on others” means.

“Damn it.”

In the past, I always leaned on my little sister, even though I was supposed to be the big brother.

And now I'm making her worry all over again.

“Honestly, who's the real—”

That muttered question disappeared into the air, heard by no one.

---

“! Hajime-kun!”

“Oh, hey… y-you look tired… (definitely looking suspicious)”

I remembered Shiori-san said she works part-time at a bookstore on Wednesdays, so I decided to text her.

Bingo.

We agreed to head home together after her shift. But before that, I couldn’t resist visiting the bookstore to check out her in-store persona (creepy).

…Just kidding. I was actually planning to buy a book.

“Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, not at all. I was imagining the distant, distant summer of Hokkaido coming closer, and time flew by in an instant (tears).”

“…?”

The sky was completely dark now, nearly 8 PM. Despite that, she greeted me with the same bright, warm atmosphere as always.

…A mountain goddess?

“You’re working pretty late these days, huh?”

“Yes! Actually, I’ve been enjoying work more than before.”

“Wow, that’s amazing (too bright to look at).”

I already knew she had no issues with stamina—after all, we played on the mountain together. Not only does she have the cuteness of a small animal, but also the strength of a bear.

This is Shiori Momiji, the strongest creature on Earth!

I concede defeat!!

In every way, she's on a whole different level. Even if I went through some next-level ascension, I'd still just be an ordinary guy.

“Ehehe… it's all thanks to you, Hajime-kun.”

“No, no, no (rapid denial). I only gave you a little push.”

If I kept talking like this, I'd start puffing my chest and folding my arms in pride. Shiori Momiji—raised by me (suspicious).

“A push…”

“Eh?”

“Your… height… it’s taller than usual, isn’t it?”

“Oh yeah (realization hit late).”

“Now that I look closely, it's quite, um… bold, I guess?”

“It's weird, right?”

“It's cool!”

“Ugh (blushing).”

Her eyes sparkled as she said it. The height difference we always had just became ridiculous.

And now, with those upturned eyes of hers, she had a gaze that could melt anyone.

Whoa, this power creep is too much (just like a shounen manga).

“?”

“Shiori-san… I’m really glad I met you… (leave this to me and go ahead).”

The sunset from the mountain is beautiful. But seeing the mountain from the sunset must be even more breathtaking (nonsense).

“I-I’m glad too…”

“(Ascension)”

In my next life, I want to be an acorn!

---

“So yeah, that's what happened.”

“Th-that sounds like it was tough.”

Talking to Shiori-san really calms me down, as if I'm surrounded by nature itself.

All jokes aside, the atmosphere she brings is truly amazing.

“Thanks for listening. Just talking to you makes me feel a lot better.”

“N-no! You didn't do anything wrong, Hajime-kun, so you really don't need to worry about it.”

“…You think?”

“Yes! It's just that the situation was really bad, that's all.”

“Yeah, you're right. But still—”

I just can't believe my family would accept me as I am now.

I was about to say that, but I stopped myself. I didn't want to trouble Shiori-san with such things.

“?”

“No, it's nothing. I was just thinking… hypothetically.”

“H-hypothetically?”

“Yeah. If my hair wasn't rainbow-colored, do you think we would've still become friends?”

“!”

“Oh, sorry, I didn't mean anything deep by it.”

I found myself looking away after asking that question. I didn't even know why I had said something like that.

“Actually… I've been noticing you for a long time, Hajime-kun…”

“Huh?”

“Since our first year, I've always seen you studying in the library.”

“Yeah, that's true (tragic).”

“And… well, back then, I wanted to be friends with you.”

“Really? (pure joy)”

This was a shocking revelation. If only I could tell my past self!

“But, um… I couldn’t.”

” “

“Oh no! I mean, I was too shy to talk to you…”

“Same here (shadows).”

“Kuku… But even so, you talked to me so much, Hajime-kun…”

“Haha…. I probably came off as super weird, didn't I?”

“N-Not at all!”

Thinking back, it was quite an unusual way we became friends. And now I realize—she had been watching me even before that.

The me with black hair.

“…Hajime-kun, you're amazing. It has nothing to do with your hair color.”

Her face turned as red as a boiled octopus as she said those words.

“So, from the start… I always wanted to be your friend!”

Even though it was just a dimly lit street at night, I could clearly see the sincerity in her words.

“…I see.”

“Y-yes?”

“Sorry for asking such a weird question.”

“N-no…”

“I feel a lot better now. Thanks.”

Yes, I was sure it was true. Even knowing the old me, she still wanted to be friends.

Yeah… I'm really glad I met her.

Maybe… it's okay to just accept it.

“Hey, can I ask you for a small favor?”

“Huh?”

So I decided to lean on her just a little more.

“Can we take a picture together?”