Chapter 7: Nagisa’s Family

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Translator: Soafp

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June 7, 2024. Friday. I opened the front door. It's past 10 PM. I'm sixteen years old.

A ten-minute walk from Minami-Osawa. A twelve-story condominium with three buildings, made of brown tiles, standing on a hill. Building 3, fifth floor, Room 503.

A spacious entrance like that of a hotel. A lobby with a perfectly secure auto-lock system. It's probably a wealthy home, I think. We don't live in poverty. But this house, without Kai-chan, is not my home.

The entrance of our home is filled with photos taken of our “family.” There's also an ugly piece of colored paper with “Welcome home” written in big, bold letters.

My stepmother goes out of her way to decorate this house in various ways to make me feel at home. The entrance, the refrigerator, in front of the TV—everywhere. “You're part of my family…” But I could see through the forced nature of it all, and I hated every bit of that so-called consideration.

“Nagi-chan, welcome home.”

My stepmother was still awake. She opened the living room door and rushed toward me as I took off my loafers at the entrance.

My stepmother—this woman married my father when I was six years old. Her name is Miyuki Arahama. She's twelve years younger than my father and only sixteen years older than me. That's all she is to me. I've never once called her “Mom.” I have only one mother—the one who is currently hospitalized in a psychiatric ward. That's why I call her “Aunt.”

“Aren't you hungry? I was worried about you. Do you want something to eat?”

“I had something to eat at work, so I don't need anything.”

“Nagi-chan, sometimes I'd like to eat together. After all, we're mother and daughter.”

I ignored her and went into my room. I could see through her fake concern. This is what a family should be. That kind of imposition. “I'm worried about you.” Such lies. It's always the same. This house is filled with Aunt's impositions and lies.

It's not a place where I can be accepted as I am. Longing for Kai-chan, worrying about my mother. Aunt has never accepted that part of me… not even once.

So, thanks to you, I've become able to see through people's lies. Isn't that amazing? …Of course, I've never been praised for that.

When I entered my room, I collapsed onto my bed without turning on the light. My mind was a mess. Irritated, frustrated, unbearably uncomfortable. I started hitting my pillow.

Grrr. My stomach growled.

The truth is, I didn't eat anything at work. I'm hungry.

…Maybe I'm just as much of a liar as she is.

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.