V1Ch1: The Unfading Scar part 3

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Translator: Soafp

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Sho commuted to work from his parents' house.

That didn't mean he didn't have friends during his student days.

He kept in touch with them often, met up frequently, and his family, seeing that he was independent, never imposed a curfew or restricted his lifestyle—it was left up to him.

And Sho had a childhood friend who was close with his whole family.

“Sho-chan, I came to cook dinner~!”

This young woman, who barged into his house without hesitation despite him living with his parents, lived in the house across the street. She and the Amo family had long been close, making her essentially a “childhood friend.”

Her name was Hikaru Asakawa. She and Sho had known each other since childhood, the same age.

They had grown up almost like brother and sister, and she even called Sho's older sister “Onee-chan,” cherishing her like family.

Now twenty-three, Hikaru had only grown more beautiful as a woman.

Since middle school, she had been known as a beautiful girl, often called the prettiest in town, and admired by the locals.

Beautiful, intelligent, cheerful—she had all three qualities, yet she had never dated anyone.

Maybe because Sho was always around, she showed no interest in other men.

“Oh my, Hikaru-chan is here today? Then dinner will be something fancy.”

“When Hikaru-chan comes over, it feels like the house gets brighter.”

Sho's parents also welcomed her warmly, doting on her like their own daughter.

Her father worked at a trading company and often went abroad for long business trips.

Her mother usually went with him, leaving the house empty for long periods.

During those times, Hikaru would often crash at Sho's house.

“Your parents are on another trip?”

“Yeah. This time to Singapore. I'm so jealous.”

“You could just go on a trip yourself.”

“Take me with you, Sho-chan.”

“Anyone you invite would tag along.”

“I want it to be you, Sho-chan.”

Hikaru puffed her cheeks like a sulky child.

Though their relationship was described as “like siblings,” Sho tended to look out for her like an older brother.

But Hikaru insisted she was the “older one”—a claim she herself had decided.

“Sho-chan's birthday is June 20th, mine is the 19th. See? That makes me the older sister.”

Yes, even their birthdays were close.

People had said they were like twins since they were little, but with Hikaru always fussing over Sho and Sho quietly worrying about her, their relationship was perfectly balanced.

“You know, since everyone says you're so pretty, maybe it's time you got yourself a boyfriend?”

“I'll throw those words right back at you, handsome.”

More than friends, but as close as family.

Romance had no place between Sho and Hikaru.

“Hikaru-chan, you're staying over tonight, right?”

That evening's dinner was Chinese food.

Hikaru usually didn't cook Chinese, but she had seen a morning show explaining tips for preparing it and wanted to try.

“Why would she? Her house is right across the street, she should go home.”

“Oh, don't be so mean to Hikaru-chan, who came all this way to cook such a delicious meal.”

“Exactly. You should be grateful such a beauty even comes by the house.”

His parents always sided with Hikaru over Sho.

In the end, Hikaru stayed the night, enjoying drinks with Sho's father and chatting happily.

“Ah… I forgot to offer incense for Onee-chan… Can I go do that now?”

“Of course. She'll be glad.”

Hikaru headed straight to Sho's sister's room.

She knew the house like her own by now. She even knew where the incense was kept—Sho's mother had told her.

“Sho, you go too.”

“…Yeah.”

His father signaled with his eyes. It was his way of being considerate toward Hikaru.

Sho's sister and Hikaru had grown up like true sisters.

“If I had an older sister too…” Hikaru often said, and Sho's sister once told her:

“Then I'll be your big sister. Let's be closer than just friends.”

Those words made Hikaru completely attached to her.

Sho's sister was only two years older.

Just when they were finally about to attend the same middle school and enjoy life together as three, the tragedy struck.

Hikaru had gone into the room first.

Watching her back, Sho knew.

(Hikaru… she's crying again today.)

The tragedy had left scars not only on the family but on others as well.

Hikaru was one of them.

“Onee-chan…”

Her voice, though he couldn't see her face, was trembling with tears.

In moments like this, Sho never knew what to say. He just waited for her to calm down.

“Feeling better?”

Hikaru pressed her hands together in prayer before the portrait of Sho's sister.

Sho spoke when he thought the timing was right.

“…Yeah.”

Her reply was calm, not startled. Just a single word.

“This room hasn't changed at all. Just like it was back then.”

“Yeah… Mom cleans it every day.”

The room remained the same as it had been, that of a third-year middle school girl.

“We're already twenty-three, but this room is frozen in time. I wish we could have grown up together with Onee-chan…”

Hikaru murmured, wiping away her tears.