Chapter 61: The abandoned one

　I am Yukito Kokonoe and I am Japanese.

　My sister, Yuri Kokonoe, is also Japanese.

　What we used to take for granted may actually be different. Just as the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate was changed from 1185 to 1192, common sense can always be overturned by a single trigger.

　Did the teachers who used to smugly teach about the Kamakura Shogunate and the creation of a good country turn red in the face? In fact, their expressions might have been blue.

　A man who continues to doubt the common sense of the world, that’s me, Yukito Kokonoe.

　In other words, I did say this just now. I said, “I’m going to take a bath. And yet, what happened was that it was my sister who barged in while I was taking a bath. I can’t help but wonder if we don’t have Japanese communication between us. Thinking about it, there have been many times in the past when my words have not been understood.

However, no matter how much she doesn’t understand the language, she is a woman. Even though I am her little brother, is it possible that she would go out of her way to take a bath knowing that a man is in it? No, there is not.

　But wait, what? Then I realized one possibility. This is also the result of questioning common sense.

“……, what if Yuri is not my sister, but my brother?” (Yuki)

“It’s sister.” (Yuri) 

“We’re back to square one…….” (Yuki) 

“Come over here so I can wash your head.” (Yuri) 

　My escape from reality was about to run out of steam, so I asked her honestly.

“Well, just because it’s a shared …… bath doesn’t mean it’s an open…… bath.” (Yuki) 

“Mixed bathing.” (Yuri) 

“I don’t think there was any mention of that. ……” (Yuki) 

“Mixed bathing.” (Yuri) 

“Then at least give me one of those towels.……” (Yuki) 

“Mixed bathing?” (Yuri) 

“You’re not getting it!” (Yuki) 

“What? Aren’t you glad I’m getting bigger?” (Yuri) 

“Yes.” (Yuki) 

Shikushiku…….

　She sat down on a chair and slapped her knees. She seemed to be trying to tell me to come over here. After all, the importance of gestures has never changed. I was getting used to cross-cultural communication. I’m absorbing it like a sponge. Only in the bath.

“By the way, you smelled something earlier, what happened?” (Yuri) 

“I was attacked by a youkai face vomiting woman.” (Yuki) 

“What’s that?” (Yuri) 

“Nee-san, I can feel the youkai.” (Yuki) 

“I don’t need you to tell me that.” (Yuri) 

　She scrubbed my head and washed it. To be honest, I appreciate it. If I don’t distract myself with a little conversation, I’m afraid I’ll accidentally see something I shouldn’t. But the truth is, I’m looking a lot. If I had to guess, I’d say I was looking at it while I was getting a massage. In the usual battle between angels and demons in my brain, the demon always has the upper hand. Gee hee hee.

　I think it’s about time for me to wake up to the state of clarity, but there’s no sign of awakening.

　It was a bit of a mess just going out for a while, but I got the youkai back to her room in one piece, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve learned from Sekka-san that nothing good happens when I get involved with drunk people. Sekka gets drunk with just a little bit of alcohol, but when she gets drunk, 100% of the damage is done by me. I don’t know why…….

　When I explained the story of my journey with the youkai to my sister, her stern expression became even more stern.

“Huh. You’re already……. I’ve always told you not to fall for strange women.” (Yuri) 

“It’s dawning on me. Right now.” (Yuki) 

“What?” (Yuri) 

“I am overwhelmed with joy!” (Yuki) 

“I’m the exception to the rule.” (Yuri) 

　I asked her to wash my back as well. This is a valuable experience because it is hard to do this kind of thing on your own. Despite that, it appears to be happening a little bit at home …….

　–Wait a minute! Her hand… It’s …… it’s …… hi!

“Well, I can wash the front myself.” (Yuki) 

“You, what have you been learning all this time?” (Yuri) 

“Surely” (Yuki) 

“Then we’re in the clear.” (Yuri) 

“No, How can it be?” (Yuki) 

She bit me and then washed me all over.

Shikushiku…….

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“Fu~e. It feels good.” (Yuri) 

“Why is it so hard for me to nod honestly?” (Yuki) 

　I soak in the hot spring. My fatigue had reached its peak. I didn’t want to leave. The stimulating spring water melted my body. It’s the best way to recover from fatigue, but I’m still not sure if this fatigue is what I am supposed to be suffering from.

“Are you enjoying your family trip?” (Yuri) 

　My sister, who was soaking with me next to me, murmured something like that.

“I’ve learned how tough family vacations can be.” (Yuki) 

“……You’re the only one.” (Yuri) 

　Fun ……. Did I have fun?

　It was only one day, but looking back, it was definitely a tough one. And it feels good to be soaking in a hot spring like this.

　I turn my gaze to the person next to me. Her eyes are as sharp as ever, but the corners of her eyes are a little lower than usual. That alone eases the intensity of her gaze somewhat. When I think about it, my mom and sister seemed to be having a great time. I think they were having a blast.

　If that’s the case, then the family trip was a success. My opinion has nothing to do with it. As long as everyone is having fun, that’s all that matters, and I’ll do what I can to make that happen. I’ll just do what I can to make it fun for everyone.

　When I was thinking about this, before I knew it, my sister had moved directly in front of me. Her eyes are peering into mine. It’s like she’s searching for something, trying not to let me go.

“You know, there’s something I wanted to ask you.” (Yuri) 

“What is it?” (Yuki) 

“Why didn’t you go on the school trip?” (Yuri) 

“School trip?” (Yuki) 

　Huh? I remembered that my sister said something like that at dinner.

“Hmm. I don’t really have a good reason.” (Yuki) 

“That’s it. It would be strange if there wasn’t a deeper reason. And yet you didn’t go. Why?” (Yuri) 

　I went back in my memory. It was about a year ago.

　I didn’t go on a school trip in junior high school.

　I had forgotten that I had even made that choice, and I wouldn’t have remembered if you hadn’t told me. It’s not that there was anything special about it.

　Gradually, I remembered. It was just a small thing, really.

　If anything, it was because it was the best thing to do. There was no reason other than that.

　As the date for the school trip approached, my homeroom teacher warned me not to cause any problems. Later, the head of the school told me the same thing, but it was only natural for the teacher to say so. The school trip is a big event for the teachers as well, and I have caused them a lot of trouble. It’s a big event for them. They must be very nervous.

　As for me, I was full of apologies.

　I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have bad luck. Then I thought.

　If I didn’t go in the first place, there wouldn’t be any problems. I wouldn’t be bothered, and the teacher wouldn’t have to worry about anything else. It was a win-win situation. For some reason, her attitude suddenly changed and she urged me to participate. The sudden apology only confused me.

　Even though I was told that I would definitely regret it later, I didn’t have any particular attachment to the school trip, and if everyone could enjoy themselves without me going, it was the best decision. No one was going to lose anything, there were only advantages. In fact, it was probably the right thing to do, considering that even now, rather than regretting it, it had almost faded from my memory.

　That’s really all there is to it, an episode so boring that it’s not even worth talking about now.

　While I was lost in thought, my eyes were wandering in the void.

　After completing the journey of memory, I returned to my consciousness.

“……Nee-san?” (Yuki) 

　Tears welled up in my sister’s eyes.

　Her hand touches my forehead.

“—–Why are you like that? Why can’t Yukito be in the happiness that you deserve? Don’t you think there’s someone who wishes for Yukito’s happiness just like Yukito wishes for someone else’s happiness?” (Yuri) 

　I was hit with a fierce emotion.

　But at the same time, I didn’t feel the cold will to push her away like I did that time.

　I didn’t understand what was going on.

　I didn’t know what was being said to me or what was making me sad.

　Still, I heard a sound, as if something was fitting.

　Suddenly, I understood.

　I’m sure I’m–I’m pissed right now.

　I’ve never been angry with my mother or sister before.

　Then who will tell me when I’ve done something wrong?

　I’m so serious. So desperate.

　My sister was angry. I can’t help it.

　–And then I finally realized. This is what family is all about.

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