Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Come Again Soon

Even though it was only on weekends, he was now on a first-name basis with Hiyori – his teacher.

He managed to calm his racing heart, but the excitement still lingered within him.

It was a ticking time bomb, and he had to be absolutely sure not to call her by her first name at school.

Unaware of Toru’s inner turmoil, Hiyori suddenly spoke up.

“Speaking of names, I was wondering, why does Kana-chan call you ‘To-kun’ instead of ‘onii-chan’?”

“Ah, that.”

Seeing how close the siblings were, it was natural for her to have that question.

Toru hesitated for a moment before deciding that there was no need to hide it from Hiyori.

After all…

“…It’s because my late mother used to call me that when I was little. My father told Kana about it about six months ago, and she started calling me that way.”

“! …I see.”

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“No, no. You don’t have to apologize since I asked.”

Hiyori reassured Toru that she wasn’t bothered by his apology.

“I was a bit taken aback at first, but now it feels weirder to be called ‘onii-chan’.”

“Fufu, it’s nice that you two are so close.”

“H-Hiyori-san, your sister goes to the same school as us, right? Do you talk to her at school?”

“My sister warned me that my friends would be weirded out if I talked to her outside. I guess it’s true that we’re a student and a teacher, but we’re still sisters, so I don’t see why we need to be so cautious.”

“Ah… I kind of understand.”

“Eh?”

Hiyori let out a confused sound, as if betrayed, when Toru nodded understandingly with a wry smile.

Whether or not her friends knew about the relationship between her and her sister, it would be somewhat startling if a teacher suddenly approached them in the classroom.

It was easy to imagine how awkward it would be in reality.

However, Hiyori seemed to be somewhat aware of this, and although she sounded dissatisfied, she continued.

“Well, she’s a bit stubborn, but if you happen to meet my sister, I’d appreciate it if you could get along with her.”

“It’s hard to say since we’re in different grades… but I’ll do my best.”

As a member of no clubs, Toru’s chances of interacting with a first-year student were limited, but if it was Hiyori’s sister, there was a possibility.

He hoped she wasn’t the type to gossip about it to others.

As they continued their conversation, also getting used to calling each other by their first names, Toru glanced at the clock and realized it was past 4 PM.

Though he thought it had only been a short while, it seemed time to go home. Toru gently shook Kana awake, who was still asleep.

“Kana, it’s time to go home.”

“Nnnh…”

Perhaps Hiyori’s lap was too comfortable a pillow, as Kana hadn’t woken up even during their conversation. She slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them.

She looked around sleepily, and when she noticed Hiyori right beside her, she smiled brightly and hugged her.

“Hyo-chan!”

“Wow. Ahaha, you’re so energetic even just after waking up.”

It seemed she was happy that she hadn’t been taken home while she was asleep.

Hiyori was surprised when Kana jumped on her but smiled warmly.

Toru, watching the two, also felt his cheeks loosen into a smile.

Suppressing his desire to keep watching them, he placed his hand on Kana’s shoulder.

“Kana, it’s time to go home.”

“Muu…”

Kana puffed out her cheeks in frustration at having her blissful time interrupted.

But she didn’t say anything more, so she probably understood that it was time to leave.

She reluctantly let go of Hiyori’s cardigan sleeve, looking back longingly.

The two of them exchanged wry smiles, and for now, they moved towards the entrance without saying anything.

Although it was only a few meters, Kana’s face had a slight smile, happy to have walked with her beloved Hiyori.

But as soon as they reached the entrance, Kana, not wanting to part with Hiyori, refused to put on her shoes and clung tightly to Hiyori’s skirt, showing her utmost resistance.

It seemed that at the last moment, her desire not to leave had become stronger.

As Toru racked his brain on how to persuade her, given her unwavering attachment, Hiyori crouched down to Kana’s eye level before he could even think.

To Kana’s clinging expression, Hiyori smiled gently, as if to reassure her.

“Hey, Kana-chan. Would you like to come to my house again next week?”

“Eh?”

“! Really?”

Both Toru and Kana’s eyes widened at the promise of a specific time, unlike their first visit.

In contrast to her stunned brother, Kana’s face lit up with a smile.

As if in response to her smile, Hiyori nodded and continued.

“Yes. I had a lot of fun today, and I want to see Kana-chan again.”

“Really!? Kana wants to see Hyo-chan too!”

“Fufu, we feel the same way.”

The two of them laughed happily together.

Toru, unable to interrupt their moment, was then looked at by Hiyori.

“Sorry for making plans without asking you first, Toru-kun. So, is next Saturday okay? I know it’s the weekend before midterms, and you’ll have less time to study…”

“Studying for tests isn’t a problem. I should be the one apologizing. I’m so sorry for having you put up with Kana’s selfishness again…”

“Don’t say that. I enjoy spending time with Kana-chan more than being cooped up at home alone. —And that includes you too, Toru-kun, okay?”

“…Understood.”

“Alright then.”

He couldn’t say anything in response to that.

Hearing Toru’s surrender, Hiyori nodded with a gentle smile.

With the conversation concluded, Kana held Toru’s hand and got ready to go home.

“Well then, you two, come again.”

“Okay! Bye-bye, Hyo-chan!”

“Thank you very much.”

Seen off by Hiyori, the siblings returned to their apartment next door.

Once inside, Toru finally relaxed his shoulders, which he hadn’t realized were tense.

Somehow or other, they had ended up visiting Hiyori’s place three times now.

He was unsure whether she trusted them or was simply unguarded, but since they had made a promise, he couldn’t back out now.

As he was berating himself for not being more firm, he noticed Kana looking at him with her big, round eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“To-kun, did you have fun at Hyo-chan’s house?”

“Um…”

He was momentarily at a loss for words at her question.

Was she worried that he wasn’t enjoying himself or that he was forcing himself to endure something?

Either way, it didn’t really matter how he answered.

He smiled to reassure his sister and gently squeezed her hand, which he was holding.

“Yes, I had fun.”

“! Really? Are you feeling better, To-kun?”

“I’m feeling great. I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

“Ehehe! Kana’s happy if To-kun is happy!”

Kana beamed, seemingly satisfied with her brother’s answer.

Seeing his sister’s smile, Toru couldn’t help but smile back.

He had a lot on his mind, but when faced with his precious family’s smiles, he felt like he could forgive anything.

While chiding himself for being easily swayed, he headed to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

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