Tsukihime - Common Route Scenes (EN)

s20-s31, s33-37, s89, s502, s39-s46, s201-s202

s47 automatically transitions to near side. s46 has a choice to go to near side/far side. If near side has been cleared, s46 will have a choice to go to far side.

s20
When I came to, I was lying on a hospital bed. The curtain on the nearby window sways gently. It is a beautiful day outside, and the dry wind signals the end of summer. "Hello, Tohno Shiki-kun. Congratulations on your recovery." The unfamiliar old man extends his hand for a handshake. His square-rimmed glasses and warm smile are very befitting. His tidy-looking white clothes suit him perfectly, too. "Can you understand what I am saying, Shiki-kun?" "―― No. Why am I in a hospital?" "You don't remember, do you? You were involved in a car accident while you were walking. Your chest was stabbed by a shard of glass, and it was unlikely that you would survive." Very unbefitting of what a doctor would say, yet he says it while still smiling cheerfully. --Terrible. I feel terrible. "―― I'm tired. Can I go to sleep?" "Yes, you should rest. You must focus on recuperating, and not push yourself." The doctor is still smiling. To be honest, I can't stand that smile anymore― "Can I ask you something, doctor?" "What is it, Shiki-kun?" "Why are there scribbles all over your body? And there are cracks, all over the walls― Why are there cracks in the walls?" The smile vanishes for just a brief moment, then returns to his face immediately. He turns and walks away. "---It seems there was some brain damage after all. Get a hold of Dr. Ashiya in neurology. I also suspect he may have suffered some damage to his eyes. Spend the afternoon examining his eyes." The doctor whispers to the nurse so that I won't hear him. "――― Weird. There are scribbles all over everyone's bodies." The sloppy, zigzagging black lines, running all over the floors, walls, the ceiling― I don't understand what they mean, but looking at them makes me feel sick. "―― I wonder what it is." The bed too, is covered in these scribbly lines. When I touch the line with my finger, my fingertip sinks down into the crack. "---Oh!" It seems as if I could reach farther down with something narrower, so I trace the line with a fruit knife that was lying on the bedside table. I didn't use any strength at all, yet the knife sinks into the bed, all the way up to the hilt. It was fun, so I drag the knife along the scribbly line. THUD! With a heavy sound, the bed snaps cleanly in two. "Kyaaaah!" The girl in the bed next to mine screams. The nurses run over and take the knife away from me. "How did you break the bed, Shiki-kun?" The doctors don't ask why, but curiously persist on HOW I did it. "I traced along that line and it broke. Hey, just why is this hospital full of cracks?" "You'd better stop with that, Shiki-kun. There are no such cracks like that anywhere. Now tell me, just how did you break the bed? You can tell me, I promise I won't get mad." "---I'm telling you, all I did was just trace the line with the knife―" "―― I see. Okay, we'll continue this conversation tomorrow." The doctor leaves. In the end, not a single person believed my story. As long as I run the knife along the scribbles, I can cleanly cut anything. I don't have to put any force into it. It is as easy as cutting paper with scissors. The bed, the chair, the desk, the walls, the floor. ――I've never tried, but probably― no, definitely, even people. But it seems that no one else can see these lines. The black lines only I can see. Despite being a kid, I gradually began to understand what the lines were. They are probably like stitches. Just like stitches that hold an open wound together after surgery, I think they are weak spots. After all, there's no way I could cut such a thing with a child's strength alone. Yeah, I didn't know until now. That the world is covered in these lines, these "breaking lines" that bind everything together. No one else can see them. That's why they are just fine. But I can see them. I'm scared― so scared, I can't even talk― It's as if I am the only one who went crazy. Maybe― that's why? Why even after two weeks, no one believes my story. Even after two weeks, no one has come to see me. Even after two weeks, I continue to live alone in a world surrounded by black stitches― I need to get out― I don't want to be in this room anymore. I don't want to stay in a place covered in stitches. That's why I decided to escape, and run away, to somewhere where no one else would be. But the wound on my chest still hurts, and I didn't get very far. That was when I noticed. I'm standing in the grassy field just outside of town... I really didn't get far at all. "―― *cough*" My chest hurts― and I feel so sad― I collapse to my knees and cough. *cough* *cough* There's nobody here. Drowning in this ocean of green at the end of summer, I feel like I'm about to disappear. But before that. "Hey you. It's dangerous to sit down in a place like that." I hear a woman's voice from behind me. "Eh―――?" "What do you mean, 'eh'? You're already a runt so I can't see you if you're sitting in the grass. I was this close to kicking you, so watch out." She points at me rather grumpily. ―― I get a little angry. After all, I sit in the fourth row from the front so I don't think I'm that short. "Kicked? By who?" "Isn't it obvious, stupid? You and I are the only ones here, so who else could it be but me?" She declares this confidently as she folds her arms. "Well, I suppose it must be fate that we met here, so you want to talk for a little while? My name is Aozaki Aoko. What's yours?" She extends her hand to me with the kind of cheerfulness one would show an old friend. I see no reason to refuse, so I tell her my name is Tohno Shiki and grasp her cool hand in return. Talking to her was a lot of fun. She didn't ignore what I said just 'cause I was a kid. Instead, she listened― she listened to what I had to say, like a friend. We talked about many, many things. About my family. About how it was an old and respected family with very strict, traditional rules, and my equally strict father. About my little sister Akiha― quiet Akiha who always followed me around. About our big mansion and the vast gardens, and how Akiha and I would play together with our friends. ---I told her about many things almost feverishly. "Oh, it's this time already. Sorry, Shiki. I've got some business to take care of, so let's stop here." She gets up to leave. ―― My chest tightens, and I feel sad, thinking that I would be alone again. "See you tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you here, okay? You should go back to your room and listen to your doctor." "Oh―" She speaks with such ease, in such a natural way as she makes her way off. "―― See you tomorrow." Tomorrow, we would be able to talk like we did today. I'm happy. It was the first time I truly felt something since I awoke from the accident. Since that day, going to that grassy field in the afternoons became part of my daily routine. She would get angry when I called her "Aoko". For some reason, it seemed she hated her own name. After some thought, I decided that she seemed like a very distinguished person, so I came to call her "Sensei". Sensei would seriously listen to anything I had to say, and would always dispel my anxieties with but a single word, without fail. ―― I was depressed from the accident, but slowly, thanks to Sensei, I began to return to my former self. Even those scary black scribbles didn't seem quite so scary anymore when talking to Sensei. I didn't know who she was or where she was from... perhaps she really was a teacher. But I don't care, it doesn't matter at all. Because, it's fun being with Sensei. That alone, is all that matters― and that alone is more than enough. "Hey, Sensei. Look what I can do!" I wanted to surprise her one day, so using the fruit knife I brought from the hospital, I cut down a tree growing in the field. Like before, I run the knife along the scribble-like line, and cut it cleanly across the base. "Amazing, isn't it? I can cut anything easily, as long as it's somewhere where I can see the scribbles. No one else can do this right?" "Shiki―!" She slaps me across the face. "Sen― sei?" "―― What you just did was extremely thoughtless." Sensei gives me a hard, piercing glare. ―― I don't know why, but I realized I just did something I definitely shouldn't have done. With Sensei's severe expression and the pain from my cheek where she slapped me, I felt very, very sad. "―― I'm― sorry." Before I knew it, I was crying. "-Shiki." Then, a gentle, warm feeling envelops me. "―― There's no need to apologize. It's true that you did something I should be angry at you for, but it's definitely not your fault." Sensei squats down and hugs me. "But you know, if someone doesn't tell you otherwise now, one day you're going to make a mistake you can never take back. That's why I won't apologize― you can hate me all you want, if you feel that way." "―― No, I don't hate you, Sensei." "―― Really? I'm glad you feel that way― I guess it was fate that the two of us met here like this." Sensei began to ask about the scribbles I could see. As I told her about the lines, the black jagged lines that somehow only I could see, Sensei's embrace tightened. "―― Shiki, what you are seeing is something that should never be seen, by anyone, or anything. Everything in existence has points where they are most easily broken. We, who will break down one day, are imperfect for this reason. Your eyes have the ability to see the fate of all things― to put it another way, you can see the future." "―― See―― the future?" "That's right. You can see death. ―― You don't need to know any more than that. If someday, you happen to go down that path, the principles will become clear to you as something that is needed." "―― Sensei. I really don't understand―" "That's good, it's important that you don't understand now. All I want you to know is that you must never cut these lines on a whim or as a joke, understand? ---If you do so, your eyes will begin to take the lives of others too lightly, and that is the worst thing that can possibly happen." "―― Okay. I won't do it if you say so, Sensei. Besides, it kind of hurts my chest. ―― I'm sorry, Sensei. I'll never do it again." "―― Good for you, Shiki. Never forget the feelings that you have experienced here today. If you stay that way, I'm sure you'll find happiness." Sensei finally lets go of me. "But Sensei, I see those lines and get worried. They'll be cut as soon as I trace them, right? Then it wouldn't be weird for my surroundings to come apart at any time." "You're right. I'll be able to help you with that at least― It seems as if that's the reason why I'm here." Sensei sighs, then favors me with a warm smile. "Shiki, I'll give you a very special present tomorrow. I'll give you your old life back, the one you were living before your accident." The next day. Exactly the seventh day after I met Sensei, She arrives in the grassy field carrying a large trunk in one hand. "Here. If you put these on, those strange scribbles won't be visible anymore." What she gave me was a pair of glasses. "But my eyes are fine." "Just put them on. The lenses don't have any magnification or anything." Sensei forces them on me. Suddenly--- "Whoa! Incredible! This is amazing, Sensei! I can't see the scribbles anymore, not at all!" "Of course. I had quite a time stealing Mystic Eye Killer from my older sister to make this Aozaki Aoko masterpiece! So treat them well or there'll be hell to pay, got it?" "Yup! I'll take good care of them! You're incredible, Sensei! You made all those horrible lines disappear just like that! It's like magic!" "Of course, I am a sorceress, after all." Giving me a proud smile, Sensei puts her trunk down on the ground. "But know this, Shiki. Those lines haven't disappeared. It's just that you can't see them. Once you take the glasses off, you'll be able to see them again." "---R-really?" "Yes. That's the one thing that cannot be fixed. Your only choice is to keep living your life and do your best with the eyes you have now." "――― No. I don't want these scary eyes. If I cut those lines again, I'll end up breaking my promise to you." "Oh, you mean never cutting the lines again? Silly, you can break that promise whenever you like." "―― Really? But you said it was something I shouldn't do." "Yes, it is. But that is your gift, Shiki. It's yours to use as you see fit. No one else but you has the right to judge you. But out of all the abilities one can have, yours is terribly unique. If you have such a power, that means there is a meaning behind you having it. God doesn't give us powers for no reason. You might say that you were given the 'Mystic Eyes of Death Perception' because one day, a time will come when you will need them. That's why you must not live in denial of their existence." Sensei squats down so our eyes would be level. "But you know, that's why you must never forget. You are a very kind and honest person, Shiki. As long as you remain the way you are now, your eyes will never bring forth any wrong." "However, I'm not telling you to become a saint. All I'm saying is live true to yourself, and become a man in the manner that you think is right. Since you can accept your mistakes and are able to apologize, I know that in ten years, you will become a great man." That being said, Sensei stands, and reaches for her trunk. "Oh, but I must say, unless in exceptional circumstances, you shouldn't take the glasses off. Special powers attract other special powers. Only when you decide there is no other way should you take off those glasses, and even then, be mindful of how you use your power. Power in itself is not evil. What is evil rests solely in the hearts of the ones wielding such power. Be it for good or evil, it will be up to you and the choices you make." She picks up her trunk. ---Sensei doesn't say anything more after that, but deep down, I knew we would have to part. "---It's impossible, Sensei. I can't do it― I won't understand just by myself. The truth is, I was so afraid before I met you. I was only able to return to being me, because you were with me― ―― I can't do it. Not even with these glasses, if you're gone, I can't do it―!" "Don't say such things, Shiki. If you tell lies that even you yourself can't believe, you'll only make whoever hears you sad." Sensei raises her eyebrows in displeasure and pokes my forehead. "---You know it yourself, don't you? You're alright now. So don't say stupid things and give up on the self that you finally found. Only you can choose to be you, no one else can do it for you." Sensei turns around. "Well, this is goodbye. Listen, Shiki. Life is not easy; everyone's life is a hard, long, rocky road, filled with many pitfalls. You have more power than anyone else to do something about that, so pull yourself together." Sensei is leaving. I was sad, but I'm Sensei's friend, so I have to see her off properly. "Yes. Goodbye, Sensei." "Well done― That's right, Shiki. Hold onto that confidence, and always live true to yourself. When you find yourself in trouble, calm down and think things through carefully. Okay? A solution will always present itself if you do. It'll be alright. You'll manage, even on your own." Sensei laughs happily. The wind blows. The field of grass sways in unison. Sensei was already gone. "―― Good-bye, Sensei." After saying that, I really felt that I would not see her again. All that remained were her many words and these mysterious glasses. It was only seven days, but she taught me things more valuable than anything else. As I stand there by myself, I feel tears well up in my eyes. ---Man, I was such a fool. I could only say goodbye. I couldn't even say a single word of thanks to her. I left the hospital soon after that. Afterwards, I didn't return to the Tohno household, but was taken to live with my relatives instead. But it's alright. Tohno Shiki will be just fine, even by himself. I'll spend a new life with my new family. And like that, Tohno Shiki's ninth summer ended. The new autumn arrived, and I think I became more of an adult―― -Autumn. The last traces of summer are disappearing today, a Thursday halfway through October. This is the day when I, Tohno Shiki, return home. It's been eight years since I left. "Shiki, hurry up. You're going to be late for school." I hear Keiko-san's voice floating in from the kitchen. "Okay, I'm leaving~!" I call back. I place my hands together in the room that was mine at the Arimas up until now. "I'm going. Thanks for letting me live with you these last eight years." Clap Clap. I fold my hands together in prayer. Then, grabbing my only bag, I leave the room that had become so familiar. I walk through the entrance to the Arimas' house, then turn to face it. "Shiki." Keiko-san, who had come to the door to see me off, calls my name somberly. "See you later. Take care, Mom." What a strange thing to say. I won't be coming back. Never again will I pass through this door as a member of the Arima family. "Thanks for looking after me. Please give my regards to Father, too." Keiko-san simply nods. Eight years---the eyes of the person who had been my mother look so sad. I don't think I've ever seen her like that before. "I'm sure it'll be hard for you at the Tohnos' house. Please watch yourself. Your body is weak; you mustn't overdo it." "I'll be okay. After eight years, I'm just as healthy as anyone else. I'm a lot tougher than I look." "I suppose you're right. But― the Tohnos are different from everyone else. I'm worried they'll be too much for you." I know what Keiko-san means. My home from today forth will be a mansion, an uncommon sight in this day and age. Not only is the house amazing, but the family itself is highly respected. It's said they hold significant investments in many corporations. To top things off, it's my true home. The Arimas have only been looking after me. "But, it's already decided." Yeah, it's something that's decided already. "Alright, I'll be heading off then. Thanks for taking care of me." I repeat those words one last time, and turn my back on the household I had grown so accustomed to over these past eight years. ―― *sigh* I leave the Arimas and start walking to school with a heavy heart. ---Eight years ago. I recovered from a serious injury that normally would have meant death. Then I was entrusted to the Arimas, a family branching off from the Tohno family. I had lived with my real parents at the Tohno mansion up until I was nine, then I lived with the Arimas for eight years until now, my second year of high school. I lived a normal life as an adopted son. From the time I met Sensei---those special circumstances Sensei told me about as she parted never happened, and the glasses hid the "lines" from me as long as I wore them. The life of Tohno Shiki was a peaceful one. It meandered along gently― ―― until a few days ago. The day when the head of the Tohno family sent word to me. "Return to the Tohno Mansion." The very family that, until now, had shunned me. *sigh* I sigh again. To be perfectly honest, even before the accident, I had never gotten along with the Tohno household. Maybe as a kid I never liked the formality demanded by the family. Perhaps that's why I said nothing when the old man told me I was going to live with the Arimas. I think it turned out well. I got along well with my adopted parents, Keiko-san and Fumio-san. It was as if they were my real parents. I lived a normal life in the loving family of the Arimas like a real son, just like I had always wished. I don't regret living there. ―― Except for one thing. My little sister, one year younger than me, remained behind with the Tohnos. "Akiha― I bet she hates me now." It would only be natural. She had to live in that mansion all by herself, under the constant supervision of that hard-headed old man. I could easily imagine what Akiha thought of me, the one who escaped. I let out another sigh. I can't help it. What's going to happen will happen. Today, after school, I'll return to my true home. Lord knows what'll occur. "But for now, I've got more pressing problems." My watch shows 7:45. Homeroom starts at eight o'clock sharp and anyone who isn't in class by eight is marked as late. Clutching my bag, I start sprinting towards school. *huff*― *huff*― *huff*― I manage to make it to school in less than ten minutes. I enter from the back gate, accomplishing a feat that would bring the track scouts running if they knew. "―― Come to think of it, today's also the last day I'll come in through the back gate." The Arima and Tohno houses are on opposite sides of the school with the Arimas' being behind while the Tohnos' is in front. Obviously, I'll be coming through the front gate in the future. "And I quite liked the lonely atmosphere back here, too." For some reason, the back gate at our school isn't really popular. Only ten people or so, myself included, actually use it. It's quiet and pretty devoid of people day or night. Clang! Clink, Clink, Clang! ―― Like I said, pretty quiet. The sound of a hammer mixed with distant birds singing reaches my ears. "Hammering― Huh?" Clang! Clink! Clong! A half-rhythmical ringing comes from one corner of the courtyard. "――――" What is that? Homeroom begins in less than ten minutes. I don't have time to stop and find out, but I am pretty curious. Right now--- *s21 I arrive in class earlier than usual. "Phew." I walk to my desk next to the window. "Good morning, Tohno-kun." An unfamiliar voice greets me. "---Eh?" I turn around, confused. "Tohno-kun, the teacher was looking for you. He said he wanted to talk to you about your house." "Hmm― My home? Must be about me moving." ―― I should have finished the formalities yesterday. Perhaps there's something I forgot to do. "-" The girl doesn't move, but stands there looking at me. "Uh― Good morning, Yumizuka." "Yeah. Good morning, Tohno-kun. Looks like you remember my name." Sighing with relief, Yumizuka Satsuki gives a faint smile. "I can remember the names of my own classmates, you know? It's just that I haven't spoken to you much." "Yeah. I was a little nervous about talking to you." Yumizuka smiles again. She seems happy about something. "――" Yumizuka continues to stare at me as if she wants to say something else. ―― To be honest, I don't know her that well. Although we're in the same class, I can count the times we've spoken. But Yumizuka Satsuki is the center of attention. She's often the topic of conversation among the boys, and there aren't any bad rumors about her among the girls. In short, she's your typical class idol. Naturally, she's always surrounded by a crowd. She's the complete opposite of a loner like me. While I might be able to remember the name 'Yumizuka Satsuki', there's no reason for her to remember the name 'Tohno Shiki'. It seems like some bothersome coincidences are at work today. "Tohno-kun. Um― Can I ask you a question?" "If I can answer, you can ask as many as you want." "Um― um― Sorry if it's something personal, but― you said you're moving― Are you going to move somewhere far away?" Her voice trails off, as if it's hard for her to ask. She clasps her hands to stop fidgeting. "I know it's sudden, but― will you be transferring somewhere?" "Ah, no, no. I'm changing my residence, but not my school. My new house is still in this town anyway, so it's no big deal." "Oh― that's good." Yumizuka sighs with relief. "―?" How odd. Why would something like me moving cause that kind of reaction? "But― are you going to leave the Arimas?" "Yeah. I enjoyed living with them, but I can't leech off them forever." ―― Huh? How does Yumizuka know that? No one at this school should know I was living with the Arimas, except for a certain guy― "Wassup, Tohno!" A carefree loud voice rings out from the classroom doorway. As if on cue, the guy who's been my friend since middle school appears. "Hey, if it isn't Yumizuka! It's not often I see you talkin' to Tohno." "―― Morning, Inui-kun." Yumizuka looks away with an unenthusiastic reply. ―― I guess she isn't the type who'd respond well to a guy like him. "Tohno's picking up chicks? What the hell is going on? I thought you weren't interested in 'em?" Arihiko exclaims his joke loudly. "You moron, stop spreading lies. I'm a normal guy! Of course I'm interested in girls." "Is that right? Good for you man! Still, these days, girls find it more amusing if you have a weird sex drive instead. But they'll only find it amusing and it won't go any farther!" His bottomless, cheerful laughter echoes throughout the morning classroom. ―― I let out another sigh. I once again wonder, like I have many times before, how I ended up knowing this person. His hair dyed orange, ears pierced. His vicious glare that shouts he will pick a fight with anyone, any time, and his wearing of rebellious clothes. Inui Arihiko is the only free-spirited outlaw in our university-oriented high school. "Do you have to be so loud this early in the morning? I'm depressed about all sorts of stuff, so stay away from me today, okay?" I wave my hands to shoo him away. "Depressed? What's wrong, man? Is it 'that' time of the month?" "―― Wait, I take that back. Rather than just for today, stay away from me for the rest of my life. My depression will only get worse with you around." Ignoring Arihiko, I head back to my own desk. Dropping my bag and taking a seat, I stretch my back. "Hey, you can't just ignore other people like that, Tohno. You're gonna hurt people with that careless attitude of yours." "Oh, that's news to me. Isn't there some way I can kill them instead? If you can tell me how, I'll repay you by trying it out on you." "―― That's cold, man. Aren't you just a little nastier than usual this morning?" "Didn't I tell you I'm depressed? Other people aside, I'm certainly not showing any kindness to you." Arihiko sighs. "―― Why are you only mean to me, Tohno? You're like a saint to everyone else. It's not fair." "What, you just figured that out? The world's unfair." "―― You really are only mean to me." Arihiko gives another exaggerated sigh. I didn't try particularly hard to be cold to Arihiko. That's just the kind of relationship we have. "So, Arihiko, what's a chronically-late night owl who never shows up until second period doing here in homeroom? It's a little― no, it's very odd." "Haha― I was thinking that too. I guess being at school on time isn't just for when I happen to wake up early." "―― Well, I won't comment on your hobbies, but what I'm asking is why you woke up early." "Why I woke up early? Uhh― I guess it's because I can't stay out late since all that fuss started, so I actually go to sleep at night now. You've heard the stories about that serial killer, haven't you?" "―― I see. Come to think of it, I did hear something like that." I feel a tinge of regret at needing Arihiko to remind me. For the past two or three days I had been debating whether or not to return to the Tohno household, so I completely lost touch with the news. "What was that again? They've given it some really nasty name, like the 'Freakish Serial Killings' or something." "There's more to it. So far, all the victims have been young girls. The eighth victim was only two days ago! And to top it all off, they were all― wait, what happened to them again?" Arihiko tilts his head in contemplation. "――" I'm an idiot for asking him. "Yeah, I remember now! All the victims were cut up into pieces and arranged in a pattern or something!" "―― No, Inui-kun. Everyone who was killed lost a lot of blood." "Oh yeah, that was it. They said it's some kind of modern day vampire or something." "Hmph. You sure know a lot about this, Yumizuka-san." "Not really. It's happening in this town, so it's in the news. You'd remember it even if you didn't want to." ―― I see. I thought it was happening in a neighboring town― but I guess it moved down here. "Well, anyway, that's what happened. Even I wouldn't be going on the streets at night with a killer walkin' around. That's why I've been waking up at seven lately." "―― What, that's it? Having a good reason doesn't make a good story. Where's the fun in that?" "Man, you're cold. What, did you collapse from anemia already this morning?" "I'm alright, thanks for asking. If I was anemic twenty-four hours a day, I'd be dead by now." "Yeah, you're right. If you say you're okay, then I guess you're okay." ---And― The bell rings, interrupting our conversation. "Hey, class is about to begin. Hurry up and get back to your seat." With a "Yeah", Arihiko goes back to his seat. "See you later, Tohno-kun." "Ah― Yeah. Sorry for keeping you, Yumizuka-san." Her light footsteps tap across the floor as she returns to her desk. Second period is over. Our homeroom teacher, who's also our math teacher, calls out to me as he leaves. "Tohno, your documents are missing some details. Please go visit the office." It shouldn't take long, so I'll head to the office before the third period starts. The office is on the first floor. The second-year classroom is on the third floor, but I could make it back before third period starts if I run. -I run. -And run. -And ru― ―!? The impact floors me with a thud! My head hits something, and the world swims before my eyes. "Ooow― Owowow―" I hear a voice nearby. It's a woman's voice I've never heard before. It looks like I ran into someone. "I'm sorry, are you alright?" I still can't see my surroundings too well, but I apologize to the person I hit. "Yes, I'm alright― How about you? Are you okay?" There's no trace of accusation in that gentle voice. I don't know who she is, but it seems like she's worried about me. "Ah― Yeah, I'm also okay." I shake my head and stand up. Finally, I can see clearly. "Are you really alright? Your forehead is swelling up." "Eh―?" I feel a prickle of pain when I try to touch it with my hand. ―― Just like she said, I'm developing a magnificent lump. "I am so sorry. I was not paying attention to where I was going. Your forehead must really hurt, right?" The female student gazes apologetically at my face. From the formal way she spoke, I assumed she was a first-year, but from the color of her ribbon, I can see she's a third-year― in other words, my senpai. "No, it's fine, really. I'm the one at fault. I'm sorry for bumping into you, Senpai." I lower my head in a bow. "Ah, come to think of it, you're right. You shouldn't be running down the hallways, you know. There are people like me spaced out while looking down at the courtyard." "Yes, I'll be more careful― Are you alright, Senpai?" "Yes, I only fell. It's because you ran into the wall while trying to avoid hitting me, Tohno-kun." "Really? No wonder I'm seeing stars." I'm lucky to get off with just a bump after running into a wall at that speed. "Sorry about that, but spacing out in the hallway is also dangerous, Senpai." "Yes, I'll be more careful." Senpai smiles and nods. "――" It's an honest smile. "Uh― excuse me, I'd best be going." Beating the dust off my pants, I begin walking towards the office. But the older student continues to watch me through her glasses. "――" Wait, just who is she? I was distracted because I ran into her, but come to think of it, she's beautiful. If she's this beautiful, the male students would be talking about a "third-year beauty wearing glasses". "Um― I'm going now. You should go back to your classroom too, Senpai. Ah, if you're in any pain, please come to my classroom. I'm Tohno from Second Year, Third Class. I'll take responsibility." She nods. ―― Even though she's older than me, it's like dealing with someone younger. "Alright. If anything happens, I'll come to your classroom at lunchtime. Remember, Shiki-kun, you mustn't run in the hallways." "Okay, but you shouldn't space out in hallways either, Senpai." With that, I wave my hand and leave. Wait. Shiki-kun? I haven't told her my first name. Come to think of it― did she use my name earlier too―? "―― Huh? Have I met you before, Senpai?" "Eeeh!?" Senpai cries out in surprise, and mischievously puts on a depressed face. "You're terrible, Tohno-kun! You've forgotten about me?" "?" Forgotten? No, I didn't think so. If I ever got myself involved with a beautiful woman like her, there'd be no way I'd forget― "―― Um―" She looks up at me reproachfully. Those eyes― I'm sure I― remember from somewhere― don't I? ―― Come to think of it, we exchanged greetings once or twice before― didn't we? "Ciel-senpai― right?" I say her name apprehensively. "Yes, and I'm glad you remember. You seem the type to space out and forget, Tohno-kun." ―― I don't think I space out, but there's nothing I can do about the fact that I forgot "Well then, goodbye. Let's meet again at lunchtime." Ciel-senpai bows again. I watch her walk down the hallway. *s22 The source of the noise soon becomes apparent as I walk towards the courtyard. A female student is crouching in the middle of the tree-lined path, working with a hammer and nails. "――" What is she doing? There are only a few minutes left until homeroom. "---Maybe she doesn't have a watch." At the moment, that's the best I can come up with. ―― Still, to notice and then just ignore her would be somewhat cruel. I approach her unhurriedly, trying not to surprise her, and speak. "Hey, homeroom is starting soon." "Huh?" The squatting girl raises her face. The ribbon on her uniform displays the color of a third-year. "――" The older student looks at me while holding her hammer. "Uh― um―" Her gaze through those glasses is so direct I feel like I'm being pulled in. Her serious eyes make me want to apologize for bothering her. The splint she was facing is rotten beyond use. ―― Come to think of it, our school's rear courtyard is in a terrible state of disrepair. The splints are neglected, and the flower beds untended. Apparently, the teachers intend for the students to conduct a big cleanup at the end of the year, so the maintenance men have done nothing since summer. ---I take in the situation with a single glance. The girl with the hammer is repairing the broken-down splints, paying no mind to the fact that her tidy uniform is being dirtied. She has sweat on her brow, and it looks like she had been swinging her hammer in a most serious manner. ―― But as far as I know, there is nobody in charge of repairing public property at this school. "Um― What is it?" The older student asks, adjusting her crooked glasses. "Uh, it's nothing. I was just wondering what you were doing." "Ah― as you can see, I'm in the middle of fixing the splints." Yeah. I can see that. "That's not what I meant. I was wondering why you are doing something like this. Won't the maintenance people take care of it anyway?" "Ahaha―" The older student laughs to hide her embarrassment. "I'm the kind of person who can't stand seeing a mess like this. I just can't leave them alone." It seems as though she is repairing the splints because she just couldn't let them stay that way. "――" What an odd senpai. "That's why you're fixing it on your own? If you don't like the mess, why not just avoid coming here?" "Well, my classroom is over there." Senpai points at the second floor classroom facing the courtyard. "My seat is next to the window, so it's easy for me to see the courtyard― Well, usually I just bear it, but when I took my seat today, I was surprised to see all the splints in this area were broken." Senpai's face clouded, as if to say, "Isn't that terrible?" ―― Apparently she's upset, although she doesn't look seriously angry. "You know what they say, 'strike while the iron's hot' and all. I borrowed the tools from the office, and decided to fix them myself." And so, the explanation ends. Making a bow, Senpai returns to hammering the nails. "―― Alright, I understand all that, but how about we leave it here for now? Homeroom is in less than five minutes, and if it's this bad, won't the school get around to fixing it pretty soon?" "No way!" Gripping her hammer, the senpai with glasses shakes her head furiously. "I won't be able to concentrate with the garden like this, even if I go to class. It'll just sound like nonsense to me, and then the teacher will say, 'Hey, you! What are you staring at?' I'll get yelled at for sure!" Senpai continues to grip the hammer while she emphasizes her point. "―― Well, I suppose the teacher would be upset if you kept looking outside." "He would, wouldn't he? That's why I have to do it now." With that, Senpai begins her repairs once again, clumsily hammering away. She's obviously not used to using a hammer. *Clank* *Clank* rings the hammer as it hits the wood. ―― By the looks of it, there isn't just one or two broken splints. I can't begin to guess how long it will take her to repair all of them on her own. The bell begins to ring. "―― Looks like first period's started." I give up, considering things have gotten to this point. I sit down silently and begin to help repairing the splints. Once I began to help, I quickly realize mending them isn't that difficult after all. Although the older student is not used to making repairs, she is quite skillful anyway. She has already gotten the hang of it, and work is proceeding at a brisk pace. Senpai's movements are quick and sharp, and I enjoy watching her. She really is quite clever. ―― Before I know it, there is only one splint left to repair. Thirty minutes have passed. I can't stay here any longer, and only one more would be no problem for Senpai. "Well, I'll be going." I stand up and dust off my pants. The student with the glasses also stands up and begins to stare at me. "―?" Come to think of it, just who is she? I hadn't given it any thought because of what I was doing, but when I stop to consider her I realize she is quite beautiful. Someone this good looking would be known by every male student. They'd be talking about a "third-year beauty". "Um― I have to go. Don't work too hard, Senpai." She gives an obedient nod. ―― Even though she's older than me, it's almost like dealing with someone younger. "Thank you for helping me. I'm glad you did." She makes a quick bow. "I'll be sure to come say hello during lunch. Ah, don't forget to wash your hands, Tohno-kun." "You too, Senpai." With that, I wave my hand and leave. ―― Wait. "―― Huh? Have I met you before, Senpai?" "Eeeh!?" Senpai cries out in surprise, and mischievously puts on a depressed face. "Tohno-kun, you've forgotten about me?" "―?" Forgotten? No, I don't think so. If I had ever met a beautiful woman like her, there'd be no way I'd forget― "―― Um―" She looks up at me reproachfully. Those eyes― I'm sure I― remember from somewhere― don't I? ―― Come to think of it, we had exchanged greetings once or twice before― hadn't we? "Ciel-senpai― isn't it?" Apprehensively, I suggest her name. "Yes, and I'm glad you remember. You seem the type to space out and forget, Tohno-kun." ―― I don't think I space out, but there's nothing I can do about the fact that I forgot. "See you later, then. Sorry for keeping you." Ciel-senpai bows again. I watch her go, then start to walk towards the school building. When I reach my class, it's already the break after first period. I slip into the room while everyone's busy talking. My desk is the window seat in the very back row, so I can sneak there without drawing any attention. And, when attendance is taken in the second period everyone will probably say, "Hey, when did Tohno get here?". It's a strange quirk in an otherwise dull class. But I guess that plan won't work this time. "Yo, truant boy! It's totally unlike you to be late." "――" I sigh. It feels like reality is being hammered back into me after the pleasant time I spent with Senpai. "What's with that sour face of yours? Being late when I'm actually on time― what do you think you're doing?" "―― Hey, listen, I'm not coming to school for your sake, you know." "What!? But I'm coming to school for your sake! That's so unfair!" "――" Words fail me. I wonder, like I have many times before, how I ended up knowing this guy. His hair dyed orange, his ears pierced. His vicious glare that screams he will pick a fight with anyone, anytime, and his wearing of rebellious clothes. Inui Arihiko is the only free-spirited outlaw in our university-oriented high school. "We've been bitter enemies since middle school, right? If you make a carefree face like that in front of your rival, you'd better be prepared for trouble!" In any case, Arihiko is a loud guy. "Yo! Morning, Tohno!" Before I know it, everyone in class is looking my way and greeting me. "―― Shut up, Arihiko. You're ruining my chance to slip into class unnoticed! And why am I your 'rival', anyway? There are plenty of other tough guys around, so stop bothering me." ―― Well, he still owes me close to 10,000 yen from middle school so I guess that does make him my enemy. "Why are you only mean to me, Tohno? You're like a saint to everyone else. It's not fair." "What, you just figured that out? Life's not fair." "―― You really are only mean to me." I didn't try particularly hard to be cold to Arihiko. That's just the kind of relationship we have. "By the way, Arihiko, what's a chronically-late night owl who never shows up until second period doing here in homeroom? It's a little― no, it's very odd." "Ahaha― I was thinking that too. I guess being at school on time isn't just for when I happen to wake up early." "―― Well, I won't comment on your hobbies, but what I'm asking is why you woke up early." "Why I woke up early? Uhh― I guess it's because I can't stay out late since all that fuss started, so I actually go to sleep at night now. You've heard the stories about those serial killings, haven't you?" ―― Serial killings―? "―― I see. Come to think of it, I did hear something like that." I feel a tinge of regret at needing Arihiko to remind me. For the past two or three days I had been debating whether or not to return to the Tohno household, so I completely lost touch with the news. "What was that again? They've given it some really nasty name, like the 'Freakish Serial Killings' or something." "There's more to it. So far, all the victims have been young girls. The eighth victim was only two days ago! And to top it all off, they were all― wait, what happened to them again?" Arihiko tilts his head in contemplation. "――" I'm an idiot for asking him. "Yeah, I remember now! All the victims had cross-shaped slashes on their throats!" "―― No, Inui-kun. Everyone who was killed lost a lot of blood." "Oh yeah, that was it. They said it's some kind of modern day vampire or something." "Hmph. You sure know a lot about this, Yumizuka-san." "Not really. It's happening in this town, so it's in the news. You'd remember it even if you didn't want to." ―― I see. I thought it was happening in a neighboring town― but I guess it moved down here. "Well, anyway, that's what happened. Even I wouldn't be going on the streets at night with a killer walkin' around. That's why I've been waking up at seven lately." "―― What, that's it? Having a good reason doesn't make a good story. Where's the fun in that?" I sit down while dealing with Arihiko. "Man, you're cold. What, did you collapse from anemia already this morning?" "I'm alright, thanks for asking. If I was anemic twenty-four hours a day, I'd be dead by now." "Yeah, you're right. If you say you're okay, then I guess you're okay." The bell rings while we're talking. "Hey, class is about to begin. Hurry up and get back to your seat." "Yeah, alright. Oh, by the way, we'll have lunch today in the cafeteria instead of on the roof. I've invited a special guest, so look forward to it!" With a scheming laugh, Arihiko returns to his seat. "See you later, Tohno-kun." "Ah― yeah. Sorry for keeping you, Yumizuka-san." Her light footsteps tap across the floor as she returns to her desk. ―― But. It's still a mystery to me why she joined our conversation. She's just our classmate. *s23 It's lunchtime. Now then, where should I eat lunch? *s24 It's lunchtime. Now then, where should I eat lunch? *s25 I stay in the classroom. My lunch changes every day, according to my mood. Some days, lunch is made for me. On others, I might yearn for some udon and switch to the school lunches. When a meal is simply too much trouble, I go to the store and buy some milk and bread instead. I didn't ask for a lunch today. Since I'm not returning home to the Arimas, I turned down the offer this morning. Consequently, I won't have anything to eat if I stay in the classroom. I'll have to go to the cafeteria, even if I don't feel like it. "So that's what it comes down to." I leave the classroom with some exasperation. The cafeteria is packed, as usual. A long line of people waiting for their orders has developed. I join the line and order chikara-udon. Looking around the cafeteria, I spot a familiar face at a back table. "Yo, Tohno! Over here!" Arihiko vigorously waves his arm. "――" My head hurts. But there aren't any other empty seats, so I have no choice but to walk over to the table where my friend is sitting. "Sheesh! You're late, Tohno! I told you we have a special guest coming today so you should've got here sooner." Despite his words, Arihiko is alone. "So, Arihiko, who is this special guest?" "Ah― she dumped me. She said she was busy with something today. Said she'd come next time." "Hmph― dumped you, huh? So, is this guest a girl?" "Yeah, she's a senpai I've been hitting on. Well, she's popular with everyone, so I guess it can't be helped." Getting straight to the point, Arihiko slurps at his curry udon. He seems persistent, yet at the same time, he's not. That's one of the good things about him. "So, what was the real reason?" "Huh? What do you mean?" "The reason you were early this morning. You aren't the sort of person who comes to school early just because he gets up early, Arihiko-kun." I question Arihiko as I sit next to him, eating my chikara-udon. "Hmm." Arihiko gives an uncommitted response as he slurps away at his soup. "Are you going back to your real house today, Tohno?" "Yeah, I am― wait, have I told you about that already?" "Nah. I just heard it from the teacher." Arihiko continues to wolf down his curry udon without glancing in my direction. "I thought, 'Maybe Tohno will get really depressed!' so I decided to check it out." "―― I see. And your verdict?" "Pretty disappointing. It wasn't worth getting up early for." "You really have too much time on your hands, Arihiko," I conclude, as I bite into the white rice cake in my chikara-udon. ―― That's the kind of person Arihiko is. Today is the day I return to the house of my real family, returning from the home of the adopted family who raised me. Arihiko must have heard about it somewhere and came to school early because he was worried about me. "―― Arihiko, I think your appearance does you a disservice. You're really sentimental underneath." "Heh, heh― If it's the always-melancholy Tohno telling me that, then maybe I'm the real thing." Arihiko slurps noisily at his noodles. "So man, what's really going on?" "What do you mean?" "You've been living with the Arimas since primary school, right? It's been eight years already. Your dad has basically disinherited you. Why is he suddenly calling you back now?" "He didn't 'disinherit' me. He just kicked me out of the house somehow." "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. But it's so boring, it's not even funny." Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. Refusing to ever be serious is one of Arihiko's easy-to-understand traits. "―― Yeah, I guess you're right. If you get kicked out of the house, laughing is all you really can do." "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? That's what people would call disinheritance. Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." "――" ―― Who knows? That's something I'd like to know too. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his hot curry soup. Lunchtime is short. Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my chikara-udon. *s26 The cafeteria is packed, as usual. A long line of people waiting for their orders has developed. Casting a glance at the students holding their meal tickets, I sit down at Arihiko's table. "So, Arihiko, who is this special guest?" "Uhhh― that's odd. We arranged to meet here in the cafeteria. Hold on, I'll go check things out." Arihiko runs off, leaving his curry udon. "――" Chikara-udon is my choice. I hope he returns before the noodles go stale. "It's no good. Looks like Senpai went somewhere." "Hmm? Your guest is a senpai?" "Yeah, she's a really cool girl. I've been hitting on her for the last few days, and I finally got her to agree to eat lunch together. Apparently she has someone she wants to thank today, so she's running around school looking for whoever it is." *sigh* "―― It seems like she's a busy person." "Yeah. She's kind of like one of those Penny Racers." With a look of regret, Arihiko splits his chopsticks. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. Anyhow, itadakimasu." "Yes, itadakimasu." We begin to slurp at our udon. ―― Just what the heck are Penny Racers anyway? "So, what was the real reason?" "Huh? What do you mean?" "The reason you were early this morning. You aren't the sort of person who comes to school early just because he gets up early, Arihiko-kun." I question Arihiko as I sit next to him, eating my chikara-udon. "Hmmm." Arihiko gives an uncommitted response as he slurps away at his soup. "Are you going back to your real house today, Tohno?" "Yeah, I am― wait, have I told you about that already?" "Nah. I just heard it from the teacher." Arihiko continues to wolf down his curry udon without glancing in my direction. "I thought, 'Maybe Tohno will get really depressed!' so I decided to check it out." "―― I see. And your verdict?" "Pretty disappointing. It wasn't worth getting up early for." "You really have too much time on your hands, Arihiko," I conclude, as I bite into the white rice cake in my chikara-udon. ―― That's the kind of person Arihiko is. Today is the day I return to the house of my real family, returning from the home of the adopted family who raised me. Arihiko must have heard about it somewhere and came to school early because he was worried about me. "―― Arihiko, I think your appearance does you a disservice. You're really sentimental underneath." "Heh, heh― If it's the always-melancholy Tohno telling me that, then maybe I'm the real thing." Arihiko slurps noisily at his noodles. "So man, what's really going on?" "What do you mean?" "You've been living with the Arimas since primary school, right? It's been eight years already. Your dad has basically disinherited you. Why is he suddenly calling you back now?" "He didn't 'disinherit' me. He just kicked me out of the house somehow." "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. But it's so boring, it's not even funny." Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. Refusing to be serious, ever, is one of Arihiko's easy-to-understand traits. "―― Yeah, I guess you're right. If you get kicked out of the house, laughing is all you really can do." "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? That's what people would call disinheritance. Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." "――" ―― Who knows? That's something I'd like to know too. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his hot curry soup. Lunchtime is short. Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my chikara-udon. *s27 During lunchtime the hall is packed. Students head to the cafeteria or to their favorite places, lunches in hand. Caught in the flow of people, I contemplate whether I should go to the cafeteria or the store. "――" I'm somewhat taken aback at my own leisure. If I have time to waste, it'd be better to go to the cafeteria where Arihiko is. I begin walking towards the cafeteria. On the way there, a familiar face waves and runs up to me. "Thank goodness! I've been looking for you, Tohno-kun." "Oh― Ciel-senpai. Hello." ---I feel embarrassed for some reason, and return her unusual greeting. "Yes, hello― Well, we've already met once today, so I guess it's not proper to say 'Hello'." A small smile floats onto Senpai's face, as if she found something amusing. "Eh― ah― Yeah, now that you mention it, I guess you're right." I avert my eyes and give a lukewarm reply, becoming increasingly embarrassed. ---I wonder. I should be used to speaking to Senpai like this, but for some reason I'm getting embarrassed. "―― Tohno-kun? Do you have some urgent business? You seem a bit unsettled." "Eh― No, nothing like that―" ―― I don't, but for some reason her every move feels unfamiliar. I can't calm down. "―― It's nothing. More importantly, Senpai, you said you were looking for me. Do you need me for something?" "Well, I wanted to thank you for this morning, so I was looking for you." "For this morning― Ah, you mean in the courtyard?" "Of course. Sorry to ask, but are you going to have lunch?" I sigh. "Well, people usually eat lunch at lunchtime." "Great! Then we can eat together. I'll treat you as thanks for this morning. Let's go to the cafeteria." "Eh― ?" Senpai smiles. Grabbing my wrist, she starts to walk. It's strange enough for a third-year like Senpai to walk down the second-year hall, but this attracts even more attention. The gazes of the students in the hall fall upon Senpai and me and a murmur of conversation starts. "Wa― wait just a second! It's all right, you don't have to―!" I quickly shake her off my arm. "I only did what I did this morning on a whim. There's no need for you to thank me." I draw back from Senpai, well aware of how flushed my face is. "There's no need to be so reserved. Work should be rewarded. So please, let me treat you." Senpai grabs a hold of my arm again. "That's not what I'm talking about. I mean-" I just couldn't say that I'm embarrassed to be with her because we stand out so much. "Come on, there won't be any seats left if we don't hurry. I'll listen to the details after we get to the cafeteria." Senpai starts walking, pulling my arm with a tug. "――" Any further questions would bring more stares from the people around us in the hall. I don't know what Senpai is planning, but I peacefully accompany her to the cafeteria. Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. I had spent about ten minutes in the hallway, first spaced out, then talking with Senpai. So empty cafeteria seats are pretty much nonexistent. "I'll stand in line, Tohno-kun, so please go get some seats. Is there any food you don't like? If there is, now's the time to let me know." "Uh, nope, there isn't. I'm not picky with food." "Very well. I won't take long." Senpai lines up with everyone else. "――" It seems my only choice is to obediently accept that she'll be treating me. "―― But there aren't any seats left." I look around the bustling cafeteria. You can't find even two seats at this hour, let alone two seats togeth---there. I sigh. There, plain as day, is a table with not only two, not three, but four unoccupied seats. There's only one student sitting at the table, and it seems he noticed me while I was looking around for a seat. "Yo, Tohno!" The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. "――" My head hurts. But there isn't anywhere else to sit; I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. "You're late. I told you to hurry because I've invited a special guest today. What the hell have you been up to?" Arihiko begins to complain as soon as we are face to face. "Yeah, come to think of it, you did. So, who is it?" "Huh― about that― She promised me yesterday she'd come, but she declined this morning. She said she has someone she wanted to thank or something, so she'd be busy this lunchtime." Arihiko sighs as he eats his Chikara-udon. "Someone she wanted to thank?" Those words catch my attention. "Arihiko― that special guest wouldn't happen to be a third-year student, would she?" "Whoa!?" Arihiko's body jumps in shock. "A rather energetic girl wearing glasses?" "Whoaaa!?" Arihiko begins quivering. ―― The students at the tables around us stand up as if to make a fast escape. "―― A― Are you psychic―?" Arihiko points at me fearfully. "No, that doesn't mean I'm psychic, it-" "Sorry to keep you waiting. Good to see you found a seat, Tohno-kun." There. Senpai arrives with a smile, carrying a silver tray. "――!" Arihiko's eyes are wide open in surprise. "Huh? Inui-kun? What a coincidence!" Still smiling, Senpai takes her seat. "Ah― uh―" Arihiko gives a choked response. "Here you go, Tohno-kun. Please, eat until you're full!" Even after all this time, I still can't shake off her smile. "Ah― all right. In that case, thanks for the food." ―― Taking Arihiko's dumbfounded stare in stride, I sit down. Senpai sits in front of me while Arihiko sits beside me. "Itadakimasu." Putting my hands together with a clap, I look down at the tray Senpai brought. And on the menu is: Curry Rice, Curry Rice, and Curry Udon. "――" I don't get it. "Err― Senpai?" "Yes? What is it, Tohno-kun?" "Uh― about this― what's going on?" "What do you mean? It's lunch, isn't it? What else does it look like?" "'What else', you say― but all I see is curry." "Yes, it's curry." Senpai laughs happily. ―― The problem is, they all look like curry. "―― There's three dishes." "Of course. You're a boy, so you eat a lot. I'll have just one, so please take whatever you like." "Ah― Okay. In that case, I'll take the curry rice and curry udon." The other choice is hell. "Make sure to finish it, Tohno-kun. After all, you aren't picky with food, are you?" "――" There isn't a shred of antagonism in Senpai's smile, nor is this some kind of a joke. She truly had good intentions. "―― Yes. Itadakimasu." I dig into the curry rice with my spoon in despair. ---And then, "Tohno-kun!" From beside me came the cry of a dead man being reborn. "How long are you going to ignore your dear best friend!?" Arihiko's elbow sinks into the side of my stomach with a thud. "Eh―? Inui-kun, do you know Tohno-kun?" "Do I know him? We've been best friends since middle school!" My best friend hits the table with a bang for emphasis. "Really? The person who helped me this morning was Tohno-kun." "Oh yeah? If you had told me his name, I would have brought him here― So, did this guy do something for you?" "Yes, he helped me fix my splints." "Huh? He helped you fix your shin splints?" Arihiko frowns suspiciously. ―― Well, I guess you would consider helping someone fix their shin splints a bit odd. "No, fixing splints. Please don't make me angry when I am eating." Ciel-senpai gets angry. She seems to be someone you can never tire of watching. "Fixing splints―? Ah, the splints in the courtyard! You were at it again? You sure enjoy that kind of thing, Senpai, but you'd be better off if you gave up. If you keep doing things like that, the teachers will start expecting you to do them." "That's all right, I do it because I enjoy it. You shouldn't talk about the teachers like that though, you know. They really care about the school." ―― I'm finding it difficult to follow their conversation. "Senpai, don't tell me that you normally do that sort of thing?" "Yeah. Didn't you know, Tohno? Ciel-senpai is so handy they call her the 'Shadow President' of the student council." "No, I was asking Senpai. Wait, never mind― what on earth is the 'Shadow President'?" "Is she strong?" I ask with my eyes. "Yeah," responds Arihiko with an exaggerated nod. "She's quite something, totally unlike the Student Council, which is the student council in name only. She's a third-year who'll solve anything for you if you ask her. Even got a fan club among the first years! And if something happens, the teachers all rely on her. There isn't a single teacher who complains about what Senpai does." Arihiko speaks with pride as if he was actually talking about himself. "Wow― Ciel-senpai sure is amazing. Even the teachers rely on you." I look at Senpai, impressed. "Ah, yes. Uh― thank you." Senpai turns bright red, embarrassed. Senpai churns her curry rice with her spoon. I guess it's to hide her embarrassment, but it reminds me of the enemy I have to face. Curry rice by itself is fine, but after that awaits curry udon. My doctor warned me not to eat too much, but I don't think there's anything else in this situation that I can do. So I start to dig in to the rice. *munch* *munch* Having decided to try to finish one dish quickly, I direct all my concentration to the rice. Meanwhile, Senpai and Arihiko began talking about their own homes for some reason. I already know that Arihiko doesn't live with his parents, but it seems Senpai is also living by herself. Apparently, Senpai's apartment is quite close to school. It's roughly between the main street and the park. "Hmmm― So, Tohno-kun, where do you live?" "Huh?" I silently eat my food when Senpai, peering at me, asks a completely unrelated question. "Where―? Why do you ask, Senpai?" "You already heard where I live, right, Tohno-kun? I think it's unfair if I don't know where your house is." "Unfair? You worry about the strangest things, Senpai." "It's not strange. If I don't know where you live, I can't visit you if something happens, right?" I stop eating the curry rice. I have the feeling that something has been said that I should be jubilant about. "Eh― Visit? You mean you'd come and visit me if I catch a cold or something?" "No, I wouldn't. I don't have any plans to visit at the moment." Smiling, Senpai replies instantly, as if stating the obvious. "――" It seems like the euphoria is premature. Senpai doesn't seem to have any unusual intentions. I see now― that's just the way she is. "―― I guess I have to tell you. Yeah, my house is nearby too, only a forty minute walk. There's a residential district on top of the hill, right? Just go a little further and you're there." "Oh yeah. You're moving today, right?" Arihiko strikes his hand on the desk. Senpai tilts her head slightly. "Moving? Tohno-kun, were you a transfer student?" "Huh?" Senpai asks a strange question. Arihiko meets my gaze. "Uh, listen― I've been here since the first year. We've known each other since then, right? Why are you asking if I'm a transfer student now?" "But Tohno-kun, you moved yesterday, so--" "Moving doesn't automatically make you a transfer student. I'm just changing my address, not my school. Until now, I've been living with some relatives in the neighboring town. I'm just going back to my real home, that's all." Senpai, who wears a look of surprise, seems to understand. "I see, you've only changed your residence. So, now you live in the outskirts of town." "Yeah. It's that colorful place on top of the hill― I'm moving there today." "Haah― could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" Senpai asks with some hesitation. The western-style house at the top of the hill is probably seen as something special by residents of this town. I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. "Yeah, that's right. I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." "Hmm― You don't seem too happy about it." "It's neither good nor bad. I don't quite understand it either." "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? I can understand if you're feeling strange. It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." "I wonder if that's so― I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." "Yeah, right. My house is no refuge of yours. When you come over during the holidays, my sister treats you better than me!" "――" That's probably only because Arihiko has terrible behavior, but I refrain from telling him that in the interests of preventing the conversation from getting any worse. ---To be honest, it's not pleasant to have my home raised as a topic of conversation. "Wow― You two certainly get along well." Senpai peers at Arihiko and me. "No way! Me and Tohno would never help each other, no matter how much trouble we were in. In other words, we're enemies, mademoiselle." Arihiko says in a fed-up tone. I'm getting pretty fed-up myself with his pseudo-foreigner-isms, too. "But your relationship is so good that Tohno-kun has stayed over at your house before, right? Doesn't that mean you get along really well?" "You're wrong, Senpai. That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents, and he'd come over to my place every vacation. He's reserved toward them 'cause they're taking care of him. That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say "unforgivable!" "―― Taking care, Tohno-kun?" "Ah―" Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. "―― Sorry. I should've thought before I spoke." "It's okay. You didn't say anything bad." I continue to eat my food without looking at Arihiko. "Really? Yeah, you're right. If you complained about that, you'll be in for some punishment." Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. "I'm sorry, Tohno-kun. Um― did you not get along with your previous family?" "No, that's not it. He has no problem with the Arimas. Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. They're really nice people, and from what I could tell, they're a happy family. Even so, he refused to be their adopted kid, and he escaped to my place every vacation. Sheesh― just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied about. It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." I finish my rice as I reply. Now, only the curry udon is left― "It's okay, Senpai. Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." "Eh, not at all. I'm sorry for asking you something so strange." Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. "Ah, Senpai― sorry, but I've got something private to talk to Tohno about. Would you mind leaving?" Arihiko has no problems making such an offensive request. Isn't that phrase an indirect― no, a direct way of saying 'We don't want you, Senpai, so get lost―'? "You idio---What do you think you're saying!? We can discuss those things anywhere! And Senpai is still finishing her--" ---Lunch. Despite all the talking with Arihiko, Senpai has finished her rice anyway. "No, I understand. Well then, I'll be leaving." Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves. Only Arihiko and I remain at the table. I sigh. "Well, it looks like Senpai was having a hard time too, so it was for the best, but you were really pushing it there, Arihiko." "Hmm― Well, it's not like I had a choice. Anyways, I guess I'll take the role of the guy she ends up disliking." *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* Arihiko slurps away at his chikara-udon. It seems it has gone cold while we were talking to Senpai. "―― Sorry. You were trying to hit on Senpai, weren't you?" "Of course. She's probably the number one girl at our school. But if she's the type to care about something like that, then she's not worth it. Oh, yeah, I really do have something to talk to you about in private." "―?" Arihiko's voice turns serious. I split my chopsticks with a snap and begin to eat my udon. "What's wrong? Why so serious all of a sudden? I'll let you know right now that I don't have any money. From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless student." "It's not that, damn it. What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" "What do you mean?" "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. Your dad has basically disinherited you. Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" ―― I see. In his own strange way, Arihiko is worried about me. "He didn't 'disinherit' me. He just kicked me out of the house somehow." "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. "―― Yeah, I guess you're right. If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." "――" ―― Who knows? That's something I'd like to know too. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his chikara-udon. Lunchtime is short. Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my curry-udon. *s28 The hall during lunchtime is packed. Students head to the cafeteria or to their favorite places, lunches in hand. Caught in the flow of people, I contemplate whether I should go to the cafeteria or the store. "――" I'm taken aback by my own leisure. If I have time to waste here, it'd be better if I go to the cafeteria where Arihiko is. Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. Because I spaced out in the hallway, empty seats are pretty much non-existent at this point. "---Aren't there any empty seats?" I cast my gaze over the crowded cafeteria. There shouldn't be any spare seats this late, but I decide to check the tables out anyway. "―― Ah." I'm surprised―― no, I'm astounded. There, plain as day, is a table with not two, not even three, but four unoccupied seats. There are two students sitting at the table, and it seems like one of them noticed me during my efforts to locate a seat. "Yo, Tohno!" The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. "――" My head hurts. But there isn't anywhere else to sit, so I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. An unexpected person is sitting at the table with him. "Huh, Ciel-senpai?" "Ah, if it isn't Tohno-kun." We point at each other simultaneously. "Yo, Tohno---hey wait―― Senpai, do you know Tohno?" "Yes, I've met him once today already. We bumped into each other with a bang today, didn't we, Tohno-kun?" "Ah―― yes, sorry about that." I lower my head in apology. "Not at all. I'm also sorry for spacing out like that. You're a serious person, aren't you, Tohno-kun?" "Serious――? No, not really." Smiling, Senpai gives a satisfied nod. How should I say this―― Senpai has a unique atmosphere around her. "But it's sure surprising that Tohno-kun and Inui-kun know each other. Could it be that you two are in the same class?" "That's right! Me and Tohno are more than casual acquaintances! We've been in the same class since our first year, and we've been inseparable best friends since middle school!" My best friend strikes the table with a bang for emphasis. ―― Is it just me, or is he more hyper than usual? "Come on, best friend, sit down! If you just keep standing there vacantly, your chikara-udon is going to go stale. Hurry up and sit down, and let me hear all about how you got to know Senpai." Arihiko slaps my back cheerfully. "――" While I really have no story like Arihiko might be hoping for, there are no other seats available. Reluctantly, I take a seat next to him. It seems Arihiko is close with Senpai. In contrast with me, who's only met her a few times, he's able to talk to her quite casually. "By the way, Senpai, you said you ran into Tohno, what happened?" "Yes, I bumped into Tohno-kun between classes. I wasn't hurt, but Tohno-kun bumped his head." "Hmm―― I wouldn't have thought Tohno would do something as clumsy as that. This guy may look spaced out, but he's actually an unbelievably sharp guy. He doesn't like to depend on others, and he hates causing trouble for others――" "Ah, I also got that impression. He was only concerned about me when we ran into each other, and he apologized to me just now, too." "See? That's the kind of guy he is, so he doesn't make those kind of mistakes. ―― Ah, could it be that your anemia was acting up again?" Arihiko's voice shows his serious concern for my physical health. "―― No, it's not that. I was running to the office to deal with some details for me moving. That's when I ran into Senpai." "Really? Well, I thought you became careless because you're depressed over the move." Arihiko folds his arms and nods to himself in agreement. And then, "Tohno-kun, are you changing schools!?" Senpai exclaims almost hysterically. "I'm not changing schools, Senpai. I'm just changing my place of residence, so I filed the paperwork for a change-of-address." "Eh―― So that means you're going to be living alone?" "No, I'm just going back to my real home. It's that fancy place on top of the hill. I still can't quite believe it yet." "Oh―― Could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" Senpai asks with some hesitation. The western-style house on top of the hill is probably seen as something special to the residents of this town. I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. "Yeah, that's right. I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." "Hmm―― You don't seem too happy about it." "It's not a particularly good or bad thing. I don't really understand it myself." "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? I can understand if you're feeling restless. It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." "I wonder if that's so―― I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." "Hmph. Listen, you, I'm not impressed with how you come to stay at my house every time something bad happens. I like your personality trait of not standing out, but I've hated how you're always too reserved for a long time now!" Arihiko strikes the table with a bang again. "――" Well, everything Arihiko said is true, so there's no way to fight back. "Inui-kun, does Tohno-kun really stay at your house that often?" "Yeah, he does. That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents and he would come to my place every long vacation. He's reserved towards them cause they're taking care of him. That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say 'unforgivable!' "―― Taking care of Tohno-kun?" "Ah" Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. "―― Sorry. I should've thought before I spoke." "It's okay. You didn't say anything bad." I continue to eat my chikara-udon without looking at Arihiko. "Really? Yeah, you're right. If you complain about that, you'll be in for some punishment." Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. "Tohno-kun, um―― did you not get along with your previous family?" "No, that's not it. This guy had no problem with the Arimas. Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. They're really nice people, and from what I could see, they're a happy family. Even so, he refused to be their adopted child, and he escaped to my place every vacation. Sheesh―― just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied about. It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." ―― Senpai drops her shoulders and falls silent. It looks like she's sorry for asking about my family situation. "It's okay, Senpai. Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." "Eh, not at all. I'm sorry for asking you something so strange, too." Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. "Listen, Senpai---" "Um, I've finished eating, so I'll be leaving now. I'm really sorry." Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves her seat. Only me and Arihiko remain at the table. "―― Sorry. You were finally able to eat with just the two of you, but I got in the way." "Don't worry about it. That was my fault for not paying attention. I thought it was bad for Senpai, actually." ―― *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* Arihiko slurps away at his udon. It looks like it's gotten cold while we were talking. "Well, that was convenient for us, anyway. I've got something to talk to you about in private, so it was lucky that Senpai left first." "What's wrong? Getting all serious all of a sudden. I'll tell you now, I don't have any money. From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless youth." "It's not that, damn it. What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" "What do you mean?" "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. Your dad has basically disinherited you. Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" ―― I see. In his own way, he is worried about me. "He didn't 'disinherit' me. He just kicked me out of the house for some reason." "Tohno-kun, if there ever is a house that kicks their child out of their house 'for some reason', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. "―― Yeah, I guess you're right. If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." "――" ――――― Who knows? That's something I'd like to know, too. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains his cold udon soup. Lunchtime is short. Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly eat my own chikara-udon. *s29 Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. Because I spaced out in the hallway, empty seats are pretty much non-existent at this point. "---Aren't there any empty seats?" I cast my gaze over the crowded cafeteria. There shouldn't be any spare seats this late, but I decide to check the tables out anyway. "―― Ah." I'm surprised―― no, I'm astounded. There, plain as day, is a table with not two, not even three, but four unoccupied seats. There are two students sitting at the table, and it seems like one of them noticed me during my efforts to locate a seat. "Yo, Tohno!" The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. "――" My head hurts. But there isn't anywhere else to sit, so I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. An unexpected person is sitting at the table with him. "Huh, Ciel-senpai?" "Ah, if it isn't Tohno-kun." We point at each other simultaneously. "Yo, Tohno---hey wait―― Senpai, do you know Tohno?" "Yes, I've met him once today already. We bumped into each other with a bang today, didn't we, Tohno-kun?" "Ah―― yes, sorry about that." I lower my head in apology. "Not at all. I'm also sorry for spacing out like that. You're a serious person, aren't you, Tohno-kun?" "Serious――? No, not really." Smiling, Senpai gives a satisfied nod. How should I say this―― Senpai has a unique atmosphere around her. "But it's sure surprising that Tohno-kun and Inui-kun know each other. Could it be that you two are in the same class?" "That's right! Me and Tohno are more than casual acquaintances! We've been in the same class since our first year, and we've been inseparable best friends since middle school!" My best friend strikes the table with a bang for emphasis. ―― Is it just me, or is he more hyper than usual? "Come on, best friend, sit down! If you just keep standing there vacantly, your chikara-udon is going to go stale. Hurry up and sit down, and let me hear all about how you got to know Senpai." Arihiko slaps my back cheerfully. "――" While I really have no story like Arihiko might be hoping for, there are no other seats available. Reluctantly, I take a seat next to him. It seems Arihiko is close with Senpai. In contrast with me, who's only met her a few times, he's able to talk to her quite casually. "By the way, Senpai, you said you ran into Tohno, what happened?" "Yes, I bumped into Tohno-kun between classes. I wasn't hurt, but Tohno-kun bumped his head." "Hmm―― I wouldn't have thought Tohno would do something as clumsy as that. This guy may look spaced out, but he's actually an unbelievably sharp guy. He doesn't like to depend on others, and he hates causing trouble for others――" "Ah, I also got that impression. He was only concerned about me when we ran into each other, and he apologized to me just now, too." "See? That's the kind of guy he is, so he doesn't make those kind of mistakes. ―― Ah, could it be that your anemia was acting up again?" Arihiko's voice shows his serious concern for my physical health. "―― No, it's not that. I was running to the office to deal with some details for me moving. That's when I ran into Senpai." "Really? Well, I thought you became careless because you're depressed over the move." Arihiko folds his arms and nods to himself in agreement. And then, "Tohno-kun, are you changing schools!?" Senpai exclaims almost hysterically. "I'm not changing schools, Senpai. I'm just changing my place of residence, so I filed the paperwork for a change-of-address." "Eh―― So that means you're going to be living alone?" "No, I'm just going back to my real home. It's that fancy place on top of the hill. I still can't quite believe it yet." "Oh―― Could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" Senpai asks with some hesitation. The western-style house on top of the hill is probably seen as something special to the residents of this town. I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. "Yeah, that's right. I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." "Hmm―― You don't seem too happy about it." "It's not a particularly good or bad thing. I don't really understand it myself." "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? I can understand if you're feeling restless. It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." "I wonder if that's so―― I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." "Hmph. Listen, you, I'm not impressed with how you come to stay at my house every time something bad happens. I like your personality trait of not standing out, but I've hated how you're always too reserved for a long time now!" Arihiko strikes the table with a bang again. "――" Well, everything Arihiko said is true, so there's no way to fight back. "Inui-kun, does Tohno-kun really stay at your house that often?" "Yeah, he does. That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents and he would come to my place every long vacation. He's reserved towards them cause they're taking care of him. That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say 'unforgivable!' "―― Taking care of Tohno-kun?" "Ah" Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. "―― Sorry. I should've thought before I spoke." "It's okay. You didn't say anything bad." I continue to eat my chikara-udon without looking at Arihiko. "Really? Yeah, you're right. If you complain about that, you'll be in for some punishment." Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. "Tohno-kun, um―― did you not get along with your previous family?" "No, that's not it. This guy had no problem with the Arimas. Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. They're really nice people, and from what I could see, they're a happy family. Even so, he refused to be their adopted child, and he escaped to my place every vacation. Sheesh―― just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied with. It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." ―― Senpai drops her shoulders and falls silent. It looks like she's sorry for asking about my family situation. "It's okay, Senpai. Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." "Eh, not at all. I'm sorry for asking you something so strange, too." Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. "Listen, Senpai---" "Um, I've finished eating, so I'll be leaving now. I'm really sorry." Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves her seat. Only me and Arihiko remain at the table. "―― Sorry. You were finally able to eat with just the two of you, but I got in the way." "Don't worry about it. That was my fault for not paying attention. I thought it was bad for Senpai, actually." ―― *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* Arihiko slurps away at his udon. It looks like it's gotten cold while we were talking. "Well, that was convenient for us, anyway. I've got something to talk to you about in private, so it was lucky that Senpai left first." "What's wrong? Getting all serious all of a sudden. I'll tell you now, I don't have any money. From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless youth." "It's not that, damn it. What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" "What do you mean?" "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. Your dad has basically disinherited you. Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" ―― I see. In his own way, he is worried about me. "He didn't 'disinherit' me. He just kicked me out of the house for some reason." "Tohno-kun, if there ever is a house that kicks their child out of their house 'for some reason', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. "―― Yeah, I guess you're right. If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." "――" ――――― Who knows? That's something I'd like to know, too. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains his cold udon soup. Lunchtime is short. Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly eat my own chikara-udon. *s30 It's lunchtime and the classroom starts to liven up. Some guys are dashing off towards the cafeteria, a group of girls are rearranging desks to form a table, and some students are calmly leaving the classroom, boxed lunches in hand. I watch them while I set down the milk and bread I bought. "Sheesh, not much of an appetite as usual, huh, Tohno?" This guy in front of me being here is already a part of my daily routine, and I'm not about to start complaining now. "But man, what's up with us, just the two of us eating lunch together? What kind of meal goes unaccompanied by a beautiful blossom?" "If you don't have any 'blossoms', why don't you join that group over there? I'm not going to stop you." "Idiot! When I say 'blossom', I mean a single, beautiful blossom. Those girls making a group aren't good. They're poisonous, rather than being beautiful." ―― Arihiko's comment would've probably earned him some rocks thrown in his direction if the group of girls had heard him. Luckily, the girls in our class didn't hear his poisonous words. "―― That's pretty harsh, Arihiko. I know you were a bad guy before, but haven't you been getting worse lately? You're surpassing merely 'bad' and getting into 'deviant'." "I can't help it, can I? When there's a truly beautiful blossom at our school, my discerning eye grows more critical." "Hah―― So, who is this beautiful 'blossom'?" "That's a secret. I don't want more competition, now do I?" Arihiko laughs with an ambitious smile spilling over his face. As it is something I don't have, I'm a little impressed by his ability to express himself so frankly. And then. The person I just met comes in from the classroom door. "―― Ah." With a boxed lunch in one hand, there is no way I could mistake her--- "Hello, Tohno-kun. Mind if I interrupt?" "Eh---Ah, it's fine, of course---" Smiling, Ciel-senpai brings over a chair and sits down naturally. "Um―― Senpai, are you hurt?" "No, I'm not hurt at all." Even her smiling reply troubles me. "You said to come here at lunchtime, so I thought it would be rude if I did not." "Uh―― It's true that I said that, but――" What I intended to say was that she could come and I would take responsibility if she ended up being hurt. "S-s-senpaiiii!" Arihiko slams the table with a bang as he stands up. "Ah, Inui-kun. Could it be that you and Tohno-kun are acquainted?" "Yeah, we're more than casual acquaintances! Tohno and I have been friends since we were kids! Right, Tohno? You could even say we were best friends!" "" Arihiko makes a tight fist for emphasis. There's no room for agreement or disagreement. "Oh, really? It is such a coincidence that you two are friends!" "It sure is! This bastard has such a calm face, I'm wondering just when did he start to get along with Senpai!" 'Hahaha!' Arihiko glares at me while laughing towards Senpai. Absent-mindedly, I wonder if that's what you'd call being well-rounded. In the end, Arihiko forcibly convinces Senpai to stay for lunch. Well―― since she brought her lunch, perhaps that's what she had in mind in the first place. "Oh, Inui-kun, do you live by yourself?" "Nah, I live with my sister. Our parents left us in charge of the house, so we naturally learned how to cook, that's all." Arihiko seems familiar with Senpai. He's able to talk to her more casually than I can. I've only met her a few times. "By the way, Senpai, you said that you were called here by Tohno. Did something happen?" "Yes, I ran into Tohno-kun during the break. I wasn't hurt, but Tohno-kun hit his head." "Hmm―― And you came to see him because you became worried?" "Yes, that's about right." Senpai's voice is brisk and pleasant to listen to. Since listening is more interesting than talking, I keep silent. That's when Arihiko directs the conversation towards me. "What's wrong, Tohno? Running into someone―― Don't tell me your anemia was acting up again?" Arihiko's voice betrays his deep concern about my health. "―― No, it's not that. I was running to the office to deal with some details for me moving. That's when I ran into Senpai." "---Really? Well, I guess your carelessness was at fault." Arihiko folds his arms and nods in agreement to himself. "Tohno-kun, are you changing schools!?" Senpai suddenly outbursts almost hysterically. ―― Really, why does she think I'm changing schools just because of that? "I'm not changing schools, Senpai. I'm just changing my place of residence, so I filed the paperwork for a change of address." "Um―― so that means you're going to be living alone?" "No, I'm just going back to my real home. It's that fancy place on top of the hill. I still can't quite believe it yet." "Ohh―― Could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" Senpai asks with some hesitation. The western-style house on top of the hill is probably seen as something special to the residents of the town. I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. "Yeah, that's right. I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." "Hmm―― You don't seem too happy about it." "It's not a particularly good or bad thing. I don't really understand it myself." "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? I can understand if you're feeling restless. It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." "I wonder if that's so―― I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." "Hmph. Listen, you, I'm not impressed with how you come to stay at my house every time something bad happens. I like your personality trait of not standing out, but I've hated how you're always too reserved for a long time now!" Arihiko strikes the table with a bang again. "――――" Well, everything Arihiko said is true, so there's no way to fight back. "Inui-kun, does Tohno-kun really stay at your house that often?" "Yeah, he does. That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents and he would come to my place every long vacation. He's reserved toward them cause they're taking care of him." "That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say 'unforgivable!' "―― Taking care of Tohno-kun?" "Ah" Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. "―― Sorry. I should have thought before I spoke." "It's okay. You didn't say anything wrong." I continue to eat my bread without looking at Arihiko. "Really? Yeah, you're right. If you complain about that, you'll be in for some punishment." Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. "Tohno-kun, Um―― did you not get along with your previous family?" "No, that's not it. This guy had no problem with the Arimas. Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. They're really nice people, and from what I could see, they're a happy family. Even so, he refused to be their adopted child, and he escaped to my place every vacation. Sheesh―― just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied with. It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." I turn away. And―― all of a sudden, I realize Yumizuka is close by. "――――" Her eyes look like she wants to say something, but it seems like she can't bring herself to intrude. "What's wrong, Yumizuka-san?" I leave Arihiko and Senpai and call out to Yumizuka. "Ah―― uh, I have something to talk to you about. Is now a good time?" "Sure. Can we talk here?" "―― Um――" Yumizuka's eyes flicker towards Arihiko. ―― It seems Yumizuka isn't good at dealing with Arihiko. "Is it alright if we discuss this in the hallway?" "I don't mind. I'm leaving for a while, Arihiko." Waving to Arihiko and Senpai, I exit with Yumizuka into the hallway. "So, what did you want to ask me?" "Um, I'm sorry if I'm wrong about this, but have you been walking around at night in the business district lately?" "Huh---?" Business district――? I rarely go there even in the daytime, let alone at night. Her question is so entirely off that I become interested instead. "Hmmm―― At night, you say? Around what time?" "From what I've heard, past midnight." Midnight―― then that rules it out completely. I occasionally go out to the business district at night to buy something, but I've never been out into the city that late before. "That's definitely not me. My household is old-fashioned, so they've got a curfew at seven. You can't get in after that even if you cry. Since I don't want to have to camp outside, I try to my death to get home before seven." I'm upfront in denying Yumizuka's question. She smiles happily. "Yeah, I know. The Arima family is also the head of a style of tea ceremony. That's right, it must be really strict for you, Tohno-kun." "Not so much strict as they like to tease me―― eh? Yumizuka-san, you seem to know quite a bit? Are you a student of it?" "No. I don't really know that much about tea ceremony. I have a friend who goes there and she told me it was really strict." "Oh, but Yumizuka-san, how did you know I lived with the Arimas? I haven't even told anyone here at our high school." "You've forgotten that we went to the same middle school together, haven't you?" Yumizuka giggles as she speaks. "Eh?" ―― We went to the same middle school――? I can't remember, so I can't say anything, but if that's true, then it wouldn't be odd if she knew I was entrusted to the Arimas. "Yumizuka-san, maybe, um――" "It's okay as long as it's not you, Tohno-kun. Sorry for interrupting your lunch." Interrupting my words, Yumizuka Satsuki goes back into the classroom after saying this. "Yo. Is your conversation over?" "Yeah―― it seems like she just got the wrong person―― Hey, Arihiko." "Yeah. Yumizuka went to our middle school. To say more, she was our classmate during our second and third year, and now in the second year of high school, making for three years in total." "Huh?" As if he knew my question, he answers. "H-how did you know what I was going to ask?" "Because of that look on your face. But damn. I thought you were just ignoring her, but you actually didn't even notice her. She's really persistent―― or maybe she's just eccentric. She's had to suffer a lot." Arihiko makes a difficult face and shrugs. "Ah, I knew it. She is Tohno-kun's girlfriend, right?" "W-what are you saying, Senpai!? There's no way that could be! I've never even had a proper conversation with her!" "No, no, there's no use hiding it. You two look like you get along very well. I'm a little jealous." What's making her so happy? Senpai looks at me with an excited expression. "S-senpai! Arihiko, you say something to this confused person here, too!" "About what? I don't know what you and Yumizuka are up to. All I know is that you two were having a merry conversation this morning." "Kyaah! A secret meeting at school in the morning! How bold of you, Tohno-kun!" Senpai is getting more and more worked up in an incomprehensible way―― "――――" ―― Well, whatever. After all, it doesn't matter to me if Senpai misunderstands. "But you mustn't be so blunt to her, Tohno-kun. Yumizuka-san looks kind of sad, doesn't she? You've got to give her more of your attention." "Senpai, lunch is going to end soon――" "Yes. See you later, Tohno-kun, Inui-kun!" Smiling, Senpai leaves our classroom. *sigh* I feel a little exhausted. "Tohno. Don't go after Yumizuka." Arihiko mumbles this with a stern face. "Don't go after――? Why?" "Listen, about Yumizuka―― despite her appearance, she's really shy and single-minded. She's not compatible at all with someone absent-minded like you. That kind of girl is dangerous to get really involved with." Arihiko goes back to his own seat. "―― What is he talking about? It's not like I'm thinking of doing something with Yumizuka-san." I mutter to no one in particular, and sit down in my own seat. *s31 The last class of the day ends. I don't feel like going to the mansion right away, so I just blankly stare out of the window overlooking the school grounds. The classroom is dyed orange by the sunset. It's like red watercolor paint, and it hurts my eyes. ―― I don't like red. It feels like it soaks deep into the back of my eyes and I want to throw up. It seems I am weak against things that resemble blood. No, I should say I am weak against blood itself. Eight years ago, I had a near-death experience. I was in an accident where I was injured in the chest and I teetered between life and death for days. I should've died instantly. But, miraculously, I survived. Maybe it's because of the great medical treatment. However, the injuries were so severe that I don't even remember the accident. Eight years ago, when I was a child. I felt a "thud" pass right through the middle of my chest, then I passed out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. All I could remember afterwards was the pain and the cold. I don't remember much of the accident, but even today, the scar on my chest remains. I guess numerous fragments of glass pierced my chest, leaving burn-like scars there and in my back. ―― Actually, I was quite surprised at being saved. Ever since then, I frequently collapse from an anemia-like dizziness, and cause a lot of trouble for others. Maybe that's why my old man believed I was unfit to be heir to the Tohno household and entrusted me to our relatives. "―― The wound on my chest, huh." The huge scar in the middle of my chest, hidden from view by my uniform. Now that I think about it, after that accident was when I started to see those "lines". I am able to forget them, thanks to the glasses that Sensei gave me. But I think I would have completely gone mad if I never met her. Keiko-san---the person who had been my mother up until now, said when I left that the Tohno household wasn't "normal". "―― No problem. I'm not a 'normal' person myself." Adjusting my crooked glasses, I pick up my bag. I can't stay in the classroom forever. Now then--- *s33 As soon as I step out into the hallway, I run into a familiar face. "Huh? What's up, Senpai? Do you have some business here at the second year classrooms?" "Yes. Business with a second year student, to be precise." Ciel-senpai approaches with a smile. "Listen, I have some nice snacks here, but no one to talk to. It would be a waste to eat them all by myself, so I came to catch an idle-looking person to talk to." "Hmm― Someone to talk to? But there's no one left in the classroom. It's the same with all the other classes, too. You don't usually come to the second year classrooms anyway, do you? You're on the lower floor, right?" And if she wanted someone to talk to, aren't there plenty of third year classmates she could talk to? She really didn't need to come all the way up here. "Shouldn't you think about asking your third year classmates? Conversation would probably be better." "Yes, but today, I'm in the mood to talk to younger guys. Please don't ask for a reason, it's just on a whim." "―― Well, I won't ask." I probably wouldn't be able to understand even if she told me. Senpai's smile disappears as she stares into my face. "Are you free right now, Tohno-kun?" "Well---If having nothing to do means I'm free, then I'm definitely free." Senpai grabs hold of my sleeve. "Well then, you are now caught. Let's go have some tea." Senpai invites me with a smile. There's no reason for me to decline the offer, and besides, it should be fun talking with Senpai. "Sure, I'll come along, if it's okay with you." "Then it's decided. Alright, let's go!" Still holding my sleeve, she begins walking down the hall with a light gait. "Wow. Our school has a room like this? Could it be for the Tea Ceremony Club?" "Yes, it's the Tea Ceremony Club's room for now. It seems like it hasn't been used up until I came though." Senpai steps onto the tatami mat and starts preparations with a rattling noise. "A club room, huh? If that's the case, won't the other club members be coming? It'd be bad for an outsider like me to be here, right, Senpai?" "It's okay. It may be the Tea Ceremony Club, but there aren't any other members except for me. Thanks to that, I can use it freely during break time and after school―― here we go." Smiling, Senpai begins spreading the cushions. Tea is tea, but it looks like this is really going to be a serious tea ceremony. To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed. "Uh, Senpai―― I don't have the slightest clue what to do." "What are you talking about? I only know up to the pouring bit myself." With that blunt reply, Senpai put the teapot, some cups, and some tea cakes onto a plate. "We are just going to have a casual conversation, so there's no need to be so formal. It isn't any fun that way, is it?" Smiling softly, Senpai pours tea into her own cup. "―― Hmm. I just don't get you, Senpai." Mumbling, I pour my own tea. I slurp some. Picking up the tea cake and putting it in my mouth, I sip again at the tea. I was never involved with it, but the Arima family is a prominent tea ceremony family. Being raised in a household like that, I'm used to drinking tea and doing nothing. Senpai looks at me with a somewhat troubled expression. "What's wrong, Senpai? You look a bit unhappy." *s34 "Eh? Ah, um, I was just a little surprised at how calm you were about all of this, Tohno-kun." "Really? Well, my family is a strict one, so I'm used to these kinds of things. More importantly, Senpai, didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about?" "I do. The continuation of what we were talking about during lunch." "―― What we were talking about during lunch― you mean about my family?" Senpai nods to indicate a yes. "If you don't mind, I would like to hear more about it. I was curious about it since we stopped halfway." "―― It's not that I mind, but hearing about my family isn't very interesting. It'd be a waste of time." "I don't mind if it's not interesting, I just want to hear about it." "―― Hmm, you sure are eccentric, Senpai." "Maybe I am," Senpai laughs. "Alright, then. Let's continue from before. You said you moved to your home. What do you mean by that?" Senpai asks, full of curiosity. ―― Well, the conversation this afternoon must've been pretty fragmented for Senpai, since she didn't know any of the circumstances. "---Let's see. Basically, I'm a guy who's been disinherited. I was seriously injured after getting caught up in a traffic accident when I was nine years old. The injuries themselves somehow healed, but after that, I easily collapsed from anemia and threw up my food. That's why I was entrusted to my relatives, the Arimas, while I recuperated." "Uh, so in other words, the Arimas have been your parents who raised you since you were nine, right?" "That's right. I knew my old man hated me for some reason and that once I had been entrusted to the Arimas, I would never go back home―― Go back to the Tohno mansion, that is. That's why, well, I thought I'd just continue to live as a son of the Arimas forever. That's what I thought, but my old man kicked the bucket recently. That's when they told me to return to the mansion, now that my old man is no longer there, and I finally agreed to them." ---And that, pretty much, is my domestic situation. I end my story like that. Ciel-senpai gives a little nod silently. "―― May I just ask one thing?" "Mm? Sure, if I can answer it. Go ahead." "―― Alright, then I'll ask. Did you dislike your previous family?" My previous family---The Arimas who had raised me as my parents? My mother and father who weren't my real parents, and the unfamiliar building which without a doubt was home to strangers. But completely regardless of that--- "No, I liked them. They were people who didn't care that I wasn't related to them by blood. They were so warm to me that I felt bad about being depressed all by myself. And for them to love me no matter what―― I didn't think it was a bad thing." ---I was loved by these people. That's why soon, even one day sooner, I have to truly become family to them--- I had been telling myself those words since I was young. ―― Since a very, very long time ago. Over and over, I swore, till I would practically pass out. "―― Um, just like Arihiko said, I didn't have a single complaint about the Arima family. They treated me well, and I think I responded to their affection, too. Between us, even though I knew we were just playing at being family, even if it was all just an act, I didn't feel any pain." No, I was happy instead. In a way, I had considered the Arima parents and me to be the ideal nuclear family. "---But it was no good, was it?" "―― Yeah. Despite everything, there was a line I couldn't cross. 'This isn't your real family――' No matter what I did, I couldn't get those words out of my head. I knew I should have been ignoring it, but I just couldn't do it. I don't know if you'd call it a childhood experience, but it had already become like a curse to me. Somehow, no matter where I was, I felt like a stranger to my family." Senpai is silent. Avoiding my gaze, she huddles her shoulders apologetically. "See? It was boring after all, right? That's why I said it would be a waste of time." "No, that's not true. It was a very meaningful story." Senpai forces a smile to try and defuse the situation. "But it was a little surprising, because I had thought of you as an easy-going person." "Hmm―― well, I basically am a pretty easy-going person. It's my personal philosophy to enjoy the present as much as possible. People are happier enjoying what is to come rather than being concerned about what happened before, right?" Well actually, that was an opinion I had inherited from Arihiko. "Enjoy what is to come? That sounds nice." Senpai sips her tea with a very gentle smile. I follow Senpai's example and place my lips on the cup. With a slurp, the bitter tea washes down my throat with just a hint of sweetness. *s35 I don't have anything to do, so I hurry up and leave school. ―― Come to think of it, I hadn't left the school by the main entrance since the entrance ceremony. "I guess this'll be the way to and from school from now on since I live in the mansion―" Leaving from the main gate, I come to the intersection that leads to the residential district. This is the point at which the paths to the city and the residential district, where the mansion is, part--- "Oh, it's Tohno-kun." Suddenly, I run into Yumizuka. "Ah― Hello, Yumizuka-san." ―― It may have been because of Ciel-senpai's teasing, but I feel a little embarrassed. Yumizuka-san looks at me, bewildered. "Uh― Yumizuka-san? Is there something on my face?" "Um, I was wondering what you were doing here, Tohno-kun. Isn't your house in the other direction?" "Ah― Well, it was until yesterday, but I'm living somewhere else starting today. From now on, I'll be living at the place on top of the hill at the end of that residential district." "Ah, so that's what you were talking about this morning." Yumizuka claps her fist and an open palm together in understanding. ―― Well, all flattery aside, that gesture seems incredibly cute. "―― That's right. I guess there's no point hiding it from you, since you already know. I'm leaving my guardians, the Arimas, and going back to my real house today." "Your real house― You mean the Tohno-san mansion?" "Yeah. I don't think it really suits me, either." "I see. You're really a prince on top of a hill after all. It was a secret only Inui-kun and I knew, but now I guess everyone's going to find out." With a faint smile, Yumizuka casts her gaze into the distance. She looks out at the horizon, as if looking at the Tohno mansion off in the distance on top of the hill. "But will you be alright? Even if it is your house, you've been away for eight years, right? Aren't you afraid, or worried?" "Yeah. I'm actually kind of uneasy. I never liked that mansion to begin with, and now it's going to feel like someone else's house, too. But still---" ―― I can't lead a carefree life on my own and leave my sister Akiha there all by herself. No matter how uneasy I am, I have to return to the mansion. "---In the end, it's still my home. I think it's only natural for me to go back." "―― I see. Ah, sorry for stopping you, Tohno-kun. You must be in a hurry, right?" "No, not really. I was just having a stroll on the way home." "Ah― I see." For some reason, Yumizuka looks downcast and falls silent. "―― What's wrong, Yumizuka-san? Are you feeling sick?" I break the silence, but she continues to stare downwards without raising her head. "――" I can't just leave her there, so I continue to stand there, looking at her. ---And then. "U― um!" "Yeah, what is it?" "Um― uh― I'm going home along the same way as you, until we reach the hill―" "Really? Then let's go together for part of the way." "―― Eh?" Yumizuka's eyes widen and she stands there stiffly for a moment. "Y― yeah! You're right. We're going back the same way, so it wouldn't be strange for us to go together for part of the way, right!?" She says this all with an excessively cheerful voice and stands right beside me. "Just at the right time, too. I'm not too familiar with the streets around here, so would you mind guiding me?" "Sure. Well then, let's go down this street. It's a back street that leads all the way to the street on the hill." ---I walk home while chatting with Yumizuka. Talking to Yumizuka isn't anything particularly special, but it is enjoyable in a peaceful kind of way. ―― Despite what Arihiko had said, Yumizuka Satsuki has a gentle air about her, and I feel safe being around her. "---Huhu." While we are talking, Yumizuka suddenly laughs as if she had remembered something. "What is it, all of a sudden? Did I say something funny?" "No, that's not it. It's just that starting tomorrow, I'll be taking the same route to school as you." She laughs, looking truly happy. That honest, smiling face is enough to make me happy as I watch her. ―― I didn't realize it up until now. Even putting her looks and mannerisms aside, Yumizuka Satsuki is kind of cute. I am slowly beginning to understand why the boys in our class had been so worked up over her for so long now. Our conversation ceases. I'm simply fascinated by Yumizuka's smile and the two of us fall silent. Without saying anything, we walk towards the residential district in the sunset. Suddenly--- "Hey, do you remember what happened during the winter vacation of our second year of middle school?" Yumizuka murmurs. "――?" I tilt my head to one side. The winter vacation of the second year of middle school was when I had applied to stay for extra lessons at school because I felt bad about staying at the Arimas. I remember it well enough, but I still don't understand why she asked me about it. "Just as I thought. Someone like Tohno-kun would never have remembered." Disappointed, Yumizuka's shoulders droop. "There were two sports sheds at our middle school, remember? One was a new shed used by the big clubs, and the other one was an old one used by the smaller clubs like Badminton. The old shed had a certain problem where the alignment of the door was bad, so there were often times when it wouldn't open." Old shed― That little concrete building at the back of the gymnasium―? "Ah, that shed. The one which they stopped using after some students got trapped inside." "Yeah, that's the one. The students were second years from the Badminton club." "Ah!" Yeah, something like that did happen. It was early in the new year, on a cold winter's day. The first three days of the new year having passed, I had applied for extra lessons and requested to stay behind at school and help out because I felt bad about staying at the Arimas. But even that was only until five in the evening. It had become dark, and I was forced out of the the classrooms as all the teachers were going home. The middle of winter. Even if it was only five, the surroundings really had darkened. The weather report had predicted snow for that day, and the cold was extra harsh. And so, just when I had decided to head straight home for the day, I heard a banging sound from the old shed and I went to check things out. ---Is anyone in there? I asked, and I heard the voices of several female students in reply from inside the shed. They had been trapped in there for two hours. While packing up the club equipment, they had closed the door because of the cold, and now it wouldn't open again. They couldn't open the door no matter what, and wanted me to call one of the teachers for help. ―― But the teachers had all gone home. Even if I were to call them now on the phone, it'd at least take another hour. The cold on that day was truly terrible. In the kind of cold that should have prompted snow, I thought it would be cruel to leave those girls stuck in the shed wearing only their PE uniforms for another hour. After some hesitation and confirming that no one else was around, I took off my glasses and cut the "line" on the shed door. The door opened, and about five female students, eyes red from crying, poured out--- "―― Come to think of it, there was something like that. But I'm surprised you know about it. The captain of the trapped badminton club told me, 'This has to do with the club's survival, so don't tell anyone else.' It was almost like she was threatening me." "Oh, Tohno-kun! You had no interest in knowing who was trapped inside there, did you? Listen. I was one of those badminton club members." Yumizuka sounds like she's pouting. Eh― So in other words― "---I still remember it well. When I think about it now, it was only being trapped inside a shed, but at the time, it was cold and dark, and I was really worried. Everyone thought we were going to freeze to death like that. My stomach was growling from hunger, too. I was just about to collapse." "Hmm― That must have been rough." I can't really empathize with her, so I give a half-hearted response. Unconcerned, Yumizuka continues her recollections, bringing up old events anew. "And just when everyone was trembling, you came along and asked, 'Is anyone in there?' in your usual unexcited voice― and then the captain got angry and shouted, 'Can't you tell just by looking!?'― Do you remember?" "Yeah, I remember. There was a loud bang when she threw a bat at the door. I was really surprised." "That's right!" Yumizuka says, laughing. "But when we heard all the teachers had gone home, we really lost all hope. We couldn't stand being there for even a minute longer, yet we had to face the prospect of being trapped until the next day. Just when we were thinking about how miserable the world was, you knocked on the door and said, 'I might be able to open the door, if you can keep it a secret.'" "Yeah. And then I heard another bang, and someone said, 'If it opened that easily, we wouldn't be suffering in here!'. She was really angry." "Ahaha. Yeah, the captain felt responsible for us getting trapped, so she didn't have much patience to spare. But soon after that, the door opened. Everyone was happy that the captain's knocking with the bat must have worked and ran outside, but I was watching you aimlessly stand by the door." Yumizuka looks at me warmly. ―― But that only troubles me. To me, it meant nothing, so I can't really appreciate her gratitude. "I was crying really hard at that time. My eyes just felt like they were swelling up, and they looked terrible. What do you think you said when you saw me like that?" "I don't know. What did I say?" ―― I really don't remember, so I ask, as if it was something someone else had done. Despite this, Yumizuka still looks at me happily. "You put your hand on my head and said, 'Hurry up and go home, and eat some Ozouni'. I was a little embarrassed because I was trembling so much from the cold." "――" "Hmm." I knit my brows. I don't know what I meant back then. "I think you meant for me to warm up my body by having some Ozouni." "―― I see. It was right after New Years, after all." ―― That does sound like the stupid kind of thing I would say. Now that it's put to me like this, I regret not having picked something better to say. "Back then I thought, there are plenty of reliable people at school, but if I ever really need to be saved, it will be someone like Tohno-kun who saves me." "You're exaggerating. Look, it's like how a baby chick thinks the first human it meets is its mother. I just happened to help you." "That's not true―! Ever since then, I really believed that you'd come and help me no matter what the problem was." Her expression is quite resolute. "You're giving me too much credit, Yumizuka-san. I'm not that reliable of a person." "It's alright. That's what I believe, so let me keep believing it." She pronounced this while staring straight at me, and I am too embarrassed to offer a rebuttal. "--Well, I guess you can believe what you want." "Isn't that right? So if I'm ever in a pinch, you'll come and help me, right?" Yumizuka asks me, smiling. ―― To be honest, that would be kind of troubling. Despite what she thinks, I'm not the sort of guy who can do everything. I'm not― but when she faces me with that smile, I don't want to destroy that faith she has in me. "Yeah. If it's within my power, I'll help you." "Yep! Thank you, Tohno-kun. I know it's a bit late to say this, but I was really happy because of what you said to me back then." Saying that, Yumizuka suddenly stops. Naturally, I stop too. "I've always wanted to talk with you like this, Tohno-kun." Somewhere in her voice was a hint of wistfulness. Perhaps it's because of the red light from the sunset, but somehow, Yumizuka looks lonely. "―― What do you mean? You can talk to me anytime." "No, I can't. Inui-kun is always around you, and besides― I can't become someone like you, Tohno-kun." With that reserved answer, Yumizuka draws away from me. "Well, my house is this way, so I'll see you at school tomorrow." "Bye-bye!" Smiling, Yumizuka waves her hand and begins walking down another street. *s36 I walk along a different path than the one I usually take. Passing through unfamiliar streets, I slowly approach the Tohno mansion. The surroundings are not completely unfamiliar. After all, I had lived here until I was nine years old---eight years ago. This is not the first time I have taken this path back to the mansion. ―― My feelings are a little complex. The path home is nostalgic, yet fresh. Up until just now, I had not looked forward to returning to the Tohno household. Now, it doesn't seem so bad. ―― The house I lived in until I was nine years old. Right now, my sister Akiha is in that utterly un-Japanese western-style mansion. Tohno Makihisa--My old man who hated me, and the master of the Tohno household, died a few days ago. My mother died from illness after Akiha was born, so the Tohnos had dwindled down to me and my sister. Being the eldest son, you would think I would stand to become the Tohno heir― but I have no such privilege. To become the Tohno heir means being bound by a strict upbringing. I have lost count of the number of times my father scolded me over my dislike of not being able to live freely. That was when I got involved in that accident, and my body became weakened― My father saw it as a good opportunity to get rid of me. His reasoning was something along the lines of "someone who could die any moment can't become the heir, even if he is the eldest son". Sadly for my father, I betrayed his expectations by making a recovery, but my sister Akiha was already deemed to be the heir to the Tohno household. And so I've heard that Akiha, who was already being raised harshly in order to become a proper daughter of the Tohno household, received an even harsher upbringing since then. That was a long time ago--I played together with Akiha in the mansion back before the accident. After that, I never saw her again. *s37 I walk along a different path than the one I usually take. Passing through unfamiliar streets, I slowly approach the Tohno mansion. The surroundings are not completely unfamiliar. After all, I had lived here until I was nine years old---eight years ago. This is not the first time I have taken this path back to the mansion. ―― My feelings are a little complex. The path home is nostalgic, yet fresh. Up until just now, I had not looked forward to returning to the Tohno household. Now, it doesn't seem so bad. ―― The house I lived in until I was nine years old. Right now, my sister Akiha is in that utterly un-Japanese western-style mansion. Tohno Makihisa--My old man who hated me, and the master of the Tohno household, died a few days ago. My mother died from illness after Akiha was born, so the Tohnos had dwindled down to me and my sister. Being the eldest son, you would think I would stand to become the Tohno heir― but I have no such privilege. To become the Tohno heir means being bound by a strict upbringing. I have lost count of the number of times my father scolded me over my dislike of not being able to live freely. That was when I got involved in that accident, and my body became weakened― My father saw it as a good opportunity to get rid of me. His reasoning was something along the lines of "someone who could die any moment can't become the heir, even if he is the eldest son". Sadly for my father, I betrayed his expectations by making a recovery, but my sister Akiha was already deemed to be the heir to the Tohno household. And so I've heard that Akiha, who was already being raised harshly in order to become a proper daughter of the Tohno household, received an even harsher upbringing since then. That was a long time ago--I played together with Akiha in the mansion back before the accident. After that, I never saw her again. ―― The life in the mansion I abandoned eight years ago. Those eight years were long, and my memories of that time have largely faded. But in spite of that, there is one thing that even now continues to burn strongly within my heart, and that is--- *s39 ―― Akiha isn't the only person I haven't seen since then. I can't remember all the details because it's been eight years, but there were other children at the mansion around the same age as me. I don't remember their names, but there were two girls who were twins. Father has once said that they didn't have any relatives, so he took them to work as servants. "―― That's weird. We played together so often when we were small, but I can't remember their names." I close my eyes and cast my mind back. I should be able to remember. She was a girl who was always cheerful― so cheerful that you would become cheerful just by looking at her. A girl with a carefree personality who was loved by everyone at the mansion. Because she was close to my age, I got along very well with her, and it seemed like everyday we would run around the garden together. "Let's play together, Shiki-chan." She would say, and I could remember her taking me out of my room after I secluded myself inside. She would often laugh and take shy Akiha's hand, trying to make her play with us. Maybe she was older than the both of us. She would guide me and Akiha to play together, but once we started playing, she would just watch over us. Even Akiha's tutor, the harsh butler, would say "I don't mind, as long as ****** is with you guys", and let Akiha out to play, as if there was no helping it. In contrast to that girl was the other one. On the second floor. While we played in the garden, there was always a girl looking down at us every time I turned to look at the mansion. She was the twin of that cheerful girl, but she would always gaze at us expressionlessly. That girl would never try to leave the house. All she would do was watch us with those cold eyes. ---Well, in the end, I only ended up talking a little with her. "I wonder if those girls are still at the mansion―" While I think about that, I take a white ribbon out of my bag. An old white ribbon that the girls gave me at the very end. ---Eight years ago. After I was involved in the accident. The day I was entrusted to the Arima family. Right before I was to leave the mansion, the girl gave me this for some reason. ―― I'm just lending it to you, so be sure to return it. Saying something along those lines, she ran off. Afterwards, I was quickly found by one of the servants and taken to the front entrance. With no one to see me off, I walked out of the gates of that giant mansion while the Arima lady held my hand. It was my last memory of when I left the Tohno mansion, eight years ago. *sigh* I put the ribbon back in my bag. "But it's been eight years, after all―" Not only do I not know if they are still at the mansion, I can't even remember their names. To make things worse, I can't even remember which girl gave me the ribbon. "―― Still, it's not like it was some important promise or anything." But I want to keep the promise, as long as I still remember it. I agreed to return to the mansion because Akiha is now there all by herself. I left her there for eight years, pushing all responsibility onto her while I selfishly lived freely. I am going back because I feel guilty for what I did to her. ―― I didn't exactly plan to use this as an opportunity to do so, but if that girl is still at the mansion, I want to properly fulfill the promise from eight years ago. *s40 Apparently, Akiha tried to visit me a few times when I first was entrusted to the Arimas. Unfortunately, we were never able to meet because I had to go to the hospital every day. We completely lost contact after Akiha went to a boarding school. Unlike Akiha, I am isolated from the main family. That's why I can live freely like this. My high school is just an average high school and our chance of contact was pretty much zero. My old man died and I received word telling me to come back. To be blunt, I had no intention whatsoever of returning to the Tohno house. But Akiha is at that house. When we were children― Akiha was an obedient child, always looking frightened, as if she were constantly enduring something. She would always follow close behind, her footsteps pattering behind me. She was frail, and her long black hair and fancy western clothes made her resemble a French doll. I am worried about her living all alone in that big mansion, with the old man gone. But more than anythingI feel guilty, after pushing all the Tohno family responsibilities on her and selfishly living a free life by myself. Perhaps my acceptance to return to the mansion is like my apology to Akiha. The Tohno mansion is unnecessarily big. Surrounded by iron railings, you could say the entire lot is abnormally expansive, being so large that a whole elementary school could fit inside. The garden, surrounded by trees, is more like a forest. The mansion is at the heart of that forest, and there are a few other buildings separated from it. I didn't think anything of it when I was a child, but now that I have lived in an ordinary household for eight years, the excessive size feels almost criminal. The gates aren't locked. I push them open, and head towards the mansion doors. They tower oppressively, bearing down on any visitors. Beside the iron double doors is an unmatching doorbell. "―― Alright." Shaking off my nervousness, I press it. There isn't any affectionate "Ding-dong" chime from the doorbell. The oppressive silence continues for a few seconds. Then, the sound of pattering footsteps behind the door indicates someone's presence. "We have been waiting for you." The door opens with a creak. Inside lay the lobby I remembered, and a young girl in an apron. "Thank goodness. You're so late I was beginning to worry that you had gotten lost. I was thinking about going out to meet you if you hadn't arrived by sunset." The girl in the anachronistic apron smiles warmly. "Ah, no--that's― uh―" I am so taken aback by her outdated mode of dress that I can't even form a proper sentence. Perhaps attributing my hesitance to distrust, the girl tilts her head a little. "You're Shiki-sama, aren't you?" "Eh--Yeah, but you don't have to call me '-sama'." "You are, right? Oh, please don't scare me like that! I was beginning to think I had made another mistake back there." The girl's mannerisms are like those of a mother scolding her child. But in spite of that, there's a smile on her face, and it doesn't break the warm feeling about her. ―― She wears an apron over a kimono; she comes out to greet guests and addresses someone like me with '-sama'. This must mean that she's― "Um, uh― are you one of the maids here, by any chance?" The girl answers my question with nothing but a smile. "Come; you must be tired. Please do come in. Akiha-sama is waiting for you in the sitting room." The girl quickly crosses the lobby and heads towards the sitting room. Turning back as if she just remembered something, she makes a bow, a full smile on her face. "Welcome home, Shiki-sama." Her greeting is accompanied by her flower-like smile. I can't think of any reply, so I just follow her hesitatingly. Guided by the girl, I head to the sitting room. ---It's as if I'm seeing it for the first time. I don't know if I've forgotten about it in the last eight years or they had it refurbished since then. Either way, it feels like someone else's house now, and it's unsettling. As I'm looking around the sitting room, the maid in the apron lowers her head in a quick bow. "I've brought Shiki-sama with me." "Well done. You may return to the kitchen, Kohaku." "Thank you." It seems that maid's name is Kohaku. Kohaku-san gives a small bow, as if to say farewell, and leaves the sitting room. This leaves me, and--two girls I don't recognize. "It has been a long time, Nii-san," says the girl with the long black hair and sharp eyes. ―― All my thought processes stop at once. My mind goes blank, and I can't think of any words of greeting. All I can do is nod with a "Yeah." ―― I don't think it can be helped. This Akiha that I had not seen in eight years is not the Akiha I remember. She's completely transformed into a proper young lady of a noble family. "Nii-san?" The black-haired girl tilts her head slightly. "Ah― um." Pathetically, all I can say are dumb-sounding things. My mind is turning in somersaults as I try to recognize the girl before me as Akiha, but it seems like Akiha already recognizes me as her brother. "You do not look well. Would you like to rest before we talk?" Akiha throws a sharp glance in my direction. ―― Is it just my imagination that she looks like she's in a bad mood? "―― No, I'm alright. I was just surprised at how much you've changed, Akiha." "People do change over the course of eight years, Nii-san. We are at an age of change--or did you think we would remain as we were forever?" ―― What is this? ―― I can feel the thorns in Akiha's words. "No, you've definitely changed, Akiha. You've become more beautiful than before." That isn't flattery. It's how I really feel. ---And. "Indeed. But you, on the other hand, have not changed much at all." Akiha answers coldly, her eyes closed. "――" ―― Well, I came prepared for something like this. It is as I had thought. It seems Akiha does not think well of me. "If you are feeling well, let us finish our conversation. You have yet to hear the details about why you were called back here, Nii-san?" "I've heard nothing more than a sudden 'Come back to the mansion', though I found out the old man passed away on the papers." ―― If the head of a major company dies, it definitely makes it on the financial papers. Word of Tohno Makihisa's death reached his son, Tohno Shiki, via the newspaper after the funeral. Even though his relatives hadn't told him, this disinherited son could pick up news of his father's death merely by buying a one hundred yen newspaper. It might be cynical of me to say so, but the world has certainly become a convenient place. "―― I am sorry. It was my fault that you did not get the news about Father." Akiha quietly lowers her head. "It's alright. Either way, it's not like he would come back from the dead if I went. It's not something you should be worried about." "―― I am sorry. It is somewhat comforting to hear you say that." Akiha's face is serious, but this is not a topic I care much about. A funeral is a ceremony for those who cannot let go of their feelings for the deceased to achieve such detachment. For someone like me, who cut off such feelings a long time ago, there is no need. "Calling you back here was my idea. It would be odd for the eldest son of the Tohnos to be entrusted to the Arimas forever. Now that Father has passed away, the only Tohnos by blood are you and I, Nii-san. I don't know what Father was thinking when he entrusted you to the Arimas, but he's no longer with us, so there's no longer any need for you to live with them. That is why I had you come back here." "―― That's all well and good, but I'm quite surprised you were able to get our relatives to agree to this. Wasn't it they who came up with the idea of leaving me with the Arimas in the first place?" "That may be so, but now I am the head of the Tohno family. I declined every one of the proposals from our relatives. I would like you to continue living here, Nii-san, but this is a place with rules. You will avoid living the overly casual lifestyle you've been leading up until now." "Haha. I'm afraid that isn't going to happen, Akiha. There's no way I can go back to being some well-mannered gentleman now. Not that I want to." "I will not ask more of you but do try to--or are you saying you are unable to do what I already have?" Akiha shoots me a cold look. It feels like she's hitting me with her grudge against me for leaving her here for the last eight years. "―― Alright. I get it. I'll try my best." Akiha just stares at me, as if she doesn't quite believe me. "You do not need to try, as long as you get the results." Her pose is dignified, her words merciless. "Let's get back to the topic. Right now, you and I are the only ones living here. I do not care for having too many people around, so I cleared everyone out." "Eh? Hold on a second, Akiha. You 'cleared everyone out'?" "You wouldn't want to run into one of our relatives in the mansion, would you, Nii-san? I have put off most of the servants, but there are enough for you and I, so there are no problems." "Wait, 'no problems'? You're going to get attacked at our family meeting if you do something like that!" "Oh, please be quiet. Rather than have the mansion overflowing with people, wouldn't you feel more relaxed with just the two of us here?" ―― Urgh. Well, it's true that I would feel relaxed, but― "But you've only just become head of the family, Akiha. If you go around abusing your powers like some kind of dictator, our relatives are not going to keep quiet. Even the old man didn't go against their opinions." "Indeed. That's why father entrusted you to the Arimas. I, on the other hand, have despised them ever since I was a child. I am not going to put up with their whining any longer." "'Not going to put up with'― look, Akiha---" "Ahh, enough! Just listen! You don't have to worry about me! Please, just worry about your own life from now on, Nii-san. I can see it's going to be difficult for you in many ways." Akiha says sullenly, looking away a little. "Now then, if there's anything you don't understand, ask her--Hisui." She looks at the girl standing by her side. The girl called Hisui bows expressionlessly. "This is Hisui. She will be your personal maid from now on. Is that acceptable with you?" Eh? "Hold on― personal maid? You mean―?" "In other words, she's your servant." Akiha declares, as if it were obvious. ―― I can't believe it. Fitting with the western style of the house, the girl in the maid outfit stands there, as if it is natural to do so. "--Hold on. I'm not a kid, you know. I don't need a servant. I can take care of myself." "Would that include the cooking and the laundry?" Urgh. Akiha is pretty sharp at pointing these things out. "At any rate, now that you've returned to this house, you will obey my directions. I don't know how you lived at the Arima house, but you're living at the Tohno house now. Please accept everything given to you." "Urgh―" I can't say anything, and I drift my eyes towards Hisui. As expected, she simply looks back at me expressionlessly like a doll. "Well then, Hisui. Please show Nii-san to his room." "Yes, my lady." Hisui approaches me with a shadow-like lack of presence. "I will guide you to your room, Shiki-sama." Hisui heads towards the lobby. Sighing, I head off towards the lobby as well. We enter the lobby. This mansion is split into east and west wings, with the lobby in the middle. The lobby is like the body of a bird whose wings are the halls extending diagonally to the east and west. Each wing is about the size of a small hospital. I remember the house is constructed symmetrically, so both the east and west wings have the same floor plan. "Your room is this way, Shiki-sama." Hisui climbs up a flight of stairs. It seems like my room is on the second floor. ―― Come to think of it, the servants' rooms should be on the first floor of the west wing, so that's probably where Hisui and Kohaku-san's rooms are. Outside, the sun has already set. The girl in the maid uniform walks down the long, dimly lit hallway without a word. "―― It kind of feels like a wonderland." Without thinking, I let my thoughts slip out. "Did you say something, Shiki-sama?" Hisui stops and looks back at me. "No, I'm just talking to myself. Don't worry about it." "―――" After staring at me, Hisui bows and starts walking again. "――" I guess this is what they call being 'at a loss for words'. The room Hisui led me to is not one made for a mere high school student to live in. "―― Is this my room?" "Yes. If you are displeased with it, I can arrange a different one for you." "No, there's no way I could be displeased with it. It's--" It's just a little--no, really too fancy for me. "Shiki-sama?" "---It's fine. I'll gladly use this room." "Yes. This room has not been touched since eight years ago, so I do not believe you will find anything unsatisfactory with it." "--?" There's something a little odd about the way Hisui said that. It's as if she was implying this was once my room. "―― Hey. Is this by any chance my old room?" "That is what I have been told. Am I mistaken?" Hisui inclines her head to the side slightly. ―― I feel relieved. It seems this girl can express emotion after all. "―― Well, it might be, now that you mention it. I do remember it faintly, so it must be so." I can't feel any sense of familiarity about this place at all, but I guess that's what it's like after you leave a place for eight years. "I can't get settled here, though. I was living in a six-and-a-half-mat sized room until this morning. It's like I'm staying in some high class hotel." "I understand how you feel, but please try to get used to it. From today onwards, you are the eldest son of the Tohno house, Shiki-sama." "You're right. I've got to do my best so I at least look like it on the outside." With a thump, I drop my bag on the table and stretch my back. ---I've been feeling a little stressed out with everything that's happened so far, but I guess I've got no choice but to adjust from today onwards. "Shiki-sama, all of your luggage has been brought here. Is there anything more you require?" "---No, not really. Why do you ask?" "―― There was very little delivered. If there is anything you need, I can have it prepared, so please do not hesitate to ask." "―― I see. No, I don't need anything more for now. I didn't have much luggage to begin with. My luggage is just this bag, these glasses, and―" The textbooks in my bag, and that white ribbon with an unidentified owner. That's all "Anyways, you don't have to worry about the luggage. This fancy room is more than enough for me." "―― I understand. Well then, I shall come to call you in an hour's time." "An hour? For dinner, you mean?" "Yes. Please relax until then." As expected, Hisui says everything with an expressionless face. ―― But even if she tells me to relax, just how am I supposed to do that here? The clock says it's six o'clock. Usually, I'd be watching TV in the sitting room around this time, but I'm having serious doubts as to whether there's any such thing in this mansion. "Hisui. I know it's kind of a trivial thing to ask about, but is there a television in this mansion?" "A television―?" Hisui's eyes narrows slightly. ―― I know I'm the one who asked, but it really is a stupid question. I feel there's something wrong with asking about the presence of a TV in a luxurious mansion like this. Hisui makes a rare troubled face, and stares off into space. "―― There is no television in the sitting room. Some of the visitors did make use of one, but when they departed, they packed it up with their luggage and took it back with them, so I do not believe there are any remaining." "Hold on. Visitors? Like who? For how long?" "Relatives. The eldest son of Kugamine-sama from a branch of the family, Touzaki-sama's third daughter and her fiancee, and Kishima-sama's eldest son came to stay for close to three years." "―― Three years, huh? Hisui, that's what you'd call freeloaders, not visitors." Hisui does not reply. No matter what kind of people these freeloaders were, it seems that servants can't say anything bad about them. Well, at any rate, it seems like those relatives had brought, and taken back, their own luggage with them. My old man hated the products of modern culture, thinking them all vulgar. There was no way he would ever watch a TV. Akiha, who had been educated by him for the last eight years, would probably be the same. "--Well, it's not like I'll die without one." Hisui is silent. ―― Like a perfect example for servants, Hisui says nothing unless she is being asked a direct question. This is, of course, kind of depressing for me. I want to make that expressionless face break into a smile somehow, but that seems impossible with just any old half-hearted effort. "Oh, there was a library on the first floor of the west wing, wasn't there? Maybe I'll go find something to read when I have some free time." Hisui does not reply. She just stands there in the doorway. I can't even tell where she's looking. "---Hisui?" Hisui doesn't say a word. Suddenly, she looks straight at me. "I believe there is one in Nee-san's room." "Huh?" I have no idea what she's talking about. "―― Uh― there's one of what?" "A television. I remember seeing one in Nee-san's room." Hisui says, as if remembering something from many years ago. "Hold on. Nee-san? Don't tell me you're talking about Kohaku-san?" "Yes. Right now, the only people working at this mansion are Nee-san and I." Now that she mentions it, they do look alike. I just couldn't connect them as sisters because Kohaku-san is always smiling so warmly, and Hisui is always expressionless. "I see. Kohaku-san does look like the type of person who'd watch those variety shows." But I balk at going to Kohaku-san's room to tell her, "Let me watch your TV." "Sorry, just forget I ever asked. After all, I'll be living here from now on, so I've got to follow the rules of the mansion." God knows what sort of cynical comment I'd be in for from Akiha if I started watching television. It seems I'll be leading a scholarly student life fit for a member of the Tohno family from now on. "Alright. I'll be in my room until dinner, so just come and call me when it's time. You've got other things to do, don't you, Hisui?" Hisui nods in assent, and turns around. Silently opening the door, she leaves the room. *s41 "It's huge." The words escape my mouth when I reach the gate. For someone like me, used to living in a normal house, the Tohno mansion seems well out of reality. "―― I wonder if I rushed into this?" ―― No, it's too late to start regretting things now. The gates aren't locked. I push them open, and head towards the mansion doors. They tower oppressively, bearing down on any visitors. Beside the iron double doors is an unmatching doorbell. "―― Alright." Shaking off my nervousness, I press it. There isn't any affectionate "ding-dong" chime from the doorbell. The oppressive silence continues for a few seconds. Then, the sound of pattering footsteps behind the door indicates someone's presence. "We have been waiting for you." The door opens with a creak. Inside is the lobby I remembered and a young girl in an apron. "Thank goodness. You're so late I was beginning to worry that you had gotten lost. I was thinking about going out to meet you if you hadn't arrived by sunset." The girl in the anachronistic apron smiles warmly. "Ah, no--that's― uh―" I am so taken aback by her outdated mode of dress that I can't even form a proper sentence. Perhaps attributing my hesitance to distrust, the girl tilts her head a little. "You're Shiki-sama, aren't you?" "Eh--Yeah, but you don't have to call me '-sama'." "You are, right? Oh, please don't scare me like that! I was beginning to think I had made another mistake back there." She gives a good-natured laugh. I have no basis for this, but she fits the image perfectly. "Um― uh― could it be that you're the girl who played together with us when we were small?" I inquire tentatively. She gives a full smile, looking truly happy. "Come; you must be tired, right? Please do come in. Akiha-sama is waiting for you in the sitting room." The girl quickly crosses the lobby and heads towards the sitting room. Turning back as if she just remembered something, she makes a bow, a full smile on her face. "Welcome home, Shiki-sama." Her greeting is accompanied by her flower-like smile. I can't think of any reply, so I just follow her hesitantly. Guided by the girl, I head to the sitting room. ---It's as if I'm seeing it for the first time. I don't know if I've forgotten about it in the last eight years or if they had it refurbished since then. Either way, it feels like someone else's house now, and it's unsettling. As I'm looking around the sitting room, the maid in the apron lowers her head in a quick bow. "I've brought Shiki-sama with me." "Well done. You may return to the kitchen, Kohaku." "Thank you." It seems that maid's name is Kohaku. Kohaku-san gives a small bow, as if to say farewell, and leaves the sitting room. This leaves me, and--two girls I don't recognize. "It has been a long time, Nii-san," says the girl with the long black hair and sharp eyes. ―― All my thought processes stop at once. My mind goes blank, and I can't think of any words of greeting. All I can do is nod with a "Yeah." ―― I don't think it can be helped. This Akiha that I had not seen in eight years is not the Akiha I remember. She's completely transformed into a proper young lady of a noble family. "Nii-san?" The black-haired girl tilts her head slightly. "Ah― um." Pathetically, all I can say are dumb-sounding things. My mind is turning in somersaults as I try to recognize the girl before me as Akiha, but it seems like Akiha already recognizes me as her brother. "You do not look well. Would you like to rest before we talk?" Akiha throws a sharp glance in my direction. ―― Is it just my imagination that she looks like she's in a bad mood? "―― No, I'm alright. I was just surprised at how much you've changed, Akiha." "People do change over the course of eight years, Nii-san. We are at an age of change--or did you think we'd remain like back then forever?" ―― What is this? ―― I can feel the thorns in Akiha's words. "No, you've definitely changed, Akiha. You've become more beautiful than before." That isn't flattery. It's how I really feel. ---And. "Indeed. But you, on the other hand, have not changed much at all." Akiha answers coldly, her eyes closed. "――" ―― Well, I came prepared for something like this. It is as I had thought. It seems Akiha does not think well of me. "If you are feeling well, let us finish our conversation. You have yet to hear the details about why you were called back here, Nii-san?" "I've heard nothing more than a sudden 'Come back to the mansion', though I found out in the papers the old man passed away." ―― If the head of a major company dies, it definitely makes it on the financial papers. Word of Tohno Makihisa's death reached his son, Tohno Shiki, via the newspaper after the funeral. Even though his relatives hadn't told him, this disinherited son could pick up news of his father's death merely by buying a one hundred yen newspaper. It might be cynical of me to say so, but the world has certainly become a convenient place. "―― I am sorry. It was my fault that you did not get the news about Father." Akiha quietly lowers her head. "It's alright. Either way, it's not like he would come back from the dead if I went. It's not something you should be worried about." "―― I am sorry. It is somewhat comforting to hear you say that." Akiha's face is serious, but this is not a topic I care much about. A funeral is a ceremony for those who cannot not detach their feelings for the deceased to achieve such detachment. For someone like me, who cut off such feelings a long time ago, there is no need. "Calling you back here was my idea. It would be odd for the eldest son of the Tohnos to be entrusted to the Arimas forever. Now that Father has passed away, the only Tohnos by blood are you and I, Nii-san. I don't know what Father was thinking when he entrusted you to the Arimas, but he's no longer with us, so there's no longer any need for you to live with them. That is why I had you come back here." "―― That's all well and good, but I'm quite surprised you were able to get our relatives to agree to this. Wasn't it they who came up with the idea of leaving me with the Arimas in the first place?" "That may be so, but now I am the head of the Tohno family. I declined every one of the proposals from our relatives. I would like you to continue living here, Nii-san, but this is a place with rules. You will avoid living the overly casual lifestyle you've been leading up until now." "Haha. I'm afraid that isn't going to happen, Akiha. There's no way I can go back to being some well-mannered gentleman now. Not that I want to." "I will not ask more of you, but do try to--or are you saying you are unable to do what I already have?" Akiha shoots me a cold look. It feels like she's hitting me with her grudge against me for leaving her here for the last eight years. "―― Alright. I get it. I'll try my best." Akiha just stares at me, as if she doesn't quite believe me. "You do not need to try, as long as you get the results." Her pose is dignified, her words merciless. "Let's get back to the topic. Right now, you and I are the only ones living here. I do not care to have too many people around, so I cleared everyone out." "Eh? Hold on a second, Akiha. You 'cleared everyone out'?" "You wouldn't want to run into one of our relatives in the mansion, would you, Nii-san? I have put off most of the servants, but there are enough for you and I, so there are no problems." "Wait, 'no problems'? You're going to get attacked at our family meeting if you do something like that!" "Oh, please be quiet. Rather than have the mansion overflowing with people, wouldn't you feel more relaxed with just the two of us here?" ―― Urgh. Well, it's true that I would feel relaxed, but― "But you've only just become head of the family, Akiha. If you go around abusing your powers like some kind of dictator, our relatives are not going to keep quiet. Even the old man didn't go against their opinions." "Indeed. That's why father entrusted you to the Arimas. I, on the other hand, have despised them ever since I was a child. I am not going to put up with their whining any longer." "'Not going to put up with'― look, Akiha---" "Ahh, enough! Just listen! You don't have to worry about me! Please, just worry about your own life from now on, Nii-san. I can see it's going to be difficult for you in many ways." Akiha says sullenly, looking away a little. "Now then, if there's anything you don't understand, ask her--Hisui." She looks at the girl standing by her side. The girl called Hisui bows expressionlessly. "This is Hisui. She will be your personal maid from now on. Is that acceptable with you?" Eh? "Wa-personal maid? You mean―?" "In other words, she's your servant." Akiha declares, as if it were obvious. ―― I can't believe it. Fitting with the western style of the house, the girl in the maid outfit stands there, as if it is natural to do so. "--Hold on. I'm not a kid, you know. I don't need a servant. I can take care of myself." "Would that include the cooking and the laundry?" Urgh. Akiha is pretty sharp at pointing these things out. "At any rate, now that you've returned to this house, you will obey my directions. I don't know how you lived at the Arima house, but you're living at the Tohno house now. Please accept everything given to you." "Urgh―" I can't say anything and I drift my eyes towards Hisui. As expected, she simply looks back at me expressionlessly like a doll. "Well then, Hisui. Please show Nii-san to his room." "Yes, my lady." Hisui approaches me with a shadow-like lack of presence. "I will guide you to your room, Shiki-sama." Hisui heads towards the lobby. Sighing, I head off towards the lobby too. We enter the lobby. This mansion is split into east and west wings, with the lobby in the middle. The lobby is like the body of a bird whose wings are the halls extending diagonally to the east and west. Each wing is about the size of a small hospital. I remember the house is constructed symmetrically, so both the east and west wings have the same floor plan. "Your room is this way, Shiki-sama." Hisui climbs up a flight of stairs. It seems like my room is on the second floor. ―― Come to think of it, the servants' rooms should be on the first floor of the west wing, so that's probably where Hisui and Kohaku-san's rooms are. Outside, the sun has already set. The girl in the maid uniform walks down the long, dimly lit hallway without a word. "―― It kind of feels like a wonderland." Without thinking, I let my thoughts slip out. "Did you say something, Shiki-sama?" Hisui stops and looks back at me. "No, I'm just talking to myself. Don't worry about it." "―――" After staring at me, Hisui bows and starts walking again. "―― Is this my room?" "Yes. If you are displeased with it, I can arrange a different one for you." "No, there's no way I could be displeased with it. It's--" It's just a little--no, really too fancy for me. "Shiki-sama?" "--It's fine. I'll gladly use this room." "Understood. This room has not been touched since eight years ago, so I do not believe you will find anything unsatisfactory with it." "--?" There's something a little odd about the way Hisui said that. It's as if she was implying this was once my room. "―― Hey. Is this by any chance my old room?" "That is what I have been told. Am I mistaken?" Hisui inclines her head to the side slightly. ―― I feel relieved. It seems this girl can express emotion after all. "―― Well, it might be, now that you mention it. I do remember it faintly, so it must be so." I can't feel any sense of familiarity about this place at all, but I guess that's what it's like after you leave a place for eight years. "I can't get settled here, though. I was living in a six-and-a-half-mat sized room until this morning. It's like I'm staying in some high class hotel." "I understand how you feel, but please try to get used to it. From today onwards, you are the eldest son of the Tohno house, Shiki-sama." "You're right. I've got to do my best so I at least look like it on the outside." With a thump, I drop my bag on the table and stretch my back. ---I've been feeling a little stressed out with everything that's happened so far, but I guess I've got no choice but to adjust from today onwards. "Shiki-sama, all of your luggage has been brought here. Is there anything more you require?" "--No, not really. Why do you ask?" "―― There was very little delivered. If there is anything you need, I can have it prepared, so please do not hesitate to ask." "―― I see. No, I don't need anything more for now. I didn't have much luggage to begin with. My luggage is just this bag, these glasses, and―" The textbooks in my bag, and that white ribbon with an unidentified owner. That's all "Ah." That's right. I haven't asked her the important thing yet. "Can I ask you something, Hisui?" "Yes. What is it, Shiki-sama?" "Um― I'm sorry if I'm mistaken about this, but you and Kohaku-san are sisters, right?" "-" For an instant, surprise flashes in Hisui's expressionless eyes. "―― Yes. Kohaku is my older sister." "Really? Great! Then that means you two must be the girls who once lived here!" I am so happy that I inadvertently raise my voice. "―――" In direct contrast to my joy, Hisui does not move. "Hisui―? You and Kohaku-san were the children taken in here, aren't you? We used to play together. I wonder if you remember--" I close my mouth as soon as I speak. ―― No. The girl I had played together with was the bright and cheerful one. The one who just gazed at us with those cold eyes has to be-- " ―― Um― I played together with your sister quite often. Hisui―?" "Yes, I know. Two years before you went to the Arima household, Makihisa-sama took in Nee-san and I." Hisui speaks as if disinterested. ―― It's good that I know Hisui and Kohaku-san are the twins from my memories, but it seems Hisui doesn't think much of it. "―― I see. I didn't talk to you much, I'm sorry for getting so worked up." ;翡翠お辞儀 "You have nothing to apologize for, Shiki-sama. I must also apologize for my rudeness to you when I was younger." Hisui lowers her head. "--" I feel really uneasy. I know Hisui doesn't mean to make me feel bad, but I don't know how to respond when a girl the same age as me says that to me. "Do you have any other requests, Shiki-sama?" "Ah― no, nothing in particular." "Very well. I shall come to call you in an hour's time. Please relax until then." As I expected, Hisui says everything with an expressionless face. By one hour later, she must mean dinner. ―― But even if she tells me to relax― how would I do that here? The clock says it's around six o'clock. Usually, I'd be watching TV in the sitting room around this time, but I'm having serious doubts as to whether there's any such thing in this mansion. "Hisui. I know it's kind of a trivial thing to ask about, but is there a television in this mansion?" "A television―?" Hisui's eyes narrows slightly. ―― I know I'm the one who asked, but it really is a stupid question. I feel there's something wrong with asking about the presence of a TV in a luxurious mansion like this. ;困った翡翠 Hisui makes a rare troubled face, and stares off into space. "―― There is no television in the sitting room. Some of the visitors did make use of one, but when they departed, they packed it up with their luggage and took it back with them, so I do not believe there are any remaining." "Hold on. Visitors? Like who? For how long?" "Relatives. The eldest son of Kugamine-sama from a branch of the family, Touzaki-sama's third daughter and her fiancee, and Kishima-sama's eldest son came to stay for close to three years." "―― Three years, huh? Hisui, that's what you'd call freeloaders, not visitors." Hisui does not reply. No matter what kind of people these freeloaders were, it seems that servants can't say anything bad about them. Well, at any rate, it seems like those relatives had brought, and taken back, their own luggage with them. My old man hated the products of modern culture, thinking them all vulgar. There was no way he would ever watch a TV. Akiha, who had been educated by him for the last eight years, would probably be the same. "--Well, it's not like I'll die without one." Hisui is silent. ―― Like a perfect example for servants, Hisui says nothing unless she is being asked a direct question. This is, of course, kind of depressing for me. I want to make that expressionless face break into a smile somehow, but that seems impossible with just any old half-hearted effort. "Oh, there was a library on the first floor of the west wing, wasn't there? Maybe I'll go find something to read when I have some free time." Hisui does not reply. She just stands there in the doorway. I can't even tell where she's looking. "--Hisui?" Hisui doesn't say a word. Suddenly, she looks straight at me. "I believe there is one in Nee-san's room." "Huh?" I have no idea what she's talking about. "―― Uh― there's one of what?" "A television. I remember seeing one in Nee-san's room." Hisui says, as if remembering something from many years ago. "I see. Kohaku-san does look like the type of person who'd watch those variety shows." But I balk at going to Kohaku-san's room to tell her, "Let me watch your TV." "Sorry, just forget I ever asked. After all, I'll be living here from now on, so I've got to follow the rules of the mansion." God knows what sort of cynical comment I'd be in for from Akiha if I started watching television. It seems I'll be leading a scholarly student life fit for a member of the Tohno family from now on. "Alright. I'll be in my room until dinner, so just come and call me when it's time. You've got other things to do, don't you, Hisui?" Hisui nods in assent, and turns around. Silently opening the door, she leaves the room. *s42 Dinner takes place with Akiha and I being face to face. I guess it's natural here, as Hisui and Kohaku-san do not eat with us, standing behind us to tend to our needs. ―― I thought it would be natural if all four of us ate together, so you could say I am caught off guard by this inexplicably tense dinner. I should mention at this point that I've totally forgotten anything related to table manners by now. Well, I do remember little pieces, so it's not like I'm a complete amateur, but humans tend to pack away unused memories into the corners of the mind. The tension was actually quite thrilling, with every one of my movements causing Akiha to raise an eyebrow. ―― When I think about how I'll have to go through this every day, though, it's really depressing. Finishing dinner, I return to my room. It's still only just past eight at night. It's too early to sleep, so what should I do? *s43 When I get to the sitting room, Akiha is relaxing there alone. There's no sign of Kohaku-san or Hisui. There are two teacups on the table, and Akiha is using one of them. "Oh? Do you drink tea after meals, too, Nii-san?" "Ah, no― nothing like that. I just thought I'd come and talk to you." My expression tells her, "I'll go away if I'm bothering you." "Then, please, sit down. Is tea alright for you?" "Ah, sure; I'll have anything that's nice." I actually prefer Japanese tea, but I'll keep that bit of selfishness to myself. Akiha takes the teapot and pours transparent red tea into another teacup. "Thank you." I sit on the sofa, and raise the teacup to my mouth. ―― Before my eyes is the cool and collected Akiha, and it makes me a bit uneasy. I came to talk to her, but to be honest, I really don't know what to say now that she's in front of me. "Nii-san? You're very quiet. Didn't you come to talk to me?" Akiha stares. The atmosphere is not so much that of a younger sister, but more like that of an unfamiliar young lady. It's not one in which I can speak freely. "Well― I was just wondering, what you have been doing for the past eight years." "It goes without saying. With Nii-san not around, father's attention turned solely to me." Akiha glares in complaint. It seems that the last eight years are a taboo subject. "And what about you? What have you been doing for eight years? I sent many letters, but didn't receive a single reply." "―― Ack." I choke involuntarily. Certainly, Akiha sent many letters. But I never replied. I was a poor correspondent, but at the bottom of my heart I wanted to sever all links with the Tohno mansion, and that made me reluctant to write to Akiha. "Well, don't worry about the letters. Even if you had answered, I'm sure father would never have allowed the replies into the house. More importantly, how do you feel, returning to the mansion for the first time in eight years? It has changed very little― though there was some restoration work done." "-" In spite of Akiha's words, the mansion still feels completely unknown to me. Eight years ago, I was just a child. Even if I remember the mansion a little, I feel like I'm in someone else's house and it's very unsettling. "Nii-san?" "Ah, no, I was just lost in thought for a moment. Um, you say this mansion's changed very little, but it's pretty unsettling for me. Though this sitting room and the lobby are kind of familiar, I can't really remember the corridor, nor my room." "Really― I guess eight years is a long time." I guess that's it. It's like half my life so far. I can't really expect to have clear memories. "Well, it's been eight years so it doesn't feel right, but I think I'll get used to it. I'll be thankful if you overlook my poor manners for a while." "Please, don't be ridiculous. I can hardly look any more leniently upon Nii-san's manners than I do already." "Buh―!" Ugh―― That was close. I almost sprayed the tea I was drinking. At supper, Akiha's look sent me into a cold sweat after all I did was use the wrong knife. "―― I see. You were being lenient back then―" "Yes. I am making concessions appropriate to your abilities. Nii-san has been brought up by the Arimas, after all. As Aunt Keiko comes from a branch family, a certain amount of laissez-faire was permitted, and you were spoiled, Nii-san. The result is the supper we had a while ago." "Well, it can't be helped, can it? We never really thought I'd be returning here." "―― Is that so? You almost sound like you didn't want to return, Nii-san." "Don't be stupid, it's not like that. I may have had my doubts, but I couldn't just leave you alone here, could I? What kind of brother would I be then?" Yes. That's the reason I returned. If it weren't for Akiha, I would never have returned "Since I heard nothing for almost eight years, I always wondered whether you were alright on your own. I came back to the mansion because I was worried about you." Looking a little off to the side, I put my honest feelings into words. "Ah― well, then, thank--" "But I guess I was just worrying over nothing. In the past eight years, you seem to have grown strong. I'm relieved, but a little disappointed." No, a bit is saying too little. Since I only had the image of the calm Akiha back when she was small, the sharp Akiha right now seems like a different person. "---Really? I'm sorry I didn't meet Nii-san's expectations." Akiha's eyes are scary. ―― Crap, I think I may have said too much again. "Well then, Nii-san. How was life at the Arima residence?" Akiha asks, still with the frightening expression. I feel like I'm under terrible pressure, even though I'm only talking to my younger sister. "Nii-san? Did you hear what I said?" "I heard. Life at the Arimas, right? It was normal, there were no real problems. It seems it was more suited for me living there, too." "That's not what I meant. How was your health? I have heard you collapsed a lot from your chronic anemia." "Ah, yeah, I did for about a year after I left the hospital, but I'm okay now. I only have problems occasionally, about once a month. I'm certainly not frail enough to be worried about." Bluffing, I strike my chest with its scar. Akiha nods in serious assent. "But Nii-san, you've also started wearing glasses. After going to the hospital, did your eyesight fail, also?" "――" ―― I see. Akiha doesn't know I wear glasses or why I wear them. I can't just explain the lines along which things break, or that they don't appear when I wear these glasses. "Well, it's nothing. My eyes became a little strange after the accident. But it's not like my eyesight's gone bad, so it's not really a serious problem." "Really― I was― well, I was surprised when I saw you a while ago. I didn't know you had started wearing glasses, Nii-san." "Really? You seemed pretty calm back then." "Of course. I was meeting you for the first time in eight years; I couldn't let you see me acting strange." Akiha's brow creases sullenly. "Akiha-sama? The bath is ready; what should I do?" "Really? Thank you, Kohaku. I'll go soon, so go ahead." "Ah, is that alright? After all, you're relaxing with Shiki-sama. Shiki-sama might run away, but the bath won't. Please relax a little longer." "It's fine. We weren't talking about anything important anyways." Akiha stands, and walks past Kohaku-san into the lobby. Kohaku-san follows Akiha. Left alone in the sitting room, I finish the tea. Akiha and Kohaku-san seem to be heading to the bath, so I guess I'll go back to my room. "―― Hang on. Akiha and Kohaku-san aren't going to take a bath together, are they―?" No, I bet they are. Then maybe Kohaku-san would be washing her back―? Of course, with another girl, that's no problem, but― "---Well, you are free to imagine whatever you wish, Nii-san, but―" "!" Akiha returns with amazing timing. "Don't force Hisui to do stupid things. Unlike Kohaku, she doesn't really get jokes." Akiha's looks accusingly as if she sees my thoughts. I'm surprised― Maybe this mansion has some listening devices. "―― Wait, what are you doing back here? Weren't you taking a bath with Kohaku-san?" "I forgot to tell you something about the bath. Nii-san, the large bathroom we used a long time ago isn't used anymore. It would be too much for Hisui and Kohaku to take care of, so it has been closed up." "―― Large bathroom?" Was there such a place? I splutter a bit. Unable to remember, I make a doubtful face. Akiha's brows knit terribly. "The bath in the courtyard. You don't even remember that?" ―― Well, now that she mentions it, I guess there was such a thing. "―― But, this is a European-style mansion. Isn't such a thing a little out of place?" "Father half-liked the Japanese-style of architecture. That is why the detached building is Japanese-style as well. "Anyway, if you want to have a bath, please use your own; the second bathroom behind the lobby is yours, Nii-san." With that, Akiha leaves. "―― Alright." With Akiha gone, there's no point in staying in the sitting room. I'll have a bath, too, and return to my room. "Ah---" When I return to my room, my bed has been made― I guess Hisui did it when I was gone. "I'm glad she did, but it's really more than I deserve." I scratch my cheek. ---Then. "Are you there, Shiki-sama?" I can hear Hisui's voice along with a knock at the door. "Yeah, I'm here. Come in." "Excuse me." "Good evening. Thanks for making my bed, Hisui." Hisui quietly nods in acceptance. "―― Urgh." Just as I thought, I'm not used to this. "―― Uh― is there anything else you want to tell me?" "No, nothing from me, but Akiha-sama has instructed me to answer any questions you may have." "―― I see. There are many things I want to ask, but I'll probably get to know them as I continue to live here――" Yeah. What I want to know right now before I sleep is--- "Is it true that the curfew here is seven?" "Yes. The main gate is locked at seven, and all the entrances to the mansion are to be locked at eight. It is also a rule that one must try not to go walking around in the mansion after ten." "Not even walking around in the mansion? ―― Well, I've got no complaint with that, but isn't that kind of harsh? Akiha and I aren't children, so I don't think you have to go that far." "―― Indeed. It is a rule, however, so please abide by it. You are aware of the recent disturbances at night, are you not, Shiki-sama?" ―― Yeah, that vampire thing Arihiko was talking about. Well, as long as something like that is happening, I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. "What else― Oh, do you mind if I ask an off-topic question?" "Yes, what is it?" "I'd like to know what kind of work you and Kohaku-san do around here." "I am here to serve your needs and my sister Kohaku is to serve the Lady Akiha-sama. In our spare time, we do the maintenance chores around the mansion. Is there anything more you would like to know?" "―― To serve― So that's what it is after all." My shoulders suddenly feel heavier. It seemed completely natural to Akiha when she said it, but I'm nothing more than a normal high school student. I have no interest in having a girl close to my age serving me, at least for now. "―― By serving me, you mean you're a personal servant?" "Yes. Please do not hesitate to give me any instructions." "―― Well, I get it. Going by how Akiha was talking about you, it doesn't seem like I can dismiss you, so I'll just obediently let you serve me―" "Is there anything in particular you would like?" "Nothing in particular, but could you stop calling me 'Shiki-sama'? To be honest, I get chills down my back when I hear it." "But Shiki-sama, you are my master." "That's what I'm saying I hate. I've been living a normal life up until yesterday. I have no desire to start living a life where a girl my age addresses me with '-sama'." "I see." Hisui's response was less than enthusiastic. "Just call me Shiki, and in exchange, I'll call you Hisui. Let's do away with the formalities and be more casual with each other." Still expressionless, Hisui lowers her eyebrows as if she's being troubled. "But, you are my employer." "It's not like I'm hiring you. You're the one doing the things I can't, so you're the great one." "I see." Hisui gives another unenthusiastic reply. ―― It looks like I won't be able to talk her into it in just one day. "---Anyhow, that's how it is. Don't be so formal towards me. I'll be grateful if you'd tell that to your sister Kohaku-san, too." "Very well, as you say, Shiki-sama." Expressionless, Hisui bows her head. She completely failed to understand. "I will be leaving now. Please rest now for tonight." Bowing, Hisui puts her hand on the doorknob. ---Oh, I forgot to ask something. "Ah, hold on for a second." Running towards the door, I put my hand on Hisui's shoulder before she leaves. In an instant---Hisui's arm pushes away my arm with incredible momentum. With a 'whack!', she slaps my hand away and leaps back. "Eh---?" It's so sudden, that's the only thing I can say. Hisui is expressionless, but she glares at me fiercely. "Eh― Did I just do something wrong?" "Ah―" "―― I am very sorry―" Hisui's voice sounds very nervous. "―― I am not used to being touched. Please forgive me." Hisui's shoulders are faintly trembling. I feel like I just did something really terrible. "Ah― Yeah, I'm sorry." I apologize without thinking. I don't understand why myself. I just feel sorry for Hisui and I lower my head. "--" Hisui says nothing. I get the feeling her stare is calm again. "---You have nothing to apologize for, Shiki-sama. I am the one to blame." "No, well, maybe, but I just―" I scratch my head. Hisui stares at me, pausing only to blink for a second. "Um― What was it you wanted to ask me, Shiki-sama?" That's right. I stopped Hisui because I wanted to ask her something. "Oh, I wanted to ask about Akiha. Doesn't she go to a boarding school?" "That was only during middle school, Shiki-sama. From this year onwards, Akiha-sama has special permission to attend school from home." "Eh― You mean she goes to school from here?" "Yes, but it is uncommon for her to come home before dusk like today. Akiha-sama has practice up until dinner, so she is always home before seven. "Practice?---Practice what?" "Today is Thursday, so she would have had violin practice." "Eh?" "Usually, she is able to return before dinner on weekdays, so if you have anything to say to Akiha-sama, please let Nee-san know after dinner." Hisui bows to say goodbye, and leaves the room. "Violin practice―" What on earth is that? She's not some upper-class lady or anything, so why should she have to do something as bothersome as--- "―― Oh wait, she is an upper-class lady." Yes. Come to think of it, my sister, Tohno Akiha, is a natural born upper-class lady. In my memories, she was always the obedient, ever-uneasy sister constantly following me around. As a child, she was always quiet, never having even the courage to express her own desires. She was a frail girl who would always live in fear of a scolding from our father. "---Yeah, people really do change after eight years." After eight years, I've become the me I am now. Akiha has become the person she is right now, too. ---Eight years is a long time. It's half of our lives up until now. I was absent from this mansion during that vital period where a child becomes an adult. "―― I'm sorry, Akiha." I think things would have been better if I had been with her during those eight years. I unknowingly mumble an apology. *s44 "Nnn-" Stressed from dinner, I loosen my shoulders. I stretch out as far as I can, and then collapse onto the bed. "Man, even dinner is hard work." Well, it's not like the knife and fork are really heavy. It's just that Akiha's gaze is really severe. "Are you there, Shiki-sama?" I can hear Hisui's voice along with a knock at the door. "Yeah, I'm here. Come in." "Excuse me." Hisui enters with a bow. "I have come to make the bed. You may not enjoy watching it, so would you mind relaxing in the sitting room for a while?" "No, I don't mind watching. I'll just behave myself in the corner, so just go ahead and do your job without minding me." Bouncing up from the bed, I move into a corner. "――" Hisui looks like she wants to say something, but thinks better of it and silently begins to make the bed. "---Hisui." "Yes? What is it, Shiki-sama?" "Oh, you can keep making the bed. There's no need for you to stand up so straight." "――" Hisui doesn't answer. It seems like she's had a servant's education drummed into her. "Please, just talk to me while you work. I'm beginning to feel bad because it seems like I'm interfering with your work." "If you say so, Shiki-sama, then I will comply." Hisui silently returns to making the bed. "Uh― is it true that the curfew here is seven?" "Eh---Oh, yes. The main gate is locked at seven, and all the entrances to the mansion are to be locked at eight. It is also a rule that one must try not to go walking around in the mansion after ten." "Not even walking around in the mansion? ―― Well, I've got no complaint with that, but isn't that kind of harsh? Akiha and I aren't children, so I don't think you have to go that far." "―― Indeed. It is a rule, however, so please abide by it. You are aware of the recent disturbances at night, are you not, Shiki-sama?" ―― Yeah, that vampire thing Arihiko was talking about. Well, as long as something like that is happening, I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. "Do you have any other questions? Hisui finishes spreading the sheets, and turns around to face me. "Eh― Let's see---" I have all sorts of questions, but I know nothing about Hisui and Kohaku-san. "Do you mind if I ask an off-topic question?" "Yes, what is it?" "I'd like to know what kind of work you and Kohaku-san do around here." "I am here to serve your needs and my sister Kohaku is to serve the Lady Akiha-sama. In our spare time, we do the maintenance chores around the mansion. Is there anything more you would like to know?" "―― To serve― So that's what it is after all." My shoulders suddenly feel heavier. It seemed completely natural to Akiha when she said it, but I'm nothing more than a normal high school student. I have no interest in having a girl close to my age serving me, at least for now. "―― By serving me, you mean you're a personal servant?" "Yes. Please do not hesitate to ask anything of me." "―― Well, I get it. Going by how Akiha was talking about you, it doesn't seem like I can dismiss you, so I'll just obediently let you serve me―" "Is there anything in particular you would like?" "Nothing in particular, but could you stop calling me 'Shiki-sama'? To be honest, I get chills down my back when I hear it." "But Shiki-sama, you are my master." "That's what I'm saying I hate. I've been living a normal life up until yesterday. I have no desire to start living a life where a girl my age addresses me with '-sama'." "I see." Hisui's response was less than enthusiastic. "Just call me Shiki, and in exchange, I'll call you Hisui. Let's do away with the formalities and be more casual with each other." Still expressionless, Hisui lowers her eyebrows as if she's being troubled. "But, you are my employer." "It's not like I'm hiring you. You're the one doing the things I can't, so you're the great one." "I see." Hisui gives another unenthusiastic reply. ―― It looks like I won't be able to talk her into it in just one day. "---Anyhow, that's how it is. Don't be so formal towards me. I'll be grateful if you'd tell that to your sister Kohaku-san, too." "Very well, as you say, Shiki-sama." Expressionless, Hisui bows her head. She completely failed to understand. "I will be leaving now. Please rest now for tonight." Bowing, Hisui puts her hand on the doorknob. ---Oh, I forgot to ask something. "Ah, hold on for a second." Running towards the door, I put my hand on Hisui's shoulder before she leaves. In an instant---Hisui's arm pushes away my arm with incredible momentum. With a 'whack!', she slaps my hand away and leaps back. "Eh---?" It's so sudden, that's the only thing I can say. Hisui is expressionless, but she glares at me fiercely. "Eh― Did I just do something wrong?" "Ah―" "―― I am very sorry―" Hisui's voice sounds very nervous. "―― I am not used to being touched. Please forgive me." Hisui's shoulders are faintly trembling. I feel like I just did something really terrible. "Ah― Yeah, I'm sorry." I apologize without thinking. I don't understand why myself. I just feel sorry for Hisui and I lower my head. "--" Hisui says nothing. I get the feeling her stare is calm again. "---You have nothing to apologize for, Shiki-sama. I am the one to blame." "No, well, maybe, but I just―" I scratch my head. Hisui stares at me, pausing only to blink for a second. "Um― What was it you wanted to ask me, Shiki-sama?" That's right. I stopped Hisui because I wanted to ask her something. "Oh, I wanted to ask about Akiha. Doesn't she go to a boarding school?" "That was only during middle school, Shiki-sama. From this year onwards, Akiha-sama has special permission to attend school from home." "Eh― You mean she goes to school from here?" "Yes, but it is uncommon for her to come home before dusk like today. Akiha-sama has practice up until dinner, so she is always home before seven. "Practice?---Practice what?" "Today is Thursday, so she would have had violin practice." "Eh?" "Usually, she is able to return before dinner on weekdays, so if you have anything to say to Akiha-sama, please let Nee-san know after dinner." Hisui bows to say goodbye, and leaves the room. "Violin practice―" What on earth is that? She's not some upper-class lady or anything, so why should she have to do something as bothersome as--- "―― Oh wait, she is an upper-class lady." Yes. Come to think of it, my sister, Tohno Akiha, is a natural born upper-class lady. In my memories, she was always the obedient, ever-uneasy sister constantly following me around. As a child, she was always quiet, never having even the courage to express her own desires. She was a frail girl who would always live in fear of a scolding from our father. "---Yeah, people really do change after eight years." After eight years, I've become the me I am now. Akiha has become the person she is right now, too. ---Eight years is a long time. It's half of our lives up until now. I was absent from this mansion during that vital period where a child becomes an adult. "―― I'm sorry, Akiha." I think things would have been better if I had been with her during those eight years. I unknowingly mumble an apology. *s45 ―― Let's see― Kohaku-san's room is― here, isn't it? Knock knock. I knock on her door. "Kohaku-san, are you there?" "Yes, please hold on for a minute." I can hear her cheerful voice from inside the room. I wait for about three minutes. Kohaku-san opens the door and pokes her head out. "Oh, it's you, Shiki-sama. What are you doing here at this time?" "Uh― well---I was wondering if you'd let me watch your TV―" "Eh?" Kohaku-san gives me a bewildered look. "Ah― well, there's no TV in this house, is there? I've been living in a normal house up until now, so it's become a daily routine for me to watch TV after dinner. I guess I can't calm down without watching it or something like that, so―" ―― The more I say it, the more I realize I'm doing something stupid. There is something not right about barging into a lady's room demanding to watch her TV. Look, even Kohaku-san is just standing there, looking bewilder---wait, no she's not. "Ahaha, I guess you're right. You've been living at the Arima household up until yesterday, after all. You must think this mansion to be kind of depressing after moving here all of a sudden." Kohaku-san gives a cheerful laugh. "Eh, let's see― Have you talked to Akiha-sama and Hisui-chan about this yet?" "You mean about coming to your room, Kohaku-san?" Kohaku-san nods. "No, I haven't talked to anyone about it yet. What about it?" "No, no, it's nothing. It's just that I would have to turn you away if you had already talked to them about it." Smiling while she speaks, Kohaku-san looks up and down the hallway. "Luckily for us, there isn't anyone else around. Please hurry up and come in. It'll be troublesome if we're caught." "Please, just sit anywhere. I'll go make some tea." "――" Coughing to clear my throat, I take a seat. There are all sorts of little things in Kohaku-san's room. It might be thought of as a bit messy for a girl's room. There aren't really many things you could call cute, and what she does have is a lot of things that don't look very useful. ―― Rather, it has an atmosphere of a room belonging to an orderly, scholarly person. Buried in the miscellaneous objects, I find the TV. On top of the table is the remote― maybe Kohaku-san has been watching the TV until just now. "Thanks for waiting. Tea is fine for you, isn't it, Shiki-sama?" "Ah, thank you. Please don't mind me too much." "Oh no, not at all. I'm sorry I can't do much to treat you." Kohaku-san says so, smiling warmly. "So, the TV. What do you watch at around this time, Shiki-sama?" "I don't have any set programs in particular, but the news is a pretty basic one. I like to hear new trends, and I like snob stories." "Is that so? You seem like a very laid-back person, so I thought you'd be reading after dinner or something." "Ahaha, no, I don't have such refined interests. I don't consider myself laid-back either, but maybe that's the impression I give with my glasses." "---Ah! You wear glasses, Shiki-sama. Akiha-sama didn't say anything about that at all, so I was quite surprised when I saw you at the door." ―― I see. I haven't met Akiha since I started wearing these glasses. "These glasses are just for show. I guess you could say my eyes are bad, but I think my vision is better than that of most people. It's not because I studied too much and went near-sighted or anything― Ah, crap. I had an intellectual image, but did I disappoint you?" "Not at all. I enjoy watching TV more than reading, too. I'm glad that you're an energetic person, just like I thought you were." "Ah― yeah, thanks." I'm a little embarrassed. Faced directly with Kohaku-san's carefree smile, I can't help but feel a little nervous. "Ah, I'm sorry. You came to watch the news, didn't you?" Kohaku-san switches the TV on. It's already nine o'clock. The news, as it usually does, reports the day's events with a little exaggeration. "Oh dear. Looks like there's been another one of those serial murders." Kohaku-san says to herself while sitting next to me, sounding not the least bit concerned. The news is running a special feature on the serial killings. The serial murders, which began in the neighboring town, are now beginning to be concentrated within this town. It's a pretty simple story. Late at night, he attacks young girls indiscriminately, and in the end, he drains their blood. It seems like last night's victim is the ninth one so far. "I wonder what the police are doing about it?" "Who knows? It would seem pretty easy to catch a murderer who comes out at night, but maybe he's really careful so they can't trace him." "You could be right. The clues about murderers build up as they kill more people, so if they haven't caught him even after nine murders, he must be really carefully prepared for the killings." "A careful killer, huh? But aren't these killings spontaneous crimes? It's quite strange to think of them as being carefully prepared." "You're right. If there's no evidence left at all, then maybe he's not a random killer at all. I can only think that he's got it all planned out from the start for execution." "Ah, I see. But then what would be the point of killing those nine girls? Are they friends of his? Acquaintances?" "Hmm― probably not. If there were connections like that, then I think the police would have realized it by now. In the end, I suppose it's an incomprehensible case without motive or connections." ―― Kohaku-san says all of this disturbing stuff with a smile. It seems like she's not really worried about this case. "These murders are happening right here in this town, Kohaku-san. You're a young girl and all, so aren't you even a little scared?" "I'll be fine, since the killer only appears late at night. If I don't go out at night, I won't run into him." Kohaku-san really is a clear thinker. ―― It is perhaps a bit of a raw explanation, but I suppose that's how a mere news story should be treated. "Sorry for intruding on you. I'll be counting on you again the next time I feel like watching TV." "Sure, I'll be waiting." Kohaku-san looks up and down the hallway. "I'd like to escort you back to your room, but Hisui-chan is waiting there, so I'll have to say goodbye here." "Okay. Good night." "――" ―― I had no idea bedtime at the mansion was at ten. Apparently, there's some kind of unwritten rule here that one is not to be out of their room after ten. "It's still so formal here, even with the old man gone." Well, I guess it's only natural. I'm also getting tired from my unfamiliarity with this mansion, so I obediently return to my room. "Ah---" When I return to my room, my bed has been made― Did Hisui do it while I was away? "I'm glad she did, but it's really more than I deserve." I scratch my cheek. --Then. "Are you there, Shiki-sama?" I can hear Hisui's voice along with a knock at the door. "Yeah, I'm here. Come in." "Excuse me." "Good evening. Thanks for making my bed, Hisui." Hisui quietly nods in acceptance. "―― Urgh." Just as I thought, I'm not used to this. "―― Uh― is there anything else you want to tell me?" "No, nothing from me, but Akiha-sama has instructed me to answer any questions you may have." "―― I see. There are many things I want to ask, but I'll probably get to know them as I continue to live here――" Yeah. What I want to know right now before I sleep is--- "Is it true that the curfew here is seven?" "Yes. The main gate is locked at seven, and all the entrances to the mansion are to be locked at eight. It is also a rule that one must try not to go walking around in the mansion after ten." "Not even walking around in the mansion? ―― Well, I've got no complaint with that, but isn't that kind of harsh? Akiha and I aren't children, so I don't think you have to go that far." "―― Indeed. It is a rule, however, so please abide by it. You are aware of the recent disturbances at night, are you not, Shiki-sama?" ―― Yeah, that vampire thing Arihiko was talking about. Well, as long as something like that is happening, I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. "What else― Oh, do you mind if I ask an off-topic question?" "Yes, what is it?" "I'd like to know what kind of work you and Kohaku-san do around here." "I am here to serve Shiki-sama's needs, and my sister Kohaku to serve Lady Akiha-sama. In our spare time, we do the maintenance chores around the mansion. Is there anything more you would like to know?" "―― To serve― So that's what it is after all." My shoulders suddenly feel heavier. It seemed completely natural to Akiha when she said it, but I'm nothing more than a normal high school student. I have no interest in having a girl around my age serving me, at least not for now. "―― By serving me, you mean you're a personal servant?" "Yes. Please do not hesitate to ask anything of me." "―― Well, I get it. Going by how Akiha was talking about you, it doesn't seem like I can dismiss you, so I'll just obediently let you serve me―" "Is there anything in particular you would like?" "Nothing in particular, but could you stop calling me 'Shiki-sama'? To be honest, I get chills down my back when I hear it." "But Shiki-sama, you are my master." "That's what I'm saying I hate. I've been living a normal life up until yesterday. I have no desire to start living a life where a girl my age addresses me with '-sama'." "I see." Hisui's response was less than enthusiastic. "Just call me Shiki, and in exchange, I'll call you Hisui. Let's do away with the formalities and be more casual with each other." Still expressionless, Hisui lowers her eyebrows as if she's being troubled. "But, you are my employer." "It's not like I'm hiring you. You're the one doing the things I can't, so you're the great one." "I see." Hisui gives another unenthusiastic reply. ―― It looks like I won't be able to talk her into it in just one day. "---Anyhow, that's how it is. Don't be so formal towards me. I'll be grateful if you'd tell that to your sister Kohaku-san, too." "Very well, as you say, Shiki-sama." Expressionless, Hisui bows her head. She completely failed to understand. "I will be leaving now. Please rest now for tonight." Bowing, Hisui puts her hand on the doorknob. ---Oh, I forgot to ask something. "Ah, hold on for a second." Running towards the door, I put my hand on Hisui's shoulder before she leaves. In an instant---Hisui's arm pushes away my arm with incredible momentum. With a 'whack!', she slaps my hand away and leaps back. "Eh---?" It's so sudden, that's the only thing I can say. Hisui is expressionless, but she glares at me fiercely. "Eh― Did I just do something wrong?" "Ah―" "―― I am very sorry―" She sounds very nervous. "―― I am not used to being touched. Please forgive me." Hisui's shoulders are faintly trembling. I feel like I just did something really terrible. "Ah― Yeah, I'm sorry." I apologize without thinking. I don't understand why myself. I just feel sorry for Hisui and I lower my head. "--" Hisui says nothing. I get the feeling her stare is calm again. "---You have nothing to apologize for, Shiki-sama. I am the one to blame." "No, well, maybe, but I just―" I scratch my head. Hisui stares at me, pausing only to blink for a second. "Um― What was it you wanted to ask me, Shiki-sama?" That's right. I stopped her because I wanted to ask her something. "Oh, I wanted to ask about Akiha. Doesn't she go to a boarding school?" "That was only during middle school, Shiki-sama. From this year onwards, Akiha-sama has special permission to attend school from home." "Eh― You mean she goes to school from here?" "Yes, but it is uncommon for her to come home before dusk like today. Akiha-sama has practice up until dinner, so she is always home before seven. "Practice?---Practice what?" "Today is Thursday, so she would have had violin practice." "Eh?" "Usually, she is able to return before dinner on weekdays, so if you have anything to say to Akiha-sama, please let Nee-san know after dinner." Hisui bows to say goodbye, and leaves the room. "Violin practice―" What on earth is that? She's not some upper-class lady or anything, so why should she have to do something as bothersome as--- "―― Oh wait, she is an upper-class lady." Yes. Come to think of it, my sister, Tohno Akiha, is a natural born upper-class lady. In my memories, she was always the obedient, ever-uneasy sister who'd always follow me around. As a child, Akiha was always quiet, never having even the courage to express her own desires. She was a frail girl who would always live in fear of a scolding from our father. "---Yeah, people really do change after eight years." After eight years, I've become the me I am now. Akiha has become the Akiha right now, too. ---Eight years is a long time. It's half of our lives up until now. I was absent from this mansion during that vital period where a child becomes an adult. "―― I'm sorry, Akiha." I think things would have been better if I had been with her during those eight years. I unconsciously mumble an apology. *s46 Left by myself, I lie on my bed. This house from eight years ago― My blood relative from eight years ago― It feels a little like they belong to someone else. *sigh* "―― I wonder what's going to happen to me now?" Grumbling to no one in particular, I fall asleep. Awooooo. ---I hear the wave-like sound of something's voice. Awooooo. ---Something is howling. It's too sharp and high-pitched to be a stray dog. Awooooo. ---It echoes in my eardrums. Is it howling at the moon? Awooooo. ---This doesn't feel right. The beastly howling is beginning to give me a headache. Awooooo. ---It doesn't stop. Awooooo. Awooooo. Awooooooooooooooo--- "―― Argh, just shut up already!" I wake up. I can hear the sound of a dog barking outside the window. The clock indicates it is just past eleven. This is more than just a neighborhood nuisance. "Damn, I can't sleep like this!" The dog's howling comes from somewhere near the mansion's fence. ―― It doesn't seem like I can go back to sleep at this rate. *s89 "Eh? Ah, um― I was just a little surprised at how calm you were about all of this, Tohno-kun." "Really? Well, my family is a strict one, so I'm used to these kinds of things. More importantly, Senpai, didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about?" "Yes. I haven't thanked you for this morning yet, so I thought I'd take care of you for a bit like this." Senpai makes her incredulous statement with a soft smile. "T-take care of me? That's not how you use the phrase 'take care' in Japanese, Senpai." "Oh, really? You mean people don't say 'taking care' when they're showing someone hospitality in order to thank them?" "---No, they don't. I don't think it's a mistake, exactly, but it's not quite right either." "Hmm. These manners-related phrases sure are difficult, aren't they? I suppose I shouldn't try to use them if I'm not familiar with them." Senpai laughs embarrassedly. "No, not at all. They say manners come from the heart, after all. As long as you have the right feelings, it's just a trivial error." Senpai's eyes snap in my direction as she stares at me. ―― Her gaze is so serious I feel like I just became some kind of rare animal in a zoo. "Um―― Senpai? Did I just say something rude?" "――――――" Senpai continues to stare at me. "Um――― Senpai?" For some reason, I feel incredibly embarrassed. "--It really does suit you well, Tohno-kun. Being younger yet calmer than me― you're impertinent." Senpai glares at me. ―― I don't understand how her mind works at all. "--I'm sorry. It was kind of arrogant for me to speak like that." "Yes, it was so impertinent I was moved." She lowers her shoulders with a sigh and she sips her tea. "I've become curious about you, Tohno-kun. Please, talk to me. It can be about anything." Senpai straightens her posture, with an attitude like a teacher looking at her student. "――――" It doesn't seem like I can refuse. "―― Well, okay, but it's not going to be very interesting if we're just going to talk about me, Senpai." Senpai responds with a smile. ―― I've got no choice. It's not like me, but I suppose I'll talk to her about school-- In the end, Senpai was happy to listen no matter what I talked to her about. It was surprising to see her get so worked up when we were talking about middle school. Apparently, Senpai had never been on a school trip. "That sounds nice, everyone going on a trip together," she said, her eyes twinkling. It was quite an impressive sight. At any rate, I held a one-sided conversation for an hour, but it made me rather tired. With Senpai's permission, I decide to head home. *s502 I don't have anything to do, so I hurry up and leave school. ―― Come to think of it, I hadn't left the school by the main entrance since the entrance ceremony. "I guess this'll be the way to and from school from now on since I live in the mansion―" Leaving from the main gate, I come to the intersection that leads to the residential district. This is the point at which the paths to the city and the residential district, where the mansion is, part "Oh, it's Tohno-kun." Suddenly, I run into Yumizuka. "Hey, it's Yumizuka-san." Yumizuka-san looked at me, bewildered. "Uh― Yumizuka-san? Is there something on my face?" "Um, I was wondering what you were doing here, Tohno-kun. Isn't your house in the other direction?" "Ah― Well, it was until yesterday, but I'm living somewhere else starting today. From now on, I'll be living at the place at the end of that residential district, on top of the hill." "Ah, so that's what you were talking about this morning." Yumizuka claps her fist and hand together in understanding. ―― Well, all flattery aside, that gesture seems incredibly cute. "―― That's right. I guess there's no point hiding it from you, since you already know. I'm leaving my guardians, the Arimas, and going back to my real house today." "Your real house― You mean the Tohno-san mansion?" "Yeah. I don't think it really suits me, either." "I see. You're really a prince on top of a hill, after all. It was a secret only Inui-kun and I knew, but now I guess everyone's going to find out." With a faint smile, Yumizuka casts her gaze into the distance. She looks out at the horizon, as if looking at the Tohno mansion, off in the distance on top of the hill. "But will you be alright? Even if it is your house, you've been away for eight years, right? Aren't you afraid, or worried?" "Yeah. I'm actually kind of uneasy. I never liked that mansion to begin with, and now it's going to feel like someone else's house too. But still---" ―― I can't lead a carefree life on my own and leave my sister Akiha there all by herself. No matter how uneasy I am, I have to return to the mansion. "---In the end, it's still my home. I think it's only natural for me to go back." "―― I see. Ah, sorry for stopping you, Tohno-kun. You must be in a hurry, right?" "No, not really. I was just having a stroll on the way home." "Ah― I see." For some reason, Yumizuka looks downcast and falls silent. "―― What's wrong, Yumizuka-san? Are you feeling sick?" I ask her. But she continues to stare downwards without raising her head. "――" I can't just leave her there, so I continue to stand there, looking at her. ---And then. "U― um!" "Yeah, what?" "Um― uh― I'm going home along the same way as you, until we reach the hill―" "Really? Then let's go together for part of the way." "―― Eh?" Yumizuka's eyes widen and she stands there stiffly for a moment. "Y― yeah! You're right. We're going back the same way, so it wouldn't be strange for us to go together for part of the way, right!?" She says this all with an excessively cheerful voice and comes right beside me. "Just at the right time, too. I'm not too familiar with the streets around here, so would you mind guiding me?" "Sure. Then, let's go down this street. It's a back street that leads all the way to the street on the hill." ---I walk home while chatting with Yumizuka. Talking to Yumizuka isn't anything particularly special, but it is enjoyable in a peaceful kind of way. ―― Yumizuka Satsuki has a gentle air about her, and I feel safe when I'm with her. "---Huhu." While we are talking, Yumizuka suddenly laughs as if she had remembered something. "What is it, all of a sudden? Did I say something funny?" "No, that's not it. It's just that starting tomorrow, I'll be taking the same route to school as you." She laughs, looking truly happy. That honest, smiling face is enough to also make me happy as I watch her. ―― I didn't realize it up until now. Even putting her looks and mannerisms aside, Yumizuka Satsuki is kind of cute. I am slowly beginning to understand why the boys in our class had been so worked up over her for so long now. Our conversation ceases. I'm simply fascinated by Yumizuka's smile and the two of us fall silent. Without saying anything, we walk towards the residential district in the sunset. Suddenly--- "Hey, do you remember what happened during the winter vacation of our second year of middle school?" Yumizuka murmurs. "――?" I tilt my head to one side. The winter vacation of the second year of middle school was when I had applied to stay for extra lessons at school because I felt bad about staying at the Arimas. I remember it well enough, but I still don't understand why she had asked me about it. "Just as I thought. Someone like Tohno-kun would never have remembered." Disappointed, Yumizuka's shoulders droop. "There were two sports sheds at our middle school, remember? One was a new shed used by the big clubs, and the other one was an old one used by the smaller clubs like Badminton. The old shed had a certain problem where the alignment of the door was bad, so there were often times when it wouldn't open." Old shed― That little concrete building at the back of the gymnasium―? "Ah, that shed. The one which they stopped using after some students got trapped inside." "Yeah, that's the one. The students were second years from the Badminton club." "Ah!" Yes, something like that did happen. It was early in the new year, on a cold winter's day. The first three days of the new year having passed, I had applied for extra lessons and requested to stay behind at school and help out because I felt bad about staying at the Arimas. But even that was only until five in the evening. It had become dark, and I was forced out of the the classrooms as all the teachers were going home. The middle of winter. Even if it was only five, the surroundings really had darkened. The weather report had predicted snow for that day, and the cold was extra harsh. And so, just when I had decided to head straight home for the day, I heard a banging sound from the old shed and I went to check things out. ---Is anyone in there? I asked, and I heard the voices of several female students in reply from inside the shed. They had been trapped in there for two hours. While packing up the club equipment, they had closed the door because of the cold, and now it wouldn't open again. They couldn't open the door no matter what, and wanted me to call one of the teachers for help. ―― But the teachers had all gone home. Even if I were to call them now on the phone, it'd at least take another hour. The cold on that day was truly terrible. In the kind of cold that should have prompted snow, I thought it would be cruel to leave those girls stuck in the shed wearing only their PE uniforms for another hour. After some hesitation, and confirming that no one else was around, I took off my glasses and cut the "line" on the shed door. The door opened, and about five female students, eyes red from crying, poured out--- "―― Come to think of it, there was something like that. But I'm surprised you know about it. The captain of the badminton club who had been trapped had told me, 'This has to do with the club's survival, so don't tell anyone else.' It was almost like she was threatening me." "Oh, Tohno-kun! You had no interest in knowing who was trapped inside there, did you? Listen. I was one of those badminton club members." Yumizuka sounds like she's pouting. Eh― So in other words― "---I still remember it well. When I think about it now, it was only being trapped inside a shed, but at the time, it was cold and dark, and I was really worried. Everyone thought we were going to freeze to death like that. My stomach was growling from hunger, too. I was just about to collapse." "Hmm― That must have been rough." I can't really empathize with her, so I give a half-hearted response. Unconcerned, Yumizuka continues her recollections, bringing up old events anew. "And just when everyone was trembling, you came along and asked, 'Is anyone in there?' in your usual unexcited voice― and then the captain got angry and shouted, 'Can't you tell just by looking!?'― Do you remember?" "Yeah, I remember. There was a loud bang when she threw a bat at the door. I was really surprised." "That's right!" Yumizuka says, laughing. "But when we heard all the teachers had gone home, we really lost all hope. We couldn't stand being there for even a minute longer, and we had to face the prospect of being trapped until the next day. Just when we were thinking about how miserable the world was, you knocked on the door and said 'I might be able to open the door, if you can keep it a secret.'" "Yeah. And then I heard another bang, and someone said, 'If it opened that easily, we wouldn't be suffering in here!' She was really angry." "Ahaha. Yeah, the captain felt responsible for us getting trapped, so she didn't have much patience to spare. But soon after that, the door opened. Everyone was happy that the captain's knocking with the bat must have worked and ran outside, but I was watching you, standing by the door." Yumizuka looks at me warmly. ―― But that only troubles me. To me, it meant nothing, so I can't really appreciate her gratitude. "I was crying really hard at that time. My eyes just felt like they were swelling up, and they looked terrible. What do you think you said when you saw me like that?" "I don't know. What did I say?" ―― I really don't remember, so I ask, as if it were something someone else had done. Despite this, Yumizuka still looks at me happily. "You put your hand on my head, and said 'Hurry up and go home, and eat some Ozouni'. I was a little embarrassed because I was trembling so much from the cold." "――" "Hmm." I knit my brows. I don't know what I meant back then. "I think you meant for me to warm up my body by having some Ozouni." "―― I see. It was right after New Year's, after all." ―― That does sound like the stupid kind of thing I would say. Now that it's put to me like this, I regret not having picked something better to say. "Back then I thought, there are plenty of reliable people at school, but if I ever really need to be saved, it will be someone like Tohno-kun who saves me." "You're exaggerating. Look, it's like how a baby chick thinks the first human it meets is its mother. I just happened to help you." "That's not true―! Ever since then, I really believed that you'd come and help me no matter what the problem was." Her expression is quite resolute. "You're giving me too much credit, Yumizuka-san. I'm not that reliable of a person." "It's alright. That's what I believe, so let me keep believing it." She pronounced while staring straight at me, and I am too embarrassed to offer a rebuttal. "--Well, I guess you can believe what you want." "Isn't that right? So If I'm ever in a pinch, you'll come and help me, right?" Yumizuka asks me, smiling. ―― To be honest, that would be kind of troubling. Despite what she thinks, I'm not the sort of guy who can do everything. I'm not― but when she faces me with that smile, I don't want to destroy that faith she has in me. "Yeah. If it's within my power, I'll help you." "Yep! Thank you, Tohno-kun. I know it's a bit late to say this, but I was really happy because of what you said to me back then." So saying, Yumizuka suddenly stops. Naturally, I stop too. "I've always wanted to talk with you like this, Tohno-kun." Somewhere in her voice was a hint of wistfulness. Perhaps it's because of the red light from the sunset, but somehow, Yumizuka looks lonely. "―― What do you mean? You can talk to me anytime." "No, I can't. Inui-kun is always around you, and besides― I can't become someone like you, Tohno-kun." With that reserved answer, Yumizuka draws away from me. "Well, my house is this way, so I'll see you at school tomorrow." "Bye-bye!" Smiling, Yumizuka waves her hand and begins walking down another street. *s201 I walk along a different path than the one I usually take. Passing through unfamiliar streets, I slowly approach the Tohno mansion. The surroundings are not completely unfamiliar. After all, I had lived here until I was nine years old---eight years ago. This is not the first time I have taken this path back to the mansion. My feelings are a little complex. The path home is nostalgic, yet fresh. Up until just now, I had not looked forward to returning to the Tohno household. Now, it doesn't seem so bad. ―― The house I lived in until I was nine years old. Right now, my sister Akiha is in that utterly un-Japanese, western-style mansion. Tohno Makihisa---My old man who hated me, and the master of the Tohno household, died a few days ago. My mother died from illness after Akiha was born, so the Tohnos had dwindled down to me and my sister. Being the eldest son, you would think I would stand to become the Tohno heir, but I have no such privilege. To become the Tohno heir means being bound by a strict upbringing. I have lost count of the number of times my father had scolded me over my dislike of not being able to live freely. That was when I got involved in that accident, and my body became weakened― My father saw it as a good opportunity to get rid of me. His reasoning was something along the lines of "someone who could die any moment can't become the heir, even if he is the eldest son". Sadly for my father, I betrayed his expectations by making a recovery, but my sister Akiha was already deemed to be the heir to the Tohno household. And so I've heard that Akiha, who was already being raised harshly in order to become a proper daughter of the Tohno household, received an even harsher upbringing since then. That was a long time ago---I played together with Akiha in the mansion back before the accident. After that, I never saw her again. ―― The life in the mansion I abandoned eight years ago. Those eight years were long, and my memories of that time have largely faded. But in spite of that, there is one thing that even now continues to burn strongly within my heart, and that is- *s202 ―― Akiha isn't the only person I haven't seen since then. I can't remember all the details because it's been eight years, but there were other children at the mansion around the same age as me. I don't remember their names, but there were two girls who were twins. The old man once said that they didn't have any relatives, so he took them to work as servants. "―― That's weird. We played together so often when we were small, but I can't remember their names." I close my eyes and cast my mind back. I should be able to remember. She was a girl who was always cheerful, so cheerful that you would become cheerful just by looking at her. A girl with a carefree personality who was loved by everyone at the mansion. Because she was close to my age, I got along very well with her, and it seemed like everyday we would run around the garden together. "Let's play together, Shiki-chan." She would say, and I could remember her taking me out of my room after I secluded myself inside. She would often laugh and take shy Akiha's hand, trying to make her play with us. Maybe she was older than the both of us. She would guide me and Akiha to play together, but once we started playing, she would just watch over us. Even Akiha's tutor, the harsh butler, would say "I don't mind, as long as ****** is with you guys", and let Akiha out to play. But I'm much more concerned about the other girl. ―― I don't know what kind of girl she was or why she was always like that. From the second floor, there was always a girl looking down at us every time I turned to look at the mansion while we were playing in the garden. She was the twin of that cheerful girl, but she would always gaze at us expressionlessly. That girl would never try to leave the house. All she would do was watch us with those cold eyes. ―― Was it because it bothered me so much that I thought she seemed so lonely? Most of the memories I have about the Tohno mansion are only about her. ---Well, in the end, I only ended up talking a little with her. "I wonder if those girls are still at the mansion――" While I think about that, I take a white ribbon out of my bag. An old white ribbon that the girls gave me at the very end. ---Eight years ago. After I was involved in the accident. The day I was entrusted to the Arima family. Right before I was to leave the mansion, the girl gave me this for some reason. ―― I'm just lending it to you, so be sure to return it. Saying something along those lines, she ran off. A promise made under a large tree. The weather was beautiful that day. Looking up, there was a high, high blue sky I could just lose myself in. It was my last memory of when I left the Tohno mansion, eight years ago. *sigh* I put the ribbon back in my bag. "But it's been eight years, after all――" Not only do I not know if they are still at the mansion, I can't even remember their names. "―― Even so, this ribbon is precious to me――" The time when my father had disinherited me. Rather than being saddened over having been discarded by him, I felt a warmness inside when I thought she was waiting for me to return the ribbon. That's why I want to keep the promise, as long as I still remember it. I agreed to return to the mansion because Akiha is now there all by herself. I left her there for eight years, pushing all responsibility onto her while I selfishly lived freely. ―― But there is something else. I really think I decided to return because of that promise. The white ribbon. ―― Because of that promise made to the only one who said she would be waiting for me.