"Mmh, I don't remember this café... how time changes things."
Today is March 12, and I'm currently just ten minutes away from Yuki's house. I glance at my trusty Nokia 3310; it reads 4:50 PM. I arrived ten minutes early, so I'm passing the time by reminiscing about my hometown.
It's been four years since I left, and while much remains the same, I can feel the subtle changes. Part of this clarity comes from my leveled-up [Palace of Memories]. As its level increases, more of my memories become vivid. Interestingly, it only retroactively affects the memories from this life. Now I have memories from before I awoke to my Essence, and thankfully, there's no recollection of me being breastfed or potty training as a newborn.
What I find fascinating is that my powers consider my emotions. They have a way of being quite profound. Yet, I still have doubts about how they function.
I can think back to an additional slide at that specific park, or note how some shops have closed while others have opened. There's also that old man who continues to wander around, always keeping an eye on the work areas. Hats off to him for maintaining the stereotype!
As I get lost in nostalgia and curiosity, something catches my attention—a girl with the same hair color as mine, but with a cute face. It's my dear sister, whom I haven't seen since last year: Yuki.
I stand up, and after she glances around a bit while searching for me, her eyes light up the moment she spots mine—just like mine.
During the year I spent studying in Kyoto, she was fortunate enough to receive special care for her asthma. The disease still affects her, but I've noticed an improvement even through our calls.
Here she is, the younger and female version of me, embodying the manners of an adult noble lady. She's happy to be with me, though my grandfather and mother have instilled in her the demeanor expected of the next head of the family. But I'm sorry; you can mold her into whatever you want when I'm not with her. When we are together, I don't want a noble lady; I want her to be herself.
I got up, and ignoring various Japanese customs and Yuki's unsure expression at my unexpected move, I hugged her. "It's been a while, Yuki. I missed you." She tensed up but reciprocated my sign of affection without hesitation. "...Me too, Onii-chan."
We took our time, but when I noticed that our reunion had drawn quite a bit of attention, we sat down in a secluded part of the café. When the waitress came, Yuki decided to order simple sweets, while I opted for a cappuccino, which I already knew was a great choice from the menu.
After our orders arrived, I decided to start with the most important topic. "Happy birthday, Yuki. Here, this is my present for you." I rummaged through my bag and took out a little gift just for her. I told her to ignore the customs and to open it right here.
When she unwrapped it, a simple box opened to reveal a delicate pendant. She admired it for a moment before discovering that it contained a photo inside. When she opened it, her gaze fell on a picture of the two of us, both smiling. "It's a photo Dad took on your fourth birthday. I remembered it and thought it would make the best present for you. What do you think?"
She admired it with eyes that were almost watering, and when she noticed the words "World's Best Sister" on the other side of the pendant, a few tears started to fall. I extended my hand and gently patted her head, something she really liked. "Thank you. It's the best present I've received..."
We stayed like that for a while before continuing our conversation about interesting things that had recently happened. To be honest, we knew a lot about each other's lives, secrets aside. I made sure to stay in contact, so we hadn't drifted apart like some might suspect.
I was aware of her struggles at home since she had taken over the role of the next family head from me, her health issues that would eventually be treated thanks to a special surgical operation next year, and her passion for anime, manga, and novels. In turn, she knew about my college life, how I enjoyed living in Kyoto, and how happy I was to be surrounded by talented people I could connect with.
Still, there was something on her mind, something I already knew but couldn't change. Yuki is a smart girl, more intelligent than any nine-year-old should be, and more mature than my group of junior high school friends. But at heart, she is still a child with her own insecurities. She is proud of her brother, her Onii-san, who entered college before reaching double digits. However, she perceives herself as a burden to me.
Aside from the silly promise we made when we were separated, I decided to give her something else. After I graduate, I plan to attend her school so that we can be schoolmates, if not classmates. At first, she was overjoyed. We could be together, not just during vacation time, and she would have the opportunity to be with her beloved Onii-san more often.
But after our conversation, she began to doubt if that was the best course of action. A child who hasn't even reached high school age receiving a degree in record time, yet stopping his career just to be with her seemed like a whimsical decision.
We are in Japan, a country that moves quickly. Did you finish high school? The next day, you are either a college student or entering the workforce looking for simple jobs. Did you finish college? The next day, you're looking for a job with a company you know you will stay with for your entire life because, if it fails, then all your accomplishments and experience won't matter to other companies. You'll be starting over from scratch.
That's just how it is in Japan. When we started to discuss it, I reassured her that it didn't matter. That I wanted it this way. Logically, she understood my points, and she wanted to believe in them. But emotionally, she remained unsure.
So how can I solve this situation? "...You're worried about me and my future work. Then I'll finish my degree just before we start our school life together."
"What do you mean?"
I simply smiled at her without explaining. "Believe in me. After I graduate, I'll achieve my objectives before returning to you."
Yuki is intelligent but still young, so she didn't catch on to my intentions, and I didn't want to spoil her. She's concerned about work? I'll make her see what work is really like.