"You used to… have a sister?"
"No. I can't even be sure. I only know from my old man's words that such a person existed… must've been a long time ago." Rinji rubbed his head. "But for all these years it's just been the three of us together. I never once saw my sister. Back then I thought she must've never existed at all."
"A person who never existed?"
Mei lowered her head again, staring at the doll lying inside the coffin.
"Could it be that Takamine's sister had already…"
"If you're trying to say she died before I was born, that's impossible. At least in our family, it's hard to die even if you want to," Rinji answered. "But I really never saw my sister. Back then, I didn't think much of it…"
As he spoke, Rinji's eyes suddenly lit up.
"That's right, since my old man's here, I can just ask him."
"Takamine's father is…"
Mei clearly remembered that in the hospital, Rinji had called a boy around his own age 'old man.' That matter had confused her ever since.
Or rather, from the moment Rinji appeared in Yomiyama City, the moment he entered her view, he had left behind countless mysteries.
Even someone like Mei, who normally showed indifference to everything, couldn't help but want to investigate further.
It confirmed her earlier words—Rinji was special to her.
"That person in the hospital really is my old man, but I can't tell you the reason yet," Rinji said with a smile. "But I think I've learned a few things about you."
"You already know about my family situation. In exchange, shouldn't Takamine tell me something as well?"
"As for my identity and my old man's identity, don't ask. I'll tell you about other things depending on the situation."
"Fine, then just tell me one thing."
Mei slowly asked her question.
"What reason brought you to Class 3-3?"
"Didn't I say already? I came to investigate the so-called curse of Class 3-3…"
"Takamine clearly has more important things to do, doesn't he?"
"…"
Hearing that, Rinji fell silent.
She was right, he had more important matters.
He needed to find a way to leave this era.
The curse of Class 3-3 had nothing to do with returning twenty years into the future. Because of that, he hadn't tried much to interact with classmates. From the very beginning, he had bluntly said he wasn't planning to get along with them.
He knew he wouldn't have any companions in this era. His comrades were at Shuchiin Academy, not in Yomiyama.
"I can see you don't want to fit into this class, and you don't show much desire to dig into the curse, yet you still spend time and effort protecting classmates. I want to know why."
"…Do I really have to answer?"
"You don't. I'm not the type to pry." Mei said flatly.
"Your observations are pretty sharp. Since coming to this school, my mindset has been a bit contradictory." Rinji gave a wry smile. "At the very least… I feel like I should be doing these things."
While they were talking, the doors of the exhibition hall suddenly opened.
The person who entered was a refined woman wearing black jeans and a black shirt, dressed casually with a golden headscarf tied around her head.
Though very beautiful, her sharpness even exceeded Mei's.
She gave Rinji a quick glance before smiling.
"Mei, who is this?"
"Rinji Takamine, a transfer student in my class. My friend."
"Welcome. This must be the first time you've brought a friend home, Mei." the woman said with a smile.
She was Misaki Yukiko, Mei's mother, and also the owner of this workshop and a dollmaker. Of course, her real name wasn't commonly used. Outside, she went by the name "Kirika."
The name "Kirika" was fairly well-known in the dollmaking world, which showed her craft was indeed remarkable.
Kirika had intended to leave immediately, but after seeing Rinji's face she suddenly grew interested. She walked briskly over to him and, without a word, cupped his face in her hands.
"Huh?"
"Student, your face…"
"My face? What about it?"
"It's almost too exquisite," Kiriko said. "Earlier I was still thinking about a new doll design, but after seeing your face I suddenly got an idea."
"Auntie, please put that idea away."
"Would you mind being my model? Your face has a lot of reference value."
"If you were making a Schwarzenegger doll, I'd be happy to model." Rinji said.
"I don't make things like that. My dolls are mostly girls…"
"Goodbye."
---
"Old man, I'm back."
"Welcome back, kid."
When Rinji entered the inn, Isaac was lying on the sofa reading a newspaper.
"Did you go hang out at a classmate's house?"
"Something like that."
"Seems you're getting along with classmates just fine…"
"After going to her house, I suddenly remembered something. Since you're here, I'll ask you now." Rinji said.
"Oh? What do you want to ask?"
"I remember when I was little, you mentioned I had a sister, right?" Rinji asked. "Why have I never seen her? Where is she now?"
"…"
Hearing this, Isaac's hand holding the paper suddenly trembled. Then he turned his head toward Rinji.
Rinji had imagined what expression his old man might make when he asked this question. Maybe sadness, maybe nostalgia, maybe panic, or maybe he would simply tell him the truth.
But what he saw was… complicated. His father looked awkward, like he was holding back laughter.
"Old man, what's with that ridiculous expression?"
"No, nothing… In principle, you do have a sister. In principle."
"What kind of half-baked answer is that?"
"…Fine. Let me ask you—how do you see yourself?"
"Me? Of course, I'm a macho man full of manliness."
"…I see."
Isaac returned to his newspaper.
"There are things you're better off not asking. I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to handle the shock."
"Hah?"
"Your sister is alive and well. Rest assured."