On the way home from school, just as they parted from the others and boarded the train, Miyuki's behavior shifted. To an outsider, nothing seemed amiss, but to Tatsuya's trained eyes, it was clear his sister was wrestling with some monumental internal conflict.
As they neared their local station and approached the ticket gates, her agitation only deepened.
"Mi—"
"Excuse me, Brother."
Tatsuya had been about to speak her name at the exact moment Miyuki, who had been staring at the ground, looked up to meet his eyes.
"Yes? What is it?"
"I… well, I was wondering if you might accompany me on a few errands?"
"I don't mind, but…"
"Minami," Miyuki said, turning to their young ward, "I'm sorry, but would you mind heading home and starting dinner without us?"
"Certainly, Sister Miyuki. Brother Tatsuya, if you'll excuse me, I shall head back first."
Minami didn't seem the least bit worried. She walked briskly toward the commuter terminal, her lack of concern itself a cause for suspicion. Even if she wasn't as sensitive to Miyuki's moods as Tatsuya was, the girl's odd behavior should have been obvious.
After parting ways with Minami, Tatsuya led Miyuki to a nearby café. His priority was simply to listen. Once they were inside, Miyuki seemed to relax slightly, a change that only added to Tatsuya's growing sense of unease.
"Miyuki."
"Yes, Brother?"
"Is something troubling you?"
"Oh! No, I'm quite alright now."
"I don't mean to presume, but is this about you accepting Honoka's gift…?"
"Perish the thought! That isn't it at all!"
As Miyuki denied the suggestion with frantic intensity, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson, Tatsuya offered an awkward apology.
"I'm sorry. You're right. I didn't truly think that was the case. Forgive me."
"No... it isn't that I'm unhappy or angry," she murmured, her voice trailing off. "I just thought to myself... she's beaten me to the punch again. So, while it isn't a total misunderstanding, there is absolutely no reason for you to bow your head to me, Brother."
Now it was Miyuki's turn to be flustered, desperately pleading for Tatsuya to look up. He did so, though a lingering sense of unresolved curiosity remained in the back of his mind. Seeing his unsatisfied expression, Miyuki tilted her head with a look of soft anxiety. As their eyes met—neither quite grasping the other's full meaning—they both broke into spontaneous laughter.
They spent the next hour window-shopping before finally heading home. Tatsuya didn't bring up Miyuki's "troubles" again. While he wasn't entirely convinced, she seemed to have worked through it herself, and he saw no need to stir the embers of a resolved fire.
In truth, Tatsuya finally understood the nature of Miyuki's distress based on what had happened as soon as they walked through the door. Miyuki and Minami had been in league to plan a surprise birthday party for him. They had needed a way to keep him out of the house, and since it was nearly impossible for Minami to lure him away, Miyuki had feigned her melancholy to lead him on a wild goose chase.
Now, Tatsuya sat alone in his room, relaxing. It had been a pleasant change of pace, especially with a day of experiments looming tomorrow. As he sat there, he realized he still hadn't unwrapped the gift he'd received from Honoka.
He undid the ribbon and carefully peeled back the wrapping paper to reveal a high-end box of polished paulownia wood. Inside was an antique, spring-wound pocket watch.
"This must have been expensive..."
He checked the manufacturer's mark and his expression turned complicated. Engraved there was the corporate logo of the conglomerate owned by Shizuku's father. In other words, Shizuku had been the source. When he clicked open the back cover—a place usually reserved for a photo—he found a picture of Honoka.
"Why is she in a swimsuit?"
He tilted his head in confusion but tucked the gift away the moment he sensed someone approaching his door.
"It's Miyuki. Brother, may I come in?"
A modest knock was accompanied by her soft, melodic voice.
"Brother?"
"Ah, sorry. Come in."
The door opened to reveal his sister, gorgeously dressed and wearing a touch of elegant makeup. Tatsuya was momentarily captivated by the sight, but he quickly regained his composure and stepped aside to invite her in.
"What is all this?" he asked, indicating the bottle and glasses she carried. He pulled a spare chair from the wall storage for her and sat at his desk.
"Brother, do you remember the twenty-fourth of April last year?"
"Of course. I was quite startled when you suddenly appeared in a formal furisode."
"I suppose that did happen," Miyuki whispered, her gaze drifting away. It seemed that even the most sincere actions of the past could become embarrassing when viewed through the lens of time.
"Regardless... last year, it was just the two of us."
"It was."
"And the year before that, we celebrated with just the two of us as well."
"I remember."
"This year, we celebrated with Minami, but... I still find myself wanting our private time together. Would you allow me, just for a little while, to celebrate your birthday by myself?"
Tatsuya leaned forward and reached out, his hand gently cupping Miyuki's cheek. Her eyes began to shimmer with moisture. As if trying to hide the rising heat in her face from her brother's touch, Miyuki suddenly turned her head.
"Brother, shall we have a toast?"
"Champagne?"
"Yes, but don't worry. It's almost entirely non-alcoholic."
"I'll open it."
"Thank you... here you are."
She poured the sparkling liquid until the glass was half full and set it before him. After pouring her own, she raised her glass with her right hand.
"Brother... Happy Birthday. I am so grateful that you are here."
"Thank you. And I am grateful to be your brother."
They tilted their glasses in unison.
As a side note, the gift Miyuki had prepared was a large, circular locket, intricately engraved with motifs of the sun and the moon. Inside was a 3D photograph of Miyuki, a bust-up shot of her in the very dress she was currently wearing. Earlier, she had lamented that Honoka had "beaten her to the punch," but in terms of boldness, Miyuki was still very much in the lead.
Tatsuya, however, would spend the next hour quietly agonizing over what his sister's true intentions could possibly be.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"