Ten Minutes Ago, at the Nishimiya Residence
My name is Nishimiya Yuzuru. I have a gentle sister who is hearing-impaired, and she is my spiritual pillar. If I'm not mistaken, my sister has gone crazy again, after a four-month break.
Over the past four months, her voice has gotten much clearer, for some reason. She never answers when I ask her why, but it's a good sign, so I didn't pry. This time, however, her "illness" seems to be even more serious than before. So serious, in fact, that I can't believe she's my sister.
As soon as she got home, she pulled all the clothes out of her closet and threw them on the bed. Then, she started trying them on one by one in front of the mirror, tirelessly asking me which one looked best. Before this, she was always casual about her clothes, just grabbing whatever she saw first. She never even expressed an opinion when my mom bought her clothes.
As my sister rolled around on the bed with a pile of clothes, her legs kicking, I knew. She had been poisoned by that con artist again.
"Yuzuru, I'm going to Ikebukuro tomorrow at nine in the morning," my sister said happily.
I knew it. My sister, who never liked going out alone, was going to Ikebukuro. It must be a date, right?
"Are you going with that Ryosuke?" I asked.
At the sound of his name, she started rolling on the bed again. She didn't say anything, but her actions and her happy smile told me everything I needed to know.
I had tried to tell her that he was an imposter who was just trying to play with her feelings, but my sister never believed me. We even got into an argument about it. I had sworn to protect her. To keep her from getting hurt by a scumbag, I decided to seek outside help. I walked out the door and made a phone call.
"Ryosuke-niichan, that jerk is going on a date with my sister tomorrow at nine in the morning! The location is Ikebukuro."
The response on the other end came quickly. "I got it, Yuzuru. I'll pick you up tomorrow, and we'll leave early."
Hearing his firm response, the worry I had for my sister finally calmed down. I had seen how strong my ally was. I knew he would be able to save my sister from the clutches of that emotional scammer.
The Next Day
It was August 30th, 8 a.m.
Knock, knock, knock!
Hiratsuka Ryosuke knocked on the Nishimiya's door. A small, dark head peeked out.
"Ryosuke-niichan, you're here!" Nishimiya Yuzuru said, her voice filled with surprise. Her tone quickly changed. "Mom went to work early, and my sister has already left."
Ryosuke nodded to himself, his final bit of doubt disappearing. He had agreed to meet Nishimiya Shoko at 10 a.m. in Ikebukuro, which was about half an hour away. That meant Yuzuru's sister had left at a little past seven, and from what Yuzuru said, the "date" was at nine. The time he had set with Shoko was ten. Yep, they're definitely not the same person.
The plan was set: he'd teach the guy who was impersonating him a lesson and save Yuzuru's sister. He still had about two hours before he had to meet Shoko, plenty of time to get it done.
"Let's go, Yuzuru! We have to hurry!"
"Yes, Ryosuke-niichan!"
...
"Yuzuru, are you sure about this? Ikebukuro is huge. Do you know where your sister is?" Ryosuke asked, standing in front of Ikebukuro West Gate Park.
Yuzuru looked embarrassed. She hadn't heard the exact location, just that it was in Ikebukuro. Logically, a meeting at the West Gate Park was very likely. It was a famous dating spot, after all.
"I'm sorry, Ryosuke-niichan. I didn't hear the exact location." Yuzuru felt so guilty. She had asked him for help, but her information was incomplete and she was wasting his time.
Ryosuke waved his hand. "It's fine. But I have to be somewhere else at about 9:30, so I can only help you look until then," he said calmly. According to Yuzuru, her sister's date was at nine, so if they couldn't find them by 9:30, it would be almost impossible to find them at all.
Yuzuru nodded firmly. She knew that looking for someone in a place as big as Ikebukuro was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
It was 9:20 a.m.
Yuzuru found a wall to lean on, pulling out a tissue to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
"Here." Ryosuke handed her a bottle of water. She took it, unscrewed the cap easily like a boy, and took a big gulp.
"It looks like we can't find them. What a shame," Ryosuke said, shaking his head, disappointed again.
Yuzuru's guilt grew deeper. "I'm sorry, Ryosuke-niichan. I've wasted your time. You have somewhere to be at 9:30, right? You should go now. I can just go home by myself."
Ryosuke was about to nod when he glanced at Yuzuru. He suddenly made a fist with his right hand and hit his left palm. Of course! He had a moment of realization. Yuzuru is also a girl.
He was on his way to Seibu Department Store to buy a gift for Shinka. Maybe Yuzuru's opinion would be a good reference, since Shinka could be so childish sometimes.
"Yuzuru, are you free? If not, would you come with me to Seibu Department Store? I'm trying to buy something and need a second opinion."
Yuzuru, already feeling guilty, nodded quickly. "Yes, yes! I have plenty of time. I'd love to help, Ryosuke-niichan."
Ryosuke smiled faintly. It wouldn't take long to get there. They would be early. They could pick out a gift together and then meet Shoko later. "Let's go, Yuzuru."
"Yes, Ryosuke-niichan!" Yuzuru followed him like a little shadow toward Seibu Department Store.
The department store was a famous landmark in Tokyo. Besides selling fashion and cosmetics, it also had a book store, and the upper floors had a LOFTS with many cute items and everyday goods. It was fun just to look.
At the Department Store
At the main entrance, Shoko had her hair tied in a cute ponytail, showing her ears. She felt more confident now and wasn't afraid of people seeing her hearing aids. Her pure white blouse and dark blue bow tie made her look innocent and beautiful.
Because she had been so excited for the date, she had planned to leave at nine. But she couldn't wait until then, so she had gotten up and dressed at seven in the morning. Even though she was early, the thought of her date with Ryosuke made the wait enjoyable. She was so excited for him to arrive.
I wonder if Ryosuke-kun will be surprised to see me like this? It's my first time wearing my hair in a ponytail. I hope it looks good.
In the distance, she saw two familiar figures. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't mistaken. How do Yuzuru and Ryosuke-kun know each other? I've never seen them meet before.
When they were about ten meters away, Shoko jumped up, waved her hand, and called out, "Ryosuke!"
Ryosuke and Yuzuru heard the familiar voice and saw the familiar person. Ryosuke was so proud to see Shoko like this for the first time. It meant her confidence was growing. Before he could walk over and compliment her, the person next to him gave him a huge "surprise."
Yuzuru ran up to Shoko, her eyes wide with surprise. "Sister!"
At that one word, "Sister," everything clicked for Ryosuke. The calm, composed look he always had on his face finally shattered. He felt like Ultraman losing his light, a Saiyan losing his tail, a Jinchuriki having their Tailed Beast extracted. His mind, which had been racing, went blank. He felt a cold chill run through his body. He finally understood why he always missed the jerk Yuzuru talked about.
Because there was only ever one Hiratsuka Ryosuke.
Bad news... the clown was me all along!