"It's not as big as your house, but it's what I've got," I said as we stood in front of mine.
"It's bigger than average."
Both my parents had stable jobs, and their positions were important enough. Because of that, money wasn't something we really had to worry about—something our house made obvious.
What did you expect? That my parents would follow the stereotype of a stay-at-home mother and a father stuck in a dull office job? Reality turned out different for everyone; some people preferred to have their goals firmly set before starting a family.
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"A compliment, obviously," she nodded.
It was a modest home, though as Yumiko had said, bigger than most. Still, it paled in comparison to hers. And even her house couldn't compete with those of the truly wealthy. That was the cycle of life—there was always someone above you.
"Well then, let's go inside. I hope my humble abode meets your approval." I gave a small bow before sliding the key into the lock.
"You have a cat!" she exclaimed, spotting the cat door.
"It's a little more complicated than that."
After leaving our shoes at the entrance, we stepped into the living room. It wasn't much: a sofa in the center facing a small table for drinks or snacks, a large TV, and a few framed family photos on the wall. I could try to be more descriptive, but I wasn't a fan of interior design, so I wasn't exactly qualified to appreciate things like carpets or ornaments.
From my blind spot, a shadow darted toward me.
"Nice try."
I quickly stretched out my arms and caught it.
"Nya!"
That was the sound of the attacker—my cat, Kuro, named for his black fur that let him vanish in the dark.
"Oh! He's so cute!" Yumiko came closer for a better look.
Kuro climbed up my arm and perched on my head, staring intently at the stranger I'd brought home.
"What's his name?"
"Kuro."
Yumiko gave me a doubtful look.
"You're terrible with names."
She wasn't wrong—but didn't it sound cool to call him by the color of his fur?
"It sounds intimidating. Kuro, like the night, the unknown, elegant!"
"You just couldn't think of anything better, could you?"
"That's exactly it," I sighed.
When I'd taken him to the vet, they'd needed a name on the spot. With nothing else coming to mind, I went with Kuro.
"Come here, Kuro."
Yumiko held out her arms, inviting him to jump from my head to hers.
"Kuro doesn't usually trust strangers so qui—"
Before I could finish, Kuro pushed off my forehead and leapt straight into Yumiko's arms.
…Is this what betrayal felt like? Or maybe it was just that the cat who distrusted everyone looked far too happy in Yumiko's embrace.
I see. Maybe it was true what they said—pets resembled their owners.
Kuro purred contentedly, rubbing himself against Yumiko's… well, against her.
"You're so sweet and adorable," Yumiko said, letting him do as he pleased while she stroked him.
He was a cat, so I guessed that was acceptable behavior. Still, I'd never envied a cat this much before.
Leaving Yumiko to play with Kuro, I headed into the kitchen and opened the fridge to check what we had.
"Would you like tea or juice?"
"Either is fine, thanks."
I poured juice into two glasses, grabbed a box of cookies from the pantry, and set them on a plate. With everything ready on a tray, I carried it back to the living room.
What? I was a good host. I knew how to treat my guests. Basic courtesy.
"Help yourself, Yumiko."
"Thanks, Raiden—you're kinder than you look," she said with a smile, taking a cookie.
My cat, who just a moment ago distrusted strangers, was now perfectly content nestled in Yumiko's lap.
Since we were just waiting for Rumi, who should arrive any minute, we passed the time playing with Kuro, who was full of energy and incredibly agile.
"How old is he?" Yumiko asked while waving a cat toy.
"The vet said he's about two years old."
We had adopted him a year ago.
"You're still so young," Yumiko said playfully, continuing to tease Kuro with the toy.
Girls naturally liked cute things, so it wasn't a surprise that Kuro won her over so quickly. While trying to catch the toy, his ears twitched and he suddenly leapt down, trotting toward the entrance. A few seconds later, the door opened, and he jumped straight into the arms of his other owner. Unlike when he pounced on me like prey, this time it was pure affection.
"Kuro, you're as energetic as ever!"
The voice belonged to a ten-year-old girl with beautiful, flowing jet-black hair she usually wore loose, and dark eyes to match. Since elementary school had no uniform, she was dressed in a green sweater and a short pink skirt. That girl was my adorable little sister.
Rumi walked over to us with Kuro in her arms. Before she could say anything, Yumiko stood up and took the initiative.
"Hi, I'm Miura Yumiko, but you can just call me Yumiko. Nice to meet you!"
Showing manners she never bothered with at school, she introduced herself.
"I'm Tsurumi Rumi, but please call me Rumi," my sister replied with a polite bow.
As her older brother, I'd always tried to guide Rumi down the right path. Ever since she was small, I taught her how to communicate with others and, of course, how to deal with annoying people.
"Your little sister is so sweet and polite!"
I puffed out my chest with pride. Thanks to my advice, Rumi enjoyed her days at school surrounded by friends—though I wouldn't take all the credit. Most of it was thanks to her own efforts.
"Of course. After all, she's my precious imouto."
There were only a few things I could truly be proud of, and Rumi was one of them.
"So… are you my big brother's girlfriend?" Rumi asked, tilting her head in an adorably innocent way.
"Not at all." Yumiko quickly waved her hands, brushing it off as a child's joke. "I'm just his friend. Isn't that right, Raiden?"
She was telling the truth. After all, she only hung out with me so she wouldn't be alone, and she considered me someone she could trust.
"It's not like you ever give me a choice," I sighed.
"Huh!? What's that supposed to mean, Rai-den-kun?"
She was terrifying whenever she used honorifics with my name. What should have sounded normal coming from her just… didn't.
"I mean it's an honor to spend lunchtime and the walk home with you."
Not that I'd ever admit her company bothered me—it would be a lie.
"Good," she replied cheerfully.
"I'd like to apologize on behalf of my brother. I know he can be a handful, but he's very reliable and will do anything for the people he cares about," Rumi said seriously, bowing once more.
Rumi knew exactly how far I'd go for the ones I cared about—the scar on my chest was proof of that.
"There's no need. I've already seen that side of Raiden. Even when we were strangers, he helped me in his own way. So it should be me apologizing for causing him trouble," Yumiko answered, bowing politely to Rumi.
She might have come across as arrogant and conceited, but deep down she was compassionate and genuinely kind—something most people would never see.
The mood had been relaxed from the start, just two girls chatting casually. As I said, they were similar. Although… originally Rumi resembled someone else entirely, but my mind was no vault to recall every single detail. It had been years since I reincarnated in this world—expecting perfect memory was impossible.
"It's nice that you get along, but first of all, I'm not a burden to anyone, and second, you never actually caused me any trouble."
They seriously overestimated me.
"Onii-chan, I know you. I'm sure you'll end up causing Yumiko-san problems, so I'm apologizing in advance," Rumi said with an innocent smile.
"Raiden, it's obvious I'll drag you along with me, so I went ahead and apologized first," Yumiko added calmly, as if she were certain I'd be roped into her messes.
That was definitely not the answer I'd been expecting.
What would it have cost them to just agree with me? I sighed inwardly.
Both of them laughed when they saw my weary expression.
After that, as if they were sisters, they started chatting happily, like long-time friends reunited after years apart. From ordinary topics like school to how I usually behaved at home or in class—nothing was left out.
After a couple of hours of getting along, it was time for Yumiko to head home. Since it was getting late, I decided to walk her there.
"It was nice talking with you, Yumiko-san. I hope you'll visit us often," Rumi said as she saw her off at the door.
"I don't have much to do at home, so I'll be coming around more often."
With a wave and a promise to meet again, we set off.
I didn't comment on how she had practically invited herself over. If Rumi enjoyed talking with her, I didn't mind at all. It would also depend on whether Rumi came home early, since I'd started going out in the afternoons and only returning at night.
"Your sister's nice and really cool. Now I see why you said we're alike," Yumiko said proudly.
I was pretty sure she had claimed the exact opposite a few hours ago, but I let it slide.
"Well, of course. She's my little sister, after all." If it were up to me, I'd shout it from the rooftops.
"That sounded arrogant coming from you," she said with a smirk.
"You're hardly in a position to call anyone arrogant," I teased.
"Huh? Did you say something?"
I smiled. "Who knows? Sometimes people just deny the truths they hear."
"This time you're not getting away with it!"
She came at me, ready to hit, so I quickened my pace and dodged, forcing her to chase me down.
While running at a steady speed so Yumiko wouldn't lose sight of me, my mind drifted to everything that had happened up to this point.
A simple encounter with a girl in the hospital, a small gesture like handing her a drink—step by step, it had led to me becoming friends with this girl named Yumiko.
And I didn't regret it, because I had followed what I believed in. As long as I could keep doing what I wanted, I felt like I was making the most of this second chance at life.
If I didn't, the weight I carried inside would only tear me apart, dragging those thoughts out into the open.
And unlike in the first years of my life… now I didn't want to die.
Or at least, that's what I wanted to believe.
I cleared my head and focused on the present. The past was something I couldn't change no matter what I did, but if I left it unchecked, it would take over and destroy me from within. So I clung to that thought just to keep myself from breaking apart, and as long as I could, I'd keep living life my own way.
I smiled as I glanced at Yumiko chasing behind me.
Pushing aside all other thoughts, I focused on the here and now—still running, still dodging the wrath of my self-proclaimed friend.