Monday came faster than I expected. As soon as I stepped into school, I ran into Damian.
— Renzo, Renzo! Do you know what people are saying? — He came running toward me.
— Huh? What thing? — I replied, still half-asleep.
— That you and Yume are… dating. — He said with a mysterious tone.
I almost choked on my own saliva.
— Whaaat?! Who came up with that nonsense?! — I shouted.
— Well, you know, some people saw you arriving together with Yume on Saturday, and since you live close or something… you know how rumors spread.
I was in shock. What if Aina heard it?… my heart raced just thinking about it.
When I entered the classroom, I immediately noticed Aina's gaze. She didn't say anything, she just smiled a little… but it wasn't her usual sweet smile, it felt forced.
During the first period, I couldn't focus on class at all. From time to time, I glanced at Aina, and she just stared straight ahead, serious. Damian kept nudging me with his elbow, laughing, as if he was enjoying my suffering.
At recess, Emi came up to me with a mischievous smile.
— Hey, Renzooo, tell me the truth, are you and Yume… something? —
— No, of course not! She's my… — I stopped mid-sentence. I couldn't just reveal she was my sister, Yume wanted it kept secret. — She's just my childhood friend.
— Hmm, I see — Emi said with a doubtful tone.
Before I knew it, Aina appeared behind Emi.
— Renzo, can we talk for a moment? — she said calmly, though her voice carried a serious note.
My heart almost jumped out of my chest.
We stepped aside, near the hallway window.
— I heard what they're saying about you and Yume… is it true? — Aina asked, lowering her gaze.
— N-no, it's not what it looks like, Aina. We're just really close, but nothing like that, really. —
She lifted her eyes, as if searching my face for honesty.
— I see… — she murmured.
I froze, unsure if she believed me or not.
Suddenly, Yume came running toward me, with her usual energy.
— Renzo, little brotherrr! — she shouted, and before I could cover her mouth, she had already said it in front of Aina.
Aina's eyes widened.
— Little brother? — she asked.
I stood frozen, while Yume hugged me like nothing had happened.
— Y-yeah… she's… my sister. — I answered nervously.
The silence between Aina and me felt eternal, until she gave a soft smile.
— Wow… and here I thought… — she murmured, barely audible.
— Thought what? — I asked.
— N-nothing, nothing… — she replied quickly, her cheeks slightly red.
From a distance, Damian, who had seen everything, shouted:
— Hahahaha, mystery solved! —
Yume tightened her grip on my arm and said playfully:
— Well, now that they know, I'll have to protect you from all these girls, little brother. —
— Yume! Don't say things like that… — I said, completely red.
But I managed to catch a glimpse of Aina laughing with a sweetness she hadn't shown before… maybe, just maybe, that rumor had brought our hearts a little closer together.
Credits:
Translation Spanish to English: Carlos Damnez.
Author Spanish version: Carlos Damnez