Despite all the trouble that has happened, I feel like things have settled down for now.
Thanks to Kiyoshi, the awkwardness between me and Hime has almost completely disappeared. What's more, Hime's appetite seems to have returned and she's been eating lunch properly, which was a relief.
Lunch break will be over in about ten minutes.
After all three of us had finished eating, we decided to return to the classroom to prepare for the next lesson.
"Well, do your best in your afternoon classes too. Bye-bye."
"Yes, good luck to you too, Hijiri."
"Big sis, don't fall asleep."
"Of course I won't sleep, so don't worry! I'm full but I'm feeling fine, so I think I'll be fine for today. See you then."
After parting ways with Kiyoshi in the principal's office, I was left alone with Hime.
On the way back to the classroom, I was worried that things might get awkward again.
"...After eating that much, my blood sugar level will rise and I'm sure she'll fall asleep. Even at home, my sister is the type of person who falls asleep immediately after eating."
There seems to be no need to worry.
Unlike before lunch break, Hime was acting normal. Seeing her like that, I was once again relieved.
That's good. For now, I'm happy that she's acting the same as always.
It's all thanks to Hijiri. To be honest, I still don't really understand the intention behind him giving me the tonkatsu, but I think it was the catalyst for me to make up with Hime...or something like that. It's not like we were fighting, so that's a strange way to put it.
I guess the appropriate expression would be "back to normal."
I'm glad that my relationship with Hime is back to normal.
"I ate a little too much today, so I think I'll sleep in the afternoon."
"Youhei-kun is also a sleepyhead. I see him sleeping at least once a day."
"Were you seen?"
"Yes, of course I'm watching."
The conversation is also smooth.
I was happy about that and tried to continue the conversation...but then it happened.
"--After all, this is better."
Hime suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She holds her chest as if checking something and stares at me.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
"No... I just realized that I've been treating Youhei the wrong way."
She also seemed to be aware that she was becoming awkward.
He also realized that this wasn't a good thing.
"I'm sorry. I've caused you trouble, Youhei."
"No, no. I don't mind that... I'm sorry too."
I thought now was the time.
I thought that now that Hime had calmed down, I would be able to properly apologize for what had happened, so I brought it up.
"Hime is the only one who's special... I'm sorry for upsetting you."
The words he conveyed to Kiyoshi ended up reaching Hime, causing her confusion.
In the first place, this isn't even something Hime needs to apologize for. If I had been more considerate, I wouldn't have put so much strain on her.
After all, Hime is still an eight-year-old girl.
At this age, the difference between affection and romance is unclear. I should have chosen my words more carefully and been more careful with Kiyoshi.
He wanted to apologize properly someday for causing Hime so much trouble.
"How can I put it? I'm not lying, but it's a little difficult to express... I didn't mean to make that statement to cause you any trouble."
Of course, I don't hate Hijiri.
However, even though it's my own feelings, there are parts of me that I don't fully understand about my feelings towards Hime. So, sooner or later, I'm sure I would have said something similar to Hime and upset her.
That's why, in a way, being able to face Hime like this now while the wounds are still fresh may be a good opportunity.
That's what I thought--