After about 30 minutes by car, we finally arrived at the Hoshimiya residence.
Hime had said before that she had a house in the suburbs, and it was true that it was a little outside of residential areas. It was quiet, and there were no convenience stores nearby. However, on the flip side... it seemed to have the advantage of having a lot of usable land.
The sun had already set, and when I looked up at the sky, I could see the moon. Today it was a crescent moon. I'm not the type to get lost in emotion when looking at the night sky, but for now I wanted to see something familiar.
But it doesn't work.
Even when I looked up, the building didn't disappear. Its size still made it appear in the corner of my vision, and I still couldn't calm down.
"That's an amazing house...!"
That was the impression I managed to squeeze out.
As I got out of the car, I was taken aback by the magnificent mansion that filled my field of vision. I wonder if it could be classified as a Western-style building? I wouldn't go so far as to call it a castle, but it had a similar atmosphere.
A sky-blue triangular roof, pure white exterior walls, and a three-story Western-style building so large that you have to turn your head from side to side to see it, and yet it remains visible even when you look up... What kind of job would one have to do to be able to live in a house like this?
The grounds are spacious. To give you an idea of how spacious it is, after Mei dropped us off, she said she was going to park the car, but a few minutes had passed and she still hadn't returned. It seems the parking lot is quite a distance away.
Meanwhile, I was standing near the entrance, overwhelmed by the view of the Hoshimiya family home.
It was a mansion beyond my imagination, as I live in a very ordinary house.
"It's an amazing house. I was amazed when I first saw it too."
Hime was standing right next to me, staring up at the Hoshimiya residence in shock.
He seemed interested in my reaction, as he stared at me.
"When I first saw it...Hime, you haven't lived in this house your whole life, have you?"
"Yes. I lived abroad until I was six years old. I came to Japan several times a year, but I never lived in this house."
"It was completed two years ago. Mom said, 'I was so excited!'"
It's amazing how a house of this size can be built just by putting in some effort.
I am often reminded that the Hoshimiya sisters live in a completely different world from me.
Normally, they are the type of people that an ordinary person like me would never have anything to do with.
When I feel that way, I feel a little lonely.
But every time, she was there for me.
"...Hehe. Yohei-kun came to my house."
A lovely voice penetrates into the gaps of my heart.
I looked down from the luxurious house and towards Hime. She was still looking at me, smiling happily.
"I've always wanted to invite you to my home, so I'm glad."
Hime is always right next to me.
...No, I wouldn't say next to her, she was practically clinging to me. She was tugging at my fingers, trying to get my attention, so I gave her a light squeeze back, and she relaxed her cheeks even more.
"Youhei's hands are big."
"Hime is small."
"Yes. It's small... so when you hold it, my heart pounds."
It's only natural that there are big and small.
Each has its own charm,
...Well, maybe I'm overthinking it. Hime probably doesn't realize that I was feeling lonely in front of the mansion. I know that Hime had no intention of comforting me, who was starting to feel depressed because of the difference in our social status.
This child is pure.
That's why they show me their feelings without any ulterior motives. That makes me feel very comfortable.
(Even if they're from a different world... it doesn't matter to Hime.)
There's no way to doubt this kindness.
Hime's pure and straightforward love instantly blew away any feelings of loneliness.
There's no point in being depressed. I've been taken to such a wonderful place.
In fact, it would be a shame not to enjoy it.
Thanks to Hime, I can now think that way in a positive way.