Part 3 – A Sister's Silent Burden
Haruto looked toward his sister.
Ayame smiled faintly.
"I'm fine."
But even she sounded unsure.
Haruto stared.
"..."
Kaito looked down.
"She wasn't feeling well earlier."
Haruto turned.
"...What?"
Ayame immediately looked away.
"Kaito..."
He ignored her.
"She said it was nothing."
"But..."
He clenched his fist slightly.
"She looked weak."
Haruto's expression changed.
"...Ayame?"
Ayame gave a small smile.
"I'm okay."
"I just got tired."
But before anyone could say anything else...
Another cough escaped her.
She quickly covered her mouth.
The room became quiet.
Haruto noticed.
Kaito noticed.
Neither of them said anything.
Because this time...
They both knew.
Something was wrong.
"..."
Haruto slowly walked closer.
His silver eyes stayed on Ayame.
"...When did this start?"
Ayame looked at him.
"...What?"
"Your health."
"You weren't like this before."
Ayame became quiet.
For a moment...
She looked away.
"...It's nothing serious."
Haruto's expression didn't change.
"Ayame."
She sighed softly.
"...Just today."
Kaito immediately looked at her.
"...That's not true."
Ayame glanced at him.
"Kaito..."
He shook his head.
"You were already tired when we were completing the notes."
"You kept saying you were fine."
"But you weren't."
The room fell silent again.
Haruto looked at Ayame.
"...Why didn't you tell us?"
Ayame gave a small smile.
"Because I knew you both would worry."
Kaito frowned.
"Of course we would worry."
Ayame looked down.
"..."
"I didn't want today to become about me."
Haruto's expression softened slightly.
"Ayame..."
She looked at him.
"I know you both already have enough to think about."
"You just got back..."
She paused briefly.
"...And I didn't want to give you one more thing to worry about."
Kaito looked at her.
"...You really think like that?"
Ayame smiled faintly.
"...Someone has to."
Haruto couldn't help but let out a quiet breath.
Even now...
She was still trying to make things lighter.
But then...
Another cough escaped her.
Ayame quickly covered her mouth.
The room became silent once again.