Chiba Prefecture borders Tokyo and is part of the greater metropolitan area. By public transport, it takes just over an hour to get from Chiba to Tokyo.
Because of this, some people who don't mind the commute choose to live in Chiba and travel to Tokyo for work every day.
On a weekend morning, Yukino Yukinoshita left her high-end rental apartment. Carrying a women's shoulder bag and wearing small-heeled uniform shoes, she headed for Tokyo.
She was going to visit her older sister today.
When it came to her sister, Yukino's feelings were complex. She didn't know whether she liked or disliked her.
But there was one thing she refused to admit, though it was undeniably true.
She was afraid of her sister. Dread, envy, and a deep sense of inferiority all mixed together, forming a silent pressure that always lingered in her heart.
"Tokyo, huh."
Standing calmly inside the JR train car, Yukino held the handrail, her gaze cool as she watched the scenery fly by outside the window.
Even though Chiba was adjacent to Tokyo, the difference between them was stark.
In Chiba, especially outside the city center, it wasn't unusual to see areas with barely any people. There were low-rise houses and even stretches of fields.
But Tokyo was a forest of skyscrapers. People moved like tightly wound springs, rushing everywhere without a moment of rest.
The Yukinoshita family was a well-known household in the Chiba area. Not extremely wealthy, but they had considerable assets.
However, having grown used to Chiba's slower pace, Yukino sometimes felt like a country girl when she came to Tokyo. The bustling city made her feel out of place.
In front of an eighteen-story high-end apartment building in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, she used the camera intercom to contact the resident upstairs, and the entrance door unlocked.
In Japan, due to limited land and a dense population, university dormitories are limited in number. Except in remote regions, it's hard to get into them.
To live in a dorm, one must apply.
So, many students either rent their own apartments or, if they're local, commute from home.
Haruno lived alone in a high-end apartment. The two-bedroom, one-living room unit wasn't large, but thanks to its proximity to Tokyo University and upscale furnishings, the rent was extremely high.
When Yukino reached the upper floor and rang the doorbell, the door opened almost immediately.
The sister who always made her heart race, whether out of anger or fear, stood before her.
Haruno had just showered and already changed into her outfit for going out. Her slightly damp short hair still carried the scent of shampoo.
She wore delicate earrings, and her clothes were noticeably more mature and refined than Yukino's.
"Come in, Yukino. Wait for me a bit, and we'll head out."
Haruno's tone was light and casual. Barefoot, she turned and walked inside, leaving Yukino with a graceful view of her back as she entered the living room.
"Excuse me for intruding."
Yukino stepped inside, bowed slightly, removed her uniform heels, and walked in with light steps. Her legs, clad in black stockings, moved across the clean floor with an elegant grace.
Haruno's apartment was a bit messy. The table was littered with empty beer bottles, showing that her lifestyle was quite relaxed.
Yukino frowned at the sight. Her own personality was strict, and she would never allow her living space to get this messy.
"Sister, did you drink?"
"I had a few bottles last night, just a little."
"You should drink less."
While putting on her socks, Haruno glanced up, raised her brows, and said, "Yukino, you're too uptight. I'm an adult. What I do isn't for you to comment on."
Though she wore a smile, her tone carried the authority of an older sister. This was the side of Haruno that Yukino feared most.
She didn't want to admit that this fear stemmed from dependence. Her desire to surpass Haruno came from the inferiority she felt in comparison.
Haruno's serious look quickly turned back to a bright smile. "Alright, let's go shopping. No need to bring up uncomfortable topics."
Trying to assert her own will, Yukino resisted. "I didn't come specifically to shop with you. I need to go to the library."
"To the library on a rare weekend? Yukino, you really have no charm."
"I couldn't find the English original book I wanted in Chiba's library, so I came to check in Tokyo."
Yukino answered stubbornly.
"Why not just buy it online? Why go through the trouble of borrowing it?"
"I don't know if I'll like it. If I don't, it'll be a waste of money and hard to return."
"Yukino, you insist on the strangest things sometimes. But fine, who told me I had to be your older sister? I'll go to the library with you."
Smiling dotingly, Haruno walked over like a breeze and gently poked Yukino's forehead.
Yukino frowned and stepped back, clearly displeased. What she hated most was being treated like a child.
But Haruno enjoyed teasing her sister like this the most.
This girl, who always pretended to be mature, was still in her chuunibyou phase.
Haruno looked at Yukino's twin tails and commented, "Twin tails are cute, but they really don't suit you, Yukino."
Yukino pursed her lips and turned away. "Mind your own business."
They were truly incompatible. Twin tails were her favorite hairstyle.
If she weren't worried about attracting attention at school, she would've worn her hair like this every day.
"Really now, I'm teaching you how to show off your cuteness and charm. Anyway, let's go. If we're late, we'll keep someone waiting."
Haruno changed her clothes, slipped on her shoes, and got ready to leave.
Yukino, who had also put on her shoes, was startled. "You made plans with someone else?"
"Yeah. I'm meeting a kohai. He's a handsome guy. Interested, Yukino?"
Yukino's resistance surged again. She even considered not going out anymore.
She hated meeting strangers unless it was work-related.
Otherwise, she'd rather sit quietly in a corner, like a cold lotus, reading her own book.
But Haruno, her natural nemesis, took her arm and pulled her out. "Don't even think about not going. I already told him I'd introduce my beautiful sister."
Yukino felt a twinge of panic.
This is Tokyo. I don't know anyone here. Could she really be selling me off?
That kind of trickery... Haruno was totally capable of it.
Her tone, her face... it was like she really was planning to set her up.
...
The Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station is a popular meeting spot. It's easy to find, so it naturally became a common place to gather.
Toru stood not far from the statue, looking at the street known for having the highest pedestrian traffic in the world.
Every time the light turned green, people flooded across the intersection. The overwhelming crowd could make anyone introverted break into a cold sweat.
Toru wore a clean and stylish Japanese outfit today. Tall and upright, he stood out. Several Shibuya gyaru passing by gave him second glances, and some bold ones even called him handsome and tried to get his Line.
After brushing off a girl dressed in a 'jirai-kei' style, he suddenly felt a tap on his back.
"Oh, Fujiwara-kun, you're really popular. Maybe my sister and I shouldn't have come to bother you?"
Haruno's cheerful voice came from behind.
Toru turned around and saw the Yukinoshita sisters.
Haruno's outfit was casual yet sharp. Her light yellow inner top revealed her delicate collarbone, with a jacket draped over it.
She wore fitted long pants that highlighted her straight, slender legs. Her short hair and gentle smile gave off a refreshing, warm vibe.
Standing next to her was a girl with a completely different aura. Yukino seemed reserved and cold.
Toru subtly studied Yukino. She wore a light blue jacket similar to a uniform. Her checkered skirt revealed long, slender legs in black stockings.
Her facial features were refined, with porcelain-like skin and a delicate, slightly sickly beauty that evoked sympathy.
But her aura was cold, like a flower blooming alone in the corner, admiring its own reflection, removed from the world.
The Yukinoshita sisters were a striking contrast. One was warm and bright, the other cold and distant. One cheerful, the other withdrawn.
Even though they weren't twins, their faces were about 70 to 80 percent alike. Standing side by side in Shibuya, they created a stunning scene.
"What do you think? Isn't my sister gorgeous? You're stunned, aren't you?"
Haruno patted Toru on the arm.
"Yes, just as beautiful as Yukinoshita-senpai."
"Hehe, Fujiwara-kun sure knows how to talk. Yukino, let me introduce you. This is Fujiwara Toru, a junior from the same department as me. He's this year's Tokyo University freshman representative."
That single line made Yukino's heart tighten.
Tokyo University's freshman representative? Then this person was truly outstanding. Even her sister, someone she had always strived to surpass, didn't earn that title last year.
"Fujiwara-senpai, hello."
Whether it was due to his elite status or basic etiquette, Yukino was very respectful.
She had always been a sensible girl. Even if she disapproved inwardly, she would maintain proper manners to avoid criticism from her mother or being looked down on by her sister.
Haruno then said with a teasing smile:
"Yukino, you need to learn from Fujiwara-kun. You're diligent and your grades are great, but good grades alone won't get you into Tokyo University like your sister."
Yukino instinctively clenched her fists.
Sister, do you really look down on me that much? Am I just a burden to you?
After teasing her sister, Haruno smiled sweetly and said to Toru, "Sorry for the wait, Fujiwara-kun. Let's do some shopping, and then in the afternoon, can you come to the library with Yukino and me?"
"Can I say no?"
"That won't do!"
"Then why ask?"
"I'm just being polite, Fujiwara-kun!"
"You wouldn't care even if I said no."
Yukino listened to the playful back-and-forth between her sister and Toru. Watching them walk side by side ahead of her, she followed silently behind like an abandoned child.
...
Elsewhere on a Tokyo street, a group of elementary school students were gathered.
One chubby kid said casually, "Conan, let's go to the library later. You can read manga there for free."
"Okay."
With his usual tired face, Conan responded weakly.
Ah, being a grade-schooler is so frustrating. I still have to shout about Kamen Rider every day...
(To be continued.)