Late Metro Stroll

As Aika and I walked in the peaceful neighborhood, the cool spring breeze gently brushed against my face. The silence enveloped us, broken only by the soft sound of our footsteps. Aika let out a heavy sigh, her hands tucked inside her jacket pockets.

"You really shouldn't have come," she insisted, continuing our ongoing debate. I glanced at her, determined to make my point.

"I wanted to walk with you, to ensure your safety," I replied, emphasizing my concern.

"I have pepper spray,” Aika countered. “And I run pretty fast too."

"Then think of it as me repaying you for tucking Sakura and Kaito in bed." I chuckled. Aika sighed once more, but this time, she chose to remain silent.

Aika was a frequent visitor to our household, spending time with Sakura and Kaito. Her strict parents focused on her studies, so Aika often sought an escape from the intense atmosphere at home. Over the years, she had become an older sister figure to my siblings, and they adored her. Being an only child, she cherished the moments spent with them, finding solace in their presence.

On days when Aika couldn't visit, she would immerse herself in writing novels in her neatly organized bedroom. She had a deep passion for fairy tales and romantic stories, using them as an escape from her solitude. Although she never intended anyone else to read her secret writings, they served as a perfect outlet for her imagination.

Aika was known for her well-planned schedule, balancing her love for storytelling with her dedication to studying. She often checked on our friends, ensuring they arrived at school on time. The time spent commuting on the metro allowed her to gather her thoughts and reflect.

As we arrived at the nearly empty metro station on that cool spring night, we passed through the turnstiles after Aika scanned her card. Walking down the entry stairs, we settled on a bench, waiting for the subway to arrive. Aika pulled her jacket tighter around herself and glanced at me, concern evident in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" She asked, noticing the dark circles under my eyes. "You haven't been getting enough sleep, have you?"

I nodded gently, waving off her worries with a smile. "Don't worry about that. I manage to get enough sleep."

She sighed, unwilling to let the matter rest. "There must be a reason for your tardiness. You've been arriving late to school more often than Yujiro."

Ignoring her remark, I changed the subject, pointing out the approaching train. "Ah, your ride is here." I stood up and Aika pouted in response. The metro doors opened with a hiss, and I nodded toward the train.

"You’re not allowed to accompany me any further," Aika reminded me, holding her bag in front of her with both hands.

"You're right. I must head straight home," I repeated as Aika entered. She turned back to face me, her expression teasing.

"Will I see you on time at school this week?" She inquired, provoking a sigh from me. I shrugged, making a promise with my eyes. Aika smiled and waved before the doors closed, leaving me standing there, hands in my pockets, until the metro disappeared into the night.

I wondered if Aika would fall asleep during the ride while I made my way home on foot. Saturdays weren't her usual visiting days unless she decided to take a break from her intense study sessions. Playing with Sakura and Kaito always left her exhausted. I wondered what games they had played together that day—perhaps a simple board game or watching their favorite show. I wished I could find a way to express my gratitude and offer her a small token of appreciation for her help, but Aika always managed to convince me otherwise. She had a way with words.

Arriving home, I noticed the neatly arranged crayons and paper that Kaito had been drawing earlier, most likely organized by Aika. My gaze fell upon the finished drawing—the knight and dragon I had seen before, now set against a backdrop of a bright blue sky, a grassy field, and a majestic castle. Warmth filled my heart as I smiled and carefully placed it on the fridge, securing it with two magnets. Kaito would be delighted to see it in the morning.

Before having dinner, I peeked into my siblings' bedroom. Although our house wasn't large, we had managed to create separate spaces for each of us. Sakura and Kaito now had their own beds in the same room, while I chose to sleep in my parents' bedroom. In the months following their passing, I couldn't bring myself to enter their room, so I had slept with Sakura and Kaito. But as time went on, I slowly accepted the reality and reclaimed the room. Still, there were nights when I preferred the comfort of the couch, with one of my siblings waking me up there.