Twenty-eight – Chopsticks; First

“There are times where you can hear one’s voice, and not, at the same time.”

▪ ▪ ▪

It was that time… when I felt like the Earth stopped revolving around the sun.

I realized that neither the moon nor the moonlight was present in the dark night sky. The stars are not even enough to light up this rather pitch black night.

It was also this time… when I once again thought of the silence as terrifying.

But those words echoed and echoed inside my head. It did not stop reflecting from one end to the other of my skull.

“Let’s break up.”

Until it came to the point where the sun has finally rose up, but my eyes are still wide open for seven hours.

▪ ▪ ▪

“Yawn~”

“Nii? You seem kind of sleepy. What, didn’t get enough sleep last night?”

“Rather, I didn’t even get an ounce of sleep, literally.”

“It’s bugging me too, you know.”

“But I’m a bit surprised that Nee-chan woke up late today so she’s not walking with us.”

“Yawn~

I think I’ll go sleep at school later.”

“That may just make you sleep deprived.”

“Dunno.”

“School.” what seemed to be a bit of distance from their house to school became a walk that is so short.

“Yeah, I’ll wait for you after school.”

“Right, Nii. Let’s walk with Nee-chan later.”

“…”

~ ~ ~

“Morning, guys…

Yawn~”

“Huh… It’s rare for you to be yawning early in the morning, Gin.”

"Hey, I'm always weak in the morning."

“Good morning, Gin.”

“Oh? Where’s Ringo?”

“She-“ just as I was about to say something, Shiro got to talk first.

“She texted me that she’ll be a bit late.”

“Morning, Shiro.”

“You too, Gin. Did you check up on her earlier or got a text too?”

“…

Y-Yeah…”

T'was a lie.

Today is January 15. Last two nights, since exactly 11:50pm, I haven’t gotten any amount of sleep that time. Not even the next day, so I decided to get up at 7am and I still fortunately made breakfast for myself.

I was so struck about what happened that night that I can’t move around usually and freely. Every time I look in front of the mirror, I can see that my eyes are pitch black and lifeless, once again.

I really am lacking as a human being—for me to be so devastated more than how it is… To think that those words will affect me that much… I hope I don’t faint because of fatigue.

“Please pass the handouts to the back.”

“…”

“Ringo. Care to pass the last handout to me?”

“Huh… Oh, here.”

At that point, the other four flinched in surprise after hearing a 'something' that is rather unbelievable coming from Gin.

~ ~ ~

Lunch break, at the rooftop.

Sat on a mat placed on the dry and cold floor, the four are having their lunch without the presence of the couple.

“What the heck… Gin said he’ll eat lunch in the clinic and sleep afterwards.”

“And Ringo volunteered to sort out the papers for Kiiro-sen.”

“This is really strange.”

“What’s really strange was when Gin called her ‘Ringo’ instead of… that.”

Indeed, they did hear correctly. As a matter of fact, they have been observing cold interactions between the two throughout the morning periods.

“That’s right, Akira. I was so surprised that I didn’t get to listen to the lesson earlier.”

“I’ll go ask them both-“

“Nagi.” Shiro called out to stop what Nagi was about to think or do.

“Huh, Shiro?”

“I don’t really think it’s best to ask the two of them about what’s happening… yet.

Let’s think deeper.

Every day, Gin and Ringo comes to school with Anna by walking, and sometimes the two goes here by bike. But today, they didn’t come to school together because Ringo said she woke up late.

Then earlier, he called Ringo as that instead of how Gin really calls her.”

“I also observed Gin endlessly yawning and it feels like he’s not even interested in class today. I guess it’s because of lack of sleep that he decided to go to the clinic.

And then Ringo volunteered in the task given by Kiiro-sen.” Nagi added.

“That’s right too. It feels like both of them are lacking the energy today.”

“And may I add, Shiro, I haven’t seen the two of them look at each other or smile at least once.”

“Wait, are the two of you taking the place of the lead couple now that they’re not here?”

“Jean. I think we’re missing something.

Nagi! Shiro! Is it possible that they…”

“I can’t say it’s truly the case…”

Without even much of a context, they understood what Akira was trying to say.

“But the events today may have also been brought by coincidence.”

“If you look at it, that's most likely the case.”

“What the… I was there with the two of them for two whole weeks and they looked fine. I-I just can’t see Gin and Ringo…

Breaking up just like that.”

And so the day ended with an unanswered question carved in the minds of the four friends of the seemingly separated pair.

Not a word was spouted towards each other, and not even a contact of their eyes. The familiar street became unfamiliar without the two of them walking in the same direction.

As pained as Gin and Rin might be, they didn’t realize that they were affecting and worrying those around them because of their clouded hearts.

▪ ▪ ▪

At the thirty-eighth minute of the seventh hour of the day, Gin, who has finally took a slumber, was woken up by his doorbell sounding loudly.

Without looking at the clock and still wrapped with his blanket, he went down the stairs and opened the front door of his house.

“Good morning, Mr. Just-Woke-Up.”

“Mmm… Nagi?”

It was Nagi that got surprised upon seeing Gin with a much more exhausted face.

“I bet you didn’t even look at the clock that’s why you weren’t even alarmed that there are just five minutes away before the school bells ring.”

“Huh… I’m already that late…? Oh, Nagi… thanks for waking me up and waiting for me. I’ll just dress up and go to school…

Oh… you’re not wearing a uniform…”

“Hah. You stupid idiot. At least take a shower and dress up. We’re skipping classes today (Don’t do this).”

“Huh?”

“Oh, did that wake you up? Good, then get moving. Or do I need to kick your butt for you to move?”

“Nagi seems irritated for some reason… I wonder why.”

…

Seriously… I wonder what came up. Suddenly, Nagi just barged in to my house without his school uniform and he told me that we’re skipping classes.

(!)

Oh, I see… So he noticed.

~ ~ ~

“Nagi, where are we going?”

“I’m borrowing you for the day. Don’t worry, I’ve already told your parents about today.

Let’s go with udon for breakfast.”

Without any delay, we started the day by walking to the busy commercial street. I found myself being dragged by Nagi to a Japanese udon restaurant on the far position of the markets.

It had a cozy feel to it right after we just entered. The rich smell of the soup stock immediately entered my nose and the heat of the heaters and the stove itself fights the cold for us.

I wish I have a kotatsu.

“Two of my usual, please.”

“I’ll also have vegetables to grill.”

“Two Tsukimi udon and assorted vegetables. Is there anything that you want to add?”

“Ah, mushrooms too. Thank you very much.”

The place is of decent size and tables don’t have chairs but pillows to be sat on instead. The grill on the table also serves as a heater under and over the table. The inside is still quiet perhaps the restaurant just opened seeing there are still few customers around.

“I’ll need to clarify things before I jump to conclusions.

Nagi, what brought this unknown scheme of yours to surface in this day?”

“Even though the question was directed to me, it looked like you’re just asking yourself as to why you’re here with me today.

Isn’t it obvious, Gin?”

“Sorry, my mind can’t really process quickly for a few days now…”

“I borrowed you for the day because I wanted to talk about you and Ringo.”

“…

I see…”

As I have expected, he already took a hint on recent things that were happening around them. I would guess that the other three had already suspected this.

His hands seem to refuse resting as we wait for our order to come by. In this situation, I’m a bird in a cage and there is no way of escaping. I basically stepped on the trap that Nagi had set up just right after I opened my front door.

“Care to explain what’s happening between the two of you? This is pretty much the best time to corner you since you obviously can’t trick me with your crypts.

Also, be sure that you brought money since we’re not going home until the moon rises.”

“I guess there’s no escape to it, after all.”

“Hey, should you, or should I start first?”

“Hmm… Go on.”

“Yesterday, I haven’t seen the two of you together at all. Even if you talked to each other, your eyes don’t make contact and the tones of your voices are cold.

Even at lunch break, you went to the clinic to rest and Ringo just stayed in the classroom sorting out papers.

At that time after we finished our lunch, Shiro and I went to the classroom and we saw Ringo finishing up and storing folders and envelopes. We asked her if she’s okay, and she honestly told that she’s not feeling well with a smile.

No, I won’t consider it as a smile. I’ve been hanging out with you for four years now and I have learned to at least see through people.

When we asked her, I saw no signs of hesitation in answering and it felt like she intentionally smiled like that. That smile felt like it was the embodiment of what she’s feeling right now.

Phrasing my words to the shortest, the two of you aren’t okay as we speak and you’re also both in pain, as far as what I had observed.”

“…”

“Gin, I will ask you bluntly…

Did you two separate or broke up?”

The sound of the surroundings is still ambient and minimized. At this point, I can’t even bear to hear total silence. It will just make me deaf.

In the very most suited situation, our orders finally came.

“Here’s two Tsukimi udon and assorted vegetables and mushroom for grilling.”

“Thank you very much.”

“If you want seconds, it will be an additional 30 Laxes.”

Right after our orders were placed on the table, I immediately noticed my bowl.

“So it’s not disposable chopsticks, thank goodness.”

“Let’s eat this first before it gets cold.”

“Yeah, I’ll start grilling after I finish my bowl.”

After a serving of two bowls of eggs and noodles, it finally came to the cooldown. The gas grill is now fired.

“How are you and Shiro doing right now?”

“Should I take that question as you picking up the pace so you can speak up, or are you just running away?”

“Like I said, I have no escape.”

“Well, if you ask like that… We’re doing fine.

Wait, do you want a detailed answer, or what? This might hit you quite a bit with a spear, you know.”

“It’s okay.”

“Hmm… I guess we go out from time to time, or sometimes we go home after grabbing a snack from the convenience store. I always end up tailing her when she goes and drags me when she’s shopping.

She likes sweets, unbelievably. So I just end up treating her a lot of times.

Because of the two of you, we learned how to not hide secrets on ourselves and always be honest to each other. We don’t act like those head over the heels pairs of couples, but with simple yet meaningful things, we always felt that we are always exchanging our happiness.

…

That’s why I’m really surprised to see the two of you like that. I’ll repeat my question…

Did the two of you really break up?”

“…

Y-Yes…”

There was a hint of hesitation from Gin's words, and his eyes can't seem to focus on one thing.

“Truth to be told, since yesterday, I’m quite irritated because of the two of you. Look, you’re the one that pushed me to confess to Shiro and now…

Kind of ironic, isn’t it, Gin? You of all people found the happiness you looked for like a treasure for more than ten years, and look… I’m the one lecturing you now.

See… the most surprised in the four of us is Jean. I’ve heard that he stayed the whole holiday in your house being trained by you because he finally found his own path. In those two weeks, he said that the two of you are very fine. So he was really struck about what just happened-“

At that point where Nagi was interrupted by his own consciousness, he suddenly remembered their conversation with Jean yesterday in the time of lunch break.

▪ ▪ ▪

“Wait, I suddenly recalled the time when Gin and Ringo were talking one night. They probably thought that I was asleep in the guest room. It was quite late in the night.”

“When you crashed into Gin’s house? Hurry, tell us.”

“Well… I only heard few, but I think they’re arguing about something.”

“Ohh… So the seemingly perfect couple can also argue about something.”

“I think I heard Gin saying: ‘Isn’t it a bit too early?’ and ‘I think I can’t take it yet.’

And then I recalled Ringo saying: ‘It is for the better…’ Uhh… ‘Even I don’t even know what will happen next. But I want to know how I truly want our relationship to be.’

That’s all I can remember. It’s really vague so I can’t make a sense to it.”

▪ ▪ ▪

“Nagi?”

“Ah, nothing…

…

Gin, can I ask you something?”

“Yes…?”

“Since when have you liked Ringo?”

“Huh… That’s kind of hard to answer…

If I were to say, it was probably before I was hit by the truck. I think even I am not aware of my feelings, but at the time when the truck made me fly, I had a thought of not seeing every one of you anymore because I had already accepted my end. It made me really sad that she will be alone again once I’m gone. That’s probably why I’m still alive—because I don’t want her to be alone again.

But look at me now. Even though it’s just… Hahh… It’s really painful, you know. As you may have observed we’re not even talking, or exchanging messages. It’s very lonely without her.”

“The two of you breaking up contradicted to your words just now. Seriously, what was even the reason of this fiasco…”

“I guess I can tell the reason of what you called a fiasco.”

“Are you seriously telling me?!”

“Yeah…”

~ ~ ~

“Gin…”

“What?”

“Can I just kill you right now? You really are a stupid idiot…

I can just scold and shout at you now but I can’t because it will be considered a spoiler… If only I have a C4 on me, I may have blown you to bits.”

“If you throw a C4, I'll probably jump quite a height, catch and throw it where it can safely explode.

Wait, why am I the only one being scolded here? She kind of started this…”

“I respect women so I won’t raise my voice to them. I’ll just go and assassinate those stupid men that make women cry.”

“Wait, you’re also a man and you already made Shiro cry, right?”

“So as she! We’re on the same boat, you know?!”

“Ahh… I kind of get what you meant there.”

“If I were to say… I think that won’t happen to me and Shiro. I’m already imagining her making a disappointed face if I tell her… which I won’t do.

I guess it’s best not to see Ringo in the meantime. I'm not saying that you should avoid making contact, but give her some time. I didn't know she really has this hard. Really, you're the one who knows Ringo the most among us.

But the only favor I ask you is…

I want to at least see the two of you together at lunch break. It’s okay if you don’t sit beside or in front of her. But I ask you to be with us even though it’s a bit of a predicament. Frankly, our friendship is also at risk if this continues. But it’s also fine if you don’t attend club. I think it is what’s best for you to do.

But I’m telling you, I can’t see the two of you like this.”

“Thanks. It took a lot of anxiety away from me now. I guess that’s the only choice I have, even if it ends up hurting ourselves more. I’ll bear with it, Nagi.”

“Oi, the cauliflowers are almost burnt.”

“Oh, oh… I better take this out now.”

“Curse Gin…

Don’t make me imagine a lot of things that can make me cry right now…

Now you’re making me think of things that are ahead of us. I just hope it’s the future we are envisioning right now. I would love to have a picture of all of us in ‘that.’”

In the end, Nagi had kept the vision he had to himself.

▪ ▪ ▪

That day ended up with us just hanging out the whole day. Though, I didn’t guarantee that made Gin go back to his self. This is probably the gloomiest I have seen him.

Oh, Nagi here. I’m doing the short narration in this part.

At least I cheered him up even if it’s only a little. He’s really having a bad time because of the situation of those two. But in my case, I don’t even have the guts to do something like that.

With that being done, the next day passed and I’m very grateful to see the two of them with us in lunch. But this time, they never spoke a word to each other and Gin didn’t attend club. Right now, he and Ringo are like on both ends of the spectrum. I’m kind of worried that Gin wasn’t going to work, though.

It is now the around 3 o’clock, in the school rooftop, in the same day.

With how the weather in Orio changed, it was not as bright when Nagi and Shiro went out.

“Ohh… Thank goodness no one’s here.”

“Nagi, this chapter isn’t about us, but why does it feel like we have more exposure than Gin and Ringo?”

“Yeah, Shiro. I realized that too.

I’m surprised, though. I didn’t think Ringo will join us in lunch yesterday. Did you talk to her about something when we were gone on Tuesday?”

“I should be the one asking about what happened last Tuesday… But I didn’t talk to her. Maybe it’s just pure coincidence that it happened.”

“You just said ‘coincidence.' Are you by any means raising a flag?”

“Nope.

Seriously… That wasn’t intended as a flag, okay? I was just reminded of that time…”

“And it was fall.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Shiro. This might make you cry, but can you please imagine what I’m going to say?”

“Huh? Sure…?”

~ ~ ~

Shoot. She really did cry.

But it just means that we’re on an agreement that what I made her imagine is very tear jerking.

No, it’s not us breaking up.

“Stupid… Now you just made me look ahead in the future…”

“That is, if it will really happen. Why don’t we place bets? The person to have the closest wins, of course.”

“Then what’s your condition, Nagi?”

“Well… how about we handcuff one of our arms and throw away the key at the sea or something? Hahaha…”

“EHHHHHHH?!?!?!?!

Cut it out, Nagi! You idiot! That’s too cheeky! My heart won’t take it right now… Jeez!”

Shiro misinterpreted the handcuffs—thinking they were being on the finger.

I’m doomed. Not only that she’s crying, but her face is beet red and now she’s sulking while she turns opposite of me. I think I shouldn’t have said that.

~ ~ ~

I am once again walking alone in this street.

I still can’t seem to bear the silence so I did bring my earphones with me to listen to any music I can play in my phone. The counter earpiece is interrupting in the sound, so I removed it and besides it’s safe to remove it because I’m not in school.

But I don’t know if listening to songs that is in my phone will make me better. They just made me remember the times where the two of us sang to our heart’s content until we destroyed our throat. Although it’s a happy memory, what I’m feeling right now is contrary to it.

It just made me sadder.

I’ve been hearing things that I didn’t normally pay attention to. Like the sound of my keys dangling here and there, the sound of my front door as it opens with the push of my right hand, and the unusually loud sound of the door closing behind me.

“I hate my ears right now… I even hear my television even though it’s turned off.”

“You know… you could at least say ‘I’m home’ when you just got back.”

“Huh… Why would it matter? I’m the only one in this house…

Wait. Sis… what in the silver blazes are you doing here?”

Rin's sister occupied the entirety of the couch while munching a snack of some kind on a bowl.

“What’s wrong with that?”

I suppose I haven’t introduced her even though it’s already the 28th chapter. The person I just called ‘Sis’ is Yuna Akanami. She’s the one that I was talking about in… I think chapter 22.

Was she also in chapter 12?

“I managed to nab the key that was lying around in our house and I originally just wanted to borrow some ink from you.

But I remembered that there’s a marathon of FMA Broth*rhood today so I took a break from work and now I’m here laxing on your couch, munching some popped rice.

Don’t worry. I used the gas stove and closed the knob. Your house won’t explode.”

“I presume you took the rice from my storage…”

“Yep.”

“Hahh… Knowing you, I can’t even complain.

But I know well that you’re not the type to just barge in to someone’s house without a good reason aside from borrowing ink.”

“I’m surprised that you can still think straight even after everything that had happened.”

“So you knew already, huh.”

“’Not yet.’ I’m here to confirm if you and Rin really broke up.”

“Blunt as always, Sis. But yes, we did.”

It was more direct, but hesitation was still present with his gaze.

And with me being almost unaware, there are actually two people eavesdropping just under my window.

“Seriously, Gin?”

“You’re embarrassing me as your father, Gin.”

“Oh, Mom, Dad. Since when were you eavesdropping…?”

“Now, this brings back memories when we’re not yet married.

Oh, Otō. I suddenly remembered the time when you always got jealous of him because he always teased me.”

“Yeah… he’s a total idiot.

If only he opened up to us way earlier…”

“Hey, Mom. I’ve never had the time to ask you…

But why did you cut your hair like that?”

“Huh? Why? Are you bothered?

I cut my hair in this style ‘again’ when the two of you got hooked.”

“Actually, Gin… That’s your mom’s hair when she was still young.”

“What the- Oh my goodness, me… You got me worked up for nothing…”

“It was almost the same as hers…”

“But it made Aunt look younger, don’t you think, Uncle?”

“Oh, please Yu… that won’t lure me.”

“Anyways, are you, Mom and Dad also going to listen? You could at least let me get changed, you know.

And you made too much popped rice, Sis! Make sure to pay me back 2 kilos of the 42 Laxes type. I’m going to list that!”

“Sure.”

~ ~ ~

Well, this is a rather odd combination here. It feels like I’m being interrogated by my parents and the older sister of my-

The older sister of my girlfriend whom I just broke up.

That’s more appropriate.

“I suppose you want to know the reason of this?”

“That’s the main reason why we are here today.

The popped rice is good.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, that’s a spoiler, so it will not be part of the dialogue, okay?”

A little bit of timeskip!

~ ~ ~

“Gin… do you realize you just dug your own grave if things doesn’t go back to normal?”

“I think I didn’t, Sis?

Ow."

His forehead was flicked by Yuna.

“But I think our son has a point… What do you think, Okā?”

“If I were to say… That’s so reckless of you two.

“Urk…”

“But we’re talking about our son, Gin here. He’s been through a lot of things. Though, I’m a little astonished to see how much you were affected by this.”

“Well… not only me…”

“It’s really not only you, Gin.

I’ve been watching Ringo in her sleep since Monday. It’s either she’s crying under her blanket, or she sleep talks sometimes. And while I’m always in her room every night since then, the lights in your room are always open and I can faintly see your silhouette from your window. Seriously… are you even sleeping?

But then, she got hooked to reading books.”

“Oh… those weren't books, sadly…" he whispered. "I can sleep sitting with my back straight. But I have a habit of sleep walking so I ended up landing on my bed without me knowing.”

“Yu, he’s quite wild when he walks on his sleep. He’s like an animal that escaped from the zoo.”

“Hahh… as much as I want to be annoyed, it’s the truth.”

“But little brother, why did you two even decide to do something like that?”

“I… I myself don’t really know. I’ve been preparing myself for this but I’m just stunned when she suddenly talked about that.

As much as I want to think that this is for the better for the two of us, or it’s unavoidable… I love her, so I can at least be hurt, right?

I hope things go well, though.”

“Well, if you put it that way, it might certainly be the point. Right now, that little sister of mine is probably dumping her face on her bed right now.”

“I can’t blame my son. Yes, he’s worried about your sister but right now, Gin can’t do anything. They just need to put up with this.”

“That’s right. Hmmm…

Otō and I didn’t have a situation like this, but I’m telling you. This may well endanger your relationship more if the two of you are in this mental state. And what’s done is done.

You can’t just fix a broken vase and make it look like it didn’t even break. A broken thing can’t be turned back to how it originally was.”

“…

Just like disposable chopsticks, huh… Once you broke it apart, it can’t stick together anymore.”

“Get your head straight, little brother. How can you use disposable chopsticks if you won’t break it apart?”

(!)

“Sis! Can you repeat what you just said?”

“Huh? What…

How can you use disposable chopsticks without breaking them apart?”

“Yes… that! I’m so dumb…”

“Gin, what could you be saying? Otō, is our son going crazy?”

“Don’t worry, Okā. He’s already been crazy for a long time.”

O, the harsh reality.

“Little brother… I don’t get you.”

“Thanks for that quote, Sis. It feels like I’ve been awakened from a deep slumber.”

“A happy accident then…

Oh, yeah! If we put it that way, it’s definitely relevant to your situation.”

“See? Now it’s clear to me that there is definitely something that lies within the ends of this.”

“Now that you’ve cleared things up a bit, your mom and I will be going back to the house.

Well, all I can say to you is you need to endure this sort of trial and do your best at coping up. I’ve never thought of this happening, honestly since Senna and I didn’t experience something like this when we were still young.

But keep in mind that this may have a positive or negative effect that balances perfectly in the scale. I hope you have the resolve to fix things if the situation gets worse.

In the end, I wish you two the best, anyways.

We’re off.”

“Thank you for the short visit.”

…

With my father’s words, all of my confidence is again replaced with the worries I am currently bearing on my shoulders.

At that point, I realized that there’s no turning back in everything that I had done.

“I really miss her.”

“If you really love my sister, this is the sacrifice you have to make. But seeing you in this state, I do know well that you have created a strong bond with Ringo. She’s even making the same face you have painted on yours.

But remember that it’s not only about if you love her or if you want to see her. You’ve grown for two years without our radar, I don’t know how and what you really experienced in that time, but I want to assume that you’ve learned a lesson from that.

Though, I can't blame you for that. But it's kind of your fault that my sister is hurt."

"Direct as ever…"

"I understand what you’re coming from, though. One thing I know is, even if unconsciously, you’re giving my little sister an opportunity to see this world in a different way.

In my perspective, may it have a good or bad result, the answer lies within Ringo if she will accept this world and reality—the equivalent of fully accepting you.”

“It’s not just about her. Even if the answer doesn’t come to me, I have a duty to fulfill, and that is my responsibility that will carve the path of the unknown future.”

“Wow, Gin. Your words are deep but sensible. Are you a writer?”

“No.”

“Anyways, you better call me immediately once something happens.

But even in the face of everything, I will tell you one of my wishes for the two of you.”

“A… wish?”

“You heard it right.

I’ve been noticing that Rin’s hair is getting long. To tell you the truth, she cuts her hair every three months. The last time she had her hair cut was August, before she entered Blue Ink. But this has been the fifth month and she hasn’t snipped a strand of her hair once, since then. Her hair grows slowly so it doesn’t look like it grew for six months.

About your hair… so it also does not grow fast; maybe even slower than hers. Well, you’re a man, after all.”

“Actually, when I was away, I had my hair grow for one year and a half but I haven’t had the opportunity to look on a mirror that time.

It’s definitely longer than her hair even now.”

“Wha- Now that’s quite a revelation. Anyways, I’ll tell you my wish…

The truth is, I want to see the two of you with your hair tied or something along those lines.

I’ve been seeing my sister tying her hair even in the middle of winter. She’s an idiot so she doesn’t catch a cold in that instance. I don’t know what’s gotten into her but-

Gin? Is something wrong?”

The shivering didn’t come from the cold weather. The pouring sweat and the brushed red face didn’t come from a fever.

The reaction came from him imagining that scene.

“S-Sis…

Do you realize that you’re a little like a sadist…? Please… stop with what you’re saying… It’s torture to me right now…

And you're not making any sense.”

“Ohh… This is quite a revelation, and for the second time.”

“Even though we’re in this state of calamity, you still have a room for imaginations like that, huh…

Hey, I’ll read your mind. You’re probably thinking and imagining her on a ponytail, and telling yourself: ‘I can’t help it. She’s just too cute even though I haven’t seen her in one!’”

The end is nigh.

Oh my goodness… I think the one that will literally kill me is the person in the name of Yuna Akanami.

“Seriously speaking, that is definitely my wish. But who knows what will happen. Maybe there will be no time that you’ll see her tie her hair.

But once everything between the two of you is settled… in a good way, I will consider you my ‘brother’ for good.”

Man, like father, like daughter.

But she’s not joking. Sis is serious in every word she said just now. She’s probably looking for something that she really wishes for.

“Well, I’ll be going back now, Gin. It’s a pain that you can’t help with my work because of the circumstances right now.

Matane.”

I am happy, sad, worried, scared, pained, excited, confident, confused, and anxious all at the same time.

They are like being mixed by a witch on a brewing pot that is making a sinister potion.

But at the point before she left, I felt that she gave her hope to me.

Her words… I will never forget them. And I will never forget this memory that is now etched to my mind. I have suffered, suffered and suffered because of a lot of things.

But she gave her hope anyways. She knows that if she understood my words, everyone will most likely understand me too without force or because of pity.

The mind of one human being is surely an unpredictable thing. It’s like there is probability instead of certainty.

…

I’m really happy to have a sister like her.


Chapter Message:

That concludes the 28th chapter!

Nagi was one step away from shouting "boke" on Gin's face. Even I do think that the reason is going to be dumb.

Thank you for reading!

Next

Twenty-nine: We are a pair of chopsticks, and we are proud of it. Just don't take that sentence out of context.