Chapter 6

Subtly playing with the title……

The apartment building where Hayato moved to is not far from Haruki's house; it's a ten-story building.

A single-story wooden house, a reinforced concrete apartment complex.

An unlocked front door, an entrance with an automatic lock.

There are many differences between the countryside and the city, and it often leaves one bewildered. It doesn't seem like he'll get used to it anytime soon.

"I'm home."

"Welcome back, Onii-chan."

"…Himeko, you're showing a lot."

"Hmm, do you want to see?"

"I said I don't want to see."

"Then don't look, okay?"

"……Tch."

In the living room of their sixth-floor apartment, his sister greeted him with a lackluster voice.

Her determined eyes, her hair dyed a light color and loosely permed, her uniform slightly disheveled but not vulgar.

She is a typical fashionable girl of today—Hayato's sister, Himeko.

Hayato thinks his sister is quite cute, but right now she is sprawled out on the sofa, her skirt riding up. She is displaying a very regrettable posture, and even Hayato can't help but frown.

(Sigh, really, both Haruki and Himeko...)

He can't help but compare the image of his childhood friend from earlier with the sight of his sister in front of him, and he sighs.

Surely, these are the kinds of things he can see because it's him.

Thinking about it, Hayato can't help but feel exasperated.

"Himeko, where's Dad?"

"At the hospital. He said he's going to visit Mom."

"…I see. What about dinner?"

"Please, Onii-chan. I'm busy right now."

"Alright, alright."

Himeko was busy fiddling with her smartphone. Occasionally, a groan of "Uuuu" could be heard. He remembers how she was determined not to be seen as a country bumpkin before they moved.

She must have been subjected to the same baptism of fire as a transfer student as Hayato. She must be desperately trying to avoid making any mistakes and is researching various things.

"You should just say you're from the countryside from the start."

"Onii-chan, be quiet!"

Himeko has a bit of a prideful side, and she has made mistakes a few times because of it.

While looking at such a sister, Hayato checked the contents of the refrigerator.

(Leftover pork belly from the sale, scallions, bell peppers, Chinese cabbage, shiitake mushrooms...)

Hayato's lunch was just a piece of bread, so he was in the mood for something hearty.

First, he sliced the pork thinly, marinated it in a sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, and then added potato starch and sesame oil to blend it well.

While doing this, he chopped various vegetables. Since he was also cleaning out the refrigerator, the proportions were quite rough. He didn't forget to make a combined seasoning with oyster sauce, bean paste, soy sauce, and sake.

After stir-frying everything, he added the combined seasoning at the right time to complete a makeshift chow mein. Adding some instant miso soup to the rice would make it look quite colorful.

"Himeko, it's ready."

"Okay... Wait, wow."

"What's wrong?"

"As usual, you make something that looks like a drinking snack, Onii-chan."

"But isn't this just a regular dish?"

"I guess so."

In the countryside where there were few forms of entertainment, people would gather at someone's place for parties whenever possible.

Hayato was always called to make snacks and would receive pocket money. As a result, his repertoire of dishes was biased towards such things.

"Let's eat."

"Sure."

"Mmm, it goes well with rice, I might get fat! Oh, by the way, Onii-chan, do you know?"

"Hmm?"

"I just found out today... There are no coin rice mills around here."

"Really...?"

"Also, you can get to the nearest train station in just ten minutes."

"That's really the nearest station!"

The Mist Island siblings shuddered at the difference between the rural area of Tsunase and their new urban home.

It seems that not only Hayato but also his sister Himeko has been struggling with the gap since the start of her transfer.

"So, how is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did something good happen?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You're grinning."

"…Huh?"

Pointed out by Himeko, Hayato realizes for the first time that his cheeks are relaxed.

No matter what, the joy of reuniting with Haruki was clearly visible on his face, making him smile naturally.

"At school, I met Haruki."

"Wait, really, Haruki?!"

"And to my surprise, we're even sitting next to each other."

"Wow, that's amazing! What's Haruki like now?"

"Let me think..."

He recalls the childhood friend he met today.

In the past, she always wore shorts, a shirt, and a cap, her clothes always covered in mud, and her body full of scrapes. She looked like a typical rambunctious kid.

Now, she has long, lustrous hair that reaches her back, and her skin is completely unblemished, white, and clear. At first glance, she looks like a refined and gentle Japanese beauty.

But her mischievous smile is still the same as it was back then.

"She hasn't changed, Haruki is still Haruki. She's already making me owe her favors."

"Wow, really? I want to meet her too."

"Actually, she might have evolved from a monkey to a gorilla, she's become even stronger and more forceful."

"Ahaha, what's that?"

Then they talk about their mutual childhood friend, Haruki, and their shared memories come flooding back.

They made many "favors" for each other.

When the ice cream they split in half was uneven.

When they competed to see who could catch more cicadas.

When they played games like today.

They accumulated many "favors" and memories with each other.

That day, at the end of summer.

The days that seemed to go on forever suddenly collapsed.

The small promise they made that day is still alive and well.

Their heights, which used to be the same, now differ by a head.

Their hands, which used to be the same size, now differ by a round.

Even though they walk at the same speed, their strides have become different.

These differences that formed during the time they were apart.

But surely, they will become differences that don't matter.

The relationship they thought was over is about to begin again with the summer.

It was in the top 3 in the daily genre rankings! Thank you!

Please look forward to the next chapter.

By the way, the next update is scheduled for tomorrow morning.