Chapter 5: Chasing the Morning

It was as if I had fallen into the illusion that a doll had come to life.
Glossy black hair that reached down her back. Skin as white as snow with a slight blush on her cheeks. A tight white dress that seemed to emphasize the fullness of her chest. She was about a head shorter than me.
She had the air of a delicate, unfortunate beauty, but there was definitely a trace of that spoiled child in her.

“Yo.”

The large eyes peeking from behind her glasses trembled with surprise and confusion, and her mouth, which opened with an “Ah…,” showed no sign of closing.

Heh heh heh, looks like the surprise was a success.

I see, no wonder Hanayoshi-san went full doting parent mode. Who would’ve thought that little brat would grow into such a refined Japanese beauty?

Memories of Asaka came flooding back like a slideshow.

“Long time no see—”

And just as I took a step forward, it happened.

With a dash, the sound of kicking the ground rang out, and Asaka vanished from my sight.

“Huh?”

She leapt from the porch of the entrance and ran toward the back of the villa.

“Huh? What?”

The suddenness of it all left my brain struggling to process the situation.

What’s going on?
Why did she start running…
Like she’s trying to escape…

“Hey, wait!”

My body moved before I could think.

I chased after her, a step behind.

Asaka darted into the woods behind the villa.

“Hey, Asaka!”

Maybe she didn’t recognize me. A strange guy suddenly showing up at her door might’ve made her feel threatened…

Chasing her white back through the difficult terrain of the forest, I shouted,

“It’s me, Yuu Aritsuki!”

As if my voice had reached her, Asaka paused for a moment but then started running again.

“Asaka?”

With no idea what was happening, I kept chasing her.

“And man, she’s fast!”

Why?
Why is Yuu-nii here?

“Asaka!”

“Haa, haa.”

That carefree vibe.
The warm voice calling my name.
And those gentle eyes.
The image of Yuu-nii from my memories hasn’t changed at all… I, I…

“Haa, haa.”

My chest feels hot inside.
The memories from back then come back vividly.
Going to the pool together, helping me with my summer project, watching fireworks, staying over together, celebrating Yuu-nii’s birthday with everyone…

“Haa, haa.”

“Wait for me!”

The only person who knows I’m here is Dad. Which means Dad must’ve meddled and called Yuu-nii here.

Such an unnecessary interference.

I, I—
I don’t want to see him.

“Don’t come after me!”

Eventually, the forest gave way, and my vision was dyed blue.

“Ah!”

There was a cliff ahead.

I stopped at the cliff’s edge. A few seconds later, Yuu-nii caught up.

“Asaka, it’s me. Don’t you remember?”

“…”

The wind blowing in from the sea tousled my hair.
A clear blue sky, the complete opposite of the turmoil in my heart, stretched out before me.
All sorts of emotions swirled inside my chest.

“It’s Yuu Aritsuki. I thought I’d surprise you, so with Hanayoshi-san—”

“Please go back home, Aritsuki-san.”

My voice came out colder than I expected, surprising even myself.

“Huh?”

“If you come any closer, I’ll jump off this cliff.”

“If you come any closer, I’ll jump off this cliff.”

“Huh? Wait, hold on a second.”

I couldn’t make sense of the situation.
She seems to remember me. But this cold attitude…
What’s going on? Is she mad that I didn’t come back for ten years?
Calling me “Aritsuki-san” so formally, like I’m a stranger…

“I know I messed up by not coming back even once after going to Tokyo. But there were circumstances—”

“I’ll say it again. Please, just go back home, Aritsuki-san.”

“…Asaka?”

It wasn’t an angry tone. Her trembling voice, as if she was suppressing her emotions, felt more like…

“Please stay the beautiful person you are.”

“…What do you mean? Why are you running from me?”

“To me, you’re someone who exists in my memories. The last bastion of my memories.”

“Memories?”

“Once memories are tainted, they can never be taken back.”

“Did something happen?”

“…”

“…”

The sound of waves crashing against the rocks below echoed every few seconds.
The drop to the sea was easily thirty meters. I wanted to find an opening to pull Asaka back to safety, but…
As I tried to lift my foot quietly, Asaka’s body twitched slightly.

“I told you not to come closer.”

“It’s dangerous. Let’s talk over there. Come back.”

“If you leave, I’ll go back too.”

I couldn’t understand why she was rejecting me so fiercely or what her true intentions were.
The sound of the wind and the waves lingered in my ears.

How much time had passed?
It was Asaka who broke the silence that felt like an eternity.

“My mom said something.”

“Your mom?”

I had never met Asaka’s mother, even ten years ago.
I only learned after returning to Fujinomiya that she had passed away in an accident a few years back.

“You know my grandfather had dementia, right? Because of the exhaustion from caregiving… one day, my mom said something about him.”

Her voice trembled, as if she might break into tears at any moment, as she whispered, “Just die already.”

“I couldn’t believe my mom would say something like that. It was painful, sad, and then she died in a car accident right after. My mom was such a beautiful person to me, I loved her so much, but now when I think of her, all I can see is her muttering ‘Just die already.’ There were so many memories with her, but they’re all tainted, and I can’t see them anymore.”

“Memories… getting tainted.”

“Even when bad things happened, even when things were tough, I held on by relying on the memories of my childhood with you. But at some point, leaning on the past like that… I stopped feeling joy in the ‘now.’”

At that moment, I noticed small water droplets dotting the ground at her feet.

“That’s why I can’t afford to lose the memories I have with you. To me, memories are the most precious thing. If I lose them, I’ll never get them back. If I lose them, there’ll be no meaning to my life.”

Asaka shouted.

“That’s why I don’t want to see you!”

“…I see.”

I could understand, somewhat.
With time, most things change.
Be it people or objects, nothing stays the same forever.
And the idea that those changes could become irreversible was unbearable to her.

As you grow into an adult, people get tainted. When I entered the workforce and realized the world doesn’t run on just ideals, I was shocked too.
I’ve felt anger at people who casually direct malice at others.

If I, if my humanity had changed that way, she wouldn’t be able to look back on our memories with pure feelings anymore.
That’s what it was.

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“If I’d come back from Tokyo sooner and stayed by your side, maybe I could’ve supported you.”

“…Saying that now doesn’t help.”

“I leaned on the memories with you guys to get through those ten years, but in the end, I broke down, got sick of life in Tokyo… and ran away.”

“…”

“Back then, I hated myself, thinking I was a weakling, but now I believe that choice wasn’t wrong. You should face challenges, but it’s okay to run from things that are painful or bad. Enduring that kind of stuff gets you nothing. It just wears down your heart.”

“…”

“If you hate me, then go ahead and keep running from me.”

“…”

I took a deep breath and said,

“Do you hate me?”

“Aritsuki-san, that’s not the point. I don’t want to see you because I don’t want to end up hating you.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“You’re not gonna call me Yuu-nii anymore?”

“…!”

“…”

“…”
“…”
“…That’s not fair.”

Asaka turned around and threw herself into my arms as if propelled. Her tear-soaked face buried itself in my chest.

“Yuu-nii.”

“Asaka.”

As I held Asaka, tears suddenly welled up in my eyes. She buried her face in my chest, crying like a child.

“I missed you, so much, so much… Waaah!”

“It was tough being alone, wasn’t it?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for saying such awful things.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m the one who should apologize for not coming to see you for ten years.”

“Please don’t leave me alone anymore.”

For a while, Asaka and I held each other, crying, as if releasing the emotions that had built up over ten years.

When the tears finally subsided, Asaka suddenly spoke.

“Yuu-nii, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t find any joy in living. So—”

Still pressing her face against my chest, Asaka continued.

“Can I make you my reason for living?”

2

“Ugh, ughn.”

The cicadas’ cries are loud.

Morning already, huh?

My blurry vision gradually sharpened as the morning sunlight streamed through the window.

It’s a bit chilly, probably because the air conditioning is still on. The room is filled with cool air.

Huh?

Air conditioning?

My room doesn’t have an AC unit…

For a moment, I couldn’t figure out where I was. A few seconds later, I realized this was the Gendoji family’s villa.

Right, right. I came to this villa yesterday, went out to eat Chinese food with Hanayoshi-san and Asaka, and stayed the night.

“Hm?”

I felt an odd pressure and warmth inside the blankets.

The comforter was unnaturally puffed up.

Looking closely, it was rising and falling slightly, as if breathing.

“…”

No way, right?

I cautiously lifted the blanket.

“Ah!”

Asaka was inside.

Resting her face on my chest, she was sleeping soundly, breathing contentedly.

“W-Why?”

I’m pretty sure I went to bed alone last night. When did she…

No, more shocking than that was Asaka’s outfit. Just a thin camisole and underwear—what an outrageous getup. The heat from her large chest pressing against my abdomen nearly made me lose my senses for a moment.

Tch, this is bad.

And this soft sensation—could she be… no bra—

The blood in my body started rushing downward.

This is bad. I quickly pictured my dad naked to counteract the excitement.

Phew, that was close.

“Hey, Asaka, wake up.”

I patted her small back. Her skin was flawless, like silk.

“Asaka.”

“Uhn? Oh, Yuu-nii. Good morning.”

She let out a sweet, sleepy voice and snuggled even closer.

“What are you doing? Seriously.”

“I just wanted to sleep with Yuu-nii. Ehehe, it reminds me of when we were kids.”

Without a hint of guilt, Asaka stayed wrapped around me, refusing to move.

The faint, sweet scent of flowers and her body warmth were shaking my rationality.

“Yuu-nii, you’re so warm.”

“We’re adults now, so this kind of thing—”

My words stopped short.

Asaka was looking up at me with teary eyes.

“Do you… hate me?”

“…Of course not.”

“Ehehe, then I’ll do what I want, okay?”

For a while after that, Asaka wouldn’t let go of me.

Even after ten years, she’s still such a clingy kid, huh?

Yesterday, Asaka asked me if she could make me her reason for living.

She probably needs a mental anchor right now. She couldn’t find joy in the present and had been relying on memories as her support.

If I can fill that role for her, I’m willing to step up for my cute little sister figure. Besides, I had a gut feeling that if I’d rejected her back there, she might’ve actually jumped off that cliff.

So I told her,

“Do whatever you want, Asaka.”

That said, I didn’t expect she’d cling to me like this, just like when we were kids…

What was fine back then because we were children feels completely inappropriate now. Back then, it was a high schooler and an elementary school kid, like a wholesome sibling relationship. But now, it’s a grown man and a high school girl. Isn’t this half a crime?

“Asaka, it’s about time to get up. I want to take a shower.”

“Yes, got it.”

I headed to the bathroom. As expected of a rich family’s villa—each room even has its own private bathroom. Impressive.

“Wait a sec, Asaka.”

“Yes?”

She looked at me with innocent eyes.

“Why are you following me?”

“I thought I’d wash your back.”

She said it with a bright smile.

“Wash my back…?”

Her camisole-and-underwear look was already hard to deal with.

“No, I’m good.”

“Don’t be shy.”

“It’s not about being shy… I’m just taking a shower… Wait!”

If I refused her here, she might think I’m rejecting her. Asaka’s always been sensitive about that kind of thing. In that case…

“Asaka, I’m actually pretty hungry. Could you check if breakfast is ready? Can I count on you?”

“Yes, got it!”

Asaka scampered off.

“Hey, put some clothes on!”

“Okay!”

“Jeez.”

After safely taking a shower and getting ready, Hanayoshi-san showed up. His pale face suggested a hangover.

“Hey, good morning.”

His voice sounded more muffled than usual.

“Good morning.”

“Man, I drank too much last night. My head’s still pounding.”

“You okay?”

“You’re looking sharp, Yuu-kun.”

“I drank in moderation.”

Last night, I drank with Hanayoshi-san until late. Asaka was there too, but of course, she didn’t touch any alcohol. I ended up keeping her up late with our old-man drinking session.

“I’m gonna take it easy today. I’m leaving Asaka to you. She seems thrilled to see you again after so long.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Alright then.”

In any case, I managed to reunite with Asaka safely.

Finally reuniting with all three of those little brats made it feel like I’ve really come back.

Well, technically, this is Shonan.

My heart feels light.

It’s like I’ve sprouted wings. The gloom that weighed me down until yesterday feels like a lie.

Everything I see looks fresh, as if I’m seeing colors for the first time. The world is vibrant.

“Hum hum, hum hum.”

With light steps, I skipped down the hallway and returned to Yuu-nii’s room.

“Yuu-nii, breakfast is almost ready!”

“Got it.”

Just seeing Yuu-nii fills my heart. Touching him feels like happiness is pouring into my entire being.

I took Yuu-nii’s hand and wrapped it in both of mine. His large, rugged hand. The hand that’s always patted me, my favorite hand.

“What’s up, Asaka?”

“Nothing.”

I was so happy in that moment, I wished it could last forever.

I had rejected meeting him so fiercely, but now I can’t imagine a life without Yuu-nii.

I’ll live for this person.

He’s my reason for living.

I reaffirmed that thought.

“Phew.”

After finishing my post-breakfast coffee, I was lounging on the living room sofa when Asaka came over.

I thought she’d sit next to me, but instead, she flopped onto the sofa and rested her head on my lap.

“Yuu-nii.”

“Hey, Asaka, you’re a high schooler now, aren’t you?”

“Ehehe, but it’s been so long.”

I don’t think we even did this ten years ago…

“You’re hopeless.”

“I’ve always wanted to do this. Yuu-nii, don’t go anywhere, okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll stay by your side.”

“If you disappear on your own, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”

“Hahaha, that’s scary.”

Asaka’s learned to joke around, huh?

“You’re coming back to Shizuoka for summer break, right, Asaka?”

“Yes! I’m already looking forward to spending summer break with the four of us!”

Asaka took off her glasses and placed them on the table.

“Yuu-nii, pat me.”

“You’re really like a dog or a cat.”

I was surprised that the tiny Asaka had grown into a doll-like beauty, but her personality hasn’t changed much.

Mahiru, for instance, retained some of her bratty energy from childhood but grew into someone dependable at her core. Asaka, though, feels like she’s stayed a child in both good and bad ways.

She must’ve been so trapped by her memories.

I’m happy that she cherished our memories so much that they became her emotional support, but knowing that they’ve held her back for ten years leaves me with mixed feelings.

When I was about to reunite with Miya, I misunderstood and thought she’d turned into a full-on gyaru or delinquent, and I got scared to meet her. So I understand how Asaka feels.

Accepting change takes a lot of courage.

As I stroked her glossy hair, Asaka buried her face in my stomach and wrapped her arms around my waist, clinging to me.

“Whoa, Asaka, this position’s not good.”

It could easily be misinterpreted by anyone watching.

“What’s wrong?”

Her voice and breath sank into my lower abdomen.

“What’s wrong, you say…”

I pictured my dad’s and Hanayoshi-san’s naked bodies to counteract the excitement.

“Ufufu, Yuu-nii.”

At that moment, I saw a silhouette beyond the frosted glass door. Oh no, that’s Hanayoshi-san’s outline. If he saw this, he might get the wrong idea again.

Memories of our wrestling games flashed through my mind.

The moment the door creaked open—Asaka sprang away from me like repelling magnets and sat back on the sofa with a composed expression.

“Oh, you’re both here.”

Asaka put her glasses back on and said,

“Dad, you just woke up? It’s already ten.”

“My hangover’s killing me.”

“You should sleep more. Yuu-nii, let’s go.”

Asaka pulled me by the hand, and we went outside.

The private beach of the Gendoji family was located at the foot of the hill where the villa stood. The waves lapping at the white sand sparkled under the sunlight. A yacht floated on the horizon where the blue sky met the sea.

“Beautiful ocean, huh?”

Looking up at the hill on my left, I could see the edge of the cliff where I reunited with Asaka yesterday. Falling from that height would almost certainly be fatal.

Asaka took off her sandals and lifted the hem of her white dress as she waded into the sea. Her pale legs were exposed up to her thighs, and I quickly averted my eyes.

“Eek, it’s cold!”

Splashing through the water, Asaka ventured further in.

“Come on, Yuu-nii!”

“No choice, huh?”

Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I played at the beach. I didn’t have a swimsuit, so I couldn’t go all out. I tried to catch up to Asaka, but she kept moving further ahead.

“Hey, don’t go too deep!”

“I know, I know—ah!”

Maybe she tripped on the sand, but Asaka lost her balance.

“Told you so.”

I rushed forward and grabbed her hand.

“Hold on!”

“W-Wah!”

Asaka fell toward me, and with the unstable sandy footing, I ended up falling with her.

We both got completely soaked.

“Hey, you okay? No injuries?”

“I’m fine.”

“Jeez—!”

Her white dress was drenched, and her light blue underwear was visible through it. The thin fabric clung to the curves of her chest.

“Yuu-nii? What’s wrong?”

“C-Cover your front. It’s see-through!”

“Oh… Yuu-nii, you perv.”

“It’s not my fault!”

We were both soaked in seawater. I’d need to take a bath and wash these clothes.

“Asaka, is there a washing machine in the villa?”

“Yes, there is.”

There was a stone staircase carved into the cliff leading from the villa to the beach. After climbing the steep steps, we entered the villa through the back door.

“Yuu-nii, why don’t you use the open-air bath?”

“There’s one of those?”

“Yes, with this weather, you’ll get a great view of the ocean. This way.”

Asaka led me to an outdoor bath on the second floor.

The ground was covered with gravel, and the stone bathtub, styled like a hot spring, was already filled with water. Looking toward the sea, there was a gap in the trees, offering a clear view of the blue ocean.

The contrast of green and blue was soothing to the eyes.

“Wow.”

“Put your wet clothes in the basket over there. I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”

“Thanks.”

After Asaka left, I stripped down, rinsed off the seawater with the shower, and jumped into the bath.

“Ooh.”

This feels amazing.

Soaking in the bath while enjoying the natural scenery was more relaxing than I’d expected.

This could become addictive. I stretched out, letting myself relax completely.

A bird flew across the blue sky.

Pure bliss.

Then, I heard a rattling sound and the patter of footsteps.

“I brought your change of clothes.”

Asaka’s voice.

“Thanks.”

“The clothes are in the wash. There’s a dryer too, so they’ll be dry soon.”

“Thanks again.”

“How’s the water?”

“It’s perfect.”

“Good. Then I’ll join you.”

With a splash, ripples spread across the water.

“…Huh?”

3

Inside Moonlight Terrace. Another day of test studying. Apparently, Yuu-nii’s coming back tonight.

“Asaka must’ve been shocked.”

When I said that, Mahiru stopped her mechanical pencil and replied,

“It was a total surprise, after all.”

“Asaka’s been wanting to see him forever.”

“She might be clinging to him like when we were kids.”

“No way, not a chance. She’s grown up now.”

Asaka’s the type to step back and see the big picture, so I bet Yuu-nii was surprised by her maturity.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Exactly.”

That might’ve happened when we were kids, but not with the Asaka of today.

“Hahaha.”

“Come to think of it, that villa has a beach, right?”

Mahiru said, as if suddenly remembering.

A few years ago, Mahiru and I went to the Shonan villa to hang out. I’m not great at swimming, but I love playing by the water.

We had fun with just the three of us back then.

“They might be swimming already, just the two of them.”

The blue sea, white clouds, and scorching sand.

With the sea breeze and cicadas’ songs as BGM, swimming, playing, eating…

Just thinking about it gets me excited. Especially since Yuu-nii’s here this year.

“Ugh, I’m jealous. I wanna swim too.”

Mahiru propped her elbows on the table, resting her face in her hands.

“Focus, Mahiru, your hand’s stopped. We’ve gotta get through this test before summer break.”

“I know, I know. But your face is looking pretty slack too, Miya.”

“N-No, it’s not… What even is a ‘slack face’!?”

“Hey, mister, another cola!”

Summer break’s gonna be awesome!

“Huh?”

Her pale skin sank into the water.

“This feels nice.”

Our shoulders touched, and a warmth hotter than the bathwater sparked there.

“A-Asaka?”

I quickly covered my front with my hands.

“Y-You, y-you!”

I was covering myself with a towel, but once in the bath, it floated loosely, barely hiding anything.

“We used to bathe together as kids, didn’t we? Don’t you remember?”

That stormy night when I stayed over at the Gendoji house, I did take a bath with Asaka, but…

“Yeah, but, but!”

Back then, Asaka was wearing a swimsuit, but now it’s just a single piece of cloth.

“I’m doing what I want. You already gave me your word.”

She wrapped her arms around mine, pressing closer, and a soft sensation hit me.

“—!”

Then Asaka climbed onto my lap, leaning her body against mine. Without clothes, the sensation came through directly.

Her long hair was tied up, exposing her pale nape.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“I’m not letting go.”

She wrapped her arms around my back, her face at my neck.

I’d only been in the bath for five minutes, but my head was already spinning.

“Yuu-nii, you’re leaving today, right? We won’t see each other for a while, so…”

Asaka brought her lips to my neck.

“Asaka?”

A small chuu sound came from my neck.

“I love your scent, Yuu-nii. It hasn’t changed.”

I desperately pictured every old man’s naked body I’d ever seen. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

Asaka just looks up to me as a big brother figure. Getting any weird ideas about my little sister figure is absolutely not okay.

The faint scent of Asaka and the steamy heat enveloping my body made my head spin.

“A-Asaka…”

“Yuu-nii, you’re my only reason for living. You’re my everything. So, I’ll give everything to you. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I… I’m yours—”

My memory cuts off there.

“—!”

When I came to, I was lying on the living room sofa.

“H-Huh?”

“Oh, you’re awake.”

Hanayoshi-san, sitting on the opposite sofa, called out to me.

“Huh? What? Why…”

“Passing out from the heat? Maybe you were hungover after all, Yuu-kun. If Asaka hadn’t checked on you, it could’ve been dangerous.”

“Ha, sorry about that.”

Apparently, I fainted from the heat. I vaguely remember being in the bath with Asaka—or rather, her joining me one-sidedly…

“Yuu-nii, here’s some water.”

Asaka came from the kitchen holding a glass.

“Oh, thanks.”

The cold water felt refreshing in my throat.

“Yuu-nii.”

Asaka leaned closer to me and whispered,

“It’s a secret that we were in the bath together, okay?”

“…”

So I really was in the bath with Asaka.

Even if we’re close, bathing with a high school girl is practically a crime, isn’t it?

Mahiru and Asaka both need to have a bit more sense of propriety. Though with Asaka, she might just be acting the same way she did as a kid.

Come to think of it, right before I passed out, I feel like Asaka said something, but I can’t recall what it was.

I couldn’t exactly ask about it in front of Hanayoshi-san, so I spent the rest of the day feeling restless.

For dinner, thanks to Hanayoshi-san’s arrangements, we enjoyed a barbecue on the beach.

We gathered around the grill, watching the sunset sink below the horizon.

“Yuu-nii, have one.”

Asaka handed me a can of beer.

“Oh, thanks… Wait, I’m not drinking. I’m driving back today.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

“Asaka, your dad will take one.”

“Get it yourself.”

“Oh, uh, okay.”

As I transferred some meat to a plate, Asaka came closer and opened her mouth wide. An “ahh,” like she wanted me to feed her. She’s not a kid anymore, jeez.

“Here, it’s hot.”

“Nom.”

The way she licked the sauce off her lips with her tongue was oddly seductive.

Her lips…?

Suddenly, I felt a hot sensation at my neck, like a memory resurfacing.

“What’s wrong, Yuu-nii?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

After dinner, I started getting ready to leave.

“Well, I’m heading out.”

“Okay.”

“Take care.”

“Thanks for having me.”

I got into my Civic and started the engine. It was a short but intense two days.

A lot happened, but I’m glad I got to see Asaka again after ten years.

“See ya.”

When I opened the window, Asaka poked her head in. Her sweet scent tickled my nose.

“Yuu-nii, it was fun.”

“Yeah, let’s hang out again during summer break.”

“Yes. Thank you for coming to see me. I don’t think I would’ve ever had the courage to reach out myself.”

“Then next time, you come see me, okay?”

“Yes, definitely.”

Asaka pulled away reluctantly.

Her lonely expression brought back memories of the young Asaka. That sad face she always had when we said goodbye…

Even though we’d see each other again the next day, Asaka always looked so lonely when we parted.

“Alright, see you later.”

I drove off, leaving the Gendoji family’s villa behind.

“Oh!”

After getting on the Tomei Expressway, I realized I was still wearing the clothes Asaka lent me.

I forgot my own clothes at the Gendoji villa too.

“…Oh well.”

I can return them next time we meet.

I sped through the night highway.

Asaka’s sweet lingering scent filled the car.

Yuu-nii went back home without changing his clothes.

I went through the trouble of washing them.

His shirt, pants, and even his underwear…

“…Ha.”

Yuu-nii’s scent fills my nose.

“I love you.”

I’m so, so happy.