The way home

“I want to at least thank Manami… maybe.”

On the way home, Aisa says something like that.

I think it’s probably best to let Manami know, too.

And maybe those guys as well…

“If it’s gonna come out anyway, I think it’s better to tell some of the others beforehand.”

“Yeah…”

To begin with, dating an idol who’s not just from our class but spans the whole school—there’s no way I can keep that hidden.

It feels like only a matter of time before the close-knit group finds out.

“But, like… it’s kind of embarrassing, right?”

Seeing Aisa blush while saying that was so cute it felt unfair.

“Well, we can think about that stuff later, I guess.”

“Yeah…”

Holding hands, we take the long way home, wandering a bit aimlessly.

“I mean, after the break, everyone at school’s gonna be talking about who Aisa went to the fireworks with, what you did this summer, or whether you ended up dating someone, right?”

“No way it’s like that.”

I couldn’t help but stare at Aisa, who genuinely seemed to believe that.

“Wait, seriously?”

“I mean, with all those invites and confessions, you didn’t think that?”

“But… I only cared about being liked by Kouki…”

“Haa…”

I love her too much.

But if she could just do something about that expression… No, it’s too late to say that now.

I should just be happy that we’re together like this.

“What do you want to do, Kouki?”

“Hm? About us dating?”

“Yeah…”

Let’s see…

“I don’t really want to stand out too much, maybe?”

Aisa’s so cute I’d love to shout it from the rooftops, but I’d rather avoid any disruptions to school life.

But my answer didn’t seem to sit well with Aisa.

“Hmph…”

“What’s that about…”

“Maybe I should just tell everyone…”

“Why the sudden change…”

For some reason, a pouty Aisa puffs out her cheeks.

She’s acting kind of childish right now, isn’t she? Not that it matters—she’s cute no matter what.

“I mean… if I don’t say it clearly, someone might steal you, Kouki.”

The way Aisa clings to my arm while saying that is so adorable it’s almost too much for me to handle.

“No way, no one’s gonna steal me!”

“That’s not true. You’re pretty popular, you know.”

“That’s news to me…”

Then why hasn’t anyone said anything until now…?

“Hmph! You look a little too happy about that!”

“Well, I mean, if I’m popular, that’s not bad…”

“I’m enough for you, right?!”

Despite her sulky expression, Aisa closes the physical distance between us with an almost aggressive clinginess.

“Okay, okay, no one’s taking me…”

“Hmph… you’re mine, Kouki…”

When she gets like this, she turns a bit childish for a while…

Guess I’ll pat her head.

“Hwa… I’ve always wanted you to do this…”

“Really?”

“I was always so jealous of Manami getting all the attention!”

“If you’d just asked, I’d do it as much as you—”

Before I could finish, I noticed Aisa’s expression twist into a frown again.

“What’s wrong?”

“You can’t just do it just because someone asked…”

“No one’s gonna ask, though.”

“…You can’t do it for anyone but me.”

“Yeah… of course.”

“Well… maybe Manami’s okay…”

She said it like it was a gut-wrenching concession.

“But right now, just pat me. I want more than Manami gets, or I won’t be happy.”

“Alright, alright.”

Every time I pat her, Aisa narrows her eyes happily, so cute I could keep doing it forever.

◇

“Welcome back! Both of you!”

“Huh? Manami…?”

When I walked Aisa home, for some reason, Manami was waiting at the front door.

“Ehe! I wanted to make some last-minute summer memories, too.”

And what Manami held up was…

“A handheld fireworks set?”

“Yup! I didn’t get to go to the fireworks festival, so…”

“Right…”

She was at a match on the day of the festival, wasn’t she? I can barely keep track of all the clubs she’s been helping out with.

“Clubs are fun and all, but I wanted to do this, too… Is that okay?”

No one here could possibly say no to that face.

“Of course it’s fine. Right, Kouki?”

“Yeah.”

“Yay!”

Smiling at Manami’s excitement, we both head toward her.

“Is that park okay?”

“Sounds good.”

“If we’re going, make sure to bring a bucket. Got a lighter?”

“All set!”

Manami proudly shows off her full fireworks kit.

But…

“That’s a no-go.”

“Ehh?! Why not?!”

“That’s way too big for a residential area!”

The handheld fireworks she showed first were fine, but the “Mega Explosion! Deluxe Giant Fireworks Set” she’s holding now? Yeah, we’re shutting that down.

We’d definitely get reported.

“Save that for another time.”

“Fiiine. Then you better take me somewhere fun, Kou-nii!”

Normally, I’d agree without a second thought, but now that Aisa’s my girlfriend… is it okay to go out with another girl, even if it’s my little sister?

Maybe Aisa picked up on my hesitation, because she smiled and whispered so only I could hear.

“It’s okay. The Kouki I fell for is the one who thinks about Manami a lot, too.”

That’s unfair…

“Besides, knowing Manami, she’ll insist on all three of us going together.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

I turn back to Manami to give her an answer.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want, so just stick with this for today.”

“Okay! And you’re coming too, right, Onee-chan?”

Manami slips between us, grabbing both our arms.

Aisa mouths a smug See? Told you without saying a word.

◇

“Wow! So pretty!”

“Don’t run around with lit fireworks!”

“Ehehe!”

The moment we got to the park, Manami couldn’t wait any longer—she lit a firework and started running around with it.

“Hey, Kouki.”

“Hm?”

While Manami’s engrossed in her fireworks, Aisa calls out to me.

“I think now’s a good time.”

“A good time…? Oh!”

To tell Manami, right…

Yeah, this does feel like the perfect moment.

“So, uh… who’s gonna say it?”

“Well…”

“I kind of want you to say it, Kouki…”

“No, but wouldn’t it be safer coming from you…”

Just then, Manami comes running back.

“Come on, you two, hurry up!”

“Alright, alright.”

The conversation gets sidetracked, and we end up just enjoying the fireworks.

“Kou-nii! Hold this!”

“Okay, okay… Wait, what’s this!?”

“It says it changes colors!”

“No, I mean, why’d you hand me five at once!?”

“Lighting them now!”

“Listen to me!”

For better or worse, Manami’s her usual self.

Well, of course she is.

The only thing that’s changed is us.

“Aisa! Take a couple!”

Holding five fireworks at once is blinding, and the smoke’s getting out of hand.

Manami lit my fireworks and immediately ran off with two in each hand, so she’s already gone.

“Uh… these?”

“Any of them, just take some!”

“Okay… ah…”

Our hands brush.

We’ve held hands plenty of times, even hugged earlier, but something as small as this still makes my heart race.

“Ah…”

While we’re caught up in that moment, all five fireworks burn out.

“Wanna do another?”

“Yeah…”

This time, we each take one, light them, and hold them carefully.

“Oh! Give me some fire, too!”

“Here ya go.”

Seeing us, Manami runs over and joins in.

“Ehehe! I’m glad I got to do fireworks too!”

“I’m glad you’re so happy, Manami.”

“Yeah.”

The three of us quietly enjoy the fireworks.

Without anyone saying much, we’re all captivated by the vibrant flames.

I might’ve spent about half the time stealing glances at Aisa, illuminated by their glow…

“Aww, we’re already out of fireworks, huh?”

Seems we had so much fun we used them all up without noticing.

“Last one’s this!”

With that, Manami pulls out some sparklers.

“Let’s all light them at the same time, okay?”

Manami says as she starts taking the sparklers out of the bag.

This is the last one… which means…

“Aisa, so who’s gonna…”

“Uh… umm…”

I whisper to Aisa, but of course, it’s not something we can decide so quickly.

“Alrighty! All set!”

“Thanks, Manami.”

“Here we go! I’m not gonna lose!”

Manami, full of enthusiasm, hands each of us a sparkler.

“Here we go!”

“Yup.”

“Ready.”

“On three!”

At Manami’s signal, we all bring our sparklers to the candle flame at once.

“Oh, mine’s lit!”

“Mine’s kinda… dull, huh?”

“It’ll probably get brighter in a bit!”

Manami’s sparkler is already crackling with beautiful sparks.

And mine…

“Is it just me, or does mine look like it’s about to go out?”

“Haha! It really does!”

“Hey, don’t shake it, idiot!”

For some reason, my sparkler isn’t throwing off sparks—just a big, wobbly fireball that’s practically on its last legs.

“Oh, Kouki, I just had a great idea.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“How about whoever’s sparkler goes out first has to confess?”

“That’s cheating!”

“Kyaa! Don’t shake it! It’ll go out!”

Thanks to this unfair game, I can’t afford to lose now.

I end up staring at my sparkler with deadly seriousness.

“You’re hanging in there…”

“Yours is about done too, isn’t it?”

Aisa’s and my sparklers are practically neck and neck.

While mine’s just quietly burning with a steady fireball and no sparks, Aisa’s has a massive fireball that looks like it could drop any second.

“You two are so weak!”

Manami’s sparkler, for some reason, keeps sparkling beautifully without any sign of going out.

“Why’s there such a gap…?”

“’Cause I’m not shaking mine!”

“That’s it…?”

“Heh heh heh! With my core strength, this is a piece of cake!”

“You’re using your athletic skills for this?”

Manami’s as impressive as ever…

Fine, I’ll accept I can’t beat Manami.

That aside, the real issue is Aisa.

“Come on, hang in there!”

I can’t help but cheer for my sparkler.

“I’m not losing…!”

Aisa grips her sparkler with a dead-serious expression.

Both of us are so focused on the fireworks in front of us.

So we don’t notice Manami turning toward us or opening her mouth.

By the time we do, her voice is already reaching us.

“Congratulations, you two.”

““Huh?””

Manami’s sudden words make Aisa and me look up at the same time.

Naturally, with our sparklers in such a precarious state, the movement…

““Ah…!””

“Haha! I win!”

The light from our sparklers vanishes.

The candle’s already burned out, leaving only Manami’s sparkler.

Her sparkler beautifully lights her up.

Bathed in that glow, Manami gives the softest smile I’ve ever seen and says again,

“Congratulations.”

“Uh…”

“Hehe. I knew the moment I saw you two come back.”

“I see…”

I meet Aisa’s eyes.

“So, um…”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks to Manami, I was able to properly tell Kouki I love him.”

“Ehehe! That’s awesome! So it was from you, Onee-chan?”

“No… it was…”

“I confessed first. But the situation pretty much helped me out, and Manami, you set up so many of those moments this summer.”

Manami’s sparkler has gone out by now too.

In the darkened park, I quietly thank her.

“So, thank you.”

“Ehehe.”

Manami smiles as always.

And then, in her usual tone, she says,

“I love you too, Kouki-nii.”

“Huh…”

“Not like family or friends—I mean, like wanting to be your girlfriend, wanting to marry you kind of love, you know?”

“Wha…”

I glance at Aisa, but she just urges me to listen.

“Ehehe. I said it.”

In the dark park, I can’t see Manami’s face.

“But, you know, I love Onee-chan just as much!”

“…Thanks.”

“So, seeing you two happy… it makes me… happy, wait? Happy… I should be happy, but…”

Manami’s voice turns into a sob.

“I’m sorry, okay? I really am happy for you… but… maybe just a little lonely too.”

Hearing that, Aisa and I, without a word, pull Manami into a hug.

“Ehehe… Kouki-nii, you can’t… do stuff like this anymore, okay?”

Aisa answers for Manami, who’s crying as she speaks.

“We won’t let you feel lonely. Not me, not Kouki.”

“Is that okay? I really, really love Kouki-nii, you know?”

“I know…”

“What if, by doing this, Kouki-nii starts liking me too…?”

“Ugh… that’s… I’ll trust Kouki… It will be fine. Probably… definitely…”

I kinda wish she’d said that with more confidence.

Seeing this, Manami stops crying and asks with a laugh,

“Is it okay if I stay close to you two?”

“Of course it is.”

“Obviously.”

No need to even think about it.

Aisa without Manami nearby? Unthinkable.

“And you’re still gonna be my tutor, right?”

“Of course.”

“And, um… can I still get head pats as a reward?”

“That’s… fine…”

Aisa seems to wrestle with it a bit.

“And, um… hugs too…”

“Well, you’d probably cling to us anyway, so…”

“What about lap pillows?”

“Those are off-limits until I get one!”

“Oh? You haven’t yet? Then hurry up and get one!”

For a split second, I swear Manami looked smug.

“Can I hold hands too?”

“You’d probably get lost if we didn’t, so… fine.”

“Ehehe.”

I can’t see her face clearly, but somehow, I can tell Manami’s making her usual mischievous expression.

Then, she says to Aisa,

“So, can I get a kiss too?”

“Sure… wait, what!? A kiss!?”

“You just said sure!”

“No way! No way! I haven’t even gotten one!”

“So, it’s okay after you get one, right?”

“That’s… well… ugh! Kouki, say something!”

“You’re putting this on me now!?”

I’m already squirming here.

“Haha. Okay! It’s all good!”

With that, Manami suddenly pulls away from us.

“Manami…?”

“I’ve always wanted you two to be together.”

“…Yeah.”

“But once you actually got together, I wasn’t sure what I should do.”

Manami speaks quietly.

“But now I get it. Even if you’re together, I can just be the same old me.”

“Duh, obviously.”

“Ehehe. Thanks, Onee-chan.”

Manami was smiling as usual, completely herself.

“But Onee-chan, I did warn you properly, didn’t I?”

“Warn me about what…?”

“That it’s okay if Kou-nii falls for me!”

With that, Manami launched herself at me with a whoosh.

I couldn’t dodge—not that I had much choice, she was just too fast…

“Ah!”

“Ehehe, Kou-nii! It’s a big hug, right?”

“Hey! Get off him, Manami!”

“Whaaat? But you said it was fine earlier!”

“That was… I mean… Kouki!?”

Aisa redirected her frustration at me, half-accusingly.

Sure, it was out of my control, but I still felt a bit guilty for not dodging her…

“Uh… sorry.”

“If you apologize, it makes it sound like something really bad happened!”

“Then what was I supposed to do!?”

“Hahaha!”

Whenever Manami was around, we were completely at her mercy.

“You two, congratulations!”

Saying it again, this time Manami grabbed both of us, pulling us into a tight hug—the exact opposite of before.

“Jeez… thanks, Manami.”

Aisa’s gentle smile showed what a truly great older sister she was.

“Thanks from me too, Manami.”

“Yup!”

Neither Aisa nor I could’ve handled a relationship that would’ve made Manami cry.

So seeing her laugh and celebrate like this—it was honestly such a relief.

“Oh, right!”

Still clinging to both me and Aisa, Manami piped up.

“I heard from Mom that Yuuki-kun’s transferring to our school starting next semester!”

“Yuuki…?”

The nostalgic name caught me by surprise.

Come to think of it, his name had come up briefly when we were taking care of her.

“Sounds like it’s gonna be fun! Even after summer break!”

Manami, who’d always been super attached to Yuuki, was clearly thrilled.

Honestly, I was pretty excited too.

That guy was my one and only childhood friend besides Aisa and Manami—and my only guy friend, at that.