A few days after the open campus, and summer break was half over. Next year I’d be an exam-prep student — no more relaxed summers.
My brother had been visibly low since the open-campus reveal, then caught a summer cold on top. Mom was nursing him.
“With Ayato like this, and you with a sudden business trip — going to Mom’s place in Kyoto as a family doesn’t seem possible this year.”
“Sorry…”
“So we don’t see Grandma and Grandpa this year?”
I joined Dad and Mom’s dinner conversation. We usually do an August family trip to Mom’s parents’ place in Kyoto. Not this year.
Sick Ayato can’t travel, Mom is nursing, Dad can’t decline the trip. Only I was free. I’d been looking forward to it — Dad spoke up.
“Letting no one go is rude to Grandma and Grandpa — Yuito, why don’t you go alone?”
“Yeah, they look forward to seeing their grandchild. Go, Yuito.”
“Got it — I will.”
I agreed. Solo travel would be lonely but also a first.
After dinner I went to my room and worked on summer homework. I’d been pacing it, so finishing wouldn’t be a problem, but with post-break tests looming, I wanted it done early.
”…Oh, it’s Kano-san.”
The ring on my phone made me stop. Kano-san called on impulse like this.
“Hello?”
“It’s a call from your beloved big sister — pick up more cheerfully.”
”…If there’s nothing important I’m hanging up, I’m busy?”
I retorted, slightly exasperated. She pouted audibly.
“Oh — talking to me like that. If you keep being cold I might accidentally mention to Suzuno about your childhood-friend ero-manga collection.”
“Please don’t!”
I would die of shame. Even gentle Suzuno would look at me like garbage.
“Anyway — how’s Ayato?”
“Still in bed with summer cold.”
“Suzuno’s been worrying — hope he recovers soon.”
“Yeah.”
I couldn’t see her face but she sounded worried. She’s said Ayato isn’t a romantic prospect, but she cares about him. The harsh words at the fireworks were because she did care — she ignores people she actually dislikes.
“With Ayato out, what about Kyoto? You can’t leave him.”
“Apparently I’m going solo. Dad got a sudden business trip too.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Yuito will be lonely solo — your big sister will accompany you.”
“Wait — didn’t you say you had plans with friends tomorrow?”
“LIMEd to cancel.”
“For real…”
(I hadn’t agreed yet and she’d cleared her schedule.)
“So! Tomorrow. Plan accordingly.”
“Wait —”
She hung up. Tokyo-to-Kyoto on Shinkansen is a lot of travel time — overnight. Did she realize?
“Well — overnight is overnight, at this point.”
After Hakone and the goukon love-hotel night, what’s another overnight.
“Mom won’t object.”
After my Hakone trip Mom airily approved my overnight with Kano — same outcome here.
(Has Mom registered that I might climb the adult stairs with Kano? Anyway, I went back to homework.)