I’d flagged staff that cola had come instead of cola-hai. The store manager came rushing out apologizing. Lunch was on the house — fine, but Kano was now visibly buzzed and her teasing dial had cranked up.
“Yuito — taking your big sister out for that.”
“Not a planned setup.”
“There’s a 3-hour cheap stay place near here — drop in on the way home?”
“We’re not stopping by.”
“Boring.”
This was the vibe now. Cola and cola-hai taste different — I’m surprised she chugged it without flagging. Then again — at 18 she’d never tasted alcohol; she might not have recognized it.
“So when are you going to answer my confession?”
“Soon. Promise — wait a little longer.”
“I’ll go pick up a marriage form.”
“That’s too far.”
(She’s pushing further with the alcohol — but this is her real feeling.)
(My answer is essentially formed. The something different I’d felt about my Kano-feelings vs my Suzuno-feelings — I finally cracked it.)
I’d noticed: I’m uncannily like Suzuno. We both have high-spec older siblings whose shadows we live in. Same dynamic, same place in our families.
(I’d unconsciously seen Suzuno as someone I could be around without feeling inferior. What I’d called romantic feelings was more like the comfort of being on equal footing with someone shaped by the same dynamic.)
It needs verification — but it doesn’t feel far off.
“Took me this long to notice — I’m still naive…”
“Oh — finally noticed what? Big sister’s overflowing charm?”
“Years of friendship — already know your charms.”
“Oh — plenty of them, you say. Then let’s talk about it tonight at a place that takes both short stay and overnight.”
“You really cannot drop the take-me-home angle.”
(Maybe it’s the alcohol but she’s even more direct than usual today. If she remembers it sober she’ll mortify herself.)
“It’s hot in here, no?”
“You’re drunk — the AC’s fine.”
“Then I’ll adjust my own temperature.”
“H-hey, what?!”
“Just taking clothes off.”
“No.”
I full-bodied stopped her from undressing.
“It’s a private room — only you’d see.”
“Not the point — and staff could walk in.”
“Oh — right.”
(She’d absolutely never do this sober. Alcohol destroys her judgment. Should never let her drink again.)