Chapter I

A festival...which means... We could have a nighttime date...!

The entire last year replayed in Yuzu's mind and it was almost like reliving it. And it caused so many emotions that it started to replay itself again. Yuzu wished she could share this time of reflection with her sister. Their mother was in the kitchen. She was looking for or fiddling with something. "Mei, why don't we–"

But then she saw Mei already facing her. There were a pair of chopsticks holding a chunk of meat with noodles wrapped and hanging loose around it. "Open your mouth."

"Huh?" Yuzu's gaze shifted from the food to Mei. She was completely caught off guard by this, all the while the past replaying itself in her mind and hearing her mother's voice faintly in the background. And when Yuzu realized, yet another thing had been piled onto her large mental plate.

Why is Mei doing this? Now of all times! And with mother just ahead. All she has to do is turn around and she'll see this. Granted, mother probably won't automatically think we're being romantic, but still...

And at the same time Yuzu couldn't help but notice the expression on Mei's face. Although normally blank or highly focused, whenever they were together emotions were breaking through her serious, stoic exterior. Right now her face was turning sad, just like all those other times. And as much as Yuzu was fond of certain qualities, she didn't like how Mei expected quick, systematic responses. How many times did Mei instigate something and if Yuzu didn't react—and in the right way—Mei would change her mind? It sent confusing signals that was driving Yuzu insane. And yet, she was determined to develop and maintain some type of relationship with her stepsister.

Yuzu—realizing enough seconds had passed, and also keeping in mind their mother could return to the table at any moment—opened wide and accepted the offered bite. The sad expression turned to surprise and possibly happiness in Mei's purple gemlike eyes. But it was short lived as she quickly turned away when mother cried out something exciting and returned to the dining table.

And even when mother specifically addressed her in a comment about something, Yuzu was able to find contentment as she continued to chew on the bite Mei had offered. In fact, part of Yuzu wished they could feed each other.

Maybe the next time it's just the two of us...

And like before, that wasn't the only surprise that day. Shortly after finishing dinner and cleaning up, Yuzu decided a relaxing bath would help calm her nerves. After rinsing herself off in the shower, she stepped into the tub only to hear the bathroom door open.

Some part of her already knew who it was, and yet she looked surprised. Mei—covered only by a thin towel wrapped around her body—stood there and all Yuzu could think was how beautiful she looked.

"Is it alright if I join you?"

Yuzu heard herself respond instantly, "S-sure."

She moved to one end of the tub to make room and kept her head low, but heard Mei slip inside with such grace. They kept their distance and barely glanced at one another. The entire time Yuzu's heart kept beating fast and sounded so loud she was worried Mei might be able to hear it. But Mei still kept her head turned away, which was weird. Part of Yuzu's mind was trying to rationalizing this. They were sisters, so what was the big deal. And the other part of her mind responded with, You're both teenage girls. What teenage girls bathe together? Not to mention you're technically dating!

The other side then responded with, But couples who date share things. Probably even baths. So what's the big deal?

The big deal is, is...is...

It was like a war was going on inside Yuzu's mind. She couldn't stick to one train of thought. She turned just slightly to see Mei, who was still focusing on the wall next to her.

Well, since we're together like this then I'm going to observe Mei. Just like Shirapon-senpai.

Yuzu tried to be subtle as she slowly turned to take Mei in. But all Yuzu could think about was how beautiful Mei looked. Her smooth radiant skin, her silky black straight long hair, her purple gemlike eyes... Even when Mei shifted her gaze to her own knees and squeezed her arms, all Yuzu could take from that was that something was causing Mei to be tense.

And that could be all kinds of things...

As nervous as Yuzu was about everything, she hated that it had to be like this. She hated that the two couldn't just come out and say things or talk things out. And part of that problem was how Mei's personality was. She was more secure than a government vault. And yet despite all of this, Yuzu still had intense feelings and a special place in her heart for Mei.

Awkwardly, Yuzu said she was finished, stepped out and quickly grabbed the towel. She felt very self-conscious and hoped Mei didn't look up, although there was that one time Yuzu had seen Mei's natural bare form. The moment was still fresh in Yuzu's mind, of randomly talking about opening a letter Mei had received from her father. In actuality, Yuzu just wanted something to talk about and possible tease Mei with in a benign way. Never did Yuzu imagine Mei would react so strongly and not even care that she was exposing herself after being in the bath. This had proven to Yuzu the extreme issues Mei had with her father.

Yuzu quickly left to put on a fresh change of clothes and once feeling comfortable heard Mei come into the room with the same intentions. Yuzu quickly returned to the bathroom to brush and dry her hair. And now that it was late, turning in for the night seemed the only thing to do. When she returned to the room Mei was already on her side of the bed, either asleep or about to be.

Sleep alluded Yuzu and with the quiet of the night her mind seemed out of control. She didn't understand why all of this was happening. For a moment Yuzu began to wish for her old life back. Back when the most concerning issue was when she'd finally have a boyfriend or how to keep up with the latest styles. What she was dealing with now was far more than most teenage girls were used to. At least one like her. Yuzu did known of certain girls having to deal with pregnancies and whether or not to stay in school or if the boy in question would stay with them. It was something Yuzu had kept in mind for herself. She knew she wasn't ready for anything like that. At times just taking care of herself and her mother was a job in itself.

But that wasn't the issue here. This new life was unlike anything she could have imagined. Having these strange and intense feelings for someone—let alone her stepsister—then unsure of how to pursue a relationship and how to keep it a secret. Especially when part of her didn't want to. When Yuzu was out in public and saw couples together she always wanted to be seen in the same way. She wanted the entire world to know she had finally found someone and wasn't ashamed to express it with hand holding, a hug, or even a kiss.

Not that I'm ashamed to feel this way towards Mei...

Yuzu just wished things were different and yet not. Maybe stay as they are, but with no issue from society.

That was when tonight's dinner replayed in Yuzu's mind. What had Mei been thinking when she offered to feed Yuzu. Even if it was just one bite, their mother could have seen her. She may not have concluded that meant they had romantic feelings for each other, but Yuzu still wanted to keep things inconspicuous for both of their safety.

Yuzu suddenly felt Mei shift on her side of the bed and before really thinking heard herself speak. "Hey Mei. What's up with you today? Doing something like that in front of mama... Getting in the bath with me..."

Mei didn't respond right away and for a moment Yuzu thought Mei would ignore her. But then she completely turned to face Yuzu. "What do you think?"

"Well..." Yuzu realized this was another quality she wasn't fond of: deflection. Rather than answering questions, Mei always repeated them or changed the subject. Yuzu then quickly turned away, pulling a Mei move. "I have no idea. That's why I asked!"

Yuzu was so focused on waiting for an answer and partly expected to either get no response or a vague answer that she didn't notice Mei's arms were wrapped around her waist. Yuzu also felt more warm than usual and then realized what was happening.

She's...she's actually...holding me!

Yuzu couldn't believe what was happening. Yes, they had kissed several times and touched hands, but what was this? Why was this happening? Suddenly images of the first time meeting when Mei had probed her body for her cell phone flashed in her mind. The same sensations as before returned as well. Mei was touching her and those nerve sensations were sending signals into Yuzu's brain.

"So..." Mei's voice snapped Yuzu out of the dazed spell. "So I'm trying to figure it out."

Mei was now burying her face against Yuzu's back causing her heart to start racing again. And Yuzu knew Mei had to hear it, if not feel her heartbeat with her practically on top of her.

No, not on top! No, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant...she's so...close...

Yuzu started to feel very self conscious and yet a part of her took a certain amount of pleasure from this. The synapses in her brain were going off like fireworks.

Suddenly Yuzu remembered...

She jolted up. "Oh! Oh that's right! The summer festival!" Since dinner Yuzu had completely forgot, which was funny since learning about the festival is what caused her mind to be in such a whirlwind. "Let's go and wear our yukata together! It's summer break, so we can wear our rings too!"

"That's right..." Mei's voice seemed to drop as if disappointed by something. But Yuzu didn't get a chance to ask. "I'm looking forward to it. Good night."

Seriously? Would it kill her to show some enthusiasm?

"G-good night," Yuzu heard herself say, as though it lacked any emotion...more like an automated response.

She is sooooo not rubbing off on me! were Yuzu's thoughts before drifting to sleep.