During Anthology 1 Yukino Side, the last chapter

One's activities at home was a common conversation topic. It was a gap filler that frequently came up when conversing with classmates and other distant acquaintances. Such a topic had familiar and relatable elements for all speakers and listeners. After all, no one I regularly spoke with had no place to return to at the end of the day.

Because of the sameness, one would think that reactions to each other's expositions of their home life would consist of either knowing nods or subdued surprise at deviations from the norm. My own experiences at home were quite normal, lacking even in deviations. Yet, when recounting my experiences, listeners showed more-than-subdued bewilderment. Despite my hobbies being ordinary, every listener had looks of disbelief. Reading books, browsing the Internet for videos, no matter what I said, it all resulted in the same shock.

I was aware that my family was exceptional in many ways, but should that have also meant that my day-to-day life ought also to be exceptional?

In any case, home was a place of familiarity and respite, most of the time. Sometimes, it became a place of arbitration, but it would soon revert to being a place of comfort.

Tonight, in the Yukinoshita home, I reclined on the sofa. I had no extracurricular activities (which have increasingly become concluded in my final year of high school), and I had finished my studying for the day. I was completely justified in spending my time in leisure.

I was currently finishing up a novel, with a cup of black tea to keep me company. This was one of my usual hobbies, though I now had something additional to attract my attention. I kept my phone nearby to answer mails from Hikigaya and others. Though, when the mail was from Hikigaya, I felt an inexplicable readiness to devour the words on the small screen and to respond with something witty. The response that came back would cause me to grin. Such exchanges were much like what we made in person, though I was freer in letting my reactions run rampant, since I didn't need to keep up physical appearances. I was especially thankful for this veil when Hikigaya brought up his cat, Kamakura.

I was not the only one making leisurely use of her free time. My sister, Haruno, sat across from me, indulging in wine, and watching a television show. She would spiritedly guffaw every so often, sometimes obnoxious enough to break my attention. Although her laughter was loud, she kept to herself. Believe it or not, this behaviour was on the docile end.

My mother paced around the house, performing various chores. One ought not to misunderstand; us Yukinoshita daughters were not shirking work. The chores that my mother was performing exceeded the necessary, such as watering plants or tidying up the odd corner of the house. As a woman who was strict and fussed over the details, she may have found some sort of joy in shaping things to perfection. No doubt, household chores were easier and more enjoyable to work with than overzealous parents that were eager to kick up a fuss, as encountered as a representative of the PTA.

Speaking of shaping things up, my father had just arrived home. My mother went to greet him and to collect his equipment. She always took very good care of my father, to the extent where I wondered if she thought of him as unreliable. It wouldn't be a surprise if that was true — I knew how it felt to be in such a position.

This was an ordinary night at the Yukinoshita household, not so different from the typical home. It was a place where I could seek everyday comforts.

At the same time, home was also a place where one was raised, the backdrop where life stages are progressed. Thus, home was not just a place of the usual. Sometimes, home was a place of the unusual — a setting for dramatic change.

I had undergone many changes in the past year.

Now, I had a request for my father.


My sister, my mother and I had gone for dinner with Hikigaya. It went about as well as one could imagine. Needles were stepped on, and some things went too far. Though, in the end, it served its purpose of deepening bonds, even if it meant that the ones who most enjoyed the dinner were my mother and my sister.

The three of us were conversing about that dinner. Naturally, it led to the discussion of the one who was absent from that event, who still required introductions.

"We already went for dinner together, wasn't it supposed to be Dad's turn next?" my sister wondered aloud.

Shaking my head, I told her that Hikigaya would absolutely despise such a prospect.

In such a meeting, Hikigaya would have to deal with someone entirely unfamiliar. Although I haven't spoken much about my father to Hikigaya, given what he knew about my father's occupation, he would be intimidated. Of course, there was also the stereotypical view of overprotective fathers (which I also found hard to deny).

My mother spoke, "It is how it is. Even Dad would probably not be fine with it at first. But that is a good place to start…"

My mother stopped midway through her sentence, as she had noticed the entrance of my dad to the living room.

Unlike the suits he wore during the day, he wore more casual clothes, the kind that you would catch any dad wearing. Though, thanks to my mother's impeccable sense, even his casual clothes would be acceptable in a formal party. He had a stern look, befitting one of a high position, though one might wonder whether that strength came from experience in leadership or from wildness during his bygone youth.

"Ah, welcome back," casually greeted my sister.

"Welcome home," I spoke.

Politicians came in all stripes. There were those who preferred holding a stony face as they discussed policy. Then, there were the firebrands who passionately defended their own positions and enjoyed piercing through the gaping holes in others' positions. For better or worse, my dad tended to act like the latter kind of person. Such a person would, of course, tend to be firebrands in their personal life.

"…I'm home," my father murmured, with some degree of unease.

Because of that, it would be difficult to broach the subject with him. It also seemed like he was not in the mood to speak.

My father seated himself on his favourite sofa seat. Right on cue, my mother handed him a cup of tea.

After he was seated, my sister continued our earlier conversation.

"Well, I know they'd hate it, but it won't take much time," she spoke with crossed arms, "Also, isn't it too early to make it an established fact? It's not like that kid would run away."

Formally declaring our relationship — it was something that neither of us were ready for. It also felt like were skipping or overlooking several steps on the way, given the abnormality of our relationship, so making it established would be awkward.

However, my mother had a different set of thoughts.

"It depends on the kind of established fact," said my mother, "It's probably better to learn a bit more about each other. A further investigation is also necessary to ascertain the potential before securing the future prospect, or else…"

My sister cut in, "If you put it that way, someone would take him away. Isn't that right?"

With that last question, my sister turned her smirk towards me. I confronted her with a look of challenge. I wasn't about to let go of Hikigaya that easily.

Though my mother wanted to act carefully, my sister's words managed to convince her otherwise.

"…We cannot ignore that possibility. Especially with all those potentially troublesome girls around," she muttered, her face partially obscured behind her fan.

"Ah, those two…" my sister said while nodding.

I quickly added, "I-I don't think that would be the case…"

Although, I was quick to deny, I couldn't put stock in my own words.

There was Isshiki Iroha, who was quick to bother her senpai and drag him along on outings outside of our knowledge.

There was Yuigahama Yui, whose feelings for him continue to burn brightly.

Those were people that both Hikigaya and I treasured. Though, because of that, it would also be easy for him to be subject to their whims.

"What is this about?"

That deep voice came from my father, who had been left out the conversation. He wore a patient smile.

"I-I have no idea…" I automatically responded.

Being suddenly asked, I was unable to formulate words that would let him more smoothly absorb the information.

I held both of my parents with high esteem. Because of that, I was fearful of provoking negative reactions from them.

Because of my non-response, the living room fell silent. I found the silence uncomfortable, but I ultimately refrained from speaking.

Perhaps finding the silence unsatisfactory, my dad lowered his teacup into his saucer, with a clang.

"…Speaking of which, as told by your mother, what is it that you want to talk about?"

Clearing her throat, my sister cheerfully spoke first, "I will be returning and staying here again for a while."

He met my sister with a curious look and asked, "Could it be you're tired of living alone?"

Groaning, my sister responded, "It's not like that, but there is something I want to do."

"I don't know what you are planning to do… Well, do whatever you like," my dad noncommittedly spoke.

Surmising that those words would be the end of that conversation, he lifted his teacup again and made a sip.

"Mhmm, I will," my sister said, nodding along, "I want to prepare for studying abroad."

I nodded to myself. It was a common-sense decision on my sister's part, since she her preparations were easier to make here. There were more resources (such as for paperwork) here, and most of her belongings were in this home, anyway.

I did not know the exact reason why she chose to study abroad, though it wouldn't be difficult to imagine that she, too, changed somewhat in the past year. One might even say that her newfound desire to broaden her horizons was a surprisingly enlightened one.

However, my father's reaction was truly explosive.

"Stu-studying abroad?!" he exclaimed.

As he shouted that, the tea that was in his mouth erupted in a disgusting geyser, splattering multiple kinds of liquids on the table. Frowning, I handed him the box of tissues. My sister wiped up the table.

Evidently, it was the first time that my father heard of my sister's new plans. Not even having picked up hints from previous days, it seemed that he was truly out of the loop.

"Didn't I tell you before?" my sister spoke, taken aback at his behaviour.

"I've never heard of it…" he responded in earnestness.

My dad tended to be both busy and stressed, so perhaps whatever words were spoken to him in one ear freely exited out the other.

He looked to my mother for answers.

"I opposed it," my mother sternly whispered.

She scowled in his direction. She did not give him an answer; she wanted him to create an answer for all of us.

For this matter, my mother had been allotting my sister the opportunity for back-and-forth discussions. But because this decision was so major, even my father would need to have a say. Of course, my mother would not let him back out of having this discussion.

He mulled it over for a little while. Then, with a conflicted tone, he posed a question for my sister.

"If you're planning to study abroad, you could have done that a while ago. Why now, all of a sudden?"

By asking my sister for her reason, he must have been gauging her seriousness. Though, in doing so, he also revealed his uncertainties.

My sister answered, "That may be true, but I want to go for a long time to study more specialized subjects, hopefully for a year."

It was a solid, academic reason and something that I had done before. Studying abroad was usually thought of as a way to develop foreign language skills. However, it did not have to be limited to just language. Every country had other subjects they excelled in or could at least provide a different perspective than a Japanese curriculum.

"…I, I see. Mhmm… Wait, about the money…"

He brought his hands together. Creases appeared on his forehead. Unable to find issues with my sister's reasoning, my father turned his attention towards practical matters.

Putting a finger on her chin and tilting her head, my sister voiced a brazen suggestion.

"Can we just sell the apartment or something?" she spoke matter-of-factly.

Despite her tone, such a suggestion was no laughing matter. Foregoing prime property for the sake of education would be a difficult decision for the usual families that were conscious about investment. It would often be better to reduce the amount of educational financing needed, even if it meant reducing the quality of education received.

Of course, our family was not usual.

"It's my personal belonging, you know…"

My dad grumbled in resistance, though he did not sound outraged. For us, selling that apartment and having some of the value being consumed as educational expenses was not the end of the world.

It was my mother who sounded annoyed.

"However, it is registered under my name," she spat.

She smiled chillingly at my father, to quicken his recall of past agreements.

Just because we could do it, didn't mean we should do it. My mother's cold voice of reason flattened any consideration my father could have had in mind.

Unrelentingly, my sister pursued, "But isn't that going to be mine anyway?"

"W-well, that may be the case, but…"

He trailed off. The two of them reached a stalemate. Suffice to say, the apartment would remain our property for the time being. As far as I was concerned, that was beneficial since it directly related to my request.

I raised my hand to grab my father's attention.

I rarely made a request to my father. The pace of my heart quickened in anxiety, and my shoulders stiffened.

"Since Nee-san is returning home, I would like to live there…" I carefully requested.

Both my sister and my father raised their eyebrows in shock.

"Eh, is that so?" my sister reacted.

"Yukino, is that what you want to talk about?" my father blankly spoke.

He did not understand the reasoning behind it — and that was perfectly reasonable. It was a sudden request with no prior prompting.

The reason why I wanted to stay in my apartment was rather selfish. I could attempt to justify it, but even my sister's request would sound more reasonable in comparison.

With the inability to state my real reason, I was left with only one thing. I cautiously opened my mouth and slowly spoke.

"…I can't?"

It was too difficult to justify my selfishness. Thus, I could only plead for his generosity. I fearfully awaited his response.

My father gulped. He had an expression that looked like he was about to cry.

"Well, there's no plan for anyone to use it as of now…" he slowly murmured.

He made peeks toward my mother. Just like before, my mother motionlessly stared at him, beckoning him to choose his words carefully — and to take responsibility for them.

Finally, my father spoke, "…Do as you wish."

My shoulders relaxed. My heart was with relief and joy.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed.

However, that was not the end of that conversation.

"Yukino-chan, is it really necessary for you to stay there again?" my sister asked me with an impish smile.

She attempted to poke holes at the wraps I kept my reason under. I panicked for a moment, but I managed to remember the lines I had prepared just for this occasion.

"It's more convenient for my commute to school," I answered, "That's why I decided to stay there in the first place…"

As soon as I finished speaking, I realized how poor that reason was in this situation. It sounded completely like an excuse. It was not entirely correct to say that I initially chose to live at that apartment entirely of my own volition, as there were other unfortunate reasons.

As if on cue, my sister opened her mouth to exploit the weakness that I displayed.

"I don't think the reason is the distance from home, right?" she said with a smirk, "Is that truly your only reason?"

Firing back, I spoke, "There's no other reason. It is closer to the school. Those who regularly skip classes won't get it."

My sister's smirk froze in place. Ordinarily, she would shrug off attacks on herself with ease. However, it was a different story when our sharp-eyed mother was staring serrated knives at her.

Mother placed her cup on her saucer. Although the clink sound was technically gentle and nearly silent, it reverberated loudly in our ears. Her smile was also frozen, though not in the intimidated sense. Rather, she smiled as scarily as a Yuki-onna.

"Haruno… are you not attending your classes?" she slowly asked.

In the background, my dad appeared to be having difficulties drinking his tea. When a rock was thrown into a pond, waves are spread in all directions.

My sister shamelessly responded, "I still haven't dropped any credits, so whatever."

Thanks to her half-hearted response, I decided to go further on the offensive. After all, the best defense was a good offense.

"Eh? If it were to happen to me, I'd still have to spend some time to make up for the classes. For them to be totally abandoned, yet still able to make it through, as expected of my sister."

I adopted a mockingly shrill tone in false praise. Perhaps not expecting it, my sister hurriedly fumbled together a defense, though not to me.

"T-there won't be any issues about moving up a year!" she exclaimed in the direction of my mother and my father.

My father had a wry smile, the kind that announced a reprimand later and not today, as it would be too bothersome. However, my mother was not pleased in the slightest. She heaved a sigh that could shake the heavens. She placed a finger on her temple, in disbelief.

"Please think about the cost per session of your business university studies," she spoke with disappointment.

Receiving that reprimand, my sister shook in terror. Seeing the rare sight of a weakened Haruno, I could not help but chuckle to myself.

In a last-ditch attempt, my sister looked towards our dad for assistance. Compared to our mother, he was considerably more forgiving and afforded more leeway. That didn't mean that he was completely laissez-faire; it just meant that my mother was extraordinarily unforgiving.

He muttered, "…Well, don't get too carried away with missing classes."

With an answer that fell short of her expectations, my sister sulked, her face and her shoulders visibly dropping. It was a satisfying display. Although, that came as a cost to my father, as my mother did not appear to be satisfied with his response.

However, Yukinoshita Haruno would not be defeated so easily.

Quickly recovering, a wicked smile gradually blossomed like a thorny rose on my sister's face. I knew that my sister had concocted another ruinous scheme. Yet, I would not cower. I grinned back at her, trying my best to exceed her boldness.

She murmured, "Ah, I see…"

She moved closer to me. Then, she began playing with a strand of my hair with one hand. With her other hand, she gently rubbed my cheek. Of course, the uncomfortable contact was completely on purpose.

She began crudely mimicking my manner of speaking.

"Ah, I can't easily call for that kid at our family home. Staying the night is out of the question as well. That's why I want to live alone again."

I leaped out of my seat. I was not prepared for that. She immediately hit the nail on the head while putting on a lascivious twist.

I panicked, unable to think clearly. To calm myself, I hurriedly gulped down my tea. Bitterness overcame my senses, but the familiar aromas helped regain my sanity.

Churning the gears of my mind, I swiftly formulated an alternative explanation.

"Y-Yes, that's right. It is certainly difficult for Yuigahama-san to come and stay for the night. In fact, I sometimes stay at her place as well. However, that is not the only reason. As I was saying before, staying there is purely due to the convenience for my school commute."

While I was rambling, my mother poured tea into my emptied cup with a calm expression. My father held a stony expression, and I was unable to determine whether he bought that explanation.

My sister burst out laughing. Her skin contact upgraded to a full-blown grapple around my body. Utilizing her entire body, she was physically restraining me from escaping.

"No no, I'm not talking about Gahama-chan," she haughtily spoke.

"Nee-san, shut it," I urged her, "Please shut up."

I squeezed the palms of my hands against both of her cheeks and forcibly pressed my thumbs against her lips, to prevent her from saying more troublesome things. Her head vibrated as she continued to perform the motions for laughter, even with a sealed mouth. With her face this close to mine, I could clearly smell alcohol.

Mother's stern voice resounded, "Stop it, both of you."

Realizing that I was engaging in childish horseplay, I removed my hands from my sister's head. Similarly, my sister released me from her clutches. The both of us sat down in our respective sofa seats. Though if there was a tatami mat around, we might have opted for seiza.

Mother looked at me with a frowned and admonished me.

"That's very much a concern, a long with everything else. You need to lay down some clear limits."

She momentarily collapsed her fan, and she held both ends of it with her hands. It might have been unintentional, but it seemed like she was brandishing a whip.

What my sister said was a genuine concern for an adolescent and her close partner. My mother was right to offer me words of warning.

Yet, both he and I were anything but normal. There was an English idiom about retreating to one's shell. Rather than simply retreating, Hikigaya constantly wielded that shell, utilizing it at a moment's notice.

"…That sort of thing, he'd be put off by it," I murmured.

It took us a very long time to achieve our current relationship. The both of us tried hard not to misunderstand, to consider each other, albeit with misguided views. Thus, if I were to exceed certain limits, he would definitely view it as a misunderstanding. With that mindset, he would prevent himself from pursuing something he otherwise would have.

"Besides, if he finds it troublesome or unbearable…. I'd be troubled by that."

Time and time again, if one of us became troubled, the pain would be reciprocated on the other. I knew not whether that was supposed to be normal, but our common strand tended to be conflict.

The sharp sound of bamboo striking against an object could be heard. My mother had struck my father's hand with her opened fan. This happened occasionally. Surely what we've spoken must have elicited strong reactions from my father, but my mother predicted it and stopped him from having an outburst.

My sister turned to me. She no longer had the look of a prankster. Rather, she wore a gentle smile.

"It'll be fine, right? Since this is that boy we're talking about, he already knows this much anyway," she reassuringly spoke, "Also, Yukino-chan is already a troublesome person in the first place."

Knowing this much about him, my sister had become quite fond of Hikigaya. Thus, she didn't press on with her pranks and treated the situation more seriously.

During that night, atop that bridge, he had given me his everything, despite my flaws. If it was Hikigaya, he most likely had already thought of these kinds of things.

Though, even so…

"I don't want to be told that by you," I said with a pout, "Nee-san is a troublesome person too…"

In response to my rude comment, my sister poked my cheek. I instinctively shut one eye.

If there was any kind of victory to be had, Hikigaya preferred to keep his distance from the troubles that my sister created while willing to deal with my troubles.

She continued, "You are more serious than that boy. And he's the kind of person who starts digging an inner moat in the area behind the outer moat. Even if he's invited, won't he probably try to dodge it with various excuses?"

"…Well, probably, yes," I responded with a sigh.

It was another accurate description of Hikigaya. He did have an uncanny talent for evasion, whether that was by nurture or nature.

However, those characteristics would become obstacles in our relationship. We were unlikely to grow closer if he continued his habits.

A bamboo snap could be heard. My mother collapsed her fan again, but with twice the force.

"If that's the case, there's no other choice but to crush that entire move," she declared.

She had a daring smile. Her eyes had the glint of a predator.

My sister snapped her eyes towards our mother. Putting on a similarly fearless smile, she had come to a realization. More precisely, she had formulated yet another troublesome plan.

"…I see. So, first, we have to destroy all escape routes for Yukino-chan," she muttered.

"Huh? W-wait, Nee-san, what are you up to?" I hurriedly spoke, "I don't know what you're planning, but it must be something foolish, so please stop it."

I had a terrible premonition. I had flashbacks to that episode, right before the joint prom, where Hikigaya shamelessly heaped his selfishness at my mother, dragging me into a mire that I could not escape from. Then, it led to something that could never be taken back. The anxiety was enough to burst my heart. I could hardly believe I was able to pull myself together the next day.

I hastily grasped my sister's hands. However, she managed to shake my hands away. Without missing a beat, she turned to our father and spoke in breathtakingly acute, swift, staccato sixteenth notes.

"Hey Dad, Yukino-chan has someone she wants you to meet."

"…Huh?" I barely uttered.

I froze solid. My hands turned so cold, I thought they would get frostbite. The heat rushed out of them, only to be robbed by my face. My cheeks turned so hot, I felt like I had walked into a sauna.

No, no. Our words so far must have been ambiguous, to the confusion of our dad, and I had hoped to keep it that way for a little longer. I was completely unprepared to breach the subject so explicitly to him.

My dad, whom I respected enough to want to live up to his ambitions, now stared at me with troubled eyes. He straightened his back, only to let his body curve forward again.

"Yukino… Is that true?" he carefully asked me.

I immediately responded, "Yes, it's… no, not that kind of thing…"

Out of my wits, I tumbled through non-phrases. I fiddled with my hair with shaking hands, and my eyes darted around. However, this was a situation where there was truly no escape.

"Yukino."

My mother's voice was surprisingly gentle, making me still my hands. With that one word, she urged me to continue.

I took a deep breath. There was no meaning in hiding the truth, even more so for the one who had the least talent for deception. My father was waiting for the truth. It was something that needed to be revealed.

"Dad, someday… I would like to introduce him to you."

It was not something to be ashamed of. It was a miracle, which I wanted to hold strongly to. It was a piece of selfishness that I had allowed myself to indulge in.

He murmured, "Mmm… Ah, I see…"

He exhaled with heavy breaths. His shoulders dropped dramatically. He stared at the floor, steeped in fatigue. He spiritlessly sighed.

Yet, he did not say a single word of refusal or denial.

"That's great. Yes, I understand…"

It was more than evident that our parents paid great attention to us. Our mother strictly steered us toward the correct paths, strengthening our discipline and punishing delinquency. Our father was doting and protective, shielding us from harm. That's why, threats to the equilibrium shook him so much.

Putting himself together, he continued, "For the time being, let us calm down for a bit, okay? After then, perhaps…"

Thus, he bargained for time. Perhaps I inherited his tendency for gradualism. He did not deny my desires, but he also needed time to accept it.

Then, a bamboo snap snapped that gradualism to pieces. My dad's shoulders jumped up.

"Ah yes, there is nothing scheduled for mid-June, so let's hold it at that time."

In an instant, my mother forewent the patience that my father desired. After all, she who steered the wheel, had a quicker reaction time.

"Why are you deciding on things?" my trembling father asked.

My mother stood up, putting her height well above my slumping, seated father.

"If this is not done, dear, you might run away," she sternly advised him, "I have to strike the first move."

He was shocked to silence. Of course, that silence meant acquiescence.

Having excess time would have also given him the temptation to avoid the issue. My mother had swiftly and efficiently destroyed any hope of escape. By crushing the seeds early, alternative paths could not grow roots.

I was reminded that Mother's strictness was directed not just at my sister and me. She held my father to high standards as well.

My sister whispered to me, "Yukino-chan, that's how it's done."

"I need to learn more…" I contemplated.

While pouring herself another glass of wine, my sister spoke, "But that boy, he won't come even if you invite him casually."

In addition to Hikigaya's guards, his capacity for tolerance was probably depleted, after having attended our recent dinner. Thus, his resistance to the next meeting at such a close date would be much greater than usual.

"If only there is a good opportunity…" I murmured.

The sound of a fan being opened drew my attention. Mother hid her mouth and nose behind her fan, leaving only her predatorial eyes visible. With that pose, I knew that she had unsheathed her blade.

"An opportunity… I see. If it's something like that prom event, Dad and I can get involved naturally," she stated.

"Yes," I said as I nodded, "If I say it's about a job, he would go along with it most of the time."

My mother's strategic mind was not to be underestimated. I had overlooked something that was supposed to be blatant.

Given Hikigaya's reclusive inclinations, it would seem surprising that his history of activities included watching over elementary school children, assisting in running school festivals, becoming involved in the election of a student council president, holding two proms, and much more. Despite his reluctance, his sense of duty always won out, albeit in a warped fashion. No matter how grim his mutterings were, he would be there for the finale, leaning against the backdrop, wearing a grin dripping with irony.

With genuine happiness, my mother laughed with volume that was a notch higher than usual. The fan that she held vibrated back and forth.

"Oh, that's wonderful news. He makes for an ideal worker," she mockingly spoke.

With that glowing evaluation from a distinguished woman, Hikigaya's dream of becoming a house-husband drifted further into the abyss.

My sister raised her hand.

"Isn't it better to reconsider the time? This is not just any normal end-of-term test," she remarked.

Although our mother mentioned that there was "nothing scheduled for mid-June", that did not include the ongoing duties of a student. Unfortunately, a student's duties were particularly harsh in June due to exams. Furthermore, this was our last year of high school, so a student's performance on exams was doubly important, directly affecting their future.

My sister continued, "Since it's him we're talking about, he would probably use the exam as an excuse to say something like 'It would be better for us to keep our distance for the time being' or other similarly disgusting things."

A cold shiver ran down my spine, as if someone had slipped an ice cube into my shirt.

"What you said is so true, it's frightening…" I eerily spoke.

"Because it's similar to what Yukino-chan would say as well," she said before giggling.

I glared at my sister and her shaking shoulders. Yet, I couldn't retort. It was in Hikigaya's nature to do his best to refrain from speaking, and it was in my nature to prioritize academics over pettier activities like conversing.

With great interest, my mother asked, "That may be true. That boy, how are his grades? Did you hear anything about which exam he decided upon?"

"Y-Yes. I heard it's probably the same as mine…"

Hikigaya performed worse in the sciences, so naturally, it was expected that he would continue down the path of liberal arts, the same as what I had chosen. As for his grades, he ranked only a few places below me in Japanese.

While cradling her glass of wine, my sister wistfully spoke, "A separate university… a new encounter… and then, an accidental reunion. What a grim prospect."

"Nee-san, shut it," I spat.

Completely unamused, I pinched her cheeks. That was definitely something not to take lightly. If we were forced to put physical distance between us out of circumstance, and he began spending time with someone who had been saved by him, I did not even want to imagine what would happen.

I began arguing with my sister again. She enjoyed bullying me, but I was no longer content with simply accepting her sneers. Thus, I found the strength to strike back.

The evening continued ticking its time away, yet our glasses of tea and cups of wine always found themselves refilled.

We continued formulating plans about the next meeting with Hikigaya. My mother continued offering fearsome suggestions, but rather than quivering from the weight, I began adding her tools to my arsenal.

I did not forget about my father, who somehow did not find the opportunity to re-enter the conversation. From the corner of my eye, I watched him sneak out the living room, ascend the stairs, descend the stairs with a coat, and exit from the front door. If I had noticed it, then it was a certainty that my sister and mother had noticed it as well. Without berating him, we let him seek after-work comforts out in the city at night.

Even when that man retreats from his house, he is thought of fondly by us three troublesome women.

—A politician and businessman, whom I respected and idolized.

—A dad, who seemed unreliable, yet never failed to make time for his family.

—A doting father, who loved us, even if he seemed to take the backstage.

It was thanks to Hikigaya that I found the will to pursue my father's line of business.

I wished to share this happiness with my father.