Tachibana Rui went to sleep very early last night, but kept tossing and turning in bed until 2 AM before groggily falling asleep.
As for the reason, it was naturally that Murakami Yuu with whom she had an ambiguous relationship.
After a night of intimacy, during what should have been a warm and sweet breakfast time, he had said those words to her.
He really liked her, yet also held feelings of affection toward other women.
What was he taking her for? Why would he speak those words so matter-of-factly?
Tachibana Rui, who woke up early due to poor sleep quality, first picked up her phone. There were only a few unimportant app notification pop-ups. No message from him.
He even said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, yet a day has passed and there isn't even a text message!
Irritably getting out of bed and leaving her room, she came to the living room and saw her mother busy in the kitchen.
The time was barely 6 o'clock, yet she had already prepared breakfast and was now preparing bentos for her two daughters. She still had shop matters to handle every day.
Looking at her back, Tachibana Rui felt touched.
Mom had already divorced Dad before she became aware of things. After that, she and her sister both lived difficult lives with Mom. How hard it was for a single woman to live with two young children could be imagined.
Thinking of these things, she slowly walked forward and hugged her mother from behind, pressing her face against her back.
"Goodness, you startled me. Rui, good morning."
"Good morning, Mom. Thank you for your hard work."
Tachibana Tsuruko was stunned, then laughed:
"What's wrong with our Rui? Did something happen? You're quite different from your usual self."
"It's nothing like that."
Tachibana Rui released her hands and stood beside Tachibana Tsuruko. On the stovetop were one red and one blue bento box - she and her sister had used them for a long time.
As for the bento box she brought back from Murakami Yuu's house yesterday, she had washed it clean and put it in her room. She didn't want family to notice.
"Isn't there a bento for Mom?"
"I'll just eat something at the shop. You and Hina are different - work and studies are both hard. You need to supplement more nutrition. Come, open your mouth and taste - this is beef stew Mom cooked for a long time."
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet."
"What does it matter? Just one bite. Brush after eating."
"Mm."
"How does it taste?"
"The best."
Looking at Mom's smiling face, Tachibana Rui narrowed her eyes and gave her answer.
At the same time, that scene suddenly emerged in her heart again.
That day when she went to Murakami Yuu's house, he was bathing. After she called out several times without response, worried, she pulled open the bathroom door on her own and walked in.
At that time, Murakami Yuu was lying in the bathtub, his head leaning to one side, tears flowing from his closed eyes. His lips were also slightly parting and closing, as if calling for something.
That image was etched in her mind. Even now when thinking of it, she couldn't help but feel heartache.
"Rui, what's that on your neck?"
Tachibana Tsuruko's gaze, through the collar position of Tachibana Rui's pajamas, saw a small dark red mark on the skin below her collarbone.
"It... it's nothing. Just got bitten by a mosquito. A mark from scratching."
Tachibana Rui hurriedly turned around and pretended to scratch it.
"I'll go wash up first."
Tachibana Tsuruko didn't doubt her answer. After all, Tachibana Rui had excellent grades since childhood and had never given her particular worries. She was very reassured.
"Mm, after washing up, you can also wake Hina. It's about time to eat."
"I understand."
Her heart pounding, she looked at her neck in the mirror. After discovering the mark wasn't that obvious, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Good thing that guy still maintained a trace of rationality during the process and didn't leave marks in obvious places. The reason it was just seen was only because her pajama collar was too large.
She'd go back to her room and change into her uniform after washing up, she thought.
When she picked up her toothbrush, she thought again of yesterday's conversation scene. Her head was constantly popping up with matters related to him...
Tachibana Rui was silent for a moment, lowered her head, and splashed her face with cold water, forcing her attention to shift to other matters.
For now, don't think about that guy.
She issued this command to her brain, viciously squeezed out toothpaste, and forcefully brushed her teeth as if venting something.
"Ugh!"
Too much force with the toothbrush - it deviated from its normal movement trajectory and poked her left cheek.
It hurt...
Her action stopped. Resentment arose, directed at a certain someone.
Bad guy!
Even more unforgettable now.
...
Sitting at the dining table were only Tachibana Rui and Tachibana Hina.
Tachibana Tsuruko hastily shoveled down a few mouthfuls of rice, changed clothes, and went out. Things had been very busy recently. She needed to go help at the shop early.
"Mom works so hard. Her own rest time isn't even enough, yet she still prepares our meals and daily needs."
Tachibana Hina was drinking miso soup.
"Mm."
Tachibana Rui responded once, seriously chewing food with the right side of her mouth.
"Where did you go the night before last?"
Tachibana Hina put down her bowl and asked casually.
Tachibana Rui's eating motion paused. She glanced at her without speaking.
"You went to Murakami-kun's house?"
Although Tachibana Hina was guessing, her tone was quite certain.
"Yes."
"I knew it."
Tachibana Hina put down her chopsticks, propping her chin with one hand and looking at her younger sister like that:
"Speaking of which, you really are at that age now."
"Did you tell Mom?"
"No. Not wanting to make her worry about such things is one reason. Also, her thinking is very traditional. But if she knew Rui stayed out all night at a boy's house, she'd probably faint on the spot."
Tachibana Hina's tone was calm. She stared at her face for a while longer, then asked:
"Did you do it?"
This time her tone was somewhat uncertain.
"..."
After hesitating a moment, Tachibana Rui still nodded.
"So that's how it is. Rui has grown up too..."
She sighed:
"Since it's Rui's own decision, there's nothing much to say. Big sister's impression of that guy is also good. I'll support you both. Just be careful about Mom's side. Being friends with the opposite sex is fine, but keep other more intimate behaviors from her for now."
Tachibana Rui looked at her sister, somewhat surprised:
"I thought you'd lecture me."
"Rui hasn't done anything wrong. Just being with someone you like - why would I lecture you?"
Tachibana Hina laughed:
"But some things still need to be made clear to you. Be careful to take safety measures. Understand?"
Tachibana Rui nodded with a red face.
After instructing the most important matter, Tachibana Hina didn't say more.
After the two finished eating and went out together walking toward the train station.
"Hina-nee, what do you think of that guy?"
"Eh? With that expression and tone... did you have a fight with Murakami-kun?"
Tachibana Rui pressed her lips together without speaking. She had to admit that her sister, who had lived with her since childhood, could always very sensitively detect her emotional changes.
"The feeling he gives me is great - high looks, good temperament. Most importantly, that feeling toward Rui."
"Feeling?"
"Mm, like that time we went to the hot spring inn together. I noticed his gaze would unconsciously fall on you. That look with smiling eyes that couldn't see enough - it really seemed like he really liked Rui."
"Likes me..."
Tachibana Rui murmured softly. She herself hadn't noticed these details Tachibana Hina mentioned. When together with Murakami Yuu, she only had her heart racing wildly, unable to pay attention to observe these minor details.
She thought of another matter. Her face suddenly turned red. She was somewhat incoherent:
"Hina-nee... at the hot spring last time, did you... did you notice?"
"Notice what? Your relationship? I only had some doubts before, but didn't think much of it."
Tachibana Rui breathed a sigh of relief. Good that she wasn't discovered that night.
Tachibana Hina looked at her strangely:
"Having some conflict between you two is also very normal. If Rui really has any troubles, feel free to consult big sister anytime. I'll go first then."
"Mm, thank you Hina-nee."
The two waved and separately boarded different trains.
Tachibana Rui placed her gaze on the scenery outside the train window. The weather was good. The sunlight was bright.
What her sister said before replayed in her mind again.
That look that couldn't see enough - it really seemed like he really liked Rui...
Her heart began to have some changes.
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