"Sis!"
Hojo Suzune practically burst out of her bedroom, forgetting her slippers; her pale bare feet slapped the floor as she charged straight for the girl sitting on the living-room couch, her little face taut, hair bristling behind her.
"What is it?"
Without looking back, Hojo Shione asked calmly. Knees together, a cucumber in hand, her eyes were glued to the TV.
Seeing her so relaxed, Suzune felt her anger spike.
Seriously? At a time like this you're munching a cucumber?
No wonder you can't keep your man—he runs off and you don't even notice!
Suzune tiptoed right in front of her sister, blocking most of the screen.
"?"
Shione's dewy eyes blinked; her gaze focused on her sister's scrunched-up face. "What now? Finished packing? What are you flipping out about this time?"
Biting her red lip, a storm darkening her eyes, Suzune stared at her sister's nonchalance and snapped, "You knew already, didn't you?"
"…"
Shione didn't answer. She took a bite of cucumber and chewed unhurriedly, her eyes utterly calm.
"Why didn't you tell me something like this?"
"Even if I didn't, you know now, don't you?"
She swallowed and smiled lightly.
"…"
The placid smile only made Suzune's gaze grow colder. Her thin shoulders trembled with anger; her voice jumped a few notches. "So—so that's your attitude?"
Shione tilted her head, genuine puzzlement in her eyes. "What else should I do? Go crazy with rage, refuse to eat, lock myself in my room and cry my eyes out every day until I need antidepressants to cope?
"Or do what you're doing—lash out at whoever's nearby, just so people know you feel awful?
"Or go to Tokyo right now and demand to know why Shiratori Kiyoya suddenly has a girlfriend?"
"…"
Suzune couldn't get a word out. Her bitten lip trembled; tears welled and spilled over.
"Don't," Shione said, reaching out gently to wipe them away.
Smack!
"Idiot!"
Suzune slapped her hand away. Shione didn't get angry; she looked at her sister gently. "Since he's already decided, then accept it. Even if you like him, you can't force it. Love you beg for is pathetic—shameless.
"You're seeing Kiyoya tomorrow; if you cry yourself sick, you won't have any fun."
Tears streaked her cheeks; Suzune couldn't even hear the words. A stabbing pain shot through her heart, as if something beautiful she once longed for had shattered. Trembling, she asked, "So you don't love him anymore? You used to like him so much—he liked you so much—why… why?"
Shione blinked—then suddenly laughed.
"Pfft."
"But Suzune—people change.
"When I was sixteen, I liked Kiyoya; at seventeen I liked him; at eighteen I loved him. But now I'm nineteen. Since he's let me go, I don't want to love him anymore."
"Is that so hard to understand?"
"Nonsense!"
Shione shook her head slightly and looked into her sister's blurred eyes. "Can you say you'll love Kiyoya for your whole life?"
"I can!"
Without hesitation, Suzune's voice rang firm.
"Oh."
Shione nodded calmly, but the pity in her eyes clearly mocked Suzune's naiveté.
Suzune saw it, too. She drew a deep breath, barely resisting the urge to slap her sister, then stormed off and slammed the door.
"Disgusting!"
Bang!
Shione stared at the shut door for a long moment, then looked away.
Honestly—if you've never tasted love's bitterness, no wonder you can't keep your composure.
How will you ever win his heart like that?
Silly little sister.
She turned back to the TV, eyes unfocused.
Crunch.
She bit hard into the cucumber. A sour rush rose in her chest.
She paused—then let out a self-mocking smile.
What do you know—it's a pickle.
…
The next morning, 9 a.m.
On the drive to meet Shiratori Kiyoya, the car was silent.
Leaning back, Suzune opened her compact and examined her face for any detail she might have missed. Even with concealer, foundation, and shadow, the redness at the corners of her eyes still showed.
She snapped the mirror shut—no hiding it now—and sighed.
Should've iced them last night.
Until yesterday, the mere thought of seeing Kiyoya would make her giddy; now, her mood was inexplicably calm.
She looked at her sister driving and frowned slightly. Why was that?
How could you just say you don't love someone anymore?
By all rights, Sis saying she didn't like Kiyoya should've ranked alongside their breakup—something worth celebrating with a piano piece.
But upon hearing Sis didn't like him, she found she wasn't happy at all.
She knew exactly how much Sis had loved him; the clearer that was, the more it drove her mad with jealousy.
She had never felt her own love for Kiyoya was any less than her sister's—so why did she get to bask in his warmth while Suzune watched from the sidelines?
Why did she get to feast while Suzune couldn't even sip the soup?
More than once she'd dreamed of snatching him away.
It was precisely because she thought their feelings were on par that she now doubted Sis's words.
Confusion clouded Suzune's eyes.
Can you really stop loving someone just like that?
A love once as brilliant as fireworks—gone to ash, without a trace…
Will I be like that too?
"We're almost there—don't doze off."
From the rear-view mirror, Shione glanced at her sister's weary face and gave a reminder.
"…"
Suzune couldn't be bothered to answer, but she straightened up and looked out the window.
"Either you or Kiyoya can call me this evening. I'll come pick you up."
"No need."
She muttered without looking at her.
Betraying love is the most shameful thing.
"Mmm, that works too—as long as Kiyoya's fine with you resting at his place."
Shione's lips curved. She eased onto the brake and stopped at the slope.
"We're here. He should be waiting over there.
"Don't forget what I told you…"
"…"
Suzune didn't answer. Her eyes widened; she practically pressed herself to the window, searching for the boy in her memory.
No matter how low her spirits, the thought of seeing him still lit her up.
As soon as the car stopped, she flung the door open and bolted out.
Sunlight slid down her jet-black hair. The enchanting girl stood and looked toward the corner.
When her gaze found the familiar figure—and he waved—
Her long, sultry eyes lit up; heat bloomed in her chest; her heart pounded thump-thump-thump.
Joy surged through her, flooding every inch of her pale skin. Her chest burned, her face burned, her eyes burned—as if lemon soda popped in her heart.
She was almost moved to tears.
She started forward, body carrying her of its own accord toward the boy.
Three steps became two; she was almost skipping.
His figure filled her vision, his face growing clear.
The boy in her memories overlaid the boy before her…
Her face filled with a clear, bright smile; she couldn't help calling out:
"Kiyoya!"
I finally found you.
She threw herself into his arms.