◆ Chapter 2: Middle School Arc, Part 2

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---

After spring passed and summer came, Izumi visited Aoi's room again.

Though not like the previous time, there was quite a gap!

"P-Pardon my intrusion."

Izumi was stiff.

"W-Why are you so nervous, Izumi-chan? We meet normally at school."

"Well umm, considering what happened last time..."

"A-Ah, um..."

Realizing, Aoi blushed and looked down.

Both of them hesitated and stood rooted at the entrance of the room.

If this was Izumi's ploy to make Aoi embarrassed, it would be impressive. However, given that the girl who spoke those words is covering her face with her palm and going 'Uuu', it's clear that it was unintentional.

Aoi glanced at Izumi.

"...I-Izumi-chan, I was happy when you suggested studying together. It's has been a while since you came over to hang out."

"T-That's because I thought it would be unnatural as a friend to keep refusing your invitations... So umm, n-no, I'm sorry. That's right, I came here to study today, yes. I have no other purpose, of course."

"Y-Yeah, you don't have to emphasize it that much..."

The two of them spread out their study materials facing each other, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Despite this, both second-year middle school girls were quite focused on their study.

Aoi, not being particularly good at grasping concepts, needed to patiently accumulate knowledge. In contrast, she had an impressive ability to concentrate for long periods. Izumi, on the other hand, is a top-notch student, constantly competing for the highest rank in her grade.

Thus, their usual study sessions are not just a so-called “tea party in disguise” but are used in their original sense.

However, today was different.

Izumi's hands were not moving as she wanted them to.

Despite being in an air-conditioned, cool room, her skin was slightly damp with sweat.

It goes without saying, Izumi was completely conscious of Aoi.

"Nnn-."

Blushing, she sneakily peeked at Aoi, who was stretching

And it seemed that her gaze was focused on her lips.

Izumi, you had that much reflecting, and yet...

As expected, even the insensitive Aoi seemed to notice something was up.

"What's wrong? Is it hot?"

Aoi checked the air conditioner temperature and tilted her head.

"No, um, it's not that..."

Izumi was flustered.

I had been watching Izumi's mental preparation for this day.

She had continuously said she couldn't forget about the kiss with Aoi-chan.

We are just friends. Important friends. She said to control herself.

But... this is how it goes when they actually meet...

Probably, Izumi's heart is now full of a sense of defeat.

However, Izumi was not the type to be discouraged by such things.

"Haaaaa..."

"Eh? What? What's the matter?"

Izumi, who let out a deep sigh, stared intently at Aoi-chan.

"W-What?"

"I've cleared my mind now that we're alone together after a long time. Aoi-san."

Izumi took a deep breath and regained her composure. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say she resigned herself to the situation.

She took Aoi's hand and held it.

"I won't waver or worry like I did last time. I don't think that suits me. So, I'll be straightforward. - I'm going to kiss you now, Aoi-san."

"Eh, eeeeh?"

Is Izumi too manly?

What's with that declaration of war-like way of saying it?

As expected, Aoi's lips quiver with a 'Fueeh'.

"I want to do it. I want to kiss Aoi-san. If you don't want it, please say no. Is that alright?"

Izumi's face approached quickly.

"T-That was just a charm."

"I had every intention of it being a kiss, so in my mind, it was a kiss."

Izumi didn't allow Aoi to turn her face away, placing her hand on Aoi's cheek.

Despite her ladylike and adorable appearance, Izumi was unyielding.

With teary eyes, Aoi asked,

"Do you really... want to kiss that much?"

"I do."

"Why do you want to... so badly?"

"I can't forget the feeling of Aoi-san's lips."

"Uuuu..."

"Once you taste something that wonderful, everything else pales in comparison."

Izumi smoothly seduced Aoi-chan.

It was as if a gigolo's talent had blossomed in a second-year middle school girl.

Finally, Aoi could no longer speak.

"Aoi-san."

"...!"

As Izumi peered even closer, Aoi tightly closed her eyes.

However, she didn't avoid it.

"Nn..."

Izumi's lips touched Aoi's small ones.

Without the excuse of it being a charm, the girls closed the distance between them to zero.

'Haah…Haah…' Izumi was panting and breathing erratically.

"Aoi-san's lips are incredibly soft."

"...It's embarrassing, you know?"

"I'll do it again."

"Ah..."

It wasn't asking 'Is it okay?' but rather 'I'll do it.'

Moreover, she didn't stop at just once.

Izumi repeated the gentle kisses, 'Chuu, chuu.'

I could see Aoi's pupils grow hazy and strength leave her whole body.

"...It's hot."

At that point, Izumi slowly rolled up her outfit.

Underneath the simple sleeveless shirt she removed was, of course, her underwear. In a light blue bra, Izumi pressed even closer to Aoi.

"I-Izumi-chan, your outfit..."

"I'm hot. And my heart is pounding, I want to touch you more. I want to feel Aoi-san with my bare skin."

Hawawawawa.

I looked down to see if my leaf had turned bright red, but it was still very green.

As if to press their chests together, Izumi squeezed herself between Aoi's legs and pressed her lips against hers again.

"Nn, mm..."

Sweat ran down Izumi's smooth, porcelain-like back.

It seemed that Izumi was also not at ease.

In a hoarse voice, she whispered into her ear.

"I think I'm getting addicted to this."

"But that's, no good... We're middle schoolers..."

"...So you don't reject it because we're both girls."

Izumi lifted Aoi's camisole.

"That part of you... makes me really happy."

Her switch was completely on now.

She was no longer a girl longing for love while reading yuri novels alone at home.

She looked like a full-fledged prostitute, wearing a lewd smile.

"Ah..."

With that, Aoi also had her top taken off. A green bra, resembling the color of houseplant's leaf, covered her modestly swelling chest compared to Izumi's.

Aoi instinctively covered her breasts with both hands.

"Izumi-chan, it's embarrassing..."

"I'm also really embarrassed... but more than that, I'm excited... How about you, Aoi-san? Is it only just embarrassing?"

"That's..."

As she couldn't answer, Izumi trailed her lips along Aoi's collarbone.

"Nn... Izumi-chan, no..."

"Aoi-san, you're so cute."

"Izumi-chan..."

As Izumi played a sweet melody, she showered Aoi with kisses from her neck, chest, waist, and down to her stomach.

Aoi, unable to support herself, tightly hugged Izumi's body, suppressing her voice.

It was as if she was begging for more...

Izumi became more and more aroused.

"When I hear Aoi-san's voice, I get more and more in a strange mood... Aoi-san, you're so cute. Very, very cute."

"I don't understand..."

While savoring the bewildered Aoi, Izumi used not only her lips but also her hands to caress her body. Aoi's body trembled and quivered as if it were a sensitive instrument that made a sound wherever it was played.

Amazing, truly amazing.

I'm witnessing something incredible right now.

My real sister is being viscously caressed by a childhood friend she's known since elementary school.

In their underwear, the sweet breaths of the girls echoed in the air-conditioned room.

Izumi's hand slowly stretched downward.

Her white fingers stroked Aoi's thighs and seemed to invade her heart as they went deeper.

"I-Izumi-chan...!"

"Aoi-san."

To drown out the leaking scream, she sealed Aoi's lips with her own.

"Nn...Nn..." muffled sounds escaped from their mouths.

It was a different kind of kiss than before, a kiss with entwining tongues.

Izumi's tongue pushed through Aoi's small lips. At first, the movement was hesitant but gradually, it became more intense, turning into a literally devouring deep kiss.

Gasping for air, Aoi clung desperately to Izumi, who was all-consumed with invading her membranes.

Izumi's eyes passionately stared at Aoi, who tightly closed her own eyes.

Overwhelmed by the intensity, Aoi couldn't think of anything else as she wrapped her hands around Izumi's back and held on.

Aoi's skirt was already flipped up, revealing her panties that matched the color of her bra.

Just as Izumi's fingers were about to delve further,

"N-No, stop..."

Aoi twisted her body and pushed Izumi's shoulder back.

'Nn...' Izumi groaned. Her brief grimace was probably because Aoi had pushed her shoulders so hard.

The bridge of saliva that connected their lips snapped when they separated.

Aoi, whose face was too red to even look at her partner, fixed her disheveled skirt while looking diagonally downward.

Gasping for breath.

"I-I'm sorry, Izumi-chan... But we can't... We're still middle schoolers, and this is... too lewd..."

She said, as if squeezing the words out.

Seeing Aoi trembling with her hand on her chest, the fire of lust in Izumi's eyes gradually weakened.

After that fire had completely disappeared, what floated up seemed to be feelings of affectionate love.

"I'm sorry, Aoi-san." Izumi gently hugged Aoi, who seemed like she was about to cry with her tear-filled eyes. "Then Aoi-san, how about this…?"

"...Yeah."

Aoi nodded and whispered.

"I'm the one who should apologize. It's just that you're so cute, Aoi-san."

"I'm not cute at all..."

"No, you're cute. Very, very cute."

Izumi kissed Aoi's cheek.

Then, she rubbed their cheeks together and tightly hugged Aoi's body.

Aoi just let herself be embraced like a body pillow.

The tension gradually left her stiff body.

"This feels kind of nice, but..."

As they playfully touched each other, Aoi let out her honest impression.

Then, Izumi playfully nibbled Aoi's earlobe.

"Hyah...!"

"How was that kiss earlier? What did you think?"

Aoi's ears flushed.

"W-Well, I think it was a bit too soon for me... My spine was shivering, and… my mind went blank..."

Izumi persistently questioned,

"I'm asking if it felt good, Aoi-san."

"W-Well, that's..."

While burying her face in Izumi's chest, Aoi said,

"...I-It might have... felt… good."

Izumi smiled mischievously.

"Aoi-san, you're such a pervert."

"Ah!"

Aoi suddenly raised her head and let out a speechless voice.

Looking up and seeing Izumi's smile,

"Uu... Izumi-chan, you're so mean..."

"I just wanted to hear more of Aoi-san's cute voice."

"I'm not cute~"

"Sorry, is it okay if we stay like this for a little longer?"

"Nn."

Izumi cuddled up to her like a spoiled child.

Aoi stroked her head.

"Yeah... It's okay."

"... Somehow, I'm sorry. I made you feel so embarrassed."

"O-Okay. But even though you say that, we're still in our underwear."

"But isn't it more comfortable with our skin touching?"

"That's… I can understand that a bit."

Aoi, who had been moving her lips hesitantly, let out a sigh.

"I wonder if I'm lewd..."

"You're worrying about that? You're cute Aoi-san. Cute."

Stroked like a puppy, Aoi had an unsatisfied expression.

Sensing the mood, Izumi smiled and said, 'It's okay.'

"No matter how you look at it, I'm the one who attacked Aoi-san, so I'm the lewder one here, right?"

"Y-Yeah..."

It seemed that Aoi wasn't fully convinced by that answer.

Izumi laid down and rested her head on Aoi's lap, assuming a lap pillow position.

"Hey, Aoi-san."

"What is it?"

Looking up at Aoi's face, Izumi changed the subject.

"Our school trip is coming up soon."

"Yeah, I'm excited. I've never been to Kyoto."

"Let's go sightseeing together in various places, Aoi-san."

"Sure!"

It was as if they were having pillow talk like lovers after their intimate moments.

But at this moment, they were still just friends.

Friends who kissed and touched each other's bodies.

"If I dragged you into a hidden spot and kissed you during the trip, would you be mad?"

"Um, that would be a bit troubling..."

"Maybe the thrill of being seen would be unbearably pleasurable – Ow!"

Aoi tapped Izumi's forehead.

Then, she pouted and scolded her.

"You can't be that kind of pervert. Geez... Izumi-chan, you're so lewd."

"........."

Immediately after those words, a passionate Izumi pushed Aoi down again.

My little sister had gotten herself into quite a predicament.

 

 

And thus.

Izumi continues to frequently visit Aoi's room, and they spent sweet moments together.

They kissed, hugged, and sometimes shared passionate kisses. They never escalated beyond that, never crossing the line, and enjoyed their secret pleasures together.

From an outsider's perspective, it would appear as if they were in a relationship.

However, there was one thing that bothered me.

For some reason, Izumi never said the word 'Love'.

She would happily look at the pictures they took together when she went home, or hug the stuffed toy Aoi made a long time ago.

And even when Izumi was absorbed in acts that were absolutely unmentionable for her own sake, she would call out Aoi's name with yearning, 'Aoi-san, Aoi-san...'

But she never said 'I love you.'

They remained friends, continuing as just friends.

I thought it was as if a seat was being saved for someone else.

 

Without saying more, the pleasures continued.

(Of course, I wasn't able to join the school trip as expected.)

The seasons changed, and it's now winter.

In January of their second year of middle school, Aoi caught a fever again.

I suddenly realized, come to think of it, she always got sick when winter came.

I had completely forgotten about it, but January was the month I had my accident.

So it was a lie that Aoi had grown up and overcome the sorrow of my death.

This was the third year now. Aoi always had a fever without fail every January.

 

"Aoi-san?"

With a gentle knock, Izumi opened the door and peeked in.

Aoi was fast asleep on the bed.

Thank you for coming to visit her, but sorry, she just fell asleep.

Though my voice couldn't be heard, Izumi entered the room as quietly as possible and placed the printouts from her bag on Aoi's desk.

Then, she looked down at Aoi's face.

"A sleeping Aoi-san is so cute."

Izumi leaned against the bedside for a while, lovingly gazing at Aoi's sleeping face as she breathed softly.

There's no way a mere friend would have such an expression.

Was Izumi still desperately holding back something...?

"Aoi-san, take care and get well soon."

As she got up to leave, she brushed aside Aoi's bangs with her finger and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. It was at that moment.

From outside of the room, a voice called out. "Aoi."

Izumi almost let out a gasp and looked around frantically. Her gaze settled on the open closet, and she slipped inside.

The closet door closed almost simultaneously as the room door opened.

"Aoi?"

The one who appeared was Chiharu. For me, it had been about a year since I last saw her.

Come to think of it, the last time I saw her was in January last year. Aoi was also feeling unwell back then.

Although she didn't give the charm kiss, Chiharu had never skipped visiting Aoi.

Seeing her for the first time in a while, she had grown taller and looked much more mature. Even though she was only in her second year of middle school, she might have already caught up with me in height.

Well, Aoi and Izumi were growing too, but since I see them every day, I might not notice it as much.

At this point, Izumi, who had hidden in the closet to avoid being seen kissing Aoi, was probably relieved to know it was Chiharu.

Though, if my mother had witnessed them kissing, it would have been a big problem... Nevertheless, I think there was no need to hide in the first place... But then I remembered Chiharu sulking when Izumi came to visit Aoi with her.

Chiharu put down her bag and looked at the printouts on the desk, making a complicated expression.

"Seems Izumi was here."

Chiharu, who hadn't visited the Ueda house for a while, didn't seem to even know the difference between Aoi and Izumi's shoes at the entrance. It felt a little lonely somehow.

However, she was still a kind girl, coming to visit Aoi when she heard she had a fever.

"...Aoi."

Chiharu sat down beside Aoi's bed, right where Izumi had been sitting earlier.

Her gaze, looking down at Aoi, seemed to be colored with various emotions, different from when she was in elementary school.

Three years ago, I could easily understand what Chiharu was thinking. But not now.

Chiharu stared intently at Aoi without ever looking away.

Izumi, who seemed to have lost the timing to leave, held her breath.

Now, this room has become a place watched over by two yuri enthusiasts, Izumi and me.

No, no, you shouldn't put us together. I'm just an ordinary yuri enthusiast, but Izumi really loves Aoi. She's a maiden in love, probably.

Chiharu reached out and gently stroked Aoi's cheek with her finger.

No way.

And it happened. Chiharu brought her face closer to Aoi's.

Tucking her hair behind her ear and contained the overflowing impulse deep in her eyes, Chiharu kissed Aoi's slightly parted lips.

"...!"

The sound of Izumi holding her breath in the closet was conveyed to my leaves.

The brief meeting ended, and Chiharu, who parted her lips, stared earnestly at her childhood friend.

She was about to turn her face to try kiss Aoi once more.

But the second kiss didn't happen.

Aoi opened her eyes.

Her feverish, dazed face caught only silhouettes.

Chiharu, who had frozen, was about to call out 'Aoi' when,

"...Izumi...chan?"

"---"

Aoi closed her eyes and puckered her lips, for the person she trusted completely.

As if she always did that.

She waited. However, Chiharu didn't kiss Aoi.

It must have been that her consciousness briefly surfaced between dreams, as Aoi soon began to breathe in her sleep again.

Chiharu, who had been unable to move all this time, bit her lip.

"..."

And so did Izumi, who was still in the closet.

The love triangle of the three took a new turn here.

And that was the prelude to a long farewell and resolution.

When Chiharu left the room with her head down, Izumi came out of the closet after a short while.

Even though Izumi had always spent her middle school days with Aoi, and should be deeply ingrained in her heart since her name was called, her face still looked troubled.

"..."

After staring at Aoi, Izumi left the room without saying goodbye.

When Aoi woke up alone in the room, she called out the girl's name.

"...Chii-chan...? Did you come to see me...?"

No one was in the room now, except for me.

 

About thirty minutes later, Izumi returned home.

As soon as she got back, she made a phone call.

Of course, the person she called was--

« Izumi. »

"I need to talk to you."

« That's perfect. I have something to talk about too. »

"Can you come over to my place now? Sorry, it might take a while."

« ...Alright. »

The conversation was brief and to the point. They would talk face to face now, it seemed.

Izumi's mood was tense and scary.

Could it be that a battlefield is about to erupt now...? Chiharu wouldn't bring a knife, would she...? It'll be alright, right...? I'm scared.

As my timid roots trembled, Izumi suddenly grabbed my leaf.

"---What was that, Chiharu-san?"

She tore it off with a snap. Ouch!

Izumi's eyes were fixed. I imagined the terrible situation that was about to happen and turned pale blue.

Please, both of you, at least avoid leaving scars on your beautiful faces... At least on the stomach, on the stomach...

True to her track team reputation, Chiharu arrived in no time.

"Please, make yourself comfortable."

"...Yeah."

Chiharu sat cross-legged on the cushion, with Izumi facing her.

The two were silent for some time.

The one who took the initiative was Izumi, who was always familiar with straightforward approach in her life.

"I'm sorry."

"...Eh?"

Chiharu looked puzzled, as if she hadn't expected an apology.

However, her expression changed immediately after.

"I saw it. You kissing Aoi-san. I was in the closet."

"What the hell is that?" Chiharu replied irritably. "Was it fun watching me?"

"That's not it. I was about to kiss her too, but then you came in, and I panicked."

Upon saying that, Chiharu looked away.

"... I see, so you and Aoi were dating, huh? You've always been close. I get it. I'm sorry for getting in the way. I, the intruder, will leave now."

"Please, just listen to what I have to say."

"Even if I listen to more..."

"Please listen. My Japanese grades are better than yours, so I'll explain everything in order. Come on, sit back down."

"...Grades have nothing to do with it..."

Reluctantly, Chiharu sat back down.

"Well, I'm a little tense, so I don't know if I can explain well, but..."

"I honestly think your ability to maintain objectivity like this is impressive. I can't imitate that."

"Is that so? That's nice, but... Yes, to put it in order, Aoi-san and I have had a physical relationship for about half a year now."

"You're joking again even in this situation...? You haven't changed at all since our first year..."

"No, this is true."

"I'm leaving."

"But it's just kissing and occasionally touching each other's bodies!"

Izumi grabbed the hem of Chiharu's clothes to stop her from leaving.

Chiharu scratched her head, frustrated.

"It's becoming a competition of whether I'll lose my temper first or you finish your explanation."

"Thrilling, isn't it? I can't afford to lose."

Chiharu seemed to be crushed already.

It's understandable that a middle schooler with normal nerves would make such a face if they found out their two best friends were in that kind of relationship.

"Like I said, I always thought I liked Aoi-san."

Chiharu propped her chin up with her hand, even in response to Izumi's serious confession.

"...So that's why you asked when you phoned me before. Who you like doesn't matter to me. You don't need to get my permission every time."

"But, this might be different."

Izumi looked down.

It's true that Izumi had never told Aoi she loved her.

At that point, Chiharu furrowed her brow.

"Different? But you have a physical relationship, right?"

"Yes, but... when you kissed Aoi-san, I didn't hate it at all."

Izumi squeezed out the words.

"Normally, if you see the person you like kissing someone else, you wouldn't feel that way. You'd think your chest would burn with jealousy, or you'd start to hate Chiharu-san. But me... I'm not normal. Even though I thought I liked Aoi-san, when I saw the two of you kissing, my heart raced. It was the same as when I kissed her, or maybe even more..."

"... "

"So, my head is a mess... The scene of you two kissing is burned into my mind and won't go away."

Hearing those words,

Chiharu said--

"--It made me feel terrible."

Izumi held her breath.

As if to say she couldn't hide it any longer,

Chiharu revealed her true feelings.

"Finding out that you two were in that kind of relationship made me feel really awful. But I thought you were a good match, so I didn't plan on saying anything. You're beautiful, smart, and mature. When you phoned me before, I actually didn't like the conversation, but I thought it couldn't be helped if it was you. Because Aoi looked so happy when she was with you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Izumi, who grabbed her hand, was furious.

"So you're saying you suppressed your feelings and handed her over to me? Did you not care that much about Aoi-san? Weren't you in love with her all this time? Aoi-san said she learned about the 'charm' from a very important person!"

"Aoi talked about it, huh?"

"I didn't ask who she learn it from!"

"I..."

Chiharu let out the emotions she had been holding back, her words spilling out like opening a faucet.

"I was so sad when Hana-chan died."

Huh?

W-Wait, me?

"But Aoi was always down too, so I thought I had to do something. But then, I also felt comforted when I was trying to cheer Aoi up."

Chiharu glared at Izumi fiercely.

"My Japanese grades aren't as good as yours, so this might be a mess, but that's fine, right?"

"Of course. Because I have the comprehension skills, after all."

Izumi accepted Chiharu's intense gaze head-on.

"I loved Hana-chan. I always did."

Wh-What...?

"I didn't know what to do, so I stayed by Aoi's side as a substitute for Hana-chan. Even the 'charm', I actually learned it from Hana-chan. But I couldn't keep my feelings like that forever. While visiting Aoi, who had become like a little sister to me, when she had a fever, I started to like her... It's all because you lent me weird books!"

"M-Marimite is not weird books!"

Izumi firmly denied that one point. I agreed with her.

"It's stupid and unfaithful to instantly fall in love with your little sister just because your older sister is gone, right?"

Bad news, my period of being loved was short.

Well, it's a good thing, but...

"I hate myself! I didn't want you to find out about this because I thought you'd laugh at me all the time!"

"You think I would laugh at that?"

Izumi let go of Chiharu's hand and said more seriously than anyone.

"No matter who likes who in what way, that's okay, isn't it? Even if you fall in love with the sister of the person you loved, or fall for a girl."

"...I couldn't think that way. I thought I was unfaithful and improper."

"I thought that too. But Aoi-san told me these words."

"That girl..."

Chiharu bit her lip.

"In the end, I was the one who was always clinging to her. Aoi recovered, but I couldn't. When I tried to join the same club as Aoi, she told me not to push myself."

"...I heard that."

"I hadn't changed at all since the time I was following Hana-chan around. This time, the target just became Aoi... If Aoi ever got a lover, I thought that this time, I wouldn't be able to depend on anyone else anymore. But when I thought about it, I felt so miserable."

She must have never been able to tell anyone about this until now.

Just like Izumi, Chiharu had been struggling too.

And as a result, she took action.

Izumi wasn't angry anymore. She looked at Chiharu and listened intently, trying to accept her feelings.

"So that's why I joined the track team. I did the 800-meter run, which everyone said was the most painful, and I ran every single day. Because when I was running, I didn't have to think about anything."

"You kept doing it every weekend too, didn't you?"

"Yeah. I did it without looking away. Aoi invited me to hang out several times, but I kept resisting because I thought if I depended on her here, I'd be slipping back into my old ways. I had to be able to stand on my own two feet. I could still see her at school, after all."

To think she'd been bottling up her feelings for two years.

Chiharu must have been in so much pain.

A middle school girl being stubborn about such things like being laughed at. Surely, Izumi would understand those very important feelings.

"...But in the end, if Aoi and Izumi were dating, it would have been fine. Because it was my own choice, I was determined to bear it. It's just a little...unpleasant not having a smiling Aoi by my side."

'Huh' Chiharu covered her face.

Tears were spilling from her eyes before she knew it.

"That's strange, why?"

"...It's because you, Chiharu-san, love Aoi-san."

Izumi sat down next to Chiharu and hugged her head tightly.

"Even though you love her so much you cry... Why are you trying to act so mature...? Saying it's fine if it's me when you don't really feel that way..."

"It's not that I'm making excuses. I really thought that way. The part of me that screams 'I don't want it' is just my childish side. If I run, that feeling will disappear."

"It won't disappear, no matter how much you run... Your heart will only wear out from feeling it, but your feelings will always be there."

Because Izumi had experienced it herself, the words naturally came out of her mouth.

Somehow, tears had mixed into Izumi's voice as well.

Both the one being hugged and the one hugging were crying.

"...What will you do from now on?"

"Nothing will change. I'll finish the track team. If I give up on what I've been doing here, I'll hate myself for the rest of my life."

"What about Aoi-san?"

"You'll be together by her side, right?"

"... "

At that point, Izumi fell silent.

She couldn't go on like this.

Izumi strongly felt that way.

She, too, wished to change.

Letting go of Chiharu's head, she wiped her tears and declared firmly.

"Until I graduate from middle school, I too, won't go to Aoi-san's house."

Chiharu opened her eyes in surprise.

"Why? No, you don't have to adjust to me."

"No, I said it, didn't I? That seeing you two kiss made my heart race. I hate that, I have a part of myself that I hate too."

Now, Izumi's hand was trembling.

"I want to fall in love with Aoi-san more properly. Touching Aoi-san any further with these half-hearted feelings is the same as being a playboy who's only after her body. I'm sure if we're together, I won't be able to resist..."

Chiharu gently touched Izumi's hand and stared at her eyes.

Their fingers intertwined tightly.

"Talking with you made me realize that I was still immature too. Unaware of it, I was worse than Aoi-san or Chiharu-san. I only liked to feel pleasures, and my heart hadn't grown at all. If I had continued to desire Aoi-san as I was, I would have soon reached a point of no return."

Chiharu blushed.

"...As I thought, you're really mature, Izumi."

"Not at all. Instead of indulging in the world of yuri, I need to genuinely fall in love with 'Aoi-san'. Not as Sei-sama, but as myself"

Hearing that, Chiharu relaxed her cheeks as well.

"...I see. Then I'll support you. But what will you tell Aoi?"

"I'll tell her that I need to focus on my exams. And that when I'm with her, I feel like I might drown in lust. Neither of them are lies. It's okay, I've been living with the intention of holding out for twelve years, so one more year won't make a difference now."

However, Chiharu's face clouded over.

"But if neither of us is by Aoi's side, what if she gets a boyfriend...?"

"At that time,"

Izumi suppressed her anxiety and smiled.

"Once I enter high school and have grown both physically and mentally, I'll make Aoi-san look at me."

Chiharu laughed, caught up in Izumi's determined declaration.

"You're amazing, Izumi. You're always so spirited."

"Are you okay with that, Chiharu-san? I don't intend to lose to anyone but you, so if you go on like this, Aoi-san and I will end up getting married. Will you be able to sit in the guest seats and sincerely congratulate us?"

"I don't know yet."

Chiharu wiped the traces of her tears and smiled shyly.

"But if there comes a time when I no longer hate myself, I'll tell her for sure. That I loved Hana-chan. And now, I love Aoi more than anyone else in the world."

"Is that so?"

Izumi smiled.

"It's frustrating, but when that time comes, I want to be a houseplant or something, watching you two."

"Why?"

"Because..."

With a smile that imagined the happiness of her loved one, Izumi said,

"Because I think Aoi-san will be the most beautiful person in the world at that time."

 

Chiharu called her parents and stayed at Izumi's house that night.

As if there had been no gap between them, they talked about various things late into the night.

Most of their conversation was about Aoi, and I couldn't help but feel proud that two such wonderful girls were thinking about Aoi.

Someday the two would surely become beautiful women and go to meet Aoi.

Like princes seeking Cinderella.

 

At that time, when the girls had begun climbing the stairs to adulthood.

Our slow-paced princess was also taking steady steps forward, one step at a time, with her own feet.

 

"Onee-chan."

This year's fever fluctuated around 39 degrees and didn't subside easily.

Chiharu and Izumi came to visit every day, but they didn't stay long, and Aoi spent most of her time alone.

"Izumi-chan said that since we'll have exams next year, we should refrain from kissing and such for a while."

I, the houseplant that Aoi brought all the way to the bedside, could only listen to her voice.

"It's amazing how she's thinking about the future. I can't even figure out what's going to happen a month from now. Izumi-chan is amazing."

I can't ease Aoi's loneliness.

I can't even stroke her anymore.

"Chiharu-chan is also doing her best in the track team. She might even break the prefectural record. Chiharu-chan is amazing too, Onee-chan."

Aoi looked up at the ceiling and muttered uneasily.

"I wonder if I'm going to be all alone again."

Her heart must be weak from the fever.

"Chiharu-chan and Izumi-chan are both working hard towards their goals, and that should make me happy. But if I show them a lonely face, I'll make them worry... I have to smile, or they'll worry."

Aoi is a kind girl.

She always had a smile on her face when Chiharu and Izumi came to visit.

Even though that forced smile must have been noticeable.

"I don't want to be the only one who stays like this."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

But Aoi endured, not letting out a sob.

It's because Aoi is this kind that Chiharu and Izumi have come to love her nurturing nature.

"I'll work hard too, so I won't be left behind by them."

But Aoi doesn't want to stay that way.

Even though Aoi is already so kind and considerate, why can't that be enough?

It felt like my heart was being tightly squeezed.

"Even without Onee-chan, I'll do my best."

If only I could hug her right now, how wonderful that would have been.

I think of Chiharu and Izumi as my real sisters, but as expected, Aoi is the most important person to me.

"I'll become strong and able to do anything by myself."

I want to pamper her and tell her she doesn't have to do that.

I want to hug her and tell her it's okay if she never grows up.

But Aoi is looking firmly towards the future.

Compared to her peers, her pace of climbing the stairs may be slow enough to make you yawn.

But still, I want to support her.

I want to support my sister who has chosen to face the pains, unpleasant experiences, loneliness, and hardships of life.

Because that's the only thing I can do.

"Watch over me, Onee-chan."

Of course, Aoi.

Because, I'm not going anywhere--

--So, for today, good night.

"...Good night, Onee-chan."

The following year, in the midst of the exam season in January, Aoi didn't get a fever for the first time.

At that moment, when I realized she had finally overcome her sister's death in her fourth year,

I felt that the end of my life as a houseplant was drawing near.

 

And so, the three of them grew a little more into adults.

The story was heading towards the next stage

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