Chapter 8: True Feelings

I, Hasaka Runa, have a secret I can't tell anyone.

I think my life has been incredibly happy compared to ordinary people.

Otou-san died in an unfortunate accident.

I was repeatedly subjected to violence by my step-father after Okaa-san remarried.

They divorced and we moved, where I was bullied.

Looking back, those were about the only unpleasant things.

But you know, there were so many things that made me happy enough to cancel out all those bad things and more.

Like that first karaoke trip with Gikei-chan and Yui-chan.

Like that moment when I received birthday presents from Gikei-chan and Yui-chan.

Like that night when Gikei-chan held me.

To someone else, these might look like just ordinary, unremarkable days, but to me they're now a major part of my heart.

──So you know, when Gikei-chan wouldn't look at me, it hurt terribly, like my chest was being torn apart.

I knew. That he like Yui-chan.

He'd been involved with her since before I became part of the family.

I'm her younger sister, so there's no way he'd like me romantically.

Of course... I don't stand a chance.

Yui-chan is kind to everyone, smart, and cute.

I sometimes thought it was unfair.

But the reason I couldn't bring myself to hate that unfairness was because Yui-chan was still someone precious to me.

Come to think of it, Gikei-chan said he likes honest people.

Ah-ah. I wonder what face Gikei-chan would make if he knew about these feelings.

I want to try being honest.

Surely Gikei-chan is kind, so he wouldn't reject me.

But there definitely wouldn't be any affirmation either.

Hey Gikei-chan, I have something I want to ask.

If I weren't your sister, if I weren't even your former sister, would you have come to like me?

Not that I can ask that.

From now on, I'll work hard to help Yui-chan and Gikei-chan's love come to fruition.

When I make it happen, pat my head and say I did well.

That's all I need...

Watching the two of them laugh innocently together from behind, I made that resolution.

「...I love you, Gikei-chan.」

I whisper it quietly, like a murmur.

That voice was completely drowned out by the city's bustle without a trace.

And I gently closed the lid on my feverish true feelings.