Chapter 27: The Lies Begin to Peel Away

「...Haa.」

I sighed toward the sky. Even doing this won't make the sky comfort me.

The sky is surely watching my struggles. But that's all. Just like a mere bystander.

The day after that incident, when I went to pick up Shigure, she wasn't there. I tried pressing the intercom and sending messages, but there was no response.

Since then, for several days. Shigure has continued to be absent.

There's a possibility she's sick and bedridden, but the reason is probably related to yesterday's events.

「What's wrong? Is your long-awaited lunch break with me that boring?」

「Deadly so.」

「You don't need to go that far... Shigure-san didn't come today either apparently. Is she sick?」

「Why are you asking me?」

「Because you're her boyfriend.」

To Sena's words I added "Fake" and shook my head.

「What, did you have a fight?」

「We didn't.」

「Then what?」

「...Guilt?」

「Why is that a question?」

In the end, I can't read Shigure's state of mind either.

The fact that she was hurt by yesterday's events is probably true. However, I suspect that's not all there is to it.

Surely in Shigure's background, there's still something hidden that I don't know about. The wound that opened up because of yesterday's events is tormenting Shigure.

「Something smells fishy.」

「What? Is your specialty lie sensor reacting again?」

「Rather than lies, it's more like secrets.」

「Fuhn~ ...Well, I hope you resolve it quickly. I'm personally happy that my Kanato has returned~」

I grab Sena's shoulders to stop him from spreading his arms to hug me.

「...Really, what a high-maintenance woman.」

Looking at the chat screen with no replies, I sighed again.

▼▽

「What are you doing, Onii-chan.」

I shrank back at the cold gaze that hardly seemed like words directed at a blood relative.

Before I knew it, the weekend had arrived, and visiting Yume's hospital room, I was forced to spill this week's events.

Yume stares at me with eyes that seem to say she can't believe it. ...I knew this would happen.

「What are you doing, Onii-chan.」

「...A rerun?」

「You don't understand a maiden's heart! Why don't you push harder!?」

「I'm a guy, so I wouldn't understand a maiden's heart...」

Yume covered her face with both hands and let out a big sigh.

「Ahh, geez... Of course she's not okay! Go to Shigure-san's place quickly!」

「I'm going, but she doesn't respond. ...All I can do now is wait.」

「At this rate it'll be a breakup! A breakup! Is that okay with you?」

Breakup. Those two characters are becoming more threatening to me than ever before.

The worst-case scenario flashed through my mind, but I shook my head as if to shake it off.

「...I'm thinking of doing something about it.」

「Then you have to do something! I'm curious too!」

Faced with Yume who had even more enthusiasm than me, I was overwhelmed throughout.

Less than ten minutes after entering the hospital room, I was thrown out into the hallway.

According to Yume, "If you have time to spend on me, move for Shigure-san's sake!". My little sister is tougher than me.

「...Now then.」

While I said all I could do was wait, it's not like I haven't been taking action. The reason I came here today is because there's a possibility I could meet Shigure.

I head in the opposite direction from the entrance and toward the balcony.

The sunny balcony has potted plants and such placed there to provide even a little connection to nature, and I hear many patients meet with visitors here.

During this time, many elderly people gather here to get sunlight. Looking around, I couldn't see Shigure.

I also checked the cafeteria and the library inside the hospital, but Shigure was nowhere to be found.

Previously, Shigure had come here to visit an acquaintance. I thought maybe today too, so I came to check, but apparently my prediction was wrong.

(No results...)

「Ah.」

As I was about to leave the library, a book fell at my feet.

Picking up the book, I meet eyes with what seems to be a middle-aged woman who had dropped it. The woman who looked startled upon seeing me resembled Shigure somehow.

「Oh my, could you be... Ren's boyfriend?」

「Eh... How do you know that...」

「I knew it.」

The woman murmured somewhat happily and bowed her head slightly.

「I'm Shigure Kyouka. Ren's mother. Thanks for taking care of my daughter.」