As i was having my breakfast, I noticed my mom fidgeting.
"Hey, Is there something wrong?"
"Well..."
So there is something wrong.
Haa... that sister of mine, didn't even wish me a happy birthday.
I wonder, would she be happier if there was no birthday of mine?
"What is mom? Is there something wrong? if it's about the expenditure bit... I'll take care of it. I can land some extra shifts."
"No, no, no... That's not it. Ofcourse, i won't make you work for the present i bought you. That's not it, It's just hard to say."
Why's she blushing... don't tell me...
She... Can't be...
"Me and Tachibana-san have decided to move in together."
No way... This... this is a development i wasn't expecting.
"Are... You serious?"
I blurted out with a bit more force than i intended to.
"Should i not have?"
"No... Mom, Are you serious. This is such good news... This... You guys are finally getting together. Aah, is that why sister was so pissed in the morning?"
"... No, She was happy."
So... it's just my face that pissed her off.
The day i die serving the nation is probably the day you'll realise my worth, Little sister of mine.
But wait, this... this is a problem.
A serious problem.
Would she agree? to love in the same house as us?
No... Me?
She... doesn't wanna stay friends with me... so why would she even accept it.
I smacked my head with my hand, realising what i had done.
"Son, is something wrong? does your head hurt?"
"Mom... There's something i have to tell you."
Maybe it's time i tell her... what happened a month ago.
"..."
"I'm sorry mom. I didn't think far ahead, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't hate me... Pelase."
I started desperately pleading forgiveness.
Is it because of the rejection? Or is it the behavious from my sister today.
I feel increasingly sensitive to my feelings today.
She's... she's all i have.
If she comes to have me too... I'll have nowhere else to go.
"It's alright... don't worry about it. I see, so that's what happened? She's a beautiful women, I always wondered why someone like her was even friends with my unattractive son."
"What? You said i was the most handsome man in the world."
"Ofcourse you are, From my prospective you are... but well... Anyway, It's understandable you caught feelings for her... But, You went ahead and said it too?"
"I... I'm sorry."
"It's fine, it's fine. I didn't know you were such a man."
What's that supposed to mean?
"Well... i just thought that you'd wuss out at the last minute. But, you actuallly went through with it."
"That's why i always tell you. For a guy like me, having self confidence is like being delusional. Because of meager compliments i ended up getting conceited. I started to realise what i really was to her these past 1 month."
"Hey, son. It's fine, So don't say such things. If you aren't confident you won't be able to join the army-"
"Mom, I'm back. I forgot my hair pin."
"Ooh, welcome back."
"Tch."
Why... does she hate me so much?
Is it because she's beautiful and can't stand an ugly guy like me being her brother?
"Why... don't you tell him to stop dreaming so big. It was your own fault Mom, Now you might not end up being with the guy you wanna be with."
"You knew, haa?"
"She told me, she also told me how disappointed she was with your confession."
I see... I thought our realtionship could get better somehow but it appears that she's truly disappointed.
"Maybe you should just disown me or something."
"HUH?" X2
"It was a joke, a joke."
"..."
why are they so quite all of a sudden... Wait are they thinking about it?
Seriously? They are both thinking about it.
Am... i that unimportant?
Well, it coukd solve a big problem wouldn't it.
She suddenly Grabbed my shoulder.
Isn't this when they say, Wow... you gave us a good idea, Good job.
"Don't ever say that again, Even as a joke."
"This stupid bastard. I can't have my braincells fried with him around me so I'm out. Also Happy birthday, Dumb brother."
"Aah, you remembered."
"Tch. What a stupid question."
I mean... I'm glad the both of you gave such a strong reaction.
Haha I was scared for a second there.
Well not as scared as when i saw their cold stares.
...
Nothibg unnecessary happened at school today and mom told me to come early since she wanted to have an evening Party.
Is there a need to go so far?
Well, I'm glad atleast.
I should work extra hours to repay this kindness.
"I'm bac-K"
What the hell? What are these 2 doing here?
"Hi... Uncle, Hi... Airi."
Calling her Airi after so long made me feel goosebumps.
"Hey... Takada."
"Hey, it's my man Takada. How have you been? Haven't seen you in so long. Happy birthday, Young man. 15 right? Man, you sure have grown up into a handsome young man."
Yaa... right.
"Hello uncle, You look as handsome and gentlemanly as you always have."
"Ahhaha, Stop with the flattery."
"Happy birthday Takada, Sorry i couldn't come in the morning i was very busy."
"It's... fine."
When have you ever shown up in the past 1 month.
Is... this how i get a happy birthday from her?
She... feels so uncomfortable.
"Well... You guys have fun. I have evening practice so I'll be going."
"Practice?"
"Aah, he plays a sport. As a pass time, Or maybe he is serious i Don know but it's very interesting. It's not known anywahere in Japan, So it doesn't cost much and he Seriously seems to like it so, i decided why not. He was very depressed in a part of his life."
Aah, that time.
That time when i'd complete given up on life and also on her knowing my worthlessness.
That was when... My sister, mother and She pullsd me back out of that hell hole.
I feel like I'm gonna fall right back into that pit if i Don't find a distraction.
"I see, well atleast have dinner with us. It's been a while since i saw you here."
"I... have a match uncle, So... i really can't. I'm sorry."
As much as i Don't wanna do this, The women next to him doesn't really seem very comfortable around me.
Maybe i shouldn't have done that.
"Also, I hope things work out for the 2 of you."
"Huh? Well, It's up to her now. The Ball is in her court. So, Makino... What do you want? Do you want to get together?"
"Well..."
for a second she looked at Airi, And airi had her head down.
So, they did make a decision.
She didn't wanna go against her father's wishes.
And that's why she accepted.
"Airi, Are you fine with this?"
"..."
"We had a talk and she said she's fine with it."
"Airi, are you sure?"
So... are you sure you wanna do this? Live with us.
"If you are worried about that guy there... We'll take care of him. It's entirely your decision to make."
"Airi... is there something wrong? You... you look very uncomfortable."
"I'll be honest, Makoto-san. This stupid son of mine... Confessed to your daughter."
"WHAT?"
He looked at me with a look of disbelief.
"I... I'll be going now."
The way he looked at me...
"Also I'm very sorry."
This was all i could blurt out as i left.