Minamoto Senya looked earnestly into Takanashi Touka's eyes.
He had laid out the reality of the situation, but hidden within his words was also the truth of his feelings—a double meaning only she could catch.
Touka stared back into his gentle gaze. Her lips parted slightly, yet no words came.
The way he held both of her hands so firmly felt a little improper, but although his grip wasn't particularly strong, she found herself unable to pull away.
As if, deep down, she didn't want to resist. She seemed to be the passive one here, yet she too was sinking into the warmth of the moment, unwilling to let go.
"...Touka. I don't mean anything else by saying this. I just want you to know that it's because of you, Rikka, and Mom that I came to understand a kind of presence I had never truly felt before. We care for one another, we look after each other—it's family, yes, but it's also something a little different.
"It gave me a reason to work hard. It turned someone like me, who used to just drift through life, into someone with real drive. I like this version of myself—this life that feels so full. I know I've been charging forward without looking around, and I'm sorry for that. But there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time now..."
Senya leaned forward.
In Touka's widening pupils, his face drew closer, inch by inch.
"No..."
With their foreheads touching, he stopped. Closing his eyes, he swallowed back the feelings he could no longer hold down.
"...Thank you. For always being there. For supporting me. I'm really lucky to have you all."
His voice was soft, almost fragile, and it carried a gentleness that wrapped around her heart.
Sensing her hesitation, he hid the heat of his emotions and chose a milder way to express them.
"!"
Touka's heart pounded wildly, to the point of suffocation. Her ears burned crimson as shame flooded through her—for the reckless fantasies that had flashed through her mind a moment earlier. And yet, at the same time, she was immeasurably grateful she hadn't blurted out a full rejection.
To hide her fluster—and because his heartfelt words had truly moved her—Touka decided she had to show the composure of an older sister. She slipped her hands free, shifted to kneel on the sofa, and pulled Senya into her arms.
Her confidence was shaky, and she had no idea what kind of expression was on her face right now. She could only rely on the tenderness of the moment to carry her through.
Besides, tonight Senya wasn't his usual mature, reserved self. He had shown a boyish vulnerability and spoken words that reached straight to her heart. She couldn't just let that pass without giving something back.
After all... the atmosphere had already been built up to this point.
For siblings, a hug like this... was normal, wasn't it?
For Touka, maybe that was true. But for Senya, his whole body stiffened, his neck tightening as he became acutely aware of the warmth and softness pressing against him.
In that instant, he learned just how powerful Touka's embrace could be.
And he also realized... Touka didn't wear undergarments under her pajamas at night.
Not when she slept, he wasn't sure. But at least after a bath—she clearly didn't.
"...D-Don't say things like that. If Mom hadn't met Dad, and if Rikka and I hadn't met you... then we're the lucky ones."
"A win-win, huh." Senya smiled faintly, lifting his head from her chest.
Moisturizer might be great, but too much of it could be dangerous.
"Mm. A win-win indeed." Seeing his smile, Touka felt her mood lighten too.
"But there's something else I need to apologize for."
"Apologize?"
"Yeah. Back when Mom and Dad had their accident. And later, when you wanted to work part-time to help with expenses... I always took matters into my own hands. I decided everything for us, thinking it was the best way. But I ignored how you felt. I didn't consider your emotions or your opinions. Looking back, that was wrong. I shouldn't have forced my way of thinking on you. We're all individuals. I'm sorry, Touka."
Touka blinked, worried. "Senya... are you really okay today? You're digging up things from so long ago..."
Tonight, he was being too honest. Too gentle. Normally, he was thoughtful, yes—but this felt like more than that, almost unreal.
Senya shrugged. "When you've made mistakes, you've gotta lower yourself a little."
"...I don't think you made mistakes. Who do you think held our family together through those hard times? Who do you think gave us the life we have now?"
"That's different. And there's one more thing I need to make clear."
"What is it?"
"As for everything I've done lately... yes, I've been thinking about the family. But more than that, it's been for myself. For my own fulfillment."
Touka frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
Senya smirked faintly. "If you think back to what I said earlier, you should get it."
Touka pouted. "Oh, so now you're talking in riddles?"
Senya didn't reply. He just smiled.
Looking at him, Touka suddenly asked, "Did Haruno say something to you?"
"What about Haruno-neesan?" Senya feigned ignorance.
"..."
"You can tell me, Touka. Whatever you told Haruno-neesan, you can tell me too, right? There's nothing we can't talk about." He pressed gently, watching her uncertainty.
"It's... nothing important." Touka shook her head.
Tonight, Senya had bared his heart to her more than ever before, shown her his truest self. It was already overwhelming—too much for her to process. She had no energy left to dig deeper into anything else.
Senya noticed and let it go. "It's late. You should rest."
"There's still fruit left."
"Rikka's probably still awake. I'll take it to her."
"Tonight should be enough..."
Back in his room, Senya leaned against the door and whispered to himself.
From Haruno, he had learned about Touka's hidden struggles.
It was much like the Yukinoshita sisters: the younger chasing after the elder. But in the Minamoto household, the roles were reversed.
Touka, the older sister, looked at her talented younger brother and felt a complicated mix of emotions. She wanted to catch up, to support him, to contribute. But over time, she realized she couldn't keep up.
The stronger Senya grew, the more painfully obvious her own "weakness" became.
Senya had never noticed before. Not out of carelessness, but because his habit of doing everything alone had blinded him to the shifts in her heart.
It wasn't until his conversation with Yukino earlier that afternoon—about her own sister—that the truth finally struck him.
There's an old saying: great kindness can feel like great debt. Human emotions aren't simple. Life isn't a game where "I love you and you love me" solves everything.
What Senya thought of as his meticulous care—his arrangements, his protection—was suffocating from Touka's perspective. The more conscientious someone is, the heavier that weight becomes.
She wanted to repay him, but the gap between them was too vast. No matter her intention, she didn't know how.
Senya regretted not realizing sooner. If he had, he might have been able to connect with Touka more deeply, to become even closer.
Still... it wasn't too late.
Once a problem is understood, the solution often becomes simple.
All he needed to do was show her that he wasn't perfect. That he needed her. That he relied on her.
Tonight's conversation was only the beginning. From now on, he would take real actions to rebuild her confidence, to show her that her worth was not cheap or replaceable. That she was indispensable—both to him and to their family.
Sitting on his bed, Senya let his vision drift as if through a god's-eye view, slipping into Touka's room across the ceiling.
There she was—cheeks flushed, holding her face with both hands as she sat in a daze. Then she rolled around the bed, hugging her pillow with adorable abandon, before finally picking up the necklace Senya had once given her. Gazing at it, her eyes softened into a springtime glow, and she smiled a breathtaking smile.
Some words had gone unsaid tonight. But at least now, Senya was certain: Touka's feelings for him went beyond mere siblings. Just as his feelings for her did.
Without doubt.
As his gaze pulled back, he caught one last glimpse of her slipping off her pajama bottoms.
Whether she was changing into something looser or just preparing for bed, he didn't stick around to find out.
He wasn't going to be that kind of guy. And honestly, sparing himself the frustration was probably for the best.
Still, after everything tonight—the confessions, the closeness—it was no surprise.
Sleep wouldn't come easily.
Late into the night, Hayasaka finally finished her long list of duties.
Massaging her sore shoulders, she returned to her room.
She had barely sat down when her phone buzzed.
Annoyance pricked at her chest. She let it ring for a while before lazily picking it up.
But when she unlocked the screen, her sour expression melted instantly into a bright one.
It wasn't another order from the Shinomiya family.
It was a casual message from her newest friend—the one she'd only recently connected with thanks to her mother's help.
[Senya: Hayasaka, what do you usually do when you can't sleep?]
Far across the city, Minamoto Senya lay awake, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
At this hour, most people in his contacts would be impossible to bother. But Hayasaka Ai was the exception.
They had exchanged numbers at that banquet and chatted a few times since. Enough to know a little about each other.
Texting was easier—no need to worry about facial expressions, no need for body language. More time to think about what to say.
Maybe that was why Senya always felt Ai was more talkative, more forward in messages than she was in person.
[Hayasaka Ai: Is it you who can't sleep, or someone next to you?]
[Senya: Just finished work?]
[Hayasaka Ai: Yeah.]
[Senya: Must've been tough.]
Along with the text came a sticker of a cat patting someone's head in encouragement.
Ai's eyes softened. Even such a simple exchange filled her with an odd warmth, a kind of comfort she rarely felt.
Her life in the Shinomiya household had been relentless. Most of her time was never her own.
Even at school, she had to wear a mask and play a role. The "friends" she made there were nothing more than surface-level connections.
But Senya was different. Like Kaguya, he knew the truth about her—the crybaby she really was. They had even met when they were small children.
Though only briefly, fate had brought them back together, again and again, in ways too coincidental to ignore.
And without the weight of obligation between them, she never felt the need to hide. He already knew the real her.
She could drop the mask. And that freedom was... intoxicating.
[Hayasaka Ai: Don't worry about me. Tell me about you.]
[Senya: Oh, it's nothing really. Just can't sleep tonight. Thought I'd ask what you do when you're up late.]
[Hayasaka Ai: I envy you. That's the kind of problem I wish I had.]
[Senya: ?]
[Hayasaka Ai: I usually pass out the moment my head hits the pillow.]
[Senya: Must be nice, having sleep like that. So, what's your secret?]
[Hayasaka Ai: ...That wasn't meant as bragging.]
[Senya withdrew a message]
[Senya: Sent that to the wrong person. But still, take care of yourself, Hayasaka.]
As if I'll believe that.
Ai stared at his message, a little exasperated. But then she chuckled softly.
Phone in hand, she stepped into the bathroom. The moment her body sank into the hot bath, a sigh slipped from her lips.
After a day of exhaustion, nothing felt better than this.
And paired with a conversation she could enjoy without pretense, it was bliss.
If Senya knew just how much comfort she drew from something so small, he would probably feel both moved and a little sad for her.
Because if such simple things could satisfy her... it only showed how hard her everyday life really was.
[Hayasaka Ai: Anyway, back to the point—have you tried taking a bath or something? The right water temperature helps with blood circulation, relieves stress and anxiety, and even boosts metabolism. I always take a bath before bed. After that, I sleep straight through till morning without waking up.]
Minamoto Senya grimaced at the suggestion.
A bath, huh. One of the reasons he was this wound up right now was because of the bath earlier.
[Minamoto Senya: Already did. Didn't help much.]
[Hayasaka Ai: Oh. Then I can't help you there.]
[Minamoto Senya: ...]
[Hayasaka Ai: What did you even do today?]
[Minamoto Senya: Trying to snoop into my private life?]
[Hayasaka Ai: (angry bonk-dog sticker.jpg) I'm trying to figure out why you can't sleep!]
Like hell he'd admit his sis-con tendencies to her.
But harmless details… those he could share.
So Senya gave her a rough rundown of how he'd gone to the amusement park that day.
It wasn't just that Senya held a unique place in Hayasaka's mind. The reverse was also true—Hayasaka had her own special role in Senya's world.
The two of them didn't interact all that often, and they rarely reached out to each other. But their personalities clicked, and because of that, they both held a decent impression of one another.
That subtle chemistry, paired with Hayasaka's grounded, thoughtful nature, made Senya enjoy talking with her about things he couldn't easily bring up with those closer to him.
He could hear her perspective without worrying about fallout later.
After all, their social circles didn't overlap in the slightest. At least, not yet.
[Hayasaka Ai: …Eh, the amusement park, huh? Sounds fun. Don't tell me you're too hyped from having such a great time—that's why you're tossing and turning in bed right now.]
[Minamoto Senya: What kind of brat do you take me for? Like I'd lose sleep over something that trivial.]
[Hayasaka Ai: Come on, just admit it. I won't laugh.]
[Minamoto Senya: Absolutely not. That's not the main reason.]
[Hayasaka Ai: Judging from how you said that, you're totally hiding something.]
[Minamoto Senya deleted a message.]
[Hayasaka Ai poked you.]
[Minamoto Senya: …You're way too good at making me look guilty.]
[Minamoto Senya: This is exactly why you shouldn't mess around on your phone when you can't sleep. I should just close my eyes and try to drift off.]
[Hayasaka Ai: Oh, so you get me all curious, tease me like that, and then once you're satisfied, you're just gonna leave me hanging?]
[Minamoto Senya: ?]
Wait, why was she suddenly talking like some kind of smoky lounge singer?
[Minamoto Senya: Hey now, the internet isn't a lawless land, Hayasaka. Watch what you say.]
[Hayasaka Ai: Just stick with me a little longer. I'm almost there too.]
[Minamoto Senya: …Oh, so now you're getting fired up?]
In the bathroom, Hayasaka chuckled softly. The fatigue and numbness she'd carried earlier had faded, her bright eyes alive again with energy.
She stood from the tub, grabbed a towel with her pale hands, and patted herself dry.
Pulling on her top, she slid a pair of plain white panties up her legs, the fabric snapping into place against her hips.
[Hayasaka Ai shared a link.]
[Minamoto Senya: What's this?]
[Hayasaka Ai: Don't worry, it's a proper site.]
[Minamoto Senya: Who even bothers with "proper" sites?]
Still, he tapped the link.
[Hydraulic Press Compilation! Crush Anything, Stress-Free Satisfaction!]
[Hayasaka Ai: I usually watch these when I'm too stressed or restless to calm down. Works wonders. You should try it too. And if that still doesn't help, just grab a glass of milk from the kitchen. It calms the nerves, and hey—it'll even help you grow taller.]
Senya watched objects of all shapes and textures get squashed flat, shredded, or splattered across the spotless workbench. Sticky, crunchy, mushy—everything reduced to chaos.
Instead of feeling relieved, he actually felt more tense.
But, well, she meant well.
[Minamoto Senya: …Seems to help a little. Thanks. It's late—get some rest yourself.]
[Hayasaka Ai: I'm used to staying up. Don't worry.]
So she didn't want to end the conversation, huh.
Still, Senya couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.
Just imagine—a girl her age, forced into the role of servant for some high-class family. An endless list of chores, having to watch every word and every move, constantly gauging the moods of those around her. One wrong step, and she could easily anger someone important.
Day after day of that, with no end in sight… exhausting just to think about.
Like a modern-day "child laborer," trapped in servitude before even reaching adulthood. Truly pitiful.
It was hard to reconcile that image with the memory of the little girl clutching her mother's contact book, crying her eyes out. What kind of struggles had she endured to grow into someone so capable and composed today?
Only she could know that answer.
[Minamoto Senya: Hey, you do get days off sometimes, right?]
[Hayasaka Ai: I do. Maybe one or two a month. Why?]
[Minamoto Senya: Isn't it normal for friends to hang out together?]
[Hayasaka Ai: Wait—you're asking me out?]
[Minamoto Senya: If you're busy, then forget it.]
[Hayasaka Ai: I'm not busy.]
Even if she was busy, she'd move mountains to make time!
[Minamoto Senya: Then let me know once you've got your schedule set. I'll plan ahead too.]
[Hayasaka Ai: …Can I ask what you're planning for us to do?]
[Minamoto Senya: Well, what do you usually like to do on your days off?]
[Hayasaka Ai: If I have nothing else, I just stay home—sleep in, then game all day.]
Wow. Peak NEET behavior.
[Minamoto Senya: Then we'll decide when the time comes.]
Not long after, they said their goodnights and ended the chat.
Hayasaka cradled her phone in both hands, scrolling back through their messages.
Still not satisfied, she jumped to his official fan account, opening the latest pinned photo.
It looked like family had taken it—Senya eating breakfast, his hair unkempt, a stubborn ahoge sticking up. The shot captured a slice of everyday life.
Yet, just as the shutter clicked, his eyes met the camera dead-on.
In the photo, it looked like he was staring directly into hers. As if to say, "My eyes are only on you."
Hayasaka took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
She tapped her forehead, thinking she must be exhausted.
Otherwise, how could she possibly end up like one of those hopelessly lovestruck girls in her class?
Her heart racing at a simple invitation. Dizzy just from staring at his picture. Everything around her glowing like it had been dusted with stardust.
"Smack smack!"
Get a grip! It's just the photo filter making things look that way!
She patted her cheeks, then decisively shut off the lamp, slipped under the blanket, and closed her eyes.
But in the dark, her toes curled against the sheet, and despite herself, the corners of her lips tugged upward.
"Uuuu… Saeko-senpai, you're finally here! You have no idea how much I've suffered!"
A few days later, in the morning, Rokuka greeted Busujima Saeko at the door with a teary act.
Of course, the crying was fake—just a dramatic way of showing her feelings.
Today was Tokika's big day: the national rhythmic gymnastics competition.
It was sweltering midsummer weather, stuffy and hot, and Tokika had insisted she didn't want anyone going out of their way to cheer her on in person.
So instead, Rokuka had invited her friends over to watch the livestream at her house. A small gesture of support.
By the time Saeko arrived, Eriri and Kasumigaoka were already there.
And, unsurprisingly, they were already bickering over something trivial.
Everyone knew their personalities clashed.
Saeko understood as well. Smiling, she set down a box she'd brought.
"No worries, no worries. I made some mochi at home—let's all share them later. It'll help smooth things over."
"You're the best, Saeko-senpai! Thanks!"
"By the way, is Senya home?"
As she crouched at the entryway to change her shoes, Saeko casually asked.
From the living room, she could faintly hear the two girls' squabble—but no sign of Senya's voice.
Rokuka, holding the box of mochi, answered:
"Nope. Even though Sis said clearly she didn't want us coming, Senya insisted on going along. She couldn't talk him out of it."
"And Yukino?"
"Oh, she already went overseas."
..
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