On Sunday evening, a little past six, Dad Minamoto and Mom Junko returned home.
The couple seemed thoroughly pleased with the relaxing trip their son had arranged for them.
Since Chiyo had already brought back souvenirs from Hakone earlier, they hadn't bothered to repeat that this time.
Though they came home empty-handed, they did return with good news.
The variety show on Japanese drinking culture that Dad Minamoto had been invited to appear on had aired—and received glowing reviews.
The producers, seizing the momentum, immediately prepared another show: a tour program featuring famous bars and cocktail lounges across Japan.
With his striking looks—the archetypal "handsome, strong-featured man"—and his recent buzz thanks to his son, Minamoto Senya, Dad Minamoto was once again invited to take part.
The opportunity meant more income, more personal recognition, and free publicity for their family's bar. A perfect cycle of positive feedback.
The only downside was that it would keep him busy again, traveling around the country and rarely home.
Still, it was hard to call that anything but good news. Life improving was always welcome.
Following Senya's earlier instructions, the Takanashi sisters never mentioned his fever from Friday night.
So that evening, the family atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Mom Junko noticed the change in his voice, but he brushed it off as a bit of heatstroke, deflecting her concern.
Yet in the days that followed, Takanashi Toka remained deeply worried.
Outwardly, she behaved no differently than usual—going to school on time, helping their mother with housework, looking after Chiyo, and cooking meals for the family.
But in secret, she began quietly monitoring every detail of Minamoto Senya's daily routine.
And the more she observed, the more alarmed she became.
Ever since his novel had won an award, long hours out of the house had become his norm.
At night, after coming home, he would sit at his desk and write without moving until one or two in the morning.
More than once, she'd seen him carry a textbook into the bathroom, unwilling to waste even those fragments of time.
It was painfully clear his schedule was overloaded. He pushed himself so hard that even these scraps of moments were pressed into study.
To Toka, it was exhausting just to watch. She couldn't shake the sense that he was bearing burdens far too heavy for someone his age.
Why was he working himself like this? He was only a middle schooler.
It was as if…
As if something unseen was chasing him from behind, forcing him to run at full speed. As if the moment he slowed down, something terrible would happen.
The strange impression left her unsettled.
She buried the unease in her heart, but she couldn't stop herself from gently reminding Senya, time and again, to take better care of his health.
Their father, in the midst of a career upswing, was consumed by work and couldn't split his focus on the family.
Their mother had to care for little Chiyo—waking several times each night to feed her, then checking on their shops during the day, keeping inventory, managing accounts. It was relentless.
So, naturally, Toka had come to see looking after her younger siblings as her own responsibility.
Senya was gifted, reliable, and considerate.
But when it came to his own schedule, he was stubborn.
Every time Toka told him to rest more, he would smile brightly, nod, and agree in the gentlest way—impossible to fault.
But as soon as her back was turned, he went right back to overworking.
Her words had no effect.
Many times, she'd caught him greeting Mom Rikka with forced cheer, only to sink into the sofa later, sighing heavily, his eyes dull with real exhaustion.
Her heart ached. She was frustrated, but as his stepsister, she had no real authority to stop him.
All she could do was make life easier in the little ways she could.
Cooking his favorite dishes.
Cutting vitamin-rich fruit at night and asking Rikka to bring it to his room.
And so, just like that, a week passed since his fever. The calendar slid into late February.
That weekend morning, the sky was bright and clear, not a cloud in sight.
Thinking it was the perfect weather, Toka decided to strip Senya's bedding, wash it, and air the quilt in the sun.
She stepped into his room.
As always, it was spotless—so neat it hardly looked like a boy's bedroom.
Senya had already left early, saying he wouldn't be back until the evening.
Quickly, she pulled off the sheets and carried the pillow and quilt to the balcony.
When she returned, her eyes fell on the bare mattress pad.
After a moment's thought, she lifted it too, deciding to let it air out as well.
But as soon as she raised it, she noticed something odd: at the head of the bed, the mattress sagged ever so slightly, leaving a narrow gap.
Something was hidden there.
Curious, she lifted the mattress.
On the bedboard beneath lay a small notebook.
Toka picked it up with puzzled hands.
It was far from new—the cover bent with creases, the pages tinged yellow, the corners worn and fraying.
It had been used for a long time.
Hidden so carefully… no, not just hidden—deliberately concealed.
A faint premonition stirred inside her.
She hesitated. It felt wrong to pry into Senya's belongings. But her curiosity surged too strongly to resist.
She flipped open the first page.
The instant her eyes caught the words, she slammed it shut again, heart hammering.
There was a date.
It was a diary.
Minamoto Senya's diary.
Like a hot coal, she quickly shoved it back into place.
Then she reconsidered, smoothing the mattress pad back into position so he wouldn't notice.
On the balcony, perched atop the laundry rack, the black-winged crow preened its feathers, dark eyes tracking Toka as she hurried out of the room.
But only a few minutes later, she slipped back in.
This time, she turned the lock behind her.
Her cheeks burned as she lifted the mattress again and retrieved the diary.
Yes, reading someone's diary was wrong—but this was for Senya's sake.
If she could learn what he was truly thinking, maybe she could help him. Maybe she could convince him to stop driving himself so mercilessly.
Yes, that was it. Out of concern, not malice.
Mom was out at the store, Rikka had gone to visit a friend, and only she was home. As long as she kept it secret, no one would know.
Breathing deep, Toka convinced herself.
She clearly didn't realize the weight of the saying: "Normal people don't keep diaries."
Holding her breath, nerves tingling, she opened the diary again—this time determined to enter Senya's inner world.
———
[February 27th]
Dad suddenly took me to meet an "auntie" today. My feelings are complicated.
I understand they like each other, but it still surprised me. There hadn't been any signs at all.
Still, she seemed like a good person. She was kind to me and even gave me a gift.
What caught me off guard was that she had two daughters, despite looking so young.
Judging by Dad's face, he really likes her. I don't dislike her either. I just don't know what her two daughters will be like, or what they'll think of me.
But that's a small thing. The real concern is if Dad marries her—so many people under one roof. Do we even have enough rooms?
It's not like my worrying changes anything. I just hope things go smoothly for Dad and her, and that her daughters are as easy to get along with as she is.
…
Toka blinked.
That was the very first entry.
The diary had dates but no years.
But judging from the content, this was when Dad and Mom had only just revealed their relationship, before marriage.
So… about three years ago.
Senya would've been in fifth grade, just about to move into sixth.
Even back then, he'd been worrying about family matters like this.
He'd been so mature at such a young age.
And starting his diary after meeting Mom—it meant he'd felt some unease, and used writing to settle his feelings.
Toka recalled how, during her own hardest times, she too had turned to journals to cope.
Her expression softened. She kept reading.
———
[March 30th]
I didn't expect Dad to move so fast.
It's only been a month since I met that aunt, and now he's officially brought her to our home.
So I also met her two daughters.
The older one is Takanashi Toka. She's really beautiful and composed.
The younger is Takanashi Rikka. She doesn't talk to me much—probably just shy, not that she dislikes me.
Dad didn't give me any time to prepare for this.
I wonder what they think of me. After all, it looks like we'll be living together from now on.
I've never lived under the same roof as girls before. I don't know what to do.
Maybe tomorrow at school I'll ask Yukino and Eriri. They're both girls. They should know.
…
Unknowingly, Toka had sat down at his desk, a faint smile on her lips.
Reading his diary, she felt herself carried back through time to their first days together. Nostalgia warmed her chest.
So Senya had been nervous too. Back then, she'd thought he looked calm and mature, unaffected.
But it was just a mask. He'd been anxious all along.
And beautiful and composed…
So that had been her first impression in his eyes.
Toka's cheeks lifted with quiet pride.
Compared to being confessed to at school, or stopped by strangers in the street, nothing felt more fulfilling than those simple words in Senya's diary.
———
[April 2nd]
Junko-san is gentle and a great cook.
She doesn't force me to call her Mom—just says I should address her however I feel comfortable.
Dad told the Takanashi sisters the same.
Still, I can tell it feels a little awkward, all of us suddenly living together.
At school, Yukino said if anything bad ever happens at home, I should tell her right away. Her dad's lawyer is really powerful.
He once flipped a case in court—turned the defendant into the plaintiff, threw the original plaintiff in jail, and even got their lawyer locked up for three years.
It sounds unreal, but I understood what Yukino meant. She must've seen news about stepchildren being mistreated.
I don't think Junko-san would ever do that, but I appreciate Yukino's kindness. Maybe I'll go easy on her during exams—miss a question on purpose.
PS: I suddenly remembered I borrowed 2,000 yen from Yukino a while back. She hasn't mentioned it at all.
We're such good friends, I don't think she minds. Still, I'll record it here. Once I start earning, I'll repay her with interest.
…
Toka's smile grew brighter.
The words were simple, but vivid.
She could picture young Senya sitting at this very desk, pen in hand, scribbling those thoughts.
He seemed… adorable.
———
[April 6th]
It's not just Junko-san. Takanashi Toka is also good at cooking—especially Western food. Her steak and pasta taste amazing.
That surprised me.
I'm slowly getting used to her, even talking with her now and then.
But Rikka is the same as ever. She always seems to avoid me.
Strange. I'm handsome—girls at school chase after me all the time.
Maybe she doesn't like handsome guys?
…
"Tch."
Toka clicked her tongue softly.
What a conceited boy.
And why write my and Rikka's names in full?
Thinking on it, she realized why.
Back then, they'd only been living together a week or so. Of course they weren't familiar yet.
It made sense.
She turned the page.
The next entries slowed her breath. Her eyes widened as she read.
———
[April 29th]
Something unlucky happened today—but not to me. To Toka.
She hurt herself in rhythmic gymnastics practice. Luckily it wasn't serious. The school nurse said she'll be fine after some rest.
But here's the strange part: even though it was bad luck for her, I felt… happy.
That's wrong. I know she's a good person. I want to get along with her.
So why do I feel this way?
Is it because I still resent Junko-san and the Takanashi sisters entering Dad's and my life? (The words scratched over with heavy black lines.)
No… that's not it. It's not.
———
[April 30th]
With Junko-san out of town and Dad working late nights, I ended up taking Toka to and from school, since her leg isn't well.
She looked embarrassed. She must not have realized how many times she said "thank you" today.
I told her she didn't need to, but she kept saying it anyway.
Well, let her.
And strangely, even though nothing special happened, I felt really happy.
While doing homework, I caught myself humming. My leg was even bouncing.
Weird. Totally weird. But it happened. I just felt good.
Could it be because of that foreign chocolate Eriri gave me at lunch? Maybe she slipped something strange in it?
———
[May 2nd]
It wasn't Eriri's chocolate.
I'm sure now.
The reason I've been feeling so happy lately is because of Toka.
I'm not completely certain yet, but I think I really like spending time with her.
...…
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