"…Sir, please take a look. This is the latest model in our lineup. The body uses more than thirty-five percent boron steel. It's equipped with ten airbags distributed at the knees, front and rear sides, and central positions. The roof can withstand pressure five times the vehicle's weight. We call it a 'road-going mini tank.' It also features an active intelligent safety system, capable of detecting obstacles within 500 meters and performing automatic emergency braking in 0.1 seconds.
The rear seats monitor child seat status, and every model comes standard with air purification and virus-killing systems. For families prioritizing ultimate passive safety and comfortable travel, this car is a perfect choice, and it fully meets your top-priority safety requirements, sir!"
"Looks good… What do you think, Toka?"
"The black exterior… Mom might not like it. The interior seems a bit outdated too."
"Color is just a minor issue. This model is also available in white, dark red, silver, and sky blue. The interior has five color options. If you're looking for a higher level of comfort, we can also upgrade the audio system and leather seats, with ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
Sir, words alone may not be enough to fully appreciate it. How about I get the keys, and we take it for a test drive so you can experience it firsthand?"
This was an automobile dealership.
A middle-aged salesman was enthusiastically attending to Minamoto Senya and Takanashi Toka.
This was all part of a plan he had made with her beforehand.
Senya's father was extremely busy with work. Business trips out of town were common, taking up more than half the year.
With him away, Mother Junko had to manage three family stores on her own while also taking care of little Chiyo, running back and forth constantly—it was exhausting.
So Minamoto Senya thought that on Mother's upcoming visit, he'd gift her a commuter car to thank her for all her hard work for the family.
And also, for bringing Toka along to be with him…
During the test drive, Senya and Toka sat in the back seats.
The salesman maintained his professional and enthusiastic explanation of every feature, giving no sign that he underestimated the two young-looking teenagers. There was no laziness, no superficiality.
Minamoto Senya quietly noted to himself that the mindless, overly accommodating scenarios in the novels he read rarely happen in real life.
He had visited three dealerships already, and the treatment was consistently excellent.
As Yukino had said, in the current economic downturn, all industries are struggling. It's truly a buyer's market. A customer showing willingness to purchase is already rare; there's no reason to be picky.
Of course, it could also be because he had chosen prominent first-tier car brands with strong influence.
The test drive ended after half an hour.
"Let's discuss and think about it privately."
"Of course, no problem. Please have a seat, I'll get you some drinks—tea, coffee, or soda."
"Bottled water is fine."
"Very well, please wait a moment."
Once the salesman left, Minamoto Senya asked, "So, what do you think?"
Toka thought for a moment before answering, "The back seats are spacious, very comfortable, and the sound insulation is good. There's no strange leather smell inside. It's almost flawless… except for the price."
"What about the price?"
"Really? You ask what about the price…"
Toka glanced at the showroom display of the same model they had just test-driven.
The large price tag was dizzying.
Starting at ten million yen—that was just the base model.
Adding any extra features would cost several million more.
Such expenses were not small for the Senya family, either in the past or present.
Toka then looked back to see Minamoto Senya smiling at her.
She felt slightly uneasy, lowering her eyes and rolling them in mild exasperation, hoping to mask her flustered feelings with an air of nonchalance.
Unbeknownst to her, this gesture—under Senya's favorable impression—was interpreted as a subtly flirtatious signal.
Although he knew she didn't mean it that way, it still had the effect of playful, romantic teasing.
"I understand your concern, Toka. Yes, it's expensive, but it's not wasteful. A solid body and safety design were discussed even before we came here. Everything can be compromised… except safety." He paused, recalling, "Remember the accident Dad and Mom had?"
Toka wanted to protest, but hearing that, she fell silent.
Right, their parents had previously been involved in a traffic accident. The injuries weren't serious, but the bus they were on had been rear-ended.
It had left them anxious for a long time, a close brush with danger.
Everything at home was fine now and would only get better.
When it comes to personal safety, there's no reason to skimp.
The salesman returned with two bottles of water, cheerfully asking, "Have you two decided?"
He opened Toka's bottle with courtesy, but she just thanked him and left it on the table.
Minamoto Senya glanced at her.
Toka nodded slowly.
Understanding, Senya turned to the salesman with a smile. "Are there any discounts available if we buy now?"
"Yes, yes, yes…!"
At that moment, the two youths, handsome and graceful, became customers with real purchasing power.
The salesman, thrilled, immediately pulled out his calculator.
Buying a car, when you have the money, is effortless—the staff handles everything.
The car Senya liked was perfect, and Toka was satisfied, so they discussed the base price, insurance, and registration.
Everything agreed upon, Senya paid the deposit.
Toka, knowing Junko's preferences, helped choose the car's exterior color and interior trim.
They arranged to pick up the car and inspect it in two weeks, paying the remainder and signing the contract then.
It was Saturday.
Minamoto Senya and Toka had left home at eight in the morning.
Having researched online beforehand, the three dealerships they visited weren't far from each other.
They saved time commuting, so by the time the car was decided, it was just past 12:40 PM.
The salesman, seeing the deposit, sensed an 80–90% chance the sale would go through.
His smile grew more ingratiating.
He invited them to lunch at the store or at a nearby restaurant with good food, but Senya declined.
He had brought Toka out under the pretext of buying household items, which conveniently kept Rokka—who had wanted to come along—at home, uninterested and out of the way.
The conversation with Rokka had taken place in the hallway near the living room entrance.
Toka had silently put on her shoes on a small bench, only reminding Rokka before leaving: "We'll be back soon. Don't play too wildly and study more—you're in the final year."
Then she followed Minamoto Senya out the door.
It was intriguing in its own way.
Now that business was settled, Senya didn't intend to waste time with the salesman any longer.
"Sorry, we have plans later."
"I'll see you off then. Oh, here's a small gift from our store…"
The salesman escorted them to the roadside.
Toka walked a short distance with Minamoto Senya, noticing the salesman still bowing deeply, waiting respectfully after they looked back.
Senya noticed Toka's expression had suddenly turned somewhat wistful.
"What's wrong?"
"That salesman… he reminded me of Mom back then."
"Mom used to work in sales?"
"No, not like that. When she first opened the store, it was new and not busy. She worked tirelessly, leaving early and returning late. Several times I woke up at night to find her asleep at the desk in her work clothes, a half-eaten bento beside her."
"…."
Minamoto Senya stayed silent, looking at Toka, who quietly shared this memory.
He picked up the snack gift from the dealership and naturally moved it toward Toka, lifting her hand slightly to gently hold it.
The motion was so natural that by the time she reacted, he had already entwined her fingers in his palm.
Toka was shocked and embarrassed, her gaze wavering.
"What are you doing? At home, it's fine between just the two of us… but this is the street!"
Minamoto Senya didn't react to her embarrassment.
In his eyes, Toka wasn't an 'older sister' figure; she was a girl who had lived a difficult life, appeared strict and aloof but was tender and kind at heart—a girl he felt protective toward.
Her attempt to pull away only made him hold tighter.
"You've worked hard before. But don't worry, our family… we'll only get happier from now on."
His voice was gentle beyond reason, but his eyes were steadfast, like a prince swearing a vow to the princess he is about to marry.
Toka finally pulled her hand away.
The moment lingered—it was okay… though Senya's later forwardness went a bit too far.
At first, Toka thought his serious, affectionate gaze, paired with his ever-pleasing appearance, was enough to calm her.
She rationalized to herself: holding hands in public with a close family member was normal, a sign of a strong relationship, nothing to make a fuss about.
But on the train, Minamoto Senya was not content with just holding hands.
In the crowded car, he used his body to shield Toka from the pressing crowd, his fingers subtly sliding to interlace with hers.
Toka noticed and withdrew, turning away.
Yet the warmth pressed from behind reignited her embarrassment.
It wasn't that she disliked it—she felt a thrill in this public, unnoticed intimacy.
Her shame was in how her mind had become so flustered.
Being protected by Minamoto Senya… it felt safe.
Tall, strong, muscular—now more noticeable than ever.
When they first lived together, he hadn't radiated this intense masculinity.
Back then, he was just a slightly taller, mature-looking boy. Now, he had grown into a real man in Toka's mind.
Handsome, capable, caring, gentle… and a bit flirtatious.
From the diary, Saeko had been confirmed, yet he seemed to hold vague affections for every girl nearby—including Toka, with clear intentions.
That was perhaps his only flaw.
For most serious girls, it would be unforgivable.
But Toka, knowing this, couldn't feel any dislike toward him.
The train jolted along. After a dozen minutes, they arrived at the stop.
During the ride, Minamoto Senya kept her close, inhaling her hair to mask the car's stale air, but otherwise restrained.
He wasn't a pervert, and Toka was someone he cherished.
If Saeko had been the first girl to enter his life, shaping his heart's early emotions, then Toka—his non-blood-related older sister—awakened his desire for a woman, sparking countless nights of restless longing.
Not physical, but emotional.
Their time together was short, yet he had already imagined countless future days together—not now, but a married life.
For a girl this important, he could never care too much.
Takanashi Toka—a name odd at first, but it grew on him.
"Alright, we're off the train."
"Mm…"
Toka noticed they weren't at the station near home.
"Wait… Senya, aren't we going home?"
Blaming herself for being distracted by his tight handhold, she hadn't realized.
"We're not. I booked a restaurant online for lunch, and there's an activity this afternoon."
"Activity?"
Wasn't today just for choosing a car for Mom?
Toka's face was flushed, cutely bright.
It wasn't the stuffy train air—it was him standing beside her.
She had initially withdrawn her hand, but turned back, and now stood facing him in the crowded train.
Their height difference meant her forehead rested against Minamoto Senya's chest.
At first shy, she eventually let herself stay close, hands gripping his shirt hem, pressing her forehead against his chest.
Like a girl in love, soft and reliant.
She slowed her breathing, half chastising herself, half enjoying the closeness.
Though normally responsible at home, Toka occasionally indulged in such moments privately—but this was different, thrilling in its subtle intimacy.
"Don't worry about anything. I've got it all planned. Just follow me."
"But Rokka at home…"
"No worries. Bread and fruit in the fridge, snacks at home, or delivery if needed. She's gotten chubby recently; maybe this is a chance to help her slim down a bit."
Minamoto Senya naturally held her hand again.
Talking about Rokka so casually, eager for the next activity, he seemed like a husband on an outing, focused entirely on his wife, unconcerned about the children at home.
Meanwhile…
"Ah-choo!"
Back home, Rokka lay on her bed, switching with her tiny white feet kicking lazily, sneezing without warning.
She sniffled, checked her forehead—strange.
No fever, no sore throat… why the sudden sneeze?
Maybe someone spoke badly about me?
She chuckled, dismissing it.
No way, everyone likes me. Superstition is nonsense.
Perhaps dust in her room had accumulated—she'd vacuum later.
She continued playing her game.
During a save, she grabbed chips and soda, hiccupped loudly, lifted her skirt to scratch her cotton-padded bottom, and left it half raised, grinning as she played.
So happy—homework done, no worries, sister away. Life could always be like this.