The night before Sunday settled gently over the city — the sound of cicadas had softened, and the warm breeze slipped through the open window of the sisters' small apartment. The faint glow of the streetlights spilled through the curtains, painting soft amber lines across the tatami floor.
Honoka sat cross-legged on her futon, clutching her tiny pillow. Her cheeks puffed as she looked up at Yukino, who was folding laundry by the bed.
"Onee-chan," she asked in her usual sweet, sleepy tone, "we'll see Ken-niisan tomorrow… right?"
Yukino paused, the folded shirt freezing in her hands. For a moment, she looked away, hesitant. Then, with a soft sigh, she turned to Honoka and knelt beside her. "Honoka," she said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her sister's face, "tomorrow is Sunday… remember? Ken-san doesn't take the train on Sundays."
The little girl blinked — the light in her eyes dimmed a little. "Oh…" she whispered, her voice tiny and trembling. "No Ken-niisan tomorrow?"
Yukino's chest tightened at the sight. She smiled softly, even though her heart felt heavy too. "Hmm… not tomorrow," she said, pulling Honoka into her arms. "But we'll see him again on Monday, right? That's not too far away."
Honoka pressed her face against her sister's chest. "But I wanted to show him my new drawing…" she murmured, her voice muffled.
Yukino stroked her hair gently, her lips curving into a small, bittersweet smile. "Then we'll show him on Monday. He'll love it."
The room fell quiet, except for the soft rustle of the curtains and the distant hum of the city outside. Yukino gazed at the ceiling, her fingers still running through Honoka's hair. She wanted to tell her that she understood — that she, too, was waiting for Monday. That something about that quiet man's presence had begun to fill the empty corners of her heart.
When Honoka finally drifted off to sleep, Yukino lay beside her, their futons touching, her sister's small hand resting on her arm. The streetlights flickered below, and in the soft glow, she whispered to herself, barely audible —
"Why am I… looking forward to Monday too?"
A faint breeze lifted her hair, carrying the scent of night air and the promise of something quietly new.
Tomorrow would be Sunday — calm, slow, and gentle — but deep inside, both sisters were already waiting for Monday to come.
Sunday Morning
The morning sun poured lazily through the curtains, brushing Yukino's room in soft golden light. Honoka was still curled up beside her sister, her small hand resting on Yukino's arm, her sleepy face calm and innocent.
Yukino smiled faintly, brushing a few strands of hair away from Honoka's forehead. "You're such a sleepyhead," she whispered.
When Honoka finally stirred awake, she blinked twice and yawned, her eyes still half-closed. "Onee-chan… is Ken-niisan coming today?"
Yukino's smile faltered just a little, though she quickly masked it with her usual calm tone. "Hmm… today is Sunday, remember? Ken-san must be resting. But…" she tapped Honoka's nose lightly, "we can still have fun together, right?"
Honoka looked disappointed for a moment, but then Yukino sat up with sudden energy, clapping her hands. "How about we go out today? Just you and me. A proper Sunday adventure!"
Honoka's eyes brightened instantly. "Adventure?"
"Mm-hmm," Yukino said with a playful grin. "We'll take the train to the city, eat something yummy, and maybe look for something pretty for your hair."
Honoka gasped and hugged her sister tightly. "Really?"
Yukino chuckled, hugging her back. "Really. Let's make today special, okay?"
The sisters got ready — Yukino in a simple white blouse and denim skirt, her hair down and flowing freely; Honoka in her favorite yellow dress with a tiny ribbon in her hair. As they stepped outside, the city breeze welcomed them, light and fresh.
Honoka skipped ahead, her laughter echoing down the quiet Sunday street. Yukino followed, hands in pockets, a serene smile softening her face.
She looked at her little sister's bouncing figure and whispered under her breath, "Maybe… this is good too."
But somewhere, deep in her chest — where the morning light couldn't reach — a small warmth stirred again.
Why am I… looking forward to Monday too?
The Sunday sun poured gently over the city streets as Yukino and Honoka stepped off the train, the little clatter of their shoes echoing softly on the platform. Honoka clutched her small bag close, eyes wide at all the new sights, the occasional shy glance at strangers making her timid steps even more delicate. Yukino, ever the careful older sister, held her hand lightly, guiding her through the small crowd.
"Look, Honoka… maybe we can see something new today," Yukino said with a soft smile, her heart swelling at the excitement in her little sister's eyes.
Honoka nodded quietly, a tiny giggle escaping as a street performer waved and juggled nearby. Yukino chuckled softly at her sister's reaction, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she savored the warmth of the morning.
They wandered through little shops, pausing at displays of trinkets and books, Yukino pointing out small details that only she seemed to notice, and Honoka following along silently, sometimes whispering questions that Yukino answered with gentle patience. Around other people, Honoka remained her usual reserved self, but with Yukino, she was entirely open, her small hand never leaving hers.
As the sun climbed higher, their steps eventually brought them to a cheerful little ice cream shop, the scent of cones and waffle cups filling the air. The shop's pastel colors and the twinkle of a small bell above the door seemed to call to them, and they stopped, eyes lighting up.
"Hmm… which one should we pick, Nee-san?" Honoka asked softly, pointing at the colorful display.
Yukino crouched slightly to be eye-level with her sister. "Let's pick something we both like… and maybe a flavor we've never tried before," she said, her voice warm and playful.
Honoka nodded again, still quietly reserved, but her excitement shone in the tiny sway of her feet. Together, they stepped outside, each holding a fresh scoop of ice cream, the city buzzing faintly around them, laughter and chatter mixing with the soft hum of the afternoon. The sun was high, the warmth filling the day with quiet joy, and the sisters sat on a small bench outside the shop, savoring the cold sweetness as they shared gentle smiles and silent glances, lost in their own little world of Sunday happiness.
The warm afternoon air buzzed faintly with the city's life as the sisters walked down the street, enjoying their ice cream. Honoka's small hand was still in Yukino's, but suddenly her gaze froze across the road.
"Nee-san… Ken-san…" Honoka whispered, pointing with her little finger, her eyes wide and sparkling.
Yukino's breath hitched. Across the street, through the large glass of a coffee shop, she could see him. Ken was seated by the window, serene and calm as always, yet something about the sunlight catching his hair, the quiet tilt of his head as he listened to someone, made her chest tighten.
But then Yukino noticed… he wasn't alone.
There was a girl across from him, perhaps his age, strikingly beautiful, with a confident, open smile. She laughed lightly, leaning forward, speaking to Ken with a frankness that made her seem completely comfortable in his presence. And Ken—Yukino's Ken-san—smiled back at her, a rare soft curve to his lips, his usual calm demeanor slightly eased.
Yukino's heart skipped a beat, the sharp pang of something she hadn't fully recognized before echoing inside her. Jealousy? Concern? Something she couldn't name.
"Honoka… maybe… we should just… keep walking," Yukino said softly, her voice trembling slightly, trying to steady herself.
"No… Nee-san… I want to go say hi!" Honoka squeaked, tugging on Yukino's hand gently. Her small brows knitted in concern.
Yukino kneeled slightly, holding her sister by the shoulders, her face earnest and gentle. "Honoka… maybe… Ken-san is busy… this is not the right moment… let's not disturb him."
Honoka's lip quivered, her voice cracking. "But… but… I wanted to… I wanted to say hi… Nee-san… please…"
Yukino's heart ached at her sister's tears. She wrapped her arms around Honoka, pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her small body. "Shh… it's okay… I know… I know you want to… but maybe… he's with someone important… or… he's busy… It's okay, we can come another time… Promise."
Honoka sniffled, clinging to Yukino. "I… I just want to see him… even for a little bit…"
"I know, Honoka… I know," Yukino whispered, her own chest tightening. She kept her eyes on Ken for just one last glance, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in her head. Who is she? Friend? Relative? Girlfriend? Yukino's mind spun with possibilities, each one sharper than the last. Yet a strange, heavy ache filled her chest. She hadn't known jealousy could feel so bitter, so unrecognizable, yet so sharp.
"Maybe… maybe it's nothing… maybe… he's just talking with a friend," Yukino murmured to herself, though the words felt hollow even as she said them.
Honoka's tears fell freely now, small hot drops on Yukino's hand. Yukino held her tighter. "It's okay… we'll go home… we'll have another day… another time, we can see him… okay?"
The two sisters walked back slowly, each step weighed with unspoken thoughts. Yukino's mind was a whirlwind of questions and worries. Why do I feel this pain? Why does it hurt so much just to see him with someone else? She forced herself to breathe steadily, trying to appear calm for Honoka, but the ache in her chest refused to subside.
Honoka, still sniffling, whispered, "Nee-san… he looked… happy… maybe… maybe he's okay?"
Yukino forced a small smile, though her heart felt heavy. "Yes… yes, Honoka… he's… he's always okay… We'll go home… and maybe… one day we'll understand more."
They boarded the train back quietly, the rhythmic clatter of wheels against tracks filling the uncomfortable silence. Both had questions spinning in their minds, hearts fluttering in uncertainty, yet holding on to each other—the small solace they had.
As the city whizzed by outside, Yukino looked at Honoka's peaceful sleeping face, and she wondered silently: How can my heart feel this way for Ken-san? Why does it hurt so much… even just seeing him smile at someone else?
Her thoughts were heavy, yet beneath it all, a quiet determination stirred. She would understand this feeling, face it, and maybe… someday, she'd find the courage to understand what it truly meant to care for someone like Ken-san.
The train hummed softly, carrying two sisters, hearts full of questions, unspoken worries, and a tender, fragile hope.
Late Night
The room was quiet, dimly lit by the faint glow of the streetlights outside. Honoka lay curled under her small blanket, her body shaking softly with quiet sobs. Her little breaths came in uneven waves, the weight of the day and her emotions pressing down on her tiny shoulders.
Yukino lay beside her, staring at the ceiling, the soft hum of the night filling the spaces between her thoughts. Her heart still throbbed with the memory of Ken-san in the coffee shop, the gentle way he smiled, the warmth in his presence… and yet, the pain she felt was sharp and unfamiliar.
Why… why does it hurt this much? she whispered silently to herself, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the sheets. I don't even know him fully… I don't know what he thinks, what he feels… yet my heart feels… this…
Her chest tightened, a mixture of jealousy, longing, and something fragile she couldn't name pressing against her ribs. Is it right for me to feel this? she asked herself, voice barely a whisper in the darkness. I haven't even known him fully… why does it hurt like this?
She hugged her own knees close, drawing in a shaky breath. Maybe this… this is what caring truly feels like, she thought, a quiet shiver running through her. Even when it hurts. Even when I don't understand why. It's still… beautiful. Painful… but beautiful.
Yukino's eyes glimmered in the faint light, and she felt the silent stirrings of a promise to herself. I will understand these feelings. I will face them. And maybe… someday… I'll have the courage to let myself feel them fully, without fear.
The night wrapped around the room like a soft, protective blanket. Honoka's quiet sleeping breaths blended with the distant hum of the city. And Yukino, staring into the darkness, let herself feel the ache and hope intertwined in her chest—an ache that whispered of something fragile, precious, and quietly alive.
For the first time, she let herself imagine a world where understanding her heart didn't feel like a burden, but a gift. A world where perhaps… Ken-san's presence could feel like warmth rather than confusion.
Monday Morning Confrontation
Monday morning came with the usual crisp chill in the air. Both sisters were ready, their school and university bags slung neatly, uniforms perfectly in place. Yukino moved quietly, her steps measured but slow, her heart feeling heavier than it should. Honoka, on the other hand, seemed to carry a bubble of energy, her little feet skipping as she climbed into the train, eyes brightening at the thought of seeing Ken-san again.
The carriage was quiet, the soft murmur of the morning crowd creating a gentle background hum. The sisters found their usual seats, Honoka settling into her corner with her lunch box on her lap, eyes scanning the doors eagerly. Yukino sat beside her, pale and thoughtful, her fingers tracing patterns absentmindedly on her skirt.
Momo, who was sitting nearby, noticed Yukino's unusually quiet demeanor. Her sharp eyes softened with concern as she leaned closer. "Yukino, you're… feeling down, aren't you?" she asked gently.
Yukino's gaze flickered briefly to Momo, her lips pressing into a thin line. She had been holding back her thoughts, the swirl of emotions from yesterday still heavy in her chest. "…It's nothing," she whispered at first, but the pause stretched, and finally she exhaled, voice trembling, "I… I just… I don't even know what to think about Ken-san. Yesterday… seeing him… with someone else, it hurt. Even though I have no right… I barely know anything about his life. But… my heart feels strange, and I don't know why."
Momo nodded slowly, understanding without judgment. "It's normal," she said softly. "Your heart… it notices things before your mind understands. You don't have to explain it, Yukino. It's okay to feel this way."
Yukino swallowed hard, her hands clutching her bag tightly. Honoka, unaware of the gravity, peeked over curiously, sensing the weight in her sister's mood. "Yukino-nee, are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper.
Yukino gave a small, sad smile, placing a hand over Honoka's tiny one. "I'm… okay, Honoka. It's just… sometimes hearts feel more than words can say."
Finally, the train doors opened, and Ken entered. As always, he exuded a calm, serene, and stoic presence, his posture perfect, his expression composed, yet somehow carrying a warmth that made the world around him pause. Honoka's face immediately lit up, her little body practically glowing like a bulb of pure excitement. Yukino's eyes followed him too, though a faint shadow of sadness lingered in them, a subtle ache she couldn't quite name.
But today, something different happened. Instead of taking his usual seat across from them, Ken walked calmly and sat beside Yukino, Honoka naturally settling between them. Yukino stiffened, flustered and surprised, her cheeks warming. Honoka blinked in surprise as well, while Momo, noticing the shift, raised an intrigued brow.
Ken's eyes softened as he greeted them, voice gentle, almost teasing, yet warm: "Konichiwa." Then, turning slightly toward Yukino, he asked softly, "Why didn't you two come to say hello the other day?"
Yukino froze in place, her mind racing. How… how does Ken-san know we saw him yesterday? And that we left without saying anything? Her heart fluttered nervously, her hands fidgeting with her bag strap. Honoka looked between them, sensing something important was unfolding but too small and shy to understand fully.
Ken's voice was calm, gentle, yet carried a weight that made Yukino's heart skip a beat. "I went after you two," he said softly, "but you were gone."
Yukino's cheeks flamed immediately, heat rushing to her ears, her mind spinning with a million thoughts. Eheee… ehhh… how does he… why… I… Her words jumbled in her head, her usual composure slipping away like sand through her fingers. Honoka peeked up at her quietly, sensing the storm of emotions but too shy to interfere.
Even Momo, sitting nearby, couldn't help herself. She felt her own face heat up, a bright red spreading across her cheeks, noticing how close and personal this moment had become.
Finally, Yukino managed to find her voice, shaky but polite, her words escaping as if through a small opening in a dam. "I… it looked like you were with someone important… so I did not want to disturb you."
Ken's lips curved into a faint, understanding smile, his eyes warm but unreadable. The way he said nothing more, letting her words hang between them, made Yukino's heart flutter violently. Honoka, nestled safely between them, fidgeted quietly, her tiny hands resting on her lap.
Ken's gaze softened as he looked at Yukino, a small, gentle smile playing on his lips.
"I… understand your politeness," he began, his voice calm, steady, yet carrying that subtle warmth that made Yukino's heart skip. "I was with my cousin, Sayō. She's going to get married soon, and… well, she asked me to come shopping with her."
Yukino's eyes widened slightly, a mix of relief and curiosity swirling within her. Honoka, sensing the lightening of tension, let out a small, delighted hum, her eyes flicking between them.
Ken continued, almost talking to himself, yet letting Yukino hear every word. "Sayō… she loves to taunt me, to have fun at my expense. I… I would have loved your company," he said softly, looking at Yukino directly, "a proper girl-to-girl shopping spree. And… to spend some quality time with Honok-chan too."
Yukino's heart thudded violently in her chest, unsure how to process the warmth in his words, the gentle honesty in his tone. "Maybe… I was reaching too far," he added, his gaze dropping briefly, "but… I could've asked you this favor. Somehow… I feel like you wouldn't have declined."
Yukino blinked, cheeks aflame. The train's steady rhythm seemed to fade as her mind focused entirely on him—on the sincerity, the closeness, the subtle, unspoken connection that made her heart ache and flutter all at once. Honoka, sensing the intimacy of the moment, squeezed Yukino's hand lightly, as if giving silent permission for her sister's heart to catch fire.
Yukino's face flushed a deep crimson, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "I… I… I just… didn't want to… bother you," she stammered, her voice almost a whisper, eyes flicking to Ken, then back at her lap. Her words tumbled out in a flustered, ditzy jumble, but there was a raw honesty to them that made Ken smile softly.
Honoka, sitting between them, peeked up at Yukino with wide, curious eyes. "Nee-san, you're… really shy today!" she whispered, a tiny giggle escaping her lips.
Yukino, trying to regain some semblance of composure, muttered to herself, "I… I can't believe I'm… saying this… why am I like this… Ken-san…" She buried her face slightly in her hands, leaving only the tips of her red ears visible.
Ken chuckled lightly, the sound soft but warm, and leaned slightly closer. "Yukino-san… it's fine," he said gently, his voice carrying that calm, grounding presence she had come to rely on. "I understand. You don't need to hide anything. I… appreciate your honesty."
Yukino's heart skipped another beat, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. Honoka, noticing the tension breaking, reached over and tugged gently on Ken's sleeve. "Ken-san… I… I want to tell you about my day!" she said shyly, eyes sparkling with excitement and a little nervousness.
Ken's serene gaze softened as he looked down at Honoka. "Of course, Honok-chan," he replied, placing a hand gently on hers before reaching for a small bite of her lunch to feed her as usual. His other hand held his book open, but his attention remained fully on her.
Honoka began recounting the small details of her morning—the fun they had at the ice cream shop, the little adventures around the city, and even the tiny things she noticed about Yukino being flustered earlier. Her words came out hesitantly at first, then more animatedly as Ken listened patiently, nodding occasionally, asking gentle questions, and giving her approving smiles.
Yukino watched quietly, her heart full and fluttering, the mixture of embarrassment, warmth, and admiration leaving her almost breathless. She noticed how Ken's calm attentiveness to Honoka never wavered, and yet the subtle, caring glances he gave her from the corner of his eyes made her cheeks burn all over again.
As Honoka spoke, Ken fed her with a tender, practiced rhythm, listening with an almost meditative calm. Honoka's shy giggles and excited explanations filled the train car with a gentle, heartwarming energy. Yukino, sitting close beside them, whispered to herself softly, "He… really is… amazing…"
The train carried them forward, the soft hum of motion blending with the warmth of shared moments, tiny smiles, and the quiet rhythm of hearts gradually drawing closer.