Boy Meets Girl
"That's quite sudden."
"It does feel that way, doesn't it."
"Still, there were parts that piqued my personal interest, so I'll ask just a few questions."
"Sure."
Hanasaki had dulled emotions. It wasn't just her personality; it stemmed from sealing a yokai inside her body as a child. If it were mere indifference, one might dismiss curiosity as whimsy, but Hanasaki physically couldn't feel emotions richly, making her say "piqued my interest" carry an oddly chilling weight.
"Tsukino Takuya."
"Yes."
"How close have you come to death?"
"...I'm not really sure."
My old mentor had asked the same, but it was hard to answer honestly. Telling her I'd died and been reborn, or that this was an eroge world, wouldn't build trust easily. Considering she'd likely investigated me, she knew I had no near-death experiences or wounds equivalent to death. Naturally, if someone like that reeked of death's aura, it'd raise suspicions.
She headed to the shrine's veranda, picked up a bell, and gave it a tinkle.
As if on cue, a ghost emerged from the main building behind the shrine.
"Can you see Kanako?"
"Th-that one from the main building?"
"Yes. Could you describe her appearance?"
"Long black hair, wearing miko robes like yours, smiling only with her mouth as she looks at me."
Spot on.
"She just said 'spot on.'"
Hanasaki, having heard everything, closed her eyes briefly, let out a quiet sigh, and spoke again.
"You've heard of will-o'-the-wisps."
"Yes."
"Even those with spiritual sense rarely perceive a ghost's true essence. They're often seen as eerie flames—one of the soul's forms—or translucent orbs."
"Oh... really?"
"Malevolent spirits of great power might be clearly recognized, but discerning form and expression as precisely as you do, Tsukino, is rare."
I see. So I wasn't innately gifted with spiritual abilities, but dying and reviving had granted me some power. Not sure what advantage came from seeing souls clearly, though.
"If your power grows further, you might interfere with others' souls—straighten distortions or heal afflicted parts."
"Afflicted, you say?"
"Yes. Curses on the soul, not the body, could be fully resolved."
The Manatsu family's illness was hereditary. If it was a spiritual issue beyond science, this meant it could be cured. A ray of hope shone, possibly without violence or force.
"Then perhaps I'll place some expectations on you, Tsukino."
I only grasped the meaning behind her flatly uttered final words sometime later.
**
"Urgh."
I couldn't spend all day at the shrine for training, so we'd settled on her direct help for key moments and self-study otherwise. But that training was far from easy.
I got the explanation that spiritual senses came through sight, but strengthening them required stimulating both eyes and soul. Following that led to pounding headaches and dizziness.
Staring at the talisman Hanasaki gave me, focusing my gaze, made my vision warp and colors swirl wildly.
"Bro. Whatcha doing?"
"...Eye exercises to improve my vision."
"You always get 2.0 on eye tests. Liar."
Maybe because I'd bought snacks on the way home, my mood-lightened little sister barged into my room uninvited.
Head throbbing, eyes aching, I crawled onto my bed. She dragged a chair from my desk and sat, showing no sign of leaving.
"You've been weird lately, bro. Suspicious."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mind's somewhere else."
"New semester, new school after the move."
Not a lie. Realizing it was an eroge world upon starting at the new school had caused it.
Rubbing my stinging eyes, I looked at her. She pouted, lips jutting out.
She's been sulky a lot lately. Thinking back, I'd played with her often until a couple years ago.
"Oof."
I sat up, grabbed the Super Famicom from my bookshelf. Released last year with Super Mario, I hadn't touched it much since moving due to mental strain.
"No gaming."
"You used to whine for it every day."
"I didn't whine."
"So what do you wanna do?"
She'd been spoiled as a kid; our parents indulged her since I wasn't like that, and with our age gap, I'd doted on her back then. Her circling like this usually meant she wanted to play.
What to do? It was nearing dinner, but suggesting a quick outing lit her up—she dashed to change.
Going out a lot today. The previous two times involved workouts, laundry piled up. Mom scolded me for more laundry when I said we were heading out, smacking my back, but went quiet seeing Hiyori ready.
"I know you're busy, but be good to your sister."
"Ow, Mom. Where else is there a brother like me?"
"You were great, then suddenly busy outside— of course she's miffed."
"I have my reasons."
"If you had a girlfriend, maybe."
"Don't assume I definitely don't."
Of course I didn't. Anyway, we threw on clothes and headed out.
She loved snacks, so I considered the cake shop she'd liked before, but it was a hike for her low stamina. I hesitated.
"I can walk a bit."
"Wanna go then?"
"Yeah."
She'd noticed my worry and spoke first.
Unlike my steady workouts, Hiyori was a total homebody; different diets showed in our height and stride gaps.
In lengthening April evenings, sun dipping west with faint sunset hues, we entered the shopping street. Looking tired, I handed her my handkerchief.
She gave me an odd glance, took it, and wiped sweat.
We walked at a slight distance into the cake shop; the owner greeted warmly.
"Mm. Tsukino-kun. With company today."
"My little sister I mentioned last time."
"Ah. Glad she likes our cakes."
"Uh, y-yeah. Always delicious."
"Such a sweet girl."
"Would I keep buying gifts here if she weren't?"
Hiyori's cheeks flushed. Shy but loving praise deep down, that was her happy face.
Since she was here, I let her browse all the menu; owner gave sample slices. She tasted each, pretending nonchalance, but twitching lips betrayed her joy.
After long happy deliberation, she picked chocolate mousse cake.
"Siblings getting along is heartwarming."
"Yeah."
"My son and daughter? Always busy, skips the little one's birthday."
With Hiyori waiting outside, chat was brief. Bowing out smiling, she waited with a sulky face.
No complaints voiced; we walked home under the westward sun.
"Bro."
"Yeah."
"You're not gonna up and vanish somewhere, right?"
"Where would I go?"
"I like now. Hope you don't get a girlfriend, and we hang out weekends."
"Saying mature stuff you never did lately."
"...Feels like you'd disappear otherwise."
In Aodaru, tears came from heroines' salvation arcs. Which meant troubles befell them first.
Couldn't dump Manatsu's issue on protagonist Sendo, so I'd try my best. But if someone close to me faced hardship, I might throw myself in to save them unwittingly.
"Might get hurt, but planning to come back safe."
"Hate seeing you hurt."
"Got it. Then I'll do my utmost not to."
I placed a hand on her head, stroking the honest girl's crown as she shared her true feelings.
Given her recent temper, she might swat it away, but today—like a truce—she leaned into it.
Whew. How could I not dote with a sister like this?
"Sis."
"Yeah."
"If I'm free next week, let's go out again."
"Okay."
By home, sun half below western horizon. Entering, Mom's cooking scent wafted.
Cake to fridge; we headed to our second-floor rooms.
Only when alone would she allow head pats—embarrassed otherwise—she scurried to hers, slamming and locking the door.
"Me."
Parents' son, Hiyori's brother, then Manatsu's friend.
Even giving my all, I never wanted family grief if possible.
But.
Still.
If a "only I can do it" moment came.
If someone savable by my sacrifice stood before me.
"I couldn't be sure."