A Warm Place

Extra VII

Her Love Towards the Young Girl

Sometimes, I wonder if this is all just a dream.

I have Hinata, Tsubaki, and all these kind people around me. Every day is filled with happiness. I had believed that I would never be able to obtain it in my whole life. But, the unbelievable occurred... and it is now right there in my grasp. A dream-what should have been impossible-has really become a reality.

Once, I let the words slip out of my mouth. I asked Hinata if I was allowed to be happy. After all, I do not deserve all this happiness.

But...

[What are you saying, Hiori? You have to be much, much happier, you know.]

She answered me with a gentle smile on her face.

I cannot believe her. Just how much does she need to brighten my life before she is satisfied?

...From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to have met Sekiguchi Tsubaki, as well as Hayase Hinata.

I am really glad that I fell in love with her.

"Hey, Hiori-san, are you listening?"

"Eh?"

"...I guess not."

My thoughts that went elsewhere are pulled back to reality by the person in front of me. Rumi-chan looks at my baffled face and makes a wry smile. I try to mask my embarrassment by taking the nearby cup to my lips. Although it has not been long since the tea was poured, it has completely gone cold.

"Fufu, what were you thinking about? Ah, could it be about Nee-san?"
"......You're wrong."

I am shaken up because her guess hits the bullseye. I wonder if she actually has the ability to read minds. However, I refute her while keeping my expression from changing to the best of my abilities, in order to prevent her from noticing my discomposure. Alas, she is unlike her dense elder sister. My words probably does not convince her in the slightest. As proof, she has been giggling since earlier.

"Nee-san is really blessed, isn't she~ There's such a beautiful person who's thinking about her all the time."
"......Like I said, it's not what you think."

I avert my eyes out of embarrassment. Although I am practically admitting her words, I cannot bear looking at her in the eye. My face feels feverish, too.

"Ahaha, you're so cute, Hiori-san."
"........."

Rumi-chan laughs as though to tease me. The way she laughs resembles her sister, and I cannot help staring at her because of it. They may not be related by blood anymore, but I suppose it does not change the fact that they are truly sisters.

(......Perhaps I have contracted a serious illness.)

Whenever I let my mind wander, I would end up thinking about her. It has been a few months since we started dating, but my fever has not abated to this day. I know better than to let love govern my emotions, and I feel ashamed of myself. I may have obtained a lover, but I am also a mother. I need to compose myself... but my feelings for her keep growing by the day. It is a really troubling matter.

"Haah~ even though Hiori-san is thinking about Nee-san so wholeheartedly, when it comes to the person in question..."
"?"

Rumi-chan puts her hand on her face and sighs in an exaggerated manner. She frowns, as though the smile she showed earlier was a lie.

"After you've finally started going out, Nee-san took a part-time job in just a few days, didn't she?"
"Yes, she did."

She did not consult me, nor did she mention it to me. It took me by surprise when she suddenly started a part-time job shortly after we started dating. However, since it was what she had decided for herself, I am not particularly against it.