You Did it Sumire!

Warmth Of New Bonds

The next morning, Sato-san woke up early and decided to prepare some breakfast for herself and Sumire. She quietly roamed around the apartment, admiring the space, when Sumire emerged from her room, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning, Suma-chan. Did you sleep well?" Sato-san asked cheerfully.

"Good morning. Yes, I slept well. When did you wake up, Sato-san?"

"You can call me Himari. I woke up an hour ago and made us some breakfast."

"You didn't have to do that, Sa—Himari-san, but thank you so much. I'll bring some tea," Sumire replied, feeling touched by the gesture. Just before sumire was about to leave Himari san stopped her.

"Thank you for listening to me, Suma-chan. I feel a lot better now. I just felt so weak after meeting Kita yesterday. I'm so sor—"

"Himari-san," Sumire interrupted, looking at her with concern, and held both of her hands. "I know it's tough for you, and it's okay to cry. Crying doesn't make you weak; it makes you stronger. And I'm here for you, so you can call me anytime. I know the situation is tough, but I also know that you will be just fine. You can get through it, Himari-san!"

Himari-san hugged Sumire, silently crying. She then whispered, "Yes, I will get through it." They stayed in the embrace for a while, finding comfort in each other's presence, and then decided to have breakfast.

They ate and drank tea in silence. Around 9 a.m., Himari-san received a call from Kita-san, informing her that they would meet the girls in front of their apartment at 4 p.m.

"So, Suma-chan, what are you wearing today?" Himari-san asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"Um, I'm not sure. I'm torn between two dresses. Would you like to help me decide?"

"Yes, I would love that! My elder sister never asks for my impeccable fashion advice," she replied. Sumire giggled and brought out her dresses. Both were ankle-length, one a blue floral print with full sleeves, and the other a plain white semi-frilled dress. After analyzing the accessories—a gold chain and gold drop earrings—Himari-san decided on the white semi-frilled dress.

"It will bring out your facial features, and it suits you so well," Himari-san said, her voice filled with admiration.

Sumire, still unsure, decided to go with Himari-san's choice. At 1:30, after having lunch, both girls started getting ready. Himari-san looked stunning in her yellow knee-length dress, with a messy bun, white strapped heels, and light makeup. Sumire was left in awe, showering her with compliments, causing Himari-san to turn a deep shade of red.

Sumire, though not as glamorous as Himari-san, looked elegant. Himari-san helped with her hair and makeup. Once Sumire was ready, she took a final look in the mirror. She looked stunning, her black wavy hair complementing the square neck pattern of the dress and the necklace. The makeup highlighted her features beautifully. Sumire looked at herself and said, "I look pretty."

Himari-san chuckled at her reaction and said, "You're always pretty, Suma-chan."

Sumire hugged Himari-san, surprising her. Sumire wasn't someone who usually showed physical affection openly. Himari-san quickly returned the hug and said, "You know, Suma-chan, you can call me onee-san (elder sister)."

Sumire's eyes widened in surprise. She had never had a sibling and always wanted one. Listening to Himari-san, she couldn't help but cry, startling the older girl.

"Heeey, what happened? It's okay if you don't want to. Don't cry," Himari-san said, concerned.

Sumire quickly wiped her tears and said, "No, I want to! I'm just sooo happy, onee-san."

Sumire blushed and smiled, while Himari-san patted her head and cooed at the younger girl. Their moment was interrupted by a call from Kita-san, who informed them that they were about to reach the apartment. The girls quickly grabbed their purses, locked the door, and walked out hand in hand.

The moment the boys laid eyes on the girls, they were struck by their beauty, rendering them speechless for a moment. Breaking the silence, Sumire asked with a shy smile, "How do we look, Suna-san, Kita-san?"

"You both look beautiful, Sato-san, Yamashita-san," Suna-san responded, before squinting at Sumire. "Is that makeup I see, Yamashita-san? Aren't you a bit too young for it?" Himari-san chuckled, while Sumire's face twisted into a frown of annoyance.

Before Kita-san could scold Suna-san for his teasing, Himari-san intervened, "Suna-san, she's already 18, and it suits her well. Now, don't tease her."

"Thank you, onee-san," Sumire said, looking gratefully at Himari-san, who gently patted her head.

"The hell," Suna-san exclaimed, throwing his hands up in mock despair. "Kita-san, I know she's your fiancée and all, but she just stole my friend. Do something!" Kita-san, too stunned to respond, watched as Sumire made faces at Suna-san and then took off running, with Suna-san in hot pursuit, leaving Kita-san and Himari-san behind.

"Suna-san still acts like a child," Himari-san said, chuckling.

"He only acts like that when he's comfortable with someone. Otherwise, he's too lazy to move. I'm happy to see him like this, though," Kita-san replied. "I take it you and Yamashita-san are getting along?"

"Yes, she's the cutest little thing. I've always wanted a little sister, and now I finally have one, all thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything. I'm just glad you both like each other."

"Me too," Himari-san said, smiling.

They both started walking toward the university in comfortable silence, which Kita-san eventually broke. "Sato-san, yellow is definitely your color. It always suits you well." Himari-san, surprised but pleased, managed to reply.

"Thank you, Kita-san. You look handsome too." Both of them blushed, walking in a newfound, comfortable silence.

Meanwhile, in front of the university gates, Suna-san finally caught up with Sumire, landing a gentle karate chop on her head. "Come here, you. This is what you get for not respecting your senior."

"But I—" Sumire's protest was cut short as a tall, imposing male suddenly appeared between her and Suna-san.

"What's up, Suna? Why are you bullying little girls? Last time I saw you, you weren't like this," the stranger said with a serious tone.

Before Suna-san could reply, Sumire, looking up at the towering figure who seemed far stronger than Suna-san, quickly stepped between them. She bowed and said, "Sorry, sir. There has been a misunderstanding. My friend and I were just playing. It's nothing. Please don't hurt him."

The stranger burst into laughter. Just then, Kita-san and Himari-san reached the scene, their expressions shifting to surprise as they saw Sumire bowing. Himari-san, ready to step in, was gently stopped by Kita-san.

Sumire, looking up at the laughing stranger, felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't quite place him. The stranger, looked at Sumire and smiled broadly. "Heyyyy, it's you!"

Before Sumire could respond, kita-san interjected, "Do you know Yamashita-san, Atsumu kun?"