Chapter 11 ~ Secret?

A feeling of freedom always washes over me when leaving through the main gate after school. Like a clear blue sky unfurling over the landscape. That relief is delayed today, however.

Tomoka-chan tries to replicate it by asking, "So, how was the confession? Did you answer it like you wanted?"

"Yeah. I was able to tell her exactly how I felt, thanks to you. Thanks for all the advice you gave me."

"Ahh, that's fantastic. I'm proud of you, Ai. Well done, well done," she says, petting my head. Her hand's big and warm.

I bask in how nice it feels for a moment, then meekly present the reality of the situation to her.

"But I'm afraid I might've hurt the other girl."

"That's inevitable with rejections, to some extent. Expressing yourself honestly is the best thing you can do for the other person, so don't beat yourself up about it," Tomoka-chan said to comfort me.

"Well, it's not that she was hurt, more like she seemed to be her wit's end. Unless I misheard her, she muttered Ren's name when she left."

Tomoka-chan's face turns serious from my words.

"Why's your sister turning up here?"

It's the coldest voice I've ever heard from her. Panicked, I start explaining faster.

"It, uh, the confessor's one of Ren's teammates, apparently. I remember she was with Ren and the basketball club yesterday when we passed by them near the water coolers. So, it's not like she doesn't know Ren, but..."

After hearing my rambling explanation, Tomoka-chan folds her arms over her chest and muses over something.

In the unbroken silence, only the sound of our footsteps reverberates in my eardrums. As we approach the T-junction where we split off, she starts talking.

"If... I'm guessing right, then I hate that girl. No, rather, I can't excuse this even though you're concerned about her."

Her voice quakes with fury.

I've never seen her so angry, much less directing it at someone else. I don't know what to say.

"Tomoka-chan...?"

She seems to return to her senses with my trailing question, and her voice resumes its usual calm.

"Sorry, that was scary, huh? It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong, Ai," she says, gently patting my head.

She's taller than me, though not as much as Ren, and her reassuring vibe sometimes makes me think she's like an older sister, herself. A much more reliable and dependable one than me.

"So, Ai: what's that girl's name?"

"Uhh, if I remember right, I think she said her name was Shimamoto Rira."

"I see. Shimamoto-san, huh?" she repeats softly, like she's rolling the name around her tongue.

"Ai. If that girl says anything to you in the future, tell me about it. I've got a funny feeling. I'll see what I can do about her, too."

"Um, please don't get angry. She seems like a nice girl, and I think she's Ren's friend."

"You really are kind. It's all right! It's not like I'm gonna take that girl and eat her like some monster. It's just, if I'm predicting it right, she'll almost certainly talk to you again."

"What do you mean, predicting...?"

"That's a secret," she says, grinning.

We say our usual goodbyes with a smile at the T-junction. An orange-colored mirror in the middle of the crossroads watches over us.

"Bye-bye. Thanks for everything."

"Of course! I'll do anything to protect you. Well, see you tomorrow."

In that joking way, Tomoka-chan disappears down the opposite road from me.

Protecting me.

Her parting words resonate with me. I have to be an even more dependable big sister so I can protect Ren.

I clasp my hands in front of my chest as these feelings stir within me and start walking home. I need to make dinner for Ren as soon as I get back.