Episode 233: Hanako-san’s Change

The talk with Hanako-san ended, and since I’d originally planned to clear out before I got in the way of their dinner, I told Hanako-san I’d be heading home soon.

「I see… it’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Your wife is probably waiting with dinner ready… Besides, I’m your Onee-chan, so I can’t be a bother to my little brother.」

As expected, a clear change had come over Hanako-san. I could see her emotions. Her voice was slightly different too, not as blunt as it had been until now.

I’m sure this is a good change.

It was a happy development that made me feel like my judgment hadn’t been wrong after all.

When we left Hanako-san’s room, Tadao-san and Kayo-san were waiting in the living room, looking restless. Even if I wasn’t her boyfriend, it’s only natural for parents to feel that way when their cute daughter is alone in a room with a guy.

「E-Eh, ah, is the talk already finished… perhaps?」

Tadao-san’s phrasing was still a complete mess. I wonder what on earth happened to him?

「Yes. Sorry for intruding for so long. I think I’ll be heading home now.」

「I was the one who invited you, so I don’t want you to call it an intrusion. You can come over whenever you want.」

「「 ! 」」

I’d intended it as a typical social pleasantry, but Hanako-san reacted quite strongly. However, rather than thinking her behavior was rare, I was more concerned by her parents, who looked incredibly shocked.

「……Riko, you…」

「? Is something wrong, Mother?」

「「 ! 」」

I see, they’re probably surprised by the way Hanako-san is speaking.

There are still some awkward parts, but I think she’s changed enough that anyone who knows her well would notice the difference immediately. It might be even more obvious to her parents.

But I’ll refrain from pointing that out myself. I’d prefer for the family to talk it out properly.

「…Sorry for staying so long. I’ll be taking my leave now.」

「N-No, not at all, we couldn’t even offer you any proper hospitality…」

In the end, Tadao-san’s way of speaking never went back to normal. If he’s fine with it, maybe it’s not something for me to specifically comment on, but…

Oh right, I need to tell them about the Student Council before I go.

「Sorry for the late notice, but at my request, Hana… Riko-san has agreed to help out with the Student Council. She might be coming home later than before more often, but the Council will do our best to make sure it’s not too late. Also, whenever it is late, I’ll make sure to walk Riko-san all the way home.」

「Th-thank you for being so polite. Once again, we look forward to your continued support of our daughter.」

The two of us kept bowing our heads to each other, and I wonder if it looked like a comedy skit or something from the outside. Hanako-san and Kayo-san were watching us with wry smiles.

After persuading Hanako-san, who tried to see me all the way out, we decided to part ways at the entrance. Even without making it such a big deal, we’ll see each other at school again on Monday.

「Well, I’m heading out then.」

「Yeah, thanks for coming today. I was happy.」

I was momentarily captivated by Hanako-san as she gave a natural smile. I never thought just accepting her as a sister would cause such a change. At this rate, I’m sure she’ll be able to make plenty of friends this time.

「Well, see you at school.」

「Yeah. …Wait a second, on your shoulder.」

Hanako-san’s gaze was fixed on my left shoulder. Is there something on it? Before I could even try to brush it off, Hanako-san smoothly leaned in, placed a hand on my left shoulder for support, and stood on her tiptoes.

Chu…

I felt a soft, warm sensation on my left cheek.

She whispered,「Your Onee-chan is going to do her best, okay?」into my ear, and then waved her hand as she sent me off.

The walk home after leaving the apartment.

As I walked while reflecting on the day, I heard footsteps like someone running or jogging approaching me. I didn’t pay much attention until a voice called out,「E-Excuse me, Takanashi-san!!」and I stopped immediately.

Turning around, I saw Kayo-san standing there, slightly out of breath. What happened? If I’d forgotten something… it seemed like Hanako-san would have been the one to come.

「Kayo-san… what’s wrong?」

「S-Sorry, could we talk for just a moment?」

Apparently, she chased after me.

Talk… it’s undoubtedly about Hanako-san. I don’t mind talking, of course, but the middle of the road probably isn’t the best spot.

「I understand, let’s move somewhere else. Um… would that park over there be okay?」

「Ah, yes, sorry for the trouble.」

That park between the shopping district and the station is a quiet place with few play structures and not many children. It should be perfect for a talk.

Moving to the park, we sat down side-by-side on a bench. It was a confusing situation; being alone with Hanako-san’s mother, whom I’d only met today. Kayo-san seemed to be struggling to start, so I decided to ask something safe to create an atmosphere for conversation.

「Um… by the way, where is Hana… Riko-san?」

「Eh? Oh, my daughter is at home. I came out saying I was going to the convenience store.」

I see, that explains her casual clothing.

But if that’s her excuse for being out, we probably don’t have much time. She said she had something to ask, so it’s better to get to it quickly.

「You have something to talk to me about, right?」

「…Yes. Sorry, since I don’t have much time, let me get straight to the point. Ever since you two came out of the room earlier, Riko’s behavior has clearly changed. Could I ask what kind of conversation you had?」

If she noticed Hanako-san’s sudden change, it’s only natural for her to judge that the reason lies in our conversation. But this topic is extremely sensitive for Hanako-san, and no matter if she’s her mother, it’s not something I can just talk about on my own.

「Sorry, that’s not something I can say myself…」

「It’s about her brother, isn’t it?」

「………」

If I stay silent, it’ll be taken as a「yes.」But the fact that Kayo-san pointed that out so precisely means she’s speaking with some kind of certainty. And since she’s not wrong, I can’t exactly deny it either.

「I see. Since I don’t have time for a detailed explanation, I’ll just stick to the main points. I knew that Riko held an excessive amount of emotional attachment to her brother. I also bear responsibility for simply thinking… well, if Riko is happy even though she struggles to make friends… then it’s fine. During all that, she recently started going out, saying she had gatherings with friends.」

So Kayo-san did know.

To find out about her brother, you’d have to ask her mother. So, I’m sure Hanako-san asked Kayo-san all sorts of things. And if she saw the books in her room, it’s only logical that she’d eventually reach the answer.

「I hoped that maybe things would improve. When she said she wanted to transfer, she mentioned she had friends at that school she was currently seeing, so I wanted to find a way to let her transfer. But during our talk, just once… she let this slip just once. She said she wanted to go to the same school as Kazunari…」

Now that I’ve talked to Hanako-san, that obviously refers to me. Her messaging me saying her current school was boring, and the prank of not telling only me about the transfer; conversely, it might mean she was especially conscious of me.

「When I heard that, I panicked, thinking she’d revived her obsession with her brother. Right then, my husband’s transfer was suddenly decided…」

Hearing that just now felt a bit off. It seemed like the transfer was decided at an incredibly convenient time. Plus, moving to our neighborhood; for a coincidence, it’s a bit too…

No way… did Sara-san move some strings…?

W-well, even if that were the case, it’s not like it’s a problem, so I’ll try not to think about it.

「In the end, Riko was forced to transfer either way. And Riko changed for the better after the transfer. Even if her outward appearance didn’t change, I could tell she was looking forward to every day. Her brother’s shadow didn’t vanish, but I thought time would eventually solve that.」

「………」

「Today, Riko brought a friend home. I was quite surprised because it was a boy, but when I heard the name, I wondered if it could be. The reason for the transfer, the way the talk about her brother settled down, I wondered… and then just now, Riko started showing her emotions clearly enough for anyone to see. I can’t put this surprise into words.」

If she’s noticed this much, maybe it’s okay to talk a little. Even if the details should come from Hanako-san herself. Actually, if she’s noticed that much, what does she want to ask?

「I only found out about her brother just now. She told me she was overlapping me with him, too.」

「Now everything is connected. I came here because I wanted to thank you, Takanashi-san.」

「Thank me?」

「Yes. Isn’t Riko’s happy change because you accepted her as a sister, Takanashi-san?」

「………」

Kayo-san turned to face me with tears in her eyes.

Then she gave a deep bow and spoke her words of gratitude.

「So that was it. Thank you, truly. For meeting Riko, for being her friend, for accepting Riko’s wish… I am truly grateful… thank you. It might still take time, but I think this might be the chance for her to finally get back on her feet.」

Wiping her tears with a handkerchief, Kayo-san bowed her head over and over. I didn’t know what to say to her.

I don’t think Hanako-san’s matter is something I should be thanked for, but after hearing Kayo-san’s story, I guess it can’t be helped.

「I understand. You don’t need to thank me anymore. I only accepted Riko-san because I wanted to. Besides, the reason Riko-san was able to change is because of her own inner strength. If I could be the trigger for that, then I’m happy as her best friend.」

Even if me accepting her as a sister saved Hanako-san, since it’s a matter of the heart, her changing from here on out is ultimately her own strength.

I’m just the trigger, and I think my role from here is just to support her.

Kayo-san looked at me with a bit of surprise, but eventually she gave a gentle smile and bowed once more.

「………It’s a shame. For that girl, someone like you…」

「Eh?」

「Nothing. Well, I’d better get back before they get suspicious. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you so much. Please continue to look after Riko.」

With that, Kayo-san headed home, looking back at me several times.

It wasn’t just Hanako-san; maybe her parents, who had been worried about her for so long, were saved too…

Click…

「I’m home.」

When I opened the door, Sara-san hugged me immediately, as if she’d been waiting for me. I’m not going to ask what’s wrong; that would be tactless. I’m sure Sara-san was anxious too.

「Welcome back, Kazunari-san. And… good work today.」

Wait, she seems more okay than I thought.

I felt a slight sense of mismatch between Sara-san, who was brighter than expected, and her saying「good work.」For the record, I didn’t do anything tiring.

「Fufu… I’ve received a message from Hanako-san, so I’ve already had a general report.」

Noticing my reaction, Sara-san gave a supplementary explanation. Apparently Hanako-san had messaged her right away. That explains her attitude.

「I see… did she say anything?」

「Just a general overview. Of course, I’ve heard the conclusion of how it turned out. However…」

She cut off her sentence there and stared straight into my eyes while looking up at me slightly.

「I want to hear it from you, Kazunari-san. Let’s talk about it slowly later, okay?」

「…I understand. I’ll explain everything properly.」

Either way, there are things I have to confess… I mean, tell Sara-san. Including that, I’ll report everything from the beginning.