[Warning 15+]
Author's Note:
An actual review just came in!
Wait, for real? A massive, super-detailed review actually showed up… …keeping it a secret that I literally went stone-faced for a second out of pure shock.
Part One~She Only Acts Like Her Old Self When She's with Me... Wait, Hold Up!~Chapter 7Morning Time is Way Too Precious
"Ah! I overslept—!"
Deep in the morning at the Kirishima Residence, Himeko's scream echoed through the halls—a sound that was a far cry from anything graceful or ladylike.
Hearing that, Hayato just muttered, "Here we go again…" while expertly flipping eggs in a rectangular tamagoyaki pan.
Hayato was whipping up some dashimaki tamago. It was one of his specialties, packed with that savory katsuobushi dashi flavor. He'd tossed in some chopped mizuna greens just to clean out the fridge, but honestly, he liked the extra crunch it gave the eggs.
"Geez! Big Bro, why didn't you wake me up?!"
"I mean, just look at the clock."
"It’s already past 7.30!"
"You've got plenty of time, right?"
"Even if I sprint… …wait, oh. Right."
"Unlike back home at the countryside, the school's right around the corner, isn't it?"
With Himeko's bedhead still going strong, Hayato's little sis stuck her tongue out with a cheeky "tee-hee" grin.
Himeko had mixed feelings about the move, but she was genuinely stoked that her commute to school had been cut down so much.
"Big Bro, what's that?"
"Lunch. Just some leftovers from yesterday plus the eggs. I took one look at the school store and the cafeteria yesterday and, well…"
"Ah, gotcha. So, well, My Dear Big Bro?"
"Yeah, yeah, I made a portion for you too, Himeko."
"Nice! You totally get me!"
Hayato was still getting chills just thinking about the crowd from yesterday.
Everyone swarming the food stalls was like something straight out of a medieval battle. City kids are probably used to that kind of chaos.
But Hayato? He definitely didn't have that kind of training. He might be able to handle it once in a while, but he didn't have the guts to charge into that war zone every single day.
Figuring his little sis would feel the same way, Hayato'd already packed lunch for both of them.
Hayato was just the type of boy who couldn't help but look out for others.
◇◇◇
Even though they weren't in a huge rush, it wasn't like they could just chill around forever either.
After scarfing down breakfast and getting ready in record time, Hayato and Himeko headed out and locked the door behind them.
"Man, it's hot…"
"Ugh, so freaking hot…"
The second they stepped outside, the two siblings blurted out the exact same thing in unison.
Unlike the countryside, there's no bare ground to be seen here; Just endless stretches of asphalt soaking up all the heat. There aren't even any groves of trees to block the sun, so the early summer heat just bakes your skin like crazy.
The perceived temperature in this city is way higher than in Tsukinose. The two siblings spent their morning commute feeling totally drained as they trudged along.
"Alright, I'm heading this way."
"Catch ya later."
After parting ways with his little sis, Hayato started feeling homesick for the cool breeze of the countryside.
The massive crowds and the lack of greenery were constant reminders that Hayato was in a whole new world.
It's not like Hayato wanted to move here in the first place. It felt like it was gonna take a long, long time to actually fit in.
(Oh, that's right...)
Maybe because Hayato had the countryside on his mind, he suddenly remembered something that had been bugging him.
It was that flowerbed with the tilled ridges behind the school building—the one that had reminded Hayato so much of Tsukinose yesterday.
Zucchini flowers bloom in the morning. And by early afternoon, they're already starting to wither away.
That's why you've gotta get them pollinated while it's still early.
The image of a girl who tries her best but is always in a total panic popped into Hayato's head.
(I wonder if she's doing okay…)
After passing through the school gates, Hayato realized his feet were already carrying him straight toward the flowerbed.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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