(3rd person POV)
The sun illuminated everything. The temperature rose, and summer was approaching. On the eve of summer break, Chiharu and the others had returned home with their school luggage.
“Since it’s summer, the sunlight…”
Chinatsu staggered as she carried a large amount of luggage home. A small bag held a recorder, scissors, and various other items. It contained all sorts of tools that had been left at school.
It was quite heavy, so Chinatsu found it the most difficult, but Chiaki and Chifuyu seemed to be struggling as well. As soon as they arrived home, everyone took a shower and turned on the air conditioning.
“Ooh, it’s so cool! I’m impressed.” Chiaki said.
“The coolness is helping Chifuyu make progress on the summer homework.”
“Fuyu is already starting on the homework? Don’t rush; you should take it a bit slower.” Chinatsu interjected.
“That’s why Aki-nee and Natsu-nee end up panicking; you guys don’t start your homework early enough.”
Swiftly and efficiently, Chifuyu delved into her homework assignments. Meanwhile, Chiaki and Chinatsu seemed to be lost in thought, but it was Chinatsu who began to speak, as though she had just recalled something.
“Come to think of it, do you have a crush?”
“Eh? Me?” Chiaki responded.
“Yes, do you have someone you like, Aki?” Chinatsu persisted.
“I like myself.”
“Sounds like self-love.”
“But I also like Kaito,”
“Yeah, well, I knew that already, but I like him too. Isn’t it the same with Fuyu and Haru?”
“Well, I suppose so,” Chifuyu said.
“I like him too, but I don’t think it’s quite the same as how the three of you like him,” Chiharu remarked.
Chiharu’s sharp retort caught everyone off guard, silencing the room. As Chiharu playfully ruffled Chinatsu’s hair, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I think that’s good,” Chiharu said
“What do you mean?” Chinatsu asked.
“Oh, nothing… I was just wondering about the future. What lies ahead for us? Will someone be chosen or not?”
Chiharu continued to stroke Chinatsu’s hair as she spoke.
“Speaking of which, Haru, you’re not exactly good at swimming, are you?”
“I can swim.”
“Yeah, but it’s more like doggy paddling, isn’t it?”
“Still, the fact remains that I can swim.”
“I wonder if you’ll get lessons from Kaito again this year.”
“Who knows? Anyway, Chiaki and Chinatsu, let’s work on our homework. If you want to enjoy the summer break, you’ve got to get things done.”
“Eeeh, come on! I think I’ll skip it for today!” Chiaki protested.
“No, you can’t. Onii-san said he’s going to visit Grandpa and Grandma’s house before we go for a drive. So, let’s get things done while we have the chance.”
“Okay!”
Chiaki exclaimed cheerfully and opened her notebook. She started the process of copying answers from the workbook, but it seemed like her younger sister, Chifuyu, stopped her from doing so.
“…What about you?” Chinatsu asked.
“I’m going to do on my homework too,” Chiharu said.
“No, I mean about Kaito.”
“…I like him.”
“…There are probably things you really want to talk to him about, right? Like your superpower…”
“I’m fine, so there’s no need. Besides, it wouldn’t make any difference even if I did talk to him about it. Onii-san understands that too, and he doesn’t mention it. We have similar ways of living, so addressing the core issues wouldn’t change anything.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m not sure how to put it. It might be that we’re doing the same things, but we can’t deny them.”
“You act like you understand Kaito the best.”
“In reality, I do. I’m the one who understands him the best.”
“Well, I think I understand him the best too.”
“I don’t know about that. I think it might be an illusion. But don’t worry. Even if I say I like him, it’s not in the same way as Chinatsu and the others, so there’s no need to compete.”
“…I don’t really like how nonchalant you’re being about this.”
“It’s not about being nonchalant… Anyway, more importantly, homework, homework.”
Chiharu guided Chinatsu to her seat and proceeded to retrieve a workbook, placing it in front of her. There was a brief moment where Chiharu and Chinatsu seemed to engage in a subtle competition, but that atmosphere quickly dissipated.
They both began working on their homework, their focus on the tasks at hand, all in pursuit of enjoying their summer break.
◆◆
(POV Kaito)
It’s been a while since I tended to my car. It had accumulated bird droppings and various residues, prompting me to use a hose to clean it. Since it was summer break, my aim was to have the car as spotless as possible.
“Ooh, Kaito, you’re really energetic! I want to use that gun-like hose too!” Chiaki said.
I handed the hose to Chiaki. Then she started playing around with the water like a gun, shooting it out with a “pshew” sound. She was laughing as she sprayed water on the car.
“Chiaki is so cute; it’s really soothing.”
“Nihaha, well then!”
Her genuinely charming smile caught me off guard.
“Now, Kaito, I’m looking forward to the drive! I’m your co-pilot, after all!”
“Got it. I’ll leave the navigation to you.”
“You can count on me!”
With Chiaki’s declaration, I decided to entrust her with the passenger seat.
And so, the day of the drive arrived. I was determined to create enjoyable memories of the journey for everyone!
Or so I thought.
“I’ll take the passenger seat!” Chinatsu said.
“No way!” Chiaki refused.
“I’ll be the one supporting Kaito! You’ll just be sleeping, won’t you? As always!”
“I won’t be sleeping!”
“If you’re sleeping, you won’t be able to give Kaito snacks or drinks while he’s driving!”
The two of them were arguing. It seemed they were in a dispute over who would take the passenger seat.
“Alright then, let’s settle this with rock-paper-scissors. Both Chiaki and Chinatsu; follow Chifuyu’s example…”
Chiharu stepped in and praised Chifuyu for staying calm and tried to mediate between the two, or so she thought, but Chifuyu was already seated in the passenger seat; seeing that, Chiharu stopped talking.
After various discussions, Chifuyu took the passenger seat, and the car set off. I had planned to go to a department store a little farther away. We decided to take a break and stopped at a roadside station along the way.
As I treated Chiaki and the others to soft-serve ice cream, I sipped on my coffee. Come to think of it… these kids will be graduating from elementary school soon, won’t they?
We met when they were in the fourth grade, but time flies by quickly. I wonder if growing up and leaving the nest happens surprisingly fast. Or will we stay together like this?
Either way, I have no choice but to continue watching over them just as I am now.
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