(POV Kaito)
The winter break was a longer break compared to the usual holidays. Consequently, it was common to venture to places that one couldn’t normally visit.
Moreover, since we went last year, it was only natural to say that we would go this year as well.
“Shall we go on a trip to Okinawa?”
“Oooh, let’s go, let’s go!”
“Alright, I’ve already made the reservations, so let’s go! We’ll enjoy whale watching and various other activities.”
“Oooh, I love you Kaito!”
Chiaki was ecstatic. It made me genuinely happy when she said she loved me.
“Kaito-san, when are we going on the trip…” Chifuyu asked.
“Hmm, starting from tomorrow.”
“Oh, tomorrow?”
“I wanted to surprise you, so I kept it a secret. I apologize.”
“N-No, it’s fine.”
“Great, let’s pack our bags together.”
“O-Okay!”
Chifuyu’s expression turned into one of surprise and confusion. She had done various things for me not long ago. So, this was my surprise in return.
“Hey, you guys. Let’s get ready properly. Honestly, you’re all too excited,” Chinatsu said.
Chinatsu’s words and her actions didn’t match at all. Although she seemed to be saying, “You guys are no good”, on the surface, she went upstairs to her room hastily. Chiaki and the other two followed her.
I should get ready too!
◆◆
(POV Chiharu)
From Haneda Airport to Naha Airport, it took over two hours, but the flight was relatively stress-free as one could watch movies, dramas, and even play some games onboard. Finally, we arrived in Okinawa.
It was early January. While Saitama’s Tokorozawa was chilling to the bone, there was no such impression of coldness in Okinawa.
Onii-san was busy making preparations and organizing our schedule, ensuring smooth movement even at the airport. I felt reassured under his lead. It was something he always does, but…
Somehow, I was genuinely surprised that I could trust someone like Onii-san and willingly follow him. Not only Chiaki and Chifuyu but even Chinatsu didn’t have a trace of suspicion. Strolling behind Onii-san, she glanced around with excitement, her eyes sparkling.
The scenery around me went completely unnoticed by my eyes due to Chinatsu’s curious and cute nature; after a while, everyone continued down the road.
◆◆
(POV Kaito)
We walked and used public transportation to reach the hotel where we would spend the night and deposit our luggage. This particular hotel boasted a delightful heated pool, so we took a moment to discuss our plans of swimming together later on. However, at that moment, our priority was to go whale-watching first.
We stepped onto the boat, wearing orange life jackets, and gently glided across the sea’s surface.
“Oh, Kaito-san!”
“What’s up, Chifuyu?”
“There! Whales over there!! It’s amazing!”
I was a little surprised by Chifuyu’s loud and excited reaction. The encounter rate was said to be 98%, but it was still surprising to find them so quickly.
“Hey! They’re over there! Aki!” Chinatsu said.
“Oooh, I wonder what whales taste like…” Chiaki said.
“Ah, for some reason the whales are moving away…” Chifuyu remarked.
“Come on! Aki! Don’t say things like that at times like this! Well, as long as we captured them in photos, I guess it’s fine.”
“In that case, I did take some good shots,” Chiharu said.
“Is that so? Thank yo-… hey, there’s not a single picture of a whale here! It’s all just Fuyu, Aki, and me!”
“I’m not really interested in whales.”
“You idiot!”
When Chiaki exhibited behavior that made the whales wary, they gradually distanced themselves from the boat. And then, instead of taking pictures of the whales, Chiharu focused on taking pictures of her sisters. No matter where they went, they acted normally and comfortably.
However, you can rest assured that I took photos of the whales. After we finished whale watching, it was time for lunch in the afternoon.
◆◆
(POV Kaito)
After enjoying dishes like taco rice and Fried dough for lunch, we kept ourselves entertained with activities like parasailing. It felt like we filled up the time with various activities and I felt incredibly fulfilled; moreover, seeing the four of them having a great time made it even better.
However, Chiaki and Chinatsu seemed to still have an appetite for more fun, and since we had some time to spare until dinner, we decided to take a swim in the hotel’s heated pool…
I slipped into my swim trunks and caught a glimpse of myself in the changing room mirror.
Why didn’t I do more muscle training…? Why didn’t I prepare myself for moments like this, where it would have been nice to look good? Why…
I repeated these thoughts in my head over and over again. It’s not like I have excess fat or anything. But I’m not incredibly toned either. I should present a decent image in front of my daughters… Normally, I’m always wearing my clothes, so there was never a need to show off or worry about it.
But now, I find myself in a situation where I have to show it. Well, it can’t be helped… It’s a bit ambiguous whether it falls under the category of personal grooming, but from now on, I’ll focus on regular workouts.
I made my way out of the changing room, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension as I headed toward the heated pool. The others hadn’t arrived yet. As I glanced around, I spotted a father with bulging muscles walking alongside his wife and young child.
I don’t know how to say it, but he seemed to glow with an air of confidence…
There was something undeniably impressive about having a guardian or a parent who you could boast about wherever and whenever. It made me realize that focusing on building strength was essential for me as well… While I was lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice from behind.
“Kaito!”
It was Chiaki’s voice. I turned around to see her waving at me. She was accompanied by Chifuyu, Chiharu, and Chinatsu who was holding a swim float. They were all dressed in blue swimsuits. Come to think of it, in both my past life and present life, I remembered girls from my elementary school days wearing similar swimsuits for swimming lessons…
My memories were a bit hazy,
but it felt somewhat nostalgic.
“Kaito! Let’s swim over there! Let’s have a race!” Chiaki exclaimed.
“Sure thing. Just so you know, I’m pretty fast.”
“Oooh, we’ll see about that!”
When Chiaki said that, I couldn’t refuse. I was a bit unsure if I could still swim. How many years had it been since I last swam…? It didn’t really matter. Such thoughts… Well, surely I could swim better than Chiaki, an elementary school student… Right…?
I decided not to go all out in the race, as Chiaki would get angry if I did. I had learned my lesson from previous competitions, like in the card game.
◆◆
(POV Chiharu)
“Kaito-san and Aki are having a swimming race,” Chinatsu said.
“Yeah… That’s right.” Chifuyu said.
“Fuyu? What are you angry about?”
“I’m not… angry.”
“Is that so?”
Chinatsu, with her twin tails undone and her hair flowing down, asked Chifuyu while floating with a swim float.
Chifuyu claimed she wasn’t angry, but her eyebrows clearly furrowed. Even with that expression, she still looked cute… No, it didn’t ruin her cuteness at all. It’s nice to have different variations of cuteness.
Yeah, even if she sulks a bit, it’s still adorable. My sister is amazing. Ah, so cute. I want to take a picture. But I don’t have a camera with me now. Is there anything more regrettable than this?
“That Aki, it seems she really likes Kaito-san, right.”
“Yeah…” Chifuyu replied.
“You’re definitely angry, aren’t you?”
“Not really… It’s not… like that…”
A short distance away, I could see Chiaki looking disappointed, as if she wanted another chance after the race had ended. Somehow, it seemed like Onii-san had emerged as the victor. He doesn’t really go easy on others…
Perhaps it’s because Chiaki desires serious competition that he doesn’t hold back…
In the distance, Onii-san and Chiaki were engaged in a casual conversation, preparing for another race. Chifuyu observed them with an expression of jealousy, while Chinatsu seemed a little lost in thought.
“As expected… Kaito-san can be trusted…”
“Ye…s…”
“I think I mentioned this before… but 《《I’m planning to tell Kaito-san》》… I believe he’ll accept me.”
Chinatsu had also approached me earlier, asking if it was okay to talk about the matter of supernatural powers with Onii-san. I told her it was fine either way.
“But I haven’t had the chance to ask Aki yet… If she has the same feeling I have of Kaito-san, she’ll agree, and then… maybe we can become a ‘real family’…?”
“Yeah, I think you can. And if that happens, Chifuyu will stop using formal language… Let’s speak casually and comfortably.” Chifuyu said.
“Yeah, I’ll stop using formal language too. Haru, are you sure it’s okay to tell him?” Chinatsu asked.
“It’s fine. The three of us will always support you.”
“…I see.”
Chinatsu responded with a meaningful reply. She looked into my eyes as if she was appealing for something. I tilted my head in confusion, silently asking what was wrong. But Chinatsu averted her gaze as if it was nothing.
“Well then, if Aki gives me permission, I’ll tell him tonight,” Chinatsu declared.
“Eeeh?! T-To, tonight!?” Chifuyu asked.
“Yes! It’s better to just come out and say it!”
“Maybe you should wait a little longer…”
“No! I’m going to tell him!”
Faced with Chinatsu’s unwavering determination, Chifuyu realized she had no choice but to remain silent and comply.
“U-uuu…b-but…”
Chifuyu was caught off guard, unprepared for such a sudden announcement. I understand how Chifuyu feels, but I don’t think Chinatsu can be stopped now.
“It’s tonight, tonight. After having a full dinner, I’ll confess before going to bed and have a refreshing sleep. I’ve already decided!”
Yeah, as expected… I’ll have to yield to Chinatsu this time. There’s no way around it; she won’t budge from her own thoughts.
“Alright! I’ll do it!”
Chinatsu, floating on her swim float, raised her fist with determination. I didn’t have any objections. If Chinatsu wanted to do it and both Chifuyu and Chiaki agreed, then it should be fine… or so I thought.
But for some reason, my heart felt unsettled. Even though there was no reason to deny her.
…Will she really say it? And if she does… what will happen? Will he truly accept it? I shouldn’t care about my own nagging doubts and insecurities… Yet, I couldn’t help but be preoccupied with them.
What is this feeling…? Unable to shake off the uneasiness in my restless heart, time continued to pass.
◆◆
(POV Chiharu)
After finishing dinner and soaking in the hot springs to relieve the fatigue from the full day of play, the five of us gathered on one bed in the same room, playing card games to pass the evening. We sat together, enjoying our time of leisure.
We played games like Old Maid, President, and Concentration, and before we knew it, it was past nine o’clock.
“Uuu, I lost again… One more round!” Chiaki exclaimed.
“But, Chiaki, it’s almost bedtime,”
“No way! I can’t sleep if I keep losing!”
Chiaki began gathering the spread-out cards once again. It had turned into a situation where she wouldn’t stop until she won, no matter how many times she played and ended up in last place. Amidst everyone’s wry smiles, Onii-san’s phone rang.
“Oh, sorry. I need to take this for a moment,”
“Alright. We’ll set up for the next game, so make sure to come back!” Chiaki responded.
“O-Oooh.”
While smiling wryly at the frowning face of Chiaki who hated to lose, Onii-san left the room to answer the phone. Now there were four of us, and Chinatsu took this opportunity to ask Chiaki about that matter. Though there had been times during the hot springs or when we were alone together, it was difficult to find a suitable place due to various factors and the presence of others.
Perhaps Chinatsu thought this was the perfect moment. Chifuyu’s expression also showed a hint of nervousness.
Chinatsu wanted to check with Chiaki if it was okay to reveal the secret of the supernatural powers to Onii-san. If she agreed, she would proceed to tell him.
Despite the simplicity of her words, an unusual tension hung in the air.
“Hey,” Chinatsu began.
“Hmm?” Chiaki reacted.
“Well, you see. I…”
“What is it? Just say it.”
“Okay. I’ll be straightforward.”
“Sure.”
While gathering the cards, Chiaki listened to Chinatsu, and the conversation continued in a manner that didn’t require direct eye contact.
What could this uneasiness be? I was sure that Chiaki also believed that Onii-san would understand and accept that kind of thing; I was sure that Chiaki would support Chinatsu’s decision of wanting to tell Onii-san about her superpowers.
“I… I’m planning to tell Kaito-san about these supernatural powers,”
“…”
“Haru and Fuyu already know and have agreed. So, it’s just Aki… If Aki decides to do it, then it’s unanimous to tell Kaito-san… Hey, are you listening?”
――Chiaki’s hand, in the midst of gathering the cards, froze.
There was no anger, no anguish, no indecision, and no sadness. Her eyes, empty and void, were simply fixed on Chinatsu.
“I don’t understand… Why would you do something like that?”
“Why? It’s because… it’s obvious. I want to be a real family,” Chinatsu replied.
“Why? How does revealing your superpowers… become proof of being a real family?”
“That… well, it’s complicated. But it doesn’t make sense to keep the secret forever.”
“Having secrets… it’s something everyone has… even Kaito has them…”
Silence permeated the place. It grew more pronounced with each passing moment. The feeling Chiaki had right now was similar to when Nishino confessed to her…
“Even so, I want him to know, and I want him to accept it,” Chinatsu said.
“Is that so…”
“I’m sure if I tell Kaito-san, he will accept it.”
“…You really don’t understand anything, do you?”
“What do you mean?” Chinatsu’s gaze turned slightly displeased.
“Knowing that Kaito would accept it if I told him… I’ve known all along… Even before Chinatsu, I realized it.” Chiaki said.
“…”
“But that’s not the point. Kaito is kind… he would accept it with a smile, no matter how unexpected or incredible it may be if I just talk to him.”
“That’s why I want to do it…”
“Talking about supernatural powers and actually seeing and feeling them are completely different… If he sees that, he might be scared… At first, it might be okay, but if he stays around for a while, the fear might suddenly overcome him…”
“Even so, if we can understand and connect with each other when that happens, wouldn’t it be alright?”
“…I see… This feeling is something only I can understand, huh… Kaito is kind, so he would accept it with a smile, even if I have fears. He would stay with me. But at that moment, he might take a step back… Kaito…”
“…”
“《《I can’t even tolerate the thought of him taking a step back》》. Do you understand? You probably don’t understand… my feelings…”
Chifuyu and I couldn’t say a word. We remained frozen, unable to intervene any further.
“Kaito will be back soon… Don’t say anything strange,”
After saying that, Chiaki started to gather the cards once again and put them back in the case. Perhaps we won’t play anymore. At the same time, the door to the room opened.
“Ah, sorry. That Sasaki fellow… did something happen?”
“No, it’s nothing! Anyway, Kaito, let’s sleep together tonight!” Chiaki said.
“Huh? Uh, but I have the room next to yours…”
“It’s fine! Don’t worry about it!”
Chiaki tapped the bed gently. The sense of emptiness she exuded earlier had disappeared, and her usual cute, smiling face had returned.
“W-Well, but…”
“Sniffle sniffle, I’m sad…” Chiaki said.
“Guh, I get it…”
“Yay!”
With a troubled expression, Onii-san sat down on the bed. Upon doing so, Chiaki clung to him.
“W-What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s really nothing… So, can we sleep together?”
“Hmm? Uh, yeah, I understand, but… Did something happen, Chinatsu, Chiaki, or Chiharu?”
“No, nothing.”
“Nothing at all…”
“Please don’t worry, Onii-san.”
“I see…”
Onii-san seemed to feel a slight sense of unease, but he didn’t say anything more. He also sensed something different in Chiaki’s tighter embrace, but without uttering a word, he lay down beside her.
And after that, no one said a word.
*******************
TN: In here I really don’t know if Chinatsu is planning to reveal her own superpowers or the others as well. I assumed from previous chapters that she only wanted to reveal her own; but from this chapter Chiaki looked very worried; it could be because if Chinatsu told him about hers alone, he would get suspicious of Chiaki too. But just to be safe I translated it vaguely. ”these supernatural powers”. If I become sure of whose supernatural powers she’s going to reveal I’ll come back and update.
TN: She also said “in order to become a real family” which made me think she was revealing everyone’s.
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