It seemed like Azusa had been living in this house for my sake.
But she said it was over, all with a smile.
“I think it’s time for Azusa to move out soon… If you’re getting married, this won’t be the place for Onii-chan to come back to.”
Smiling shyly, she suddenly lay back.
Looking up at the ceiling, she continued to speak in a whisper.
“Living alone, this house is a bit too spacious… And, there are too many memories with Onii-chan. It gets a bit lonely.”
“Yeah… We’ve been through a lot.”
Thinking back, there were indeed many things.
Good things, of course, but also bad things… There were times when we grew distant to the point of not wanting to remember, but both Azusa and I had grown, including those times.
“Oh, will Onii-chan live here? Azusa is leaving, so maybe you can live with Shimotsuki-san?”
“…Shiho says she likes a small house. Since we’ll be together forever, a big one doesn’t make much sense.”
“Ah, as heavy as ever… Azusa might have a hard time being loved that much.”
“Haha.”
The dry laughter was because Azusa’s words weren’t wrong. It took a lot of time to accept that love… Now, being with her feels comfortable.
“But, that level of love brings peace of mind. Shimotsuki-san will surely… not hate big brother. Even if Azusa doesn’t worry, she will definitely make Onii-chan happy.”
“…I guess you’re admitting it.”
“Yeah. It’s not like I hate it. Just not my favorite…”
After that, Azusa suddenly fell silent.
I wonder what happened? Looking in that direction…
“No, it’s different. I’m just… envious, maybe.”
Azusa’s face lost its smile.
She seemed to be holding back tears.
“I-it’s unfair…”
She seemed determined not to show tears, but it might just be a matter of time.
“I-it’s unfair…” she muttered under her breath, rubbing her eyes.
She seemed determined not to show tears, but it might just be a matter of time.
“I’ve always been your little sister, but… I can’t help but think about it. Ugh… I can’t take it anymore! What should I do, Onii-chan? I’m a bad girl… I’ve been cold to Shimotsuki-san for so long, but in the end, it’s just jealousy, right? Like an idiot. In the past, I said things like ‘You’re not my ideal Onii-chan,’ did terrible things to you, acted like it never happened as time passed, developed a bit of a brother complex, and tried to monopolize you, being possessive… Azusa really has a bad personality. Azusa is so cute that I don’t understand why Onii-chan loves her. I’m not cute at all.”
Azusa seemed to have been in constant conflict.
There’s a selfish side of her, and she’s aware of it… She understands the right actions, but emotions are hard to control, and in the end, her mind seems to be a mess.
“So, Onii-chan. Please scold Azusa properly? Because I’m such a cowardly and unfair girl… If you’re going to push me away, do it now. I’ll probably continue to be cold to Shimotsuki-san. Maybe someday, Azusa will say something terrible. Because Azusa is a bad girl.”
… I see.
She expressed this as a “quarrel” because she was aware that she was doing something wrong.
