Were they just a poor match They had never fought and had nothing to fight over but a threatening mood hung over them
(I bet they’re just too much alike)
The way they refused to look at each other was identical
And they were also similarly strong-willed and stubborn
Was it really just dislike for someone so similar Mutsuki know they would both snap back at him if he suggested that so
By the way Chiaki Did you find what I mentioned on the phone
They were in the storage room Come help me dig them out Mutsuki
He brought up another topic
His little sister stood up looking relieved and Mutsuki followed her out of the living room
This left Ange behind
Ange-oneetan Hug me
Now’s our chance An An Tell us all about Mu ’s life with you Does he have a girlfriend
But she would be fine with his other two sisters looking after her
The generally shy girl looked nervous with these sociable girls surrounding her and she was left to fend for herself with Mutsuki and Chiaki gone to the storage room
They found what they were looking for in the messy storage room that contained an old bike and tools
You’re going camping
Yeah We’ll be staying in a cabin but we might still need these
They were sleeping bags
His parents often went backpacking so their family was well equipped with camping supplies
He was borrowing some since he was going camping with his friends There were only two but it would be enough He decided to pull them out
They were pretty far back so they had to move things out of the way one at a time
How have things been lately
He spoke to his little sister as they cleared the pile of clutter
What do you mean
Has anything changed Are things going well in the mornings
He asked about what worried him most his family
His older sister was entirely unreliable and his other little sister was in kindergarten so it was easiest to ask the sister closer to his own age
Everyone in the Fujita family was low energy and all of them but him had trouble in the mornings
He had woken them in the past but it sounded like Chiaki had taken over that role
She also had trouble in the mornings so he was worried it was hard for her But
Everything’s going fine Didn’t I tell you that over the phone
Chiaki answered nonchalantly
She could be cheeky but she was a reliable person
How about you You’re studying a foreign language right Are you keeping up with that
She pouted her lips and asked him a question of her own
He had told his family he was leaving home to study a foreign language That was his cover story for living with Micha who (looked like she) was foreign
I’m keeping up just fine Didn’t I tell you that over the phone
He could not tell her the truth but he wanted to make sure she was not worried
He felt like her determined face briefly clouded over
He quickly realized that there’s nothing to worry about was the second best answer she had been hoping for
But he could not give the best answer she had been hoping for It isn’t working out so I’m coming home
Sorry Chiaki
He at least made sure to rub her head
It’s going to take a while longer but I promise I’ll come home eventually
This little sister was stubborn and not at all like Iwai or Mutsumi
But when he rubbed her head she happily narrowed her eyes just like those two
If you’re ever missing me just call I can stop by right away
I-I was not missing you It’s just
It’s just
Mutsumi or Onee might be so make sure you visit Onii
He took his time patting her head and then dragged out the sleeping bags
By the way Chiaki how’s lacrosse going
They had returned to the living room
Ange asked for help with Mutsumi on her head and Iwai on her lap but he smiled back and told her to keep them company Then he sat on the other sofa with Chiaki
We have the day off Our practices have been so intense lately that everyone’s worn out
Intense Is there a tournament coming up or something
Um No there isn’t a tournament
His little sister seemed to be having trouble saying something
She took a sip of tea to hide it And just as he started wondering why
Ren ’s coming back cut in his older sister Apparently Chi ’s elementary school lacrosse team is just as excited as the middle school one
Shirohara-senpai is
His eyes widened as soon as he spoke that name
Pwah ShiroharaRen Who’s that
Ange peeled Mutsumi from her face and tilted her head at the unfamiliar name
Mutsuki stared into space and Chiaki kept her lips shut so Iwai spoke from Ange’s lap
Shirohara Ren is an upperclassman one year above Mu She transferred somewhere else back in March but she’s coming right back four months later She had an odd grin on her face Her grades are top notch she has seven prefectural records in track and she’s known across Japan as a junior lacrosse player She’s an elite among elites who held the position of student council president in Megutono Academy’s elementary and then middle school And She looked to her uncomfortable-looking little brother and sister
She was Mu ’s first love
N-Nee
And Chi didn’t you start playing lacrosse because Mu was always going to watch
her at practice
Gah That’sI did not