That night, I was sitting at my desk.
“I’m really, really sorry. Hiba-nee’s not going too far off the rails, is she?”
I had Sakurai-kun on the phone. He’d been calling just about every night lately, guilty over the president inserting herself into our business.
I shook my head, entirely cognizant of the fact he couldn’t see it. “It’s been smooth sailing so far. She’s been so helpful I might have to thank you.”
“Still, she’s going off even more half-cocked than usual. I keep worrying she’ll take it too far.”
Compared to the disaster human that was Tiara-san, her boss was downright pleasant. I told him so in slightly more polite terms. That seemed to quell his anxieties for now, so he said goodbye and hung up shortly after. If only mine were so easily soothed.
I glanced at the calendar on my wall. Golden Week was here, and the weekend following it was the wedding. Next Saturday, our plan would be put into motion.
“Oniisama, I’m done with the bath.” Kaju scampered in, all cozied up in her blue pajamas. She unwrapped the towel on her head, and wet hair fell over her shoulders.
“You’d better dry that before you give yourself a cold,” I said.
“Help me, please?” She plopped herself on my bed like she already knew the answer. I was spoiling this girl.
I started plugging in the dryer. Something had been on my mind. “When did you and Asagumo-san get so buddy-buddy?”
“Just recently. She’s been very kind to me.”
Troubling. Very troubling. Asagumo-san was a good egg, but as far as role models for your little sister went, she was pretty low on my ranking. At the very bottom was Tsukinoki-senpai, for reference.
Just as I was about to switch the dryer on, Kaju turned around to me. “I wish I could have seen you in that suit. Next open house, you and I should—”
“Drying.” The blow dryer roared to life, effectively shutting her up.
I ran my fingers through her hair as the warm wind caressed it. Too much heat was bad. I had to make sure it didn’t get too hot. Quick yet gentle. Seek and destroy moisture with efficiency.
About ten minutes later, I switched it off and admired my work. Lustrous. Soft to the touch. Not too bad, if I said so myself. I began my final check.
“Wait,” I said, “aren’t those pajamas mine?”
“Nope. I got a matching pair.”
Interesting. But why the exact same color? Curious.
Kaju put a brush in my hand next. It was a present I’d given her, made with real boar bristles. A real work of art and a vital step to the Kaju method.
Slowly, I ran it through her hair.
“How’s school as a third-year?” I asked.
“Well, we have entrance exams to look forward to now, so the teachers have all been trying to get us to think about our futures and stuff. None of it feels very real yet, though.” She waited a second before continuing. “I’m going to apply to Tsuwabuki.”
I’d always known she had a strong interest, but this was the first time she’d said it in no uncertain terms. I kept brushing. “Already decided?”
“Yep. I’ve even talked to my teacher, and we’re putting together a plan. Next spring, I’ll get to go to school with you.” Kaju spoke with an unshakable confidence. Her expression softened. “This time last year, you were all alone and friendless. My plan was to come along so I could be there for you.”
✦ ✦ ✦
This time last year, I could go entire days not speaking a word to anyone. Amanatsu-sensei had trouble even remembering who I was. Personally, it hadn’t bothered me much, but it probably weighed on Kaju quite a bit.
Her hand touched mine. I’d stopped brushing. “I have different ideas now, though. I want to go because there are senpai that I respect. I want this for myself.”
“That’s great,” I said. “I’m glad. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“I will!”
She started to swing her legs and hum, and I suddenly felt lighter. Unburdened.
I continued to brush. Slowly. Gently.