“Alya,” he called out to his partner, his head still facing forward.
“What?”
“Thanks.”
“…Yeah.”
Her usual curt response made him smile as he walked toward the mansion’s entrance. Then, as if on cue, the front door swung open, revealing the man himself, Gensei Suou—head of the household and grandfather to both Masachika and Yuki. The very man who, when Masachika left this home, had ordered him to never call himself Yuki’s brother again.
“…”
Though Gensei’s unchanging, coldly calculating eyes pierced into him, he felt strangely calm, much to his own surprise.
I had no idea how I was going to react up until a few seconds ago…but I’m fine. I guess it’s all thanks to Alya.
Masachika truly felt that way as he continued walking ahead, looking straight into Gensei’s eyes, before stopping a few steps away from him and taking the initiative to speak.
“I apologize for stopping by this late at night. I heard my friend Yuki got sick, so I stopped by to check up on her, if that’s okay.”
Gensei glared at both Masachika and Alisa before responding to the impersonal, somewhat formal greeting.
“You stopped by to check up on her? Without bothering to call in advance or even bring her a gift?”
“I apologize. I rushed over the instant Ayano told me she was sick.” Masachika apologized sincerely, unfazed by Gensei’s cold remark. But as his grandfather narrowed his eyes further, Alisa stepped forward, positioned herself beside Masachika, and bowed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, and I work in the student council with Yuki Suou. I realize this isn’t an appropriate time to come over, especially unannounced, but would it be okay if I checked up on Yuki?”
Gensei shifted his gaze to Alisa, stared her right in the eye, and replied:
“I’m Yuki’s grandfather, Gensei Suou… You made sure to tell your parents you were coming over, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Uh…”
Masachika, who had entirely forgotten to contact Kyoutarou, grunted. With his mind tangled in countless thoughts and because he’d essentially lived on his own, the thought of calling his parents had never occurred to him.
Both his and Alisa’s jaws dropped slightly, prompting an increasingly sharp glare from Gensei, but just as Masachika braced himself for the scolding he knew was coming, ready to apologize—
“Just come inside,” Gensei said unexpectedly, and turned his back to them. He opened the door and stepped back inside. “We have guests. Take them to Yuki’s room,” he instructed Natsu, who was waiting nearby.
“As you wish. This way, please.”
After Natsu bowed politely to Gensei, she turned to welcome Masachika and Alisa inside. But as they stepped through the entryway, Gensei disappeared deeper into the house.
“…”
“This way, please.”
Once Gensei was out of sight, Natsu quietly set out a pair of slippers for each of them, which they promptly put on.
“Thank you for coming over today. Oh, Miss Kujou, allow me to introduce myself. I am Natsu Kimishima, Ayano Kimishima’s grandmother, and I work for the Suou family.”
“Oh, you’re Ayano’s grandmother? Allow me to introduce myself again. I’m Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou. I apologize for stopping by so late at night.”
“There is absolutely nothing to apologize for. I am sure Lady Yuki will be thrilled. She does, however, have the flu, so please wear these masks.”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
“Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. Now please, follow me.”
After accepting the masks from Natsu, they followed her deeper into the mansion.
“You really surprised me, you know? I never expected to see you here, Master Masachika…and with such a lovely young lady as well,” gushed Natsu, still facing forward.
“…Yeah, I’m really sorry about this. I know it was sudden.”
“Not at all. I am just so happy that—oh dear. I think I’m going to cry. I suppose this is a sign that I’m getting old.”
Natsu sniffled, making Masachika feel awkward. Fortunately, they soon arrived at Yuki’s room, where Natsu knocked three times. The door opened from the inside almost immediately.
“Yes?”
Ayano emerged, and her eyes went wide the instant she noticed Masachika standing behind Natsu.
“Master Masachika…”
“…Sorry I’m late.”
Ayano’s eyes glistened slightly as she lowered her head.
“Not at all… Please, come in,” she replied briefly, stepping to the side to make way for Masachika and Alisa.
I probably should have done this much sooner…
Natsu’s and Ayano’s emotional reactions made that clear, but those sentimental thoughts were instantly swept away the moment he saw Yuki.
“Ah…”
The small girl with long, braided black hair was lying weakly in a large bed. The faint scent of soap filled the air, and he could feel the humidity on his skin; all of it evoked memories of the past, stopping Masachika in his tracks.
“Masachika…”
Snapped back to reality by Alisa’s worried voice, he resumed walking until he reached the bedside where a chair was placed, likely where Ayano had been sitting moments earlier. His hand hesitantly landed on Yuki’s forehead, its gentle warmth against his palm making him bite his lip. Then Yuki slowly opened her eyes.
“Mngh…”
Her dim, vacant gaze stared at the ceiling before slowly moving toward Masachika. Then, in a dry, hoarse voice, she whispered:
“Big Brother…?”
“…!”
She addressed him just like she had when they were children, and Masachika swallowed the surge of emotion welling up deep within his chest.
“Yeah, it’s me… Are you okay?”
He realized how stupid the question was the instant the words left his mouth, yet seeing Yuki’s face scrunch up still took him by surprise.
“Yuki…?”
“Uuu…waaah…! Big Brother…!!”
Tears slipped from her tightly shut eyes as she wept like a child, her voice hoarse as she sobbed and hiccupped.
“Ngh…! It hurts… It hurts so bad…! Make—make it stop.”
This childlike behavior was worlds apart from the graceful poise she showed at school or the playful mischief she displayed with him. Her pitiful sobs were slowly tightening around Masachika’s heart until it felt like it was going to burst.
Why didn’t I come sooner…?!
He was unable to keep holding back, and his tears broke free. No longer aware or even concerned that Alisa was watching, he wrapped his arms around Yuki’s frail body and embraced her.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Masachika apologized repeatedly, tears streaming down his cheeks, while Yuki continued to whimper, perhaps not even hearing his voice.
“I can’t take it anymore… Why…?! Why do only I have to feel this way… H-help me…,” Yuki said between sobs.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…! If only I could take your place, I would…!”
“Mn… Hic! Uuurgh…”
“I’m so sorry…”
He gently rubbed her back. Through the fabric of her pajamas, he could feel the sharp edges of her bones beneath her skin, and the frailty of her body only deepened his sorrow as the tears continued to fall.