After Christina and the others got out of the bath, Latifa and Liselotte headed into it.
“Aki’s avoiding Haruto?” Liselotte repeated, voice echoing through the bathroom.
“Yeah. I invited her to eat with me and Onii-chan for both breakfast and lunch, but she evaded me both times. I don’t think she completely hates him, but...”
Latifa rested her chin on her arms at the edge of the tub and let out a weary sigh.
“Sorry for troubling you. I thought you’d know the two of them well enough to come up with an idea I haven’t thought of,” she said hesitantly.
“Don’t be silly, Suzune—no, Latifa. I’m happy you came to me for help. Feel free to consult me about anything.”
Liselotte called her Latifa on purpose and smiled gently.
“Thank you, Liselotte.”
Latifa grinned happily and threw herself at Liselotte, who was soaking in the bathtub beside her.
“That tickles, Latifa,” Liselotte said, dimples showing on her face.
“Tee hee.”
“Can you tell me more about Haruto... No, about Amakawa Haruto and Aki’s relationship? I know they’re siblings, but I don’t know the details.” Liselotte sat up on the edge of the tub and patted the space beside her.
“Sure!”
Latifa beamed happily and sat beside Liselotte. She then told her about the relationship between Amakawa Haruto and Sendo Aki. About how when Haruto was seven and Aki was four, their parents divorced and they were separated. About how Aki was young, and seeing her mother suffer made her detest her father and brother.
“That’s why Aki feels conflicted about the current Onii-chan, who’s his reincarnation. Onii-chan also knows that she hates Amakawa Haruto, so he refrains from interacting with her too... But I didn’t hear their thoughts directly,” Latifa said in summary.
“And what do you want to do about it?” Liselotte asked.
“I don’t want things to stay the way they are. I’m not Amakawa Haruto’s little sister, but I kind of see Aki as a sister...”
“So you want the two of them to be closer? Do you want to set up an opportunity for the two of them to talk?”
“Yes! I want them to talk things out properly, just once! But all I can do is invite the two of them to eat together...”
“I see. In that case, it would be better for there to be less people there. They’ll be discussing a pretty delicate topic...”
“Yeah. But I don’t think I should be the one inviting them to talk about it, and Aki’s caught on to me and started avoiding Onii-chan for every meal. That’s why I’m wondering if there’s any other way of setting up an opportunity...”
With so many people living under one roof, it was quite difficult to discuss things in secret. Even more so when one party was actively avoiding the other.
“You’ll have to find a natural excuse to lure Aki out.”
“Yeah. Do you have any good ideas?” Latifa asked, quietly staring at Liselotte’s side profile. Liselotte noticed her gaze and turned to look at her.
“Shall I invite them, then?” she said, responding to the little girl who looked up to her.
“Huh?!”
“I don’t know if it’ll go well, but I have a good excuse in mind I could use. Though I may need to make some preparations in advance.”
“Really?! Thank you, Liselotte!”
Overcome with emotion, Latifa clung to Liselotte.
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
“I-It’s still early to be happy. I don’t know if it’ll work out. You haven’t even heard my idea yet.”
Liselotte squirmed a little, embarrassed by such a straightforward display of affection.
“No, if it’s you helping out, I’m sure it’ll go well!”
“I hope so... But I think you could have gone to the others for help too. Miharu should know about Haruto and Aki well, and everyone else would happily help out too,” Liselotte said bashfully.
“Maybe... But you were the first person I thought to ask.”
“Why’s that?” Liselotte asked curiously.
“Why... Hmm. Because you’re special...”
Latifa herself didn’t seem to know the reason. She scratched her head.
“How so?”
“You’re like a real sister to me. Oh, but that goes for everyone else. Hmm. Maybe because I have a connection to Rikka? I know all we did was ride the same bus, so we weren’t actually close, but that makes you special to me,” Latifa said with a carefree grin. Those words seemed to resonate in Liselotte’s chest.
“Gosh, you’re just so cute.” This time, Liselotte gave Latifa a squeeze.
“Huh?” Latifa was round-eyed, having not expected the return hug.
“I think of you as my little sister as well, so feel free to rely on me whenever,” Liselotte said gently, arms still wrapped around her.
“Yup! Big sis!” Latifa replied, beaming from ear to ear.